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petrifact · 1 year

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Write Your First Adventure Lesson 6: Villains and BBEGs

For this lesson, participants were to describe the villain of their adventure, including the following points:

Which conflict the villain represents (Character vs Character, Character vs Self, or Character vs World)

How the villain personifies this conflict

How the villain may succeed

They were also asked to flesh out the villain using what the instructor called the RATS system, determining what makes the villain relatable, antagonistic, threatening, and special.

(Both those three kinds of conflict and the RATS system were of course explained in more detail in the lesson.)

I kind of went overboard on this one and tripled my work. Here's what I wrote:

Hrm… I feel like in my adventure there are really three villains (not counting the spirit trapped in the stone, which I see is more a tool used by the villains). Still, if one of them is the main villain, it would be the magician who trapped the spirit… though I guess it wouldn't hurt to try this activity for all three villains.

One thing I was realizing reading over this, though, is that in my adventure the villains really… aren't necessarily an immediate threat. The cult may be destablizing the area; if it's left to spread unchecked its leaders could get political ambitions and start causing major problems; but at the moment, aside from the murders by the zealot, it's more of a potential threat than an immediate danger. I'm not sure that's a major problem, though; I think I'll address it in a sidebar, that the adventure as written mostly assumes the PCs are going to be suspicious of the cult and try to investigate it, but if they don't, or if they choose not to do anything about it, then it could grow over time and become a long-term "subplot" of the campaign rather than a one-shot.

Anyway, on to the villains.

The Magician:

Okay, this is going to be a little tough, because while she's really the biggest threat and the main instigator here, of the three villainous characters she's the one that I feel like I have the least grasp of, as far as her motives and personality. I'll have to think about this. Why is she doing what she's doing? What does she ultimately hope to accomplish?

Oh… hey… maybe she does have long-term political goals, which she's keeping the nominal cult leader in the dark about. Maybe she thinks Sartar's current leadership is too soft, and wants to return Sartar to an age of glory… or even to a pre-Sartar state. Hm. (By the way, I've been thinking of her as just a "magician" because, honestly, I haven't been totally sure what her deal is as far as the kind of magic she's using. Wait a second… maybe she's a shaman; she's already been serving an ancient Beast Man spirit… nah; if she's trying to imprison one that doesn't fit all that well. Hm, maybe she is a cultist of a spirit, but not a Beast Man spirit; a different ancient spirit that opposed the Beast Men… okay, that could be interesting.)

Okay, so let's start with the magician.

WHAT CONFLICT DOES SHE REPRESENT? I guess of the three she most embodies a Character vs World conflict--it's not that she's directly attacking the PCs or their allies; it's that she's trying to shape society the way she wants it. (If she's confronted directly, though, she could definitely be a Character vs Character conflict.)

HOW DOES SHE PERSONIFY THIS CONFLICT? Her ultimate goal is to gather enough power for the cult for it to be able to dominate the village, and eventually spread to Dragon Pass as a whole. In the meantime, she's helping the cult leader gather a community of followers around him.

HOW COULD SHE SUCCEED? If the cult isn't stopped and its membership keeps increasing it could grow into a major force in Dragon Pass and the magician could turn its cultists into a conquering army -- leaving the cult leader as the figurehead while she pulls the strings.

RATS:

RELATABLE: The magician hopes to return Dragon Pass to an earlier age, when she thinks it was stronger. The fact that the Lunar Empire was able to conquer the land shows how weak its leaders currently are, even if they recently threw off their Lunar occupiers with the convenient help of a dragon. She wants to return Dragon Pass to a time when its people had no need to fear any oppressors. (Such a time may never have wholly existed, but she's convinced it did.)

ANTAGONISTIC: As the cult gets stronger, the surrounding community becomes weaker, as the cultists devote their resources toward the cult of the shard rather than their community. Existing cults of the gods would also consider the cult blasphemous, and its taking focus from them weakens those cults as well. On a more personal level, if one of the PCs' friends or relatives is enmeshed in the cult, the PCs will likely want to extract them.

THREATENING: As mentioned above, the magician and the cult aren't imposing much of an immediate threat… but in the long term they could be a force to be reckoned with as they try to overthrow the established order. More immediately, though, the magician isn't going to like the PCs looking into the cult, and may set the cultists against them—or if pressed may take matters into her own hands and use her magic against them.

SPECIAL: The magician isn't an obvious villain at first, since she's letting the cult leader be the face of the organization. She's obsessed with history, and will talk at length about ancient wars and civilizations if given a chance.

Okay, let's do the other two villains, while I'm at it. The cult leader:

WHAT CONFLICT DOES HE REPRESENT? In a way, he kind of embodies a Character vs Self conflict—he's trying to convince other characters of the truth of his cult, and change their beliefs.

HOW DOES HE PERSONIFY THIS CONFLICT? The cult leader is a charismatic conman who's an expert at manipulating people, and who uses his force of personality to overcome people's doubts in his cult and get them to follow him.

HOW COULD HE SUCCEED? He's already had considerable success in starting the cult, but again, if he's not stopped, he'll grow the cult into a force to be reckoned with. While the cult leader himself doesn't have any real political ambitions, he'll still consider it a success if he's worshipped as a hero by large groups of people… and what they choose to do in his name, well, that's their business.

RATS:

RELATABLE: Ulimately, for all his charm and schmoozery [yeah okay that's not a word sorry], the cult leader really only wants two things: worldly comfort, and people looking up to him. Becoming the leader of a large cult would satisfy both of those goals. Left to himself, he wouldn't do much with his cult other than position himself as its pampered leader, but of course the magician has other plans.

ANTAGONISTIC: He's antagonistic for essentially the same reason as the magician; the PCs are likely to want to stop the growth of the cult. On a more immediate level, though, the cult leader is more likely to confront the PCs personally, at least at first, though that confrontation will be in the form of trying to convert them rather than combat.

THREATENING: Again, the cult leader is threatening for the same reason as the magician—because the cult itself is a threat. Furthermore, his honeyed words and clever speech might get characters to doubt their own convictions…

SPECIAL: The cult leader is well-spoken and likeable, which is much of what makes him so dangerous. He has a taste for the finer things in life, and is reluctant to pass up an exotic meal or some other luxury experience. He's missing his left hand, which he claims to have lost in a battle with a creature of chaos (in reality, it was in an accident as a child, when he was forced to work as a child laborer—an experience which has contributed to his current distaste for any sort of physical labor).

And now the zealot:

WHAT CONFLICT DOES HE REPRESENT? Here finally we have a straightforward Character vs Character conflict. He's killing people.

HOW DOES HE PERSONIFY THIS CONFLICT? The zealot is killing people he sees as threats to the cult. If he realizes the PCs are investigating the cult, they're likely to get added to his hit list.

HOW COULD HE SUCCEED? Well, he could succeed by killing the PCs. Hopefully that won't happen.

RATS:

RELATABLE: He may be murdering people, but he's doing it for what he sees as a good reason. He's a true believer in the cult, completely convinced that the cult leader's fancy rock is a true shard of the Spike, and that anything the cult does is right. Therefore, anyone who opposes the cult is wrong—and must be stopped at all costs.

ANTAGONISTIC: Even before he targets the PCs, the PCs are likely to want to put a stop to the murders. Of course, if they become targets themselves, that's all the more reason to regard him as an antagonist…

THREATENING: The zealot poses a direct threat to the life of those he sees as enemies of the cult—which, again, could easily come to include the PCs.

SPECIAL: The zealot is a former initiate of Humakt, and had the Death rune tattooed on his skin in various places. Since his conversion to the cult of the shard, he's tried to remove or overwrite those tattoos, which has left a mess of scars.

#RPGs #RPG #ttrpg #Write Your First Adventure #Chaosium #RuneQuest #tabletop rpgs #Glorantha #The Cult of the Shard

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dzpenumbra · 2 years

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9/1/22

How fucked it is that you can advertise psych meds via targeted ads to people with mental health problems (so like, literally everyone) directly on their phones, cued by listening for keywords, most of the time without their knowledge. Meds that those people can't even legally purchase themselves. Like... how is this legal? I mean, let me be real about this, this isn't legal in like... most other countries in the world. So... why are we cool with this? Like, if you wanna go "we have a right to make money" or whatever, to a certain degree I get that... but where are we drawing the line? Advertising booze to alcoholics? On their phones? Because they're watching YouTube videos? Maybe even videos about quitting?

We have been in an anxiety and depression crisis as a country for nigh over a decade. I mean, that's as long as it's been known by the general public. We know very well this is a problem and have known for quite some time. Yet... we don't just allow the targeting of the traumatized as a focused demographic, we defend it. I'm sorry, I'm not cool with that. I'm not cut out to be a politician, I'm way too anxious, I've been socially deprived for way too long to have that many eyes on me comfortably. I don't want to participate in acts of expressive aggression as a way of instigating change. Violence makes me lose hope in the world. And Anger begets anger. I don't want to be a soldier or a revolutionary. We have enough people who would love to play that role, if one is needed. I am simply a survivor, who is concerned about how we treat each other. How lowly we can look at our fellow man. Our biological equals. Our brothers and sisters. And see them in profound, psyche-shattering pain. Grief, sadness, fear, shame. And not see them as someone we should be comforting and healing, but rather as a flock of sheep they can now regularly shear. A money tree, if you will.

I use phrases that I think sound fancy sometimes to sound a bit more profound, to try to stress a point. Like... if you will. It makes me sound deeeeep, right? XD I do it because I get a fun chuckle out of it. It happens a bit when my spiritual, intellectual side comes out to play. He hasn't really been around much since my panic/survival self grabbed the steering wheel.

It's crazy how multifaceted one personality can be, and how little people really want to look at what our own psyche really is. It's so fucking weird! Like, why would you NOT want to learn more about not just who you are, but what you are?! Like... think of it this way... I've used this analogy successfully before. Think back to you as a kid, whatever memory you can go into your own head like a GoPro cam with and remember what it was like to... experience that time, to make decisions within that time, to be in the present Now in that time. That is still you. That kid (for me, there's one around 6 years old, and definitely a few around the tween years) is still you.

You could imitate those thought patterns, that perspective, speak the way you used to, act the way you used to, to summon that personality to the surface. Easily! I do it when I go and look for stones in a river. I climb barefoot all over the rocks and squat on the beach digging through pebbles looking for pretty ones. I've done that exactly the same way since I was a kid. I can bring him to the surface when I need him around, with the right prompts. I think some of us are much more adept at it, or at least intentional with it, which can make them much more skilled at reacting to situations. I imagine some people kinda have a baseball team on a bench in their head, they can just call the right personality out whenever, tons of options. I have quite a few, I guess I just haven't really been paying much attention to who's been grabbing the steering wheel lately. It feels a lot like Fear. Tends to take over when I'm in survival-mode, which I absolutely have been the past few days.

But we really struggle to like... accept that we can be more than one person at a time. As a sorta... compound person? I don't know, I wanted to say fractal or something, but like... multiple sub-people within a persona, which chooses which sub-person gets filtered through. I guess spirits within a soul, maybe? And if you go around talking about being more than one person, then people really like to assume you're just mistaken, sick or confused. Like they've ever even entertained the thought! Sigh... <and facepalm>.

It's hard to relate to people about the psyche and what can happen to it when things go wrong. We all just want to compete, it feels like. We like to believe everything we know right now is real, is truth. We don't want to be wrong. But the only truth is that the truth is always changing, because Life does not stop, it keeps changing and growing. We keep learning in it's wake, in this tantalizing game of chase that we will never win. No matter how cocky we get. No matter how smart we get. No matter what fancy gadgets we invent to try to do it for us. The more we look, not only do we see more, but we create more. The more we push to learn, the more possibilities we create. We will never know everything, we will never even come close. So why the fuck does Rick at the Corner Store think he knows everything there is to know about the world? The ones who think they've got it all figured out? Do yourself a favor, watch out for those ones.

I'm in a mood tonight, I guess. Weird place in my life, weird place psychologically, as I sorta transition between two new visions of where I'm leading my life. I had a pretty clear image of what my life was going to look like in the future, a goal. A cabin in the woods not too far from civilization. I had internet there, I was streaming, doing art/music/writing/crafts/acting full-time. I had a partner, we played video games and watched movies together in our free time, and a lot of Twitch and YouTube. We'd go out in nature a LOT. I'd teach her to skateboard and snowskate, and we'd go on skate trips together. She'd probably think my cat was weird and struggle to approach her because she's getting old, but they'd get to know each other and then one day she'd lay on top of her at night instead of me and I'd be really sad, but also unbelievably happy. Maybe we'd think about kids, but not right away. Maybe she has a kid already, I don't know, I never really got to figure out where I am with that. Didn't really feel like it was at the top of anyone's conversation list with me. My life would be keeping a standard of homestead that both of us approved of. Maintain the home repairs, keep it in a condition we both agreed upon, tend to the animals, cook (or share cooking, if wanted), do laundry, put the groceries away, and to plan recreational activities and adventures. Game nights, outings, stuff like that. All the while working on whatever creative/entertainment venture inspired me. A new game playthrough with a roleplay story element to put on YouTube as a series. A series of nature illustrations. A poetry chap-book (fuck yeah I learned that word). A D&D campaign to stream. Mandalas. Grip tape art. Locally sourced natural material jewelry. You know, weird artsy shit. It would be a very busy life. Adding in kids would just make it nuts, but I'd do my very best to keep that managed, freeing my partner to pursue their passions, and not blockading them from participating in those home management activities as well. Does it sound like a clear vision of what kind of life and person I want to be? Does it sound like I want that life? Like I'd be happy in that life?

Here's the life I've resigned that one for. Fleeing to a tiny city in a panic, getting a job at some store (hopefully a gaming shop or like a weird old bookstore or something? Maybe an antique shop or a curiosity shop or something if they have one), living in an apartment that I likely won't be able to pay for myself on just that one job, so I likely will have to do a second job part-time as well, or I will still have to depend on my Mom for money. Most of my time will be spent working, cooking and cleaning, honestly. I may get a few hours in between to choose between more work with art or music practice, so I don't get rusty. Or I could use that time gaming. Or watching a stream. Or watching a show/movie/YouTube video/podcast. Or writing. But probably just one of those.

So let's really ask this. We're promised Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, right? Those are our unalienable rights, yeah? Life? I guess maybe we were just sorta saying "you get to be alive here." Not "we'll try to get you as close as we can to where you will be most harmonious, where you fit the best." Liberty? The ability to pursue that life? To be honest, I'm not quite sure I have the means to achieve that life short of a small miracle right now. Not in a way where I wouldn't be paying a crippling price, like several hour fights at least once a week. Pursuit of Happiness? Well, I guess you're always welcome to attempt to pursue happiness. I want to glaze over this one as a sorta "duh" considering the implications of the last two, but I guess it kinda needs to be said or else people will try to blockade it.

We really are shitty creatures, aren't we?

Oh well, hopefully we can just start being a bit nicer to each other and we might be able to get back into hopeful times. Harmonious times, where we're optimistic about what's around the corner, rather than flinching every time something moves. I know it's not just me doing that, but we've all developed a lot of coping mechanisms over the past couple years to keep them pretty hidden now, even from ourselves. I see them clear as day now, for the most part, and it just makes me more upset. I see so much potential in people, as individuals and what we're capable of accomplishing when we combine forces. But so many people are just in it for their own experience. They video a concert with their phone to show off to their friends later and brag, meanwhile ruining the Now experience for them and people around them. They leave trash on the ground at the swim spot by the trails I walk, and I bring their trash 100 feet up to the trailhead and throw it out for them. They just want the best life experience - the most optimized, Google recommended, 5-star reviewed, 2000x liked and retweeted experience they can get. They will cut any corners they can find to get it. They will pay a premium for it and call it the deal of a century. Are they concerned about the experience of the person 5 feet from them? Oh... suuuure... If it somehow ties back to your experience... Looking at them from your eyes, how they affect you, how they appear, how they act. Not, like... looking at life through their eyes.

How the fuck did we get from social media being the greatest opportunity to see what it's like to live in someone else's shoes, to the world's biggest popularity contest in history? Welp, corporations saw some money to be made and got their fingers in the pie and made it a game. And, of course, it's apparently a lot easier to win that game if you lie. At least a lot of people seem to think that. Now, maybe it's just whether you fit in/conform? I don't know, I've been pretty removed from social media lately, to be honest. It seems like... people are ultimately just trying to connect, but they're connecting over the wrong damn emotions. Like we want powerful interactions with eachother, intensely emotional engagements that seem like... attempts to interact. Imagine if they were attempts to bond rather than attempts to lash out, or outrage, or make an impact through inconvenience. It's hard to conceptualize that in a world rife with so much conflict, but if people somehow found a way within themselves to mutually seek bonds more often, the world would just be a much better place. Yeeeahhhh, peace and love, man! I use Nag Champa soap, okay, don't judge me! It's been a while since I did a tree-hugging post, it's nice to reconnect with this feeling.

Maybe if we, as an average, had a better relationship with emotions like love and compassion, we'd be less incline to go around picking fights with people over having different opinions. Or accusing them of nasty intentions, in a bid to paint our deepest fears on them and finally get a chance to interact with them. Maybe, just maybe, we'd think a bit more about how our actions affect others. Because we can relate to what it's like to experience the impacts and repercussions of that. Maybe we would keep our focus on what's best for all parties, and for the greater whole, and all the wholes greater than that, rather than keep our focus on just ourselves. Maybe we'd start to become better people.

How to make that transition? From focusing on "I" to focusing on "We"? Practice. But I'll tell ya, it's really goddamn hard to focus on "We" when you're really hungry, or when you haven't slept a full night in a week, or when you're overstressed from being overworked and underappreciated, or when you're worn from reliving painful memories and the frenetic energy of children, or when you've lost so much hope that all you want is to disappear into a fantasy world where your actions actually matter. But we have to keep trying. We all have to keep trying. Because we're all in this together. Even if we're not all in this together. It makes me really sad to say that, but it's also a little clever and it made me chuckle. :)

This was an intense one, but I guess I had a lot of this inside me that I needed to get out and I never really made a place to do that. Not anytime recently. This is that place for me, for now at least. Thanks for reading this. This is what my brain looks like, every fucking day, all day. Just sometimes it's not this dressed up, and this monologue is often companioned with images.

Maybe I could do the ultimate art project some day. Capture a section of my actual thoughts, just like this, as authentically as possible... and also try to capture the fleeting reference images too. Then write it all down, and draw the companion images - the mental images. Hell, I could even do a recording of it and make it a video, fuck, imagine this in VR?! It would be the closest I could get to putting another person inside my head, inside my experience of this weird, crazy, what-the-fuck-actually-is-it-experience that we call Life. The closest I could get to someone really understanding who I am, and seeing me, relating to me, bonding with me, caring about me, connecting with me. Real connection. And isn't that... what we all want?

Maybe not, maybe it's just me.

#diary #journal #spilled thoughts #stream of thoughts #stream of conscious writing

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talenlee · 9 months

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Jam Game: The Lost Voyage!

I jammed in the Kenney Jam 2023! Do you know Kenney? Kenney make some of the best creative commons games assets in the world, assets you can put all over the place and use in your game designs. The point of the Kenney Jam was to get people to engage with these assets and make a game quickly. It was fun!

At the moment, I think I’m the only participant in the jam who made a physical game, and if you just want to skip to check it out, the game I made is called The Lost Voyage and it’s over on itch! The game is a push-your-luck yahtzee style dice roller, and I was only able to do a small amount of playtesting, which was more ‘does this engine work’ and not ‘is this the most engaging version of this game.’ It’s free, it’s a print and play game, you’re going to have to put some work into it to play it. But I also want to talk about the process of making it, and, importantly, what I want to do next.

Essentially, The Lost Voyage is a Star Trek Voyager fanfiction idea. If you don’t know Star Trek Voyager, it’s a Star Trek series which starts off with this new ship, the Voyager, gets immediately flung to the ass end of the universe, out into unexplored space, and have to make a long, arduous journey back. And you might think that’s a cool concept with a lot of potential but sadly, the show you get out of it is a bit more episodic and a little less … enjoyable.

Anyway, in this game, you have the same instigation event – but here, the ship gets wrecked on the arrival. Instead of a gentle ambling trip home, an endurance effort where the crew of the ship try to make relationships work during this difficult time, the vibe is much more there’s a present threat and we need to rush home to prepare for it.

The game as presented works out just fine. I like it a lot, but I am also enjoying a feeling I have not had for a long time, which is the excitement of seeing ways that this game as I’ve devised it can be changed. I’m looking at this as a alpha version of this game and now I am excited to see what I can do in the next iteration of the system, and what I can do with more tools.

First up: the lore! This game was made in two days. I don’t name any space ships and the names of the planets you visit are largely random words chosen from a wikipedia page about stars. Planets don’t have problems that are meaningfully expressed, players don’t have unique powers, there’s a lot of empty space that I could afford to fill in later.

What’s more, I made the game entirely with Kenney assets and didn’t even make my own assets to go with it. Kenney’s assets are great, I recommend you use them, but I also find them lacking in terms of characterisation or menace. Lots of great components for, for lack of a better term, Video Game Aesthetics, lots of good resources for buildings and the building of buildings, but not nearly as good at driving engagement with a personality or making people feel threatened.

In Lost Voyage the villain was a card representing a rip in space time, an anomaly, which I referred to as the ‘Space Wedgie’ because I couldn’t think of anything better to do. But honestly, I’d rather take on a more bleak angle, I’d rather make that faction an enemy that you’re running away from.

In the original conception, it was, essentially, as in Star Trek Voyager, showing up and seeing a Borg Cube that’s heading towards ‘home’ and you gotta race ahead of it, somehow. Every turn, you get to spend some time in a sector deciding if you can help the people there with their problems, or rush on ahead to get home.

Now, here’s where a sliding cynical scale of these things. ‘Cos my first idea was the notion that you weren’t just trying to deal with the threat, but you were also trying to make sure when you got back home, you were the one who looked the best doing it. That seemed a bit knobbish for a Star Trek inspired game, and the current version is a little bit knobbish just because you can win the game by having more points.

Still, it is a push-your-luck style game, and I like the idea that push-your-luck mechanics punish players who are too greedy but reward those who are exactly the right amount of greedy. This tends to be great for themes where characters are kinda knobs!

But what if this time, there’s a goal for the villain; you want to retrieve a certain amount of multiple types of resources; Research points, Fortification points, Evacuation points, and the idea is that you’re actually on a mission through this sector as you flee the villain. That you’re not just abandoning planets, but that you have to make a decision about when to push and when to cut and run. In this case, the Hazard needs a net total

There’s other spaces of negative space in Lost Voyage. For example, the current way of tracking sectors is a lineup of identical cards. Immediately, I can see a way to use that space more efficiently, more effectively. Instead of turning those cards over to show that the Space Wedgie has advanced, I could instead have it so those sectors fall off, and are given to players based on rules – either if they’re in last place for points, or whatever, as a catch-up mechanism? – and then the track shrinks as the hazard continues.

The back sides of cards could have a lot more to them too – there’s space for flavour text on each planet to describe a reference to the episode that that planet was meant to be. The dice rolls necessary for each planet are simplified set rules – but what if I decide to make the dice rolls have iconography? What does a 2 symbolise? What about a 3? Imagine if dice rolls highlight say, the normal face of a 3, but because those 3 pips are present on a 3 and a 5, you could use one or the other to nail that. A 4 is hiding on the 6 and the 6 is also hiding a 2. But crucially, a 6 can’t be a 5 or a 3 or a 1. Just like that, these seven points on the dice intrigue me. Or what if the dice are custom printed, and some planets need a lot of emotional support problems and some need a lot of science problems and some just need someone who kicks ass? What dice do they represent? What if a planet holds onto a dice until you leave the sector?

Finally, there just could be more cards – I don’t want print-and-play cards to be too numerous, because I know that the more cards you ask a player to make, the more work it is to start to play the game. But in terms of a game being made and put in a deck box and sold to a person at a convention? More cards gives the game more room for variety, it means that the play experience can shift around. Lost Voyage, a game I like, is very simple, and it’s okay for a game to be simple. I may try some of these ideas, these expansions and decide that no, I need to do something else.

Or maybe I’ll decide that it needs to stay simple, and just be more polished, a better villain, more flavour text, more effort in the simple pieces that are already here, with more time.

Who knows?

I’m excited to try it out.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

#Games #Making

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freckledbodty · 3 years

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Stripping Away The Bloat - The Umibe No Etranger Movie Did The Manga Dirty

I finally got around to watching the movie of Umibe no Etranger - a movie I didn’t know existed based on one of my old favourite BL mangas. And oh boy, does this adaptation reflect a painful trend in manga to anime/movie adaptations overall. Allow me a moment to rant, if you will...

TL;DR: READ THE MANGA BY THE LOVE OF GOD IT’S WONDERFUL. Also the movie is super pretty, but here’s a semi-detailed look at why it still really didn’t do the manga justice. You bet I came with receipts.

A few important notes before you start:

1. Remember this is just my opinion, and I’d love to hear other people’s point of view on the matter, whether you agree or disagree!

2. I am not fluent enough in Japanese to read the original without a translation, so my thoughts on the manga are coming from fan translations, which 100% might have affected how I view this! The anime I’m a little more sure on as I can generally tell when the subtitles have deviated, but that does mean I may have missed something/something was lost in translation that means something I say here is incorrect. I’m very sorry for this, so remember this is my view based on the media types I’ve consumed.

3. Also the manga cuttings I use are not the best quality because of tumblr’s sizing, so even more of a reason to go read the books yourself!

I’m aware I’m very late to this party, but when I saw the other day that this movie had been made, I was horrified that I hadn’t known about it sooner. I read the manga years ago, and adored it - it’s genuinely a sweet and beautifully drawn romance, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. With that, however, the movie was a huge disappointment to me and I just need to have a moment to gush in a less than positive way.

The Pros:

Let’s get this out of the way, I’d still probably recommend this movie to anyone who likes romance anime-style movies. It’s beautifully animated. Seriously, this movie is stunning, with wonderful expressions, bright colours, and a pretty well suited soundtrack too. The animation tries to match the original art style of the manga, and frankly, I think it captures it perfectly. 10/10. Gorgeous. Watch it just for the prettiness.

I’m also a big fan of any BL/GL adaptations that get a little more into the mainstream. This movie is definitely a huge win in terms of representation, especially when the manga (on the whole) avoided the more negative tropes that the BL/GL genres have historically been known for. (More on that later...) So that’s a win, and I will take it.

The Bloat Cut:

To put it simply, this movie fell into the trap of what I call (in my head) ‘cutting out the bloat’. As a long-time anime and manga fan, who has seen countless adaptations over the years, it’s a common theme that tends to make or break an anime.

‘Cutting out the bloat’ to me means that the adaptors cut out a lot of the ‘smaller’ moments and panels that are seen in a manga. This movie was thankfully very good at following the original plot and took us through the same beats that the manga did (many adaptations don’t bother doing that at all), but they left out a lot of the extra stuff - the aforementioned ‘bloat’.

The bloat isn’t really bloat in that it is pointless, however: the problem is that these little moments and scenes are seen to be pointless by the adaptors. Again, understandable: they have a limited run time, and it’s hard to include every little tiny moment, especially when they are ones that are easily scanned passed. Some bloat cutting is necessary to make an adaptation viable at all, but sometimes, it can be hugely detrimental to the piece. Umibe no Etranger is a key example of this.

Setting:

I watched this movie without rereading the manga, and as such, I was quickly thrown off by how bad the movie was. This was one of my favourite mangas, wasn’t it? Had I really had such terrible taste? (Yes, let’s not go there, but this manga was not one of my high-school bad decisions).

The characters felt strange. Personalities did complete 180s after the time skip and did some questionable things that I couldn’t recall finding issue with when I read the manga. The two main characters felt so hot and cold that it didn’t feel like the story I remembered. Even the pacing felt off and janky at times.

After watching, I went back and reread the manga, and this is where I saw all the ‘bloat’, the little intricate moments and minor panels that were easy to overlook but made the story what it was. Here’s a few of the biggest examples I could find.

Shun:

Oh, Shun. What did they do to you?

Shun’s character was bizarre. In the first 15 minutes of the movie, he was bubbly, friendly, and even bold enough to flirt with Mio. After the time skip, he was sour, cold, and completely withdrawn from the world. I understood Mio’s confusion because after the time jump he was a completely different character.

The manga is often focused on Shun and his inner thoughts, and he’s the one who is hurt the most by the bloat cutting. For starters, he wasn’t as over-the-top friendly at the start of the manga as he was in the anime, and we’re able to see his inner thoughts and worries that cause his reservations from the first few pages we meet him. We also get more hints earlier on as to Shun’s past that explain a lot of his behaviour as a whole, as well as getting little hints as to why he’s even more negative and exhausted after the time jump.

Mio:

The biggest bloat cut out in terms of Mio is the big plot point of the phone call. For context, before leaving for the time skip, Mio promises to call Shun once he’s gotten to his new home. In the movie, this is never really brought up again, focusing on the relationship in the present, but this was a huge point to leave out. I think it was cut out because it was explained in one short scene in the manga, and therefore easily mistaken for bloat.

In the manga, it’s explained that Mio does call, but it’s Eri who answers, and there’s a very important conversation that sets up Mio’s whole character development and explains why he returns to the island set on having a relationship with Shun. Eri warns him that calling Shun, despite knowing that Shun has feelings for him, is cruel and unfair, and tells Mio he shouldn’t contact him unless he’s worked out his feelings. It’s a great scene, and a real shame to leave out when it explains firstly why Mio never called back, and secondly why he is so adamant about his feelings and love for Shun when he does finally return: because he saw Eri’s warning to mean ‘don’t come back unless you are serious’.

Relationship:

In the movie, Mio and Shun didn’t really seem to have a relationship until the drama kicked up and then it quickly seem to disappear again. Shun was extremely held back and reserved, and barely ever seemed to return Mio’s feelings (even in the scenes he was instigating) - he even totally avoided anything resembling physical contact at first.

Compare this to the manga, where there are little hints of their relationship progressing throughout the chapters. For one, Shun is never as cold and blank as he seems in the film, and when he does seem that way, the manga quickly shows a glimpse of his thoughts to explain how he’s exhausted or distracted - without those little bloated thought bubbles, he just seems... a little cruel frankly.

A really good example of this is the beach kiss scene. In the movie, as Mio is about to kiss him, Shun suddenly announces that he’s hungry and avoids the kiss altogether, leaving Mio confused.

In the manga, they actually do kiss - it’s their first kiss, in fact. Shun seems embarrassed and his ‘I’m hungry’ feels like more of a way to distract them both. He explains he’s exhausted (which is fair enough, this is a big thing for him to process on little sleep that his inner thoughts earlier in the chapter already set up) rather than just outright shunning him. (Ha. Shun. shun. Get it?)

A more *noted* bloat they cut out is that Shun and Mio get physical in the manga way earlier than the movie, the touches just not quite being everything Mio wanted. Without those more tender moments, where they actually seem like a couple, it seems like Mio is chasing after Shun desperately, whilst Shun couldn’t care less about him. It detracts from the whole relationship. Below are some examples of the two of them actually seeming like a couple that were cut from the movie, including longing looks from Shun, Shun hugging Mio whilst he’s asleep, and Shun asking to kiss and touch Mio.

The Issue:

Bloat cutting always annoys me, but usually, if it’s not hindering the story, I don’t mind. What bothers me most of all in this movie, is that without these subtle little panels and moments, the relationship between Shun and Mio seems... forced, frankly. In the movie, Shun seems to be the instigator of the flirting, and then after the time skip he acts practically disgusted, avoiding a lot of Mio’s advances, and we don’t get to hear his inner thoughts like we do in the manga to explain why he’s feeling this way.

In the manga, during these ‘bloat’ pieces, Shun is an actual willing participant in the relationship, and Mio isn’t just forcing his advances onto Shun. It’s natural. It’s not flipping between hot and cold, or suddenly ramping up after a big moment of drama, it’s slow and careful and a real relationship.

This would be a bad change in any adaptation, but it’s especially so in this one. Anyone who is a fan of BL specifically is probably aware of the genre’s bad rep historically for having some... questionable consent issues. This manga didn’t have them. The movie? I’m not so sure, and that’s why it’s rubbed me the wrong way. I could spend another 1000 words talking about this issue as a whole, but I’ll leave it there, you get the idea.

Expected? Yes. Okay? Meh.

There’s no real point to this post aside from to complain a little and point out just how much more the source material gives us. Cutting the bloat always happens, and I don’t want it to stop happening per say, that would be impossible, but I’d kill for adaptors to just take a little more time to work out what is unnecessary and cutable bloat, and what is something they should really keep in.

The movie is still cute and beautifully made, so please go watch and see for yourself! Mostly, I’d highly recommend the manga: it’s got the same gorgeous art style, only about 5 chapters long, and the story and relationship is that little bit more firmly built.

I’ll stop ranting now, and I hope this actually made sense? Anyway, congrats on making it all this way.

#umibe no etranger #bl manga #bl anime #yaoi manga #anime discussion #please note the important points #this does not mean its a bad movie by any means #just was a disappointment

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thelastspeecher · 3 years

Note

Wanted to reiterate my ask. Marriage of Convenience where Orion, Iris and Apollo are teens and one of them gets into a fight with another teen who was bullying one of them. Stan, Angie, Ford and Jimmy needing to sit one or all three kids down about what happened.

Ford and Jimmy walked into the high school’s main office.

“Hello, I’m here because my son got into a fight,” Ford said to the secretary. The secretary frowned at him.

“You’re Orion’s father?”

“Yes.”

“But Orion’s father is already here.” The secretary pointed to the principal’s office. Through the window in the door, Ford could see the principal talking to Stan and Angie.

“No, he’s Orion’s stepfather. I’m Orion’s biological father. His mother and I share custody.”

“He looks a lot like Orion.”

“He’s my twin brother,” Ford said wearily. The secretary didn’t seem convinced. Jimmy leaned in. “James, please, don’t try to help.”

“James, huh? All right, I’ll back off,” Jimmy said.

“Look, just get the principal, he can vouch for me,” Ford said. The door to the main office opened. The school’s guidance counselor walked in.

“Chloe, Dr. Pines is Orion’s biological father,” the guidance counselor said. “He needs to be there for the conversation with the principal.” The secretary, apparently named Chloe, nodded. She got up from her desk and went to the principal’s office, knocking on the door before entering. The guidance counselor turned to Ford and Jimmy. “Sorry about that, Dr. Pines. Chloe’s new.”

“It’s not the first time that has happened,” Ford muttered. “And it won’t be the last.” The door to the principal’s office opened. Stan and Chloe stepped out.

“Ford, you’re up,” Stan said boisterously.

“You don’t want to participate in the meeting?” Ford asked. Stan shrugged.

“There’s not enough room in the office for all of us.”

“So I can’t sit in on it?” Jimmy asked. Stan shook his head. “Damn. Guess I’ll have to find some other way to spend my afternoon.”

“I’m gonna take Apollo out for some ice cream if you wanna come with,” Stan said. Jimmy thought for a moment, then shrugged.

“Sounds good to me. Where’s the little hell-raiser?”

“Still in class.”

“We get to spring him, huh?” Jimmy asked, a glint in his eye. “I like it.” With that, he and Stan left the main office.

Ford entered the principal’s office. Orion and Angie were sitting across from the principal, Angie keeping her face carefully neutral and Orion’s head bowed. Ford took a seat in the empty chair next to Angie.

“So, what exactly happened?” Ford asked. “The message I received merely said that there was a fight involving my child.” Angie looked at Orion.

“Orion, care to share?” she asked. Orion winced. “Go on.”

“Fine,” Orion mumbled. He sighed. “Someone messed with Apollo for his name and extra fingers.”

“Messed with him in what way?”

“Verbally,” Orion said. Angie cleared her throat. Orion scowled. “The person made a snide lil comment as he walked past.”

“That’s it?” Ford asked. “That hardly qualifies as a fight.”

“It wasn’t a fight,” Angie said. She crossed her arms, glaring at Orion. “Not until Orion turned it into one.”

“I don’t think I quite understand.”

“A student made a mean comment to Apollo in passing,” Angie explained, “and Orion decided the appropriate response to that was a left hook.”

“Wait, what?” Ford stared at Orion. Orion looked down at his feet. “You instigated a physical altercation over that?”

“I had to defend him!”

“I’m not faulting you for wanting to protect your younger brother. I’m faulting you for the incredibly outsized response,” Ford said firmly. Orion glared at him. “What do Stanley and I tell you all the time?”

“Only start a fight if there’s no other choice,” Orion mumbled.

“There were many other choices here, Orion. You know that.”

“Uncle Dad said that bullies only speak one language. Fists.”

“And you believed him?” Ford asked.

“He’s my stepfather and my uncle! Why shouldn’t I?”

“Stanley has a very patchwork history when it comes to…peaceful resolution,” Ford said carefully. Orion rolled his eyes.

“He took care of you when you were a kid.”

“Orion…”

“We can finish this conversation at home,” Angie interrupted. She looked at the principal. “What is Orion’s punishment?”

“He’s been given an out-of-school suspension for the rest of the week,” the principal answered.

“Out-of-school?” Ford asked. “Doesn’t that amount to giving him the rest of the week off of school?”

“Not unless you leave him to his own devices the entire time,” the principal said. “I trust that the two of you will make sure Orion’s punishment is actually a punishment.”

“Yes, we will,” Angie said. She stood up. “Thank you fer yer time.” She looked at Orion and Ford. “We need to go home.” Ford stood up as well, frowning at Orion.

“Yes, we most certainly do.”

-----

Orion and Ford sat on the couch, watching Angie pace in front of them. Ford glanced at his son. He would have expected Orion to be visibly morose over his behavior, but if anything, he was becoming more indignant the more he was scolded.

He has too much of Stan’s personality in him.

“I can’t believe my own child would do somethin’ like this!” Angie ranted. “To throw a punch over nothin’?”

“I come by it honestly, Ma,” Orion said, crossing his arms. “Uncle Lute told me about how he got into fights in school when he defended you and Uncle Fidds. And Uncle Dad, well, I don’t need to explain that.”

“Whether ya come by it honestly or not, ya shouldn’t do it!”

“Why not?” Orion demanded. “I guarantee that bully won’t say a word ‘bout Apollo again.”

“That’s not the point!” Angie stopped her pacing. “Hon, yer developin’ a concernin’ pattern. The first fight ya got in, it was ‘cause ya really had no other option. But with each fight ya get in, it takes less and less to provoke ya into physical violence.”

“I have to agree with your mother,” Ford said. “This isn’t the first time you’ve thrown a punch with little to no provocation.”

“I still don’t see the problem here.”

“The problem is that you are picking fights unnecessarily. I don’t want you to be so determined to handle bullies that you become one yourself.”

“This is insane!” Orion jumped to his feet. “I protected my brother and that means I’m turning into a bully?”

“You shouldn’t hit people!” Angie snapped. “I mean, honestly, that’s somethin’ toddlers understand!”

“Angie…” Ford said softly.

“I can’t believe this! How- how did I raise someone who is so willin’ to throw punches left ‘n right? Maybe allowin’ Stan to give ya boxin’ lessons was a bad idea.”

“Let’s not go that far,” Ford said. Angie looked at him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. Ford’s heart ached. Back when the twins were born, Angie had worried that her anger management issues might be passed down to the kids.

And now, she feels that she was right to worry.

“The boxing lessons are necessary, to help Orion release his pent-up frustration,” Ford said, standing up. “Pulling him out would only cause more problems.” Orion looked back and forth between his parents. “Orion, the next time something like this happens, don’t act on your impulses. Take a moment to think and consider the appropriate course of action. Do you understand?” Orion nodded. “Good. Go to your room so that we can discuss how you’ll be spending your out-of-school suspension.”

“Is- is it gonna be bad?” Orion asked.

“We ain’t decided yet,” Angie said. “Go upstairs and wait.” Orion nodded sulkily. Once they had heard his footsteps sound on the staircase, Angie covered her face with her hands. “Oh, Lord above, what just happened?”

“We had to deal with a difficult and stubborn teenager.”

“I know, but-” Angie wiped tears away from her eyes. “I prefer Iris refusin’ to be ‘round Stan to this! I mean, this ain’t even the first time we got called to school ‘cause he got in a fight!”

“Give him time to mellow out,” Ford said gently. He put a hand on Angie’s shoulder. “All we can do is be consistent with how we parent him and hope that, like with Iris, this behavior is just a phase.” Angie sighed.

“Yer right.” She groaned. “I’m dreadin’ what Apollo will do when he gets this age. Orion is the most mild-mannered one of the bunch!”

“I wouldn’t worry about Apollo,” Ford said. Angie raised an eyebrow. “I would worry about the quadruplets. Four teenagers going through difficult phases at the same time.” Angie sighed heavily.

“Don’t remind me.”

#this....wound up being a lot longer than I had planned lmao #Marriage of Convenience AU #Stanford Pines #Angie McGucket #Stanley Pines #Jimmy Snakes #ficlet #my writing #ask #vulpixen

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airi-p4 · 3 years

Text

Disconcerto

*Warning: S4 spoilers / theory*

My take on violinist Luka episode. I wanted to write violinist Luka + pianist Adrien as a duet and my fingers slipped. This is almost a full episode and I added too much Lukanette fluff for canon-verse ^^; (No regrets here)

AO3

__________________________________________

It was a peaceful evening at the Liberty when a deep sigh interrupted the sounds of Luka's guitar. Seated next to him, knees slightly touching, Marinette fidgeted in surprise. It was unusual to see him sigh. And it was unusual to see him down as well. But Luka kept playing and, despite not being a music expert, she noticed his music sounded slightly... off? Distant? And she couldn't help but feel curious and worried for her boyfriend's mysterious behavior.

"What's wrong, Luka? You seem down?"

The music immediately stopped as Luka's eyes darted to Marinette's, opened in surprise at her sudden question. She sounded worried, and that made him slightly happy, but also bad for instigating concern on her.

"It's nothing, Marinette. Nothing that should trouble you" he answered, returning to strum the strings of his guitar with his long fingers. He kept playing a little, making a few unusual mistakes Marinette didn’t fail to notice, and that encouraged her to insist.

"Luka. I know you're worried about something. You always listen and help me whenever I need it. Let me do the same for you" she offered.

"Thank you, Marinette." Luka smiled. "But I don't think you can help me. I appreciate your offer, though" he ended, kissing the top of her head. ‘So unfair’ Marinette pouted while he giggled a little.

"Luka!" She finally yelled. "Don't be stubborn and let me help you. I want to know what's worrying you so much. And I want to help you, if I can! I'm your girlfriend. I want you to trust me" she clinged to his arm looking straight into his eyes. "Tell me. Please?"

Luka blushed a little before looking away, unable to keep looking at the beautiful starry eyes that were making him melt. She was too cute. And the way she said she was his girlfriend… Luka’s heart was loudly pouding in happiness in his chest. Not that it showed on the outside, obviously.

"Ok…" he finally agreed, moved by Marinette's support. His answer caused her smile to grow wider in victory before he started his explanation. "You know how I go to a private school that focuses on music, right?" Marinette assented, even if she didn't know much about it. They hadn't been dating long, and Luka was very reserved when it came to himself. She was curious to know more about him. "Well, the thing is that school is very expensive… In truth, the only reason I can afford going there is because of my outstanding scores and the scholarship I keep receiving every year”

“That’s amazing…” Marinette mumbled, causing Luka to stop looking worried and smile instead, only for a second.

“But this year… There's a new violin teacher that never gives me more than a B+. I don't want to sound like I’m bragging, but I think I'm doing just as well, if not better than my classmates who get excellent scores. I don't know if Maestro Pinsart holds any personal grudge against me or my looks or whatever, but I can't seem to get there no matter how hard I try" Luka shrugged again, finishing with another sigh under Marinette's focused stare.

"You play the violin?" Marinette asked, in awe.

"The violin, the guitar, the lyre, the cello… The piano too, even if just a bit”, he smiled.

“I didn’t know that!” Marinette was amazed. She had never heard any of that before.

“That’s for string instruments. I can also play the flute and the drums, for the wind and percussion instrument classes, even if just the basics”

"Wow… That's amazing! How come you never told me before?" she asked, in glowing eyes.

"I like to be reserved about my own stuff" Luka shrugged with a soft smile. "Whenever I tell people about my scholarship most people think I'm just telling them because I’m either arrogant or looking for compliments, which couldn’t be farther than the truth. Their heart songs turn to jealous tunes that twist into fake compliments they feel pressured to make because of it. I hate it. That’s why I prefer to be quiet about it. Many people are envious of the way I can understand music and they can't"

Marinette felt embarrassed and used his shoulder to hide her red face behind. "Oh… I see. It makes sense… Oh... I'm such a bad girlfriend... I should have asked before… I'm sorry"

"Don't be” Luka smiled widely, while his hand moved to carefully grab a flock of her twin-tail’s hair. “You know now. And if there’s anything else you want to know, you can ask me anytime. You’re not like the others, Marinette. I know you’re sincere about your feelings"

“Thank you. I will" she blushed at the compliment and smiled at his widening grin. "But Luka, is there really no way to pass that subject and get your scholarship back? Maybe talk to the teacher…?" Marinette suggested.

"I already did that, Marinette. But his solution seems unattainable" he sighed again with a sad smile.

"So there’s a solution, then! What does it consist of?" Her eyes opened more.

Luka put his guitar aside to welcome Marinette in his arms, where she immediately found comfort. "You see? There's a violin contest for students from 14 to 16 years old in two weeks, Sunday. If I win that contest, the teacher is going to give me a ‘super excellent’ score and, in consequence, I'll be able to get my scholarship back and keep going to my music school" He told her, close to her ear, with his arms finding its natural position around her waist.

"Wow, That’s it then! If it’s you, I’m sure you can win!” she exclaimed, locking fingers with him. “I believe in you” she finished.

“Oh, Marinette!” Luka laughed. “How I wish you were right! But it’s not that easy, sadly” he kissed her temple.

“Why not? Is- Is it that hard to win?" she asked with a mix of a sad and concerned look. Luka had to look away to control the urge to kiss her. She wasn’t ready for being kissed as he wanted yet. It was too early. He needed to be patient.

He left a resigned sigh. "Not hard, Marinette. It's impossible. The best violinists in France will be there to participate. You know I'm more of a guitarist than a violinist. I don't think I can win"

"But-! I’m sure you can do it! You’re amazing and talented!!" Marinette said, and Luka slightly blushed at the compliment.

"Thank you for your faith in me, but there's also another problem,” he continued under his girlfriend’s attentive ears. “I need someone to accompany me at the piano. I don't have any pianist friends at school, and the ones my teacher assigned to me, either refused directly or couldn’t stand my corrections after a day of practice. None of them want to accompany me for the contest " he sighed.

“Oh, no…” Marinette cried. “But then, your scholarship…”

Luka giggled again at her reaction. ‘Gosh, she’s so cute’, he thought, pressing a kiss on the top of her head. “It’s ok. At least I'll be able to go to your school if I fail, so it’s not that bad" he shrugged again, this time playfully.

"You won't fail!" Marinette yelled to Luka's soft smile. Even if the idea of Luka going to her same school enthused her, she didn’t want him to stop pursuing his passion for music- she knew how important it was to him. "If you need a pianist, we'll find a pianist-" she stopped as a realization struck.

Adrien.

Adrien was a pianist. A good one. Maybe he could help Luka? That’s it! Her face lit up. "What about A-" she cut herself again, biting her lip. What if Luka felt bad for her suggesting Adrien? What if he misunderstood it as her still having a crush on him?

Noticing how Marinette froze and lost herself into her thoughts, Luka called for her attention. "Marinette, it's ok, I also considered asking Adrien", he explained and she gasped in consequence.

"How do you know I was-!” She jumped, her bumping under his jaw. ‘Ouch’ He groaned. “Sorry!” she panicked. “It’s just that-! I- I didn't mean it that way!" Deep down, she wasn’t sure about her feelings for Adrien. Feelings that may have or have not completely faded. Either way, she wanted them gone. Or at least for them to stop interfering in her growing affection towards Luka. "I just want to help you… I thought that maybe..." she sounded apologetic.

"I appreciate it, Marinette. Thank you." He showed her his gratitude while squeezing her hand to cheer her up, and raising her chin with the other one so their eyes could lock together. "You see? Adrien is my friend too, and I’m more than aware of how talented he is. I just don't think his father would let him go, that's why I haven't asked him" he explained, making Marinette feel relieved.

“Oh… You’re probably right…” Marinette sadly agreed.

Luka started humming her song at the comfort of their bodies entangled in comfort together, but Marinette was more focused on her thoughts. What could she do to help Luka? Giving up before trying wasn’t like her. It wasn’t like Ladybug either. Hell no. She was going to do something. If Adrien could be the solution, then it was worth the shot. She was going to give it a try! For Luka. For her boyfriend.

“Luka. I'm going to get you a pianist, no matter what! I'm going to convince Adrien and his father!” she informed, under Luka’s surprised face. “Only helping, ok!? Don't think it's because it’s Adrien because it's not! I want you to win that contest and so you can get your scholarship. I don’t want to see you sad… even if I would like to go to the same school as you I think you deserve to follow your dreams..." she ended in a whisper.

"Thank you, Marinette. I appreciate it. I'll count on you, then?" Luka chuckled at her rambles.

Marinette’s face lit up once again. “Leave it to me!” She proclaimed, giving him a quick peck on his cheek. Gosh. He loved it when she did that. He was glad she couldn’t see his uncool and stupid in love face from that angle, because he would be dying of embarrassment otherwise.

“Would you let me listen to your violin, Luka? I really want to listen to you play it,” she asked.

“Of course. Wait a moment until I get it. Some practice will certainly do me good" he moved to his cabin and soon returned with the instrument case on his hands. He took the violin out of the case and checked its tunes. Standing up in front of Marinette, he started playing some classical music. The sounds were much different than those of the guitar, yet his music had Luka’s unique touch in it, she recognized. Marinette couldn't help but melt in his music, her fastening loud heartbeat matching the tempo and the delicate movements he performed with his bow. She felt closer to him as her admiration grew.

"Wow. It's amazing…" she mumbled after Luka stopped playing the classical piece of music. In response, the musician played some more, while Marinette set her resolve: it would be a pity if he failed before trying. She was going to convince Adrien to play the piano with Luka no matter what.

__________________

The next day, an akuma attacked early in the morning and made Marinette arrive late at school. "Oh, no! Now I have to wait until classes are over to ask Adrien..." she sighed in defeat in front of the school gates.

From behind her, a voice called. "Marinette!" Her eyes opened big in surprise to find Adrien Agreste running towards her.

"A- Adrien!" She jumped nervously. "Why are you here? Classes have already started! You should be in class!"

"Shouldn’t you be in class too?" Adrien teasingly smirked and Marinette couldn't stop a blush to form on her cheeks.

"A- I- Ahm- I guess, yes..." she started stuttering. Before things turned worse, she shook her head. 'Focus Marinette! For Luka!' she convinced herself under Adrien's innocent look. "I have something to ask you, Adrien"

"Hm? What is it?" He asked.

"Are you free on Sunday in two weeks?" Marinette successfully asked, to her own stupefy. If Alya had been there, she would be jumping in joy for her progress on talking to the blond model.

"Why?" His eyebrow arched in confusion.

"Oh, no! It's not what it seems!" She quickly denied his possible idea of it being a date- even if that was only in her own head. "Luka needs a pianist to accompany him during his violin contest. I was hoping you could help him..." she explained.

"Luka plays the violin?" the blond boy asked and Marinette nodded in confirmation. His face of confusion looked familiar, just like the one she had probably made the day before when she first found out too. "I had no idea. That's impressive" he smiled.

"I know right!? I didn't know either until yesterday," Marinette confessed. "Is there any possibility you could make it…? Please?" Marinette almost begged.

"I should talk to my father first… Or maybe I can ask Kagami to come too, and we can fake it as fencing training and sneak out of it" he playfully smirked.

“Oh… Kagami, of course…” she shoved away her mixed feelings and focused on Luka again. “It would be awesome if you two could make it!” she grinned.

“Sure! I’ll talk to my father and I’ll let you know later. We should go to class now. We’re running late” he signaled at the time on his phone.

“Oh- You’re right. Thank you very much, Adrien! I’ll be very happy if you say yes… I mean Luka will! Luka will be happy! And I will be happy too!!” ‘Argh, not again Marinette…’ “And I bet Kagami will be happy too!” She nervously said very quickly. “Anyway- Let’s go back to class…”

Later that day, at night, Adrien confirmed he would be able to make it for the contest through a message on her phone. She squealed and celebrated happily with Tikki and called Luka to let him know about the good news. “That’s awesome. Thank you, Marinette. I knew you were extraordinary” He told her, and her face flustered in bright red at the compliment. Tikki giggled at her cute reaction. Gosh, she really liked him.

____________________

The next day, when Marinette arrived at the Liberty, she was surprised to see Adrien playing the keyboard, accompanying Luka as he played the violin.

A duet.

The aura wasn’t the same as a grand piano, but it wasn’t like Adrien could easily sneak Luka into his room to practice without his father noticing, and it was enough for a first approach and to harmonize with each other.

Marinette greeted them raising her hand in silence and taking a seat at the sofa to listen to their music. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two boys that held a part of her heart each, completely hypnotized by their mesmerizing performance. Adrien played perfectly, clearly understanding his secondary role, enhancing the alluring sounds of Luka’s violin. The way Luka’s talent displayed made Marinette feel small. ‘He is the extraordinary one… ’ she thought, closing her eyes to get lost in the music. Marinette never knew violin music could be so versatile: soft and heart touching; dynamic, powerful and piercing, all at once. Luka’s skills were certainly outstanding. How could he not be getting excellent scores when he played so well? His music was flawless in Marinette’s biased opinion.

“Wow…” Marinette enthusiastically applauded when their practice ended. Luka lowered his violin and gestured for Adrien to come to his side, which he obeyed with a smile. Side by side, they exchanged a nod and bowed to their only audience: Marinette, who had a big fond smile on her face.

“That was amazing,” Adrien commented. “I have no doubts you’ll win if you can play like this. I’ll do my best so I don’t let you down” Adrien encouraged, extending his hand to Luka.

“Thank you, Adrien,” he took his hand in a confident handshake. “I really appreciate your help. I’ll do my best not to waste your efforts and support. Both of you” Luka commented, looking at both Adrien and Marinette.

“You could never!” Adrien and Marinette replied in unison. The girl blushed and sank her face in her hands, embarrassed, while the two boys shyly laughed at her cute reaction.

“When can you come to practice again?” Luka asked Adrien, but he shoved his head in a negative gesture.

“I don’t think I can tomorrow. But I’ll try to come as soon and as many days as I can, I promise”

“It’s ok. I understand. Thank you for this Adrien, it means a lot” Luka moved to hug Adrien, patting his back in a friendly way. Adrien hugged him back, happily for what seemed a step forward in their friendship. Marientte couldn’t help but squeal a little as a blush formed on her cheeks at the sight.

_____________________________

Sunday.

In what seemed a blink, the day of the contest arrived.

Marinette felt her heart pounding nervously and expectantly as she greeted Juleka, Rose and Kagami, who were saving her a seat knowing she was most likely going to arrive late, as usual. She excused herself to her friends and managed to sneak to the backstage. She wanted to wish Luka and Adrien good luck before the performance, even if, after having heard them play together, she had no doubts they were going to play amazingly on stage. Marinette walked discreetly, knowing she was in a restricted area, avoiding collision with the other musicians who awaited for their turn. Suddenly, she spotted Luka’s blue hair from afar.

“Luka!” Her boyfriend turned at her call, and saw her too, raising his hand to make it easier for her to spot them.

When she reached in front of them, her jaw fell to the floor at what she was seeing: Luka and Adrien were wearing suits, and they looked spectacular. Her temperature rose to what was surely feverish and she felt like passing out because of their handsomeness.

“Hot… I- mean- Here you are! Hello!” she nervously greeted, and the boys smiled.

“Happy to see you, Marinette. You look beautiful” Luka said, and Adrien nodded in agreement.

She did look beautiful. She was wearing a short pink but elegant sleeveless dress with a short white cardigan over her shoulders and a necklace she made with a beautiful turquoise colored shiny stone Luka had given her on their second date. Her hair was tied in a bun and a pink hair flower ornament decorated her hair. She had some makeup on too, which made her cheeks and lips a softer shade of pink than usual.

“Thank you, Luka” she blushed. ‘I’m glad I put effort on my look. Worth it’, she thought. “Both of you look amazing…” She admired them.

First, she looked at Adrien. He was wearing the same outfit he wore the time he modeled with the hat she had designed. It wasn’t a surprise he looked great in it. But then, Marinette’s eyes moved next to analyze her boyfriend. It was her first time seeing him in a suit, and hoped it was the first one of many to come. She couldn’t stop looking at him. The blue-haired boy was wearing a black elegant suit with a dark blue necktie and tiny golden details. He took off his earrings and accessories and got his hair styled for the occasion. He looked so different… But still managed to keep his usual calm aura to surround him. He didn’t look nervous at all despite how important the contest was for him and his future.

“Where did you get your suit, Luka?” Marinette asked.

“Oh, I lent him one,” Adrien explained. “Let’s say I secretly borrowed it for today”

‘You mean you stole it, right?’ Plagg mumbled from inside Adrien’s pocket and the pianist slightly hit his chest as a warning to the Kwami of destruction under Marinette and Luka’s confused looks. “Oh, don’t mind me. It just tickled for a moment”, he nervously excused himself.

Marinette returned to admire Luka. “You look so handsome...” She shyly admitted. “But…” Marinette took a step forward, closer to Luka. She grabbed and untied the messy looking necktie and tied it back correctly, finishing it with pressing the unwanted folds of his chest to make him look impeccable. “Now you’re perfect,” she proudly proclaimed, satisfied with her clean work. She didn’t realize what she had done until she raised her face up and found Luka’s face so close that soon her cheeks were tainted red again. ‘So close! So bold of me! How could I do this!? I feel like his wife now!’ her face flustered. Luka blushed too at their closeness, and neither of them moved for a few long seconds.

“It’s almost our turn, Luka. We should get going” Adrien interrupted, and Marinette felt even more embarrassed.

Luka smiled at her reaction. ‘So cute’ and lowered his head to press a kiss on the top of her hair. “I’ll be going now. Pay attention to us, ok?” he winked before turning to pat Adrien’s back in a ‘let’s go’ gesture.

Marinette nodded once, but immediately stopped Luka by grabbing his arm.

“Wait!”

Luka quickly turned his head towards her and she rested her feet on her tiptoes to kiss her boyfriend on the cheek. “I know you don’t need it but- Good luck” she smiled sincerely. Luka stood still for a second, processing what had just happened until he smiled softly at her.

“Thank you” Luka smiled softly at her under Adrien’s ‘awww’ smile.

“Go for it!” she yelled, pushing the boys backs as they walked to the stage.

Adrien gazed at Luka to see him unusually grinning, and smiled at his happiness. He looked determined- ready to eat the world. ‘I need to do my best too’

Luka felt a rush of emotions. ‘Now I’m ready to channel all this happiness into the song,’ he thought. But most of all, he felt invincible. He was going to win. Not for himself. Not for his teacher. Not for his scores or his scholarship. But for Marinette. And for Adrien too. He was going to show his audience what music meant to him, and what his girlfriend and good friend made him feel. Ah, yes. He was going to give the performance of his life.

____________

Marinette barely made it on time to see the two boys get on the stage as she rushed to carefully sit down next to Kagami, apologizing for her tardiness.

Adrien moved in front of the piano. He positioned the piano stool at his ideal position and strengthened his back and his arms to let his suit's sleeves slide down his arms to impede them from interfering with his playing, and ended his ritual turning the score to the right page.

Next to him, in front of the piano, Luka looked at Adrien, who nodded in a 'whenever you want' meaning, which Luka nodded back with a 'let's do this'.

Luka's eyes were on fire. When the first notes of Adrien's initial solo started, he raised his violin and his bow, straightened his back and searched for Marinette in the audience. He immediately found her, and she felt her body hot at his burning eyes and his loving smile. One second later, he tilted his head to let it rest on the violin and closed his eyes before letting himself merge and flow with the soft music he was producing. From the way he played, it felt like Luka had become music himself, perfectly harmonized with Adrien's soft piano as the classical slow tempo song advanced.

And then, the crescendo.

A sudden change of rhythm impressed the audience with a collective gasp and amazed voices as Luka played like there was no tomorrow. Fast and extremely difficult, according to the expert musician behind Marinette, and perfectly accompanied by Adrien's talented piano, the music reached the enthralled audience, who felt the dramatic sounds over their skins. And when the classical song seemed to have reached its climax, Luka masterfully performed a movement of extreme difficulty to create his own accord arrangement. Nobody could disagree that Luka made the song his own song.

“Your boyfriend is amazing,” Kagami whispered in Marinette’s ear, more than impressed by the boy’s performance.

The half chinese girl blushed at her friend’s comment and felt proud of being Luka’s girlfriend. He was amazing indeed... Such passion and talent, plus his ability to touch people’s hearts with his music… There was something more… Gratitude... Ambition… And LOVE. Love towards her, Marinette realized, when he took a quick glance at her. And all her senses were glued to him: her boyfriend- Luka. His movements were both dynamic and energetic, and precise and delicate. It was perfect both visually and musically, to the point the performance moved her to tears.

And not only her. The audience was hypnotized by Luka's violin and Adrien’s piano. So much that when his music stopped in a dramatic and passionate finishing segment with impeccable control, only silence and Luka’s breath occupied the auditorium for a moment. It took the audience a few seconds to react before standing up for a heart-felt and excitedly massive standing ovation.

Luka was panting out of the effort and sweat was running down his face. The drops of sweat appeared to make him glow under the spotlights and Marinette was fascinated as his gaze moved to lock with hers again. He proudly smiled at her, satisfied of having given it his all and grateful to his girlfriend for having encouraged him to stand where he was at that precise moment. Her hands stopped clapping at that moment and used them to cover her obvious blush instead. It was in that instant when she noticed the tears running down her cheeks. She was touched by his recital.

Amid the acclaim, Luka and Adrien came in front of the stage and bowed to the audience and, then to the judges. Some of them were having real trouble holding back their tears and excitement, despite trying hard not to show it. When the two boys moved backstage, Marinette rushed to go meet them, followed by Kagami.

Soon, the girls encountered Adrien, but he was alone. His eyes glowed when he noticed the girls. "Kagami, Marinette!" He called, running to hug his girlfriend encouraged by the rushes of adrenaline from the performance.

"You were amazing, Adrien" Kagami congratulated her boyfriend with a quick peck on his lips. Adrien giggled and lifted her body. Kagami couldn't help but to smile back at him.

Marinette felt a little awkward at the scene, but somehow, she didn't feel hurt. Not as she would have expected some time ago, at least.

"Adrien" Marinette called. "You were incredible," Marinette proudly stated. "Thank you so much for doing this"

Adrien signaled Kagami to separate from the hug and let him talk to his 'good friend' Marinette.

"Thank you, Marinette. It was fun! Besides, I'm always happy to help my friends” he said, noticing how she was trying to peek behind him. “Oh, I bet you want to talk to Luka, right?" He realized, turning his head to signal her where he was. "He's talking to his teacher now. You know, Maestro Pinsart, that old man with the white crazy hair. I think it will take a long time... He won't stop complimenting how ‘super fantastic’ and ‘majestic’ Luka’s violin was" Adrien giggled.

"Oh… I guess I'll have to wait then…" Marinette sighed, a little disappointed.

"Why don't we go grab something to eat meanwhile?" Kagami suggested. “There’s still time until they announce the winner.”

Adrien's stomach growled. "Now that you mention it, I'm starving" he grinned. "Let's go get something from the cafeteria!" Adrien grabbed Kagami's hand and Marinette's wrist and pulled them like he did that day they escaped together from the Bourgeois’ Wedding Anniversary party. But this time, to his surprise, Marinette refused his hold. Adrien and Kagami blinked and exchanged confused looks.

"Sorry! I would rather wait for Luka here. I really want to congratulate him for his performance" Marinette explained with a subtle blush on her face. The couple exchanged smiles in understanding as they excused themselves and ran hand in hand across the aisle.

Marinette took little curious glances at her boyfriend and his teacher from afar. Maestro Pinsart seemed exalted. His movements were euphoric and he seemed proud of his student as he commented on his performance. ‘Spectacular! Majestic! Estupefantastico!’ were some of the words Marinette could hear him yell from afar. It was amusing to see someone so happy about a violin performance. It was understable after seeing how marvelously Luka had played, though.

Luka was listening to his teacher, but when he looked to the side for a second, he noticed Marinette and gestured for her to join them. Mister Pinsart turned his head to Marinette too, and she squeaked before approaching them.

"Your girlfriend?" The old man asked.

Luka looked at Marinette, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Yes. She's my girlfriend, Marinette. She always brings out the best in me. She's extraordinary"

Marinette blushed once again as Luka’s teacher looked at her. "So she's your muse, huh?” the old man said. “Nice to meet you, Miss. Your boyfriend is the best student I've ever had. I have great expectations for him. I’m happy to meet his source of inspiration"

"Eh? But then… I don't understand. My scores...?" Luka seemed surprised.

"I wanted you to try harder. You have a lot of talent and I know you could do better if you give it your best. And you proved it today. I'm very proud of you, Mr. Couffaine. You're my pride and joy as a teacher" the teacher finally explained his reasons.

"Then… can he get an excellent score now?" Marinette suddenly blurted, and immediately gaped, covering her mouth in regret. “Sorry!”

Instead of feeling offended, Maestro Pinsart laughed and looked at Luka, who was smiling at his girlfriend. "You know my promise, right? Mister Couffaine will get a ‘super excellent’ only if he wins” he told Marinette. Then, he focused on Luka and placed his hand on his shoulder. “It shouldn't be difficult after your outstanding performance"

"Thank you so much, Maestro" Luka blushed, happy for his teacher’s trust.

"Maestro is right, Luka! You were fantastic! I'm sure you'll win, too" Marinette agreed in excitement and Luka smiled softly at her.

"Thank you, Marinette"

"The judges will assemble to discuss the winner as soon as the violinist currently playing finishes," Maestro commented. “Don’t be late for the announcement. See you later”

“Where’s Adrien?” Luka asked.

“He went to the cafeteria with Kagami. Are you hungry? Or thirsty? We can join them, if you want” Marinette asked.

“What do you want to do, Marinette? Are you hungry?”

“I’m not-” she started, but her stomach growled. Marinette sank her embarrassed face in her hands and Luka giggled at her cuteness.

“Let’s go to the cafeteria, then”

Luka offered her his hand and soon, they joined Adrien and Kagami who were happily eating and joking around.

___________________________________

Some minutes before the time of the winner announcement arrived, Luka and Adrien returned to the contestants room to wait for the judges deliberate to end. The list of the finalists was already published and Luka's name was one of the 5 contestants' names that remained.

Marinette was nervously tapping her fingers on her lap, her feet on the floor and he seemed unable to find comfort in her seat. Kagami tried to calm her down, but nothing worked, so she excused herself to the toilet to go get any hint she could.

From behind some curtains, she saw how a man hid something inside a music equipment box near the stage. She looked at his smirk in suspicion, but soon the announcer crossed the door to go to the stage, followed by the 5 contestants and their partners. Luka seemed calm, and it helped Marinette to loosen up as she returned to her seat.

“I’m so nervous!” Juleka said, and Rose held her hand in a reassuring way. “Don’t worry, Juleka. It’s going to be ok, you’ll see”

Marinette had her hands in a praying gesture, wishing for Luka’s name to be inside the envelope the announcer had in his hands. After some words she couldn’t properly hear, the moment of truth arrived.

“And the winner is…” the man started, proceeding to read the name chosen by the judges. Oh, gosh! The suspense was killing her. C’mon say it already! She internally begged. And he finally spoke. “Miss Cresto! Congratulations!”

Silence followed for a few seconds after the revelation. Luka not winning? Nobody could understand why. Not even when they started applauding more because of protocol than anything. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t honest. Something was fishy. Before Marinette could protest someone else did.

“WHAT!? This is inadmissible!” Maestro Pinsart jumped to the stage. “My student performed the best here, there’s no way he’s not the winner! Are your ears corky!? I bet everyone in this auditoire thinks the same! This is gibberish!”

“Oh, calm down Maestro Pinsart… Everybody’s performance was impressive, just accept the judges decision… it’s never easy for them to choose one winner” the MC attempted to calm the old man.

“NO! This can’t be the result! I can’t accept it!” He was enraged at the judges decision.

“Wait, isn’t that Maestro Pinsart?” someone close to Marinette mentioned.

“Oh no, no way!” exclaimed the woman next to her.

“I thought he retired after what happened that time!” said a third person.

“Me too! I can’t believe he still goes with the name of ‘Maestro’ after everything...” yet another voice added.

“And now he’s doing it again! He just can’t accept defeat, can he?”

“Poor Couffaine boy…”

More and more voices raised as the time passed by and Maestro’s attitude only worsened.

‘What happened for everyone to think so badly of Maestro Pinsart?’ Marinette wondered, and reached her smartphone to look at his name on the internet.

Bingo.

Apparently, Maestro Pinsart had lost in an orchestra conducting contest. He claimed someone manipulated the results, but couldn’t prove it and his reputation was damaged in the process when he punched the winner of that contest: Maestro Cresto. ‘Wait. Maestro Cresto…? Isn’t that the name of the violinist who won? Something is very fishy’

Marinette couldn’t give it more thought when she saw how a black butterfly entered Maestro Pinsart’s wand baton and got akumatized by Shadow Moth. A black cloud of noise surrounded him, and an akuma who called himself Disconcerto appeared before the crowd’s scared eyes.

The akuma soon tried to get Luka under his control, but he managed to dodge the laser beam Disconcerto threw from his wand and successfully fled to hide. Disconcerto’s next target was the winner of the contest, and soon, Paris’ superheroes Ladybug and Chat Noir joined his concert.

The akuma's power was to channel his feelings through his wand into mind controlling magic. Everyone affected by Disconcerto’s powers couldn’t control their bodies and were forced to obey the akuma’s wish, which was revenge by showing people his conductor and teaching abilities and calling out Mister Cresto and his daughter. Soon, the Disconcerto had a whole army of musicians ready to punish the Crestos and fight Paris' superheroes for their Miraculous. The victims under the akuma’s control were forced to play a perfect song with musical instruments he himself provided them, giving them the skills to play them. The music was dangerous too, since it had paralyzing effects on whoever listened to it so the heroes used headphones to cover their ears.

"Lucky charm!" Ladybug called, and two bottles of wine fell into her hands.

"Wine? What are you going to do with that?" Could be read in Chat's lips. Both heroes had soundproof earphones on their ears to protect themselves from being controlled. "Cataclysm!"

Ladybug noticed how Disconcerto’s eyebrows frowned whenever someone missed the beat. ‘Bingo’

Ladybug gazed around with her spotted vision. Her eyes landed first on Luka, who was hiding behind the curtains of the stage, covering his ears and trying to find an opening to convince his teacher to snap out of his akumatization. A smirk formed in Ladybug's mouth.

Luka, his violin, his violin bow, a cable, an amplifier, the curtains, a rope, a spotlight, Chat Noir and finally, the wine bottles and their cork caps.

Ladybug asked Luka to connect his violin to the amplifier and play as loud as possible to distract the akuma and neutralize his powers. As expected, his attention immediately turned to Luka. “Mr. Couffaine! Why are you doing this! I’m your teacher!” he yelled, and Ladybug took the chance to direct the spotlight to his eyes to blind him, creating the perfect opening for Chat Noir to cataclysm the ropes holding the curtains so they fell over the akuma. She then used a cable to tie him and stuff the cork caps into his ears. With the loss of his hearing and tied up as he was, the akuma’s anger peaked and Disconcerto’s wand finally fell into Ladybug's hands. A moment later the akuma was purified and all the damage cured by the magical Ladybugs. Luka immediately ran to help his teacher and thanked the heroes.

"What happened?" the old man asked.

"You were akumatized" Ladybug explained. “It’s over now. Don’t worry”

"Oh, no! It's because I'm a failure as a teacher and I couldn't even make my best student win… I repeated the same mistake from a long time ago..." The teacher cried in regret.

"You could never be a failure, sir. Not when your student is so talented and shows all this admiration towards you" added Chat Noir.

Luka, who was holding him, nodded in agreement. "I would have never tried my best or reached this far if it wasn't for your accurate instructions. It's the first time a teacher can understand and explain music in the language I understand, myself- to some kind of inexplicable spiritual level"

"Mr. Couffaine… You really are my pride and joy. You're the winner for me. And don't worry. Rest assured you have more than an excellent score from me. I hope you continue coming to the school next year" He accepted Luka’s helpful hand to stand up.

"I’ll be honored, Maestro"

"Thank you Ladybug, Chat Noir" Pinsart thanked. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience I caused”

“Not at all, Maestro. What is wrong here isn’t your doing but this” Ladybug took the envelope from the music equipment box close to the stage she had considered suspicious. “This is most likely the real envelope with the real winner. We’ll have to ask Maestro Cresto and his daughter to give us some kind of explanation for their involvement in the matter” Ladybug explained, handing the true envelope to the MC. Everyone gasped and Maestro Cresto’s daughter ran away crying in embarrassment.

That said, the superheroes left the stage and returned to where they were supposed to be: Marinette in her seat next to Kagami and Adrien at the stage, behind Luka.

_________________________________________________

"Well… it seems there was a confusion with the results, as Ladybug pointed out… We verified it after talking to the judges and it seems someone manipulated the envelope and changed its contents. So here’s the real verdict…“ The MC paused dramatically to create expectation as he slowly opened the envelope. Marinette gulped and joined her hands in a prayer. ‘Let Luka win, please! Let Luka win…’ she begged. And the man finally released everybody's tension by reading the name of the winner. “The winner is... Mr. Luka Couffaine, accompanied by Adrien Agreste on the piano! Congratulations!"

Marinette gasped and teared up as her applause resonated with every single one in the concert stadium. From the stage, Luka smiled at Marinette and took the golden violin statue prize. Adrien offered to hold it for him as he grabbed the microphone to give his winning speech.

"Thank you so much! I’m honored to receive this prize. I just want to say that I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my friend Adrien and my girlfriend Marinette. And this" he signaled the statue he got as a prize, "would have been impossible to achieve without my teacher's lessons. Thank you, Maestro Pinsart" Luka bowed to his teacher.

Another round of applause followed when the spotlight found Maestro in one of the seats closer to the stage. He blushed and bowed his head in gratitude, crying a little.

"Would you perform again for us?" the presenter asked.

Luka nodded and returned the microphone. He exchanged a glance with Adrien, who understood him without words, and they got ready to perform. Luka took out an electric violin and plugged it into an amplifier Juleka had previously prepared.

“One, two, three… Rock-'n'-roll!”

Nobody expected Luka and Adrien to suddenly play Jagged Stone's music. 'When did they practice for this?' Marinette wondered. It was so intense the audience was losing it. People said that Maestro Pinsart had never been fond of Rock music, but it didn't escape Marinette how he was happily tapping his fingers and moving his head at the rhythm of the song. Marinette grabbed Kagami's hand and encouraged her to dance with her. Then she encouraged Rose and Juleka to do the same and join them. Soon, it seemed more like a rock concert than a classical music contest. And it wasn’t a bad thing, the audience seemed to agree.

When Luka and Adrien finished, they bowed to the audience once again. Statue in Adrien's hands, they got stopped multiple times before they could finally make it to the contestants’ room.

By the time they changed to their usual clothes and exited the auditoire, Kagami had already returned home, and Adrien's curfew was slightly overdue. The blond boy was the first one to come out from backstage to where Marinette was waiting for them, with Adrien’s bodyguard waiting for him in his car parked nearby.

“Marinette!” Adrien called.

"Adrien!” she called back, happy to see her friend. “Congratulations! Thank you so much for this". Out of gratitude, Marinette's body moved on its own to press a thankful kiss to the blond boy's cheek. The boy innocently smiled at her, and it was then when she realized what she had done and panicked.

"See you tomorrow at school" Adrien left, waving at her and entering the car.

"Ye- yes… See you tomorrow!" ‘Argh! What am I doing? I was supposed to be over this crazy phase!’

From behind, someone tapped her shoulder and Marinette jumped, startled by the sudden touch.

"Luka!" She recognized when turning to him, jumping for a hug that left him a little puzzled. "Don't tell me you saw that?" she panicked. Luka nodded with a sympathetic smile, one that reminded her of the one he showed her the day of Felix’s ‘incident’. "It's not what it seems! I'm just grateful and thankful and moved and I don't know how it happened- it's not what you think, you have to trust me!"

Luka chuckled at her rambles. ‘So cute,’ he thought, before holding her closer in a warm embrace. "I trust you from toes to earrings, Marinette. Thank you for encouraging me" he fondly said. Marinette blushed at the contact and showed a surprised confused look. 'Does he know?' Luka could tell she was wondering. He knew her better than herself, he thought.

But the way Marinette got lost into his ocean blue eyes and raised her tip-toes to kiss him tenderly on the lips proved him wrong.

She loved him.

And she wanted to show him how confident she was about that fact. She wanted to tell him she had no doubts anymore. Tell him he was special and that she was thankful for having him in her life.

And Luka understood.

Her loving eyes when her lips parted from his were honest, and Luka couldn't hold himself back, so he cupped her cheek with one hand and finally kissed her like he had always wanted to kiss her, with all his love unleashed- no holding back. And Marinette accepted it. All his love, at the same time she gave him hers. They lost themselves in a long, magical kiss filled with new sensations that melted their insides as if their hearts were fusing together. Mutual love.

"Luka" she called in his breath. "Hm?" He pulled apart a centimeter, just the necessary distance to allow her to speak. "Congratulations for winning the violin contest" she grinned.

"Totally worth the prize" Luka grinned, before leaning in for another kiss.

#long post #my fic #airipyon #airip4 #ml s4 spoilers #violin Luka #ml s4 theory #fic: disconcerto #original akuma #I TRIED OK?

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wiypt-writes · 3 years

Text

Too Loose And You’ll Lose It

Ch4: You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Till It’s Gone Part 1 Co-written with @icanfeelastormbrewing

Summary: Jake and Stella are both home for Christmas, and the annual New Year’s Party at the Jensen’s sees some unexpected guests in attendance…

Warnings: Bad Language words.

Pairing: Jake Jensen x OFC Stella Stevenson.

A/N: Another long updated, so split into 2 parts for you to read at your leisure!! Part 2 to follow shortly.

TLAYLI Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 3 Part 2

“Knowing what you don't want can often be more valuable than knowing what you do want.” Melchor Lim

"So when do I get to meet Evan then?" Rey asked as she handed Stella the plate she had just rinsed.

It was the day before New Year’s Eve and both sisters were in the kitchen finishing doing the lunch dishes while their mother watched TV in the living room. Stella loved Christmas, she always had, and this was the first one she was getting to spend at home for 3 years. But, the trade-off for being able to do so was having to put up with Rey constantly nagging about her home-based shopping business not doing quite as well in the last weeks as she expected and her constant struggle to get pregnant. And, honestly, Stella was a little bit tired of having to sooth her sister's same worries every time they got together. But now a new topic had been thrown into the equation- Evan. And Stel found herself wishing that they were still talking about ovulation cycles and how many times on average in a week a couple wanting to conceive should be ‘doing it’.

"Jesus, will you give it a break? That’s all I heard when I was home for Thanksgiving…and over Christmas dinner and every day since then!” Stella finally snapped “God, you and mom have talked about nothing else, even Jane was poking for more information when we were at the spa because you can’t keep your mouth shut."

True to her word Rey had spent Rick's money on a girls-only spa day which in all fairness Stella had gladly welcomed. She had relished all the treatments, each one with a more flamboyant name than the other, and as their day culminated they all were relaxing in the hot tub, enjoying the Mean Steam treatment while sipping Mimosas out of rather expensive looking glassware, Jane had started prying because Rey had told her about Evan. Luckily Janet, Jake's mum, had spotted Stella’s discomfort and had come to her rescue by scolding Jane for being a nosey bitch.

"It’s Christmas. He’s spending it with his family in Boston." Stella shook her head at her sister.

"Boston’s only an hour or so drive Stel…"

"So what? We don’t get to see our families that often Rey." Stella replied, snatching a big round plate from Rey's hands.

"Whoaa, easy Stelly. Anyone would think you were trying to keep him away from us!"

"That’s exactly what I’m doing, yes." she rolled her eyes at her sister, who could clearly read the annoyance in her features and voice as when she spoke again her voice was a little whiney.

"Stel, don’t be like that."

Stella sighed. "Why are you so desperate to meet him anyway?"

"Hey, it’s not every day your baby sister gets herself a new man. At least not when she’s been dating her childhood love for what? Twenty years now? Come on, let me bask in the novelty, Stel."

"Fuck off Rey, I haven’t been dating Jensen for years and we were together nowhere near 20." Stella protested again, this time her voice a little louder.

"Felt like it to me." Rey shrugged.

Stella grit her teeth. Though her sister was exaggerating it was true she’d been with Jake for a long time all things considered, and doing the whole dating thing during the last 8 weeks had felt new and exciting in a sense. She was enjoying every part of getting to know a person while dating them, something she hadn't been able to experience with Jake as they already knew each other inside out when they had finally gotten together. And whilst that had been nice, and she wouldn’t change it for the world, with Evan everything was new and she had learnt what the cliche I want to know you better really meant during the dates which had following the first.

At the weekend following their trip to DC, Evan had taken her for another meal out, this one at a local Mexican place not far from HQ. Then the following weekend they’d visited a posh cocktail bar Stella had been eyeing up for a while which just wasn’t the Losers’ scene. There had been a trip to the cinema, an evening at the bowling alley, beers one Sunday afternoon whilst watching the Patriots’ game in a sports bar, a walk round one of the local parks with a burgers, grabbing a shake and ice cream on the way home….it was easy going, nice, no pressure… and then it had morphed naturally into something a little more serious.

The Friday before Thanksgiving Evan had invited her to his and he’d cooked, which in itself was a novelty as Jake could burn a pan of water. He’d whipped up a spectacular seafood linguini, followed with a simple baked vanilla cheesecake, and after 2 bottles of crisp white wine, one thing had led to another and they’d ended up making out on the couch before Evan had taken her into his room.

"Is he good?" Rey asked out of the blue as if sensing where Stella’s inner thoughts had led her.

"Oh fuck off Rey, do I ask you how Rick is in bed?"

"Better than Jake?" Rey insisted, ignoring her sister rhetorical question.

"You had to ask." Stella groaned.

Rey looked at her and Stella sighed, knowing she wasn’t getting off the hook. "Look, he’s good, ok, really good…but as for being better than Jake he’s…he’s just different."

As a matter of fact that first time they’d slept together on that Friday, despite Stella’s nerves, it had been fucking Earth shattering, and every time since hadn’t disappointed. Evan was a generous lover, giving before he took, making sure she was satisfied in every which way she could be. But Stella still found herself getting a little nervous beforehand. Evan was the one who instigated the sex, and whilst Stella was a more than willing participant, she was craving the day she finally felt happy enough to take charge a little.

"And that’s a problem?" Rey asked and Stella looked at her.

"What?" she frowned.

"Him being different to Jake?"

"No, I didn’t say that. It’s just…well, me and Jake know each other inside out, it’s bound to feel a little different, isn’t it?"

Rey's eyes suddenly opened wide with realisation. "Oh my god…"

"What?" Stella asked, a little bit exasperated.

"You’ve never been with anyone else bar Jake, have you?"

Stella groaned but that was all the confirmation Rey needed to know she was right. Her sister had hit the spot but she was fucked if she was getting into that. "Look, enough about me. Any progress on baby Fitzpatrick?"

Rey sighed, not fazed in the slightest but Stella’s forced change of topic had redirected the conversation to one of her major concerns and Stella knew she wouldn’t be able to resist talking about it. "No, not yet. I don’t know what we’re doing wrong? We stick to the schedule, I’ve got an ovulation tracker…"

"God Rey, you talk like you’re baking a cake or putting an Ikea cupboard together, that’s what’s wrong." Stella scoffed.

"Science doesn’t lie Stelly." Rey said, as if lecturing an ignorant little girl.

"Science says it’s a matter of PH." she shrugged, a small grin playing in the corner of her mouth.

Rey rolled her eyes. "You know Jake made up that shit, right? I googled it."

"No… really?"

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Stella." Rey squinted her eyes at Stella who grinned in response. "And speaking of low forms of wit, did you know Jensen’s new bimbo is coming to the New Year's party tomorrow?"

"Oh, is she?" Stella asked, trying to hide her surprise as much as possible, knowing that she was failing miserably. The news had shocked her a little, not that it was her business, but still.

"Careful Stel, is that a trace of disappointment I sense in your voice?"

"No, I just hadn’t realised how serious they were. Mind you, I haven’t seen him for a few weeks. Work has been busy and we don’t hang out much now." she tried to explain herself without sounding scorned or bitter.

"You sure?" Rey asked, examining her sister's expression as she finished loading the dishwasher.

"Yeah, it’s just…well, you’ll know when you meet her."

And boy, would they all know. Because, Britney was, how to put it? Something else.

Stella sat at the table opposite Pooch and Cougar in the bar, sipping at her beer. It was the day before they were all due to head home for Thanksgiving so they had decided to head out for a few drinks, a way to celebrate with one another.

"So where’s Evan?" Pooch asked before taking a sip from his beer bottle.

"Oh, out of town on some intel gathering trip with the Canadian Ministry of Defence or something…he couldn’t say much. I won’t see him now until I’m back from New Hampshire." Stella offered.

"It still going well or..." Pooch pried a little bit more and Stella flushed a little.

"Yeah, he’s nice…"

Cougar grinned and tipped his hat at her and she snorted, setting her bottle down. "He must be, we ain't seen you out of work for the last few weeks, he must be keeping you busy."

Stella laughed and shrugged as Cougar chuckled and then Pooch let out a groan. Stella frowned, and then turned in the direction he was looking at only to see Jensen working his way over with the brunette she’d seen him with a while back hanging on his arm.

"It's Britney, bitch." Cougar chimed in.

"Wait, her name is Britney?" Pooch asked him and Cougar nodded. "How do you know?"

"Bumped into them at the condo one night." Cougar explained and Pooch's mouth fell open.

Stella frowned and turned around again, locking eyes with Jensen and saw him swallow, like he always did when nervous or apprehensive. But as she watched, he took a deep breath and continued his path over to their table.

"No Evan?" he asked once he reached them, looking at Stella, not even bothering in greeting the rest first.

"No. He’s away." Stella answered, looking back at him but gripping her beer bottle for dear life.

"Who’s Evan, another Loser?" the brunette asked then. Her high-pitched voice making Pooch and Cougar scrunch their noses as they shared a glance.

Stella glared at Jake as a grin spread across his face, daring him to say something and Jake's grin slipped under her glare as he turned to Britney.

"No, Evan is Stella’s…actually..." he looked at Stella, "What is he? Boyfriend? Fuck buddy? Late night booty call?"

"All of the above." Stella answered ignoring Jake's jab and necking her beer as both Cougar and Pooch sniggered and she fought to keep the smile from spreading on her lips at the look on Jensen’s face which was somewhere between disgust and disappointment. Instead she stood up and leaned towards Britney. "I’ll introduce myself seeing as he isn’t going to. I’m Stella."

"Hi, I’m Britney." she said and then to Stella’s horror she pulled her into a hug, kissing her cheek. Stella remained stiff, merely concentrating on trying not to choke on the heady combination of Britney’s floral perfume and hairspray from the huge bouffant ponytail she was sporting.

"So does your boyfriend work with these guys or…?" Britney's voice pierced the air again.

"No, I work with them." Stella explained as she took her seat back.

"What? You’re in the army too? Wow, Girl Power!" Britney exclaimed before giggling.

"Yeah…" Stella said as she turned back to Pooch and Cougar, mouthing WHAT THE FUCK?

"Does anyone want a drink or…?" Jake asked, trying to divert the weird situation Britney had just created.

Stella turned back to him and stood up again. "It’s ok JJ, I’ll get them, it’s my round."

"I’ll give you a hand." Jake offered himself, motioning to follow her.

Stella smiled as she put a hand on Jake's chest to stop him. "No, Cougs can. You stay here with your girlfriend." she ordered more than suggested, making sure her eyes locked with his when she uttered the word.

At her use of the term, Britney giggled and grabbed Jensen’s arm. Jake looked at her, and Stella could see the irritation flash across his face and she smirked before she asked what Britney wanted to drink. The girl requested a Malibu and coke, the worst combination Stella could think of if you asked her but then again Britney's choice of outfit and her likeness for glittery accessories spoke of her taste for itself, and then Stella looked at Jake.

"Usual?"

"Yeah, thanks Stel." he said, a little quieter this time.

Cougar dropped an arm round Stella’s shoulder and as they made their way to the bar, Stella could feel Jake’s eyes burning into her back. Point, set, match to Arty…

"From what I heard it was a total accident she got invited. She was on the phone to him on Christmas Eve when Jane was talking to Janet in the background. Apparently she caught the words New Year’s Eve and Party. Jensen, thinking she wouldn’t be able to get a flight at such late notice, told her she was welcome to come." Rey explained with a grin. "Anyway, next thing she’s messaging him, saying she’d managed to get a cancellation seat so she’s flying in on the morning of the party. Apparently he wasn’t best pleased." Rey snorted. "Jane doesn’t think he’s all that into her, but…"

Stella only shrugged. "Who knows what goes on in his head, I don’t anymore that’s for sure." she commented before her sister could ask more, but she couldn’t prevent herself from letting out a deep sigh. Whilst she had nothing against Britney, and despite the fact she was now with Evan, the idea of being at a party with Jake and his new girlfriend wasn’t filling her full of joy.

The rest of the day was spent in relative calm. Richard came back from wherever he’d been following lunch, Stella hadn’t been paying attention when Rey told her, and the 4 of them settled down for a rather furious game of monopoly which Richard won, Stella passing comment on how it would have been ridiculous if he hadn’t, given he was a finance manager.

It was just after dinner when Stella’s phone went off. It was a message from Evan telling her to get to her laptop so he could video call over the CIA network. So she quickly set it up in the kitchen and soon after it pinged and she accepted the call, smiling as his handsome face filled the screen. “Hey Pumpkin.” He smiled and Stella laughed at his ridiculous nickname for her, chosen due to the way they’d met.

“Hey!” she beamed back “How’s your day been?”

“Not bad.” He shrugged “Usual family bullshit at play. You?”

“Same.” She said, sitting back in her chair “I’ve eaten way too much.”

He chuckled “That’s what Christmas is for darlin’. Way too much home cooking, enough alcohol to fill a pool, and a side of chocolate, pie and cake for good measure.”

“Imma turn into a Christmas cake if I eat any more of it Ev.” Stella smiled, reaching for her wine. She took a sip and then looked at the glass “And probably a bottle of pinot too.”

“Well I don’t have a problem with that.” He smiled, waving his own bottle of beer at her “Food and drink, win win.”

Stella laughed and then the door to the kitchen opened and Rey walked in. She made her way towards the fridge and then paused, turning to Stella.

“Oh my God is that him?” she practically screeched and moved, draping herself over Stella’s shoulders to get a look at the screen.

“Rey, piss off.” Stella grumbled, trying to push her away. Rey took the hint and stepped back a bit as Evan looked at her, smiling, before he glanced back at Stel.

“Who’s that?” he asked.

“Oh, hi, I’m Rey.” Rey spoke from behind Stella who rolled her eyes “Stella’s favourite sister.”

“You’re my only sister.” Stella shot back as Evan chuckled.

“Nice to meet you Rey, or see you in this case.” He smiled that damned smile that could melt a fucking polar ice cap and Stella heard Rey’s little gasp. She sighed and turned to her sister.

“Ok, seriously, get what you came for and piss off.”

Rey held her hands up and went to the fridge, pulling out 2 bottles of beer and a can of coke. She headed to the door and stopped, looking at Stella, her mouth open.“O.M.G He is a snack!” she mouthed and Stella rolled her eyes again before Rey left the room, closing the door behind her.

“Sorry about that.” Stella turned back to the screen and Evan laughed.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s a mad house here too.” He leaned back in his chair. “She seems nice.”

“She has her moments.” Stella smiled, “Anyway, enough about her, tell me what you’ve been up to. We haven’t spoken in a few days.”

“Yeah, sorry I was gonna call last night but it’s been manic. My sister and her 3 kids have been over and Uncle Evan was the star attraction. And by attraction I mean climbing frame.”

“Lucky kids…” Stella quipped, arching her eyebrow “I’d climb you too if I was there.”

Evan grinned at her comment and Stella found herself slightly surprised. The ten days or so they’d been apart had made her needy and she'd be damned if someone else could pull off a simple white t-shirt like he could, and that fucking chain he wore which was hanging out of the collar was doing things to her.

“Well a few more days and I’m all yours to climb Pumpkin” Evan smiled “So, any plans for New Year’s Eve tomorrow?”

“We’re going to a party at the Jensens’. They’ve thrown one for as long as I can remember so it’ll be nice to see them again, catch up. What about you?”

“Oh I don’t know yet.” Evan ran a hand over his beard, tugging gently on the whiskers which adorned his chin “I may stay here with the family or go out with some friends. I’ll make my mind up as I go.” He paused for a little before his hand dropped from his face “Will Jake be there?”

“It’s his parents throwing the party.” Stella arched an eyebrow “Of course he will.”

“Right…” Evan mused and Stella narrowed her eyes.

“Are you jealous, Evan?”

“No, I just…” he groaned “Ok, yeah, yeah I am. The thought of you bringing in the New Year with your ex and not me kinda sucks Stella.”

“I know.” She sighed “But I wouldn’t worry too much. Apparently his new girlfriend is coming.” She took a deep breath before she smiled a little sadly “I really wish you were here Ev.”

And she did, not least because she actually did miss him, but the thought of Jensen eating face with the bimbo whilst she was simply there alone wasn’t something she was relishing.

“I promise I’ll make up for it when we get back to base.” Evan said gently.

“You better.”

He chuckled “Being apart from me really suits you sweetheart.”

“What can I say, you spoil me.” She shrugged.

“And you haven’t even had your Christmas present yet.” He grinned.

“I can’t wait to unwrap it.” Stella smirked “And the present.”

“Fuck, Stella…you’re killing me!” he whined. She laughed and at that point a voice sounded in the background and Evan hastily looked over his shoulder before he called that he’d be there in a second. “That’s my ma…I gotta go.”

“Yeah, It’s probably time I bust Rey for eavesdropping behind the kitchen door.” Stella rolled her eyes and Evan laughed.

“Ok, I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, talk then. Night handsome.”

“Night gorgeous.”

With that Stella cut the call and shut the laptop. She stood up, crept across the room and yanked open the kitchen door. Rey immediately straightened up and jumped back. “I was erm…gonna…” she points to the kitchen.

“Spy on us?” Stella folded her arms.

“I wasn’t…I just….ok, I was spying.” Rey shrugged “Because, fuck Stel, where did you get a man like that?”

“The CIA.” Stella said simply pushing past her and heading into the living room where Jules and Richard were watching TV, Stella following her chunnering about Evan.

“Leave your sister alone, Aubrey.” Julie looked up.

“I’m heading up to bed ma.” Stella smiled, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Julie nodded but Aubrey wasn’t listening, she was still talking about Evan.

“God mom, you should have seen him. And that smile…”

“Erm…” Richard waved “I’m right here.”

“Yeah, isn’t it about time you and your husband went back to your own house?” Stella asked.

“Yeah, yeah…” Rey waved her hand, “We were going anyway.”

“Good riddance.” Stella mumbled.

Rey spun and pointed at her “I heard that. Don’t forget we have a date to go shopping tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait.” Stella said sarcastically and with that she bid them goodnight and headed to her room.

**** “You heading out?” Jane looked at Jensen as he groaned, shoving his phone back into his pocket.

“Yeah I gotta go get Britney.”

“Thought you said she wasn’t arriving until tomorrow?” Jane frowned

“So did I, turns out she messed up with the date on the flights..”

“What?” Jane looked at him.

“Don’t ask me, she’s a dumbass.” Jensen rolled his eyes.

“Woooow…” Jane looked at him as he grabbed his dad’s car keys from the side in the hall “That is love, right there.”

“Fuck off Jane.” Jensen raised his middle finger over his shoulder as he grabbed his jacket of the peg. He then paused and turned to his sister, shaking his head. “Seriously, though…when she told me what she’d done, do you know what she said? The mouse was sticky, Jensen and I booked a day early by mistake” he shook his head.

“Hang on.” Jane held her hand up “If she really had messed up with the dates then she would have been on a morning flight still, just on a different day.” Jake looked at his sister, frowning a little and Jane snorted “If you ask me, I don’t think she’s as dumb as you’re making her out to be.”

“Well I wasn’t asking you.” Jake shot back as he shrugged his jacket on and headed out of the door.

At that point Gracie wandered in from the kitchen, dressed in her pyjamas, followed by John.

“Who's dumb mommy?” she asked with a yawn as Jane held her coat out to pop on ready for the drive home.

“Your Uncle Jake, sweetie.” Jane said.

John chuckled “He told you about Britney arriving earlier than anticipated then?”

Jane snorted “Yeah, and considering she’s supposed to be his girlfriend..." she framed the words with quotation marks on one hand “He doesn’t seem too pleased about it.”

“Yeah well, I think we all know the reason for that.” Janet joined them in the hallway, not even bothering to hide her disdain for the entire situation and John snorted. He leaned over and gave Gracie a kiss “Night Squirt.”

“Night grandpa.” She smiled before she took a kiss off Janet too. “Night Nanny” and then she looked at Jane “When’s daddy back from the station?”

“When his shift finishes baby, now come on, let’s get you home.” Jane smiled before she looked at her parents “See you tomorrow.”

Jane and Gracie exited the house, making their way to her car. Jane strapped Gracie into the seat and then moved to climb into the driver’s side and paused, spotting her dad’s car was still there behind hers. Jake was sat in the drivers’ seat, pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked pissed, really pissed, but before she had the chance to go and speak to him, he’d set off.

“Fucking idiot.” Jane grumbled to herself, and with a shake of her head she climbed in her own car and headed home.

**** The following morning Stella woke up in a better mood, talking with Evan the previous night had calmed her restlessness and though she missed him she was determined to make the most of the New Year's party that very same night. It was just a few days more and they could be together and she could effectively unwrap her gift.

She was getting ready to go shopping, Rey probably on her way to pick her up, when the doorbell rang and she cursed her sister for being earlier than expected for once in her life as she barrelled down the stairs.

"Honey, can you get that? I’m busy." her mother shouted from the kitchen.

"Sure mom." she replied just as she realised Rey wouldn't be using the front door and definitely wouldn't use the doorbell. With a frown she opened it and blinked in disbelief, her mouth falling open. Evan was stood there, wearing a warm, woollen coat, scarf and a huge, million dollar smile. The bastard!

“Surprise Pumpkin…” he chanted, opening his arms for her.

Stella gasped and gave him a quick hug. “Oh my God…Ev, what are you doing here?”

"Well I got nothing on, you were only an hour away and after you saying you wished I was here…" he shrugged, “figured I could drive up to see my best girl."

Stella blinked again, before she smiled shyly. "You drove just to see me? That’s…wait… how did you know where I live?"

Evan laughed heartily. "I work in intelligence gathering for the CIA, wasn’t that hard."

"Ok, that’s kinda creepy, stalker behaviour." she mused.

He laughed again and winked an eye at her. "Perks of the job, sweetheart."

That damned side smile of his made Stella pause for a second before she giggled and jumped at him. He caught her and laughed as her legs wrapped around his waist. “I’m so glad you’re here, Ev..."

He smiled at her fondly before he kissed her tenderly, his cold nose bumping against hers. “Me too, but are you gonna let me in coz it's freezing out here…”

“Yes, let the man in Stella.” Mrs Stevenson spoke from behind her daughter, making Stella drop to her feet and turn to face her. Her mother smiled at her and then to Evan. “Hi Evan, nice to meet you finally.”

"It’s a pleasure Mrs Stevenson." he greeted the woman back, flashing his smile.

Stella looked at her mom as she pulled away to let Evan in the house, if she was surprised by her daughter's boyfriend showing up at her door she was hiding it very well, and then it dawned on her. "Oh my God, you knew he was coming, didn’t you?"

Evan shut the door behind him and looked at her mom, then to Stella and chuckled. "Clever girl."

"He may or may not have called me earlier this morning to check if you were doing anything and I may or may not have suggested he spends New Year with us." Mrs Stevenson conceded.

Stel gasped and looked back at Evan with hopeful eyes. "Are you?"

"Well, I was gonna see if you wanted to come back to Boston with me but your mom said you wouldn’t want to miss the party as you’ve not made one for 3 years so, choice is yours." he shrugged, flashing a dazzling half smile.

Stella bit her lip, Boston sounded good, the fact that he had come all the way to see her and was willing to take her back to his family's place sounded even better, but she was really looking forward to that night's party. She missed Mr and Mrs Jensen, and also Jane and, though the prospect of Britney being there wasn't very appealing, she thought that maybe with Evan there she could have a really nice time. Thus, after pondering the pros and cons she looked at him. "I’d like to go to the party if you wanna?"

"Then party it is." Evan grinned.

"So this means I get to receive the New Year with you!" she grinned back at him.

"Yeah, guess it does." he said with a smile, one that was also loaded with the promise of a very good start to the year, if you knew how to read it that is.

And then the voice of Julie pulled them away from gazing into each other's eyes "I was gonna get the spare room ready but figured you two would want to share so I’ve left fresh towels on your bed Stella."

"Mommmm." Stella protested, mortified.

"I’m happy to sleep wherever I’m told." Evan, ever the charmer, intervened.

But whatever Stella's mom was going to reply it was cut off as the kitchen door opened signalling Rey’s entrance.

"Stel, you ready? I thought we could head down to…" Rey began to say before she stopped dead as she entered the hallway and spotted a masculine presence, her mouth dropping open. "Fuck me!"

"Aubrey!!" her mum chastised her.

Rey blinked and looked at her mum and then at Stel. "He’s here?!"

Evan chuckled at Rey's reaction to him being there. "I am. Nice to meet you Rey."

"Erm, hi…" she managed to say before looking at Stella, smirking a little. "I take it you want a rain check on our shopping trip?"

Evan frowned at Rey's comment and gave her an apologetic look. "Oh, sorry, did I step all over your plans?"

"No, it’s fine. You can come, we were only going into town to pass the time, grab some lunch." Stella assured him. But Rey wasn't that willing to keep their plans as it were.

"No way am I playing 3rd wheel…you two go, I can do…stuff."

"You sure?" Evan asked Rey. "Coz I can just..." he said as he nodded towards what he supposed to be the door that led into some sort of den, but she didn't let him finish.

"No, don’t worry. It’s ok. You two will want to spend some time together, you didn’t come here to sit in our living room."

"Whose living room?" Mrs Stevenson asked, amused.

Aubrey ignored her mum and mused. "Would be a nice addition to it though…"

"Ok so I’m gonna bring my bag in from the car, be right back Pumpkin." Evan said, blushing a little at Rey’s complement before giving Stella a quick kiss on her cheek and heading out the door.

The three women watched him go appreciatively, until Rey shook her head and asked "Wait is he staying? And Pumpkin? What?"

Julie grinned as Stella groaned. She knew that one wasn’t going away any time soon.

****

Chapter 4 Part 2

#too loose and you'll lose it #jake jensen x ofc #jake jensen x original female character #jake jensen #the losers

54 notes · View notes

drwcn · 4 years

Text

discordance!verse part 8(2/2): there are consequences to their actions, consequences they can’t avoid.

in which wwx is lxc’s husband through political alliance, and there is an affair.

[8.1] | [7] | [6] | [5] | [4] | [3] | [2] | [1] [synopsis] OR

see [discau tag] or [discordance navigation page] for all installments

Both 8.1 and 8.2 are posted on AO3 Chapter 4

The verdict came at dusk.

Yinzhu, Madam Yu's handmaid and bodyguard, bows to Jiang Yanli, "Da-xiao'jie, Wei-gongzi's presence is requested."

Over at jingshi, a senior Lan disciple does the same. "Zewu-jun, Hanguang-jun's presence is requested."

"Not to worry, A-Xian, we will go together."

"I shall go with you, Wangji."

"Da-xiao'jie -"

"Zewu-jun-"

"- the Elders request that he goes alone."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Wei Wuxian arrives at the Lan family's sacred ancestral hall, Lan Wangji is already there, kneeling alone before the altar, flanked by Gusu and Yunmeng's elders and their stern and silent gaze. He braves it without any signs of distress. His back is straight, his posture unbent and his spirit unbroken. Like him, Lan Zhan is dressed down in a plain white robe, no guan to hold up his hair, only a bare strip of white cloth.

To see him relatively well, Wei Wuxian releases the anxious breath he's been holding high in his chest. The last thing he remembers is passing out in Lan Zhan's arms in front of Songfeng Shuiyue. They were beating Lan Zhan with the whip…they were… And then Zewu-jun had arrived.

Of course Lan Zhan is fine. He is Hanguang-jun, Gusu's Second Jade, the second ranked cultivator of our generation…Lan Zhan is fine… he's fine…

Shijie tells him it's been seven days. Has it really? He wonders. Only just? Why does it feel like a lifetime has passed?

Eyes turn on him as he makes his first step into the abbey, and he's never more thankful for the potion the healers fed him pre-emptively than at that moment. He knows he must look a sight, as much as shijie has tried to clean him and make him proper. It could be so much worse; at least he is walking independently instead of being hoisted by disciples. The mixture of milk of poppy and cannabis extract dulls the fire burning along his back just enough for it to be bearable.

Shijie was none too unhappy that he has to trek all the way to the ancestral hall by himself, but Wei Wuxian is not so bothered. When one decides to bed one's husband's brother, it is only natural that one must prepare for the possibility that one's ass is going to get flayed. The situation as it is, his affair is a thing of public knowledge and his reputation is in tatters. Once, he had boasted to Xue Yang that if he, Wei Wuxian, is the second most shameless person in the cultivation world, then nobody would dare to be first.

It was truthfully a bit of an exaggeration, for he had been a beloved ward of Jiang Fengmian, Head Disciple of Yunmeng Jiang, the son of Cangse Sanren, and the fourth ranking cultivator of his generation.

Now… now he's just a problem. Even His mother would be ashamed.

Wei Wuxian stumbles, and the sound of his shuffling steps has Lan Wangji whipping around, eyes growing wide at the sight of him.

Do I really look so awful?

"Wei Ying!" He pushes to his feet but a single pulse of spiritual energy from an elder strikes him in the leg and forces his back onto his knees again. His porcelain mask crumbles and the raw pain underneath bleeds through.

A tinge of red seeps through the white of his robes, like a plum flower blooming amidst snow.

Wei Wuxian is suddenly acutely aware of the waning of Lan Zhan's cheeks and the pallor of his skin. Lan Zhan seems subdued somehow, almost as if… he's still confined by spiritual locks.

Without his cultivation, his wounds won't heal.

Worry lances Wei Wuxian in the chest, hot and sudden. Beneath his breast-bone, his physical heart aches within its cage. Struggling another three steps, he falls gracelessly onto his knees. His breath shakes, beads of cold sweat breaking across his temple and clinging to his hairline. The potion's numbness is starting to wear off, and the wave of pain rising inside him is almost enough to topple him to the ground. Still he holds on. He squeezes his eyes shut and gathers his breath, but he knows he must appear pathetic like this, half wasted before the Lan and Jiang Elders, Uncle, Madam Yu, and all of Gusu Lan's ancestors. No amount his usual shield of devil-may-care attitude could protect him now from his own sense of embarrassment.

"Wei Ying." Someone whispers his name. A firm grip finds his elbow, pulling him up.

Lan Zhan has shifted closer, so close in fact their thighs are almost touching. Cool, gentle fingers caress his face. He holds Lan Zhan's hand out of need and desperation.

Inexplicably, the elders allow this, but it doesn't bode well. Rather than perceiving it as leniency, Wei Wuxian is seized with dread.

Kindness is something one shows to a prisoner sentenced to die.

~~~

Lan Wangji is terrified.

The fact that the elders of Gusu Lan and Yunmeng Jiang are able to deliberate and come to a consensus within half a day, that Yu Ziyuan and Lan Qiren can peacefully tolerate each other's presence without devolving into a shouting match, that neither xiong’zhang nor Jin-xiao-fu'ren are permitted to attend - are reasons for his frightful premonition.

There are candles and oil lamps lit all along the hall, illuminating the tomb plaques stacked neatly one row above the next up the wall of names.

With a nod from Madam Yu, Uncle rises from his seat and approaches him and Wei Ying. His expression is sullen and sad.

"Wangji, Wuxian. The Elders have discussed at length. Initially we had considered xiu'fu to be the most direct solution, but Yunmeng Jiang Sect has made it clear a divorce is not acceptable. After some convincing, Gusu Lan Sect concedes. Despite the rumours and the gossips, we recognize that you are both equal participants in this affair. Neither one is more guilty than the other…and in any case, Xichen himself is not the least bit bothered by any of this. The dissolution of your marriage, Wuxian, is not why we've summoned you both here today before our family's ancestors."

With a permissive gesture, Uncle beckons a Lan healer to enter the hall.

Lan Wangji's blood grows cold as the healer stops before him and Wei Ying, bows once, hands a tray to Lan Qiren containing two identical jade cups filled with clear liquids, and shuffles out without glancing once at either of them.

He hears Wei Ying inhale sharply, the fingers laced between his own squeeze impossibly harder.

So this is what it shall be.

Two cups of poisons to end the scandal, to wash them of their sins, and to restore honour to its rightful place.

Lan Wangji looks to the man he loves with his entire being, and finds Wei Ying's equally panicked eyes staring back at him.

This can't be real.

"Shufu -" Lan Wangji inches forward on his knees. Wei Ying has already taken three hundred and one lashes for him and nearly lost his life in process. He's never owed Lan Wangji anything, and even if he did, surely the debt's been paid in full and then some. He doesn't deserve this. "Shufu - shufu, forgive Wei Ying! This is my fault - "

Lan Wangji is the instigator. Since that first night at the wedding banquet, he's lost control of himself. Wei Ying annoyed him, yes, but only a little. Even since day one, Lan Wangji was able to recognize that Wei Wuxian from Lotus Pier has wit, spontaneity, and heart. His talent with a sword impress even those that disliked him, and he wields it with a sense of right and wrong that is fluid and innate, and has nothing to do with the rigid precepts carved in stone.

Lan Wangji fell without realizing, without warning, slow and sudden all at once.

He envied Lan Xichen who had all of Wei Ying and didn't know it, didn't treasure it. He envied Jiang Wanyin who held Wei Wuxian's sworn loyalty as brother, as family. He envied Jiang Yanli, who could draw the light to Wei Ying's eyes with a simple well-wishing letter and a smile from his lips that was warmer than the hearth in a winter storm, than the sunrise on a summer day.

He envied them because they had so much of Wei Ying and he had so little and wanted so much, but now he has everything…

…and what a price his desires demand.

"Shufu - Madam Yu -" Lan Wangji turns to the matriarch of Yunmeng Jiang and knocks his forehead to the ground. "Please believe me, this is entirely Wangji's doing. Wei Ying is innocent! If anyone is guilty, it is Wangji!"

"No! Lies!" Wei Ying protests, pushing Lan Wangji out of the way to say, "Don't listen to him, it's my fault- I -"

"That's enough." Lan Zonghui interrupts the youngsters' panicked tirade, always the cold voice of reason. "Perhaps you should allow your uncle to finish."

Lan Qiren grimaces, as though he can't make himself continue. Tightening his grip on the tray, and he says, "This transgression goes beyond the breaking of vows or the marriage of two individuals. The dignity of two great sects are at jeopardy. Since you are the ones who started it, you must be the ones to finish it. You must've known the consequences of your sins when you both chose this insane course of action, so we ask nothing but that you find the decency and courage to face them. Neither Gusu Lan nor Yunmeng Jiang are the deciders of your fates. As you are both equally at fault, to blame one over the other would be unjust. Therefore," He presents them with the cups.

"Only one is laced with poison. Which one you choose to drink is entirely up to you."

Lan Wangji's head is light, and he barely thinks before he asks out right, "Why not both?"

Lan Zonghui tilts his head curiously. "Do you think you deserve to die together?"

Of course not. That would be too kind.

Wei Ying closes his eyes as tears fall.

"What do you intend to do with the other?" ask Lan Wangji, glaring up at Lan Zonghui with mutiny in his eyes.

"Seclusion, to repent for your sins -"

"Wei Ying!"

Lightning fast, Wei Wuxian has already swallowed the content of cup closest to him and is reaching for the second cup.

It did occur to Lan Wangji earlier that if he moves quickly enough, he can grab both and drink both, but while he wrangled with how to best execute his plan, Wei Wuxian is already in motion.

Lan Wangji shouts something incoherent as the others in the room gasp. His powers may be sealed, but Wei Wuxian is carrying the wound of three hundred lashes. Even now, they are evenly matched. Lan Wangji knocks his hand out of the way at the very last second, stealing the second cup right out from under his reach and downs it in one go.

The drink tastes like nothing. Like water.

No…

He stares at the cup in hand then up at Wei Ying, assuming the worst, but Wei Wuxian is staring back at him with equal terror, seemingly not in any kind of danger. He must've tasted water too.

Was it… was it a test?

Lan Wangji dares to hope. He looks to his uncle, "shuf-", but then he feels it.

It's not pain, but he feels it, crawling up from his belly and overtaking him inch by inch. He lurches forward, falling onto his palms, the jade cup clattering to the ground.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Ying collects him in his arms and shakes him furiously. "Lan Zhan!! Stop fooling around! You can't die, they're not going to let you die, I'm not going to let you die, so - stop it! Stop messing with me!! Stop pretending - Lan Zh- Lan Wangji if you die now I will never forgive you!!"

Lan Wangji tries to say something, but he can't. Death is heavy, like a woolen shroud coiling tighter and tighter around his body. He's already lost sensation of his limbs, and even his vision is starting to blur. Whatever the poison is, it works fast.

Wei Ying is full on sobbing now, all pretenses of composure gone.

Wei Ying… I couldn't protect you when I should have.

He wishes he could speak these words aloud, or to touch that lovely face one more time, but he is relieved nevertheless that fate chose him. It is the intolerance of their world that demands one of their lives, but Lan Wangji finds he cannot regret his actions, despite his life coming to an end. To have met Wei Ying was a gift, to have loved him was a blessing, and to die for him now is an honour. Even when he's gone, he knows Wei Ying will be taken care of; xiong'zhang would ensure that much even if he is powerless to stop the will of the Elders.

It should shock Lan Wangji how quickly he's made his peace with death.

Wei Ying's cries drown out his senses, and he wishes again that he could somehow comfort him. Of all the things that has happened since Su She discovered them in the back mountains, his own demise is one which he willingly accepts. Above all else, he refuses to go with a broken heart, because then it would all have been for naught.

Lan Wangji smiles. To spend the last moment on this earth in Wei Ying's arms is indeed not so bad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wei Wuxian feels it the second Lan Zhan grows still in his arms. Eyes closed, a smile lingers on his peerless face.

"L-Lan Zhan…Lan Zhan!! Lan Zhan!!"

He's still warm, pliant. Soon, soon he won't be. No, no Wei Wuxian refuses to let this be the end. It just can't.

Still holding onto Lan Zhan, he lunges forward and grasps onto Lan Zonghui's robe hem beseechingly. "Elder, elder please help him!" But Zonghui shakes him off.

Wei Wuxian glances frantically back and forth at the stone faces around him, desperation and despair brewing into hysteria inside him. Then, he finds it, the one pair of eyes not glaring at him in cold condemnation but pity.

Gently setting Lan Zhan on the ground, Wei Wuxian tries to get up, but his body does not obey. The back of his thin white robe is already soaked through, the vigor of his earlier movement having undone all of the healer's work. Too far gone to care now, Wei Wuxian crawls forward on his elbows and knees until he reaches Yu Ziyuan.

"Yu-fu'ren, please, please I’m begging you, give Lan Zhan the antidote! There has to be an antidote, right?! There can still be a chance - I'll die- I can die right now if you want me to! But save Lan Zhan, save him please! He is Gusu's Lan-er-gongzi, Gusu's Second Jade, my husband's little brother! I've already ruined my marriage, my reputation, my standing amongst the cultivators! Zewu-jun is kind and magnanimous, but even he won't want me now, especially if Lan Zhan is dead because of me! What is the point of letting me live?!! There is no future for me anywhere, but there still a future for Lan Zhan! Yu-fu'ren - no - shimu, shimu please, A-Xian has never begged you for anything in this life, please, if for nothing else than the fact I have been raised under you wings, help me save Lan Zhan, please…"

Madam Yu slowly bends down, hooking her index finger under Wei Wuxian's chin and lifts it up. "You would die for Lan Wangji?"

His face blotchy and snotty from sobbing, Wei Wuxian hiccups. "I - I would. Right now if you wish it."

There's a beat.

"Wangji isn't dead."

It is Lan Qiren that speaks. Yu Ziyuan releases him. Wei Wuxian twists around to see Uncle's hand pressed against Lan Wangji's left carotid. "Just out cold. You'd know if you thought to check instead of letting appearances fool you."

Disbelieving, Wei Wuxian struggles back to Lan Zhan's side to verify for himself. With trembling hands, he turns Lan Zhan over and gathers him in his arms. Though he knows there is nothing to fear, he still can't help pressing two digits to Lan Zhan's neck, checking to make sure the precious pulse is still there. Sure enough, Lan Zhan's heartbeat is strong and his breathing deep and unlaboured.

Alive.

Wei Wuxian blinks, still reeling from the mental whiplash of the sudden revelation, but the steady thrumming beneath his fingertip coupled with comforting sight of that warm, flushed cheeks give him the courage he needs to face what is to come.

Lan Zonghui steps up to him and says, "You said so yourself. There is no future for you. Now you understand now why it always has to be you." From his qiankun sleeve, he retrieves a small porcelain bottle.

The real poison. Wei Wuxian realizes, sagging in relief. The irony of his emotions is not lost on him.

"What did you actually give us?"

"A strong anesthetic."

"Then… how come I'm not affected."

"The antidote to the anesthetic was laced into your pain medicine, which the healers gave you before you were summoned," Lan Qiren explains.

Sleeping…he's just sleeping. Thank god, oh thank god.

Lan Zhan is alive. He's going to be fine. But…Wei Wuxian grows worried again, imagining how Lan Zhan will react to his death once he comes to.

"What will you tell him? When he wakes up, he's going to realize you've tricked him." Lan Wangji can be the most stubborn when he's fixated on a goal. There's no telling what he would do. "You have to… you have to protect him from himself."

"He won't know. We will tell him that one cup had the poison and the other an anesthetic. The poison is slow acting while the anesthetic is fast."

"He will question it. Why the anesthetic? Why the smoke and mirrors?"

Lan Zonghui looks from him to the boy lying unconscious cradled against him. "Does he really want to be awake to watch his lover die in his arms as you just assumed you did? We will tell him it's mercy, so that the remaining party won't have to watch the process happen. He will be allowed to say goodbye to you at the sect funeral. We will grant him that."

"Sect funeral?" Echoed Wei Wuxian, surprised. "You… Gusu Lan Sect would bury me with honour? Even after…"

"That is the compromise." It is a Jiang Elder - Jiang Liliang, Wei Wuxian believes - who explains to him. "The Lans will recognize you as one of their own. No ceremony will be spared. In death, you will be given all honours and decorum befitting the husband of Sect Master Lan. The action of an individual should not affect the relations of two sects. This is a stance the elders of both our families unanimously share."

Wei Wuxian nods, understanding, finally calm after all that crying.

"I'm still worried about Lan Zhan. You must swear to -"

"Wangji will be under guard at all times until the funeral, after which he will be sent to sealed seclusion for three years. He won't have access to his powers or means to harm himself. Time dulls all pain. So too will Wangji's. Someday, you will just be a mistake of his youth."

A mistake of his youth…

Indeed.

Lan Zonghui picks up the cup Wei Wuxian had discarded on the ground and pours the content of the vial into it.

Wei Wuxian wonders what it actually is.

"Do you have any more questions?" Lan Qiren asks him, sullen but not unkind.

"None."

"Requests?"

Requests? Ah yes. Last rites. At least they let him have that, and if he may, there is in fact something he'd like to do.

"One."

"You may name it."

"Turn around."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I'd like to kiss Lan Zhan. One last time. So unless you'd rather watch me do it, turn around."

"Look around you, you insolent scoundrel!" One Lan Elder whose name he can't recall cries out in anger. "You're in the ancestral hall, Wei Wuxian! How dare you?!"

But Wei Wuxian hugs Lan Wangji close and swallows his pride. For what seems like the thousandth time since he arrived, he begs, not for himself, but for Lan Zhan.

"Please."

He expects that even after his death, he would be the smear in Hanguang-jun's otherwise pristine history, but he doesn't want to be just that, not completely. This, he will leave with Lan Zhan. Even if only one kiss out of their thousands is sanctioned, it will still be better than nothing.

One kiss, just one.

Perhaps they understood him, for Lan Qiren and Yu Ziyuan turn away without further protest, and Lan Zonghui too. Grumbling, the rest of the elders follow suit, displeased and somewhat disgusted by his shamelessness, but Wei Wuxian is due to die any second now, so they allow him this one offense.

"Sleep well, Lan-er-gege, I've gotta go now," he whispers for no one to hear.

Their last kiss is slow, chaste, and Wei Wuxian prays.

Lan Zhan, for yourself sake, I hope you can slowly feel less for me. I would hate to know you spent the rest of your very long life sad. But maybe...don't forget me completely? How does that sound? Or else I'd be a very sad ghost…

Lan Zhan... next life, let's not be brothers-in-law, hm? If you want, I'll wait for you, however long it takes I'll wait. When we meet again, I hope it's still at night. I never did tell you how beautiful you were under the moon.

I promised, I would never leave you, so I won't. You have me, as long as you want, you'll have me. As long as you want me with you, I am not gone.

Wei Wuxian says none of those things out loud, but the soft expression on his face as he smiles down at Lan Zhan must've spoken volumes. This is a man close to death, and yet his smile is kind, soft, and sincere.

Lan Qiren makes a low cough in the back of his throat, telling him time is up.

Wei Wuxian presses his lips one last time to Lan Zhan's forehead, and lets him go.

"I'm ready."

The healers on standby transport Lan Wangji's body to the infirmary.

Lan Zonghui stands before him with the solution to this disaster.

Wei Wuxian knows that as long as he dies, all of this can end. A decision unanimously agreed upon by Yunmeng Jiang and Gusu Lan, to all those who hear of his story, his death will not be an unfair sentence. There is no bias. No undeserved blame. It is...it is Wei Ying's lot in life to be the one chosen by fate to die. The gods must've seen that Lan Wangji is good and worthy of redemption. As long as he dies, faith and righteousness will be satisfied.

"What is it?" He asks Elder Zonghui curiously. 鹤顶红? Crane's crimson crown? Probably. That is the most likely.

"天子泪."

Emperor's Tears. Wei Wuxian almost laughs. Of course, of course it is.

"It tastes like Emperor's Smile, but it is not. It is a gentle poison and will take some time to take its effect."

It's funny, Wei Wuxian muses as the jade cup is presented to him, how such a lovely thing is to be the instrument that ends his life. He accepts it with both hands, obediently, bringing it close to his lips. The familiar aroma of the clear liquid makes him smile.

He bows thrice, properly, his forehead meeting the marbled ground with a dull thud each time.

Wei Wuxian takes his last drink with the same vigour as he took his first. Eyes closed, savouring every drop. Then, clasping his hands before his chest, he draws all the energy in his body and rights himself onto his knees, facing the altar.

"I, Wei Wuxian of Gusu Lan, repent before the forefathers. May you forgive my transgressions and release me from my mortal sins."

And protect Lan Zhan. He prays. For I will no longer be able to do it.

Briefly, he wonders if there are Gusu Lan forefathers with a sense of humour. For all this to play out front of them, surely the less uptight ancestors must be thoroughly entertained by the dramatics of it all. Death, he imagines, must get boring after a while. In any case, he'll find out soon for himself.

"I'd like to spend my last moments alone."

Lan Zonghui looks to Yu Ziyuan and then to Lan Qiren. An unspoken agreement passes between them. One after another, elders of the Lan and Jiang clan vacate the ancestral hall. The heavy doors grind against the hinge, a low somber moan, as it is pulled shut, leaving Wei Wuxian kneeling amongst the candlelight.

The slow poison is not so slow. Perhaps in his reduced state, its effect is amplified, for soon after he is left to himself the air in his lungs begins to burn. A gush of blood surges up his throat filling his mouth.

If he's honest…okay, he's a little scared. Just a tad.

Hey demons, it's me. Eighteenth level of hell here I come…

In his last conscious moments, his thoughts linger on the sweet tang of Gusu's Emperor's Tears, and of Lan Zhan that very first night standing alone under the eave, away from the wedding festivities, an ethereal figure basked in the moonlight. There is a force pulling him down, and he collapses under the weight of it, right there in front of the altar.

The world is dark before he even hit the ground.

He does not hear the clash of Shuoyue's energy against the entrance, blasting open the doors, but he does perhaps hear the fainting voice of his sister calling his name.

A-XIAN.

Dusk falls, night arrives, and Wei Wuxian is gone.

---

Note:

[shimu 师母] - shi = teacher, mu = mother. The wife of one's shifu

#the untamed #wangxian #discordance #discau #cql #I'M SORRY #not really #lan xichen blew the door down #just fyi #but erm #too late #jiang cheng is not going to be happy #so this is chapter 4 on AO3 #after this it's gonna be a really really really long flash back from the beginning #the following part will be part 4 the wedding and then chronologically from there onwards

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musicfeedsmysoul12 · 4 years

Text

Random Drabble that came tonight as I finally finish up season 2 of BNHA...

-0-

“Work together to beat me you two-“ All Might began but he was interrupted.

“I’ll take the automatic fail.”

Silence struck the group. Everyone stared at Izuku, who looked terrified but also determined.

“What?” Aizawa-Sensei asked.

“I’ll take the automatic fail. Call me petty or mean or rude but I absolutely refuse to work with the kid who bullied me for most of my school career, who vocally hates me and who is honestly a selfish prick.” Izuku said even more bluntly.

“Fucking DEKU- shut the hell up!” Bakugou snapped but Izuku ignored it.

“I will take the fail. This is a school environment not an actual battle in which I wouldn’t have a choice Sensei. It is not my job to try and get along with him. I do not confront him. I do not provoke him. I ignore him.” Izuku said, continuing to stare straight at his teacher. “If this is because you think we should get along- then do not dare put my grade on the line. I will take the fail and I will do it with a smile because I refuse to be put into a position I am afraid for my life. I cannot trust him not to attack me after our battle trial where he was willing to ignore orders from All Might to not use his gauntlets which could kill me.” The Sensei all traded looks in front of them and Izuku nearly faltered but he instead swallowed and pushed forward. “It is not my job to make him be able to work with others. It is your job. I am not a tool for you to use to further his schooling. Act like adults and do it yourselves.” The entire group of adults stared. No one spoke, not until a voice snarled.

“Fucking faker- you’re a liar!” Bakugou snarled, moving and grabbing him, hands heating up. “I don’t have the problem- you-“

“You just fucking grabbed me!” Izuku snapped, fed up. Maybe he was just tired for days of studying. Maybe he was just tired because of Hosu. Maybe he was sick of people assuming he’d be meek and let things happen.

Or maybe he was just done with Bakugou in general.

“You grabbed me and I can feel your Quirk! Of course you’ve never had a problem with using it on me- I was your fucking punching bag as kids! What was it you said to my face? Take a swan dive? I’d be safer with a fucking villain then you!”

“What?!” Ochako said loudly, but the two weren’t listening.

“You should have fucking done it! Spare us your worthless ass-“

“I nearly did!” Bakugou stopped. He looked confused. “I nearly did and it was because of you and everyone else in our school. Because I thought it was the best option so I would never have to look at you again. I hate you. I don’t know if you know how much but I hate you Bakugou.” The blonde scoffed.

“Liar- you’d have fucking-“

“Enough!” Nezu spoke up then. “Midoriya, you will be on a three person team up. Bakugou- you will be getting a fail.”

“WHAT?!” Bakugou screamed. “What the fuck? He-“

“You have just admitted to instigating suicide and bullying- no abuse.” Nezu snapped. He did not look pleased. “You’re lucky we might NOT expel you-“

“That was in middle school!” Bakugou shouted, finally letingngoing of Izuku and stepping forward. It was like something broke and then Ochako went flying.

“You ass-“ she screamed, slugging him in the fact before she was pulled back by Ashido who didn’t look like she wanted to.

“And? We have no need for a villain training at UA and those actions? Are that of a villain.” Stated Nezu. “Aizawa-“

“I know.” Their homeroom teacher sighed. “I apologize Midoriya. I misread all the interactions between you and Bakugou and thought you both were at fault. I should have thought on it better.”

“Why did you think it was the both of us?” Izuku asked his teacher in a tired voice.

“I didn’t know why he had so much rage against you. It just didn’t seem feasible without both of you participating in a rivalry.” Aizawa told him. “But I suppose it’s pure simply awfulness.”

“Shut up! I’m going to be-“ Bakugou began but he was silenced by a hand over his mouth.

“Don’t say another word.” Kirishima said. He sounded very different then normal. That was when Bakugou saw everyone’s expressions of horror and fear and even some hate. He swallowed.

That… that wasn’t good. Why were they looking at him like that? Deku deserved it! He did!

“Can we even give him a fail?” Asked Midnight, sounding thoughtful.

“Yes.” Nezu said shortly. “He will be failed and then we will discuss if he should keep his place in the Hero course or perhaps be moved to Gen Ed while that boy- Shinsou?- takes his place or if he should be expelled all together.” And, though he kept this to himself, he would have to look into how they were treating their students. Midoriya was right. It wasn’t his job to be a tool for Bakugou’s growth. And they should have thought of that rather then defaulting to the idea they were heroes. Sure the kids had been through a fair bit but not enough to be treated like it.

Perhaps even keeping Bakugou away from the training camp would be good...

-0-

It really annoyed me they decided to pair these two up. Like seriously- also Bakugou as soon as he hit Izuku that should have had them go: BAKUGOU FAIL AND IZUKU GETS A PASS- which actually I’m keeping. I think I can fit it in somewhere for a different fic.

Honestly though- this is why I think they don’t see to much wrong with how they act? Because Bakugou is just plain mean in general so they just kind of assumed it has to be coming from both sides and maybe hey just don’t see Izuku’s side cause Bakugou is loud?!

Anyway- I think in this AU he is demoted to Gen Ed and Shinsou is moved up and Bakugou has to work his ass off to get back into hero course. Of course this does draw media attention which exposes his past which leads to a lot of hate towards him and that’s really what gets it through to him that his middle school was not the norm but an outlier.

And then of course though this isn’t known until the next semester meaning that the whole Kidnap thing doesn’t happen as no one knows he isn’t at the camp, passing off the villains and thus All for One is still around and All Might is still All Might...

Thoughts?

#bnha #ficlet #katsuki bakugou faces consequences #bakugou x consequences #bnha au #bakugou bashing #not sure if its the right tag #final exam au

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laundryandtaxes · 4 years

Note

how bad do you think it could get /what is the worst case scenario?

How bad it COULD get is almost never how bad it actually does, so that’s good, but I think worst case scenario is Trump loses in November, he refuses to accept the loss, and a bunch of unofficial brownshirts start roaming around trying to instigate civil war. I think even this scenario doesn’t last long and gets shut down relatively quickly, but basically worst case scenario to me is some form of civil unrest exploding in to armed conflict, and even then the armed conflict doesn’t concern me all that much- I won’t be participating so I should be mostly pretty cool, again I’m talking about very small scale conflicts in a number of places- but the kinds of people who are waiting on that unrest to go hunting down undesirables.

Most likely scenario I’m preparing for is, I’m no economist and don’t really know shit, but I think we’re overdue for a more serious recession and I think that we’re going to see a really really serious financial collapse or breakdown soon- the number of companies subsisting on debt right now, the number of rents who will be unable to make their rent payments without additional unemployment support, the number of landlords who will resultingly be unable to pay their mortgages, the millions of people who are not going to have jobs they can return to, I just think all of that spells really serious problems. I don’t know what the world looks like in that case but I want to make sure we have enough food to get through a period like that, some mobility, etc. I also think the coronavirus situation is just going to get much worse simply because we aren’t doing any of the things we’d have to do in order to stop it, so I’m looking into getting respirators that actively filter, which is not going to be the easiest right now.

My primary concern is ensuring that we can eat healthy food for several months, because I’m frankly expecting to lose my job soon and I will be entering a pretty shit job market.

#Anonymous

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crystalelemental · 4 years

Text

heavenlyfury replied to your post “Another merge project complete, and this time, we have the illustrious...”

An impressive unit, and what a character! My issue with Edelgard is, as much as her goals are noble and understable, her actions are just... Very unreasonable? Like she could have done things very differently in order to get what she wanted, and I simply cannot fathom why she thought Those who slithered in the dark were better allies than the church. Like, you don't trust Rhea, I get it.

But did she expect to wage war on the entire continent, basically alone (without diplomatically support), before taking on an enemy that has NUKES? Like those priorities are all kinds of wrong! But I still kinda love her intensity and the ambition, the idea of making her a different kind of protagonist. Anyways, congrats again!

Thank you. Edelgard is indeed pretty huge as a unit. Anyway, the short version of this is “no one’s wrong for having issues with Edelgard and her approach,” but I do have a lot to add in here.

I’m going to try going through this in order, but I’m building this as I go so bear with me.

What was her alternative? On the one hand, we know from experience that Rhea doesn’t want to lead, and passes the torch off to Byleth immediately. That could’ve happened in the near future for the CF route as well, even without Edelgard instigating war. But how would she know that? Edelgard has no way of knowing, or believing, that Rhea would cede power. She’s also got her own experience seeing her family’s power usurped by the nobility, who then immediately abused that power, and resulted in her and countless others being tortured for crest research. From her own experiences, it makes sense that she’s not willing to wait, and believes no one would accept her proposal if she were peaceful. And in that last part, she’s...kinda right. Rhea would cede her power to Byleth, sure, but she wouldn’t be willing to undermine the system she established to maintain peace and safety for herself.

Diplomacy sounds good, and is always the preference, but from Edelgard’s experience and point of view, she’s seen how awful the nobility is, how awful the system Rhea created is, and has seen how hard she cracks down on anyone who goes against that. Lonato’s little rebellion is immediately and violently suppressed, getting the innocents under him caught up in it as well. Hell, his son. Allegedly, he was executed for participating in a conspiracy to assassinate Rhea. Which directly mirrors something that happens after we beat Lonato: we find that document about a plan to assassinate her. But that turned out to be nothing, everyone saw right through it and identified that there was an alternate goal. Everyone...except Rhea and those working in the church. So how likely was it that Lonato’s son was actually going to do anything of the sort? Was his execution just? Was the execution of those in the Western Church just, considering they didn’t do anything particularly violent, they just used an opportunity to break into the vault and attempt stealing a hidden relic. Rhea may not be directly violent and out burning villages and slaughtering innocents for funsies. But she’s not exactly merciful, and will go hard against anyone who opposes what she upholds as necessity. Why would Edelgard assume diplomacy would work? Wouldn’t trying to be diplomatic by undermining the teachings of Seiros to suggest an alternative get her branded a heretic, and have the entire might of the church against her? At best, she’d lose her chance at returning power to the throne, and the corrupt nobles who allowed her family to be tortured and decimated maintain their status. At worst, she could be executed for the crime of going against the church on top of that. We don’t know for sure, we don’t see any of that play out, but from Edelgard’s perspective, they’re not likely to respond, and giving them that advance warning lets them prepare, and the Church is still the seat of power in Fodlan.

Which brings us to the Agarthans. Yes, Edelgard siding with them seems incredibly stupid. And it is infuriating, knowing that what happened to her was directly their fault. Which is something she’s aware of, mind. The Crimson Flower route makes clear that they don’t trust the Agarthans at all, it’s a temporary alliance to face off against a more threatening foe. Which...honestly, is fair. Aside from the fact that the Church has the strongest standing army, there’s Rhea to deal with. In Verdant Wind and Silver Snow, we see Rhea, in dragon form, caught in the blast range of TWO of those nukes, and she doesn’t die. That should express the level of discrepancy between the power of a dragon, and the power the Agarthans have. It took two nukes to injure her. What are general human tactics supposed to do against that? Against not just the human forces among her ranks, but also the golems she has under her command? Their power is, in fact, a necessity to face off against this combined power. Though I will fully admit that they could’ve done a better job of having the Agarthans directly involved in the fights.

As for why is she still willing to accept that help, despite them being the most directly responsible...ultimately it comes down to seeing beyond herself. Yes, the Agarthans are a problem. They are the most directly responsible for her suffering, Lysithea’s suffering, and are the most direct cause of bloodshed in the narrative. But consider. The Agarthans’ crest research is something that’s accepted by the nobles in the empire. It’s not like they didn’t know what was up. And society at large values crests so significantly, that the idea of being able to imbue others with that power, and creating people with two crests as weapons, is enticing. The Agarthans are directly responsible, but the nobility is indirectly complicit in atrocities for their own gain, while the church created the system that places value on the kind of work and ambitions they have. Crests are important, controlling crests and their power is the basis of society. You have to beat that system, which Rhea is the head of. And consider that when Arianrhod was nuked in CF, Edelgard is legitimately surprised. She likely didn’t know the Agarthans had that kind of firepower, which contextualizes a lot. Rhea’s a huge dragon, who even the Agarthans are scared of despite their advanced technology. But their advanced technology is mostly duplications of the divine weapons, which means their power is roughly equivalent to yours. One is a massive threat well above your level of power, and the other is roughly equivalent. You want both dead, but the equivalent foe is willing to back you to take on the much stronger one. You gonna say no?

Anyway, let’s say Edelgard did address the Agarthans first. Just broke in and cracked Thales’ skull open with Aymr and took a shit right on his floor. What then? You took out those responsible for the direct application of atrocities, but the system that permitted it is still in play, run by a super powerful being you can’t defeat. Consider what happened with Miklan; effectively disowned solely for not having a crest, and driven to what he wound up doing. He was a bastard because of the environment he grew up in. The system as a whole breeds the kind of resentment and power-seeking ambition that Miklan displays. So if she does kill off the Agarthans right away, but then can’t take out Rhea...what did that accomplish? Temporary reprieve? Because the system still permits for people to perform blood treatments, and implants the desire to do so, because it values crests and their power above human life. You’re not getting to the source of the issue any other way.

Not to get too political on main, but it’s kinda like what we’ve got going on in the US right now. People are recognizing that it’s the entire system that’s the problem. The system is corrupt to the point it produces these problems by design. Simply firing a few officers won’t fix police brutality, racial sensitivity trainings won’t fix inherent discrimination in the system, etc. The system has to go. And trying to address it around the direct issue with these calls of “just go out and vote in people who will fix it!” isn’t sufficient. A changing of the guard in the same system will yield the same results. The system of nobility and how it’s determined is the problem in this scenario. Changing out who the nobles are isn’t going to fix it, you have to dismantle the concept of nobility and create a new system in its place to avoid this just happening again. That’s the crux of Edelgard’s motivation.

I think people get annoyed with the Agarthans because they consider her motivation a personal one. And to a degree, it is. She was directly harmed by their actions, and by the system that permitted their actions, and of course must have personal feelings regarding that matter. But Edelgard is someone who looks beyond herself and her immediate pain to look at what is necessary to accomplish a broader goal. It goes so far that she’s willing to work with the people who caused her harm, if it means preventing harm to others by dismantling the system.

The real question is whether the outcome she hopes for is realistic. She’s essentially creating a single locus of power, just like Rhea did, and hinging all of the future on that locus of power doing the right thing and continuing her work. Because she doesn’t stay in power either, she steps down. All it would take is one person gaining that same level of power, but having completely different views, to undermine everything she’s done. Not to mention her goal seems to be creation of a meritocracy, which sounds great, but plenty of places in the world right now say they have that and how well is that going? Merit is often determined by experiences, which in turn is directly influenced by wealth. While the concept of “nobility” may be erased, unless that includes redistribution of wealth and resources for the common good, people who were once nobility still have an advantage and will remain on top. I mean, god, look at Ferdinand’s suggestion of free public schooling as a means of determining merit for those who should lead society in political life. How’s that working out now? The US education system’s sure doing great with making sure things are equitable because it’s free. There are a lot of factors to consider, and Edelgard’s current assessment of where to go once she wins isn’t fully formed, which means whatever system she creates is likely to be imperfect as well. Not to mention a system built on a mountain of corpses might have some moral quandaries to wrestle with. But if the alternative is keeping the current system because “She doesn’t have a better idea,” then I’d say she was right to act. You can’t let something awful continue just because you can’t fix every problem at once. Something needed to be done, and someone needed to take that first step toward true change. Edelgard was willing to be the one to take that step. So while there may be problems to her approach, problems which she openly acknowledges and identifies, I think it’s better that she’s willing to go forward with a plan to enact change and try something, instead of just sitting still, letting things continue, and doing nothing but “sending thoughts and prayers.” Sometimes there is no good solution, and you can’t just sit around theory crafting until you’re certain it’s going to work. Sometimes you just have to act and do your best to get the best outcome. And that’s what Edelgard does. And I love it.

#heavenlyfury #fire emblem three houses #edelgard #edelgard von hresvelg

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talpup · 4 years

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Light In the Darkness:64

So I couldn't not do an update for Yami's b.day. Also there's an update of Yami's Wedding Night on the 'Light In the Darkness One Shots'. I had planned on there only being two parts. But Yami's b.day had me wanting to do a little smutty something and since I was low on time 'Wedding Night' will now be in three parts. Hope you all enjoy.

Please remember this fic is rated mature and has warnings of violence, abuse, sexual tension, eventual sexual behavior, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

Part III

Chapter 64

Yami and Teris returned to the main house from an early morning sparring session with Venice and Tobin. The other couple had opted to stay behind for a further workout.

“Think they’ll actually continue on without us there?” Yami asked, eyes trained on her ass as he followed Teris up the three steps that led to the front entrance.

“Unlikely. Did you see the way Tobin was— Yami!“ Teris had turned back catching Yami just as his hand was reaching out.

“What?” Yami took the final step and closed the door she had just opened. Other arm wrapping around her, he grabbed her butt and pull her to him.

Teris smacked playfully at his arm. “Stop it. Someone might see.”

Yami didn’t let her go. “We’re home. It’s not like we’re breaking any of Julius’ rules.” He leaned in, Teris pulling back. “You know I’ll only be worse later since I’ll have to be good for the rest of the day.”

Teris raised a brow. “When have you ever been good?”

“Can you blame me? Looking the way you do.” Yami asked.

“So it’s my fault you can’t control yourself?”

“Sure. Let’s go with that.” Yami grinned.

Teris shook her head. “You’re terrible. You know that.”

“Does that mean I don’t get a kiss?”

“What do you think? Jax will get after us if we’re not waiting when he’s ready to head out.” Teris said.

“Jax will.” Jax said from the door, his own name feeling weird on his tongue.

Yami looked up. Teris pushed at Yami in truth, trying to separate. Realizing he wasn’t going to get his kiss, Yami sighed and released her

Teris turned to the Captain, smoothing her blouse. “We were just headed in to meet you.”

“I can see that.” Jax replied, fighting a smirk. Seeing Teris blush, he decided to have mercy. “Come on you two. Let’s go see if this years hopefuls contain anyone interesting.”

“Bran would really like not to be the newest member anymore.” Teris commented.

“Then by all means let’s pick someone to make Bran feel better.” Yami grumbled, still sour about the interruption. If Jax had been on the other side of the door the entire time, the least the Captain could have done was wait till he had gotten his way.

The three of them taking flight on their brooms, Jax said. “I’m hoping there’s a decent spatial mage. It’s like Bronn’s already retired with as often as he’s gone looking for and following leads. And I really hate having to get around like this.”

“Same.” Yami agreed.

“I could’ve light traveled us.” Teris said.

“No.” Yami and Jax said.

Teris scowled at Yami. “It’s been over two months. I’m fine, same as you.”

“I’d rather not show up to the Entrance Exams blind and burned.” Jax said. “Seeing what’s going on is a bit important when it comes to deciding potential candidates for my squad.” Not to mention such travel takes up a lot of mana, Jax thought. And you and Yami still can’t fill up each others mana store. He wondered if they would ever be able to do so again.

Teris hadn’t been over exaggerating when she had said she and Yami were fine. Though their mana was still too wild for them to feed off of each others mana, their magic and mana levels were as strong as they ever were. Even the wounds around both their wrists had closed. Though Yami still had faint scarring along his. Which was understandable given that his bindings had cut to the bone in some areas. The wounds on Teris’ chest had closed, though the scarring of the three symbols that had been carved into her were still clearly present leading her to still fully button the blouse she wore over the tank top. Thankfully Owen and Gilly agreed that the scars wouldn’t remain forever.

Jax couldn’t have been prouder of the two. They had made a full recovery and went about their training and duties as if none of it had ever happened. Though he had yet to send them out on a mission; he had been sure to give them plenty to do to keep them busy, saying it was in preparation for when they took over Bronn’s place as Vice Captain.

“What are you thinking of doing for Yami’s birthday this time around, Teris?” Jax asked as they flew.

“Whatever he wants.” Teris answered.

Flying between them, Yami smiled.

“Really?” Jax questioned, surprised.

Yami’s grin grew.

“That can be dangerous.” The Captain remarked, only Yami hearing.

“Don’t ruin it.” Yami hushed.

Jax laughed.

“What’s that?” Teris called.

“Nothing.” Yami said, causing Jax to laugh all the more.

They arrived at the arena. Yami and Teris hadn’t been in the building since the day they had participated in the Magic Knights Entrance Exam two years ago. It was strange seeing the place from the inside instead of the arena floor.

Jax looked over his shoulder at them wondering what they were feeling. As far as he knew this was where they had met. This place almost didn’t exist because of them and the clash of their magic. Jax still couldn’t believe that no other Captain had raised their hand for Yami. The stigma of his foreignness too great to outshine his having battled with a royal who had rare and powerful light magic.

They had been through so much. Suffered so much. And had risen above it all to stand here as Third Class Senior Magic Knights and soon enough his Vice Captains. Jax smiled a smile that he wouldn’t have been able to wipe from his face even if Sir Jorah had ordered it.

“You two head on over to the main viewing room.” Jax ordered. “I’ll see you there before the Captains head out to the balcony for the exams.”

“I hope you know where the viewing room is.” Yami told Teris, Jax gone before either could stop him and ask.

“How would I know?” Teris questioned.

“If you had joined us to watch the exams, instead of trying out like some common noble or peasant you would know exactly where it is.” Nozel said from behind.

Teris turned around smiling. “Congratulations.”

“It’s nothing.” Nozel said, unable to keep his chest from swelling a bit with pride.

“Agreed.” Yami said, slipping his hands into his pockets. “A single promotion to Fourth Class Senior isn’t much to boast about.”

“At least I didn’t almost die to earn it.” Nozel shot back, smoothly.

“Is that what you think? That the only reason we got promoted was cause we almost died?” Teris asked.

“Not you.” Nozel said.

Teris shook her head and turned away. “You never change.”

Nozel glared at Yami. Yami shook his head at Nozel as if disappointed.

Bristling, Nozel asked Teris. “Do you want to know where the viewing room is or not?”

“I’ll find it myself.” Teris said, heading off.

“Teris.” Nozel called after her.

Yami watched her go.

“What?” Nozel snipped, cold eyes fixing on Yami. “You’re not going to follow like the dog you are?”

Yami smirked at the Silver Eagle. “And let her stubbornness lead me to walking around without clue where we’re going? I’m not the weak willed fawning type. I’ll leave that sort of thing to you. It’s what you’re good at.”

Nozel’s scowl deepened.

“Those lines on your forehead are gonna stay for good if you keep doing that.” Yami warned. “Or maybe they already have. Is that why you wear that braid over your face? And here I thought it was just to hide how ugly you were.”

“I’m going to execute you one day. It’d be best if you don’t speak to me until that day, when you’re pleading for your life.” Nozel declared.

Looking Nozel in the eye, Yami shrugged. “Don’t know about that. I’m pretty difficult to kill. Just ask your father.”

Nozel’s eyes widened a fraction. Had Yami overheard the Black Bulls Vice Captain talking with someone about it? Or had Yami been the one to somehow figure it out and told Bronn? It didn’t matter. He didn’t want the foreigner thinking that he couldn’t handle his own problems.

“I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t even know about it until it was too late.” Nozel told.

“I believe you.” Yami said, having never thought Nozel had played any part in it. “You’re not that type of person. You want to look me in the eye when you do me in. Don’t you?”

Yes! Nozel thought, staring at him. I want to see the fear in your eyes right before they dim.

“But you never will.” Yami said.

“Of course I will.”

“You still think Teris is someone to be won and that you have a chance at doing so. That chance will be forever ruined if you do me in. So you never will.” Yami shrugged a shoulder. “It’s simple logic.”

Nozel couldn’t argue with that. He would have to wait until after he and Teris were wed and find a good reason to execute the foreigner. Not that Yami wasn’t highly capable of providing good reason on the regular.

Stepping closer to him, Nozel told. “Teris and I will wed shortly after her twentieth birthday. You have that long left to live. Enjoy it while you can.”

Yami waited till the royal turned and stepped away before calling. “Plan to. Teris is even letting me plan whatever I want for my birthday. I’m thinking a day alone with her. Possibly at some private beach. What do you think?”

“I thought I told you to stop instigating trouble.” Fuegoleon said, from behind Yami. “I believe you even promised that you’d try.”

Yami glanced over his shoulder at the Crimson Lion. “Trying is far different for accomplishing. Besides, the Braided Birdie makes it too easy. You said so yourself.”

“Where’s Teris? You two already run her off with this foolishness?” Fuegoleon asked.

“Nozel made her mad and she took off.” Yami tattled.

“No I didn’t.” Nozel said, over his shoulder.

“Yeah. You kinda did.” Yami said.

“What did I tell you about speaking to me?” Nozel snapped.

“Don’t know. Wasn’t paying attention.” Yami shrugged.

“Both of you, stop.” Fuegoleon commanded. “You’re worse than children.” He looked at Nozel. “What did I tell you? You’re a royal. You should be ashamed of yourself. Letting him bait you. You’re better than that.”

“That’s right.” Yami teased Nozel.

Fuegoleon turned on Yami. “Shut up. If you really are to become co-Vice Captain in the new year you can’t continue like this. You have to set an example.”

Yami eyed the Crimson Lion quizzically. “You do remember I’m a Black Bull right? Not to mention who I’ll be replacing? The bar is set pretty low.”

“Then be better.” Fuegoleon growled. “Be far better. Be a man worthy of my cousin.”

“What!” Nozel spun around to face them, mana quickly building.

Fuegoleon turned back to Nozel. “I don’t mean that he’s going to get there or have her. I only said as much so he’d try harder. He’s an embarrassment to all Magic Knights. We both agree he’s bringing Teris down. Holding her back.”

“Actually. Turns out I’m not.” Yami said.

“Shut. It.” Fuegoleon clipped. “The royals are talking.” He looked back to Nozel. “Of course she’s going to do what she told.”

“No, she’s not.” Yami said. “I thought you knew her better than that.”

Ignoring Yami, Fuegoleon continued. “And I certainly don’t approve of their current interactions which will be over and done with as soon as Teris turns twenty and is officially betrothed to you.”

“I’ve wondered something. If Teris doesn’t make Knights Commander before then and I have to fight that bastard Fyntch to free her from her family do I also have to fight and kick your ass as her supposed Intended?” Yami questioned, pointing at Nozel.

“You’ll be dueling Julius you fool. Only sorry thing about that is that he’ll be the one to kill you instead of me.” Nozel growled.

Yami shook his head. “Julius won’t fight me.”

“He won’t have a choice. Not unless he’s willing to disobey Fyntch and face banishment as well.” Fuegoleon told.

“Julius won’t fight.” Yami said, with certainty.

Nozel scoffed. “Why? Do you think he fears you because of all this primordial forces nonsense?”

“No.” Yami answered. “He won’t fight because he’ll win and kill me. Julius doesn’t want that. He likes me and wants Teris to be happy and knows being with me would make--”

Yami read Nozel’s Ki. Turning his body, he tilted his head to the side. Nozel’s moving fist swung passed, barely missing Yami’s face. Gripping the royals wrist, Yami pulled using Nozel’s momentum to force him to take a step. Yami spun in a one-eighty, stepping behind the Nozel. Still holding the Silver Eagles arm, he twisted it back and behind. With a sharp, hard push Yami bent Nozel’s hand back. There was a loud satisfying pop.

Nozel clamped his mouth shut, muffling a cry of pain.

“Yami!” Fuegoleon barked fiercely but softly, trying not to call further attention to themselves.

“I’ve been waiting for you to give me an excuse.” Yami rasped in Nozel’s ear. “And people call me impatient. This,” he pressed harder, causing another joint in Nozel’s hand to dislocate, “is for putting your pasty, thin lips on hers when she was distressed about her father.”

Nozel looked back over his shoulder at the Black Bull, surprise and hate in his icy blue eyes.

Fuegoleon felt Nozel’s mana rise. “Don’t you dare!” He commanded hoarsely, thinking Mereoleona would kill him for even being near such an incident.

“Thought I wouldn’t find out? I’ve known since the day you betrayed her trust.” Yami said, stretching the truth a bit as he pressed further, two more joints popping.

“Yami! Stop this at once!” Fuegoleon breathed, harshly.

“Try something like that again Royal Bird and you won’t know what hit you. You’ll just be breathing one moment and not the next. Understand?” When Nozel didn’t say or do anything, Yami jerk his arm up a loud echoing pop sounding as Nozel’s shoulder was wrenched out of place. “Nod if you understand me.”

Nozel’s mouth was a bloody mess from he teeth gnashing together. He refused to give the foreigner the satisfaction of making a sound of pain. As much as he hated it, he gave a single sharp nod.

“Good man.” Yami released him patting the shoulder he had dislocated. He turned to Fuegoleon. “With that out of the way I may prove better at trying not to instigate.”

“I can only hope.” Fuegoleon muttered.

Yami looked about. “You know I think Teris had the right idea after all. I’ll find my own way to the viewing room.”

Fuegoleon watched him go. Turning back to Nozel, his frown didn’t lessen. “You may have not deserved that for kissing her. But you certainly deserve it for the poor choice of timing you had in kissing her.”

“Filthy foreigner. I’m going to kill him.” Nozel seethed, holding his arm to his side.

Fuegoleon exhaled, rolling his eyes. “Sure you are. Why don’t we table that till you and Teris are wed. For now let’s get you down to the healers out on the exam field.”

64.2

There was no question about it. Teris was lost. She didn’t even think she was in the arena’s building anymore, though she had no clue how that had happened. The arena must’ve connected with another building. She should have noticed that when they’d flown overhead. Yami was never going to let her live this down. She should have never left Yami and Nozel.

It seemed that though fully recovered, her heightened temper, like her scars and still raging mana, lingered. Teris felt the urge to apologize to Nozel. While his comments had been uncalled for, she was sorry she had let it get to her so. Not the least because she now had no clue where she was.

Jax wouldn’t be pleased. The Entrance Exams having long ago begun. She had heard the horns and tried to follow the direction they had sounded from but that had seemed to only further turn her around.

“Teris?”

Teris turned, grateful for the face she saw. “Advisor Ellara. I was beginning to think I would never run into another soul.”

“Most everyone is at the arena watching the Magic Knights Entrance Exams. The other divisions may act like they have no interest in the Magic Knights, but in truth we’re all fascinated by you.” Ellara said, watching her with bright, keen eyes.

“Really? Why” Teris asked.

Careful of her answer, the Advisor said. “The dedication of the Magic Knights. Your magical capabilities.”

“Sentries, Healers, and Investigation Mages have great magical ability and require just as much dedication. Just because our work and how we go about it is different doesn’t make anyone’s effort or capacity less than.”

“You are diplomatic.” Ellara murmured to herself.

“Pardon?”

Ellara shook her head. “Nothing. ��Just thinking of your desire to one day fill Commander Greywright’s place and the attributes you already have that’ll get you there.”

“I’m far from ready for such a position.” Teris admitted.

“But if things are to work out the way you hope you will need to be ready sooner rather than later. Won’t you?” Ellara commented.

Teris looked away.

“Sorry. All this interest in you and Mister Sukehiro, along with Captain Julius being Sir Jorah’s favored Captain; has left me aware of some rather personal things about you. Forgive me. It’s none of my business.”

“Even if by some miraculous chance I was ready, I can’t fill a position that isn’t open.” Teris muttered, feeling suddenly hopeless.

“No. You can’t. But I wouldn’t worry about all that. I have a feeling things will work out. Call me a romantic.”

Teris looked at her remembering the time she had seen Ellara and Olsen sneaking away through the woods near the Black Bulls base. The way Olsen had held the Advisor, kissing her neck while Ellara laughed softly. She wondered if the two were still together. Considering how happy they had appeared in the moment, she hope so.

“Forgive me for staring.” Ellara apologized.

Teris blinked not having realized that the Advisor had been looking at the flat of her chest.

“It must be difficult. Having such a reminder of such an event. I honestly don’t know how you manage.” Ellara said.

“I don’t have a choice.” Teris said, stiffly.

“I suppose you don’t. I suppose none of us have a choice in the fate we’re dealt.”

“Fate had nothing to do with this.” Teris said, growing fierce.

“No?” Ellara asked.

“Crazy fanatics following a madman did this.”

“I suppose we at the top had something to do with it as well. If only we had told you what we knew.” Ellara sighed with feigned regret.

Swallowing her agreement, Teris replied. “Who knows what may or may not have helped. There’s no sense in looking back.”

“I’m just glad you and Yami made it out. And that you’ve fully recovered. Well except for that.” Ellara gestured to her chest. “Does it hurt?”

Teris shrunk back slightly, as if trying to hide the covered marks. She shook her head. “Not anymore.”

“I’m glad. And what of Yami? Have his scars fully disappeared?”

“For the most part.” Teris answered, wishing for a change in subject.

“May—may I see?” Ellara asked, unable to stop herself from reaching out to the girl she had sliced the symbols of Light, Chaos, and Darkness into.

Teris took a step back.

Ellara pulled her hand away from her. “Now I really have over stepped. I truly am sorry. It must be the Investigations Mage in me. Always seeking out new information. Have you figured out what the symbols mean?”

“I thought that was what your people were working on.” Teris said, her tone clearly telling how upset she had become.

“We are. But since the Summer Solstice only a handful of my Investigations Mages are still searching on that front. The rest as I’m sure you can understand, have been assigned to seeking out information on the Agents of Chaos, their Leader, their beliefs, and what they might be planning next.”

“Have they learned anything?” Teris asked, hungry for any new information. Jax had only recently given her back all her notes and pages Nozel had copied for her.

Ellara shook her head. “Sadly nothing of use. But you will know if we do.”

“Will we?” Teris questioned, dubiously.

“I understand why you’d be doubtful. But I assure you, Sir Jorah has changed his thought process. You will know if we find anything worth knowing.”

Teris didn’t ask who would decide what would be considered worth her and Yami knowing.

“Have you recalled anything about what the page of Chaos was communicating to you?” Ellara asked with interest.

“No.”

Impatient with the girls lacking memory, Ellara questioned sharply. “Have you tried?”

Teris blinked at the Advisor’s suddenly harsh tone.

Ellara pinched the bridge of her nose doing her best to cover her face while she composed herself. She quickly pulled herself together, thinking that she couldn’t make Julius Nova’s little sister suspect her.

Once again, Ellara apologized. “I’m sorry. It’s just that we’ve been working so hard to find something. Anything. It’s become rather frustrating. Searching for so long and have nothing to show for it.”

“I can sympathize.” Teris said, thinking of her own search for answers when information had been tightly kept from her and Yami.

“Anything you’d be able to tell us would be a help. No matter how small. It may just lead us to discovering something more.”

“I wish I remembered.” Teris said, getting upset at herself all over again. “I really do.” She looked up at the Advisor. “And yes. I’ve tried. Countless times.”

“Maybe my magic would be able to help.” Ellara suggested. Seeing Teris look uncomfortable, she went on. “I can’t blame you for being hesitant. Given what happened.” She decided it best not to mention Lord Nova by name or press the matter. It was better to dangle the possibility of Teris having a chance of remembering and assisting them in some grand way, and let the girl come to her. “You don’t have to. But know that the offer is always there. All I wish is to be of help.”

Teris nearly asked how her attempt would fair any better than Julius and Marx’s; but thought that pointing out another failure wouldn’t help the Advisor feel any better.

“Come on.” Ellara said, turning. “I’ll walk you halfway back. I’m headed that way, and will tell you how to get to the viewing room from there.”

64.3

Teris came up beside Fuegoleon who stood with Nozel, watching the final part of the exams below. “Where’s Yami?”

Mood still sour, Nozel snapped. “Where have you been?”

“Probably lost like you were.” Fuegoleon offered, giving Nozel a reproving glance.

“What’s the matter with him?” Teris asked her cousin.

Frowning, Nozel looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

Fuegoleon between them, Teris leaned forward and told the Silver Eagle. “I’ve forgiven your earlier rude idiocy. The least you can do is try not be so rude again.”

Fuegoleon placed a hand on her shoulder. “He had a bit of a—rough go of it.” At her expression, he shook his head. “Don’t ask. It’ll only make it worse.” He looked her over taking in her color and vitality. “Sorry I haven’t visited recently.”

“Out on missions trying to pull up beside me, no doubt.” Teris smirked.

“Beside you? I’ll be passing you, in no time.” Fuegoleon returned her smile before growing serious. “How are you?”

“Fine.” Teris answered. “Ready to get back out there whenever Jax decides to quit giving us busy work and lets us.”

Fuegoleon didn’t say he that hoped that wouldn’t happen for some time yet. He noticed that though her sleeves were back to being rolled up, her blouse was still buttoned up higher than she usually wore. He hadn’t seen the wounds Mereoleona said had been carved into her chest. And he had little interest in seeing the scars that were still left behind, yet to fully diminish. All he wanted was for Teris to be fully restored to what she had been before the solstice. Strangely enough, that even meant the ability her and Yami’s mana had to feed off of each others. As much as he previously hadn’t liked the connection, he now thought of it as a security. With these people wanting his cousin, Teris having a practically unlimited mana pool in an ability to feed off Yami’s mana would have made him feel a lot better.

Though Nozel was pleased, if not happy, for the change. Fuegoleon understood that it wasn’t so much that Yami and Teris’ mana no longer hungered for the other, or was incapable of doing what it had before. He knew it was the wild, near uncontrollable fierceness of their mana that stopped them from even attempting to feed off of the others. Given the destruction that the force of their blended mana had caused before they were able to control it, Fuegoleon could hardly blame them for their caution and concern. Back then, far as he knew, their mana was only as raging as they were. From what Mereoleona had told him, the state their mana now was at best as wild and fierce as a torrential storm and only got worse the more heated their emotions got. Given all that, Fuegoleon was surprised Yami and Teris could even control their mana enough to do magic and wondered at the amount of focus and determination controlling such a force took.

“You’re staring.” Teris remarked.

“Just thinking about how amazing you are.” Fuegoleon honestly told.

“Stop it. You’ll embarrass me and make Nozel jealous.” Teris played.

Nozel’s eyes slid to her. He looked back out the window. “There isn’t much of an offering this year.”

“You’re as cold and difficult as ever.” Teris tisked, focusing on the field below.

“He isn’t wrong.” Fuegoleon replied. “There number of tryout’s this year was small and even those few have left much to be desired. There’s only a handful left to battle and so far there’s not a one that I would want in the Crimson Lions.”

“You mean not a royal or noble one.” Teris said, unable to believe that there truly weren’t any worthy candidates no matter how small the showing was.

“When you’re a royal and Magic Knight of rank I suppose everyone appears unworthy. That said, I’m not lowering my expectations.” Nozel said.

“And you wonder why she calls you cold and rude.” Fuegoleon chastised.

Teris shook her head wondering why Nozel’s words still surprised. One would think that by now she’d expect, if not be accustomed to his royal arrogance.

Neyres came up beside Teris with Margery in tow. “So you finally decided to show up. What took you so long? That horrible excuse for a Magic Knight holding you back again?”

“Have no idea who you’re talking about.” Teris said, eyes trained on the field below. Maybe Nozel was right. At least about the two who were currently battling. The match had gone on far longer then it should have. Not because they were particularly good; but because they were both equally bad. Though she and the other two girls had never gotten along, Teris asked hoping Nozel and Fuegoleon were wrong. “Any interesting applicants this year?”

“Possibly one or two if the Captains are feeling generous.” Margery said. “Where were you that you have to ask?”

“Lost.” Teris answered.

“It that some kind of joke?” Margery laughed.

“No. I was quite literally.” Teris said.

Neyres scoffed. “Some supposed soon to be Vice Captain you’ll be. You can’t even get around Headquarters. Then again you clearly wouldn’t make much of a Vice Captain else why would your Captain feel the need to have you share the position?”

“And with a foreign peasant no less.” Margery added.

“Yami’s--” Teris began only to be stopped by Fuegoleon’s harsh whisper.

“Making a scene will only prove their point. Think about the kind of example you want to set?”

Teris gritted her teeth thinking that the example she wanted to set was that she wouldn’t tolerate anyone disparaging Yami, or anyone else, simply for their station in society. But Fuegoleon was right about her making a scene. Closing her eyes, she took a breath, trying to calm herself. They weren’t worth it. When she opened her eyes she saw one of the candidates sent tumbling, having run into their opponents magical attack.

“That was painful.” Neyres commented.

“He’ll be fine.” Margery belittled.

“I meant the match.” Neyres told her friend. “It’s too bad. There’s only two more duels and neither of the four contenders were capable of much during the other portions.”

“You look like they’ve offended you personally.” Teris smirked, instantly regretting the quip. She should have just stayed quiet. The less she engaged the better.

Neyres focused her. “With the continued heightened infringement from the Spade and Diamond kingdoms, along with the zealots that we’re told we must protect you and that foreigner from.”

“We don’t need your--”

“It’s only natural that I and the rest of us would have hopes for this years exams.” Neyres continued over Teris. “We need more Magic Knights to assist in defending the kingdom and its people from the trouble you and your peasant foreigner have stirred up.”

“Hold up there!” Fuegoleon snapped, stepping closer.

Nozel scowled at his comrades.

Undeterred Neyres went on. “But we need capable recruits. Not fodder like that.” She gestured to the field below. “Which will only endanger us and get in the way.”

“None of what’s going on is Teris or Yami’s fault.” Fuegoleon stated, fiercely.

“I agree with Fuegoleon.” William said, stepping over from where he had been. “I doubt Yami or Teris payed some fringe group a visit and asked to be their obsession.”

Teris stared between Neyres and Margery, wondering who else felt the way they did but were too kind or afraid to say so.

Seeing the angry, vengeful look in Nozel’s eyes, Margery stepped back, distancing herself from Neyres.

Neyres looked about the room of ranking Magic Knights. “I know I’m not the only one. We all know that it’s because of them that--”

“Because of us that what!” Teris demanded, her sudden flare of temper surprising even her. “That everyone’s still alive? That the world wasn’t burned to a crisp? Cause that could have happened you know. If Yami hadn’t been there to call me back. If I hadn’t been looking up when-- That force could have been directed anywhere. You think that doesn’t scare the hell out of me? You think I wanted to be tied up? Carved into. Be a part of some sick lunatics wild, crazy ceremony?” Teris pulled open her blouse, the buttons snapping off as she bore her scarred chest to the other royal. “This is only a small piece! A remnant of what they did!”

The two female Silver Eagles averted their eyes.

“Look at it!” Teris demanded.

Though Margery was unable to bring herself to; Neyres looked back, eyes fixing on the still visible symbols that had been carved into Teris’ chest.

“Teris.” Fuegoleon croaked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Teris released her blouse, sneering at the two girls. “I’m sorry if you find all this an upsetting inconvenience. But you know nothing. Have been through nothing. Complain all you like about the trouble we’ve caused you. But never do so in my presence again unless you want to put you down.”

Though her face paled, Neyres was able to keep her voice stern. “Don’t threaten me.”

“Leave. Now.” Nozel commanded, his controlled tone belying the fury he felt.

Neyres looked at her fellow. Of course Nozel would have Teris’ back, she thought. As much as she wanted to called him out on it, Nozel would one day be Captain of the Silver Eagles. More than that, he was a Silva and the Houses heir.

With a growl, Neyres spun on a heel, Margery rushing out behind her.

Nozel took Teris’ hand, looking hatefully after the fellow Silver Eagles.

Trying to anchor herself Teris returned his hold, gripping his hand tightly. She wanted to cry. Wanted to kill. Was that really what everyone thought?

Nozel felt her tremble with emotion. His frown deepened. Neyres and Margery would pay for upsetting his Intended like this. Looking at Teris, he attempted to soothe her. “No one of import thinks that.”

Seeing the way everyone kept looking at her scars, William unclasped the pin he wore at the shoulder of his cloak and held it out to Teris. He found it somewhat poetic that Julius had been the one who gave him the mask he wore, which shielded his own scar from unwanted attention and stares; and now, here he was doing the same for his mentors sister.

“Thank you.” Fuegoleon said, taking the clasp when Teris didn’t move. “Teris.” He said, softly taking up her other hand and putting the golden sun in her palm.

Teris was angry for letting Neyres get to her. She hated herself for the outburst. And after the care she had taken to shield the marks from view; to just show them off like that. To demand that girls to look at them… She had always had a bit of trouble reigning in her temper, but never to this extent. Ever since the solstice she had felt like a nail that had been cut to the quick, where the slightest bump, word, or action would set her off and often did. Her fingers slowly unfurled from around Nozel’s hand, wondering which of them had taken the others hand and when.

Nozel placed his hand on her arm.

Teris tugged her blouse closed, fastening the clasp in place.

“What’d I miss?” Yami asked, joining the group. His eyes hardened when he saw Nozel’s hand on Teris’ arm and the tension in Teris’ body.

Nozel met Yami’s gaze with a daggered one of his own, the two men refusing to blink.

Fuegoleon stepped between their line of sight. “You managed to miss the entirety of the exams. Is that the kind of Captain you’ll eventually become?”

“Who said he’d make it to Captain?” Nozel questioned, thumb rubbing along Teris’ arm before dropping. Since when had Fuegoleon started siding with the foreigner?

“I didn’t miss it all on purpose if that’s what you’re getting at” Yami told Fuegoleon. “The place is bigger than I thought.”

“Why didn’t you just follow your sense of Teris’ mana? That gone along with your capability to cheat by stealing hers?” Danior derided.

Yami didn’t address the fact that that wasn’t how it work. Instead he smirked at the Silver Eagle. “Still sore I beat your royal Braided Bird during the Squad Challenge?”

“You cheated.” Nozel snapped.

“Enough.” Fuegoleon commanded. “And you.” He turned to Yami. “You had just said you would prove better at not baiting. What happened to that?”

“It’s not my fault you royals and nobles have no sense of humor and are easily riled.” Yami shrugged.

The Magic Knights Captains filed in.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a disappointing group of candidates in my life.” Jamie said.

“Or in the record of Magic Knights Entrance Exams.” Heath put in.

“More than that. There were so few applicants this year.” Danise said.

“Can you blame them?” Win asked. “With all that’s going on I’ve considered taking an extended leave myself.”

“You wouldn’t.” Breigha said.

“Of course not.” Win said. “I couldn’t stand to be away from your beauty for so long.”

“Watch it.” Jamie warned. “That’s my wife you’re talking to.”

“As if you tell her she’s beautiful.” Win shot back.

“It doesn’t matter what I tell her.” Jamie said. “It certainly isn’t any of your concern. She’s my wife and I’ll--”

“Shut up.” Breigha ordered, her impatient ire made evident when she pushed passed her husband. “Nobody’s paying attention to your little measuring match. Not that you should be entering any seeing how you’d measure up.”

“Love you too, Dearest.” Jamie called sarcastically. He glared at Mereoleona who pushed passed him as well.

“You’re not gonna challenge such a statement?” Win asked.

The Golden Dawns Captain turned to the Green Mantis’ and shrugged. “Why? I know the truth as does Breigha. And I’ll remind her of all twelve inches of it later this evening.”

“Twelve?” Jax scoffed.

“Twelve or not, the fact the he has to remind her is telling.” The Purple Orcas Captain said.

Julius smirked at Heath’s comment as he passed the fellow Captain's.

Jamie shook his head rolling his eyes as he walked away. Fools like Jax, Heath, and Win weren’t worth arguing with when all of them had come away without a single new recruit and there was so much to do. “Alecdora. Hamon. William.” He called to the squad members he had brought. “We’re leaving this disappointing spectacle.”

“Bet Breigha says that each time she leaves your bed.” Win snarked.

“Hush!” Pyter silenced, thinking of the young ladies present. He frowned seeing Nozel and Danior but not Neyres or Margery.

“I’ll get this back to you as soon as I can.” Teris told William, touching the pen.

“No rush.” William said.

“Thank you.” Teris said, realizing this was her first time thanking him for the kindness and feeling bad.

William gave her a nod before turning to follow his Captain and comrades, the Golden Dawns Vice Captain, Tyrn, pulling up the rear.

Yami noticed the golden pin Teris wore holding her blouse together; but didn’t ask certain he wouldn’t like the answer. He had finally gotten his chance to teach Nozel his lesson for stealing a kiss with Teris. That was enough to satisfy him for the day. He’d learn what happened later and deal with it accordingly if he needed to.

“Where were you two?” Jax questioned, coming to stand in front of Yami and Teris.

“Sounds like we didn’t miss much.” Yami said.

The Black Bulls Captain crossed his arms and stared. “That’s beside the point. I told you two to come up here. I expect you to be here.”

“I got lost.” Teris told.

Jax raised an eye brow. “Lost?”

“So did I.” Yami said. “Then I made the mistake of following Teris’ mana which only turned me around even more.” He looked at her and remarked. “Your sense of direction sucks.”

“And your sense of when to stay quiet sucks.” Teris snipped. She looked away, cursing her still heightened temper.

Julius turned to look at Teris and scolded. “Language.”

“Don’t rebuke or tell my people what to do.” Jax told Julius.

“Children.” Greywright silenced. “Everyone’s disappointed over the poor offerings this year. Why don’t you all head back to your respective bases and get some work done.” When all the Captains moved to comply, the Commander called. “Not you, Julius.”

Win looked back over his shoulder. “Ooo, someone’s in trouble.”

“Hush, Win. Off with you.” Greywright commanded.

“Leon. Randall.” Mereoleona called the Crimson Lions, her Vice Captain already at her side.

“See you.” Fuegoleon told his cousin.

“Bye.” Teris smiled back.

Jax waved Yami and Teris along after him. “Sadly, we’ll be flying home. Come on you two. You can tell all about getting lost on the way back.”

Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special THANK YOU to those who have recently left comments or re-blogged. They really mean a lot.

Next chapter snippet:

“I hope so.” The King said. “Bring you son and stand before me.”

Nathyn and Nozel did as they were told, Nozel staying a step behind his father. Teris watched with a sense of foreboding. She glanced over at Fuegoleon on the other side of the aisle, seeing a look of concern in his violet eyes.

#yami sukehiro #fuegoleon vermillion #nozel silva #julius novachrono #Black Clover #light in the darkness

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aworldoffandoms · 4 years

Text

Can’t Stop This Thing We Started - Ethan x MC

Day 15 Prompt: Avoidance

Authors Note: Hello everyone! Me and my lovely, awesome friend @sugarandspice-milkandhoney have decided to participate in the Choices November Challenge set by @choicesnovemberchallenge.

These set of Open Heart fics for the Choices November Challenge are set in the Collateral Damage universe but we like to call them the ‘in-between’ moments of the lives of Ethan Ramsey and Nicolette Valentine.

Hope you all enjoy it as much as we had fun writing it!

***

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC [Nicolette Valentine]

Word Count: 1, 553

Rating: PG

Warnings: No immediate warnings. Swearing.

Summary: After Nicolette and Ethan have a fight about Harper and Ethan’s professional relationship, Nicolette takes some space from her boyfriend. But...will it solve their problems?

Open Heart Tag: @senseofduties @polishchoicesfan @princess-geek @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @binny1985 @fanficnewbie @x-kyne-x @thefluffyphotographer @laniquelovewrites-deactivated20 @thecordoniandiaries @rainbowsinthestorm @cxld-play @jens-diamondchoices @malakbesharah @hopelessly-shipper @dr-nancy-house @landofenchantedwonder @sabrinahoffersonsworld @flyawayboo @stanathanxoox @oofchoices @lilyofchoices @thequeenofcronuts @heauxplesslydevoted @bi-cookie @lovebubblechoices @itsangelsie @kingliamsbish @trappedinfandoms

Please let me know if you’d like to be tagged in further posts regarding the Choices November Challenge or just tagged in anything regardless.

***

CAN’T STOP THIS THING WE STARTED

Ethan slams his hand down on his desk as his other hand loosens the tie around his neck, the air in his office stifling against the tension in the room.

“I still can’t believe you are still fighting me on this, Nicolette!”

Ethan’s voice is loud and sharp, his frustration boils over to the point of a yell. Nicolette flinches back from the sound and she hugs herself against the force of his ire.

Despite her seemingly cowered position, Nicolette’s eyes flash with anger. “And I still can’t believe you can’t see what I’m trying to say! Why, Ethan? You know how I feel about—”

Ethan interrupts her. “How you feel about Harper, I know! You remind me every day.”

Nicolette huffs, indignant. “I don’t see the reason why my feelings should be invalid here.”

Ethan closes his eyes in frustration and heaves a sigh, placing his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. “Rookie. Please.”

Nicolette shakes her head and stomps over to his mahogany desk, leaning her palms against the tabletop and drops her gaze so it’s level with Ethan piercing blue eyes.

“I refuse to be made the victim here, Ethan. So, I know when to cut my losses with someone as stubborn and pig-headed as you when you are in one of your moods. So, I’ll make it easier for you. For the rest of my shift do not contact me for anything unless it's for our patients otherwise I will not answer.”

Nicolette leans back from him and breaks her gaze from her stubborn boyfriend and colleague and steps over to the door and opens it. She glances back at him and other than the clenching of his jaw he shows no emotion.

Nicolette’s heart squeezes at the sight. If he wasn’t so stubborn and had blind faith in his working relationship with Harper he’d see what she was trying to do.

Nicolette sighs. “Don’t expect me to be home tonight. I’ll stay with Sienna and the others.”

The door closes with finality to the conversation that breaks her heart. They had rules, guidelines for their relationship is that their jobs were high-stress occupations, they’d made a list of all the little things that mattered most to them, and promised to try to fulfil each and every one.

She shakes her head. It’s driving her crazy, the fact that he’s so oblivious to Harper’s advances. Whatever happened to respecting people's boundaries?

She storms off down the corridor and settles herself in the diagnostics common room, files and texts open in front of her as she looks for hidden clues, trying to piece together the puzzle of her patients and their illnesses.

“Stubborn, blue-eyed, assholes…”

For the next few hours, Nicolette busies herself with blood tests, labs and research, anything she can find to stop her mind from racing away as it has done of late, whenever she notices Harper leaning over her boyfriends desk, her breasts on display, or the way that her hand seems to linger on Ethan’s arm just a little bit longer than it should.

She taps her fingers on the desk, chews on the end of her pen, and struggles to keep herself from thinking the worst.

“He wouldn’t. Surely he wouldn’t.”

She pushes back the tears, maybe putting some distance between them will do her some good, give her time to think about the way that he is treating her. It also gives her the chance to stay here and hide from Harper. The last thing she wants right now is to run into that woman.

Nicolette swallows thickly, takes a deep breath and sips the water from the glass in front of her. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she finds her place in the book, smooths down the soft spine, and loses herself in her work.

She sticks to her word, packing her bag at the end of her shift, even skipping out fifteen minutes early so that she can avoid running into Ethan in the elevator, or parking lot. She’ll take a bus across town, back to her old abode. Her room might be occupied right now, but the pullout is comfortable enough to catch a couple of hours sleep.

As Nicolette approaches the building where she used to live, she’s surprised to see the silhouette of a man waiting, a man she hadn’t really been expecting. She shakes her head and pulls the spare key from her pocket, ignoring him.

“Nicolette, please. You’re being ridiculous, just come home with me and we’ll talk about this like adults.”

She scoffs, she wants to throw the words right back at him, but truth be told, she honestly just doesn’t have the energy, so she shakes her head. “No. Not today, Ethan. I’m not in the mood for your excuses.”

He probably deserves that, not that he’ll admit it, but the fact that Harper is such a strong-willed woman is part of the reason he was attracted to her in the first place.

It’s silent and Ethan shoves his hands deeper into his coat pockets. The air is thick with accusations, pent up hurt, miscommunication and anger but neither wants to admit they are both being less than adult about this situation.

Nicolette sighs as puts the key into the lock and turns, the door opening as she steps through. She turns around when she hears Ethan’s footsteps following her through. She glances up and puts a hand on his chest to stop him.

Her throat is tight and her eyes burn. She swallows against the lump in her throat but she wills herself not to cry just yet. She can’t.

“No, Ethan. Don’t follow me in. Just leave me be for tonight. I need space.”

Ethan stares at her silently, his eyes pleading for her see reason, desperately trying to convince her to come home but all Ethan can do is shake his head and step back. He wasn’t going to start denying any of Nicolette’s requests. He would do anything for her. And if that anything was to stay away for a night then so be it, even if staying away from her meant that a piece of him was missing and it hard to breathe with her near.

Nicolette gives him a sad smile and turns, shutting the door behind her.

Ethan stands there for a few long moments after the door closes and then he trudges home, cold and alone.

***

It’s been three days since she’s seen him, and that alone surprises her, because Ethan is usually so verbose about these things.

She knows that he’ll always consider Harper as an important person in his life, but the fact of the matter is that she’s no longer his significant — whatever the hell it is they had been, nor is she his superior anymore.

She hates the jealous girlfriend trope. And she doesn’t want to be that kind of person, she only ever wants to build other women up. But it seems that abusing her power is what Harper likes.

She sighs because even though he can be high maintenance, she really does love him. It was one of his lesser qualities but it is what made him Ethan.

A smile graces her face at the thought of him and a sudden wave of longing jolts her from her thoughts. It won’t be forever, in her heart of hearts she knows that she’s probably going to have to instigate some kind of mediation between them.

But Nicolette has enough faith in the fact that Ethan is a smart man who can see through the veil he places over Harper, and she knows that eventually, he will see the error of his ways.

She’s not a demanding sort of person, she has very few ideas to impose upon him and their relationship, but like she’s told him one hundred times before, Harper has to respect them and the life that they are building together.

That’s important to her, Ethan just needs to stop arguing long enough to listen.

Today is another day, she thinks. A fresh start for them both, and it holds the promise of young love, insofar that she has the strength to confront him when she gets to work. She wants to crawl inside his skin and stay there, wrapped up neatly.

Steeling herself for the grand entrance to the hospital, Nicolette takes a deep breath, pulls her bag closer to her body, and watches everything he does with methodical attention to detail.

Nicolette inhales, she can smell the faint aroma of his aftershave, it washes over her, and it makes her smile.

She’ll talk to him today, she supposes, avoiding him is getting so much harder to do. But for now, she whistles as she walks. If Ethan can’t see how valuable her concerns are, he’s more of a jackass then she thinks he is.

In the big scheme of things, Ethan hasn’t let her down yet, there’s still plenty of time left in the day for him to make it up to her.

Turning the corner, Ethan stalks towards her, his hair bulky, his shoulders squared, that determined look written all over his face, and he’s coming right for her. It’s exactly what she needs.

Game on, she thinks. Game on.

#choices november challenge #open heart #open heart fanfiction #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #choices #choices fandom #playchoices

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thiswasinevitableid · 5 years

Note

Newlyweds game sternclay?

Prompt: our friend signs us up for a Newly Weds Game even though we’re not dating (bonus if they’re not friends, but know each other well enough to win anyway)

Barclay paces back and forth in the greenroom, as Stern bites his hangnails in worry.

He’s going to kill Ned for this.

“This” being the fact that he and Stern are waiting to participate in an episode of the Newlywed Game. He didn’t even know they still made the Newlywed Game.

The main problem, other than Barclay not enjoying the thought of being on camera, is that he and Stern aren’t newlyweds.

They’re not even dating.

They’re acquaintances. They met at a board game night in a local bar. Barclay came with his friend Duck (the instigator of said night), and Stern was eventually brought by his niece, Aubrey (also Barclays friend), after moving to town.

Stern is nerdy, buttoned-up, a bit aloof, though whenever he sits next to Barclay (something Aubrey keeps engineering) he murmurs sly comments and jokes that always make the bigger man snicker. His dark hair is always slicked back, his clothing immaculate, and his face is downright dazzeling. He works for the FBI, in the UP division, but will never talk about work no matter how much the others press. But he will talk to Barclay about other things, like baking or movies or modern trends neither of them quite grasp.

And then Ned fucking Chicane had to go and sign them up for this show as a joke and things escalated from there, as they so often do with Ned.

“We could go out the window, perhaps. Or fake coronary troubles.” Stern muses.

“Tempting, but at this point we oughta just grin and bear it. Maybe we’ll win something.”

“I appreciate the optimism, Barclay, but we barely know each other. No, I fear, this will be a bit awkward for us and make us look like the worst newlyweds in the universe.”

“Maybe they won’t be able to use it.”

“Why?”

“Dunno, half the time people take photos or videos of me I come out blurry.”

Round One

Barclay sits on stage, the cheerful host about to ask him five questions. Or, rather, they’re going to ask Stern and Barclays answers have to match his.

“Let’s start you out easy: what’s your favorite color?”

Okay, he can do this, what color does Stern usually wear?

Black. Because he’s often in his work suit.

No, hang on, his ties, they’re almost always…

He scribbles down “blue.” Holds up his board.

Stern arches an eyebrow, flips his to reveal, in his neat handwriting, “blue.”

“Alright! Question two: Lucky, how would you describe Barclays cooking? Is it spot on? Or does he need some cooking classes.”

Barclay huffs, write down what’s obviously the correct answer, “spot on.”

Stern flips his around with a smile. It reads the same. Obviously, because Barclay runs a damn catering business.

Question three asks where Stern would travel if he could go anywhere.

Shit, okay, what does Stern like? Where would he go to see that. Oh, he knows.

“To Washington to look for bigfoot? Oddly specific, Barclay, let’s see how you did.”

Stern arches an eyebrow, smiling, reveals his sign says the same.

Question four (“which of his relatives is Lucky least fond of?”) is the first he gets wrong, writing “great aunt” instead of “great uncle.”

“To finish out the round, Lucky, what would you say your husband loves the most about you?”

Barclay finds himself writing without thinking, listing off the thing he likes best about Stern.

“His inquisitive mind. How deep. Lucky?”

Sterns board reads, “my mind,” earning them more points.

As they wait for round two, Stern smiles at him.

“I’d like to try your cooking for myself some day.”

“Think I can manage that.”

A beat of silence.

“I’m flattered to know you agree my mind is my best trait.”

“Your eyes are a close second.”

Stern looks at him befuddled, and Barclay laughs, sheepishly, “uh, sorry, was just, uh, joking.”

Except, he realizes as they take the stage again, he was not.

Round Two

The roles are reversed, the questions directed at Barclay and Stern trying to match his answers.

“First up! The last time you gave Lucky flowers, were they roses, carnations, or something else? Or will he say you’ve never given him flowers?”

Zinnias. He’d bring Stern Zinnias, because they’re bright and proud just like he is.

“Oooh, looks like we have a disagreement folks. He says you’ve never brought him flowers.”

Stern gives him a confused look, and Barclay realizes he was expecting him to give the honest answer, rather than what he would do.

“Next: which one of you most organized.”

Easy.

“Him” Barclay writes.

“Me.”

“That’s more points on the board! What was your first job, Barclay?”

Ugh. He was a gorilla mascot for a car dealership.

“Gorilla mascot. How about that folks!”

Wait, Stern knew that?

“Barclay, what’s the one thing you wish Lucky spent a little less time on to focus on you.”

Barclay thinks about Sterns odd schedule, his devotion to his work, the times he’s gone out of town without notice.

“Work.”

“My work.” Stern looks down when he holds up his board, almost like he’s ashamed.

“Maybe need to take the nose from the grindstone and spend some quality time with your hubby, Lucky! Finally, Barclay, who kissed who first?”

Jesus. Okay, hypothetically, if he were to ask Stern on a date or two, would he make the first move? He usually doesn’t. And Stern seems like he’s confident enough in reading people that he’d go for it.

“He kissed me”

“I kissed him first (he’s shy).”

“Well done! You’re on track for some serious prizes. Right after these messages.”

They’re ahead of the other two couples by a little and have already won a dyson vacuum (Stern calls dibs) and a Le Cruset set (Barclay can’t believe his luck, those things are expensive).

“How’d you know about the gorilla thing?”

“I recall you and Duck comparing worst first jobs and you talked about getting heat stroke in it.”

He takes a sip of water,

“How did you know what killed my last two relationships?”

“Oh shit, really?”

“Yes.” Stern says flatly.

“I, uh, I thought about how you’re such an ambitious, dedicated guy and how weird you’ve said your hours can be. Seemed like that could make dating tricky.”

“You have no idea.”

“I mean, I was a chef for years, which had some weird fucking hours. Besides, you deserve a guy who’ll appreciate you even when you have to work overtime. Or go to New Mexico for the weekend.” He smiles down at Stern, feels something catch in his chest when their eyes meet. Stern looks down, pink dusting his cheeks.

“Zinnias?”

“Seemed like you might like them.” Barclay can’t say why, feels his cheeks burning just at the thought.

“I do. I love bright flowers. I spend so much time in sterile, bland rooms, it makes me appreciate the color in the natural world.”

“I could bring you some from my garden. It’s irises right now, mostly.”

“I’d like that, very much.” He takes Barclays hand and squeezes it in thanks.

Barclay tries to ignore the butterflies bursting loose in his stomach.

Round Three

The lightening round. All Barclay has to do is guess how Stern answered seven either/or questions. He gets through the first four just fine, correctly guessing that Stern prefers chips over candy, books over movies, cold over hot, and morning over evening

“Here’s a bit of a naughty one! Missionary or doggy-style?”

Yeah, this isn’t something they’ve chatted about. Lucky strikes him as someone who likes romance, likes feeling close and wanted and cared for in a way that suggests he prefers things with eye-contact.

“Missionary?”

“Don’t sound too sure there, Barclay, but you’re right!”

Number six is easier (how could it not be) and number seven is only a little harder.

“A fancy night out or a cozy night in?”

He thinks about Lucky, the way he seems to always be around people for work, sighs wistfully whenever Duck talks about a lazy weekend at home, seems excited when he has no obligations.

“Cozy night in.”

“Correct!”

Lucky whoops in delight from off camera and then joins Barclay.

“You’ve racked up the most points, which means you’re the winners!”

The audience cheers and begins making whistling, woo-ing calls.

“They expect us to kiss” Lucky whispers with a grin and it gives Barclay just enough courage to do something risky.

“Hold tight.”

“Excuse meeeeahumph!” He dips Lucky into a kiss, which the shorter man reciprocates, feels him laughing as he does, his whole body lighting up with joy as he deepens the kiss.

“Whoah there, lovebirds, save it for the the second honeymoon! Jim, tell them where they’ll be going…”

——————————-

They just make it back to the car before bursting into hysterical laughter.

“Ned is going to be speechless!”

“That I’d like to see.” Lucky smiles at him from the passenger seat, their prizes safely stowed in the trunk. Well, all but one of them.

“Bit of an odd choice for a second honeymoon, Seattle. I’d assumed they’d pick somewhere with broader appeal, like Hawaii.”

“Hey, you’ll get to look for Bigfoot!” Barclay shoves him playfully on the shoulder.

“Me? I, uh, assumed you would take it. The food scene is supposed to be excellent”

“Nah, you should, you need a vacation.”

Lucky looks at him, thoughtfully.

“Or we could go together, as is the intent.”

“You’d really be okay with that?”

“Yes. I, well, I like you very much Barclay. I think a little trip together could be quite enjoyable.”

“I can go for that. On one condition.”

Stern raises his eyebrows, clearly not sure what’s coming next.

“You gotta let me take you on a few dates before our ‘honeymoon.’”

Stern relaxes with a smile, leans forward and pecks Barclay gently on the lips.

“That sounds magnificent.”

“Cozy night in? With me this Friday?”

“I’d like nothing better.” Lucky settles as close as he can, rests his head on Barclays shoulder

“I’m cooking?” He asks with a smile, already planning what to make. Stern kisses his nose.

“Right again.”

#sternclay #agent stern/barclay #prompt fills #au list prompt

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