There are plenty of scholars who would love to study the Traveler, and the number only grows after the Archon Quests.
Most of them just want to know about their opinions and views of the world, or ask about locations like Enkanomiya. However, there are those that act a bit like Dottore and it's freaky.
Luckily, the Traveler has friends.
Collei tries to distract the Traveler by pointing at random directions while chucking Cuilein-Anbar at the scholars.
Kaveh makes a dendro wall to block paths.
Layla and other students guide the Traveler to safer locations, preferably with loads of matra, claiming that they need a new environment to learn.
Tighnari helps Collei with the distractions, but shoots the guys in the knees (he uses blunt arrowheads).
These scholars are banned from the Grand Bazaar.
Nahida always tries to warn the Traveler about their presence.
Dori's network always deals with the researchers.
And so on.
Dehya, Candace, Wanderer, Cyno and Alhaitham are kept in the dark because there would probably be a murder if they found out.
It all comes to a head when Alhaitham finds out abou this. The next day he takes the position of Grand Sage, decrees that the Traveler is a human being and NOT a test subject and resigns (AGAIN) in a matter of hours.
Chaos ensues, Wanderer almost goes on another rampage.
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I am thinking thoughts about airports and flying again. And Dreamling, of course.
So. Human AU. History professor Hob has to fly around a lot for work, perhaps for conferences or smth of the sort so it's always to a small handful of the same nearby cities. He's pretty neutral on the idea of flying in general, though he wishes it was a bit more environmentally friendly, but Hob is a sucker for a nice airport and especially a nice airport lounge during layovers or before boarding.
Hob has begun to frequent a small local airline (White Horse Air, the logo is a coat of arms with a little pegasus, wyvern, and hippogriff on it, haha) when traveling because he likes their service (they've never lost his bags, not even once!) and their flights are never fully booked, which makes them quieter and easier for hob's chronic pains. He always picks seats with no one next to him so he can sprawl out and so it's easier on his knees.
Until, one day, he boards the little plane and there's someone in the seat next to his. Hob's sure that when he booked his seat, the other one was empty. Oh well, whatever, Hob's not going to bother the other man already sitting there for one flight— he'll just have to be a little more mindful booking next time. Hob shuffles into the seat, and notices that the stranger sat beside him is reading Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur! Hob gets excited because! That's a William Caxton publication! And Hob has so much to say about Caxton! He turns to the stranger to strike up conversation about it and... is immediately lost at how pretty the stranger is. Handsome, gorgeous, yes of course, but pretty, with the shell pink lips and focused blue eyes and slight frown at the book in his hands. Hob picks up his metaphorical jaw off the metaphorical ground and strikes up conversation with the stranger. Though the other man starts off apprehensive, somehow the two hours of flying fly by and the two of them end up talking about all sorts of art, history, and everything in between. Hob learns that the stranger works in publishing, thus his interest in Caxton.
Their flight lands, and the two of them disembark at the gate, still attempting to continue their conversation while Hob tries to wrangle his carry-on bags. (The Stranger only has a small laptop bag on one shoulder and a suit jacket folded over his other arm with him.) Then Hob has to check the time and begrudgingly says that he should probably head towards his next gate soon— this is just a layover after all. The Stranger looks ever so slightly disappointed and admits that this is his actual destination and he needs to meet his sister soon. They part ways, and Hob tries to dwell on the strange warmth in his chest. He thinks about the Stranger for his entire work trip afterwards.
This, somehow, happens a couple times. Turns out they both frequent White Horse Air, and though they're never in booked seats next to each other again, the flights are always empty enough that they can shift to sit next to each other once the plane's in the air. They chat the flight away, and then part ways once they disembark, with the Stranger headed to the baggage claim and Hob to his next flight. One time, the Stranger even requests the hostess to bring out a special bottle of Chateau Lafitte 1828 just for the two of them to share. Hob's in awe. He really enjoys their conversations, it's nice to be able to talk about his interests in a non-academia environment. The Stranger always has the most intriguing and eye-opening perspectives on everything, too. It doesn't really help that Hob thinks... maybe he's developing a tiny, teeny, really inconsequential really crush on his Stranger. He's not in grade school anymore, how does he feel like this about someone he doesn't even know the name of yet!
This all comes to a head when Hob mentions to the Stranger that his layover is a bit longer than it usually is, and if the Stranger is in no rush, they can continue their conversation in one of the airport's lounges. White Horse Air is a bit too small an airline to have their own lounge, but Hob's collected enough miles to get into one of the other airline lounges and is fully willing to pay to get in one if it means more time with his Stranger.
The Stranger is extremely enthusiastic about the idea— which shows up physically as a subtle, coy upturning at the corner of his mouth and a little sparkle in his eye. (Hob feels proud that he can read this reaction so well.) He's so enthusiastic, in fact, that the Stranger offers to get them both into a first-class lounge. Hob doesn't even pretend to hesitate to say yes.
Let's just say they get to the lounge, split some cheese and wine, and the proceed to get even more enthusiastic with each other in a private room. Hob's lucky he brought a change of clothes in his carry-on. (Maybe Hob's not so lucky and can't sit comfortably during his next three-hour flight.)
Hob gets a bit emotional when he has to leave for his next flight (already missing being able to hold his Stranger's face so gently, being able to card his fingers through his soft, smokey hair) and gets his guts together to ask if the Stranger wants to exchange phone numbers or something, so they can be in contact more regularly. Perhaps even, meet on purpose maybe? The Stranger smiles and kisses him lightly on the cheek when he slips a business card into Hob's hand.
Hob's so caught up in it all that he doesn't check the business card until he's fully boarded and sat on his next flight. And he gawks.
Morpheus Aion
The Dreaming Publishing House
As in, one of White Horse Air's biggest shareholders? Aion, as in, probably the sibling of Teleute Aion? As in, Teleute Aion, the CEO of White Horse Air?! Hob almost passes out.
In the end, Morpheus and Hob laugh it out. Morpheus promises he never abused his sibling privileges to invade Hob's privacy, but used the sibling perks to frequent White Horse Air flights a little more than he even needed to just for the chance to see Hob again. They're both happy to not need to keep flying just for that chance anymore, haha. Idiots in love! Turns out, while Teleute lives where Hob keeps having his layovers, Morpheus and Hob actually live just a few hours driving from each other from their shared initial departure location. It all works out perfectly, and Morpheus self-restraint from inviting Hob to move in (so they don't have to keep travelling to see each other, no matter how small) lasts not even a year after they officially start dating. Hob doesn't even pretend to hesitate to say yes :)
(Years down the line, much after they're married, Hob finally has enough miles to get them back into those first-class lounges to have more fun. It's all very lovely.)
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SPECIAL #1: Part 2 of Lobotomized AU
"Hello?" the room was dim, after Charlie's whole performance of how sinners can be redeemed she found herself inside the embassy. A little call from her Dad asking her to take the role for this years 'yearly extermination meetings'
"Hello"
Charlie winced from the sudden light that engulfed the room, her gaze adjusted to a man in a led mask, horns portruding his head, clad in white, and gold robes.
"Hi" Charlie cringed at how high pitch her voice turned, clearing her throat she started again "I'm Charlie my Dad, Lucifer Morningstar, asked me to fill in for him today"
The angel tilted his head, nodding his head and leaned forward from his chair, bringing his hand out for a shake. "Nice to meet you Lucifer's spawn"
Walking forward Chalie took the hand and shook it eagerly. The intensity caused Adam's entirely arm to follow.
Good first impression Charlie.
Done with the eager handshake Charlie settled on the chair opposite of the angel. Waiting for the angels go signal.
"Let's get started shall we?"
____
"And well, it was awful! I was like, you bitch! And I know it was mean of me but she was just really mean first y'know? . . . I guess I should've just been the bigger person. But ughh"
Charlie slumped on her seat, recalling the broadcast of promoting her hotel to Katie Killjoy and her crew. Charlie barely registered the hum from her angel companion.
Okay, She might've gotten carried away, she was just supposed to propose her hotel, but well, the guy just seemed so nice y'know? And he was! He never stopped Charlie from her endless rambling, he'd even acknowledge her words by humming or asking questions.
"That seems complicated, is there a reason why she would make fun of your hotel?"
See?
Charlie broke into a grin, really, angels are so nice, she can't believe Vaggie was getting all worked up over nothing. Clearing her throat she clapped her hands to summon papers on the table. She presented one of her drawings of sinners all holding hands.
"I broadcasted a hotel that promotes sinners being redeemed!"
Silence
More silence
Anddd more silence
"A hotel that redeems sinners?" the angel sounded intrgued, well in Charlie's opinion he sounded intrigued, maybe he's just shocked. He was holding his chin with his hand, that was obviously a sign that someone was intrigued. . . right?
Gosh she desperately needed for him not to turn his nose and laugh at her.
"Before we talk about this hotel of yours I'd like to inform you that with the recent increase in deaths on Earth, along with the deaths favoring hell, we decided to increase the Extermination in 6 months"
"What?!" the fuck
"Now, lets talk about this hotel of yours"
"Wait! 6 months? buh - but the extermination was just a week ago!"
It was too early, 6 months? What's next? 3 months? Until what? They visit everyday month? These sinners are her people, he can't just decide what to do whenever he pleases.
"The other Seraphim's in charge of this whole extermination decided this. I hope you understand that before I do anything it should be under the jurisdiction of the ones above me" the angel explained, his voice solemn
"I understand these are your people. However, there are atleast 8 billion people on Earth" to demonstrate he projected a hologram of Earth onto his palm. Charlie gasped as she watch him stream countless scenes of humans dying.
A man getting shot by the police, a woman getting murdered by a group of men, a family getting ran over by a drunk driver, each example more gruesome the last.
"There doesn't go a second where someone doesn't die. And sadly, most of them arrive at Hell's doorstep rather than Heaven"
He closed the holographic projection of Earth and the countless deaths. Returning to his neutral stance, right hand over the left, puffed chest and shoulder's squared.
Charlie took a moment to absorb the angel's words, a profound sadness and helplesness settling upon her. Before Charlie can give a rebuttal the angel raised his right hand.
"Even if you are the princess of Hell. We cannot just stop the extermination, your father himself agreed to this deal."
Charlie watched in anticipation as the man stood up, walking towards her, stopping too take one of her drawings. He silently inspected it before putting it back down.
"Lets say we stop the extermination, what then? What if no one wants to attend your hotel? What if stopping the extermination causes too much problems not only for heaven but your economy here in Hell, dont forget, sinners aren't your only priority, you have a duty to the Imps here in Pride"
Ouch
"Best case scenario, you were able to redeem a sinner, what makes you think it won't take years? This doesn't provide balance."
Charlie didn't know why, but suddenly her nose was itchy, the room was stuffy and her throat was clogging up.
____
"How was--Honey? What's wrong?"
"They decided to move the extermination to 6 months"
____
The air was heavy with anticipation, Lucifer stopped the shakiness of his hand by shaking it forcefully. Bent over, tongue poking out in concentration he failed to notice the portal that opened in his room.
"C'mon" he ground out, frustration at the brim of his fingertips
A propeller hat, mere inches away from a rubber ducks head. Just as he was about to attach it a mop of brown hair found itself on his shoulder. Startled by the unexpected presence and the weight of the head on his shoulder, Lucifer's hand froze mid-motion. He straightened up abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise as he turned to face the mysterious figure.
"Adam?"
"Hello"
"Wha-What are you doing here?" Lucifer asked, settling the rubber back down, facing the angel that still had his head on his shoulder. The red light from his room only made the countless piercings on teh angels face shine.
"The meeting"
The meeting?
"Didn't I send Charlie there?"
The angel just gave what Lucifer assumes is a faint smile, "Did you know she proposed a hotel to me? A hotel that redeems sinners"
The angel finally stepped away from the devil, with his powers he arranged the countless rubber ducks into a mattress, where he proceeding lay down.
The devil's eyebrows shot up in surprise. A hotel that redeems sinners? So she's still on about that.
"The idea was absurd, but I was willing to provide a compromise, sadly she ran away crying before I could propose it"
"Crying?!" Lucifer bellowed, his voice echoing with a mix of voices. His eyes blazed with fiery intensity as he locked his gaze on the angel before him. Laying on his stomach, head resting on his crossed arms.
Adam, seemingly unfazed by Lucifer's outburst, turned his attention to the melting rubber ducks, his expression one of detached interest. The sight seemed to aggravate Lucifer further, struggling to contain his emotions.
"How dare you! You come at me! At my house! You made Charlie cry!" Adam's gaze shifted back to Lucifer, emotionless eyes that contradicts the angels beautiful appearance. He spoke calmly, his voice a stark contrast to Lucifer's seething anger.
"Thats why I came to you" Adam said, voice measured "as I stated, she cried before I could give her hotel a shot"
Lucifer's demonic features flickered in confusion. Adam mentally noted the recent rubber duck behind Lucifer melting from the sheer heat.
Adam continued "This is a great opportunity for you to tell your daughter that you made me, the head exorcist, watch over the hotel and it's progress for the next 6 months. No, we won't stop the extermination, but we won't target the ones inside the hotel, a simple compromise right?"
"Don't you want your daughter to trust you? This'll be a great time to prove that your a great father" Lucifer's anger simmered, his expression softening ever so slightly as he absorbed Adam's words. He eyed the countless pictures of his daughter, from her rebellious emo phase to her prom night.
The weight of Adam's words sank in, stirring a yearning within Lucifer to repair the fractured bond with his daughter. The memories served as a reminder of the love he held for her, buried beneath layers of darkness, his only light even when Lilith disappeared.
Lucifer's demon form vanished, he dragged his feet towards the angel who was still laying on the duck mattress. Adam noting this, silently moved to create space.
Unceremoniously plopping down Lucifer noted how comfy the mattress was.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Why not?"
Normally Lucifer would question that, but he was sleepy, Adam's cool body temperature mixing with Lucifer's abnormally high body temperature felt comforting. Lucifer barely registered how he took the angel by the waist and buried his face on the mans chest.
So fluffy and cold.
If Lucifer dreams hard enough he can imagine it to be Lilith.
____
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