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teeztheflag · 3 years

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Wolf!Ateez Reaction to when they accidentally hurt their mate

warnings: strong language, fighting, injuries, mentions of blood, mentions of bullying

a/n: ok ok I am really sorry I had to change the request a little bit so it doesn’t become repeating <3

general taglist: @latte-fairytaekwoon @little-precious-baby @yunhobabygurl @multidreams-and-desires

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k i m h o n g j o o n g

Usually the alpha was the most caring person with you. Bringing you flowers and spending as much time with you as possible. When the fights between several packs reached his land he knew dangerous times were coming.

Instead of talking to you and taking you to the meetings he decided it would be safer for you to stay in your house guarded when the attacks began.

Little did he know that you were tired of not being included and as the luna of the pack it was time to use your own power to help. Hong Joong was in a full fighting and killing mode when you were circled by five other werewolves who tried to kill you without mercy.

Hong Joong‘s senses were blended when he launched at the intruders and absentmindedly also accidentally bit your leg earning him a painful cry from your wolf.

Immediately he felt like his heart shuttered to pieces not knowing you would be out here in the battlefield. You limp away from your mate and run back to your mansion. Hong Joong changes back into his human and sags to the ground.

He still cannot fully control himself. That’s why he didn’t want you to help. He cries out and lays down on the grass not knowing if he could get under your eyes again.

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p a r k s e o n g h w a

Running away from a horde of big - way too big - wolves wasn’t what you planned for your camping trip. It was easy the third time you stumbled over your own feet hearing the low growls behind you. Your blood seems to freeze when you emerge a wide meadow where the only source of light is given by the full moon.

Tears escape your eyes when another whimper leaves you - they circled you. Was this a normal behavior for wolves? What should you do in a situation like this?

You’re only in a light see-through gown because of the hot temperatures these days. It feels like the wolves are strategizing at how they share gazes and let out noises that could be mistaken as chuckling.

Suddenly one of them jumps on you pinning you down to the ground. The animal is flashing it’s dangerous canines at your shaking form. You cannot help yourself to frantically scream and try to push it off you.

It seems to lower itself only more and out of instinct you bare your neck fearing this would be the end for you. The wolf sniffles and licks the spot under your ear. A tear runs down you cheek when you can feel a sharp pain where he draws a little bit of blood.

Suddenly it is pushed off you with force and a much stronger growl leaves a completely black wolf that’s is standing in front of you. You follow the scene in front of you with interested eyes when the other wolves seem to bow down in submission and quickly vanish out of the scene.

Great. The big bad wolf wants you for himself.

It really confuses you when the wolf slowly turns around eying you for a while. You try to get away from it when it nears your form and leans down to lick away the blood that is running down your neck. Again a sound of pain leaves your form to which the wolf backs away in an instant.

A huff can be heard and with conflicted eyes it turns around to escape the scene.

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j e o n g y u n h o

„Why are you running away from me?“ No answer.

„Do you like being chased?“ You still don’t answer.

„Okay, (y/n). We know it since three days so why are you not recognizing our bond?“

A tear escapes you which you’re quick to wipe away with the back of your shaking hand. You stop abruptly staring into the depths of the forest. Your gaze turns to the ground when you can sense Yun Ho moving to stand in front of you.

„My little mate. Why aren’t you talking to me? Did I do something wrong?“

„Wrong?“ You look up your hands turning into fists out of anger. Your chest rises with your breaths and you can feel your body heating up.

Yun Ho‘s playful smile soon vanishes and he starts to look concerned. „My love, why are you so sad?“

Of course your souls are already starting to form a connection and he feels your emotions.

„You’re asking if you did something wrong? How about hanging out with all the people that have nothing but bad comments about me left? Laughing at me? Hurting me whenever they can?“

Yun Ho starts to realize what you’re talking about.

„You’ve hurt me, so much already. That is not easy to accept.“

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k a n g y e o s a n g

You can feel his eyes burning on your back since half an hour. The beta next to you shamelessly flirts around although he knows your mate is sitting back with his friends.

Yeo Sang was one of the more roguish wolves in your pack always tending to not listen to any orders or picking a fight. Finding out about your bond was actually really shocking to you. You’re probably one of the nicest girls in the pack - according to folks. Always dressed in some pretty dress or blouse and never a too low neckline.

Your connection was still fresh and so far you managed to have the minimum contact with the trouble maker. Just to the point of tonight where the younger people of your pack met up for a campfire and some drinks.

„Wanna take a swim?“ You blush at his words but take his hand anyway letting him guide you through the trees. Standing in front of the lake and seeing that the beta ist already getting rid of his clothes makes you feel bad. He’s smirking at you.

„I don’t know if this is ok...“ Suddenly the beta gets a blow into the face by one of Yeo Sang‘s friends and two of them start to secure the beta in his holds. You’re overwhelmed with the situation immediately and Yeo Sang‘s eyes are dangerously yellow. He gets a painful hold on your wrist screaming at you but you’re not in the position to answer him.

„Y - you’re hurting me.“ Yeo Sang‘s mouth twitches at your words and with a hiss he let’s go of your arm ordering his friends to take you to his home.

The beta spits out blood laughing at the remaining guys and Yeo Sang.

„Great. Now she fears you even more.“ Yeo Sang punches him again knowing he’s right. He lets out a frustrated sigh condemning his short temper.

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c h o i s a n

It was San‘s highest priority to keep the daughter of their alpha safe. Naturally he was always by your side following you around sometimes to your dismay.

This night you were able to shake the boy off and visit a club with your friends in the town nearby. Mostly humans could be seen here and you finally were able to let loose.

Shaking your body from left to the right you can feel a pair of arms sneaking around your waist to move you to the rhythm with him. Your head falls back landing on the shoulder of your dance partner a permanent smirk on his face.

It all happens to fast when you can feel someone ripping you out of the grip of the stranger. You fall down to the ground hurting your knee in the process. Hissing out you can see your friends immediately rushing to your side while you give the intruder a deadly glare.

San doesn’t stop to give the beautiful man punches when you’re quick to stand up and pry him off the man. San‘s eyes turn into a dangerous color when he eyes you an you know you better get out off here before he looses himself fully.

Outside he has a strong grip on your arm and ushers you into his car. The night flys by while a soft tune is humming. You’re so pissed at him that you decide to better not say anything. Suddenly he speaks up: „You’re letting vampires touch you now? Yeah? The daughter of the alpha is getting it on with vampires!“

„I - I didn’t know he was a - “

„Of course you didn’t! You are so young and literally know nothing!“

After a while of silence you turn to him a sigh escaping you. „I am sorry, San. Thank you for rescuing me...“

His gaze is fixed on the street and he can feel his heart and soul pulling on a bond that is still not touchable for you.

„It is my job to look after you. I failed...“

„No! You didn’t! I promise I won’t ever run away from you again!“ Silence follows but with a last glance San frowns deeply.

„Your knee... this will be a problem when we’re back.“

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s o n g m i n g i

„Yes, Min Gi! Just a little bit - closer!“ The wolf under you grunts while balancing you on his shoulders.

Your fingers are close to the fruit that is considered very rare in the realm. Your fingers are close to touching the fruit when suddenly your self made latter shakes and both of you fall down with a low thud.

„Ouch! Min Gi!“ The wolf‘s head hurts and his vision blurrs but hearing your crying he quickly stands up on his paws and howls out.

His tail is wiggling excited while he licks your face and tries to comfort you.

„I - I think my wrist is twisted.“ Tears are running down your cheeks while Min Gi suddenly changes back into his human form a frown on his face.

„Oh my god, I am so sorry!“ He frantically turns from left to right gripping his hair out of frustration. „What should I do what should I do!“

„Min Gi!“ You say through gritted teeth trying to hold in the pain. „Calm down and take me back to the pack!“

Min Gi wears a blank face hurt because he hurt you.

„Min Gi!“

He shakes his head to get a clear mind and sends you a firm nod. „Right. Back to the pack!“

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j u n g w o o y o u n g

You and Woo Young often played around in your wolf form chasing each other in the forest. Of course your animal instinct pushed you to little fights from time to time doesn’t matter if it is your mate.

Usually the fights always ended in the two of you changing back into your human body and starting a heated session.

This time unfortunately Woo Young pushed you a little bit to hard against the tree earning him a painful howl out of you. First you can hear him jumping around snickering for winning the battle but when you’re still lying down not moving much he slowly emerges your side tilting his head confused.

„(y/n)?“ He nudges your side with his snout trying to get a response from you but you keep breathing hard letting out little whimpers.

„(y/n)?! Are you hurt?“ Immediately his playful demeanor is gone and he changes back into his human form to search your body for any injuries.

„Oh shit! Change back! Come on!“ He’s totally devastated by now trying to caress you and encourage you with slow motions. You’re a crying mess when you’re back in your naked form.

„Woo Young... my b-back...“ He’s quick to pick you up bridal style and carry you past the trees in a lightning speed.

„Hold on a little bit longer, sweetheart.“ His firm voice and determined gaze really does it‘s wonders and you try to hang on to it until you reach the hospital.

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c h o i j o n g h o

Jong Ho could only snicker how you always managed to get out of his way. The campus was big and you really thought the handsome male that just happened to cross your way out of pure coincidence. Of course Jong Ho made sure to follow your every step because he just couldn’t help himself.

Finally finding his mate filled his body with adrenaline and having you not in the eye sight drove him crazy. The only problem that stopped him from immediately getting to you: you’re human. Probably not knowing about the world of magic and their creatures.

It was just the problem that you happened to have a boyfriend and one day it was too late for self control when he had the boy pinned to the wall in one of the cafeterias of the campus.

„Stay away from her!“ Your boyfriend shuddered at the low growl that came from the boy in front of him not knowing the slightest what he did wrong when he just gave a you peck on the cheek.

You screamed and kicked at him not knowing what happened a few seconds ago. When he suddenly turns around leaving you dumbfounded and all the others in the location you decide you wouldn’t let him go this easily.

You follow him and don’t even recognize that he’s going into the woods. He stops in his tracks when you don’t stop talking and you can see him breathing hard. Jong Ho tries to control his feelings but the frustration is taking over and when you try to turn him around by his shoulder he accidentally pushes you.

Your head collides with a stone and blood can be seen leaving the desperate wolf speechless. He runs to your side trying to wake you up but he’s getting no reaction out of your form. With tears pricking his eyes he’s quick to carry you to his pack to help you knowing it is now to late for you to turn back.

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#ateez wolf #ateez werewolf #ateez mate #ateez reaction #ateez au #ateez fanfiction #ateez fanfic #ateez fic #ateez writing #ateez reactions #ateez x reader #ateez werewolf au #ateez wolf au

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lady-elora · 3 years

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"It was love", or five reasons and five refutations of hatred for sylki

So, folks, I did it. I finally translated from Russian an amazing article about the romantic line in “Loki”. I agree with every word in it. Hope it’ll help all the sylki shipers to fend off the attacks of antis with a reasoned arguments.

Would you like to talk about our god Odin the most controversial Marvel franchise pairing which caused a storm of indignation and negative emotions on the part of fans?

We're talking about Loki/Sylvie from "Loki" (2021) mini-series, or sylki (lovie) as they were called by fans. Apparently a simple get-pairing consisting of a man and a woman (or bisexual gender fluids, if you prefer), but some people were shocked by such a relationship on the screen. Why? What for? How? That may be your questions. So we’ll discuss their claims and groundlessness of them in this article.

But before we start talking about it, I want to clarify what actually the concept of the "selfcest" is.

Usually we marked as a "selfcest" those works that describe the relationship of a character with himself. Most often, this warning implies a "doubling" of the character; alternatively – the same character is taken at different ages or falls for his/her absolutely identical copies.

Agreed?

Let's go then.

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The first and main thing which follows from the definition above is: "Showing the selfcest on the screen is disgusting and immoral!"

It also follows from the definition above that the selfcest is the relationship of the same character with himself in the form of identical copies both in character and appearance. The highest form of narcissism, according to Mobius (which, in fact, is to some extent true). Horrors from a snuffbox, according to some impressionable audience. It hardly makes sense to rant about the fact that masturbation is also a form of selfcest (although the fact is rather amusing).

The bottom line is that if Loki once again created a copy of himself to deceive someone and fell in love with it, it would be a selfcest. Splitting himself into two people and building a relationship between them is a selfcest as well. Turning into a hermaphrodite and ... no, this is something completely perverted.

The basis of the selfcest is absolute identity. If we take a character who is so in love with him/herself that he/she sees relationships only with him/herself, then in such a case he/she can only build them with a perfect scanned copy of him/herself. It will be very easy for the person who knows him/herself inside and out to notice some inconsistencies in a partner, and then it makes no sense to build a relationship if he/she is not as perfect (as the "original" is), isn’t it? That’s how this logic works.

And now attention, please!

Is the romance of two Elvis Presley understudies a selfcest?

They look almost the same, both like Elvis... But no, right? These two people are different people, with different tempers and lives, who are similar only in appearance and pseudonyms. So this is a very ordinary relationship.

Now let's get back to our sheep. So we have two people from different worlds, with different stories, different tempers, different powers and different external signs who were born under the same name and later lived their lives with different ones. The only thing that is identical in them is the essence of the God of Mischief. So where is the ground for an egoistic selfcest? Nowhere.

Don't forget about identity. We can say that they are very similar, since initially they are both Lokis. But do you wanna say it's so hard to meet similar people in real life? No. Do you wanna say it's hard to meet similar people in two similar universes? No. I'll tell you a secret: writers often like to use the trope of intertwining almost identical tempers between characters to show their mental connection. And it's not a crime, but a common technique. And, again, a "similarity" doesn't fall under the criteria of selfcest.

And finally, if Sylvie were an exact copy of Loki, would there be people who love one but can't stand the other? It's the same character after all, so what's the problem? But the point is that Loki is Loki. And Sylvie is Sylvie. They exist separately from each other and are not the same due to the presence of distinctive features.

If you want to use Kang's words, remember that he admired these two.

< < < 2 > > >

The second and no less amusing is "Loki doesn't need a love interest at all!"

I'm sorry, but which Loki?

The one who appeared in all the films of the series "Thor" and "The Avengers"?

He's dead, guys.

And Loki from the series is a character torn out from the finale of the first "Avengers" and revamped by TVA with the help of an impromptu session of psychologist Mobius and viewing on-screen all of his promising deeds. This Loki was told head-on that he was created as a minor character in order to plot his machinations for the development of the protagonists and he was unnecessary to the whole world. This Loki has an advantage over the previously known version of himself just in knowing this fact. This Loki has recognized for everyone and for himself that he didn't want to harm the others. And this Loki, by definition, is already a different character, but for some reason people tailor him to a long-familiar one, ignoring the obvious things point-blank.

He is no stranger to simple human feelings, because every version of the God of Mischief is initially an offended and despised child grown up in the shadow of his own brother, a child who just wanted to be loved too and in the same way. Only the paths to this under-goal were different for all Lokis. One killed Thor in order to remain the only ruler (people always adore kings), another invented unthinkable feats (people love heroes), the third built a perfect world out of promises for everyone, the fourth tried to become a hero himself, but was too crushed to find mistakes in his plan, the fifth excluded himself from the equation so that everyone understood he didn't want to harm the others and to cause the pain.

Loki from the series is a version that knows everything about himself, but at the same time is not bound by the framework of the other variants' plot. He doesn't need to win back Asgard, to fight with Thanos, with the Avengers, with contempt and so on. He is free from borders. He is from the world where Frigga never died. He is the only Loki without the "glorious purpose". He is different.

So his attitude to other people is now different as well. It's stupid to perceive this version exactly as a long-known character.

After all he had seen, this Loki would hardly be able to live alone like any other. He is extremely naked and needs love (in any form), as the most reliable and not bringing destruction and suffering point of support.

< < < 3 > > >

The third and my favorite thing is: "Love in five minutes! Why did it come out at all?"

Why did Loki fall for Sylvie, and even in a couple of days?

OK, you can quite easily explain Sylvie's motivation: she found a person who had interest for her, who suddenly cared about her, protected her... Could he be an unworthy party in such a case? Moreover, before that, Sylvie, in principle, had no close people and she internally really lacked such an attitude to herself, banal love (parents, people, friends, romantic), which she hadn’t due to the lack of normal childhood and a stable life.

But Loki?..

But Loki is not a vain killing machine from The Avengers anymore, not a person for whom the self-affirmation is the only goal in life. Let's rewind a little, and remember that he was brainwashed in TVA and lowered from heaven to earth. Loki was always reasonable. Loki could always be courteous and friendly. Loki was always a gentleman. And finally he realized that there's no sense in all this aggression and hyperbolized narcissism, and he pushed his one-actor theater aside in order to at least normally rethink the concept of time and reality.

And here comes Sylvie.

Unpredictable, dangerous, painfully similar to him, but at the same time completely different. Loki never had good intentions in his conquests; only the ways were sometimes good. Sylvie went to the good liberation of people and the return of their right to choose their lives, but through blood. In fact, she is his mirror image.

She intrigued. A wild person who swung at the destruction of the time control organization alone and coped well with it.

However, the countdown started from the moment when they both got on the train. The moment when Loki began to understand what the real essence of Sylvie was. Grown up in fear, distrustful, broken Sylvie, who was desperately trying to make TVA pay for everything. For everyone. And it was amazing for him.

Here, as for me, the Moffat's quote about his BBC Sherlock fits very well: ..when he saw her, he thought: "Maybe there can be someone like me?" – but with a slight nuance that Loki himself would like to be someone like that. Like a fighter in spite of and for the good, causing admiration. With some corrections in the form of the absence of a painful childhood, despair and anger.

Then the spring of "Loki's MeUs" begins to unwind, and the essence of it is that he understands her and her feelings, because, although they are different people, they are internally similar. Loki looks at her as if she is a person he has known for a very long time, but not completely. It's like if you met an old childhood friend seven years later: it seems to be the same, but also it seems to be different. It seems that everything is elementary, but there's not enough of a certain number of details.

(He'll realize later that he was missing much more).

So we take the initial interest, add the conditional knowledge of a person, and we get a very specific variation of the trope "from friends to lovers".

This may seem far-fetched, but we have two factors on our hands that are fundamental for this trope. Keep them in your head, but for now, let's applaud the fact that Marvel for the first time figured out how to derive formulas for the logical development of relationships in the shortest possible time. In what way? In the most elementary way: through psychology.

There's such a thing as the stages of the formation of relationships, which includes:

- Falling in love (interest, flirting, rethinking)

- Trust (challenge, joint activity, mutual assistance)

- A sense of kinship (empathy, responsibility, confidence)

- A sense of unity

- Love

In our case, only the first three points are considered, but the third one is with a chip in the form of a final. I should also focus attention on the fact we are not considering love. We are considering a serious crush, which can develop into love, since the latter one is a slightly longer process that still has to go through to the end. And we consider them in extreme (+accelerated by our two fundamental factors) conditions, where our heroes are forced to work together and trust each other in order to survive.

After reviewing the aspects of the three points we have chosen, we can easily draw analogies with the events that happened with Loki and Sylvie.

They are interested in each other, they think that they know each other, they develop in relationships with each other in a completely healthy way. A little faster than in the series for a hundred episodes maybe, but it is conditioned.

Needless to say, this is impossible and illogical: we have the clearest example of love from nowhere in the form of a couple of Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, who had absolutely no prerequisites to it, but at the same time kissed at the end of the first film. Nothing personal, it's just a fact.

The relations of our "defendants" aren't based on carnal attraction, they didn't immediately break out ready-made due to a rush of adrenaline, they are not one-sided and not abusive. Loki and Sylvie carry about each other, support each other (if it doesn't seem so, then we'll also talk about Sylvie a little later, everything in its own time), plus sympathy and love based on the fact that a person is ready to fight with you and trust you, sounds very appropriate, doesn't it?

And yes, there are similar examples of "love in five minutes" in life, which I've also seen. This is real.

< < < 4 > > >

The fourth thing which also makes me roll my eyes is "Sylvie didn't need relationships at all and she didn't care about Loki."

So let's make a small lyrical digression and think about who Sylvie is.

The Goddess of Mischief? Yep, but far from Loki, which means there's no sense to adjust her to the same classic image. As a child, Sylvie was dragged out of her own world. As a child, Sylvie fled across the time with fear and horror from TVA. Sylvie hid all her conscious life and saw people dying around her over and over again. Sylvie knew that outside of the apocalypses millions are simply dying from the hands of TVA too. She was alone all the time, during all her life she developed anger and hatred for this organization, until revenge for herself and for others became the only meaning of her life.

And here comes Loki.

Another version of the God of Mischief, which forces her to rebuild the plan on the go, in order to still bring it to the end. Frivolous, broken, stucked up Loki. He lazily, automatically puts sticks in her wheels. And then, on Lamentis, he suddenly decides to fight with her and help. After that, he completely trusts her with his life and cares about her own. And it seems to her like some kind of nonsense, like another trick, an invention for personal gain. Sylvie understands the essence of Loki, but she can't perceive him the way he perceives her. She sees in him what she could have become without the intervention of TVA.

But after that rush through the city, after realizing the hopelessness of the situation, when he says he is sorry and he thinks she is amazing, something clicks in her head. No one has ever cared about her (in this regard, she is not like Loki, who had at least Frigga), and now Loki, who knows her only from the archives and her meager life-story, who dragged her into the apocalypse, but also tried his best to help her to get out, just says that he is fascinated.

Sylvie grew up with her own concept of truth and lies: for her, there's only her truth and the eternal deception from the others. And then she thinks: may it be that..?

The thoughts that no one on the entire Timeline needs her, and that she should have recognized the lie, are marinating in her head to the end. Loki is not like the people she has spent her whole life with (he looks more like her, understands more or tries to understand at least; he believes), Loki behaves strangely and worries about her. Sylvie can't believe it (her past affects her completely), but subconsciously she wants someone to really care about her.

And she starts taking care of Loki in return. She comes closer and closer, but at the same time she is ready to turn around and rush back at any moment. Because she's scared. Sophia Di Martino says that for Sylvie, feelings are something new, unknown, and such things always cause fear in people. She tries to deny it, to be ironic, she's waiting for a trick, but doesn't move away.

She's just thinking: "Come on. Betray me. Betray me so that I'll be right again and trust no one anymore."

But Loki doesn't betray her. On the contrary: he recognizes that he cares of her, he tries to protect her with all his might. And that's the moment when Sylvie finally falls in love. That's why she pushes him through the portal to TVA which – the Multiverse is being formed, yay – is the safest place at the time.

Why didn't she give up on killing Kang? Because that was her glorious purpose. Sylvie lived with the revenge and the dream of saving everyone from the dictator and she just couldn't give up all this after the horrors that she experienced in her life. Blood, death and fear – that's what she saw during all these years. But Loki didn't see that so he couldn't understand. That's why Sylvie didn't listen to him.

And if she didn't care about Loki, if she didn't feel anything at all, Sylvie would have killed him the moment her sword was at his neck. She'd killed before – it wouldn't be a problem. But she does care of Loki.

< < < 5 > > >

The fifth and final thing is "These relationships hinder the development of both characters!"

And that's the funniest claim from those who watched the series with their eyes closed.

During the series, Sylvie and Loki are revealed from new sides thanks to their feelings. Caring for others, compassion, responsibility, the very fact of showing love for another person – all this develops them both. The friendship was shown through Mobius. The family has always been represented by Thor, Odin and Frigga. But showrunners wanted to reveal Loki from all sides, decompose him into components and show what he is from the inside in all aspects. And they did it.

Loki, who doesn't care about the fate of the Universe, and who only wants to regain world domination again, turns into a hero who wants to save the whole world. And one more person.

With Sylvie, it's a little more difficult, due to the fact that her life was also more difficult. Her case is more lost. However, in the end we see that such a long-awaited retribution doesn't bring her satisfaction. Because she understands the wrongness of this act, she regrets it and realizes that everything was wrong. But she realizes it too late.

If we had cut Loki out of her life, Sylvie would have killed the Keeper without any guilt, without feeling remorse, because she wouldn't have known that everything could be different, that she might choose another way.

This is what is called character development.

Sophia says both Loki and Sylvie feel the same, they grow together, but at different rates. And by the end of the series, Sylvie is approximately where Loki was after a psychotherapy session with Mobius. But not at the very beginning – that's what's important.

I hope this article has at least a little explained the whole essence of sylki pairing, because surely I'm not Tom and Sophia, who know their characters best. However, trying is something, isn't it?

Thanks for attention ;)

Source: «Это была любовь», или пять причин и пять опровержений ненависти к Sylki

#loki #sylvie #loki x sylvie #loki series #sylki #lovie #lovedaggers #fandom analytics #translation from russian

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everythingsinred · 3 years

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Let's Talk About NatsuMikan: Natsume (pt.10)

WOW we did it folks. 10 parts to an essay that we're like. a quarter of the way done with. That's pretty great! More or less, by the time you finish reading this post, you'll have read 35k words worth of analysis and I'll have spent countless hours writing it. What amazing dedication we have to this manga! We should get an anime reboot as a reward!

Anyway, let's go crazy stupid trying to wrap up this arc, where we can see the extent of Natsume's selflessness. As we approach the end, something will happen to make Natsume's plans to distance himself from Mikan very difficult. Let us begin!

Also I've been forgetting to put trigger warnings up for these but I put them on the first few so hopefully you know they're all like that. Child abuse is a huge topic we'll cover throughout, as well as all the consequences that come with it, so be wary.

Chapter Forty-One

Medusa--Mihara-san--is amused to see that the frightening, powerful, and awe-inspiring “Black Cat”, who demonstrates a trained command of his alice despite wearing an alice-restraining mask on missions, is actually just a little kid.

Natsume doesn’t care about being impressive; he cuts to the chase, asking where Mikan is. Medusa makes his comments, but Natsume stays on his point: his new mission is to save Mikan, after all. Though keeping Mikan and Ruka safe had been his personal mission from the get-go. But just as Natsume isn’t interested in anything Medusa has to say if it isn’t about Mikan, Medusa isn’t interested in any topic that is about Mikan. So the small talk ends and Shiki is commanded to test the kids’ abilities.

Natsume cares about one thing right now and it isn't his DA alias.

They are in the midst of some kind of battle or standoff when Mikan reappears, safe. She calls out to them, excited to see them again. Ruka and Tsubasa are happy to see her safe as well, so they call out too. Natsume is not as thrilled. He’s good at staying on mission and keeping his attention on the dangers around him, like Shiki and Medusa, as well as the countless other Z members, all with mystery alices.

Mikan suddenly appearing and making herself known is dangerous, and she’s immediately under attack, unwittingly. He runs to protect her, using his alice as a barrier between them and the man who just tried to hurt her, but when he turns back to look at Mikan, he’s livid.

The art in this scene is so gorgeous, I could stare it forever. Look at how silky Natsume's hair is. Pretty.

Tsubasa and Ruka have never been on a mission like this. They were just eager to see Mikan unharmed. She was also just excited to see her friends again after being separated. But Natsume knows better. On a mission, you have to stay vigilant and always careful, and Mikan was careless. He yells at her, scolding her. But even through his emotions, he stays vigilant, protecting her even more when the enemy tries to take advantage of the distraction.

This is what he came for, not just to be the brains and keep them on track throughout the journey, but also to protect them, because that’s what he always does, what his priority always is. He will use his alice to ward off enemy attacks, and use his body as a shield, even if he winds up exhausted and bleeding and hurt. And he is.

But he still tells Mikan to stay behind him, to stay safe, so he can properly protect her this time, because he couldn’t do it before.

He doesn’t expect Mikan to get up and tell him that he doesn’t have to worry. She doesn’t want or need him to protect her; instead she wants to help him. She tells him, for once, that he doesn’t have to be the only one hurt anymore. He’s understandably surprised to hear this, because it means that someone other than Ruka has been paying attention. She understands that he’s been through the wringer, and she doesn’t want to just sit back and benefit from his effort without giving anything back. But more than just saying she’ll take on the brunt of things for him, she wants to help. She wants to be his strength, not a burden on him.

She has been noticing him, even the things he doesn't want her to notice.

This shocks him enough that it actually distracts him from his vigilance, and suddenly it appears that Ruka is in danger. He leaves her side just long enough for her to be captured by Shiki instead, and immediately teleported to Medusa’s side. They needed to get Mikan out of the way, after all, so that Medusa could use his alice, which he immediately uses to petrify Tsubasa’s leg.

Chapter Forty-Two

Right off the bat, we’re shown just how much the stakes have risen. Medusa’s alice is deadly, not just dangerous, and he’s already managed to hit Tsubasa with it. His next command is to have Yuka steal the kids’ alices, and to start with Natsume. It would make things easier on him, anyway, Medusa says, obviously privy to the idea that a child like Natsume wouldn’t want to be a child soldier at all, unlike Reo who mused that maybe Natsume would be more content with just a change of employer.

But Yuka makes it clear that her alice isn’t strong enough to steal all of the alices at once, trying to spare the kids from losing their abilities. So Medusa then goes to a Plan B, convincing the kids that his alice will only be temporarily affecting them until they agree to work for Z. After all, Natsume can’t really use his alice when Medusa has Mikan in his clutches. He’s been in this situation before, practically living in it, having the lives and happiness of his loved ones held over his head so that he will be pliant. Medusa comments that he loves torturing people like him, and he must not be the only one, since Natsume’s been tortured in this way for years now.

Ruka is hit in the shoulder while trying to shield Tsubasa from another attack from Medusa, and the shoulder region is particularly life-threatening, as it’s close to the heart and he might die from the loss of blood flow soon. Of course, this sets Natsume into berserk mode, but before he can use his alice, he coughs violently. This gives Medusa an opportunity to strike Natsume in his dominant arm, his left one.

He tries to use his alice, despite being at a new disadvantage, and still angry from what’s happening to Ruka. So his leg gets hit too.

Medusa gets temporarily incapacitated by Mikan’s nullification, so he sends Yuka to steal Natsume’s alice, which should be a walk in the park because he’s lost control of his arm and leg, so he can’t run away.

It’s here that Natsume reveals to the reader the secret he’s been keeping for the past few days, the one that we must now keep as well, that Mikan is Yuka’s daughter.

This is another one of those situations, where the stars align in all the wrong ways. Something you've always wanted is within grasp, but there's too many reasons not to take it.

Natsume stands there, unable to move, and ponders his situation as Mikan desperately screams for him to run away.

He wonders if he was waiting for this exact moment, if that’s the reason he came along at all, so that he could meet Yuka and have her steal his alice away.

Earlier, Natsume left a conversation about losing alices because it was too painful. He doesn’t feel the same way about his that the rest of them do. It’s not some fond part of him that he can’t stand to lose. He hates it. It’s been a hindrance since the day he was born. People of all sorts of organizations, including the government operated Academy and terrorist organizations like Z, have coveted his power. It’s put his loved ones in danger. It’s made his life a living hell. He’s been robbed of a fun childhood, of smiles and friendship, of peace. It’s stolen opportunity from him, so he can’t even feel free to pursue a crush, or make bonds freely, or let himself laugh. It stole his future from him, and he dies a little bit more every day. He won’t live long enough to go on a date, graduate, get married, get a normal job, have kids, grow old. He might not even make it to middle school, and he knows it. He lives his whole life in eternal emotional, physical, and mental agony. He’s always under the gun, always careful, always selfless, always defensive.

Why would anyone want that?

And this is his chance to lose it all. Things could be easier, better, safer. He could lose it and finally exhale. He could go back home to his dad. He could be an actual kid for once. Yuka could steal his alice and all of his responsibilities and the deadweight he’s been carrying on his back for his whole life could be gone.

Of course he almost lets her steal it.

But Mikan has been screaming in anguish for him to run away, and he remembers what she said when she saved him during the Reo Arc: that it was too late to give up, and that they should return to the academy together, because a bright future must be waiting for them.

And because of that, Natsume makes his first move to escape Yuka’s alice.

Does Natsume really want a future if his friends and loved ones would still be in danger? Would it be worth it if he was safe, if it came at the price of their safety? If Natsume doesn’t use his alice to keep them safe and protected, then who will? Who can?

Natsume smacking Yuka’s hand away isn’t selfish. It’s not him realizing he wants to keep his alice, that maybe deep down, he might actually love it. It’s not dear to him in any way. It’s still the thing that wears his body down and forces him to cough up blood. No, this act is selfless, yet again, because his own happiness and even his life come dead last to him. He has to keep them all safe after all.

Yuka snatches his wrist anyway, ready to steal his alice away, until she realizes she can’t. Mikan is using her alice from all the way across the room to protect Natsume.

So basically, the idea of Natsume leaving the academy causes this kind of reaction in Mikan, something Natsume has no choice but to see for what it is: fondness.

He looks at her with surprise, because this is an act of affection. Mikan has just used her alice to keep him with her. His life isn’t in danger, but she wants him to stick around. Now more than ever, Natsume can see proof that she cares about him, even despite all the bullying he’s done, despite all the mean words he’s thrown her way, even after he told her cruelly that he hates every single thing about her. Up until now, Natsume had no reason to believe she was doing anything but tolerating him, and though that was the outcome he was working for, deep down he does want the girl he likes to have some fondness for him too. This is the first time Natsume can really see that he means something to her too, as more than just a classmate or a partner. He is someone she doesn't want to part with.

And Mikan has fulfilled her wish, to be Natsume’s strength, because now Natsume is able to yell at her to duck and blow up the wall behind her.

Usually such huge explosions are the result of him at his angriest, using his ability to punish the people who hurt his loved ones. He’s probably also done similar things on missions, maybe even when he’s completely calm. But this time Natsume is weaker than ever, his dominant left arm completely out of commission, unable to move, under duress. He finds the strength to cause that explosion because of Mikan, because she wants him around.

While everyone is distracted, Natsume tells Yuka to go help Mikan, hinting that he knows her secret.

So Yuka stabs Mihara-san and has the petrified kids lick his blood off the blade. It’s confusing to the other kids why she would do this, but Natsume knows exactly why.

It would be interesting to see more interaction between Yuka and Natsume. Surely Yuka knows that Natsume is Kaoru’s son? It would be interesting to see if she noticed that his name matches Mikan’s. What does she think of him? What might their dynamic be like? I will always mourn that we’ll never find out.

Chapter Forty-Three

This chapter is the one that should officially designate this manga into the “tragedy” category. Yes, there’s been some heavy and deep stuff so far, most having to do with Natsume and the heavy abuse he deals with, but even with all that it’s managed to be mainly a cheerful and upbeat story. This chapter makes it clear that horrible and heart-wrenching things can and will happen, that we can’t count on a happy ending every time.

The kids are close to escape. They’re about to head through a warp zone back to school, and it’s urgent they move fast because the hide-out they’re in is currently imploding. Unfortunately, Mikan has dropped the antidote to the bullet that hit Hotaru, so she refuses to leave until she’s retrieved it from under a pile of rubble.

Pengy finally has a chance to prove itself, wriggling under and saving the antidote for Hotaru. It has helped Mikan, and because that’s the best thing someone can do, Natsume is grateful.

Natsume's smile (even a small one like this) has incredible powers, like giving robots a feeling of self-worth, making his classmates fall in love with him, and making me think he is a good boy. It would be irresponsible to overuse it.

Just like when Tsubasa showed his worth back at the high school division when he used his alice to help Mikan, Natsume has a new respect for Pengy, who was able to do something amazing to help the group, and Mikan especially. So he gives Pengy a slight smile. It’s really subtle and nothing outstanding on anybody else, but it’s a rare thing to get from Natsume, even for those whom he loves. “I guess you can be a little useful,” he says. This is the best sign of appreciation someone can get from him, and Pengy glows for a moment (ahh… the power of Natsume’s smile), until things fall apart.

The floor gives way under Mikan’s feet. They’re able to pull Mikan up, but Pengy is still too far to reach. Despite Mikan’s desperation, Pengy understands that they’re wasting time trying to reach it. Finally, after Pengy has proven its use to Natsume, it refuses to be a hindrance again, and sacrifices itself so that everyone can safely return the antidote to Hotaru.

They’re all through the tunnel, hit with the knowledge that Pengy is gone. They all react somewhat differently, but Natsume feels guilt.

Pengy's smile has evil powers because it makes me cry.

Natsume had considered Pengy a robot, something unfeeling and mechanical, just a useless thing Hotaru made once. It was something that could be discarded, and after it had proven to be troublesome, he’d even advocated that it should be discarded. He’d considered it useless all along, but when it really counted, Pengy was able to save Mikan and the antidote. It proved not only that it could be useful, but that it wasn’t just another mechanical robot. When Natsume smiled at it, it smiled back. And in its final act of sacrifice, it acted out of love for both Hotaru and Mikan, and Natsume feels sorry for what he’d said about it.

Natsume has a habit for establishing a bad impression of someone, and then having that person work hard to prove themselves to him. Pengy is one example, but he’s like this with Tsubasa, Mikan, and all sorts of people at first. People (and robots) that he despises until they show him what they’re really made of, winning his respect and sometimes even affection. It makes sense he would be so distrustful, seeing the life he has to live. Trusting the wrong person can get you hurt sometimes, and can lead to disaster. And having something useless like Pengy can cause a mission to fail. But Natsume is sometimes wrong about his first impression of a person, and the same qualities that could lead him to believe something is useless or annoying can end up being strengths that he respects.

Chapter Forty-Five

Yes, I skipped 44 because that’s more noteworthy as a Mikan chapter. Natsume doesn’t do anything I found particularly intriguing and I didn’t want to make anything up or repeat myself. In fact, for the rest of this arc, there’s very little left for me to say, so I apologize if this is a short analysis to conclude with.

The first thing we’ll address is the ESP and Persona discussing the insubordination that has just occurred. Yes, an injured student has safely recovered, and a Z hideout has been destroyed, but it wasn’t their plan for things to happen that way. Narumi needs a warning, for one. Natsume, according to Persona, needs simply to be punished back into obedience. From the way Persona talks about him, we can see how little he thinks of Natsume, how easy he can be to manipulate and control, which is all he is good for anyway. To them, Natsume is nothing more than a pawn in their game. Sure, he’s a useful pawn, the Black Cat that strikes fear into the hearts of the school’s enemies and successfully completes his missions even with a punishment mask on, but he’s still just a pawn. Nothing more.

While watching Mikan and Hotaru’s reunion, Tsubasa teases Natsume about joining the group hug. Natsume ignores him, and makes to walk away, but stops just long enough to toss his healing alice necklace to him. Tsubasa can borrow it to make up for having Subaru put Natsume’s injuries first. He makes it clear that he doesn’t want anybody looking after him, and that might seem like a snub, but this is kindness too. Natsume calls Tsubasa by his name, though he’ll do his best to avoid ever saying it again, and lends him a source of comfort and healing to pay back Tsubasa’s compassion. This is a growing moment, because Natsume has opened himself up to the idea that he could care about more people, even if it means more to lose.

Saying people's names is another rare magic from Natsume, I guess.

Natsume has learned things on this mission too, just like Mikan has. He’s a bit more open-minded now. He judged both Tsubasa and Pengy, and ended up changing his mind about them both, even if only by a little. He’s also discovered that Mikan has affection for him too, and it will completely undo all the effort he’s so far tried to make in distancing himself. It’s one thing to stay away from the girl you like when she hardly stands you. It’s another thing when she enjoys your company, and your feelings are turning into love. His feelings have intensified, or maybe they were always so intense but are just newly solidified, as he’s not hiding from them as much anymore.

He won’t be able to distance himself from her anymore, so he’ll completely stop trying.

Conclusion

Natsume has realized that Mikan holds a degree of fondness for him too, and because he is now very deeply in love with her, he will not be able to stay away like he'd resolved to before. Tomorrow we will begin our essay with Natsume's birthday, a very exciting way to start looking at his new approach to his relationship with Mikan.

The last essay (pt. 9) in particular inspired people to tell me that they were learning new things about Natsume, and as a result even loving him more, and that makes me so happy! Natsume is one of my favorite characters ever, and I want people to love him as much as I do! I love when people leave comments or questions! Really, I'm just so happy and over the moon that people are reading and enjoying, because again--this is a LOT of words. It's a long essay, and it means so much not just that people want to read about Natsume and his feelings for Mikan, but that they want to hear what I have to say about it! Thank you so much for supporting me! Isn't it exciting that we're about a quarter through? <3

I can’t put a song in the tags cuz I have too many tags. So. Church by Fall Out Boy.

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#gakuen alice #alice academy #hyuuga natsume #natsume hyuuga #natsumikan #sakura mikan #mikan sakura #my meta #ga #mine #ga meta #ga meta: nm #ga meta: manga #ga meta: manga nm #let's talk about natsumikan #let's talk about natsumikan: natsume #yes natsume is a leftie and i will bring it up a thousand times #hes left handed. as if he wasnt oppressed enough #might make an appreciation post for natsume being left handed #also his cute little smile! he is BAbEY #hes my son i will protECT him #also! when it comes to picking the title pictures.... its so hard #i try to pick pictures from the era #particularly a chapter cover from the arc that i like #sometimes im not lucky and theres not a grand selection #i also have to save some pics for mikans essay. so. limited options #i really am trying to do my best here and include good pics!#i was gonna pick a lil snippet from the aeiou book but i dont have any good quality images of that book so the pic i got was grainy #i chose this instead. closer to the era i think #could be better. im sorry

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janetbrown711 · 3 years

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My headcanons about Sir William the Good

This is like my Angelina II post, so be sure to check that one out too

Oh! And be sure to check out this fic, because it talks about a few of these situations ^^

As always, if you have any questions/requests about them, my ask box is always open :)

Buckle up, because I have a lot of thoughts

Early life:

His mother died not long after he was born, so he has no memory of her

His father’s name was Alan, and he loved William dearly, and William loved him too

His best friend growing up was Heloise Nerz (more better known as Hello Nurse)

They ran around Acme Falls like little rascals and were mostly adored by the town

She was always a lot smarter than him though, so whenever they got into trouble she’d have to usually get them out of it, though William was always very apologetic and felt very guilty when he did something wrong

Despite what the townspeople whispered and joked about, William never had a crush on her and vice versa. They were both just really good friends

His father got sick of a mysterious illness when he was eight, and died in less than a year, and William missed him terribly

He wandered around Acme Falls for jobs, and while most folks were willing to give him work, he felt unfulfilled and tried to search for the perfect job

No less than a year of searching, a royal knight came into town looking for a squire, and William jumped at the opportunity

He was young for a squire (he wasn’t even 10 yet) but the good natured knight liked his spark and took him under his wing.

It was hard for William to leave Acme, but he promised to write to the town when he could, and so he left.

For the first few years he did more of chores than actual knight training- but William never complained. He looked up to the knight quite a lot, to the point where he was basically a second father figure

However, once he turned 12, the real training began, and it was intense.

William never really complained though, knowing what he had signed up for

He was best at sword fighting, though he was a terrible equestrian

When he was 15, he was taken to the royal palace for further knighthood training, and he met Angelina on his first day by making an utter fool of himself (tripping over a bucket of water)

To his surprise, this didn’t push Angelina away, and William fell in love instantly.

Often, she’d watch him during his horseback riding lessons and would laugh when he screwed up and cheer for him when he succeeded, which made him work harder and harder for her.

Sometimes they even rode together, which was fun (though she beat him every time, but William was a very good sport about it- which Angelina greatly appreciated)

However, their favorite activity to do was to stroll and plant in the garden. Often the two were busy with their lessons, but they’d try their darnedest to squeeze in the time together

The queen, Angelina the First, strongly disapproved of him, but since William hadn’t really done anything wrong, he couldn’t find good reason to send him away, so he remained at the castle.

William knew how much Angelina hated the suitors and would always try to get the next day off to spend it with her to help her feel better

When he saw the bruise Salazar had left on Angelina he nearly cried out of empathy for her and her situation, and swore that he would never let anything like that happen to her ever again

(That was when Angelina realized she was in love with him too)

They began their secret relationship when he was 19 and she was 18.

He proposed two years later, right before gaining his knighthood, and Angelina didn’t hesitate to say yes

William was prepared to stay engaged as long as it took, but luckily for them, Queen Angelina the First died a month after he proposed and they were married shortly thereafter.

Yakko:

William had always wanted to have children, as he was an only child and loved the idea of raising and having children, and when Angelina told him she was pregnant he was over the moon

However, he was a bit nervous when he realized that his father died when he was eight, and he had few memories of how he was raised, so he studied and read up on every parenting book he could find and studied like a madman before Yakko was born

William fell in love with Yakko instantly

He was really nervous to hold him though, as he was terrified he’d drop him (which was odd, because being a knight made him very strong)

However, he did relax and eventually he was able to hold him without being nervous, and it soon became his favorite thing

He loved to read bedtime stories to Yakko when Angelina was too exhausted to sing a lullaby, and Yakko seemed to really like them, especially as he got older

Angelina said he got his talkativeness from William, and William couldn’t help but agree, he did have a tendency to ramble (especially when he was nervous)

He wanted Yakko to learn how to horseback ride, but Angelina forced him to promise to wait until he was at least eight because of how dangerous it could be

However, she didn’t stop him from getting Yakko a wooden sword, and William proceeded to try and teach him to sword fight, though it clearly wasn’t his forte. Still, Yakko seemed to have fun, and liked to act out the bedtime stories of William’s knighthood to Angelina, who also seemed to find it adorable.

Wakko:

William had been utterly delighted to find out that Angelina was pregnant again, loving the idea of a big happy family, which Angelina liked too, as she was also an only child

Yakko was curious about what being an older brother would be like, so this time both Yakko and William were studying to prepare themselves

When Wakko wasn’t born crying or breathing, William nearly had a heart attack and died right there

However, the doctor quickly fixed it, and he cried tears of relief and joy

William noticed Wakko had a lot of similar features to his own father, and so made his middle name Alan

It was really hard to get Angelina to let go of Wakko to let him get a chance to hold him (not that he blamed her in the slightest) so he had to wait until she fell asleep to hold him

Again, he fell in love instantly

He was really nervous whenever Wakko was out of his sight, but recognizing that someone had to be the sane one (as Angelina was having terrible separation anxiety) he stayed strong and reminded Angelina that they had done this before and that it was gonna be okay

Helping her helped him a lot, and soon enough their worries were down to a normal level

Wakko was a lot more energetic and wild than Yakko, which reminded William of himself when he was younger, running around Acme Falls.

William often had to chase Wakko around countless halls of the castle because of how much he loved to run and toddle around

Wakko had less patience for William’s stories- often interrupting with questions or little comments, much to Yakko’s annoyance. William didn’t mind though, as that was when Wakko was the most talkative with him

Dot:

Again, William was ecstatic upon hearing Angelina was pregnant again

However, his confidence and optimism wavered a bit when King Salazar started causing problems on purpose

He was determined to protect Angelina from him though, intent on keeping the promise he made as a teen

He was determined to not let Angelina worry herself to death though, remaining optimistic about having a little girl (hopefully) and how great it would be when they could all relax with the new baby after this Salazar nonsense ended

He often had to watch the boys as Angelina went to diplomatic meetings and so when he found out that he had actually gone into labor during one and continued to the end anyway he was both in awe and amazement at how strong Angelina was (though he also did have a fairly short lived freak out about how dumb of an idea that was)

When Dot was eventually born though, they were both so tired that they both cried, especially because of how cute she was

William had been in love with the idea of giving her Angelina’s name, and was happy she agreed to it, as he never thought of her name as her mother’s name

He did also like the name Dot (Lena’s suggestion), so he suggested that they call her that for short, and Angelina agreed.

However, he did panic momentarily as he realized he had no idea how to raise a girl, until Angelina said “just raise her like any other kid- being a girl hardly makes a difference” and William realized he was being stupid, and relaxed.

Since she was born in the spring around the time all the flowers in the gardens went in bloom, William loved to dress her in flower patterned clothes and hair pieces.

He loved dressing her up (perhaps even more than Angelina did)

He also helped Wakko with advice on what to do as a big brother, and watched him as he watched Dot, finding his curiosity and newfound tameness around her adorable and admirable.

However, as tensions were rising and Angelina being too exhausted and busy to go to meeting, it soon became William’s job to attend the meetings. William decided it was a good idea to bring Yakko along to help prepare him for when he’d be king, but he realized his mistake when he noticed how nervous he looked as they started discussing war. William promised he wouldn’t let that happen though, which helped Yakko to relax.

However, Salazar and his army invaded the castle that night, and William wished that he just had more time with his kids, having never wanted them to be orphans like he was, but unfortunately he had no say in the matter and he was killed

Misc. (bc that’s a depressing end)

Hello Nurse was the “best man” at his and Angelina’s wedding

He didn’t realize Lena was only a nickname special people got to call her until after they were married, and he said “it was his greatest honor” when she pointed it out.

“William, we’re married” “You could’ve married anyone you wanted, but you let me call you Lena”

He’s just... a big ol’ softie. A big teddy bear. He loves cuddling, hugs, crying, and just- he’s impossible to hate

However, like a bear, he gets very protective of his family, and died honorably while trying to protect them

The knight who practically raised him died before Yakko was born, and William held a huge funeral in his honor

He nearly cried when Yakko told him that his favorite story was the story of how he and Angelina met

He taught Yakko how to read and do math, as well as how to sword fight (though it was a slow process since he was only 8 when he died and all)

He grew a mustache bc he thought it made him look more like a king

He loved to just sit and think about all of his and and Angelina’s traits that he could see in the boys (like his optimism in Wakko, Lena’s love of reading and learning in Yakko, etc.)

He loved his children and Angelina with everything he had in him

#animaniacs #sir william the good #william warner #wakko's wish #queen angelina warner #animaniacs fics #long post #queen angelina II #holy shit i'm soft for them-#i ship it so hard #I know I basically invented them but asdklfajsd;a #yeah #asks and requests are always open!

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hellomynameisbisexual · 3 years

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Here's a shortlist of those who realized that I — a cis woman who'd identified as heterosexual for decades of life — was in fact actually bi, long before I realized it myself recently: my sister, all my friends, my boyfriend, and the TikTok algorithm.

On TikTok, the relationship between user and algorithm is uniquely (even sometimes uncannily) intimate. An app which seemingly contains as many multitudes of life experiences and niche communities as there are people in the world, we all start in the lowest common denominator of TikTok. Straight TikTok (as it's popularly dubbed) initially bombards your For You Page with the silly pet videos and viral teen dances that folks who don't use TikTok like to condescendingly reduce it to.

Quickly, though, TikTok begins reading your soul like some sort of divine digital oracle, prying open layers of your being never before known to your own conscious mind. The more you use it, the more tailored its content becomes to your deepest specificities, to the point where you get stuff that's so relatable that it can feel like a personal attack (in the best way) or (more dangerously) even a harmful trigger from lifelong traumas.

For example: I don't know what dark magic (read: privacy violations) immediately clued TikTok into the fact that I was half-Brazilian, but within days of first using it, Straight TikTok gave way to at first Portuguese-speaking then broader Latin TikTok. Feeling oddly seen (being white-passing and mostly American-raised, my Brazilian identity isn't often validated), I was liberal with the likes, knowing that engagement was the surefire way to go deeper down this identity-affirming corner of the social app.

TikTok made lots of assumptions from there, throwing me right down the boundless, beautiful, and oddest multiplicities of Alt TikTok, a counter to Straight TikTok's milquetoast mainstreamness.

Home to a wide spectrum of marginalized groups, I was giving out likes on my FYP like Oprah, smashing that heart button on every type of video: from TikTokers with disabilities, Black and Indigenous creators, political activists, body-stigma-busting fat women, and every glittering shade of the LGBTQ cornucopia. The faves were genuine, but also a way to support and help offset what I knew about the discriminatory biases in TikTok's algorithm.

My diverse range of likes started to get more specific by the minute, though. I wasn't just on general Black TikTok anymore, but Alt Cottagecore Middle-Class Black Girl TikTok (an actual label one creator gave her page's vibes). Then it was Queer Latina Roller Skating Girl TikTok, Women With Non-Hyperactive ADHD TikTok, and then a double whammy of Women Loving Women (WLW) TikTok alternating between beautiful lesbian couples and baby bisexuals.

Looking back at my history of likes, the transition from queer “ally” to “salivating simp” is almost imperceptible.

There was no one precise "aha" moment. I started getting "put a finger down" challenges that wouldn't reveal what you were putting a finger down for until the end. Then, 9-fingers deep (winkwink), I'd be congratulated for being 100% bisexual. Somewhere along the path of getting served multiple WLW Disney cosplays in a single day and even dom lesbian KinkTok roleplay — or whatever the fuck Bisexual Pirate TikTok is — deductive reasoning kind of spoke for itself.

But I will never forget the one video that was such a heat-seeking missile of a targeted attack that I was moved to finally text it to my group chat of WLW friends with a, "Wait, am I bi?" To which the overwhelming consensus was, "Magic 8 Ball says, 'Highly Likely.'"

Serendipitously posted during Pride Month, the video shows a girl shaking her head at the caption above her head, calling out confused and/or closeted queers who say shit like, "I think everyone is a LITTLE bisexual," to the tune of "Closer" by The Chainsmokers. When the lyrics land on the word "you," she points straight at the screen — at me — her finger and inquisitive look piercing my hopelessly bisexual soul like Cupid's goddamn arrow.

Oh no, the voice inside my head said, I have just been mercilessly perceived.

As someone who had, in fact, done feminist studies at a tiny liberal arts college with a gender gap of about 70 percent women, I'd of course dabbled. I've always been quick to bring up the Kinsey scale, to champion a true spectrum of sexuality, and to even declare (on multiple occasions) that I was, "straight, but would totally fuck that girl!"

Oh no, the voice inside my head returned, I've literally just been using extra words to say I was bi.

After consulting the expertise of my WLW friend group (whose mere existence, in retrospect, also should've clued me in on the flashing neon pink, purple, and blue flag of my raging bisexuality), I ran to my boyfriend to inform him of the "news."

"Yeah, baby, I know. We all know," he said kindly.

"How?!" I demanded.

Well for one, he pointed out, every time we came across a video of a hot girl while scrolling TikTok together, I'd without fail watch the whole way through, often more than once, regardless of content. (Apparently, straight girls do not tend to do this?) For another, I always breathlessly pointed out when we'd pass by a woman I found beautiful, often finding a way to send a compliment her way. ("I'm just a flirt!" I used to rationalize with a hand wave, "Obvs, I'm not actually sexually attracted to them!") Then, I guess, there were the TED Talk-like rants I'd subject him to about the thinly veiled queer relationship in Adventure Time between Princess Bubblegum and Marcelyne the Vampire Queen — which the cowards at Cartoon Network forced creators to keep as subtext!

And, well, when you lay it all out like that...

But my TikTok-fueled bisexual awakening might actually speak less to the omnipotence of the app's algorithm, and more to how heteronormativity is truly one helluva drug.

Sure, TikTok bombarded me with the thirst traps of my exact type of domineering masc lady queers, who reduced me to a puddle of drool I could no longer deny. But I also recalled a pivotal moment in college when I briefly questioned my heterosexuality, only to have a lesbian friend roll her eyes and chastise me for being one of those straight girls who leads Actual Queer Women on. I figured she must know better. So I never pursued any of my lady crushes in college, which meant I never experimented much sexually, which made me conclude that I couldn't call myself bisexual if I'd never had actual sex with a woman. I also didn't really enjoy lesbian porn much, though the fact that I'd often find myself fixating on the woman during heterosexual porn should've clued me into that probably coming more from how mainstream lesbian porn is designed for straight men.

The ubiquity of heterormativity, even when unwittingly perpetrated by members of the queer community, is such an effective self-sustaining cycle. Aside from being met with queer-gating (something I've since learned bi folks often experience), I had a hard time identifying my attraction to women as genuine attraction, simply because it felt different to how I was attracted to men.

Heteronormativity is truly one helluva drug.

So much of women's sexuality — of my sexuality — can feel defined by that carnivorous kind of validation you get from men. I met no societal resistance in fully embodying and exploring my desire for men, either (which, to be clear, was and is insatiable slut levels of wanting that peen.) But in retrospect, I wonder how many men I slept with not because I was truly attracted to them, but because I got off on how much they wanted me.

My attraction to women comes with a different texture of eroticism. With women (and bare with a baby bi, here), the attraction feels more shared, more mutual, more tender rather than possessive. It's no less raw or hot or all-consuming, don't get me wrong. But for me at least, it comes more from a place of equality rather than just power play. I love the way women seem to see right through me, to know me, without us really needing to say a word.

I am still, as it turns out, a sexual submissive through-and-through, regardless of what gender my would-be partner is. But, ignorantly and unknowingly, I'd been limiting my concept of who could embody dominant sexual personas to cis men. But when TikTok sent me down that glorious rabbit hole of masc women (who know exactly what they're doing, btw), I realized my attraction was not to men, but a certain type of masculinity. It didn't matter which body or genitalia that presentation came with.

There is something about TikTok that feels particularly suited to these journeys of sexual self-discovery and, in the case of women loving women, I don't think it's just the prescient algorithm. The short-form video format lends itself to lightning bolt-like jolts of soul-bearing nakedness, with the POV camera angles bucking conventions of the male gaze, which entrenches the language of film and TV in heterosexual male desire.

In fairness to me, I'm far from the only one who missed their inner gay for a long time — only to have her pop out like a queer jack-in-the-box throughout a near year-long quarantine that led many of us to join TikTok. There was the baby bi mom, and scores of others who no longer had to publicly perform their heterosexuality during lockdown — only to realize that, hey, maybe I'm not heterosexual at all?

Flooded with video after video affirming my suspicions, reflecting my exact experiences as they happened to others, the change in my sexual identity was so normalized on TikTok that I didn't even feel like I needed to formally "come out." I thought this safe home I'd found to foster my baby bisexuality online would extend into the real world.

But I was in for a rude awakening.

Testing out my bisexuality on other platforms, casually referring to it on Twitter, posting pictures of myself decked out in a rainbow skate outfit (which I bought before realizing I was queer), I received nothing but unquestioning support and validation. Eventually, I realized I should probably let some members of my family know before they learned through one of these posts, though.

Daunted by the idea of trying to tell my Latina Catholic mother and Swiss Army veteran father (who's had a crass running joke about me being a "lesbian" ever since I first declared myself a feminist at age 12), I chose the sibling closest to me. Seeing as how gender studies was one of her majors in college too, I thought it was a shoo-in. I sent an off-handed, joke-y but serious, "btw I'm bi now!" text, believing that's all that would be needed to receive the same nonchalant acceptance I found online.

It was not.

I didn't receive a response for two days. Hurt and panicked by what was potentially my first mild experience of homophobia, I called them out. They responded by insisting we need to have a phone call for such "serious" conversations. As I calmly tried to express my hurt on said call, I was told my text had been enough to make this sibling worry about my mental wellbeing. They said I should be more understanding of why it'd be hard for them to (and I'm paraphrasing) "think you were one way for twenty-eight years" before having to contend with me deciding I was now "something else."

But I wasn't "something else," I tried to explain, voice shaking. I hadn't knowingly been deceiving or hiding this part of me. I'd simply discovered a more appropriate label. But it was like we were speaking different languages. Other family members were more accepting, thankfully. There are many ways I'm exceptionally lucky, my IRL environment as supportive as Baby Bi TikTok. Namely, I'm in a loving relationship with a man who never once mistook any of it as a threat, instead giving me all the space in the world to understand this new facet of my sexuality.

I don't have it all figured out yet. But at least when someone asks if I listen to Girl in Red on social media, I know to answer with a resounding, "Yes," even though I've never listened to a single one of her songs. And for now, that's enough.

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lovely-necromancy · 3 years

Text

A Cure for Insomnia CH.4

WARNING OF DEPICTION OF A PANIC ATTACK and mentions of drugging.

////////

The rest of the day went by pretty uneventfully. That is after Nate lectured you about stranger danger and how you couldn't just walk forty miles in two hours. You really have no clue how you messed up the math that bad or how calling Nate for a ride never crossed your mind. Nate made you promise not to get into another stranger's car, especially without knowing their fucking names.

“I mean seriously YN, you just hopped in their car because they had a dog?! That's literally the first thing they tell you not to do when you learn about stranger danger!” he said munching on a boston cream donut. It was a good thing you'd brought donuts because you caused this man to stress eat...or was that a bad thing?

After you agreed to having better stranger danger instincts, Nate told you things would be run a little differently around the shop. Apparently the camera out back had died on Sunday, which although weird could be explained away as a camera that hasn't been updated or switched out since the shop was opened, maybe even before then too. So unfortunately Big Jo and Nate still didn't know who broke into your car or if they had been looking for anything. But Big Jo still wants to take precautions like the two of you leaving together and in the morning one of you waiting in their car with the doors locked for the other to come and then entering the building together.

Nate also mentioned a few other things, shipping and inventory related, that wouldn't really pertain to you or change any of your current tasks. It's really just to limit the amount of people coming through the back room. The back room was the emptiest you've ever seen when you went to check on your deer skull. You wonder if you hadn't been hired who would've gotten this position and how long they'd be able to keep their mouth shut about the obviously illegal activity going on. But you remember the person who had this position before you had been Bambi, a sweet if not oblivious girl. So, had you not come along the Cowells would have probably found someone else who didn't have an ounce of perception for their surroundings.

The week goes by slowly and with no further incidents. The deer skull has been completed and you plan on taking it to Maddie's Workshop next week to get a mount for it. In the time that you were bleaching and polishing the bones Nate took it upon himself to clean around the shop. Even though he's made it clear you just have to do your task list here, which takes about an hour maybe two depending on the tasks, he's always working on something.

Nate's the type of guy who's never content to just chill he needs to keep moving always chasing that high you get from accomplishing a goal, whatever he's made his that day. He's probably just substituting whatever he did daily with these new deep cleans of his.

Even with the lack of incidents following your car's break in the two of you have kept to the new precautions. Nate even going so far as to remind you tonight that on Monday if you arrive before him you'll need to stay in the car. At this point you think it's less about safety and more about the security of the store's extra curricular activities. Either way you don't really mind.

Things seemed to return to normal, you were back to driving yesterday and after you rearranged furniture in your house you felt a little less on edge. And every night this week you'd been able to get a good night's sleep, which although not too strange did stand out to you. Maybe another thing that had kept you on edge this week, because it meant when you saw a shadow pass by you during the day you couldn't write it off as quickly as you normally would.

But tonight it seemed your luck had run out. You sat on your bed with your sketch book in hand just doodling strange squiggles till your eyes were so tired they couldn't focus. Putting the book down to rest your eyes and crack your wrist, you sigh not feeling tired at all. The thought of a hike isn't really appealing right now, plus if you made a run into the mini mart you'd probably see either Ronnie or even Tim working behind the counter, that thought set your ears a flame. While the night life in Kepler was decent especially for a Friday night in summer, you just felt the need to be alone.

A drive was the best answer you had. You'd just choose a random lane on the interstate and take a random exit till you found a diner or something, order a tea and a slice of pie. Like you were a background character in someone else's story longingly staring out the window as your dreams slowly slipped through your fingers in this cold cruel world. Ok, you'd been joking about that because you saw a TikTok saying that, but your melodramatic ass actually thinks that sounds fun.

Throwing on some jeans and a flannel over you muscle tee, you were out the door. When you were checking the lock you'd heard rustling coming from around the house where your bins were. Worse case it's a stalker, best case just some raccoons. Either way you decided to calmly but briskly walk to your car, locking the doors immediately. Once in you drove around the side of your house, luckily, you assume, you spot the chonkiest raccoon you've ever seen digging through the bins. His tiny little person hands drawing an awww from you even though his demonic gleaming eyes should send a chill down your spine.

Hissing at the car Chonk returns to dig through your garbage. Weird how he only comes on your pizza weeks. Probably has a thing for Leo's homemade pizzas. You sure as hell do, as much as you love it you do save a slice for this little guy. You haven't put it out yet though, eh you'll do it tomorrow.

Having solved that mystery you sit in your car and link up your phone so you can have your driving playlist. It's mainly Folk Punk and Sea Shanties and while most might say it's a weird combination you say it's the same genre just different fonts. You could drive hundreds of miles into the middle of no where listening to this playlist and you'd be just fine...maybe have an emotional break down or two but expressing your emotions is suppose to be good for you. Mouthing along to Jim Bogart as it comes through the stereo you set off on your little excursion.

Just like when you have the urge to hike at night the urge to drive is nearly one in the same. Momentum taking you forward and not looking back as you do, needing to just go forward with no real destination in mind. Tonight however would be a little different you'd stop at the first diner you see that's out of Kepler bounds. Or turn right back around at one in case you hadn't found anything. There've been times that you kept driving straight through morning and didn't know where the hell you ended up. Not to mention you rarely remember the ways to get back after going for so long, and gps can only get you so far in some of the towns that also border the Monongahela Forest. You'd just have to rely on dumb luck tonight.

Unlike hiking, which gives you a burst of adrenaline as you push your body to its limits to move as far as you can and as much as you can. Driving gives a much more relaxed feeling, it's a feeling a weightlessness that gets lighter and lighter the further you get from home. Some may describe that feeling as a wanderlust or nomadic calling, but you've never cared for either of those things. You've only ever wanted to stay in one place for as long as you could remember. Moving around so much in your youth really messed you up, and you promised yourself this would be the last time you uprooted your life. And you've really come to love Kepler in these past few months. You can't imagine how you'll feel next year after getting to know the community more, but so far it's been really compassionate and understanding, a few rocky spots here and there but nothing like your hometown.

Without realizing it you've picked up your speed, you're doing 75 in a 55 zone. Even with no other vehicles around you slow down to just above the speed limit. While there might not be any cops around looking for easy tickets you don't want to risk dissociating at 75MPH or more. That could only end horribly. Though dissociating behind the wheel at all would be horrible. In the middle of shaking yourself from these thoughts you catch sight of an exit sign, which holds the logo for Denny's on it, and the exit is coming up in five miles. Switching lanes you cross over and get ready to hop off on the next exit.

You're pretty sure the only pie Denny's has is the dry apple with a scoop of ice cream. That isn't very appetizing to you, but then again you aren't really a fan of pie, a fact you seemed to gloss over when you made the decision to drive out here this late at night. Not too bothered by the fact, you remember Denny's has a salted caramel and banana pancake which should work in place of pie.

Pulling into the parking lot there are only three other cars, peering into the diner you don't really see anyone so the cars must belong to the skeleton night crew. Entering the Denny's you see there actually is one other patron, you only see the back of his head as he makes no move to look at the new arrival.

“Hun, seat yourself, I'll be out in a bit.” is the motherly voice that rings out from the kitchen, truly something you've only experienced in the south. Walking into a diner in the dead of night and being treated like a daytime regular.

Seating yourself near the TV mounted to the wall you let the sounds of the soap opera playing drown out any buzzing you feel in your head. The waitress is out within minutes and though she startles at your masked face she regains her composure very quickly.

“I'd like the salted caramel pancakes if it's alright.” you say declining the offered menu.

“Just the pancakes?”

“Ah, yes please. And water's fine too.” it really pays to know the menu prior to coming in. Gives you ample time to run scripts over in your head.

Viv, the name on her name tag, nods and gives you a smile as she spins right round to the kitchen. Probably happy she won't have to run out so many times for just one order or maybe to spend time with the cooks in the back. You remember working food service sucked but the line cooks made it so much better at the end of the day. Even if they said you were too quiet and called you 'mouse'.

It might not have been exactly what you set out to do but this little midnight self date was really nice, you should do this more often.

Pancakes finished and mask back on you waited for Viv to bring out your check, then you notice the other patron also making his moves to leave. You're sat facing the door so when he turns and comes closer dread fills your veins like burning cold dry ice. It's David, a local from Kepler you briefly met when you first moved. He gave you really bad vibes and over all was just a very skeevy dude.

What made you feel worse about him was when he left town to “help his sister” right after Bambi disappeared. Those in your circle told you she always talked about leaving Kepler one day but you trusted your gut in saying she didn't leave by her own choice. It got made for her, and David leaving just furthered your theory. You look away hoping he hadn't noticed you but unfortunately you could hear his footsteps falter and then pick back up by passing the door completely.

“Hey...YN, right?” fuck he remembers you, alarm bells are ringing at this fact. Why would he remember someone he briefly met months ago?

“It really is you, still as quiet as I remember.” what did he mean the two of you only met a handful of times and that had been because of your mutual friendship with Bambi.

Where is Viv with the check? You'd really like if she saved you from this painful situation right now. But you aren't sure what's worse having to sit here and listen to David tell you everything he's been up to these past few months, like you even care. Or the thought of leaving with David having him follow you and maybe doing whatever he did to Bambi to you.

“Yea so my sister's better now, I should be seeing you around soon. We should catch up maybe do Saturday Night Dead. Does the Crypt still do that?” great a fucking rhetorical question, he knows the Cryptonomica still does it's weekly movie nights, it's only been two months he's been gone. Not to mention it's a big hit and a huge source of revenue for the shop.

You haven't said anything this whole time, fuck being polite to a potential killer, and fuck being polite to this creep. He's just been talking nearly nonstop for the last few minutes. He must really love the sound of his own voice or thinks he's the most charming person to ever grace the Earth with his presence. Since he's not really caring that you aren't proving to be a stimulating partner in this conversation. He really does love hearing himself talk. By the time he's said his own goodbyes Viv finally makes it out from the back.

She apologizes for the wait, had to go on her break sometime you supposed. You take your time finding your wallet, it's in your back pocket but you wanted to stall for time since you could still see David's car out there, you were also keeping an eye on your own car. Only relaxing when you saw him pull off from the corner of your eye. Oh look you've “found” your wallet, handing Viv your credit card you just want to get out of here quickly now.

You pay and leave a nice tip for Viv, while she didn't save you from that creep it's not like she could've known. You sit in your car for a moment or two just breathing in and out in the glow of the diner lights. Almost meditating before you begin your long drive back to Kepler with all these thoughts of David, Bambi's disappearance, and how it can't be coincidence that David is coming back at the same time that you have a break in. Could you be his next target? Were you just over thinking things? Just blaming this poor guy because you didn't like him? But you've always been intuitive and bad vibes aren't something to ignore. David appearing now meant something.

Just that thought alone put you on edge as your skin begins to crawl. With a few calming breaths you go to start the car and sync your radio when you notice the glow of the lights changed from the slight yellow to a sterile blueish white. Looking up where the diner should be you see the mini mart back at Kepler...how on earth did you get here? You didn't drive! You couldn't have dissociated while driving, you never even turned the car on and you can barely take a hike dissociating let alone do something as complex as drive a car.

It happens before you can register it, on shaky legs that move on their own you are passing the threshold of the convenience store and catching the tail end of a conversation.

“ppened to not feeding into delus...” the voice cuts off as the door shuts behind you. You know that voice why is it so hard to focus?

Something warm brushes your hand and you see someone in front of you. Who is that? You can't see their face, they've got a mask covering their face. Like you but that person is not you. You might know them...Tobais?

“Yea? You good there?” confusion, you blink hard and see you are standing in the mini mart now, Connor standing under your hand, Toby hovering close by and both Brian and Tim watch with unease over by the register.

“...I don't know how I...how I got here.” you register movement in the background but not consciously.

It's the shifting of Brian's head as he looks out the front windows and spots your Kia.

“You drove.” shaking your head, “Maybe...I don't...I dissociated?” in your confusion you can register Toby stiffen in front of you.

Fear, fear, uneasy, breath....are you breathing? Your head's so jumbled right now.

You scan the shop trying to look for answers that may help you but you find none. The more confused you get the more worked up you get, chest rising and falling rapidly. You take a step back or try to and end up falling on your butt. It's starting to get hard to breathe with your throat constricting, you bring a hand up to your larynx.

“..re.....have..attack......”

“could be o...me..”

“.....pressure...”

Is all you can make out with your fuzzy consciousness before a heavy pressure is piling on your chest and knocking you fully on your back. The pressure is actually pretty lifting as contradictory as it may seem. Instead of restricting your breathing more it seems to be kick starting your lungs to exhale and inhale. With oxygen coming back into your body you can feel your toes and the tingle behind them. You can feel your fingers and the fur under them. Fur?

Taking in a big breath you move your head and come face to muzzle with Connor. You give a nod of recognition to the dog before lying flat again and staring up at the ceiling. After about ten minutes you're thinking more clearly than before, which isn't saying much.

“Thanks.” you aren't sure who it's directed at but you still mean it.

It's silent until Toby breaks it, “I'm taking you home.”

“Car.” it's all you can manage to say but the message though distorted got through.

“I'll drive it, Brian follow behind.” there is no room for arguing, driving under any influence must be a touchy subject for Toby. Or maybe you're really fucked up right now and just can't comprehend how bad.

You use Connor to get up, he seems ready and no one else makes a move to you. Toby pushes past and holds the door open as Connor guides you, still holding onto his vest with one hand, and Brian murmurs something to Tim before following you three.

Outside Toby already has your keys in his hand, when did he get those? Did you give them to him? Your hand is risen, you must of...how on earth did you even drive like this. Had you really driven? There's a lump in your throat again and you're breathing's gone shaky, god you hope you didn't hurt anyone. You must have been zoning out for too long, not only is Connor pushing your legs but Toby has a grasp on your forearm coaxing you forward.

His grip isn't suffocating, honestly even seeing it there you still don't feel it. Maybe it's because you're so numb, or maybe it's because he's genuinely helping you but you can't feel the pain that usually comes with being touched. The sharp jab that feels like you've been struck with a fire poker where ever someone laid their hands on you. After he's pushed you into the backseat, more like nudged you, even making sure you didn't bump your head, he buckles you in then snaps and Connor jumps into the car and lays across your lap.

You're shaking, actually trembling as you look at Toby. What's going on? Why can't you figure out what's happening? The brunette doesn't say a thing as he gets into the driver's seat and buckles in to drive you home. That's strange you think, how does he know where to go? You told him right, just follow the road...or maybe he guessed from the other day. What happened to you? Why the mini mart? You were at Denny's.

“This town doesn't have a Denny's.” did you say that out loud?

“I...I went for a drive, a town over...up...no.. north I think...” you start blinking barely able to keep your eyes open before your eyes lock shut. It's sending you over the edge even more in your confusion.

“Hey, hey just focus on the Denny's. What'd you do once you got there?” is he trying to distract you? Calm you down? Or is he trying to piece together what happened like you are? You can remember Denny's just fine, the dull yellow glow of the inside the skeleton crew murmuring in the back, the pancakes you had, and the “conversation” with David. Did David do this, had he put something in your water glass? Did you even touch your water glass after he left? Breathe. You need to breathe. Toby's waiting.

“Pancakes...I had pancakes. Then that creep came over...and he started talking. Didn't like. We aren't friends, I don't know him. I don't understand why he'd talk to me. Didn't like. Didn't like.” finger back to pressing down on your larynx and the weight of Connor preventing your legs from striking out at the seat in front of you.

“Wait, were you drugged?” Eyes flash to the rear view to lock with your own teary stare.

“No, maybe...I don't think so.” you barely feel the pain in your throat right now, this is all so overwhelming. “He left, I...I watched him drive off before getting in my car... I had an episode while the car was off then..” then you were at the mini mart. You never touched the ignition.

“I didn't drive, I never started the car. Didn't, didn't, didn't” Your attack is probably stressing even Connor out now, but this is all so confusing.

You're so focused on the fuzzy events you don't notice Toby bristle. Or how he grips the steering wheel tighter until his knuckles grow white despite his already translucent skin. He might not be able to feel or see it in the mirror through his mask but he's probably gnawing off more of his face. He'd deal with it after he dealt with you.

You've made it to your house and he's waiting for the headlights from Brian. When he sees them in the rear view he gets out but not before telling you, or maybe Connor, to stay put.

It's a few long moments before he comes back. But in the silence and darkness of your car, growing colder by the moment, you start to ground yourself. You aren't calm by any means and you're still very unfocused. But you aren't crying as the numbness overtakes you, you don't even jump when the door beside you opens. With a snap Connor is out of the car and soon you're being pulled from the car, that same weightless touch gripping your forearm. Toby guides you into your own home, and walks towards the hallway looking into the bathroom, the only other door, before finding your room.

Seemingly understanding your catatonic state he sits you on the bed and gives some order to Connor before he leaves the room. And you just sit on the bed staring into dead air as a silent guard sits in wait. You aren't sure what he's waiting for or why he's still there but the numbness has taken over too much and you can't find it in you to give a single fuck.

#ticci tobyx reader #ticci toby #ticcitoby #reader insert #readerinsert #creepypasta fanfic #masky #masky x hoodie #masky x reader #hoodie #hoodie x reader #timothy wright #timothy wright x reader #brian thomas #brian thomas x reader #timothy wright x brian thomas #A cure for insomnia

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itsclydebitches · 3 years

Note

I adore talking about this with you, it's so cool to be able to agree, everything I've read is just excusing yen lmao.

And with "geralt would rather do and say things Yen wants to avoid pissing her off" LIKE YEAHH I guess I annoyed yen with my answers and she teleported Geralt out of the tower thing, and then threatened to do it again like??? Like he pissed her off so she has fuck all care about him, was over water thank god but like girl??? omg and her refusing to tell the wticher bros what she was planning on doing to Uma, like I get that they would be hesistent but I mean it's cause it's cruel and painful and they have that trauma around that. She just expects everyone to do what she asks when she asks no questions. (Lambert's "I'm not geralt" when he and Yen are kinda arguring, bb red flags)

I just assumed she didn't believe him cause if she did whats her excuse for behaving how she is lmao??? Like you believe he has amnesia and you still blame HIM over the person who maniplated him KAY.

And goodddd that fucking scene when Triss and Yen see Ciri in Kaer Morhen is genuinely the worst, Triss and Yen see their sis/daughter (not gonna get into how weird I find it that Triss considers Ciri her sister and Geralt is Ciris father and she still wants to fuck him, uncomfy) for the first time in forever, she's alive and well and while Triss is hugging Ciri, Yen kisses Geralt and Triss throws a glare at her. I hated that scene so damn much, it's stupid and shouldn't have been there. (aso I get emotions and all but Yen kissing Geralt is so bitchy, idk even full of gratitude and emotion I wouldn't kiss the man who just dumped me lol, especially not in front of a situation like Triss)

I'm still mad about the women, I really wanted to like them fuck meeee

YOU GOT TO THE PART. Oh thank god, anon, I've wanted to talk about this since we started these conversations lol

Okay, let's set the scene, shall we? You arrive to find that, with our playthroughs anyway, your ex has barged into your home. I say "barged in" because although we (Geralt) know that Yen's help is necessary and she'll be tagging along, the other witchers living there are given no prior warning and, according to Vesemir, Yen teleported in without so much as a "Hello." She then immediately starts ordering everyone around like her servants, failing to explain the situation beyond there being a curse that they have to help with. No, this isn't negotiable. She (still being an ex) takes your old room for herself, which just happens to be the biggest in the keep, and proceeds to toss a bed out the window. It's only later that Vesemir recalls that Triss used to use it, so prior to that everyone apparently just accepted that Yen was destroying their stuff for no understandable reason. Classic Yen. You go upstairs to find her cursing a blue streak at her failed experiment and when you try to lighten the mood, she snaps at you. If you're of the opinion that Yen's every order must be obeyed, this is when you're supposed to drop the conversation entirely, because she said to. Except, funnily enough, you'd like to know why she's up here being The Worst Guest Ever and destroying your property. She tries to justify this by saying that destroying a bed is better than how she could be dealing with her anger over Triss. Be grateful and all that. Except, it's not really about Triss, is it? The line is "You shagged my friend. For upwards of a year. I don't know what your witcher's code says on the matter, but ordinary folk would consider it obscene, base, vile." The blame is not on the woman who knowingly manipulated Geralt into having sex with her while he was vulnerable, it's on Geralt himself! He is the "obscene, base, vile" person for... daring to have amnesia? And when you point that out - "Yen... told you already. I lost my memory" - she yells that she's "lost [her] patience" and teleports you into a lake! This is, apparently, how she really wants to deal with her anger. Not by destroying beds, but by attacking you for things outside of your control. And I do consider it an attack. Yen is meant to be insanely powerful, she is leveraging her magic as a weapon here, particularly when Geralt has spent the whole game commenting on how much he hates portals. Yen knows this. Not just because he says so in her presence, but because she frequently reads his mind, something else he's expressed discomfort with. She's not just demonstrating her power (controlling) and sending him away when he makes a point she doesn't want to acknowledge (immature), she chooses the one thing she knows makes Geralt uncomfortable, perhaps even scared. Then when you've swum your way back to shore and returned to, despite all this, begin her list of chores, she makes a dry comment about how next time she just might drop you high enough for the fall to be fatal. With the next time implied to be, you know, the next time you disagree with her. The next time you dare to do anything other than agree with her every belief and jump at her every command.

The fandom interpretation of all this: "Lol Geralt getting yeeted is so funny. And their banter is just 😍"

Me:

You mentioned red flags and yeah like that ENTIRE SCENE is a crimson banner for me. I mean, by all means, love the fictional ships that are super messed up (I often do), but it astounds me how many fans honestly think this is just a cute interaction with absolutely no problems attached. Nothing to question here, folks. I've mentioned before, but last I discussed this in depth the asker wanted to know if I'd been an asshole to Yen and... that's it. That's the perspective. Any disagreement with her, any pushback, anything that's not complete, blind obedience is something she will not permit AND something most fans take as a given. If you're not doing what Yen tells you to, you're automatically the asshole, and if you're the asshole, you automatically deserve any punishment she chooses to dish out.

Comic spoilers coming up if you want to skip, but this is made abundantly clear in "Curse of Crows." Yen and Geralt are at their best in the moment below, enjoying one another's company on a nice day. Yen asks if Geralt wants to swim and he says nah, he'd rather watch her. She appears to like that idea and, indeed, swims naked while Geralt admires from the shore.

Actually cute right? I really liked this moment! They're cuddled up together and exchanging smiles. It's a rare moment of peace where I can believe that they truly care for one another, outside of passionate sex and not wanting the other dead. Finally, something beyond that incredibly low bar.

...except Yen starts flirting with a young man who shows up, invites him to travel with them, all while refusing to explain why she's interested in his company. The sudden third wheel is clearly bothering Geralt, but Yen continues to ignore his questioning. The answer she finally gives later that night?

She did it purely to mess with Geralt! It's his "just desserts" for "refusing to swim with [her]." She is "not one to be refused - I thought you needed reminding" by giving him "a flick on the nose." When I say that Yen treats Geralt like a dog I mean she literally treats him like a dog. He's a servant who must jump at her every command and if he doesn't, he'll punished for disobedience. He might not even know why he's being punished for a long stretch because Yen enjoys making him think she's a normal person capable of accepting that he doesn't feel like swimming right now - insert the Kaer Morhen scene where she wants to go have sex upstairs, but Geralt wants to catch up with the brothers he hasn't seen in an age here - only to reveal that actually she's made their formerly nice outing uncomfortable because he needs to be put in his place. All of which is followed by, "So... willing to join me now?" The message is very clear! Geralt had better get his ass in that tub unless he wants to be punished some more. Whether he wants a bath right now or not is inconsequential.

This is also the run where she scares the women Geralt was with, despite them being separated right now. Why? "I could."

Claims that Geralt is allowed to return to his companions (who he actually waves away) only for him to realize she's cast a spell to burn him with the water. Yen loves pretending she's okay with things only to punish Geralt for them later - sometimes with physical punishments. And what would have happened if the women had actually joined him again? Do witchers weather hot water better than the average courtesan? Who knows, but Yen clearly doesn't care who might get hurt.

Just like her time in Skellige and at Kaer Morhen, she refuses to explain what's going on. She just expects people to obey her, so-called loved ones included. Geralt was to get her cider, and arrive before her bath went cold, not question what they're doing on this dangerous hunt. He's a servant.

And my favorite, petty moment: transforming her awful inn food into a lavish meal without offering to do the same for either Geralt or Ciri.

"But, Clyde, that's just the comics. They're not really canon." Nah, questions of canon aside, this is 100% Yen's characterization. She's prideful. Immature. Beyond controlling. And punishes anyone who dares to tell her "No." Fans are always pointing out that she's meant to be horrible, she could have been a villain in another life, like any of that explains why I'm supposed to root for this relationship or enjoy her existence outside of being a complex character. Yen is interesting, but she's interesting in a "I can't wait to see her get her own just desserts" way. Not "Wooo now I get to watch this story ignore her behavior again to push a True Love narrative."

She punished Geralt frequently during their first meeting, she punishes him whenever they get together, and, I think, she punished him during the reunion with Ciri. Given our playthroughs, do we really think that after breaking up with her and all this fury over Triss - an anger so deep she destroyed the bed and attacked Geralt - she's just overcome with such joy that she forgets they're not together anymore and forgets the anger she's been nurturing for years? Yen doesn't forget. She's staring at Ciri during that moment, right where Triss is currently running towards them, and then after a considering look at Geralt pulls him in for that kiss. That was calculated. She did that to make a claim she no longer had. To punish them both: make Triss uncomfortable by playing at the "perfect" family reunion; make Geralt uncomfortable by kissing him when she knows he doesn't feel the same way. But of course, the popular reading is that she just loves him so much she couldn't help herself. Riiight.

It's just all SO BAD. (Including, as you say, the ickiness of having Triss lusting after Geralt and referring to Ciri as "little sis.") I love a lot of the women in Witcher - Cerys is a fave, Ciri, Saskia, Philippa, Keira, etc. - but the two I'm supposedly meant to fall in love with are just the worst lol.

Basically:

Half the fandom: TEAM TRISS 🤬

The other half: TEAM YEN🤬

Me: TEAM REGIS 😭

#witcher #mymetas #long post

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scribble-blog · 4 years

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Soulmate AU part 10!!!!!

First • Previous • Here • Next

Guys. It’s been a week now since this started. I just wanted to say again, thank you to all the lovely folk who have liked, reblogged, followed, messaged, and replied. You keep me motivated and loving every word that I write, knowing that I’ll get to share it with you.

“We- ah, defeated! The three,” Marinette was saying to the police, and Damian stopped and listened, bewildered, as she played up her French accent, searching for words he was absolutely certain she knew. “And then we hid in the dark room, and I kept Mme. Isley quiet, as they looked for us. And then Red Hood came, and told us it was safe, and took Mme. Isley, and we came out to you.”

Gordon looked tired, but that did seem to be a Police Commissioner’s natural state. “Thank you, Miss Dupain-Cheng. Damian Wayne. Let’s get your statement, real quick, and then you can go.”

Damian cocked one brow. “We were in a back room, speaking, when Pamela stumbled in, injured. Marinette bound her wound while I called for help. We were found by some of Scarecrow’s lackeys, but we managed to subdue them before hiding, until we were given an all clear by Red Hood. He took Pam, and we came here.”

Gordon grinned lightly. “Succinct as always. I’ll let your dad know if we need anything else.”

“It is appreciated, Commissioner.” Damian inclined his head, and offered an arm back to Marinette. “We’ll be on our way.”

The walk to the hotel was silent. Damian guided her, and she seemed lost in her own head.

Until they reached the hotel. As they stepped through the doors, Marinette was torn from his arms by two blondes. He tensed, preparing to fight, until he realized that Marinette was reaching back for them.

“How dare you, Dupain-Cheng! Have you even checked your phone? Do you know how worried we’ve been?” The blonde girl cried out. Damian, grateful he knew French, sat back to observe. “The whole city’s been talking about Scarecrow attacking the gardens, and you were there-“

“You really scared us, Mari,” the boy echoed, holding her tight. It took Damian all off half a moment to recognize him from the pictures Jon had shown him as his friend’s soulmate. How interesting.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Marinette consoled them. “Look, see, I’m okay-“

“You’re covered in BLOOD,” the girl screeched.

“Not mine,” Marinette insisted, “I’m perfectly unharmed-“

“Who’s this?”

Jon’s soulmate was looking at him. He’d spoken the last words in English. Marinette turned back to look at him apologetically as the girl also cast her eyes his way.

“I’m Damian,” He intoned. “Though I’m certain you both already know that.”

“This is Chloé, and I’m Adrien,” Adrien grinned at him, looking as smug as the cat that caught the canary.

Chloé sniffed. “We’re important people, Adrien. Last names. We’re Chloé Bourgeois and Adrien Agreste, Damian.”

Marinette, for her part, looked exasperated and was turning pink. “Guys, please-“

“It’s important that he knows who he’s up against if he does anything,” Chloé steamrolled on over Marinette’s protestations. “Rich boy or not, Marinette’s got us in her corner. And I’m not above using my superpowers to get revenge.”

“Alright, Queen Bee,” Adrien rolled his eyes, and very suddenly Damian realized that the bossy, screechy girl hanging off of his soulmate was one of the elusive heroes that Tim had spoken about last night.

“Enough.” Marinette’s voice cut across them, and Damian turned back to her. She looked at Damian in return, assessing, almost waiting.

“I’d like to spend more time with you, if you aren’t too worn out by all the excitement,” he found himself offering.

And he was rewarded by her bright smile. “I’d like that, too. Adrien, Chloé, I’m going to change, and you aren’t allowed to be your usual brat selves until I get back. Play nice.”

She walked away, and Damian was left staring after her. He’d found himself in turns very wary, very interested, and very awestruck by Marinette, and it was honestly something like how he thought a spinning top might feel, constantly unsure of how he would land.

Very disconcerting.

“She’s always like this,” Adrien advised, still grinning smugly as he clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ll just have to learn to live with it.”

“Hmph,” Chloé moved so that she was leaning on Damian. He fought the urge to shove both her and Adrien away, possibly with some actual force. At this point not only was it in his best interest to play nice with Marinette’s friends, but he was also entirely sure they were doing this to mess with him. “One would hope that a soulmate wouldn’t just learn to live with something, but rather enjoy these things about their soulmate.”

“You can’t stand that Kagami will drink her coffee after it cools,” Adrien shot back. ��There are things that you can dislike about your soulmate.”

“Not for Marinette.”

The tone of their conversation had become dangerously serious, and both blondes were still practically hanging off either side of him, conversing around him as if he were a particularly in the way wall. They were still in the lobby of the hotel, though he appreciated that their voices stayed low despite their- enthusiasm.

Damian stayed silent.

“No,” Adrien agreed slowly. “Not for Marinette. What say you, Damian?”

“I am not entirely certain what I would be agreeing to, honestly.” Damian wasn’t sure which of them he was supposed to be looking at, but they were both doing their best to stare straight into him. “I am also mostly certain that Marinette would consider this as you being your usual brat selves, as she put it.”

“Hmm,” Chloé squinted at him. “Rich boy’s got some bark. What about bite?”

“Rich boy kept Mari safe during a villain attack,” Adrien pointed out. “So he’s not useless. Also, rich boy? I’m rich. You’re rich. Was it supposed to be an insult?”

“Oh, Adrikins,” Chloé pouted. “Don’t play dumb. We’re rich, but neither of us is anywhere near Wayne Rich.”

“This is utterly ridiculous.” Damian finally pulled himself out of their grasps, though he notices neither of them so much as wobbles as they deal with the sudden imbalance. “If you two will not reign in whatever inane urges you have to bother me, I will simply wait for Marinette somewhere else.”

Adrien stood up again, shaking imaginary dust off of himself. “Alright, alright. Cool it, Chloé, he wasn’t a pushover or too rude towards us.”

Chloé was still glaring towards him. “Well. He’s passed the first test, at least. The jury is still out, especially since he hasn’t met Kagami or Luka, yet.”

“If you could stop threatening him, for two seconds!” Marinette dashed back over, and Damian had to keep his jaw from dropping. She’d been stunningly pretty in an innocent way, in the floral dress before, but now she was-

Well. She was gorgeous.

Her hair was down, damp but loosely wavy. She’d put on dark jeans and a pink top that shimmered with each movement, a scooped neckline that only just concealed where he now knew his name sat curled over her shoulder. She had a dark lump over one arm, and he assumed it would be a light jacket until she shook it out and revealed a triangular black shawl. In a second she had draped it artfully over her shoulders, completing the look.

“Disgustingly pretty as always,” Chloé sneered, but Damian caught the way the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

“So, Damian, what do you suggest we do?” Marinette ignored her friends, securing his arm again, and he let her. It felt normal now, the way the low buzz settled into his bones with the contact.

He gave Chloé and Adrien one last look before following her lead and ignoring them, turning her towards the door. “I intended to take you to lunch, if you would allow me. After your first official villain attack, I would like to show you some of the better aspects of Gotham.”

She gave him the same bright smile, and he felt like he was finally starting to understand why all it took was looking at Kori for Dick to start grinning sappily. He smiled back. His entire reputation as being haughty, angry and stoic was going to fall to shambles the moment anyone ever saw her with him. He resolved himself to being made fun of by his entire family for weeks, if not months.

TAGLIST:

@the-fusionist @rebecarojas07 @lowandco @kotaleartzu @resignedcatservant @alenee13 @mystery-5-5 @ladybug-182 @actual-disaster-human @loysydark @rumbelle18 @magic-miraculous @vixen-uchiha @athena452 @mochegato @ash-amg @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @thestressmademedoit @sassakitty @doriebell @toodaloo-kangaroo @myazael @theatreandcomicfreak @mer-mel @dahjokester @northernbluetongue @abrx2002 @area51qt @jessigurl-design @renscorpio @cici-schnee @multplelifes @redscarlet95 @razzledazzle247 @rosep16 @emotionalsupportginger @kceedraws @tired-butterfly @kuroko26 @catthhay @moonystars14 @shamefullove @shreky-boi @imanerddealwith @chaosace @captainmac6 @purple-people-eaters-productions @crazylittlemunchkin @weird-pale-blonde-person @bigpicklebananatree

#maribat #daminette #daminette soulmates #soulmate au #fanfic #funfact: this scene originally had Lila in it and was titled ‘liars in the lobby’ like a magic tree house book #question- would people be interested in seeing scrapped scenes and cut things? is this to your tastes?#because otherwise i keep them for no reason

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loominggaia · 3 years

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Fan Creation: Nekos

Anonymous asked:

Okay I have put way, way to much thought into the cat girl monsters recently so here’s the results overthinking my joke post. The Neko is lv.3 humanoid monster created by the late zareenite ceo, Nelon Husk. While not a divine himself he is credited for having forged them, commissioning their creation by business partner/ co-owner of their company and a dworf divine, Mr. Hosfeild. The Neko where created out of Husk lust, him being a big hentia fan with a huge cat girl fetish.

Dissatisfied with normal women he sought to bring his porno fantasies to life. Husk was aware of the creation of demons and scoffed at ermos’s story, believing him to be a fool who didn’t create his monsters right. Believing himself smarter then a pathetic satyr, Husk found commissioned a divine, Mr. Hosfeild into creating his wanted cat girls. If they met his high standards Husk would make him a co-owner and business partner, he obviously accepted the challenge.

Mr. Hosfeild was no stranger to business and saw the young, mortal human as a lustful fool, but went along with it his scheme if he was that generous. What Mr.Hosfeild was unfamiliar with however was monster forging, given a lab and whatever resources he asked for by Husk he set to work creating the perfect cat girl by his clients strict list of criteria. On that list was that while they where to be lustful their satisfaction was not to be based entirely on sex.

In that stead he made their satisfaction more material based. After afew trial runs and failures eventually Mr.Hosfeild created a cat women who met all Husk standards and actually exceeded them. Thirty more “Neko’s” as they where named where created to fill out Husk harem and Mr.Hosfeild enjoyed his newfound position as co-owner. At first things seemed to going very well for husk and his feline harem, him enjoying fulfilling all his perverted and spoiling his Neko harem rotten.

He lavished his cat girl harem with gifts, positions in the company and whatever they wanted, whenever they asked. Knowing their loyalty was based off material satisfaction Husk thought that would be no problem seeing his great fortune. Things however would not stay this great for very long as many problems would soon arise. The more he spoiled his cat wives the more greedy they got, their demands got more frequent and more expensive.

They had also rapidly increased in number, going from the 31 originals to now well over 330 in less then five years. This was fixable according to him, as with how successful they where he and Hosfeild where taking about a new business idea to start selling these feminine feline monsters to consumers. He would never get to see this however as the company which had been in Husk family for generations was starting to tank due to his harem and neglect.

As his harem grew more demanding he started having to spend more time attempted to their desires then to his responsibilities as CEO. More and more money was being funneled to feed their ever expanding desires then to other more vital aspects, which alongside some of the Nekos taking to harassing employees caused many to quit. Firing and replacing a lot of chief personal with his Neko wives was not a smart idea either. At this point the Hosfeild became the only thing keeping the company alive.

Not only was his business life suffering but his personal life to. His neko wives where growing restless as his ability to satisfy them began to wane. Their loyalty and affection towards him began to decay, them growing violent when he couldn’t get them what they wanted fast enough. Clawing and biting him, tearing up his belongings and mansion and even stealing money directly from his personal and company accounts.

Eventually husk snapped, realizing his dream had become a nightmare. He blamed Hosfeild for his current predicament and fired him on the spot, believing he somehow programmed the Nekos to turn into these greedy monsters behind his back. Hosfeild denying such accusations and told him it’s entirely his fault he’s in this predicament, he’s the one that wanted and army cat women after all. After removing Hosfeild Husk sought to get rid of the cat girls so they would no longer plauge him.

Telling his harem to leave was of the table as they laughed him out of the room when he tried. Being more creative Husk used his rapidly dwindling funds to hire a small militia group to completely exterminate the Nekos. His plan was to lure his harem into a inescapable trap where the militia will ambush open fire on them, hopefully killing them all. All seemed to be going as planned but before it could be enacted someone in the militia group snitched to his harem about the death trap.

Enraged the whole hoard of Nekos turned on Husk, everyone descending onto him to rip him apart before fleeing. Weeks later authorities found him, or Atleast what was left of him. All they found was the mansion completely torn apart, claw marks everywhere with furniture, art, lighting everything in the house completely destroyed. They found the pieces of Nelon Husk body scattered all around the trashed mansion, looking as if he’s been torn apart and eaten by wild cats.

By that point the killer cat girls had long since fled, taking to the streets of zareen in search of new masters to spoil them. After his death Mr.Hosfeild bought and quickly restored the company back to a working state. In truth he had known something like this might happen and though it served that fool right. Mr.Hosfeild kept remembered the designer monster idea he and the late husk had and decided to run with it, the Neko thing being only a minor setback.

Biding his time and gathering reassures, infrastructure and patents to create designer monsters for consumer production and pleasure. Hopefully of a less perverted kind. That conclude the origin story of the Nekos, and what was originally just a joke post. BYW expect Chptr 11 of New York to be coming really soon.

As for Neko biology they look like a cross between a human women and a house cat in a similar orientation to faunae. Neko may actually be mistaken for faunae but lack horns and look more like house cats then wild cats. They range greatly in skin and fur colors and body shapes but all are beautiful in appearance. They keep their youthful appearance all throughout their short life. Their lifespan is similar to a cats, becoming adults by three years old and live about 16-20yrs.

Despite their beauty and grace they are rather dangerous having the strength, agility, senses and razor sharp claws and fangs of big cats. They also have a lot of feline behaviors such as scent marking, licking themselves to clean, pooping in dirt, climbing into high places and so on. Their general attitude is described as aloof, selfish and finicky, switching moods at seemingly the drop of a hat. One minute their affectionate and the next their claws and hissing for no reason.

Nekos are very similar to demons and are often compared to them. Both have a similar origin story and are rather lustful, being lusty and affectionate of a chosen master and turn violent of said master is unable to satisfy them. While a demons loyalty is bought by sexual satisfaction, a Nekos loyalty is bought by material satisfaction. Nekos are an all female species and where made to require human men to reproduce. Unlike demons who go after lonely, pathetic people Nekos target the wealthy.

While male humans are preferred, they will target anyone of suitable wealth. Once they find a prime mate or “master” they will proposition them into a sugerbaby type arrangement where they provide sex in return for being pampered. If they say no then the Neko will leave but if they say yes then they become their master. Despite the known risk many rich folk accept becoming a Nekos master, finding their exotic beauty irresistible (the mating pheromones Neko’s secrete defintionly helps in this).

Once a person has chosen to become a Nekos master they will be lavished in affection and sex by the Neko in return for pampering her. For as long as the master can continue to meet his feline mistress’s demands she will stay loyal to him. If they fail to meet her demands that’s when the problems start, Nekos are much like the humans and house cats that make them, their never satisfied with what they have and get greedier the more their pampered.

The longer a Neko is pampered the more demanding they become. Their request become more extreme and become violent when their demands are not met or are below their standards. Their known to claw at and bite their masters, leaving them with nasty wounds. Their rage is not limited to their master but also towards their family and belongings as well, stealing valuables and destroying furniture to make their point known or even attacking the masters family.

If the Nekos demands continue to not be met their tantrums get more frequent and violent. Until eventually they either leave on their own or outright attack their master, their being many cases of Nekos mauling their masters to death in their greed fueled tantrums. Like Demons are their are Nekos who don’t mean harm but struggle to control their desires.

Their range is mostly limited to Evik, with high concentrations found in Zareen. These monsters are generally considered pest with many public psa’s warning people to not get involved with them.

Anon, I love this. I know it’s supposed to be a bit of a shitpost, but it’s honestly great. It has so many elements of classic folklore but with a silly urban twist. As soon as I saw the name Nelon Husk I thought “Oh, this is gonna be good” lmao

The sad thing is, I could totally see some wackjob Zareenite CEO doing something like this...I think realistically, the Zareenite military would have exterminated these things before they got out of control, but who knows. Anything can happen, especially when rich people are involved and bribing everyone in sight.

#ask #askfunny #fanfic #fancreation

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musekicker · 3 years

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First Jellystone! drabble I’ve written. I do intend to write more about the ship of Snagglepuss/El Kabong later on.

Chaos was breaking out in the town of Jellystone. Snagglepuss didn't even have to look out the window to tell that given how loud people were shouting and the fact that the very ground was shaking. All very good signs that something was going on. And as dangerous as the situation sounded he had to report. So with his microphone Snagglepuss in hand, into the fray he went.

When he got out there, it was the normal scene during what ever disaster was to befall Jellystone at any time. Citizens of the town running either away from the danger or some towards the danger to help. He heard Yogi making siren sounds not far off so the doctors were near.

Snagglepuss found Mayor Huckleberry in the town center, close to where the smashing sounds were loudest and the direction the debris was flying from. Snagglepuss barely avoided getting hit by a lamppost before he reached the mayor.

"Mayor Huckleberry!" Snagglepuss cried. "Can you tell us anything about what's going on?"

"It's another Grape Ape situation." Huckleberry said.

Huckleberry pointed up and Snagglepuss looked up as well. There was Grape Ape alright. And he was going on a rampage.

The giant ape was roaring, the ground beneath him shaking from that alone. He also was just swatting his giant hands at anything in his way. This included buildings.

Yogi's siren sound got louder as the ambulance reached the town center. And once properly parked, Cindy, Yogi, and Boo Boo hurried to the mayors side.

"I can't believe it!" Yogi said. "Grape Ape is attacking the city!"

"Grape Ape doesn't just attack things for no good reason. There must be something going on." Cindy said.

"Please hurry and find out why." Huckleberry said.

Cindy thought a moment before calling out.

"Boo Boo! Hand me the ocular enhancers!" Cindy.

Boo Boo hurried over with a pair of binoculars. Looking into them, Cindy looked for what could possibly be the problem. Suddenly she gasped.

"I see it! I see the problem!" Cindy cried.

She pointed up towards the problem. A giant thorn was sticking out of the palm of Grape Ape's right hand.

"Poor Grape Ape, that has to hurt." Boo Boo said.

"We have to get it out. But who is brave enough to climb there in the first place to try and remove it?" Cindy asked.

The answer to the question presented itself in the form of El Kabong. He had come out of no where, jumping off the roof of one of the houses close to Grape Ape's leg. It was clear what El Kabong's intent was.

"Be careful El Kabong!" Boo Boo shouted. "It's dangerous!"

El Kabong didn't answer. He was too busy with the climb, some how able to do it with a guitar strapped to his back. Thankfully El Kabong seemed beyond Grape Ape's notice. The only reason Grape Ape didn't try to swat him off.

There were a few heart stopping moments when Grape Ape's movements nearly dislodged El Kabong from his fur hoof holds. But he grit his teeth and hung on.

When he got to the wrist of the hand that had the thorn there was a whole new problem. The thorn was big after all and a simple pulling at it would not do it. So El Kabong did what he did best to the thorn.

Leaping from the wrist, he cried out his familiar shout of "Kabong!" and hit the thorn sideways with the guitar. It was thankfully enough to move the giant thorn out of palm.

Now loose, the thorn fell towards the ground. Luckily the area around Grape Ape had been cleared. So the thorn landing did not land on any citizens. A house or two yes. But at this point that was considered a win in this town.

Now that they were no longer in pain, Grape Ape's demeanor changed completely. He stopped roaring and lashing out. And now noticing El Kabong on his hand, Grape Ape placed El Kabong safely on the ground with a series of ape sounds that were probably thanks.

"You are welcomed. May I advise looking into finding giant tweezers in case this happens again?" El Kabong said.

Grape Ape nodded. And after a moment he wandered back into the ocean that he had risen from in the first place.

"Oh thank goodness, the town is saved. "Huckleberry said.

The towns folk cheered. Though Snagglepuss felt as much relief as everyone else, he thought about his job as he hurried over to El Kabong who was near the giant hole in the ground the fallen thorn had left.

El Kabong was not one to stick around for the glory after all, so if he wanted to possibly get a shot of him for the news, he had to move fast.

"You saw it here folks." Snagglepuss said. "The day has been saved yet again by-"

Snagglepuss did not realize he had made a mistake in getting a bit too close to the hole. And before he knew it, the ground was crumbling right at his heels. He didn't even have time to let out a yelp as he started to fall back into the hole.

Then his forearm was caught before both feet could completely go over the edge. Snagglepuss's gaze snapped up to look and see who had caught him.

Snagglepuss was looking right into the eyes of El Kabong.

He was caught in that moment. A flicker of time that seemed to move so slow in his mind but in reality was a mere seconds. He had been leaning back over the void a bit, staring at El Kabong still before he was pulled away from the edge of the hole.

"Are you okay, citizen?" El Kabong asked.

"I... yes. Yes I am." Snagglepuss said.

Why did it feel like El Kabong's touch was unnaturally warm? Was it that El Kabong just was this warm. Or was this all in Snagglepuss's head?

There wasn't much time to think about that question, for as quick as El Kabong had been in catching Snagglepuss, El Kabong removed his hoof to adjust his hat and look towards the horizon.

"Then I must go! The town is safe yet again and I have papers to grade." El Kabong said.

Before El Kabong could leave, Shag Rugg hurried over.

"Hey teach, since this disaster is pretty distracting, I'd say that is a good excuse for handing my paper in late, right?" Shag said.

"Shag, the papers due date was this morning. This disaster just happened." El Kabong said.

"So that's a no?" Shag said.

"I'll see you in class tomorrow." was El Kabong's response.

"Aw dang." Shag said.

El Kabong made his exit. Stage left Snagglepuss noted.

The town vigilante hero hurried off into the distance until he was out of sight.

Snagglepuss still was watching the spot where El Kabong had been. Then he looked down to his forearm, where he had been gripped.

"Aren't you suppose to be reporting the news or something?" Shag asked.

"Oh! Right!" Snagglepuss said.

Back on track Snagglepuss went back to his job, interviewing the mayor, and then a few other witnesses to the whole incident. It wasn't until cameras were off of him that he was really able to think more about what had happened.

Not the Grape Ape thorn incident as he had dubbed the whole thing already on air. And oddly not how closely he had come to falling into the hole. At best he probably would had been hurt sure. But probably not dead.

It was the fact that in catching Snagglepuss before he fell, El Kabong had thrust himself into Snagglepuss's notice.

He had never really noticed the town hero before.

Yes, he had seen the guy around many times. One did not dress like that and go around fighting crime without be noticeable at the very least. And from a news stand point he always been interesting.

But this was a different kind of notice. The one that brought a blush to his face and the quickening to his heart beat. It wasn't really all that hard to understand what he was feel now.

Smitten.

Not hard to understand why. One could very much get such a feeling when saved by some handsome hero. And Snagglepuss very much would admit that he thought El Kabong handsome.

Even so, he was sure this feeling would pass once the adrenaline and the light of a new day came.

Three days later and when Snagglepuss could not forget about that moment and had a number of El Kabong involved dreams, Snagglepuss had to admit that this was more then a mere smitten. He had to admit that he had a crush on El Kabong.

#jellystone!#Jellystone

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itsbenedict · 3 years

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Two-Faced Jewel: Session 3

A half-elf conwoman (and the moth tasked with keeping her out of trouble) travel the Jewel in search of, uh, whatever a fashionable accessory is pointing them at. [Campaign log]

Saelhen and Looseleaf, having acquired a band of allies to keep them safe on their entirely bogus quest to fulfill "Lady Noeru's" succession rite on behalf of the college, set out on Suika Highway towards the jungles of Thunderbrush. On the road, they face two extremely deadly combat encounters.

After checking in on the writhing hellpit they opened in Yoshimimoto Plaza (it's under control, they threw some nets over it), the party heads out onto the highway. Customs by the overland roads couldn't give less of a damn what they're bringing out of the city, so there's no scrutiny and they're well on their way.

A good thirty miles or so into the grassland, and the party has to make a perception check. Looseleaf is the one to nail it- her antennae pick up on a suspicious rustling in the tall grass by the side of the road. And even those with slightly worse rolls notice...

There's a green dragon circling lazily in the sky above them. This is bad, because dragons are... well, chromatic dragons like this green one are malevolent and extremely deadly giant monsters, is the main reason, but the other reason is that dragons are... cursed, is what the common understanding is.

To speak with a dragon is to be condemned to some sort of great misfortune, brought about by your own hand. You know the Simurgh from Worm? Listen to its song for too long, and you become sort of a sleeper agent of self-destructive carnage? It's like a diet version of that. Whatever path your conversation with the dragon puts you on, it's invariably bad for you, somehow. The metallic dragons, who're ostensibly "good", will still ruin your life in some way just by talking to you, even if your immolation does some good for the world on the way out. Nobody wants to talk to a dragon.

Luckily, they don't have to- this one seems content to circle way up in the sky, not saying a word to them. Instead, they just get attacked by a direwolf and several horrible monsters.

The whole party botches their Arcana rolls to determine what the heck these things are.

Benedict I. (GM): None of you have any idea what these things are. They're small, roughly humanoid, and... they look sort of like they're made of mud and tangled grass. They're wielding knives, some multiple knives to a hand, and they look vaguely ethereal, not quite real- possibly animated by something. The dire wolf is, of course, charging you- and the other monsters are following suit. They screech and hiss with obvious hostile intent. Roll initiative!

The party dismounts from their giraffes, since they're not trained for combat and the party isn't trained in mounted combat.

Saelhen du Fishercrown: "Ruffians," she mutters, with the approximate tone a non-elf might use to say "fuckers."

The party's two new melee combatants take up position in the front, while Vayen... stands behind the giraffes, doing nothing. The direwolf lunges, closes in, and... misses entirely, as Oyobi dodges gracefully out of the way. Razzafrazzin' elves...

Then it's Orluthe's turn, and he...

Benedict I. (GM): Orluthe looks around nervously- not at the wolves, but at the party. "Don't... tell anyone about this," he says, and pulls something from his pack. It's a warball helmet. Custom-forged. Looseleaf: Uh. Okay? Is what Looseleaf thinks, in response to this. Benedict I. (GM): I... don't think either of you two would have the context to know what this means, but Oyobi's jaw is on the floor. Looseleaf:Didn't realize that playing warball was apparently something to be ashamed of! Saelhen du Fishercrown: "Your weird secret is safe with me," whispers Saelhen, in the bushes. Benedict I. (GM): Orluthe dons the helmet, and as he does so, he seems to grow larger. There's a shift in his stance, and you hear a growl from beneath the helmet. He howls- and Zero, you're in control of his combat actions here. So what's he do?

Hm.

Orluthe(?) goes ahead and attacks with his halberd, and- being a paladin- opts to SMITE. He impales the thing and burns its wound with divine magic for more than half its health- and then Oyobi's turn comes up and she slices the thing open with her longsword. The party's choice of allies specialized in melee fight seems to be paying off!

Of course, now the other monsters get to take their turn, being unfortunately still alive. One charges at Orluthe and whiffs, but the other... uses some sort of crude slingshot, and hurls some sort of crackling ball of energy at Looseleaf.

Benedict I. (GM): Being hit by this thing suddenly makes you seize up. You remember... Looseleaf, tell me about a time you wanted some physical object very very badly, but didn't get it. Something it hurt you to not have. Looseleaf: Once, when Looseleaf was young, there was a traveling caravan that brought into town a collection of what looked like books for sale. Looseleaf being herself, she of course wanted to buy some of them- but nobody in town would let her go near the vendor! Something about 'inappropriate for young childrens' eyes' and 'mature content warnings'. To this day she's still more than a bit resentful of that, and also she has no idea that the traveling caravan vendor was actually selling basically porn mags. Her memories are interspliced with imaginary counterfactual ideas of what might have been in those books, which are almost certainly not at all what the books actually contained. Benedict I. (GM):You remember that incident, vividly. All that emotional pain, compressed into a single instant of agonizing desire. It leaves you momentarily short of breath, and you take three psychic damage.

Looseleaf attempts to retaliate, but scores, um... a critical failure.

Luckily, that's the last thing these monsters have go right for them- the next few turns are a barrage of successful attacks and AoOs from the party's heavy hitters. Orluthe cuts one in half, provoking a disturbingly human-sounding ghostly wail as it dies. Saelhen throws a dagger from her hiding place in the grass, and...

Benedict I. (GM): Nice! The second dagger takes off this thing's head. It hits the ground with a squelch, and there's another human cry of agony. farnham: "HAH," goes what must be a very large and triumphant and majestic bird in the brush.

As soon as the combat is over, Orluthe returns to normal, and the dragon circling overhead... just flies away, apparently losing interest. Wonder what that's about.

Looseleaf attempts to Soul Read the corpses to learn more about why they were attacked, but unfortunately... the wolf corpse doesn't remember anything unusual that stood out to the spirits of its decaying body parts, and the spirits of the mud and grass left behind by the other monsters only recall being uprooted from the ground and forced to attack people- the spirits animating them seem to be gone.

They are able to figure out what those things were, though- they were Greed Echoes- some sort of evil spirits that echo strong emotions they encountered, and form homunculus bodies with which to act on those emotions. Greed Echoes like these were probably leftover from highwaymen and bandits who've attacked travelers on this road before- playing out their ugliest intentions.

It's weird, though- these are the grasslands, not the mountains. Monsters like these tend to come up out from below mountains, so it's not too common to see so many of them this far from where they spawn.

Moving on, the party reaches a point where the wild grasses suddenly stop, replaced by a uniform tall green grass- corn, apparently. Cornfields mean farmers, and farmers mean civilization.

Saelhen du Fishercrown: "How delightfully rustic." Benedict I. (GM): It's not much longer before you see buildings down the road- it looks like the center of a farming village. There's a sign, as you enter the town- "WELCOME TO CORN". Saelhen du Fishercrown: "...how rustic."

They roll into town and notice not much of interest- it's a pretty standard farming village, with a Temple of Diamode (the hypertraditionalist family-values goddess Orluthe claims to be a cleric of), an inn (apparently very busy, with a lot of people going between it and the temple), and a branch of the Deathseekers' Guild (the adventurers' guild, which is very up-front about how dangerous it is to fight monsters as a career).

Orluthe looks a little nervous around the temple, so they head first to the inn. They enter, and they're immediately met with a riot of colors. The inn is packed with halflings in fancy outfits. Not like, rich people fancy, but down-home farmer fancy. Lots of flower patterns and the like. There's a band playing music in the back, and a bunch of halflings dancing while others chug whiskey and hoot and holler. The human innkeeper is struggling to keep up with all the mugs that need washing.

Discounts are in the cards, though- the bearded guy with the whiskey steins is happy to see out-of-towners joining the celebrations- a very proud father, he is, as his son Merrick was just married. This is the wedding reception, and in his mind, the more the merrier.

He puts forth something of a challenge: his son claims that city folk can't dance, see, and he, a dissenting opinion, wants to demonstrate otherwise. So, if the party can defeat his son and daughter-in-law in a dance-off... he'll pay for the night's stay!

How does a dance-fight work? Exactly the same as a normal combat, except the hit points are made up and the actual stats don't matter. You substitute your performance modifier on your rolls! Maybe you have a battleaxe, so you roll to attack with your battleaxe, and what that really means is you're doing a wild swinging dance move that really wows the crowd.

Enemies, meanwhile, know different "dance styles", inspired by CR-appropriate monsters I picked out of the monster manual to non-literally fight in a nonlethal dance battle. The happy couple are a pair of Duergar warriors, squaring off against the party's two squishies.

youtube

(3:06)

The combat is- well, there's not much to it, just a bunch of back-and-forth attack rolls, ultimately decided by clever use of flanking and attacks of opportunity. Looseleaf tries her best, but her Performance modifier isn't nearly as high as Saelhen's, as she's not the daughter of Kanzentokai's Dance Emperor. She does do a cool thing where she leaps into the air and does a wing-assisted pirouette thing, but all that accomplishes is taking her out of the fight for a bit- and concentrating fire on Saelhen.

Their rolls are pretty bad for a while, but things turn around once they outmaneuver their foes and pull off some attacks of opportunity.

Benedict I. (GM): So, you two- describe your combo dance move that totally floors these two. With musical accompaniment, s'il vous plait Looseleaf: okay you know how in ballet there's a move that's, like, one dancer picks up the other dancer and hoists them in the air turns out that move is a lot more effective if the lifting dancer literally has wings. Saelhen du Fishercrown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRoWiTcO7dk Saelhen gladly lifts Looseleaf, and for good measure gives her a little acrobatic toss and flips her in midair, catching her on the drop. Looseleaf: just to add insult to injury, looseleaf uses a whole conjunction of her fancy-schmancy special effects spells- minor illusion to create the effect of golden butterflies flapping around themselves, druidcraft alongside her wingbeat to scatter a bunch of her seeds and have them bloom into flower instantly Saelhen du Fishercrown: She's breathing heavily but... actually enjoying herself, despite the obvious competitive streak motivating all this. Looseleaf: it's a lot of visual spectacle on top of the move itself, and that's what puts the icing on the cake. Benedict I. (GM): There's raucous applause from the audience, and Aridrey is beginning to flag. She laughs, and- it's all she can do to keep up with Merrick, who's himself starting to have trouble keeping up.

(Meaning, while she's still his dance partner, she's "out", and no longer a battlefield presence.) Merrick, wifeless, tries to counterattack, and...

...makes the mistake of trying to copy their moves.

Benedict I. (GM): He hoists Aridrey above his head, and tries to spin her around the same way, and... they've been dancing all day, they're tired, and this is their first real attempt to improvise. "Wh- Merrick, wait-" Saelhen du Fishercrown: MERRICK I'M SO SORRY Benedict I. (GM): And she collapses on top of him, to laughter from everyone, particularly his dad. Saelhen du Fishercrown: (saelhen stifles giggles extremely well because a noble lady would never)

The battle seems more or less over, but Merrick is determined to see this through- breaking into a furious solo jig that puts the floor in grave danger of scuffing. None of his efforts land attacks, though- ultimately, Saelhen finishes the fight by delivering the ultimate humiliation- successfully copying his moves, a storm of fancy footwork. When the dust clears, the jig... is up.

Benedict I. (GM): His father laughs. "What'd I tell you, son? Don't get a big head, aye?" He slaps five gold pieces down on the counter. "Get 'em some rooms, Jonnem!" Merrick... he's been thoroughly humiliated, and doesn't take Saelhen's hand at first. Then Aridrey comes over and pulls him to his feet. "C'mon, honey. Grace, right?" Merrick vibrates for a moment, then lets out a sigh. He goes to shake your hand. "...Ffffffffine dancing," he says. Looseleaf: "That was a lot of fun!" Looseleaf is vibrating like crazy. Just hopping all over the place, like she hasn't quite gotten the dance bug out of her system yet.

Saelhen du Fishercrown: ("For what it's worth, man," she whispers, letting her gracious victor's smile collapse into a slightly shit-eating kind of grin. "That could've gone either way.") Benedict I. (GM): Meanwhile, Oyobi and Orluthe... I was going to say the outcome of their match would match yours, and I guess I'll stick to that, but Orluthe does not know how to dance, and Oyobi is drunk as hell. Orluthe may not know how to dance, but he knows how to hold on for dear life, and keep Oyobi vaguely upright as she flails around wildly. It's probably for the best that Saelhen's attention was elsewhere, because she would not have been able to keep a straight face at Oyobi's scandalous dance moves. Whatever's going on over there, the crowd is loving it- so all together, that's another 400 XP divided four ways.

With that victory, the party gets to stay the night for free. The next morning, they report the Greed Echo encounter and the dragon to the local Deathseekers' Guild (getting 10gp for their trouble, and turning a profit on this pit stop.) And with that... it's back on the road to Thunderbrush, next time!

#twofaced jewel #tfj log #d&d 5e

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zombiejoepino · 3 years

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The Scavenger CH 6 (Cobb Vanth x OC fic)

Chapter 6: The Secret

Fandom: The Mandalorian

Word count: 7421

Genre: Space Western

Summary: Nathsca tells the truth to the Marshal. Back in Mos Espa, the lone Captain Qod has a conversation with his employer. A pale slick is missing in the dunes.

A/N: I apologize for the missing chapter of the past week. A lot was going on so I bring you this really long chapter

FULL CHAPTER ALSO ON: wattpad.com/998747414-the-scavenger-chapter-6-the-secret

...

Fandom: The Mandalorian

Word count: 7421

Genre: Space Western

Summary: Nathsca tells the truth to the Marshal. Back in Mos Espa, the lone Captain Qod has a conversation with his employer. A pale slick is missing in the dunes.

A/N: I apologize for the missing chapter of the past week. A lot was going on so I bring you this really long chapter

...

The twins were setting down across the dune sea. The locals were busy trying to put back together with the whole town. Some repaired the fallen vaporizers, others were fixing the banthas' pen and the rest check whatever else was broke.

It's been 12 days since the dragon made its last appearance across Mos Pelgo. The Marshal kept note of how long would take before the leviathan's next visit. The last time was 18 days but, he arrived sooner than he expected. He needed to follow that thing and study it much as he could.

A lot was going on in his mind but, his attention was somewhere else.

Right after leaving the young scavenger in town, Cobb flew back looking for the pale slick but, he was gone already. He searched around the area before the night fell on the dunes. Wherever he was, there was no chance he would survive the night creatures or the sand people.

Before taking off back to town, Cobb step over a small device, he picked it up and dusted it off. It was a bounty puck. He gave it a long stare before making up his mind about checking what was in that.

The blueish hologram displayed the scavenger's face, full name, and how much they were offering for her head. He didn't mind the price, what got his full attention was the charges; piracy, murder attempt, theft.

Cobb switched down the puck and kept it in his pockets. He has been pushing that serious talk with her since she arrived in town. Something always got in the middle before he could say a thing. Also, the fact that he grew a soft spot for her had something to do with it. He was not mad at the girl, but he couldn't help her at all if she was keeping secrets from him.

The Marshal was unsure how many others would come to attack her or the town. Cobb was getting overworked with this and, he was not fully recovered from the first fight. The bruises from the recent one were swelling.

The night fell on the dunes and, the Marshal finally took off.

Back at his place.

Nath was curled in bed trying to stay calm and thinking what to do. She had all her hopes on the Marshal finding Plog. That scoundrel was the only one left that knew where she was. She needed to kill him and leave before Qod finds this place.

She is been playing around these past days, trying to be part of the community but, her mind kept reminding her of the facts; one of the most dangerous men on Tatooine would destroy the whole town, make her watch, and then kill her just to make a point.

Her face sank on the pillow and took a deep breath.

The door slid up and she jumped off from bed. He was back, she thought and rushed out of the room.

The Marshal placed the helmet on the table and took two glasses from the pantry, along with a bottle of spotchka. He poured down the drinks and then turned to face her.

He chuckled softly, looking at her wearing his vermilion long sleeve shirt. Nights were cold in the dunes, so it was normal that she looked for anything to cover up.

Nath felt his eyes scanning her and then she wrapped her arms around herself. "My tunic was dirty, I hope you don't mind." She muttered.

The Marshall shook his head and handed her a drink. Nath examined the blueish liquid and then gave him a puzzled look.

"Might help you to calm down. You were a bit jumpy." He sipped his glass.

The girl chugged it down, shut her eyes, and made a face.

"That's terrible." She coughed.

"You'll get used to it." He chuckled.

Nath shook her head and coughed a little more. "No, I don't think I will."

Cobb left the glass on the table and stripped off the armor. The scavenger watched him the whole time, moving around the house. She scanned the small house. It looked like he was just there to sleep and eat. He didn't have many things around, just the basics; bowls, plates, a bin with dirty clothes, an old broken blaster.

Now, she was studying the Marshal while they were silent. He looked tired but still, there was something about him that she liked, just, couldn't place exactly what it was. The liquor was taking effect. She suddenly felt warm, her cheeks turned a little red and her body felt lazy. It was not her first time drinking alcohol, but sure her first time drinking something that strong. Nath sank her body on the chair and sighed trying to put her thoughts together.

Cobb was busy cleaning up the remains of blood on his face. This trawler was way worst than the one he fought a few days ago. He could feel the bruise on his lower lip getting bigger and now he couldn't tell the difference between the new wounds and the old ones. The only idea that jumped in his head was to drown in spotchka to ease the pain and staying in bed for 2 days.

Nath kept watching him but felt uncomfortable about the silence. She needed to say something to break the ice and the first words finally came out from him.

"I couldn't find the guy. He was gone already." He said.

The redhead felt her heart sank with his words.

"If you ask me, I don't think he would survive in the dunes. He had no speeder, I found the crashed items but nothing else."

Nath took a deep breath trying to stay calm and looked down at her empty glass.

"Thank you and I'm sorry."

"For what?" He asked and looked back at her.

She shifted on the chair and rested both arms over the table. Her gaze met with his while she kept a serious expression.

"Thanks for everything and sorry for being rude to you and for bringing all my problems."

The Marshal dropped the dirty cloth and moved towards her.

He picked his drink and took a bigger sip. His thumb cleaned the small drop from his lip. Nath was staring at him longer than she usually does. His eyes met her icy gaze and smiled at her.

"It's ok." He said.

"No, you were right. I should have to tell you about it."

"About that?" He pointed to the canister that was at the top of the pantry.

Her attention moved to the silver container and Nath nodded. She played with the glass on her hand, her feet drummed on the floor before making a choice. The girl rushed to take the canister and push it towards him.

Cobb rose his brow and took the pierced container.

"I was in a crew named the Shadows. We were just a bunch of criminals taking all kinds of jobs like stealing cargo from New Republic ships, trade what we could in the black market." She spoke. "I was their mechanic."

"You were a pirate."

"Kinda. I never s-." She paused. Of course, she hurt others before but not intentionally. She didn't want to think about that. The water, the screams. Nath shook the memory from her head and kept going "Qod is a dangerous man, ruthless, he won't stop until he gets what he wants," Nath looked down trying to keep going with the story.

"Our last job was a mess. We were taking cargo from a New Republic ship that was operated fully by droids. We would hack the system, take the cargo, and blow up the whole thing. But the intel was wrong. We lost two guys cause someone sold us. Qod got paranoid about everyone and weird things started to happen. Folks from the crew found dead, in prison or missing." She paused. "He left a few of us around.

Then, he met with some slave traders. Leftovers of what the Hutts were. They were looking for slaves... female humanoid slaves." She paused and pointed to the silver canister. "That was a payment for a few of them."

Cobb gave her a look before examining the inside of the canister. A small blueish glow came from the rare gems. He saw them before on the empire days when he worked on the mines with other slaves.

"I dunno why he wants them but, he didn't hesitate to let go of the women he knew." She looked away and frowned. "He was not aware of me being there. So, I heard everything. I tried not to panic and played along. Later that day, Qod asked me to join him in his chambers, sweet talk to me but, I put something in his drink. He passed out and, I escaped taking the gems with me." She twirled the glass on the table.

"When I first met him, he claimed me as his woman and kept me around just for his entertainment. For a moment, I thought he cared about me, now, I realized it was all..." She looked down at the empty glass.

The Marshal kept a serious face during her story. He could feel the blood boiling in his veins the more she kept talking about that man. He felt no sympathy for anyone related to slave traders or worst, the Empire.

"All those hunters were sent by Plog, a sneaky bastard that gives Qod all kinds of info. He keeps him around cause he is useful." She sighed and finally looked up to him.

"It's a matter of days before they find this place and me. And I don't want to put your folk in danger. I should go."

Cobb took another sip of his drink and looked back with those piercing eyes. Maybe her being there was dangerous for his community but he didn't want her to end as a slave or worst, dead. The Marshal set down the glass and lock his eyes with hers.

"Listen, the moment you set a foot in Mos Pelgo, you became my responsibility. I know the kind of men you are dealing with and ain't welcome. If they try to come here and push you around, I will have a conversation with them." He patted the blaster on his holster.

"You don't have to do that, Marshal. You don't know these people."

"I know them. Every bully I've ever met sends a bunch of heavies to do the dirty work. I guess that he will come to talk. Whoever paid him has more power and is not happy with him, so, he is gonna try to get those gems back."

"He will come and won't be alone, Marshal. He looks for the worst, willing to take down the entire town."

"Let me handle it." He smiled at her. "Trust me."

Nath was shaking and having no idea what to do. All the pain in her body, the stress, and all she wanted were to scream out loud. She thought about jumping on him, pulled him by the crimson scarf, and kiss him deeply to let go of all the steam in her body and feel something else rather than this frustration but, she didn't move.

What if he pushed her away? That would be embarrassing for her.

"Thank you, Marshal." She said.

Cobb gave her a light nod and reached out for her hand. Her heartbeat was rushing feeling his warm hand and looked into his eyes.

"It's ok, princess. I promised to look after you." He gave her a warm smile.

Nath blushed brightly, examining every feature in his face thinking about moving closer and give it a try, but her hand reached out the cloth to clean a small bloodstain across his jawline. He couldn't help himself and smirk at her. Those looks again, he thought.

The redhead stopped for a moment.

What was she thinking? She said to herself.

"Thanks for pampering to me." He teased. "I can get used to it."

She was feeling warmer than before but tried to keep herself cool and not act nervous with him.

"I hope you are feeling better cause I want the bed." She glared at him. "I refuse to sleep in that rug again."

"I told you, but you didn't listen."

"Well, you needed the bed." She said.

"And I still do." He pointed.

Nath rolled her eyes and moved towards him to check the wound on his side. He noticed the dirty bandage and made a face. Her eyes went up to meet with his and just at that moment, she realized she was that close. Cobb smirked back at her, he knew that look.

"Then, we have a problem." He said.

Nath frowned and, her cheeks were bright red. Cobb couldn't stop thinking how cute she looked with her flushed cheeks and angry face. Those freckles stand out even more.

"Wanna flip a coin?" She asked. "Cause there's no version of this that ends up with us sharing your bed."

"You know I was joking. Interestingly, your mind went there."

Damn alcohol. Damn pearly smile. Brush those ideas off, Nathsca, clean that wound, and just go, she thought.

...

Mos Espa

The smoky atmosphere surrounded the large crowded joint. Groups or folks of all kinds gathered around but none of them with a friendly face. Some were around for a drink, looking for a job, or just gambling.

Another blaster roared followed by a thud. The crowd remained quiet for a moment and continue with the atmosphere. The annoyed owner just yelled to his droid to take out the dead body and drop it somewhere out of town, just like the guy from 2 days ago.

Between the smoky and darker areas, in the lone booth, the man with the x-shaped scar was sitting by himself enjoying a drink. Once his glass was set down on the table, a droid rushed to take it away and bring him a new one.

His dark and pale eyes were busy examining a blueish hologram that displayed the tiny cargo ship from the New Republic. He studied the areas of interest, looking for any weak spots on the ventilation area, how many escape pods were working, the easier way to reach the cockpit, and all those kinds of details he wanted to keep in mind before a heist.

Qod wrote down all this in his journal, even draw the important parts of the map but the hologram faded when a large red palm was placed over the device. The one-horned Devaronian, Nurh Drart, flashes his yellowish smirk at him. Qod turned around to look at him but kept the same serious face.

Then, his attention moved to the Twilek, Jub'tadi, that scoot into the booth, sitting in front of him. The blue one stretched a little, placed his blaster on the table, and kept a mocking smile before he addressed to the Captain.

"There are rumors about your crew, Qod." Jub spoke and motioned his hand to a young Rodian pirate to sit with them. The green one had bruises across his face and looked up the Captain. He was about to mutter something but he felt the dark and pale glare upon him.

"We respect your crew and you, but these rumors...Our boss is not happy with them. It feels like you are losing control or maybe getting too slow for this."

Nurh made a grunt and spoke in huttesse. "Just get to the point, Jub. All imperials are the same, arrogant and weak. Tell him that."

The captain rose his brow and The blue one just threw a glare at Nurh. "I'm handling this." He replied in the same tongue and returned to Qod, speaking normally.

"As I was saying, my employer is not happy with the delay. He is aware that one asset is meaningless to you but he said that this missing asset was the finest on the lot, or at least the youngest, and that poke his curiosity.

Our first agreement was for 10 assets, not 9 and my boss is very specific with numbers." He explained and paused for a moment.

"So, just as a sign of respect for our long term business relationship, my boss is letting you know that we are calling the Guild and use your payment for that hunter that finds the asset first."

The red one rolled his eyes and spat. "Even a Jawa would be able to find it. I'm telling you, this old man is a joke."

Qod kept the attention on Jub and nodded lightly after he closed his journal. He cleared his throat and kept looking at the blue one.

"May I ask why you narrowed down to that decision?" He spoke with a deep and calm voice but his eyes could tell another story.

"Our boss is wondering if you are either keeping her for yourself or you lost her," Jub said.

Both men kept looking at each other in silence until the waiter droid approached the table to bring the captain his drink but the red one grabbed it. He examined the green smoky liquid, took a large sip, made a face, and spit it back on the glass. He slid it towards Qod and chuckled.

Qod's eyes finally moved towards the glass. The green smoky drink was now almost brownish, with the slime twirling around. Qod kept his attention on it.

"Your man here says she is been missing for two days," Jub said.

The Rodian kept his gaze down as he felt the Captain studying him. He tried to rush out from the booth but the Twilek kept him right next to him. He was shaking.

"He said that someone set you up in the last job. That you were sloppy." Nurh grunted and moved closer to the Captain, his head just a few inches from Qod's shoulder.

Jub gave him a look but, he chose to ignore it. The horned one kept pushing. "You are old, a relic of the fallen Empire. A shadow of what you were back in those days. To me, sounds like made-up stories." He spat in huttese and then laughed.

With a swift move, Qod pulled Nurh's hem and smashed his face right into the glass and table, making the shattered glass stick into his face. He growled in pain and backed off holding his face and feeling the blood running down his hands.

The Rodian rolled off the booth and watched Jub trying to reach the blaster but, the Captain was faster. He brutally stabbed his hand onto the table, making Jub scream.

Everyone in the joint watched this in awe and started to clear the space.

The Captain took the blaster from the surface and stood up. His face kept the same serious expression but, in his eyes, there was something peculiar about them.

The large devaronian was swinging a knife in the Captain's direction, who didn't hesitate to pull the trigger and make a hole through the skull. Jub looked at him in shock trying to pull the knife off.

"Y-you can't do this. We... our deal."

"I appreciate your candor. It's refreshing, and let me understand that you are not smart enough. You see, we give you Hutts fifteen percent of our profit in exchange for weapons that you took from dead troopers, not a whole squadron as you claim but I choose to believe your story and all your lies cause you are such clichés.

You making a deal with The Guild? Last time I remember they are not happy about how your people handled the situation with his missing man and the Sarlacc pit" He gripped the blade's handle, twisted it, and made the Twilek scream even more. Qod smacked him and pointed at him to keep looking at him.

"What I will not tolerate is being pushed around by two amateurs. Anyway, the terms in our agreement remain almost the same. Your boss takes this dead town that I have no interest in, you will get now five percent and I believe you will be able to explain why. If your boss wants to change our terms, tell him to meet me. As for the asset, I'm handing it in personally from now on. Once I bring her and the gems back, I want my weapons." He pulled out the blade and gave Jub a look.

"Next time choose your partner wisely." Qod finished and made his way out of the joint right before he turned around to shoot the Rodian hiding behind the counter. Everyone watched in silence. It took a while before the music resumed.

...

Mos Pelgo

Early morning.

The sky was painted with purple and small tints of orange. The twins were still hiding behind the dune sea. Creatures crawled out to stretch out and keep going on their way looking for food or new shelter.

The dusty town was still sleeping, the sand brushed away any trace from the dragon or their unwanted visitors. An old farmer was awake to feed the mooing banthas that shook their large bodies before starting the day.

Not so far from there, a blaster roared three times, and then it was followed by the sound of shattered glass.

Cobb Vanth stood tall holding the smoky barrel and kept it back on the holster. His hazel eyes focused on the holes around the wood, three to be exact before the fourth one broke the glass. He was not pleased with the result.

His fingers ran over the new bandage, right where the belly wound was, and returned his gaze to the next empty bottle. He shifted the side of the holster to his left and prepare his hand. He stretched his fingers, took a deep breath while not taking his eyes from the object.

The Marshal waited and then, he cross-pulled the blaster and fired into nothing when he flinched and felt the sting on his belly. He took a deep breath and placed his hand over his side.

He shook his head and focused on the next bottle.

The twins were coming out from the dunes. The rays peek through the window and hit her right in the face. Nath rolled in bed and pulled the sheets over her head but suddenly she kicked them away and looked around. Empty, she thought. She patted herself to check if she was dressed until reality slapped her.

Her head was killing her, her eyes shut for a moment thinking about that blueish liquor. The last time I drink that, she thought while holding her head. Her eyes opened for a moment to scan the whole room. It stopped right on the clothes pile; a blood-stained shirt and her trousers.

She huffed in frustration and covered her face. Nath was wondering what happened last night, trying to place her thoughts together.

She spoke with the Marshal, they drank a few glasses, then she checked his wound and after that, they went to bed together. She took a deep breath and repeated all the actions over and over until it finally clicked.

They went together but she tucked into the bed. The Marshal slept over the sheets and on his side, nothing else. He probably left earlier and then, her thoughts were interrupted by the blaster roar. She jumped off the bed and peeked through the window.

"Dank farrik." She heard the male voice in the distance and looked for the tall figure.

She saw the Marshal firing right to an empty bottle but he hit it at the second shoot. She noticed when he placed the hand on his side.

"That man..." Nath huffed and rushed her way out of the house.

Cobb focused on his shooting that he didn't notice when the redhead came out and slapped his arm.

"Hey!" She yelled.

He jumped and fired the blaster by mistake, hitting a vaporizer, making a small hole to let out the steam. A red light started to blink rapidly.

"Dank farrik." He frowned looking at the vaporizer. He would need to fix that later.

"You are not supposed to do that, yet, Marshal. You need to rest." She frowned back.

He rolled his eyes and finally met her gaze. "Listen, princess, I-"

His words stopped and his expression changed into a mocking smirk. He chuckled while his eyes scanned her. Nath gave him a puzzled look and blinked many times wondering what he had on mind.

"What's so funny?" She puffed her cheeks.

Cobb folded his arms and chuckled again. His finger pointed down at her. Nath lowered her gaze and blushed brightly looking at her bare legs, bare thighs. She huffed in anger, slapped his arm harder, and ran back into the house.

The Marshal laughed hard and then groaned feeling the sting on his belly. Ok, he had that one coming, he thought.

...

In the dunes.

The heavy steps made their way through the dunes, leaving a sand trail right behind them. He was breathing heavily, his arms hanging from his body, his lips were chapped and dry. Plog's skin was crimson, his face was covered with bruises and a large black eye across the left eye.

The slick squinted his eyes trying to spot any town or anything that called out civilization but there was only dust. Wherever he was, he was hoping not to fall into a Sarlacc pit by mistake or worst, be found by sand people or getting eaten by the dragon.

After the dragon made its way near Mos Pelgo, the valley that was guarded by the Tusken Raiders was empty. Even those brutal warriors were afraid of the mighty creature. Plog didn't spot any of them and for his luck, they didn't spot him too.

What kept him going to walk across the dune sea was that he needed to meet with the Captain and settle everything down. He wanted to kill that fake mando and take that brat where she belonged.

Plog was still in pain because of them; he could still feel his bare knuckles across his face or the strong kick right into his crotch. It was humiliating. That slave and brat needed to pay.

He was a man with status, with power, and everything he wanted. His blood was boiling just thinking about those two trying to take that away from him and making him look bad with the Captain.

But those days of Wan Plog, the sneaky informer of the Shadow seemed distant. He was crawling in the sand, probably waiting to die at some point until he felt the tremor on the ground.

"Is that the dragon?" He panicked and got up to take off but his feet stopped when his blurry vision noticed the large Sandcrawler stopping a few miles from him, down in the dune near an old crashed TIE

He smiled faintly. He never felt such delight at meeting with the Jawas.

The Sandcrawler lowered its gates and the group of small hooded figures came out. They rushed around the old ship, taking whatever pieces of rusted metal that worked for them.

Plog rushed his heavy feet and yelled at them, waving his arms trying to get their attention.

The Jawas couldn't pick on his bad accent and they whine at him, saying gibberish and keeping the riffles up. Plog stopped and kept his arms in the air.

"Hey, easy! I just need your help. I'll pay you handsomely if you drop me near Mos Espa." He smiled.

The Jawas looked at each other for a moment. They examined the ragged man with burnt skin. Some of the giggled, others moved over to pick on his pockets but they groaned in disappointment.

"It looks like a Sarlacc chewed him and spit his pale meat" They mumbled their gibberish to each other and laughed watching the beat-up Plog.

The Jawas made up their minds and returned their attention to the rusted metal, picking on useful parts, carrying them to the crawler. Plog tried to speak to any of the hooded figures but they refused to talk.

"I can give you an imperial speeder. A new one." He tried to talk to them.

A Jawa stopped and studied him for a moment. He gasped and rushed to the group. The Jawas started to talk to each other, they argue for a while, looking back at Plog from time to time, and nodded in agreement. The smaller Jawa showed them a bag with credits and they looked back at Plog.

Plog rose his brow at them when they moved towards him and kept full attention on him.

"We will help you, skinny one. But you give us the imperial ship. Ship, not speeder." They spoke.

Plog was not a master at speaking with Jawas but he was certain that he understood the word ship or speeder. He smiled at them and shook their little hands.

...

Back in Mos Pelgo.

Nath spent all morning fixing the vaporizer that Cobb messed up. She replaced the pierced container and patched the steam tubes. They would need to change it eventually but so far it would work for a while. Unlike bigger cities, Mos Pelgo had a few vaporizers to keep the area fresh. Even though it was a small town, three vaporizers were not enough.

She cleaned the sweat from her forehead and picked her tools to go back inside. She crossed her way with Cobb, who was fully armored and she gave him a murderous glare. Nath was still angry about the little morning accident and worst, he gave her that smirk again.

"We are having a meeting in the cantina. You should come and don't forget your trousers, princess." He winked and pass next to her, heading towards Weequay's joint.

The redhead thought about throwing the wrench at him but she dropped the tools by the door and followed him.

...

In the cantina.

The folks were gathered around the joint, sharing tables, some having a drink or anything to eat. Once they saw the Marshal and the redhead walked in there was a small silence.

Cobb was not exactly their leader, but he tried to look for their interests and safety. This whole subject with the trawlers and Nathsca was something he needed to let the others know.

The young woman took a spot behind the counter and leaving all the attention for Cobb.

"Thanks, everyone for coming. I'm sure you are wondering about the strangers that keep coming to our town. Before we keep talking, I wanna let everyone know that Nathsca here is now one of us. She is been fixing speeders and the vaporizers for us, also she saved Triggar's daughter from the sand snake and I think she deserves a place in our community."

The locals spoke between them but they nodded in agreement while listening to Cobb. Nath tried not to make eye contact with anyone but she smiled back at Kyranj, Irella's mom.

"So, now that we all agree she is one of us, you should all know what happened yesterday." Cobb continued. "Those two strangers were looking for Miss Roznev cause like many of us, she was sold as a slave." He paused. "And in this town, we can't stand that."

The locals groaned when he mentioned the word slave and then some yeahs were heard on the back.

"These slave traders made a deal with pirates, lowlives, ex-imperials, and hired guns. We are not sure but there's a small chance they might come to our town looking for Nath and if they please they will come after us too."

"If she is bringing problems she should go." A man in the background spoke. Some locals agreed but others started to argue to defend the young woman. Cobb observed them for a while and cleared his throat to speak more.

"I made a promise to this town, to protect it. But I also made that promise to Miss Roznev. I know most of you didn't trust her a few days ago and I understand that, but Nathsca is a good woman. I think she deserves to be free just like us. We all know what it's like having that life and I'm willing to fight for her freedom." He finally looked back at the redhead.

Nath kept her gaze down for a moment before looking back at Cobb. She shook her head and mouthed. "You don't have to do this."

"So, I would like to put together a team to make shifts and guard the area, making sure we get ready if the strangers come here. We fought the Mining Collective, we fought the Red key raiders. To be honest, I don't mind fighting a bunch of pirates too. So, what do you say?"

The locals remained silent for a long moment before making up their minds. Nath gave Cobb a look and sighed.

"Seriously, you don't have to do this. No one has to" She whispered to him. Cobb signed her to wait. He had faith in the locals, eventually, some of them would do the right thing.

After that long silence, some stood up and were about to exit the joint. At that moment, Kyranj and Triggar stood up.

"We would like to help Nathsca, Marshal." Kyranj smiled and then looked around at others. The old Weequay stood up too and gave the Marshal a nod. Eventually, a small group formed to assist them. The rest just remained silent but no one dared to leave the joint.

Everyone heard the Marshal instructions. They would keep a watch around the city and the canyon. They needed to set up small traps, have all weapons working, and other details.

Nath found herself watching Cobb the whole time. Even though he was putting the plan together, he heard everyone's opinion to improve the strategy and make a better move. Nath noticed that every time he was thinking about something he would frown for a moment and run his hand through his hair. She couldn't help herself and smile.

Later.

The young redhead was checking the same vaporizer that kept making a strange sound. She opened up the container and took out the small canister. She thought about going out of town and bury it away, not minding if she lost it, but she decided to hide it just in case they might need them.

She knew the big cities, there was always someone willing to buy gems. Her ideas brushed from her head when she heard footsteps approaching her. She quickly placed the container where it belonged and stuffed the canister inside the vaporizer.

Cobb was placing a new set of the empty bottle to fire at them. He pulled two times to fire, hitting the bottle but once he tried the cross pulled he grunted in pain. Nath shook her head looking at him.

"You should stop doing that, tough guy. You need to rest." She yelled at him and cleaned the sweat from her forehead.

Cobb made a face and then flashed his charming smile at her. "Resting is not part of my day."

"I know you are the keeper of this place but you are not immortal, Marshal, just, stubborn."

"Just like you, princess. Fiery, stubborn, and pretty. Maybe not that pretty but you get the point." he winked at her.

Nath rolled her eyes and tried to hide that little smile across her face. He chuckled and lowered the blaster.

"Is that a smile?"

"What? Am I not allowed to do that?"

"You are, I guess you should do it more often." He tried the cross pull once more and fired but he missed again.

"Maybe I will smile more if you stop doing that." She rose a brow.

Cobb looked back at her, rolled the blaster on his hand, and kept it back on the holster.

"Show off." She moved towards him, cross pulled the blaster from his holster, and hit the missing bottle. She rolled the blaster on her hand and gave it back to him

The Marshal smirked at her and chuckled. "And I thought I was the show-off. I guess I'm done for the moment"

She frowned and he laughed, shaking his head.

"For the day, princess. Geez, you are quite moody."

"I'm not but you make me angry" she folded her arms.

"Why? For not listening to you? cause the feeling is mutual."

She had no idea what to say next and bit her lower lip. Her eyes were locked on his hazel ones, studying that peculiar shade between green and brown, her gaze lower to his lips and pearly smile.

"Maybe." She muttered.

The Marshal smirked and pulled her closer. The redhead gasped and blinked many times feeling his arm around her.

"What are you doing?"

He remained silent for a moment but keeping an intense stare upon her. His hazel ones studied her reaction just looking at anything that could give away anything. Nath locked her eyes on him and felt her cheeks getting warmer.

"I'm asking you the same, cause whatever this is, I'm getting tired of not figuring it out." He spoke. "It's hard to understand. One day you look after me, the next one you wanna kill me. I noticed the way you look at me and I'm sure you are aware of how I look at you. My point is that we are both pretty old to be playing around."

Nath was speechless and her heart was rushing.

"What's your deal with me, princess?" He asked. After a few days, he finally managed to pull out those words that kept jumping in his head since day one. What was the mystery about Nathsca that just kept him on edge? Yeah, she might be way younger than him but there was something about her that he just kept looking away rather than face the facts until now.

Nath felt the space between them getting smaller each second, she could feel his chest pressed against her, both palms against it, her eyes getting lost on his gaze, thinking about his lips until she poked him in the ribs and made him groan in pain.

"You are my deal. You need to rest before trying to do that. I know you wanna look tough but you deserve to rest as well, Cobb." She was blushing brightly. Her mind kept jumping around the idea of jumping into his arms and kiss him deeply.

Cobb gave her a look and shook his head. He would normally just back off and go to avoid an even more awkward situation but it seems she didn't remember anything from last night when she told him about all those times she gets funny ideas about him but that she is afraid that he might push her.

Any other man would take advantage of a drunk girl and just have his way with her not minding if she would remember or not, but not the Marshal, he wanted to make sure she meant it and just go as far as she would allow him.

"Fine, but you can't skip this conversation forever, you know." He lifted her chin with his thumb and placed a kiss over her forehead before leaving.

She took a deep breath when he finally let her go. Her heartbeat was rushing and her legs were shaking. Whatever effect he had on her, it was working and she needed to keep fighting against it. She didn't want to get attached again and get hurt or worst, lose him.

"Not again." She thought to herself and sighed.

...

Mos Espa. The Shadows shop.

The curious Sullustan was finishing up the cruiser, checking the energy levels, ready to take off at any moment. He cleaned the oil from his hands and looked back at the small group keeping an eye on him.

He was not exactly the best mechanic in town, but he knew how to put together anything, especially if the Shadows asked him to. The last mechanic that refused to work with them had a gruesome ending. His head exhibited right outside his house just to make a point. No Empire, no Hutts yet but this small pirate group knew how to pull out a show.

A tall zabrak, walked into the shop to check the cruisers and gave the mechanic a light nod. "He is here."

The mechanic just rushed to clean the rest from his hands and stood tall when Captain Qod made his entrance followed by the masked Chiss and another gunslinger.

The Captain walked between the cruisers, checking each one of them, writing down something in his journal. The sullustan was nervous just following him with his gaze.

"Not bad. You got these part from?" The Captain spoke.

The Sullustan just muttered. "Pod racing mostly. Those parts are used just once but with the proper engine, you can build a decent cruiser. I picked the best sets for your team, Captain." He smiled nervously.

"So, used parts of broke pods are you saying?" He kept the dark tone. The Sullustan gulped and regretted giving away those details. He didn't say a word. Qod moved towards him and patted his shoulder.

"I would normally disapprove that but since this dumpster planet had nothing else to offer, I will take them. Thank you for your service." He dropped on the Sullustan's hand a bag with credits. The nervous mechanic just nodded and quickly rushed to the exit.

Once the shop was clear, Qod turned around to look back at his team. "Any word from Plog?"

Everyone remained silent and the gunslinger shook his head. Qod took a deep breath and rubbed his temples. "Any idea of his last location?" The deep voice asked.

Qod walked around the shop and huffed, trying to stay calm.

He heard a small beep coming from his pocket and took out the device. A small and blueish hologram displayed Plog's tiny figure, waving at him.

"Sir, I found her." The distorted voiced spoke.

"And the gems?" Qod asked.

"I didn't see them but I'm sure she still has them. I followed her to a place called Mos Pelgo, an old mining town. Farmers and former slaves living there. It's guarded by a man in Mandalorian armor."

"A Mandalorian?"

"Not exactly, sir. He wears it but he is not Mandalorian. He is keeping the girl under his care."

"So, that explains your wounds and poor state, my friend." Qod nodded.

"Yeah, it was hard. I had to ask Jawas to bring me." He chuckled nervously.

"What did they want in return?"

"I thought they said speeder, but... they meant a ship."

Qod kept a serious expression looking down the hologram. "Ship? What kind?"

Plog scratched his head and mumbled nonsense.

Qod stepped out of the shop and saw his ship torn apart. All the important pieces were missing. He huffed.

"Where are you, Plog?" He spoke but before he got a proper answer he heard his voice behind the ship.

Plog was smiling nervously at him with his hands up. "I'm sure I can get you a better ship, sir. T-this one had failures and it's not like you cared right?"

Qod studied his expression for a moment and nodded. "Very well. Where's this Mos Pelgo?"

"West, passing the Valley of Wind and a bit further into West. I can take you there, sir. I remember the-" the blaster roar and made a smoky hole through Plog's head. His body dropped down and kept his eyes open.

Qod looked down at him and then back to his team.

"We leave now. Once we get the girl, we take down the whole town. Leave the Mandalorian to me." He frowned.

#cobb vanth #cobb Vanth x oc #cobb vanth fanfiction #cobb vanth supremacy #star wars fanfiction #the mandalorian fanfiction

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ladylynse · 4 years

Text

Hey, @lumanae, I haven’t quite finished that chapter of Down the Rabbit Hole I promised you as a thank you, but that’s because a little birdie dropped by my ko-fi asked me to write a Merlin ficlet for you. I decided to continue this three sentence fic. (This wound up longer than I was expecting, but some of it’s a thank you from me, too, so....) Spells are taken from the Merlin wiki page.

-|-

Accused of sorcery, Merlin is imprisoned on Uther's orders. Of course, no one else (especially Arthur) seems to think he deserves that. [FF | AO3]

-|-

When Arthur walked up to him, flanked by guards Merlin barely recognized (which was a feat, considering how many of the castle folk he knew), Merlin looked between them and asked, “What did I do now—or, I’m sorry, is it something I didn’t do, your royal prattiness?”

Arthur’s expression tightened, and Merlin realized he was serious. “You’ve been accused of sorcery,” he answered flatly, causing Merlin’s head to spin as he tried to figure out who and why and where he’d been seen, “so until we can sort everything out, my father insists that you be imprisoned.”

Imprisoned. It sounded so final. He’d always known it was a possibility—this was Camelot, after all, and with some of Arthur’s reckless moves, Merlin couldn’t always afford to be as careful as he needed—but he just….

He’d thought training here, having Gaius’s guidance, was worth the risk. His mother had certainly thought so. And it had been. Sure, there wasn’t always time for much more than self-taught learning from Gaius’s books, but they were still his books. Really, Merlin had learned more from Gaius than he had from Kilgharrah, even if he hadn’t known of his destiny—or how it intertwined with Arthur’s—until his meeting with the Great Dragon.

But now that he knew, he couldn’t just run. He had to stay by Arthur’s side. He had to protect him. To see this through. To make sure Arthur became the great king he was destined to be.

How could he do that when he was trapped in the bowels of the castle? He wasn’t good enough to enchant a pile of rags to look like him while he ran around as Dragoon. Gaius could slip the guards something—might anyway, just to talk to Merlin once he found out about this—but all his friends—

“Better eat the rest of your bread,” Arthur said quietly. “You know the prisoners aren’t as well fed as the rest of us, and father insists you don’t get any special treatment.”

Merlin’s fingers found the heel of the loaf he’d swiped from the kitchens earlier and curled around it, but he couldn’t eat now. His mouth was too dry. He couldn’t believe this was happening. When had Uther issued the order? It hadn’t been very long since Merlin had delivered Arthur’s lunch, and it had only taken a few snide remarks before Arthur had dismissed him. Arthur hadn’t known of this then. He would have said something. At the very least, it would have shown on his face.

“He doesn’t like the idea that a sorcerer could get so close to me,” Arthur continued. “I tried to tell him he was ridiculous. You, of all people, could not be a sorcerer.” Perhaps he caught the expression on Merlin’s face, for his tone softened, and he added, “I’m sorry, Merlin. I don’t know how much farther I can push him before he insists that my defence of you is proof of your sorcery. He might think I’ve been enchanted.”

“Why…?” No. That wasn’t the right question, not right now. He couldn’t think straight. “I mean, who accused me?”

He’d always thought, if any of his friends did find out, that they wouldn’t betray him. Confront him, sure, but not betray him. Not do this.

But perhaps they wouldn’t. Arthur had come on the king’s orders, perhaps as much to appease his father and set his mind at ease as anything else, but the guards…. Merlin didn’t know them. Maybe, just maybe, that was because no one else who might have normally accompanied Arthur had agreed to be a part of this.

He hadn’t thought everyone else shared Arthur’s convictions that his apparent ineptitude made it impossible that he was a sorcerer, but if that turned out to be what saved him….

Assuming he could be saved, when he didn’t know who had seen him using magic. The king wouldn’t take any risks where his son’s safety might be involved. He might even think Merlin had orchestrated the first attack from which he had saved Arthur, just to get the position he’d initially hated.

“I don’t know,” Arthur said, “but I’m going to find out.”

XXXXX

The cells were as unpleasant as Merlin remembered. Not that he had ever spent much time here, even just visiting others, but the stench of blood and waste seemed to have soaked into the stone. It was as bad as mucking out the stables. Worse, really; the hay wasn’t changed nearly as often, and musty rot settled on the back of his tongue.

The cell door locked behind the guards. Merlin sank down to the rough floor and leaned against the wall, shivering slightly even as he closed his eyes and waited for Arthur’s footsteps to finally retreat. He needed to find a way out of this. Unlocking the cell wasn’t his problem. Getting out to escape via the tunnels was a bit more difficult, but nothing he couldn’t handle. He’d taken that route too often before, sometimes even at Arthur’s orders, for no one to guess that that would be his most logical way out of the citadel. But leaving? Now? When he’d hardly done anything, when Arthur hadn’t done anything? He couldn’t. He’d never be able to return to Camelot. He might as well admit his guilt now and help them ready the pyre if he tried.

“Merlin?”

That was Gwen’s voice.

“Come on, Merlin, I know how hard Arthur works you, but you can’t possibly be asleep.”

It was Gwen. Merlin opened his eyes and saw her crouching by his cell, stealing frequent glances over her shoulder even as she beckoned him forward. He obediently came to meet her at the bars. “You shouldn’t be here,” he whispered. “The guards—”

“I asked Gaius for a sleeping draught the moment I heard, and then I brought them some wine. I know we must still be quiet, but—”

“It’s dangerous for you either way. Anyone who tries will be able to figure out what you did, and I don’t want to see you or Gaius in here with me.”

Gwen pursed her lips. “You don’t deserve this. You aren’t a sorcerer.”

Merlin couldn’t think of anything he could say to that that wouldn’t incriminate him, and he didn’t want to lie to her right now, so he said nothing.

Luckily, Gwen was prone to rambling when she was nervous, and he didn’t think she noticed. “And even if you were a sorcerer, you wouldn’t…. You wouldn’t plot against the king, against Camelot. I know you, Merlin. Not like…. Not like I thought I knew Morgana. Please, Gwaine’s planning a distraction for the moment one of the others can get the keys, and Arthur won’t stop us if he finds out. We won’t see you burn for this. You just need to promise me, promise us, that you’ll run.”

“It would be a death sentence if I ran,” Merlin murmured. “Uther would see it as proof of my guilt.”

“He’ll find proof enough even if you stay,” she retorted. “You know he will. You know what happened with my father, how close…. It’s better that you run. You can come back once we find a way to clear your name.”

“And what if you can’t?”

“We will. Whoever has accused you must have seen someone else. Or perhaps it’s a terrible lie. Whichever the case, we’ll get to the bottom of it. You just need to give us the time to do that.”

It was possible that he had been mistakenly accused. It was possible that someone who did know of his power was trying to get him away from Arthur. And it was entirely possible that whoever had accused him of sorcery was entirely well-meaning, in their own way, and speaking true.

“Just be ready to run,” Gwen said, “the next time someone comes for you. Even if it isn’t one of us.”

XXXXXXX

Merlin never found out what Gwaine’s distraction was—only that it involved a lot of shouting, and quite possibly a lot of fire, judging by the smell. He never found out who had filched the key, either, but night had barely fallen before the guards stationed at the end of the corridor were running to help with something.

Hardly three breaths later, Leon was slipping down the stairwell and walking towards the cells.

“I’m sure you know the way through the tunnels well,” he said as he unlocked the door, “but I promised Arthur I’d escort you in case you suddenly found your memory lacking.”

“I can’t leave Camelot,” Merlin said immediately. He’d decided as much once Gwen left. There might never be enough time, not when he wasn’t innocent and couldn’t be proven as such. Even if he had good intentions, he still had magic.

Merlin only knew of a handful who still lived despite Uther knowing their abilities, Gaius among them, but he also knew he couldn’t expect similar treatment.

“Arthur thought you may say that, too,” Leon said, a smile teasing at the corners of his lips now. “In that case, I have orders to hide you within the castle where you’ll never be found.”

Merlin pulled a face. “Tell Arthur that just because he never goes into the stables, it doesn’t mean they’re abandoned except for the horses.”

Leon snorted and pulled Merlin forward when he didn’t move to leave the cell. Merlin’s half-hearted resistance wasn’t enough to match Leon’s strength. “I don’t believe even he would think to hide you anywhere as accessible as that.”

“The laundry isn’t any better, you know.”

“I do know. And, though you may be surprised to hear it, Arthur knows as well.” Leon didn’t bother to lock the cell again, maybe because he didn’t dare loosen his grip on Merlin’s arm, and instead tugged him forward. “Come, we must hurry. Gwen’s waiting by tapestry.”

Merlin frowned. He suspected he knew which tapestry Leon meant—there was one nearby with a servant’s passageway hidden behind it—but it was one of the main connections to the kitchens, and—

“Gwaine’s distraction won’t last long, no matter how much Elyan and Percival can do to add to the confusion. Stop trying to drag your feet.” Leon moved quickly but surprisingly silently. Merlin opened his mouth to protest when Leon pulled him into an alcove near the laundry, but then Leon said, “Elyan found a cloak for you.” He nodded to a brown bundle of cloth half-hidden behind a console table, adding, “We must still do our own laundry.”

“Thank you,” Merlin said as Leon helped him into the disguise. It wasn’t much, but Merlin was grateful for any time it might buy him. And going along with everything was easier than protesting. He didn’t seem to be getting anywhere by protesting.

Besides, the cloak hopefully meant Arthur’s brilliant plan wasn’t trying to stuff him into a garderobe.

Not that Merlin would put it past him. Arthur would find it hilarious. Probably say Merlin shouldn’t even notice the smell.

Merlin kept the hood of the cloak pulled low, even inside, and would have instinctively shrunk towards the walls when they met others had Leon not been there. The nudges weren’t terribly subtle, but they were reminder enough to walk with confidence, and everyone they passed was too preoccupied to worry about them, anyway. Or rather, if they thought anything of it, they surely believed Leon had it all in hand.

The pass off to Gwen went smoothly. Leon never broke his stride. As they passed the tapestry, he let go of Merlin, and Gwen latched her arm around Merlin’s instead. She was small, but she certainly wasn’t weak, and she was pulling him along the passageways nearly as quickly as he’d been moving with Leon. If Merlin hadn’t known the way so well, he’d have tripped over the occasional trick step that was a different height than the others.

“Why are we going up?” Merlin asked, but Gwen shushed him instead of answering. The guestrooms would be searched; there may be a lot of them, but none of them were suitable for hiding him.

But then Gwen pulled him out of the passage at a familiar spot, sliding open the hidden door with a familiarity few servants could claim, most not having duties that required them to use this particular exit to the main corridors.

Merlin stared, and Gwen rolled her eyes and tugged on Merlin’s arm to get him moving. His feet responded before his mind fully comprehended the fact that Arthur’s backup plan, should Merlin refuse to escape via the tunnels, was to hide him in his own bedchamber.

Two guards stood outside despite the chaos that reigned below. Merlin wasn’t entirely convinced it wasn’t for show—when was Arthur not in the middle things?—but Gwen muttered, “I told Arthur you’d be coming here. He didn’t want to listen. He still thinks this’ll be as easy as when we hid Mordred. Because he still thinks that was relatively easy.” She flashed him a smile as she said it, marching him up to the guards and announcing, “Arthur’s expecting him.”

Merlin rather suspected they knew very well who he was, since they didn’t even question Gwen or ask him to show his face.

“Good luck,” Gwen murmured as she pushed him inside.

XXXXXXX

Merlin still half-expected Arthur to be preoccupied with whatever distraction Gwaine and the others had set, but he sat at his writing table with parchment and a quill. Merlin couldn’t guess what he was bothering to write by candlelight, but the prince wasn’t even out of his day clothes yet. “Are you really as hopeless at undressing as you are at dressing?” he asked, tugging his hood down.

Arthur scowled at him. “You were supposed to leave Camelot.”

“Doesn’t sound like anyone really expected me to do that.” Merlin held out his arms. “I’ve got a cloak, but it wasn’t stashed where it would be if everyone thought I was leaving.”

“You’re in danger here.”

“More than I might be, if I weren’t in the prince’s private bedchambers. What if I were an assassin?”

Arthur rolled his eyes. “This is serious. You aren’t in Ealdor. Sorcery isn’t simply shunned. My father—”

“I know the punishment for sorcery. And sorcery isn’t just shunned in Ealdor, either. I…. Will was a good friend of mine. That’s the only reason I knew. It’s not exactly something people shout about, and not just because of how near we were to Camelot’s borders.”

Arthur frowned. “You’re a shoddy servant, Merlin, but try to use some sense. You must have some in that empty head of yours. I don’t want to lose you over some false accusation. You don’t deserve that.”

Merlin grinned at him. “You mean you don’t think much of whomever was sent to replace me tonight? Really, sire, I didn’t know you cared.”

Arthur threw the quill at him, and Merlin ducked. “I already said,” Arthur repeated, “my father won’t listen to anything I say on your behalf. All you need to do is hide until we can prove your innocence. Really, it’s not that hard. Even you should be able to that out. This will work. It has to.”

Merlin bent to pick up the quill, placing it on the dining table beside him rather than returning it to the writing desk. He didn’t need to hand Arthur another weapon. “What if it doesn’t?”

“What do you mean, what if it doesn’t? It will. You’re not a sorcerer. The entire notion is ridiculous. Anyone can see that.”

Merlin took a breath and chose his words carefully. “I don’t really need to have magic, you know. All that matters to your father is if he believes I do.”

“And we can prove you don’t. I’ve asked Gaius to look into it. There must be some sort of test. Some way to prove that you’re just you and not some sorcerer.”

If there were some sort of test that unerringly determined someone’s potential to use magic, whether or not they were born with it, Uther would have found it despite Gaius’s efforts to keep such a thing hidden.

But Arthur didn’t always think things through when he was convinced he was right.

Even if Gaius pretended to find such a test, even if Merlin used magic to mimic whatever effect it was supposed to have to prove his innocence, it wouldn’t work. Not when the test couldn’t be repeated when Merlin wasn’t there to watch it and make sure it always proved someone’s innocence. Even if Uther didn’t jump to the conclusion that innocent people had magic when they didn’t, he’d eventually realize that the previous results meant someone close to him did have magic, and that that someone wasn’t just Gaius.

And Merlin wasn’t about to condemn someone truly innocent to the pyre by using his magic to make it appear that someone else was a sorcerer.

“There isn’t any method like that,” Merlin murmured. “Everyone would know if there were.” Arthur snorted, so Merlin added, “Do you know who brought the charges forward?” If he could just figure that out—

“Apparently,” Arthur said dryly, “it’s a rumour.”

“A rumour?”

“The entire lower town has heard it, near as I can tell, and more than one of my father’s spies repeated it.” Arthur paused, then said, “Sit down, Merlin.”

Merlin usually had a habit of ignoring Arthur, but he listened this time. He pulled out Arthur’s chair at the table and sank into it. Arthur gave an approving nod, as if he’d expected protest and was pleased not to get it. Merlin didn’t have the heart to tell him he didn’t want to get into an argument right now.

He hated lying to Arthur. He did it all the time, of course. He had to. But that didn’t mean he liked it. And in these circumstances….

A show of submission, with some very real fear of winding up on the pyre, was the most he could do right now. Even once Arthur told him whatever he knew, Merlin couldn’t very well do anything about it while Arthur was around. And the clotpole clearly wasn’t about to go to sleep any time soon.

“They’re saying that there’s a sorcerer within our walls. Someone else like Morgana. They’re saying that whoever it is is simply biding their time, waiting to strike us when we least suspect it.”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with me.” Well, it did, because the rumour wasn’t entirely wrong, but Merlin was fairly sure whoever had started it didn’t actually know that. If anyone, it was probably about Dragoon—or Emrys, for those who had heard tell of Emrys. Which still had to do with him, technically, but Arthur didn’t need to know that.

“The ones willing to name names don’t agree with you.”

That didn’t make sense. If someone had actually seen him use magic, it shouldn’t have come about like this. There was no shame in uncovering a sorcerer, not in Camelot. It was far more dangerous to try to protect one. There wasn’t anything to be gained by telling those not in power that you suspected a sorcerer unless—

“Don’t look at me like that, Merlin. You know I don’t believe those rumours. We’ll find a way to clear your name and—”

There was a thud from the opposite wall, in the hidden corner farthest from the door. The secret entrance slid open, and Merlin watched himself tumble out. “Sire,” the other Merlin gasped, “we have to go.” His eyes found Merlin’s, and he let out a squeak. “Get away from him!”

Merlin had never had cause to use that particular passageway. It wasn’t meant for servants. He wasn’t even sure he was supposed to know about it. It was meant for a time when the citadel was under siege, when even the servants couldn’t be trusted, and the royals had to flee.

Arthur was on his feet, but he wasn’t wearing his sword. Until he moved, he could only defend himself with a candle and a bottle of ink. “What’s the meaning of this?” he roared. He must have intended it to be loud enough to hear from the hall, to call in the guards, but—

But the guards didn’t come.

In fact, Merlin couldn’t hear anything from outside of Arthur’s chambers.

And the prickle of magic he could feel meant they couldn’t hear what was going on inside, either. It was a subtle spell, not one he’d have noticed if he hadn’t been practicing magic detection. He couldn’t tell much more than that without a good deal of time and a spell book, but he didn’t need either of those to figure out what was going on now.

“It has to be a trick,” the other Merlin spluttered. “He can’t— That must be magic!”

Magic indeed. A glamour, and a good one. The reflection in the window matched what he saw with his own eyes. Perhaps the enchantment was enhanced with a potion, maybe even one of Morgause’s own creation. He had no idea what she’d taught her sister before the end, but Morgana was playing her part well. No one else would know of that tunnel and know him well enough to fool Arthur for even a moment.

Merlin’s eyes flicked back to the intruder’s face. Morgana’s eyes were narrowed, watching him, waiting to see what else he’d do. No doubt she was expecting him to tell Arthur what he’d seen. To protest that he was innocent. That he was the real Merlin, that she was the imposter.

But she’d seen him check her reflection.

Which meant that she knew that he knew what to look for.

She might draw her own conclusions. She might know that Gaius had once practiced magic. She might believe that Gaius had taught him what sorts of signs to look for, to better protect Arthur. She might assume he’d looked for some obvious sign of magic to point out to Arthur because he knew perfectly well that this was a ruse, that he was the real Merlin.

But she might also have realized that the Emrys the druids spoke of was Merlin himself.

Except…. Surely she wouldn’t have targeted him if that were the case. No, if she knew that Emrys was protecting Arthur, she must assume it was someone else. Maybe she suspected Dragoon, never realizing that he was Merlin, too.

“How did you get out?” Arthur demanded, and Merlin realized with a start that he was addressing them both.

“Leon,” he answered, but he heard Morgana say the same. She must have watched them, must have—

“Gwen took me into the passageways,” added Morgana, and she managed to say Gwen’s name without the slightest trace of a sneer on her face. Or rather, his face. “But then we heard something, and Gwen told me to come here alone while she made sure I wasn’t found.”

Arthur turned to him and raised his eyebrows. Merlin scowled at him. “We came out at the end of the hall,” he said, “and you saw me come in through the door.” He waved a hand towards it. “You’ve got your guards outside.”

“Did you leave them alive?” Morgana snapped. Arthur’s glower became more pronounced, and Merlin realized that he wondered that, too. He knew perfectly well that they were making enough noise, doing enough to arouse the guards’ suspicions, that they should have burst into the room to defend the prince.

Had she done something to them? Was she trying to frame him, make it seem like he did have magic? That he was a sorcerer in disguise?

“Of course they’re alive,” Merlin said, but Arthur was already marching towards the door. He really could be an absolute clotpole at times. Granted, he didn’t know he was turning his back on two people who had been born with magic, but he must surely know one of them could use magic, and—

Arthur had barely opened the door before slamming it closed again and spinning on his heel.

Merlin swallowed.

The guards weren’t alive any longer.

He didn’t need Arthur to say it, and Arthur clearly knew that.

“It wasn’t me,” Merlin said. “I didn’t do that. You know I wouldn’t do that.”

“I know Merlin couldn’t do that,” Arthur growled, “but you’re not Merlin, are you?”

He was edging towards the chest at the foot of his bed. It held one of his swords—not the sharpest, but certainly not the most dull—and a number of knives hidden in layers of clothing. Arthur could have a weapon in his hand in a matter of seconds.

Morgana could wrench it from him in a matter of seconds, too, but not without blowing her cover.

“Do you remember what I said to you when we first met?” Merlin asked. “When you were being your usual arrogant self?”

Arthur frowned. “Everyone knows Merlin doesn’t address me with the respect I deserve.”

“You didn’t deserve any respect then. Anyway, it turned out not to be much of a mistake.”

“He’s playing with you!” Morgana hissed. Merlin couldn’t tell if Arthur had caught the meaning of his words—or if Arthur even remembered their exchange well enough to do that. Still, he couldn’t afford to be clearer with Morgana around. He had to hope that Arthur didn’t listen to her, had to— “Stop being such a clotpole,” continued Morgana. “You can’t fight him when he has magic!”

So that’s the game she was going to play after all? Make it seem like he had magic? She had to be thinking on her feet. Even if she had come here with a means to disguise herself as him as a way to get to Arthur, she couldn’t have known of the plan to free him much ahead of time. She may not even have known until she saw it in action. If she’d disguised herself as someone else before him….

He and Leon had passed others in the hallway, and he wasn’t sure it had been entirely empty when he’d gone into the passageways with Gwen. She knew Arthur well enough to predict most of his movements. She might have been on the lookout for such a plan to be carried out.

But she didn’t believe he had magic, either.

And as much as he wanted to keep that from her, he’d rather she know—that she and Arthur both know—than have her win now.

Arthur was looking at him when Morgana used her first spell, and he didn’t see her eyes burn gold. Wind swept through the room, and Morgana shrieked as every light went out, not so much as a glowing ember left in the fireplace. “Arthur!”

Morgana thought this would benefit her. That Merlin and Arthur would both be fumbling while their eyes adjusted, that it would be too long before they’d be able to see enough in the dim light from the half-hidden moon outside. She thought she could make her way to Arthur’s side and latch onto him while Merlin blundered about, disoriented.

No doubt, all she wanted was to get her hands on Arthur and teleport him away so she didn’t need to keep up this charade any longer.

With the prince’s absence and the added bonus of Merlin missing from the dungeons, she had no reason to think he wouldn’t be blamed.

But Merlin wasn’t about to let her do that. “Hierste þæt íecen sóna,” he murmured, closing his eyes and concentrating. He needed to break her glamour if Arthur was going to listen to him and not be distracted by her lies. This spell hadn’t worked as well as he’d liked last time, and he was dealing with Morgana, but he had to try. He could hear her soft, careful footfalls moving steadily across the floor, and he opened his eyes even as he repeated the spell. “Hierste þæt íecen sóna.”

His words this time were loud enough to draw her attention—and Arthur’s, of course. He scrambled away from Merlin, accidentally kicking the chair Merlin had pulled out earlier. Arthur cursed and stumbled away, back towards the door. Morgana’s shadow froze, just barely outlined as she crossed in front of Arthur’s bed. He didn’t know if either of them had seen his eyes flash, but Morgana would have been close enough to recognize the words of the spell for what they were.

And she would feel his magic warring with hers if she tried.

Merlin was perfectly aware that she would not only know that he had magic but also that his magic was strong enough to do far more than light the odd candle. He was also perfectly aware that she couldn’t fight back without breaking her cover. She could try to turn this on him, of course, trying to use his magic as proof to Arthur that he wasn’t the real Merlin, but she didn’t know what he could do in the meantime.

And she knew she couldn’t afford mistakes.

“Bærne,” she murmured, keeping her eyes downcast, and when the swath of cloth hanging down the bedpost behind her caught fire, she leapt away with a scream.

Specifically, she leapt towards Arthur.

“Hierste þæt íecen sóna!” Merlin shouted it this time, flinging out a hand to better direct his magic. She flinched away, but he could see the glamour starting to break. Same dark hair, but it was slightly longer than before; the colours of her clothes weren’t quite right; she didn’t stand as tall as him, even at her full height, and that was becoming noticeable even in the flickering firelight.

He couldn’t afford to waste time putting that out now, so he flicked his eyes to Arthur long enough to make sure he was staying away from Morgana and then focused on her. “Hierste—”

Something pushed him back, and he fell. It wasn’t violent enough to be obvious—Arthur might not immediately assume it had been a spell of Morgana’s—but he still hadn’t been prepared for it, and he cursed himself under his breath. He knew better than to underestimate her, and all he was doing was proving to her that she should no longer underestimate him.

“Forþ fleoge.” He cast the spell before he was even on his feet again, hoping to catch Morgana off her guard, but she must have expected it and shielded herself. Before he could try again, she pushed him off balance.

That was fine. He didn’t need to be on his feet to cause the tapestry behind her to fly off the wall and over her head. She wasn’t expecting that, and by the time she’d freed herself, he’d moved to cover Arthur. He tossed another spell at her to make her sleep, but she’d thrown another shield up. In the meantime, he doused the flames licking at the bed—he’d deal with that mess later—and relit the torches.

Arthur, for his part, kept trying to move so that he wasn’t behind Merlin, but he stilled the moment Morgana fought free of the heavy cloth and he saw her for who she truly was.

The glamour had finally broken.

“Ástríce,” she snarled.

“Scildan!” If he had to protect both himself and Arthur, he didn’t dare rely entirely on non-verbal spells. But—

“Hleap on bæc!”

—he couldn’t afford not to use them, either. Even as Arthur lost his footing behind him, not entirely protected by Merlin’s shielding spell, Merlin focused on Morgana and pushed. This time, he broke though her shield and sent her crashing back into the wall. She crumpled when her head collided with the stone, but he cast another sleep spell on her just in case.

Arthur was so quiet behind him that Merlin thought he was knocked out, but when he turned back to check on him, Arthur’s eyes were locked on him.

And he was gripping a knife—the one from the cubbyhole by the fireplace, from the looks of it.

“You have magic,” he said bluntly.

Merlin swallowed, suddenly wondering if he should have let this play out differently. But his secret wasn’t worth Morgana successfully kidnapping Arthur—especially when kidnapping him would mean killing him—and he’d always hoped the truth would go over well.

He’d always hoped it would go over better than it was so far, at least.

“I did sort of tell you,” Merlin mumbled, “shortly after we met. When you said you could take me apart with a single blow, I said I could do it with less than that.”

“I can’t believe you have magic.” It was a complaint, and Merlin had never been happier to hear one. He let out his breath in a rush. “You— All this time, and you’re powerful enough to do…that.” Arthur waved the knife in Morgana��s direction. “You knew it was her. You fought her, protected me, and….” He shook his head. “I can’t…. How?”

“I’ve been practicing, you know.”

Arthur stared at him. “Then the rumours are true? Someone actually saw you doing magic? Merlin, this is Camelot!”

“I know. And that’s one of the reasons I never told you before. I know the laws, and I…. I didn’t want to put you in a position where you’d have to act against your father.”

Arthur snorted. “You say that like I’ve never done it before.”

“Mordred was just a child.”

Arthur rolled his eyes. “That wasn’t the only time, and you know it. Honestly, Merlin, if you had wanted to attack me or my father or do anything against Camelot, you’ve had ample opportunity. And Gaius is a good judge of character. I just…. This entire time. You’ve had magic. How have I not noticed when you’re apparently careless enough to let complete strangers catch you at it? You must have used it around me.”

“Well, considering how many times I’ve had to save your sorry a—”

“Have you been using magic to do all your chores?”

“That’s your biggest concern?”

“How am I to know if you’ve given me leaves to eat that you just magicked into food?”

Merlin bit back a laugh. Arthur had a lot to learn about magic, and maybe this was a sign that he’d be willing to do that. Willing to listen, despite everything his father had ever taught him. “I’ve never done that,” he said, not wanting to get into everything he had done. “I’ve spent most of my time trying to protect you.” He looked back at Morgana, bit his lip, and added, “I don’t know how long my spell will keep her asleep. We need to do something. What, ah, are you going to tell your father?”

“Not that you have magic.” Arthur moved to stand beside Merlin and looked over at Morgana. “I won’t be able to convince him to see you as an ally. We must find another sorcerer to blame for Morgana’s predicament. I…. Have you ever met the old sorcerer known as Dragoon? If we can contact him— Why are you laughing?”

“Sorry,” Merlin said, though his grin made it clear he didn’t mean that in the slightest. “I just…. Yes. You could say I know him. Very well.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed. “How well?”

“Well enough to do whatever you’re planning.”

“Merlin!”

“I’ll explain when we have more time,” he promised, and Arthur huffed.

“Very well. If you can convince him to show up and pretend he stopped Morgana, maybe even that he spread the rumours about you to try to draw her out, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure he gets away unharmed and remains unprosecuted.”

Merlin smiled. Sometimes, he was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of the king Arthur would become. “Leave it to me.”

(see more fics)

#bbc merlin #merlin #arthur pendragon #merlin fanfiction #fanfiction #my writing #ladylynse #snippets #merlin snippet #so I wrote this in between researching and plotting a dp ficlet #and instead of working on down the rabbit hole like I said I would #but this works too #...it has been a WHILE since I've written a longer Merlin fic

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