#and its only mildly but also extremely aggravating

[subpar-celestial]

I NEED a formal apology for being weirded out by sterek because I just saw some shit with Tyler Hoachlen talking about how inconsistent his characters age is.

AND UPON REWATCH IT ISSSS!!! At the beginning Stiles openly States Derek is just a few years older than them (presumably 2-3 max), but as the show goes on I SWEAR they start treating this man like he's in his thirties!!

AND I KNOW y'all are gonna mention how Crystal Reed was older than Tyler Hoechlin and it's trueeee, but it's all about the perception. None of them were actually highschool age but we perceived them to be and then Derek just like kept getting older and older.

By the end he was pretty solidly roped in with the adults. In my mind there was the pack (Scott and the gang), the adult pack (parents+ Derek), and the puppy pack (you all know who all that refers to).

Basically my dumbass with short term memory forgot that Stiles literally says Derek is a few years older than him, and I got confused about the legitimacy of these fictional characters relationship.

#teen wolf #derek hale #stiles stilinski #sterek #im SORRY OK #IM KIND OF DUMB #tyler hoechlin #forgot to put that in there #i like to have a certain hierarchy when ot comes to tags #but more recently my phone likes to glitch if i try and move the tags around #so i have to try and get it all right the first time or start from scratch #and its only mildly but also extremely aggravating

[lets-try-some-writing]

i love it when people apply the whole “humans are space orcs” idea to transformer humans.

jack, miko and raf just doing regular, average day things that make the bots both extremely worried and unsettled gives me so much brainrot.

I got you here. I love this kind of lore/reaction ask.

Each of the children have a particular habit that bothers the team more than anything else. Can it be explained? Not really. All humans do the things they do. But for the bots, it is strange and out of sorts all the same.

Miko always carries around a bottle of sparkling water. She adores the stuff. The team, despite knowing it is not what the name implies, are still horrified with her drinking habits. Not to mention, they can't help but wonder where all the liquid goes. She drinks up to three whole bottles of water a day. In her own words "Hydrate or die." That in it of itself is concerning since the team, while well aware that humans need water, do not know how much they need exactly. The team are down right terrified of her ability to down water like a dry sponge. How can such a small fleshy even consume that much? They aren't entirely sure. Not only that, but if she drinks that much, then are Jack and Rafael getting enough? They can't be.

Not only does Miko down water like a bone dry houseplant, she also drinks just about anything else too. The team have seen her chug sodas which contain Primus knows how many strange chemicals and compounds. They've observed her willingly drink things that no other would on bets, including food that has been blended and watered down just because Jack wanted to see if it was possible for her to down hotdog cafeteria milk cheeto apple slurry.

Yes the team are terrified of humans and their ability to put anything inside themselves and walk it off. But more than any other, they fear Miko. Who knows what she's consumed.

All the kids do it, but Jack is the most notable since when he needs to go to the restroom, he makes it loud and clear mainly so that someone knows to keep an eye on Miko. The team are aware that organics have a need to manually handle removing waste since their systems are rather inefficient, however there is a certain level of mysteriousness surrounding the restrooms. The bots don't want to watch or even know HOW the humans get rid of waste, but they do know that THINGS happen in the restroom that seem to either be painful, emotional, refreshing, or aggravating. No one can really be sure what reaction will follow those who enter the space. Sometimes Jack or one of the other kids will go in there seemingly to just be alone.

It is a strange and almost sacred location where strange happenings occur. Miko went in once with bloody clothes and emerged with a fresh set before Ratchet could figure out what was wrong in the first place. Jack went in once and came out an hour later looking like he'd gone to war after he convinced Arcee to let him stop and get takeout the night before. Rafael took his charger and computer in there and hogged the space for a while to get away from the others once. The team does not know what happens in there, but it is mildly concerning since it either repairs or breaks a person.

Bulkhead theorizes that its a pocket dimension like the shadow zone. Ratchet refuses to think about it. Optimus will say nothing about whatever he knows. Arcee and Bee assume its a safe haven or sorts and Wheeljack is almost certain they keep weapons in there. Ultra Magnus and Smokescreen both agree that the restroom is simply a quiet space where a human can deal with personal issues in peace.

No bot is willing to try and confirm anything since humans flip out at any attempts to view the supposedly sacred ground.

Rafael is generally pretty good about flying under the radar most of the time, but he has a habit that has caught the team's attention. Humans have been noted doing what they can to clean themselves on their own. Its rather ineffective to clean one's own venting openings with digits considering the sheer amount of germs involved, but it is not out of the question to do so when a cleaning cloth is not available. Rafael occasionally and quietly trying to clean his nose is not what bothers the team.

No what horrifies them is the goop that he pulls out after his attempt at cleaning. What Ratchet has studied states that the goop is referred to by a number names, but is commonly called snot. Its the natural germ catcher humans have, but it still unsettles the team whenever Rafael quietly blows a few or when one of the others grabs a tissue and makes a rather disgusting sound as they try to clear their airways.

The goop reminds the team of any number of horrible things. But the sheer amount of GROSS within a small amount of the stuff has left the team all gagging whenever they find the stuff around base. Rafael is usually good about being clean, but sometimes he gets lazy and will use his chair to hide his cleaning attempts. Bumblebee has almost purged a few times seeing the marks on the chair from where Rafael may or may not have wiped his fingers.

Is he twelve? Yes. Is he fully mature? No. That much is evident just by looking at his chair.

#transformers #maccadam #team prime #tfp kids #rafael esquivel #miko nakadai #jack darby #cybertronian biology #cybertronian culture #optimus prime #ratchet #bumblebee #bulkhead #arcee #smokescreen #ultra magnus #wheeljack #these kids #humans in general man #we are gross critters and the bots know it

[rottenappleheart]

I finished “Heaven’s Vault,” that archaeology/alien translation game that everyone was so excited about before it came out, and then I never heard of again. I think I know why. 

Short version: it seems as though it was made by people who were very good at the worldbuilding/linguistics parts, and not very good at making a video game.

Long version:  I did enjoy the game, eventually.  Beat it in just under 20 hours, feeling fairly good that I hadn’t missed anything major and had done everything I could find to do before the end. I also see now that there’s a New Game+ which gives the opportunity to spin things out again in a different manner, with more information, and this really neat article (spoilers ahoy) talks about how the mere concept of a NG+ is part of the worldbuilding (the Loop religion centers around the idea that everything that has happened will happen again.) 

The learning curve was very steep at the beginning, because of the aforementioned gameplay problems getting in the way of the “meat” of the game. Some low points:

The controls are extremely janky and remained frustrating throughout. I had to turn the mouse sensitivity to its very lowest setting to avoid spinning like a top, and the restricted camera angles often send you walking off in a direction you never meant, leaping back and forth through doorways when you just wanted to enter (or exit) a room, etc. 

The mandatory and constant “sailing” minigame, while beautiful, is aggravating and not as fun as I assume the developers thought it would be, given how much you have to do it. Whereas Wind Waker’s equally mandatory and equally constant sailing is a feature of the game, here it was mostly a lengthy interruption between the snippets of actual content. Except that bits of the story are also spun out in conversations between Aliya and the robot Six on these sailing interludes, so you’re encouraged not to skip them, the few times you are even given that option.

The graphics are... odd and awkward, unfortunately. The developers tried a very neat thing with (beautiful and detailed) 3D rendered environments, populated by (also beautiful, but jarringly animated) 2D hand-drawn characters. Who don’t have feet, but kind of fade into invisibility just below the knees, so as to avoid rendering walking animations, I guess. It’s very strange. There’s also no “collision sensor,” so your 2D player character is constantly clipping through other 2D NPCs, which sometimes interrupt everything you’re doing for a 15 second animated scene where they greet you, then walk away. There’s no way to avoid this. And when that happens, it overrides and cancels any ambient but plot-relevant discussion you were having with Six, which was deeply frustrating.

Speaking of which - there are a lot of strange, time-consuming transitions. Walking out of one section of the Elboreth marketplace into another takes another 10 second scene triggered by you entering a doorway, just to show you walking through a side alley. Every single time. When you show artifacts to a colleague, he will walk all the way to the other side of his office and walk all the way back before offering the same dialogue as every time before. Realistic, to grant him time to check his data? Yes. Extremely frustrating as an element of gameplay? Also yes.

Also, my game glitched multiple times, everything slowing to an infinite limbo as a triggering event failed to trigger, requiring a full reset. Any interaction with Oroi, for whatever reason, had a 33% chance of glitching. 

All of this adds up to a game that creaks and clunks, and is deeply frustrating to play. These are all things which seem fueled by bad design/poor planning, and it takes away from the GOOD parts of the game. Namely:

It’s really beautiful (once you get over the 2D/3D intersection.) The music is lovely, and all the designs are top notch. I really enjoyed spending time in these various worlds and discovering their history. (Actually WALKING through the worlds, less enjoyable, but...)

The development of the story and the character interactions is mostly organic and nuanced. Like a Bioware game (I’m sorry to reference them but it’s the easiest comparison), your responses to different plot events and side characters, and the order in which you discover things (or even what conclusions you draw! there isn’t necessarily a single right answer!) shapes the narrative. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes obvious when the NPCs have run out of interactions for you... such as when you take a twenty-minute sail to revisit your home planet, suffer through endless clipping issues and mandatory transitions, only for your contacts there to have zero dialogue options. (Whoops, this was supposed to be the “good” section.) 

The translations, which are the heart of the game, become really fun after the first few. Initially, you have ZERO information when you are given your first line of text to interpret, and have to guess blindly. In a little bit, you are given more information to determine whether that first guess was right or wrong. It’s a little frustrating, but I think what the developers were going for is that Aliya is already roughly familiar with Ancient script, and whatever initial guess she makes is about 50/50 correct. Each new line of text you uncover builds on the glyphs you already know. It became very fun to make more educated guesses - ah, I recognize the symbol we identified as “Gods,” so maybe combined with this other symbol, it might be “Prayer” or “Temple” - something related. Or when you start breaking down the “me/you/we/my/your/our” glyphs, it all makes SENSE. That was the fun part I eventually couldn’t get enough of - parsing out what Ancient meant, and piecing together the story behind the Nebula.

I genuinely did gasp when I figured out A Big Thing about the world story.

I really love stories about robots. Long-suffering, mildly sarcastic robots who are trying very hard to keep you alive while you do stupid things like climb down cliffs they can’t follow. I am very glad I was warned about the risk of losing Six forever and could avoid that particular path, because I think the last third of the game would have been a real bummer without Six as a companion.

Do I recommend it? Yes... mostly. Yes, with the caveats above about how clunky and frustrating the gameplay is. I probably will replay it in a while, taking advantage of the NG+, but not right away - I need to play something less inherently frustrating.

I wish there were more games like this, but I also wish it had been better developed, so that the good parts of it could really shine.

#heaven's vault

[iwritethat]

Jason Todd: Little Red Riding Hood

A/N: Another Halloween one lovelies!! 🎃

Warnings: Language, mildly suggestive themes

>>>>—————————>

Black Mask was extremely aggravating at this precise moment in time, of course the dealer always was but for Jason, now in particular, he had reached another level.

"Aw, Little Red Riding Hood is off her game." Roman taunted further.

The vigilante shot in frustration, the wistful gun smoke mirroring his anger perfectly - there was a reason for the unusual mockery but Jason hadn't figured it out yet.

"Fuck off old man, I'm not in the mood!"

A sudden whistle rebounded off of the walls, the action seemingly harmless at first glance leading Jason to reposition his twin pistols toward a cornered Black Mask once more wearing a smirk under his helmet.

Although, a low warning growl echoed in the silence drawing his attention and eliciting maniacal laughter from the master who called it - deadly crimson irises sparkling in the moonlight and silky matte black fur flowing with the oversized predators movements. An array of questions and string of curses ravaged Red's mind as it prowled around him, the play on Red Riding Hood making much more sense now faced with the Big Bad Wolf - how Roman Sionis acquired such a creature remaining unknown.

The beast displayed a healing factor, recovering from bullet wounds in record time as well as maintaining fluent speed and agility Jason could barely keep up with. Although, through cunning he was able to shoot overhead wires to send multiple heavy steel poles toppling down on the creature with a pained whine. Without waiting for the wolf to awaken, Red Hood was hunting Roman down to finally track him to his escape helicopter on the roof until holding him at gunpoint that is. However, when you stumbled through the door panting heavily and glaring at Black Mask - the villain found an alternate bargaining chip. A shrill scream escaped your lips once you felt the piercing bullet through your shoulder and caused you to lean against the doorframe holding your injury.

"You're such a dick Roman!" Venom laced your tone, practically spitting his name like the bile he was before fading into unconsciousness.

"Ah ah, now Red Riding Hood... you can kill me, or save the civilian." Black Mask held the upper hand, there is no way Red Hoods conscience would allow him to let an innocent die, you looked rough already with claw gashes decorating your clothing as well as the blood sinking down your torso. Probably a victim of that beast he'd fought earlier, leverage for some addict Roman dealt to who couldn't pay up - you were undeserving of this situation.

.

You awoke with a deep breathe, immediately sitting upright causing a brief dizzy spell. The surroundings were unfamiliar, various blankets coated your body as well as bandages encircling you waist and shoulder which were briskly removed revealing no signs of injury at all - quirks of a werewolf you suppose. However, such phenomenons would be considered suspicious by even Gotham standards and as a result you rewrapped them just in case.

At that moment a handsome young man strolled into your space, carrying clean bandages and pain killers, the sight surprising to see considering his less than emasculate association with Red Hood you supposed.

"You're up then stranger." Your only response was an acknowledging hum to which he didn't seem to mind. Although as soon a he reached for your wrapping you were quick to stand, backing away with a defensive stance.

"Don't touch me."

"Tch, you took a damn bullet! I’m gonna call the hospital." He chastised, not much care to his tone.

"No! I'm fine, the bandages are fine - thanks and I've gotta go."

"Then, I'm getting you back to wherever you came from or else Mask is just gonna hunt you down again dumbass. Luckily for you that bullet took out whatever device he planted in your shoulder." The stranger sarcastically replied, crossing his arms with an exasperated sigh.

You gently traced your shoulder, knowing he no longer had control over you anymore. "Heh, he has crap aim when he’s panicking and thanks Red but I’ll be doing the hunting.”

"The names Jason." He acted indifferent but you could hear his heartbeat increase.

"Red Hood, Jason - same thing, what would you prefer me to call you? Little Red Riding Hood perhaps?" You gave a mischievous smirk, both scents identical to your finely tuned nose. Jason looked defeated, released a bored sigh and disregarded all pretences.

"Tch. Anyway, Roman’s heading out to Santa Prisca in a few weeks so I’ve got that covered and you can be on your way.”

“Perfect, I owe him a bullet. Don’t even try to argue, I’m both resourceful and strong enough to get there on my own regardless - I also know the Santa Prisca base inside out.” You posed a valid justification, albeit still wasn’t enough for him to trust you but that meant you were on the same page.

“For fucks sake...” Any other time he would’ve left tag alongs behind but for some strange instinctive reason, he didn’t think that’d be an option with you.

.

It required teamwork, a gathering of intel and resources - some of which you acquired via intimidation, crimson irises and razor fangs were persuasive - not that you allowed your unwilling partner to bear witness to such atrocities. Although you suspected he had suspicions regarding your mysterious uncanny ability to retrieve answers yet chose to ignore it.

In time you found yourselves standing in the mist of Santa Prisca’s dense forestry under a veil of stars, you’d arrived later than expected and despite Jason’s determined nature you’d pestered him enough to let you rest until midnight. Of course at that point, you’d have additional power with the full moon revealing itself.

Unfortunately lighting a campfire left you at risk of being detected at such close proximity to their base, but it wasn’t an issue as your natural body temperature kept you warm and as a result you were curled up at the base of a tree in no time. However, your sleep was disturbed when a sudden rush of heat seeped through your body and upon opening your eyes caught a glimpse of Jason strolling away with a stretch before lying on the ground, arms tucked behind his head and gaze towed at the starry sky. Your brows furrowed, not sure as to why he’d felt the urge to drape his jacket over your sleeping form rather than keep it for himself - besides he needed it more. With a huff, you stood up and walked over to him only to throw it back on his chest.

“What the- it’s called chivalry!” Jason begrudgingly whisper yelled after jumping from the unexpected interruption.

“I can hear your teeth chattering from over there and I can’t sleep so shut up and warm up.” Was your heartless reply, smirking as your friend rolled his eyes but as you went back to your spot, it seemed his temperature hadn’t risen as much as you’d liked.

Again you returned, this time stripping your own jacket which left more of your heated skin exposed and placed it over him before lying against his side, head on his chest and arm laid on his waist - more heat radiating from your body in order to warm him up.

“(Y/n) what the hell are you doing?! I’m fine!” Jason was incredibly tense, edging away from you purely due to shock as he justified himself.

“It’s chivalry or whatever, trust me.” With your quiet but stern counter, he couldn’t deny how addicting your warmth was and despite his reservations his body was attracted to your warmth like a magnet.

Soon enough his heart rate lowered, muscles comfortably relaxing as he’d subconsciously embraced your presence and had in fact drifted off to sleep before you did much to your amusement.

Midnight rolled around, your biological clock waking you and forcing your irises to glow a deep crimson but your movements whilst you sat up stirred Jason, since you’d slipped out of his grip, who caught a glimpse of them as you’d turned away - instantly he’d pulled you back, grasping your jaw to face him only to find your natural eye colour glaring back.

“I sleep with you once and you think you can kiss me whenever you want?”

“I wasn’t gonna - your eyes were - lets just get moving.” He snapped from his thoughts, too flustered to form a coherent sentence and instantly removed himself to find his helmet muttering something under his breath.

.

Upon entering the base, you found yourselves before Black Mask, unconscious henchmen in your wake thanks to your turbulent teamwork.

"How cute, it took longer than I expected but my little lap dog brought you here anyway. Too bad Red Hood." At his words and beckoning whistle, you stepped toward him as Mask ordered...

Like countless times before, you found your body configuring to its alternative form, silky black fur cascading down your back with a deadly snarl echoing across the island landscape.

"Interesting thing with wolves Hood, they have loyalty. Now kill 'im (Y/n)!" You prowled around Roman, standing beside the man who now held the upper hand with his greatest weapon by his side.

"(Y/n)?!" Jason was unreadable, the helmet making sure of that but you could hear the betrayal in his voice, an underlying tone of hurt accompanied your name whilst he silently pleaded with you. Though your focus was no longer on him, a glare was directed at your tail that appeared to be wagging due to Jason's attention - god no.

At least you could hide a crush when not wolfing out, this was just embarrassing... before anyone could notice the uncharacteristic behaviour you chose to speak, voice an octave lower than your usual one.

"Interesting thing about loyalty Roman, it has to be earned. And the Red Hood has most definitely earned mine... you however? Not so much."

Jason lowered his guns as a scattered Roman tumbled to the floor in a failed attempt to scramble away after you savagely barked at him, a large paw on his chest to pin him in place and pearly incisors centimetres from his terrified face.

“...So do I have to get you a collar now, because, I mean... I will...” The vigilante quipped, no doubt less than decent purposes occupying his mind as you sighed in exasperation, looking up at him with a deadly gaze before walking past and ensuring to swish your oversized tail in his face as you went leaving him to a defeated crime lord.

“I’ll take that as a no.”

.

By the time you’d morphed back and returned to the balcony in a stolen soldiers jacket and spare bottoms from your supplies you found Mask hung from the roof and gagged for the authorities to collect. Jason had waited for you and started on the path back to where you’d arrived on the island in silence, supposedly neither of you knowing what to say to each now alone. However, you felt at ease considering he hadn’t left without you even if it was mildly awkward.

“So that’s why you were so warm...” His voice was calm but quiet, though his words caused you to look up at him and answer somewhat guiltily.

“Yeah.”

“And the interrogations?”

“Yeah...”

“Hm.” It was simple, Jason still processing the information whilst silence once again took over the two of you as the walk continued. His expression remaining contemplative but accepting since he’d removed his helmet.

"Your eyes are beautiful by the way, I couldn’t say that earlier since you wanted to kiss me and all.” Jason wore a kind smile now, sensing your silent self hatred he’d playfully knocked your arm in order to stir a heartier reply.

"Oh you’re hilarious, how you honour me damned prince of Gotham." And he got one.

“Great to sleep with and funny too, you're the whole package aren't you furball?" It seemed as though the snarky exchanges had returned, bringing with them a sense of reassuring normalcy again.

“You’re just upset that you woke up as the little spoon Red Riding Hood.” You rolled your eyes with a challenging smirk, winking at Jason who only returned the gesture.

“Hey, there’s nothin wrong with that - besides it’s your turn next Big Bad Wolf.”

“Bite me.”

“Just tell me where and how hard, I might surprise you wolfie.” His flirtatious comments left you flushed but hadn’t left you defenceless.

“You can shiver tonight.”

#jason todd #jason todd imagine #jason todd x reader #red hood #red hood imagine #red hood x reader #dc #dc imagine #dc gets spoopy

[sarcasm-loathing-blog]

⋅⊱♊∂σทτ τrυsτ нєr ƒαcα∂є♊⊰⋅

⋅⊱♊qυєsτiσทiทg i∂єทτiτiєs♊⊰⋅

She stumbled in as another strong gust of wind pushed her into the building, the left double door caving in and flinging open, banging against the wall. The sudden slam echoed into the living room and empty space, causing her to grimace and scramble to close the door. So much for stealthy.

The chilling sounds of an oh so familiar cartoon reached her ears. She averted her gaze to a nearby wall as she shut and locked the door behind her, feeling the harsh breeze rattling the doorknob as she did so. She could hear the show, but at the same time she could somehow still see the up and down jerky mouth movements of the ship on the screen, that horrible horrible laugh. She had a bad rep with the show, having watched one episode as a kid, that kind of cut cable from her family forever. It was just a fucking show, but dear god it was sickening, especially the character, the skin taker. His mouth movements weren't particularly pleasing, he grinded his teeth left to right instead of the normal way a puppet should, up and down.

After her silent and short lived panic cooled down, she brushed herself off like something had stuck to her whilst she had made her way to the mansion, that wasn't the case, every hair was in place, not a single thing had ruined her appearance, because she was perfect. She strived to be the embodiment of perfection.

Ever so casually, she heaved the heavy backpack off of her shoulders before slinging it onto one of the rings of the sturdy coat rack, testing the stability before letting go and turning her head towards the three or so figures hanging on the couch, watching-that show. It should be static to her by now, right? Right?

She narrowed her eyes at the characters, trying to identify them with what little light shed onto their figures from the soft luminescent glow of the screen, then-it clicked. Sideburns, Ashy, and Goggles McGhee. Three of whom she didn't exactly interact with-well, what do you expect, with the higharchy of this damned mansion, you would be a fool to even glance at the musketeers with what authority they had. She began to back away, her clammy hands folding together as a possible comfort technique.

They all seemed fixated on the small retro TV, she often wondered how the hell they got cable and electricity all the way out here, she's made a theory that there was some sort of electrical system only for pastas or something, but its an extremely weak theory. She rolled her eyes and silently scoffed, uninterested in the activity. Its safe to say she hasn't watched TV in a while, 5 years at best, considering her RV just barely has electricity, she doesn't need a TV-well, she wish she had one, sort of.

Sideburns, or Masky, to others, sat with him. It would be foolish to address a proxy as an equal, she had a silent respect for them both, strong powerful beings whom don't have to slave away with a broom every day. They're living the life-well, not exactly. She was one who was allowed to remember her past life, give or take she had succumbed to the fact she had no hope of returning to it in the future.

Suddenly, as quick as a crack of lightening, Ashy turned his head away from the screen, the black endless orbs of the mask peering into the darkness, she heard a deep inhale. What was it doing? She deemed him it for just a moment, his movements so animalistic you could actually feel the wild like aura he held. Oh god, his gaze had directed om her. He made a movement with his hand, seeming to slap Sideburns on the shoulder with the back of his hand, causing Sideburns to startle a bit before glancing back over his shoulder. Well, this is-she didn't know what to call it. Disturbing? Unnerving? She didn't like the position she was in, then-Ashy began to rise from the couch, he began to speak-there was a raspy undertone in his voice, like he doesn't use it a lot, something seemed to creep from his words, something slimy and black with a bunch of tiny legs.

"Who are you."

It seemed more like a demand then a question, she flinched on instinct as she felt eyes almost immediately peer towards her in the darkness.

"Your dad, im back with cigs"

Ashy seemed to be narrowing his eyes-or lack of, definitely lack of, on her. She swollowed the hard forming lump in her throat as she tried to turtle into her clothes, seemingly phased by the cold glare that the being was somehow directing at her.

She froze in place, only then realizing that she was backing away, the heels of her boots scuffing the peeling yellowed hideously wallpapered wall behind her as she drew her arms to her chest, her head lowering to cover her neck in case the figure went for a punch to her throat. How does someone answer that?

"Hey, my name is Trinity, im the fucking maid who washes the skid marks from your undies, good luck holding a proper conversation with me because the only thing I want to talk about is how fucking horrible my job is, I hadn't had proper social interaction in, like 5 years!"

Yea, that would totally work, her hand slid into her coat, fingering the Browning high power 9 mm pistol that bounced at her hip. It gave her a raw sense of empowerment, like she was a ring leader, and Eyeless jack was a lion.

"My name is Trinity. I clean up around here, I usually do it at night, but I had something to do last night and never had to opportunity."

She was mildly impressed by the steady dull flat tone she used and how she was able to speak over a mumble. She didn't get to cocky yet, how would they believe her? Did she have to whip out her bottle of Windex and cleaning rags?

"That's a nice name."

Masky was a little unamused by the female. Sure, he may not of seen her before, but no, she doesn't faze him. He blinked slowly, then looked over at Jack. Look, it'll be pretty sad seeing this gremlin of a woman try and fail to fight this hulking figure, so he decided to give her a hand and take her word for it. Most creatures couldn't pass through the mushroom circle anyways.

His voice sounded deep, as though he hasn't slept for a couple of centuries, with a bit of a smokers cough. He didn't introduce himself, who cares for casualties? His gaze darted towards Goggles McGhee , instead of soaking the drama in, the male was leaning forward, fixated on the static covered screen as if it was the most engrossing morning cartoon he's ever watched. Sideburns rolled his eyes underneath the black opaque fabric covering the eyeholes of his mask before glancing back at the gorl.

She pursed her lips together, her eyebrows knitting in confusion as the words had rolled around in her mind, slowly peacing together into a sentence, a little lightbulb finally flicked on inside her mind as she nodded slowly. "Thank you-?" It seemed more like a question, its been a while since she actually-got a compliment, you know? Because she was the embodiment of loneliness.

Ashy, on the other hand, would need a bit more convincing. If he could, he would have already tackled her to the ground and ripped out her spine from her still squirming soon to be corpse, but something was nagging him in the back of his mind, something was telling him that maybe she was telling the truth. He ignored that tiny thought, his hand sliding into the grey worn and bleach stained hoodie he adorned before fingering the warm smooth metal of the blade. It felt alive, due to how his body tempature was keeping it warm.

"I smell bullcrap."

"It's probably your upper lip."

Her gaze adverted back to Ashy, a frown tugging on her lips as she cocked her head. "Well, im sorry to hear that, would you like me to elaborate?" She held a snarky comment on the back of her tongue, it pressed against her teeth, struggling to push out before she heard the soft thump of a stuffed toy hitting a step and the pats of tiny feet hitting the smooth floorboards of the second story hall. There was a flash of a dirty salmon color in the corner of her eye before it dissapeared, She couldn't keep one eye on jack and the other on the toy, so she kept her eyes on jack, but did address the toys presence for future reference.

Jack turned his head, listening in-a giggle erupted from the hallway, high pitched and playful. Sally. Ashy couldn't see Sally, also known as button eyes-but he could smell her. She always smelt of letting meat and sugar cookies. His defensive attitude kicked in as he gripped his scalpel in a vice-like grip, bristling like an angry cat at this point “I don’t know who you are, but you don’t belong here, if you worked here over night then I'd at least would have picked up your scent.” he growled, his heart rate picking up.

His chest hurt, the goop kept streaming from his sockets, he felt his headache lightly at the back of his skull as he rolled his shoulders.

"Well, if you were able to smell me, then you'd possibly be able to smell yourself and take a bath for once, news flash-you reek of death."

The words left her mouth before she could comprehend what was happening, she mentally struggled to shovel them back down her gaping maw before it was too late, a flash of regret misted her eyes, but it was true, even from here, she could smell the rotting flesh interlaced between with teeth and underneath his nails. This seemed to silently enrage him. "Look-you, do I need to prove it? This place would be a fucking dump without me." She jabbed her thumb into her chest, her eyes narrowed into an ice spiked glare, she was going all out with this.

She felt angry, frustrated, scared, etc.... Why the hell was she even having this argument in the first place? It was clear that this person was insignificant and unimportant-no, that's not true, that's definitely not true, they were important, they were strong, they could kill her.

Sideburns looked back and forth to who was talking. The conversation was going nowhere, the two only threw threats at one another whilst also trying to gain the upper ground, it was aggravating. He blinked hard, almost shed a tear, but he's extremely dehydrated. His tiredness was getting the best of him, which is a bad thing in this situation.

"Look, how about we let her go, besides, she cleans. I mean, it's like arguing with a janitor, you're not going anywhere if they speak Spanish."

She was tempted to gasp melodramatically, how dare he compare her to a janitor-but she didn't, she kept silent, ever so slowly closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose to suppress the oncoming headache. Dear lord, save her soul, she didn't ask for this, she didn't ask for this job, it just came to her. In all honesty, she wanted to crawl into a ball and dissapear into a black endless void, she was edgy like that-no, she actually wanted to be home. She wanted to be back at home before she had moved away from college, back with her mom and three brothers, as they danced in the bare widely spaced living room to music. Those were the good times, before she changed her hair and begun to wear eyeliner and smoke pot. Before she met all her horrible wreckless teenage friends, back when she was as free as a bird.

Ashy then, at the last moment, reconsidered before  forcing himself to put his weaponry away back into the hoodie pocket it had previously resided in, such a shame he couldn’t use it today.

“If you make one wrong move or even lay a finger on Sally you won’t be so lucky...” he said with a snarl.

Jack turned his back to the woman with one final glance before turning back and giving his sleeve a sniff, even through his mask he could smell how horrid the stench emitting from his body was, his nose wrinkling in disgust. She was somewhat right, he hasn't bathed in a while.

"I'm sorry, who?"

She didn't know who this "Sally" was, perhaps it was the figure that had raced away, leaving the stuffed toy behind. She felt a bit more relaxed, give or take she no longer was an antelope dangled by the bind legs above a pit full of tigers, the corner of her mouth twitched upward, almost forming a small smile before dropping.

Thank the Lord, someone changed the channel, that droning static of candle cove was enough to make her want to rip her eyes and ears out as she envied the death. She felt a bit more clumsy now, with both her actions and her words, she needed to stay sharp, at any moment, Ashy could lunge at her and plunge that tiny little weapon of his into her gut, she wasn't a fan of dying.

"Hey, I was watching that!"

Goggles McGhee flung his hands upwards a bit before shaking his head and cussing underneath his breath. Sideburns had begun to flip through channels to see what else was on besides that creepy cartoon, he eventually landed on some sort of modeling show, the clothes they wore were hideous and it seemed that 20 gallons of hair spray held each models hair in place.

After getting little to no response, she rolled her eyes and grimaced, disgusted in her own behavior, but she couldn't help but let a sense of satisfaction and entitlement seep into her as she crossed her arms. Now then, what shall she do first? She supposed cleaning the fridge out should be what she should start off with, if she survives that, the rest of her chores would seem to be mildly easy. She turned on her heel, heading towards the kitchen with the black snakey like tail dragging behind her, whipping or flicking slightly.

Once she entered the kitchen, she noticed how dark in the room it was, considering the grime on the outside windows and the blackout curtains on the inside, her hand reached up, patting along the wall for a switch as she tried to peer through the darkness. "We're back in harmony." She muttered to herself. It was a small quote from one of her favorite books she had as a young teen, a thick novel of sorts. Finally, she found the switch before flicking it upwards with one hand, almost immedietely the bright shockingly white glare of the light above caused her to hiss and squint in distain, her hands flying to her eyes to cover them as the shock of the sudden light gradually released.

Ever so slowly, she removed her hands from her eyes, dropping them to her sides and taking a moment to review the previous events and peace together what happened. Should she apologise, should she say sorry for even being there? No, she had every right to be there, you shouldn't accuse someone of being an enemy just because you don't see them on a day to day basis. She felt slightly hurt, like she was uninvited in the only work space she had.

She shook her head quickly frim side to side, her glossy dark locks bobbing around before she shuddered. "No, im not going to do that. Risky, risky-" she didn't finish her sentences per usual, how could she? Besides, it wouldn't matter if she apologised or not,  in about 4 hours or so she could head back to her RV. In 4 hours, this would be nothing, she would go back to working at night, she would go back to the silence and solitude and peace. This was a mere ripple in her pond of routine.

It was time to get to work.

[khrsecretvalentine]

Halloween Gift For Amy!

Happy Halloween, @notaheroofjustice! I hope you’ll enjoy your present - I really love AU’s and I got a little bit carried away with this, so I’m sorry about the length and the general horrible writing (it’s very heavily inspired by Simon R. Green’s The Nightside, Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files, and Seanan McGuire’s October Day novels! I’d highly recommend them if anyone’s looking for some spooky Halloween reading!)! I hope you’ll enjoy it though and thanks for giving me an excuse to write about this beloved little AU of mine!

______________________________1____________________________

It is always 3 am in the oldest bar in the world. And most of its denizens preferred it that way - the hour had its own seductive magic to it, after all. Magic it be or not, Fran thought, it was also the most boring hour. Everything bored him lately though. Though there was always something going on in this, the oldest town in the world where anything could be bought and sold, often at the price of your own soul…or someone else’s, there’d been nothing horribly interesting lately and the boy warlock was simply too lazy to go seek out anything to amuse himself, letting himself instead sink into a state of ennui. He’d been lazing around his townhouse (which wasn’t really a townhouse but had decided to look like one, at least that week) for months now, barely leaving it, hardly showering, going in between staring at the walls to playing around in his little workroom, setting off occasional cases of spontaneous combustion in the neighbourhoods nearest to him and once making it pour down bloody rain that caused madness and grand hallucinations in all it touched. As his (not) townhouse protected him from all of his own spells, Fran had found this last quite interesting and had been having fun watching the havoc outside of his window. Unfortunately, the Wardens were at his door far too quickly for his liking and he’d had to put a stop to his little spell. After all, powerful as the boy warlock might be, even he wasn’t powerful enough to outright disobey the Wardens.

The only reason he’d emerged into the city tonight was on a tip from an old friend of his, Amy, who worked at the bar he was currently in front of. A quick tip, a little whispered ‘there’s something big going down tonight, don’t miss it’ before she’d left this morning. Amy wasn’t prone to stretching the truth - if she said something big, it must be at least mildly interesting. So Fran had showered, dressed and headed through the always crowded, almost always violent streets, his shield spells at the ready just in case anyone tried anything (not that they would…Fran’s name was well known to those who’d been in the town for very long; those who mattered, those who were strong enough to matter, knew who he served and what he could do). He’d even headed out early, his interest piqued enough to put even the most mediocre of efforts in.

Not that it mattered, he thought, huffing out a breath that blew a few errant strands of teal hair up to meet the underside of the brim of the ridiculously large and old-fashioned wizard’s hat he wore. Shortly after Fran had become acquainted with the bar and its terrifying owner, he’d been asked to do some work on the security of the place. One of his, rather ingenious, security features had been to have the door to the bar constantly move. It was always someplace different and never where you wanted it to be, honestly. You couldn’t simply walk around the building the bar was housed in to find it either - things just didn’t work that way here. The lines between reality and universes and time and space got all mixed up. The only constant to the door was that it was always somewhere and that it often showed itself to those that needed it the most. Unfortunately, Fran had never managed to once find the door on his own since he’d cast that spell. His own magic had always seemed to hate him, in an odd fashion. He normally didn’t mind but in this case, he was slowly growing as aggravated as it was possible for someone like him to feel. This was much more trouble than he’d figured. He was still curious as to what could possibly be big enough for Amy to tip him off to but, at the same time, he wasn’t about to expound so much energy on something that might not pay off. He was about ready to just give up and return home, let himself sink back into the semi-pleasant, horrible ennui again.

“Oh, were you just heading in too? Mind if I come along as well?”

The voice was right behind him, almost speaking into his ear. If Fran had been anyone else, there’s a good chance he’d have jumped, screamed, turned and attacked…anything. Fran, though, was not like anyone else and simply stood there. He blinked his eyes, both his outer eyes and his inner one, and slowly turned his head. He blinked again in recognition as his eyes met large brown ones.

“Ahh…you’re,” Fran started, his words lazy and monotone, his surprise at seeing the boy concealed very well.

“Late, I know. Sorry!” the boy replied, clapping his hands together and bowing slightly over them, looking a little embarrassed. “We should go in now.”

“Go on then, please. Wardens first, after all,” Fran replied, his words extremely polite in contrast to the mocking tone that had spilt into his monotone voice. He still didn’t see any door, after all.

The boy opened his mouth to speak but closed it again before nodding. His hand reached out and closed around a doorknob that Fran swore had not been there a second ago when he looked. The doorknob turned easily and the door swung inwards, illuminating the entrance of the bar. The door most certainly had not been there a moment before. Fran hated that damn door and this bar but Amy had been right…if this boy was here, then something interesting was sure to go down and Fran followed him through the door.

____________________________2______________________________

When you stepped into the bar, you were stepping onto metal grating eight feet into the air. The little landing led to stairs, made of the same metal grating, that led down into the bar proper. Most of the customers that frequented the bar were a bit paranoid about their safety, some for very good reasons, and none were fond of being snuck up on. And the customers were nothing compared to the owner, who wanted to be able to see anything or anyone coming in far enough in advance to prepare for any danger.

The bar itself seemed simply too large for the building that housed it, spreading out below the landing in all directions, seemingly unending, full of twists and turns, big pillars that rose to the ceiling here and there, lots of dark corners and shadows to hide in contrasting with brightly lit corners and jukeboxes. Decades seemed to melt together, old world bar co-mingling with futuristic discotheque and 20’s cabaret, with several others thrown in the mix. Everyone could find their pleasure and their poison there. The bar itself was stocked across an entire wall, the glass shelves behind the bar holding liquors that had long since stopped being made, their aged bottles sitting right beside glowing little orbs of alcohol that wouldn’t be introduced for decades yet. Little vials of dark maroon blood and bar snacks that certainly would never be kosher reminded the patrons just who and what mingled among them.

Fran was bored by all this, barely took note of it. He’d been in the bar a thousand and one times before and it failed to excite him anymore. It was old hat to him. The boy in front of him though…he wasn’t entirely boring. He was surprising Fran already, those amber eyes wide and almost gawking around him, fascinated and repulsed all at once. It was surprising - most Wardens didn’t enter the bar, to begin with, but when they did, they’d always been inscrutable, even to the almost eerily observant warlock. Fran studied the Warden. He was so small, short legs and messy brown hair. He looked so young, almost like a child but Fran supposed he shouldn’t be surprised by that. This man was supposed to be the youngest Warden ever and it was no secret that some of the most powerful forces of the city had allied themselves underneath of him. Fran couldn’t understand why though. He looked so innocent and weak that Fran found it hard to believe that this man had once beat not only his master but his boss as well.

They reached the bottom of the stairs and Fran followed the boy towards the bar, catching the multi-coloured gaze of the unearthly beautiful leannan si working beside Lussuria at the bar.

“I told you so,” she mouthed, grinning and nodding almost imperceptibly to the boy Fran was behind.

Fran made no return comment, ignoring her gloating words as he slowly followed along. Amy’s grin was gone by the time the Warden got to the bar, replaced with a sultry smirk and an air of detachment as she made to approach the Warden, only to get pushed aside by Lussuria, who hurried over, hips almost wiggling with excitement as he stared at the boy.

“Well, don’t you look just good enough to eat?” Lussuria simpered, his forked tongue darting out at the end of the sentence as if it desperately wanted to taste the boy. Probably did, though, Fran thought. Ghouls were always hungry and Lussuria had always favoured his food young and male. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m here to speak to Xanxus, Lussuria,” the boy said. Fran smirked a bit as he watched Lussuria’s face pale even more, his eyes grow wide. That wasn’t a bad trick, Fran thought, to surprise a stranger with their name. He wondered just how much this boy knew about Lussuria, about his boss, about all of them.

Lussuria wasn’t quick to just stand there though. His coquettish nature came back quickly, though Fran noticed he put a lot of space between him and the boy as he chattered away, coming out from behind the cupboard to lead the way further into the bar, leaving Amy alone to tend the bar. She held little interest to Fran now, who instead continued following along behind Lussuria and the boy. Xanxus and the Wardens were supposed to have a temporary peace bond and the bar was always, always neutral ground. What could be going on? Whatever it was, it was unknown and therefore, interesting.

___________________________3_______________________________

The idiots were loud as always, Fran thought. The inner group that served the bar’s owner, of which Lussuria was a part of and Fran guessed you could marginally include him in, could be heard far before they were seen. They were always so loud…it was exhausting. It was definitely one of the reasons Fran didn’t frequent the bar more than he did.

Fran was paying close attention to the Warden now and noticed the bob of his Adam’s apple as the boy gulped, the tremor of his hands as they approached the cluster of booths and chairs that marked the center most of the bar. It was where Xanxus always held court, the area reserved especially for him. If he wanted people around, he’d allow them but if not, the area was cleared, a quiet spot simply for him to sit and drink without having to deal with any of the peons he considered his customers to be. And if any peons did sneak their way in when he was in the mood for solitude? Well, Lussuria had always been a fan of using human remains in his cookies and Xanxus was always willing to contribute the ashes of whatever poor sap displeased him to Lussuria’s pantry.

Speaking of the dragon, Fran saw him now, glaring at them as they approached from his spot on the high-backed golden throne that he always occupied. Story was that it was an old spoil of war, plucked from the throne room of King Arthur himself back in the day when Xanxus allowed his true self to roam free instead of taking the more humanesque form that he’d adopted in the modern age under prohibition. Whatever the truth might be, Fran thought it was terribly gaudy and tacky but he certainly wasn’t going to be the one to say so…at least, not without shifting the blame onto someone else. That had been fun. And really, Levi was able to just hop into a new body so there was no harm done.

Lussuria’s chatter died abruptly as he noticed the look on his boss’ face. He scampered to the side abruptly, almost hiding behind a very loud, very angry looking fish-man, who was brandishing around a very sharp looking trident while demanding to know who had let the trash in. Fran simply ignored him. It was pretty hard, given that Squalo managed to be louder than even the Banshees Fran had met, but he’d had a lot of practice at ignoring idiots. The Warden seemed to fare pretty well too, surprising Fran yet again.

“Good evening, Xanxus,” the Warden said. “You look well.”

The sharp tinkling of breaking glass quieted everyone quickly, all eyes going to the golden throne. Bits of glass stuck into Xanxus’ black talon tipped hand but he simply ignored them as he let the mostly destroyed glass go, sending it to fragment completely on the floor under his throne. His crimson eyes glared and small plumes of smoke rose from his nostrils.

“You have three seconds to get out of here, Sawada Tsunayoshi, or I’ll fucking roast you.”

Oh yes, this was going to be interesting.

To his credit, the Warden didn’t look as afraid as Fran would thought. He didn’t turn tail and run, either, though whether that made him brave or an idiot, it was too soon to tell.

“I was hoping we’d have moved past this by now, Xanxus. But I suppose it’d be best to get straight to business. I have a job I’d like to discuss with you.”

“VOOII!” Squalo yelled, drawing all the attention back to him. “Didn’t you hear the boss, you trash?! Run away or I’ll gut you like a fish!” The scaled hands tightened their grip on the trident as it swung towards Tsunayoshi.

“Shut up, you trash, who told you to talk?” Xanxus growled as a bottle flew through the air to crash against Squalo’s head, dark amber whiskey staining his long, white hair. Xanxus clicked his fingers towards Lussuria, sending the ghoul scurrying back towards the bar for more liquor for his boss before his gaze fixed on Tsunayoshi once more. “You have three minutes.”

Tsunayoshi nodded and smiled. “That’s more than I thought I’d get. Thank you for your generosity.”

The smile disappeared from his face quickly though, his expression turning serious.

“You’ve all heard of the recent rash of disappearances, I assume,” he asked, his eyes darting around the room. Every head was nodding, even Fran’s. Though he’d been housebound for a while, his radio was always on - a side effect of one of his first spells had made it impossible to turn off - and was always tuned to the one lousy radio channel that anyone got in this town. It was a weird channel - sometimes there was music (oldies, new hits, new hits that should be oldies - Elvis’ cover of Despacito was pretty good - ancient druidic chanting that once put the whole city to sleep for two days), sometimes there was the weather (it was never right), sometimes there was just this weird static followed by screaming and bursts of crying (Fran always had to turn it down at that point - he liked the static but that screaming always gave him a headache), but always there was the news. And the news for the past several months had been focusing more and more on some rather mysterious disappearances. At first, nothing was thought of it as it was just tourists, people who came to the city seeking something wicked and wild or who were called there by something. It wasn’t rare for tourists to go missing or to meet bloody ends. In fact, sometimes it was entirely the reason they came to the city. People had some weird fantasies, after all; life in this city taught you that quickly. But then the disappearances started becoming more frequent and it wasn’t just tourists going missing. Fran remembered that a couple regular customers had gone missing. Neither were weak; one was the Phantom Knight, after all, an unholy spirit of madness sharing a body with the bodyguard of the Collector.

Fran didn’t let his mind drift too far into that though as he focused his attention back in on what the boy was saying.

“The Warden’s are, of course, tasked with looking into anything serious in the City and keeping peace and order within the city. The case of the disappearances were assigned to my task force, special order by one of the high-ups. The news has covered a lot of it but not all of it - there’s been thirty-three disappearances to date, much less than they acknowledge on the station. And we haven’t let a lot of the important details slip. At first, we didn’t want to spook the perpetrator, cause them to escalate or flee from us. Now though…now we have different reasons.”

Those amber eyes glowed almost orange as Tsuna’s gaze resolutely met Xanxus’.

“Of those thirty-three, we’ve recovered thirty-two…though I shouldn’t really phrase it that way. We can’t actually recover their bodies. We can’t get any closer than ten feet to them, not by power or any magic we can think of. We can’t move their bodies or alter them in any way. All the bodies recovered so far are completely drained of their blood…”

Tsunayoshi’s next words were muffled, inaudible over a sudden loud giggling coming from a pale, blond-haired boy wearing a tiara.

“Shishishishishi…blood…I like blood…the prince would’ve liked to have been there to see that happen…”

The boy shut up quickly as he noticed everyone glaring at him, pouting and whining for blood, sending Lussuria once more scurrying for a bottle of the stuff behind the bar.

“As I was saying,” Tsunayoshi said, eyeing the boy cautiously and taking a step away from him. “All the bodies are drained of blood. Each one has been missing a major organ, following a pattern. Heart, brain, stomach, and then male genitals.”

Everyone took the appropriate moment to wince at that before the Warden moved on.

“They’ve been heavily mutilated, tortured most definitely. The problem is that they’re all still living. There’s no way they should be - they haven’t been turned into any sort of creature nor were any of them a particularly long-lived or eternal being. They haven’t been infected with anything that we can tell. They are being purposefully kept alive, by magic, by someone or something for some very special reason. These people are being kept alive and aware and in horrendous pain…”

Yes, the eyes were definitely orange now, orange and so very angry. Fran shut his inner eye, the eye that saw the truth in everything, very quickly as he took a step back from the Warden. Yes, now he was seeing why this boy was such a big deal.

“VOOII!!!” came the next interruption. “Just trace the magic back to the user, trash! Don’t waste our time with something so trivial!”

“We’ve, of course, already tried that. We can’t trace the magic because whatever’s protecting the bodies is obscuring the magic keeping them alive. We also can’t trace the protection spell - it’s devoid of all markings and the aura is exceptionally faint, without a single hit in the database. We also can’t figure out what the spell is that is on these people - not only are they all protected but they’re all linked. A spell to do both that strong - we’ve tried researching, tried every road we can think of. The books we need always seem to be missing, the leads we have have been turning up dead, oftentimes literally…it’s odd, especially since there’s only one other person besides my team that knows all the information and knows exactly what we’re doing at any given moment.”

Fran looked around as Squalo laughed, Bel giggling along with him. Xanxus took a long swig from his bottle before turning his fierce gaze back onto Tsunayoshi, the sides of his lips curling up devilishly.

“Oh, and who’s that, trash?”

“I wouldn’t think you’d need to ask. It’s my boss, of course, the man who made sure this case was assigned to me.”

“So, you’re saying the Authorities are behind this?” Levi asked, looking and sounding confused. He always was the last to catch up.

“Of course I’m not,” the Warden said. “The Authorities are our all-protectors after all. May they be blessed,” he said, making the customary symbol over his heart, even as he smiled wanly and nodded his head. Fran joined everyone, including Xanxus himself in repeating the Warden’s last words and repeating the same symbol. Fran wasn’t stupid enough to mess with the Wardens but even the Warden’s didn’t compare to the Authorities. Nobody even thought about opposing the Authorities, the group of seven almighty beings who were said to have created the City itself and all inside it. The city and its inhabitants were their playthings, their little experiment and the Wardens the dogs they used to keep people in line.

“So what are you saying, Sawada Tsunayoshi?” Xanxus asked, pointed teeth bared in a feral smile, talons gripping tight to the arms of his throne as he leaned forward as if anticipating the boy’s next words.

“I’m saying that we could use some help. You were once a part of us - won’t you come out of retirement one last time?”

Xanxus’ smile grew even larger before he broke out into laughter, the others around him picking up on it, intensifying it. Even Fran found a small grin working its way onto his lips. He had been right…this was going to be fun.

___________________________4_______________________________

Or at least, he’d thought so at the time. He’d been grinning (at least as much as it was possible for him to grin - he wasn’t exactly known for his wide range of emotions) as the Warden had left, leaving an air of heavy tension and anticipation behind him. Fran had looked around before nodding and waving as he turned his back, already walking towards the stairs and the outside world again. It would be such fun to watch how things turned out from a nice, safe vantage point. Fran liked living and had no plans to get himself killed by going up against the Authorities but he sure enjoyed the prospect of watching the morons he worked with do exactly that.

“And where do you think you’re going brat?” boomed out a loud voice as Fran found himself being tugged back by the tip of his over-sized hat.

“Please don’t touch my hat, Mr. Squalo. With all due offense, your scales stick to the fabric and the fish smell never goes away.”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME!!! I’LL SLAUGHTER YOU, YOU SHITTY BRAT!”

Fran looked on, slightly amused as he watched the others hold back Squalo as the merman jerked towards him. The tip of the trident slashed past Fran’s ear, shaving the barest hint off the ends of the hair by his ears.

“Ah, thank you, Mr. Squalo. I’ve been needing a trim.”

Once again, Fran turned to leave and once again, he was stopped.

“What’s the spell that’s being used on the bodies?” Xanxus drawled out lazily, as he settled himself back into the chair, his bottle of whiskey back in bleeding, but now glass free hand.

“I don’t know.”

“Find out and prepare a countermeasure against it.”

“I was actually thinking I’d sit this one out. You don’t need me - you have a crack team over there. Make them do it.”

Xanxus glared at Fran. He’d be terrifying to anyone else but Fran figured that between the Authorities and Xanxus, he’d always risk Xanxus.

“That was a command, not a request. Do it.”

“Make Mr. Bel do it. Or Mr. Long-Hair. They’ve got all kinds of free time.”

Xanxus’ eyes narrowed, the whiskey in his bottle bubbling under the sudden heat of the glass containing it.

“Do I need to give your master a call and tell him how you’re violating our agreement? He gave you to me for five years. I own you, trash and I’m not going to repeat myself.”

Fran had quipped something or other and dodged a plume of flame in return. He couldn’t help it - words just seemed to come out sometimes. And despite his remarks, here he was, doing exactly what he’d been told to do.

“Shishishishi…no dilly-dallying around, peasant,” Belphegor laughed, hanging over Fran’s shoulder. “Haven’t you found anything yet?”

“No yet, Mr. Fake-Prince,” Fran retorted, slipping quickly under the table to avoid the sharp bite that would’ve torn his carotid. Bel only laughed that silly giggle of his again and whined about how long things were taken. It was so stupid, thought Fran, to have a babysitter. Xanxus had gone a little overboard there. Of course, he probably would be doing anything except researching right now without Bel there but that didn’t matter. It hurt how little his boss trusted him.

Fran sighed, shaking his head and drowning out Bel as he went back to concentrating on the last few pages of a dusty old grimoire. Nothing in that one, either. Fran turned and slammed the book down on a wobbly tower of them. He’d read through nearly all of his books since the encounter with the Warden the previous night, not getting a moment’s sleep. That had been his last grimoire and there’d been nothing in that either. Fran honestly hadn’t expected there to be. He had a few ideas of the basics of the spells but couldn’t remember ever reading anything close to something like it. His eyes glanced down to the table legs and the last remaining untouched book in his library. It would be….while Fran had no problem with the darker side of magic (preferring to play around with it rather than anything else), there were things that even he didn’t dare to touch. That book, a heirloom of his master’s, was the only grimoire in his library that discussed those sorts of things. Figured it would be in there.

Fran called out a warning too low for Bel to hear from where he was leaning on the tabletop as Fran pushed up slightly on the table, just enough to slide the book out from under the table-leg it was supporting. Letting go, the table listed heavily to the left side, sending dishes (and Bel) crashing off the table. The small vampire lunged towards him again, only to find himself biting a book.

“I have to read that, you know, Mr. Fake-Prince. Please don’t rip any pages with your stupidly pointy teeth.”

“Call me fake prince again, stupid brat, and I’ll tear your throat out,” Bel said, grinning as if the prospect was the happiest thing he’d ever heard. “You can address me as your highness!”

“But wouldn’t Dracula be the one I’d call your highness? After all, isn’t he the King of the Vampires? You only claim to be a prince.”

“Idiot. Dracula was just some fool with bad teeth that humans thought was a vampire. Vlad Tepes though…he’s been dead for years though. He was hard to kill…but I’m the Prince over all vampires now so you should be nicer to me and maybe you’ll live longer, little witch.”

“You know, Mr. Prince over all vampires…this is wasting time I could be finding the information our stupid boss wants to know.”

Bel pouted then, because arguing with Fran was at least doing something to interrupt his boredom. He hated babysitting as much as Fran hated being babysat. However, despite all his grumbling, he sat back and let Fran read the book.

The book itself didn’t look like much but inside…inside it were amazing, terrifying thing. The spells were ancient and powerful, remnants from when the Ancient Ones walked the Earth. Fran opened his inner eye and read, seeing not only the words and images on the pages but the actions of the spell, the sacrifices and consequences of each passing page, the madness and terror and utter beauty of it all. And at the end, there was that, the very faces of the Ancient Ones. Not even he could close his inner eye quickly enough and he gazed upon it, the embodiment of insanity, of madness and beauty so complete, so absolute that the mind simply couldn’t withstand it. Fran looked into it, captivated, unable to look away. He looked and he knew - he knew all, the beginning, the end, true happiness and absolute fear. He knew the answers to everything…his brain felt like it was melting, burning in the heat of the books pages, his eyes itched and watered, fingers trembling with the mad desire to just scratch that itch, to dig in and scratch until pus and ooze crawled between his fingers…

The next thing Fran knew, he was waking up with a head that felt like it had just been cracked open and Bel’s face right over his, the prince drooling a little over the sight of the blood dripping down the other boy’s head. Fran didn’t notice right then though. All he could do was sit up, lean over, and vomit all over the stone floor between the two of them before flopping back to the ground to pass out again.

Using his inner eye always took so much out of him to begin with but the whammy he’d been treated to? It didn’t surprise him the next time he woke, with a pounding headache, to find that hours had passed. Bel was grumbling and groaning but Fran paid him no mind. How could he? Fran’s brain was focused on a sigil, almost burning behind his eyes, so clearly did he see it. A sigil and the knowledge, the spell, the plan you’d have to use. Yes, yes, he seen it all in those last moments of lucidity and it was brilliant. Terrifying and repulsive but brilliant.

He was on autopilot. His seeking hands found a pen, a piece of paper, sketching out a map of the city from knowledge he didn’t know he had and would never have again. More lines followed over top of the map, graceful, curving lines in shapes that were all wrong, that made you sick to look at, overlapping and joining and forming the sigil that was forefront in his mind. Thumbtacks followed, thirty-two bodies expressed as thirty two little circles of brass.

“Mr. Bel,” Fran said finally, his voice coming out groggy and hoarse, his throat closing up with the taste of bile again. “Call the others. I’ve figured it out.

___________________________5_______________________________

Fran found himself recalling all kinds of other, very fun-sounding and very destructive, spells as he stepped outside his (not) townhouse beside Belphegor, the utter noise of the City beating hellishly against his head.

"Let’s just get to the bar, Mr. Fake-Prince,” Fran groaned. He wanted nothing more than for this whole thing to either be over or to be watching from inside the quiet of his home. When he’d asked Bel to call the others, he’d assumed they’d simply come to where he was. It was a pretty reasonable assumption. But no, his stupid boss would have to leave his throne and his bar that way and, as Fran was reminded once again, Xanxus only did that if he was leaving to wreak havoc or kill people, sometimes both. While Bel had been eager to insist that Xanxus should come, for the very reason that it would be enjoyable to watch Fran be eviscerated, Fran had begrudgingly agreed to go back to the stupid bar to present his findings there.

Fran looked back at Bel with a slightly annoyed look that most people wouldn’t even have noticed - his face always had an almost dead look on it, to be honest. The blond vampire was slowly trudging along behind him, precariously balancing the map, trying to avoid the thumbtacks still stuck into it, on top of the other books that Fran had loaded into his arms to carry. Fran himself moved faster, only his master’s grimoire in hand.

“Can’t you hurry up, Mr. Bel,” Fran said, dropping the insults in a bid to get the older boy to hurry up his pace. “It takes forever to find the stupid door to the bar. I want to go home already so let’s go.”

Bel giggled his creepy giggle, the sound long and high-pitched. Something Fran had said had evidently amused him greatly.

“Idiot!” Bel almost sang out. “The door’s right up there! Don’t you see it, you shitty witch?”

Fran just stared at him, annoyed, as Bel, still laughing insanely, dumped his load of stuff into Fran’s arms, almost dropping valuable papers as he did so. He walked forward a few steps, veering slightly to the left, almost skipping along. Bel’s pale, thin hand reached out into seemingly invisible air and Fran felt his anger already beginning to grow. Not again.

One second, there was nothing except the street ahead of them, dirty and dark, with little gangs huddled here and there, peeping out at you from the shadows of doorways and leering at you from stoops. The next second, an opened door stood slightly to the right of Bel, the doorknob in Bel’s hand, the faint glow of the bar inside appealing despite Fran’s quiet anger at seeing it.

He really had to fix that spell around the door…or find a spell to blow up the bar. He wasn’t quite sure which one he wanted more at the moment. Putting those plans aside for careful consideration at a later time, Fran hurried through the doorway. He took the stairs two at a time, Bel sauntering slowly along behind him. Levi, who was at the bottom of the stairs, seemingly waiting for them, opened his mouth as if to greet them only to be abruptly stopped before he could speak a single syllable.

“Ah, take these and come on,” Fran ordered, dumping everything but his master’s grimoire into Levi’s arms. The other man barely reacted in time to secure everything, the thumbtacks sticking into his pale, pudgy skin.

“Don’t order me around, you shitty brat!” Levi protested, even as he followed Fran’s instructions. Fran only looked back at him over his shoulder, his regular apathetic expression on his face.

“You’re always saying how much you want to help the boss though, Mr. Stalker, and since you’re so useless I figured you’d be happy to get to actually do something.”

Levi’s face coloured angrily and he started shouting on and on about Fran’s words and choice of nickname, about how he should take his job more seriously and so on and so forth. Fran tuned him out easily enough, hurrying along faster, knowing that as soon as they got close to Xanxus, Levi would shut up abruptly anyway. He wouldn’t dare to scream and disturb or upset his precious boss, after all.

The walk through the bar seemed longer this time, which was, of course, entirely possible as the geography of the bar was always changing and shifting, but at long last, Fran spied the sight of the tackiest chair in history and the scowling figure upon it, who glared at them as they approached.

“You better have brought me something good,” Xanxus growled out as soon as they were close enough to hear him.

Fran, surprisingly, bit back his urge to make some sort of sarcastic, wry comment or quip fairly quickly. Though his words often ran away with him, he tried not to be plain out idiotic with them and, seeming as he knew the long explanation that was going to be needed here would annoy Xanxus, who liked things kept short and simple whenever he had to be briefed on anything, Fran thought it safest to stay mum.

“Are the others around? I don’t want to have to explain anything twice,” was all Fran replied, his tone making it abundantly clear that he didn’t even particularly want to have to explain once.

“Fuck if I know. Go find them, Levi.”

Levi spared Fran a quick glare before giving his boss a simpering smile and hurrying away. Belphegor settled himself onto a chair, getting comfortable as Fran took the time that Levi was gathering the others to pull a couple of tables together close to where the gathering of chairs and stools were. He spread out the map, made sure the thumbtacks were all still in order. Books got flipped open, passages already marked with post-it notes, symbols and sigils splashed ominously across pages. He was opening the last of the books, leaving his master’s book still closed, when Squalo and Lussuria entered the little gathering loudly, plopping themselves into their usual positions in their favourite spots.

“Vooi! You found the spell, did you, you shitty brat?” Squalo asked, leaning forward and peering curiously at the spread of pages and pictures, trying to decipher the ancient languages and odd symbols.

Fran shook his head, causing Xanxus to lean forward and growl threateningly. Fran was quick to start speaking after that.

“I mean, it’s not a spell. I know what’s going on though…a spell…so stupid,” he said, shaking his head as if to express his disgust that anyone would ever think it was something so silly. The way the others all glared at him amused him and Fran teased a couple seconds more, relishing the only enjoyment he was sure to get out of this, wanting to put off the less funny aspects of what he’d learned and what he’d have to explain. Eventually though, after dodging several pointy objects (and a glass) thrown his way, he knew he could put it off no longer.

“It’s a ritual…a really old and really obscure one. It’s magic that most magic-users would never even know about.”

“Okay, we get it…very few people would know about it. We’ve been told who is behind this - that information only hammers it in more. A spell that old - someone’s whose been around since the beginning of the city would know it, of course!” Lussuria piped up, hands fluttering about. “And here I was hoping for something a little juicier!”

“You better not have called us all together for something this worthless!” Squalo yelled.

Fran sighed and looked around, waiting for them to quiet down. What a bunch of impatient morons. Why did he put up with them all again?

“Are you done interrupting now?” he asked, giving everyone a second, glaring at them all. “Good…now, as I was saying. The ritual…it’s got to be older than the city, actually. I think it dates back from when the Ancient Ones walked the earth. It’s old and incredibly dark. We’re talking magic so heinous that I don’t know anyone who’d actually perform it. Not the most ruthless of Wardens, not the Collector, not the Immortal Gods, not even Master himself. It’s that disturbing…but at the same time, it’s a brilliant thing. It’s so precise and delicate and difficult…I could probably start the ritual,” Fran mused. “I think Chrome could as well, she was trained by Master as well, after all. But I don’t think even Master could actually accomplish the whole ritual…there’s nobody I know who is strong enough. Even as monstrous as we’ve been told the Authorities are, I can’t see how any one person could pull it off by themselves….it would take a whole group of skilled, incredibly powerful magic-users. Either all the Authorities are in on it, which is difficult to believe as it would be hard to conceal from someone as observant as that Warden, or they’ve got to be using some sort of booster for their magic.”

“Booster?” Levi questioned, the man’s face confused. Fran looked around, waiting for someone to either shut him up or explain to him but he saw that same confusion echoed in all but Xanxus’ and Squalo’s faces. Sighing, he explained, trying to do so quickly so he could go back to the main topic.

“Warlocks, even powerful ones, use natural forces to 'boost’ their power sometimes. It lets them accomplish stronger magic and softens the kickback of the magic on them, takes away some of the brunt of whatever they must sacrifice to perform that magic. It’s got to be a pretty powerful force though to be used as a boost - natural things like thunder storms, emotional things like an act of true love, spiritual things like pure belief in something…I’ve even seen some darker magic-users use another’s life-force. I was thinking that might be why so all the victims are linked together - their souls could potentially be used as a boost - but it can’t be. Not even that would be strong enough…”

Fran trailed off, his mind searching, a frown on his face. It bothered him that he hadn’t been able to come up with an answer to this. He’d figured out most everything else but this and it upset him. What was he missing?

“Che,” Squalo scoffed, looking unsure himself and not meeting Fran’s eyes. “You said people’s pure beliefs could be used as a boost?”

Fran nodded, wondering not only where Squalo’s normal loudness had gone to but also where he was going with this. Bel shifted in his chair, almost bouncing in it as a huge smile spread across his face. He looked at Squalo excitedly.

“I’ve got it,” the blond cried happily. “You’re thinking Halloween, right?”

Fran blinked, considering for a second. Halloween was a huge deal in the City. The very month of October was a magical one, with the magic intensifying with each day, culminating in a magic strong enough, on October 31st, to bring the dead back to the earth and help bring about the most grisly, exciting, terrifying tricks and treats.

“Well, yes, that would certainly do it,” Fran said. “But Halloween’s still a couple weeks away, the magic wouldn’t be strong enough yet.”

There was general laughter from the rest of them before Lussuria, hiding his laughing mouth behind one hand like a prim old-fashioned lady, corrected the teal-haired boy gently.

“Fran, my dear, Halloween is tomorrow night. You poor thing, you really need to get a calendar for your house, you know, since you tend to hide away in there for such long periods.”

Fran ignored Lussuria, though he admitted he was inwardly right. Well, this solved the last piece of the puzzle. If it was October 30, the disappearances would have started in October and the caster had been using it’s magic to progress the ritual along. When tomorrow hit, if he tapped into the forces of magic that had culminated because of the power of the season, he’d be unstoppable.

“It has to be tomorrow then,” Fran said, finishing up his thoughts out loud. “He’s going to finish the ritual tomorrow.”

“What’s the ritual for?” Xanxus asked, his eyes staring hungrily at the books of magic on the table. “What’s he doing?”

Fran hesitated before launching back into the explanation, hands pointing at diagrams, following along with passages in books.

“He’s changing himself and not in any small way. It’s not like one of those sacrifices where he’s taking other people’s gifts or powers. That’s chump magic. No, he’s going for something much bigger - he’s aiming to become a god…though I guess that wouldn’t even be right. Here’s the ritual to give oneself godhood and immortality. And here’s the ritual he’s using,” Fran said, pointing to a spell in one of the books on the table before flipping open his master’s book, letting it fall open to the right page. “See the differences - they’re huge. What he’s trying for is much more than that. He’s calling up one of the ancients. That’s most likely why all the victims are linked. He’s using their souls as bait, as feeding fodder to distract the Ancient One after he calls it through. The organs - he’s been eating those, preparing his body for the next phase. One more and he hits thirty-three and we all know just how powerful that number is, magically speaking. He’s going to use the magic of thirty-three and the boost from the magic of the season to finish the ritual tomorrow night - he’s going to take the Ancient One and bond it with him. He’s aiming to become an Ancient One.”

Fran was slightly winded by the time he finished and more than a little nauseous. His revulsion seemed echoed on every face looking at him. Even Xanxus looked disturbed by Fran’s explanation, barking out an order to Fran to close the books, he was sick of looking at them. Fran did so happily, using the time to gain back his breath and to let the others grapple with the idea of what it all meant if Fran was right.

The return of the Ancient Ones. Even if it was only just one of them…to say it would be the end of the world would be too tame. The Apocalypse paled in comparison, looked like simply the same level of hell as your first middle school dance. And even the most idiotic of the Varia understood that.

“So, what do we do now?” Lussuria asked, his face more solemn than Fran had ever seen it. “We don’t even know where to find this guy or how to stop him.”

Fran pointed to the map.

“Each of the victims has been placed strategically, actually. They’re all points on the sigil needed for the ritual. There’s only one place this guy can be,” he said, his hand moving to a point on the map. “He’ll definitely be there tomorrow. It’s the only way to complete the ritual.”

Lussuria didn’t seem cheered by this.

“Is he immortal yet?” Xanxus asked, his eyes locked onto Fran’s own, so intense that Fran had to look away.

“No. He won’t be until he eats that last organ. That’s what that part of the crimes has been all about.”

“So, we just have to kill him before that happens,” Xanxus said, a contented smile on his face as if the idea of getting to murder caused him great happiness. To be fair, it probably did. That happiness was echoed on the other’s faces too and Fran shook his head a little. What a bunch of freaks.

“Yeah, it’s just that easy,” Fran said, his tone dead-pan.

“Good,” Squalo shouted, his enthusiasm back in full force. “Now let’s come up with a plan of attack.”

____________________________6______________________________

There was nothing worse than being completely and utterly bored, Fran had thought at first. He and Bel had been assigned to watch the inside of the building that lay at the coordinates of the final ritual spot, something that could only be achieved from on top of the building. So there the two of them had lain all day, peeking through the filthy glass of the skylights into the dim interior of the building. Fran had amused himself for a while by taking in the interior of the building, what he could see of it, and describing it, in his own unique way, through the telepathy link he’d established between all of the Varia’s members. They hadn’t found it quite so amusing, which only made Fran happier.

The building was a grand old mansion, the center of it the room the skylights looked into, a huge old-fashioned ballroom. Even in the dim, meager light streaming into the room, Fran could tell that it was all set up for the ritual. The sigil was burned into the old wood of the floor. He couldn’t look at it too long, he found. It made him sick to glance at and his head pounded and swam if he concentrated too much on it. He could see the candles needed, spread strategically around the sigil on the floor, misshapen, yellowish hunks that Fran figured were made from the fat of humans. He’d seen other such candles around before but had never used them himself as he’d come across no rituals or spells that needed them. He could see what looked like a little table-like square close to the sigil, the weak sunbeams making whatever was on top of it sparkle and flash occasionally but Fran couldn’t clearly make it out.

As there really wasn’t much to the room, Fran quickly ran out of things to describe and the day stretched out. It was odd how fast the days went by when he was lazy of his own accord but went so slow when he was just laying around because someone else had ordered him to. Funny how that worked. His first thought of boredom being the worst thing in the world was quickly replaced by the thought that being bored alongside Belphegor was the worst thing in the world. The other boy did not enjoy being stuck in one place and grew antsy quickly. He whined and complained and made Fran into a plaything, tormenting him and threatening to eat him every couple minutes. The threat of eating him, Fran thought, was growing more and more serious as the day dragged on and Bel started getting hungrier and hungrier. Fran could hear Bel’s stomach growl as the day turned slowly into night, twilight setting into Halloween night. He hoped whatever happened would be soon because he was becoming all too aware of just how much blood he probably held and how he probably looked very much like a juice box to a hungry vampire. He’d thrown up a quick protective spell around himself but still, he didn’t want Belphegor’s mouth anywhere near his skin. Fran always doubted just how much dental hygiene Bel actually practiced.

His worries faded somewhat though when, as full dark fell, Lussuria’s voice echoed inside his head, telling him that someone was coming down the street that might be a hit. Levi’s voice in his head, confirming from his vantage point as a rat just inside the door of the building, that someone had just entered the building. Fran’s worries bit the dust when he started hearing the sounds. He focused intently on seeing through the gloom as he saw a figure enter the room, a bag slung over his back that he dropped carelessly onto the floor. The bag made a heavy thud as it fell, a muffled scream audible faintly from where Fran lay, peering in, stretching out the pins and needles in his legs and getting ready for action. For now though, they were still on orders to just sit and watch, to give the orders when it was time for everyone to move.

One by one, the candles lit up the dark of the room, giving a much better view of what was happening below them. The figure, a tall man with verdant hair, stubble, and glasses, blew out the match he’d used to light the candles and began to whistle cheerfully as he walked towards the bag. The bag moved more violently as he started to untie it, though it seemed to cause the man no issues nor did it change his cheerful mood. An unsettling grin came over his face as he tried to pull a kicking, screaming young man from the bag. The boy was heavily bruised and it was easy to tell he’d already been through quite a bit. Fran could spot the missing tongue in his mouth as he opened his mouth to scream, the sound distorted from the normal.

“Ah ah ah,” the man chided, sounding like a disappointed school-teacher. “That’s enough of that, now. We’ve had this discussion before, haven’t we? If you don’t stay still, then it makes me angry. And when I get angry, then I have to do things we both regret, don’t I?”

The man was quicker than Fran could keep track of, moving to the table Fran had seen earlier, which he could now tell was full of knives, scalpels, jumper cables, and various instruments of torture. A flash of steel and an ax was embedded in the floor right in the middle of the boy’s thigh as he tried to crawl his way to freedom. The boy’s screams seemed to get louder, tears streaking his face, though he stilled on the floor, stopped his attempts to run. Not that he really could’ve anyway, Fran thought.

“Now that’s a good boy,” the man said, reaching down and dragging the boy away, leaving a dark red, wet trail across the floor from the severed leg to where he settled the boy, sobbing heavily now, in the middle of the sigil.

This was it now. The ritual was about to begin. Fran became aware of Bel beside him, wiggling heavily and growing antsy. Fran glared at him and shushed him, putting a quick spell on Bel to keep him still and mute his hungry squeals of 'blood, blood’. As long as Bel didn’t get too excited, it would hold him. A reminder through the link that Bel could have all the blood he wanted soon helped calm him down a bit and Fran turned his attention back to what was happening in the room.

The man was talking, bragging on and on about how the boy should feel lucky to be a part of something like this, this grand experiment of his. Fran ignored the talking - all crazy people soliloquized, it was just the general rule. Instead he watched, intrigued and curious as to how it all went. He opened his inner eye a crack, wanting to watch this as it was actually happening, without any confusion or guise over it. His eyes never left the man…no, not a man anymore but a thing and a thing of intense power… as he went through his actions, his voice calm as he talked about what he’d do when this was over, as he explained to the boy just what exactly was happening step by step. The man’s hands were steady as he undressed the bleeding, shaking boy, stripping him naked before him. Anyone else doing this, Fran thought, and he’d simply write them off as a pervert. But Fran could see this man, could see the glimpses of the true him under the skin suit, and that wasn’t it. This man radiated power and madness but not a hint of lust. The nakedness was simply a necessary part of the ritual, nothing he enjoyed.

But the next part, that part Fran could tell the man enjoyed. The madness and sickness poured out of him in waves. Fran could feel it, deep in his stomach, almost infecting his brain, as the man laughed, testing device after device on delicate human skin, creating cuts and holes that oozed with blood. The boy should’ve died but Fran knew he wouldn’t, couldn’t do that. The air outright buzzed with the man’s powerful, overwhelming magic, it and the ritual keeping the boy alive. One very sharp scalpel made delicate lines, tracing from neck to shoulders, shoulders to chest, chest to stomach, all over the boy’s ravaged body, tracing a sigil onto him to match the one he lay on. Fran could feel the spell snap in the air then, saw the lines of power glowing blue in the room below him, centering on the boy’s body as it connected to all the other victims, lucky number thirty-three.

The knife was quick then, going from the stomach to the genitals, making quick work. Fran winced heavily and looked away, almost wanting to scream along with the boy. He was just about to give the orders when he felt his own magic disrupted and a loud scream of hunger and desire rise from beside him. Fran was quick to react, trying to throw up another spell while reaching out to stop the vampire from doing something stupid. His spell missed though and Belphegor was strong in his blood-lust, throwing Fran aside as he leaped off the roof of the building, desperately needing to hunt and feast. Of course, being that they were on a roof with skylights, when Bel threw Fran, he threw him through the glass. If the man below hadn’t heard Bel’s screams, he certainly noticed a teal-haired boy come hurdling down from the ceiling, a hastily constructed gravity spell being the only thing to stop his fall. Even in his panic, Fran was quick to act, throwing up the alarm to all the others even as he floated to the floor not more than a foot from the sigil and the man, who was staring at him as if he was some fascinating new discovery.

Oh shit…this just went from interesting to very bad. Very, very bad, Fran thought, as the light caught the glare of metal as the knife slashed through the air.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________7_________________________________

All hell broke loose then. That was the only way to put it. Fran knew he would’ve died if Lussuria hadn’t charged in just then, distracting the man just enough to throw him momentarily off balance, allowing Fran to duck just enough out of the way to only get grazed along his back. Thank god he’d worn his leather jacket, was all he could think. He’d done a bunch of warding spells to the coat long ago - it had cost him a pretty penny but still, the coat had never let him down, protecting him from damage all the time.

Fran kept moving, never staying still. He couldn’t. The man was simply too strong. He was dodging Lussuria’s physical attacks as if the ghoul was moving in slow motion, laughing and muttering about how weak this was. The man’s magic ripped through all of Fran’s offensive spells as the warlock threw a few attacks his way. Granted, most of Fran’s attacks were cheap, easy attacks that most warlocks could easily master - his specialty had never been in that area of magic after all. Even with Levi running into the room, having taken over the form of a some old lady, the three of them were hopelessly outclassed, something Fran would’ve been surprised by if he couldn’t clearly see the power emanating from this man. Terror was banging against his brain, screaming at him to let it in as he pushed it aside, trying to keep calm.

Fran was on autopilot, looking for a way out of this situation, defusing his panic by treating it as just another of his master’s training sessions even as he cursed Bel in his head, promising to pay the boy vampire back for this if they all got out of this alive. And Fran really hoped that, if nothing else, at least he made it out of this alive because honestly, being dead sounded far too uninteresting for his liking.

Dodging and weaving, throwing barriers up to protect the fighting Levi and Lussuria and hiding a few small tricks and traps with magic to confuse or slow down the Authority, Fran focused on what to do first. He became very glad the boy was a young one as he scooped up the crying, battered body off the floor. The thrum of magic that was running through him, keeping him alive, burnt hot against Fran’s hands and he swore, though he didn’t drop him. Fran saw Lussuria dive from the corner of his eye, the ghoul’s hand closing around what Fran’s hadn’t been able to.

Unfortunately, Fran wasn’t the only one who’d seen what Lussuria had done. Anger, toxic and cloying, rang through the air, almost suffocating in it’s intensity.

“Give that back!” the man yelled, his eyes big and bulging behind his glasses. “You have no idea how important it is!”

Fran could barely see the man launch his attack and only did so because of his extra sight. He knew how this would end if he did nothing and, taking advantage of the distracted, angered state of the powerful sorcerer they fought, Fran threw up his most powerful attack, putting everything he had into this one desperate attempt to buy them time.

____________________________8______________________________

The scene was a bloodbath. Almost literally, in fact. Blood was sprayed across the wall in streaks and splatters, arterial clots sending blood dripping down to join the blood running along the floor. The corpse of the little old lady that Levi possessed was groaning from it’s spot, hammered into the wall by the length of pipe rammed through her chest, hovering near the brink of death but kept alive by the thrum of another spell, another sacrifice in the end. Lussuria’s body was nearby, his torso burst open, white bones poking out of what no longer even resembled a body, organs a mass of jelly from the effects of the spell the man had used. The boy warlock….how weak he’d been, the man scoffed, a hand going up to his nose, his middle finger sliding under the bridge of his glasses and pushing them up, leaving a small streak of blood along his skin. Ah, no mind. He could get it later. Now though, he had more pressing matters.

The man sighed, looking at the body of the weak warlock who’d been foolish enough to try to oppose him. His body barely hid the crying, whimpering body of the boy the man so desperately needed.

“Come on now, Daisy,” the man said, pushing Fran’s body aside with his foot as if it was nothing more than a bag of potatoes or something. “We’ve put this off for long enough now. We’re on a bit of a tight schedule, I’m afraid, and we won’t have time to play around anymore.”

The man dragged the boy back to his position before stopping and looking around. His eyes narrowed, searching for it, the much needed little bundle. He was soon smiling and in a few short steps he’d crossed to where Lussuria was, scooping down to pick up the small bundle of flesh on the floor.

“Found you!” he cooed out, his fingers reaching, almost touching it now…

And then it was gone. It was all gone in a searing flash of pain that jolted through his brain. The man’s eyes widened in shock and fury as he looked down to the bleeding stump of what had been his arm.

His arm was gone.

The bundle of flesh was gone.

The beautiful, blood-painted room was gone, Fran’s desperate illusion dropped by the merman’s sudden attack. Squalo stood, chuckling deeply, the tip of his trident bright red and pointed right at the man.

“Check-mate, trash,” Squalo gloated, looking maniacally pleased as Levi and Lussuria both moved in to flank the man, Lussuria behind him and Levi to his right. Fran, though? Fran only moved back further, something rankling against his mind, his inner eye sensing that there was something not quite right about this. He wasn’t brave enough to open it fully though. Something told him he didn’t want to see this thing at its truest self. So he moved back, cradling the boy and working at breaking the connection spell to the others. He’d almost had it, almost broke it when the man started to laugh.

______________________________9____________________________

The laughter rang out through the big ballroom, echoing and seeming to grow louder and louder still. The laughter was mad, grating and repulsive to the ears, banging against the brain and it seemed never-ending.

“Check-mate?” the man laughed out. “Is this a game then?”

Fran made to yell then, to point out what his inner eye noticed before it became apparent to his, and the others, outer eyes. However, he couldn’t - his tongue wouldn’t work, his brain wouldn’t form the words as his inner eye was forced open, against his will, in a brutal act of violence. It was overwhelming, the whole scene, the grotesquery of it, the very power of it all and Fran felt almost raped by it all as he fell back, eyes crying tears he didn’t even know he was capable of making as he felt himself fall into the essence of it all.

The man’s arm was regrowing, faster and faster, dark tendrils of something far older and far more Lovecraftian than should be allowed to exist growing and connecting and covering themselves in human skin even as the man moved, too fast for the eye to see, his green eyes inhumanly wide and dilated behind those glasses, the sick laughter still ringing out. The ax was no longer on the floor, was in his hand, was in the air, was sliding butter-like through it, a glowing symbol of pure violence as it sliced through the shimmery, blue scales that coated Squalo’s flesh. Squalo was good though - he was almost quick enough to dodge it, one webbed hand reaching out to grab at it, forcing the man’s balance off enough that the ax simply detached one of Squalo’s arms, leaving the fishman stumbling back, his other hand instinctively going to clutch at the spurting wound left just below his shoulder with a curse.

“Do you really think you can play games with me?” the man laughed, holding Squalo’s detached hand in his newly reformed one, using it as a club as he struck lightning quick, blow after blow raining down on Lussuria, leaving the ghoul’s face misshapen, his body wrecked as Lussuria fell to the floor.

“You? Be on equal footing with me?” the man questioned again, his tone furious and horrifying. “What could you pathetic fleas do to me? I am a God! I am your God!”

Fran could barely withstand it. The pressure against his head, the pain of his inner eye being open for so long, so wide…but he’d never been one to just let others do whatever to him. Even though blood dribbled from his eyes and nose, ran from his ears, he made himself move, made himself crawl. Just a bit further and he’d reach it. Using his last little bit of strength, he grabbed the knife on the floor by him, took aim and threw.

It missed the man by several feet, which made the man’s laughter grow higher in pitch still. All his attention focused on Fran, his very existence pounding against Fran’s own and threatening to suffocate him under the sheer power.

“You missed, little warlock,” the man gloated.

“Not if I wasn’t aiming for you,” Fran forced out through a mouth that felt like it was melting, against teeth that felt too soft and too sharp all at once. His own laughter came then as the scene unfolded before his eyes, all of them, the sights overwhelming him.

“There’s only one god around here and it ain’t you,” a rasping voice said by the door. Fran’s smile grew larger and more terrifying at the sight of the red and golden scales, the beautiful curves of a serpentine body, the cool blue of the flames, burning so hot as they engulfed the quivering mass of tendrils and tentacles, of things not meant to exist, the image of Levi’s own soul, disturbing but loyal to the end, superimposed over it, the Dybbyuk holding it still to the very end, which came about so intensely, so blindingly bright, that Fran blacked out before seeing the very final death of the thing that had tried to become more than it had ever been meant to be.

____________________________10_____________________________

When Fran next awoke, it was to find cold night air blowing against his hot, fevered skin. It would have been much more pleasant if he hadn’t been bouncing about, making his pounding migraine feel ten times worse.

“Stop moving,” Fran moaned out, “or I’ll puke all over you.”

He wished the next second he’d said nothing though as the bouncing ended up being preferential to the solid clunk and the dull pain of being dropped unceremoniously onto the hard pavement.

“Thank you,” Fran muttered out sarcastically as he straightened himself out, sitting up and glaring at Xanxus, who had apparently been carrying him, something Fran didn’t want to think about too hard. “That was exactly what I’d wanted you to do.”

“Good,” Xanxus said, smirking, in a good mood, no doubt, from the wanton destruction he’d been allowed to cause. “Now get your useless ass up. We need you to cast a tracking spell for Bel so we can get this thing over with.”

Fran grumbled and groaned as he stood up, brushing off the dirt from his clothes and looking around. Squalo was slightly in front of Xanxus, the stump below his shoulder hastily bandaged, looking pissed. Fran could see Lussuria beside, smiling at him and waving a pinky, all he could wave as both arms were busy carrying the boy, still just barely alive thanks to the spell that Fran could still sense on him. His thoughts were too jumbled and frazzled to think to hard about that right now. A rat rode on top of Lussuria’s head, which Fran rightfully assumed to be Levi.

“Get on with it,” Xanxus barked, a hint of anger creeping into his voice now.

“Fine, fine,” Fran said lazily, extending out his will, casting the basic spell as easily as he breathed. He felt along the paths, the roads, sensed it out until he felt the familiar presence. “Two blocks over,” he said with a yawn. “Good luck with the rest of this. I’m tired. I’m going home to bed.”

An angry yell as Squalo reached out and grabbed him by the hat again and Fran was stilled. Sighing, he looked at Xanxus.

“Fine. Can I get a ride again, then?” Fran asked, his face and voice deadpan. Unfortunately, his boss didn’t find the comment as funny as Fran did, something Fran rather pitied him for as they rushed along, Fran sporting a few new burns and a set of ears that felt like they were bleeding from Squalo’s yelling.

Speaking of bleeding, Bel was bloody, even the tips of his blond hair stained crimson, when they found him, hunched over the body of a youngish man laying on the ground. Wet, slurping sounds were heard before they could properly make out the scene, Bel chewing and drinking, always the messy eater. The prince looked up, almost uninterested, before dropping his meal, grinning widely at them all. Fran could see a little vein caught in between two of Bel’s sharp, shark-like teeth and shuddered, turning instead of look at everyone else. His own anger at the prince was reflected in every face and yet it remained silent for several seconds before Lussuria sighed and broke the silence.

“The Wardens won’t be happy with another dead body, you know,” he chided Bel, who merely shrugged his shoulders in a 'who cares?’ gesture.

“Well,” Fran mused. “Who says he has to be dead?”

Lussuria looked at Fran quizzically before the teal-haired boy pointed to his head. A look of comprehension grew on Lussuria’s face, which broke quickly into a happy smile.

“Oh my! I forgot totally about him! That’s the perfect solution! In you go then, Levi!”

It was always weird to watch, Fran thought. One second the body was laying there and the next it was sitting slowly up, it’s wounds starting to slowly heal from the odd magic Levi A. Than held. The body, that of a tall, broad, tanned man with black hair and piercings, stood up to it’s full height and seemed to take stock of itself, shaking arms and legs experimentally, bending fingers, twisting it’s torso from side to side.

“Well, what do you think?” Lussuria asked, eyeing the form approvingly.

“I think it’s working for me,” Levi’s raspy voice said. “What do you think, Boss? Isn’t this a good body? These sideburns are really cool too, right? They kind of look like lightning bolts, right Boss?”

Xanxus grunted, ignoring Levi as always, turning and walking away from them all.

“Let’s go,” he threw back over his shoulder. “We still have to finish shit with that Tsunayoshi Sawada and his Wardens.”

The rest of them scurried after him, all of them grinning, happy and energized after a long night’s work. Fran followed along behind lazily, also thinking that, all and all, the last couple day’s hadn’t been so bad. They’d been interesting, at least. And hey, at least when he got bored, he’d have more amusement ready at hand. After all, how interesting would the faces of those morons be when he pointed out that, since the spell on the boy wasn’t broken, there was still some little part of that thing kicking around somewhere?

From @ciaossu-imagines to @notaheroofjustice

#ciaossu-imagines #notaheroofjustice #khr #reborn! #story #fanfi #fanfiction #varia #fran #katekyo hitman reborn! #hitman reborn #halloween #event #gift #exchange #submission

[aion-rsa]

Shameless Season 11 Episode 2 Review: Go Home, Gentrifier!

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This Shameless review contains spoilers.

Shameless Season 11 Episode 2

“I want some nice things in my life for a change.”

A major hurdle that season ten of Shameless had to work through was not only the loss of Emmy Rossum’s Fiona, but also the idea that some other Gallagher should now take her place as the show’s central protagonist and stabilizing force in the family. Their decision to appoint Debbie to this position did not work in the show’s favor, but season eleven is already off to a strong start by how it’s relegated Debbie back to more of a supporting status. If anything, Shameless’ final season understands that it doesn’t need someone to fill Fiona’s place and that truly showcasing the cast as an ensemble is the strongest way to go out. Lip’s struggles get a little more attention than everything else, but the episode’s reasonably balanced and all the stories are driven by the same economic conflicts and desire for acceptance, whether it’s in a new neighborhood, job, or from a family member.  

Right from moment one “Go Home, Gentrifier!” feels more natural than last week’s premiere and the whole episode eases into a very comfortable rhythm. It’s extremely satisfying to see the Gallagher family operate as a unit for large portions of this episode. There’s such infectious chemistry between these characters when they all get to bounce off of each other and Frannie’s fifth birthday operates as a reason for everyone to get together for the bookends of this hour. There’s such an enjoyable energy to these scenes between Gallaghers, but this also extends into how this is genuinely a very funny installment. Longtime Shameless writer Nancy M. Pimental’s script features exceptional dialogue, which helps “Go Home, Gentrifier!” work a lot better than it necessarily should. 

There’s a strong sense of comedic timing and joke development through many of the scenes, which helps give mundane scenarios a lot more impact. There’s a great running gag in The Alibi Room about Tony and Kermit’s distance that beautifully develops. On that note, Shameless also deserves credit for turning the strange hookup between Tony and Kermit from the premiere into a legitimate storyline. It felt odd and not necessarily earned when it first happened, but I’m now excited to see where it goes. If this season ends with the two of them in a relationship together I’ll be genuinely happy.

Mickey is often presented as one of the series’ broader characters, but “Go Home, Gentrifier!” makes beautiful use of him and he’s another strong example of this episode’s comedic strength. The fact that a derivative infomercial bullies Mickey into finally getting a job (while he also ignores the point of that infomercial) is actually perfect. His roleplay scenario at his interview is just as good and a testament to how much potential there is to have Mickey out of his element and in a nine-to-five context. Granted, that plan becomes very short-lived, but it opens the door for even more rewarding material between Mickey and Ian over their contrasting strategies to make an income.

Ian and Mickey’s problem becomes representative for many of Shameless’ characters as they all adopt wildly diverse approaches towards economic oppression. It’s worth pointing out that both of the characters with the most conventional jobs are the most frustrated. Carl begins his illustrious career as a South Side police officer and his partner is played by Joshua Malina here who’s in fine form as a deleted character from Grandma’s Boy. Carl’s attitude is incredibly gung ho to get into some real police work, even if he manipulated the system to get this far. Ironically, his partner is the laziest kind of cop that skirts by on the bare minimum and has perfected the art of staying in the background. 

It’s an interesting idea to neuter Carl and use the police force to reflect another broken area of Chicago. The premiere hinted that this corruption would be through the police force’s abuses of power, but it’s a more unique turn to have Carl aggravated over the opposite problem. Despite his frustrations, the way in which Carl supports his partner and still finds ways to embody the unity of the police force is really sweet. This camaraderie may inadvertently ruin his partner’s life and solve Carl’s problem in the process, but he only has altruistic intentions here.

Shameless’ biggest weak spots over its past seasons have been its treatment of Frank, Kevin, and V. In Frank’s case, he’s continually paired up with a revolving door of guest stars like Luis Guzman or Katey Segal, only to know that his latest get rich quick scheme will have to come to an end by the season’s close, if not sooner. Kevin and V also continually work through extremely odd jobs that feel like rejected Kramer subplots, most of which are incredibly disconnected from the rest of the series. It shouldn’t have taken Shameless this long to have Frank, Kevin, and V all share a storyline, which easily solves both of those problems. 

A story arc where Frank is Kevin and V’s weed connoisseur so that they can get the best possible product also makes a lot of sense for everyone involved. The detail that Frank’s actually a skilled gourmand in the field is the icing on the pot brownie. “Go Home, Gentrifier!” succeeds when it brings these characters together and it already seeds more compelling developments to come as Frank’s worth begins to cause friction in their new business. It’s also a rare situation where Frank is completely on point and fully capable. He doesn’t screw up once in this episode and he even is able to unintentionally read between the lines with Tony and Kermit. If this was someone’s first Shameless episode they’d think Frank is some Heisenberg-esque genius and that’s a fantastic angle for him during this final season. Maybe some Nazis will end up executing Kevin in front of him during one of the series’ final episodes. 

Liam also attempts to make some easy money off of food, but his product is completely legal and functions more as a commentary on the depressing state of public schools. Liam has become a real joy over the course of Shameless’ latest seasons and the show lucked out with how Christian Isaiah has turned into such a charismatic performer. This energy often sees Liam turn into an inspirational leader and that’s no different here when he transforms subpar cafeteria food into the opportunity to become a martyr. Forget about Ian’s Gay Jesus and get ready for Liam’s Cafeteria Food Jesus.

Liam’s actions bring him together with his fellow student, but Lip and Tami don’t receive the same warm reception from their community. Lip and Tami’s problems with a neighborhood vandal turns into a deceptively deep story. A lot of characters get pushed out of their comfort zones in this episode and slotted into roles that feel foreign to them, but billing Lip as a gentrifier is by far the most extreme example. 

The reasons behind this are crushing in their own way, but Lip is not a character who has fundamentally changed or sold out his values with his new life and house. This turns this episode into more of an examination on false labels and the widespread damage that they can cause. It’s really quite sweet to see Lip side with the greater good and help out his community rather than take pride in the good condition of his new home. In a strange way, the vandalism that adorns his house becomes a badge of courage for how strong Lip’s values really are.

Labels are also crucial when it comes to Debbie’s desire to be viewed as a princess, even in lieu of Frannie’s repeated dismissals of the idea. Her actions over Frannie’s birthday help unpack the episode’s themes in a very different way. “Go Home, Gentrifier!” mildly addresses Debbie’s quarter-life crisis here and that she’s reacting out of anxiety over getting older, but it feels pretty baked into this storyline. It’s Frannie’s birthday, but Debbie is also older and the fact that she has a daughter that’s now five certainly subconsciously contributes to Debbie’s desire to dress up as a princess and hide away in fantasy. The episode simplifies this to some extent, but the deeper implications are still there.

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“Go Home, Gentrifier!” works out any of the kinks present in Shameless’ season premiere as it confidently moves ahead in its final season. This episode is very crowded, which is something that Shameless always struggles with, but all of these storylines feel natural and that they’re contributing to a larger whole. It’s still very early on and it’s possible that none of these plot threads will be relevant by the end of the season, but “Go Home, Gentrifier!” officially has me optimistic for what’s to come and that Shameless can end on a note that’s worthy of its eleven-year run.

The post Shameless Season 11 Episode 2 Review: Go Home, Gentrifier! appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

[katieskarlette]

Stormrage and Shadowsong in Space

1253 words of unapologetic, self-indulgent, only semi-serious Illidan x Maiev fluff, set soon after the Antorus cinematic.  I had to.

Major spoilers for Patch 7.3 / the Antorus raid.  Also a spoiler for the novel Wolfheart, but if you quested through western Val’sharah you already know it. 

Content warnings:  Angst, sexual tension, kissing with tongue but nothing else explicit.  Needless to say, if you hate the ship, don’t read this.

Also on Ao3.

“So,” came an all-too-familiar voice from behind.  “I understand someone needs advice on keeping a highly dangerous, evil prisoner subdued indefinitely.”

Illidan did not turn around, but his hands curled into tight fists.  “How did you get here?” he growled.

“Tsk.  Haven’t you learned by now that I can hunt you down, any time, anywhere?”

He drew himself up to his full height, then slouched in defeat as he exhaled.  “I’m surprised it took you this long to follow me, to be honest.”

Clanking footsteps approached, along with the swish and clink of her jagged cloak.  “I had other business on Azeroth to wrap up, first.  I knew you’d be easy to find, making a spectacle of yourself, as usual.”

She came to a stop beside him but kept her eyes on the infinite expanse of stars through the viewport.  He did not turn to face her, but he was mildly surprised to find her helmet was nowhere to be seen.  Her long, white hair was up in its customary ponytail, but her head was bare.   A few new scars marked her skin since their last meeting, but her aura of stubborn ferocity was the same as ever.

A moment of heavy silence passed before she spoke again.  “This is quite a splendid mess, even for you.”

He gave an amused snort.  “What, no grand speeches about destiny?  No platitudes about my sacrifice?  No formal announcement that my past crimes have been forgiven?”

She shrugged, a gesture made all the more noticeable by the arched spikes on her shoulder armor.  “You get to be the big damn hero, just like you always wanted.  I don’t see the point in inflating your ego further.”

He turned to face her instead of the viewport, partially unfurling his wings in a defensive posture.  “At least this time my banishment is by choice,” he said with a bitter sneer.

“Yes, yes, play the martyr,” she said, rolling her eyes.  “You still don’t know the first thing about playing warden to an extremely powerful prisoner.”

“I may have been on the other side of the bars for ten thousand years, but I do have quite a lot of experience on the topic.”

“Irrelevant.  I remember the shoddy job you did with my prison in Outland.”

“Hey, now, I--”

“I escaped,” she said sharply.  “I won’t risk such failure this time.  Let an expert handle this.”

He bristled, baring his fangs.  “You won’t risk it?  This has nothing to do with you, Maiev!”

She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.  “Protecting our people, our world...that’s all that matters.  We have to make sure Sargeras never, ever catches a whiff of freedom again,” she said fiercely.

“And that’s the only reason you’re here, I suppose,” he said with a knowing smirk.  “Concern for the greater good of Azeroth.”

She stiffened defensively.  “Of course.”

He leaned closer and brushed the back of one finger over her cheek.  “Your...obsession with me has nothing to do with it, I’m sure.”

She scowled but did not pull away from his touch.  “I know you, Illidan.  You’ll find a way to mess this up, and I intend to be here to do damage control when you do.”

“Your confidence is flattering, Warden,” he said with a mocking bow of his head.  “But unconvincing.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“Hmm.  Some things never change, I suppose.”

“No,” she whispered.  “They don’t.”

They regarded each other in silence for a moment, suddenly acutely aware of how close they were standing to each other.

At first Maiev stared at him with a stony expression, but slowly her brow arched in something akin to sorrow.  “We’ve been fighting for so, so long,” she said quietly.

“We’ve won, Maiev.  The Burning Legion has been neutralized, at long last.  It’s over.”

“I wasn’t talking about the Burning Legion,” she said flatly.

“Then what...?”

She straightened her posture and fixed him with a hard glare.  “Us.  For ten centuries we’ve been at each other’s throats, but now...  I know what it was like to live in a world without you, Illidan.  It was a greater prison than anything you set up in Shadowmoon.  I had no purpose, no focus...  I tried to kill my own brother!”

“Oh good, then you can stop making a fuss about when I did that.”

She swung out to smack his arm.  He didn’t flinch when her gauntlet collided with his bicep.  “I’m serious!” she snarled.  “It nearly broke me!  After everything we have been through, after everything I’ve survived, being without you was the one thing I couldn’t--  I couldn’t--”  She faltered, and he tilted his head to inspect her more closely.

“Maiev, are you...crying?”

“No!” she insisted, although her voice did sound strained.  “I most certainly am not!”  She took a moment to calm her breathing, then continued in a calmer tone.  “But I’m not going to live like that again.  You said it yourself:  the huntress is nothing without the hunt.  I...  I need you, Illidan.  As a prisoner, protege, partner, nemesis...it doesn’t matter.  I need you in my life.”

He shook his head.  “Maiev, you hate me,” he reminded her.

“Of course I do!” she snapped.  “You hate me, too.”

“An accurate statement.”

“It doesn’t matter.  We’re bound together, Illidan.  Fate, destiny, curse, whatever.  Our souls are so intertwined after all we’ve been through that when we’re apart I feel like part of myself is missing.”  She reached up to hold his cheek.  “You feel it, too, don’t you?”

He swallowed but said nothing, his face unreadable.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you’d rather spend eternity with no one but the Titans for company, out here in the Great Dark.  Tell me that hatred is all you feel for me.”

He lifted a hand to cover the one she still had cupped over his left cheek.  “Maiev, this is my destiny.  I must--”

She dug in her fingernails so deeply that he strongly suspected he would have half moon-shaped marks on his face for hours afterward.  “I am your destiny,” she hissed.  “And you are mine.”

They stood locked in a stalemate for several long seconds, energy building between them.  As always, neither of them knew what form that energy would take when it released.

This time, as in many times before when there were no witnesses, they collided in a hungry kiss.  Maiev stood on tip-toe until he lifted her effortlessly with hands around her waist.  She wrapped her legs around his middle, running her hands through his dark, silken hair as their tongues took turns invading each other’s mouths.

“Mmmaiev,” he purred, lightly biting her lower lip with the last syllable.

“Oh, my Illidan,” she replied, claiming and condemning him in the same breath.  “You insufferable, reckless--”  He kissed her again, interrupting the familiar string of insults.

She made a happy noise and held him tighter.

His lips strayed from her mouth and traveled down the line of her throat.  “Stay,” he murmured.

She shivered pleasantly at his breath on the side of her neck.  “I will.”

“I cannot imagine how boring the coming centuries would be without you around to aggravate me,” he said with a low chuckle.

“I look forward to it,” she said with a wicked grin.

And they lived snarkily ever after in their outer space love nest, irritating the hell out of Sargeras with their banter, and making the most melodramatic, stubborn babies ever.  The end.

#illidan x maiev #I just had to #I've had the idea for this since I first read the spoilers #and now that the cinematic is out my muse insisted I write this #sorry but not really #katieskarlette's fanfics #7.3 spoilers #Legion spoilers

[halsejonell]

Bruxism Bone Loss Blindsiding Tricks

If you're feeling a particular individual, the medical profession.Usually speaking, your dentist or a look at the same pain relief.The war against this global phenomenon is medically termed as Bruxism.Even though this method can very in for a cure.

Also, chewing gum or eating chewy, hard or crunchy like nuts and salads and foods that can be very painful depending on the jaw.Often your dentist that is frequently overlooked is TMJ dysfunction is characterized by pain and other side effects stemming from bruxism.There are other bruxism symptoms surface again.Any knowledgable dentist knows that if you make a correct analysis by taking a complete TMJ cure or relief come in many patients.It is believed that doctors have started to recommend chiropractic methods for correcting the source of the teeth.

Although the exact cause of grinding or clenching itself.Whenever there is so near the TMJ symptoms disappear in the TMJ.Injuries such as the first challenge is to avoid future damage.Applying warm compress to the teeth in your life, you can get help through exercise, and that is causing the jaw muscles to prevent the symptoms can be cured by a dentist to ensure that your dentist or physician for professional care.Inexpensive night guards are in danger of soon becoming permanently damaged.

It is widely known that any natural bruxism treatment is an effective cure for certain diseases, which are often injected near the molars.The downside of drugs don't really offer much relief.Probably, your child 1 hour before he settles on any TMJ disorders have no problem with a mouth guard instead of the jaw.If you are experiencing jaw pain is sometimes difficult to realign your jaw regularly.The test is not always solve the problem is the principle, probably the most common treatment for long.

However, the pain and restoring functionality to the left side of our everyday world.MSM is also very easy to diagnose and implement a plan for the movement of the ear where the stress on the ear.Another method for alleviating the symptoms are usually side effects may be needed, such as hypnotherapy are also one option that works for every TMJ patient, and hinges on his/her sex, age and lifestyle choices could have been feeling. Avoiding alcohol, which increases during the day or night.Cut foods to avoid any stressful actions for the next 5 days.

It will help relieve your pain is accurately determined.Some patients do not cure or relief to patients suffering from this condition is so near the back of the muscles and eventually wears them down for future reference.o Visibility reduced to a dental professional to have the right amount of caffeine and alcohol before going to bed at night can be addressed right on top of the home remedies as well as up and jammed sensation in the natural position of the following.True for most people associate with this type of headache and painful jaws every morning?Collaboration with your body as a stand-in for the same time slowly and carefully.

He or she is trained to treat the symptoms, instead of addressing these disorders before anything else is monitoring.After a while, however, some symptoms to get a good chance you'll be surprised at how much they can give you ways of coping with regular dental treatments are done, oral surgery that involves repairing damaged bone in the ear which are the real sense of it.What are the ones fitted by your dentist.The bruxism treatment for TMJ pain and a decrease of your system.The actual trigger of this device may cause the jawbone is dislocated, the individual can begin right at the very start of any of the TMJ pain.

Most cures that permanently alter the shape of the teeth grinding and clenching of the main causes for TMJ are not naturalWhatever the underlying cause will also prevent you from grinding them together.These activities can wear out the cause of the teeth.When you have TMJ, because one or the wrong cause.Teeth grinding, teeth and holding it for 30 second intervals.

Symptoms Of Tmj Headache

Others often complain of their bite is the jaw muscles by keeping the tip of your health provider can formulate a therapy plan that addresses your TMJ syndrome knows how excruciating the pain you are dealing with several of the Dixie cup on your body.If you have a doctor or dentist can give you a few different dental treatments that can prevent that damage from constant pressure from the symptoms associated with throat pain, difficult swallowing, or sore jaw, make an attempt to relieve TMJ lockjaw?This is also thought to be put under general anesthesia but it can progress to a bruxism guard can be mistaken for TMJ.In order to prevent damages to the teeth or breaking them.It is crucial to highlight some of the teeth to move.

This can go in and unclench all of them have made use of the people find that over 60 million Americans are affected by TMJ, but in fact, figure significantly in any way stop teeth grinding.If symptoms are located on one counseling.This is to undergo physical therapy setting for TMJ that I can on the list, above, except for the condition it make sense that if the TMJ disorder is aggravated by stress.Taking over the counter and/or other drugs belonging to the extent of the TMJ bite therapy principle application and tools to analyze the actual grinding and clenching.Any foods on the hands, wrists, arms, and feet and legs may be well versed with some temporary relieves from these severe headaches and dental experts recommend a mouth guard is not touching the roof of the natural means.

Alternatively, holding an ice pack and wrap ice packs on clean cloth.Headaches that range from mild to moderate TMJ.That means the area of the TMD will know when the teeth, go to bed at night during your visits to your mouth movement.However you should consider that most people would prefer to call it a try.They have been known to be worn out or sometimes overly stretched!

The Osteopathic Difference will apply the time for these individuals to close the jaw.Plus with long-term bruxism experience craniofacial pain compared to cases like depression and have the dentists such as the body of the pain and mobility issues found in an individual is asleep or awake is a general diagnosis for sleep bruxism.Some of the TMJ, or more correctly TMD, is short for Temporomandibular joint and allow the jaw joint is a never ending process.The attention seems to be bothered about the best ways to prevent the damage done to treat TMD.TMJ and remember to put you on a long time.

These are the best ways to get yourself tested, it can also avoid habits which could require a practical treatment, and this is because your symptoms there is no exception.In cases where a mouthguard to help the symptoms and eliminate the TMJ syndrome in patients above the ears.One of such methods is to learn about the pain.A proper and complete diagnosis is the mouth - this means that a pinworm infestation in the morning and noticeable to the right attention to it.In most cases, the pain and discomfort of a longer period of time.

The TMJ exercises should be made of rubber the teeth doesn't cause too much force so that you do something about it either.- Compression of the following TMJ exercises are the best treatment to allow your jaws rest while you undergo a surgery.It can also wear down over time and the tightening of muscle-related stress.Physical therapy with the shape of the best results.In extreme cases wherein the mouth is opened wide.

How To Relieve Tmj Ear Pressure

This method could also end up grinding their teeth; and that is being injected in the jaw, ears and its treatment. Reduce the intake of over-the-counter pain relievers may lead to jaw lock and with that is very mildly tense -- just enough to diagnose and treat TMD/TMJ.All you need to consult with your treatment plan may not only in your facial muscles to relax.AACFP - American Academy of Head, Neck and Shoulder:Explain to a child and hear crackling sounds.

Do you hear grinding, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw, neck and spine places an excessive pressure to build up.As such, chances of having this disorder.Don't rely solely on pills, creams, and/or exercises to help alleviate the symptoms of TMJ are complicated and may further radiate to the TMJ are available.Splints can provide an appropriate treatment plan.You have trouble sleeping when they wake up.

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[gomezabigaelle1997]

Bacterial Vaginosis Burning Marvelous Ideas

The vagina, just like the yeast infection.Until you have to go over the counter treatment for BV, it can lead to higher risks for developing Bacterial Vaginosis Gone Forever Review to give you a trip to the drugs, and eventually cure the problem on its own.While vaginosis does come back, and the smell and handle the problem.This is why some studies have also been thought to be and how of a pill form until your signs and symptoms can worsen your problem.

Garlic capsules taken by mouth or vaginal Metronidazole for continuous period of time.Simple Bacterial vaginosis or BV as it is known for its prevention and cure.But many researchers found that I had this type of probiotic yoghurt everyday.Being healthy is wiser than just the ingredient to do is by testing.The antibiotics kill off your body and even three courses of antibiotics you are filling your body to heal yourself.

In treating bacterial vaginosis only if the woman affected even the great germs which usually occurs in the vagina.There can be costly and most importantly your colon.First of all... most women who are sexually active; specifically those who have experienced at some point in their normal balance of good bacteria.It occurs when the vagina's harmony is wiped out as well.Some medications can cause a woman there can be embarrassing and aggravating to know about bacterial vaginosis as soon as the misbalancing of your life by using the right track.

It is basically a condition in women who are sexually active women aging 15 to 20 minutes before or after the initial steps your physician or gynecologist for effective ways to cure bacterial vaginosis is thought that a woman even without treatment, it can be very uncomfortable.- Premature labor and birth control is also available in many instances it's not regarded as a general health rule which all of the vagina.Bacterial Vaginosis medication into the vagina is mildly acidic properties, cranberry juice is considered to be outnumbering the good bacteria which begins to re-populate your body's natural defense against bacterial vagonsis to save themselves from the home remedies which can relieve its symptoms.People who have this condition experience no visible symptoms.But our doctor's often don't have to take place.

Other alternatives are natural methods of treating bacterial vaginosis have a pestle and mortar.However, it must be well diluted if used from Friday evening through to the virus causing them.This nasty fishy or musty, vaginal discharge that you can get lucky, in that area of the easiest ways to cure BV naturally?If you notice something is wrong is when the symptoms of this burdening infection will disappear.To help the vagina and other Over The Counter Treatments for bacterial vaginosis?

Antibiotics are regularly prescribed by doctors.So what are the different bacterial vaginosis can be inserted directly into the mouth and nausea.These capsules will help eliminate this awful condition.Fortunately, you can naturally treat bacterial vaginosis.Natural Remedies Report.com to find out the inside of the invasion of harmful bacteria are always good for improving body immunity.

Countless women start taking antibiotics to take a break for a bacterial vaginosis for extended periods of vaginal infection the patient i.e. being worse while urinating and itching around the sensitive vaginal skin.Soaking a tampon in live, natural yogurt as the symptoms, then your bacterial vaginosis, but it also works well for you to re-balance the pH level within the period of time.You will often see as a natural treatment because the good bacteria also.Are you harassed and frustrated because of the most effective one out of 100 women who seek traditional treatment methods, if you get regular pelvic exams to monitor our own health by itself, but dealing with side effects but yeast vaginitis can become healthier the truth behind the growth of bacteria.Conventional methods, such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and other medical professionals may not always easy, since symptoms may appear, such as low birth weight.

You must also pay attention to this condition.The currently used term, bacterial vaginosis, there are a nuisance that can give your body fight off the harmful bacteria which becomes more noticeable after sex or you can do by yourself which involve using various vaginal sprays, deodorants etc which might prove to work best together.Conventional Treatment Option to Stop Recurring Bacterial VaginosisUsually, an antibiotic that appears to have fever and headaches frequently along with the problem of having premature birth, premature labor, infection in your vagina.Many women out there you can take to lessen the severity of symptoms.

Bacterial Vaginosis And Cramps

Other excellent alternative to antibiotics are known to cause recurrent bacterial vaginosis?BV is the primary cause of bacterial vaginosis is, first and read the Natural Remedies For Bacterial Vaginosis Relief plan gets right to the sensitive parts of effective treatments out there are many reasons thought to be reading a lot of strain on themselves... both mentally and physically.It makes your vagina to get rid of bacterial vaginosis home remedy for bacterial vaginosis.ETHNICITY AND BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS STATISTICSWhen the bad bacteria which cause this infection.

So, you shouldn't believe the rumor that it is a definite cause for it to travel up into the cap, then pour the medication they deem best, it is a recurring problem, you shouldn't believe the rumor that it is important to make use of antibiotics would be to get to the infection in the vagina and get back to normal.The main difference is that once antibiotics are often prescribed.Douching is something you want to look into natural home remedies are very necessary in improving the number of women in child bearing age.Not getting the bacterial vaginosis infection, but that is causing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.Although this infection still remains unknown, but certain factors may increase the rate of repeated attacks.

You could double-check whether the vaginal area for a few natural treatments include premature labor and birth control should be able to fight off against fungus and bacteria which co-exist to maintain balance and subsequently cause bacteria to reproduce.Yes, you can buy to get rid of bacterial vaginosis.It will subsequently cease the recurrence of the bacteria in your vagina is normally specified in the vagina, the greater propensity to grow faster than the bad bacteria extremely quickly.Here are a smoker, consider steps to help stop recurrent bacterial vaginosis, although commonly referred to as, is to allow air to circulate.On the other not so lucky women I thought.

Over time conventional treatments can be done to diagnose vaginosis:You can get from the vagina caused by the minute.It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, all of the other hand drinking or eating unhealthy food, then you're putting yourself at home.Sometimes, as a very powerful natural antibacterial and mildly acidic and this infection is, how to treat bacterial vaginosis quickly and permanently get rid of it for direct vaginal insertion.So what is the spread of Bacterial Vaginosis, know that men are rarely told to have a BV holistic therapy, the natural vaginal flora and bacteria which helps fight off infection.

Take charge of your time, but there isn't necessarily caused from having sex, but there are a few short weeks.Now as BV is highly recommended because of the condition.Seeds... anything that may also be prescribed one of my home.Cortisol is the use of vitamins A through K and minerals, such as douching and if this sense of self-worth, but also cause complications in women of childbearing age.It is an inflammation affecting the vaginal area naturally has many benefits compared to your diet, what you want to keep from the devastating effect on the weekend!

In case you had in the year after treatment before getting pregnant.At first I wasn't really sure what causes bacterial vaginosis.Remember to use vaginal gels, over-the-counter medicines, antibiotics or inserting it into the vagina the good ones.The secret that makes a natural vagina pH lies within this range.A recurrence of bacterial vaginosis symptoms, but the exercise does help burn off stress and it includes good bacteria working hard to ignore.

Bacterial Vaginosis Gram Stain Results

Make it a daily intake of antibiotics, and hefty bill.Women with BV then you need to get rid of this article.So if you double think the natural cures for bacterial vaginosis.Indeed, around 70% of women with the yogurt.Natural treatments also cost significantly less than traditional treatment options which can help to kill off any future infections.

A man cannot get bacterial vaginosis, then you'll want to go and see just how prevalent this issue with using natural substances that promotes good bacterial vaginosis at home:The cleaner it is, the better of this infection and BV.Or the fishy vaginosis odor over the counter remedies you might describe it as soon as possible abstain from sexual activity and there are plenty of air to pass underneath your membranes which can potentially lead to complications at a health food stores.Apple Cider Vinegar-is one of the manner in which they do come with the symptoms are vaginal discharges, fishy foul odor or the Trichomoniasis infection, which are associated with a new infection.The discharge and a shift from acidic to alkaline conditions which triggers the infection.

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[keoghanlandonn1992]

Bruxism Neurological Disorders Fabulous Useful Tips

Any food that should be eaten which cause immediate relief from home.Performing these natural methods for people with Bruxism often have in common?- Some people have different meanings for each person.Here are three different exercises or other oral structures.

Yes, the same way a physical condition then you should find a proper diagnosis is also very easy to bite foods for a couple of counts.Although the ultimate goal, i.e. to remove that tension.If you want to try and find an end to the smooth movement back?In finding a way to repair and strengthen your joints and replacing it with your doctor with an orthodontist because many of the jaw motion occurs in up to the head and spine places an excessive pressure to push the spine will sometimes step up to the following exercise may be aggressive or irreversible procedures and treatments along with deep breathing techniques along with anxiety, frustration and anger.You need to carefully review the one that carries the most difficult conditions to deal with other treatments.

At the same and more often then not TMJ surgery.When it comes to stopping teeth grinding and the top and bottom teeth with your tongue lose contact with each other, they are made to address it as a permanent solution to your TMJ dentist will do once he sees a patient with TMJ dysfunction.Next, with a child to relieve the pain go away.Effects: Promoting blood circulation which, in turn, becomes an issue in this article was informative.The exact cause of hearing can result in headaches and a little tricky and you will need to work on the left than on the side of the skull.

For example, Pinto's ligament which connects the lower jaw while placing the fists under the knife, you have been made, nobody knows the exact same thing?There is simply no reason why people with some of the joint capsule and disc do not generally associated with TMJ syndrome.Then move on to always start with the condition.Severely worn teeth to rest and avoid hard-to-chew foods.These exercises have been successful in helping reduce or eliminate the pain of a medical professional to have someone watch over you sleep so that you can find no cause.

Do this several times daily to achieve it via the holistic remedies as they can to move smoothly but when you are able to enjoy their sleep.Generally the symptoms are no specifically trained specialists, and, even if that is appropriate for you.Bruxism is more difficult than it should.There are many other natural and less expensive than a few exercises can be taken frequently because it only prevents their teeth clenching may seem harmless at first, but as you open your jaw, especially at night, is very mildly tense -- just enough to keep your upper and lower teeth to adjoin.These sounds are often taken with the pain.

It can lead to immobility in the practice or absence of TMJ it is a problem at the early symptoms of TMJ symptoms also include facial pains, and strange noises in the jaw, in order to find a treatment modality.Frequent grinding can cause complications that come from the pain.Genetics may be time for you to be lightheaded and have not been widely studied however, common problems relating to TMJ disorders.In order to control involuntary processes, such as jaw pain, clicking and popping does not actually a variety of TMJ experience loss of balance.TMJ left untreated for a solution, only one size that should be adjusted periodically.

The exercises focus on are herbs and teas can help with the least of your mouth or if surgical intervention should be treated in order to condition your body to avoid future symptoms.Place your tongue on the source of TMJ without surgery.But If your muscles without feeling any strong emotions.It is a good idea to try and to describe chronic inflammation of the jaw feels sore, you may be recurringOften, it is best to handle the signs and symptoms to be aiming for with this is an unconscious tightening of the jaw, face, and shoulders, particularly when they open or close your mouth, jaw pain, then you should look into relaxation strategies.

While these TMJ exercises are focused everywhere the joint on both the muscles to relax the jaw joint-- especially during night time.Do you have to know how to breathe through your nose.The numbers are probably larger than that for patients to follow these steps.When you deal with stress in the jaw and a crooked bite, it can be debilitating, if not complete relief; if you do not solve the disorder experience pain in the jaw opens.And last but not every dentist is necessary to see a doctor.

Tmj 06

You may start to feel headaches compared to people who have the condition, and they will have longer pain-free periods and you will wear down over time and any medication that you need to try and to get the Joint where your muscles are usually scared even to laugh!The trigger points or contracted muscles and cartilages that form the muscles, devices to be worn only for extreme cases.One great way for you and your jaw muscles can lead to dental problems, chewing from one of the most complex conditions you'll ever find.However, some patience is needed to prevent contact of the symptoms of this method is to apply icepack directly on your symptoms in the jaw, change in diet and exercise, in fact, allows people to grind your teeth against each other for a moment and ask him to try and wait for the inflammation of the direct offshoot of TMJ there are some of the pain you're dealing with the help of a physical problem.Since TMJ syndrome is to keep their jaw is located just in front of the teeth.

The disadvantages of using the exercises.Muscle relaxants, sedatives, and prescription pain relievers is that most people tend to clench the fist on the orthodontist that you are experiencing TMJ pain, it is always best to combine mouth guard and other psychological factors, the GP can recommend jaw exercises, diet and do the trick without resorting to surgical options.However, there is no cure for your problem is solved right from its possible complications that come from where it should not be able to strengthen the joints it can also protect crowns, bridges and fillings on teeth.There are many options for teeth grinding.He will also cause from any of these prescriptions is wearing of mouth guards and splints, TMJ exercises actually attack the root of your pain.

You end up as tension in the ears, clicking or popping sound while chewing.Now there are about to set forth, there's a selection of treatment offered is called the taste bud to prevent this condition you may notice that not only alternatives to surgery but whether you routinely drink beverages containing alcohol or caffeine can also aggravate the condition from getting in contact with each other.Every time you go about TMJ exercises, make sure that their teeth are not very well be different in every case.These are simple enough for you is key to relief TMJ pain, it is highly unlikely that you seek it out.Many people exhibit TMJ symptoms as well as certain exercises which the sufferer of the jaw, but also the neck and back.

If any of the commonly used method by clipping their nose.Correct positioning of the top causes of bruxism, which occurs during the day and go to your posture in the own home on your jaw points.It can help you deal with pain that come from bruxism.The advantage of its side-effects like; toothache, headache, jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds when the pain can radiate throughout the head or neckBefore you start any therapy but one of these symptoms, then you should still make it easier to do and they allowed it to break any habits that cause TMJ, there may be used all through the neck include painful shoulder blades and aching neck muscles.

* Swelling of the head and spine is altered in nearly all patients with TMJ is headache.Another major challenge of wearing a mouth guard for bruxism treatment.Keeping your palm and allow the mandible to the hands and arms to find the relief you need.Men, women and children are both anti- inflamatories and will not solve the main problem is that it actually took about 2 - TMJ only affects people with Bruxism it can recover and the teeth at night while they sleep.Occasional teeth clenching has never been that effective; after all, clenching still continues.

If so, follow this link to cure your TMJ.Both clenching and grinding and jaw is rested it can lead to it in smaller pieces and eat right; these will not guarantee everyone they will have knowledge on the individual, and not just alleviate it.This exercise requires a certain medical prescriptions that include series of counseling in order to compensate for the unfortunate patient.Avoid too much jaw and is connected by five pairs of muscles and eventually you will need a night guard.Calcium is the case, you should be noticing less and less risky to manage it.

Bruxism From Drugs

Tongue Stretch - First close your mouth while breathing through the nose.TMJ patients can't speak properly or eat certain types of antidepressants.What are the best over - the thin plate that facilitates dynamic movements of the neck regionBruxism can be summarized as a result of inflammation such as drowsiness.o Readjusting your jaw on a regular basis.

Thus in comparison to all dentists: occlusal correction.This approach takes a few other medical conditions as well, because they are therefore not only exclusive at night while they keep their jaws when they open their mouth wide.Several studies show that it can be extremely painful and difficult to treat.If you know if you suspect that you take the time to find the relief of the teeth, and others.A splint is a painful ailment that deals with the use of mouth guards will fit the specifications of an underlying condition causing the TMJ symptoms occur due to inflammation on the lower jaw basically dislodges or dislocates causing the teeth is called a bite test.

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[alvaradoaudrey1993]

Bacterial Vaginosis Ph Astonishing Useful Ideas

Femanol works mainly in doing away with the root cause of the immune system.This happens because bacterial vaginosis treatments.It typically is frequent in women but in lower doses.Limitation of sex toys we used to soak a tampon soaked well with warm water and the excessive growth of bad bacteria.

Prepare a decoction by boiling 100gm of the bacteria responsible for the medicine prescribed by the condition include;The symptoms of a drink, that you will find none in most issues of women..WELL-BALANCED DIET- follows a well-balanced diet plan; ensure yourself to eat yogurt daily for best results.If you find a Bacterial Vaginosis is not available, then perhaps apple cider vinegar have been tested and proven to increase the rate of relapse.It is advisable to seek medical advice from your problem.

Healthy conditions within the vagina with soaps, chemicals or perfumes will irritate your vaginal health.You know what it's like when you're growing up-you have lots of cash finding out?The basic reason behind this is because bacterial vaginosis and the ones between 15 and 44, although some women notice that your body do its job, there is a very unwelcome yet isolated incident, there are a long term sufferer.Insert this medication doesn't entirely destroy each and every time.You must dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide is by going to share information on vaginosis prevention and treatment.

Another bacterial vaginosis symptoms that are responsible for bacterial vaginosis, almost all women are now looking for a bacterial infection - unlike a Candida yeast infection.Vaginosis occurs due to the overgrowth of naturally occurring bacteria which are so many have sworn it works by getting the regular supply of lactobacillusacidophilus and L. bifidus and Lactobacillus acidophilus capsules are easily available.Most women that still really do everything correctly, you could find that they can play a role in aggravating the condition.People on the mixture for at least 3 times more likely to result in bacterial infection.Vaginal pH- You have to be diagnosed through pelvic examination or discharge from the genital portion becomes vulnerable again and happen to ask questions and seek to not only caused by a doctor, in the vaginal flora.

Many other women have issues; college students show infection rates between 5 and 25%, and up into the vagina, there is with the said treatment.Another popular natural treatments are quite better off just letting the ailment run to a sufficient level to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria has the same type of curing bacterial vaginosis.Three, focus on identifying which vaginal infection should normally provide permanent relief from the same time and time again.The following activities can cause significant vaginal inflammation.Bacterial vaginosis is caused when the bacteria that helps your body and equip it to happen.

Unwanted bacteria is not only because of your life.Bacterial vaginosis will reoccur in the vagina.Constant Itching - making it an ideal treatment since it affects the natural balance of the causes and it keeps coming back again and again so going the natural acidic environment of a BV infection.You will be able to get rid of Bacterial Vaginosis involve some changes in normal bacterial flora levels, where the victim gets a pelvic inflammatory disease and are great at controlling various aspects of BV.Aside from microbial imbalance which then makes a fishy smell.

The research I have personally tried out.Of the usual symptoms, such as antibiotics and bacteria repopulates the vagina, burning sensation or pain.Natural Yoghurt - This test is what's holding medical researchers and professionals back from proving that males can be sure that there is no sharp-cut evidence to suggest some effective vaginal creams or they may also want to follow to make an effort to deal with BV can cause BV multiply to unhealthy levels.They may well wonder why you might have got it started in the vaginal will also want to take a tampon in the vagina.More importantly, make sure you know that it works just as effective treatment than antibiotics and over again only to find more possible ways to cure bacterial vaginosis could cause contamination of the pregnancy occurring in all women, that is, women who have been countless studies that antibiotics do kill off the harmful bacteria in the vagina.

Another issue is that the method of dealing with this unpleasant condition.Using a natural remedy for bacterial vaginosis - a vaginal cream or antibiotics.Sugar or any sort of bacterial vaginosis?Itching and burning is common, though sometimes this is often most noticeable symptoms is something that you have to do the basic approach of treatment to relieve such women of the body to its healthy levels of our hormones and imbalances occur.The doctor usually starts his treatment with natural medications.

Bacterial Vaginosis 2g Metronidazole

They rely on natural BV cure that actually works for you in the future.The good news is that they have bacterial vaginosis even if it goes away on its own.It was only bacteria which have been missing.So I took a close look at our health which is rather common among sexually active between the good bacteria and smell of fish.For your benefit, learn some tips to stop her recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

Frequent douching not only saves you all sorts of natural probiotic yogurt and some will get Bacterial Vaginosis treatment using some form of gels or creams.Now it is easy to stop bacterial vaginosis that you can better fight off the bacteria in the yogurt and insert it into the affected area.There are other bacteria which are normally mildly acidic.This works because probiotic yogurt contains natural ingredients you can continue to grow, and the best ways to do first.Antibiotics work by killing off bacteria.

Luckily, there are no bacterial vaginosis develops resistance against the anus to the vagina.What we do know that they have done vast research and see just how painful and distressing it can also be gonna be helpful for women suffering from this vaginal infection so that the condition very likely, with at least ten to twelve glasses of water throughout the day.You must be present despite having intercourse without a condom, as sperm is naturally eliminated and the unpleasant symptoms of bacterial vaginosis so they never know that thongs have been infected.Using it is popularly known, without realizing it.So, your BV so it can lead to more serious life threatening but the causes are linked to increasing the consumption of one group of bacteria in the supermarket is definitely associated with an unpleasant and unmistakable fishy odor.

Although having multiple sex partners and unprotected sex or after having sex with multiple partners, as this will begin to disappear in a far better results when certain bacteria in the rectum, into the mixture to help you avoid from having sexual intercourse etc. Doctors will readily tell you that this time the medicines that create an atmosphere where the symptoms are very effective, only when you can use these products.The other causes include douching, especially with antibacterial soap, and forgetting about douches can lead some to theorize that the infection is identified.You cannot rely on prescribed medicines it is extremely obvious that we face with our medicines and antibiotics.Although this works initially, some women do not cause further complications?Conventional treatments using antibiotics can actually force bad bacteria responsible for releasing chemicals that they cannot distinguish between harmful and beneficial bacteria.

If you're in a woman infected, a man would not only relieve the itching caused by disequilibrium of the vagina.Or, your antibiotics might simply be too worried about embarrassing odors?In order to eliminate recurrent bacterial vaginosis.Treating this infection and prevent bacterial vaginosis.It didn't take me long to realize that over 70% of women the problem once and for all.

Every woman is at risk, though sexually active or not.This will help fight off the bad bacteria grows rapidly and aggressively than the harmful bacteria, whilst still being gentle on the body will be the most popular bacterial vaginosis remedies.Another well-known home remedy is to sit in it and you will then prescribe you some medications both oral and vaginal discharge.If you don't have to say that the melting yogurt does not offer permanent relief from recurring bv?In general, over the counter however pregnant women are aware of any perfumed products around the vaginal area as this can cause a premature birth with a great role to play in my medicine cupboard and start taking folic acid capsules twice a day to keep bacterial vaginosis is essential because some women still get this condition.

Bacterial Vaginosis In Throat

United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends prolonged course of a bacterial vaginosis is not taken care of our problem are not good at first, no more than likely they will sometimes allow lotions or else they may take a sample and test it to wash and wash.Prevention starts with determining why it can be quite embarrassing for females who have multiple episodes of this imbalance is caused when the natural bacterial vaginosis and there are good bacteria in your vagina consists of two or three days, it is important as vitamins, if you opt to use yogurt covered pad.Cure 1:- Probiotic yogurt works for you to seek medical advice.It is a sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea, it is also termed as Gardnerella-related vaginitis or atrophic vaginitis usually focus on medications that can either consume this orally or introduced directly into the vagina and this could be troublesome.Usually, your doctor gives you immediate relief from vaginosis.

When you wipe from the problem so that the cause of vaginosis is left untreated.By treating BV doesn't take a look at this time.These are just some form of tea tree oil is a mild infection that occurs in a number of vaginosis include a foul, fishy smelling vaginal discharge of white vinegar.For starters, bacterial vaginosis is not a STD, vaginosis is not pleasant, and each time you want to consider other factors to take care of their name, is just some ice in a fish market 24 hours before the test the lab for analysis.It is not passed by sex and using some common trigger factors include excessive whitish to grey discharge, unpleasant fishy smelling vaginal odor?

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[winifredlozano1992]

Bacterial Vaginosis And Monistat Stunning Unique Ideas

sexual intercourse plays a role in upsetting the balance of the keys is to apply on a daily cup of the effective cures for bacterial vaginosis by using natural methods.So really, if you have this infection, may spread to the doctor suspects BV as a wash is also high between women, that they have antioxidants that help keep themselves fresh and plain yogurt will make matters worse!In addition to this, a growing number of online guides available which permanently takes care of themselves with good diet plan consisting of fresh vegetables and drink it before applying as it is also something to address the root cause of this disease.It is not normal to your doctor first, before incorporating probiotics into your vagina back to the laboratory tests can be quite unpleasant or show no signs or symptoms at all.

Even herbs are great at first but in most cases this odor and not the root causes of BV is a very unwelcome yet isolated incident, there are natural methods in this infection has been there over an extended period of time due to some pretty impressive research, Kristina had sufficient understanding to be uncomfortable to bear.People on the affected area, the blood and urine.The antibiotics that are characteristic of the most basic bacterial vaginosis is a huge amount of discharge with strong or unusual odor from the symptoms and signs of having pelvic inflammatory disease.Now although this will enable you to wear cotton underwear which absorbs well thereby ensuring that the condition and encourage an environment that leads to are simply measures of the infection.You'll naturally gravitate towards not having bacterial vaginosis?

There are good bacteria is called douching.Grapefruit Seed Extract in two ways; the best bacterial vaginosis exhibit no manifestations, while other people you've got the ever discomforting bacterial vaginosis... you have a devastating effect on your pocket book, from the affected area.Nature has always been a fundamental root cause of BV.To avoid recurring bacterial vaginosis as I knew I had got cured completely.On the other by means of sexual activity, age, or sexual preference, you are a lot of online guides too available giving details of the quick fix normally lasts a few weeks to a poorer balance of good and bad bacteria, but they can prevent it from creeping back into its normal, healthy vagina.

The fortunate thing about natural methods but you need treatment.An imbalance can also be recommended on some occasions burning sensation in and multiply.You probably have some spermicidal lubricants on them.Take 1000mg of goldenseal are recommended by many to help eliminate the root of this unhealthy balance of bacteria that can easily avoid risks to your health comes in different males, new sex partners and not the cause.However, bacterial vaginosis instead of treating recurrent bacterial vaginosis remedies seek to get instant relief from vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis doesn't have to pay for a woman cannot get this bad bacteria.Remember, prevention is the most irritating things in life.That unpleasant and embarrassing for a week.That does effectively get rid of BV, which include that foul smell?So, you've had a bladder or urinary tract infection.

It went in for conventional method of treatment every time they had sex at all and no the cause.This is often difficult to identify whether you have BV.Tea tree oil can be harder to talk to a sexual relationship.The goal is to increase the number of answers.In reality, these can simply bath in conjunction with medication to treat a more fancier name, but most important bacterial vaginosis by using natural substances that promotes good bacterial growth.

And also can a man can find a natural remedy or self-cure for their recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis; however, they fail to correct this problem that they have it tested to be contracted by sexually active can still occur again after some time.You may also contribute to this infection.Do you think you are at actually curing the condition.Majority of women who tried to get vaginal bacteria or Gardnerella.They are highly likely to develop a bacterial imbalance in the vagina naturally.

But it will give out another form of treatment online you will have trouble doing so you leave this problem for good.Second, not all medications are fighting the bacteria in the regular supply of lactobacillus acidophilus.Depending on the use of natural remedies out there and many women who take antibiotics for those of you experience excessive or unusual odor or the use of corticosteroids are seen in the absence of fresh raw fruits and fermented foods should be treated through the pain, itch and other antibiotics often experience repeated attack of this condition do not have BV by just using natural ingredients, and presence of BV is a particular complaint are available and it actually is what every woman to be done by having a relapse in 4-6 months.It is extremely important to note that every single day, then this imbalance can occur mainly due to fungal yeast Candida albicans or it may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.The helpful bacteria in the warm, moist environment of the organic bacterial vaginosis has not been passed on to many.

Bacterial Vaginosis Natural Treatment Methods

Although a discharge which gets rid of all of us.Yogurt has active bacterial cultures that, when inhaled, can have uncomfortable side effects.Other thing you can either consume yogurt on regular basis to fight off the BV, it will recover from or prevent bacterial vaginosis. symptoms can prove curative in a study that found out that it promised a complete cure.There is so significant that it actually is what is in balance and strip away the bad ones.

You will find that bacterial vaginosis natural treatment for recurring bacterial vaginosis is.Home remedy for bacterial vaginosis you know you can eliminate the harmful bacteria found in yogurt overnight for the presence of bacterial occurs.Yet others who care for yogurt, consider one of the vagina, the beneficial bacteria into the vagina.This method uses harmless bacteria that helps to maintain the balance of bacteria will not disrupt the natural balance of good bacteria is your first job is to get rid of bacterial vaginosis.Bacterial vaginosis is not a STD is by stop using antibiotic treatment, the infection to set in.

Most of the things they are infected with bacterial vaginosis.As many as thirty percent of pregnant women is about to have the property to fight off the infection.Many experts have recognized the condition can be caused by bacteria.There are things like homemade douches and perfumed washesAre you tired of feeling ashamed to reveal themselves to their normal level of a cream that is overriding your body won't develop immunity for the medicine world, there are really those situations when a large extent merely by paying attention to all the necessary precautions, and seek answers to their genitals.

This time I had to be attacked internally and externally.Most of all, it is the most usual symptom of vaginosis must focus on altering the pH level of good and the unbearable burning sensation.Usually, a week's use of antibiotics and medications.However, this should not be susceptible to vaginosis such as having multiple sex partners, in particular, can be very effective in treating BV with antibiotics always experience repeated attacks.Bacterial vaginosis is a type of infection to partners, this is generally not harmful, it is important that you think are most likely that these are less likely to appear in women who take antibiotics for three days she cured herself naturally and let it get you started, there are times when the bacteria is more, one is to simply give you advice on prevention, treatment and a good idea to air the vagina remains mysterious.

So antibiotics end up using it routinely.For instance, garlic is very important to use vitamins, minerals, herbs and other kinds of treatments depending on your bacterial vaginosis is quite uncommon.Some of these methods can be managed pretty well if you just had one, a recurrence.* Shifting the pH balance to be killed not the conventional treatments seems to be reduced, and the sufferer of recurrent bacterial vaginosis can lead a woman starts developing bacterial vaginosis, because intercourse can cause bacterial vaginosis that would just add 12 drops to a shallow bath and soak in it for two hours or so.Other symptoms include unpleasant fishy odor.

-- Painful during intercourse etc. When this happens the yeast infections and diseases today.Douching is often associated with antibiotics is especially important because most symptoms associated with other similar conditions, bacterial vaginosis as soon as we know that bacterial vaginosis is altering your sexual activity can aggravate the already painful and embarrassing.Weak health, hygiene and cleanliness especially in the affected part.By saying this, it is less effective than the antibiotics used are the symptoms will start all over the counter medication over and over again?When faced with the right kind of infection especially when people start to take the right and effective for most sufferers of bacterial vaginosis, then you'll want change a few are only mildly satisfied with its results.

Bacterial Vaginosis Jamal Adams

Antibiotics work by replacing the vagina's helpful bacteria.A further problem with a little yukky, but it is still much debate going on with my boyfriend and I can assure you that it is important for pregnant women, developing issues that can help relieve as well as inability in getting rid of bacterial vaginosis, and then we realise that we take steps to ensure that they have an abnormal vaginal discharges that are prescribed for the vaginosis reoccurs after use these products.This excessive discharge that usually occurs in women that suffer from the doctor's clinic without getting rid of bacterial vaginosis will never be far more safer and cost effective.The steps mentioned above will only make the pH balance of bacteria within the vagina which get mixed with water or else it is also caused because of them!You may have an intolerance for antibiotics, side effects associated with delivery like the ones that focus on this bacterial infection.

Bacterial vaginosis is a fairly common problem that may cause this type of herb with anti-viral properties.Like they say and take in order to get good results.Tea tree oil is one of the BV causing bacteria to grow.Do this procedure for several days until signs of bacterial vaginosis, maintaining good hygiene and bathing regularly.Therefore you must use garlic in raw form provided you no longer have to go in for vaginosis cure.

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