Chapter 2 - Blog Posts

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I think I'll upload all these chapter covers on Tumblr. I like them. :)

lord forgive me, im back on my undertale voice acting bullshit

The Slave

Chapter 2: Arrival        It took a few hours before they finally reached Shiro’s home. Lance had seen some fancy houses in his lifetime but this place definitely took the cake. Surrounded by beautifully colored, exotic plants and built atop a cliff that bordered the ocean, Shiro’s home stood out from the dense foliage due to its magnificent white marbled outer walls. At three stories tall, the house was both aesthetically pleasing and architecturally impressive; large open archways surrounding the front porch and wide rounded windows, flanking a set of hand carved double doors, revealed a lavishly decorated sitting room, and for a moment, Lance was at a loss for words. He hadn’t seen the ocean since before his captivity. and he was excited to see a small pathway winding down the cliff that he assumed led to a private beach.        Shiro didn’t give him too much time to explore, however, and he pushed Lance forward, leading him into the house. Instantly the two were flanked by two maids, who took Shiro’s jacket and welcomed him home. One of them smiled curiously at Lance, but he could only grimace in return. Shiro shooed them both away, and began leading Lance towards a grand double staircase.

       As they climbed, Shiro asked the question that had been on his mind for a while, “How many master’s have you had in the past?” It didn’t really matter to him in the grand scheme of things, but he was curious as to how Lance had kept his sanity while being used by several alphas from what he presumed was a young age.

       Lance pursed his lips and didn’t answer. He wasn’t naive and he knew why his new master was asking. Alphas were always obsessed with the idea of being the first to tame an omega, and he was sure that Shiro was no different. He probably just wanted to know how many times Lance had been used by other alphas but he wasn’t about the reveal his past to a total stranger.        When Lance didn’t respond, the moment they reached the top of the stairs, Shiro whirled around and gripped Lance’s chin, tilting it upwards, “I asked you a question,” he said firmly. “How many masters have you had before me?” When Lance still refused to answer, Shiro’s anger spiked and he slapped the boy across the face before pulling him back up by the hair. Lance surprisingly didn’t yelp, instead. he glowered up at Shiro defiantly.

       “My plan was to allow you a few days to become acquainted to your new home but if you insist upon misbehaving, I will take you right now and believe me I will not be gentle.” The alpha growled menacingly. “I will ask you one more time, Lance, how many masters have you had before me?”

       The threat seemed to resonate with Lance, who finally answered, “Four, but though they did touch me, none of them got as far as to penetrate me. I was still underage so apparently they wanted to wait until I was at least eighteen,” he admitted begrudgingly through clenched teeth.     Seemingly satisfied with his answer, Shiro released the boy and gestured for him to follow. “You’re absolutely filthy and you reek of musk; I’m leaving you to take a bath and some clothes will be provided for you when you finish.”        Lance grimaced and rubbed his jaw angrily, his scalp stinging even after he was released. Though he wasn’t too pleased at his situation, he had always prefered to be well groomed. At the shop, he was often just rinsed off with a high pressured hose and scrubbed roughly with a sponge. As for his masters, they often didn’t allow him to bathe until his stench became unbearable. He didn’t know enough about Shiro, but he wasn’t sure when he would be allowed to bath again and he planned to take full advantage of his master’s generosity while he could.        Shiro led him down a long hallway filled with expensive art. The wall paneling was colored a deep purple with a gorgeous hand carved dark trim at the base. Statuettes flanked each door and the floor was made of a sturdy mahogany. About halfway down the hall, Shiro stopped and steered Lance towards one of the solid oak doors. “Inside,” he ordered, placing his hand on the small of the omega’s back.

       Reaching out, Lance opened the door and stepped slowly into the lavish bathroom. He remembered staying in a five star hotel once with his last master and even that bathroom left much to be desired by comparison. An enormous whirlpool tub sat invitingly in the left corner underneath a six foot long window overlooking the ocean. Across from that was see through shower, large enough for five or six full grown alphas to stand comfortably side by side. Next to the toilet in the right corner was a lengthy countertop and overlooking that was an equal length golden mirror.        Feeling dazzled, Lance let out a soft whine causing Shiro to quirk an eyebrow and Lance to slap a hand over his mouth. It was the first omega like thing, Lance had done in his presence and it was too late to take it back now. “So you can make noises,” Shiro teased, turning away from the omega to start filling the tub.            “Shut up!” Lance mumbled, his face turning red. Shiro turned off the water and stood up to face him waving his hand dismissively in response to the omega’s embarrassment.

       “Strip,” he ordered, gesturing to Lance’s tattered shorts. When the the slave remained still, Shiro sighed, “Remember, Lance, my threat still stands.”Gritting his teeth for a moment, Lance suddenly sighed in defeat. Despite his attitude, he was nowhere near as brave as he was letting off. Sure, he was used to punishment and could hold back the tears after being slapped, but the idea of being violently raped by an alpha scared him. He’d seen far too many omegas who had suffered that fate and it was extremely rare that they came back from that, sanity intact. Plus, as an omega, it would be extremely likely that he would get pregnant and have his child taken away. For an omega, that was a fate worse than death.        His face flushing with embarrassment, Lance hooked his fingers into the waistband of his shorts and slowly slid them down his waist, dropping them to the floor and kicking them to the side before covering his lower half with his hands. Shiro tutted, “Remove your hands,” he ordered firmly.        Lance snapped his head up, glowering at the alpha but did as he was told. Shiro drank in the sight - Lance was gorgeous. He was tall and slightly muscular with broad shoulders, and a thin waist; rare for an omega. His cock was average lengthed and nestled in a bed of soft curly dark hair between this thick sun kissed thighs. Lance shivered under the alpha’s unwavering stare and shuffled nervously in place. “Can I get into the tub now?” he asked self consciously, face flushed with humiliation.        Shiro let out a hum of approval and finally looked away, much to Lance’s relief. “Very well. Take your time to clean up and I will return with some clothes. I think you’re a size medium, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find something.” Digging into his pocket, he pulled out a small silver bell which jingled slightly at the movement, “If you are finished before I return, ring this bell and the maids will lead you into your new room. As I stated before, if you behave, i will give you a few days to settle in but after that…” his hand reached up to brush Lance’s hair out of his face, “you are mine.” Before Lance could snap back, Shiro exited the room, leaving Lance alone and angry.            Exhaling, the omega shook his head in frustration before sliding into the tub, his body relaxing in the warm water. He hated this, he hated having to obey the orders of yet another perverted older man, he hated feeling so weak and vulnerable, but most of all, he hated having to pretend to be brave. Standing naked and exposed in front of an alpha, it was all he could do to stop himself from trembling and collapsing at his master’s feet in a drool heap. His master’s scent alone was enough to prove how in control he was and most omegas would probably fall to their knees, slick dripping down their thighs, in the presence of such a man. Shaking that thought from his head he sunk further into the water, enjoying the feel of warmth his skin.        About a half hour later, Lance stood naked in the bathroom, dripping water over the soft bathroom mats. Shiro hadn’t yet returned and Lance had taken full advantage of all the products at his disposal. His hair was now fluffy and soft and his skin felt silky smooth. Feeling slightly more relaxed, he smiled and rung the small bell that had been left for him. Within moments, one of the maids from earlier strolled in, carrying a soft fluffy towel.        Lance took it gratefully and mumbled out a quick thanks, wrapping the towel around his waist. The maid nodded in response and led Lance from the bathroom further down the hallway. “This will be your room. The master will be back soon to bring you some clothes, in the meantime, make yourself comfortable and I will bring you some lunch.” He nodded and she opened the door and left him to get settled.        Lance glanced around the room. It was small but comfortable, with a large four poster bed, a small desk shoved in the corner and a completely stocked bookshelf along the back wall. With a content sigh, he dried himself off and climbed onto the bed burying himself under the thick, warm blankets.        He didn’t know when exactly he fell asleep but in what felt like no time at all, he was shaken awake by Shiro. Resisting the urge to lash out, Lance sat up rubbing his eyes blearily. The older man placed a small pile of clothes on the edge of the bed and sat down next to him. “Get dressed, the maid is almost done preparing lunch,” he said, leaning forward to brush Lance’s hair behind his ear. The omega stiffened at the alpha’s touch, but before he could protest, Shiro stood up, leaving him to get dressed in privacy.      This was all so confusing. None of his other masters had waited this long to touch him; and though he knew the alpha said he would give him a couple days, he couldn’t help but feel irritated. He bought me for a reason right, why doesn’t he hurry up and…fuck there I go again. Why am I like this? I know I’m an omega but i’m not just a fucking hole! He thought angrily.        He felt frustrated with himself. Ever since he was fourteen, he found himself struggling constantly with his own nature, and now that he was of age, the urge to be bred was always nagging at the back of his mind. He was already used to be being touched, and he hated the fact that his body often craved the physical intimacy.        Growling in frustration, Lance shook his head and began to dress himself. No. I refuse to give in. The other masters couldn’t break me and this one will be no different, he thought with a huff. I will leave this place eventually; I’ll find a way to escape…somehow. And with that comforting thought. Lance sat complacently at the desk, awaiting his lunch. Previous Ao3 Link

The Martyr

                                                         Chapter 2                                                        The Prisoner        Three days had passed since Lance had been unceremoniously dragged away from his first cell and relocated to a new one, and he was not enjoying the accommodations.         This new room was much colder than the last, and his body suit definitely wasn’t a replacement for a nice, warm sweater. On top of that, his shackles had been attached to a small ring on the wall, about four feet off the ground and making it impossible for him to sit down comfortably.        After three days of being strung up, his shoulders were feeling stiff and painful, and he had stopped struggling in order to free himself from unnecessary pain. That did not mean, however, that Lance was going to take this treatment on the chin. “RELEASE ME, YOU FUCKING LONG-HAIRED ASSWIPE! STOP IGNORING ME, I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!” He roared at the closed door.        Lance had been pretty sure he was about to experience some sort of heinous torture when he first arrived but so far, he had just been locked in the room, and the only time the doors had opened was when Zethrid or one of Lotor’s other general’s came in to feed him and give him water. He supposed he should be grateful that they were feeding him, but still, being ignored was not sitting well with him at all.        Just when Lance had shouted himself hoarse and was about to give up, the doors suddenly slid open with a metallic hiss revealing Lotor, an amused grin spread over his face.

       “My my, Blue, you are quite the noisy one aren’t you?”

       Lance’s eyes narrowed and he curled his lips up in a disgusted sneer, “I didn’t want you to forget I was here! Release me at once or -” he suddenly faltered, or what? What the hell could he do while he was chained up like this?        Lotor chuckled and seemed to guess what the blue paladin was thinking, “I am afraid I can’t do that, however - ” he broke off suddenly, his eyes seeming to almost shine in the dim light. Slowly, he approached Lance, looking down at his body with an almost hungry look in his eye. Reaching out, he slid his hand down Lance’s side, admiring how his suit accentuated his form, “If you really don’t want to be alone I suppose I could -”        Lance didn’t let Lotor finish his sentence; he wasn’t oblivious, and the way that Lotor was looking at him made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Without warning, he launched out as far as he could go, his head making contact with the prince’s with a sickening crunch.        Lotor stumbled backwards, swearing angrily and clutching his head. Pulling his hand away, he saw blood and growled. “ZETHRID!”        Lance glared at her as she tore into the room, blood trickling down his forehead; she surveyed the scene and approached Lotor, unable to hide the grin that was forming on her face.

       “Release him,” Lotor ordered, wiping the blood from his forehead, eyes narrowed in anger.

       “Yes, Sir,” she replied pulling the key from her hip and pushing it into the lock before standing back.

        Lance fell onto the ground, shoulders burning as he suddenly held out his hands to land. This was his chance! Lance prepared himself to roll forward and tackle Lotor, but before he could even move, fingers gripped Lance’s hair and dragged him to his feet. Lotor’s fist connected hard with his stomach, winding him. “Try that again and I’ll make sure you won’t be able to walk ever again, understand?” Lotor growled, twisting Lance’s face to look him in the eye, which turned out to be a mistake as Lance suddenly spat into it. Lotor froze, anger bubbling in his gut, and he brought his hand up as if to slap him. Lance flinched away, bracing himself, but when the blow never landed, he looked up. Lotor let go of him and he tutted loudly, “Oh Blue,” he sighed, wiping his face, “you really are a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?”        Before Lance could answer, Lotor turned to address his general. “Zethrid, take our guest to my chambers. It’s time he learned the true meaning of fear.”

——————- Chapter 1

Eyyy we’re (so) back! Chapter two of ’Amnesia’ is up, thank you so much for waiting patiently for it! 🥰

All the gorgeous artwork for the zsz middle birthday really motivated me to finish editing this update, so consider it my late gift.

Fair warning, this chapter is the reason for the su/c/dal thoughts, depression, & unhealthy coping mechanisms tags, so please be cautious!

I’m gonna take a break from this fic and post something else in the meantime before getting back to chapter 3. I need a break from ‘Amnesia’ and I have five billion wips that are guilting me into finishing them lol

Part three of the Celeste chapter art pieces!

This one is for the second chapter "Old site"

I've been doing some other stuff lately but I swear I didn't forget this project!

Next, is the Celestial resort🏔️

CHAPTER 2 IS OUT!! AHH

Wattpad

Missing Files

Valerie and her friends have always been intrigued by their town's local urban legends and horror stories. They enjoyed...

Computer boi ( this took way longer than i thought it would XD)

WHAT TF IS GOING ON TODAY SMKNWJ WHY IS JK LIVE WITH NO SHIRT ON EKKNWJWKN CHAPTER 2 OF BTS IS GOING CRAZYYYY

Spirit

Title: Spirit

Chapter: Episode 2

Previous Chapters: part 1

Fandom: Invincible

Type of Fanfic: Reader, self-insert

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Rating: Mature

Chapter Warnings: mild swearing

Chapter Summary: Being from a barren wasteland of a universe to this new one is both exciting and overwhelming and it has been proven to be a difficult obstacle to tackle.

Pairings: Mark x reader, variant!mark x reader, Rex x reader, (one-sided) Eve x reader, multi-paul x reader, Rae x reader, bulletproof x reader, to be determined…

Written By: MangoSpit

⌜Alt Universe inspired by: Fallout⌟

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Your first day in your new world, your new normal, was the best day of your life since the day you were able to learn how to lockpick! Okay, to be honest, it may have been even better than the day you learned how to lockpick, but that day you were able to steal so much useful shit.

You have a place to yourself, a place that appeared to have belonged to Angstrom before, you assume so since he gave you the keys. You were able to shower without having to worry about getting poisoned or rationing clean water! You ACTUALLY smelt good! You didn’t think a good smell was ever possible but here you were. You were able to take your time to scrub the grime from your body, to massage your scalp and untangle your hair, and to wear different clothes. Yeah, you have to admit to yourself. This is the best day ever.

You had to wear the clothes that were abandoned in the closet, none of them felt right or comfortable but it was still fresh and new. You were so used to wearing the same clothes every day, and on a rare occasion getting new clothes to wear every day. But now? Now you get to wear a different outfit every day.

Going outside was a bit overwhelming at first, but still worth it. As the sun shone down on your face- it was much brighter than it was in your world. Well, I guess it would now be called your previous world, this was your new home. Looking around, you could hear strange high pitched noises. Turns out, they’re birds. Like crows and vultures but smaller and make a more pleasant sound.

Whenever someone approached you however, it was another story. They seemed friendly, but how likely was it that most of them were actually friendly? They probably were trying to kill you for your backpack. You would freeze and stare at them, blank and soulless until they left you alone. Even if you had a bad feeling about them, it was almost thrilling? Being able to see so many people, in new places and with new appearances. It almost made you giddy enough to let a small rumble of laughter come through your mouth. Not quite there yet.

It was getting late, the first day almost officially over when you finally figured out how to work the TV. You were killing this shit, maybe you could adjust to this new society after all…

“Invincible saved 20 civilians from a collapsing building-“

You perk up at the name.

That was the name of that guy!

You listen in closer as they explain his heroic actions in a positive light, showing what looked like him on the television. Was this what a recording was like? Were you being recorded? Could they hear you??

“I agree with you, Scott. His heroic acts were well thought out, and calculated in such expertise- you would think he has been doing this for over a decade”

The woman on the television laughs, not in a humorous way but as a way to fill the silence. It makes you sneer. Do these people not know of the crimes he’s committed? Of how awful of a person he is? The people he has slaughtered? Looking at his stupid fucking get up made your blood boil. What a manipulative piece of shit. He doesn’t even look trustworthy, he zips around in the sky like an oversized fly. Oh! No, more like an oversized wasp. Ready to sting.

You trust that Angstrom knows what he’s doing, that he will help bring Justice to everyone this Invincible guy has hurt. You commit his face to memory, trying to detail his jawline, lines, nose and hair to memory. This place was filled with people so you would have to burn the image of him to your brain to be able to try and pick him out from a crowd when he’s dressed like everyone else. Like a civilian.

You pull out your small notebook and write it down, as well as trying to sketch it out a bit, then write down what you heard on TV to report back to Angstrom. Your writing is sloppy at best and you completely butchered his portrait but who gives a fuck? He killed many innocents.

“Maybe I should kill you myself, Mr.Invincible…” you hum as you close your notebook. Tomorrow, tomorrow is a new day- and perhaps you will go out and look for him.

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“Are you askin‘ for a job, kid?” The man’s gravelly voice asks you. You furrow your eyebrows at being called a kid. Could a kid lockpick a door within 5 seconds and precisely hit a target from 50 feet away?

“Yes. A job.”

“What are your qualifications?”

“Uhh…. I am good at tracking people”

….

“This is a Wendy’s”

You were having the shittiest of luck finding a job. No one was looking for a tracker? A looter? A temporary guard? How do people keep a stable life without these jobs??

“Hey, you’re standing-“

You quickly glare at the man talking to you, your eyes burning holes into his face. He seems only slightly taken aback.

“No seriously, get out of the road. You’re going to get hit!”

The fuck is he talking bout?

Suddenly the big machines that were unmoving (which you had heard or read somewhere once that they were called vehicles) started moving and making a loud noise at you. You were about to yell at the people inside the machines- vehicles- when the man pulled you out of the road.

“The hell is wrong with you?” He says in a more confused and light tone.

“I don’t need help” your voice comes out rougher than your appearance as you don’t talk much when you hardly have people to talk to. Angstrom was probably the longest you’ve ever talked to someone, other than yourself.

“Uh, excuse me? Do you need, like, mental help?”

You glare at him, your eyes wide and unmoving.

“That won’t work on me twice. Cmon, let’s get you to the hospital. Maybe you suffered a brain injury or possibly are high” he motions for you to follow but you smack his hand away.

“Okay, now let’s not-“

You push him up against the street pole, and he groans and looks like he wants to retaliate but he collects himself first.

“Don’t make me have to call backup and have the cops hall you off to be drug tested instead”

“Are you threatening me??” Is he seriously threatening to call a gang on you?? How dangerous is this gang anyways?? Cops is a dumb name for a gang anyways, maybe they’re small and insignificant.

“No, I’m not threatening you, I'm trying to get you help.”

“Help is not free.” You hiss.

“Look, I can’t control the healthcare system, don’t take it out on me!”

“Rex, what’s going on?”

A woman approaches, causing you to go rigid. Shit, when did you have time to motion for his gang?

“I was just helping- HEY!”

You run. You run down the street, diving through bodies, colliding with them if they don’t move out the way fast enough. It was enough to earn angry shouting at you but you just had to get out of there. No way you were going to die on your second day in this new world. You try to run in the direction of your home but… you can’t remember where it was. Shit.

Just your luck.

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End notes: I like to think I’m hilarious sometimes

@weponxwrites @friedcreationgalaxy @rayaaa4444

Death’s Little Shadow (Black Butler various x Oc)

Chapter Two-

"Your time is up Miss. What is your answer?" The mysterious man whispered into the young woman's shaking form; watching her tremble with little sympathy in his heart. As she was making her way to reply she was interrupted again. "Hey guys! I'll check over here!" a woman yelled-jogging over to where the couple was, dragging a man with her. The teen looked as if she had seen the undertaker, that she was going to die right then and there. The young woman felt that everything she had done was all in vain, that all the risks she took were for nothing. She looked up towards the man-his eyes screamed trouble-drawing her to him like a deer in headlights; what choice did she have?

"I-I will work for you! I will, I promise, just please save me from those people! I don't want to go back! I can't!" The girl begged, sobbing as she was tired and wanted to just be done with all of this. The mysterious man kissed her on the lips while putting his coat on her, it was then that she had realized the man had stopped pinning her to the wall. 

“With pleasure," the lime-green-eyed man whispered into the young woman's ear, he walked in front of her to talk to the couple blocking their way out of the alleyway.

He made sure that the girl couldn't be seen well before he looked at the poor unfortunate couple; the mysterious man cast a wicked smile at them, a certain gleam in his eyes that the girl couldn't put her finger on.

"May I help you with something? Is it a lovely night to be out no? My betrothed and I were just taking a stroll." The man said in a high-pitched, an eerie tone in his voice as he wrapped his arm around the young woman. At this moment the teen realized what this man was going to do. Is he really going to do that?!?! He'll get himself killed! What is this oaf thinking?!?! The girl thought as she watched the two converse. If he even is able to take these two buffoons, how is he going take the rest?!?!

The woman replied, "Yes, I agree. It truly is a wonderful night to be out but for me and my fellow friends it isn't." "Why is that Miss?" The mysterious man asked as if he was truly clueless about what was going on, still using that weird voice. "We come out here to come look for a child that just recently ran away, a stupid one at that. The little thing just doesn't know how to listen." The woman said, her voice dripping with annoyance as she dragged on, making it seem as if she truly despised the child they were looking for. 

The woman looked towards the girl, trying to see her face. The mysterious man had a hood on his coat and had made sure it was up before the two had came up to them. The woman started to talk again as she walked towards the shivering teen. "Why hasn't your lady spoken at all yet? Is there something wrong? How come she has a man's coat on and the hood is up?"

The poor young woman started to worry, every ounce of her body started to shake, trembling to the point where the head would surely fall off if she looked up-until the mysterious man stepped in front of them. "I apologize for my betrothed being mute. She just doesn't do well with new people seeing as she is terribly shy. She doesn't like to show her face to people because she fears their judgment about her looks. Now, what does this child look like? Maybe we have seen the little thing?"

"Oh! Well, I'm sorry for pressuring you Miss, I'm pretty sure that you look lovely no matter what anyone says. The child is a girl that has waist-long dark brown hair. She has dark brown eyes and has tan skin." The woman raised her right hand to where it was right on top of the girl's head. "And she is this tall. It's been a pain to look for her."

The man that had been with the woman was peering down at the girl, he had a look of suspicion as he studied her. He looked to be 6'5" while the woman seemed to be 5'6". The man had black hair while the woman had light brown hair that started to have hints of gray in it. While the woman looked chubby, the man was buff but lean; they both had pale skin.

Something seemed to click in the man's mind as he leaned down and whispered into the woman's ear. He looked at the girl as he said this and pointed toward her feet. The young woman and the mysterious man looked. There was a pair of shackles and part of chains. The woman looked at the girl and mysterious man with a disgusted look. 

She grabbed the girl by her arm forcefully as she pulled the hood down. They all gasped except for the mysterious man. Well, this man and I are going to die. There is no way he and I are going to be able to fight these two off. I-I'm sorry guys, I didn't want your efforts to go to waste... I failed you guys, I'm sorry...

Mercury One-shot Chapter 2: Forty-Eight Frames

My eyes scanned around the prison. It was dark, humid, and so little light could pass through. I have no other time available to meet him but only after my classes.

"How did your eyes adjust to this? I can't see your handsome face well..."

Of course, he won't answer me. As usual, I try to engage him in a conversation. I held my phone cause someone texted me, but I accidentally opened my flashlight. "Oops—sorry—"

He quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me close. I almost hit the bars. In a menacing tone, he slowly warned me. "Don't. Turn. That. On."

For a second, I felt his murderous intent. "Okay, Mr. Kiefer. I'll turn it off, and would you please...let go of me?"

His grip became firmer and tighter before finally releasing his hold of my hand. Ah....it hurts like hell. I turned off the flashlight on my phone. Stupid Helen! You know this guy is a murderer and rebel.

"I'm sorry, Kiefer. That won't happen again."

I stood for a moment waiting for him to respond, but he didn't say anything. After staying for an hour, I said my goodbye. "Alright, see you tomorrow, I guess. Again, I'm sorry, Kiefer...."

Clack. Clack, clack.

The next day, she came back.

The next day, I came back.

I was working on a series of animation stills on my walls, but I always did it in dimly lit areas of my cell. In the morning, before any guards see them, I erase them. I made sure I only made easy to erase media whenever I drew on the walls. My only mistake was waking up later than I used to.

I came earlier than I used to. I hope he has forgiven me last night. I even bought him his favorite orange chicken meal. Those are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I walked towards his prison cell. In my surprise, my eyes widened as I saw the series of drawings on his walls. Despite it being lowly lit by the sun, I could understand the shapes and forms of each drawing. Looking from afar, the whole picture of the animation stills is....

"Freedom..." I muttered to myself. There he lied--tired and sleeping soundly as his hand held a brush with an unknown painting medium on the concrete floor.

Slowly, my eyes blink open.

"How long have you been doing this?" she asked.

I look at her in horror while she seems impressed at my works that could endanger my life any moment. I rushed to her and held her by the ankle. Thankfully, when she fell, she landed on her butt.

"Please, I'm begging you....don't tell anyone about this," I begged with my voice as if whispering.

I nodded. I sat close to him. "You....tell me what really happened. I've seen your animation film. It was impressive."

I saw him frown at my compliment.

"I won't know how to tell them you're innocent if you could never tell me the truth. And I want your truth."

Silence. He turned away from me. With a worn out fabric, the drawings on the walls were erased in huge swoops of his hand. "Come back later at night."

"Then what?"

"The truth. I'll show you the truth."

At around eight o'clock in the evening, I went back to his prison cell. I told the investigator that I was still in the process of talking to Kiefer, and he just nonchalantly allowed me. Looking around, I made sure that no one is following me and silently went towards his prison cell.

It's too dark. Wonder why of all times—

Rumble!

I looked in the direction of the loud sound--flashes of lightning accompanied by thunder. Anxious, I continued to walk until I felt I was near the bars of Kiefer's prison.

"You came back."

"Of course," I responded, trying to hide my anxiety.

Boom!

Another thunder. My eyes went large when flashes of lightning showed images I shouldn't have seen. I gasped and covered my mouth.

After that encounter, I ran to my office and reviewed Kiefer's folder. I looked through the images and reread the statements of witnesses.

"It's so clean. How did they do it?" There was no evidence that was left as an opening to pinpoint the real murderer.

My hands were shaking as I recalled the animation stills of how the senator was killed. I can feel fear creeping into my spine. The chills—and the skin bumps. I feel dizzy.

Riiiiing, riiiing!

I flinched when my cellphone rang. "Hello?"

A muffled voice answered. "Hello? Are you Attorney Neumann?"

"Yes, I am. Who is this?"

"This is from the Strelitz residence. I am Larry Strelitz, the uncle of Kiefer. Can I meet you tomorrow?"

I held onto my phone, still bothered by the drawings of Kiefer. "Sure, Mr. Strelitz. What time will we meet?"

---777---

Author's Notes

For this one, I kept pondering maybe I can turn Kiefer into a film auteur. Like I imagined him as a free thinking rich boy then suddenly his world was thrown upside down, so his only solace, which is art, is hidden from the world. Yet slowly, Helen tries to dig more into Kiefer's psyche and emotional baggage. Unfortunately, since he has undergone through trauma and abuse, Kiefer is reluctant to open his world of imagination--or his soul--to her.

A Court of Shackles and Glass

Chapter Two

Word Count : 5.6k

Warning(s) : Brief mentions of depression

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Lyphon

There's something calming about laying in a field of grass and small flowers, listening to the soft hum of the wind and the occasional gentle melody from..whatever sings here. Everything smells so nice and fresh here. There was nothing but darkness and chains in the prison, so to be able to do this, to be here, outside of the wretched cursed cube, feels like a miracle.

I soak in all the sounds and smells and the feel of anything, wind or grass. It's all so refreshing and..different. There are some places like this back home, but most places are crawling with creatures that could absolutely hunt and kill you. Plenty of the plants aren't all that nice too. So to be somewhere so peaceful and safe feeling, it almost feels like a miracle.

I close my eyes, letting my eyes rest a little. Despite wearing a bandage around my eyes, it can still be a little bright for me. Light and red still bleeds past the bandages. While it may be dim, it's a slow process, getting used to the light again. Lucien, the male who smelled of apples and a burning hearth, had been kind enough to give me a bandage for my eyes. We're both hoping I adjust quickly so I can use something else. Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, where my prison was place apparently, had been generous enough to give me a guest bedroom in his manor, which doesn't seem to be in the greatest condition based on how much rubble is on the ground and how poor the quality of some of the house feels. I suspect it was much better some time ago, but right now just based of touch, it feels like it's seen much better days.

The grass shifts beside me, like someone stretching out as they sit down. I turn my head slightly. The smell of the rain and earth greet me, followed by a sense of something powerful and great being there.

"Good afternoon, High Lord. What brings you here today?"

High Lord Tamlin sighs a little quietly. He's been asking me a few questions every day, learning more about my home and family, having anyone willing search through any records that could verify anything I've said. I warned him that I'm not sure if Prythian ever kept any records on my family or any trades or alliances or even enemies. My home Court has long been forgotten I'm sure, and we never really tried to reforge any relations with Prythian. Naturally this makes me incredibly suspicious, possibly insane looking. However, appearing in a buried prison that looks like it wouldn't belong anywhere in Prythian sort of helps my case.

"Tell me about this End Court of yours again, everything."

"Very well. It is miles above the Night Court, you likely won't find it on a modern map, perhaps a very ancient one if you like to keep those around. The terrain varies, but it is mostly made of forests, mountains and great rivers or lakes. There is a cliff facing Prythian that my siblings and I would sit on the edge and watch any approaching ships and visitors. The inhabitants also vary, however majority are beasts, and not the kind it's easy to win against. There's even a colossal dragon that towers over the Court when it wishes. Lucky us my sister, ever the beast tamer, befriended him. That being said, there are Fae that live there. Mostly in towns since the forests aren't always the friendliest.

"My family has been the rulers of the Court since the beginning. That being said though, there are at least two other figures in the End Court that hold power in politics. Technically the Court is, or was, divided into three different territories. A third was ruled by a creature known as 'The Emperor'. He's known for his shapeshifting capabilities and immense power. He doesn't even need a spellbook to cast spells or curse someone. Half was ruled by my family or at least the High Sovereign. And the final sixth is ruled by another creature known as 'The Sorcerer'. He too has great power, however he doesn't tend to get involved and most of his territory is fairly empty creature wise. In..not very recent events, The Emperor decided he would allow the High Sovereign to rule his people, so long as they never forgot to respect him and that he rules a third of the Court. And that, High Lord of Spring, is the End Court in it's barest of bones."

The High Lord hums, staying quiet for a few moments. If he really wanted to know everything, I'm sure we'd be here for a few days, going through it all, and I don't even know everything.

"The End Court, do you believe it was created with the rest of the world? By the cauldron?"

It's a question I wasn't fully expecting..and not one I really have an answer too, but I can't give him nothing.

"I...don't know. Probably. It's what most of my family believes, but it's not clearly stated in any records or history books we have. I've asked my Great Grandfather about it and he..was incredibly vague, I didn't really get an answer from him. I do know that once he did mention he suspected that the End Court originally acted as another version of the Prison, the one found in the Night Court. And my family was it's wardens. It would make sense, but I honestly don't have much proof of it."

High Lord Tamlin hums again, taking in the information. I sense he's getting a little annoyed with the less than proven information though, an annoyance steadily building at the more I tell him, the more people come back with nothing to confirm my answers. If I'm not careful, or I can't prove anything, I could very well be endangered.

"So then, what exactly do you have as definitive proof of these claims? No records have been found of anything mentioning or discussing the End Court nor anyone with the last name Mortis, aside from one man, many many millennia ago."

"That, is likely my Great Great Grandfather. Many called him 'The Knight',  but he was far from the virtuous kind you might imagine. The Mother sent him to the End Court. Either as a death sentence, or a way to control him. Either way, he's still alive and perfectly capable of reliving his bloodiest days."

I almost chuckle, he was one incredibly feared man while he was still in Prythian. But I wave a hand in the direction of the trees in front of us, a squirrel, or at least a formally living one, comes running over, eager to be pet and fed and played with. I can hear the disgust in High Lord Tamlin's inhale, the slight increase in his heart rate. The smell of death and rot follows the animated squirrel, who I pet happily. The smell is not pleasant, but it brings me a strange comfort. And it's a relief at the success of this squirrel. I feel as if all skill I had with my powers has really gone down the drain, all the lack of use really coming in to hit me like a charging drake. I've started going through the forest on walks, joining some in hunts, searching for anything dead, anything small. And so far, this is the second successful squirrel. It's depressing to think of how I was able to raise armies, how my siblings could take down legions, and that now we're all likely husks of our past selves, all because our pathetic, moronic cousin imprisoned us just to stand a chance against us. Even if he's dead I won't let him rest for long.

"Anyways, it would be much appreciated if you asked around about my sister and brother. They too were imprisoned, I don't know where, else I would've made a specific request. But they're both my older siblings. Achlys is the oldest, he was a general back home and he was skilled with any metals or earth, by that I mean stone and dirt. He's a bit more on the...lively and zestful side. My sister on the other hand is named Gyn and she's excellent regarding anything with cells. Father focused on teaching her how to rule a Court...which makes sense. Like I think most Courts, the High Sovereign is chosen usually chosen through magic and based off power. She's the most powerful, and we've had one or two High Ladies before her. She's quiet, but smart..although she can really get exhausted just by being around someone. They'll both confirm what I've said and I'm sure they could even take you to our home, they were always stronger, and faster to learn and adapt."

I take a few breaths and clear my throat, I've already spoken more than I normally would and my voice is turning hoarse because of it. I'm little tense at the silence though. I know there's always a pause for when the High Lord of Spring is thinking through everything, absorbing the given information. But I already feel like I'm starting to walk onto a tight rope, what exactly can I give him that will prove everything? I'm hoping Achlys and Gyn have better luck than me, that they're already twice as strong and well trusted by whoever found them.

"Achlys and Gyn?"

"Yes. They're both older than me and...you'd feel the power difference, it's a little hard to ignore..my sister is compared by my family to my Great Grandfather and his Father a lot, power wise. Although, if you're really feeling bold, you could always send a ship, maybe journey there yourself?"

"Not happening."

I hum, it was mostly a joke, but it would be interesting if he actually liked the idea and considered it. Without another word the High Lord stands, walking away.

"Nice chatting with you..." I whisper, in some ways he reminds me of Great Grandpa, in the manner of a cold and pure business attitude, stoicism, and a need for something definitive to prove something..most times. In a way it's almost nostalgic for me, although a bit tiring. Lucien's company is a bit nicer, at least he's good at talking to people and understanding their emotions and motives. It reminds me of my own siblings and how they have different and similar traits of their own. Achlys is great with people, but sometimes cannot read a room for the life of him. Meanwhile Gyn is good at reading people and understanding them, however can be bad at social interaction.

I sigh, silently praying and wishing for their safety, their success, and that they find me.

Gyn

It's incredibly warm in the Summer Court, and bright. Definitely very bright. The Court is beautiful, truly, I have no doubt about that. However..in Adriata I have quickly learned there is a lot of gold, or very bright, reflective surfaces. Mostly water, which is deathly blinding for me on a good day. But there is also a lot of shiny, bright gold and white stone. Looking outside honestly feels like I'm kissing any eyesight I had goodbye. Permanently.

That being said, Tarquin, the High Lord of the Summer Court and the one who'd originally had the prison opened and me freed, has been incredibly kind and considerate, he even gave me a room underwater that stays dark most of the time. And he does his best to shield me from any light he thinks may be too bright while I'm outside my room. In return he's asked for information, which it's only fair I give him. To both of our surprises servants had found very, very old records that had mentions of the End Court and trades done between the two Courts. They'd even found an old map, though it does need a little updating since it's from when Grandfather was a child. But either way, it was a very pleasant surprise for everyone.

I hum quietly as I ascend the stairs towards the dining room. I tend to at least try attend every meal, it was tougher at the beginning of the week, when I was still weaker and needing practice and healing, sometimes servants would actively try to debate with me on not eating in my room. But it's easier now, my eyes are better, almost fully healthy now. Though, back home it was never really this bright, except on the cliff, where all you would see is the vast, sapphire sea and bright sky, if it wasn't too cloudy. Speaking of the sky, I've yet to see even a hint of a cloud anywhere between Adriata and the horizon. I can recall Tarquin laughed when I brought it up, stating bad weather was a rare occurrence for Adriata or the Summer Court in general, which managed to surprise me.

The servants bow their heads a little as I approach, pulling open the lovely doors to the dining room. I smile, thanking them by name. I did my best to learn everyone's names, though some servants had gotten too startled or were completely convinced I was tricking them and didn't give me a name. I still thank them regardless. My humming falls silent as I enter the room, shielding my eyes with my hand and smiling as Tarquin looks up. He grins.

"Good morning, Gyn. Did you sleep well?"

"It's getting a little better each night. Slow progress, but still progress." I take a seat, wings already shifting to get in the most comfortable position possible, despite the chairs not being made for those with them. Tarquin hums, taking a sip of whatever it is he's drinking.

"I had commissioned you a chair, by the way. Everytime you sit down I can't help but notice you look incredibly uncomfortable. It should be finished by the end of the week."

"That's too kind of you. Neither of us know how long I'll actually be here for, and besides, I'm used to this. I've met many who have never even considered getting chairs or stools for those who have wings."

"I'm not sure why you struggle to just say 'thank you' so much. And besides, you promised you'd visit. And for while you're here I don't want any of my guests uncomfortable. So I commissioned you a chair. I don't care if you leave tomorrow. Just say thank you. Don't tell me I've wasted my time and money on you."

I wince. I guess that was a bit rude, wasn't it? Mentally I scold myself. Manners and responsibility were the two things Father focused on the most when I was a child, it seems suddenly I forgot both of those things and needed reminding.

"I'm sorry..yes, thank you. It's very generous of you."

"See? Was that so hard?" He chuckles, stabbing his fork into half of a strawberry.

"...a little."

He laughs at that, going back to enjoying his breakfast. Sighing, I serve myself a few things, nothing too much though. We both eat in silence, either lost in our thoughts or listening to the crashing of waves. Occasionally Tarquin glances at me, clearly curious and wondering something, but it feels more like he's trying to solve a puzzle. He only speaks once we're both done eating.

"So...you've talked to me about your Court and what's it's like living there, yes? What about your family? Would you be willing to tell me about them?"

Slowly I nod. "Yes. I can tell you about them..um, ugh where do I start. Well, I have two brothers, who I believe I've already mentioned. Achlys, my older brother, and Lyphon, my younger brother. Our Father had been the acting High Sovereign until there was an accident and my Great Grandfather took over again. My Father passed away..a while ago, and it was soon after his death my Great Grandfather announced the next High Sovereign would be chosen soon. It was that night that my cousin, Ulysse had drugged us with a very heavy dose of something meant to keep abilities in check. With a small force he had dragged down to where the prisons were, the chains slithered out like snakes and one by one we were dragged into the prisons, sent off to wherever for however long."

Tarquin, leaning forward a little as he listens, a sympathetic look in his eyes. It's a little surprising, but it's nice someone is actually interested in what I'm saying. So I continue.

"Before everything that happened Lyphon had a lover and three children..I'm hoping they're all alright. The kids were fairly young when we were basically kidnapped, so I do hope they don't hate Lyphon when he comes back. I know his spouse was very understanding and loving, so I doubt they'd let them hate him." I hum, almost going deep in thought. "But I'm sure everything is alright, they are all strong and capable. And I'm sure my Great Grandfather will take care of them too."

Tarquin smiles softly, waiting patiently for a moment to see if I'll continue speaking. He speaks once he's sure I'm finished.

"I'm becoming curious about your Great and Great Great Grandfathers. Your Great Grandfather certainly seems to play a large role in your family.."

"..yes. The history of the Court and my family might or might not be necessary, but I'll still tell some of it anyways. My Great Great Grandfather...was..how do I put this. He..was a conqueror, a warlord that excelled in waging war and slaughtering thousands. He was a force all feared, so much so the Mother sent him to the End Court as a means of distracting and trapping him..my Great Great Grandfather is someone even the Emperor fears, and many say he was once meant to die like anyone else, but Death refused his soul, so now he can never die." I almost shudder at the thought. "No one in my family, but my Great Grandfather have seen his actual appearance. I can remember learning how everyone in my family, once they become between 10-15 years old, they're summonded by him. There's a tower he stays in, and my Great Grandfather brings you there. You'll be judged by him and you're either deemed a 'Knight's Child' or not. Very few of us have actually been deemed a 'Knight's Child'."

I'd met my Great Great Grandfather once, in person. The moment has never left me since. Nothing could have prepared me for him, his icy hands and vibrant, crimson eyes that just carve their way to your soul. It felt like the rawest form was suddenly exposed and being examined by the reaper. I'd never frozen so bad in a moment, I'd never felt a fear so carnal before, nor would I later in life. Some might laugh at the rumours, the tales of him, the creature he could become when high off bloodlust. But when come face to face with him, suddenly all courage bleeds out from your body and you're nothing but a pathetic mouse or insect under the eyes of a titan who had every right to kill you on the spot.

"Gyn? Is everything alright?"

Tarquin waves a hand in front of me a few times, making me jump slightly as I snap back to reality.

"Yes, sorry, just got caught up in a few memories, that's all."

"Are you sure? You'd gone rather pale and you..almost looked afraid."

"Yes, I am fine. My Great Great Grandfather was just terrifying to meet. Nothing happened, it was really just his prescense."

He frowns, but relunctantly nods.

"Anyways. My Great Grandfather is really important in the family. He's been basically someone we all look up to, but truly respect. He's on the colder side, but he can be loving in his own way. We have similar or matching abilities, so he was the one to train and teach me since no one else could fill the role. He's been ruling the End Court for some time, and we all trust his judgement, though he can be a bit blunt about it. And...I'll admit he's a lot like his Father, he's powerful, very much so. If he wasn't in the End Court, I'm sure he could or would have followed in his Father's footsteps.."

Tarquin hums, smiling a little.

"It sounds like you admire him."

"Admire, respect, whatever you want to call it. I do love my Great Grandfather, he's done a lot for me and helped me in many ways. I owe him a lot, honestly."

He chuckles at that, leaning back in his chair and taking a sip from a well made goblet with the style of crashing waves and seafoam. I smile, starting to dig into my chosen foods. Everything is always excellently cooked and appears both beautiful and delicious, this morning is no exception.

"I like speaking with you, Gyn, and I do enjoy your company. Would you tell me about your brothers and Father?"

I nod as I swallow a mouthful of a pastry, seriously who makes the food? It's incredible!

"Sure. Achlys is my older brother. He's older by about 12 years and he is quite...he's something else. He reminds me of fire in the way he burns with passion while being warm with love and care. But like fire he can be quite dangerous and chaotic. He makes an incredible general, but he has a bloodlust I've only seen in some of my family members. I respect his capabilities, but I also know he can be hot headed and hold a grudge, especially when family or friends are involved.

"Lyphon, on the other hand, is opposite to that. His attitude towards others is cold and harsh, something like a blizzard or some sort of winter storm. He has his own way of showing his appreciation for those he loves, and no he is not secretly some mushy, lovey dovey softie behind closed doors. He can be judgemental and ruthlessly correct any mistakes, even small ones, however he can understand you if you merely explain to him your motives or cause for purposeful 'mistakes' and everything is done out of love and a need for perfection from fear of something going wrong and someone getting hurt.

"As for my Father...well he was interesting while he was still alive. When I was a child he had me attend lessons preparing me to become the next High Sovereign since I was somewhere between 10 and 12. He would never give me even an inch with anything. He was strict and seemed to love teaching and encouraging responsibility and independance. I could beg for hours just to be able to play with Achlys, demand why he was never in lessons, why he could have anything he wanted and I had to do hours of homework and chores to even get a sliver of what free time he had. It was always the same answer 'you will be High Sovereign one day, your strength bleeds through you into the air like dust. You must be prepared for that day.' But he never answered me whenever I demanded why I had to be taught so young. He merely would mumble something about children being impressionable."

I sigh at the memories. I resented every lesson and night of dreaded, rotten homework made up of false. fictional reports, documents in need of signatures, and emergency events. For a while I envied Achlys, but eventually I gave up, merely looking down and going about everything like nothing mattered anymore. I had given up on the idea of having any sort of free time or fun, my childhood had been ruined and taken from me because my Father deemed it 'neccessary'. But...there were moments where Achlys shined, 'kidnapping' me to go have fun and explore and get me away from the evil paperwork. There were even days where I myself ran away into the woods to spite my Father, to get away. But that was a different time, and many things happened then.

The mood feels as if it's dipped a little, Tarquin watches carefully, almost studying me. I clear my throat.

"Sorry, that was a bit much..and biased. My Father wasn't terrible. But um..do you have anything planned today? I'd hate to keep you from anything important."

At that Tarquin smiles.

"Fine, I'll let you get away with that one. But actually no, today I am completely free. I was thinking I could give you a tour? Since your eyes seem to be better."

I smile, nodding.

"That sounds like a good idea, thank you. Though I'll probably need a wide brimmed hat.."

He chuckles. "That can be arranged."

Achlys

The hearth stays dead, I refuse to let it live. While the warmth of the fire would be nice, comforting almost, I'm ready for that light. Heavy, thick curtains hang from the windows, blocking out all light. Sunlight, moonlight, doesn't matter. Both are too bright. Starlight is..bearable, but the moon isn't usually fully gone from the sky or dark for very long. So the curtains stay shut all day and all night.

I hum softly as I play with the metal that makes my bedframe. Fenix, ever eager to hold things above my head and demand I pay him back with lives, gave me a room with many things made of metal. While most might find this place too cold and uncomfortable, almost insulting, I find it to be a sickening gift. Constant training and practicing has kept me exhausted the past week, but it's good. I'm improving quickly, growing back to my full strength. Soon I'm sure I could even leave on my own, venture out to find my siblings, maybe play hero. Their prisons were also solid metal, ancient and powerful metal, but still metal. And they're all massive too. It would be easy to find them and drag them up and out of wherever they are.

My humming stops as I sigh, a little heavily. That would be nice, wouldn't it? Swooping in and saving my siblings and being seen as their awesome big brother again, be seen as a hero in their eyes. The relief in their eyes when they would see me at the entrance to their cells, happily sputtering how they're relieved I'm okay and how I've found them. Yeah...that would be great.

I can remember many times I would rescue you them from whatever at home. Lyphon would go exploring in the woods alone, brave and strong, but not nearly as familiar with the creatures as me or Gyn. Wouldn't you know he's pissed something off and it's about to try to kill him for it, but I would swoop in last minute, getting him back home and going back to either calm or knock out or kill whatever it was. As for Gyn..well Dad really could be stupid. So focused on raising the perfect High Sovereign, so stupidly blind to how depressed he had made his daughter. I could remember how desperate she was to just have a smidge of the childhood she was supposed to have. So I did what I thought could help, I'd 'kidnap' her and take her to Great Grandpa's for however long and we'd have fun. Great Grandpa understood everything and he would never give us away, he even helped us a few times. Those were fun days, thrilling too. Dad would be livid when we returned, but I always managed to get her out of everything, and myself sometimes. It was always worth it, hearing my sister finally laugh and giggle, see her smile and actually react to everything, to see her look alive again. What I'd do to hear my siblings laugh again.

I close my eyes for a moment, letting the darkness envelope me momentarily. There's a strange peace in the silence of ones bedroom at night. And one that allows me the peace and time to think properly. Ulysse had mentioned Prythian as he laughed at us. Assuming he was laughing that we'd all be stuck here in prisons, that narrows down possibilities. There are only 7 Courts in Prythian. My gut tells me that we're not all in the same Court, that would be too risky for him. So that narrows it down to 6, then 5 if I figure out where one of my siblings is.

Ulysse knew some of our biggest fears based purely on incidents that happened when we were kids and the stories that were told. So, going off me as an example and good starting point. My prison was placed in a cave, a large, deep cave. I've hated caves since I had to fight a wyrm hiding in one, a vicious, massive wyrm that reeked and nearly ate me. So then, Gyn hates deep, dark waters. Twice she was dragged down into the deepest lake and forced to escape before something or someone captured her and kept her at the bottom. There's water everywhere, it surrounds Prythian, but only one Court is really known for its water, and why not put her somewhere she'll be surrounded by it 24/7? She'll have been placed in the waters of the Summer Court. Lyphon..is trickier. He's terrified of being buried alive after the Emperor used him as leverage and buried him in a coffin in the family cemetary. We only got him out because of interference from our Great Great Grandfather. I'm doubting he was placed in the Night Court due to it mostly being mountains. So there's only 4 Courts left. Spring, Day, Dawn, and Winter. I'm really hoping it isn't Winter. But the list has definitely narrowed down.

Huffing I open my eyes, a new determination in them. Sitting up I examine my bed briefly. It's a four poster bed, each corner holding a metal ball the size of my fist. Concentrating on one of them, I restrain the urge to reach for it and touch, that would make this too easy, the metal begins to twist and take a new shape. It stays quiet, much to my satisfaction. It only takes a little while before it stops, now appearing to be a simple, but strong flame. I nod, onto the next one. 

It takes me a total of two hours for me to finish changing all four metal balls into perfect, sharp shapes. One corner fire, another a tree made of flowers, the third a clam with a pearl in the center, but sharp teeth protecting it. The last one a dragon egg hatching with a small dragon peeking out. I'm panting a little, exhausted but definitely happy with the work. They're all perfect, not a single mistake. I grin as my energy slowly returns within a few minutes. My stamina is returning. Soon the earth will tremble with every step I take, I'll be returned to my normal self, and my siblings will have a protector again.

Heaving a sigh I flop back onto the bed, head hitting the pillow and eyes closing. That's when it will be better, once everything is back to normal. Once we're home..and that sewer crawling dustmite pays for his betrayal. Yes, it will feel alright again. But until then..

Pieces of metal fly towards me, smoothly they fall and gently land in my palms. Somehow, these are easier to make than the actual shapes around my bed. The points form sharply enough you could stab someone with it. Perfectly shaped little holes form to make room for gems. They all form to fit our heads without discomfort. Once I'm home, I'll forge proper versions, but for now, once I see them again these will do.

Opening my eyes I check my work, just as I imagined. Three crowns, each unique to their own soon-to-be wearer. Harsh, sharp points join around in a circle for Lyphon, a crown that could be compared to daggers being placed in a circle to create it. Detailed, bone and vertabrae like pieces form elegant but sharp jewel, tear, or leaf shaped arcs around in a tiara form for Gyn. She'd definitely appreciate it and its detail. As for mine...one a true king, a true warrior would wear. A more traditional style, but a mighty one nonetheless.

I hum content as I sit them next to me, shutting me eyes to sleep. Soon. I would find them soon.

~~~

Hello, thank you for reading. I hope you're having a good day/night. Please remember to take care of yourself.

~~~

P.S. This fanfic is available on Quotev and AO3

Paper, Scissors, Rank (Ch: 2)

CHARACTER/PAIRING: Modern!Carrillo x Army!OC (eventually) 

WARNINGS: maybe some swearing, military slang, spelling and grammatical errors. Could be very OOC/AU for some. Flippy, floppy point of views (if it can be called that?)

AUTHORS NOTE:  ok so last chapter went down ok so here's some more, bit more establishment, still no first names, nothing too exciting i guess. There is a slight easter egg from my life in here, kudos to anyone who picks up on it.LT. is short for lieutenant, i got a lil lazy sometimes. 

WORD COUNT: 2.6k

CHAPTER: 2 OF ?

TAG LIST (OPEN) : @girlpornparadise @1zashreena1 @xxidontwikeitxx @nicke0115 @allalngthewtchtower @lettherebrelight

The following day dawned far quicker than any of the cadets would have predicted, especially Greyson. Having barely scraped through with an hour’s sleep, she was beyond exhausted and unusually grumpy, sure that her day couldn't get any worse; she hurried to get dressed and make it to the formation point before half of the platoon. Today was the worst day of the assessment week, the longest day as it had been dubbed by many a cadet before her. 

This day consisted of gruelling runs that took cadets over hilly terrain, beaches and rivers that lasted for kilometres, a brutal obstacle course that consisted of dark tunnels, water filled trenches and meters upon meters of barbed wire to crawl under followed by clambering up and over a ten-foot wall. Each cadet had only three chances of completing the wall, by this time they were beyond pushed to their limits, struggling to find footholds and places to grab, and just when they thought they were to clear it, instructors would make distractions and try and get them to fail. 

Many cadets had failed to complete the final obstacle, although they were never allowed to view the other cadets completing the course due to being forced to run down a steep slope that led to a shooting range. Where they would complete a rifle strip and assembly, followed by a long-range shoot where each cadet had to hit three specific locations on the human shaped target before returning back to the top of the slope, only to run more laps while waiting for their turn on the obstacle course. 

Little did the cadets know that today was the day they were to be assessed by the Columbian officer, his presence unknown to all. All but one it seemed. Unbeknownst to cadet Greyson, she had been spotted on her little escapade the night before, the colonel silently admiring the courage of the one he had spotted from a distance. He was yet to pinpoint the exact cadet that he had seen slinking back into the shadows and away from the instructor’s campsite the night before but he was determined to find out exactly which recruit it was, for they had unknowingly impressed the Colonel and were now a prime candidate for a future role on his team. 

After completing the exhausting 15 kilometre cross country run, and having near perfect precision on her rifle assessment, cadet Greyson was the next in line for the obstacle course. This would be a test of her determination, skill and brute strength. Although tired she breezed through the first half of the course, minor obstacles such as a rope bridge, balancing beam and tires barely made her flinch. The next obstacle, the barbed wire crawl was going to be tough. thirty meters of rough sand that she had to crawl through as flat as possible, as each time she touched the wires she would lose points. Greyson made it a good twenty meters before she made the first mistake of the course, rising just a smidge too high in the sand to make it round a tight bend in the track. 

“Cadet Greyson get that ass of yours down or I’ll have you running laps till daybreak tomorrow” Lieutenant Colonel Sinclair all but screamed at her. 

The sudden sound threw Greyson off and she made a further two touches to the wires before finally making it out of the sand trap. Grimacing at her loss of points she had no choice but to push on, least the LT. Colonel think she is quitting, although she wouldn’t put it past him to deduct a few more points for convenience sake.  Greyson powered up the hill towards her next obstacle as fast as her tired legs would carry her. The cargo net was next on the agenda. This particular barrier was going to be a tough one. Requiring mass amounts of lower and upper body strength that she wasn't sure she had left to give. 

The daunting net was around fifteen-foot-tall, filled up with broken ropes and fake footings which required the recruit to take a few seconds to plan a route before attempting the obstacle. Greyson briefly scanned the net, not really clocking a path in her tired state and launched herself as high as she could onto the net, trying to make the vertical climb shorter if possible. She was nearly at the top when her left foot came up short for placement and she slipped down the net, hanging on by only her right arm. 

Dangling there her mind began to race, she was dog-tired, each muscle in her body wound so tight with tension she was sure something was going to snap. It occurred to her that this was why today was marked as the hardest day for any cadet, officer or otherwise, in the force. Having been up for the last 11 hours and being pushed towards her breaking point, she knew that she had to pull herself up and keep moving forward with the net, if she didn't, this could be the deciding factor that would have her discharged before she even made it to graduation. She may have been at the top of the cadets in the numbers game but nobody was safe. 

Pulling herself together with the thought of the placement on the Intel team at stake Greyson gave one final heave of her tired muscles and reached the top of the cargo net. Waiting a few seconds to catch her breath and assess how much of the course was left, in doing so she inadvertently glanced to where the instructors were standing. 

As usual Major Benn and Lieutenant O’Connor were down there silently cheering her on and bantering between themselves, LT. Col Sinclair was standing there with his trademark smirk, surrounded by the most perfect five o’clock shadow she’d ever seen on a man, looking mighty proud of something. But unlike the usual line-up there was a fourth person amongst them, his face betrayed no emotion, other than the fact he looked mildly bored from the banter happening around him by, what Greyson assumed, would be lower ranks to himself. It dawned on her suddenly. Those broad shoulders and arms were familiar. It was the unknown officer she spotted last night while snooping. Given he was standing with the instructors Greyson took it upon herself to deduce that this was, in fact, the mystery officer from Columbia.

 And damn if he doesn’t look twice as delicious in the afternoon sun Greyson[BW1]  thought to herself. 

With a renewed purpose and an officer to impress she made quick work on climbing down the adjacent side of the cargo net, being more careful of her footing now, lest she fall flat on her ass in front of the handsome sir below. Dropping from the net and becoming briefly disorientated Greyson took a moment to gather herself before tearing off towards the second to last barrier between her and the finish line. The dark tunnels that dropped into deep water filled trenches. 

Climbing through the pitch-black tunnel that led towards, what she considered to be, the most algae water she had ever encountered, Greyson inadvertently counted up her penalties she was sure to have incurred so far. Dropping roughly five meters into freezing cold, murky water, the thought was quickly dispelled from her mind as she fought to steady her breath and make her way towards the light at the end of the not so proverbial tunnel. 

Breaching the other side and adjusting to what was now a too bright afternoon she took a deep breath of the crisp air. Greyson thanked the gods that she only had one more obstacle left of this wretched course. The cold water had seeped deep into her muscles, down to the bone, and she was struggling to fight off the shivers that came with it. Making her way towards the dreaded last obstacle as fast as her waterlogged boots and now exceedingly heavy uniform would allow her she took some time to come up with different ways to get over the ten foot barrier that stood between her and a well deserved hour of rest and food.  

Deciding to use the supporting beams for the wall as a way to bring herself closer to the top, Greyson carefully pulled herself up onto the beam, gripping the edge of the wall for support, before taking a few steading breaths and stretching out her limbs one by one, being careful not to slip back down to the ground and forfeit her first chance at the wall. Each of her limbs seemed to free up from the tension of the day, and, with great care, Greyson made her first attempt at making it over the wall. Gathering all of what remained of her strength she pushed up with her legs and reached as high as she could, managing to just barely snag the top of the wall with the fingers of her right hand.  Now with a grip established she heaved herself up towards the top of the wall, swinging her left leg up as high as she could to gain a steady position on the wall. Having hooked her foot on the wall she heaved herself to sit atop it. She felt more than accomplished sitting on the wall, she wasn’t sure how she had the strength to complete the course that was now just one dismount away from being in her past.

Getting up on the wall was one thing, getting down the other side when all the energy in your body has dissipated, that is another thing. Or so cadet Greyson was about to find out. 

Swinging her right leg over and hanging off the side of the wall, her grip failed, sending her promptly to the floor in a not so graceful heap. Gathering her senses Greyson sat up, looking around and assessing herself to see if she had sustained any injuries from the drop. Deciding that she was, in fact, perfectly fine, she bolted to her feet and jogged over to the finish line before collapsing in a heap of over exerted and aching limbs. Laying on the ground and looking up at the bright blue sky was almost worth the last twelve hours of pain she had been through, so much so that Greyson almost forgot where she was, or at least would have if it wasn't for the pristinely polished combat boots interrupting her brief moment of respite. Without looking up she knew who it was, LT. Colonel Sinclair. 

Greyson looked up, clocked the hand being held out to her and begrudgingly let the officer help her to her feet, she swayed as her body was finally back to being upright. When she finally gained her bearings she realised she was still clinging to the LT. Colonels hand for dear life. blushing  she dropped his hand like it was made of fire and came to attention, saluting him as per rank and giving a brief: “thank you sir” 

“I would like to commend your efforts on the course Greyson, you have far exceeded everyone's expectations of you, being the first cadet to accomplish the full confidence course today. And..” he trailed off, leaning closer that strictly professional to whisper “i would expect nothing less from my favourite cadet”  

Greyson noted the way his voice dropped an octave lower than usual, taking on a tone that screamed danger for her career but drew her in hook line and sinker. Which she suspected was his goal. She dared glace up to gage his reaction and instantly regretted it. They were barely an inch or two apart, a compromising situation at the best of times, but even more so between a lowly cadet and a LT. Colonel such as himself. Catching his eye for a brief second Greyson had no choice but to quickly avert her gaze. His pupils were blown wide and that stupidly handsome smirk was back on his face. She regretted the fact that she was unable to hide her obvious attraction to the man who was far too many ranks above her to ever return the feeling. 

The LT. Colonel noticed the flushed face and embarrassment but also clear attraction in the cadets posture, chuckling lowly to himself, but loud enough for her to hear, he blew out a low breath, drawing back he assessed her posture once again. She seemed to have relaxed a small amount now that there was some space between them. Deciding he’d teased her enough for now he grabbed her shoulder softly, drawing her eyes upwards to his own, and what pretty eyes they were

“I want you to go back to the campsite, have a dhobe and rest till the last recruit returns back to the campsite tonight. You’ve earnt this Greyson” he threw one last wink in her direction, his usual smirk only growing wider when she blushed a deep red from the neck up.  And without so much as another word he spun on his heel forgoing any argument or obligatory salute from the cadet and headed back to the start of the obstacle course to wait for the next recruit to start their assessment. 

Cadet Greyson let out a shaky breath, glad that that interaction was over, because god knew that man was trouble. But she was attracted to the authority that came with it. She glanced up quickly to see if anyone and overseen one of her and the LT. Colonel’s strange, but frequent, intimate little conversations. If they could be called that. By the looks of it, the coast was clear. Or thats what she thought until she turned to look in the direction of the last obstacle of the course. 

Standing there, shoulder set and posture somewhat relaxed but humming with authority, was the Columbian Colonel. She was close enough to see the way his whole body seemed to be singing with tension. Daring to gage the reaction on his face she trailed her eyes up his body. Starting at the impeccably polish boots, up his long, strong legs that were caged within a pair of military fatigues that clung to him like a second skin. She drew her eyes across that wide chest covered by, yet again, clothes that looked painted on but made him look oh so desirable. The tan skin of his arms that was exposed by the green t-shirt he was wearing was a sight to behold, his arms strong in a way that makes you want to be held in them in all different kinds of situations. 

Glancing just that bit higher she took in his face for the first time in good lighting. Strong jaw that was clean shaven, strong nose encompassed by defined, but not overly so, cheekbones. Eyes, that even from the distance between them, she could feel commanded attention in any space he occupied. And an eyebrow that was arched in her direction. 

Fuck, fuck fuck fuck, not you Greyson thought. That was the last thing she wanted, her hopefully future boss, thinking that she fucked her way to top spot on the cadet course. Without giving so much of a second thought to the senior officer, mainly due to the slightly overwhelming panic she was feeling, Greyson turned on her heel, and surprisingly in her fatigued state, manage to maintain a quick pace back to the campsite, where she knew she could comfortable rest for the next few hours while the rest of the cadets finished the assessment day. 

Hopefully, tomorrow the new Colonel will be introduced so i can attempt to clear my name from that embarrassing act he just witnessed Cadet Greyson muttered quietly while reclining on her sleeping mat. Wishful thinking worked well at the best of times. 

Chapters: 2/13 Fandom: Lego Ninjago Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Characters: Sensei Wu, Kai Smith, Nya Smith, Jay Walker, Zane Julien, Lloyd Montgomery Garmadon, Hypnobrai Tribe (Ninjago), Skales (Ninjago), The Serpentine (Ninjago), Cole Brookstone, Slithraa (Ninjago) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Action/Adventure, Episodes: 01-13, Mild Language, Language, Explicit Language Series: Part 2 of Ninjago Rewrite Summary:

While Garmadon lurks in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike, the ninja meet his young son, Lloyd, who carelessly unleashes a fearsome new enemy upon NINJAGO – the ancient tribes of the Serpentine.

SPOILERS from Deltarune Ch.2!

(Scroll fast to avoid unwanted spoilers)

Okay,so. At a certain point in the chapter Lancer turns to stone because he isn't in his original dark world; later the same happens to Roulxs. Everything is pretty clear.

But here comes my big question: why is Ralsei not affected? Isn't he also from the original dark world of ch.1? Still he seems to know lots about the prophecies and such...so is he not from there? Where does Ralsei come from?

These are some questions that came to me during the run, if any of you would like to share their theories I'd be happy to hear :)

Gravity Falls Humanized AU Chapter 2: Field Trip coming soon!

What is to expect? Shrimpy goes Adventuring! Hiding from the Enemy! And why Caseys Knife Glows!

I wrote a thing(pt. 2)

The next day, Spencer was kinda quiet. He did give Aaron a few smiles but they didn’t reach his eyes like they usually did. When they talked, Spencer’s replies where short and to the point. Luckily they didn’t have a case but Aaron was worried.

When Aaron finally asked what was wrong, all he got was a small smile and “Oh I’m fine. I’m just tired.”

Aaron didn’t pry….. yet…. But he didn’t believe that for a second. He knew that excuse. Hell, he used it himself many times. Hopefully Spencer would open up.

The quietness lasted a week before Aaron decided to do something about it. He got home an hour after Spencer, like always and found him curled up on the couch reading. Aaron sits on the other end of the couch and watches for a few minutes.

“Spencer, love,” Aaron starts. Spencer looks up from his book for a moment.

“Yes?” He looks so adorable, curled up in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of shorts. He had swapped his contact for glasses and his hair was a little messy.

“Are…..Are you hurting yourself?”

There was the sound of the book snapping shut and then hitting the floor. Spencer jerked into a sitting position

“Excuse me?” The younger man’s voice was dark with anger and hurt.

“I just...just need to know. I’m worried-”

“Why in hell would you think that?” Spencer demands angrily. “Do you think I’m that weak?”

“No. Of cou-”

“No. You listen here Aaron Hotchner. I can handle whatever it is that you think is going on. -Which is nothing by the way-” Spencer was standing now and glaring at him. “And besides, if I was, where would I do it? You’ve seen my naked countless times! Hell, last week even. The only scars I have are from cases. Or do you wanna assume those are self inflicted too?”

Aaron instantly regretted bringing this up. He falls backwards on the couch and rubs a hand over his face.

“I’m sorry Spencer. I didn’t mean to accuse you of anything. I wasn't thinking.” “Damn straight you weren’t thinking!”

Aaron opened his mouth to apologize again when his phone went off. He sighs and answered it.

“Hotchner….Alright. Thank you. We’ll be there soon.”

Spencer looks over as he listens. Before Aaron even hung up, Spencer left the room to go get dressed.

Aaron hangs up and makes his way to the bedroom. He pauses at the door.

“Spencer-”

“You should get dressed. We have work to do.” Spencer didn’t even look at him and it broke Aaron’s heart. He sighs and moves the closet, pulling out a suit and digging a tie out of the dresser. He dresses quickly before grabbing his guns from the case and laying Spencer’s revolver on the table. He had to fix this before he went crazy.

Aaron quietly makes his way to the car and waits for Spencer. The other man came out less than five minutes later and tosses his messenger bag in the back with their go bags. He sits in the back with the bags.

When they got to Quantico, Spencer grabs his bags and makes his way upstairs without a word. Aaron follows slowly. Rossi pulls him aside as soon as Aaron steps off the elevator.

“What the hell did you do?”

Aaron visibly deflated.

“I fucked up. Majorly.”

“Aaron what the hell did you do to him?”

“I asked him if he was hurting himself.” Aaron couldn’t meet the other man’s stare.

“What in hell made you do something idiotic like that?”

“I don’t know!” Aaron explodes. “I was worried about him and he kept saying he was fine and he was just tired but I know what he’s like when he’s tired and that isn’t it.” Aaron rubs his hand over his face. “What do I do?”

“I think you can either talk to him or let this pass. It’s up to you.”

-----.------

Spencer gets upstairs before Aaron did and goes straight to the conference room. The only one there so far was Derek. Spencer sits down and looks at him.

“Do I seem suicidal to you?”

Derek looks up from his phone with furrowed eyebrows.

“Excuse me?”

“Do I seem suicidal to you?” Spencer asked again, slowly. He doesn’t make eye contact, just stares at the table.

“What brought this on?”

“Just answer the question please?”

“No. Of course not.” Derek sets his phone down. “Are you?”  The concern was obvious in the other man’s voice.

“No. God no.”

“Then why ask?”

“Because Aaron asked if I was hurting myself. On purpose.”

“Why would he ask something like that?” “It’s probably my fault.” Spencer sighs. “I’ve been distant lately. He likely got the wrong idea.”

Now Spencer felt horrible for blowing up at him. He only cared. Damnit. He messed this up like he did every other relationship he’d ever been in. Before he could say anything, the rest of the team filed into the room and Garcia started to deliver a briefing on the case.

After the debriefing, Aaron stands, closing his file.

“Get ready. Wheels up in thirty.” He nods stiffly, boss mode frimley engaged.

Spencer bites his lip thoughtfully and takes a breath, readjusting the bag on his shoulder. He walks slowly over to Aaron and takes his hand, dragging him out of the room and down the hall. He comes to a stop at a storage room. He opens the door and shoves Aaron in, following him and locking the door.

“Spencer.” Aaron sounded stressed and tired. “We don’t have time for another fight and I hate fighting with you anyway.” He sounded close to breaking. “I know I shouldn’t have said what I did and I’m sorry but-”

“Aaron stop talking.” Spencer says in a gentle but commanding tone, and to his surprise, it worked. “I’m not here to yell at you again.”

“Then why are we here?”

“Because I wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have blown up like I did.”

“I understand why you did. I shouldn’t have assumed. It was wrong of me.”

“It’s my fault that you did. I’ve been distant lately and I’m sorry I worried you. But i swear to you, I’m not hurting myself.”

Aaron was silent for moment. Spencer panicked.

“Aaron?” He whispers.

“Then what is going on, really? Please tell me. I need to know.”

“Please don’t leave me.” Spencer says, his voice thick with emotion.

“Why in god’s name would I do that?”

“Because I fuck up every relationship I’ve ever been in.” Which wasn’t a lot but that’s not the point.

“Spencer. I love you. You know that. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Why not? I know you can do better. Like with Emily or-”

“Yeah I’m going to stop you right there.” Aaron says, putting his hand over Spencer’s mouth and searched for his eyes in the dimly lit room. “If I wanted better, do you think I would have married you after being in love with you for six years?”

“People do stupid things all the time.” Came the muffled mutter.

“Do you really think I regret marrying you?” Aaron dropped his hand away from Spencer’s mouth. He felt his heart break even more.

“Maybe not yet but you will. Everyone always regrets any relationship with me outside of business or friendship. I’m a relationship repellent.”

Aaron puts his hand on Spencer’s shoulder and feels the thinner man’s body tremble with unshed tears.

“Is this why you tried to burn the marriage license?”

“I just….figured if I destroyed it you could be free and could pretend that you weren’t stuck with me. Or we could divorce-” Spencer knew full well that wasn’t how marriages worked but his emotions were clouding his mind at the moment.

“No.” Aaron said sternly. “Being with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Ever.”

“You mean it?” Spencer whispers, sounding unsure.

"I promise to love and care for you, and I will try in every way to be worthy of your love. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient and forgiving. I promise to try to be on time. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you. I love you." Aaron recites, looking into the hazel eyes in front of him. "You are my lover and my teacher. You are my model and my accomplice. And you are my true counterpart. I will love you, hold you and honor you. I will respect you, encourage you and cherish you, In health and sickness. Through sorrow and success. For all the days of my life.In sickness and in health: I promise to take care of you, even when you've over-indulged the night before. For richer or for poorer: I promise not to spend all our money at Nordstrom."

Spencer stares at him before speaking softly. "I promise to encourage your compassion, Because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, Because through them your soul shines. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, For there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I promise to be your partner in all things, Not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole. Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, For one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things. You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible... You have made me a better person, as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together. I remember once how I told you I did not believe in soul mates. I will never forget your reaction. Shocked and a little hurt that I did not think we were. But as time went by, your love made me believe."

“I meant those words when I said them three years ago and I’ll mean them still, sixty years down the road. I love you Spencer. Don’t you ever forget that.”

“I won’t. I can’t.” Spencer points out. Perks of being a genius with eidetic memory. “I love you too.”

Very fond of turn-based combat games giving you the option to spend your entire turn on having a snack or drink

this was a very endeering scene

a very polite goat

Chapter 2 was a huge victory for the moss fanbase

One Fresh, No Fresh (Chapter 2)

Hey guys! Here is chapter 2 of One Fresh, No Fresh. Time has skipped since Fresh ran away, and now it’s 13 years later. Without further ado, lets get to the story.

Fresh, Geno, Error belong to @loverofpiggies​

MommaCQ and herself belong to @alainaprana​

Other characters and story belong to me, @leiselpizzatale​

__________________________________________________________________________

“Hey Fresh? How is your hypothesis going?”

Fresh jumped out of his daydream, before turning around, looking at his boss, Mrs. Lewis. She was thin, with dirty-blonde hair and blue eyes. Her red glasses would make her look older, but she was only 6 years older than Fresh.

“Ah, sorry Boss. I’ve been a thinkin’ too much, an’ wasn’t payin’ any attention,”.

Mrs. Lewis chuckled. “Not to worry,”. Then, she started smiling devilishly. “Now, you weren’t thinking about your girlfriend, right?”

Fresh blushed, tilting his head down to hid his embarrassment. He actually was thinking about her. But he couldn’t handle it! He loved her so much, and it wasn’t long before their 4th anniversary. And he had something big planned for that date.

“W-well maybe I was!” Fresh exclaimed, purple dusting his cheekbones.

Mrs. Lewis laughed, saying, “Sorry Fresh. Didn’t mean to frustrate you.”

Fresh sighed. She was right. Since getting his emotions for the first time, he’s been very emotional for a long time, since he couldn’t control them. But, after getting some help, he’s gotten better control at them. But sometimes, they will be uncontrollable, like water in a dam. But it’s been 14 years since first gotten them, so he should be able to keep them down, right?

“It’s Aiight. I’m just n-nervous.” Fresh said.

Nervous was an understatement. He feels like he’s going to mess up the 4 year anniversary. And he went full out on it. Tickets to the movies (He heard that new movie ‘Nerve’ was pretty good, so he decides on that), then later they will have a small dinner under the stars, where he-

“Okay Fresh. I understand.” Mrs. Lewis interrupted Fresh’s thoughts, before saying, “Oh! I almost forgot! Remember when you said that you wouldn’t make it on Friday? Well, I’ve got you covered.”

“Rad! Thanks Mrs. L!” Fresh said, before turning back onto his computer, typing frantically.

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

“Oh Fresh! This is amazing!” Alaina said. “The movie was great, and this dinner was delicious! I don’t think you can top this next year!”

Fresh smiled. Oh, how he loved her. He loved her hair and glasses, and her personality was so perfect.

“Heh, I bet I won’t, ” Fresh said quietly, a small, nervous smile on his lips(?). Alaina turned toward Fresh, confused.

“Fresh?” Alaina asked, “Is something wrong?”

Fresh, at first didn’t speak. He just couldn’t find the words to speak, and he felt like throwing up. But after closing his eyes and taking a big breath, he stood up, before turning toward Alaina, saying, “I need to talk to ya. Come over here,”

He led Alaina close to the edge, next to the stars, before turning toward her, his fingers wrapped around hers.

After pausing for a moment to get his nerves together, Fresh looked into Alaina’s eyes, before he spoke in the most serious tone,

         “Alaina. 12 years ago, you found me on your doorstep; cold, hungry, and very sick. Your family took me inside the house, and took care of me. When asked where I came from, all I said was, ’I’ll tell ya someday, brahs’. And none of you questioned me again. Your parents decided to adopt me, but you never, EVER, considered me family, but only as a friend.

Years passed, and after some daring from my friends, I asked you out, 4 years ago. And after that, we were inseparable. Even though we lived in the same house, I felt like we were even closer than ever. You may not know much about me, but I know a lot about you. Your funny, beautiful, and you gave me the most love out of anyone I know. And after 4 years, I would like to ask you something.”

Fresh got on one knee, and took a box from his pocket, opening it to show Alaina a small ring, with Alaina’s birthstone in it. Alaina gasped, covering her mouth, tears in the corner of her eyes.

“Alaina Prana, will you marry me?”

Alaina nodded once, twice, before hugging Fresh, yelling out, “Yes, Fresh! Yes, a million times YES!!!”

Fresh started laughing, tears running down his cheekbones. She said YES! He’s never been this happy in his entire life.

After calming down, Fresh separated from Alaina, before putting the ring on her finger. The moonlight caught onto the jewel, making it shine. Then he got closer to Alaina, before he started kissing her. Could his life get any better?

WLC 2.F: Quest Complete

Ling follows Melandria through the dark and hollow castle. "So new idea: the sand outside is hot, so maybe we can try to create geothermal plants. I'll need to bring water, unless ya know of any sources down here."

Melandria shakes her head. "Just using magic. That's not dangerous, is it? Like the food?"

"Standard create water spells just convert vapor into liquid, safe to drink." Ling's eye light up. "A gate to the the Plane of Water! That's what we could use."

J: You were just filled with fantastic ideas, weren't you, Mum? L: Seems like it runs in the family.

As the two climb the stairs, Melandria asks, "Aren't elementals... extremely territorial?"

"Don't worry 'bout that," laughs Ling, "I know a girl." Ling straightens up. "The real probo is how the wildlife'll be affected. We'd need to raise natural defenses alongside anything we're growing." Ling thinks for a moment. "Thrashing worm-eaters might be a good deterrent."

"Giant worms do pass through this desert," Melandria nods. She leads Ling into a corridor. "We'll have to give this more thought. First, let's get everyone together."

Melandria knocks on a door. "Kirono, are you awake?" There is no answer. "Kirono, are you feeling well?"

L: Since I wasn't sure if Maraja had left already, I decided to use my wizardly cunning.

Ling stumbles into the door, pushing it open. "Oops, sorry, mate," she says, "I'm a clumsy b******d." Her eyes spy two figures lying in the bed. She recognizes one of them. "Good onya, Maraja!" she says too loudly, "I knew ya'd root her out."

"Who is that?" shouted the Shadow Queen, the darkness around her agitating, "Why is she in my house!?" Her fury awakening the duo.

L: I calmed her down and we sorted the details out for the plan later, but that's a yarn for another time. D: So Maraja and Kirono got together and you started a farm with a queen? J: Yes, yes, everyone lived happily ever after. The End. Now, how about I tell you a story, Dalini: a story about how I met the Shadow Queen. D: But what happened to the priestess and the tallgoblins. L: Kalyani went back home- J: And the tallgoblins are in my story.

WLC 2.E: Only Human

"Never met a human before," says Ling, "Did ya come down here yourself?"

Melandria nods, still eating.

"Why'd ya do it? How'd ya do it?"

Melandria finishes the potato. "I needed to get away," she says, opening her arms wide, "As you can see, I'm a freak."

"I don't see it," says Ling, "I just see a woman tired of being treated like s***e. Not particularly uncommon."

"Darkness flows through me," says Melandria as the distant shadows over the room flare up, "I belong to the depths, unfettered by the physical world."

L: Or would that flare down?

J: Don't overthink it, Mum.

"Don't cut yourself on that edge, mate," says Ling, walking about to inspect the throne, "'Sides, ya're a queen; ya've got people that like ya."

"Three people," says Melandria, somberly, then her voice picks back up, "Maybe four?"

"Three?" Ling turns suddenly. "How are you a queen with only three subjects?"

"I'm not," says Melandria, "The Shadow Queen is just a cool title. I control literal darkness; I am the queen of shadows. No one lives in this underground sandpit."

Ling throws her arms into the air. "Brilliant," she says, "B****y brilliant." She begins walking toward the door.

"Wait," says Melandria, "I still want to know about this business idea you had."

Ling turns back to the not-actually-a-queen. "I'm researching how to grow food in the Underdank, but-"

Melandria's red eyes light up. "Then I would love to help!" She sways to the side and mutters to herself, "A chance to prove I'm not a monster."

"Ya're not a monster," says Ling, "Your body doesn't define ya."

"You don't know what they called me on the surface."

"And ya don't know what they called me at school."

D: What did they call you at school?

L: Ya don't need to know that.

"Still," says Melandria, racing over to Ling, "I won't take 'no' for an answer." She puffs out her chest. "My appearance is how I'm judged down here too; I had to work myself back up to monster. The orcs, the Vrow, I'm an object to them."

Ling nods. "I may not look it," she says, licking her eyes, "But I have a similar rep. 'DuMb LiZaRd BrAiN.'"

"Was that your school name?" Melandria opens the door into the foyer and leads out.

"I worked myself up to the bad one," smugly says Ling, following, "How'd ya think I got in here? Speaking of: ya've got two tallgoblins working for ya, so who's the third?"

"An extremely encouraging young woman," says Melandria with a smile, "Named Kirono."

WLC 2.D: The Shadow Queen

A few hours after having entered the tower, Ling realizes that her split party never established an exit strategy, nor a means of communication. For a wizard, this is an embarrassing oversight.

Getting her things together, Ling attempts to sneak through the dark halls, but is quickly grabbed by a shadow and dragged into a new location.

Ling now stands in a decently decorated throne room. Crystal sconces and chandelier shine faint light. A lovely carpet stretches from the large door behind her to the cushioned throne ahead. Barely visible to Ling, sits the Shadow Queen; an usually pale busty elf-like being in a black slit dress with opera gloves. Her long curly hair is intricately woven.

"G'day," says Ling, "Mind giving a light?"

"Why are you in my house?" ask the Shadow Queen as the darkness in the room thickens, "Explain yourself."

"Ya got it," says Ling, leaning her body slightly, "I'm a scholar and I came to propose a business venture to ya."

"And you came alone?"

"...No," says Ling, "Had a friend, a priestess of Vanessa."

"Just one?" The Shadow Queen rocks back and forth, "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying."

Claws take form amongst the darkness and lunge at Ling. She skitters away. She rolls and hops about away from the constant barrage. Ling pulls rock from her bag and charms it to shine brightly. The shadows recede and the Shadow Queen growls.

J: We know her name's Melandria; stop calling her the Shadow Queen.

"You think that parlor trick will save you," she yells as the shadow limbs long steel polearms and bows and arrows. The solid weapons are unimpeded by Ling's light and force her to continue dodging.

As she dodges, Ling gets a better look at the elf-esque being. Her ears are small and round. If her hair wasn't black, Ling would assume she was albino.

"Who does your hair?" asks Ling, skittering up the wall desperately avoiding arrows... or at least, looking desperate. "Is it dyed?"

L: Obviously, I cast a wind shield as soon as I had seen the bows.

"What? Yes, but- No one, I d-" Melandria stops herself, "Stop talking to me, you, weird lizard."

"Gecko, actually," says Ling jumping into Melandria's face, "So what are you?"

The woman on the throne pauses, as do her weapons. The gecko's eyes are fixated on something just under her eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Got to be blunt, mate," Ling shakes her head, "You look sick."

"It's a skin condition," says Melandria, "I'm al-"

"Albino, I figured," says Ling, "But that's not it. Ya're malnourished, starving even." She grabs Melandria's hand. "What have ya been eating?"

Melandria pulls her hand away and conjures a piece of bread. "I have plenty of food. I'm strong enough to feed myself."

Ling pulls a potato out from her pouch. "Eat this."

Melandria balks at the tuber.

"I'm a doctor," says Ling before Melandria can speak, "If ya've only been eating mana manna, ya're going to rot away inside out."

Melandria warms the potato and rips it open. With a conjured fork, she begins eating.

"First saw this back at wiz school during the Great War," says Ling, "Spellies eating their own mana's no healthier than eating their own skin. And that's true even for one's that know healthy eating." Ling watches Melandria shovel food into her mouth. "Which most don't."

"Name's Melandria and I'm human," she says in between bites of food, "Since you asked."

"From the surface, eh?" Ling smiles. "My mum's from there."

WLC 2.C: DistrAction

The two duos, one metal-clad, the other leather, approach each other across the black sand.

L: By the way, they are Gish and her brother, Gash. They never told me their names; Melandria did.

D: Spoiler.

L: What? You should already know I talk to her; that's the whole point of the story!

"Why are you out here?" asks Gish.

"Where do you think you are?" asks Gash.

"Both questies: we're lost in the Underdank," says Ling, she gestures for Kalyani to answer.

"Quite," says the priestess, "If you could point uss in the directshion of the nearesst town, we'd apprecciate it."

"That symbol," says Gash, "That eyeball you're wearing... What manner of follower are you?"

"Do you know it, brother?" asks Gish. She reaches for her sword, but before she draws it, Gash answers.

"That's the Love God's Eye," he says, "So how do you serve her?"

"Oh, you know her?" asks Kalyani, fluttering her eyes. She slithers toward Gash. "Are you a follower too?"

"Brother," Gish voices tings with annoyance.

"Let him have some fun, mate," says Ling, scampering up to Gish, "Yous two alone out here?"

J: I should have known. You're a wizard, Mum; don't you have stories about succeeding through... you know, wizardry?

L: Magic isn't the only answer to problems, Jevoi.

"No, we-" Gish cuts herself off, "Why are you really here? What do you think you're doing?"

"What do you want me to do?" asks Ling, still sauntering forward. Lacking the ability to flutter, she quickly licks her eyes instead. At the moment, she has no idea where this will lead, but it is succeeding as a distraction.

Gish takes a step backward. Out of the corner of her eye, she spots Kalyani encircling Gash.

"Perhapss, we've not been honesst," whispers Kalyani, "The Goddesss ssent uss."

"Somebody needs our help," says Ling, "Is it ya?" Ling gets up to Gish's faceplate. "A big strong woman like you shouldn't be alone."

"I- I'm not," says Gish, "My brother and I-"

"Brother doesn't count, mate," says Ling, now fully confident, "Let's see those eyes of yours." Ling places her hands on Gish's helmet, who does not resist. Ling carefully remove it and looks upon Gish's battle-scarred tallgoblin face. "Looks like ya had some bark taken off, eh?" Ling gently traces her claw down the diagonal scars; they clearly came from a claw attack.

Gish face contorts. "Would- would you like to see," she says, struggling to keep her strong warrior demeanor, "My other ones?"

"I'd love to," says Ling.

L: Long story short: they let us into the tower and we kept them distracted for a bit.

WLC 2.B: Trip Trap Trope

The party enters a massive sandy chamber, they stand atop a slope above the black desert. The fossilized remains of a massive spike-shelled creature lies atop a fortress, thirty stories tall, sculpted from the caverns themselves to fit the creature's silhouette.

"Hiding, shhe iss not," says Kalyani, "It lookss familiar, thhough."

"You'd think someone calling herself 'The Shadow Queen' would live somewhere more... subtle," says Maraja, "Any ideas, wizard?"

A magical pulse emits from Ling's location; as it moves forward, an invisible runic wall shimmers briefly ahead of the group. "I know that symbol," says Ling, "That's a 'false ward' alarm... ward."

L: I know it's a dumb name.

At Kalyani's insistence, Ling continues, "This ward does exactly one thing: alert its creator to any change. Unwelcome intruder? Alarm. Attempt to disable? Alarm. Warp past it? Alarm. Actually disable it? Ya guessed it: alarm. But," Ling raises her finger, "That's ALL it can do."

D: I don't get it. Why's it special? L: How do I put this? On top of alerting their creator, most wards try to do something to whoever trips them. J: Mindjack, teleport, incinerate. L: They're intended to go unnoticed until it's too late. J: They're meant to catch dumb thieves and animals. D: So, why use this one? J: Paranoia.

"Asssuming it'ss a perfect ssphere, whichh iss likely," says Kalyani, "Thhey will know we're coming, no matter what."

"Maraja," says Ling, stretching, "You stay here and, when you see your chance, get in that building. Save your mate."

"I'm not leaving you out here," says Maraja, "You have no idea who or what will come out of there."

"Hang back, dear," says Kalyani, "Make that call after they come forth."

Maraja nods her watery head and steps back into the tunnel; Ling and Kalyani race down the slope. Ling feels the hot sand between her toes and Kalyani carves a trail with her tail.

"A late realizzation," says Kalyani, "But iss thhat a tarrassque?"

"Trying not to think about that," says Ling.

"Do you thhink it died reccently?"

"Trying not to think about that."

"HALT!" calls out a raspy woman, when the duo are about a hundred meters from the tower.

"CEASE!" call out a gravelly man, immediately after.

Standing in a second floor, a pair of heavily armored bipeds. They're too far away for Ling to identify who or what they are.

"HOW'S YA GOING?" yells Ling, "WE'RE AS LOST AS A EUNUCH'S BALLS!"

"WHAT?" yells the woman wearing her shield on her right, "WE'RE NOT HOLDING ANY BALLS."

"WAIT," yells the man wearing his shield on his left. He then speaks to the woman beside him.

D: What did he say? L: I don't know; I wasn't going to cast spells where they could see me.

The two jump down, slowing down before landing. They then pose together. Ling can now clearly see the mace and scimitar the man and woman respectfully carry.

WLC 2.A: What's in the Box?

L: The rest of that day was relatively uneventful. We eventually found a place to camp. Maraja went straight to sleep while Kalyani and I... communed... about Vanessa. J: We don't need to hear about that, Mum. D: Sure is a lot of boring adult stuff in this story. L: One day you'll want to know about "boring adult stuff." J: Still don't, Mum.

Maraja took the second watch. She made no fuss about her companions; she would simply pretend that she hadn't noticed. Between the two of them, the spells and wardings would likely be enough without an actual guard, but Maraja couldn't allow herself to become complacent; she will not always be traveling with such magicians. She kept her ears open to the faint distant echoes: things burrowing, skittering, even flapping. While the earlier worm shocked her with its size, the fauna she's met since is small and mostly harmless.

Maraja kept eyeing the passages forward and back. While she had lost track of how far the group have traveled, she trusts Vanessa's eyes to guide them. If they kept following her, they'd find Kirono. The wizard was convinced that the paladins were dating. 'Insanity,' thinks Maraja, 'We're just friends and I'm not about to abandon her.' Her thoughts drift to and fro. 'We are friends, right?' she worries, 'It's not like those Vrow.'

L: Anyway, when we woke, Maraja was really distracted: deep in thought. But we got our things together and continued on. That day, we found a suspicious box. So naturally the first thing we did was make sure they wasn't anyone hiding nearby before we carefully approached it.

The iron chest has a single hinge and a simple lock. It appears tightly clamped and relatively clean. It is clearly out of place here, all three women know that; no one just leaves a container like this in the middle of a tunnel in plain (dark)sight. The real question is: what kind of trap is it?

"Bomb?" asks Kalyani, "Perhapss, a cursse or poisson?"

"It looks koboldic," says Ling, "So poison is most likely, if anything."

"Should we just ignore it?" asks Maraja, "Just raise a little wall around it?"

Kalyani points her staff at the chest. "Jusst give thhe word."

"Hold," Ling raises her hand. "If you see anything appear over the box, sink it down." She points at it and thinks loudly. An image of a dog 🐶 appears over it.

As commanded, Kalyani shapes the stone beneath the box to lower it down and cage it with forcefully formed stalagmites. For a second, she thinks it may have twitched.

"What manner of spell was that?" asks Maraja, "A dog?"

"That's a mimic, no doubt," says Ling, she looks at her armored friend, "Say something, mate?"

"Thhe sspell, dear," says Kalyani, "What wass thhat?"

"Oh that," laughs Ling, "That's my own invention; I call it Detect Consent. I think of something and the idea enters the target's mind then I get a reaction for if they're in favor, against, or unable."

"So what is 'dog'?" asks Maraja, leaning closer.

"Dog is non-sapient," says Ling, waving a few illusions for dramatic effect, "There's also 🧠 brainwashed, 🍾intoxicated, 👻 possessed, ⭐ cursed, 💤 unconch, and 🐣 minor. If none of those trigger, then it'll give a ✅ yes or 🚫 no."

"What about imposssible?" asks Kalyani, "And can you teachh me thhiss?"

"Impossible actions default to no," says Ling, "And I'd love to teach ya."

"So if that were a normal chest," asks Maraja as the group approach the trapped mimic, "It wouldn't have given any response?"

"Nailed it," Ling slaps Maraja's shoulder, "I just realized it'd out these b****rs."

D: Why did you make that spell? L: To keep kids from places they don't belong. Almost every bartender in Inner Glow ended up learning to cast that cantrip. J: And then it spread amongst travelers and drove non-sapient mimics into extinction. L: Can't say anyone's mourning those. J: The propagation of smart mimics that led to was disastrous.

"But the question remains," says Maraja, poking the mimic with her sword, "Where did this come from? Mimics hide near people."

"Sso people," says Kalyani, keeping her staff ready as she leads the group forward, "Musst be hiding near it."

WLC 2.9: Call 'Em Vrow

L: As we traveled onward, we almost ran into a pair of Vrow huntresses. D: What's a Vrow? L: Cute elves from the Underdank. They're not as bad nowadays, but they were real bu- nasty back then.

A pair of violet-skinned elves sit in a high alcove, both young, barely out of school. One is dressed in traditional Vrow huntress attire: a black, leather leotard, thigh high boots, shoulder-length gloves, and a quiver of arrows strapped to her back. Dark grey belts hold the outfit up. Her velvet hair is in short ponytail.

L: Not that a Vrow would know what a pony is. D: I don't know what a pony is. J: It's a small horse. I could get you one. D: HHHHHUUUUU? OOOOOO?

The second (a sorceress, clearly) is adorned with what can be very generously described as dark grey armor. The chestplate is more comparable to a metal brassiere and it's matching bottom is a glorified, oversized belt. She's also wearing raised heel pumps. Under her armor, she wears an extremely thin tight dark silk garment with a spider web motif over most of her body, from finger and toe to neck. Thin metal rings on both ring fingers and around her neck hold it in place. Her long braided hair loops around her headpiece, which is akin to a circlet which matches her elaborate staff (also spider-themed).

J: We get it, they love spiders; it's their thing.

"Shooty and spelly in a ridge," says Ling, pointing up.

The adventuring trio hide behind a corner, they've spotted the Vrow first. How fortunate for them that the Vrow are distracted.

J: How did they not hear watergirl's clanking armor? L: Well, ya said to skip to the important bits. Sorry, that included us casting don't-get-caught spells, like Quiet March, and don't-fall-in-holes spells, like Darksight.

"How do we want to handle this?" asks Maraja, "Sneak up and attack? My range options aren't great."

"Hold on," says Ling, "We don't know if they're hostile."

"Thhey're Vrow, dear," says Kalyani, "Thhey will mosst ccertainly attack uss on ssight."

"No, they won-" Ling looks at the religious iconography of her party. "Well, yous, maybe. But look at them; those ladies aren't set to ambush anyone. F'ell, that spelly isn't even dressed for the cave; she's bound to twist an ankle." Ling motions for her companions to stay quiet as she casts a spell upon her bones.

The elves in the alcove sit oblivious to their observers. There's an awkward tension between them; Ling can taste it.

"Are you ready to talk about it?" asks the sorceress, rubbing the walking end of her staff along the drop from the alcove, "I don't know what else I can do."

"It's fine," says the huntress, refusing to make eye contact, "It's my fault, you didn't have to stay with me."

"I'm the one who twisted my ankle," says the sorceress, "So you missed a few shots; everyone has a bad day once in a while, Seònaid."

Seònaid rubs her head. "I'm going to get in so much trouble if I don't kill something." She shuts her eyes. "You know they've doubled the quotas, right? We might have to sell my father."

"Let me help," says the sorceress, "My family's well-off en-"

"I don't want your money, Oighrig," says Seònaid dejectedly, "I have to do this myself. I have to- I have to do something."

D: Couldn't you give her the giant worm you cooked. L: No, we had traveled several hours since then. If another critter hadn't eaten it then, another would've before the Vrow found it. J: The worms are also poisonous.

Oighrig struggles to speak. Ling can sense a desperate desire refusing to come out and casts another spell. Unseen to the elves, a magical bubble overtakes them.

"I love you." Oighrig clamps her hand over her mouth.

"I love you too," Seònaid chuckles and turns toward her, "Thank you. You're my best friend." She calmly loops her arms around and hugs Oighrig. "You al- We've always have each others back," she smiles, "And we always will."

Oighrig hesitantly puts her arms around Seònaid. "Y-y-yeah," she strains against an unseen force, "B-best friends."

Around the bend, Ling whispers to Kalyani, "Ya have anything to push these two? Hormones, music, shove her face in her boobs, something."

"Why- What?"

"I don't know," says Ling, "The mammals love boobs for some reason."

Oighrig suddenly kisses Seònaid, then stares into her eyes in shock.

"Wow," says Seònaid, "I was really down, but I'm so glad you're such a friend." She smiles widely.

"I. Want. You." Oighrig's eye twitches.

Seònaid nods. "To?"

J: How? L: I know. J: Vrow!? L: I know!

"Crikey," almost shouts Ling, "She's denser than b****y osmium. It'd be a piece of p**s for me to root a vejjo bunyip before this dropkick's jocks are off."

"Was that even elven?" asks Maraja.

Kalyani shrugs in equal bafflement. "While thhey're disstracted, we shhould leave."

"Right," says Ling, "I'm 'bout to snap."