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hayatheauthor · 7 months

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Crafting Authentic Child Characters: From Toddlers to Tweens

When it comes to writing captivating stories, it's not just about the plot or setting—it's about the characters that bring your narrative to life. Among those characters, child characters hold a special place.

Child characters, when done right, can hold a special place in your readers’ hearts. Think of YA series like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson- these books featured eleven and twelve year olds but their captivating tales and realistic characteristics drew us in. However, when done wrong, child characters can often ruin immersion and make readers feel annoyed due to their unrealistic representation.

In this guide, I’ve decided to explore the different pubescent age groups you often see in literature alongside tips to help you craft authentic child characters.

Understanding Toddler Characters

The toddler years—a phase characterized by tiny tots exploring the world with wide-eyed wonder. Writing toddler characters can be a delightful yet challenging task. These pint-sized adventurers, typically aged 1 to 3 years, are bundles of curiosity and emotion.

Characterizing Toddlers

Toddlers are known for their limited communication skills. Their vocabulary might consist of a few words or adorable gibberish. They often express themselves through gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Embracing their simplicity is key when bringing them to life on the page. Toddlers view the world with fresh eyes and uncomplicated hearts, finding joy in the little things like chasing butterflies or playing with bubbles.

Portraying Toddler Dialogue

When writing dialogue for toddler characters, simplicity is the name of the game. Toddler speech is basic and straightforward, often composed of short sentences or one-word responses. Capturing their enthusiasm is essential. Toddlers can be highly expressive, so use exclamation marks and enthusiastic language to convey their excitement. It's all about experiencing life's wonders, one small step at a time.

Writing toddler characters offers an opportunity to explore the world through innocent eyes and infuse your story with their unique brand of wonder and emotion.

Toddlers In Flashbacks

I would like to quickly mention that people don’t retain most of their memories from their toddler years, so if you’re trying to create a plot point surrounding a situation your character witnessed as a toddler it is important to consider whether a child that age would realistically even remember such an event.

Capturing the Essence of Children (4-7 years)

Children aged 4-7 are often brimming with creativity, curiosity, and a penchant for storytelling. Think back to times when you used to mix up shampoos in the bathroom to make ‘potions’ or create weirdly intricate plots for your ‘house’ games.

Characterizing Young Children

At this stage, children are developing rapidly, both physically and cognitively. They have an eagerness to understand the world around them, which often leads to a vivid imagination. Their capacity to believe in the extraordinary—whether it's magical creatures, talking animals, or hidden treasures—creates a wonderful opportunity for storytelling.

Young children are naturally curious and possess a boundless well of energy. Their interests can be diverse, ranging from dinosaurs and superheroes to fairies and space exploration. To capture their essence:

Highlighting Imaginative Play: Young children often engage in elaborate make-believe games. These imaginative adventures can be a goldmine for character development.

Embracing Curiosity: Encourage their inquisitiveness about the world. Show characters asking questions, seeking answers, and discovering new things.

Crafting Dialogues and Actions

When crafting dialogues and actions for children aged 4 to 7, it's important to consider their evolving language skills. Unlike toddlers, who may struggle with pronunciation, characters in this age group can typically speak properly. This means they won't say "sowwy" for "sorry" or "wuv" for "love."

Embracing Storytelling: Children this age love to narrate their adventures and dreams. Use storytelling within your story to reflect their imaginative nature.

Curious Questioning: Show characters exploring, asking "why," and expressing wide-eyed wonder. Utilize their questions and observations to drive the plot or reveal new information.

Navigating the World of Pre-Teens (8-12 years)

Many captivating young adult series begin with characters in their pre-teen years, allowing readers to witness their growth and development throughout the books. This is because writing characters in this age group, typically aged 8 to 12, offers a unique exploration of budding independence and the influence of peer relationships.

Your characters are no longer seen as little kids but at the same time don’t have the freedom associated with adolescence.

Characterizing Pre-Teens

Pre-teen characters are in the process of discovering their identity. They're developing a sense of self and often begin to assert their independence from parents or caregivers. While their childlike innocence remains, they're also exposed to a wider range of experiences and emotions.

These characters may show an increased interest in friendships, hobbies, and their expanding world. To capture the essence of pre-teens:

Embrace Growing Independence: Pre-teens may want more autonomy in decision-making. Explore their budding independence as they take small steps toward self-reliance.

Peer Relationships: Friendships become more critical during this stage. Show characters navigating the challenges and joys of making and maintaining friendships.

Crafting Dialogues and Actions

When crafting dialogues and actions for pre-teen characters, consider their evolving perspectives and emerging voices:

Balancing Childlike Wonder: While they're growing up, pre-teens still retain their childlike curiosity and wonder. Don't shy away from showcasing these traits.

Beginning Adolescence: Pre-teens may start experiencing pre-adolescent changes. This could include minor mood swings, increased self-awareness, and curiosity about the world's complexities.

Tweens: Balancing Innocence and Growing Up (13-14 years)

As we move forward into the world of tweens, we encounter characters aged 13 to 14—the age where innocence meets the beginnings of adolescence. Crafting characters in this age group offers an exciting opportunity to explore the challenges and interests of this transitional stage.

Characterizing Tweens

Tweens are on the cusp of adolescence, and their experiences reflect this delicate balance between childhood and growing up. They're often navigating the complexities of middle school, peer dynamics, and a burgeoning sense of self.

Tweens may still possess a childlike wonder, but they're increasingly exposed to more mature themes. To capture the essence of tweens:

Emerging Independence: Tweens may desire more autonomy and may challenge authority figures as they assert their individuality.

Peer Influence: Friendships take on even greater significance. Characters in this age group may grapple with peer pressure and the need to fit in.

Crafting Dialogues and Actions

When crafting dialogues and actions for tween characters, consider the delicate balance they strike:

Retaining Childlike Charm: Tweens often have endearing quirks and moments of innocence. Don't lose sight of these traits.

Exploring Pre-Adolescence: As they begin to encounter the complexities of growing up, characters in this age group may exhibit curiosity about more mature topics while still experiencing occasional moments of youthful naivety.

Writing tween characters allows for a captivating exploration of the liminal space between childhood and adolescence, where they teeter on the brink of exciting self-discovery.

Creating Memorable Child Characters

Now that we've explored the unique characteristics and development stages of child characters, it's time to discuss how to craft memorable and well-rounded child characters, regardless of their age.

Developing Distinct Personalities

Each child character you create should have a distinct personality, just like any adult character. Think about their likes, dislikes, fears, and dreams. Are they adventurous, introverted, mischievous, or kind-hearted? Consider how their personalities align with their age group.

Character Growth and Development

While child characters start with a certain set of traits, they should also experience growth and change throughout your story. Whether it's learning important life lessons or maturing in their outlook, character arcs are just as relevant for children as they are for adults.

Examples from Literature

To better understand how to create memorable child characters, let's turn to some examples from literature. Take, for instance, Scout Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. She's curious, brave, and compassionate, making her a beloved child character who evolves throughout the novel.

Or consider the character of Matilda from Roald Dahl's "Matilda." She's an exceptionally bright and resilient child character who learns to harness her unique abilities.

These examples show how well-crafted child characters can leave a lasting impact on readers.

Crafting Authentic Child Dialogue: Dos and Don'ts

Writing dialogue for child characters can be both challenging and rewarding. It's important to strike the right balance between authenticity and readability. Here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

Dos:

Capture Their Perspective: Remember that children see the world differently. Describe events and surroundings through their eyes. Use simple language when necessary to reflect their understanding.

Embrace Authenticity: Children may use slang, colloquialisms, or unique phrases. Incorporate these sparingly to add authenticity to their speech.

Show Growth: As your child characters mature throughout the story, their speech should evolve too. Gradually introduce more complex vocabulary and sentence structures.

Reflect Emotions: Children express emotions openly. Use dialogue to convey their feelings, whether it's unbridled enthusiasm, innocent curiosity, or the occasional temper tantrum.

Don'ts:

Avoid Stereotypes: While children may display certain traits based on their age, avoid falling into clichéd stereotypes. Each child is unique, so give your characters depth beyond typical traits.

Steer Clear of Exaggeration: While child characters can be quirky and funny, be cautious not to make their dialogue overly cute or exaggerated, which can become grating to readers.

Limit 'Baby Talk': Especially for older child characters, avoid excessive use of baby talk or mispronunciations unless it's essential to the story.

Don't Oversimplify: While simplicity is key, don't underestimate your young readers. Children can understand complex emotions and ideas if presented in a relatable way.

By keeping these dos and don'ts in mind, you can create dialogue that feels authentic, engages young readers, and adds depth to your child characters.

Crafting authentic child characters can be a fulfilling journey for writers. Whether you're depicting the innocence of a toddler, the imaginative spirit of a young child, the evolving personality of a tween, or the budding independence of a pre-teen, these characters can add depth and heart to your stories.

Remember, each child character is a unique individual with their own quirks, dreams, and potential for growth.

I hope this blog on Crafting Authentic Child Characters: From Toddlers to Tweens will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!

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annymation · 2 months

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The Tale of A Witch and A Prince.

"Kingdom of Wishes- Wish Rewrite" Prequel

It's time to FINALLY talk about Amaya's backstory! AND HOW THE EVIL COUPLE WE LOVE TO HATE MET! WOOOO!

So here's how this will work, this will be ONE chapter, summarizing where Amaya came from and what led her to Rosas, how her and young Magnifico met, and how they started dating. If you think that's interesting, then come along! And I'll tell you their twisted fairytale!

IMPORTANT: This is purely based on Magnifico and Amaya from my rewrite, if you're new here and haven't read it yet... Well this might not be for ya, it's just gonna be kinda confusing, but hey, here's the link for my Wish rewrite.

Also, here’s how everyone in this story looks, thank you @uva124 for drawing these amazing designs!

Part 1- A Provincial Life

Once upon a time, in a simple village in Athens, Greece, there lived a beautiful, kind and generous young girl, called Amaya.

Amaya was hard working, always helping her family with chores such as cleaning, cooking and taking care of farm animals and anything else that they needed her help with.

However, she wanted more for herself than that, not necessarily anything grand. She just didn't find enjoyment in these simple activities, specially taking care of the animals. She hated farm animals.

But those responsibilities were expected of her, she had to be useful in the community, and she wanted to, she wanted to help others and make her family proud, she wanted to fit in more than anything, but she wanted to do that her own way.

One day, Amaya went to explore away from her village, and she found an abandoned temple, that used to preach Circe, the Goddess of sorcery. Amaya was curious, so she went inside, and in there she found many scrolls containing potion recipes for all sorts of things: potions for healing, changing one's appearance, improving in a talent, making someone more fortunate… And even make someone fall in love.

She was fascinated, in that temple she found everything there was to know about potion brewing. Amaya was already a very studious girl, she loved to read, and she also loved gardening, and understanding plants is a big part about making potions.

So she decided to give it a try.

And thus, she discovered her calling. Amaya started out secretly practicing potion making, and as her talent grew, she began to share it with the people.

She could finally be useful in her own way, and fulfill her deepest wish... Make others happy.

Everyone loved it, Amaya shared her potions for free, to aid the ill, give better voices to aspiring singers, make elders feel younger, make the food taste better, her people couldn’t be more thankful.

She gained the respect of her town, and many friends too, everything was wonderful... But... She still felt like there was something missing, yes, the people loved her for her talent, but she couldn't help but feel that the people didn’t love her… For who she was... She was surrounded by people, but she felt alone.

She wondered if she’d ever meet someone that loved her regardless of what she could give them... And sure enough, she did meet someone.

Adonis was Amaya’s first love. She met the handsome lad when she was an young adult, and he loved her deeply for who she was. He never asked her for a potion, no favors, all he wanted was her company, to listen to her talk, and admire her beauty. Amaya was absolutely smitten, and she didn’t want to ever let go of this feeling. The girl felt like she finally found her happily ever after...

But we all know that’s not how her story ends. For that ever after was taken away from her...

There was another girl in the village who also loved Adonis, her name was Harmona. The girl grew jealous, so one day she asked Amaya for a love potion, and Amaya, so naive, made her one with no reservations, after all Harmona was her friend, so she trusted that the potion would be used wisely.

She couldn't have predicted what her "friend" did next.

One day, when she was picking some flowers to her love... She found him and the girl sharing a tender kiss. Amaya could only watch, frozen in her grief and heartbreak, as the girl smiled maliciously at her and handed to Amaya an empty flask of love potion...

Amaya tried to hold her once lover by his arm, begging him to resist the spell... But Adonis didn't even turn to look at her... She was sobbing and he didn't listen.

He was gone.

Amaya spiraled down into depression. Completely lost in her heartbreak and misery.

Days went by with her making no potions for the people in the village. Some friends tried to give her support... But it didn't take long for some of them to ask her when would she prepare the potions they asked for.

... Amaya realized... Those "friends" didn't care about her, no one in that village ever did... Only he did... And now he's gone.

They all just wanted to use her.

The kind hearted girl was gone, her heart turned into stone. She vowed to never let anyone else take advantage of her ever again, and she would make them all feel the same pain that she was feeling, if not worse.

It was the day of the harvest-festival, a day to celebrate the goddess Demeter and share their plentiful crops and fruits, the people joyfully gathered to feast... And then, it began.

The curses.

Some people started aging rapidly, others became depressed, some lost their sanity, their memories and even their sight, but most were turned into animals.

Any other curse you can imagine was casted upon them.

Amaya had poisoned the crops with the most wicked potions she could find in those scrolls. She couldn't stop laughing watching the chaos unfold around her.

"What's the matter?! I thought you all wanted more of my potions!"

The few villagers that managed to resist the curses tried to capture her, but Amaya had already planned everything for her escape. She prepared a boat and left it ashore with food and water, she'd sail off far away from Athens, leave everything she ever knew behind.

Amaya managed to escape. All she could hear as she sailed away were the screams of the people she once called friends, neighbors and even family, all of them calling her:

A witch.

Part 2- The King and The Prince

After months of travel, only stopping by in a few islands to rest, and then sail off farther and farther away, Amaya eventually got lost at sea, and she was caught by a storm that sent her off her course. She was passed out on the boat when she was found... By a fishing boat, with a flag that had a Rose insignia.

When she woke up, she was laying on the most comfortable bed she ever felt... She looked around and realized she was in a lavish room, that could only be fit for a castle.

"Ah, veo que finalmente te despertaste!" A young and cheerful voice said from next to her, speaking in a language she didn't understand.

The girl got startled, and she quickly turned to the sight of a young man wearing royal attire. His hair was shoulder length and black as ebony, his skin white as snow, and his smile was friendly and innocent. The young man was sitting next to the bed on a comfortable chair while reading a book.

He looked sorry for scaring her and seemed to apologize, but Amaya still couldn't understand him

"No entiendes ni una palabra de lo que digo, ¿verdad? Espera, sé qué hacer" He starts to move his hands, and Amaya's eyes widen in shock as she sees blue magic flowing from his fingertips, he looks at her reassuringly that there's nothing to fear before snapping his fingers, making the magic go straight to Amaya's heart and enchant her.

She doesn't feel anything different, until he speaks again.

"There, that should do it!" The sorcerer said joyfully "Now, let's try this again-"

The young man introduced himself as King Florian of Rosas.

The king explained to Amaya that his men found her adrift at sea, and he requested she'd be brought to the castle immediately so he could be of assistance. He told her he was a sorcerer, a wish granting sorcerer, and it was his sworn duty to make sure all the people in his kingdom had their wish granted... That is, unless they felt like they could grant their wish by themselves, which the young king greatly encouraged too.

Amaya thought it was quite odd for a king to be so... Young.

He was younger than her. He was 19, and she was 24. She asked if he had lost his parents too soon or something. The king explained that no, he just so happens to be the heir that was more... Qualified for the job... Florian realized he accidentally spoke too much and asked her to keep that between them, his older brother wouldn't like other people knowing about that.

"Anyway! Enough about me, I’m sure your story is way more interesting, right? Please, do tell! What got you on that boat? Where do you come from?" The king asks curious, crossing his legs and leaning closer to her, excited to hear all the details.

The girl knows very well that she can't tell this king anything about her past... So, she pulls an innocent girl act, which comes naturally to her as not long ago she was an innocent girl herself

"I... I rather not speak about it, your majesty... It's all far too painful to even put into words" Her voice cracks and she looks at him like she's about to cry.

The king's eyes are full of pity "That's alright, all that matters is that you're safe now, far from whatever you had to run away from. You may tell me what that was when you're ready." He comforts her, talking quite maturely for his age.

Amaya gives him a gentle smile, this king is quite adorable... And gullible. If she plays her cards right, and manages to brew some love potion... She just might become the queen of this land.

"You're so kind, your majesty. How may I ever repay you?" She asked giving him an alluring look that could put a siren to shame.

"Oh perish the thought! You have nothing to repay haha I'm just making sure you feel welcomed here in Rosas!" He says gleefully, completely missing that Amaya tried to flirt with him, to her disappointment "Which reminds me, we must get you settled here in the kingdom at once, I can give you a tour an-"

Then, they heard a voice coming from outside of the room, shouting with rage:

"FLORIAN! Now where's that little- How many times must I tell you to NOT get near my half of the study?! I found one of your books in there! DID YOU LOOK THROUGH MY THINGS?!"

The girl was surprised by the yelling, and ponders who'd dare to speak with the king of the nation like that.

The young king just gave her an embarrassed smile and said

"Heh heh please forgive my brother, he has... Uh... A bit of a temper sometimes."

A tall man with dark brown hair wearing royal clothes just like Florian's barged through the door

"There you are! Now explain wh-" The man stops when he sees Amaya laying on the bed.

... Amaya eyes widen when she sees the handsome man at the door... Her heart skips a beat… She felt something... Something she didn't feel in quite a while... But somehow, it was even more intense this time.

The two stare at each other mouth agape for a moment with Florian sitting between them looking side to side awkwardly, so he breaks the silence:

"... *Ahem* Amaya, this is my older brother, Prince Magnus. Magnus, this is Amaya, the girl found by the fisherman that I told you about this morning... Or did you forget?" Florian asks with an eyebrow raised, already used to his brother not listening to him most of the time.

Magnus blinks a few times like he just snapped out of a trance, his previous anger vanished completely and is replaced by an almost shy smile as he bows respectfully to her "It indeed slipped my mind that we'd be in the company of a guest today, so pleased to make your acquaintance."

Florian looks surprised with how polite his brother was, usually he'd just find an excuse to leave the room whenever there were people visiting the castle... He turns to Amaya and sees how she was blushing, her eyes sparkled while she stared at his brother.

... Oh... Florian smiles widely knowing just what to do.

"SAY! Amaya, I just realized, I haven't asked for your wish yet!" The young king says excitedly

"... My wish?" She turns to the king, also snapping out of her love struck trance "Is- Is giving you my wish a requirement to live here?" she asks concerned, knowing that if the king takes a look into her now tainted heart’s truest desires he might get suspicious of her.

"Oooh no! Hahah of course not, it's your own decision. But I have a gut feeling you know just what it is, so I might as well grant it, right?" Florian discreetly gives his brother a wink like he's doing his big brother a huge favor

Said big brother has no clue what that wink was about, so he just looks very confused.

Amaya thinks... She wants to get this king to fall in love with her... But then again, his brother is way more gorgeous, maybe she cou-NO, nononono no she couldn't! She couldn't let herself fall in love again, besides, marrying his brother wouldn't make her a queen... Unless she killed Florian... WHICH WOULD BE AN UNNECESSARY RISK!- NO she had to listen to her head! She had to think what would be the easiest way to get closer to the king and give him a love potion?... Working in the palace.

"I don't think your magic will be required to grant my wish, your highness. All I wish is to show my gratitude for your hospitality, perhaps if I could... Offer my services here in the castle-"

"Done. What can you do?" Florian accepts in a heartbeat.

Amaya is surprised by how quickly he accepted, she thought she'd have to convince him a bit, but okay, she rolls with it "Oh- well, I can... I can..." She thinks for a moment, she really doesn't want to return to those chores she had in her past life, of cleaning and cooking... Would he grow skeptical if she told him she was a potion maker?... He was naive, so maybe "I can brew potions." She says casually.

The two brothers both raise their eyebrows at that, Florian asks in shock "As in... MAGIC potions?"

Amaya realizes she may just have blown her chances, but she continues "Y-yes, but-"

"THAT'S PERFECT!" Florian jumps from the chair, absolutely ecstatic "Potion making was never one of my strengths! It's decided, you shall be my royal alchemist!" He announces enthusiastically, Amaya smiles at that, successfully getting just what she wanted "Did you hear that broth-" Florian turns to where Magnus was standing, but he's no longer there "... Aaaaand he's gone... *sigh*" Florian looks rather disappointed and then turns to Amaya "He always been more of an introvert, ya know? Hehe"

Amaya smiles at the young king, masking her true intentions with the same kindhearted expression she always had before her heart was broken. Now, all she had to do was bind her time, and soon, she’d go from a witch to a queen.

Part 3- In The Woods

Amaya was welcomed to stay in the palace until a new house was prepared just for her, sure, she could stay lodged at some family's house, but Florian insisted for her to stay in the castle in the mean time, she could sleep in the guest room on the west wing of the castle. How could she refuse? It was like the king wanted to make this easier for her.

Days went by, and she'd do everything to gain even more of Florian's trust... Not like that was hard, all she did was stay hours listening to him blabbering about the history of their kingdom, how important wishes are, how much he cared for his people and other stuff that Amaya had to try her hardest not to roll her eyes over.

... Oh, and his older brother was there too, but he mostly stayed silent in the background, only throwing some sarcastic remarks here and there during Florian's enthusiastic speeches, some that even got a chuckle out of Amaya.

He'd often observe Amaya very closely and attentively while she made her potions... She started to wonder if maybe he was on to her plans, after all, he seemed way less naive than his brother... Well, she could deal with him if he ever got in her way, though it would be such a waste to kill his pretty face she wouldn't let anyone get in her way.

After enough time had passed... Amaya started to put her plan into motion.

All she needed was the ingredients to make her love potion. She went into the woods to gather the last ingredients she required.

Amaya was humming sweetly as she gathered some herbs... But she wasn't alone thought, as she hears a voice coming from behind a tree

"Not that I think someone who traveled such a long distance as you did is helpless but..." The charming voice startled Amaya, she turns to the tree and sees Prince Magnus reveal himself, walking from behind it holding a rose "A maiden such as yourself shouldn't be walking all alone in the woods, care for some company?"

"Oh! Prince Magnus, what a surprise!" Amaya says innocently with a smile, hiding that internally she's wondering why would he follow her? Florian mentioned once how his brother never leaves the palace... He's definitely suspicious of her, so she keeps her little act "Of course! I'd be delighted hihihi" She giggles

"I'm glad to hear that, but please, do me a kindness and cut the act." He says it dryly with a knowing smug.

Amaya eyes widen at that, her face turns worried, but she quickly makes it so it looks like she's hurt by the king's comment and not that she just got caught

"Act? W-what do you mean by that, your majesty?" Her voice is filled with confusion

"Heh heh Oh please, you may have fooled my little brother, but you don't fool me... I know what you are." (🏳️‍🌈?) He keeps a distance from her while walking around the trees with his hands behind his back, his tone is casual like this is just some small talk.

Amaya is calculating her next moves in her head, maybe he's bluffing to get a confession out of her "What do you think I am?" she asks, genuinely curious to hear the answer, as she knows there's no way he knows the whole truth

"Weeeeeell allow me to share some deductions" He leans on a tree while looking at the rose on his hand, and starts to explain his thought process "When you arrived here, I noticed you were wearing a chiton, a garment commonly worn in Greece. Which is faaaar away from Rosas. So you made quite the voyage all on your own, as if you were running away from something." He gives her a look like he's very impressed, then he continues "One may think "Oh the poor thing, she must have been desperate to run far far away from some horrible people"... But I believe that, most often than not, the ones seen as wicked are the ones who run away the farthest."

Amaya feels a sweat run down her forehead "Your highness, do you think I'm a bad person?" She sounds heartbroken and places a hand on her chest

"I didn't say that." He smirks at her, still leaning on a tree "I said "SEEN as wicked" heheh but anyway, you're well versed in potion brewing, a talent that isn't exactly frowned upon there, I mean, followers of Circe and Hecate are all about it." Magnus wasn't as much of a bookworm as his brother, but he knew a thing or two about Greek Mythology, after all a king must know about not only their kingdom's culture but also all cultures that may visit the kingdom... Even though he never got to be king "However, it would be very frowned upon if... Used with ill intentions." He starts walking towards her now.

"I- I would never do such a thing! You got it all wrong!" She exclaims, trying her hardest to think of some sob story she can tell him to explain what made her leave her home "I'm- Uh- I just don't want to talk about-"

"My dear, please, I believe you're the one who got this all wrong" He holds her hand gently and kisses it "I just wish to know the real you." His blue eyes gaze at her passionately.

Amaya finally realizes... He's in love with her as well. And like she has been suspecting for a while now, he's not good intentioned like his brother, no, he wants the crown too...

And he wants to USE her to get it, just like they used her in the past.

Amaya finally does drop the act, her face goes cold and irritated as she pulls her hand away from his hold.

"Was that's really all it took for you to figure it out? My dress and the fact I make potions?" She asks, looking at him with her arms crossed and one eyebrow raised.

Magnus actually looks pleased to see her in a different light.

"Actually, what really gave it away was you not giving your wish to my brother, all you wanted was to "work in the palace", pffft yeah right, once I heard that I knew... You want the crown... And so do I." He smiles devilish with that notion "So, since we both desire the same thing, I thou-"

"You want me to kill your brother so you'll be king, and then we get married, correct?" She interrupts him sharply, her eyes narrowed.

"That's right." He confirms with a grin "Now, I know it sounds sordid, but-"

"No." She cuts him off once again and just walks off into the woods to get her ingredients.

Magnus is surprised by that, quickly walking after her "W-why not? You'd get what you want, and you'd marry someone who actually understands you!"

The woman just laughs at that as she walks away from him "HAH! Understands me? You don't even know me!" She starts walking faster deeper into the forest

Magnus has a harder time to moving around, as he hasn't stepped foot in the forest since he was a boy, his mother used to take him there to have picnics.

(Shocker: Magnifico was a mamas boy)

"But I did just read you like an open book, did I not?" He asks confidently while trying to catch up to her "Come on, you feel it too, don't you? We are meant to be! And doesn't this sound like quite the fairytale? A bitter prince and a spellbinding witch-"

Amaya stops on her tracks when she hears that last word... Oh, she's gonna give this prince something worse than the slap in the face he deserves.

"WELL! Since we're reading each other like open books now, I suppose it's my turn." She turns to him with fire in her eyes, Magnus realizes he might've made the wrong choice of words as he locks his mouth shut "For you see "Your highness" I happen to also know EXACTLY what you are: A fraud." His eyes widen and he scrunches his eyebrows at that comment, Amaya smiles now that she finally got a reaction out of him "That's right, I noticed how your brother's hands always sparkle when he uses magic, while yours don't. And the very few times you did use magic to levitate a book or open a door, King Florian was conveniently hiding away, once even behind the thin curtains, from where I could SEE he was the one using magic, just helping create the illusion that it was YOU!" Magnifico cursed his brother internally for his incompetence, even though that was Florian's idea in the first place. "So once again, my answer is NO, I won't help you with your little regicide, just so you can get the crown that "daddy dearest" promised you when you were a little brat. I know your type, you'll throw me away as soon as the deed is done and I'm no longer of use to you!" She says that furious like she's trying to remind herself that this will happen if she follows her heart again.

Magnus looks shocked, no one has ever talked with him with such anger before... But he senses there's something more than anger in there. There is pain.

She was hurt before.

Amaya turns around, thinking maybe now the prince will get the message, but she's stopped by his voice

"Amaya, wait." He didn't call her by her name before... And hearing it come from him made her heart skip a beat for a moment, she's not facing him but she can hear his voice approaching "... Was your heart broken?" His voice is of genuine worry, no hint of malice or second intentions, because for once there are none.

Amaya feels her heart tighten with the question, she looks down as memories of what she once had start flooding back. "... That's none of your business" she says harshly, trying to mask her sadness.

"Alright... But I just need you to know, I would NEVER make you suffer. When I look at you, I don't see a peon to be used, I see the queen I've always dreamed of having by my side, to protect forever." He speaks gently and tries to hold her hand... And Amaya lets him, feeling her heart flutter with every word "... I understand what I propose is a great risk, for both of us... But I have a plan, and if- WHEN we succeed and rule over this land, I promise you, I'll give you the whole world and more!" He declares to her, probably the most honest words he has spoken in years.

Amaya takes in what he just said... There's more passion in his words than anything Adonis ever said to her... And most importantly, he makes her feel loved, for who she is.

Magnus sees her sad expression change into a comfortable smile, he looks at her in the eyes and offers her the rose he had brought with him "So, what do you say, my queen?"

Amaya looks at the rose... She does raise her hand to hold it but she stops herself... Who's to say he's being honest?

She looks at him intrigued "And why should I trust you?... Or rather, why should you trust me?" She inverts the question with a malicious smile now, and threatens him, just to see his reaction "Perhaps, once you're my little husband I might just put some poison in your tea.”

Magnus actually finds the threat quite enticing, and just tries to use it as a way to flirt... Somewhat. "Well, if you were my wife, I'd drink it." He says with a seductive voice.

Amaya's smile drops into a dumbfounded stare, as she doesn't understand what he means by that.

... Magnus realizes what he just said, his confidence vanishes and he awkwardly tries to explain what he meant by that "W-wait no!- I- I don't mean I'd want to DIE if we were married! Hahah- I uh I meant to say that IF you wanted me dead I'd gladly die for you! You know??? Is that cheesy???" He kept trampling over his words trying to explain himself.

Amaya looks at him nervously stutter away, blabbering about how he'd devotedly die for her... She smiles, and even giggles a little, amused by his sudden flustered state. Her eyes sparkle with fondness for the prince as she sighs. She knows now that she can trust him, he's not pretending to love her... And she's done pretending that she doesn't feel the same.

She grabs him by the collar of his royal vest "Shut up and kiss me, you fool."

She kissed him. The man's eyes widen for a moment in surprise but then he melts into her kiss like his bones are now made of jelly.

Once they break the kiss, Amaya looks at him wickedly and grabs the rose from his hand, feeling it's sent before she asks "So... You mentioned you had a plan?"

Magnus recovers from the kiss, and begins to smile just as deviously as they both gaze upon eachother’s eyes.

And 1 year later, they put their plan into motion...

But that's a story for another time.

(And that story is here, here’s how they killed him)

Final Thoughts

MAN! THIS TOOK LONGER THAN I THOUGHT!

Okayyyy so that was Amaya's long awaited backstory! And boy did it go through changes over time, I'm actually glad I took this long to share it because I had time to perfect it.

See, for a long time, Amaya's tale began in a typical fairytale setting, a provincial village like the one Belle lived, however, as I developed her design with @uva124 I realized it made a lot of sense to make her greek, because her story reflects Megara's, a young girl that wants to have nothing to do with love because her heart has been broken before. And her cursing a whole village after her boyfriend broke up with her? That's some vengeful greek goddess attitude, she actually reminds me a lot of Medea, look it up.

But speaking figures from greek mythology, the name Adonis for her ex wasn't random, see, initially I was just gonna make it a disney reference, so I looked up "Megara's ex" to see if he had a name, and sure enough, he does! He appeared in the Hercules TV show, and his name was Adonis. I decided to look up who is Adonis in greek mythology... And what I found could not have been more perfect:

"In Greek mythology, Adonis was the mortal lover of the goddesses Aphrodite and Persephone. Later, the two goddesses began to compete for the boy's company, and had to submit to Zeus' sentence. He stipulated that he would spend a third of the year with each of them, but Adonis, who preferred Aphrodite, also spent the remaining third with her. This myth gives rise to the idea of the annual vegetation cycle, with the seed remaining underground for four months."

... Do you see it??? Adonis got them girls FIGHTING!!! Zeus had to intervene!

Anyway, this mirrors my story so perfectly its hilarious. With Amaya being Persephone, who later married Hades, who happens to be a big inspiration on Magnifico's character (The Disney Hades I mean) it's like it was written in the stars.

Then there's Harmona, the girl who stole Adonis, her name is to reference "Harmony", the daughter of Aphrodite and Ares. And Harmona just sounds like a evil name to me, so it fits.

About Amaya herself though, I love this woman so much, girl really cursed a whole population and then dipped out into the ocean like freakin Moana. Then as soon as she got rescued by a king she was like "Oh I can pull a gold digger scheme here" Like girl is not playing, she's done being a disney princess she wants power, I respect that.

And Florian, this lil OC that I love so much. Poor guy was Magnifico x Amaya (Magaya?) first shipper, all he wanted was to be a good wing man for his big bro, and that got him killed. Tragic.

But in all seriousness, Florian is such an interesting character for me to write, cause in a way, he's a mix of Asha and Aster. He has Asha's ideals of people being allowed to grant their own wishes, which was something that he encouraged people to do, and also Aster's cheerfulness and innocence.

Also he's straight up male Snow White, not just in how he looks but also personality wise... And cause of death wise.

Now, I mentioned a LOOOONG time ago how Asha kinda mirrors Amaya, and how Magnifico kinda mirrors Aster.

Well, now I can finally show what I meant. Asha and Amaya wished for the same thing, to fit in, and to make other's happy.

Amaya in chapter 5 is the one who suggests how they should change Asha's wish, almost like she's eager to destroy it, because it reminds her of herself, she sees a younger version of herself in Asha. She wants Asha to go through the same pain she went through, of facing the reality that in the end, trying to please others in order to fit in is pointless, no matter how many people are around you, you're still all alone.

The word "Alone" is kind of a theme with Amaya in the rewrite

When Amaya confronts Asha in the plaza, she says "But you miscalculated, my dear, for we are mighty, and you? You are all alo-"

Then right before she says the word Aster pushes her away from Asha.

Then near the finale, Amaya is about to strike Asha withe a sword, and she says

"I'm afraid this is where your story ends, with you... All alone"

Then Dahlia kicks her like "SHUT UP WITCH!"

So point is, Asha was never alone, even if Amaya really wanted to make her feel that way, the same way she felt alone all those years ago.

Thing is that maybe Amaya wasn't even alone for real, she's an un-reliable narrator there, not because she's lying but because her mind was so distressed that she THOUGHT her friends didn't care about her, but that was paranoia. Asha did have a whole kingdom thinking she was a weirdo, but she still kept her head high and cherished her friends, that's what makes her different from Amaya.

About Aster and Magnifico though, it's way more simple, as they're both more simple characters when it comes to their backstories honestly.

Aster wanted to prove himself to be just as good as the other stars, but wanted to do things his way, he did, and he got his happy ending because of that

Magnifico wanted to prove himself to be just as good as the kings that came before him, but he wanted to do things his way, by not granting wishes and not learning magic because it was too hard for him... And he didn't get his happy ending because of that, he got replaced by his little brother.

So basically, what differentiates Aster and Magnifico, how the world around them reacted to their actions, and how they reacted to the world.

How a character deals with trauma is what differentiates them from a hero to a villain.

Let's see... Anything elseeee... Oh yeah, the way that Amaya held Adonis arm and cried for him to look at her is a parallel to Amaya and Magnifico's pose when they're turning into statues, she re-lived that exact moment again, with the man that promised to "Never make her suffer". And Aster makes a comment to Magnifico about how "Then you don't love her, all you want is to use her" and that REALLY stings on Mag exactly because he promised to never use her.

So you see, this whole story re-contextualizes a whole lot of stuff in the rewrite... Or not, maybe I'm just losing my mind, anyway, see you guys next time, my job is far from over with these characters! But I'll try to do something Asha x Aster related now because this was A LOT of villain couple for my system.

Thank You For Reading!

#wish rewrite #wish reimagined #disney wish #kingdom of wishes #wish #disney #wish 2023 #wish movie #wish disney #wish star #king magnifico x amaya #king magnifico #amaya x magnifico #queen amaya #magnifico x amaya

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twstowo · 4 months

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Prologue [Sorceress!Yuu x OB!Characters]

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗SYNOPSIS: A powerful sorceress, capable of granting wishes, finds herself locked inside a mirror. To break free, she will need to seek the help of Yuu from another universe.

♡︎ The sorceress from the first universe is referred to with "she/her" pronouns, whereas the true main character (reader) is referred to as "they/them."

♡︎Inspired by the trope where the princess gets stuck in a tower but gets out by herself.

「 ✦ Next✦ 」

In the heart of a dark forest stood a sorceress, dwelling within her solitary tower. Legend speaks of her uncanny ability to transform any wish into reality, albeit at a cost. In days long past, she had wielded her magical prowess for noble causes, yet the allure of power proved too intoxicating. Once one savors its might, the craving for more consumes their soul.

Before this sorceress could execute her nefarious plans, she fell victim to a curse, locking her within the tower's walls, forever barred from the outside world.

As time passed, the people gradually forgot about her, and tranquility returned to the land. Meanwhile, the sorceress found solace in her secluded existence, immersing herself in the pursuit of knowledge, delving into tomes of spells, potions, and enchantments. Unknown to her, time slipped away, and she faded into the realm of myth and legend, becoming but a tale told to children.

Isolated in her tower, she longed for connection until an unexpected visitor arrived—a curious man seeking to make a wish. Yet, instead of a quick visit, he became captivated by the sorceress's wisdom, and soon, a profound bond grew between them. Weeks stretched into months, and their intimacy deepened, blossoming into a love that transcended the confines of her imprisonment. However, the man, driven by his affection, sought to liberate her from the tower's curse, sacrificing his wish for her freedom. In a tragic twist, he deliberately became taken by a dreadful curse—one that plagued all who sought wishes from her, gradually corroding their sanity.

The freed sorceress, grateful yet burdened by the unwanted consequences, watched in dismay as the man, once her savior, transformed into a tyrant ruling his kingdom with an iron fist. Unable to undo the curse's grip on him, she fled, compelled to escape his descent into madness, a consequence of her magic that she could not rectify.

Seeking to distance herself from the haunting memory of her lost love, the sorceress embraced her newfound freedom, venturing into a world vastly transformed during her tower-bound years. She traveled across kingdoms, encountering six more men, each with their unique dreams and desires. Yet, inevitably, they too succumbed to the enchantment of her beauty, intellect, and mastery of magic.

One by one, they approached her, fervently wishing for their heart's desires, only to be ensnared by the curse that clouded their minds, mirroring the fate of the first man. Each succumbed to the same tragic spiral of losing their sanity, trapped within the vicious cycle born from their wishes.

Haunted by the knowledge that her powers led to this relentless cycle of despair, the sorceress carried the weight of their curse, burdened by the unintended consequences of her abilities.

Faced with a profound sense of helplessness and remorse, the sorceress found herself drawn back to the confines of her tower,battling with the weight of her actions. The toll of her powers had caused irreversible harm to those she had grown to care for, leaving a trail of shattered lives in her wake.

Overwhelmed by regret and the desperate desire to undo the havoc she had wrought, she yearned to erase the consequences of her wishes. However, in a cruel twist, once the wish was granted, it became an unalterable reality, binding the person to its irreversible effects. She realized the bitter irony of her deepest desires – longing to break free from her isolation had inadvertently led to the ruin of seven lives, all because she sought companionship and a glimpse beyond her tower's confines.

Haunted by the inescapable truth that she could never amend the past, the sorceress struggled with the agony of longing for a return to the solitude she once wished to escape. Trapped within the paradox of her own wishes, she yearned for a reality where she had never ventured beyond the safety of her tower's walls.

In a tragic turn, the sorceress's fate descended further into darkness. Amid her quest for undoing the curses of her once friends, an unsettling disturbance outside her tower drew her attention. Peering out, she saw—six of the seven men she had cursed. Their beings exuded the overwhelming aura of the curses that had consumed them entirely. Lost within their own tormented thoughts, their hearts filled with a relentless thirst for vengeance against her, their memories clouded by self-loathing and venomous resentment toward the sorceress.

Knowing that confrontation would only perpetuate the cycle of suffering, she stepped out, asking for forgiveness, her pleas falling upon deafened ears blinded by fury and hatred. Together, driven by their collective anguish and rage, they devised a punishment more merciless than mere imprisonment within a tower. Instead, they imprisoned her within a mirror—a cruel fate that denied her any semblance of escape or freedom.

Helpless and trapped within her mirrored confinement, the sorceress became a prisoner. They, in turn, carried the mirror to their kingdoms, parading her before the world she would forever be denied, a mocking reminder of the life she could never experience again. Forced to witness the outside world she yearned for, yet eternally barred from touching or experiencing it, the sorceress endured an unending torment crafted by the very souls she inadvertently harmed.

Trapped within the confinements of the mirror world, the sorceress found herself in a relentless pursuit of an escape, weaving incantations and spells in a desperate bid to break free. Despite her unwavering determination, her magic yielded no solutions within the confines of the mirrored realm.

Realization dawned upon her—a solution lay beyond the confines of her mirrored prison. She needed aid from someone external, but trust was a scarce commodity in her world. Amidst her predicament, a glimmer of hope arose: herself. She knew the depths of her own intentions, the truths that guided her, and the longing to erase the unintended consequences of her actions.

With a resolve forged from the depths of her isolation and remorse, she sought a way to reach beyond the mirror's boundaries, attempting to communicate with her own self outside.

──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────

‎♡‧₊˚Thank you for reading!

「 ✦ Next✦ 」

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thefreelanceangel · 29 days

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Tagged: Character Details

Imayo Mikomori

BASICS:

Nicknames: N/A Age: She believes she's roughly twenty-five Nameday: 15th Sun, 4th Umbral Moon Race: Raen Au Ra Gender: Cis Female Orientation: Pansexual (in theory -- she's never had a partner) Profession: Tattoo artist (specializing in irezumi) - herbalist/alchemist - exorcist

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Hair: Inky black, with dark blue highlights Eyes: Crystalline white with black limbal rings, no discernable pupils Skin: Deathly, ghostly white with blue undertones, with a disproportionately large percentage of her body covered with reptilian dull black scales Tattoos/Scars: A thin, ragged line across her throat, now concealed by the scales which grew over her throat when an alchemical tonic caused a physical reaction. Notably, Imayo no longer has horns. The same tonic that caused excessive scale growth also caused her horn material to die and slough off. She now must rely on a linkpearl to hear most high-frequency sounds, and keeps a linkpearl embedded into a scale where her right horn used to be.

FAMILY:

Parents: Hisako Mikomori (M) [Deceased] / Tomoki Koizumi (F) [Deceased] Hisako Mikomori, the last living Mikomori of a declining samurai family, volunteered as a miko to serve at an isolated shrine in order to provide her ancestors with the proper homage. While serving, she was introduced to the Koizumi family who wished a 'ghost marriage' made to placate the restless spirit of their eldest son, Tomoki. Hisako agreed to perform the ceremony and was cast out of the shrine five months later when it became evident she was pregnant. No one believed her tale of Tomoki possessing a pilgrim to the shrine to have a proper wedding night and she was forced to live on the Koizumi family's sufferance. Siblings: N/A Grandparents: The Koizumi patriarch, Takamori, returned Imayo to the shrine her mother had served at and died shortly after Hisako Mikomori's suicide. In-Laws & Others: N/A As a "shadowborn" (the product of a ghost marriage) Imayo is considered bad luck [at best] and shunned by the majority of Kugane's populace. Only the desperate come to her small herbalist shop for aid during daylight hours. Her closest affiliates are criminals who come to her for irezumi tattoo work. They provide protection on a "tit for tat" basis, including guarding her shop when Imayo's called away by the priests of her mother's shrine to perform exorcisms.

SKILLS:

Abilities: As a 'shadowborn,' Imayo has a particularly strong affinity for the dead and serves as a reibai (medium) or exorcist when needed. She is able to see, hear, and speak to the dead. She is also capable of creating ofuda for protection, banishing spirits, and can sense yokai. Years of careful study have given her a wide range of knowledge about the spirit world she interacts with daily. She is also knowlegable about herbalism and alchemy, concocting tonics and potions to sell as they're requested. Hobbies: With … a lot of time on her hands, Imayo practices calligraphy, sewing, herbalism, the tea ceremony, Doman mahjong… She also reads excessively and studies cookbooks, curious about cuisines in other lands.

TRAITS:

Most Positive: Imayo is resilient. Despite her precarious start in life, her precarious position in society, and her lack of… basic human connections, she still finds beauty in the world and is determined to create a life for herself in which she can find a measure of contentment. Most Negative: Imayo expects to be rejected and will often read rejection where perhaps none was extended. She's reluctant to open up about her birth, her health, her life in general as she's received poor responses in the past and just… doesn't want to get her hopes up again.

LIKES:

Colors: Vibrant sunset colors are Imayo's favorites. Rich, warm colors seem so out of place in her life (she tends to wear black and grey as she feels that beautiful colors are wasted on her particular coloration) that she appreciates them whenever and wherever she encounters them. Smells: Pine (which she loves the scent of, but also can't smell without feeling a pang of sadness) and roses Textures: High quality silk, worn tatami mats, book pages, warm living skin beneath her hands when she's creating a tattoo Drinks: Green tea, hibiscus tea, sakura tea, sake, fresh well water

OTHER DETAILS:

Smokes: Never. Imayo's health is particularly fragile and she can't risk anything that might cause her chronic illness, such as smoke-damaged lungs. Drinks: Rarely. She will very occasionally have a small cup of sake. Drugs: Only medicinal herbs. Mount Issuance: Animals dislike Imayo's presence, becoming unruly and edgy when she's nearby, so she's never sought to purchase her own mount. If she needs to travel, she's made arrangements with a fellow merchant who has an elderly chocobo that is… as accustomed to her presence as an animal can be. Been Arrested: No.

Tagged By: @gatheredfates

Tagging: @luck-and-larceny; @dumb-hat; @otherworldseekers; @chainsofaether; @sealrock; @ungrateful-cyborg; @iron-sparrow; @ahollowgrave; @shroudkeeper; @pettyeti and I think Sea and I will overlap if I'm not careful, so if you see it, YOU'RE TAGGED.

#Tagged #Imayo Mikomori #FFXIV

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rpgsandbox · 9 months

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Obojima is a 250+ page campaign setting inspired by the wondrous worlds featured in Studio Ghibli films and the beloved Legend of Zelda game series. Guide your players through breathtaking locations, encounter strange spirits, discover rare oddities, and battle wild and wondrous creatures. Create your own unforgettable narrative in this familiar world with an all-new collection of curious items, magical spells, and numerous player options.

A world built for exploration and adventure. Lose yourself alongside your players as you travel the breathtaking island of Obojima, a curious place with a mysterious past. Obojima is a prime location for many adventurers' stories.

In Obojima: Tales From The Tall Grass, you'll find pages and pages of rich lore, detailed maps, pre-generated characters, strange factions, unique locations, and more. All of which is accompanied by breathtaking art to pull you deeper into the world.

On the Island of Obojima, potion crafting is a useful skill that most adventures learn, but few master. LUCKILY, Potion Brewing has never been easier!

Hunt for any of the 100 + ingredients spread across the island and combine them to create custom potion recipes. With over 180 potions to brew, you'll be a seasoned adventure before you've crafted them all. That being said, you must be careful; some of these fabled ingredients are hard to obtain! Many experienced Brewmasters have lost themselves or worse in search of a rare ingredient.

Foul magic has begun to spread across Obojima's Eastern coastline!

The sea has turned black: the waters have begun to poison the sea life and corrupt the land. Rumors have spread amongst the spirits, but few claim to understand what's taking place on this strange island. What we can say for sure is this corruption has bestowed unlikely creatures with dangerous abilities. It has even affected some adventurers.

Will you explore the coast and delve below the water's surface to uncover the cause of this dark affliction?

Play as an eclectic College of Masks bard and craft versatile theater masks to help you in any situation. Breathe life into paper constructs and control the battlefield as an Origami Mage. Harness the potent magic that has slowly begun to infect Obojima as the Corrupted Ranger.

Fully immerse yourself and your players in the world by using any of the new subclasses, spells, backgrounds, feats, weapon types, or player races.

The numerous options will have you struggling to decide what to play.

Create unforgettable encounters using any of the 60+ new monsters only found on the island of Obojima. See if your players can catch the elusive and playful Sheep Dragon on one of the islands' rolling hillsides, or stay hidden as the dangerous and cruel Urugama haunts the roads between villages. Reveal these creatures' strange quirks or powerful abilities and watch as your players scream and shout in delight or shock!

Kickstarter campaign ends: Thu, August 31 2023 5:00 PM BST

Website: [1985 Games] [facebook] [twitter] [instagram]

#RPG #kickstarter #Obojima Tales From The Tall Grass #dnd 5e #1985 Games

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missterious-figure · 2 months

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(Each y/n is not specifically for a designated dca, btw)

I'm adding a knight and magic y/n Dragon tale au.

(These are just potential options)

Dragonling y/n pov: You live an a forest close to a large village, a town almost. You liked to sneak into the marketplace and see what goodies you can yoink. A magic staff with the power of mind control had vanished from it's heavily guarded vault one day. And you were the first suspected. After all, humans thought dragonlings were the offspring of a dragon and human (which is blatantly wrong! Who would want to be related to a human? Ehw...) though, dragonlings and dragons aren't closely related, either. The humans are still convinced it was you. Now dragon hunters are on a hunt for you. Maybe you should head into the mountains. It would be safer there, right?

Knight y/n pov: You're from a wealthy family and ran away do to the lack of freedom. You had always been fond of fairytales, especially when there was a brave hero to save the day. One day, (once upon a time, let's say~) you accidentally bump into two real live heroes Sun and Moon. They are teaching people to become warriors and dragon slayers. The one named Moon asks you if you wish to join him tomorrow. You don't even stop to think as you say yes. Was it the opportunity that made you leap, or the fierce (and incredibly handsome) knight standing before you? Maybe a mix of both.

Magic y/n pov: You sell herbs and mushrooms that grow in your garden. Some are good for eating, others are for potions and spells. You used magic quite alot yourself to help grow your plants. Pre-made potions were on big demand recently, and that gave you a chance to make more money. You had converted part of your house into a shop and hung a sign above your door that advertised your goodies. Your shop was very busy most of the time. Frequents arrived at their usual times, newcomers browsed through your products. But there was only one customer on your mind. A handsome fellow named Sun who came by your shop very often. He and his friend Moon were both famous dragon slayers. You two would talk for hours on end. So long, that Moon had once showed up to see if Sun was even still alive. Sun always asked if you ever wanted come over when they taught their dragon defense classes, and every time you would sweetly turn him down. But if it meant you got to see him more...

Please! I will be answering questions about Dragon Tale au if anyone is curious!

#dca au #fnaf dca #medieval au #dca medieval au #dca moon #dca sun #dca eclipse #fnaf au #reseacher sun #knight moon #dragon eclipse #dragonling y/n #knight y/n #magic y/n #dragon tale au #digital art

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hotdrinks · 8 months

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[ID: A full-color digital illustration. The setting is a sort of fairy tale wizard’s workroom/storage vault. There is one character: a boy of about 8-10 with short, curly dark hair, grey eyes, and pale skin, and dressed in a loose grey tunic and hose. The boy stands on his tiptoes to look closely at a human heart floating in a glass jar bound in thin silver chains. One hand grips the shelf to balance himself. A lantern with a blue flame dangles loosely from his other hand. The boy’s expression is somewhere between curious and wistful. (It is his heart, pulled from his chest and preserved by the wizard for his protection. He should not be here in this room. He has snuck down at night, while the wizard sleeps, to see it.) The shelves around the room contain an eclectic mix of animal specimens preserved in jars, potions in glass bottles, books, and boxes. Bundles of dried herbs hang from the ceiling. The light of the lantern and the faint glow emanating from the various jars and bottles on the shelves are the only illumination in the room. End ID]

A big illustration commission for @morning-softness who I would also like to thank for writing this beautiful description!! <33

#my art #digital illustration #fantasy art #wizardcore #thank uuuuu for giving me many tiny things to draw on shelves I was in such a state of bliss

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linuxgamenews · 3 months

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Start Your Journey of Potion Making With Potions: A Curious Tale

Potions: A Curious Tale adventure and crafting game is due to release soon on Linux, Mac, and Windows PC. Thanks to the incredibly talented team at Stumbling Cat for their work. Due to make its way onto Steam soon. Potions: A Curious Tale is a new game crafted by Stumbling Cat. It's due to release via Steam, on March 7th, 2024. Before its launch, you can dive into the Linux demo now ahead of Steam Next Fest, from Feb. 5th to 12th, 2024. The storyline follows Luna, a young witch stepping into her potion-making powers. Along with her clever cat, Helios, Luna embarks on a journey across seven mystical biomes. A treasure hunt for rare ingredients, facing off against creatures and collecting bits from fruits and plants. The crafting part? Potions: A Curious Tale includes over 100 potion recipes to master. What's really unique is the mix of healing, offensive, and defensive concoctions. Luna's path is sprinkled with clever puzzles and a roster of folklore inspired foes like the Greek Siren or Norse Kraken. The way you gather ingredients is Potions: A Curious Taleinteractive. Ever startled a Gobbler or dealt with a Mushdoom? It's not your typical combat scenario, and that's what makes it stand out.

Potions: A Curious Tale - Release Date Announcement Trailer

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Now, the art and music? They're a nod to those classic storybook adventures we all loved as kids. It's vibrant, inviting, and sets the mood for this whimsical journey. As for Luna, she's not just any character. Her growth into a brave, wise young woman adds depth, making this a tale about earning respect. Due to navigate the complexities of advice and adulthood. Renee Gittins, the creative brain behind Potions: A Curious Tale, aims to inspire young women to chase their dreams. It's more than just entertainment; it's a tribute to diverse cultures and folklore, making learning about them an engaging experience. This adventure and crafting game rolls out priced at $29.99 USD / £24.99 / 28,99€, with a 15% launch discount till March 21. And hey, it's not just in English. We're talking multiple languages – Chinese (both traditional and simplified), French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian. To keep tabs on the Potions: A Curious Tale launch, follow Stumbling Cat on X, Facebook, and Wishlist it on Steam. Available for Linux, Mac, and Windows PC.

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merlot-and-chardonnay · 4 months

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A Lark Among the Wolves and Dragons:

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

Some suggestive content up ahead.

Also mentions of pregnancy and labor.

------------flashback: King's Landing, the Red Keep-------------

"What songs shall I play for you today, Princess?" you inquire of Rhaenyra, who had summoned you to her chambers to entertain her while she dined with her friend and lady Alicent Hightower.

"I would like to hear more songs from the Continent across the sea," Rhaenyra. "Anything specific?" you ask as you tune your lute.

"Anything with magic and monster perhaps," the princess answers, "do you know any ballads with more cursed knights." "Maybe not knights," you admit, "but I do happen to have written one about a cursed princess."

Alicent looked to Rhaenyra, clearly not comfortable with such a subject, yet Rhaenyra nodded in approval and you did as the princess bid.

So you sang of the tale of the striga and the witcher that saved her.

"That was beautiful," Rhaenyra praises, sipping her tea, "this witch chose to spare the princess rather than kill her. Sounds like an honorable man." "Not a witch, princess, a witcher," you correct. "What exactly is a witcher?" Alicent asks curious. It just occurred to you no one in this side have the world have probably ever seen a witcher, let alone knew what one was.

"A witcher is someone, a man usually, who hunts monsters for coin, my lady," you explain, "they are taken to this place somewhere in the Continent as boys and fed magic herbs that mutate their bodies that heighten their senses and allow them to use magic. They are trained to fight using silver swords along with the art of alchemy to allow them to make potions that aid in slaying monsters that roam the Continent."

"You say witchers are meant to slay monsters," Rhaenyra brings up, "yet the one in your song chose to spare this monster."

"As you said, princess, it was an act of an honorable man," you point out, briefly experiencing a flashback to the time you spent with the White Wolf.

After that, you continued to play a couple short songs until Rhaenyra had enough and dismissed you from her chambers. You nod and walk out, only to bump into what initially felt like a wall of bricks. Instead it was the one person you least wanted to see.

"What do you want, my Prince?" you ask, rubbing the bridge of your nose from where you bumped him. "I believe you were the one who ran into me, Little Lark," Daemon says, smirking as he usually did.

This was something that happened every now and again in the last couple months since you've been brought into the princess' service. Whenever Rhaenyra would call on you to entertain her and you would leave afterwards you would almost always run into Daemon who would just look at you with that characteristic arrogant look on his face. You were certain at this point he was doing this on purpose, but of course he would deny it each time, and this often led to you exchanging words of venom towards him. To your surprise, Daemon really never made much of an effort to retaliate.

You turn and leave, not wanting to waste your breath anymore on this man, but Daemon only stepped in front of your path, "What's your hurry, Little Lark?" he ask, making you turn your gaze away, really hating his pet name for you at this point, "perhaps I would wish you to entertain me this evening." "I'm here to entertain only the princess, your Grace," you point out, "you were not part of that deal."

"What if it was a different kind of entertainment?" Daemon asks, making your eyes widen when you saw his smirk grow even wider, and you realized what he was implying.

"I'm not a whore," you point out. "Of course not," Daemon agrees, "that would imply coin was exchanged for a moment of your time beneath the sheets, which would not be the case."

You scoff and turn your back, intending to walk away before you said or did something you would regret, but Daemon was faster and got in your way again, "please let me go about my own business, Prince," you say, teeth clenched at this point.

"I will after you give me a moment of your time, Little Lark," Daemon says, making you huff out in annoyance. "Fine," you cross your arms, wanting to get this over with.

Small smile on his face, the Rogue Prince takes a hand, placing it on the small of your back, gently pushing you towards his private chambers.

-------end of flashback: Kaer Morhen-----------

"Feels like everything is going well so far," Triss Merigold states after examining your baby bump. The sorceress had just moved into Kaer Morhen a few months ago at Geralt's request to help out with Ciri's gift, and she had also taken it upon herself to help you out with your pregnancy.

"When do you think this little one's going to come out?" you ask, placing your hands on your lower back. This baby had grown a lot bigger than you anticipated, and it was causing all sorts of pain at this point. You also found yourself needing to get up to make water more often, which was made inconvenient by how difficult it was to get up now.

"Hard to say," Tris admits, "but judging by the size of your belly, it should be any day now."

"Ugh, that day can't come soon enough," you grown, sitting down, "I swear this babe will pop out of my belly if it gets any bigger." Triss laughed at that, "I've yet to see that happen."

"Have you delivered a baby before?" you ask. "Not quite," Tris admits, "but I've supplied herbs and potions before to ease labor pains."

"Have...have you ever witnessed any difficult births before?" you ask.

"Is this something your worried about?" Triss asks. "I uh, well..." you looked a bit, "I didn't witness it, but the father of this baby, his sister-in-law she died in childbirth. It was a breech birth apparently and in order to save the baby, the maesters cut open the woman. She died from the blood loss." "Did they even give her any herbs or some kind of sedation?" Tris' eyes widen. "I uh, I don't think so." you shake your head.

"Oh, how barbaric!" Tris says in disgust.

"Yeah it was," you agree, "and it turned out to be futile as the babe only lived for a few hours after birth. It was a boy."

Tris takes your hand in hers as a gesture of comfort, "should this birth happen to be breech, I will use every spell I can to turn the babe. What happened to that woman is tragic. I'll see to it the same fate won't befall you."

"Thank you, Tris," you nod.

Right at that moment, Geralt walked in, "everything alright?" he asks. "As well as it can be," Tris answers. "Easy for you to say, you're not the one carrying this baby," you say, struggling to stand up.

Tris was about to help, but Geralt was faster and rushed to help you on your feet, "What a gentleman," you joke, "Is supper ready yet?" "Just set up in the dinning hall already," Geralt confirms, leading you to said hall.

You saw Eskel, Coen, Lambert, and Vesemir were already seated and eating. Ciri was nowhere to be seen, but this was a normal occurrence recently. The girl would train to the point of exhaustion sometimes and end the day crawling back to her room and falling asleep.

The other witchers had adjusted to your presence here the same way they adjusted to Ciri being here.

Although you would get questions, mostly from Vesemir, every so often about the baby and the baby's father. You couldn't really blame the old man; Kaer Morhen was an unusual place for a pregnant woman to hunker down and raise a child.

The old witcher, however, figured you reason was for protection, but how was he supposed to protect you both when he didn't even know who it was you were wanting protection from.

Geralt meanwhile didn't question you about your past dalliance with the baby's father. All he knew was that you were scared of this man to know of your child and you had sought the witcher out for help.

In truth, Geralt was happy to have you back in his life; he had often thought about you over the last few years, especially the memories of your intimate moments together.

Whatever you had done in between was in the past, there was no need to interrogate on such things.

Later that evening, when everyone had gone to bed, you had tossed and turned in your bed. It was so cold in here, colder than usual. You weren't sure if the pregnancy had something to do with it; you've heard most got hot when they were this close to the end.

Maybe it was the baby. You remembered what was said about dragons, that they prefer heat; perhaps the little dragon inside was using your warm as its heat source.

You stood up, knowing you weren't going to be sleeping anytime soon. You needed some warmth.

You walk to the one place you were sure to get it.

You knock on the door next to your room and Geralt answered it. "(y/n)?" he frowns a bit, confused as to why you were knocking at this hour. "I uh, I'm cold, I can't sleep because of it," you admit, "Is there room in your bed to uh..."

Geralt nods, knowing what you were asking and pulls you into his room.

He lays down and helps you lay down next to him.

"Just like old times right?" you ask as he drapes a blanket over you. "Old times didn't involve this," Geralt jokes, placing a hand on your bump. You turn to face Geralt, "this still feels good," you burying your face in his chest, "I feel cozy now."

It was quiet now. You started to feel lulled by the warmth the witcher provided, "I missed doing this with you," he hears you say right as you fall asleep.

---------flashback----------------

Once there in his chambers, Daemon took a seat at the table, pouring a glass of wine for himself. After taking a sip, he pours another one after glass and offers it to you. You accept, taking a fairly big gulp as this was the only way you could tolerate this man's presence.

He gestures for you to sit next to him, which you oblige.

"So, which is it? A song or a quick romp in the bed?" you ask sarcastically. "Maybe I just want to talk," Daemon shrugs. "What would you want to talk to me about?" you ask, taking another gulp of wine.

"Your songs perhaps?" Daemon suggests, taking a sip from his own glass, "particularly the one I overheard serenade my niece earlier."

"Oh, you heard," you realize, "I don't suppose you heard anything while eavesdropping on what was supposed to be a private conversation."

"Something about witchers," Daemon admits, "unlike Rhaenyra I have heard of them. I hear they snatch boys from their beds in order to produce more of their kind, and the magic that is used to mutate them also deprive them of their emotions. Where is honor in such a fate?"

"Those things aren't true," you tell him, "only reason people say that is because they haven't met many witchers, they simply despise what they don't know."

Daemon raised an eyebrow, intrigued by your passion in defending such beings, "speaking from experience?" he asks, "have you known many witchers?" "I've actually only known one," you admit, tongue feeling a little loose from the wine. "The one being from your song of the cursed princess?" Daemon asks. You said nothing, turning your gaze back to the wine goblet.

"You said he was an honorable man," Daemon said, leaning in close to you, "how can a mutant swell sword possibly be honorable?" "He slays monsters and save lives," you say, feeling very aware of how close you were to the prince. "You speak highly of this man," Daemon states. "He's...despite his reputation and rough exterior, he's a good man deep down who cares about others."

"Did he care for you?" Daemon asks, sense of jealousy creeping up in him, "enough to make a woman out of you?"

You backed away, "I really don't think that's any of your business," you feel your face heating up.

"Huh," Daemon says, not moving from his spot, "I've also heard witchers are notorious for being lecherous." "You're hardly one to talk about lechery," you lightly laugh, not being a stranger to Daemon's extramarital exploits. "Tell me, Little Lark," he continues, "did he seduce you? Did he force himself on you when he took your virtue?"

You knew then what Daemon was implying. Did he think you've never been with a man this whole time? Was that his plan for you? Was that why you intrigued him the way you did?

"Whatever he did to me wasn't anything I didn't want," you scoff, standing up and turning to leave, "And just so you know, prince, I may not be a whore, but I was far from virtuous long BEFORE I ever met him."

You weren't sure why you said that last part, but if Daemon was only interested in you because of your perceived maidenhood, hopefully this would be enough to drive him away and leave you alone at last.

Unknown to you, that only did the opposite. Now more then ever, Daemon was determined to seduce you and take you in a way that would make you forget this witcher or any other man that had been inside you before.

------end of flashback: Kaer Morhen, a few days later--------------

You lay with Geralt once again that night, his warmth comforting you. The last few days were uneventful, but at this point you just wanted this baby to come out right now and be done with all this discomfort.

You had Geralt had seem to have grown a little closer since your first night sharing his bed. The night before the two of you had even shared a kiss after reminiscing on some rather fond memories.

It really made you wonder why you had parted ways with the witcher in the first place.

This night, you moved and squirmed a bit, something that didn't go unnoticed by Geralt. "Is everything alright?" he asks, groggily waking up and rubbing his eyes.

"I uh, I'm not sure," you admit moving around some more due to sharp pains, "it hurts."

"Is it the baby?" Geralt lifts his head up, now alert. "Uh, maybe," you say, feeling another wave of pain rush through you, "Ah, I think I might be in labor."

"I'll get Tris," Geralt says, helping you sit up.

Over the course of the rest of the night, as your contractions started to become more frequent, you spent the whole time panting and crying and screaming and everything else in between. It hurt to sit so you elected to move around the room as much as you could, Tris got to work with the herbs, which she wasted no time administering. The herbs did indeed help, but you were still in pain from the contractions. Geralt was there to help you move around when you needed to.

As the time drew closer you laid on your side in the bed, screaming from the unbearable pain. Tris gave you more watered herbs and had Geralt help you sit upright so she could see what was happening, "looks like this baby is coming soon," she announces. "I change my mind," you say in between pants, "I don't think I can do this." "Well you don't exactly have a choice at this point, (y/n)," Tris says, "this baby is coming. When you feel you need to push, you better do so." "Please tell me it's not a breech," you say, praying it wouldn't be.

The time came to push, "it's not a breech," Tris announces, "I can see the head, you just need to push a little more." "I don't think I can," you say, exhausted from this whole thing. "Yes you can," Geralt encourages, "you're a strong woman (y/n), you made it all the way out here when this little one was still in you. You can handle this."

With a little encouragement from Geralt, with you holding onto his hand, you push once more, and then again.

Finally, the baby was out. And when you heard that little baby's small cry, you had never felt more relieved then you had your whole life.

"It's a girl," Tris announced, joy in her face. "A girl," you say, laughing a bit, "I gave birth to a girl. I have a daughter."

Tris took the babe away to be cleaned up while Geralt held you, giving you a small kiss on your temple, "you did well, (y/n)," he praises, "I knew you could do it." "I'm glad one of us thought so," you say jokingly, "Cause I wasn't sure if I could." Geralt chuckled at that.

"I'm sorry about the mess I made on your bed," you tell him. "Don't be," Geralt shrugs, "there's plenty more beds to go around in this keep."

Tris came back with your daughter wrapped up in a bundle. She hands the babe to you. "A babe with silver blonde hair," the sorceress comments, "how odd. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say Geralt here was the father of this child." "Geralt's hair is more white than blonde," you point out, "And if he was the father, this little one would probably have his eyes." "Her eyes are violet," Geralt notices, "blonde hair and violet eyes. She wouldn't happen to be part elf would she?" "Not quite," you admit, though there had been times if you wondered this girl would end up being part dragon. She had her father's traits, now part of you wondered if she would end up having his personality.

You wouldn't worry about that right now. Now, you would just focus on the little one in your arms.

The moment was cut short when you heard a knock at the door. On the other side was Vesemir, along with Eskel, Lambert, and Coen. "Oh, you lot heard me didn't you?" you realized. "I'm pretty sure the whole mountainside could hear you," Lambert jokes. "When you stopped, we figured the baby had finally arrived," Coen says, "so, boy or girl?"

"It's a girl," you tell them. "Ha! I knew it!" Eskel exclaims, "pay up, men," Coen and Lambert groan and each hand Eskel a small sack of coins. "You were taking bets?" you ask. "Not everyday an expecting mother comes to Kaer Morhen," Vesemir shrugs, "the lads wanted to make the most of it."

"What did you bet?" Geralt asks. Right on cue, Lambert and Coen reluctantly toss Vesemir another sack of coins his way, "you couldn't help yourself could you?" Geralt shakes his head. "You may find it hard to believe, wolf, but I like to have fun and gamble every so often, I'm not some stuffy old man," Vesemir points out, "besides, I never doubted. If the babe is strong as the mother, it was bound to be a girl."

"Thanks Vesemir," you say.

"What is the little brat's name?" Lambert grumbles, still sore that he had lost the bet. "Lambert, be nice," Coen scolds.

You look down at the baby. You had been thinking up names the last few months, but none ever really stuck out at you.

In this moment you thought of one that would suit this baby well, "Aemma," you say, "Her name is Aemma."

"That is a beautiful name," Tris says.

Vesemir had a certain look on his face, though no one else seemed to have noticed.

The witchers gather to get a close look at your daughter. "I'm assuming her hair and eyes match her father's," Eskel states. "Yeah, you can say that," you answer, giving Aemma a kiss on top of her head.

It was dawn when the wolves, excluding Geralt, left to give you some privacy so you could bond with your daughter.

Around this time Ciri had just woken up and was about to go to breakfast, but she noticed the door to your room was slightly open. She saw the bundle in your arms and realized you had given birth.

"Can I come in?" she asks. "Of course," you nod and the young girl came in, "I've never actually seen a newborn baby before" she admits as you pat a spot on the bed for to sit on. "Come take a look for yourself then," you pull the wraps back a bit so Ciri could see, "it's a girl."

"She's beautiful," Ciri says with a smile, "her hair almost looks like mine."

-----------flashback-------------

You awoke the next morning, sunlight shining in your eyes. You open your eyes, squinting, and turn away.

Your hand mindlessly stretched out and you felt something soft, almost like skin. Naked human skin.

Your eyes widen, now fully awake, and you sit upright. The sheet covering you fell off, making you realize you were naked. The person next to you was sound asleep and just naked as you were.

Looking over to see a curtain of silver blonde hair sprawled out on the pillow next to yours.

It was the Rogue Prince himself.

You could feel the panic inside you growing. You thought this had all been a dream, a dream that already been haunting your slumber every night for the last few weeks.

Since that time Daemon invited you to his chambers, the Rogue Prince took any chance he had to corner you, press you against the wall with his body. During those times, he'd put his lips to your ear, to your neck, pressing light kisses and speaking soft words as he did so. You wanted to fight him off, but for reasons unknown, you didn't. You would find yourself melting underneath him, especially when he would grow bolder and sneak a hand under your skirts to touch you, tease you.

You would push him away, but only after briefly experiencing a sneak peak of the pleasure he could give you.

You couldn't stand this man, yet he managed to make you feel good all the same.

One night, being last night, it was the final straw for you, for both of you in fact. He cornered you in the hall when you were walking back to your room after a night of singing to the princess. You pushed him away determined not to let him get the upper hand. You slapped him away, hurled insulting words at him, calling him a snake.

This had led to him grabbing your hair and pushing you against the wall.

Next thing you knew the two of you were kissing passionately.

You had placed your hands to his chest, intending to push him off. He deepened the kiss and soon your hands were clinging to his shirt, wanting more as he drank you in like a man dying of thirst. He pulled back when you needed air.

Then suddenly he had turned you around, and lifted your skirts while releasing himself from his breeches. Before you knew it, he was inside you and taking you from behind. You could only make a lusty moan in response, especially when Daemon snaked a hand around your waist and in between your legs to enhance your pleasure. You cupped his neck, pulling some of his hair as you did so.

Eventually, you fell over the edge and came, Daemon falling not far behind. The prince grunted and groan when he spilled his seed inside you, you being a panting mess when he finally pulled out, panting himself.

Your knees felt like they were going to give out.

That was when Daemon gathered you in his arms and carried you to his chambers, closing the door behind him, intent on making sure you would forget the men you fucked before him.

Which brings you to the morning after in Daemon's bed, naked and hating yourself not only for letting this man have his way with you but that you actually enjoyed it.

You quietly slipped out of bed and scrambled to collect your clothes.

"Wherever are you going off to in such a hurry?" you hear Daemon ask from behind you. You sigh, having hoped you wouldn't end waking the prince.

Yet there he was laying the bed, eyes open, tired smile on his face, and the sheets barely covering his hips.

Chapter 3

Masterlist

#daemon targeryen x reader #geralt of rivia #geralt #rhaenyra targaryen #alicent hightower #daemon smut #witcher #hotd #daemon x you

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