#ttittf

[salt-warrior]

When you lay out all these careful hints and everyone gets caught up in the whoosh

#ttittf #I still can’t with that

[shellyseashell]

First of all, I couldn’t not draw this. Behold, my wondrous art skills.

@salt-warrior I’m so sorry you had to see this

After watching your girlfriend suffer and die for 400 years, a paper cut is too much 😔

#I’m going to regret this #but the thought came to me and I had to draw it #ttittf #the time it takes to fall #tlc #kaider #Kai #prince kai #emperor kai #linh cinder #I’m so sorry please forgive me

[cinderswrench]

Wait are you doing dialogue prompts?? If so I would like to request 23: “You’re bleeding.”

Also I love you<3

elwin I have no idea when this was from but you should know me well enough now that I am strictly a reblog blog and I would never create my own content

#im kidding #this is a joke #but is it? #imagine if i wrote fanfiction #that would be a disaster #weve seen my ttittf fanart #or ttitty if youre cool #you should write this instead

[salt-warrior]

“Through hundreds of years he had always been there, no matter the consequences of it all. He loved her when they were together and when they were torn apart; and even more, she loved him. At times her heart was uncertain of her affections pertaining to him, but her soul could never forget the imperishable and everlasting fire that was her love for him.

It did not matter that life was pain, for life was also love, and love outshone all else. Her soul, no matter the name it carried, loved his soul with all the agony of centuries of living. She could not part from him, just as he had never been able to abandon her. No life without pain was better than a life without him.”

#the time it takes to fall #marissa meyer #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #kaider #kaider fanfiction #tlc fanfiction #kinder #linh cinder #selene blackburn #prince kai #emperor kai #the blue koi #the red koi #ttittf #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

“"I'm sorry," Cinder chuckled, reaching a hand out across the table to touch Kai's. "Sometimes I really just can't believe how idiotic you are."

Kai rolled his eyes, but couldn't manage to maintain a stern face for long. After years and years of searching for her and finding her and losing her, he almost couldn't believe that she was here and his forever. He would not have to watch her die again without the knowledge that he could follow her into the next life.”

#the time it takes to fall #kaider fanfiction #kaider #tlc fanfiction #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #linh cinder #selene blackburn #prince kai #emperor kai #kinder #ttittf #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

Here’s a concept for a new cover I kinda wanna make. Don’t mind the fact that I’ve just started trying digital art and don’t know how to do it.

#I should be writing but I’m too anxious #a little out of my mind #I might be gone for a hot second #love you guys #TTITTF

[salt-warrior]

“Kai didn't know how he'd never found her suspicious. She showed up whenever he called for her, despite having others like him spread throughout the world—thousands of souls to collect every day. She could be anywhere at any point in time. It made no sense. The Blue Koi was an enigma— a creature of only mystery and death.”

#the times it takes to fall #ttittf #marissa meyer #kaider fanfiction #kaider #kinder #ship #otp #linh cinder #tlc fanfiction #tlc #selene blackburn #prince kai #emperor kai #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

“"But no one ever seems to know:

The time it takes to fall asleep,

The time it takes to fall apart,

The time it takes to fall in love,

The time it takes to fall."”

#and thats the end! #thanks for reading<333 #the time it takes to fall #kaider #kaider fanfiction #tlc fanfiction #marissa meyer #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #prince kai #emperor kai #linh cinder #selene blackburn #ttittf #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

Here’s another bonus chapter for The Time it Takes to Fall! This little snippet was in the original Epilogue. When I wrote this story I wrote the Prologue, then the outline, and then this scene! Of course it was different then, seeing how I changed the ending, but it’s the general gist of that scene that always stared at me from the bottom of my google doc. Anyhow, I couldn’t not publish it, so here it is! I hope you enjoy it...

Goodbye ”You’re leaving?” Thorne asked, squinting up at Cinder through whatever haze of alcohol hindered his vision. “But why? Where are you going?”

Cinder let out a sigh, slumping her body forward, resting her hands on Thorne’s desk so she was eye-level with him. She’d been dreading telling Thorne that she was leaving, and she wasn’t entirely sure why. Perhaps it was because she was the only person who actually worked in this garage, or because she was the one who most often covered for him when he was too drunk to function. Or maybe it was because he was the only actual friend she had ever had.

“I’m gonna travel the world,” she said, unable to stop the slight sight that tinted her voice with the words. She still couldn’t believe that it was true— that she was going to leave this town and see all the places she had only been to in past lives. It still felt almost like a dream; but no, Kai was real, and so was everything that he had ever told her.

“How?” Thorne scrunched his brow, looking truly puzzled.

Of course he would be confused, seeing how Cinder made hardly enough to stay afloat; but times had changed. Kai, though sometimes not the best in terms of his critical thinking skills, was practical. He’d invested in banks years before she, Cinder, was born, and through all those years his account had grown. There wasn’t a place in the world they couldn’t visit, and there were so many lands they wanted to see.

“I’m traveling with a friend,” Cinder said slowly.

“What friend?”

“Stars, Thorne,” Cinder huffed, pushing herself back from the desk. “Why do you even care? I’m leaving, and that’s all that matters. I’ll finish my two weeks but then I’m off.”

“Wait wait wait,” Thorne held up a hand. It quivered slightly. “Slow down, Cinder. Geez, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. You know, last time we talked you told me that your boyfriend thought he was some long lost prince of China or something whacko like that. And you left early due to a family emergency. How did that go?”

“Fine,” Cinder grumbled, rubbing a hand across her face and surely dirtying it. “My mother died, and I’m planning on visiting my sister this weekend. And where Kai is concerned, that’s none of your business.”

“None of my business?” Thorne shrieked, causing Cinder to jump. “What the hell do you mean it’s none of my business?”

“I mean,” Cinder growled, nostrils flaring, “that you are not involved in this— I don’t have to tell you what I’m doing with my life. We worked together, and now we don’t.”

“Oh, so it doesn’t matter that you wanted my advice last time. Little Cindy has everything figured out, and can’t be bothered to tell her friends why she’s leaving. Are you in trouble? Is something going on? I can help you, kid, if you’re in trouble-”

“No,” Cinder whispered, all her anger abandoning her in a second. “Everything’s fine. I’m not in trouble. Actually, I’m going with Kai, and–”

“What?” Thorne roared, standing up from his seat and stumbling a little, placing his hands on the desk to steady himself. “You’re telling me that you’re running away with crazy-pants? Do you want to be on the next episode of Dateline?”

“It’s not like that,” Cinder said, crossing her arms defensively over her chest. “It’s- it’s-”

“What’s it like?” Thorne asked, stepping around the desk and placing a hand on Cinder’s shoulder. “He hurt you? Because I’ll-” Thorne stumbled a little bit, throwing his other hand on Cinder’s other shoulder. “I’ll knock his face in.”

Cinder grabbed Thorne’s wrists and pushed him back until he sat upon the desk. It was rare that he was this drunk at work; it must have been a rough night. 

“It’s not like that at all, Thorne,” Cinder grumbled, shutting her eyes for a moment, then glaring at Thorne. “And besides, it’s none of your business.”

It was strange how gaining the memories of her past life had changed her. She wasn’t a different person, but rather a more detailed version of herself. She wasn’t scared, as she once had been, and no longer was she equipped to handle the dramatics of most mortals. In fact, it was hard to communicate with those she had once known in this life— they just didn’t understand her. She couldn’t fathom how Kai had made it through all those years without anyone for company other than that heinous fish deity.

“Cinder,” Thorne sighed, “I just want to make sure you’re okay— I worry about you, kid. I truly just don’t want you to get murdered.”

“Thanks,” Cinder huffed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “I really appreciate it Thorne. Really. I just– I don’t know if you’d really understand the circumstances.”

“Circumstances?” Thorne asked, leaning forward.

“We’re getting married,” Cinder mumbled, voice low.

Not an instant later, Thorne was on his feet again, his eyes ablaze as he sputtered, “That bastard knocked you up, now didn’t he? Oh aces and spades, I’ll kill that little psycho for you. I will–”

“There will be no killing of my dearest love,” Cinder hissed, throwing her hand over Thorne’s mouth to stop him from shouting. “This is a consensual marriage; no one is– is knocked up, and no one is being coerced, and no one gets to have an opinion on whether or not it’s a good idea other than Kai and myself!”

Thorne stared at her, and Cinder knew that if her hand weren’t covering his face he would be slack-jawed. Never before had she been so firm with her points— so sure of herself— but times had changed. She was a new woman—er, old woman?—and no longer did she take crap from anyone, especially someone slandering Kai’s name.

“We talked, Thorne,” Cinder explained, checking over her shoulder to see if any of the other employees were listening in. As per usual, they were all engrossed in their tasks, not caring about Thorne’s drunken dramatics. “We figured things out, and we love each other. We’ve decided to get married and travel the world together. We’re happy— I’m happy.”

Thorne leaned away from Cinder, allowing for her hand to drop from his mouth and down to her side. “Well if you’re happy and okay, then I guess that’s all that matters, now isn’t it, kid?”

“Yeah,” Cinder smiled, a bit sheepish. “It is.”

“I’m happy for you,” Thorne said, unable to look at her. Cinder could see a mistiness in his eyes. “I will miss having you around though.”

Cinder patted his shoulder, trying not to laugh as she watched Thorne. It wasn’t that she found the situation funny, it was that she wasn’t entirely sure how to deal with this. Of course she’d realized what Thorne’s friendship meant to her, but she had never known that her friendship meant anything to him in return.

“I’ll miss you too,” Cinder said, wrapping her arms around herself. “But hey— I’m still here for another two weeks, so it’s not like this is goodbye.”

Cinder glanced out to the front of the garage and saw a familiar face smiling at her. Cinder grinned in return, unable to help the flutter within her chest. The mere hours away from him had been too many— she couldn’t wait to be in his arms once more, and feel him against her and know that they were finally together after so many years apart.

She gave Thorne one last pat on the shoulder, hardly comprehending his verbal goodbye to her as she walked away. 

Kai held his hand out to her, and Cinder took it, standing up on her toes to kiss him before they walked out into the rain together, away from Thorne and the garage, and all the world that was not them.

#the time it takes to fall #ttittf bonus chapter #ttittf #lunar chronicles #the lunar chronicles #tlc fanfiction #kaider fanfiction #kaider #linh cinder #selene blackburn #emperor kai #prince kai #marissa meyer #salt warrior stories

[shellyseashell]

Kai in ttittf: okay I need to chose a name

Kai: obviously my first name is kai, but I need a last name

Kai: hmmm

Kai: I know! I’ll use Prince.

Kai: Kai Prince

Kai: she’ll never guess that I’m the long lost Prince Kaito and I’ll lose my last chance

Kai: that’ll never happen

@salt-warrior first of all I hope I have the right blog, second of all I hope you appreciate this

#the time it takes to fall #honestly kai #why #ttittf #prince kai #emperor kai #Kai

[salt-warrior]

“"Why would you do this to me? After all these years of lonesome searching and endings that left me brokenhearted, how could you do this?"

"You speak of loneliness to me?" Blue scoffed. "Dear young Princeling, you do not understand the word called lonely. You believe that four hundred years is an eternity? Try four thousand— four million. I have been a creature of loneliness since the dawn of time; do not ever speak to me of being lonesome, for you do not know what that word means."

Lightning struck in the distance behind Blue, illuminating her features in such a fierce way that she truly looked other-worldly. She was the goddess of death— she could end life in a matter of seconds. She was a creature of only destruction and unhappy endings.”

#the time it takes to fall #ttittf #kaider fanfiction #tlc fanfiction #marissa meyer #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #prince kai #emperor kai #linh cinder #selene blackburn #kaider #kinder #ship #otp #the blue koi #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

I think I’ll keep it like that

#I think I’m funny #but actually I’m just not #so that’s fun #I’m laughing at least #the time it takes to fall #TTITTF

[salt-warrior]

@cosmicnovaflare here is the quick little POV change to the underpaid waitress watching Kai and Blue hash things out at the diner in Chapter 30: The Face of the Devil of The Time it Takes to Fall. I’m only going to publish this on tumblr, so I hope you enjoy!

(Oh also I named the waitress Marissa because-- hah!)

Aching Seconds

Marissa sighed, her eyes heavy as she stared at the strange pairing at table nine. She had seen them a couple times before, taking orders of tea from the young man on occasion and shooting glances at the veiled creature. They were the strangest duo she had ever seen, which was saying something.

In times past their discussions were generally civil, with the man’s voice sounding throughout the diner at times and the veiled woman keeping her tone to nothing more than hushed whispers, but now both parties were yelling at one another.

“Fine,” the man yelled, dramatically scooting out of his seat. Unfortunately the red vinyl made a series of fart-like noises as his tush made a run for it. Then he stood, tall not because he reached an astonishing height but because of the degree of his anger. “Then I have but one final request to ask of you.”

“Name it, my Princeling,” the woman said, her voice low and seductive. Marissa almost dropped her broom as the words hit her ears, and she turned a brilliant shade of pink. Averting her eyes, Marissa continued to sweep the floor, wondering how on earth she only got paid ten bucks an hour to listen to this.

“Never,” the man said, the twitch of his nose punctuating the word, “by any means, approach me again. I never wish to see you from this day forth.”

Marissa shot a glance over at the pair, unable to help the sour look that came across her face. Did this man not know how to speak? Had the words “I never wish to see you from this day forth” truly left his mouth?

“Withdraw from me and allow for my soul to be with its mate,” the man continued, and at this Marissa almost choked on her own air. “Forget me— abandon my cause and chase after another innocent who has not yet come to grips with your evil ways.”

The veiled creature rose from her seat in that moment, flying forth from the vinyl as if her silken robes were wings. Marissa couldn’t help but stare— she was too exhausted to look away from the spectacle, and besides, they were her only customers at 10:49. She longed for the next ten minutes to pass so she could finally go home and not have to stay with the medieval soap opera.

“You have insulted me far too easily upon this day, young Princeling,” the woman said, her tone deep and unearthly. Marissa glanced back toward the kitchen, trying to catch the eye of a fellow employee, but there was no one to be seen. It was just her and the two mental hospital escapees. “You speak of falsehoods most corrupt and accuse me of sins I have not committed. I have helped you in ages past and have sought only to help you find true joy. You should be begging me for my forgiveness after such horrendous behavior— I, your savior of life and love.”

Marissa blinked, making sure that these two people were not mere figments of her one to eleven shift brain but actually there and speaking in such a strange manner. She was astonished when they remained within her view.

“Perhaps you did save my love in your own cruel way, but you have also brought more sorrow upon the both of us than any human, no matter their sins, deserves. Never entreat to visit me again— I no longer wish to gaze upon your face again,” the man sneered.

She truly did not get paid enough to listen to this speech. This was perhaps the weirdest break-up that she had ever listened to, which shouldn’t have been surprising considering the apparel of the woman, yet somehow Marissa could not believe her ears. Who were these people?

“For the rest of eternity,” the woman hissed, “mine is the only face upon which you shall gaze. I hope that you remember that, Kaito, as you attempt to regain your love’s affection once more. I hope that you remember your own fate as you fight against the world’s wishes.”

The woman stalked past the man, her blue silken robes fluttering about her like the waves of the sea. Then she turned, spitting one last remark. “Because while I am not fate, young Princeling, I know her well— and your fate has always been to lose your love to me. Your fate has always been me as Selene’s has always been death.”

Then the woman stalked off, leaving only the man to stare at the spot where she had just been. Marissa watched, wary of this strange creature and prepared to call out if needed for the look within his eyes was dangerous. He looked like an animal living in fear of its life.

But in another moment, the man nodded his head and stalked out of the diner, his feet fast and purposeful. Marissa gazed after him, her brow furrowed and her mouth open at whatever the hell had she just witnessed. Was it a break-up? Was there some sort of hostage? Had it even been real?

Shaking her head, Marissa turned her eyes back to the floor and continued to sweep the grime from it. Never before had she seen anything so strange. “I really don’t get paid enough for this,” Marissa yawned, counting down the aching seconds before her shift ended.

#the time it takes to fall #ttittf #ttittf extra chapter #tlc fanfiction #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #marissa meyer #prince kai #emperor kai #the blue koi #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

“Kai swallowed hard, looking down at Cinder's face. He took in her features, still the same as when they had met so many years before. And even as a goddess of divine beauty sat beside Kai, he still preferred to gaze upon his love— for her face was most beloved to him.”

#the time it takes to fall #marissa meyer #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #kaider fanfiction #tlc fanfiction #kaider #kinder #linh cinder #selene blackburn #prince kai #emperor kai #ttittf #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

“Nothing existed anymore— the world had ceased to be. There were no stars in the heavens or rain falling from the sky. There were no tears to fall down one's cheeks. All that existed was the great nothingness within Kai's chest as he heard her words ringing through his ears like a second heartbeat.

Explosive emptiness tore at his heart, consuming his entire being. It was like watching a retelling of Romeo and Juliet— he wished, longed for the pair to have a happy ending. He convinced himself that they would get a finale that was not death. But Kai had been around since the beginning of that fateful tale, and in the hundreds of years since its origin he had never gotten anything other than death from the legend of the two lovers.

After losing her ten times, he should have known that it was ultimately out of his hands to change the ending— he did not have the power to rewrite their tragic love story. He was bound to always find Selene; he was bound to always lose her. There was no way for him to change his fate.”

#the time it takes to fall #kaider fanfiction #kaider #tlc fanfiction #marissa meyer #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #tlc #kinder #linh cinder #prince kai #emperor kai #selene blackburn #the blue koi #ttittf #salt warrior stories

[salt-warrior]

“Kai covered his face with one hand as his body shook with destructive sobs. It was horrible to watch— this boy that she had loved so dearly lose every ounce of his dignity and cry with all the pain in his heart. She didn't want to watch him weep, but she could not seem to tear her eyes away from him.

"Why did I do it?" Cinder asked. Kai did not respond, his agony consuming all that he was. She placed a hand upon his shoulder and repeated, "Why did I do it, Kai?"

A ragged gasp was his only response. His body could not seem to stop quivering, as if the pain within him was tearing his very soul from his body— his heart from his chest. It was a kind of anguish that one could not fake.”

#the time it takes to fall #linh cinder #prince kai #emperor kai #tlc #the lunar chronicles #lunar chronicles #marissa meyer #kaider #kaider fanfiction #tlc fanfiction #selene blackburn #kinder #salt warrior stories #ttittf