#tail carriage is acceptable but not preferred

[beauceronn]

Beauce screenshots.

#crufts24 #theres something off about her i cant 100% put my finger on #it might be that she lacks substance #her neck/front look weird #topline in motion is not good #tail carriage is acceptable but not preferred #i think its the front/neck/substance trifecta that is what my reaction comes down to

[xxsycamore]

Catboy!Mozart headcanons

╰┈➤ 😼 What if Mozart was a catboy? Meowzart, if you will?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart x MC • rating:G • wordcount: 920 • masterlist

a/n: First it was Nyapoleon and now I'm presenting you with... Meowzart. Thank you TheCarmineWanker on AO3 for proposing this idea, hope you enjoy!

When Mozart took his chance at afterlife, accepting the offer of the mysterious gentleman standing at his deathbed, he had no idea he'll be incarnated as a vampire… much less as a catboy vampire. He blames it on his own strange antics during his former life.

Strangely enough, Mozart feels at home in his new body. After all, he's always had that catboy in himself. Back in the day, despite being a member of the elite society of his time, he couldn't help his bursts of quirkiness when bored, and could be seen leaping over tables and chairs… He hopes noone would remember him for that.

The first thing he does upon waking up in the 19th century in the mansion of Comte de Saint-Germain is to… look for a mirror. Not just to observe the curios new attributes of what once was a human body, but to groom himself. It comes so naturally to him that he cannot find peace until he's thoroughly taken care of himself.

The pristine white fur on his cat ears and tail is short, but much like his human hair, it tends to get a little wild unless groomed and kept in order. The first request he extends towards the master of the house is not for enhancements of the piano room, but rather for top-quality hairbrushes and toilette products.

It's such a burden, to be reborn with the intention to devote yet another lifetime to music yet to still face obstacles in the way. Not that he can complain much. Having a near-immortal form that needs less sleep is a delight, if the price he has to pay is distracting himself for a portion of rouge every now and then, then so be it. But god, his catboy genes. They're a gift and a curse.

For one, he finds it harder to fight boredom. Which is funny because that's exactly how this side of himself manifested back in the day, when he reached his relatively low threshold of boredom.

Much like how cats need constant entertainment, Mozart needs something besides music in order for his brain to produce dopamine. He's never been the kind to move around much, and would prefer it if he never has to leave the mansion at all. Especially not via carriage. He claws at the carriage doors when someone tries to put him in one.

But catboy Mozart gets the zoomies every now and then, and he can't do anything about it. It often happens at night. It starts with the strange urge to trash his hand along the row of piano keys, pressing them in a random, chaotic order, creating a godawful cacophony of noises.

It feels good to do that. He has no explanation for it. It'd normally feel like nails on a chalkboard for him, yet bringing disorder after hours and hours of precise work feels so refreshing to him.

Then he exits the piano room to exhaust his pent-up energy elsewhere. He runs in the halls. Jumps over the long dining table and various other pieces of furniture. Thank god everyone else is fast asleep. Or are they?

He's a clean freak, so he cleans after himself. It's just a part of his routine at this point. He feels equal parts of satisfaction wreaking havoc and then bringing order afterwards.

As for the positive aspects of having this new form, Mozart is astonished to find his hearing greatly enhanced. He hears everything. It's all a musician like him can ask for.

You know how Mozart becomes chatty and giggly when he's drunk? It's only worse if we're talking about a drunk catboy Mozart.

He meows at people. Loudly. You can't have a normal conversation with him; to every question, he'll tilt his head with a curious "miau". The others are forced to meow back in some dire attempt to communicate with him to get down from the chandelier.

Upon the arrival of MC in the mansion, Mozart doesn't play around showing his "beast" side to her, being more than sure that she won't be able to put up with him. Her futile efforts at making friends with him are laughable and she needs to know exactly who she's trying to domesticate. He warns her about getting her face clawed at if she enters his room at the wrong time.

Despite the bumpy start, she naturally doesn't give up trying to get closer to him… until her patience and genuine care pass the test of time and acquaintanceship blooms into love.

Mozart becomes more willing to be himself infront of her, and in turn, MC helps him out by keeping him company when he gets the zoomies. She practically plays with him, makes sure he's not breaking any expensive mansion relics, chases after him and gets chased by him…

MC notices how important is for Mozart to be well-groomed, and begins to frequently brush his hair and cat ears for him.

The first time Mozart's tongue swaps across her cheek, it's shocking for both parties. For Mozart because he didn't even realize he's doing it, and for MC because it hits her what a special brand of affection this equals to.

MC gifts him a collar with a little bell on it, a very elegant one. She knows Mozart's love for certain noises, and he truly falls inlove with it - though he makes it clear that he'll only wear it in front of her. He might be a catboy but he's a catboy with dignity.

Taglist: @arsnovacadenza @ale-teodora @kimi00twin @otomelady @privilegedpancake @g-kleran    @pumpumnnnp @thesirenwashere @ravenarld @kimmy-banana @devonares @galaxyprison @sadshaxk @starshards26 @thewitchofbooks @acethephoenix256 @ikevamp-shrine-2 @nad-zeta @crystal13unny @lordsister @ikemen-banshou   @themysticalbeing @otome-scribbles @rhodolitesrose @coornn @kpop-and-otome @queen-dahlia @kisara-16 @chaosangel767 @ikemenlibrary @queengiuliettafirstlady @aurora-morning @aquagirl1978 ​ @ikemenlover24 @mcofthemansion @joy-the-reader @katriniac @ikemen-writer @tele86 @lovely-bubb1es @aria-chikage @babyblue0t7 @rhodoliteschaos @shrimpy-kitsune @nightghoul381 @xbalayage @lucyw260 @kittygrimm88 @lokis-laugh @judejazza Let me know if you want to be tagged/untagged!

#ikemen vampire #ikevamp #ikevamp mozart #ikemen vampire mozart #ikemen mozart #ikevamp headcanons #ikevamp fanfic #ikemen #otome

[mortalfaerie]

To Fake an Engagement (M.F.)

part 2/?

matthew fairchild x (fem) reader

word count: 1904

synopsis: part 2 of this series. after james and cordelia marry, matthew is being a bitter idiot, and reader goes to talk some sense into him. later, they go to anna’s party and things get a little flirty. no coi spoilers.

You hadn’t expected the next year to amount to much. Certainly, Matthew would forget the deal, ask for his ring back, and probably wait for Cordelia to divorce James to try to romance her. 

But, Matthew Fairchild surprised you. He had engaged you for walks, written you letters, and seemed to often hover to your side whenever you were in a room together. For the two months to follow, he even seemed to drink less. 

However, after the wedding, he seemed to slump back, drink more, and refuse company. Finally, sick of his dramatics, you went directly to his house and demanded he see you. When he came down to the parlor after being called by Charles, he was disheveled and obviously hungover. He had flushed despite himself when he saw you.

You had glared over the rim of your teacup as he idly stared into his. Finally, he muttered, “I’m sorry.” You were frustrated, but managed to ask, “Sorry on what account?”

He shot you a glare briefly and replied, “You know what. Shall I spell it out? I disappointed you. I am a disappointment, Y/N."

You softened, and schooled your tone. “You are right that I am disappointed, Matthew, but that does not make you a disappointment. I am disappointed that you have neglected my letters, that you seem to have scorned my company. I am disappointed that you will not accept my attempts to comfort you when I have so freely given them.”

He nodded, not meeting your eyes. “I admit to that.” he replied.

“And I am hurt, because I have become so fond of your company in recent months and you have-” you shook your head in exasperation, “ripped it from me without ceremony.”

Your voice had broken on the last word, so you took a long sip of your tea and collected yourself. When you again looked up, he was looking at you with a soft, sorrowful look. “I am so, so sorry, Y/N.”

“I would prefer your commitment to change to your sorrow.” You said in clipped words. Mathew raked a hand through his golden hair, the light catching on the piece of silver on his third finger. Your family ring, still in place. 

“I can make no promises.” He said finally, meeting your eyes again. He did truly look remorseful.

“Then promise me you will try, Matthew.” you said, gesturing to his disheveled state. “I am not asking that you quit your vices entirely, I can hardly say I am without vice myself, but I am asking that you try to control them.”

He was looking into his cup of tea when he replied, “I can try.”

“Thank you.” you breathed, and set your cup down. Matthew was seated across a small, circular table in the parlor, and you reached over to cover his hand with yours. He looked up with surprise, and you offered a small smile.

“I did not come entirely to schold you.” you said. Matthew smiled wryly, and it was good to see his face not in a mask of brooding and contemplation. “You came for Oscar, then?” he asked, and before you could respond, he lifted his free hand to his lips and whistled a high tone. You could hear a thump noise upstairs, followed by the patter and clacking of clawed feet on the floor, and saw a flurry of yellow fur bounding down the stairs and into the parlor.

You laughed, your hand still over Matthew’s and offered your other to Oscar, who happily sniffed and licked it. “Hello, old chap.” you cooed to the golden retriever, who thumped his tail of the carpet in approval. Eventually, he went to go curl himself around Matthew’s chair, comforting his person. 

You smiled, but answered, “No, I do love to see Oscar, but not him.” you drummed your fingers on the table and continued, “I want you to come to Anna’s party with me.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You want to schold me for my drunkenness and then have me escort you to a party?” 

You playfully glared at him, but squeezed his hand to ensure he knew you were only kidding. “Yes, I want you to take me. I want to have fun with you and my friends. No flask, though.” you added. “I would not stop you from drinking Anna’s liquor, but you needn’t bring reinforcements.”

Matthew mock pouted but conceded. “Oh, very well. You shall have naught but gentlemanly propriety from me.”

He laced his finger through yours over the table, and tapped your ring finger with his free hand. “I see you still have my ring.” he commented. 

You nodded. “I have upheld my end of our deal. I keep it in my pocket at home, as to not have my parents suspect you are courting me in earnest, but I wear it in private.” 

He pressed a kiss to the ring, and said, “You wound me, Y/N. I am courting you in earnest. Was an engagement not the prize of our bargain?”

You blushed. “Well, if they are to think that, it will be when there is an engagement.”

Catching you in your words, he grinned. “When indeed.” 

-

The night of Anna’s party, Matthew, regally and ostentatiously dressed as always, arrived on time in his carriage to escort you. Your parents had known Matthew to be a good friend of yours for 2 years now, and thought little of your sharing a carriage alone. Once inside the carriage, he pointedly showed you his pockets were empty of his flask, and you were pleased he had remembered.

You made an interesting pair upon arrival- you, dressed in an elegant but sensible blue party dress, layers of chiffon secured with a cinching midnight belt, and ivory lace sleeves and collar peeking out beyond the hems. Matthew, on the other hand, wore a brilliant purple waistcoat and evergreen colored blazer, which he quickly discarded in the heat of the party. 

You both drank, though it was clear Matthew exercised effort to be moderate in his drinking, but it was enough for you both to lose inhibitions as he turned you about the makeshift dance floor in Anna’s parlor, you giggling when he dramatically turned you and to your surprise, lifted you off your feet. The two of you staggered away from the dancing couples, laughing, both red faced, as he pulled you against his chest and your laughter was muffled in his shirt. 

He hummed to the piano music, where a vampire had seated herself and begun to play jaunty country dance music from the previous century, but to your surprise, he made no move to release you from his embrace. Neither of you did, really. When you had contained your laughter, you had contentedly rested your cheek against his chest and listened to him hum. He was warm, and the smell of him- clean linen, sandalwood, and the hint of wine that you both had earlier, was at once rich and comforting. You stood like that, lost in the rightness of the feeling of his arms around you, for probably 5 minutes before a voice caused you to jump apart.

“Matthew! Y/N! I take it you two are enjoying yourselves?” Anna asked, sauntering up to your corner of the room. 

You blushed, and busied yourself with adjusting your skirts as Matthew, quick and cunning as ever, invented a story of how yes, you were enjoying yourselves, but you had a sudden dizzy spell and had to leave the dancefloor. He had been steadying you, he claimed, and you nodded along. Anna, an older sibling herself, was a master of seeing through invented stories and gave you a look that said she didn’t believe it for a moment, but it was all good fun. Her attention was grabbed by another partygoer, and she moved on quickly.

You shot Matthew an incredulous look when she passed, and he gave you a bemused smirk. “Horrible thing, corsets? Making girls everywhere faint and swoon.” 

You scoffed and playfully nudged him, but he laughed in response. “I recall you were the one insisting we leave the dance floor.” You pointed out.

“Yes, because you were laughing so hard you could barely breathe!” he exclaimed. 

“Because you-” you set in, but quickly realized you couldn’t remember what had started you two in laughing, and the both of you began laughing again. 

Falling into a comfortable silence, the two of you leaned against the wall behind you, watching other couples dance, drink, and be merry. At some point, you leaned your head against his shoulder, but he didn’t move away. Instead, you felt him shift his weight and rest his head on yours. After a few moments, you yawned, and felt him chuckle beside you.

“Oh Cinderella, has midnight come so soon?” he teased, and you wrinkled your nose in mock disdain. 

“I think it is well after midnight now, and you are hardly Prince Charming.” you retorted.

“Is that so? If I am not, why have you danced only with me all night? If this were a ball, people would say we are in love.”

You were glad then that he couldn’t see your face, because you felt the hot rush of blood invoked by his words. You cleared your throat. “Well, this isn’t a ball.” you pointed out.

“And thank the Angel for that.” he remarked, and drew an arm around your shoulder. “Otherwise, I’m sure you standing alone with me in a corner- and, touching, my Lord,” he feigned shock, and continued, “would be the scandal of the season.”

You laughed. “I think James and Cordelia took that honor already with her confession and their swift marriage.”

You felt him stiffen at the mention, and he replied, “Ah, yes. That would be difficult to beat.” and there was a hint of bitterness in his voice. Wanting to take his mind off of it, you turned out of his grasp and extended a hand.

“Dance one more set with me, and then you may take me home.” You said.

“Methinks the lady doth command boldly.” he said, an eyebrow playfully cocked.

“I believe it is the waltz.” You smiled and added, “And now you can hold me as close as you like and no one will breathe a word of scandal.”

There was a strange, momentary burst of color in his cheeks, but he nodded and took your hand, letting you lead him again onto the dance floor.

-

On the carriage ride back to your house, you were seated on the same bench beside each other, despite having room to sit opposite. You were drowsily leaning into his shoulder, and he was tracing patterns on your hand with his, when he again tapped the ring on your hand. 

“I think you should hide this away before your carriage turns back into a pumpkin, Cinderella. Otherwise your parents will think I am courting you in earnest.” He mused playfully, echoing your earlier words. You yawned and deposited it in your pocket, immediately missing the feeling of it.

“Oh, yes. Thank you for reminding me.” You murmured sleepily. He hummed pleasantly, and then said, “You know, if you did become Y/N Fairchild, we could cause all the scandal in London and no one would be able to scoff.”

You laughed, and replied, “I will consider that when you make your proposal.”

“When indeed.” He remarked again.

#matthew fairchild #matthew fairchild x reader #the last hours #the mortal instruments #the infernal devices #the dark artifices #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #chain of gold #chain of iron

[skyfire85]

-A SAAB J 21A-3 fighter/bomber in 1983, long after the type was retired by the Swedish Air Force. | Photo: Towpilot

FLIGHTLINE: 179 - SAAB J 21/21R

Development of the SAAB 21, a low-wing pusher design, began in late 1939 over fears by the Swedish Air Force over being drawn into WW2.

The Svenska flygvapnet, or Swedish Air Force, was formed on 1 July 1926 after the aircraft units of the Army and Navy were spun-off and merged. The inter-war flygvapnet fighter force was composed of a hodgepodge of WWI-era biplanes from France, the UK and Germany, and the gathering war clouds over Europe made the Swedes seek a more modern fighter plane, preferably of domestic manufacture. It was estimated that Sweden's production capacity was unable to meet the needs of the air force until 1943 at best, and the county was forced to buy a brace of obsolete Fiat Cr. 42 biplanes as an interim measure.

SAAB J 21

SAAB (Svenska Aeroplan AB), founded in 1937, had been working on design studies during the late 1930s, many of which were of unconventional configuration, and most incorporated the Bristol Taurus radial engine. SAAB's engineers hit upon the idea of mounting the engine behind the pilot, driving a pusher prop with the tail and elevator mounted on twin booms extending back from the wing. This configuration would allow the plane's weapons to be mounted in the nose and provide the pilot with an unobstructed view. It was also felt that the low wing and tricycle undercarriage would provide easy servicing of the plane. During the design phase, the Taurus engine was rejected as being underpowered and the P&W R-1830 Twin Wasp was proposed in its place. The Swedish government wanted a domestic alternative, and Svenska Flygmotor was tapped to produce a licensed version of the Daimler-Benz DB 605B inverted V-12, which produced 1,455hp.

-Orthograph of the SAAB 21. | Illustration: aviastar

The new plane, designated the SAAB J 21, was 10.45m long, with a wingspan of 11.6m and was 3.97m tall. The J 21 was light, weighing just 3,250kg empty and having a max TO weight of 5,200kg. The license-built BD 605B, coupled to a three-blade constant-speed prop, gave the plane a maximum speed of 650kmh and a cruise speed of 495kmh, while the 510l internal fuel load provided a ferry range of 1,190km and a combat range of 750km. The pusher configuration allowed a heavy load of forward-firing weapons, with a 20mm akan m/41A and two 13.2mm akan m/39A cannons in the nose and two more m/39A in the wings. The 21 was fitted with tricycle landing gear, with the main gear retracting into the booms as the SAAB-designed laminar flow wings were too thin. Another innovation of the aircraft was an ejection seat for the pilot, designed in tandem with the J 21, by Bofors, which allowed the pilot to clear the prop and tail in case of an emergency. The engine's coolers and intakes were housed in the central section of the wing in order to reduce drag.

-One of the J 21 prototypes, later fitted for operational service. | Photo: SAAB

Two flying prototypes and one static test airframe were built, with the maiden flight of the J 21 occurring on 20 July 1943. The test flight, with SAAB test pilot Claes Smith at the controls, got off to an inauspicious start when Smith used too much flap on takeoff, resulting in the undercarriage striking a fence at the end of the runway. The pilot was able to land without further incident, and the damage was repaired. Delivery of the production J 21A-1 aircraft began on 1 December 1945, with 54 aircraft delivered by 5 December 1946, when production shifted to the more advanced J 21A-2 model. Both the A-1 and A-2 differed from the prototypes in having provisions for two drop tanks of 160l each, and the A-2 differed in having upgraded avionics as well as the m/41A cannon replaced by a Bofors belt-fed akan m/45, also in 20mm. A third model, the J 21A-3 (later redesignated A 21A), was based on the A-2, but was configured for attack missions, and was fitted with a bomb-aiming system as well as pylons on the inner and outer wings, as well as a belly mount, which could accommodate 700kg of bombs or rockets. Drop tanks could be added to the wingtips, and incendiary bombs and napalm tanks were tested, but not used operationally. The A 21A was later fitted with mounts for two RATO bottles to improve takeoffs when carrying heavy loads. Production of the attack model ran from 1947 to 1949, and totaled 66 aircraft.

-A J 21A-3 in flight, some time in the early 1950s. | Photo: SAAB

-Two late 40's products from SAAB. | Photo: SAAB

A fourth model, the J 21B, was initially proposed in 1947, with the 605B engine replaced by either a more powerful 605E or Rolls-Royce Griffon motor. Changes also included a pressurized cockpit with a bubble canopy, improved aerodynamics, an air-intercept radar in the starboard boom, and a change to three 20mm cannon in the nose. Development of jet engines, particularly for SAAB's own J 29 fighter, saw the J 21B canceled in 1945, with only a mockup completed. The post-war shift to jet aircraft also saw the J21As having a short service life, with the A-1s being retired in 1949, and the A-2 and A-3 following in the early 1950s. By 23 July 1954, all of the J 21As were gone from the Swedish Air Force. Three examples remain as museum exhibits, all A-3s, with one having been rebuilt as an A 21R.

-An A 21A ground attack version of the J 21, on display at the Flyvapenmuseum in Malmen, Sweden. | Photo: Alan Wilson

SAAB J 21R

Almost before the J 21 was accepted for service, plans were underway to increase the performance of the aircraft. Aside from the stillborn J 21B, two studies by SAAB, RX 1 and RX 2, which were twin boom aircraft resembling the J 21 but with a jet engine replacing the 605B. Neither program had a specific engine in mind, but an opportunity to acquire a license for the de Havilland Goblin 2 turbojet in 1945 provided the impetus to begin plans to convert a J 21 to accept the new jet. The modified aircraft, SAAB's first jet-powered plane, took its maiden flight on 10 March 1947, and the test program was satisfactory enough that the Swedish Air Force ordered 124 existing J 21s to be converted to jet power, with the resulting aircraft designated J 21R; 4 examples were built as prototypes.

-Orthograph of the J 21R. | Illustration: Kaboldy

The process of converting the A models to R spec was rather intensive, with more than 50% of the fuselage, wing and tail being modified. In particular, the tail was modified to allow the horizontal stabilizer to be raised several feet in order to clear the jet's exhaust. The lack of a propeller meant that the aircraft was overall shorter than the As however, being just under three meters tall versus the almost four meters of the A model. The changes resulted in the R model being somewhat longer than its predecessor, but the wingspan was a third of a meter shorter. A new, curved windscreen was added, as were air brakes, an additional flap on either side, and a modified leading edge. The thirst of the Goblin engine, designated the RM1 in Swedish service, meant the addition of extra fuel tanks in the center wing as well as tip tanks as seen on the A-2 and -3 models, bringing the 21R to a max TO weight of 5,615kg. The main armament remained one 20mm m/45 and four 12.7mm m/39A, with one hard point on the belly allowing carriage of 700kg of stores, including various 10, 14.5, 15 or 18cm rockets, or a paddan ("toad") gunpod, armed with eight 8mm Browning M1919 machine guns, along with 800 rounds per gun.

-A J 21R in flight, showing the modifications needed to incorporate the Goblin engine. | Photo: SAAB

Conversion of newly-retired J 21A-1s began in 1947, with the first 30 receiving British-built engines. The type entered service in 1950, but SAAB had also introduced the J 29 Tunnan two years prior, and the 21R was relegated to attack duties, being redesignated the A 21RA. With the shift to attack missions, the order of 124 was cut to just 64, with the second run of A 21RB aircraft receiving Swedish-built RM1A engines, which provided 1,500kg of thrust vs the 1,360kg of the RM1. The A 21R had a very short service life, with the RA model being retired in 1953, and the RB being withdrawn in 1956. So swiftly was the 21R withdrawn that no examples were preserved. In the 1990s a surviving, but unrestored, A 21A-3 was restored and modified by a group of volunteers to represent an A 21R, which is now on display at the Swedish Air Force Museum.

-The 21R as displayed in 2005, with a load of rockets. | Photo: Wassen

-And in 2019, now armed with a paddan gun pod. | Photo: BugWarp

#aircraft #aviation #avgeek #airplanes #airplane #aviation history #swedish air force #saab aircraft #saab j21r #saab j21 #pusher props #early jet #ealy jets #svenska flygvapnet

[night-eagle-flight]

Hidden Gem Chapter 3

Thank you so much for reading and the likes everyone!!!! Here is the next chapter and if you’d like feel free to leave a comment! I’d like to hear what you think. The likes are also very much appreciated! :) 

When you woke up a dress was laid at the foot of your bed. A short gasp escaped you when you saw your window had been barred to stop you from any thought of escape. You stood up and decided to head for the bathroom but when you tried to open your door, it was locked.

You backed away and then felt your body drop. You didn’t even look up when Haytham opened the door.

“Wallowing in self pity hm?”

You didn’t answer.

Haytham got on one knee and hugged you, “You will continue to be under observation until the day you leave with Shay. If you pull another stunt like the one from last night, you will be severely punished. Understand?” He felt you nod which made him frown slightly, “You know I prefer a verbal response.”

You stiffened a bit but yielded, “I understand.”

“Good. Now get dressed.” Haytham stood up and headed out locking the door behind him, “Shay will be joining you soon.”

By the time you were dressed Shay came into your room ready to enjoy the tea the newly hired maid brought in.

Since that day, everyday was a routine. You remained locked in your room with your attire of the day chosen in the morning. Haytham and Shay would join you at specific times of the day to keep you company or to escort you to the bathroom. You were expected to smile and keep up conversation with them and if you ever showed sadness, Haytham would reprimand you.

This went on for 2 weeks until the day you were to join Shay on the Morrigan. Your new home was kept a secret from you but you knew it would be a long voyage due to everything that was being packed.

“Ready to go?” Haytham asked as he entered your room.

“Yes.” You said as you stood up from the vanity and looked at him with the best smile you could muster.

Haytham walked up to you and lifted your hand to kiss it, “That’s a good girl.”

Shay appeared and raised his elbow so you could be escorted. You wrapped your fingers around his appendage and were whisked away to the carriage where all your remaining bags were.

The ride was too short for your liking and a small frown appeared on your face when you saw the Morrigan. The carriage stopped a small distance away and the crew began to off load your bags.

“Looks like this is goodbye.” Haytham smiled at both you and Shay, “I wish you safe passage and a promising future.”

“Thank you Master Kenway.” Shay smiled as he shook his hand.

“Thank you.” Was all you could say as you bowed your head while clasping your hands.

“Is that all?” Haytham asked coyly.

You looked up at him as you approached and gave him a light hug. Haytham patted your back, “Be good to Shay.”

“I will.” You backed up a bit, “What other choice do I have?”

“None.” Haytham stated with a smile.

You wanted to run at this point but how could you get away from them? Your courage and confidence were stripped away that night.

“Shall we be of-” Shay was interrupted by loud shouting from a crowd that was forming along the Morrigan. Haytham and Shay gave each other knowing looks.

“What’s going on?” You asked as you were slowly pushed back by them to the carriage since the dock to get on the ship was blocked.

“Get inside the carriage and close the curtains.” Shay said, “You will be safe there for now.”

You didn’t hesitate and went inside. Soon after you heard swords clashing and people yelling hysterics.

“You bloody red coats!!!!”

“We do not fight for the crown!” Haytham yelled, “But if you refuse the truth and continue your attack the only thing you’ll be dealt is your end.”

You yelped when you were suddenly knocked over your seat as the carriage began to move rapidly.

“(Y/N)!!!” You heard Shay call out.

He did his best to get away from the crowd but the numbers kept adding on even with the help of his crew. It took some time, but they managed to beat down the riot. Many people began running away once they saw the people they were fighting against had gained the upper hand.

Haytham was furious, “Clearly assassins don’t know the amount of time put into a plan like this.” He clenched his fists, “Come along Shay. It seems your stay has been extended.” He began to walk toward the Captains quarters.

“That’s not possible.” Shay ran next to Haytham, “I took down the Colonial Brotherhood. There shouldn’t be anymore assassins alive.”

“Leave one alive Shay and you give them the chance to grow once more.” Haytham stated.

“Achilles.” Shay muttered.

“Let’s start planning how we will get (Y/N) back.” Haytham opened the door, “Even with both our skill sets we must tread cautiously.”

Shay nodded and went in with Haytham, “Does she know about Templars?”

“No.” Haytham said, “She wasn’t meant to find out about the order until it was too late to turn back from her assigned role.”

“I don’t understand Grandmaster. How does that help?” Shay asked as he closed the door.

“Because if I know her well enough,” Haytham sat down, “She would have tried much harder to escape had she known prior to this day. A shame... by the looks of her expressions the last couple weeks she had accepted defeat.” His eyebrows furrowed, “They are most likely headed for the homestead. I assume you recall its layout?”

Shay nodded, “Ai Sir.” 

Both began to look at a map Shay had pulled out and began talking about what to do to get you back.

With You

You had been in the carriage for about an hour. You thought that at least once the robbers would have peeked inside already to see what was inside. But nothing.

“Just grab everything and bring it on board! We don’t have the time to rummage through it now!” Someone yelled in the distance.

The door opened and a shocked expression crossed their faces. The shock however turned to a glare when they saw the necklace you wore.

“Templar.” One of the men said.

“What?” You asked

“Don’t play dumb!” The other yelled.

You got angry, “I don’t know what you are talking about!!! I’ve never heard of that title!”

“Let’s bring her in. Maybe she knows something about the cargo.”

They grabbed you and pulled you out of the carriage. You began to struggle but stopped when a knife was placed on your neck.

“No point in resisting.”

You let out a sigh of defeat and boarded the ship. You were lead down some stairs to go below deck and were taken to one of the small rooms. You were sat down on a chair and your arms tied behind your back.

“FULL SAIL!!! FULL SAIL!!!!!” You heard from far away.

“Looks like we’re taking off.”

Nothing else was said for about an hour. You were starting to wriggle around to try to stretch out for a bit when one of the men spoke,

“You stay here while I get the captain. He’ll want to talk to her. She was with the Grandmaster and his lapdog.”

The wait was shorter this time and you felt your nerves get the better of you when you saw the Captain. When he walked in his presence could be felt around the room. He stood tall by the door frame and as he walked towards you each step seemed to have purpose.

“Leave us for now.” He said.

Both men walked out quickly and shut the door.

The captain grabbed a chair from the side of the room and dragged it in front of you. He sat down with the back side of the chair in front so when he sat down it was similar to riding a horse. The tail of his navy blue coat dragged to the floor and his tricorn remained prominent on his head.

“What were the Templars planning on sending off on that ship?” His tone was serious and the look in his eyes showed he wasn’t there to play.

“I-I don’t know what the Templars are!” You half yelled.

His eyes narrowed, “Lies will get you no where.” He pointed at your necklace, “You wear their very symbol!” He yelled, “Do you really expect me to believe that you don’t know who they are?”

“YES!!” You yelled, “I don’t know what it is you seek but I swear all I know was that I was being sent away! That’s all I know! They told me nothing else!!!”

“You were staying with the Templar Grandmaster of the colonial right and you didn’t know?” He scoffed, “You continue to lie-”

You had begun to weep, “I give you my word. I did not know Haytham was a Templar.” You looked up, “I only wear this necklace because the man I was betrothed to sent it as a sign that I was his.” You sniffled but went on. “Haytham saved me when I was a child and he kept me by his side since then. But as years went by he only got stricter and stricter. Obedience was all I knew... It’s all I know...”

The captain looked at your eyes searching for any sign of deceit but all he saw was your sorrow. Both of you maintained eye contact until you could no longer handle his strong gaze and looked down.

You quietly sobbed, “Please don’t look at me like him.”

The captain was confused, “Him?”

You looked up but quickly tore the gaze once more, “Like Haytham.”

He remained quiet as he digested all this information. After a couple minutes he spoke up,

“What is your name?” He asked.

“(Y/N).”

“Do you have any family?”

“No. My only family was my parents but they were both killed when I was a child.”  

“If I offered you a place to work and stay would you be willing to accept it?”

You looked up shocked, “Yes! Anything to avoid going back! Thank you uh...”

“Connor.” He stated simply.

You managed to smile a bit, “Thank you Connor.”

Connor stood up and went behind you to cut the ropes that held you down, “Please stay in this room for now. It will be safer for you here.”

You nodded in agreement and sat down on the bed that was on the side. Connor took his leave and shut the door behind him. He saw one of his fellow assassins and approached them,

“Keep an eye on our guest. If she does anything suspicious let me know immediately.”

“Of course.”

That’s it for now! Hope you enjoyed!

#connor kenway #connor x reader #reader insert #connorxreader #assassinxreader #connorkenwayxreader #readerxconnorkenway

[fantasyandromancelover]

Fairy Tail Weddings - Natsu and Lucy

Since it’s February the month of love I decided that for the month I would write down how the weddings of my favorite Fairy Tail couples would go. If you don’t like what you read that’s fine, no one says you have to but don’t be mean about it.

Natsu and Lucy’s wedding.

They would choose to get married in the Summer at night time because that way they could dance under the starry night sky. Natsu’s groom’s men would be Happy, Gray, Gajeel, and Laxus. Lucy’s bridesmaids would be Erza, Juvia, Levy, and Mirajane. Happy would be the best man (or rather cat) and Levy would be the maid of honor. 

Lucy’s wedding dress would be a ball gown due to her often being compared to a princess and it would be champagne and gold colored to highlight her association with stars and astronomy. Her hair would be styled up with a tiara on top and to top it all off she would wear an heirloom that previously belonged to her late mother. She would probably feel a little sad that neither one of her parents would be there to witness this happy day but one of her celestial spirits (preferably Aquarius) would assure her that her parents are very proud of her and happy for her.

Natsu would probably complain about having to wear a tux but still go through with it for Lucy’s sake with the only condition being he wears his scarf instead of a tie. He would insist that the reception have a buffet of food, considering he’s such a glutton. The groomsmen would probably crack jokes about how Lucy is too good for him and how she must be crazy if she’s decided to marry him. Natsu and Happy would get emotional about how things won’t be the same between them once he’s married but nevertheless they’ll still be best friends. Also like Lucy, he’d be a little sad about his father not being alive to see him get married but at the same time knows that somehow Igneel will be watching over him during the ceremony.

Wedding day comes and things start off a little out of place. (Never trust a cat with delivering tuxes). Natsu would probably forget that he has to prepare wedding vows and panics over not knowing what to say at the ceremony. He also fears losing his lunch during his first dance with the bride. Lucy would also be extremely anxious that Natsu would do something to botch the wedding so everyone keeps it a secret from her that he’s having some issues. 

But in the end things get worked out. Natsu manages to think of the perfect words to say to Lucy which come straight from his heart. After the wedding Natsu and Lucy share their first dance as husband and wife, outside underneath the stars and Natsu does not blow chunks. He then switches off to dance with Erza for the mother-son dance Erza because she’s his longest female "family" member and she is merciless with him on the dance floor. After the dance he and Happy pig out at the buffet which Lucy finds in proper but happily accepts that her husband will always eat like that. When Lucy tosses her bouquet it is caught by Juvia and when Natsu tosses the garter it is caught by Gray.

As the couple prepares to leave, Natsu has a surprise for Lucy. A send off of fireworks ignited by him which starts off well but then he gets carried away and accidentally catches fire to a lot of stuff. Natsu gets embarrassed by this mistake and worries that he ruined everything but Lucy exclaims that today has been the happiest day of her life and she wouldn’t change a thing about it. It ends with them leaving for their honeymoon and Natsu getting motion sickness because they have to take a carriage to get there. 

#fairytail #fairy tail #fairy tail nalu #fairy tail couples #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #Natsu and Lucy #natsu x lucy #fairytailanime

[izzyhunterscar]

Neko!Alois X Reader (Old Time AU?)

Some other world thingy older time AU

As one of the daughters of the Queen, you were no stranger to money and politics. Recently, nobles have been taking Nekos as pets, most of them being purchased in the black market. Since the enslavement of Nekos, owning a Neko was the new status quo. They were used as bargaining chips as well as entertainment in very illegal activities.

Royalty was never without corruption, so it was only logical that your mother brought you to a Neko auction and told you that you were to bid on any Neko of choice, since as the Queen's daughter, no one would even bid against you in fear of angering the Queen.

So here you were, dressed in a long form fitting dress and decorated with the finest jewelry money can buy. No one dared to stand in your way, the diamond tiara on your head sparkling in the dim lights. You walked in and up to the stage. You were no stranger to the underground auctions that were held. No matter how corrupt the system was, no matter how wrong things were, you would never try and change it. This was your life, royalty came with the baggage.

You held up your gloved hand. "Please bring out all of them." And with that the curtains were drawn back and the auction officially began. The finest bred nekos were lined up in cages on stage. Both male and female were large and strong, each baring their fangs. None of them seemed to catch your attention. The Nekos seemed to be aware of your status, each glancing your way occasionally when they were put up to bid. You stared back and kept your expression blank.

Finally the last Neko was brought out and you felt as if all hope was lost. The next auction wouldn't be till next month and you did not want to wait that long. 

The Neko who was brought out was thin and small. His whole vibe screamed feminine, his blond hair was styled and his blonde tail was between his legs. He had a scowl on his face, ears twitching in what seemed annoyance. You weren't sure what made you want him more then the others. He looked more useless then any other neko you've seen.

Before the auctioneer spoke, you raised your hand. "I'll take him." Your body guards retrieved the Neko and handed the envelope of money to the handler. 

"Good day everyone." With a wave of your hand, the auction ended and everyone made their way out of the secret auction warehouse.

Your bodyguards brought the cage to your carriage and set it down. "What would you like us to do with it, your majesty?" 

"Unlock the cage." You watched as the blonde neko glared at you. As shocked as your were, you knew that being bought was never a happy feeling. You weren't some pushover though. You reached in the cage and grabbed onto the collar around the boy's neck. "Up." You commanded as you dragged him into your carriage. 

He only continued to glare at you as your hauled him into the seat in front of you. The door was shut behind you and you threw him down onto the seats. 

You opened a compartment and pulled out a drawer of diamond collars with a diamond studded leather leash. "Pick a collar."

Still glaring at you, he pointed towards the collar that was completely covered in diamonds. "And stop glaring at me. That could get you killed ya know." You sat next to him and unhooked his other collar replacing it with your own and attaching the leash. "So what's your name? I'm (Y/n)!"

He made a face, trying not to glare at you. "Alois." 

"Well, Alois, you're mine now! So you better not embarrass me by glaring at me in public."

He blushed and stuttered. "I-I'm not yours! I-"

"Aww, that's cute. I'm just glad I got to you before they shipped you to the pound." You patted your lap expectantly. 

He sighed and put his head on your lap. "..what does that even mean...?"

You removed both your gloves and scratched his ears and you saw his tail sway. You giggled at his cuteness. "I don't know if you realized what mostly nekos are asked to do, but I doubt you could lift up anything half your weight. No one wants a defective pet."

He almost sat up and pushed you away, but he had to remember who you were. "I-I'm not defective!"

You scratched both his ears. "We'll see."

He couldn't lie how good that felt, but his sadness was most noticeable. You saw him look at you in annoyance again. "Oh wipe that look off your face. You'll love it with me!"

Even if he was annoyed by you, he couldn't deny that you were beautiful, he really wanted to see you bleed. Nothing interested him much and he was by far angry to be ripped from his home and sold off like a pet, but you were someone in power. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad for him after all. 

He smirked, watching you as you looked out the window, hands still running through his hair. He purred in your hand, leaning into your stomach. You turned back and looked at him. "Finally warmed up to me, you brat."

It's been two years since you've been together. While Alois had constant mood swings and was a little brat, he was smarter then he looked at helped you in various political and social deals. You both had gotten closer to each other, some spreading rumors that you were together with the amount of time you spent together. Owners never got too close to their nekos, but you were never found without him. He slept in your room with you and even sat on on your lap in the throne room, came to meetings and all your lessons, accompanied you as a guest to outings in the town and even posed with you in a painting.

Your favorite painting of the painting session was you holding him in your lap with his head in the crook of your neck, both of you looking out with content smiles. Another painting of you holding Alois lovingly sold for 1.5 million. It was surprisingly how many people actually wanted the rumors to be true.

Anyone who witnessed you together could feel the chemistry, your suitors did not like the blonde Nemo. He was a trail of his own. If they didn't get along with Alois, you would turn them away.

It was around the twenty fifth suitor you stopped accepting audiences. You had come to the realization you didn't need a gold-digger and it was never your intention to marry for political reasons, so you announced you were not getting married to anyone as of now. The message went far and wide, "(Y/n) (L/n), daughter of Queen (Mother's name), is no longer accepting suitors. When it is her time to rule, she will rule unmarried until she finds the guy fit for her."

Your attempt to stop the requests only made kingdoms send more potential spouses. No longer was royalty sent, any man, woman, monster, was sent from every kingdom in hopes of being yours.

The Kingdom of Royalty was one of the largest kingdoms with a military that continues to be told in the legends. And soon there would be a coronation crowning you as Queen.

Alois was tired of seeing others vying for your attention, you would never see them but they continued to take up your precious time.

"(Y/n)! Pay attention to me!" You heard the whine of your Neko, who was sitting in your lap.

"I have to decline all these messages. Unless you prefer me to accept someone so I don't get anymore?" You payed no attention to the blonde, who nuzzled and licked you continously. You felt him growl against you.

"No!! You only need me! Right? Those people are nothing compared to me!" A blonde tail wrapped around your wrist and pulled your hand away for your letters. 

"Great! You made me smudge the ink! Now I have to redo it!" You sighed, pulling your hand way from his tail and dropping it in exhaustion. "I don't understand how widely declining suitors gained me more. I should just get married and be done with this."

Alois glared at you.

"You know what I said about glaring, love." 

"But if you get married to someone other then me then you won't be mine! And they'll take all your time and you'll forget about me and you won't love me the same! They won't treat you like I could or love you like I do and they'll take advantage of you and then you'll be so far from me!! YOU CAN'T GET MARRIED!" The normally arrogant neko was reduced to both angry and sad tears. He whimpered and buried his head into your chest. He sobbed and sobbed, gripping you tightly. "Y-you can't leave me..please..."

Your eyes were wide at the confession. You knew for a while about your feelings, you knew that your love was seen as a stigma and you shouldn't feel such romantic love towards a half feline, but it felt so right to you. To hold him in your arms, to wake up and see his calm face in the morning, to have Alois by your side as you made important decisions. He was the one you were looking for. He was all you needed.

"Alois..." You lifted his chin up so he looked you in the eyes. "Let's get married."

His eyes widened in shock, but soon melted into your hand. "Yes, let's get married. That way no one else can take you. I'll be yours forever."

You pressed your lips against his softly and whispered. "And I'll be yours."

A/N

Ah our lovely bratty Alois, reduced to a lowly neko, but can never escape being spoiled. Hopefully I didn't make him to different, unsure what he would do in the circumstances but either way, you done sealed the deal with MARRIAGEEE 🤴🏼👸🏻🤵🏼👰🏻💏💍💍

-Izzy

random fact: there was going to be a small part at the end but I thought that this ending sounded better 😝

#alois alois trancy alois trancy x reader reader neko alois neko princess reader queen reader spoiled cute alois sub alois au

[mylordshesacactus]

Anyway for the record:

Fiona in this AU is a shepherd--small-time, private homesteader whose land isn’t really suitable for cash crops--and I honestly don’t think she owns a horse, as they’re expensive to keep and she doesn’t really have a use for one most of the time. I do think it’s possible she owns a donkey, as a shepherd living alone would have use for a versatile pack animal that’s hardier, smaller, and less expensive to feed than a horse. What she DOES have is a collie, because that’s literally non-negotiable for a sheep farmer.

May: Blood bay Arabian mare. It’s...this is not an inexpensive horse. It is not, like, easy, or realistic, or in many cases [checks notes] possible, to get an Arabian out here. May very obviously comes from SERIOUS money to manage it. But, and here’s the thing--while her little Arabian may stand out in a line of morgans and mustangs and quarter horses, it’s not an out of touch choice. That’s a completely appropriate desert horse--and Arabians are hardy, light on their feet, intelligent, they’ve got endurance for days. If you can get one, and you’re one of Robyn’s Girls TM--meaning you just tend to pop up wherever anyone needs help, whatever kind of help that is--so you need a dependable mount for a variety of situations? Nobody’s gonna judge you for your choice if you’ve got the money.

Joanna: Quarter horse gelding. Probably a bog-standard sorrel. Dependable, strong enough to carry a tall and powerful rider but this is a working horse so they’re also fairly small and compact. Smart, steady, and deceptively quick--they’ve got kind of a low, horizontal carriage naturally, which gives them a bit of a sleepy appearance, but if you’ve ever seen a quarter horse in a cutting competition their attitude is basically “that’s cute boss, you hold the reins if it makes you feel better; now sit back and shut up and let me do my job thanks I’m better at it than you are”. Quintessential cowboy horse, basically. May not be flashy but he does the job and he does it well.

Robyn: I actually think it’d be thematically appropriate if Robyn didn’t own a horse, honestly. She can grab one of the others and/or ride double if she needs to get somewhere in a hurry; I say thematically appropriate because if y’all recall I have Robyn running the Mantle tavern in this AU so she’s actually quite tethered to one place, and might not....need, to keep a third horse around the place. That, and in canon, she’s both a leader and a support fighter. Plus like....there’s symbolism, in the likelihood that a lot of the time Robyn’s first action upon arriving at a tense situation would be to dismount. Place herself on the level of everyone else. It means that most of the time, she wouldn’t be assessing a situation from the inherent position of power that is looking down at people from a horse--and, in a situation where the person she’s arguing with does stay mounted (cough Clover cough), it highlights the power imbalance and throws into relief the fact that the other person is consciously choosing not to dismount to match her.

Failing that, give the girl a good honest dun mustang, she deserves it.

As for the AceOps:

Clover rides up on some big white stallion, a heavy warmblood cross; big English-style dressage type, totally unsuited for the region. (Disclaimer, I actually personally STRONGLY prefer English-style disciplines over Western and, for example, don’t personally like quarter horses at all, while I adore a good warmblood. We’re talking about tropes, here.) He’s probably bombproof, very well-trained and all, because Clover’s a boring-ass cop; but that steadiness in this case comes at the cost of him being reactive. This is a horse that doesn’t think back at his rider, in a setting where the gold standard is that sharp-eyed quarter-horse cutter. He doesn’t fit.

Harriet is the exact opposite extreme; she’s got a dark bay racing thoroughbred stud, profoundly unstable as racing thoroughbreds generally are, very much the epitome of “gosh I wish my motorcycle had an acute anxiety disorder and the ability to make bad life decisions”.

Vine gets a cremello saddlebred stallion because saddlebreds are bad and weird and I despise them. Their legs are bad, their tails are awful, they’re gaited and gaited horses are terrible, and I personally hate every moment I have to spend looking at them. Much like cops. No but like, literally--Saddlebreds are uncomfortable and awkward and do weird things with their limbs, which is Vine’s semblance, and their “official” riding style is a) viscerally bad on every conceivable level and b) blatantly the result of too many rich people with more money than sense and excessive time on their hands. The goal here is that the AceOps just don’t....work.

Also Saddle Seat is legitimately the worst thing horse people have ever invented and anyone who competes in it I am legally allowed to hunt for sport.

Elm: Halflinger stallion. On the surface, halflingers are refreshingly sensible--a good all-purpose breed, heavy enough for draft work but light enough to right, a good choice for a tall, broad rider like Elm. There’s nothing WRONG with halflingers--but the level of control the breed club has and their requirements to be accepted into the studbook are INSANE. Seriously, google that shit. So, a perfectly sensible-looking horse that’s still deeply Rich People Nonsense in origin.

Marrow on the other hand rides a dark bay Morgan gelding. Morgans are phenomenal horses that very much Fit with Western tropes. What is a morgan? Good question! Nobody knows. Morgans are the pit bull terriers of the horse world. There’s like, technically a studbook, but...it’s just sort of A Horse. A dependable, sensible, pretty-but-not-like-TOO-pretty, versatile horse of all work, can do pretty much anything; jack of all trades, master of none, but all in all just a good and useful horse with no pretentious bullshit attached.

I didn’t put too much thought into this YOU put too much thought into this, shut UP--

#y'all better appreciate my restraint here #do you see the number of mules in this post? it's ZERO #ZERO mules #I didn't put a SINGLE mule in my wild west AU #THAT is my level of dedication to putting symbolism first #there is not a SINGLE MULE in this lineup

[two-plus-two-is-four]

The lovely @thelordofshadows suggested that I answered every question, probably after recognizing how hyped I was about Apaera, so here I go!

Answers under the cut because this is going to be a loooong post.

01. What is their favorite food? Overall, she prefers fruity sweets like baked apples. She especially likes anything cinnamon flavored. If desserts don’t count, then a fish stew.

02. Do they have a fear of an animal? If so, what animal? Not really. Unless the animals are corrupted somehow.

03. What do they wear to bed? Pants and a loose long sleeved shirt. Might layer a nightdress underneath for extra warmth.

04. Do they like cuddling? She’d be caught dead before admitting it to anyone, but yes and that says a lot.

05. Do they have a secret handshake with anyone? She prefers absurd questions or phrases, to identify people in disguise.

06. What do they look like? She has pitch black skin and hair. Her eyes have a silver iris and she is usually shrouded in darkness.

07. Do they like chocolate? LOVE chocolate!

08. What are their good and bad traits? Her good trait is her empathy, for most things living. Her bad trait is her stubbornness.

09. Do they have any artistic talent? Not quiet artistic, but she does know how to play a few melodies on the flute.

10. What is their favorite room to be in, in the house  they live in? The tallest part of the tower where she can gaze out from

11. Do they believe in luck? Yes, and she actually considers herself to be quiet fortunate. Lady luck isn’t always sweet to her, but she respects the ups and down as a bigger part of the chaos she thrives in. (As answered previously)

12. Can they do magic? Yes, she can cast the spells she’s blessed with. Usually illusion magic.

13. Do they believe in dragons? It’d be harder not to.

14. What is a pet peeve of theirs? When the person she is talking to vanishes.

15. What was the last thing they cried about? Besides from pain, the loss of someone important enough to stir up emotion inside her.

16. What is their sexuality? Generally uninterested, both sexually and romantically, so asexual aromantic. Before her transition to the being she is currently she hadn’t given it much thought.

17. Do they have a best friend? If so, who, and what makes them their best friend? Life long friendships are difficult for her. Besides the few she connects with during their life, probably someone with the same lifespan as her. A certain tiefling comes to mind.

18. Have they ever been in a romantic relationship? No, since her crush short of died, unfortunately. Her feelings are quiet numb either way.

19. What does their relationship with their family look like? Are they close? Distant? Ect. Her family by blood, she has long lost contact with. She doesn’t really recall them anymore, besides her little sister who she still thinks about from time to time. Her found family she is quiet close to, despite all of them having their own paths in life.

20. Do they have a pet? She had a few pets in their earlier years, but it was apparent to her that her lifestyle wasn’t really suited for an animal.

21. Do they have a familiar? Not for a while, no.

22. Are they a supernatural being? Yes, quiet a strong one too. A shadow.

23. How do they usually wear their hair? Short, with the sides shaved. Sometimes on a little horse’s tail.

24. Can they play an instrument? If so, what instrument and what can they play? As previously mentioned, she knows how to play the flute.

25. What type a high schooler are/were they? If she ever went to high school, she’d be a mix of a jock and a goth.

26. Have they ever been in a physical fight before? If so, with who? Who won? Quiet a lot, actually. Some she has won, some she has lost, but she survived all of them but one.

27. What is their favourite holiday? Midnight.

28. If they could have one wish, what would they wish for? Depending on her age, either for her soul to be complete again, or, after certain events, to aid a certain someone in which ever way they’d need, if you catch my drift.

29. Do they wants kids? If they already have kids, do they want more? She doesn’t want kids of her own, but she does like taking care of kids and spending time with them.

30. Do they have a job? She has worked quiet a few jobs here in there over the years.

31. Do they know how to drive? Like a cart? A carriage? Nope, but she can ride a horse.

32. Do they get stressed out easily? Quiet the opposite, if she is stressed out then shit are really going down.

33. Did they ever dye their hair before? If so, to what colour? Did they like it? As part of a disguise, perhaps, but never permanently. She didn’t really mind it.

34. Have they ever broken the law? Never, I swear to Cyric.

35. Do they own a plant? A little pot with a nocturnal lily.

36. Have they ever rode a horse before? Yup, in quiet a few trips.

37. What is their favorite gif?

Is there a reason for this? Yes, absolutely.

38. Do they get along with others easily? Yes, when she doesn’t tease around and poke at them

39. Do they have any tattoos? Not yet, not against it thought. Perhaps once she finds something special enough to her.

40. If I wanted to draw them, what would be distinct physical features that I would have to know to draw them correctly? Her eyes, the whites are actually black while the silver iris has a purple tint to it. Other than that, her nails, which she uses as a martial art’s weapon. Like claws.

41. What is their favourite breed of dog? All dogs are good dogs, but if she was to pick one, she’d go with something fluffy, like a samoyed or a husky.

42. Do they live with anyone? If so, who? She used to live with the people that trained her, then those that she trained. Monks and other shadows.

43. Where is their dream vacation? Somewhere across the great sea. Exploring is an acceptable vacation activity, no?

44. Do they know more than one language? Other than common, she speaks halfling and dwarvish. Over the years, she has also picked up thieves’ cant  and hand cant

45. Are they a quick learner? When survival depends on it. Though her wits are sharper than her memory.

46. Have they ever won a contest before? If so, what for? What did they win? Contest for worst sacrifice ever?

47. If the world were to end in 24 hours, where would they be and who would they be with? If the world was to end in 24 hours, that means someone’s plan went terrible wrong, so naturally, she’d be by someone’s side, trying to stop the world’s end.

48. What does their room look like? Unmade bed, desk filled with papers, pens, ink bottles, a half melted candle. Lot’s of clutter, spell components everywhere. Cloaks, hats and boots, all organized neatly in some corner along with other equipment. Little trinkets with emotional value pilled up high next to the gear.

49. If they could have an extinct animal for a pet, what would they have? Not an extinct animal, but she wouldn’t mind a pseudo-dragon.

50. If they got called out by someone, what would they do? Admit her mistake an try her best to correct it as soon as possible.

51. Have they ever shot a gun before? Prefers crossbows.

52. Have they ever been axe throwing? A few times, not their weapon of preference.

53. What is something that they want but can’t have? Her feelings to be returned by their crush and her soul to be whole again.

54. Do they know how to fish? Yes, she finds it quiet relaxing.

55. What is something they always wanted to do but too scared? Confess, though it wouldn’t make any difference. She is convinced that he already knows.

56. Do they own their own baby pictures? Nope, but she has an idea who would if she ever wanted them.

57. What makes them standout among others? The shadows leaking from her skin. Now if we are talking about other shadows, her empathy.

58. Do they like to show off? Perhaps..

59. What is their favourite song? Choir Noir - Shadow Moses Beneath the Mask (Cover by Adriana) Leonard Cohen - You Want It Darker

60. What would be their dream vehicle? Doesn’t really have one, teleporting through shadows is fine with her.

61. What is their favourite book? Lot’s of favorites over the years, couldn’t really name one.

62. Who, in their opinion, makes the best food? Anyone willing to cook instead of spawning food with magic.

63. Are they approachable? It depends on what she is doing at the time, but most times, yes.

64. Did they ever change their appearance? She sees no point to it, besides disguises.

65. What makes them smile? Hanging out with humans, listening their tales, about their lives, their every day worries. Old friends.

66. Do they like glowsticks? .. Doesn’t need the light exactly.

67. What is something that is simple, but always makes them smile? Dogs.

68. Are they a day or night person? Night person. 110%

69. Are they allergic to anything? Nightbringers and all other worshipers of Shar.

70. What do you, the creator of this OC, like most about them? Her unbreakable will and the tendency absolutely wreck havoc where that is needed. To be sacrificed to a cruel god who feeds of your pain and misery and at that instance decide that instead of caving in your misery, you will instead become the worst sacrifice they’ve ever received by laughing at their face.. Idk man, I think that takes some balls. (As previously answered)

71. Who is their ride or die? Again, a certain tiefling comes to mind.

72. Do they currently have a significant other? If not, are they going to get one later one? I mean, a girl can hope.

73. What attracts them to another person? Freedom, knowing that the people around her will never hold her back.

74. Who is one person that can always make them laugh? Drasek Riven, he doesn’t even have to say anything. He can just be there.

75. Have they ever partied too hard and their friends had to take them home? Yes, not a fond memory of hers’.

76. Who would be their cuddle buddy? Whoever would be brave enough to recognize that she is actually touch starved.

77. Who would cheer them up after a long day? Usually, she is one to stay alone, so when she is in need of company, she’ll just start up a conversation with a stranger.

78. If they had a nightmare, who would they run to? By now, she is used to nightmares, but if she could, her brothers and sisters are who she’d go to. She wouldn’t say anything, their company is enough to calm her most of the times. When not, meditating in an empty dark room usually helps calm her down.

79. What object to the care for the most? It’s not the object it’s self but the information in it. A small book with maps of all the places she has visited.

80. Do they like other people’s children? Yes, love to hang out with them and love to look after them. The little sprouts are really entertaining.

81. How would they react if someone broke into their home? Three stunning strikes? They are bound to fail at least one. Questions will be asked afterwards.

82. Does anyone make them have butterflies in their stomach? Nope, surely not, she is a coldblooded thousands year old being. Of course, there is no one in this plane that makes her feel that way.

83. What is something that they are good at? Taking care of others, listening, paying attention to their reactions.

84. What is their neutral expression? A little scary, but she usually smiles.

85. Do they like to cook? For herself and for others.

86. What is something they can’t leave home without? Her mask.. Even if worn around her writs, she still needs the security of being able to cast spells.

87. Who is someone that they rely on? The asshole who gives her her spell slots.

88. Do they liked to be tickled? Hard pass. Dislikes when people touch her out of the blue.

89. Have they ever been a sword fight before? Is it considered a sword fight if she wasn’t holding a sword?

90. What is a joke that they would find funny? -Then perish- jokes.

91. Do they have a place that can go and turn off their brain? Usually any room without much light, otherwise, a closet will do.

92. What was their childhood like? She doesn’t remember a lot of it, but she know she was happy. One of her few memories is of her and her little sister playing explorers in their mother’s garden. The years after turning to a shade she also considers a short of childhood or at least teen hood as she had to readjust and find new balances in her life. It took her a while to figure out how to care for people again when she could hardly feel anything, but little by little she managed to give up her spite. Those years were the roughest for her.

93. What are they like as an adult? After her second “puberty”, she learned to be quiet more free spirited, relaxed and easy going thought with certain events that happened in her life span, her spite towards a certain group of individuals reignited.

94. Do they take criticism well? Most of the times. She wants to generally improve herself.

95. Have they ever jumped out of a plane? Well.. Not a plane, no. But I can imagine her jumping off of a floating city.

96. Who do they like to make jokes with? The bastard that gives her her assignments.

97. Have you ever drawn them before? If you are comfortable with it, would you post a picture?

#oc: apaera #ask game #long post

[worryinglyinnocent]

Fic: The Midnight Train Going Anywhere

Summary: Writer Belle French meets Nicholas Rush on the Night Riviera sleeper train, and proceeds to try and work out everything she can about him without actually talking to the man. After all, he'd make a very interesting character in her next book. Rushbelle.

Written for the @a-monthly-rumbelling picture prompt, available here.

Rated: G

CW: Mild blood/gore (nosebleed)

Note: The Night Riviera is a real service from London Paddington to Penzance. It leaves London just before midnight and takes over 7 hours. I've been on it.

=====

The Midnight Train Going Anywhere

Her father would have fifty fits if he knew that she was travelling alone in the middle of the night, but Belle didn't care. The train was almost empty, only one other person in her carriage. It was the slow sleeper down to Penzance, and most of the travellers would have booked beds in the other carriages. Belle had never been able to sleep properly on trains, so she didn't even try, sticking with an ordinary seat. Much cheaper, too.

She had always preferred travelling at night. During the day there were too many other people around, chasing connections and losing their luggage, and just generally behaving badly. At night, everything was calmer, quieter, and there was room for Belle to breathe and daydream. At the beginning of the journey she'd taken out her notebook, intending to write until they reached Exeter at least, but she hadn't even opened it yet. She glanced over at the man in the carriage with her, across the aisle, a couple of seats down. He was paying her no attention, papers strewn over the table and a huge cup of coffee beside him. He was totally absorbed in what he was doing, and Belle found herself making notes about him. He looked like an academic of some kind. She'd met enough of them during her travels to know the type. He wasn't dressed sharply enough to be a businessman, and he seemed to eschew technology like laptops and tablets in favour of good old-fashioned pen and paper. Much like her, in fact.

He was in his forties, Belle guessed, his dark hair beginning to show a little grey at the tips and temples. Studious brown eyes behind his glasses. He'd make an excellent character in her new book. It was almost something out of Brief Encounter, two strangers meeting on a train. Then again, it could also be something out of Strangers on a Train, and that was a lot less romantic a thought. She pushed it to the back of her mind and continued her appraisal of him.

He seemed completely oblivious to her presence and her eyes on him, and she appreciated being able to scrutinise him like this. Everyone else that she had observed as a character study had the usual sixth sense when it came to being watched, and she'd often been caught staring and ended up looking away quickly, breaking her concentration.

He was a good-looking man with a maturity in his features, and for a moment Belle felt a pang of disappointment when she saw the wedding ring. She wondered what his partner was like, trying to paint a mental picture. Probably academically inclined like he was, but opposites attracted after all. If he was in sciences, then his partner would be in arts. He looked like a scientist. Belle would be annoyed now if he turned out not to be. Still, the character that she was building around him was a mathematician, his head full of numbers and not a lot of practical sense. This man looked practical, though. If heavily caffeinated.

The guard came into the carriage to check tickets and tell them that the buffet was closing in ten minutes. Although he seemed oblivious to everything else, the man definitely heard that, and he jumped up, draining his coffee cup and heading out of the carriage for a refill. Belle looked around. She was definitely alone now, and she chanced to creep over to her travelling companion's table and take a look at what he was working on.

She'd guessed correctly - maths, or science of some sort. There was a stack of papers that were obviously graded work, and he certainly didn't flinch in failing his students. The rest of the notes seemed scattered and haphazard, one long run-on equation that stretched over several bits of paper, including a few napkins. His ticket showed that he was travelling from Oxford, and Belle wondered why he was going all the way to Penzance.

"Can I help you?"

She looked up with a start to find that she'd been sitting there opposite his seat for longer than she'd realised, and the man was back. He didn't look put out by her presence, more just mildly amused, and he slid back into his seat with his coffee, taking out his pencil and going back to his equations. The faint scent of cigarette smoke hung around him, and Belle wondered how he was going to get on, trapped in a smoke-free train for seven hours.

"I'm sorry. I'm too nosy for my own good. I'll leave you alone. I just wanted to see what was gripping your attention so much..." She tailed off on seeing his face, the tiniest quirk of a smile amid the increasing annoyance. "I'll leave you alone."

"By all means stay, just don't be distracting."

Belle shook her head and scuttled back to her own seat. Her eyes never left him. The brief interaction had only piqued her interest, because in addition to everything else that she had found out about him, she now also knew that he was very Scottish.

Belle put her notebook down and buried her nose in her novel instead, determining to think no more about him. She nearly succeeded; she’d got three chapters in and had just about forgotten his presence in the carriage with her until he let out a rather squashed and flat-sounding sigh, and she couldn’t help but glance over at him.

He was leaning back in his seat, eyes closed, attempting to staunch what was an incredibly impressive nosebleed.

“Lean forward.” She didn’t even know why she’d spoken; it wasn’t any of her business how he chose to treat nosebleeds which, if his expression was anything to go by, were a common occurrence.

He cracked open one eye and looked at her.

“Lean forward, not back,” she repeated. “If you lean back then the blood starts running down your throat.”

He gestured awkwardly to the paperwork spread out over his desk, indicating that he did not want to drip on it, and Belle found herself leaving her seat and going over to his table, making to move the papers there. He batted her hand away.

“You’ll ruin it,” he muttered, and his voice would have been snippish had it not been so nasal. As it was, he just sounded like a sulking child. Belle rolled her eyes and took his arm, guiding him over to an empty table. Once there was no danger of his precious paperwork being ruined, he dutifully leaned forward and accepted the wad of tissues that Belle handed to him.

“Do you get nosebleeds a lot?”

He nodded. “Too much caffeine and too little sleep. Ever since…”

The sentence tailed off and was left dangling ominously, but Belle didn’t push it, and they did not speak again until the worst of the blood flow seemed to have stopped. She still felt that she ought to make some attempt at conversation. The moment was a tricky one, a moment of weakness and vulnerability for her travelling companion, and everyone reacted to such moments differently. She wanted to say something, but she didn’t want to make an already awkward situation worse, and draw attention to the sudden intimacy of finding oneself in such a state in front of a stranger.

“I guess the combination of caffeine and insomnia explains why you’re in this carriage rather than in a sleeper berth,” she said eventually.

He nodded, moving the wad of tissue away from his nose and checking gingerly that the oozing had stopped.

“Never could sleep on trains anyway,” he grumbled. “I thought that there would be less distractions on the sleeper and I’d get more work done.”

“Same.”

He looked at her, and gave a huff of dry laughter. “I guess I’ve ruined our plans there then.”

Belle shrugged. “I wasn’t getting much work done to start with. At least I have an excuse for not working now.”

The man absented himself, leaving the carriage to go to the bathroom and clean up. Belle stayed sitting at the spare table. Now that the moment was over, she probably ought to go back to her own seat and get on with writing. He probably wouldn’t appreciate her still sitting there when he got back, especially since up until the unfortunate nosebleed he had seemed to be rather productive.

Nonetheless, she did not move, and when he returned, he came to sit opposite her again rather than going back to the papers spread out over his table.

“Thank you for your help.” He was looking very embarrassed, but with a sort of resignation to it, and air of ‘well, this might as well happen’. “Sorry for snapping about the papers.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m the same if someone moves my things when I’m storyboarding plots.”

He raised an eyebrow. “An author?”

“Indeed, for my sins. Arts and sciences, forever destined to be at odds.”

“Would I have read any of your books?”

“That depends. Are you a fan of noir-style detective fiction?”

He shook his head. “Not really my thing.”

“Then probably not.” Belle held out a hand. “Belle French. Or I.L. Chevalier, if you ever do have an urge to read about detectives in trench coats standing under lamp posts smoking cigars in the rain.”

“Nicholas Rush.” He shook her hand.

“So, may I ask what takes you from Oxford to Penzance?”

Nicholas grimaced. “It’s not the kind of errand you share with strangers on a train.”

“Fair enough. I’m hoping to get some inspiration for my new book. Everything’s been set in the city so far, and I think I need a change of scene before it all becomes stale and samey.”

“Well, I hope that the journey proves fruitful.”

Belle smiled. “It has so far.”

There was a pause as Nicholas caught her meaning and he groaned.

“Please tell me that I’m not going to be murdered in the first chapter.”

“No, you’re safe for now, even though your nose did produce enough blood to be a veritable crime scene. The guard’s going to wonder what on earth happened.”

“My wife used to say the same. Every time she saw me with a bloody nose she’d ask who I’d pissed off this time.”

Being a writer, Belle was very good at picking up the nuances of language, and she had to wonder at the use of the past tense in reference to the wife. Still, she’d only just met the man, and as attractive as he was, it wasn’t her place to start asking questions.

The train slowly came to a stop, pulling into the first station, and Nicholas got up to go and sneak a smoke on the platform before it set off again. Belle took her cue to move back to her own seat, and she picked up her pen, words flying over the page as the new character took shape. Whatever the real circumstances were, fiction would always be her saving grace.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence, both of them stealing the occasional glance at each other, and smiling when their eyes met. There was something about being the only ones awake on a sleeper train, alone together in the witching hour, that gave them a certain camaraderie. By the time they were pulling into Penzance, daylight was streaming in through the train windows, and Belle was ready for her bed.

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Nicholas,” she said as they collected their bags from the luggage rack and stepped off the train. She rummaged in her pocket. Maybe it was forward of her, but nothing chanced, nothing gained, and she held out her card. “If you ever need a friend in Penzance, look me up.”

Nicholas smiled. “I’ll do that.”

Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe they were destined to be strangers on a train who’d shared a night’s travel together and nothing more. Whatever came of it, however, Belle would always remember him. She clutched her notebook a little tighter to her chest. Her journey was already incredibly inspirational.

#A Monthly Rumbelling #rushbelle #anyelle #Nicholas Rush #Belle French #rushbelle fic #meet cute #pre-relationship #Fic: The Midnight Train

[themadsamurai]

Town of Phoenix Concet

A new series I’ll be writing soon.

<Town of the Phoenix>

In the country of Easifa (storm), there’s a tale of a peaceful town that worshipped a fire bird as their goddess. Thanks to their worship, the goddess bestowed the power of flames upon their bloodline. The elder of this town knew that the royal families would not approve of this revelation and implored his citizens to keep it a secret. But the younger generation disagreed, it’s not like they were doing anything wrong with these powers. They could protect Easifa from foreign threats. The elder was right and the royal families were afraid of these powers. The country was a place of mysticism but never have they ever been able to use the powers of a goddess. What if one of these citizen defect and an enemy country obtains these powers?

The royal families sent thousands upon thousands of soldiers to this city to slaughter all of its residents. The goddess, distraught by the death of her followers blamed herself for bestowing them these powers, went into a state of depression and disappeared. The royal families proclaimed that should any survive resident of this town be discovered, they will be labeled children of evil and slaughtered.

300 years later and easifa is now a country with immense wealth and riches but looks to make up for their sins of the past. Unfortunately they are plagued by Creatures such as jinn (ghosts) and Raeb (blood suckers). A young farm hand named Cain discovers that he can summon the Phoenix Goddess Fire. Cain becoming curious about his past starts looking for answers when a near death experience causes him to meet the goddess herself Homura. She asks him to find her destroyed home and return her spirit to her temple. After some reluctance, he accepts. He journeys throughout Easifa with his Best friend and jinn hunter in training Dalia (A charming girl with a hidden bloodlust), her tiger cub pet Amyr and a man who says he collects souls named Mahaz. His powers capture the attention of the Militia. Who send two of his old friends, Lt. Rekka and his younger sister Rubina… (the also have a pet lemur named Sparx) who are determined to figure out of their old friend is a danger or a hero to Easifa that they were looking for. Along the journey the Trio will learn secrets about the country, becoming stronger as individuals and maybe even save Easifa from its misfortune on the way.

Main Characters

Cain Ishihara - Was a farm hand who discovered he had the ability to summon fire. Formally gave up during the middle of Militia physical. While he is a passive individual looking to do right he can get selfish and stubborn when his curiosity takes over. While he is looking to get Homura’s spirit home, his interest in his home hometown takes president. He has blond hair that reaches the back of his neck and long bangs that fall in front of his face; black eyes. Average height but slim fit build. Long black boots, White linen pants. Black male Kimono flaming cloud design top with red edges. He has a red katana that’s sheathed in a red scabbard that has the same flaming clouds on it.

Magic Focus: Flame

Dalia Volkov - a Jinn Hunter (in training). Cain’s best friend and self professed “wing man”. A bubbly optimistic that also has a darker side when she gets into battle. She put her jinn hunter training to the side in order to journey with Cain. Very long Auburn hair kept in a long long tail to the side; Blue eyes. Tall, slightly shorter than Cain. Well endowed but fit figure. Brown boots, cream color harem pants. Cream colored sleeveless blouse with brown leather corset. White bangle wrapped wrist bands. Two scimitars with black hilts and white scabbards with black flowers that rest on her lower back.

Magic Focus: Spiritual/Split Mind

Amyr the tiger - Dalia’s pet sabertooth tiger cub. Always by her side. With the power transfer magic, he can turn into an adult and assist in battle. As a baby he has light orange fur and black stripes. Also a noticeable scar on his forehead. As an adult he tripled in size and gets two extra curved tusk fangs.

Magic Focus: Transfer

Mahaz Abad -A Traveling mercenary, Mahaz has seen some shit. Despite his appearance, mahaz is a chill dude that always plans ahead. He got the nickname Soul Taker From being accused of a massive murdering spree. long messy black hair, black bandanna on his head with red swirl designs, brown eyes. Very tall, muscular individual with light brown skin. Black heavy flip flop sandals, red sirwal pants, a sleeveless collared black vest with red swirl designs and red bracelet. He has a long black pole staff. With blood magic it becomes a scythe.

Magic Focus: Repulsion/Blood

Homura the Goddess - the phoenix goddess herself. She yearns to return to her home and task Cain to do so whom she met when he nearly died. Homura is elegant and kind but as a goddess has a slight temper. Especially when Cain ignores her. She has saidto have feelings for Cain to Dalia but doesn’t pursue because she’s a goddess. She’s a giant flaming firebird. Her humanoid appearance has long red hair that reaches her back, red eyes and a golden headband. She is curvaceous and beautiful. But wears a large white kimono with red flames on it.

Magic Focus: Flame/Healing

Rubina Nazar - a low ranking captain of the Easifa militia, Rubi as her friends call her, is stoic and calm on the outside but is actually kind and sweet. A brilliant fighter, she is known as the piercer thanks to her rapier. Cain and her have had an intimate relationship in the past. She had short black hair in a bob cut and emerald eyes. A fit figure with ample curves. The Easifa uniform is simple blue getup. As a captain she has two stars on the right breast pocket of her uniform. Casually, she usually wears beige bootcut pants and pink medieval style blouse with black boots. She has a blue hilted rapier with a handguard that extends past the hilt. She also has a silver revolver with her at all times.

Magic Focus: Boost step

Lt. Rekka Nazar - the newest lieutenant of Easifa militia and the older brother of Rubi. Rekka is still getting accustomed to the responsibilities that fall on his shoulders. Rekka is considered a prodigy but new school ideas cause him to but heads with the general constantly. Rekka is hot tempered but cunning. His previous nickname given to him by Cain was Buckshot cause of his obsession with guns. He has short black hair but also a mullet in the back and emerald eyes. A y’all individual, He wears a similar uniform to Rubi but it has 3 stars in the breast pocket and red line going down the left arm. Casually he wears black boots. Brown straight pants and a white shirt. He always has two sawed off shotguns on him. Tends to carry a rifle and combat knife on him too.

Magic Focus: Ice/wind

Sparx the lemur - Sparx is the nazar family pet and sidekick. Usually seen resting on Rekka’s shoulder. Sparx is protective of his family and will jump at anything that hurt Rekka and Rubi. He has white fur and a patch of red fur in the shape of a triangle on his chest.

Magic Focus: Boost step

Akeem Chai - Rekka’s right hand man. He’s not the brightest but excitable and always looking to prove his strength. Akeem is a rarity in the militia as he prefers to use his fist, feet and magic to fight instead of an abundance of weapons. He is also the estranged son of Dr Chao Xhen but only Rekka and Rubi know that. His hair is a brown quiff that almost goes into pompadour territory. Blue eyes, blackrim glasses. He is fit and thick. There is only one star on his uniform pocket because he is yet to be a captain. Casually he wears blue ripped harem pants and a black shirt. He usually is not wearing shoes.

Magic Focus: Equivalent Dmage

Dr. Chao Xhen - the traveling Doctor of Easifa. The Doc can be found in his giant carriage working on his potions and tending to all the citizens, mostly the militia. Even then he can be found once in a while in his 3 offices. But the chances of you being there on a day he is quite rare. The Doc is called mad by the people, some wonder if he actually studied but none can argue he gives results. The older man has wild grey hair that is never combed and blue eyes. He has a rough beard and moustache and enjoyed the feeling of scratching it. Normally he’s wearing brown overalls and boots with a gray shirt and sometimes a white coat but honestly he usually just throws stuff together. Chao is always flipping a quarter. He enjoys the sound.

Magic Focus: Luck

Tae Kagawa - the quiet, almost antisocial assistant of Doctor Chao. Tae was sold to the black market as a young child but saved by the Doctor. He’s one of the people she genuinely cares for, calling him father. Although he doesn’t want her to call him that. She is the person usually managing his schedule and getting him to places when someone actually needs help. She has blue dyed hair with bangs that falls long on the right side of her face and brown eyes. She has a petite frame and tends to wear a white or black dress.

Magic Focus: Study Eye

General Mashru Rafiq - the commander general of the Easifa militia. He’s in the twilight of his career much to his own dismay. He’s not a fan of the changes that Easifa is going through and butts heads with Rekka because of it. His goal is ultimately eliminate all the creatures infesting Easifa. One way or another. He is an older man with slick bald white hair, yellow eyes and a very long beard. His uniform is black and has 5 stars on the breast pocket. He always carries 6 revolvers in his jacket and a long scimitar at his waste.

Magic Focus: Earth

Villains

Lucian Alexander - the 499th King of the Raebs. He is a legendary hero to his people after defeating and exterminating the Raebs long rival species the Mayit (dead walkers) in his youth. Lucian is a terrifying and ruthless individual but also is clinically depressed in his age. Looking for the last bit of excitement in his life, he seeks to plunge his home country of Easifa into an all lit war with the humans. Once the creatures rule the country, he will step down and name his son Stefan as the 500th king. Lucian is very secretive, it is said those who stumble into his castle without invitation is never heard from again. He is a tall man with long flowing black hair and red highlights. Goatee and handlebar mustache. His left eye is white, right is red. Fangs and three scars on his cheek. He wears a suit with black, white and red colors. And white handkerchief in his breast pocket. He carries a stylized sword with a red hilt, gold handguard and broad black blade.

Magic Focus: Varied/Blood

Ramona Alexander - the wife of Lucian and current Queen of Raebs. She is a born succubus but became half raeb after her passionate relationship with Lucian. Ramona is a yandere… madly in love with Lucian to this day and will do anything to seek his attention. In his depressed state he tends to ignore her which leads her to scheming up ways to catch his eye, even staging an affair in front of him. Some say she is more ruthless than Lucian, desmating any woman who looks at him lustfully. Ramona is also protective of her son who she deems will be a greater king then her husband. Ramona is beautiful, curvaceous and thanks to having a mix of succubus and raeb blood, youthful looking. She has long purple hair that reaches her calves; a bang always covers her left eye (which are both dark blue). Her fangs are smaller than most. She wears a long black dress with red on the end and white flowers covering the dress. Black heels as well.

Magic Focus: Arousal/Blood

Stefan Alexander - prince of the Raebs, he is half raeb and half incubus. Stefan can’t wait to be king. He’s brash, arrogant, a playboy and smart. Even though he has so much respect for his parents, he is aware that soon they will have to settle down or die in battle. Stefan always is at the front lines looking for a fight. Much like his parents, he is easily bored. His solution is to go out to the human world, have some fun and cause destruction. Some feel that half raeb should not be king, he always changes that person's mind by leaving them close to deaths door. He has short black hair and purple highlights, two red eyes and small fangs like his mother. He wears a white medieval style dress shirt, black shoes and black pants. He has a sword similar to his father but also has a scimitar with a broken blade which he uses to toy with weaker opponents.

Magic Focus: Arousal/Blood/Ice

Rosawld Rosario Rodini - the mad clown, Roswald has a strange connection to Jinn. Jinn normally have no ruler and tend to run on instinct, but roswald can manipulate them, making him a huge asset to Lucian. No one is sure if he’s a jinn himself, raeb, or even human. While he is an ally to Lucian, he prefers to be called a subordinate. Never taking credit for large scale plans. Roswald is a master of disguise and violent jokester. Always looking to see if anyone can handle his madness. He is a skinny man with messy green hair and yellow eyes. He has clown makeup, white painted face, red x’s across his eyes and a red lines along his mouth that make it look stitched up. He wears candy cane looking pants, white with red stripes. Magician shoes. White shirt, blue vest and red jacket. He also carries Bayard model hand gun on him.

Magic Focus: Transfer/Luck/Study Eye

Dizarah - She is the last of the Mayit. Once a slave to the Mayit king, She is now Lucians vanguard captain. She is entrusted with protecting the prince much to her dismay as he tends to prefer to wander alone. Dizarah enjoys killing humans because they were the ones who created and became the Mayit. Her own people who tortured her before Lucian saved her. She is tall but skinny girl with short black hair and red eyes. 90 percent of her body is wrapped in bandages, including her face, leveling only her hair, eyes and mouth free. The bandages tend to hang off her body and can extend and be controlled by her. She doesn’t wear anything over her bandages at the top but wears a blue ripped skirt and black boots.

Magic Focus: Undead/Repulsion

Xavier Scalebound - the lizard man and leader of Lucian’s Sahalia (lizard people) army. They are the most defensive specialist species in all of Easifa. Lucian recruited there people who were being oppressed by the Mayit and fed to Jinn. Xavier is cunning milterist. He almost never has to jump into battle as his planning and strategies of his army overwhelm his opponents. Xavier personally trained Dizarah in combat and oversees the protection of Prince Stefan. His body is covered in red scales. His stomach has some missing in an x shape which is said to be a scar that Stefan gave him. He has wild red hair flowing from his head and messy short black cloth pants. His weapons of choice are a battle axe, mace and curved scimitar.

Magic Focus: Water/Lightning

#originalstory #TownOfPhoenix #anime #manga #action #adventure #madsamurai

[mai-stories]

The Florist and the Mercenary - Chapter One: A New Bloom

Blue skies and clear water was all anyone could need when it came to gardening, especially if they lived in an abundant field. The wind blew and scattered clouds formed on the horizon, signaling a storm was coming. A young woman, barely even an adult, stood out in the fields, basket in arm as she collected flowers to sell in the city. She needed the money, not for food or rent, but for travel. A long trip had been planned, and selling these flowers was her only source of income, her only way to pay. After loading up as many as she could, she formed a bubble of water in the bottom of the basket to keep them fresh longer. 

It was as normal as breathing, being able to use magic like this. Sure, someone with Flora magic could grow fields upon fields of blooms in a matter of minutes, but it was the authenticity of hard work and care that made hers so special. After locking up her small rented home, she slid her key into her pocket before beginning to head out. The capital city of Woodmoore was not too far from her home, maybe half an hour's travel if she paid a carriage to take her. Walking was out of the question, as she had to sell her flowers soon. After giving the man five silver, she told him her destination, the carriage taking off down the dirt road. The time slowly passed by, the wagon stopping at the city stables and letting her out, the long haired girl stepping out.

Woodmoore housed the Arcanium Assembly, the governing party over all of Elestrona, the truly magical continent many humans and not called home, and oversaw matters from wartime to those of the magic variety. A collection of the greatest minds and magic users to ever set foot upon soil. It wouldn't take long to reach the market square, the girl nervously looking around. She was much too timid to sell anything here, preferring to just talk to a trader alone. Woodmoore was filled with its typical hustle and bustle, ever daunting and mysterious for one so timid and inexperienced with such a place. Lone people, happy couples and families walked around at their leisure. Vendors and traveling merchants hocked their wares, the latter boasting about their limited deals while they were in town!

 "Spell Gems! Specialty spell gems for sale! Wands, too! Imbued with fun cantrips for the children! Watch at the ends sparkle and blast off bright fireworks into the night sky! Turn frowns upside down with a flick of Tenebrai's Wand of Smiles!" One enigmatic character stood atop a vividly, almost garishly decorated carriage as he energetically exclaimed to all he was one of many merchants dealing in magic items. After bartering quietly with the local merchants, she managed to earn about thirteen gold and eight silver for her basket of flowers, not nearly as much as she wanted but it would do.

The capital was home to a Guild, Grand Magia, where mages of the continent seeking fame and glory and prestige came to take on fantastical quests of adventure and danger! At a pretty copper far beyond what most in the city apart from those in Platinum Rise, the wealthy, sophisticated section of the capital city, could afford. There was also the cheaper, seedier option. A number of bars advertised their mercenary clientele, a  rather denoting title, but as people would take on requests for work at vastly more affordable pay for the common folk... It was fitting. One such place was The Lamia's Tail, a dimly lit structure that smelled of smoke, stale and fresh as patrons blew it from between their lips. Middle aged, salt and peppered bartender included, gruff patrons now and then, the crowd appeared rough, though remain quiet. It didn't seem that much different from any other place.

After selling off her flowers and taking her money, the girl was at a loss. She needed a hired hand to aide her in her trip, but with only thirteen gold, she couldn't afford a pricey sellsword from one of those fancy guilds, her only option to hire someone from less desirable backgrounds. She found The Lamia's Tail, hoping she could find someone to help her. She took a deep breath before entering, her eyes on the floor to avoid eye contact. Her appearance was anything but rough, quite the opposite in fact. Pale, flushed skin and soft hair that hung in long, indigo strands past her body and tucked behind her ears, she was a regular fish out of water. 

The girl said nothing as she looked around, trying not to make eye contact with the more weathered and tough looking patrons. She wanted help, but didn't want to get grisly murdered in the process. She found herself a table in the back, keeping her gaze low as she berated herself for even entering a place like this. Eyes followed her, some curious, others curious. Other eyes followed those curious stares and not the innocent soul that wandered into this dank and stale driftwood dive bar.

 "Hellooo!" A voice sang far more jovially than the imagination could have envisioned for a place like this. He took a seat across from her in a blink, this curious and meek creature who would have sank into her shell, and that shell within another, if she had that luxury. He was grinning, eyes naturally narrow and yellow irises peered past, slightly pointed ears, each with gold piercings, and narrow features gave off an elven lineage. At least one of his parents were elven, it seems. Hair golden blond and spiked up behind a bandanna that covered his forehead, he certainly gave off a friendly air! 

"I hope you don't find me rude, but you sure don't belong in a place like this! No no no, you're way too cute!" He spoke with a smirk, his golden grin wide as he settled into the seat.

The girl looked up when she heard a much too happy voice, her slate blue eyes taking in his rather flashy appearance. He didn't seem to care that he was a beacon of flair, just begging to be robbed if he didn't watch out.

"I.. I'm here on my own accord." She answered rather carefully, not explaining her motivation or any other reason for being there. "I only came here for assistance, not for food or drink." She added, her gaze still lowered as if she was talking to thin air.

There was a certain fragility to her, as if at any moment, her skin would break if he breathed too hard in her direction. She appeared docile and meek, reminiscent of a doll, with porcelain skin and long flowing hair. A silver chain around her neck hinted at a necklace, but she had kept it tucked away from prying golden eyes. The elven man put his hands up and his jovial demeanor subdued, preferring to keep the conversation between them and not attracting double the attention from every eye in Lamia's Tail. 

"I could guess. That's about the only reason a girl like you would ever set foot in this crap hole." He offered a friendly smile and a salute. "The name is Ernest. And that's exactly what I am! If it's assistance you're looking for Missy, ten gold and you've got mine! I don't even care what the job is! I'll take care of it for ya!" The blond half-elf offered that same flashy grin, baring a couple of golden teeth this time.

"My name is Lily." She introduced when he gave his name, only finding it polite to do so. His offer was a bit more than she bargained for, as it was most of her money. She could still find a way to make more, if she truly needed it. He was friendly towards her, even if he was nothing but gold and grins. "The job I'm offering isn't difficult, but it is long. I need to go to Port Hollifern, down at Hollifern Bay. I can't go alone, so I was hoping... to, well, find help getting there." She said quietly, clutching at her apron as she looked back down at the table.

"Would ten gold cover the fee of escorting me all the way to Port Hollifern?" She asked, wanting to confirm the price before she made any show of money. She didn't want prying eyes to know just how much she had on her, so she hoped he'd accept payment when the job was done rather than her paying him now and having him abandon her halfway to her destination.

"The carriage routes don't go all the way to the beach, just town to town. I can't afford to take carriages the entire time." Lily mentioned, looking back up at him. It was true, as the carriages weren't equipped for long travel, but passengers from town to town. This prevented bandits from attacking carriages that needed to make long trips, so unless she had a personal carriage, it would be a trip on foot. Ernest rubbed his chin and chuckled.

"Ten covered my fee, sweet cheeks! That's my Ernest guarantee!" He said jokingly, giving the long haired girl a sly wink. He laid his arms down and four fingers drummed on the tabletop on a steady rhythm. 

"Port Hollifern... Hollifern... At the southern tip of Elestrona, Hollifern Bay?" Ernest questioned, curious and slightly taken aback. He blew a low whistle, looking at Lily as she gave a couple of nods.

"That is quite the journey..." Ernest seemingly mulled over just what was being requested of him here and came back with that same grin, "Ten gold and we'll be on our way... In fact, since you didn't just brush me off, I'll only ask for five gold upfront! Quite a steal, huh?" The blond half elf held out his hand to accept the money.

"You'll be in Hollifern in no time at all. That's my Ernest guarantee." He smiled broadly, as did his eyes, peering at the demure girl across from him. The way he was speaking made her all the more uncomfortable, but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. He was the friendliest looking person in the room, after all.

"All right, five gold now, five gold when we get there." She agreed, pulling five gold coins out of her pocket, holding her hand out with the money gripped inside. She had to trust him with this, her own eyes unsure as she looked into his. He was friendly and charming in a fiendishly fox-like way.

"Have you been there before?" She asked softly, seeing as he knew where the bay was in relation to the city.

Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all, she thought, her anxiety calming down now that she obtained a bodyguard. Ernest nodded to her as he took each piece of gold and bit down, testing its material. He gave a sheepish smile once he was done, each coin afterwards was polished off and pocketed.

"Habit I've picked up. Sorry about that, Missy. I've been all over Elestrona in my line of work. I typically go for the 'escort and delivery' sort of gigs anyway, so taking you from point A to point B is right in my wheelhouse!" He said as he stood up and bowed, gesturing toward the door. 

"We can be on our way now if it pleases the good lady! If you have any shopping that needs doing, get it done now, because as soon as our boots are on that dusty trail there won't be no stopping us!" Truly a golden beacon of enthusiasm Ernest was, wrapped up nice and almost too neat in a friendly bow. Naive was definitely what came to mind when it concerned Lily, a slight smile on her face as she stood up. She took a moment to check if she had everything still in her pockets and hidden on her person. There was all kinds of trickery based magic, so she didn't want to be completely deceived by this man.

"I'll need some provisions and equipment, but I have water taken care of." She told him as she followed him to the door. This went better than she had expected, though her new companion still had not earned her complete trust. The diminutive girl walked out of the dive bar, still clutching her apron as her heart pounded. Why was she still so anxious? The porcelain skinned doll with long indigo locks was followed out into the bright and shiny daytime rays, flanked by a ray of sunshine that was Ernest. At the bar well behind them, a fellow in white squared his shoulders and a lowered his head with a deep sigh well out of earshot of the two. Under his breath, his deep voice grumbled, "Dammit..." The bar goer downed his drink and tapped twice, calling for another without a word.

#original #story #fantasy #adventure

[impracticaldemon]

Fairy Tail ~ NaluWeek 2018 ~ Bonus Prompt Drive

He Drives me Crazy by impracticaldemon for @nalufever with thanks

“It’s gonna happen.”

“It’s so not gonna happen.”

“Luceeeeeee!”

“We do not need a car.  We do not want a car.  You get sick in cars.”

There was a moment of tense silence.  Then Lucy tried once more to find out what was going on.

“I just don’t understand, Natsu - why this sudden mania to have a car?”

“...Okay, we can just rent one.”

“And again, I ask -”

“Because.  Just because.”

“Then no.  Just no.”

“They won’t let me rent one.  Something dumb about some minor problem in the past.”

“You’re a little hard on upholstery.  And buildings.”

They were both more than a bit stubborn, to put it mildly.  ‘Like two heads on the same damn donkey’ was Gajeel’s comment, a week ago.  Lucy hadn’t objected to the subsequent fist-fire-metal-fight, although she’d made a point of taking herself and her drink out of the vicinity.  Not that she hadn’t secretly been cheering for Natsu, but he’d really annoyed her about - well, something - right before Gajeel had annoyed her more.

“Luce?”  Natsu sounded uncertain, which was unusual.

“Natsu... you know I want to help... and you know I have a ton of confidence in you when it comes to most things... but I can’t risk our savings without knowing why.”  They hoped - Lucy hoped - to get a bigger place soon. Bigger than Lucy’s apartment, more practical for the bathtub- and convenience-minded than Natsu’s place, as great as it was in terms of size and setting.

“You should just tell’er, Natsu.  Best plan, after all.  I mean she’s gonna find out as soon as -”  Happy was interrupted by a muscular arm around his middle and a strong, blunt-fingered hand over his mouth.  Natsu could move really fast when he had to.

Lucy closed her eyes.

“Natsu - if I’m going to find out anyway-”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.  I just needed a little help getting the car.  For a week.”

“Give it up, Dragneel.”  Lucy raised an eyebrow, but there was a gleam in her eyes that told Natsu that curiosity was winning over frustration.  Plus - and this was the best part - she loved him.  She’d always loved him enough, as a friend and as a lover, to hear him out.  Mostly.

“Fine, Heartfilia.”  

Lucy cracked a smile.  As much as she had once all-but-hated her family name, these days she was proud of it.  Even her father had redeemed himself in the end, and she had to accept that some of her drive and competitive spirit came from him.  Plus... Natsu had helped make it special for her, simply by insisting without fail that she was who she was, and he wanted her with him.  These days, they used each other’s last names as a sign of affection.

The words came out in a rush.

“I-made-a-kinda-bet-that-I-could-drive-for-the-new-speedy-delivery-company-for-a-week-and-win-top-driver-only-I-thought-they-provided-the-car.”

Lucy applauded her fortitude when she asked, “Why?” without breaking a sweat or shouting.  Then something occurred to her.  “Wait... JUST WHAT DID YOU USE TO MAKE THIS BET?!”

“If I win, it would be enough to fix up my place just the way you’d like, Luce.  I know how much you’d prefer that to another apartment...”

Lucy took a deep, fortifying breath.

“Your savings. You used your savings.  I can tell.”  She closed her eyes, because that’s what her characters always did in her stories when they were being cool and not losing their tempers.  “So if you lose, we can’t move anywhere.”

“I won’t lose.”

“Natsu-”

“I know, I know, I miscalculated a little. But come on, Luce, none of the other drivers’ll be mages as powerful as I am.  I can power that car so fast-”

“Why wouldn’t other mages participate if there’s so much cash to be won?”

“Oh, well, according to the place that runs the delivery service, most mages figure it’s beneath them.”

“So the bet isn’t with Gajeel, or Gray, or something normal?”

“No,” Natsu replied scornfully.  “They don’t really have the kind of money we need, plus, they’re not seeing the big picture.”

Lucy considered her options.  She sensed a con.  A delivery company might want fast, competent drivers, and they might host a driving contest, but the idea that you had to provide your own car and cash up front to enter was deeply suspicious.

“Natsu, what if it’s a hoax - you know, what if it turns out that your, um, potential employer has taken your ‘stake’ and left with it?  I mean, they’re probably counting on your motion sickness - because that became less of a secret after the Grand Magic Games - to cause you to forfeit the money.  But what if they’ve just, you know, taken off with it.”

The smile left Natsu’s face immediately, and his eyes narrowed dangerously.  He was a little naive, and had a tendency to prefer leaping to looking, but he was in no way dumb.

“Then they’re about to learn all about messing with a dragonslayer, and it won’t be pretty.”

“Okay.  Now that I know about the surprise, why don’t we both go have a chat with them?”

“You got it.  I’ll be bad cop, and you can be angry-girlfriend-of-bad-cop.”

“Deal!”

“And if it’s not a con, they you’ll rent me a car.”

...Right.  She’d forgotten about that.  Welp, nothing else to do:  “Deal.”

Natsu and Lucy had learned all about moving at speed when they needed to.  Plus, Natsu had the best nose for tracking in the business, as well as a shrewd sense of where people trying to run might go.  Just half-a-day later, Lucy was sitting with Virgo by the side of a little-travelled road, watching Natsu handle a very frightened group of would-be-swindlers.  He was smiling at them.

“So, I was wondering why you all left town in such a hurry.  I mean it sounded like you really wanted drivers for your new outfit!  Or maybe you’re trying out this coach service?  I’m sure they’re just fine” - Natsu grinned amiably at the driver, who cowered when he saw fangs - “but they’re not as fast as me!”

“N-no, obviously not...” murmured the lead swindler, with a sickly smile.

“But maybe you doubted my driving experience,” Natsu continued, turning serious.  “And I gather that there are a few people around Magnolia and even beyond who do too.  So I’m here to put your minds at ease!”

Lucy pulled out a bag of sweet popcorn and started to eat.  Happy sat beside her with his own bag of treats.  It was quite companionable, really.

Natsu casually started unhitching the horses.  Horses were always a bit skittish around him anyway, so a firm tap on the rump sent them running.

“See?  I can drive horses.”

“But!”

“Well, I can drive them away, anyway.”  Natsu gently lifted out the box with his savings and carried it over to Lucy.  “Would you hold my box, dear?”

“Dear?” Lucy stared at him, but he blithely went about unloading the other boxes and bags from the carriage. 

“Oh, and see, I can drive carriages pretty well too!”  Without even breaking a visible sweat - although Lucy detected a hint of magic - Natsu hefted up the front end of the carriage.  He took off at the run, then managed an abrupt, skidding stop while hurling the nicely-upholstered vehicle up over his head.  It landed perfectly in the middle of the road quite some distance away, and continued along at a great pace, jouncing and bouncing along as though fleeing for its life.

Suddenly, the swindlers discovered Natsu back among them, his smile even more maniacal.  Lucy passed some popcorn to Virgo, who ate it daintily, her chains chiming musically.  Happy was chortling gleefully.

“M-Mister Dragneel, sir, um, we think you may have misunderstood us, um -”

“No, no, I’m quite sure I didn’t.”  Natsu moved the largest of the trunks to an open spot and regarded it thoughtfully.  “Lucy, does the word ‘drive’ include ‘driving’ my fist through the top of this box to make sure that there won’t be any other items missing from Magnolia’s fine citizens?”

“The word ‘drive’ is, in fact, open to many meanings and is used in many idioms, as I mentioned last night,” Lucy told him, trying to school her features to innocently angelic and failing.

“Oh, good.  Well then-”

“Argh! No! Stop!  You’ll break everything!”

But Natsu had already driven his fist through the tough wood and leather lid.  Once the would-be thieves had had time to feel properly horrified, he melted off the lock, and lifted the lid - showing them that he’d punched a perfect hole through the material without so much as a scratch or dent to a single item below.

“You see, dear ersatz employers,” Lucy said in a friendly way, to the fully-cowed group in the road, “Natsu does drive quite well.  He’s an expert with his fists, for example - extremely useful for driving in nails when there isn’t a hammer handy.  He also knows exactly how to drive me crazy-”

“- In a good way, right Luce?”

“- In a few different ways, some of which aren’t anyone’s business but ours.”  Lucy strolled over, finishing up her popcorn.  “And now that he’s driven you out of business, I’m going to drive the point home that it NEVER”- the men flinched as Lucy suddenly seemed a lot angrier and more scary- “pays to mess with mages.”  She snapped her fingers behind her like a crime boss.  “Virgo!”

“Yes, Hime-sama?”  Virgo was loving this, Lucy thought.

“Bind these miscreants and drive them back to town the old-fashioned way!”

“Y-You don’t mean-” gasped the lead miscreant.

“Yup,” Natsu chimed in.  “You’re walkin’.  Next time maybe you’ll think before driving good folks to desperate measures.  I mean, look at me!”  Everyone looked at him, although probably only Lucy was admiring his fine biceps and shoulders.  “I’m starving!  I had to give up a proper breakfast to catch up to you guys before lunch!”

“But!  Look at these shoes!  I can’t possibly walk in these!”

Everyone looked at the man’s shoes.  They did indeed look very tight and pointy.

“Oh well,” said Lucy airily.  “Maybe you can discuss the situation with my friend here.  Though I should warn you that Virgo knows how to drive a hard bargain.”

Natsu snickered.  “Yeah, I think we’re done here.”  He gave the unhappy swindlers a last, fanged smile, then took Lucy’s hand and started to walk away.

“We’re really leaving them to Virgo?” Lucy asked quietly.

“Yep.  Besides, we - Virgo and I - made sure the coach isn’t too far down the road.  I figure we can get part of our renovation money out of those losers if we let her scare them a little.”

“Isn’t that... extortion?  Kind of?”  Lucy was very taken with the idea of the extra money, but one had to have standards.

“Nah, it’s a fee for services that they very much want rendered.  The horses’ll turn up thanks to whoever’s fetching’em back--”

“Sagittarius.”

“--Right.  So, you know, stop worrying.  Besides...” Natsu slid an arm around Lucy’s shoulders, pulling her closer. “You’re driving me to distraction in that outfit.”

“Okay, points for idiom use, but first of all, I wear this outfit all the time--”

“--Which explains a lot, really.”

“--And second of all, I think even I am done with the verb ‘to drive’ now.”

“Ah, sweet lady, y’ehll drrive me tae drrrrrink!”

Lucy clapped her hands over her ears.  “I don’t know what’s worse: your accent, or that word!”

They were now well into the woods and on the path that would take them to a separate carriage home.  Natsu stopped, turned, and tightened his arms around Lucy.  Happy muttered something indecipherable, and flew off in a hurry.

“Natsu...”

Warm hands were moving slowly down Lucy’s back and sides.  A slightly raspy tongue teased her ear, making her squirm a little.

“I just wanted to give you what you want, Lucy.”  The words were a little indistinct.

“All I really want... is for us to live life to the full... together.”

Lucy pressed her mouth to Natsu’s neck and shoulder beneath his scarf, and put teeth and tongue to good use.  For several minutes, neither of them spoke.  The temperature went up several degrees in their vicinity, puzzling the local plants and insects.  Eventually, their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss.

When they were forced to pause for breath, they found themselves panting, but laughing.  Life was good.

“...Bet I could too drive a car, though,” said Natsu, with just the hint of a challenge in his voice.

“Maybe you should stick to driving other things for a while,” suggested Lucy.

Since she had pressed herself - or he was holding her - very tightly against him, Natsu felt zero inclination to argue.

���Deal.”

[END]

Tags:  @eliz1369 @hidetheremote @sabinasanfanfic @canadiangaap @shell-senji @unashamed-shipper @naluloverforever @strawberryliaelleth @miss-zei 

@fic-writer-appreciation

#fairy tail #ft fanfiction #naluweek #nalu #prompt drive #impracticaldemon #imp writes

[laythornmuse]

To Have Your Heart

Prologue

Chapter 1

1.5 years later

Claire tilted her head slightly as her fingers methodically picked out shards of glass from her patient’s hand. Bryce Cameron, the Apothecary’s son, was known to be clumsy, but this was the third cut this month. It’d been a week since she took the bandage off his burn and now this was looking to be a stitch-worthy gash. 

“Really Bryce, you should be more careful,” she murmured, pouring hot water over the wound carefully.

“Well, I won’t regret saving the lavender pot from taking a tumble on the floor,” he said with a grin.

“Lavender! The seedlings from England your father was expecting?”

“The verra same. It’s got bonnie sprigs too. Much more fragrant than the local kind. Da can’t wait to start selling the buds.”

“I don’t blame him. Oh, I’m terribly jealous of you,” she said with a smile, rubbing a salve into his cut. In the next room, the front door opened, the bell clinging as it shut. Claire moved to greet the visitor when Mr. Bramish’s voice sounded.

“Claire?” He called.

“Back here with Bryce,” she called.

Mr. Bramish turned the corner and tsked at the bloody wound on Bryce’s hand.

“Really lad, you’re going to make me think you’re cuttin’ yourself on purpose soon,” he said with a wink that paled Bryce’s face considerably. Mr. Bramish smirked but turned back to Claire.

“I have a visitor with me but we’ll be talking in my office. When you’re through with Mr. Cameron here, lock up the front and get on your way home lass. Setting your first broken leg is harrowing enough for a day, but ye did just fine.”

Claire smiled at Mr. Bramish’s back and turned back to Bryce who stared at her.

“You set a broken leg? By yourself?”

“Hardly. It requires a lot of strength, and Mr. Bramish oversaw the whole thing. But yes, it was…would it be horrible if I said it was exciting?” She said with a laugh and Bryce chuckled.

“I know how you mean it. Really, Claire you’re a wonderful healer, and to have Mr. Bramish singing your praise is no small feat.”

She smiled and was about to ask more about the lavender when she heard Mr. Bramish speaking with Lucas, the surgeon at Fort William. Lucas came to Broch Morda once or twice a month to visit Mr. Bramish and compare notes on patients. Claire’s eyes met Bryce’s and he nodded his head as Claire finished the last stitch. They crept over to the wall adjacent to Mr. Bramish’s office and pressed their ears to the wall, grinning at one another foolishly. Mr. Lucas encountered some of the most horrific injuries treating those who passed through Fort William, and for someone as eager to learn as Claire, his encounters and treatments were always a thing of curiosity to her.

“That damned Randall,” Mr. Lucas began in a hushed tone accepting a glass from Mr. Bramish.

“Randall,” Bryce mouthed at him and Claire nodded solemnly. Mr. Lucas always spoke of Captain Randall in hushed tones, and given the stories he recounted, she didn’t wonder why.

“The boy was 16, Alistair, and he was poor enough by the look of him.”

“The charge?” Alistair Bramish asked.

“Theft of a meal’s bread. For that, He got 20 lashes,” Mr. Lucas sighed heavily. “The boy was broken by the fifth, wailed for his mother.”

“Christ. You poulticed his back then?”

“Aye, for 6 days. Not that it mattered.”

“Did he pass from infection?”

“Nay. That would have been a more merciful. The boy hung himself on the seventh day. Did a nasty job on it too. Poor lad suffered greatly before the end.”

“For God’s sake, why?”

Silence permeated the room and Claire shifted, pressing her ear tightly to the wall.

“I…examed the body. It appears someone was gaming with the lad. He had…burn marks and beeswax on his body that had no business being there. And there was blood running down his pant legs…”

Claire pulled away from the wall, holding a hand over her mouth. She swallowed and looked to Bryce whose face was pale again.

“We should go,” she whispered, and quicker than she thought possible, she had the front room locked up and was out the door.

“Are ye all right?” Bryce asked, halfway down the road to her home.

“Yes. Just, disturbed I suppose.” Claire paused and turned to Bryce.” To be tortured to such an extreme…to make one want to die…”

“It’s unfathomable, bless his soul,” Bryce said softly, crossing himself. “But Black Jack Randall is known for his cruelty. He stays in the inn sometimes and Mr. Bramish always seems to gain some patients when he does.”

Claire stopped in the road suddenly, just inside the archway to Lallybroch. In the courtyard stood a carriage with two trunks loaded to the back, and one on the ground by the front door. Brian Fraser was speaking with the driver and waved a hand at Claire in greeting.

“Bloody hell,” she cursed. “Jamie’s home.”

Bryce let out a sigh. “Well, I guess I can’t wait longer then…”

“What…”

Bryce pushed his lips against Claire’s in such a sudden manner she sputtered from the shock of it.

“Bryce!” She spat out, shoving him away and shooting him an angry scowl that had him cowering a moment later. “What the bloody hell!”

“Yell at me tomorrow, aye?” Bryce said, looking through the archway and paling considerably. “And let me know your thoughts on the matter?”

Claire huffed as he turned tail and started a brisk pace away from Lallybroch.

“I should think its quite clear!” Claire shouted.

“G’night Claire!” Bryce shouted back, turning the corner of the road.

Shaking with anger, Claire turned and nearly collided with Brian Fraser.

“Was that Bryce?” Brian asked, slightly bewildered. Claire felt her cheeks growing warm as her mouth worked to close itself.

“Mmhmm.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. I didn’t think he’d ever get the nerve.” Brian said, raising a brow at Claire.

Claire’s color took on the color of Ellen’s roses as she gaped at Brian and then briskly walked past him. To her dismay, he followed close behind.

“It’s a good match, my dear,” Brian said, a bit too loudly for Claire’s comfort. “I’m sure Lambert…”

“Please don’t mention this to my uncle,” Claire pleaded, slowing enough to meet Brian’s eye.

“His father was already inquiring your uncle about you.”

Claire closed her eyes briefly and let out a breath. There was no pretending it didn’t happen then. She heard Jamie’s voice echoing through the house, and that, compounded with the last few minutes, sent her running up the stairs calling out a soft “welcome home” to Jamie as he appeared in the hall.

She heard Jamie respond and call after her, his tone soft and pleading, but Claire was determined to find solitude, and closed her bedroom door tightly behind her. She pressed her back against the door, exhaled, and let herself crumple to her feet.

She didn’t come down for dinner, but instead wrapped her robe tightly around her, and settled in front of the hearth, letting her mind wander to Bryce, Mr. Bramish, and finally to Jamie. Her eyes flitted to a stack of unopened letters from him, neatly piled on her desk. He hadn’t written her directly in three years when the letters started appearing six months ago. She had read the first one, worried something terrible had befallen him health wise for him to reach out to her directly, but upon finding his scrunched penmanship and flippant conversation, she felt a quiet disdain begin to build as annoyance and anger flooded her. After that she ignored his letters, feigning indifference the one time Brian inquired about them.

Hearing her name on Jamie’s lips, in a deeper timbre than the one she knew, had shaken her shattered nerves and left her feeling naked. With her wool shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, Claire stared into the fire, wishing its heat could calm the restlessness in her bones and the tremor in her heart.

The next morning, Claire woke early despite the darkness of the morning. She scrubbed herself pink, washed her hair, and worked it into a neat braid, wound and tied up with a ribbon. Dressed neatly, she was determined to get out of the house and into town before the house woke. If she could just buy herself a few hours, or even days to figure out…

“Good Morning.”

Claire jumped, startled by the figure who stood by the main window, fully dressed and equipped with a mug of steaming liquid. His eyes locked on hers as she fidgeted with her hands before shoving them into the pockets of her skirt.

“Oh, hello.”

Jamie straightened away from the table and turned towards her. He watched her face as her eyes fell and scanned over him to the second cup sitting on the breakfast table.

“Ye always woke with the larks when we were children. I expected that may not have changed so…”

“I see,” Claire said softly. She stepped over to the table and took the mug in her hands, settling her back against the opposite wall so she faced him. She took a tentative sip and nearly spat out the over-sweetened tea as she struggled to control her face.

Jamie winced and chuckled. “I, ah, should have guessed you don’t take that many sugar cubes anymore…”

“Not since I turned 14. Lord, that’s sweet. What was that, 4 sugar cubes?”

“Three cubes was your preference. Enough to make my teeth ache,” Jamie muttered but searched for her eyes. “Here, take mine.”

“No its all right. I should be going anyway. I have to clean Mr. Bramish’s surgery this morning.” She set the mug into the sink and turned, surprised to find Jamie within arm’s distance, and his fingers nervously drumming on the table.

“Aye, I’ll walk with ye then.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Ye walk by yourself?” He asked. Claire’s shoulders tensed.

“Since I turned one, I think.”

“I meant…”

“I know what you meant.” Claire spat before she could stop herself.  “Yes, I walk by myself. I’ve lived in this town my whole life and could probably make the walk asleep.”

“I ken that…”

“Then good day to you, Jamie.”

Claire walked out of the kitchen and grabbed her cloak by the front door. She pulled it over her shoulders and stepped out into the October morning. When she heard the front door open and shut a few moments later, she could not help rolling her eyes. 

Clearly, this discussion was not finished.

“What are you doing?” Claire asked, turning to him.

Jamie saw the flint in her expression and decided an alternate approach was needed. “I happen to be going the same way as ye.”

“Is that right? And just what were you hoping to procure?” Claire asked tartly.

“Oh, this and that. Odds and ends. Either way, I’ll walk with ye if you don’t mind.”

“Fine.”

She heard his broad steps quicken behind her until he caught up to her side, slowing his pace then to match hers. They walked in silence until they were out of the courtyard. A few paces down the street, he let his shoulder bump into hers gently, eliciting the tiniest smile from her, the first he’d earned all morning.

“I didn’t get to talk to ye last night since you retired so early,” he said. “But Jenny shared a few tales about your pastimes. I’d like to hear more from you.”

“Not really much to tell,” Claire said softly.

Jamie shot her a dubious look. “Your training with a surgeon and have nothing to tell?”

Claire sighed, exasperated. “Well, certainly yes there are things to tell but nothing you’d appreciate.”

“How do you know that? I’ve always taken an interest in your work.”

Claire stopped at the crossroad and turned to face him. “Well, you don’t need to anymore. I’ve gotten quite used to not having your input.”

She quickened her pace after those words, leaving Jamie gaping at her as she turned back towards the road.

“You’re cross with me, then?” His hand landed on her shoulder and turned her back to face him.  “I tried to explain as best I could…”

“Explain what?”

His face crumbled at her confused look. “Did ye not get my letters? Is that why ye didn’t write me back?”

“I got them.  I didn’t read them.”

Jamie’s brows furrowed. “Why wouldn’t ye…”

“I didn’t…” Claire looked away now, as she pushed the rising feeling of shame down.  Damn it,  she would not regret her choice.  “I didn’t want to.  Jenny told me briefly of your woes and so I figured it was more of that…”

Jamie huffed. “More of…”

“And frankly, I’ve been very busy so I figured you’d get whatever advice you needed from Ian and would settle the rest in time, so…”

Jamie stared at her, his face growing redder by the minute as blood rushed to his cheeks in both anger and embarrassment. He released a loud breath through his nose and leaned towards her as his fingers stilled where they rested in his belt.

“My letters…I’m sorry they inconvenienced you.” Jamie’s eyes fixed above her head as he nodded and looked toward town.

Jamie continued down the path, and Claire hesitated as she fell into step slightly behind him. Her face fell as she watched the muscles tense in his back.  For the first time since his return,  she let herself look at him.  He’d always been tall, but now he was a full head taller than her.  His shoulders had widened, and his red hair curled in cropped ringlets about his head.  The roped muscles in his arms were visable even through his good shirt, and when joined to the widened shoulders and strong jaw sparsely stubbled with red...

“Is this it?” Jamie called,  having arrived at Mr. Bramish’s establishment.  

Claire stopped short, nearly running into him.  His eyes cut to hers and Claire saw there what she’d been trying to not to see, the eyes of the small boy who befriended her seven years ago.  

She nodded and stepped between him and the front door. He would not meet her eyes.

“Jamie…I’m...”

“Be home before dark,” Jamie muttered as he turned away from her. “Otherwise I’ll be coming to collect ye.”  

“Has the oils helped the burns, Mrs. McClarren?”

Claire held Camille McClarren’s burned forearm in her hands.  After weeks of treating the burn site with cooling pastes, and then maggots to clean away the dead skin, the skin was finally strong enough to handle topical oil massages.   Despite her initial complaints,  Mr. Bramish had assured Mrs. McClarren that it was a good sign she could still feel the pain.

“Oh Aye, thank ye, Claire.  It keeps me from scratching the new skin off, that’s for certain.”

Dunkin McClarren,  the 5-year-old son of the McClarren Bakery down the road,  ran the length of the surgery from the front door to Mr. Bramish’s office in the back.  Dunkin was a giggling mess now that Mr. Bramish has joined the game,  shouting in surprise every time Dunkin ran through his door.  Claire applied more oil into her hands and rubbed it along Camille’s arm, smiling as Dunkin bumped her hip and continued on his run.  

“You’d think I’d put a fire under him by the way he runs about,” Camille tutted, a small smile still playing across her lips.  Dunkin let out a shriek as he crashed into the legs of a new patron entering the surgery.  

“Dunkin Fitzgibbons McClarren! You STOP that this…”

“Och, dinna fash, Mrs. McClarren,” Jamie chuckled as he patted Dunkin on the head.  “Though, I do not know ye, young master.  The last McClarren I met was just a wee bairn.  Ye cannot be him.”

“It was me for certain.  I’m only five.”

“James Fraser, you were but a wee bairn when I saw ye last. The four years seems to have grown you a bit,” Mrs. McClarren said with a grin.

“It did, thank ye, misses.”  Jamie’s eyes found Claire, who frowned back at him. 

“Claire, are you ready?”

Claire had her eyes trained on the window where the sun was painting the sky a deep purple.  

“It’s not dark yet.” 

“Och, dark enough,” Mrs. McClarren stated,  gathering her things and her tired child.  “Thank ye, Claire.  I’ll see ye in two days time?”

“Yes, but no stoves yet.”  

“Aye, my husband won’t let me near them.  Good evening Mr. Bramish!”

“Good Evening, Camille!”

Claire looked at Jamie and pursed her lips.

“You’re early.”

Jamie poked his head out the front door and looked back at her.

“Do you mean for the moon to be fully risen by the time ye start home…”

Claire was about to let a sharp retort leave her lips when she thought of their earlier exchange.  The day had been bleak,  with several infections and more worsening illnesses than healing ones.  She let her eyes meet his, and let her exhaustion and sorrow show for the barest moment...

It was enough. 

Jamie walked over to her and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. 

“I didn’t mean what I said earlier...” she started. 

Jamie smirked. “I think ye meant a good deal of it, Claire.”

She furrowed her brows. “Perhaps but I...”

“Claire, are ye ready to walk hom…oh.” 

Bryce appeared in the doorway, his eyes finding Claire’s and then widening in a quiet horror as they fell on Jamie.  Beside her, Jamie bristled. That answered any questions she had about Brian sharing what he saw.  

Right then. How to handle this...

Chapter 2

#To Have Your Heart #outlander fanfiction #laythornmuse #christmas gift #LTM To Have Your Heart

[skittidyne]

tagged by the amazing @h-lovely!

List all the things you’re currently working on in as much or little detail as you’d like, then tag some friends to see what they’re working on.

This can be writing, art, vids, gifsets!

uhhhhhh look i think we all know what i’m capable of so i’m not apologizing for what this list contains. but hey, some short snippets!

1. bbac 27: 

“Guess you can’t do anything worse to him with all of that flopping about,” Taichi reasons, and Kenjirou shoots him a dirty look. “Where’s Tendou?”

Wakatoshi lets out a particularly pained sound, and Kenjirou hastily helps him from listing to the side so much.

“Is this something your healer friend can fix?”

Wakatoshi shakes his head, just once, then his head lolls so steeply that Kenjirou is horribly worried it might just fall off his neck. He feels sick at the thought.

Instead, Wakatoshi dies, still propped upright.

Athena lets out a warbling screech.

2. political intrigue 36: 

“You’re staring,” Koushi says, gaze still out the window of the carriage, chin in hand, lips quirked just the tiniest bit to reveal his affections.

Daichi likes being one of Koushi’s affections.

“Perhaps I’m still in awe that I’m wedded to such a beautiful man,” Daichi says, half a lie, and relishing the lack of silver on his wrists.

Keiji snorts unattractively.

Daichi ignores him.

3: the will to protect 5: 

“How much of this did Shirabu make you rehearse to say to me?”

“That’s not what you said next in the script,” Terushima replies, then dares to crack a smile.

And Futakuchi smiles right back.

Everything is still raw between them, but at least they can share the couch (at opposite ends) and talk. At least Futakuchi can kind of feel human with caffeine in his system and… when was the last time he ate? He can’t taste the bagel but his stomach welcomes it.

“You have a ring?” Futakuchi asks around the lip of his cup. “Like… a magic one? I thought there weren’t any more.”

4. snowed in sinja fic: 

Ja’far accepts a horn of something strong-smelling with a benign smile.

He tries not to drink at public functions. As much as he loathes it, he and Sinbad have worked out a seamless system of passing drinks back and forth to make it seem as if Ja’far has finished whatever spirits have been given to him. Sinbad can hold his alcohol far better, and he is infuriatingly satisfied at Ja’far being the one to hand him more.

But at least a satisfied Sinbad means he is less likely to misbehave in other ways.

As the story lulls—a necklace is not as impressive to show off as a sword had been, after all—the inevitable comes up.

5. fake dating 6: 

Mai wasn’t picking up her phone.

Kenji, all things considered, thought it a little fair to show up at her house. He wasn’t thinking, sue him. Or maybe he was thinking too much. Either way, he needed someone to talk him down from homicide. Or maybe just screaming himself hoarse in the rain like a cliche movie.

Or, more likely and worse: ruining his friendship with Aone—or making things with Kamasaki impossibly worse.

6. kaga’s bnha au: 

“You said you saw Oikawa-san,” Kageyama says, awkward as all hell. Hajime looks up at him, and Kageyama automatically studies the far wall, trying too hard to seem casual. “I didn’t see him in any of the files, sir.”

“I can see that.” Oikawa Tooru is nowhere to be found in any of this. None of the photos of the hostages or the few villains captured match up. Several more got away, but no one had heard anything about any hostages taken with them. It’s possible there is more to this, things the police or heroes aren’t aware of, but a human being doesn’t simply disappear into thin air.

Twice.

But Tooru isn’t here. Hajime sees not a hair from him, including statements from other hostages. True, it’d been chaotic, and he doesn’t expect strangers to pay much attention to each other while they’re scared. (More training he’d undergone: learning to forgive civilians for being scared, for being inattentive, for being imperfect.)

Hajime sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose, and tells himself he’s too old to go through the stages of grief for a cold case six years old.

7. daisuga oneshot: 

“It’s a contrast thing,” Suga adds, smoothing both hands along Daichi’s thighs until they reach his briefs, “so maybe something like schoolgirls, except without that weird power dynamic. I really prefer thinking that I’m going to fuck my very handsome, very wholesome husband than some young girl I’d be in charge of teaching. Teaching is very unsexy, anyway, I don’t know why people are into it.”

“You’ve never seen yourself in glasses,” Daichi can’t help but reply.

“I look in mirrors. We can’t all have the burning desire to come on glasses like you do.”

“I have never once shamed you for your weird fetishes, and now you come into my house, and tell me I can’t come on my husband’s glasses—ow!” Daichi glares down at Suga again, and Suga grins against him, teeth bright against Daichi’s leg where he’s biting him. And not at all in the sexy way.

8. tequila might make kurama’s clothes fall off but yusuke and hiei sure don’t: 

“Please elaborate on that,” Kurama says, flatly.

Yusuke doesn’t give much thought to backpedaling or trying to figure out what sort of delicate demonic sensibility he might’ve offended, because well, his comment had been worded to evoke a reaction. He puts up both hands in surrender, because no one needs to get fed to flowers today.

“Don’t get your panties in a knot, I didn’t mean it like that,” Yusuke says, and Kurama’s expression doesn’t waver, though somehow it warms, just a few degrees. Yusuke wonders when he’s gotten so good at parsing out Kurama’s subtleties, but he supposes he’s always kinda been good with people. Demons, too, apparently.

(Maybe it’s just because he spends so much goddamned time staring at Kurama’s face. Probably not.)

9. kozume kenma’s guide to... something: 

“You’re moping!” Shouyou exclaims like he’s delighted by the fact that Kenma suffers from normal human emotions.

Except he doesn’t. At least not the pining, sulking, moping kind. Pining is for a far-away release date. Sulking is for when Tora calls him short. And Kenma just doesn’t mope at all.

“That one,” Kenma says, nodding down the bar to a young man with a ponytail and a lot of freckles.

“No bet,” Shouyou declares. Kenma turns to glare at him. “That’s Tadashi! He’s in my class, and he’s half-tanuki. You won’t be able to get close without him smelling all the dog on you.”

“I don’t smell like dog.”

“Do too.”

10. sugawara koushi’s guide to wearing your new girlfriend’s clothes (results may vary): 

But with two attractive people in close proximity (nevermind the way they’re both dressed; while off-duty, Akaashi prefers to dress like he’s just come from the world’s most fashionable funeral), the other patrons aren’t quite so skittish, and Akaashi is soon accosted again.

This time, it’s by a man with the ears and tails (two, both very happy) of a dog, and Suga bursts into giggles at how fast his tails are wagging. She can’t quite hear what he’s saying because of the music, but she can guess: Oh, you are the most beautiful dog person I’ve ever seen, I don’t care if you’re a werewolf, please do me the honor of stepping on me tonight and let’s howl at the moon together.

Judging on Akaashi’s tightening grip, Suga may have been narrating that aloud.

The stranger doggy man steps closer, and Suga’s best friend wolfy man steps back. Suga steps back twice to give them space, then decides it’s for her best interest to stop teasing Akaashi and maybe find another attractive stranger as company for the evening.

She gets two more steps before Akaashi tugs her back, this time sending her stumbling. It’s a good excuse for Akaashi to turn away from the man hitting on him. Unfortunately, even in flats, Suga is far from stable, and she not only manages to stumble into someone else, but she pulls Akaashi along with her.

The resulting domino chain catches nearly half a dozen people.

#tagged meme #god i have so many wips #i highly doubt all of these will be finished ever #i mean the multichaps yeah bc i'm working harder on finishing those #but we'll see #also my first foray into actual boku no hero academia fic isn't on here bc i'm a butt who hasn't actually started it yet #but it's a hilarious premise y'all will like it

[avgoar]

Interview Series Ep.4

Hello and welcome back to our interview series where we pose ten questions to characters in order to learn more about them. Today we will continue our Eternal Essence interview series.Today’s guests name might sound familiar if you’ve checked out my weekly story uploads. I’ve decided to save her for last since she’s one character that has been introduced somewhat to us. Paili Ward!

Paili: Yay! I’m glad I can finally be here! Everybody kept leaving to go somewhere and they wouldn’t tell me anything.

Aww! For the past three weeks I’ve been interviewing each one of you and now it’s your turn. I will ask you ten questions. You can answer however you like. Firstly, please introduce yourself to the readers.

Paili: Hello readers! My name is Paili and I’m a fox Sheira! I’m fourteen years old. It’s nice to meet you all.

Now, for those who have not read the story, where are you from?

Paili: I was raised in a forest in the king’s valley. I had to leave and went to Matchtal. I was there for about a month and then I went to live in Sela with my mom. That’s where I am now, with her.

We have heard tell that you like to travel. Considering your disposition at the start of all of this, how did you come to enjoy traveling?

Paili: (sighs) I was scared at first when I left the forest. Humans were scary- even though I was technically one of them! But I saw so many new things and so many types of humans that I was more curious than scared. The city was amazing. And then when my mom came and I went back to Sela with her, there was a whole new city that looked nothing like the one I left behind. It’s really the adventure that I like. New people, new food, new sights, new customs! I get to be a student everytime I go somewhere new.

I like that. We should all be students. There’s always something you don’t know. Okay, next question, if you could visit any other kingdom, where would it be and why?

Paili: (clasps hands together) Umm, I’m gonna say… Lachni. It’s a kingdom overseas where Shiera are better treated but that’s not why I want to go. I heard from the soldiers that the food there’s second to none. They cook it right there in the street, like Sela, but the flavor is beyond any other food they have ever tasted. They travel all over so I trust it’s good if they say so. Also, nobody has fun like a Lachnisian- which is what we call them, not being from there.

I kind of want to go now too. I love getting to try new foods and finding really good food is so exciting.

Paili: Maybe we can all go one day!

I’d love that, hahaha! Alright, question four is about your companions. How would you describe them?

Paili: How would I describe them… Raustel is like a big brother to me. He’s quick to take action if someone else in trouble but he’s also curious, like me! He’s fun. Alocia is quiet but naive- I think that’s why she’s so quiet. She stays by herself alot. Tarvain is Alocia’s bodyguard. She doesn’t let her do anything by herself if she can help it. She’s like the mom or something. (Giggles) Keon is… He’s hurt and he’s hiding something- I know it- but hopefully he’ll open up to us one day. I think he’d be an even better big brother than Raustel.

That’s sweet. Hopefully, he’ll let go of what he’s holding onto. Where you’re from, Sela, were there things that you couldn’t do because you were a Shiera or woman?

Paili: I was only human in Sela. It was very dangerous to be anything else, so no one knew other than my mom. As a woman, I didn’t see many things a woman couldn’t do. Women were in the kitchen but they were also running shops and driving carriages. There were things they wouldn’t do like work on cargo ships or work iron or be a guard in the city- heavy or really hard work. Women are still delicate, as my mom says, but the city would be worse off if women had not started taking up those positions.

Mm. Since you have been to at least two different kingdoms, could you tell us one thing you liked about them and one thing you didn’t like?

Paili: (touches cheeks) In Matchtal there were books from everywhere because it was a trade city. I got to see all types of people while living there. I really liked that. (Drops hands into lap) One thing I didn’t like about Matchtal was that it was between the seas and the valley, so there wasn’t another city for miles. All you had was what was there. What I liked about Sela was the train. One time mom and I rode the trains from one side of the continent to the other. I got to see everything! What I didn’t like about Sela was the constant worry of being found out. That was scary.

This is similar to a question we asked Keon. Despite your origins you still welcome humans into your life. So, would you say that you are completely comfortable being around them?

Paili: Oh, no. If they’re my age then I am more accepting. Adults scare me no matter what. I never meet anyone as a Shiera or, you know, walk around showin’ off my tail and such. They don’t know I’m a Shiera unless I dane to tell them. I am not comfortable around humans because you never know how they’re going to act- even as a human. I don’t hate them or anything but I am not comfortable. I had to learn how to play the part to survive.

Mm. I’m curious, do you prefer to be in your human form or your Shiera form?

Paili: Keon calls it his beast form- it’s okay to say that. I mean, I am a Shiera no matter what form I’m in.

Ah, okay. I’m sorry about that.

Paili: It’s alright. I kind of like a little of both because my tail makes my balance more even. My tail is my favorite thing about myself. It’s so pretty. Also, I see you have me as your picture.

Yes, I was most excited to see your character art. I love all of my characters! I do! But you were one of the ones I was really excited about seeing come to life visually.

Paili: Aww! (Giggles) Thank you.

Next question is- we asked Tarvain and Alocia this one too- if you had an entire day to yourself with no obligations, what would you do?

Paili: Oh! Okay, I would of course wake up eat blah blah, blah- then I’d go spar. I would find a sparring partner wherever I could and train with them as long as they would let me really. It takes A long time to tire me out. After that I would shower or soak and take a nap. After my nap it’s time to explore! There’s always something new to find even if I go to places I’ve already been to. Raustel would probably come with me too. My day would end by the water. Watching the sunset and waves would be a beautiful way to end a day doing nothing.

You’d have quite an eventful day. This last one is more of a request. Would you please leave a message for the readers who stop by this blog?

Paili: Oh, of course! (Clears throat) Don’t ever take anything for granted.That’s not just for items you have but things you know too. If you know who you are and whose you are, be thankful. There are people in this world who have questions that will never be answered.

Mhm! That will conclude our interview for today! As always! If I can get ten questions for Paili we will bring her back to answer them.

Paili: Please, please, please ask some questions okay? No matter what it is I’ll answer it truthfully!

They can be about the world she lives in, personal or just general questions. We want to have fun with these so I hope some interesting questions come up. Thank you for joining us this week and we’ll see you all next time!

#OC #writing #fun #worldbuilding #writersontumblr