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auburnfamilynews · 4 years

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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Down go the champs

SEC football is back in all it’s glory. For some schools, football being back was awesome as they watched their teams start the 2020 campaign with a W. For some, it was fun to see their favorite programs play but disappointing to start the year off with an L. Then there were LSU fans....

The Bayou Bengals became the first defending champs to lose their season opener since 1998 when Notre Dame fell to Michigan. Turns out replacing a Heisman winner, both coordinators, most of the offensive line, top three wide receivers, top running back and the majority of defensive starters is kind of a big deal.

Also, it turns out Mike Leach and his Mississippi State Bulldogs are ready for SEC defenses.

With one data point now available there were some shakeups to this week’s rankings. Let’s take a look. Also a quick note, I decided to drop FEI because it doesn’t appear those rankings are being updated on a weekly basis.

#1.) Alabama 1-0 (—)

SP+: 3 | FPI: 2

Last Game: 38-19 W @ Missouri

I admit that I watched exactly 2 snaps of this game so I don’t have much to offer in the form of analysis. It appears the Crimson Tide took care of business and then cruised to the finish line. Najee Harris scored three touchdowns, Mac Jones was efficient and Jaylen Waddle is still impossible to cover. Not sure there’s a ton to takeaway from this game for either team except that the Tide aren’t going to be surprisingly bad. We will learn more this weekend when the Aggies come to town.

Next Game: vs Texas A&M

#2.) Georgia 1-0 (—)

SP+: 4 | FPI: 6

Last Game: 37-10 W @ Arkansas

Per 247 Composite, there are sixteen former 5-star recruits on Georgia’s 2020 football roster. That’s the most of any program. More than Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson. It’s more than Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M and Tennessee combined. They opened the season with a road trip to Fayetteville to take on a Hog program stuck in the mud. A program with only four more 4-star players than UGA 5-stars.

And yet...

Hilariously, Arkansas took a 7-5 lead into halftime. Redshirt D’Wan Mathis did not look ready for collegiate football and it took the insertion of walk-on Stetson Bennett for the Dawgs to finally take care of business. The offensive line did not look it’s former dominant self either. The biggest question facing UGA heading into 2020 was whether or not this offense could take the next step. So far, it ain’t looking good....

But it might not matter. After allowing a 7 play 91 yard touchdown drive, UGA’s defense allowed only a field goal while picking off Franks three times including taking one back for six points. That’s why I still have them in the #2 spot over the Gators. This offense might not be great again but this defense is good enough to prevent a total meltdown. This weekend will tell us a lot about what this Dawg team is capable of accomplishing this fall.

Next Game: vs Auburn

#3.) Florida 1-0 (—)

SP+: 8 | FPI: 9

Last Game: 51-35 W @ Ole Miss

The University of Florida Fighting Kyles lit up the scoreboard in Oxford over the weekend. Kyle Trask threw for 416 yds and SIX touchdowns Saturday. WR/TE/Freak Kyle Pitts caught 8 of those passes for 170 yards and 4 touchdowns. Needless to say, Ole Miss fans won’t be naming any kids Kyle in the near future.

But while the offense was spectacular, that Gator defense had some serious struggles. I expected Ole Miss to put some points on the board but I didn’t see 600+ yards coming. The main concern I had about this UF team heading into 2020 was whether or not this defense was good enough to slow folks down. As of now, that question remains unanswered. It will be interesting to see how they look against an ok South Carolina team this weekend.

Next Game: vs South Carolina

#4.) Auburn 1-0 (+1)

SP+: 6 | FPI: 7

Last Game 29-13 W vs Kentucky

Auburn had the 2nd best win of the weekend taking down a veteran, physical Kentucky squad. The Wildcats controlled the first half for the most part but the Tigers dominated the 2nd half and were able to come away with a somewhat comfortable win.

Bo Nix looked good in his 2020 debut and Seth Williams is gonna be a problem for a lot of defenses this fall. Defensively, Auburn got knocked around early but settled down in the 2nd half. The big question is still the offensive line which performed admirably in their season debut but must improve if the Tigers are going to end that awful drought in Athens on Saturday.

Next Game: @ Georgia

#5.) Mississippi State 1-0 (+7)

SP+: 38 | FPI: 35

Last Game: 44-34 W @ LSU

Ok so I got a lot of apologizing to do to State fans. I thought this State team would be pretty bad this year. Sure Leach added an outstanding grad transfer at QB in K.J. Costello over the off-season but cmon... This Mississippi State team isn’t exactly overflowing with talent especially at the skill position (sans Kylin Hill). And that defense lost some major contributors and are switching to a brand new scheme. They will be luck to win 3 games I thought...

Welp....

Turns out this team is ready to create mayhem in the SEC. Costello carved up that vaunted DBU secondary and if he hadn’t kept turning the ball over this game might have been a legit blowout. Costello set the single game SEC passing record throwing for 623 yards and 5 touchdowns. Three State players crossed the century mark including star tailback Kylin Hill.

I don’t know how this season goes for Mississippi State but it’s definitely going to go much better than I expected. Gotta give an immense amount of credit to Leach and his coaching staff. They came out ready to go and made a massive statement this past weekend.

Next Game: vs Arkansas

#6.) Tennessee 1-0 (+1)

SP+: 24 | FPI: 30

Last Game: 31-27 W @ South Carolina

I picked Tennessee to lose this game but the Vols were able to make less mistakes than the Cocks and a few more big plays to escape with the W. It wasn’t necessarily an impressive performance but it was effective. The Dawgs look vulnerable and Tennessee has more talent than Kentucky. Can Jeremy Pruitt capitalize and make that final game of the year against UF the de facto SEC East championship?

Next Game: vs Missouri

#7.) Texas A&M 1-0 (-1)

SP+: 19 | FPI: 19

Last Game: 17-12 W vs Vanderbilt

Technically, Texas A&M won Saturday. But if anyone ventured over to the SEC Alternate channel to watch this cluster of a game, you probably didn’t come away super impressed with the supposed top challenger to the Tide in the West.

Turns out Kellen Mond is still Kellen Mond. That offensive line is still pretty bad and losing all that WR production is not easily replaced. I don’t think things are going to go well in Tuscaloosa this weekend....

Next Game: @ Alabama

#8.) Kentucky 0-1 (—)

SP+: 43 | FPI: 27

Last Game: 13-29 L @ Auburn

For one half of football, it looked like the Wildcats had a shot at living up to the preseason hype. Maybe this is the year they could go on the road into an SEC West venue against a ranked opponent and get the W. Then the 2nd half kicked off...

A disastrous 4th quarter resulted in a frustrating L for Big Blue Nation and they don’t get to lick their wounds. An explosive Rebel attack is set to visit Lexington and if Terry Wilson doesn’t get those turnovers cleaned up they could very well be 0-2 this time next week. I still think though this is top 3 team in the SEC East. We will see if they can get right against the Lane Train.

Next Game: vs Ole Miss

#9.) LSU 0-1 (-5)

SP+: 25 | FPI: 13

Last Game: 34-44 L vs Mississippi State

Turns out you can’t just easily replace literally your whole organization following a national championship. Weird huh?

It didn’t take long for LSU fans to learn that the Myles Brennan and Bo Pelini hype ain’t for real. The Tigers new QB struggled much of the day and wasn’t helped by drops and a porous offensive line. Pelini refused to switch out of his man defense and allowed Mike Leach to put on a clinic on how to beat it over and over again. There are some serious problems on this LSU team and I don’t know if they can all get fixed in the coming weeks.

Fortunately, a trip to play a not very good Vanderbilt team should get Ed O back to .500. However, if LSU wants any shot at a repeat they gotta find a way to adjust to this new world.

Next Game: @ Vanderbilt

#10.) Ole Miss 0-1 (-1)

SP+: 44 | FPI: 37

Last Game: 35-51 L vs Florida

I honestly didn’t wanna move Ole Miss down a spot it just kinda happened. The Rebels showed they are exactly who I thought they were over the weekend. An explosive but inconsistent offense paired with a very bad defense. The Rebels are going to give DCs around the SEC headaches but they are going to need some stops on the other side of the ball if they wanna string together any Ws. Big opportunity to make a statement this weekend against a frustrated Kentucky team.

Next Game: @ Kentucky

#11.) South Carolina 0-1 (—)

SP+: 34 | FPI: 40

Last Game: 27-31 L vs Tennessee

South Carolina has mastered losing to Tennessee in frustrating fashion. They fought to the bitter end but a punt off the backside of a blocker ended any opportunity of a dramatic finish. Offensively, South Carolina looked ok. It’s clear outside of Shi Smith this team is lacking in terms of play makers. This Saturday is a must win for Coach Boom.

Next Game: @ Missouri

#12.) Missouri 0-1 (-2)

SP+: 48 | FPI: 42

Last Game: 19-38 L vs Alabama

As I said above, I didn’t really watch this game so I got nothing really to say about this Mizzou squad other than they covered and that’s all that really mattered.

Next Game: @ Tennessee

#13.) Vanderbilt 0-1 (+1)

SP+: 110 | FPI: 68

Last Game: 12-17 L @ Texas A&M

They did their darndest to pull the stunner but then they are also Vanderbilt so of course it didn’t happen. I was impressed overall with the Dores performance though and rewarded them with what will likely be their highest ranking of the season. No way LSU loses this game too right?

Next Game: vs LSU

#14.) Arkansas 0-1 (-1)

SP+: 75 | FPI: 59

Last Game: 10-37 L vs Georgia

For one half of football, Arkansas stood toe to toe with one of the giants of the SEC. Hog fans rejoiced that maybe just maybe Sam Pittman was going to do the impossible. Then reality hit like a train in the 2nd half...

Outside of a few skill players on offense and the best named linebacker in the country in Bumper Pool, this program is devoid of SEC caliber talent. Feleipe Franks is still not a great quarterback. With Mississippi State not being the dumpser fire as hoped, I am not sure there’s a W on this schedule for the Hogs....

Next Game: @ Mississippi State

War Eagle!

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2020/9/28/21458459/sec-power-rankings-week-2

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jq37 · 5 years

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[obligatory recap ask]

**spoilers for subway skirmish and borough of dreams**

@kickmuncher3 and @galfast: ty for your asks, I’ll use them for the next two recaps. this is probably the least efficient way for me to handle this but I want to keep all of these visually consistent dammit.

One of the funniest things about this season of D20 is most if not all of the cast has lived in NYC which manifests as very specific references and in character complaints that you just know come from a place of truth and experience. Which is to say we got a lot of that in these episodes.

Also, this has nothing to do with anything but living in NY update: On Sunday, I saw a man hanging upside-down from a tree--by his feet--and playing the flute. And barely anyone registered it at all. So I really cannot stress enough how much New York is Like That.

Pete opening the fight by blasting a fireball and then telepathically calling out Kingston is--como se dice--a Power Move.

Brennan *immediately* channels the opposite of whatever energy Emily's on and goes right for Ricky's dog to the horror of everyone at the table and his absolute delight. Like, it's a spectral dog but still. Bro. Dog.

Kingston taking the heat metal damage to get Epona to drop him is so raw. But then, for the rest of the fight, he doesn't say a single thing except for his Command spells which is a very different kind of raw.

Question: Is Riz's mom the only good cop that exists in D20?

I know this was an RP ep and I know they knew it was gonna be an RP ep but I wonder what would have happened if they had pretended to cooperate with Epona to get more info. Probably just an extended RP ep that would have segued into this same fight eventually. But I'm curious about what information they let get eaten by a swarm of rats.

Misty's Irresistible Dance spell is very clutch.

The gators from the last fight are back in the form of Kug's summons and one of them still has a grudge against Misty. Misty is all, "send me your resume!" because she appreciates the spunk. I was starting a sentence about what the hell play this sentient gator is going to be in but as soon as I hypothetically asked it my brain was like, "Peter Pan. Next question."

Y'all, this really was Kug's fight. Between calling the roaches, crocs, and gators, channeling Moonshine to call lightning, and killing Epona within 40 mins of the ep, he truly was on fire. Good for him. He also turns into a bear but specifically a bear that would have escaped from the zoo. It's the little details that make this show great.

Brennan putting his foot down on tying rats together not being acrobatics is the eternal DM mood.

Back to Epona for a second, do we think she was working for Robert directly? Someone connected to him? Something else? When her shadow split after Ricky's attack was that meaningful or just flavor? Where did that badge come from? Has it always existed? What does destroying it mean? It didn't seem to help. The bad cop ghosts were still around, just no one could control them at that point. If they had yoinked that badge, could they have had a summoning item that hey could use? Or is it bad karma to use something like that? Is it still bad if you're forcing the bad cops to do good stuff? Did Brennan anticipate this or is the Coach Daybreak 2: Electric Boogaloo? Lots of questions.

Misty's cutting words to the cop (saving Ricky) making the Law and Order "DUN DUN" noise is great.

Emily ends up not needing to roll to make rat nunchucks because her health goes low enough that her magic ring activates but I feel like she low key wanted rat nunchucks.

Wild that Kingston went down for just long enough for it to be cinematic before being revived by Misty ("Get up, old man,")

Also wild that this whole fight only took about 45 seconds of in game time. It makes sense if you think about it the way you would a movie and that's how most D&D fights are but that's so much play time for so little game time and it hit me this ep because I was actually keeping track of rounds.

Anyway, I have not mentioned up until this point that the whole crux of this fight is to last long enough for Alejandro to roll high enough to summon the train to Nod but, long story short, Pizza Rat shows up to save the day. Does that make more sense in context? Marginally.

I like that the train to Nod shows up on the wrong side of the tracks. Like I said, man. Details.

Oh and to my above point about the cast making comments about NY as people who have lived in NY, I loved Brennan looking directly at the camera when he was going off on people who just stand at the door like idiots while you're trying to get in and then Siobhan pokes like half her head into frame so she can also stare directly into the camera. Mood.

When Ally said Pete shoots Kingston I half believed it for a good couple of seconds. I was right there with Lou.

OK, so I don't know how many of you have watched Sharkboy and Lavagirl (and, if you haven't feel free to skip this bullet) but no movie has brought me more enjoyment overall than SB&LG. Not because it's good because it's not. But it's so insane that it's amazing. It's right in the sweet spot. I always say, if it was any better, it would be Spy Kids 3 and, therefore, unwatchable (SK 1 + 2 are dope as hell though, for the record). I bring it up because the way Brennan describes Nod reminds me a lot of Drool in SB&LG. Like, the rollercoaster subway car def could be in the same universe as the Train of Thought. This is all to say that I think Brennan could have written a version of SB&LG that was better without being worse. Idk if that comes across as complimentary, but it is, and to both parties actually.

From the way Nod (the kid) is being framed (in this ep and the next) I know we're not supposed to mistrust him but, put in that situation, there is no way I would trust the gray faced, black eyed, creepily gliding dream child.

Post fight, Kingston wants to offer an apology for what he said about Pete and Nod wants to apologize for putting Pete in his current situation. Also, the group decides to be more open in general. Kug, as most of us guessed, got beauty and the beasted for white collar crime by his business partner (Gabby) who is Esther's mom and a witch (also, Ricky thinks his crush on Esther is a secret which is just adorable and completely incorrect).

Brennan cuts sharing time off because this is the combat episode dammit! Save it for next session. But, because I'm behind, next session is now! Let's get into The Borough of Dreams.

Misty, as a faerie, is instinctively mistrustful of vising other magical worlds and eating the food or taking things at face value. I love that she's playing a character where she can ask these questions and not be meta-gaming because I had some of the same concerns.

Wildly, WALLY walks out of the train as he just happened to be on it (as conductor) at the time. Kug bursts out with the fact that he's his dad and Wally takes this to mean that Rat Jesus is his bio dad but, even after being left alone for so many years, he claims Bruce as his real dad. He's wrong but he's sweet.

"I thought you were mad at me." Brennan, you didn't have to do that.

Murph clearly trying to not accidentally call Wally a piece of shit because that's his go to Kug way to describe things is so funny.

"We could turn me into a rat." WALLY

Kingston and Misty looking at each other like, "These absolute children," while Pete and Soph are making Brittney Spears references.

So we find out what all of the magic stuff they picked up does. Misty's mirror can see invisibility. Pete's grill helps with persuasion. The thousand hour energy makes you immune to sleep for 42 days(!) The bagel can be used for divination or to essentially kill a person but spread their essence throughout the universe (which low key sounds like a sacrifice someone might make to help cancel the spread of say an undead presence or a money virus).

I want Ricky and Wally to be friends forever.

Kingston's lack of connection to the dream world is so sad. Like, he's no nonsense but he's like NO NONSENSE. Like no nonsense possible. So he's just walking around like Eddie Valiant in Toontown.

And, at the same time, the rest of the party is doing the MOST nonsense. Mary Poppins-ing into the sky. Misty is making out with the moon. Wild.

SOBER SALAD

Ally drops the ketamine on the tomatoes line and Brennan fully breaks

Very sweet for Pete to bring Kingston a salad, even though that's such a random food to just have in your pocket(???). Why does salad keep coming up on this show? One more time and it's officially a motif.

So the dream world basically works on Sharkboy and Lavagirl/Xanth/Phantom Tollbooth/Wonderland/Toontown logic. If you've seen/read any of those, you basically have it down.

"Only people with Sprint have service."/"Oh, amazing!" Brennan threw that softball out for anyone who wanted it and Emily, as usual, hit it out of the park.

Brennan very clearly knows his NY history. The mob boss (lucky Luciano, no not that one) that he mentioned during the sleeping with the fishes bit is a real dude and basically the dude who brought organized crime to the US (in the form we know it now).

Ricky and the mints. Lord.

Anyway, the one item I didn't mention earlier is the holy grail detergent which can literally clean souls. Which sounds mighty interesting considering some of the other stuff that's come up this campaign.

(Also, I wonder if you could use the bagel as spell components since it contains everything in the universe in microcosm).

I can't believe Pete was the one saying, "At least eat before you shotgun that 1000 hour energy." By the by, the 42 hour span of the energy drink makes me suspicious. Is that just for humor (and accurate math) or it this a Chekov's Gun kind of an item indicating some kind of time jump at some point? Ricky drinks it later in this ep so, if there's a clock attached to that, it's ticking. I'm prob reading into this but I assume if you're still reading these, this is what you're here for.

Ally making sawing motions before being told an egg creme has nothing to do with eggs and is in fact a drink.

Pete! OK, so Pete has made some good steps in this ep, starting with promising to start reining in the drug usage. Later he works on his magic and also gets over Priya. This is the most endeared I've been to him all season. Especially his, "I try to do a good job," line. I felt that.

"It's still open to you." Aw.

Brennan clearly saw the chance for a lore drop this ep and boy did it drop. Let's run through the highlights.

Nod dumped all this on Pete the way they did because it's super super hard to contact a Vox Phantasmus beforehand due the the natural, waking world inclination to brush off dreams. You have to have the job before you can talk to the boss. Cruddy system but that's how it goes.

When Sophie said the thing about Robert Moses creating spaces that can't be accessed she meant by magic but it's an interesting way to phrase it because the irl Robert Moses is known for (allegedly, but like, it tracks) trying to keep black people out of certain spaces.

Robert Moses sold his soul to Hell and Faerie which is why he's still alive it seems. No one wants to collect on his soul and anger the other party.

Whoever predicted that the golden door for Emma Laz's poem was the rectangle from episode one, collect your prize because it's confirmed in this ep.

We learn about the ephemeral axiom which basically says, a dream can be all things but once it manifests, it's a single thing. (you might even say, "it is what it is".)

So another big thing we learn is that if a dream gets so big that manifesting them in the real world would break the game, it's called a Paragon. There are four total: Heaven, Hell, Faerie, and The American Dream. (Wild that The American Dream is the only country specific one that exists. Like, I rep my home team of course but the U.S. is a pretty latecomer to the country party. You'd think someone else might have gotten Paragon status at some point.)

"Was one of them the Grand Canyon?"

Anyway, dragging the American Dream into the waking world would fix the American Dream to mean one thing--I assume making tons of money if Robert Moses has his way. I'll admit, I was a little fuzzy on the mechanics of this on my first watch-through because pulling the American Dream into the real world sounds like it should be a good thing. But I think, at the most basic level, it's a matter of you shouldn't put magic that shouldn't be in a box in a box. I'm still wondering about the exact implications for the waking world if he succeeds though. Like, how would that manifest? Would everyone suddenly become money hungry (lol, how would you tell)? Would people still want what they want but the American Dream would just be understood to mean making stacks and none of the good Superman-y stuff?

"It's not Protestant work ethic is it?"

Robert Moses is undead and can't get into Nod, so those are good things to note.

I was so ready for Wally is get dispelled and for him to be a figment of Kug’s imagination or a dream or something. I braced myself so much. I was ready to set up a firing squad for Brennan for doing that to Kug.

Who tipped the bugsters off to where Pete was gonna be? As far as I can tell, the only people that knew were the gang plus Alejandro and Esther. Maybe someone was scrying on them and that’s what the roll Zac failed during the wedding ep was.

As soon as Brennan mentions locking the door, Ally immediately makes the connection and goes, "Key to the city." Nod "locks" the American Dream and gets rid of the lock which seems to mean the American Dream is temporarily unavailable. Which seems not good and like it's gonna have collateral damage for sure but I guess you bad is a matter of degrees and Robert getting in would be worse. But still, imagine your immigration papers get declined because some random kid decided to close down the American Dream for a couple of days.

So, we get some backstory of Misty. She apparently just was straight up not having a good time in Faerie so she stole Titania's shoes (allowing her to be in iron-filled NYC without triggering her fairy vulnerability) and peaced out.

"She's gonna kill you."/"Only if she can get here and I have her Goddamn shoes." (**A million airhorns in the distance**)

I love that Emily is still on the souls thing. Emily doesn't believe in Occam's Razor. In fact, I'd like to propose a corollary called the Axford Axiom: The coolest path between two points probably isn't the correct one, but it should be! I want her to run a campaign so bad so I can see her be in a game where her crazy endgame is what's going on because she's the one who wrote it.

Misty: Let's go to hell!

So much like a videogame, the map has opened up and we have three places to check out. The former locations in the dream world of Faerie (Carnagie Hall), Heaven (JFK airport), and Hell (where do you think? Hell's Kitchen). The gang splits up to look for clues (and drinks, in Misty's case). Actually, make that four places: Pete goes to the Met Museum of Memories to basically Avatar mind meld with the other Voxes and get a handle on his magic to a degree (thank God--Nod?). We'll take these in order of appearance, which means we're off to Hell with Kug and Ricky (plus Ox and Wally).

(Focus on the Pizza, baby!)

At first I wanted Ricky, the good boy, to go to Heaven, but the idea of a firefighter in Hell also has appeal.

Re The rat holding his guts: Gross.

Ricky holding his axe like a cell phone.

So we and Kug learn that the rat-spell that was cast on him wasn't actually a rat-spell. It was a spell that would make his outsides reflect his insides and his insides happened to suck. I'm wondering if that means that it's a static spell that reflects his outsides at the time it was cast and it would need to be recast to reflect any moral progress made or if it will just revert him once he's made enough progress.

I'm also wondering (partially bc one of my players asked to do this last session) can a Druid wildshape into a person? I feel like no, but like, did any of you ever read Animorphs? You know how in book 1 Tobias gets stuck as a red-tailed-hawk but then later her gets his morphing ability back and then he can turn back into his human form for 2 hours at a time? What if Kug just started doing that? Just being a rat who is sometimes a dude.

They also go to the statue of liberty (which has a French accent, natch) who shows them that there's, like, a money/greed virus infecting the Dreaming and the American Dream. Ricky smells undeath again. They think vampires. That's plausible but I'm not sure.

OK, Heaven.

WHOOOO, strap in y'all

(Sidenote: I wonder what would have happened if Soph hadn't chose to go to heaven. I feel like she could have easily run into you know who in hell had she chose to go there, but I'm getting ahead of myself).

Brennan actually tries to lead Emily into the thinking about Dale mindset but Emily, having reached a note of closure in Soph's character arc, pushes back on that.

honeyougotastormcoming.gif

Brennan,about to wreck her entire life: Cool.

I and the cast keep saying heaven a lot but it's like an all roads lead to Rome situation. It's heaven, Valhalla, Elysium, nirvana. Like, whatever Good Place you believe in. It's the Good Place.

Sophie, upon being told that if she jumps into the fight at the Pearly Gates she knows nothing about, she might literally die: And what about it?

Emily's face when Brennan says, "And you see Dale," is so much. You can see the entire range of human emotion in her eyes in that moment.

Sidenote: I wonder how much of her backstory Emily planned and how much Brennan dropped on her. Like, she knew Isabella was part of her backstory obv. Did Brennan come up with all of this whole-cloth or did she say she wanted there to be something supernatural and and let him fill in the details. Very curious about the collaborative process.

When Dale's character art comes up, it says "Sophie's Angel" for Dale's descriptor so where I thought we were going was that Dale was Sophie's Guardian Angel who wasn't supposed to be romantically involved with her and the reason he was gone is that he was forcibly brought back to heaven. But that may be because I recently watched this.

Dale, is upsettingly sweet with Sophie, calls her "sweetie" the entire time they're together, fights a ton of angels to get to her, and says he got her text message. Emily is about to cry. *I'm* about to cry. I'm sure the only reason Brennan isn't fistpumping is because he needs to stay in character.

Dale gives this cryptic piece of advice before he is dragged off by angel guards: When you get to the top, I know what it'll seem like, but there is someone there.

Emily, of course: I fight the angels.

The angels, hilariously, don't take it personally that she's fighting them--and very well, but not well enough to beat a nat 20. Sometimes the dice are spooky in tune with the story.

"He's got a job to do here. Who's gonna watch the deer?"

Dale also tells Soph to tell Jackson he said hi which is interesting to say the least.

Emily gets two very dope lines in a row:

"Let me hold your hand through this Alejandro."

"I'm gonna kill her. And I don't think she's going to the great big airport in Brooklyn."

That's it for her for now, but let's put a pin in that for now and come back to it after we check in with the others.

Siobhan and Kingston are at the former spot of Faerie, the Glamour Bar.

Zac jokingly (I think) guessing Dr. Doolittle as the thing Siobhan can't remember when she says Eliza Doolittle is so funny.

Also, her terrible cockney British accent on top of her actual British accent is great.

I love that the two actual Real Adults are the ones who go and get wasted mid-mission.

Brennan introduces "Bobby Goodfellow" and it takes Siobhan exactly four seconds after Brennan finishes the word "Goodfellow" to be like, "It's Puck." She knew and she knew her character would know it and she hardcore pounced.

I meant to mention this before but it's super funny that Kingston has been around the magical block but there's still so much he doesn't know. He was surprised by a bunch of stuff in this ep that I'd think he would know about (like the Midsummer's faeries being real) but nah. He's like, "This is my specific brand of magic nonsense. That's what I know about. I don't mess around with any of *that* stuff. I stay in my lane. I stay in my city."

Ty Brennan for teaching me how to pronounce sláinte. This is the first time I'm hearing it out loud.

I love his Puck voice. Like, the little British street urchin voice.

No big surprise, Puck sent the mirror on the order of Oberon and Titania (who are not back together but are knocking boots according to him).

Puck warns Misty, "The world of mortals is not long for this world," and follows it up with a seemingly sincere, "Come home. We miss you," which is an interesting thing to say after announcing that Titania is gunning for her. Who is this we, Puck? Your boss wants to bodyslam her!

Also, what do the faeries know that they're not saying? All of them in the bar seemed to know something was off but none of them said anything and Puck didn't elaborate.

I've always liked the trope of the person from the otherworldly, magical or super advanced being like, "Idk what you're talking about. Humans are great!" because it's the opposite of the snooty elf/vulcan/whatever trope that I really can't stand. Misty showed shades of that in this conversation but I feel like there's still so much that we're missing in her backstory and I wanna know what it is.

(Also, this is prob just me being a little pepe silvia but I would be very unsurprised if Misty got an opportunity to betray the party at some point. Don't @ me. It's just something I could see myself offering to a player for the drama of it all).

Anyway, Kingston is extremely uncomfortable in the bar and makes a hasty exit so let's go to the museum with Pete and Nod.

Ally jumps onto the, "Suggested donations are for suckers" train w/ Siobhan.

Turns out, Pete f'd up Robert up so much that he has kind of a brain link with him. I wonder how long that's gonna last.

Pete gets proficiency in arcana and a choice between lesseing wild magic surges or gaining some control over them (2 wild magic rolls on a fail and ally gets to choose which effect takes place). Obv the second one is more fun rp-wise so that's what Ally picks.

It's a memory museum so OF COURSE he gets a chance to look at the memories of the rest of the party. But it's getting late so he only has a chance to check on one person's memories. He, naturally, picks Kingston. Makes perfect sense from an RP perspective but out of character I feel like Misty is the most closed book of the party.

Pete sees Kingston's life from his childhood to the present (Brennan puts Lou on the spot to do some improv...I mean beyond the improv they're already doing) and it's about what you would expect based on what we know about Kingston but it's very beautifully described (sidenote: did any of y'all ever watch the life and times of juniper lee? where she can't leave the city bc she's like the buffy of that world? I really felt shades of that, except more self imposed).

During that montage, a character is like, "You could make hundreds of millions of dollars--I mean, I'm exaggerating," (s/t like that) and I'm not gonna go back and check but I feel like Brennan (or maybe Lou) made almost exactly the same comment in the first ep of this season in a very similar context.

Oh, also, Kingston gets dubbed Vox Populi by a dragon on Bleecker Street in case you were wondering about logistics.

Again, Nod says that inviting Liz into his life was basically dooming Liz to be stuck dealing with the Unsleeping City but I feel like unless you have a Vox position or something similar you should be able to, like, opt out. So what you need to ignore some weird stuff day to day? May I direct you to my earlier anecdote about the flute dude in the tree. New Yorkers are good at that. And if she moved away, would it even be an issue?

Actually, that raises another question. Is NY the only place where magic is happening? It can't be because Santa is doing his thing at the North Pole. And NY has the Umbral Arcana which shields magic from muggles. Does that mean that elsewhere, magic just isn't hidden? I'm guessing that works because the bulk of magical happenings are happening in NY. Which, again, if so, couldn't Liz just move if she really wanted to? Or is she actually being *kept* there?

Ahhhhh, that argument scene with Kingston and Liz. Ow.

Robert's subconscious is heckling Kingston's memories the entire time.

The party gets back together, Pete immediately lets Kingston know he was memory spying on him and hugs him (while Misty is drunk a singing over him). Their rift literally caused a kind of rift in NYC which is now healed (which causes Sophie to see the Unsleeping City/Dreaming Yin-Yang sign over their heads).

Ricky drinks the 1000 hr energy so start the clock I guess.

Misty, upon hearing that Dale is dead basically does that John Mulaney bit: Hey, do you want me to kill that guy for you? Because it sounds like [s]he sucks and I will totally kill that guy for you.

It's the day of Priya's art show which I totally forgot was happening. Before that, Sophie finally goes to see her brother and we can return back to that pin I mentioned earlier.

(Also, it’s the 20th which means we’re getting really close to Christmas)

He says that their family got mixed up with the Confettis and they've been helping to launder magical items that Confetti is paying some rep from Hell (an associate of Robert's).

And by, "Some rep from hell," I mean Isabella Infierno specifically.

Emily, hilariously riffs for a while about how small it was of her to call Isabella a succubus even though she clearly knows at this point that Isabella is some kind of demon. I mean...Infierno. Come on.

Sidenote: Which demon actually trying to be subtle would pick the last name Infierno? You wanna blow your cover for the aesthetic that bad?

Emily goes, "Oh my (beat) Nod," which I think is the exact way she dropped the first, "Oh Melora," in one of the first eps of Naddpod.

Anyway, it turns out that Soph's family knew that Isabella was gunning for Dale (he was getting close to realizing something shady was going on) and, while they didn't call the shot, they let it happen.

Oh! He also says Dale was a chosen one from "some monastery" which, of course, fits in with Dale's comment about saying hi to Jackson. Now I'm wondering if his other comment--about there seeming like there's nothing at the top--is about whatever chosen one test he had to take to get the position to begin with. And maybe he was giving a clue to Sophie so that when she takes it, she'll for sure pass and get whatever dope powers or weapons or privileges come with the position.

"The only reason I'm not going to go after you right now is because I'm not organized enough to give you the fucking revenge you deserve." Soph is cold as ice after hearing about what her family did.

"Maybe you should have said that to Isabella before she went after me." Another mic drop line from Emily. This really was her episode. You can really see Emily channeling hr genuine emotional reactions into her character.

La Gran Gata shows up to let Soph know she has her back to hunt down Isabella. The only other warlocks really seen played are Fjord on CritRole and Leiland on Bloodkeep so it's wild to see a character with such a chill relationship with their patron.

So, Priya's art show. They show up (to a distressingly unsafe building from Ricky's perspective) and it turns out, not only is it performance art (the worst kind) Pete *is* the art.

"I present to all of you: cruelty, a exploration of a relationship. Peter, take my hand."

major barf.

Pete goes OFF

Kingston: Picasso is art, this is bullshit!

Siobhan: Her last name is Danger? I hate this bitch.

Pete gets over Priya instantly which totally tracks because, like I said, barf.

Sophie stealing Ricky's thing and rooftop jumping. Zac narrows his eyes when she says that.

I love Isabella's title card. It says, "Literal Succubus". It reminds me of the funniest scene in Bedazzled when the Devil (Liz Hurley) gives Brendan Frasier her business card and it just says, "The Devil".

But she's here and she's here to fight! I'm so excited for this one y'all! Unsafe building. Lots of civilians. Sophie (and Emily) going totally feral. I haven’t looked forward to a fight this much since Adaine went for Aelwen. Let's gooooo!

#asks #dimension 20 #the unsleeping city #d20 #riz-gukgak #this is 5k words #aren't I good at utilizing my free time

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mychakk · 5 years

Note

Hello again my dear friend. Your very own SSS is back with questions regarding your gift(s). I was actually wondering how you feel about au's fics. Do you like them? And if yes, do you have a favorite one? And after that please tell me your favorite hc about all of the ships you love and you have included in your ship list. I would like to know more about them and how you see them all.

Oh, I love AUs! I love the what if stories that explore a canon divergence or a similar but different path due to some one change (although I don’t like swap fic like swap lock with Molly as the consulting detective, just no.). I also love the AR like Potter’verse for Sherlolly, Victorian, Pirate, Medieval, Regency etc. I love AUs they allow to explore the characters in a new way. It’s also tricky to keep them in character but some leeway is always allowed ;) I love arranged marriage and marriage of convenience trope a lot.

Oh, my, hc for my beloved ships, well I think I listed a lot of them XD ok, here it goes: (I think it’s more view/feelings bout them than hc per se, sorry!)

MCU:

Pepper/Tony - I think it’s all about her quiet but unmovable support of him and yet the ability to call his bullshit. (sounds familiar, doesn’t it? I have a type I suppose). And once he realises what he has he’ll do everything to protect her. That scene in Iron Man 2, when instead of taking to armour onto himself he puts it on her… Yes, those two are just perfect. As for hc, I like to think that Pepper was already pregnant at the end of Avengers 3, so when Tony returns (and I don’t accept any other option, Marvel, you hear, they deserve a happy ending!), There’s going to be small little being (I’m leaning toward a daughter) around Pepper’s legs to greet him as well. :)

Peter/MJ - Oh, this is my OTP since my childhood as I’ve always loved Spider-Man. I love the new dynamics in MCU, and I cannot wait to see their romance. My fav part is that she’s eventually aware of his true identity and supports him (see, a type, I tell you). In the animated version from the mid 90s their story was quite a tragic one and I think I liked it a lot too.

Gamora/Peter aka Starlord - Oh my, they are two hurt by harsh life, wary people, especially Gamora, and their romance was such a sublime precious thing. Not overtly done but there. And how he managed to win her over, how reluctant she was but he persisted first with steadfast friendship then something more (once again sounds familiar, doesn’t it?). I cried like a baby while watching Avengers 3, both times. I also cry at the Guardians Movies (yes, the movies, both of them, because they are about friendship and family above all else). Guardians are my top favourite movies of the whole franchise, duh,

Steve/Natasha - Here it’s a little tricky because I’m a little multishipper for those two. Steve/Peggy was a tragic romance that pulled at my heartstrings, but I really wouldn’t want it to be revisited, tbh, I liked how star-crossed they were. I definitely do NOT ship Steve with Peggy’s niece (was it?), nope, no feelings about them whatsoever. But, Natasha… Now, Winter Soldier, and ever since… There is such a potential for those two. They work so well together. Yes… And once again it’s about her quiet but efficient support of him. Burce/Natasha didn’t do anything for me, sorry. But I was intrigued byt Natasha/Clint and kinda shipped them until we learnt about Clint’s family. I love that he had a family.

Harry Potter

Harry/Hermione - God, this ship. This is my OTP. Only Sherlolly rivals it as my OTP. Atm, Sherlolly is top one, but Harmione is close by and I still revisit the fandom just for the two of them. I love that they are such a close friends. The trust between them in unmovable, unshakable; she follows him and supports him, but isn’t afraid to call his bullshit, he encourages her and is there for her, he was the first one to see her as someone with feelings (it for sure wasn’t Ron no matter how much I love the redhead). He taught her to see past books and cleverness, he taught her about friendship and love. And she was onle of the very few and probably the very first one who saw him just as Harry (it took time for Ron and way too long for Ginny, to lose the fangirl/fanboy attitude). I love how complementary they are. For me they are perfect. I like to hc they have always been in love with each other just didn’t realise it at first. I like to imagine that post war, instead of the epilogue, all the characters managed to truly find themselves which led to a more suited pairings (for me the series ends before the epilogue obviously ;)

Ron/Luna - I have a major issue with Ron and Hermione and it’s how he treats her. I’m sorry but he always belittles her and she does the same to him! But for me, Luna has a lot of Hermione’s traits (inteligence for once), but never bellitled Ron, but always supported him. Hermione does it too, of course, and yet Luna’s support seems more like a fuel for Ron to reach his potential. Hermione will always be better than Ron and for Ron who always craved greatness it’s a huge thing to overcome. But Luna seems to follow her dreams yet support Ron in his. That’s how I have always seen them. That’s what is my hc.

Neville/Ginny - I definitely prefer this pairing for Ginny. It’s mostly because once again I felt that Ginny’s support could have helped Neville become the man he could be (thankfully he managed it without her, but before book 7, I always felt she could be the key for Neville and it stayed with me), I always felt that his quiet nature and less flamboyant self would be a lot more calming for her fiery temperament than Harry ever could…

Draco/Ginny - Here I am for the fiery combination of the two XD I also like a redeemed Draco theme. And sometimes ship him in a onesided Dramone too. I also like their kinda Romeo/Juliet situation.

Lucius/Narcissa - that ship took me by surprise, tbh! I’ve read a couple of fabulous Harmione fics with them, and two of the greatest broke them apart making them more an arranged polite pairing than anything else and I realised I actually ship them as in love. I don’t know why, I just like the idea of them, even being on the wrong side of the light, to still being able to experience love. In the end it was that love that redeemed them. Sometimes I like to hc they fell in love after they were arranged.

Remus/Tonks - the way she fought for him, and in the end their true love won. Even if for a short while before being cut of tragically. I like that they are actually quite an unusual pair and because of their age difference too. Sometimes I like to hc that if they survived they’d struggle as a married couple but overcome all the obstacles and learn how to be truly happy together

Bones

Booth/Brennan - this is another major OTP for me. I love their friendship, mutual, trust, support, their ability to compromise and being opened to the other and their life/word view. Their love story was the greatest feature of the whole show. It was so nice to see them reach a happy ever after and live through it. I love how they both grown as characters thanks to this wonderful relationship they shared over the years. And how faithful, how loyal to each other they have always been.

Angela/Hodgins - this is another story of true love can prevail everything. God, she was such a free spirirt, it looked like he didn’t stand a chance, but his persistence, his love for her, his support as she were with someone else after their break-up, and then their happiness. God, I love them so much. And I want a Hodgins of my own ;)

Sweets/Daisy - they were so cute as a silly version of Booth/Brennan. They also learned a lot about themselves and each other during their relationship. They grew both as characters and as a couple. And I really liked it.

How To Train Your Dragon

Hiccup/Astrid - first of all they are friends. And based on that, they support each other, trust each other, back up each other, but also talk and point out flaws. I like to hc they’d have always ended up together.

Ruffnut/Fishlegs - this one is a tricky one as it’s only fanon based. But I like the idea of Ruff, who is a wild spirit, and Fishlegs who is the scholary type, to find some kind of connection and appreciation. It’s a little similar to Neville/Ginny I suppose. I really love them, and how they could truly balance each other.

Anne with an E

Gilbert/Anne - oh, I have always shipped them, but in this version it’s all about his devotion. He’s so completely in love with her. They also try to be friends and support each other and be there for each other and I think that’s wonderful.

BBC Sherlock:

Sherlolly - oh, my. I think the thing about them for me is their mutual trust and a certain tender approach toward each other. I think that Molly is the only one who truly sees Sherlock as a man and not the Sherlock Holmes and it’s something that’s very attractive to Sherlock, very addictive and that’s why he can be himself with her, and show his vulnerability. There is also a lot of respect between them in their quiet companionship. I also like that they are kinda hidden from everyone else. Only the audience truly knows what really goes between them and that’s very precious to them. I like how they support each other. They work together, they trust each other even if they don’t like what they see. But they work together.

Warstan - Mary is just perfect match for John. They work so well together. I hate that John almost threw it all away. It shows he’s human but it was a very painful plot. I like to hc, that Mary would have eventually forgiven him, but he would have to really work to get her trust back. I will also dare to say, that maybe there were some huge issues on both sides to work through and John’s wayward thoughts toward E were a result of that. Don’t get me wrong, he was the one who did an awful thing. But maybe Mary wasn’t such a saint either, after all she left him and Rosie without a second thought (to protect them sure), but she wasn’t willing to work with John. Maybe she subconsciously pushed him away? Maybe she was afraid of his reaction based on how badly he took the news about her past? It doesn’t change the fact that both were at fault and didn’t have enough time to work through their issues. They were faulty real people and that’s what I love about them. I wish I could see more of them and their fight for their happiness.

Mythea - Once again an example of a ship with a woman supporting a man. I like to think he is very protective of her but also kinda shy about his feelings. I don’t know, I see him also viewing himself as unworthy of her affections. While she is kinda helplessly in love with him. In the end they take their heads of their arses and have their happily ever after. I like to hc that Anthea’s been moved away from Mycroft to protect her and maybe because they did start a relationship and she was on maternity leave so that’s why we didn’t see her in s4 ;)

So, I hope you don’t mind me being talkative about my ships XD

Do you share some of mine? Do you have complete deferent views on the characters? Feel free to tell me :)

#sherlolly secret santa #sherlolly secret santa 2018

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swanderful1 · 7 years

Text

A Cold Awakening: Ch 11/?

Summary: Modern crime AU. Twenty years have gone by since Storybrooke was shaken to the core by a gruesome crime that went unsolved. Sheriff David Nolan and his partner, daughter Emma are forced to revisit the crime. At the same time, Killian Jones and his older brother Liam have been drawn back to the town they had longed to never see again, struggling to find their own answers. As taunting notes and clues show up they are taken on a journey to finally bring justice for the Jones family. And Emma Nolan finds herself caught in a situation more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

Notes: Thank you all so much for the support and feedback I have received on this story it is truly overwhelming. That being said, I hope you all enjoy this next chapter and where I take things from here.

Rated: M

Killian’s POV

“Are you going to tell me where that mark on your neck came from?” Liam asked Killian as they sat on a park bench. It was early Saturday morning. Needing to get out of his hotel, Killian had called his brother and asked to meet up. He had leashed up his dog and Liam had brought Harper along, the two were now running around an otherwise empty playground. If there was one part of the reopening of this case he was grateful for, it was the reentrance of family back into his life.

“It’s nothing, Liam.” Killian tugged the collar of his jacket up around his neck, covering the now purple and red bruising, in a pitiful attempt to hide the damned thing. The cool mist of the morning settled over the park. It had rained the night before but the warming of the weather that came with spring time had brought on a layer of fog.

“Is it fair to assume that the one who left the bite mark on your lip last week is the same person who gave you the bite mark on your neck?”

Killian looked over at his brother, raising an eyebrow at him, not willing to dive into this subject this early. And especially when the entire act was so fresh in his mind.

“It appears as though a certain deputy sheriff is trying to eat you alive, Killian.” Liam’s face was significantly more amused. He could truly be an ass sometimes. “Perhaps you should try asking her out on a date, little brother.”

“I’m not sure either of us is there yet.” And he wasn’t. The night before… in the station with Emma, had been impulsive and reckless. In the light of morning his actions were much more clear to him. If he was being perfectly honest he was embarrassed above anything else.

“You know the first night I met Laura she gave me a black eye?”

Killian continued to look forward, trying his best to ignore his brother’s insinuations that he and Laura were in any way similar to the nature of his relationship with Emma. Because there wasn’t one. He instead focused on the sight of his niece chasing his dog around clumsily with a stick. The dog looking thrilled to be up and about with a friend to play with.

“We were at a bar and some guy wouldn’t leave her alone…” Liam continued. “I went over to help, but she clearly didn’t need any. She went to punch the asshole in the face but ended up hitting me instead.”

“Sounds to me like she still managed to hit one asshole that night.”

“You’re a real piece of work, you know?”

“Believe me. I’m aware.” And he was. He knew the kind of guy he had grown to be.

Moments of quiet passed as the two sat on the bench listening to the soft giggle of Harper running about with the dog.

“Do you ever think about giving her a little brother or sister?” Killian ventured. Liam had done enough prying into his personal life for the time being. It was the other brother’s turn to do the questioning.

“We had actually talked about it right before…” Liam paused, seeming to get a bit tripped over his words. “Before we had to come back here.”

“Aye, but now everything’s a mess.”

“That it is.”

“She’s probably rather lonely though, Liam. She’s around adults all of the time.”

“Laura’s been bringing it up again lately. I think she really wants another baby. No matter the circumstances.” Liam looked torn as he spoke. The man who was usually so light and smiley was so obviously deeply troubled by it all.

“And what do you want?”

“I would just like to get back to my house. My job. My life.” Liam leaned forward, elbows on knees. “I’m not bringing another kid into this mess.”

Suddenly Killian understood. He was grasping the motive behind Liam’s apprehension. “You aren’t them, Liam.”

The elder brother said nothing but just stared. Stared off into the playground where his little girl ran freely. A far more simplistic childhood moment than he or Liam had ever had. Their lives having been complicated by their parents from the time they were small.

“You’re nothing like mom and dad. You won’t make the same mistakes they made with us.”

“There’s got to be-”

“It’s not up for debate.” It absolutely was not. Killian knew Liam to be a far better father than they had ever had. To even put Brennan and Liam in the same category of fathers would be an insult. Killian reached out and put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. And slowly Liam began to sit back up.

“Uncle Killy!” Harper, in her bright yellow rain boots and pink flowered jacket, was running toward where they sat on the bench. Piercing the silence with her high pitched voice. The dog in tow. He would be lying if he said it didn’t warm his heart.

“What is it, little one?” he leaned so he was at her level. Her face a look of pure concern at whatever was on her mind.

“Princess ate a bug.”

The worries and troubles of a toddler. He looked over at his dog, who had clearly recovered from the bug incident rather quickly and was rolling on her back in a patch of grass. No doubt coating herself in mud and twigs for Killian to wash out later. He stifled a laugh.

“Thank you for letting me know. But I do not think there’s any reason to be worried, lass. She’s a very tough dog.” Killian could feel his brother next to him also trying to choke down a laugh of his own. The little girl was the only one charming enough to bring Killian’s voice down to the soft level it was at when he talked to her. It was like an entirely different shade came out of him in her presence.

“Sweetheart, why don’t you put Princess’s leash on and we’ll head back to the house for breakfast. Okay?” Liam spoke. The sky looking as though it may open up again soon for a dousing of rain.

Back in his hotel room, Killian glanced over paperwork he was behind on. He wanted to use the dull Saturday morning to get some work accomplished. Working from the states was doable but it required almost all of his spare time. When he wasn’t chasing around a certain blonde, he supposed. And usually he was able to accomplish a decent amount of work but his mind was elsewhere. Sipping his coffee from the comforts of the couch as the rainstorm roared outside the windows. He pictured legs wrapped around him. He pictured red lips smudged from his own. Blonde hair flowing wildly down her back. He pictured the look of pure pleasure on Emma Nolan’s face as she came undone before him. At his mercy. The sound of his name escaping her as if it was the filthiest word in the dictionary.

She was a vision. In any capacity she was, but especially in the throes of passion. He wanted more. He wanted to be able to fully give her what she was seeking. What they both seemed to be seeking. To plunge deep inside of her and rhythmically grind to the feel of one another’s instinctual movements. She had wanted it too, the way she reached for him when he was finished with her. The slightest moan that came from her throat. Bloody hell he was losing his mind even just thinking about it.

He stood from the living room couch, coffee mug in hand, and walked over to the french doors. Killian watched as the rain fell drop by drop onto the concrete, soaking the entire patio and all of its contents. The night she had come to him, the night of the kiss, he had been so angry and so upset. But the moment he looked at her standing before him. Taking in the weight of the fact that she had been the one to come to him. He felt the anger and resentment that came with being in such a difficult and personal situation fall away. All that he could think about was the green-eyed siren before him.

Killian sighed, looking out over the trees and to the far off city skyline. The view from the top was unparalleled. He took a measured sip of the coffee. He had added just a sprinkle of cinnamon to the mixture but no one else had to know that. He thought back to the night before. How after seeing Emma dressed for her date at the police station he had felt overcome with something. Feelings? It was not anything he was used to. The last woman he had felt anything more than a one night stand with was Grace. A woman so complicated he still felt he didn’t entirely know her even after they dated for several years.

He drove around that night. Needing a way to busy his overactive imagination. The thought of Emma being on a date was something he had no right to an opinion on, but he felt one brewing nevertheless.

It was late when he ended up back in Storybrooke. He had grabbed a meal and a drink at Granny’s before deciding it was time for him to retreat to his dwellings. Their interpretation of fried food beginning to appeal to him the longer he was in town. As the weight of the day had settled into his stomach he drove in the direction of his hotel. But when he passed the police station the unmistakable sight of the bright yellow bug drew him in. What was she still doing there? Was something wrong? Would she even want him to drop in?

He threw all caution aside and chose to check in. Purely on the basis of ensuring she was all right. At least that was what he told himself. But then once he saw her everything became more clear. She stood at her desk, dressed impeccably and looking like an absolute goddess. But there was something in her expression that gave way to disappointment. Perhaps her date had not gone as planned. The part of him that had any sort of impulse control was ignored as he made his little speech, wanting to see if he could get a rise out of her.

And he clearly did. Emma’s responsiveness to his words completely fueling his impromptu monologue. He wanted her. So bloody badly. The way she curled into his touch. Rolled her hips right into his ministrations. Just how wet she had been for him. It was all so much to process. And then when it came time to claim her, to enter her, to make her cry out his name in euphoria as she rode his cock, he wouldn’t.

“Remember this the next time you decide there is any man suitable enough to have you in their bed, darling.”

What had come over him. Next time? He hadn’t pictured multiple dalliances with a woman in so long. And here he was, all this time later, after swearing he was committed to life as a bachelor. With the way he lived his life, the intense demands of his work life. It was simpler to be alone. But Emma. She made him want… more. Selfishly. Wanting to yield to her electric touch. As if on cue his phone beeped from the other side of the room. Probably Liam, teasing him again about the damned hickey on his neck. Much to his surprise it was not in fact Liam, or anyone else he would have been expecting.

Emma: Are you free to meet later?

Killian gulped. The thought of seeing her again slowly drawing all of the blood down south.

Killian: Sure what time?

Emma: I could come over around 9 if that’s okay?

Coming here? Bloody hell she was coming back to his hotel. He had suspected drinks or something somewhere public where there were people who would keep them in line.

Killian: Perfect. I’ll let the front desk know you’ll be here.

A smile had crept onto his face during the course of the conversation. He wiped it off immediately. Any decision regarding the next steps of what they may do together was just as much hers as it was his. They were adults, in a very…. Unique situation. He knew she put her job first always. If she even had the slightest feeling he could prevent her from doing that job, the possibility of anything between them would be over before it had even begun.

That night he busied himself as much as he could around the hotel room. Tidying up this room and that. Switching out the gray satin sheets on the bed. Dimming most of lights. Making sure his dog was tended to properly so she wouldn’t get fussy when Emma came over. Even going so far as to have room service send up some food for the room in case either of them was hungry. He thought of ordering something… romantic. Like champagne or chocolate covered strawberries but thought better of it. Emma hadn’t exactly given specifics to their meeting. There was a very real possibility she was coming here to tell him to fuck off after his behavior the night before.

He changed his outfit roughly four times. Not certain what the night would bring, he settled on jeans and a dark blue button up. He left a few of the top buttons undone revealing just a bit of the hair on his chest. Killian had caught Emma staring at it from time to time, and it wasn’t an accident that if he was around her usually a peek of it was visible. He made sure to roll down the sleeves all the way though. The tattoo on his arm an emblem of the past he didn’t wish to display for someone who he was having such interesting feelings for. The night Emma had noticed the tattoo of Grace’s name she had fearlessly asked him about it. Though that didn’t mean she needed a constant reminder of the woman’s name literally emblazoned on his skin. Grace. The dark haired beauty that had waltzed into his life and subsequently wrecked it all the same. Emma wasn’t her, he reminded himself. And that’s a good thing.

The ding of the elevator signaled she had arrived. Unlike last time she was here, he was able to walk to the foyer and greet her. She stepped over the threshold and into the space a bit nervously. He wanted to reach out and place a kiss on her hand. But she looked rather uneasy so he held back. Assuming he was right. That she most likely wanted nothing more to do with him outside of the case. It didn’t stop him from admiring how beautiful she looked. In her usual jeans, leather jacket, and boots. She looked stunning in anything. But he caught himself wondering if underneath she had on a hint on the black lace she had donned the night before.

“Hi,” she said, green eyes looking right into his. He became a little nervous. Feeling like he was a young lad again. When he didn’t know how to act around women.

“Hello, love.” He offered her a slight smile. She returned it, but it was forced. “Can I offer you a drink?”

“Uh yeah, a drink would be good.” She followed him into the great room, to the corner where the bar was. The air was thick in the space between them. The tension could be cut with a knife. Killian wanted nothing more than to eliminate the uncomfortable energy and transfer it to activities far more… enjoyable. But the next move was hers. He had more than made himself clear the night before.

“And what is it you’ll be having?”

“A rum and coke’s fine.” She stood by the windows overlooking the patio. Like if she got close to him he would do the same he had the night before. He shuddered at the thought of her being this uncomfortable. She glanced around the room, and he wondered if she noticed he had cleaned. But her eyes settled on the coffee table where an array of room service food sat out. “You got snacks?” She seemed amused enough, a smile creeping onto her face that was genuine this time.

“I must admit, Miss Nolan, your motives for coming over here were not very clear I simply chose to be prepared for anything.” He looked at her now from across the stainless steel bar he stood behind, mixing his own cocktail. Her eyes did not break from his, no doubt trying to measure the depth of his words as he usually caught her doing.

“Well I thought it would be… beneficial to discuss what happened last night.” She sipped her drink. Averting her eyes. Shoulders tense. “Before we have to sit in a meeting across from each other on Monday.”

“And what exactly is it you’d like to discuss, love?” He stirred the contents of the small tumbler with a skinny black straw as it sat on the glass top of the bar. Condensation collecting on its sides as he waited for her response.

“We should go outside. I need some fresh air,” was her response. Before he could say anything more she was opening the french doors and halfway across the patio. He followed, because what else would he do?

The night was comfortably cool from the day’s rain. The only light nearby being from the moon above. The penthouse patio was far above any nearby building so it offered a level of privacy. It reminded him of his own balcony at home in London. Except his contained a hot tub and a modern glass fireplace. Whereas this one was simpler and more classic in its design. The surfaces had all but dried now from the earlier storm. He moved so he was near the balcony, resting his arms on the wrought iron banister. She stood next to him. Her elbows leaned on the railing.

“What happened was… it can’t ever happen again…” she spoke. Not looking at him.

He knew it. He knew she had come here solely to reject him. To put up walls against whatever draw existed between them. Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair and began to pace the patio. Trying to put as much distance between the two of them as possible.

“As you wish, darling.”

“Killian…” Her voice was strained as she said his name. He had never loved his name so much as when it came from her mouth. “It can’t ever happen again because… that’s where I work. I sit at that desk every day.”

He was across the patio now. Arms folded, watching her. Gauging the next move. She shed her red leather jacket and laid it across one of the lounge chairs then slowly took steps closer to him. His eyebrow went up at the way she walked. It wasn’t the walk of someone who was leaving. Not the walk of someone who was fleeing this connection.

“There are cameras everywhere at the station.” She was a few steps from him now. The excitement building in his chest and his cock the closer she was. “When we do this, I don’t want to get caught.”

It took all of his strength for his jaw not to drop at her choice of words. When we do this, not if we do this. There was a distinction. And one that someone as intelligent as Emma Nolan would not let slip. The fire in him was only burning hotter as she closed the distance between them and began running her hands up the sides of his torso.

“Make no mistake, Killian. I want you,” she started, imitating his bold statements from the night before. A naughty look in her eyes as her hands settled on his shoulders. “And after yesterday I’m having a hard time convincing myself otherwise.”

He didn’t realize it but she had slowly backed him up against the railing of the balcony. The cool metal against his hands as a prop to stay standing. He allowed himself to stare into her eyes, the striking green orbs that had captivated him so. This intelligent, independent, gorgeous woman wanted him too. And not only was it evident in her actions, but her words as well.

“I have rules, though.” Her hands slowly began to wander from his shoulders, down to the opening of his shirt where a button had been undone to reveal a part of his chest. The simple skin on skin contact sending a shiver through him. How was it possible that such a simple touch of hers set him so ablaze with the need to fuck her?

“Of course you do.” His tone was mocking as he spoke but he would follow any command she gave him. Especially as one of her hands made their way to his cheek, stroking it lightly. Before leaning in to place the most slow, torturous kiss on his lips. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him. He could feel every inch of her soft silk blouse, the toned body that lay beneath it. Her tongue danced across the entrance to his mouth before breaking inside. A moan escaped him. She was so bloody good with her mouth. In more ways than one, he assumed.

His lips left hers to trail slow, open mouthed kisses down the column of her throat. “I don’t do sleepovers,” she said breathlessly.

“Why would we?” He let out a low chuckle between kisses as he agreed but internally wondered what her gold tresses would look like fanned over his pillow in the morning. He continued to kiss, moving his mouth slowly to her earlobe and nibbled. Eliciting a deep hum from the woman in his arms.

“This can’t ever get out at work. In the office. During the investigation, we do not give any indication of what’s going on between us.”

He lifted his mouth from her skin quickly enough to mumble, “Certainly wouldn’t want to give anyone any ideas, love.”

“We won’t go on any dates. No romantic dinners or picnics in the park.” He felt her head roll back, giving him better access to her neck and chest as he worked his mouth down to the top of her shirt, yearning to free the breasts that lay beneath the fabric and suck her nipples until they were hard.

“Why have dinner when we can skip straight to dessert?” he groaned breathily. Imagining the sight of her, doused in whipped cream for him to carefully lick off.

“You can see other people if you like…” she trailed off, giving into the touch of his lips. Another laugh escaped him at the thought. The mere idea of seeking out another woman so amusing to him it deserved the laugh.

“Nice try, darling.”

She pulled away from him. Though his arms were still around her he felt her grip move down. Slowly to the waistband of his jeans. Hooking her fingers into the belt loops to pull him closer. Emma’s face wore a smirk of her own and raised an eyebrow at him as his hardened length pressed up against her leg.

“Tell me again what it is you want, Killian.” She reached to the front of his jeans and began to unbutton. The closeness to his cock made him audibly gasp. She reached her hand inside of his briefs and grabbed hold of the throbbing member. All of the blood had rushed to that exact spot.

He tried to formulate a clever response, something dripping with innuendo that would set her over the edge but all that came out was the truth, “I want you, Emma.” His hand reached up and tucked her blonde hair behind her ear. God she was beautiful.

Her hands stroked his cock as she looked down at it with hooded eyes, freeing it from the confines of his pants. Killian was already hard even from the limited touching they had done so far.

“Fuck… you’re so big,” her voice sounding wrecked as she spoke.

He leaned his head back and let out a groan. Even the slightest movements of her hand made him ache with want. She gave him a teasing look and her tongue moved against her lip, shoving his pants out of the way. Before she slowly knelt down before him. He could barely register what was happening, his mind so flushed with desire.

Her blonde head now at eye level with his cock, taking her tongue and delicately coating the tip in a mixture of her saliva and the bit of precum that had been released. He moaned again. Desperate for her to continue. One hand returned to the railing behind him for support, the other went to the top of her head, guiding that gorgeous mouth of hers further over him.

“Christ, Emma.” He cried out as she slowly took the length into her mouth. Maneuvering her hot, wet mouth expertly. She took him deep, feeling as she had the entire member at the base of her throat. She sucked and licked, dragging her tongue along the enlarged vein on his cock. He didn’t know how much longer he would last if she kept this up. “So fucking good.”

“Mmmm…” she moaned pulling back her head in the slightest. The sound of her enjoying the taste of him was all too much to bear. He needed more. His hips began to pump, thrusting into her mouth as he anticipated the inevitable release. His hands tangled in her hair. He needed to touch her in some way. Any way. As her talented mouth did its work. She took him. All of him, her teeth dragging ever so lightly across his shaft, her throat expanding to allow him entirely inside. He felt his knees shaking ready to give way.

“Fuck…. Emma… I’m going to…. I don’t want to…” he tried to warn her that he was about to come. Not wanting to do so in her mouth but instead of heeding his warning she grabbed his hips and bobbed her head, continuing to suck and lick him through it. A wave of awe and pleasure surged through his entire body, his shaft trembling as he emptied his seed down her throat. She swallowed all of it. Every last drop. Only opening her eyes seconds later to look back up at him.

He assumed he looked utterly wrecked. Breathing heavily as the final remnants of orgasm settled in his body. Killian had no idea what to say. She had managed to render him speechless yet again. So he reached down with one hand to where she knelt, easing a finger underneath her chin and pulling her to a standing position again. Now facing one another he could see the evidence of his release on the corners of her lips. Stunning. There was no other word.

Emma leaned in and placed a kiss to his mouth. He could taste himself on her tongue, on her lips, everywhere. He felt like he could float away he was so light. Their kissing continued, his hand leaving her chin and making its way to her long golden hair. He was so lost in the moment he didn’t even realize the cool metal touch his wrist until he heard the click of handcuffs being secured into place.

“Emma what the…?” He moved his wrist only to find it secured by a handcuff to the fleur de lis pattern on the balcony railing. An interesting smirk had crossed her face at his realization. She let out a slight laugh at him now being unable to move from the spot. She took steps backward, the click of her boots on the marble the only noise and it was driving him mad. Killian wanted to be close to her again. To have her in his arms. His breathing stilled anticipating her next move. But he honestly had no clue what it would be.

“You barge into my place of work… in the middle of the night, unannounced…” Emma slowly began unzipping the top of her jeans. “Get me all wound up, and then leave. If you want to play games, Killian, I’ll play. But I don’t like losing.”

His breath began to quicken again as he watched her fingers slide beneath her jeans, giving the slightest peek at the bright red panties she wore. God. He was hard again. He was entirely certain there had never been another woman who had this kind of effect on him. She tugged her damned boots off one by one before sliding out of her jeans. Which revealed the creamy skin beneath and her toned, long legs.

“Emma, darling, I just…” he panted. Eyes heavy as he watched her settle onto the chaise lounge several feet across the space but in his perfect line of sight. Now only wearing the button up silk shirt that barely covered her glorious ass. He tugged on his wrist that was chained to the iron. Hoping it would some how unclasp and he could make his way across the patio. Sheath himself inside of her and take her over and over on the very chair she now sat.

“Tell me, Mr. Jones. Do you like lace?” she asked as she tugged free the buttons on her blouse, slowly revealing that the underwear she wore indeed matched the bra underneath. The fabric fell away from her shoulders and she sat dressed only in the bright red bra and thong. He licked his lips, sweat pooling in little beads on his forehead.

“Not quite as much as I do right now.” He drank her in. So close but he still couldn’t reach her. She was an infuriating tease, but it made him want her no less. On the contrary he had never desired anyone more. The bold game she was starting unlike anything else he had ever experienced.

She smirked, settling into the couch, her hand finding its way beneath the red lace. A soft moan escaping her mouth as he watched her fingers work their way inside of her. Pleasuring herself before him.

Her other hand coming up to fondle her breast, still bound by the bra. Her head flung back, hair fanning over the side of the settee. He wished to run his fingers through her long golden mane, fucking her with his still hardened cock. Taking the time to bring her release over and over until she collapsed from exhaustion. But he was still chained up and all he could do was watch. The strain in his enlarged member almost painful as she gave way to her pleasures. Moaning. Arching her back. Her toned stomach curling up toward the stars in the night sky.

“Killian…” she pleaded. He could do nothing. He used his free hand to begin stroking his cock. Trying in some way to ease the ache he felt. He groaned, not taking his eyes from her as he watched the wanton goddess on his chair leading herself to completion as his name fell from her lips like a prayer. “It’s… better when… you do it.”

“Emma… love. So beautiful…” He furiously stroked himself to his release. His hand coated with the sticky liquid pouring from his shaft. At the same time Emma was climaxing herself, both of them giving way to their own ministrations in unison.

When his eyes came to and he had calmed as best he could, he stared over at Emma. She was laying face up on the cushions. Her chest going from a desperate heave to a slow rise and fall. He raked over her sated form. Red lace. She had come prepared. The white light of the moon casting shadows across her gorgeous body.

“Emma, darling.” He hoped that maybe her games were over. “Come over here, please.” And was surprised when she stood from the couch, walking over to him. Their faces inches apart.

With his free hand he reached down and grabbed hers, pulling her fingers up to his mouth. Kissing each digit one by one before sucking it clean of her juices. The taste of what it was like inside of her reminding him of the night before when he had done the same. He was sure he could live the rest of his days solely off of the sweet taste of her.

“I hope you enjoyed the show,” she whispered before giving him a chaste kiss on his lips. Emma pulled away and licked her lips. Humming as she moved to gather her clothes and shoes. A bundle in her arms she took one last look at him.

“Remember this the next time you decide teasing me is the way to get what you want.”

“What I want?” He laughed. Trying to remain confident though they both knew tonight she had the upper hand. “Given your actions I think it’s pretty clear what you want, love.”

With a twinkle in her eye she left the patio. Assumedly walking into the foyer to prepare herself to leave. There was no way she was actually going to leave him like this would she?

“Emma!” he yelled. “Emma! Come unlock these damned cuffs!” He tugged on the handcuff that was still encircling his wrist. Infuriatingly brilliant woman.

The only response he heard was the ding of the elevator and the sound of the doors closing. She had gone and left him here. Handcuffed to the railing.

“Bloody hell.” His free hand came up to his head to support it. The sweat from their illicit behavior still there in the afterglow. Which was slowly fading away now that she had abandoned him here. There was no way he could call Liam to help him. He knew he would never hear the end of it. The hotel staff would be just as confused but probably would not say anything.

The jingling sound of his dog’s collar made its way to the patio door Emma had left open. The gray outline of the strong pitbull clear in the lowlight of the evening. She passed the threshold, trotting along the marble floor to where Killian stood. Princess sat before him, close enough for him to see she had a key on her collar. Of fucking course.

“Princess. Over here,” he commanded, the authoritative tone holding absolutely no weight with the dog who continued to just stare at him. Flustered, Killian rolled his eyes and took a few deep breaths before changing the octave of his voice. “Princess, come here, peanut,” he called softly, trying to get her within arm’s reach.

The dog almost seemed amused at the turn of events. Her owner now in a rather compromising position. She walked over to his side and Killian was able to get the key off of her collar to unlock himself. The relief that came with being free from the metal caused a release of breath he did not realize he was holding. He looked down at his dog, who had her head tilted probably wondering the same thing he was.

What in the world had he gotten himself into?

Emma’s POV

Monday morning came quickly. Too quickly. After the events of Friday and Saturday night Emma needed time on Sunday to sort things out. The way everything had transpired wasn’t unwelcome. In fact, the sexually charged weekend had been just what she needed, just not with Killian Jones of all people. Who she was about thirty minutes from seeing again but now in a very different setting.

Emma stood several feet from her desk. Not able to look at it the same. Visions of legs wrapped around waist. Hands searching one another’s bodies. A desperate urge being explored. The heat pooled between her legs once again. She shook her head, trying to relieve herself of the flashbacks.

“Em, you okay?” Neal asked, bringing her back to reality.

“Yeah… fine.” Emma turned, looking at her ex-boyfriend who seemed mildly concerned at Emma’s behavior. “How are you?”

“I’m all right… something wrong with your desk?” He joked. But the question held an entirely different relevance in Emma’s mind.

Emma took a quiet inhale of breath and went to sit at her chair. Trying hard not to remember the last time she had been at this desk. The wood surface a strange land of muddled emotions to her now. And then there had been Saturday. Her calculated attempt to get back at him for Friday. The handcuffs being so theatrical she couldn’t believe she had actually gone through with it. But when she left his penthouse she honestly just wanted nothing more than to have Killian Jones fucking her in the filthy ways she knew he could. It was one of the things that drew her to him. He could keep up with her.

“Morning, coffee?” Neal placed one of the two mugs of the steaming warm liquid he was holding onto her desk. He sat on the edge of the surface and Emma bit back a gasp. The thought of Neal sitting where she had last bringing on feelings of guilt.

“Thanks.” She took a sip of the coffee. A hum going through her veins waking her up. “What’s up?”

“I know Henry was supposed to spend tonight with me but um I have a date so he’ll probably be with you. Okay?”

“Sure, who’s the lucky lady?” The thought of Neal with someone else didn’t affect her in any way anymore. There was a time where a surge of jealousy would have overcome her. But those days were long over and her only concern for who Neal was dating stemmed from her need to know who would be around Henry.

“Some girl I met out this weekend. It’s nothing serious. How was yours by the way? Last Friday?”

A beat of silence. Emma stacked some of the files that had been sitting on her desk. Ignoring the fact that most of them were now terribly wrinkled. “Friday was… interesting. I probably won’t see that guy ever again though.”

“Yikes, that bad?”

“Being single here is exhausting,” Emma felt a bit of relief. At least she or Neal hadn’t had any serious partners since each other. It made her feel the slightest bit better. “I’ll tell Henry to come to my place after work at your dad’s today.”

“Thanks, Em.” He leaned forward a bit closer to Emma’s ear, the movement a bit surprising to her. His voice quieted to just above a whisper. “Would you mind checking on my dad while you’re there?”

“Sure, is there something wrong?”

“Not that I know of but he’s been a little.. Odd lately even for him.” He looked down at his fingers that were twiddling in his lap. “I know you’re good at knowing when people aren’t being honest. So just, use your best judgement okay?”

“Okay. Of course.” She looked up at him, he seemed genuinely concerned for his father. Mr. Gold was a complicated man. A trait Emma was rather familiar with since having known him all her life. Even before Neal’s mother left he was odd. But Neal was her family and she would do whatever she could to ease his mind.

“You’re the best.” He stood from the desk, taking his cup of coffee over to where his was.

Emma fired up her laptop. The arrival of Mrs. Jones’ therapist this week was something she was actively preparing for. As it had been she who had made the discovery of the man, she felt it her responsibility to make headway on it before Dr. Hopper got here.

But she had been having trouble. Ever since she had discovered his name in the address book she had felt uneasy about the man. The fact that he had switched practices so many times. That Killian had claimed his mother had seen a therapist for a very long time but her patient records only showed about a dozen visits. She began researching the school Dr. Hopper listed as where his degree from, but again had trouble getting a straight answer. When she was about to pick up her phone and start making calls to the university’s alumni office, an announcement broke her focus and she set her phone down.

“Okay, everyone in the conference room now!” Graham entered the room and shouted. He seemed a bit tense. Emma looked over at Ruby who had ceased typing and looked awfully confused as well. There hadn’t been another weird delivery from the clue leaver this morning had there?

Emma stood from her desk at the same time as her best friend and together walked to the conference room with all of the other officers. The table was filled with her colleagues who looked just as confused as she. Ruby sat on one side of her and David on the other.

“This morning, my office in Boston got back to us with the results from the security footage analysis. Some of the cameras at traffic lights have shown an unmarked Ford Taurus in town. The car does not appear to be registered and could very well be stolen. More to come on that later but as of right now some of my agents are on the hunt for the vehicle.”

Emma looked at the projection screen, the blurry image of a dark green car at a traffic light. The face was not visible in the image, whomever it was had on some sort of dark hood. The room was silent. Everyone trying their best to get a good look at things.

Graham continued, “As for the security footage from the police station they were only able to make some sort of ID on the face from one of the nights. The camera caught the profile of what looks to be a woman leaving an envelope by the door.”

More silence in the room. There wasn’t much to see in the photo. But the amounts of technology available at the Boston investigation unit were far more advanced than the gaze of the human eye. A woman? Emma wrote down in her little notebook. Knowing that it could potentially be a female, assuming the ID was correct, eliminated so many other theories.

“As of right now we will be visualizing a female as the person who has been dispensing the clues. But if anyone comes up with other plausible suspects please come forward with the information,” Graham finished up his speech.

“For the remainder of the week we will continue business as usual. The therapist of Moira Jones will be in this office on Wednesday. Please be advised that more aggressive actions toward office security will be taken. More cameras are being installed in each corner of the building. Especially outside. Also a round the clock security team will be put into place. Led by Robin Locksley of your team, and aided by several of my own agents.”

Emma tightened at the mention of more security cameras in the office. The thought of how close she and Killian could have been to getting caught. It was a bit dangerous. More than a little reckless. And a small part of her felt excited. But the rational side scolded her, telling her they got away with their illicit behavior once, that was enough.

“Everyone else you are dismissed back to your duties with the exception of Graham, Emma and myself, we will be in here for a while.” David stood. His eyes going to the front door where Emma followed his gaze. There stood Regina Mills, Liam Jones, and last but certainly not least Killian Jones. Looking gorgeous as ever. Whom she had not seen since she left him handcuffed to a balcony after sucking him off in his hotel.

His eyes darted over at her. A look of amusement on his face. Perhaps at the fact that just 48 hours before they had been in a very compromising and personal situation. Perhaps it was the fact that the last time he had seen her she wore only red lace lingerie. Or perhaps it was just that there was something between them they couldn’t ignore. That only burned the more they teased one another.

She stood, following suit with her father to greet the three at the door to the conference room. David’s hand outstretched to shake each one of theirs as they entered the room. Emma was next to the table, her hip leaned against the piece of furniture they were all about to gather around.

“Killian, Liam, Regina. Good morning. If you’ll follow me we have some updates we would like to discuss with you,” David welcomed them. He was pleasant to each but the way that he shook Killian’s hand irked her. And reminded her exactly why she and Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome needed to be on their best behavior when in the office. No one could know.

Liam spotted her first, walking over and giving her a polite smile before taking his seat at the table. Regina, her usual demeanor of all business, gave Emma a cool handshake before sitting down next to Liam. And then finally Killian sauntered over to where she stood, the impending interaction making a knot form in her stomach as a smirk was displayed on his face. To her surprise though he politely reached his hand out to give hers a shake.

“Good morning, Miss Nolan,” he spoke softly, connecting his hand with hers. His demeanor too cool for the effect he was having on her. His dark hair ruffled just slightly, a well tailored outfit, blue eyes doing their usual work of piercing through her veneer. Even the way he managed to shake her hand was sensual in its connotation. When the metal handcuffs slid from beneath his jacket sleeve and into her palm she almost gasped. He leaned in slowly, before anyone noticed. Whispering, his silk voice sending a shiver through her core, “I believe these belong to you, darling.”

Following a quick wink and a spin on his heel he walked away to sit down in the seat right across from her. Where she would have to stare at him, knowing how much she wanted him, for the next fucking hour.

#captain swan #cs ff au #cs fanfics #cs au ff #cs au fic #captain swan fanfiction #cs modern #cs modern au #emma swan #killian jones

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diddlesanddoodles · 4 years

Text

DUMPLING ch 52

The further into forest they traveled, the older and larger the trees seemed to become. The naked branches of the deciduous slowly became less prevalent as coniferous took over and their path grew all the more dark. The forest floor was a mingled blanket of dried leaves, pine cones, and pine needles. As a result, the sound of the giants’ footsteps was accented by the crunching of the debris below.

It was far too easy to remember the fear,confusion, and hurt Nenani felt the last time she found herself in a forest, and those same feelings readily bubbled up to the surface. Though, there was no dead dragon floating in a river. Her mother was not there, but back in Vhasshal. Even with the solid presence of both Farris and Keral, she could not calm the worming anxiety in her brain. Though she did not expect a dragon to appear and attack them, there was still the deep fear that something was amiss.

“What’s wrong, lil’un?”

Farris’s question caught her off guard, having been too engrossed in her own thoughts to realize that her nervousness might have been perceptible. She had taken to watching the path behind them as Farris and Keral maneuvered through the trees, but when Farris broke the silence with his question, she gave a start.

“Nothing,” she answered, though the speed of her reply gave away the lie. “I’m fine.”

“Yer fidgetin’,” he pointed out, pinning her with a single expectant eye.

“…No I’m not,” Nenani protested, ducking down into the pack slightly. She did not want to try to explain her fears because she would first need to unravel them for herself, and in that moment she very much did not want to do that.

“Yes, ye are,” he pressed, and the same eye narrowed.

“This place is creepy,” she admitted, leaving all the rest unsaid. “I feel like we’re being watched.”

“Very well could be,” Keral commented. He was a pace or two ahead of Farris, having taken the lead, and pushed a branch out away from his face. The dry wood snapped in his hand and he tossed it away. “These woods are old. Older than the Blackwood certainly. Makes me think this might be Brennan’s estate. His family are big sportsmen. They love their hunting. Their ancestral home is supposed to be built on the last patch of ironwood left in all of Vhasshal. And I’d bet my left foot these are ironwoods.”

“What’s ironwood?” Haiyer asked, poking his head up from the folds of Keral’s pocket.

Keral looked down at the small face peeking up at him. “It’s a particular kind of tree. And since ye have a fairy friend, this might interest ye some. Thousands of years ago, all this land and most of the continent was ruled by elves.”

Jae rolled his eyes, propping his head in his hand and looking on in boredom. Keral either did not see or chose to ignore him and continued on with his story.

“Then there was some fightin’ between them and us big folk. Elves called us mountain men since we mostly lived up near the mountains in those days, but more and more we started moving into the valleys. The Elves didn’t like that and tried to drive us back. Skirmishes turned to battles and then to war.”

“There’s always a war in these old legends,” Jae muttered, picking at the bandage of his splinted arm that peeked out from his coat’s sleeve. “Why couldn’t they come up with something a little more original?”

Keral reached back over his shoulder, pressed his fingers onto the boy’s head and shoulders, and forced Jae back down into his pack. “Quiet. Yer interruptin’ my story.”

Jae popped back up, hair disheveled, and wore a fierce snarl, but was obediently silent as Keral continued.

“The elves allied themselves with the Fae,” Keral went on. “And the humans allied themselves with us. It weren’t just us that the Elves were pushin’ around. Humans got the short end of that particular stick too. So there was a war. Lasted a good hundred years they say. But somewhere along the line, someone got smart and began to plant ironwood saplings all across the land. Y’see, the Fae were the reason the Elves had the upper hand in the war. Without them, the Elves just didn’t have the numbers. But the thing with Fae creatures ye have to remember is that iron hurts ‘em.”

“Iron?” Nenani asked. “Why?”

“Just an old superstition,” Farris answered. “Though I suppose ye might be able to ask Ellis one day if it’s true.”

“And the Fae hate ironwood trees, because of the sap,” Keral said as he reached inside his coat and pulled a small knife from his belt. Stepping up to one of the larger trees, he sliced a long line across the bark. After only a few seconds, a thick dark red sap began to ooze from the wound. Keral wiped a finger across it, collecting the sap, and held his finger up with a grin. It was convincing enough that if Nenani had not seen him take the sap from the tree she would have believed it to be blood. He held the sap close so that Haiyer could get a good look. “Makes ‘em sick, ye see.”

The little boy reached out and poked his finger into the sticky glob. When he pulled it back out, a thin string of sap connected his finger and Keral’s. He waved his hand, trying to break the strand, but only managed to cover it in thin sticky tendrils. He stared at his hand in annoyance as though blaming it for the predicament.

“Well, ironwood trees take roughly a hundred years to mature,” Keral continued. “And suddenly the Fae weren’t as helpful in the war as before with so many of them all over the place. Couldn’t chop ‘em down fast enough. The tide turned in our favor and in the end we won. The elves sailed away across the sea to another continent and the land was divided between us and the humans.” He rapped his knuckles against the tree trunk. “Ironwood makes fer good for building lumber since it’s so sturdy. There ain’t a whole lot of ‘em around anymore, though. A good bit of the castle’s supports are ironwood.”

“All the wood in Warren’s office is made of it too,” Jae contributed, picking at his bandages again. He was playing with the idea of removing them completely. His arm didn’t hurt at all anymore, and between the weeks of healing and all the potions and tonics he had been forced to guzzle by both Maevis and Yaesha, he was more than confident his arm was finally mended. Enough to go without the splint, in any case.

From Keral’s pocket, Haiyer suddenly gagged and spat as he pulled a sap covered finger from his mouth. “Ugh–! Yuck!”

“Well don’t eat it!” the ranger exclaimed in exasperation. “Gods above, don’t go stickin’ weird shit in yer mouth ye lil’ git! Ye don’t know if it’s poisoned.”

Farris laughed and lightly slapped his brother’s shoulder. “It won’t hurt ‘em none. Ironwood sap ain’t poisonous. Just bitter as hell. Actually a useful antiseptic.”

“I know that, but I’m sure this one didn’t,” Keral shook his head as he regarded the little prince with a vexed eye. “Let that be a lesson to ye then. We keep our hands to ourselves and outta our mouths. Yeah?”

Haiyer nodded with a sullen expression, having been thoroughly rebuked. He stuck his tongue out and blew, as though it would help clear away the acrid taste. “Blegh.”

……………………………………….

Keral called for a rest and chose a clearing ringed by seven tall pine trees. Farris carefully slipped his pack off his shoulders, doing his best to not jostle Nenani too badly as he did so. Once she was on the ground, he placed the pack off to the side and sank down against the tree trunk, eyes closed. Though he had not complained at all during the day’s trek, Nenani could see the fatigue on his face. As though sensing her eyes on him, Farris opened one eye and quirked his eyebrow at her questioningly.

“Are you alright?” she asked, voice soft.

He waved a hand at her. “S’just what happens when ye get older. Ye get tired.”

“You’re not old,” she assured him, which earned her a thin smile from the giant.

“Tell that to my feet,” he replied and closed his eye again.

“Told ye to take my spare boots,” Keral berated mildly from the other side of the clearing where he was helping Haiyer down from his pocket. “Yer kitchen slippers aren’t meant fer hikin’ cross the wilderness.”

“Ain’t nothing wrong with my boots,” Farris clapped back and then muttered under his breath in a salty grumble, “Hm. Kitchen slippers. Bah.”

A few steps away from Keral’s pack, Jae was stretching out his muscles. He bent himself in half to touch his naked toes and leaned one way and then the other to straighten out his back and sides. He pulled his leg up to stretch the calf, but when he placed it back onto the ground, he gave a sudden yelp when he stepped barefooted right onto a small pine cone.

Stifling a laugh, Keral began to rummage around in his pack, seeming to find whatever it was he was searching for. The ranger stood up, slipping something into his pocket, and then walked towards the edge of the clearing where he disappeared behind a cloister of trees. His voice called back at Jae jovially. “Careful there, lad. Lots ‘a pokey things out here.”

Jae glowered on after him. Keral was a far more convenient target for Jae’s irritation and all the more so for the fact that the ranger couldn’t see the rude gesture the boy threw in his direction.

Unlike Jae, Haiyer seemed perfectly fine with walking across the ground without any shoes, and the pine needles and leaves and cones did not seem to bother him one bit. Feeling just the slightest bit of jealousy, Jae went about clearing himself a spot on the ground. Once the debris had been carefully brushed away, Jae sat down with his blanket. He pulled his arms out from his coat and began to unravel the bandages of his splint. With his arm freed, he laid the messy ball of cloth and the two flat splints down beside him and slipped back into his coat. He wrapped himself back into his blanket and laid back onto the ground to stare up at the thick canopy above. The fading daylight was sparsely visible through the thicker branches of the evergreen’s needles and, if he squinted, he could almost believe he was looking up at the night’s sky full of stars.

Haiyer was ambling about and plucking up the stray pine cone or leaf, picking at it for a moment, and then discarding it once his interest had dissolved or been pulled on to the next object. Nenani followed Jae’s example and cleared herself a spot on the ground and took a seat. The day had maintained a steady chill, but as the light was beginning to fade she felt as though the warmth was beginning to fade in equal measure. Though, sitting nearer to Farris, she could feel the heat of his body, and with her wool dress and blanket, she was not cold save for face and nose. It was tolerable and did not bother her too much.

After a few minutes, Keral returned with several spindly branches tucked under his arm. “We’ll camp here tonight.”

“Thought we were just restin’,” Farris said, opening his eyes, and regarding his brother curiously. There was a slight edge to his tone, as though he suspected Keral might be pitying him and his sore feet.

“If it was just me, I’d be movin’ on,” he replied. “But with ye not being used to this and the little ones, I think it best we not push it. We’ll start a fire, have a bit of food and rest, then move on at first light.”

Having his suspicions confirmed, Farris snorted. “I ain’t a tenderfoot ye need to baby, Keral.”

“Be that as it may,” Keral replied, not rising to the taunt and in fact looking quite serious. “I don’t know these woods. Neither do ye. We have three children to keep alive and many more miles to cover before we’re anywhere familiar. So I’m playin’ it safe fer now.” His grim expression abruptly spun on its head and he grinned. “And besides, tenderfoot ye ain’t. But I’ll be bettin’ yer feet are tender enough.”

Farris grunted and rolled his shoulders. “Bah. Come off it.”

“I’ll get the fire goin’ and we’ll get some supper started,” Keral continued. Nenani perked up and, having spent most of the day trying to ignore her gnawing hunger, found the notion of food very appealing. Keral pulled out a sack from deep within his pack as well as a few parcels of waxed parchment. “Field rations ain’t anything like ye yer use to throwin’ together, but we’ll make do just fine.”

Mimicking his brother, Farris sat back up to rummage through his own pack. He pulled out a bundle of his own, wrapped in a dark blue tea towel, and sat it in his lap.

As he went about readying some kindling and wood for the fire, Keral eyed his brother curiously.

“What’s that there?”

“Bread,” Farried answered. Nenani marveled at it, realizing she had been likely standing on it the entire day and had even slept on it, all the while never knowing it was just below her. Pulling a metal tin from his pack and giving it a once over with his eyes, Farris looked surprised but pleased. Setting it down beside him, he said, “Bit of pepper here.”

“Pepper,” Keral echoed in a flat, disbelieving voice. “Ye brought fuckin’ pepper?”

“And just what’s wrong with that?”

“Who the fuck packs pepper in an emergency?” Keral demanded.

“It was in my bag from a time before and I just grabbed it without emptyin’ it first,” Farris replied with only a slight hint of defensiveness. He realized perfectly how silly it may seem, but it was a welcome find for him as he knew the sort of field rations that rangers were provided with. They were condensed versions of the same ones doled out to soldiers on a march: salted meats, smoked fish, and a sack of potatoes. Simple and nutrient dense food to replenish the body after a day of physical exertion. Boring to Farris’s mind.

He worked with spices and bright bold flavors. The idea of eating plain potatoes without even a bit of salt or pepper was nearly insulting. Keral might find fault or humor in his supplies, but Farris was content with the happy accident and was pleased even further when he found another tin, bigger than the first.

“What other useless supplies have ye brought along? Come on, let’s have a look,” Keral said, his manner more jovial than incredulous now.

Farris popped the tin open. “Salt, rosemary, and…” he paused and held the tin closer to his nose. “Paprika.”

Keral rolled his eyes. “Yer lucky none of the lads are here. They’d have a good ol’ rouse with ye and yer damn spices.”

Farris sent his brother a challenging glare. “Yer lucky they ain’t here. I’d break each and everyone one ‘a their noses.”

Keral shrugged, relenting, and went about the task of getting a fire started.

Farris began to rise from his seat and said, “I’ll help ye get it goin’.”

“Don’t bother,” Keral replied. “I’ll handle the fire and then ye can handle makin’ the food. That way, if it’s shit, ye can’t blame me fer it.”

Farris glared at his brother, but relented the point with a shrug. “Suit yerself.”

Keral had not quite finished building the fire when Farris began to search the ground around their clearing. At one point, he was lost from sight, but when he did return, he carried a wide flat rock that was slightly curved in the middle. Keral regarded his brother with a judgmental eye. “And just what do ye mean to do with that?”

“Cook on it, ye idiot,” Farris replied shortly. He placed the rock onto the ground near the fire pit, but took a few moments to clean it best he could with the hem of his coat. “I know how ye rangers cook yer food and ye might be fine with crunching on dirt and ash, but I ain’t.”

“Ye have yer spices,” Keral quipped with a grin. “And we have ours.”

Jae snorted a laugh. “Ranger’s famous dirt and ash potatoes. Yum.”

“Ah, a wee bit ‘a ash never hurt no one,” Keral replied, striking his flint and attempting to light the bundle of tinder.

“I can do that part,” Nenani offered, already rising to her feet. She stepped out from her blanket and walked closer to where Keral knelt. The ranger regarded her curiously for a moment before blinking in understanding.

“Ah,” he said. “Right. Yer a fire mage. Forgot about that fer a second.” He gestured to the firewood. “Have at it, lass.”

In moments, Nenani had the fire blazing, and Keral happily fed the rising flames more kindling until at last they had a proper campfire. Nenani returned to her blanket and nestled back down, basking in the additional light and warmth of the fire.

The flames crackled and moved within the stone ring. With the dying light, it cast elongated and strange shadows against the trees which Haiyer did not much care for. Jae had moved to sit closer to Nenani, but they were forced to make room when Haiyer pressed himself between them. They threw mildly irritated glances his way, but the boy was oblivious.. Now that he was suitably shielded from the scary shadows, he was content to watch the fire happily dancing.

As agreed, Keral released custody of the campfire to Farris as well as his field rations. The bag of potatoes was meant to last a single ranger a few days or up to a week if strict rationing was observed in addition to foraging or hunting. The addition of the salted pork and smoked fish meant that all together they could realistically make the supply last a few days. The children would not need nearly as much as their Vhasshalan guardians so their portions were not included into the calculations.

A fourth of the bread was cut from the loaf and the rest returned to Farris’s pack. Two handfuls of potatoes were placed onto the rock close to the fire where the flames would heat the rock and the potatoes, effectively roasting them. Once the food was cooked and adequately seasoned to Farris’s standards, each of the children had either one larger potato or two of the smaller ones, a sliver of salted pork or fish, and a piece of the bread. The giants shared the rest of the cooked potatoes and bread and a bit of smoked fish. The rest of the salted pork was returned to the pack.

The bread was a heartier dark rye and vastly different from the golden crusty loaves she was used to. It had a much stronger taste and rougher texture, but she was not going to complain. It went rather well with the smoked fish and she decided she rather liked it after all. The potatoes were speckled with salt and pepper and had a slight reddish tinge to them due to the addition of paprika. Haiyer’s mouth was stained red with it as the little boy munched happily on his food.

Nenani did feel a slight sting of guilt that she, Jae, and Haiyer were able to make a more bountiful dinner of the rations than either Farris or Keral, especially considering they were doing all of the walking. Jae seemed to have had a similar train of thought.

“You sure you guys shouldn’t have ours portions too?” he asked. “I mean, you are the ones carrying us around. You need it more then we do.”

“Lovely of ye to offer, lad,” Keral replied. “But it wouldn’t make any difference. Ye three don’t eat much at all. So eat up.”

“Besides,” Farris added. “There ain’t no chance in hell I’d let ye go hungry.”

Keral reached for the still hot rock and plucked up a few of the roasted and seasoned potatoes. He studied them with a critical eye, still seeming to find the addition of spices laughable. He popped them into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

“Alright,” Keral relented after a moment. He nodded to his brother. “Alright.”

Farris grinned at his brother knowingly. “Alright what?”

“Ye were right,” he said, reaching for more. “The spices help.”

Farris regarded his brother with a self-satisfied smirk.

Keral glared. “What? Ye waitin’ fer a medal?”

Farris shook his head, still grinning smugly, and took a bite from his bread. “Just enjoyin’ the moment is all.”

“Fer fuck sakes, Farris. It’s just some spiced potatoes, ye didn’t cure leprosy.”

Reference stock by @null-entity

#Dumpling #g/t #Giant/tiny #g/t story #fantasy giant #Nenani #Jae #Haiyer #Farris #Keral

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