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whatawaitsus · 5 months

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It's your final year at Killian Argent's School for the Supernatural; a prestigious boarding school for supernatural beings. In theory this doesn't mean much. Your future has been set since you were a child: graduate from a prestigious boarding school, get into an equally prestigious college that your parents will pay for, and then get a prestigious well-paying job with your father's connections. It is what is, you're past the point of complaining at this point in your life.

Despite being one of the most expensive schools in the nation, nothing particularly interesting has happened at the school in the nine years you've been here— aside from the occasional accidental possession caused by a ghost or the common room getting flooded after a nixie gets too frustrated over their homework.

That is until students start to go missing.

Oh, and you start having prophetic dreams of your missing brother. But, that's probably better to unpack later, in all honesty.

What Awaits Us is upcoming choicescript interactive fiction project. The game is rated 16+ for violence, manipulation, kidnapping, strong language, drug use, religious imagery and trauma and optional suggestive content.

Choose what kind of witch you are; customize your gender, pronouns, sexuality, physical appearance, personality, magic class, uniform style, dorm decor, familiar, and more.

Balance trying to solve the disappearances of your peers and your performance as a student.

Establish your relationships with your parents and older brother by playing through flashbacks.

Deicide on your class schedule and extracurricular activity that will have the ability to affect your stats.

Choose one out of five romantic options; a moody kitsune, an expressive siren, a bubbly godling, or a quiet godling, or an apathetic arachne.

Solve the mystery of the missing kids and potentially get a lead on your runaway brother.

Unwillingly gain a weird almost mentor figure in the form of one of your teachers.

Rei Nakamura [they/them, kitsune]: C's roommate. Rei has been at this school as long as you, though your interactions are next to none. You always spot their name at the top of all the classes you share. They generally keep to themselves, only interacting with C and the kids they tutor. When they do talk it's usually an insult or a refusal to do something. It's not a surprise that they're generally disliked by most of the school. How they happened to befriend an outgoing siren is beyond you.

Cleo/Cyrus Valtameri [gender selectable, siren]: Rei's roommate. C is.. a lot. They transferred during your ninth term; originally from Drialia, which is clear from their accent. They joined the theater club nearly as soon as they were enrolled and have landed nearly every lead since then. The two of you don't interact much, but when you do happen to cross paths they're always animatedly nice to you; they're like that to everyone except Rei, really. You almost swear you've seen the two of them point at you and laugh.

Lydia Taylor* [she/her, godling]: Lukas's twin sister. You've been partnered up with Lydia a few times for projects and she's always a diligent student. She's in the boxing club, which is honestly kind of intimidating, especially after what happened between her and Stephan Kim in your sixth term. But, she's always been plenty nice to you too, not fake nice like you've realized most of your classmates are. She and her brother are never apart from eachother, either.

Lukas Taylor [he/him, godling]: Lydia's twin brother. Lukas Taylor has been going through an 'emo phase' about as long as you've known him. You vaguely remember the mop of strawberry blond hair that was on his head when he first came here, though you have a suspicion he bribed a mage to wipe it from the yearbooks. Lukas is quiet; the polar opposite of his sister. You don't think he's in any clubs, though he is always carrying around a weathered sketchbook.

Nico/Nadia Ruiz-Estrada [gender selectable, arachne]: Your roommate. N and you have shared a dorm for the past five years, and they're possibly your best friend. Despite constantly skipping all of their classes, barring the ones the two of you share, their grades remain high. Even after knowing them for six years you still don't know if they care about anything besides displeasing their older sister. They started a band in your ninth year; Bite The Bullet. Half of the kids in your term are convinced they were formerly in prison, something that makes N laugh hysterically whenever you bring it up.

Polyamorous routes available with Rei & Cleo/Cyrus and Lukas & Nico/Nadia.

*Lydia is only romancable by female and nonbinary MC's.*

#interactive fiction #interactive novel #interactive game #choicescript #choice of games #cog #choose your own adventure #cyoa #cyoa game #no demo #interact-if #interact if #hosted games #dashingdon #if wip #if game #interaction fiction wip

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kolarpem · 5 months

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Morning Doodle: “I am not late,” said Tamar from behind him. “My wife is just in a sulk.” Zoya peered past Tolya’s shoulder and saw Tamar holding Nadia’s hand, clearly trying to coax her out of her gloom. “I have every right to a sulk,” Nadia said. “You’re leaving. My brother is somewhere in Fjerda, and I’m being asked to build a prototype of a submersible that doesn’t work for a party I don’t want to attend.” (Leigh Bardugo’s King of Scars CH 11)

#tamadia #tamar kir bataar #nadia zhabin #king of scars #rule of wolves #grishaverse #leigh bardugo

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iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia · 3 months

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Hello Brainrot! Just joined the arcana fandom recently and found out about your page a few weeks ago. ABSOLUTELY obsessed. The hcs are so well written and fun to read! So my silly shy self gathered the courage to make a request LOL

Could I get a mini hc of how the m6 would react if some random kid told them they will marry Mc when they grow up? Is a very cute scene I usually see on some series or fics, it would be very cute to see how they would react to it! :3

(Also lots of love and support for your recent loss, I hope you're doing ok! <3)

Is there a MOSQUITO anon yet >:)?

–🪰

The Arcana Mini-HCs: M6 when a kid says they'll marry MC

Julian: laughs in the moment because he wholeheartedly understands the sentiment. wakes you up at 2 AM that night because now he's wondering if there are other suitors he's kept you from considering and are you sure you haven't committed too fast?

Asra: gives the kid the sweetest smile and tells them that that's a great dream to hold onto, and that you would be an amazing person to marry. super flirtatious and adoring for the rest of the day because saying so reminded him all over again why he's so glad you chose him

Nadia: far less concerned with their affection for you than she is with this child's apparent disregard for age gap issues. accidentally breaks the kid's heart by telling them that marrying people old enough to be your parents is usually a bad idea and that they should stick to peers

Muriel: can't think of anything to say, so he just nods instead. the kid takes this as an invitation to keep talking - they'll marry you in the spring, and you'll give them as much candy as they want, and they'll have twenty kids. Muriel repeats this word-for-word to you later

Portia: gives a strained smile and tells them that you're a great option, but you're already promised to her, and that they'd have better luck looking for someone like you who is their own age. feels bad when the kid looks sad and gives them chocolate chip cookies

Lucio: this lights a competitive streak in him (oh no). what better way to display what an awesome person he is by bragging about the fact that you're already together with him? (don't, don't do it -) maybe if the kid tried being as cool as he is, they'd have a chance with you (no)

#ask arcana brainrot #the arcana #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #the arcana game #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #muriel of the kokhuri #portia devorak #lucio morgasson

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blitzyn · 1 year

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Can I ask for Asra from The Arcana with male reader please? maybe an established relationship where they've been together for a long time? Not much of a plot but mostly just smut/fluff where Reader comes back wounded and goes to clean himself off, and when he comes out into the main bedroom, they end up having sex and it's a bit frantic because they missed each other? Bottom reader if that's okay with you. Thank you

missed you

asra alnazar x m!reader

Synopsis: Asra heals you with his magic after you return home littered in injuries — albeit in a different way.

a/n -> i love him so much<333 just got done playing his route again and now i am overcome with the sensation of emptiness once more. but anyways, ty for requesting him! it gets a little tiring only writing for genshin, no matter how much i love the requests and the characters. i hope this is okay!

wc -> 1.8k

cw -> anal sex, anal fingering, brief blowjob, mentions of injury

You winced as a sharp sting permeated through your skin, shifting uncomfortably when the fabric of your shirt rubbed against your wound. You sighed in relief when you realized that the sign at the front of the magic shop read "Open" - Asra was home.

"I'll be out in a moment!" You were met with a comforting voice when you opened the door, a cheerful jingle echoing through the building.

"Oh, [Name], you're back!" Asra smiled warmly, setting his cup of tea on the front counter. You watched as his eyes roamed your body for a moment before they widened at the sight of your blood staining your clothes.

"What happened to you?" he questioned, rushing to your side. He placed a hand on your lower back to guide you to your shared bedroom after he flipped the sign and locked the door.

"Oh, nothing much..." you trailed off. It was a little embarrassing, really.

"You're bleeding. That doesn't look like 'Nothing much.'" He raised a brow and made you sit on the bed.

"...Would you believe me if I said that a... plant attacked me?"

He blinked incredulously, halting in place. It took him a few moments to process what you just said, trying futilely to figure out how in the world that could've occurred.

"What," he managed to utter, leaning back to stare at you.

"I tripped and spilled a lot of the stuff in my bag. It got over a plant and... here I am," you bashfully explained, incapable of maintaining eye contact any longer.

"What did you have in the bag?"

"Herbs, medicinal powders, items of the like. Now I know not to mix them, I guess."

Asra sighed and shook his head in fond exasperation, but an uneasy expression still managed to cross his face. "It's good that you're okay, but you need to be more careful next time. I was already on edge when I found out that Nadia didn't know where you were."

"Right. Sorry." You furrowed your eyebrows at his apprehension, guilt settling in your chest.

"Well, it doesn't help to dwell in the past." He leaned closer to you. Pressing a hand against your torso, he guided you down so that you lay on your back. "I'd better heal you."

You nodded and relaxed against the plush and comforting covers, shivering at his touch. Your eyes widened in surprise when he did not trace your injury with his fingers like he normally would, but instead placed his lips over the top of your cut. He peered up at you through his eyelashes and smiled innocently.

With gentle glints of light, he mended the skin with his soothing kisses, beginning from your chest. He softly caressed your hips as he moved lower and lower. You swallowed hard and found yourself unable to tear your gaze away from him.

You covered your mouth with the back of your hand, your face feeling incredibly hot. You tensed when he lingered dangerously close to the waistband of your pants but had to hold back a noise when he abruptly rose from his position.

"You look awfully flustered." His eyes were alight with mischief, body towering over yours. "I wonder what's gotten you so worked up?"

"Don't tease..." You looked away bashfully, feebly squirming under his gaze. He noticed the slightest opening of your legs and couldn't help the smile that appeared. He shifted himself back between your thighs, running his hand over your bare stomach.

He glanced up at you. "Are you sure? You just returned. Do you want to rest first?"

"No, I'm okay. K-keep going," you replied. He nodded, tucked his fingers under the band of your pants, and gently tugged them down alongside your underwear. You sucked in a sharp breath at the contrast between your heated skin and the cooler air of the bedroom, though Asra's body heat very quickly warmed you up again.

He sighed over your semi-hard cock, mouth slightly ajar, and averted his focus onto your thighs instead. He kissed random spots, some closer to where you wanted him and others farther away.

You lightly pulled on his hair to gain his attention and shot him a tense look, to which he chuckled out an apology.

"Sorry. I just missed you." He hovered over your dick once more before finally taking it in his mouth with the aid of his hand. The other one reached for yours, interlocking your fingers as he pushed himself until you could feel the beginning of his throat. He didn't prefer going all the way — not that you minded.

He used the saliva that escaped through the corners of his lips to help him jerk off what he didn't get. You moaned softly, tightening your grip around his hand, digging your free one into the bedsheets. You weren't sure if it was because you were gone for so long, but how he handled you with such practiced ease had you resisting the impulse to thrust your hips upwards.

He hummed contentedly, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled affectionately, unable to tear his gaze away from your face. He was rendered utterly entranced for a few moments, captivated with your scent, your taste, your voice. With you.

He worked to please, watching every twitch of your body, listening to every sound that passed your lips. He couldn't help but grind against the mattress: impatience and desire steadily rising, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could subdue them.

With a great deal of reluctance, he pulled himself away from you, already missing the weight of your weeping cock on his tongue. You reopened your eyes — when had you closed them? — and observed him with bated breath. He reached towards the cluttered nightstand and retrieved a bottle of lube, pouring some of the contents on his fingers.

His dick strained against the cloth of his pants, aching to be touched. But he ignored his own needs for the moment, directing his focus solely on you. He inserted one finger inside you before adding a second one, deciding on taking his time to prepare you. He could feel you shudder when he began to move them in a scissoring motion, curling them every so often to bring forth moans.

He leaned down to shower your neck in kisses, heat traveling up and down his spine in powerful surges.

"I'm ready," you murmur breathlessly.

"I just started." Asra raised an eyebrow. You weren't typically this urgent, this needy, but he understands. He's barely stopping himself from acting the same.

"I-It's fine," you stammered, widening your legs in want. "Please..."

He swallowed hard. He longed to finally bury himself inside you, but the concern of hurting you fought valiantly within his mind. His hand slowed in contemplation as he stared into your eyes. They were wide, pupils blown and filled with lust.

"Oh, how could I ever say no to you?" He removed his fingers with a gentle smile before it morphed into something akin to worry. "But please tell me if it hurts, okay?"

You nodded and offered him a meek grin of your own. "I will."

He turned to grab the bottle of lube once more and poured an ample amount (a tad more than usual) on his cock that he freed from his pants a few moments prior. He slightly winced before he pressed the tip against your hole and began to push himself inside.

He groaned, stilling when his pelvis met your ass. The burn was a bit more prominent compared to the previous times you'd done this, but it wasn't something you couldn't tolerate. In fact, you would say that it felt good.

You wordlessly signaled him with a bob of your head to get him to move, to which he sighed pleasurably in return. He trailed his hands up from your hips to your waist, caressing the flesh as he began leisurely thrusting, his pace increasing with every passing moment.

Your breaths were shallow as you gazed at him with loving eyes, enamored with the sight before you. You couldn't resist the urge to raise your arms toward him, wanting to feel his body close to yours - despite knowing he's already as close as he can be. But he couldn't disregard how you were so beautifully splayed out in front of him and entertained your wish by curling his arms around your upper body as you wrapped your own over his back.

There was nothing to conceal each other's noises, creating a melody only the two of you could hear. He could feel you tighten when he whispered breathless praises in your ear, nothing but honesty spilling from his lips.

You turned your head to kiss the side of his neck, offering wordless replies. You were caught up in hazy bliss, arching your back as the heat within your abdomen strengthened each second. Your moans grew louder as you urged him to move a bit faster, desperate to reach your climax.

The bed creaked alongside the headboard that softly struck the wall, mixing in with the harmony that was your moans and his labored breaths, but neither of you paid it any heed.

"I love you. I love you..." he chanted, seemingly lost in the mantra as he neared his orgasm.

You tensed when the spark of ecstasy finally washed over you in surges, rolling over your skin pleasantly. Your cock spurted cum over your bare stomach, tended to by one of your hands. You could feel his breath hitch beside your ear, and instinctively pulled him closer with your legs just as he came.

You shuddered, relaxing as he buried his face in the junction between your neck and shoulder. You combed your fingers through his curly white hair, patiently waiting for him to settle, basking in the afterglow.

It wasn't until a minute or so when he finally decided to pull away and place most of his weight on his knees to look at you. The two of you remained silent for a few moments longer until he spoke, "We should take a bath."

You nodded with a chuckle. "Also, where's Faust? I haven't seen her in a while."

"Here..." Faust's faint voice was even quieter than before, and both of your heads swerved towards the windowsill, where the curtains rustled. You were mortified to see a familiar purple snout poke out from underneath.

"How did you not...?!" you exclaimed at Asra. Your face felt so hot it felt like you could cook an egg on it.

"I don't know!" He looked away in shame. "I was caught in the moment?"

He didn't seem sure of himself, and you groaned with your hands over your eyes.

"With you missing from the Palace, coming home injured," he tried to explain, "and with me missing you after just coming home from a recent journey, I completely forgot she was sleeping on the window."

Your expression softened. "I'm sorry."

He smiled. "It's okay. Now, let's hurry and clean up."

cross-posted on ao3

#asra alnazar #asra x you #asra x apprentice #apprentice reader #male apprentice reader #the arcana smut #reader smut #male reader smut #asra x reader #asra x mc #asra x male mc #asra x male reader #asra x reader smut #asra x male reader smut #requested fic

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vestercorax · 1 year

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Soft domestic fluff with M6 — Waking Up

Asra

The Shop now opens an hour later.

Yes, that’s a new schedule. Something about different day length, did you know-

No, Faust is not bribed with snaccs, she’s just hanging out on the doorknob, why?

Oh, look how conveniently you are snuggled, now it will be considered a crime to separate yourselves, and you don’t want crimes in your house, do you?

He doesn’t want to hear anything about bribery being considered a crime

Asra really just wants to enjoy every minute you’re together, when nothing is bothering you or demanding immediate attention (which happens all the time, hard magicians’ life)

Mornings are the most suitable time, when you can speak unhurriedly, dream a little and plan your little next week’s adventure

Nadia

Nadia has to wake up early, even on holidays :(

That habit is ingrained so deeply that it is an outright surprise for her if you don’t share it. Everyone rise early to get everything done, no?..

It warms her heart to see you so relaxed and satisfied in your bedchambers like nowhere else

She leaves, but servants are already preparing everything for your awakening

Nadia will make up for all the skipped morning caresses in the afternoon-

Lots of kisses and tea brewed with petals will improve your mood, whichever way you woke up

One day you wake up and first thing you feel is the weight on the other side of the bed

Your eyes fly open just to see Nadia’s ruby ones filled with tenderness and adoration, as she observes you and smiles bright and soft at your expression

Only then you notice the lightest tracing of her elegant fingers caressing your pillow-marked cheek

Julian

Julian is headed straight to work upon waking up

This man’s body wakes up much later than his brain does — it occurs to him it’s time to eat only an hour or two after he dug into his notes

Do you like taking naps? Good

After a brief activity burst (which consist of wolfing down the delicious breakfast you brought him) he is back in bed

No, not a single movement for at least half an hour.

Perharps, besides…

Yeah, pillow fights, sounds incredible

May or may not pretend that you stabbed him with a narrow one to doze off a little

Are deadmen supposed to have such a death grip on their killers, huh?

Portia

Portia is an early bird

The earlier you wake up, the more time there is to get done with work and have fun!

Extremely energetic + wants you besides immediately

Before you know what is going on, she is already straddling you and tickling your sides

She wants to press her nose into yours until you wake up, to peer into your eyes with her bright blue ones. But she just can’t contain her excited giggling at the simple thought of the spooked little jump you’ll definitely make

She’ll get there one morning, don’t even doubt.

If you get too cranky, she will leave you be… for a week at most.

Muriel

Muriel will leave at dawn, desperately trying not to wake you. He doesn’t want to disturb you; it’s his chores after all

He ignores your demands to stop to consider every chore only his own

Will ask Inanna to check on you if he is wandering far into the forest. He knows you will be safe, it’s just… He feels more reassured this way

Congratulations, you are guarded by a big floofy wolf, who thinks to guard = to lie flat on you and sometimes poke her nose in yours

She’s right, honestly

If you are tough enough to sleep through that, prepare for the ultimate attack: breakfast

Riding proudly on the wolf’s back to the kitchen, you are greeted with a “good morning” hum

As you eat half-sleepily, Muriel adoringly studies your face, trying and failing to hide it

His own face turns slightly red, when you try to feed him a little bit of your portion, even though he has already eaten

You succeed.

Lucio

If it was up to him, he would be staying under the covers till the sun has passed its peak

Oh, wait, it is up to him. The deal is sealed then.

And he will be very delighted to have you in his arms

Carefully, you won’t be able to escape after indulging even once. Lazy and long mornings, stretches, laughter and adoring stares… Who would be, honestly?

After crawling out of the bed and eating it’s time to refine your day plans. Ones for evening are the most exciting

After that he will attend to his training

“You want all of me hard as steel, don’t you? ;)”

Will encourage you to join him and will literally beam if you say yes

First headcanon post, there we go

Masterlist, if you wish

#the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #asra alzanar #nadia satrinava #julian devorak #portia devorak #muriel #muriel the arcana #count lucio #lucio morgasson #fluff #domestic #the arcana imagines

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the-words-we-sung · 4 months

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The songs of Young Royals - S1 E1

So after a few re-watch I started noticing how well the songs are used in the show and I wanted to chat a little bit about it ^^ (Because I'm usually watching alone with my cat and he doesn't really care about my opinions on how awesome the show is at picking its songs :p So hopefully people here will be more interested!!)

Bad, Farveblind

I think it's wrong I think it's bad I think it's lame I think it's horrible The song starts when we see Wilhelm at the club where he gets in a fight and then we get the chorus through his earbuds in the car (note: I love it when a show put a music in the background that ends up being something a character is actually listening to in the scene!!). He just got out of a shitty situation which will have huge repercussions on his life and his mother is making decisions about his life without asking him: the show is not subtle about telling us how "wrong" and "bad" it is. And despite this lil' foreshadowing (the song plays before Minou tells Wille about his mother's decisions) and Wilhelm's strong opinion against them, it's still gonna happen. Going to a boarding school is "lame" (or so Wilhelm thinks) and the whole situation is "horrible". And yeah, it's gonna suck on a lot of points, but it's also gonna change his life...

Wannabee Ghetto, Fata Boom

... Keep up the front like it's your decision ... Look our best Covering up what we're missin It's literally what Wilhelm has to do now. His mother decided for him that he should change school and enroll at Hillerska, he is not happy about this plan but has to pretend he's okay with it. He just lied to the public that it was a decision he took part in. He is the prince, even if he's not (yet) the Crown Prince, and he has an image to maintain. An image that was damaged due to the video of the fight: someone is literally putting make up on him to "cover up" the marks of the fight so he can look his "best". And what is he missing? Well August will say it at least twice: he doesn't have the same drive as him or Erik. So he's missing the desire to be on top, to be king, to keep the status quo...

It takes a fool to remain sane, The Ark

... Wasn't life supposed to be more than this ... Let go off my hand and it will slip on the sand If you don't give me the chance To break down the walls of attitude I ask nothing of you, not even your gratitude 'Cause it takes a fool to remain sane ... Of becoming like the others Who become unhappy mothers And fathers of unhappy kids This song!! Such a great choice for their first song <3 Wilhelm being so incredibly unhappy and stuck because "being a prince is a privilege, not a punishment" but he wants more for his life. It is supposed to be "more than this", more than pressure and appearance. The song going on with the "unhappy mothers / unhappy kids" while we follow Erik and Wilhelm stiffly posing for pictures outside. How can Wilhelm not be scared? Is it the life that awaits him? Always keeping a nice front, not being himself?And why is that? 'Cause they've forgotten how to play But Erik and Wilhelm haven't forgotten yet!! Right after these lyrics we have a playful Erik who suggests they take off in the middle of the photo-shoot! And they do!! So there's hope for them!!

I see you, Nadia Tehran

Back to their bases Covering their faces Tones through the breeze yeah The power calls crises Round my crowd No cops allowed Interestingly the song starts with "you ain't welcome here, you don't look like us". This part is not in the show but works so well for Wilhelm starting at Hillerska. He's getting hazed by his peers "covering their faces" and being really rough with him (this hazing is so yucky, I struggle watching it every time ^^'), and he's welcome here because he's the prince, because he's supposed to be part of their world. But he's not gonna be like them. Do they know it already? "You don't look like us", and thanks god for that!! (And yup, "no cops allowed", right August? You can do whatever you want here without any consequences...)

Blah blah blah, Armin van Buuren

All we ever hear from you is blah blah blah So all we ever do is go ja ja ja And we don't even care about what they say The song plays while August is talking to Wilhelm about being among his peers and criticizing him for wanting to be "normal" at his previous school. I love that this song is playing because, yes, it's a good party song, but also, it's probably what everyone watching the show is thinking when August is being an insufferable prick like that! And Wilhelm too, who just usually goes "ja ja ja / yes yes yes" to what August tells him (until he stops and finally goes openly against him, but for now in the show, he just listens and nods). Erik told him he should listen and trust August, so he listens to him. But at this moment Simon appears, and suddenly Wilhelm "don't even care about what they say" because the cute boy he already has a big crush on just arrived. And August and his stupid speeches about rich people being above everyone else don't matter anymore.

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andoverwrites · 1 year

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surfacing

you haven’t seen me in months though you still yearn to hear my voice but when we do all you talk about are these tides but i didn't choose to float out to sea this time is this everything you wanted? or was this never enough? i never understood what you wanted but i assure you this is what you need as you seem to need this more than me like sinking ships in calm waters still submerged, trying to reach the surface but a sea of misunderstanding separates us and i’m not sure you want to swim to the other side am i everything you wanted? or was i never enough? i never understood what you wanted from me but i’ll assure you in all the ways you need as you seem to need me more than me i'm just floating wherever i ebb and flow we'll never pass each other in this current anyway and if we do, it'll just be to keep you treading water

#creative writing #writers on tumblr #nadia peer #andoverwrites #surfacing #understanding #mental health #am i enough #lyrics

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sleppur · 2 years

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new writing!

guess who actually wrote something new and found it worth posting on their writing blog? i actually did. so please check it out if you like. it’s called "black caffeine".

#creative writing #writers on tumblr #nadia peer #andoverwrites #new #writing

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gatheringbones · 1 year

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[“If I were growing up now, I might consider myself trans too,” says my friend Kate. She grew up in the Texas Panhandle during the 1950s and gravitated toward feminism in the 1970s like many of her peers. She adds ruefully: “I’m glad I didn’t have that option.”

Nadia has absorbed those fears, and she wonders whether her friends will see her top surgery as an act of betrayal. Before they left for Florida, Nadia implored her girlfriend, Flora, not to tell lesbian friends of theirs that she’s “getting rid of [her] boobs,” joking that she’d “be out of the club.” Flora says she feared losing access to her lover’s body. Never having undergone surgery before, she was afraid of the unknown. “Will it really solve her problems?” she wondered. Why put yourself through that? And why go to a doctor who specializes in transmale top surgery if you’re not trans yourself?

Nadia has stayed in touch with some of the lesbian-identified people she met online who told her they were having top surgery. A few have since “decided to go on T and now identify as male,” she says. It led Nadia to question her own motivations: “Will I begin to identify as trans? Is removing my breasts some sort of internalized misogyny? Am I betraying the lesbian community?”

The fact that transitioning is now an option for women who identify as male means that Nadia must consider how she wishes to identify herself. Flora reassured her: “Having tissue removed from your body is not going to make you a man.” Several months after she had undergone top surgery, Nadia still sees herself as a woman—albeit a woman without boobs. She has a new job and a new girlfriend—someone she used to work with at the employment counseling nonprofit, who worked with her in her union. Her involvement in the union has energized her in new ways, renewing her commitment to social justice organizing. When we speak, she seems happier and more at ease with her life. Top surgery hasn’t changed her life radically, though it has helped her intimate relationships, she says, and has made her less self-conscious about her body. She goes to the beach or to the Y locker room topless now and no one bats their eyes. “I now look how I’m supposed to look,” she says.

Recently, when she was at a union conference in Las Vegas, Nadia spotted another person at the hotel pool who also had the familiar scars of someone who had had top surgery, who was also there with a girlfriend. Though they didn’t say anything to each other, they looked at each other and shared a glint of recognition. Her story suggests that after being estranged from one another, younger butches and trans men are finding one another and making common cause, welcoming gender-crossers into the Lesbian Nation.

In an effort to blur the boundaries between butch lesbians and transgender men, some have suggested the label “transbutch.” When I ask Nadia whether that label is meaningful to her, she seems unconvinced. “It seems too ‘second wave,’ ” she says. Nadia sees herself as part of feminism’s “third wave,” which is more aware of queer issues and racial diversity, and which refuses to “put people in categories.” Unlike her second-wave feminist foremothers, who, in their enthusiasm for remaking the world, seemed at times pretty prescriptive, she’d prefer to “let them decide for themselves how they identify,” she says. So for now, she’s calling herself “butch and queer.” Or “whatever.”]

arlene stein, from unbound: transgender men and the remaking of identity, 2018

#arlene stein #lesbian literature #gender stuff #currently reading #Joan nestle saying what a young woman from another generation chose to call herself would never threaten me

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sheetsonfire · 2 years

Text

The Escape King

gifs by @reivenesque

Fandom: Chicago PD / Chicago Med

Pairing: Jay Halstead x Reader

Genre: drama, pre-romance, whump!

Warnings: vomiting/spitting blood, descriptions of injury, i think that's it???

Word Count: 2594

Summary: Based on the Chicago PD episode Turn The Light Off, Season 1 Ep 11

“He’s fleeing! Front of the house!” You could hear the various calls come out over the radio, Jay had gone in pursuit of the offender on foot, and Antonio was going with the car. Nadia was with Erin and Voight, Al had stayed back with Kim and a very pissed-off Adam had been given the slip in an alleyway.

You were also going by foot, sprinting as fast as one could manage on the icy and wet sidewalks, following Jay’s locational call-outs over the radio you managed to catch up just in time to see Jay, down another row of backyards, charge through an open gate in pursuit of your guy.

“Offender has entered a private residence, potential address-” You begin reciting the address as good as you can guess from the street you’d come from. Hearing Antonio respond that he was closing in on the location. You had your weapon drawn, approaching fast and quietly as you headed down the path to the kitchen door that had been left open. Reaching the threshold you lock eyes with the woman that you had heard yelling, she was elderly and clearly startled by the sudden altercation erupting in her kitchen.

Amongst the chaos of Jay charging at Munoz and attempting to subdue him, you're trying to use the moment of distraction to silently instruct the old woman to go and find somewhere safe. You push forward into the kitchen just in time to see Jay hit the floor as your offender kicks him repeatedly in the chest, stomping hard as Jay can only try to protect himself.

To your great anger, you can't get to Jay without making sure the resident is safe first, and to your dismay, she doesn't entirely move fast enough and Munoz sees her as an opportunity. With a final kick to Jay, Munoz leaps behind the elderly woman, stopping you from being able to subdue him with your weapon. And in a flash he's gone, the elderly woman letting out another horrified wail before scurrying off to seek shelter through another door.

“Jay?” You call to his hunched form on the floor, worry filling your stomach as he doesn't reply, stumbling to get back to his feet. You quickly holster your weapon, moving forward to stop him from falling and smacking his head against something.

"Hey, I got you, take it easy..." You coax him to slow down and slip your arms under his to take his weight. His legs aren't working as he grunts in pain, and you can't help murmuring words of reassurance to your partner as you lower him back to the floor, leaning him against the kitchen cupboards.

Your stomach flips with anxiety as he spits out mouthfuls of blood, slamming his fist against the cabinet in frustration. Rarely did any suspect get the drop on him, and the result of such an occasion was one very pissed-off Halstead.

Jay tries to shoo you away with a groan, but there's virtually no pressure behind the motion as he turns his head to spit out more blood. Grinding out,

“Go…after him…!” You feel that conflict there, Jay clearly needed immediate help but you didn't want to let Munoz have a clear chance at escape.

You don't answer Jay, reluctantly stepping to peer into the hall for signs of movement.

Departing the kitchen into a dark hallway, you see the front door is wide open and that the elderly woman is now lying prone on the floor in another doorway to a different room, having presumably been shoved out of the way by your elusive offender. Munoz had ripped his way through your team, and it was aggravating to watch him slip away like an eel.

You key your radio, “5021 Nora, offender in the wind, believed to have exited the front of the property. We’re gonna need two ambos to my location, officer and civilian injured”

Taking a glance at Jay you can see his breaths have become laboured, and the way he tries to mask his pain has your heart sinking.

“Dammit." You grumble, deciding you could circle back to Jay once you'd checked out the elderly woman. You come to a stop, crouching down to check on her. The pursuit of Munoz was all but abandoned on your end.

“Ohh, my leg.” The woman lets out a pained whine, and you can see she had fallen awkwardly against the doorframe, most likely knocking her knee hard.

Suddenly, there’s a noise by the wide-open front door and you’re quick to point your gun, ready to defend. Yet the sight that greets you is a relief, it’s Adam.

“Adam, can you stay with her? Jay’s in the kitchen, he-” Adam waves you away, knowing somebody needed to check on him and he absolutely wasn’t going to fight you on it. Everyone in the unit could see how you felt about Jay, and vice versa, even if neither of you had admitted it yet.

“Go, I got her.” You smile briefly in thanks as he’s taking your place, a gentle hand on the woman’s shoulder as he waits for the ambo to arrive, there were already two that had been called for Nadia and Kim.

You’re quick on your feet back down the hall to the kitchen, Jay was more slumped against the kitchen cupboards now, almost laying on the floor, teeth gritted together at the undoubted agony he was in.

You holster your weapon, kneeling beside your partner. “Hey, tough guy, what’s the damage?”

“I’m f-fine, just gimme a second.” He hisses, an arm protectively held over his ribs as he coughs some more, wincing at the strain it puts on his body. His eye had a shiner blooming by the second, scratches and gashes to his neck and face were clear, and a split lip and some trauma to the chest for his troubles.

You know that Jay would never, in a million years, admit to needing medical attention, certainly not off the back of taking a beating from a suspect.

It takes all your might not to fully fuss over him and show the depth of your need to protect him, you rest a hand on Jay’s shoulder. Jay’s attempt to throw you a glare is cut off by a pained wince and somewhat of a whimper, not that you'd describe it that way to his face.

Reaching forward you make sure Jay’s weapon is secure in your other holster as you carefully undo the straps on his vest, trying to relieve some of the pressure on his ribs. He gasps softly, and you apologise profusely, rubbing his shoulder gently.

Your heart hammering with nerves in your gut, you really hoped it wasn’t as bad as it looked.

Footsteps from behind have you alert again, but once again you’re relieved when Antonio’s face appears.

“Jay?” He asks, concern etched into his furrowed brows. Jay simply glances at his friend with a disgruntled eye roll and a barely restrained cough.

You sigh, addressing Toni yourself. “He took a pretty bad beating to the chest and stomach, lacerations to the neck and face, and I’m sure some other pains he won’t admit to. Ambo’s on its way, Adam’s down the hall with an elderly victim.”

Toni nods, patting your shoulder as he slips past you. “I’ll see how Adam’s doing, we've already got some Ambos here, I’ll send ‘em your way. Hang in there, Halstead.” He teases Jay a little, ruffling Jay’s hair as he passes.

Jay grounds out a “Fuck off, Toni.” before being interrupted by another wave of pain that has him groaning, he exhales with a shudder, feeling the increasing discomfort of breathing and moving.

You smile gratefully up at Toni, patting his leg as he goes. “Thanks, Tonio.”

Not even a minute later the paramedics come in search of you and your patient, you relay the information you had as you stand back up and away to let them get to Jay, waiting patiently as they ask your partner all the relevant questions, carefully guiding him to lay on the gurney in a partially seated position.

“Let's get you some oxygen, Detective, and then we’ll do something about taking the edge off.”

You can hear Jay mumble a pained “thanks” as he finally gives in, laying back, looking exhausted as they roll him to the front of the house where you follow, discovering that Adam and his companion had already been seen to.

Voight’s waiting outside talking to some officers as you emerge from the house, walking over as the paramedics carry your partner down the path to the sidewalk. Hanks pats Jay’s leg, a wry sympathetic smile in Jay’s direction. “Don’t fight it, kid. You need to go, you look like shit.”

“Yes, sarge.” Jay sighs, paler than he was before. He seems to be shivering now, even under the blanket from the paramedics, and it’s with that that his tired eyes start closing for a moment.

Voight then looks at you and nods, gesturing to Jay and then the waiting truck, indicating you could go with him. You lift up a thumb, giving a grateful “Thanks, Sarge.” as you follow Jay to the ambo.

The journey to Med starts out quiet enough, you can see Jay wrestle with putting on a brave face vs. just letting his actual agony show. His breathing had become a concern to the paramedic, only able to give Jay oxygen until he had been examined at Med.

Jay had tried to remove the mask a few times but with a final death glare from you, he knew better than to fight anymore, not that he had much energy to do that anyway.

You watch him on the gurney with your uneasy thoughts accumulating by the second, as Jay's face becomes more pained, you can see as he tries to mentally soothe the griping in his chest and stomach. You had seen enough of these sorts of injuries to know he was most likely bleeding internally, given how hard Munoz had beat the shit out of him, you weren't surprised.

The paramedic upfront calls out that the ETA is 5 minutes, and you couldn't have been grateful to know that you were fast approaching help.

You shuffle forward on the bench, ensuring to stay out of the paramedic's way as they try and talk Jay through the pain, knowing not much more could be done until he could be examined, scanned, and possibly taken up to surgery to fix any potential tearing.

You speak softly, "Jay, take my hand. We're almost there, just hang in there, okay?" You're clasping your hand with Jay's, sympathetic to the fact that he looked thoroughly queasy, shaking from the low blood pressure the paramedic had identified.

"Just squeeze if it's too much, it's just me and you, alright? We're gonna get you seen, almost there."

Jay's tired, partially bruised and swollen, eyes flutter, and he nods meekly as he focuses on breathing, clutching your hand tighter than he meant to. You didn't care, this was exactly what you were there for.

From the second you enter the ED it’s a flurry of Connor, Ethan and April as well as technicians who examine Jay. You're left to wait out in the ED’s family room, eventually joined by the rest of the gang who had come with their respective casualties.

Antonio comes to sit beside you, wrapping an arm around you with a comforting squeeze. You offer him a tired smile, and he returns it with a gentle knock of his head against yours.

“He’s gonna be fine, at least Will isn’t here to tear him a new one for being stubborn and getting into trouble again.”

You huff a small laugh at that, “True… I just wish he wouldn’t attract danger so much, which is ridiculous to say given our profession, but Toni…I hate seeing him so distressed.”

Toni nods in understanding, despite the absurdity of complaining about your friends, loved ones and colleagues in the CPD getting hurt, it still didn’t make it any less of a troubling thing. Especially when Jay was as precious as he was to you.

A thought passes through your mind that you should at least drop Will a message about his brother so he could at least visit Jay’s room in the morning.

Time passes and eventually, Connor reappears, you stand, waiting for the upshot of Jay’s condition.

“He had some tearing, but we managed to get that under control and all being well during the night we won't need to operate. That could change, but it’s unlikely. We’ll keep him here for at least a few days, if not longer, whilst we keep his blood pressure under control and monitor the bleeding. He’ll be pretty out of it for a bit, we gave him so good stuff for the pain.”

All in all, you could live with the prognosis, exhaling deeply with all the tension finally able to wane a little bit.

“That sounds promising, thanks, Connor. I really appreciate it…Can I see him?”

"Of course, you can see him for a little, but he needs his rest, okay?" You laugh a little at that, feeling like a kid who's being warned off from getting too hyper.

"Okay, Dr Rhodes. I'll behave." He grins, and you follow him towards Jay's room.

The sight that greets you is one that goes some way to fix the uneasiness you were feeling. Of course, the sight of Jay hooked up to different IVs, monitors, and oxygen, none of that was pleasant - but the sight of him alive, without pain and giving you a dopey wave and a smile was also the best feeling.

You say your thanks to Connor as you slide the door behind you and step closer to Jay.

"Hey cowboy, how are you feeling?" You speak quietly, coming to sit by his bedside as you smile back.

"Hnh...high." He rasps, eyes drooping occasionally,

You snort, giggling softly. "That's good, high is good... You worried me back there, partner. I'd rather you didn't get stomped on by angry people."

"Mhm, I agree. Sucks...sorry for scaring you." He sighs, eyes closing again. You watch him fondly, scooting closer to hold his arm comfortingly.

He tries to open his eyes again, but you squeeze his forearm and hush him softly, “Hey, it’s all good, get some sleep, I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Jay hums, “M’kay…G’night, Y/N. Thanks…”

He barely gets the words out before he’s off into the abyss of sleep once again. You sigh, still holding his arm gently, allowing yourself a small moment to just feel the warmth of him beneath your fingertips and see that he was going to be fine contrary to the sight of his slightly swollen and bruised face, and the equipment surrounding him.

“Night, Jay…” You swallow, hesitating as you study him, making sure he’d definitely gone back to sleep. “I love you, idiot.”

An ever-so-subtle noise from behind you startles you, and you realise Will is standing there with his arms crossed and a shit-eating grin directed at you, obviously, he got your message.

He opens his mouth, whispering almost excitedly as he glances at his sleeping brother, “I knew-”

You gently release your grip on Jay’s arm, checking again that he remained in slumber. Wagging a warning finger at Will with a hushed threat, “Don’t finish that sentence if you want to keep your luscious red locks, William.”

Fin.

tags: @dumb-fawkin-bitch - @elius-learns-to-write - @resanoona

#jay halstead x reader #jay halstead #one chicago #chicago pd #chicago med

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totally-not-here-for-the-smut · 7 months

Text

Acana M6xM6's Children!

Lucio×Asra

Apparently a normal kid. White hair, blue eyes, rosy cheeks, with the most contagius smile. Not a daydreamer neither a shenanigan artist. It's almost like their parent's influences cancel out eachother.

Then you find out that they took the place of three different major arcana by the time they're 15.

Julian×Muriel

You know that tall, lanky kid who is super quiet in class but he's the best prankster in school? Well, it's their kid. Has a collection of mushrooms in their room, it started in a terrarium, now their room is a independent ecosphere where the child studies biology. You're pretty sure he came across a new species specifically bred and evolved in their room.

At 14 he packs and leaves for a non better specified "wilderness". Will regularly write home describing his biology findings across the world. Theyr dads agree this is a perfectly acceptable behaviour for a teenager.

Portia×Nadia

Hands down, the best raised child of the bunch. Emotionally equilibrate, great manners, joyful and mature. They were homeschooled (by private tutors, ofc), but snuck out on a daily basis to attend the classes with their peers at the commoner school. Their moms let them do it.

Will be offered a diplomacy career, but they will eventually decide to become the old baker's apprentice to keep Vesuvia's baking traditions alive. Moms are fine with that and actually very proud.

#the arcana #the arcana game #nadia satrinava #portia devorak #nadia x portia #asra the magician #julian devorak #count lucio #muriel the hermit #m6 children #arcana m6 children

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iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia · 10 months

Note

Hiii! May I, please, request the M6 with an MC who doesn’t show a lot of emotions and is regarded as apathetic by strangers, who actually likes to joke around and shows affection through quality time or acts of service?

Thank you 🫶🫶

The Arcana HCs: When MC comes across colder than they are

~ aww, anon! I had that struggle all through my teens, most of my friends told me they were scared to approach me at first until we actually talked XD I hope you enjoy these! - brainrot ~

Julian

Let's get this straight: you're smart, attractive, capable, single, and (seemingly) emotionally distant? Consider him whipped

Does he find you slightly intimidating? yes. Is that intimidation lethally attractive to him? ... also yes. Is this his sign to play off of that detached attitude as the roguish charmer he is? absolutely

So you can imagine his surprise when, as the two of you get closer, you start to show this playful, affectionate side that he never would have guessed at

Now he loves you twice as much as he used to, and he didn't even think that that was possible

Loves it when you spend quality time with him. He's so used to bouncing around the world by himself that having you set aside time to be with him is wonderfully new and fulfilling

Acts of service are nice too, but he gets so flustered and worked up if you don't let him reciprocate. Please let him reciprocate

Loves to tell the story of the cool, ruthless apprentice who stole his heart when he stole into their shop

Asra

They've known you for nine years. They know about your accidentally stand-offish exterior and how nice you actually are once you're comfortable around someone

You're not the only best friend he has who's like that *cough*Muriel*cough*

It does mean a lot to them that you feel comfortable enough around them to be playful and affectionate

It makes you that much sweeter to fall in love with, and that much harder to hide his feelings from

They find it endlessly entertaining to watch person after person approach you thinking that you're aloof, only to find out that you're genuinely kind and caring

He loves spending quality time with you. Lazing upstairs in the afternoon sun, reading a book and daydreaming while you do your thing snuggled next to him? Bliss. Pure bliss

They also appreciate your acts of service, but usually because they're terrible at remembering to do their share of the cleaning (that poor stove salamander really deserves a cleaner wood pile)

Nadia

She's pretty used to having an accurate and in-depth first impression of someone

And yet, despite you coming off as aloof and uninterested, she keeps catching glimpses of this wonderful warmth in your eyes

Color her intrigued

Very honored when you begin to act more casual and playful around her. It means you trust her enough to be yourself

She does feel guilty sometimes that you always manage to make quality time for her, when her schedule is often so hectic that she can't reciprocate to the same extent

However, when she can enjoy quality time with you (and she often does!) she dotes on you endlessly and savors every moment

She didn't expect acts of service from you. She's used to having assistance around the clock, and on top of that she values her independence and a peer-based relationship with you

But when you notice that she's tired, and have breakfast brought to her chambers so that she can sleep in? She's in love. She's so very in love

Muriel

You. He gets you. You are his kind of person

Finally, somebody he doesn't have to explain himself to! Though he still finds it a little disarming that his intimidating presence doesn't deter you from wanting to get to know him better

He knows from his own experience how valuable your trust and affection are, and as much as he hesitates to admit it, it gives him butterflies every time you open up to him a little bit more

Now when Asra forces him to attend a multiperson event, he has company when he stands in the corner and puts off "do not approach" vibes

It also means he has company when he feels safe enough to relax a little bit and enjoy connection with you. He has quality time for you in abundance (unless he's recharging his social battery)

He's also the kind of guy who prefers to let his actions speak for himself, so when you do little things to brighten up his day it means the world to him

You two around strangers + Inanna = peak intimidation tactics

Portia

Portia can get along with anyone if she puts her mind to it. She's not put off by your aura at all

If anything, she mistakes your apathy for mystery:

The powerful magician who calls themself an apprentice that the Countess had clairvoyant dreams about, sailing through the palace like they're untouchable. That's so cool

Very proud of herself when she "unlocks" your relaxed, affectionate, funny side. It means you see her as a worthy partner

She's the kind of person who likes to cram as much into her day as possible, so it takes a small paradigm shift for her to get used to your offers of quality time. She loves it once she does, though

You make her so flustered with your acts of service. She's used to being the person watching everyone's back and making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes

Having that kind of attention turned back in her direction is new and unexpected and more charming than she thought it would be

Likes to use your intimidation in important meetings because she comes off so friendly

Lucio

Right, so you triggered him a little bit at first

You're the first person in three years who can see and interact with him, and no matter what he does he feels like he keeps running into a wall of ice. To say you infuriate him is an understatement

(It doesn't help that you remind him of his mother in that way)

Of course, this only makes him more determined to earn your approval and affection

And he is so gratified when he receives it from you

It's a good thing that you like spending quality time with him, because with all the traveling the two of you do as journeymen there's lots of space for that

He doesn't know to recognize your acts of service until the two of you have to travel separately for a bit, and when he realizes how much you do for him every day he nearly breaks down into Melchior's fur (Mercedes was with you)

He laugh uproariously at all of your jokes, regardless of how good or bad they are

#ask arcana brainrot #the arcana #the arcana headcanons #the arcana hc #asra the arcana #julian the arcana #nadia the arcana #muriel the arcana #portia the arcana #lucio the arcana #the arcana game #the arcana fluff #the arcana crack #asra alnazar #julian devorak #nadia satrinava #muriel of the kokhuri #portia devorak #lucio morgasson

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angeledeggs · 9 months

Note

I might just spontaneously combust if you answer but may I please request a Soulmate Au with our favorite incomprehensible Horror, Valdemar?

Of course! Valdemar has always been my favorite character from the arcana, after all, I love them so much. I decided to write with the red string soulmate au, since it's a classic and one of my favorite soulmate AUs. Oh, also, slight warning for mentions of death, plague, angst, etc.! Thanks for the request :)

You hated being around people.

It's not as though you were a horribly anxious person or extremely antisocial or anything (though you weren't quite extroverted, either). But going to a court meeting? It honestly sounded horrible to sit around the courtiers and more importantly, the Countess. She had requested your presence after your in depth and accurate reading of her as well as your headaches.

Now you waited nervously in the kitchen, pacing with nothing to do but wait for your carriage to come. You didn't even have your mentor Asra around to consult with your worries. Absentmindedly you pulled and twisted with the red string upon ring finger as you pace around the kitchen. And suddenly, a sharp knock on the front door. Hesitantly, you walk to he front door and peer out the blinds discreetly. You pull back immediately once you catch sight of the palace guard at your door and take a deep, slow breath in attempt to calm yourself. It couldn't go… too bad. So with one last deep breath and a hurried straightening to your outfit, you step outside to the carriage that awaits you.

The palace is… Enormous, to say the least. It stretches out wider than even the churches and the synagogues and mosques you've seen Vesuvia, which were big enough on their own. But the palace topped it all. Stepping into it made you feel nervous as you walked through the exquisite, marble halls. But it only grew as you glanced down at your string of fate across your finger. It trailed across the palace floor. Your soulmate was in the palace with you.

You walk faster.

When you enter the meeting room, conversation falls silent. You slowly continue through the room and nervously glance to the countess, just barely. She offers you the softest hint of a smile that makes you feel just a bit more at ease, so you take a seat at the empty chair at her side as conversation slowly starts back up. You look hesitantly up to Countess Nadia once more, but right as you are to speak, the meeting room doors open. Conversation falls silent immediately once more and you glance to the person entering. And suddenly, your heart sinks. The first thing you notice of them— before the horns, before the red eyes, before the layers of bandages— is their hands. Your string of fate connects to them.

Your soulmate.

Your eyes stay shakily locked on them as they take a seat directly across from you, seemingly bored. They catch your eye. A rush of something primal runs through you and you snap your gaze away, breath shallowing at simply their cool gaze. “Quaestor Valdemar, is there any reason why you have decided to show up late?” Countess Nadia says sternly to the figure. Quaestor Valdemar responds casually and sounds, frankly, unimpressed even by the Countess. “No, not in particular. I was… doing things.” They hum. Your hands dig into the fabric against your legs as you hear their voice, vaguely twinged with something vaguely European. “What sort of things?” Inquires Countess Nadia. You manage to flicker your gaze up to Quaestor Valdemar, who looks idley at the Countess. “…Work.” They drawl.

Their eyes are such a bright red, like blood. Their skin rather than being any sort of natural shade is instead green, though you can only see the skin of their face, the rest of their body covered by a uniform. Strangely enough you can barely even see their skin, as a white mask covers their mouth and nose. They must be not only the court treasurer, but a doctor of some sorts. Their hair and head is covered by some sort of bandaged contraption, but before you can examine the suspiciously horn shaped bandages, they look at you once more. You tilt your gaze to your lap and feel the red softness of your string feel like fire.You can barely pay attention to the meeting at all before you hurriedly rush out at the first instance you hear the Countess’ dismissal.

But you are barely 10 seconds out of the door before you hear heavy, quick footsteps following your own.

You need not even turn to know who it is.

You hurriedly begin to rush but they are faster and with no warning, Quaestor Valdemar suddenly snatches your wrist and yanks you into a more secluded hallway. You practically gape up at them, your eyes locking. Their touch is like fire on your wrists even though they are like ice to the touch. And when they lean closer, they whisper soft and harsh words. They hiss slowly. You can barely make out the imprint of sharp teeth through their face mask. Your gaze can't focus. It goes from their mask to their eyes. Mask, eyes, mask, eyes— “As far as I am concerned—” they choke out, sounding strangely worked up. You notice that they are not even looking at you. Their gaze is focused on your hand, on the red string that connects you both. “You— We— this will be nothing” they say hurriedly, angrily. You're speechless, shocked, really. Where did all of this come from? You hadn't even told them your name and here they are, cornering you and hissing hateful words through their mask. “I… what— what?” You manage to sputter, feeling a bit numb to this entire thing. Valdemar's eyes narrow upon your hand, though they still don't even look at you. They're much taller than you, much stronger.

“Listen to me carefully.” They whisper as they lean closer.

You can manage to see the imprint of a wide grin upon their face against their face mask, something much too big for a human face. Something primal stiffens the muscles around your spine, your hands. “We will be… Nothing. You hear me? Nothing.” You can't even respond to that, only stare at them in shock. And when they pull away and leave, you find yourself frozen for quite some time.

The ride back home seems longer than normal. When you enter, you feel the immediate and strong aura of your Master, Asra. He scurries towards you quickly, happily, but his face falls at your own expression. “Hey—” they say quickly. Your Master hurries over to you and grasps at your hand. “What is it? What's—” they look down at your hand. Your aura must have changed from the meeting. Asra’s eyes flicker with emotion. “Oh.” They murmur. He takes a deep breath and squeezes your hand with a gentle, comforting grip. “there's something… I need to tell you. Something about.. What happened. What happened before the plague. Before you…” You wince, feeling your soul practically shudder at the thought. “Before I died of the plague” Asra nods tearfully. “Yes..That.”

You're...dizzy.

Very dizzy.

Asra's words still echo in your mind. Before the plague. You had met your soulmate. Before your death. And you're on your way to the palace before you can even fully comprehend this, running and rushing past guards and servants, hurrying. You don't even know where you're going. But you feel it. Something's pulling you somewhere and you end up in the library. The library? You spread your hands around the air, looking across the deserted room. There's a pull… somewhere. There! You hurry towards the pull you feel and tap around the shelves. Something clicks into place and suddenly the shelf slides out of its place. “Oh.” You mumble. How.. Convenient. You definitely shouldn't follow the dark staircase behind it. But you do, anyways.

You end up after a five minute walk, at a barred door. You considered knocking at it, but instead you attempt to jiggle it. It slides with ease and you step into the dungeons. It's illuminated in red and smells of blood, of death, of plague. Of something dangerously non-human.

”You shouldn't be here”

Their voice is whispered this time. You whirl around and face your soulmate in the flesh, your breath shakey. They don't look at you. “you—” and barely, can you even speak in their presence. The string connects you two with a sea of red, making your fates all too real. “You knew me before?” You choke out, your accusation stumbling into a question.

Your eyes are teary, wide, drinking the Quaestor in. They're so… Familiar. They look familiar. As if you knew them for years. Hell, you might've. But you rushed out of the shop as soon as Asra explained the situation to you. Explained that your soulmate was the one who watched you die. “Who told you?” They murmur harshly, coldly. It somehow, feels… fake. Their gaze is cold, and their voice is colder. But it strikes you as… not genuine. They don't mean this, you suddenly realize. You two had been together. They must still care for you. In some way. In some sort of way that this non human noble might be able to.

You step forward. The Quaestor’s eyes widen and flicker towards yours before they look away. They make no move forward or back. You take another step forward. And another. And more until you two are merely inches apart. The Quaestor finally meets your eyes. And they look… Hurt. Human.

The sight makes your expression break.

Hurriedly, Valdemar reaches out, pressing a cold and gloved hand against your face. “Don't.” They whisper. You shudder against their touch. It feels so familiar. And dangerous, and evil. But something deep in you kept you there, telling you that they wouldn't hurt you. Their thumb idley strokes the curve of your face and they tilt your chin up, meeting your eyes once more with their own red ones. With their other hand, Valdemar pulls their mask down revealing their nose and mouth. They let out a soft, breathless noise.

“You…” they sigh and take a deep breath.“I had thought you were a demon of my own making.” They whisper, holding your gaze. It feels as though you can't even focus on anything but then now, nothing but their eyes.

“I..” Valdemar shudders, the action so human on their demonic body. “I had assumed you were fake. A demon.” Their grip on you tightens. “A demon like me” they hiss. “My own soulmate, back to haunt me.” They whisper. Your gaze flickers and wavers on their own, filled with tears, emotions that you don't know how to name, emotions that have been buried beneath layers of amnesia, twisting and bubbling in your chest. Your hand reaches up quickly to their wrist, holding onto it tightly. “You still think that?” You sputter, your voice feeling hoarse and numb, even. Valdemar gazes at you, slow, long. They lean just the slightest bit forward.

“No.” They murmur softly.

You feel drawn in by their eyes, their voice, all of them. When they lean further, you also lean forward, just the slightest bit. “What… Why?” You manage to ask softly, chokedly. Valdemar tilts your chin up further, as if examining you. “Your eyes.” They whisper.

You blink hurriedly, feeling something fuzzy stir in your chest, your hands, your face. “W..Why?” You mumble softly. Valdemar says nothing for awhile. They merely lean closer, and closer, and closer still. You should feel afraid. And kind of, you still do. There's the slightest bit of tightness around your spine, the soft twinge if primal fear that lingers in your body. “You look at me like no one else does.” Valdemar whispers. “You look at me… Like I'm a person.” That makes you start in shock, in surprise. You knew that they were not human looking, but were you really the only one that looked at them as if they were deserving of respect?

”You are.” You say, feeling as though it is actually a bit obvious. Even with the horns.

Valdemar blinks. And with no warning, they kiss you. They kiss you as if they have been starved of any sort of affection, as if they are on her brink of death. Their lips are cold and yet, hot against yours, burning ice, making your body ice and fire all together and at the same time. And when they pull back, their eyes glimmer in something evil and joyous.

“There you are.” They whisper. A very slight, small giggle escapes them. "My Soulmate," they coo, hands slinking around your back, sharp, black nails very lightly pressing against your clothes. They soften, just slightly. “My dear. It's been.. Too long. And I have.. I have quite missed you, my love.”

❀

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