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some sacrifices must be made
Aug. 20th, 2025 12:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
archersangelwe decided to forgo youtubeTV for a month (suspend? pause?, i forget the term) or so in order to get disney+ again. because they list of MCU things is getting longer & avoiding spoilers is becoming an olympic level sport.
we would've done this last month, but thunderbolts didn't have a release date yet, now that it does we put the plan into action.
of course now that we did this, CBS announced that the amazing race is coming back in september. but it's all big brother people & their friend/spouse/sibling racing this time. i don't watch BB & this might be the first time since the "second chance" season that i have little interest in watching TAR.
my brother's main show, the rookie, is rumored to start a new season in january.
to fill in non-disney+ time, my brother got the plutoTV application for the tv (it's free) & so far the saying "you get what you pay for" applies.
it's owned my paramount & there's a lot of paramount/CBS stuff (they own CBS, if you didn't know). they have channels of just one show, which is odd. and what looks like all of the major market CBS news stations (like reruns of the daily news?) but there's a bunch of star trek episodes, columbo, murder she wrote, old game shows, and the NBC & ABC news streaming channels (oddly enough) so it's not horrible, but it's not that fun either.
we would've done this last month, but thunderbolts didn't have a release date yet, now that it does we put the plan into action.
of course now that we did this, CBS announced that the amazing race is coming back in september. but it's all big brother people & their friend/spouse/sibling racing this time. i don't watch BB & this might be the first time since the "second chance" season that i have little interest in watching TAR.
my brother's main show, the rookie, is rumored to start a new season in january.
to fill in non-disney+ time, my brother got the plutoTV application for the tv (it's free) & so far the saying "you get what you pay for" applies.
it's owned my paramount & there's a lot of paramount/CBS stuff (they own CBS, if you didn't know). they have channels of just one show, which is odd. and what looks like all of the major market CBS news stations (like reruns of the daily news?) but there's a bunch of star trek episodes, columbo, murder she wrote, old game shows, and the NBC & ABC news streaming channels (oddly enough) so it's not horrible, but it's not that fun either.
Aaaaaahhhhh!
Aug. 20th, 2025 12:05 amsoc_puppetClasses start up again on Monday!
Okay, I'm cool, I'm good, I'm collected; I can do this.
Right now I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to me to start taking the bus to and from classes. There's a specific bus that goes from my hometown to the college campus I'm attending, a thirty minute drive away, and financially it might be a good idea overall. It's just that one of the classes I'm taking would have me out the door by 8:30 AM, and that's a smidge earlier than I like to get up these days đ
Still, it's doable! The bus stop for the in town bus is under a block from my house, so it's not a particularly arduous walkâor at least it's not too much worse than just walking to where I've parked my car. It would be better for the environment and would save wear and tear on my (aging) vehicle. Even taking the bus three days a week might be good enough.
So my plan is, probably on Thursday and maybe on Friday as well, take the (free) in town bus to the interchange and then back home. If I really want to give a solid go of it, I'll also give the town-to-campus bus a try, but we'll see how I feel about spending $7 on that. I'll also want to start turning the lights out earlier, preferably tonight.
Fingers crossed for cheap textbooks and sparse homework!
Okay, I'm cool, I'm good, I'm collected; I can do this.
Right now I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to me to start taking the bus to and from classes. There's a specific bus that goes from my hometown to the college campus I'm attending, a thirty minute drive away, and financially it might be a good idea overall. It's just that one of the classes I'm taking would have me out the door by 8:30 AM, and that's a smidge earlier than I like to get up these days đ
Still, it's doable! The bus stop for the in town bus is under a block from my house, so it's not a particularly arduous walkâor at least it's not too much worse than just walking to where I've parked my car. It would be better for the environment and would save wear and tear on my (aging) vehicle. Even taking the bus three days a week might be good enough.
So my plan is, probably on Thursday and maybe on Friday as well, take the (free) in town bus to the interchange and then back home. If I really want to give a solid go of it, I'll also give the town-to-campus bus a try, but we'll see how I feel about spending $7 on that. I'll also want to start turning the lights out earlier, preferably tonight.
Fingers crossed for cheap textbooks and sparse homework!
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1character: a character-focused fanfic writing community
Aug. 19th, 2025 05:31 amgimmighoulcoins posting in ![[site community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/comm_staff.png){kind=small}
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Description: Pick one character as your focus in this fic writing community in the style of
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif){kind=small}
1sentence, choose from 1 of the 6 theme sets, and make your claim - then, write 50 one-sentence fic inspired by the prompts to share on the comm! This is an ongoing activity, open to writers for all fandoms, as well as original characters. Claims are good for three months, and you can get an extension of one month if needed.Schedule: Ongoing
Links:
On Dreamwidth:
1characterResort
Aug. 19th, 2025 05:46 pmredwolfFamily vacations could be a source of joyous memories of time spent with loved ones, but being in closer than usual contact with your near and dear for the duration could also be a trying experience.
When your offspring have melted crayons into the leather seats of your vehicle; the children who solemnly swore to stay close run off in three different directions; or your toddler is determined to hurl themselves into the enclosure of something large and hungry; wishing them away to the Goblin King starts to feel like the answer to retaining your few remaining shreds of sanity.
This confluence of families out of their comfort zone in a heightened state of stress meant that there were seasonal surges of wished away children from zoos, theme parks and all manner of child friendly tourist locations. While they saw little of these attractions while responding to a call, the goblins had a slightly wider field of play and could be quite excitable when something shiny caught their attention.
Eventually Jareth would cede to an adventure Above to quell the clamouring. Sarah wasnât quite sure how heâd dissuaded them from swimming in the hippopotamus pond of the safari park, and privately wondered if the goblins would come off second best in that encounter.
Fortunately, things that went fast seemed to rate higher on the goblin scale of desirability than bothering wildlife. Water parks could be easily contained to allow the goblins free reign, but other locations needed to be isolated to a single ride.
âThis is not what I expected of a go cart track.â Sarah looked at the tightly packed array of small carts that looked barely bigger than a childâs toy. Goblins were eagerly selecting their vehicles, as Jareth led her to the side of the track. Looking over the wall, Sarah could see that the gentle slope at the start made a hairpin turn to a steeper straight before tightly switching back to vanish into the surrounding trees. âHow far down does it go?â She couldnât see beyond the trees, but a cable car terminus was situated beyond the cart corral to ferry riders.
âItâs high enough that we wonât hear them if they make it to the end of the run intact.â Jareth grinned wildly and gave the signal to start the race. The clatter of the carts was swallowed up by the whooping of excited goblins as they rounded the first corner.
Peering into a crystal he materialised, Sarah watched as the bulk of the field steered through the course and around an occasional crashed individual, quickly learning that the brief joy of ramming a compatriot equated to a loss of speed. A clatter drew her attention to a downed goblin who had ported back to the start, cart in hand to restart the race.
âThey appear to be having a whale of a time and,â Sarah waved towards another restarting goblin. âWe donât need to worry about carnage at the end of the race.â
labyfic — drabble #223: whale
Part of the Balance!verse
When your offspring have melted crayons into the leather seats of your vehicle; the children who solemnly swore to stay close run off in three different directions; or your toddler is determined to hurl themselves into the enclosure of something large and hungry; wishing them away to the Goblin King starts to feel like the answer to retaining your few remaining shreds of sanity.
This confluence of families out of their comfort zone in a heightened state of stress meant that there were seasonal surges of wished away children from zoos, theme parks and all manner of child friendly tourist locations. While they saw little of these attractions while responding to a call, the goblins had a slightly wider field of play and could be quite excitable when something shiny caught their attention.
Eventually Jareth would cede to an adventure Above to quell the clamouring. Sarah wasnât quite sure how heâd dissuaded them from swimming in the hippopotamus pond of the safari park, and privately wondered if the goblins would come off second best in that encounter.
Fortunately, things that went fast seemed to rate higher on the goblin scale of desirability than bothering wildlife. Water parks could be easily contained to allow the goblins free reign, but other locations needed to be isolated to a single ride.
âThis is not what I expected of a go cart track.â Sarah looked at the tightly packed array of small carts that looked barely bigger than a childâs toy. Goblins were eagerly selecting their vehicles, as Jareth led her to the side of the track. Looking over the wall, Sarah could see that the gentle slope at the start made a hairpin turn to a steeper straight before tightly switching back to vanish into the surrounding trees. âHow far down does it go?â She couldnât see beyond the trees, but a cable car terminus was situated beyond the cart corral to ferry riders.
âItâs high enough that we wonât hear them if they make it to the end of the run intact.â Jareth grinned wildly and gave the signal to start the race. The clatter of the carts was swallowed up by the whooping of excited goblins as they rounded the first corner.
Peering into a crystal he materialised, Sarah watched as the bulk of the field steered through the course and around an occasional crashed individual, quickly learning that the brief joy of ramming a compatriot equated to a loss of speed. A clatter drew her attention to a downed goblin who had ported back to the start, cart in hand to restart the race.
âThey appear to be having a whale of a time and,â Sarah waved towards another restarting goblin. âWe donât need to worry about carnage at the end of the race.â
labyfic — drabble #223: whalePart of the Balance!verse
Round 153 Schedule
Aug. 18th, 2025 07:48 pmxandromedovna posting in fic_rushBefore I forget! Here's your reminder that the Rush will be next weekend, 22-24 August. Mods, please confirm your availability by claiming an anchor post or just generally flailing in my direction, and if you've ever wanted to be a Mod, please do that!
| GMT | EDT (Boston) | CDT (Chicago) | PDT (Seattle) | BST (London) | CEST (Berlin) | AEST (Brisbane) | Designated Mod | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hour -23 | midnight | 8pm Thu | 7pm Thu | 5pm Thu | 1am Fri | 2am Fri | 10am Fri | xandromedovna |
| Hour -17 | 6am Fri | 2am Fri | 1am Fri | 11pm Thu | 7am Fri | 8am Fri | 4pm Fri | |
| Hour -11 | 12pm Fri | 8am Fri | 7am Fri | 5am Fri | 1pm Fri | 2pm Fri | 10pm Fri | |
| Hour -5 | 6pm Fri | 2pm Fri | 1pm Fri | 11am Fri | 7pm Fri | 8pm Fri | 4am Sat | |
| Hour 0 | 11pm Fri | 7pm Fri | 6pm Fri | 4pm Fri | midnight | 1am Sat | 9am Sat | |
| Hour 1 | midnight | 8pm Fri | 7pm Fri | 5pm Fri | 1am Sat | 2am Sat | 10am Sat | |
| Hour 6 | 5am Sat | 1am Sat | midnight | 10pm Fri | 6am Sat | 7am Sat | 3pm Sat | |
| Hour 12 | 11am Sat | 7am Sat | 6am Sat | 4am Sat | 12pm Sat | 1pm Sat | 9pm Sat | |
| Hour 18 | 5pm Sat | 1pm Sat | 12pm Sat | 10am Sat | 6pm Sat | 7pm Sat | 3am Sun | |
| Hour 24 | 11pm Sat | 7pm Sat | 6pm Sat | 4pm Sat | midnight | 1am Sun | 9am Sun | |
| Hour 30 | 5am Sun | 1am Sun | midnight | 10pm Sat | 6am Sun | 7am Sun | 3pm Sun | |
| Hour 36 | 11am Sun | 7am Sun | 6am Sun | 4am Sun | 12pm Sun | 1pm Sun | 9pm Sun | |
| Hour 42 | 5pm Sun | 1pm Sun | 12pm Sun | 10am Sun | 6pm Sun | 7pm Sun | 3am Mon | |
| Hour 47 | 10pm Sun | 6pm Sun | 5pm Sun | 3pm Sun | 11pm Sun | midnight | 8am Mon | xandromedovna |
| Hour 48 | 11pm Sun | 7pm Sun | 6pm Sun | 4pm Sun | midnight | 1am Mon | 9am Mon | xandromedovna |
| Round Ends | midnight | 8pm Sun | 7pm Sun | 5pm Sun | 1am Mon | 2am Mon | 10am Mon | xandromedovna |
Dreams and Mayhem: Hodge Podge!!!
Aug. 18th, 2025 01:35 pminnitmarvelous_og posting in dw_community_promo
Description:
It's one part dream.
One part disaster.
And absolutely 100% fandom.
It's Your OTPs/Fandoms combined with our chaos.
Schedule: From now until October 12, 2025 when our first challenges closes.
Links:
On Dreamwidth:
innitmarvelous_og | Hodge Podgethestoryinside
Aug. 18th, 2025 11:46 ammonkiainen posting in dw_community_promoIf you're anything like us, you'll no doubt have a mountain of books that you just never get around to reading. Well, that's where thestoryinside comes in - have someone choose your book for you!
The process is simple: join the community, and each month sign up to be partnered with a buddy, who will then choose a book from your 'to read' list. At the end of each month there will be a community post to discuss your thoughts on the book(s) you read!
However, we're putting a twist on the traditional 'pick for me' routine and each month we'll vote on what genre of book we'll be reading; now, of course this is open to personal interpretation, for example, if the genre is horror and you're not a big fan, you could go for a Goosebumps book, or even Twilight. There will be an opportunity in each voting post to ask any questions you might have.
thestoryinside comes in - have someone choose your book for you!The process is simple: join the community, and each month sign up to be partnered with a buddy, who will then choose a book from your 'to read' list. At the end of each month there will be a community post to discuss your thoughts on the book(s) you read!
However, we're putting a twist on the traditional 'pick for me' routine and each month we'll vote on what genre of book we'll be reading; now, of course this is open to personal interpretation, for example, if the genre is horror and you're not a big fan, you could go for a Goosebumps book, or even Twilight. There will be an opportunity in each voting post to ask any questions you might have.
3 DC Universe Ficlets
Aug. 17th, 2025 06:22 pmsenmutPeace, After Knowing (100 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Smallville
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Lex Luthor
Additional Tags: Drabble, Introspection
Summary:
There's solace in not knowing, they say. There's peace in shutting your eyes, turning away.
They're all wrong.
Lex hasn't had a moment of peace since the meteor. Not from his father, not from life, and not from him.
That day, when Clark Kent crossed his path and saved his life, has only amplified the chaos inside of Lex. He aches to find the truth, to see what was hidden, to hold that knowledge as his own.
Clark is his keystone, could be a foundation to lay his peace on, if he can ever decipher the clues.
He'll keep trying.
Up Above (100 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Superman (Franchise)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Clark Kent
Additional Tags: Drabble, Introspection, +Modern Age (1986-Present)
Summary:
There are nights when Clark just hovers, high enough up to be unseen, eyes sweeping over the city beneath him. It's a way of choosing solace without going so far away as to risk losing precious time to help others. He can still listen, still see, if he chooses to.
The peace of the cool air, the muting of other distractions â all of it allows him to settle his choices into place. He is only one man, and choices have to be made. He makes peace with where he could not be, then returns to his home.
He keeps choosing.
Helpers of Hope (100 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Batman (Franchise)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Bruce Wayne
Additional Tags: Drabble, Introspection
Summary:
A wise man had once said 'look for the helpers'. Bruce has been doing it since before his parents were killed. Maybe it's because they both gave as much of themselves to others as they did to him. Maybe it's Alfred's teaching and example.
Maybe, it's because the ones that reach out and help give him hope.
He goes out, he stops what he can of the relentless tide of corruption and danger for his city's people.
In turn, they reach out to one another, make different choices, raise each other up.
It's enough to make him try even harder.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Smallville
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Lex Luthor
Additional Tags: Drabble, Introspection
Summary:
Lex's world is not peaceful
Peace, After Knowing
There's solace in not knowing, they say. There's peace in shutting your eyes, turning away.
They're all wrong.
Lex hasn't had a moment of peace since the meteor. Not from his father, not from life, and not from him.
That day, when Clark Kent crossed his path and saved his life, has only amplified the chaos inside of Lex. He aches to find the truth, to see what was hidden, to hold that knowledge as his own.
Clark is his keystone, could be a foundation to lay his peace on, if he can ever decipher the clues.
He'll keep trying.
Up Above (100 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Superman (Franchise)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Clark Kent
Additional Tags: Drabble, Introspection, +Modern Age (1986-Present)
Summary:
Clark has a way to deal with his choices
Up Above
There are nights when Clark just hovers, high enough up to be unseen, eyes sweeping over the city beneath him. It's a way of choosing solace without going so far away as to risk losing precious time to help others. He can still listen, still see, if he chooses to.
The peace of the cool air, the muting of other distractions â all of it allows him to settle his choices into place. He is only one man, and choices have to be made. He makes peace with where he could not be, then returns to his home.
He keeps choosing.
Helpers of Hope (100 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Batman (Franchise)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Bruce Wayne
Additional Tags: Drabble, Introspection
Summary:
Bruce reflects on what fans his hope.
Helpers of Hope
A wise man had once said 'look for the helpers'. Bruce has been doing it since before his parents were killed. Maybe it's because they both gave as much of themselves to others as they did to him. Maybe it's Alfred's teaching and example.
Maybe, it's because the ones that reach out and help give him hope.
He goes out, he stops what he can of the relentless tide of corruption and danger for his city's people.
In turn, they reach out to one another, make different choices, raise each other up.
It's enough to make him try even harder.
Fic: There's No Hippocratic Oath in Xianxia China
Aug. 16th, 2025 09:25 pmsoc_puppetFandom: The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System
Summary: Shang Qinghua is in a meeting with Mu Qingfang about the innovative new peak first aid centers when they're interrupted by a disciple from the beast peak: Shen Yuan, an otherwise ordinary young man, has discovered yet another treatment for sex pollen that involves neither sex nor involvement with heavenly demons.
Mirrors: AO3 link
Wordcount: ~1900 words
Ships: None
Notes: Inspired by this post on Tumblr:![[tumblr.com profile]](https://www.tumblr.com/favicon.ico)
ceramicrambles:
Medical mystery Shen Yuan who literally every checkup has a new thing that should have killed him and Mu Qingfang is incredibly concerned
MQF: Shixiong, why is your blood purple?
SY: Oh right! itâs okay I was hit with the misty eyed-transfusion-curse-of-papapa pollen but I took the antidote so now I sprout a daisy every time I pee. Itâs basically the closest thing to a cure haha and the only other treatment is heavenly demon blood so what are you gonna do, amirite?
MQF: what.
mikkeneko: mind you. I'm not saying Mu Qingfang is NOT concerned. But I also think that Known Mad Scientist Mu Qingfang would see an absolute golden opportunity in just following SQQ around with a notebook at this point Thanks to ceramicrambles for both the inspiration and beta reading!
Fic: ( There's No Hippocratic Oath in Xianxia China )
Summary: Shang Qinghua is in a meeting with Mu Qingfang about the innovative new peak first aid centers when they're interrupted by a disciple from the beast peak: Shen Yuan, an otherwise ordinary young man, has discovered yet another treatment for sex pollen that involves neither sex nor involvement with heavenly demons.
Mirrors: AO3 link
Wordcount: ~1900 words
Ships: None
Notes: Inspired by this post on Tumblr:
Post text
Medical mystery Shen Yuan who literally every checkup has a new thing that should have killed him and Mu Qingfang is incredibly concerned
MQF: Shixiong, why is your blood purple?
SY: Oh right! itâs okay I was hit with the misty eyed-transfusion-curse-of-papapa pollen but I took the antidote so now I sprout a daisy every time I pee. Itâs basically the closest thing to a cure haha and the only other treatment is heavenly demon blood so what are you gonna do, amirite?
MQF: what.
Fic: ( There's No Hippocratic Oath in Xianxia China )
Curse of the Faerie King, updated
Aug. 16th, 2025 07:02 pmsenmutCurse of the Faerie King (16004 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 7/7
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Vierna Do'Urden, Zaknafein Do'Urden, Drizzt Do'Urden, Nalfein Do'Urden
Additional Tags: Mostly Gen, Eventual Relationships, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Gender Changes, Ensemble Cast, but with wide divergence
Summary:
Entire fic linked above, or read just the new chapter at AO3.
Being summoned by the Matron of the House was never a good thing in either wizard's mind. Gromph had more than enough trouble as Arch-Mage of the city. Nalfein, juggling the responsibility of raising Gromph's hidden child against teaching in Sorcere, merely hoped the mind-flayer wasn't present. He enjoyed being free to pursue his studies, teach the bright girl, and have Gromph satisfied with saving his life.
That the meeting was held on a walkway above a holding pit for slaves, full of filthy duergar was almost intriguing enough to offset Gromph's irritation. What was Yvonnel up to now?
"Both of you are to learn all that these wretches know about where they came from," she said without preamble. "All the ways in and out, and what sent them scurrying into our patrols."
Gromph scowled. "Enlighten us as to why duergar would know anything worth your time, Mother?"
Nalfein recognized the strategic familial title as a tactic he had once used against Malice's scheming. It was good to see some things remained the same despite changing Houses.
"Haerinvureem has been killed, and I seek vengeance for old business," Yvonnel told him, more forthcoming than Nalfein had expected. "Dwarves now hold a strategic location that I will possess. See to this task swiftly -- or else!"
"Yes, Matron," and "As you wish," overlapped. Nalfein surveyed the filthy lot in disdain, before the woman left them to it.
Nalfein itched in his robes the more the tales poured out of the duergar under his and Gromph's interrogation. There could not be two such drow in existence. He wasn't certain, but he also needed to learn for himself. If Matron Baenre was intent on conquest of the dwarf hall, and it was Dreeza, Nalfein had a wish to not face her in combat.
She had been Zaknafein's heir in all ways, after all, and the way she melded magic to her combat had proven deadly to at least one experienced wizard after all. And if she survived, did that mean the other two did? Could Nalfein find a way out of Menzoberranzan by putting his sister in his debt during the invasion?
Or because of it?
A slow, sly smile crossed his lips, enhancing his sinister opinion as he selected his next victim for the questioning, building a more complete picture of the Hall, its fighters, and most especially of the purple-eyed drow with two scimitars.
Gromph settled a plate of seared fungi between he and Nalfein, in the latter's rooms, and set the tangy sauce in its bowl above the plate. Nalfein noted it was his favorite, and had his unseen servant pour liquor from the bottle behind the usual blend.
"You got distracted. Luckily, Vendes doesn't pay close enough attention to men to notice," Gromph said.
"Considering this move to more openly have a resource close to the Surface, pondering the ramifications," Nalfein said idly, taking a bite afterwards to give himself time to think.
"You mean wasting resources on something when we have other means of gathering all we could ever need from above?"
Nalfein's eyes went wide to hear Gromph be so critical, so openly. The Arch-Mage tapped a certain ring he wore, reassuring the younger man that all was hidden, for now.
"It seems this would be more a move for her than to glorify Her," Nalfein said very carefully. "So many things could go wrong, even."
"Hmm, but how to insure the correct things go wrong?" Gromph asked, considering plans and contingencies.
"We make contact with the drow involved." Nalfein knew this was a risk, but had weighed and measured where Gromph stood, was certain Gromph himself had been why Baenre took him in instead of ordering his death when Malice fell.
"A drow who fights by dwarves is no ally to ones like us, my dagger-wand."
Oh, he had Gromph intrigued if the endearments were coming out.
Nalfein smiled, a dangerous one, and nodded. "Except. I believe the drow is Malice's last child, and I did all I could to keep that one friendly with me."
"That one, is it? The daughter that was never schooled?"
"The child," Nalfein corrected, "that could never pass through school because of the Curse of the Faerie King."
Gromph's expression shifted rapidly through several emotions, before he returned the smile. "Nalfein, you keep being useful to me."
"Good. You keep me supplied with books, after all."
They both laughed, tabling the talk of their treachery for now, as it would take some time to work out the angles. One way or another, they were going to twist Yvonnel's desires for the dwarven hall into her downfall.
Nalfein shut his eyes as he slipped into his room for the night, a headache pounding from being under constant low light elsewhere in the city. He'd only just started to remove his outer robes, taxed by teaching Lirael a more advanced potion, stretching her ability yet again. He did not want the knock on the door, or the fact it was a specific rhythm to tell him Gromph was there.
At least the man knocked. In the early days of his assignment under Baenre patronage, the man had often just walked in, to make the point of who Nalfein needed to keep happy. He shrugged the robe back into place, made sure his favorite wand was in place, and let the unseen servant open the door.
Gromph, and the mercenary leader known as Jarlaxle entered and closed the door back.
"Tut, tut, no lights?" that dandified drow asked in a flippant tone.
"Shut it, Jarlaxle. Nalfein has more than earned the relief from them."
"Ahh, a good little pet."
Nalfein refused to bridle, showing nothing but contempt toward the unsettling man.
"What brings you with him, Arch-Mage?" he did ask politely, fixing his main attention on his superior.
"We have the beginning of a plan, to see about threads we may pull," Gromph said. "Jarlaxle, stop needling Nalfein; I assure you he works far more efficiently on a peer to peer level than being reminded of the past."
Jarlaxle swept his hat off, dipping in a bow with it over his chest to Nalfein. "Apologies, good saer. It's so rare that I get to meet the ones Gromph squirrels away, as if he fears I would poach your services for my own small pursuits."
Gromph did not actually growl, but there was an impression of it â and Nalfein relaxed further. This strange man was someone his friend was comfortable with, to a degree, and that meant it was safer to show ease in the situation.
"How may I assist in pulling threads then?"
"How's your penmanship?" Jarlaxle asked in a jaunty tone. "I may be able to have a letter delivered, to your unusual contact through a third party."
Nalfein looked at Gromph, who nodded. "Such a letter would add one more step of plausible escape for myself, after all," Gromph said. "And Jarlaxle knows how to keep his balancing act in place."
"I've managed so far," the man cheerfully said.
Nalfein acquired his writing materials, made himself remember which version of the longhand writing Dreeza had been taught, and nodded, hastily writing the letter that was needed. He was a little surprised when Jarlaxle added a few details in his idle conversation with Gromph, ones that had not been known to either of them, and he wondered just who the mercenary actually was in the scheme of things.
Nalfein was surprised to learn that the svirfnebli were to be the messengers. He listened to the threat and dismissal exchange, as clearly choreographed as if it were a performance, but obviously built from long association, as he sized up the shaman with the other deep gnome. He could not recall ever seeing them this close before, not even in his youth as a common fighter for House Do'Urden.
"Any betrayal!"
"Of course, dear Firble, of course." Jarlaxle then walked away, looking purposefully away from the other three. Nalfein was still uncertain as to the extent of the mercenary's involvement in House Baenre, but Gromph had been specific. Nothing said at this meeting could be heard by the mercenary, once Nalfein was the speaker.
"I will need to provide a hush over us, so that my ally can remain free and clear of what is said, as it deals with drow of a House that no longer exists," Nalfein told the pair.
"We are watching you, and you will die if you use trickery to foul us," Firble promised him.
"I can almost respect your tenacious hold on those threats," Nalfein told the smaller gray man.
"Go ahead, drow," the shaman said, and Nalfein pulled up his particular version of silence, coupled with a non-detection that obscured them from sound or sight. He'd kept this spell for himself ever since an accidental casting of it, finding it useful against clerics.
"I have a letter. It is for a drow who allies to the dwarves in the Hall above, the one Jarlaxle gave you a map to. The letter must go to this drow, to avert certain plans that could damage all of us in this section of the Underdark."
"How can we trust you to not be setting the dwarves up for betrayal?" Firble demanded.
"Because that drow was â is â my sibling, and once my student. I am of House Do'Urden, and so is the drow. I have interests in making sure my student stays alive, safe, and not mad at me."
He could not admit to wanting to be out of Baenre's House, to wanting a measure of vengeance for the fall of his own, but that much might appeal to their sense of family ethics.
"Give us the letter," the shaman said. "We will renew our ties with the dwarves, now that the Living Shadow is dead. And if the drow chooses to listen, it is done."
Nalfein pulled the letter out, passing it over, and inclined his head. "Until we meet again, some day perhaps. Peacefully, even."
Firble made a rude noise, but then Nalfein dispersed the magic, and both parties went their own way.
"ELF!"
Drizzt had been told the king wanted him right away, and he had come as soon as he could, canceling a holiday with Alustriel. That was often their lives; one or the other would be needed elsewhere.
"I apologize for how long it took me; none of the Tall Ones were in the city, and I did not want to bother a wizard," he said as he came over.
Bruenor counted on his fingers, then glared at his friend. "S'posed tae be five days 'twixt here and there, not three!"
Drizzt laughed, then they clasped hands in true greeting.
"So what has happened?"
"Deep gnomes, asking for the drow named Do'Urden," Bruenor said. "Been getting by, but hard tae speak proper with nae words in common."
Drizzt frowned, then gestured for Bruenor to guide him to the guests. "I cannot imagine why deep gnomes would wish to speak with me, but at least they usually have some Undercommon." No message would come all this way from his father or sister via gnomes; they had more direct means. Vierna had insisted that her little sister always have the sending stone on her, and could ask for the spell from her god anyway. Zak would send messages through Vierna⌠so Drizzt was at a loss.
"Do'Urden?" one of the three deep gnomes asked even as Bruenor led him into the guest suite that had been hastily made in the Undercity.
"Yes, and I promise I am not like other drow," Drizzt said swiftly in Undercommon, noting the stiffened postures. "May I bring up faerie fire? Bruenor is not able to see in this low a light, and I have lived under lights more than not."
"Polite," the shaman said, all three relaxing, before the first one nodded at Drizzt's request. The purple faerie fire settled above them, centered, and Bruenor relaxed some as well, not having liked being in the dark so fully.
"Need the light, anyway," the third one told him. "We have a letter, from one of your House."
Dinin, maybe? Which opened new worries, as Dinin might know of a threat to his family, given Jarlaxle and Zaknafein being so obviously fond of one another.
The first pulled out the letter, and Drizzt immediately forgot about Dinin. The way it had been puzzle-folded was Nalfein's doing, completely.
House Baenre. That was where Drizzt's wizard-brother had wound up. Which made him hold his hand over the letter for a longer moment, seeking if it held magic.
Once he determined it wasn't a magical trap, he did take it, and moved to lean against the wall, carefully unfolding it to avoid damaging the writing within.
After deciphering the words, he closed his eyes, and looked at the svirfnebli. "My gratitude for being the messengers, and I offer a warning. Pull your people in, until Menzoberranzan retreats." He then looked at Bruenor and switched languages. "We need to ready for war, my friend."
"Thought as much, me elf. Well, so be it."
The only reason Vhaeraun allowed His cleric to go aid dwarves was because those dwarves had killed a drow nemesis in the form of Shimmergloom. Zaknafein had not been certain at first, but knew ways to defuse whatever part Bregan D'aerthe was forced to play in the invasion.
With the warning, the Hall was prepared for the invasion, and Menzoberranzan was going to be licking its wounds for some time. All drow captives who surrendered were turned over to Vierna to be sifted out to her Lord's cities for new lives.
Except one.
Nalfein woke with a headache, stripped to his skin save a rough long tunic, and his sibling sitting across from him. Her â their? his? â face was still swollen from a whip-bite, and one arm was in a cast, but Dreeza looked at peace.
"Sorry we had to strip you down," Dreeza told him. "We didn't want anything you were carrying to be a 'return to sender' charm, and Vierna wanted to be sure you had a choice."
"So our sister does live, and I thought I glimpsed the Weapon Master," Nalfein said, nonchalant about his current state, even as he shifted on the cot he had been laid out on. "Thank you for listening to the letter. Care to tell me the end result?"
"One Matron escaped the party of them with the enslaved dwarf king. He, his descendant, myself, and father accounted for the rest, their attending junior clerics, the mind-flayer, and a handful of other drow that stupidly got in the way."
Nalfein was betting it had been Oblodra, but didn't ask. Dreeza would have said in Baenre herself had been the escapee. "What now, little sibling?"
Dreeza lit up at that casual acceptance of being different. "I mostly go by Drizzt these days, and have more control over the change. Vierna will always call me Dreeza; she's a possessive wean-mother/big sister."
Nalfein chuckled. "She had her peculiar ways."
"As to you? You can either 'escape' us and flee to Menzoberranzan, if that is where you wish to be, or you can take up an offer to go very far away, with a letter of reference from Vierna, to attach yourself to a temple of Vhaeraun as a wizard."
Nalfein's eyebrow arched at that, and things clicked further into place. "Is she there to help me figure out the ways of it?"
Dreeza nodded. "And father, who has grudgingly said you were tolerable all the years he knew you."
"Abyssal stones, but I remember how jealous every fighter was that he got the spot for Melee Magthere that year," Nalfein mused. "I wasn't yet officially an apprentice to the House Wizard of the time, but I was just as glad to not be dodging that many murder attempts."
"Oh you'll have to tell Vierna stories about what you remember!" Dreeza said in delight. "If â "
"Oh I intend to take her offer. Gromph is a comfortable associate, but he is still very drow and I could become useless or a liability to him at any time." Nalfein shrugged. "Never cared for Lloth, probably won't care for her god, but if I can keep learning the arts, I will go."
"Good." Dreeza stood up, still graceful even with the aftermath of the battle stamped on them. When his sibling sat beside him, Nalfein decided to keep currying favor, having noted the value of clothing and armor alike marking Dreeza â Drizzt â as still high-ranked in their new life. He slung an arm up over the shoulders, careful not to jar the broken arm, and looked over at Drizzt.
"Is starting over hard?" he asked.
"Not when you choose it. Not when you want freedom that much."
"Glad to hear it, little sib." He squeezed a little. "If I tell you which items I know were mine and untouched, can I have them back?"
"Describe them, and I will sort through. The rest of them will have to be checked over by a stronger wizard â wait, you said Gromph. I might have to ask my Lady to visit, then, so it is another Arch-Mage checking them over."
Nalfein threw his head back and laughed, hearing his strange sibling admit that level of a relationship.
"Dreeza, no, Drizzt. I am so damn glad Vierna managed to save you, and that Mother listened to me and her about how best to use your presence in the family."
"I am too, Nalfein, and I'm actually glad you survived," Drizzt admitted, leaning into him. "House Do'Urden, ancient house of Daermon N'a'shezbaernon, represented by a Vhaeraunite cleric, best swordsman ever, a canny wizard, a fair enough lizard riding fighter, and me! Pretty sure some cosmic entity is laughing over the change of fortunes."
"Yeah I guess⌠wait, Dinin?!"
Drizzt settled in to fill in the gaps, about their other brother, and life since the city for them all.
Chapters: 7/7
Fandom: Forgotten Realms, The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Vierna Do'Urden, Zaknafein Do'Urden, Drizzt Do'Urden, Nalfein Do'Urden
Additional Tags: Mostly Gen, Eventual Relationships, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Alternate Universe - Gender Changes, Ensemble Cast, but with wide divergence
Summary:
Vierna was startled the first time her sister was a brother. But she wasn't going to let that stop Dreeza growing up strong, no matter what strings she had to pull.
Entire fic linked above, or read just the new chapter at AO3.
Curse of the Faerie King: Chapter 7
Being summoned by the Matron of the House was never a good thing in either wizard's mind. Gromph had more than enough trouble as Arch-Mage of the city. Nalfein, juggling the responsibility of raising Gromph's hidden child against teaching in Sorcere, merely hoped the mind-flayer wasn't present. He enjoyed being free to pursue his studies, teach the bright girl, and have Gromph satisfied with saving his life.
That the meeting was held on a walkway above a holding pit for slaves, full of filthy duergar was almost intriguing enough to offset Gromph's irritation. What was Yvonnel up to now?
"Both of you are to learn all that these wretches know about where they came from," she said without preamble. "All the ways in and out, and what sent them scurrying into our patrols."
Gromph scowled. "Enlighten us as to why duergar would know anything worth your time, Mother?"
Nalfein recognized the strategic familial title as a tactic he had once used against Malice's scheming. It was good to see some things remained the same despite changing Houses.
"Haerinvureem has been killed, and I seek vengeance for old business," Yvonnel told him, more forthcoming than Nalfein had expected. "Dwarves now hold a strategic location that I will possess. See to this task swiftly -- or else!"
"Yes, Matron," and "As you wish," overlapped. Nalfein surveyed the filthy lot in disdain, before the woman left them to it.
Nalfein itched in his robes the more the tales poured out of the duergar under his and Gromph's interrogation. There could not be two such drow in existence. He wasn't certain, but he also needed to learn for himself. If Matron Baenre was intent on conquest of the dwarf hall, and it was Dreeza, Nalfein had a wish to not face her in combat.
She had been Zaknafein's heir in all ways, after all, and the way she melded magic to her combat had proven deadly to at least one experienced wizard after all. And if she survived, did that mean the other two did? Could Nalfein find a way out of Menzoberranzan by putting his sister in his debt during the invasion?
Or because of it?
A slow, sly smile crossed his lips, enhancing his sinister opinion as he selected his next victim for the questioning, building a more complete picture of the Hall, its fighters, and most especially of the purple-eyed drow with two scimitars.
Gromph settled a plate of seared fungi between he and Nalfein, in the latter's rooms, and set the tangy sauce in its bowl above the plate. Nalfein noted it was his favorite, and had his unseen servant pour liquor from the bottle behind the usual blend.
"You got distracted. Luckily, Vendes doesn't pay close enough attention to men to notice," Gromph said.
"Considering this move to more openly have a resource close to the Surface, pondering the ramifications," Nalfein said idly, taking a bite afterwards to give himself time to think.
"You mean wasting resources on something when we have other means of gathering all we could ever need from above?"
Nalfein's eyes went wide to hear Gromph be so critical, so openly. The Arch-Mage tapped a certain ring he wore, reassuring the younger man that all was hidden, for now.
"It seems this would be more a move for her than to glorify Her," Nalfein said very carefully. "So many things could go wrong, even."
"Hmm, but how to insure the correct things go wrong?" Gromph asked, considering plans and contingencies.
"We make contact with the drow involved." Nalfein knew this was a risk, but had weighed and measured where Gromph stood, was certain Gromph himself had been why Baenre took him in instead of ordering his death when Malice fell.
"A drow who fights by dwarves is no ally to ones like us, my dagger-wand."
Oh, he had Gromph intrigued if the endearments were coming out.
Nalfein smiled, a dangerous one, and nodded. "Except. I believe the drow is Malice's last child, and I did all I could to keep that one friendly with me."
"That one, is it? The daughter that was never schooled?"
"The child," Nalfein corrected, "that could never pass through school because of the Curse of the Faerie King."
Gromph's expression shifted rapidly through several emotions, before he returned the smile. "Nalfein, you keep being useful to me."
"Good. You keep me supplied with books, after all."
They both laughed, tabling the talk of their treachery for now, as it would take some time to work out the angles. One way or another, they were going to twist Yvonnel's desires for the dwarven hall into her downfall.
Nalfein shut his eyes as he slipped into his room for the night, a headache pounding from being under constant low light elsewhere in the city. He'd only just started to remove his outer robes, taxed by teaching Lirael a more advanced potion, stretching her ability yet again. He did not want the knock on the door, or the fact it was a specific rhythm to tell him Gromph was there.
At least the man knocked. In the early days of his assignment under Baenre patronage, the man had often just walked in, to make the point of who Nalfein needed to keep happy. He shrugged the robe back into place, made sure his favorite wand was in place, and let the unseen servant open the door.
Gromph, and the mercenary leader known as Jarlaxle entered and closed the door back.
"Tut, tut, no lights?" that dandified drow asked in a flippant tone.
"Shut it, Jarlaxle. Nalfein has more than earned the relief from them."
"Ahh, a good little pet."
Nalfein refused to bridle, showing nothing but contempt toward the unsettling man.
"What brings you with him, Arch-Mage?" he did ask politely, fixing his main attention on his superior.
"We have the beginning of a plan, to see about threads we may pull," Gromph said. "Jarlaxle, stop needling Nalfein; I assure you he works far more efficiently on a peer to peer level than being reminded of the past."
Jarlaxle swept his hat off, dipping in a bow with it over his chest to Nalfein. "Apologies, good saer. It's so rare that I get to meet the ones Gromph squirrels away, as if he fears I would poach your services for my own small pursuits."
Gromph did not actually growl, but there was an impression of it â and Nalfein relaxed further. This strange man was someone his friend was comfortable with, to a degree, and that meant it was safer to show ease in the situation.
"How may I assist in pulling threads then?"
"How's your penmanship?" Jarlaxle asked in a jaunty tone. "I may be able to have a letter delivered, to your unusual contact through a third party."
Nalfein looked at Gromph, who nodded. "Such a letter would add one more step of plausible escape for myself, after all," Gromph said. "And Jarlaxle knows how to keep his balancing act in place."
"I've managed so far," the man cheerfully said.
Nalfein acquired his writing materials, made himself remember which version of the longhand writing Dreeza had been taught, and nodded, hastily writing the letter that was needed. He was a little surprised when Jarlaxle added a few details in his idle conversation with Gromph, ones that had not been known to either of them, and he wondered just who the mercenary actually was in the scheme of things.
Nalfein was surprised to learn that the svirfnebli were to be the messengers. He listened to the threat and dismissal exchange, as clearly choreographed as if it were a performance, but obviously built from long association, as he sized up the shaman with the other deep gnome. He could not recall ever seeing them this close before, not even in his youth as a common fighter for House Do'Urden.
"Any betrayal!"
"Of course, dear Firble, of course." Jarlaxle then walked away, looking purposefully away from the other three. Nalfein was still uncertain as to the extent of the mercenary's involvement in House Baenre, but Gromph had been specific. Nothing said at this meeting could be heard by the mercenary, once Nalfein was the speaker.
"I will need to provide a hush over us, so that my ally can remain free and clear of what is said, as it deals with drow of a House that no longer exists," Nalfein told the pair.
"We are watching you, and you will die if you use trickery to foul us," Firble promised him.
"I can almost respect your tenacious hold on those threats," Nalfein told the smaller gray man.
"Go ahead, drow," the shaman said, and Nalfein pulled up his particular version of silence, coupled with a non-detection that obscured them from sound or sight. He'd kept this spell for himself ever since an accidental casting of it, finding it useful against clerics.
"I have a letter. It is for a drow who allies to the dwarves in the Hall above, the one Jarlaxle gave you a map to. The letter must go to this drow, to avert certain plans that could damage all of us in this section of the Underdark."
"How can we trust you to not be setting the dwarves up for betrayal?" Firble demanded.
"Because that drow was â is â my sibling, and once my student. I am of House Do'Urden, and so is the drow. I have interests in making sure my student stays alive, safe, and not mad at me."
He could not admit to wanting to be out of Baenre's House, to wanting a measure of vengeance for the fall of his own, but that much might appeal to their sense of family ethics.
"Give us the letter," the shaman said. "We will renew our ties with the dwarves, now that the Living Shadow is dead. And if the drow chooses to listen, it is done."
Nalfein pulled the letter out, passing it over, and inclined his head. "Until we meet again, some day perhaps. Peacefully, even."
Firble made a rude noise, but then Nalfein dispersed the magic, and both parties went their own way.
"ELF!"
Drizzt had been told the king wanted him right away, and he had come as soon as he could, canceling a holiday with Alustriel. That was often their lives; one or the other would be needed elsewhere.
"I apologize for how long it took me; none of the Tall Ones were in the city, and I did not want to bother a wizard," he said as he came over.
Bruenor counted on his fingers, then glared at his friend. "S'posed tae be five days 'twixt here and there, not three!"
Drizzt laughed, then they clasped hands in true greeting.
"So what has happened?"
"Deep gnomes, asking for the drow named Do'Urden," Bruenor said. "Been getting by, but hard tae speak proper with nae words in common."
Drizzt frowned, then gestured for Bruenor to guide him to the guests. "I cannot imagine why deep gnomes would wish to speak with me, but at least they usually have some Undercommon." No message would come all this way from his father or sister via gnomes; they had more direct means. Vierna had insisted that her little sister always have the sending stone on her, and could ask for the spell from her god anyway. Zak would send messages through Vierna⌠so Drizzt was at a loss.
"Do'Urden?" one of the three deep gnomes asked even as Bruenor led him into the guest suite that had been hastily made in the Undercity.
"Yes, and I promise I am not like other drow," Drizzt said swiftly in Undercommon, noting the stiffened postures. "May I bring up faerie fire? Bruenor is not able to see in this low a light, and I have lived under lights more than not."
"Polite," the shaman said, all three relaxing, before the first one nodded at Drizzt's request. The purple faerie fire settled above them, centered, and Bruenor relaxed some as well, not having liked being in the dark so fully.
"Need the light, anyway," the third one told him. "We have a letter, from one of your House."
Dinin, maybe? Which opened new worries, as Dinin might know of a threat to his family, given Jarlaxle and Zaknafein being so obviously fond of one another.
The first pulled out the letter, and Drizzt immediately forgot about Dinin. The way it had been puzzle-folded was Nalfein's doing, completely.
House Baenre. That was where Drizzt's wizard-brother had wound up. Which made him hold his hand over the letter for a longer moment, seeking if it held magic.
Once he determined it wasn't a magical trap, he did take it, and moved to lean against the wall, carefully unfolding it to avoid damaging the writing within.
After deciphering the words, he closed his eyes, and looked at the svirfnebli. "My gratitude for being the messengers, and I offer a warning. Pull your people in, until Menzoberranzan retreats." He then looked at Bruenor and switched languages. "We need to ready for war, my friend."
"Thought as much, me elf. Well, so be it."
The only reason Vhaeraun allowed His cleric to go aid dwarves was because those dwarves had killed a drow nemesis in the form of Shimmergloom. Zaknafein had not been certain at first, but knew ways to defuse whatever part Bregan D'aerthe was forced to play in the invasion.
With the warning, the Hall was prepared for the invasion, and Menzoberranzan was going to be licking its wounds for some time. All drow captives who surrendered were turned over to Vierna to be sifted out to her Lord's cities for new lives.
Except one.
Nalfein woke with a headache, stripped to his skin save a rough long tunic, and his sibling sitting across from him. Her â their? his? â face was still swollen from a whip-bite, and one arm was in a cast, but Dreeza looked at peace.
"Sorry we had to strip you down," Dreeza told him. "We didn't want anything you were carrying to be a 'return to sender' charm, and Vierna wanted to be sure you had a choice."
"So our sister does live, and I thought I glimpsed the Weapon Master," Nalfein said, nonchalant about his current state, even as he shifted on the cot he had been laid out on. "Thank you for listening to the letter. Care to tell me the end result?"
"One Matron escaped the party of them with the enslaved dwarf king. He, his descendant, myself, and father accounted for the rest, their attending junior clerics, the mind-flayer, and a handful of other drow that stupidly got in the way."
Nalfein was betting it had been Oblodra, but didn't ask. Dreeza would have said in Baenre herself had been the escapee. "What now, little sibling?"
Dreeza lit up at that casual acceptance of being different. "I mostly go by Drizzt these days, and have more control over the change. Vierna will always call me Dreeza; she's a possessive wean-mother/big sister."
Nalfein chuckled. "She had her peculiar ways."
"As to you? You can either 'escape' us and flee to Menzoberranzan, if that is where you wish to be, or you can take up an offer to go very far away, with a letter of reference from Vierna, to attach yourself to a temple of Vhaeraun as a wizard."
Nalfein's eyebrow arched at that, and things clicked further into place. "Is she there to help me figure out the ways of it?"
Dreeza nodded. "And father, who has grudgingly said you were tolerable all the years he knew you."
"Abyssal stones, but I remember how jealous every fighter was that he got the spot for Melee Magthere that year," Nalfein mused. "I wasn't yet officially an apprentice to the House Wizard of the time, but I was just as glad to not be dodging that many murder attempts."
"Oh you'll have to tell Vierna stories about what you remember!" Dreeza said in delight. "If â "
"Oh I intend to take her offer. Gromph is a comfortable associate, but he is still very drow and I could become useless or a liability to him at any time." Nalfein shrugged. "Never cared for Lloth, probably won't care for her god, but if I can keep learning the arts, I will go."
"Good." Dreeza stood up, still graceful even with the aftermath of the battle stamped on them. When his sibling sat beside him, Nalfein decided to keep currying favor, having noted the value of clothing and armor alike marking Dreeza â Drizzt â as still high-ranked in their new life. He slung an arm up over the shoulders, careful not to jar the broken arm, and looked over at Drizzt.
"Is starting over hard?" he asked.
"Not when you choose it. Not when you want freedom that much."
"Glad to hear it, little sib." He squeezed a little. "If I tell you which items I know were mine and untouched, can I have them back?"
"Describe them, and I will sort through. The rest of them will have to be checked over by a stronger wizard â wait, you said Gromph. I might have to ask my Lady to visit, then, so it is another Arch-Mage checking them over."
Nalfein threw his head back and laughed, hearing his strange sibling admit that level of a relationship.
"Dreeza, no, Drizzt. I am so damn glad Vierna managed to save you, and that Mother listened to me and her about how best to use your presence in the family."
"I am too, Nalfein, and I'm actually glad you survived," Drizzt admitted, leaning into him. "House Do'Urden, ancient house of Daermon N'a'shezbaernon, represented by a Vhaeraunite cleric, best swordsman ever, a canny wizard, a fair enough lizard riding fighter, and me! Pretty sure some cosmic entity is laughing over the change of fortunes."
"Yeah I guess⌠wait, Dinin?!"
Drizzt settled in to fill in the gaps, about their other brother, and life since the city for them all.
Pacific Rim Ficlet
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:32 pmsenmutDrift Ghosts (150 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Pacific Rim [2013]
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Mako Mori
Additional Tags: Drabble and a Half, Speculation
Summary:
Drift ghosts.
Mako knew they existed. She'd felt the man that Yancey Beckett had been through the Drift. She'd felt like part of Chuck's problems outside the Drift had been contending with the ghost of Herc's former partner, his uncle.
The Drift held every lost pilot, every lost jaeger. Some nights, she entertained the idea of trying to find them all, to pull them out of the survivors' minds, out of Tendo's biometric data, and giving them new form.
She was convinced Yancey had been with them, had helped save Raleigh. Could those ghosts find a new way to exist, if they just channeled the technology in the right way? Mainframes built to house that experience, the transformed residue of once living people and brilliantly made machines? Could that be the beginning of a new protection against new threats in the future?
She didn't have answers, but she kept questioning.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Pacific Rim [2013]
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Mako Mori
Additional Tags: Drabble and a Half, Speculation
Summary:
Mako considers what she knows, what could be.
Drift Ghosts
Drift ghosts.
Mako knew they existed. She'd felt the man that Yancey Beckett had been through the Drift. She'd felt like part of Chuck's problems outside the Drift had been contending with the ghost of Herc's former partner, his uncle.
The Drift held every lost pilot, every lost jaeger. Some nights, she entertained the idea of trying to find them all, to pull them out of the survivors' minds, out of Tendo's biometric data, and giving them new form.
She was convinced Yancey had been with them, had helped save Raleigh. Could those ghosts find a new way to exist, if they just channeled the technology in the right way? Mainframes built to house that experience, the transformed residue of once living people and brilliantly made machines? Could that be the beginning of a new protection against new threats in the future?
She didn't have answers, but she kept questioning.
Star Wars Ficlet
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:29 pmsenmutWell-Meshed Allies (450 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Wars Legends - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Lando Calrissian/Mara Jade
Characters: Lando Calrissian, Mara Jade
Additional Tags: Romantic Friendship
Summary:
Lando was the one who noticed her hand was shaking, Mara noted, almost gratefully, as he used his effusive mannerisms to take it, lifting it to his lips in that gallant way of his.
The eye contact said everything; anything that could upset her control was a galaxy level threat and he was on guard.
She just had to focus on keeping her presence wrapped tightly to herself, while hoping the rapport between Han and Lando would tip off the other half of their little mission.
Thank the Force that Luke hadn't come along on this one! He still didn't know how to cloak, and with another Force user manipulating people and events, they had to be careful. There were Inquisitors that Mara knew were not among the confirmed dead, and she had never been certain of how many Hands actually existed, once she had sifted through her memories and all of the Emperor's lies to her.
"How'd I let you get so far from me?" Lando asked in his suave, playful voice, moving to drape his arm around her, leaning in for kissing her cheek and a nibble along her jaw⌠putting his ear close enough to hear secrets.
"Dancer, red and black, trained like me," she conveyed with as little lip movement as possible, so he knew who the threat was. She then gave him a playful shove, and followed up with a soft laugh, easily falling into the role of 'couple still new to one another'.
She wasn't certain just how the communication between Han and Lando worked, but when the sith-trained dancer made her move to get the same informant Leia needed, she actually tripped over Han who had moved with that uncanny timing of his. Lando handled crowd control, Leia started organizing the people who actually were reactingâŚ
âŚand Mara gave chase to the other woman, half of a mind to strike her down, and half â the half poisoned by Luke's compassion and belief in the better of people â looking for a way to help the woman crawl out of the Dark Side.
"You!" the woman hissed when she was cornered.
"You don't have to be his any longer."
The words were ignored, as a Force Choke came into play⌠but Mara had been training, more fully, in using the Force. A few minutes later, Mara closed the other woman's eyes, and went back to Lando. He didn't say anything, just tucked her close, and kept her that way as they made their way out of the casino.
He knew she didn't want empty comfort, understood hard choices almost better than Leia, but also not to leave her alone.
It's why he mattered so much.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Wars Legends - All Media Types
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Lando Calrissian/Mara Jade
Characters: Lando Calrissian, Mara Jade
Additional Tags: Romantic Friendship
Summary:
Mara recognizes a threat while on mission with Lando and others.
Well-Meshed Allies
Lando was the one who noticed her hand was shaking, Mara noted, almost gratefully, as he used his effusive mannerisms to take it, lifting it to his lips in that gallant way of his.
The eye contact said everything; anything that could upset her control was a galaxy level threat and he was on guard.
She just had to focus on keeping her presence wrapped tightly to herself, while hoping the rapport between Han and Lando would tip off the other half of their little mission.
Thank the Force that Luke hadn't come along on this one! He still didn't know how to cloak, and with another Force user manipulating people and events, they had to be careful. There were Inquisitors that Mara knew were not among the confirmed dead, and she had never been certain of how many Hands actually existed, once she had sifted through her memories and all of the Emperor's lies to her.
"How'd I let you get so far from me?" Lando asked in his suave, playful voice, moving to drape his arm around her, leaning in for kissing her cheek and a nibble along her jaw⌠putting his ear close enough to hear secrets.
"Dancer, red and black, trained like me," she conveyed with as little lip movement as possible, so he knew who the threat was. She then gave him a playful shove, and followed up with a soft laugh, easily falling into the role of 'couple still new to one another'.
She wasn't certain just how the communication between Han and Lando worked, but when the sith-trained dancer made her move to get the same informant Leia needed, she actually tripped over Han who had moved with that uncanny timing of his. Lando handled crowd control, Leia started organizing the people who actually were reactingâŚ
âŚand Mara gave chase to the other woman, half of a mind to strike her down, and half â the half poisoned by Luke's compassion and belief in the better of people â looking for a way to help the woman crawl out of the Dark Side.
"You!" the woman hissed when she was cornered.
"You don't have to be his any longer."
The words were ignored, as a Force Choke came into play⌠but Mara had been training, more fully, in using the Force. A few minutes later, Mara closed the other woman's eyes, and went back to Lando. He didn't say anything, just tucked her close, and kept her that way as they made their way out of the casino.
He knew she didn't want empty comfort, understood hard choices almost better than Leia, but also not to leave her alone.
It's why he mattered so much.
Star Trek Ficlet
Aug. 16th, 2025 02:24 pmsenmutActual Meeting (400 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Trek: The Original Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Nyota Uhura, T'Pring
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
Summary:
Uhura had been fascinated by the woman in the transmission, and shocked to learn of her status. When they left Vulcan's orbit, she had put the encounter out of her mind, focused on the missions ahead. She certainly had not thought of T'Pring since that day, or that there was a chance of running into her during this course held on Vulcan while the Enterprise was undergoing a minor refit.
Yet the prim lines, the hauteur all captured the memory of that transmission as Uhura noted the woman enter the study room with her. She knew she should not use past experience to reach out, and yet she had never been anything but outgoing and friendly, even here on this arid world of logic.
"Greetings," she said in a low, quiet voice, just being polite, she decided. "Nyota Uhura, currently studying the translations of your world's poetry."
A slender eyebrow rose, before the woman inclined her head just slightly. "I would recommend reading S'task, what survives, if you are seeking to understand our people more, but only balanced by those poets which are in the approved course.
"I recall your features. I am T'Pring, as you may remember."
"I did. I do remember those people that have a striking presence," Uhura told her. "Thank you, for the recommendation."
"I found S'task enlightening, as to how we came to be who we are," T'Pring said. "Most who come to study on Vulcan are seeking an understanding."
"Perceptive," Uhura said, "as I find the arts a better way of filling in the dry data of history and statistics when I am learning any new language or people."
That surprised T'Pring, if Uhura was any judge, but which part?
"Not many Terrans seek to learn our language."
"I find the more languages I know, the easier it is to find peaceful solutions," Uhura said to that. "But language is only a beginning, and thus I study the culture."
"I find the logic in that impeccable," T'Pring praised, before she indicated her own study pad. "I am furthering my studies in psychology, sociology, and how the individual needs contrast or complement the societal ones."
"As I've studied multiple peoples, and could use a local expert on language, would you be opposed to a study appointment for the weeks I am here?" Uhura offered, seeing how she could help.
"This time, every day," T'Pring agreed.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Trek: The Original Series
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Nyota Uhura, T'Pring
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence
Summary:
Uhura meets T'Pring
Actual Meeting
Uhura had been fascinated by the woman in the transmission, and shocked to learn of her status. When they left Vulcan's orbit, she had put the encounter out of her mind, focused on the missions ahead. She certainly had not thought of T'Pring since that day, or that there was a chance of running into her during this course held on Vulcan while the Enterprise was undergoing a minor refit.
Yet the prim lines, the hauteur all captured the memory of that transmission as Uhura noted the woman enter the study room with her. She knew she should not use past experience to reach out, and yet she had never been anything but outgoing and friendly, even here on this arid world of logic.
"Greetings," she said in a low, quiet voice, just being polite, she decided. "Nyota Uhura, currently studying the translations of your world's poetry."
A slender eyebrow rose, before the woman inclined her head just slightly. "I would recommend reading S'task, what survives, if you are seeking to understand our people more, but only balanced by those poets which are in the approved course.
"I recall your features. I am T'Pring, as you may remember."
"I did. I do remember those people that have a striking presence," Uhura told her. "Thank you, for the recommendation."
"I found S'task enlightening, as to how we came to be who we are," T'Pring said. "Most who come to study on Vulcan are seeking an understanding."
"Perceptive," Uhura said, "as I find the arts a better way of filling in the dry data of history and statistics when I am learning any new language or people."
That surprised T'Pring, if Uhura was any judge, but which part?
"Not many Terrans seek to learn our language."
"I find the more languages I know, the easier it is to find peaceful solutions," Uhura said to that. "But language is only a beginning, and thus I study the culture."
"I find the logic in that impeccable," T'Pring praised, before she indicated her own study pad. "I am furthering my studies in psychology, sociology, and how the individual needs contrast or complement the societal ones."
"As I've studied multiple peoples, and could use a local expert on language, would you be opposed to a study appointment for the weeks I am here?" Uhura offered, seeing how she could help.
"This time, every day," T'Pring agreed.
Tribulations
Aug. 16th, 2025 07:15 ammoonhare posting in gardeningBefore leaving for a scheduled surgery last Thursday, I gave the garden a good watering and made sure the fences were clear, secure, and operating. Hours after my procedure my wife told me that something had gotten into our plum tomatoes and at least five were chewed and/or pulled off the plants. This was the first time this season that our garden was âattacked.â
Upon my return we set up the trail cam between rows to try to see who was enjoying our veggies.
Chippee! (Yes, chipmunk ;o) Not seen are the mice that come by, too.
Obviously, the fencing canât keep these out. Iâve tried Repel sprays and even dosed the plants lightly with fungicide to dissuade the rodents, but it has had minimal affect on them. Offering them water in little dishes helped a bit. *sigh* Even a pumpkin was fair game :o(
Partial solution: we are picking the tomatoes at first blush. From there we are ripening them in the house in paper bags (adding a banana helps the process). It works.
First batch of sauce!
About eight pounds of tomatoes yielded five pints. One jar did not seal and will be used in a day or two.
Upon my return we set up the trail cam between rows to try to see who was enjoying our veggies.
Chippee! (Yes, chipmunk ;o) Not seen are the mice that come by, too.
Obviously, the fencing canât keep these out. Iâve tried Repel sprays and even dosed the plants lightly with fungicide to dissuade the rodents, but it has had minimal affect on them. Offering them water in little dishes helped a bit. *sigh* Even a pumpkin was fair game :o(
Partial solution: we are picking the tomatoes at first blush. From there we are ripening them in the house in paper bags (adding a banana helps the process). It works.
First batch of sauce!
About eight pounds of tomatoes yielded five pints. One jar did not seal and will be used in a day or two.
Challenge #1054: clan
Aug. 16th, 2025 07:27 pmredwolf posting in dw100Welcome to dw100! Challenges are posted approximately once a week.
Challenge 1054 is clan.
The rules:
dw100! Challenges are posted approximately once a week.Challenge 1054 is clan.
The rules:
- All stories must be 100 words long
- Please place your story behind a cut if it contains spoilers for the current season
- You don't have to use the challenge word or phrase in your story; it's just there for inspiration
- Please include the challenge word or phrase in the subject line of your post
- Please use the challenge tag 1054: clan on any story posted to this challenge
Forever Knight Ficlet
Aug. 15th, 2025 10:50 pmsenmutOblique References (300 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forever Knight
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Amanda Cohen, Natalie Lambert [Forever Knight]
Additional Tags: Triple Drabble, Slice of Life
Summary:
Natalie settled in the small eatery, and tried hard to relax. She had no idea why the captain had asked for an informal meeting. Nothing Captain Cohen â Amanda, as she'd been told â had said indicated what this was about.
"Family's visiting others, and I didn't want to cook for one," Amanda began once the food had come. "I thought taking advantage of my one night off, and yours, could let us get to know where we stand a little better."
Ahh, there it was. Internal police politics or fishing for dirt, Natalie thought.
"I appreciate the invitation, and this is good Italian," Natalie said neutrally.
"I like all the garlic," Amanda said, with a quick look at Natalie.
Oh. Oh no.
"A bit like Schanke in that, thought I try not to breathe it everywhere."
Natalie laughed, making herself relax back from the worry over Nick. "I keep giving him mints, cinnamon gum⌠he doesn't take the hint."
"Maybe he uses it to keep some people at a distance," Amanda told her blandly.
Was she on about Nick in the most oblique way possible? Nick had confided in her that Joe had known, or at least guessed enough to choose to work with Nick's restrictions.
"Still, he's a good detective, and works well with Knight, despite Knight's habits."
"Nick, his medical exemptionsâŚ" Natalie mused, trying to pin this down one way or another.
"Yes, those." Amanda met Natalie's eyes across the table. "An admirable detective who has managed to make those work for him.
"I'm glad he has a doctor like yourself, even if not a physician, to keep him from going too far."
"I try," and Natalie had to let it rest with that, enjoying their meal while she decided if Nick needed warned.
"I appreciate you doing it."
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forever Knight
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Amanda Cohen, Natalie Lambert [Forever Knight]
Additional Tags: Triple Drabble, Slice of Life
Summary:
Shared dinner, and dropped intimations.
Oblique References
Natalie settled in the small eatery, and tried hard to relax. She had no idea why the captain had asked for an informal meeting. Nothing Captain Cohen â Amanda, as she'd been told â had said indicated what this was about.
"Family's visiting others, and I didn't want to cook for one," Amanda began once the food had come. "I thought taking advantage of my one night off, and yours, could let us get to know where we stand a little better."
Ahh, there it was. Internal police politics or fishing for dirt, Natalie thought.
"I appreciate the invitation, and this is good Italian," Natalie said neutrally.
"I like all the garlic," Amanda said, with a quick look at Natalie.
Oh. Oh no.
"A bit like Schanke in that, thought I try not to breathe it everywhere."
Natalie laughed, making herself relax back from the worry over Nick. "I keep giving him mints, cinnamon gum⌠he doesn't take the hint."
"Maybe he uses it to keep some people at a distance," Amanda told her blandly.
Was she on about Nick in the most oblique way possible? Nick had confided in her that Joe had known, or at least guessed enough to choose to work with Nick's restrictions.
"Still, he's a good detective, and works well with Knight, despite Knight's habits."
"Nick, his medical exemptionsâŚ" Natalie mused, trying to pin this down one way or another.
"Yes, those." Amanda met Natalie's eyes across the table. "An admirable detective who has managed to make those work for him.
"I'm glad he has a doctor like yourself, even if not a physician, to keep him from going too far."
"I try," and Natalie had to let it rest with that, enjoying their meal while she decided if Nick needed warned.
"I appreciate you doing it."
BSG'78 Ficlet
Aug. 15th, 2025 10:46 pmsenmutChosen Family (200 words) by Sharpest_Asp
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica [1978]
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Athena [Battlestar Galactica], Cassiopeia [Battlestar Galactica]
Additional Tags: Double Drabble, Slice of Life
Summary:
Cassiopeia was sitting by the berth when Athena came to, something that tried to spark worry and affection both in the injured woman's heart.
"I made Apollo and Starbuck go sleep. The commander is probably still working," Cassiopeia said very softly. "You remember? Sometimes people don't but you didn't immediately try to move."
"I saw my death coming right at me; hard to forget," Athena answered, realizing that they had to have used precious pain-blocking injections for her not to hurt more than a dull ache.
"You need to sleep, as much as you can, and let us take care of you. We brought you to quarters to clear medbay, and one of us will be with you always until we know how you are recovering," Cassiopeia told her.
Athena felt the ridiculousness of Starbuck's paramour being her keeper chase through her mind, and discarded that as lacking in kindness.
"I appreciate it, Cassie."
The other woman smiled a little for the diminutive epithet. "Well, family gets to use that," she said with the smile still in place. "And we are, so." Cassiopeia moved to help Athena sip water through a straw, as Athena was weighing that.
Yes, they were.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Battlestar Galactica [1978]
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Athena [Battlestar Galactica], Cassiopeia [Battlestar Galactica]
Additional Tags: Double Drabble, Slice of Life
Summary:
Cassiopeia is there when Athena wakes.
Chosen Family
Cassiopeia was sitting by the berth when Athena came to, something that tried to spark worry and affection both in the injured woman's heart.
"I made Apollo and Starbuck go sleep. The commander is probably still working," Cassiopeia said very softly. "You remember? Sometimes people don't but you didn't immediately try to move."
"I saw my death coming right at me; hard to forget," Athena answered, realizing that they had to have used precious pain-blocking injections for her not to hurt more than a dull ache.
"You need to sleep, as much as you can, and let us take care of you. We brought you to quarters to clear medbay, and one of us will be with you always until we know how you are recovering," Cassiopeia told her.
Athena felt the ridiculousness of Starbuck's paramour being her keeper chase through her mind, and discarded that as lacking in kindness.
"I appreciate it, Cassie."
The other woman smiled a little for the diminutive epithet. "Well, family gets to use that," she said with the smile still in place. "And we are, so." Cassiopeia moved to help Athena sip water through a straw, as Athena was weighing that.
Yes, they were.