A sideblog for my stories and writing thoughts. I write mostly fan fiction in English but I do create novel-length original stories as well in my native language.
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Facts
Pronouns: She/her
Age: 25+
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Final Fantasy Series
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Ikemen Sengoku
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Ship: Ashe x Al-Cid (kind of)
Rating: Mature
Summary: They are heading off Mt Bur-Omisace the next day, and Ashe truly should rest, yet she can't get shut-eye. Outside under the starry sky, she meets Al-Cid, whom she thought had already left. What was supposed to be a mind-clearing walk in the night turns out to be a breathtaking mind-emptying meeting between strangers.
A sigh escaped my lips before I could stop it. The starry sky of Ivalice curved above me as wide as ever. Here I was, on the mountain of Bur-Omisace, unable to change the world the way I wanted to, unable to take back my country. So many had been taken away from me, and even though I now hold the Sword of Kings and the power of two Espers, I remained a vagrant princess that Judge Magister once called me.
I was but a small Hume in the scale of Ivalice, and a heavy burden had been placed on my shoulders. No one ever asked if I wanted to carry it. No, it had simply been given to me on the day Rasler was killed. When the Archadian soldiers murdered him. Now he, too, asked me to push forward and take revenge for all the wrongs that had been thrown at us.
Tonight, we should rest. Balthier had told us thus, since we would have a long way ahead of us. Step by step toward Archades, so we could finally end this madness. Nevertheless, I could not allow myself to slumber even though Fran and Penelo were already wrapped in blankets in the tiny tent we had gotten. How could they? Didn’t they, too, carry the burdens of their own? Hadn’t they equally lost everyone and everything around them?
But no. Not truly, for Penelo had the faithful Vaan always by her side; Fran was Bathier’s partner in crime. While Basch had sworn to serve me, I could not completely trust myself in his care in the way the other two shared their lives with their special people. Perhaps if Raster had lived, then… Absolutely no. This thought couldn’t go any further; it was not allowed.
“Alone in the night, isn’t that quite a bold move for a princess?” A soft, slightly accented voice swam into my ears.
I shivered—must be the cold of the mountain and night—and wrapped my arms around my upper body before turning and facing the man. He had given up the black glasses of his, yet the unrelenting smirk still hung on his lips. Even after everything we had witnessed.
“Al-Cid,” I noted, making sure the tone of my voice was cold. “Weren’t you supposed to take your leave?”
“Many things are supposed to happen.” He stepped closer. “Alas, the night has fallen, and I was kept by the refugees for so long that leaving was not possible anymore. I must wait until dawn breaks, for I am not such a madman who would challenge the mountain in the darkness.”
I could have asked how mere fugitives could keep Al-Cid from returning to his home, Rozarria. However, I chose not to. His reasonings would only make my ears bleed, and I had no nerves for such tales tonight. Though perhaps the true purpose of his delayed traveling was the injuries he had gotten before. He seemed well enough to walk without his maids, but probably he wanted to hide his state from the public eye.
In the darkness, he did not look as irritating as in the daylight. Starlight softened his edges and complimented his dark, wild hair while his gaze lingered on me in the very same manner as in our first meeting. He probably rested his eyes on every woman he ever met, which meant I was nothing special for him, except for my position, and even that was compromised at the moment.
If only I had power… No, if only I could forget all about power. Even for a tiny fragment of time.
“May ask if you are well, Lady Ashe?” Al-Cid leaned in, peering at me. “You do sigh awfully a lot for such a beauty.” He reached for her hand, taking it into his and rubbing his thumb against hers.
I pulled my hand back to myself. “I am quite well, thank you for asking.”
Perhaps it hadn’t been wise to wander out at this hour. The refugee camp was quiet, so was the mountain. It would have been easy to roll down without anyone noticing, and here I was alone with a member of Rozarria’s royal family. They weren’t the enemies, but… Al-Cid was a walking sign of warning.
“But you shouldn’t worry about me. After all, you are the one who ended up hurt in the…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, leaving the ending hanging between us.
“It could have been worse,” Al-Cid answered. “I will be able to travel tomorrow. And I believe our little lordling was the one who will carry the heaviest scars of us all.”
I nodded. Larsa. Vayne’s brother, who had walked by my side for a while. He shared my vision of a better world, but he probably had even less power than me. Great suffering had been his part as well, yet he wasn’t even an adult. The war Archadia had forced upon us spared no one.
“Well, then I wish you good night,” I said as Al-Cid didn’t elaborate.
Stepping by him, I intended to return to the tent I shared with Fran and Penelo. In spite of that, he grabbed my arm and stopped me from proceeding. “A word, Princess.”
I tugged my arm, but his hold was tight. “Are you threatening me?”
“Is that how you see me?” The man gave me a long look. “I did not ask for this war; much rather, I would vote for peace.”
“Then…?” I lowered my gaze toward his hand that was still clutching my upper arm.
“You could leave all this.” Al-Cid shrugged, looking around. “Rozarria can offer you safety until all this dirty business is done for.”
“As much as reinforcement would be needed, I can’t step aside and allow others to fight for my battle.” My role in this was bigger than that. I needed to take the sword and strike down the forces that had stolen my life and realm.
“Perhaps I can offer you something else then?” Al-Cid’s voice turned even softer than usual, his accent pressed heavily. His eyes locked into mine, deep and dark as the sky above. Never had a man looked at me like that, not even Rasler, and I had shared my bed with him. This was something else, much more intense, but the suggestion was clear.
Yet… it couldn’t be. Al-Cid wouldn’t propose something so indecent.
“I don’t think there is anything you can offer me.” I emphasized every word. “Now, let my arm go.”
“Always so hasty.” Al-Cid let out a chortle. “Unfortunately, I can’t do as you wish, Your Highness.” He slid his thumb on my bare arm.
Tiny bumps covered my skin. Because of the cold wind. Must have been the cold wind. I sighed, this time on purpose, only to get another peal of laughter out of Al-Cid. He kept his gaze on mine, probably seeing deeper than anyone for a long while.
“The world is harsh, and duties even harsher. Even in my position, I do know that,” Al-Cid said. “Sometimes we need to unwind, set ourselves free.” He drew in, his face now near mine.
I lifted my chin, keeping my posture as straight as possible. “I don’t have time for pauses.”
“And yet, every tiny gesture of yours tells a different story.” Al-Cid reached his free hand up, caressing my jawline.
Thousand sparkles dashed along my spine, making me shiver in an unexpected way. His fingers were warm, almost heated even on the cold night as if he had locked the power of the Sun within his body. I took a step backwards, only to hit my back against hard rock, and my breath grew shallow as blood rushed through my veins and burned on my cheeks.
Traitorous body. I had not allowed it to react like this. Not in the company of this irritating man who knew no shame and only thought about himself.
“There is no one here,” Al-Cid whispered, still clutching my arm as he pressed closer. He locked me between the rock and himself. “People like us, we can rarely be free. But there are these tiny pockets of time when the eyes aren’t watching. We should make the most of those, for that is the only time we can be who we truly are.”
“And… what is that?” I hated how my voice shook with every word.
“Simple humes with yearnings and wishes to be seen and to feel taken care of.” His answer hit a soft spot in me, deeply. “Don’t try to deny it, Princess. Even you wish to be touched and set free. Your duties are heavy, but you can steal this moment for yourself. No one needs to know.”
No one needs to know… The words echoed in me.
Two long years I had walked this path. Denied every hume side of me and focused on freedom and revenge. That was expected from me, that was what I wanted. But for this one night… Could I truly let go and simply surrender? Was it that straightforward?
“Will you allow me to show you?” Al-Cid more breathed the words than said them. His face was near, lips moving a mere inch away from mine.
“I…” Didn’t know what to say.
“Are you perhaps lost for words, Princess?”
Such a teasing voice. It made the bottom of my stomach tickle and sent hot waves down my thighs.
“You…” I swallowed. “…know as well as I that this is inappropriate.”
“Yes, indeed, that is the bottom line of this.” Al-Cid leaned in, his lips brushing against mine. “You only need to say a word, and I shall make this night warmer for you with a promise of temporary oblivion.” His hand snaked its way into my hair.
It was difficult to breathe, difficult even to stand as my heart drummed in my ears and made my throat tight. I had only ever allowed Rasler this close, and after what became of him, I hadn’t wasted a thought on such matters. Yet right now, the most secret parts of me were already flaring, releasing soft, wet feelings deep within me. It was so wrong and yet so right, everything I needed at that moment.
“So, how shall it be?” A mere playful whisper.
“No one will ever know,” I whispered back. The words mushed together, being barely audible.
“A gentleman never tells.”
His mouth found mine, his lips captured me into a feral kiss, more animalistic than I had ever experienced. Nothing compared. The fire scorched through me, making my toes curl as Al-Cid pinned me against the stone. His scent was musky and filled me when I drew breath in between intense suckles of his lips.
Everything in the kiss yelled experience, but I tossed that thought aside and closed my eyes when his tongue sneaked into my mouth and greeted mine. A bold move, unfamiliar feeling. Insolent even, and yet, exactly what I craved for. This was different, something I hadn’t been prepared for, nor would have ever asked, but I didn’t have to since he seemed to know how to handle me in a way that didn’t remind me of my earlier experiences but gave me what he had promised.
Al-Cid broke the kiss, leaving me panting. Yet, he did not stop there but showered my neck with smooches so soft they made my knees buckle. His fingers found my sides, slipping under my top, rough and warm. I could feel that he had held a sword at some point regularly. Perhaps, every member of Rozarria’s royal family had fencing education. Either way, there was rawness in his touch when he searched through my skin, examining each and every one of my bare spots he could reach. So eager, almost hungry, his lust for me was something unfamiliar, yet intriguing, and it coursed through me, making me agitated and pulsing. Never before had my intimate parts throbbed like this, never had I ached to be caressed in such ways that the mere thought made my whole face burn. This was not shy embraces and clumsy propping under the covers, no, this was breath-taking full body dancing that made my mind whirl.
As I still gaped, Al-Cid wriggled his fingers under my clothing. Until now, I had not thought how much it was already revealed, but it was clear that he knew exactly how to reach those places that used to be covered. He made my tiny buds perk with gentle, yet demanding circling. If only he had done more! Such a strange thought. It was like my body was coming alive for the first time.
“You are allowed to touch me, Lady Ashe.” There was laughter in Al-Cid’s voice.
My fingers flinched on their own. I was allowed… This was so different, nothing like I had used to. Oddly enough, I found myself willing to obey. Only this once, at this weird moment that would never repeat itself. Time pocket, as Al-Cid had called it.
His cheeks were bristly to touch; he had not shaved recently, but lately enough so that his beard was still neatly formed. His metallic neck piece covered his throat, yet under it, his skin greeted my fingertips with warmth. He had not buttoned his shirt all the way, and the sight I had thought as repulsive when we had met was revealed to be more alluring now. His hairy chest… no words for it. Still, I could not help but snap button by button open to reveal more of it to the nightly breeze that washed over us, cooling heated sensations. No, not truly cooling them but more like creating contrast to them.
“So careful…” Al-Cid pressed my palm on his hard stomach. Under all his smooth talk, he had the body of a warrior, muscles of a fighter.
“I wouldn’t dare to offend you.” This time, I made sure my voice wasn’t trembling, even though wandering fingers were sliding their way up my thigh while Al-Cid still held my hand on his body with the other hand.
“Please, Princess, you wouldn’t be able to do that even if you tried.”
Now, that was offensive. Yet, I let it slide, or more like the thought was wiped from my mind, for Al-Cid’s fingers reached the apex of my thighs, slithered along the soaked fabric of my underwear, and snaked their way under it, forcing a vibrating moan out of me. A sound I heard for the very first time in my life.
My fingers curled, scratching Al-Cid’s stomach, but he did not mind as he did a dance on my nub that sent pleasures through my body all the way to my toes and my mind that was getting hazy from all the sensations. I was turning into a whimpering mess in the hands of this stranger I shouldn’t have surrendered at the beginning with. Nonetheless, the flaring and pulsing feeling was too good to be refused, to be tossed aside. It took me over and, combined with the stone that was scraping my back, forced the last sensible ideas out of me. From then on, I was nothing but a wild creature, a slave of my lecherousness he had woken up within me.
And later, when the skin of my back ached with every movement of the fabric of my clothes as we walked down the mountain, the sensation formed a rough titillation that didn’t cease to throb through me. A long-lasting reminder that there were these tiny pockets of time, even a princess could be free.
A/N: Back in the day, I wrote my very first Final Fantasy XII fic: a PWP scene between Ashe and Al-Cid, written in my native language. Now, I thought I would want to translate it, so I read it again, only to realize that my writing style and my goals as a writer have evolved quite a lot since then. Hence, I decided not to translate the piece but remake it into a story with some kind of point about Ashe understanding herself and her place in the world slightly better. If I manage that or not, I leave for others to be judges of. Personally, I enjoyed this, rediscovering an old piece of writing and making something new out of it.
This story is a part of the "Snowy Wonders" collab with other DL OC creators! Check out #Snowy Wonders 2025 for the other entries!
The story contains an art piece (under the cut).
The air was still crispy, but the sky was growing dark when Ruki and Yuriko stepped through the huge torii port back into to regular world from the spiritual one. For a long time, Yuriko had considered such a thing as a metaphor, yet now she knew better. Perhaps the Kitsune couldn’t be called spirits, but it was notable that the shrine contained a portal to their realm. To Yuriko’s great-grandparents' home, to be exact.
It had been midday when the couple had arrived at the shrine, said their prayers – though Yuriko wasn’t sure if Ruki had actually prayed – and drunk tea with her great-grandparents. Even her brother, with his girlfriend and a couple of her cousins, had been there, and she still couldn’t believe how much family she had. If only she had learned the fact earlier…
No. Yuriko shook her head. There was no reason to linger in such wishes. She had met her true family now and found her place in it. At least almost.
“You seem to be deep in your thoughts.” Ruki’s words penetrated Yuriko’s mind.
She glanced at the Vampire, curling the corners of her mouth up. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just not used to having family gatherings during New Year’s Day.”
Transparent mist evaporated into the air as Yuriko spoke. Yet, Ruki’s speech didn’t have the same effect. His eyes looked darker than usual due to the dimming light, at least Yuriko hoped that was the reason. She had to admit that her great-grandmother didn’t let anyone off the hook, especially men. After the day full of bouncing conversations, Yuriko felt like she had been participating in dodgeball instead of cozy coming together.
“I can believe that, knowing your good-for-nothing father.” Ruki’s voice was full of distaste.
“Umh…” What to say? “I… think… he hasn’t had it easy either…” Yuriko turned to monitor the mitten of her free hand while Ruki held the other.
Silence. Freezing like the temperature, which had dropped below zero right before Christmas. Yuriko stole a peek through her hair that seemed to flow around her head under the band of her beanie. Ruki’s eyes were ice.
“Maybe we should talk about something else?” She suggested. There was no chance that Ruki would ever forgive her father, right? No use talking about the matter, since Keisuke had already left them alone.
As Ruki locked his gaze on Yuriko’s, the ice started to melt. “Perhaps that is wise.” He pondered for a moment, tilting his head to the side. “Would you like to walk back through the park? It should look nice after all the snowing this week.”
Indeed, white fluffiness coated the park, and icy diamonds decorated tree branches, now shimmering in the sunset while the breeze made them sway like they were dancing in slow motion. It was the perfect winter wonderland that would last for a while and then disappear again, another realm that belonged only to the people who were willing to lose themselves in it. Yuriko could almost feel the magic crackling in the air.
“Hmm… it is already getting darker.” Ruki squeezed Yuriko’s hand and gazed up. “Clouds are rising.”
Turning her head, Yuriko peeked in the same direction. Ruki was correct. Greyish-white fluffiness sailed over the sky, and at the same time, the sun painted the bottom side of clouds with orange, pink, and slightly lavender hues. Such a view. Almost like fire and ice were embracing just before nightfall.
“You are not too cold, are you?” Ruki asked, leaning in.
“Oh no! I love this! For once, the air is nice and cooling.” Yuriko flashed a smile. “I love winter.”
“You should only love me…” Ruki’s words were but a mere mumble. He chuckled right after them. “But I guess I can forgive you this one, for winter is indeed such a cozy season of the year. Let us enjoy it together.”
Sometimes, Yuriko wondered why Ruki was being so adamant. Her heart was big, and there was room for many things. None of that would take Ruki’s place, though. If only he would see it… Again, it was probably better to change the subject of the conversation than to try to argue with him.
“Umh… what do you like about the winter, Ruki?” Yuriko squeezed his bare hand.
“Hmmm, that is a good question.” Ruki started to walk again, pulling Yuriko under the trees on a tiny path. Snow crunched under their feet as they kept wandering forward. “The quietness. Snow covers everything and swallows all the noise from its surroundings. It is like nature is resting, and everything is turning inwards. There is no need to hustle and buzzle, instead you can settle on an armchair with a cup of coffee and an old classic while the sky darkens behind the window and stars start to glimmer.”
While Ruki kept pondering out loud, Yuriko nodded again and again. The truth. Winter offered that opportunity, though she would exchange the coffee for hot chocolate with some whipped cream and marshmallows. The fact she mentioned out loud.
“Is that so?” Ruki chortled. “Perhaps I should indulge this yearning of yours this evening.”
“Ah, that would be so nice! Cocoa tastes the best when you have first been active outside and then do all that you just mentioned.” Yuriko bounced on her heels a little. This was exactly how she wished to spend the rest of the day.
“Then we should continue this stroll. It will take quite a while before we are back in the manor,” Ruki stated. He clenched his fingers around Yuriko’s mitten-covered hand and allowed the corners of his mouth to crawl upwards. “Let us go.”
Nodding, Yuriko hurried forward along the snowy path. This was such perfection after a noisy family gathering. Of course, it was nice to see her brother and cousins, grandparents as well, but everyone seemed to be too opinionated about her life and how she should lead it. Sometimes, it felt like her brother’s girlfriend was the only one who realized that Yuriko should make her own decisions.
Snow crunched under the couple’s feet as they proceeded. The sound was soft, yet crisp, holding a promise of slow and cozy days even though Yuriko knew that soon, they should return to their normal, busy life with obligations and demands. Still, right now, it was almost possible to forget that anything else even existed.
Just then, something cold touched the tip of Yuriko’s nose. She lifted her face, and it was instantly caressed by rogue snowflakes. No, not so rogue since there was a whole heap of them, dancing down from the sky and under the lit lanterns.
“Oh my gosh, so beautiful!” A peal of giggles bounced from Yuriko’s lips.
At the same time, the wind carried more laughing voices that echoed from the trees like there would have been a group of people around them. Yet no one was within view.
“Peculiar.” Ruki gazed around. “As if children were playing here…”
With a slight tuck, Ruki hauled Yuriko farther in the park as if chasing those imaginary children.
“It is getting late, I cannot believe someone has left their children outside…” he muttered while walking.
“I… don’t think –”
Something icy traced Yuriko’s cheek, cutting her words as they stepped from under the trees. Not hurting it, but the thing stomped on the nearby truck.
“Oi!” Ruki almost growled.
“Oopsie, I’m sorry~” A girl with green hair giggled and waved her hand.
“It’s just Ruki and his little –”
“You shouldn’t call her that,” the girl snapped at a redheaded Vampire right next to her before he could finish his sentence.
Ruki pushed Yuriko behind his back. “No one is allowed to hurt my Yuriko.”
“Umh… Ruki… I’m fine, and she said she was sorry…” Yuriko placed her hand on Ruki’s arm and peeked behind him.
Sakamaki Laito was weighing a snowball in his hand and gazing at them with a smirk on his lips. Right by his side, the green-haired girl still smiled apologetically.
“Hey, we were in the middle of something!” A loud voice carried from somewhere close.
Turning around, Yuriko blinked. Her friend Eri was jumping up and down on an ice rink while Yuma stayed behind, crossing his arms over his chest and looking slightly grumpy. But that was not all: a girl with short dark hair and a crimson jacket was looking at Laito and his companion expectingly, holding a snowball, while no one else than Sakamaki Reiji seemed to hurry away from the scene that was about to play out.
“You all are being way too loud…” Words were followed by a yawn.
“You can’t sleep there,” Yuriko heard a girl in a forest green jacket commenting. She was standing next to a snowman, shaking her head at someone’s feet.
“What on earth…” Ruki mumbled and ran his hand through his hair. “Yuma, care to explain what this is all about?”
“Beats me.” Yuma shrugged, sounding less annoyed than he looked. “Bunny said she wanna have some fun with these jerks…” “They aren’t jerks!” Eri protested. “Come on, the snow fight is about to start!”
“On it!” the green-haired girl giggled and sprang toward the others.
Yuriko tried to take it all in, still not believing what she was witnessing. Who would start such a scene on an ice rink? That was dangerous!
“That looks… kind of fun…” she still couldn’t help but mumble.
Ruki’s face was worth seeing. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped slightly open. “I cannot imagine you would want to participate in something like that. But it seems I need to take your word for it.”
“Umh…” Yuriko shifted her feet on the snow. Everyone was laughing and having fun, even Yuma smiled when he clearly thought no one was watching him.
“If you want to do it properly, unlike my brothers and their associates, there is a skate renter right next to the fence.”
Reiji’s voice almost made Yuriko jump. She glanced behind her. The said Vampire was already swaying a pair of black skates.
“Good grief,” Reiji sighed. “It is uncalled that I’m complying with this, but someone needs to keep an eye on the chaos.”
Not minding Reiji’s complaints, Yuriko turned her gaze back to Ruki. “Can we? Please? I have always wished to try out skating…” Ruki heaved in a surprisingly similar way to Reiji. “Perhaps it cannot be helped. If my angel wishes to slide on the ice, we should rent the skates. But you better not fall with them. After all, no one is allowed to hurt you. Not even you.”
Fandom: Final Fantasy IX
Characters: Moonte, Mogki, and Moodon
Summary: It's time for the monthly moogle meeting! As Moonte sets up to enjoy the evening on the rooftop in the Theatre District with Mogki and Moodon, he has no idea of the disaster that looms over them.
A/N: This fan fiction is written for KupoCon's Fanworks Contest 2016/2017.
There are rumors that Burmecia has fallen, kupo. Queen Brahne had declared war on the rats and won. The other rumors say that Princess Garnet is missing. I once saw her when she came to Dragon’s Gate and wanted to go outside. I let her go, of course, not wanting to make the regent angry. Now it seems it was a big mistake.
Could it be that Burmecians had kidnapped her, kupo? What’s going on in the Mist Continent?
Memoirs of a Great Kupo
Written by Moonte
“Evening, kupos,” Moonte said as he flew to the roof of the big clock tower of the Theatre District. The evening was nice and warm, but there was a strange tension in the air. Moonte did his best to get rid of the odd feeling. This should be a kupo night with his friends. He had nothing to worry about.
“Kupo!” Mogki and Moodon answered. Two of them seemed already settled down. Mogki lived in the inn, which was located near the city entrance and Moodon had a nice room in Lindblum Castle, so it was easy for them to come to the monthly moogle meeting. Moonte, on the other hand, had to travel all the way up to the castle to even get to Lindblum. But he wasn’t complaining. He liked it down at Dragon’s Gate. It wasn’t as busy as an inn nor as fancy as a room in the castle. It was a quiet and peaceful place where he could write his Book of Kupo without too many people disturbing him.
Although Moonte enjoyed his time down at Dragon’s Gate, he was very fond of these moogle meetups they did regularly with Mogki and Moodon. They always eat well – this time, some rare Kupo Nuts, mushrooms, and pickles were served – and talk about what was going on at Lindblum at the moment.
“So, how have things been in the inn, Mogki?” Moonte asked as he opened one of the boxes of kuposome delicacy. As Moodon has promised, there were Kupo Nuts in the box. Moonte hadn’t eaten one in months. They were so rare and so expensive that he normally couldn’t afford them. Moodon got paid for his job as Lindblum Castle’s record keeper much more than the other moogles, so he sometimes brought Kupo Nuts for all of them.
“Kupo!” Mogki said. “Someone keeps complaining about me! There was an angry message in the guestbook once again: ‘Do something to that noise, the kupo-kupos keep me awake and make me go crazy!’ Like it was my fault that guests came to talk to me, and I had to answer, kupo!”
“What’s wrong with that guest, kupo?” Moodon asked. “I mean, kupo, the kupo sound is the most beautiful sound in the world, kupo.”
“The most beautiful sound right after cracking open a Kupo Nut, you mean, kupo?” Moonte corrected as he opened the nut he was holding. The scent of it brought back memories from childhood when Mamakupo always got a Kupo Nut for his birthday. Moonte could already taste the nut even though it wasn’t in his mouth yet. The perfect taste and the perfect scent with beautiful memories; that was the essence of Kupo Nuts.
“Yeah, kupo, you’re right, kupo,” Mogki said.
“Did you hear that they are performing the ‘Moogle Wannabe 2’ soon?” Moodon changed the subject. “I even heard that the main role is played by Lowell Bridges, kupo.”
“But isn’t he human, kupo?” Moonte asked.
“Kupo.”
“Don’t you think that the main role should be played by a moogle, kupo?”
“Well, it’s ‘moogle wannabe’, kupo,” Moodon said. “I think it’s okay for a human to want to be a moogle. I mean, who wouldn’t like to become a moogle, kupo?”
“Kupo, being a moogle is the most kupo thing in the world,” Mogki said. The others nodded. Moonte smiled and thought that maybe he should check out that play. It could give him even more inspiration for his writing task.
The sun was now setting, and people were lighting oil lamps and candles. Lindblum was a very beautiful city at nighttime, and Moonte couldn’t wait to see the stars again. The only boring part of living at Dragon’s Gate was that you were never able to see the stars. Even if you went outside the gate, the mist was blocking the view. So, when the moogles gathered, Moonte took his time to stare at the sky without mist. His secret dream was that someday he could bring a kupo moogle girl to the rooftops. Then they could watch the stars and two moons together and maybe even share a bottle of nectar. It would be just like in those books Moonte had been reading.
“Kupo, what’s that?”
Moonte and Mogki turned to look in the direction Moodon was pointing.
“It’s just an airship, kupo,” Mogki said.
“But I live at the castle and I have never seen that one,” Moodon said.
“Are you sure, kupo? There are many airships at the castle, kupo. I can’t remember all of them,” said Moonte.
“There aren’t that many, kupo. I’ve never seen that one before, and it’s coming from Alexandria’s direction. This can’t be good, kupo!”
“From Alexandria, you said, kupo?” Now, Moonte was terrified. Maybe Burmecians weren’t the ones who kidnapped Princess Garnet? Maybe Queen Brahne was now looking for her daughter in Lindblum, and Moonte was the one to blame for letting her go?
“Yes, kupo. Alexandria is right behind those mountains, kupo,” said Moodon.
“Oh my kupo! I’m in trouble!”
“Why, kupo? What’s that airship got to do with you?” Mogki asked.
Moonte swallowed the last bit of his Kupo Nut and told them everything. How Princess Garnet had come to Dragon’s Gate with Captain Steiner, and how he had let them go and even lied to others that the gate hadn’t been opened for the longest time. Now the princess was missing, and it was all his fault.
“But the rumors in the castle say that she left because she wanted to,” Moodon told. “She even used magic to put the regent to sleep. She was very sneaky, kupo. Even I didn’t know she could do that kind of magic, kupo.”
“That can’t be. Putting someone to sleep is black magic, and no princess of Alexandria has been able to do that,” Moonte said. “I know, kupo. I have been studying for my book.”
“But they also say that Alexandria has gotten new black magic abilities,” Moodon said.
“That sounds scary, kupo,” Mogki said. Moonte nodded. He didn’t know what to think. Was Princess Garnet deceived by them all? Was she just an evil black magic user who wanted to conquer the world with her mother? And where had she gotten those powers?
The moogles stared in quiet as the airship drew closer. The big airship gate wasn’t opening; the regent wasn’t going to let Alexandrians fly in. The people of Lindblum came out of their houses and stared at the airship, too. Everyone was pointing at it and shouting at each other. Suddenly, the air was full of tension.
“What are those, kupo?” Mogki trembled. His voice was just a tiny whisper. There were sparkly bubbles coming from the airship, and they flew right to the Lindblum Castle and all over the city. Some of them even landed on the Theatre District’s square.
“I don’t know, kupo, but I surely don’t like this,” Moonte said. Even if he wasn’t the one to blame, this was bad. Very, very bad.
The landed bubbles disappeared, and there were black mages standing at the square. The moogles recognized them because they had met Vivi, Zidane’s little black mage friend. Vivi had been nothing but nice to the moogles, but these bigger mages raised their arms and started throwing fireballs at the people and nearby houses. Everyone was screaming and trying to get away from the mages. Moonte was trembling. His fur stood up, and his pompom shook so hard he feared it might fall off.
“They are burning; the houses are burning, kupo!” Moodon yelled.
“And there was an explosion at the castle’s airship dock!” Moonte yelled too.
Suddenly, the whole city shook. The airship was firing at the city, and at the same time, someone was firing from the sea below, too. There had to be ships near the shore. This was a full-scale war declaration, not just any attack.
“Oh no!” Moodon yelled.
“What, what now, kupo?” Moonte asked. But he just gazed at the airship, and he could see the reason. He had never seen anything so horrifying. He didn’t know what it was, but it filled his mind with fear. It was like a gigantic floating ball with a terrible and enormous mouth. It rose from nowhere and filled the entire sky, leaving the airship behind.
The terrifying ball drew breath, and there was a great wind, greater than anything Moonte had felt before. He had to wrap his little arms around the weather vane’s pole to prevent himself from flying into the monster’s gaping maw.
Moonte felt someone grasp his legs. He looked at his feet and saw Mogki. Moodon was holding Mogki’s waist.
“Don’t let go, kupo!” Moodon yelled.
“I’m trying not to, kupo!” Moonte yelled back. He wasn’t going to lose his friends to that monster even if it broke his tiny arms. He would hold his grasp as long as he was alive. Moodon and Mogki were the kupoest friends of his, so giving up wasn’t an option.
The wind broke windows and yanked people with it. The city dust spread out from the streets and filled Moonte’s mouth as he drew breath. He thought his arms were going to break apart. He was really hurting, but he did everything he could to hold onto the pole. He closed his eyes and said his prayers, not actually knowing to whom, but it didn’t matter if he and his friends would be saved.
The wind stopped as suddenly as it started. The spherical monster disappeared, and the night was still. The moogles fell back to the roof. Moonte let his grasp go and took a deep breath. Every hair in his body was hurting, and he was more tired than he had ever been. Lindblum was in ruins, the dinner was gone, and everything had changed. Moonte couldn’t move himself, but he saw that Mogki and Moodon were still with him. They were alive and staring at the airship with Alexandrian banners that flew towards the castle.
Moodon had been right. The short relief of surviving was washed away with a terrible feeling of pure horror. The ball monster might have been gone for now, but Moote was sure it had been an Eidolon. Somehow, Queen Brahne had access not only to black magic but the summoning powers as well. With those forces, she had conquered the whole Mist Continent.
The new era had begun.
The war has thrown its shadow over the city of Lindblum. People live in fear now, kupo. I myself stay at Dragon’s Gate, even though the Alexandrian soldiers keep bugging me. There isn’t peace here anymore. Everything has changed for the worse, kupo.
I’m going to do my best to help Lindblum and Regent Cid, who has always been kind to us moogles, kupo. I keep writing, I’ll write everything down, so the next generation of moogles will know what happened here and why, kupo.
And at least now I know it wasn’t my fault what happened to Princess Garnet, kupo. She fooled us all, but she did it because she wanted to help everyone. The castle’s record keeper, Moodon, has told me this: “She is the kupoest princess of all time and we must do everything in our power to help her save the world from the evil queen Brahne, kupo”. That I’ll do. And you should too, kupo.
Memoirs of a Great Kupo
Written by Moonte
Artemicion is jealous of Mogrika's shiny fur and wants to know what her secret is. To his surprise, she shares it and gives Artemicion a (not so) great idea.
When Everything Went Nuts, Kupo!
Moonte, Mogki, and Moodon
Teens and up
It's time for the monthly moogle meeting! As Moonte sets up to enjoy the evening on the rooftop in the Theatre District with Mogki and Moodon, he has no idea of the disaster that looms over them.
Fandom: Final Fantasy IX
Characters: Artemicion and Mogrika
Summary: Artemicion is jealous of Mogrika's shiny fur and wants to know what her secret is. To his surprise, she shares it and gives Artemicion a (not so) great idea.
A/N: I actually wrote this ficlet years ago… I guess for some zine or so, but I'm not sure if it was ever published. Now, I was going through my old FFIX stuff and ran into it. Since I don't think I have shared it anywhere before, I thought, why not now? So yeah, here is a tiny piece from the past.
”Look how glossy my fur is, kupo!” Mogrika said and turned around a couple of times. Artemicion had just delivered her a letter, but she hadn’t even glanced at it yet, because she seemed to be very keen to introduce her new and shiny look.
It was a bright and cold day in Lost Continent’s Esto Gaza. The sun was shining, and the ice everywhere was all sparkly. Mogrika didn’t sparkle, but her fur was indeed very shiny and smooth. So shiny, in fact, that it made Artemicion turn as green as a raw Kupo Nut. How come he always got knots in his fur, but Mogrika’s was in perfect shape, even though she lived here in the extreme weather of Lost Continent?
“Kupo, I can see it,” Artemicion said. “How do you do it?” He didn’t want to ask, but couldn’t help himself. He had always dreamed of glossy fur, but his traveling life didn’t make furcare easy, even though he used all the best fur products he could afford. The wind kept tossing his hair up and down, and the letter bag’s shoulder belt had rubbed a track on his back. He couldn’t see it himself, but he felt it. It was there, no question about it.
“It’s a secret, kupo, but I can tell you if you promise not to tell anyone, kupo,” Mogrika said in a low voice.
“I promise, kupo! I won’t tell any-kupo-one!” Artemicion’s heart skipped a beat. There might be a way for him to look as good as Mogrika did.
Mogrika looked around her, but there wasn’t anyone who could have heard their conversation. She walked a bit closer to Artemicion and whispered: “It’s Superslick, kupo, the stuff they use in Mognet Central to keep the machine going, kupo. I’ve stolen a little bit of it every time the delivery goes through my hands, kupo.”
Artemicion’s mouth opened, but he didn’t say anything. His mind was already spinning. He lived in Mognet Central but traveled a lot, because it was his job to deliver the sorted letters to the moogles all around the world. The other moogles living in Mognet Central took care of the big sorting machine, but Artemicion hadn’t ever thought about how it worked.
So, Superslick was the key. Who would have guessed?
“You rub it on your fur and let it blot, kupo. Just don’t use too much, kupo, or someone might notice,” Mogrika continued.
Artemicion nodded. Mogrika’s letter had been the last one in his bag, so he was going back to Mognet Central anyway. He would spend the night there, and when everyone was sleeping, he could sneak into where they kept all the machine’s maintenance stuff. The Superslick must be there too.
“Thanks, kupo! I’ll keep that in mind, kupo!” Artemicion said. “It’s kind of late, so I'd better get going. See you later, kupo.”
He waved his hand and turned his back to Mogrika. He had a long flying trip ahead, and now he was more anxious than ever to get back to Mognet Central. He was pretty sure that Mogrika exclaimed something to him, but the arctic wind made the words a blur. Surely it wasn’t anything too important. She could tell him next time. Next time, when he would show off his beautifully shiny fur and it would be Mogrika’s turn to be envious.
Fframran goes to his father to tell him about the matter that has been in his mind for quite a while. Yet, Cidolfus is not very responsive to his son. Pre-game story from Balthier’s past.
A Tiny Pocket of Time
Ashe x Al-Cid (kind of)
Mature
They are heading off Mt Bur-Omisace the next day, and Ashe truly should rest, yet she can't get shut-eye. Outside under the starry sky, she meets Al-Cid, whom she thought had already left. What was supposed to be a mind-clearing walk in the night turns out to be a breathtaking mind-emptying meeting between strangers.
Fandom: Final Fantasy XII
Challenge: FFXII Anniversary Week 10th-16th 2025 by @ffxiievents
Prompt: Occuria
Rating: Teens and up
Summary: Fframran goes to his father to tell him about the matter that has been in his mind for quite a while. Yet, Cidolfus is not very responsive to his son. Pre-game story from Balthier’s past.
A/N: Honestly, I have not written FFXII fics in ages but it was kind of fun to try again. Also, I’m not a native English speaker. For this reason, I find FFXII fics extra challenging to write. Try to bear with my language and its imperfections.
“Father, may I have a moment?” I stepped into Father’s study where he had occupied himself ever since returning from his most recent expedition. He had barely visited home recently. It was like living with a ghost, not a man.
Perhaps his spirit still wandered in that place.
Giruvegan.
That had been the name, had it not? It was beyond me if he had reached it, though, for I could not find the location on any map I had seen so far. And to be frank, Archadia held probably the widest and most accurate collection of world maps.
A sigh vibrated through the air as I closed the door behind me.
“What is it, Fframran? Shouldn’t you be in the training hall with your peers instead of pestering your elders?” The voice of my father was strained with a hint of annoyance. The tone had grown familiar to me lately. As before, he did not lift his face from the notes he might have already stared at for hours.
“Is it now pestering for a son wishing to discuss with his father?” Treading forward, I proceeded toward the desk. My armor rattled with every movement. Such a concerto of iron. It sent chills down my spine. This is what I was supposed to listen to until the day I would fall for the empire with a sword in my hand. There was no other end to this… unless I would make it so.
“It is if you came here only to bicker with me once more.” Father let the pencil fall on the pile of papers from his hand and snatched a bluish glimmering stone in his hand. One I did not recognise. “You see, Son, I have great things to achieve here, and you must play your role as I play mine. Only this way, we can take the reigns of history back into the hands of man.”
“So you say. Yet this realm is unquestionable in the hands of a certain man.” I scoffed. “There is no doubt that the emperor holds all the power in Archadia.”
Father shook his head, glancing over his shoulder. “The young ones. They always fail to see the bigger picture, do they not?”
“Could you not do that?”
This, too, had become commonplace. Mutterings somewhere behind his back as if Father was discussing with someone else than me. After Giruvegan. Had anyone else not noticed?
“Always so perverse.” Father frowned but returned his gaze to me. Still, his glimpse over the shimmering stone did not go unnoticed by me. “Was this the matter you wished to share?”
“Unfortunate for you, it was not.” I pressed my hands on the edge of his desk, leaning in. We were almost at the same height when we were both standing, yet at the moment I could look down at him.
Father’s eyes were dim behind his glasses, now focusing on the stone again. He toyed with it as if he was alone in this room. Sometimes, I wondered –
“I’m close to a breakthrough,” Father cut off my trail of thoughts. “This… this is still unperfected, yet the potency is already stirring under its surface.” The blue hue of the crystal-like piece of rock mirrored in my father’s eyes when he kept talking, almost like the stone had a life of its own. “I only need a little more time to complete this research and then we shall move into the next phase.”
Icy fingers of disgust slid along my spine. “I wish not to hear more about this.”
“Well, Ffamran, I have work to complete. I, too, wish not to hear complaints and be disturbed recurrently.” He showed me the stone. “This here is the key to your future. Do the one thing I asked for you and you shall be rewarded in the end.”
Yet, I searched for no reward, being that I had come here to find my father. It would seem he was lost in his experiments. “Perhaps, I should not chase the reward if the price for it is this… whatever it is.”
“Manufacted –”
“I am not interested.” Every muscle in my body tensed, and I could not help but straighten up, barely managing the urge to slap my palms against the desk and shove aside everything on it.
“What is it…?” Father glanced back, not hearing me at all. “Hmm… I see… That is quite a revelation, Venat…” His head turned, his eyes meeting mine. “Fframran, are you not pleased with the position I have arranged for you?”
Now he realised that? Well… it was not that I was completely ungrateful… but… “I cannot say my heart is truly in this.” I swayed my hand over my chest. Even right this time, I could smell the metal and leather, the symbols of my prison with no bars.
“Your current status is implacable. Considered it as a sign of how much Lord Vayne appreciates the services of our family. You should not be profane to the gift you have received.” Father kept his gaze locked in mine. “Since you are not willing to pursue a career in science, this is the path that I have chosen for you. It will not be for discussion.”
“Does it not matter what my heart yearns for?”
Father stood up, leaning his hands on the desk. “Heart, you say? Foolish talk of juveniles. This is not an affair of the heart but the way to the future. It is irrelevant how you feel about it because you are too young to see what the best for yourself is. Trust me in this.”
“Once I knew a man who told me to chase after my dreams…” I took a step back.
“That was before he learned what the true power is… huh?” Straightening up, Father turned his back to me. “…serve the cause in a different way? Peculiar thought, that…”
I stared at Father as he lost himself again in his mind, muttering words that made no sense. Ruins. That’s what I saw. Cidolfus Demen Bunansa never returned from his expedition to Giruvegan, did he?
“I wish to quit.”
My words made Father spin, but his gaze remained focused inward. He was not there; I was standing before a mere shell of a man I once had cherished.
“Perhaps you should continue your work, for it holds such importance.” Turning around, I marched out and clanked with every step. Soon, I would not need to hear this repulsive sound anymore.
A birthday story based on a private RP with @ruki-mukami-dl in 2024.
Blue light whirled everywhere, painting the room with its calming tones while fish swam behind the glass. It was like going for a hike in the bottom of the ocean, though Yuriko couldn’t quite hurry anymore. More like, she felt like she had become a waddling penguin.
Step by step, Ruki took Yuriko farther into the depths of the aquarium while the couple quite enjoyed their talk about their early times a few years ago. How Ruki had cornered Yuriko in the library and decided that was should be his.
“You… umh… came after me before really knowing me, right?” Yuriko swallowed. At the moment, she was like a rolling snowball with her huge belly where their daughter kept wiggling and kicking. Honestly, she didn’t feel very attractive, but on the other hand, she hadn’t felt like that back then either.
“Right. I did... But I didn't come after you because of your appearance.” Ruki ruffled his hair while talking.
Not knowing what to say, Yuriko simply nodded. Then it wasn’t her looks Ruki liked but her other traits… whatever those were.
When she voiced out her question it brought a serious expression to Ruki’s face. “First important thing: you were in the library. The next one: you were in a decent section. I found your taste in books interesting and that made you intriguing.”
“Oh? You didn't say that back then…”
“Of course not.” Ruki peeked at Yuriko, his eyes sparkling slightly. ”It was fun teasing you.”
“You said…” Yuriko blinked as she recalled the moment when Ruki had pressed her against the shelves. “...you called me…”
“Livestock.” Ruki smirked as the word left his lips.
“Umh…” Yuriko’s heart skipped a beat. There it was. That word she had despised so much. Oh so much! “You seem to like that.”
“Hmm~ I do~” Ruki turned his gaze toward the fish, but the smirk still lingered on his face. “Do you miss me calling you that?”
This time, Yuriko’s heart took an extra beat and then started pounding against her ribcage while heat crept over her cheeks. “I... I... I... umh…”
“That wasn't a proper answer…” Turning to her, Ruki leaned in. “Livestock.”
“Umhhh...!” Yuriko tried to step closer to the glass, but in that instant, Ruki’s hand was already on the small of her back, not letting her wander off.
“Still no answer? You like it, right?” He snatched Yuriko’s chin with his free hand, peering into her eyes before inching even closer. His cheek brushed against hers as his mouth caressed her ear. “Livestock.”
I can’t like it! I just cannot! Yuriko’s head went fuzzy, she was almost wheezing. There was no denying it, was there? Gosh! “I... I... I guess…”
“You guess?” Again, a whisper directly onto Yuriko’s eardrum.
There was definitely something wrong with her. Just how degraded she could be! And yet… maybe one more time?
“Fufu, you’re just perfect.” Ruki chuckled, straightening a little. “My very own… Livestock.” He pressed his lips on hers, imprisoning her in a stormy kiss while the blue lighting kept whirling and the fish swimming as if nothing had happened. “Happy birthday, Yuriko.”
Here's my first art piece and story for the challenge. If I can, I'll try to make these every month.
This is a side story for my future fic Their Elysium. It only has slight spoilers for the mentioned fic and is mostly of its own thing. So you can read it without worrying about spoiling the main course.
As always, comments, likes, and reblogs are very much appreciated. 🩵
Eden’s library was as quiet as always. While Ruki was going through the shelves, trying to find the information he needed for Shu’s plan, Yuriko allowed herself to pick up the tomes that seemed to be written in Japanese. Mind you, there were quite a lot. The fact she found peculiar. She hadn’t known the late Vampire king too well, but it seemed that the man had enjoyed books from human authors surprisingly much.
With a pile, Yuriko roamed toward an armchair in the corner of the library. She laid the pile on the table and snatched the first book in her hands, sinking into the depths of the chair. It was a collection of short stories from past times, Five Women Who Loved Love it said on the cover.
Diving into the stories, Yuriko enjoyed Ruki’s footsteps that strolled through the room and his occasional deep breaths. Not that she wanted him to stress over the task that she could not help him with, but after all they had been through, this quiet time in the slowly decaying castle was surprisingly pleasant and peaceful.
Or she had simply come to terms with the turmoil they constantly were in.
“Did you find something interesting to read, my angel?”
Yuriko blinked, tearing her gaze from the page she had been eyeing. Ruki was standing right next to the table, his hair messier than usual. Yuriko could imagine every moment he had been running his fingers through it while trying to solve all the problems that lingered around the castle.
“Umh… I guess so. These stories are quite intriguing…” Yuriko smiled over the book.
“I can see you chose several titles. Are you perhaps assuming we will spend a lot of time here?” There was a hint of amusement in Ruki’s voice. At least he was in a good mood.
“Will we not then?” Yuriko tilted her head while keeping her gaze on the Vampire.
Ruki was quiet for a moment, picking up a book from the table. Winter Stars – a poetry collection from an unknown poet Yuriko had considered reading next. There was a bookmark ribbon hanging between the pages, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Karlheinz had marked a specific piece of poetry with it.
“This might indeed take a while,” Ruki said finally, opening the book from the marked page. “While I’m sure the state of Eden has something to do with Shu inheriting that man’s powers, I still have not figured out the deepest layers of the original plan.”
“The one related to Yui-san?” Yuriko moved her short story collection to the table.
Ruki nodded. “I talked with Shu recently. He wants me to go through the Medical Department of the castle as well. There could be some answers.”
The mere thought of the Medical Department of Eden sent shivers down Yuriko’s spine. That was where the bioweapon had been cooked, right?
“Do not worry. I have no intention of taking you there. You can stay here and read.” Ruki turned his gaze to the book and remained staring at it for a little while. Finally, he shifted and recited the words:
Winter stars
Distant and cold
Like your heart
When it refuses mine
Winter stars
Sparkling, yet far away
Like your gaze
When it avoids mine
Winter stars
Unreachable and repulsing
Like your embrace
When it slips from mine
You are a star in my sky
Distant and cold
Sparkling, yet far away
Unreachable and repulsing
Never can I catch you
Never are you mine
Unless I reach those remote realms of your mind
“Hmph, such a gloomy statement. You should not devour something like this.” Ruki slapped the cover shut and tossed the book back on the pile. He roamed around the armchair, behind Yuriko and placed his hands on her shoulders, slowly sliding her pink cardigan and the strap of her top down her upper arm.
“Umh?” Yuriko peeked up, meeting the darkened gaze of her loved one. “I… I find the shadows often more fascinating than light…”
Ruki cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should simply embrace your yearning for darkness, for it is without a doubt one of the reasons you were drawn to me.”
Yuriko swallowed a comment about how Ruki had pulled her in almost forcefully and smiled at him. “Yes, yes, you should indeed.”
“As you wish.” Ruki leaned in, caressing Yuriko’s lips with his.
The kiss was soft and gentle, making Yuriko quiver from head to toe as she tilted her head backward and answered the smooch. She laced her fingers with Ruki’s hair, pushing a bit closer still while allowing her lids to slide down. Surrendering to the serene suckles, she felt how warm spread through her and nestled deep within her heart.
Never would Yuriko be a distant star, never would she be cold. She would not refuse Ruki but would give herself fully to him. Everything in her was his.
A sudden light tickled against Yuriko’s closed eyes, and at that very moment, Ruki gasped, breaking the smooch.
“What in the name of –?”
Ruki’s words made Yuriko finally open her eyes. Gaping, she stared at the blinking stars around them. They expanded all over the room, rising from the table.
“Oh my gosh! What is this?” Straightening her body and letting go of Ruki, Yuriko rushed to lean closer to the view.
“Yuriko! Do not –!” Ruki grabbed the sleeve of Yuriko’s cardigan, but just then she felt another pull as if something was taking hold of her body. Stars whirled around her, coating everything with their light until there was nothing but sparks all around her.
Ruki and Yuriko are far from home, spending Christmas time alone for various reasons. They have a quiet cottage and peaceful nature around them. While their dinner is in the oven, Yuriko shares her Christmas wishes.
The story contains slight spoilers for Her Calamity and Their Elysium. Nothing too critical though, I think.
Somewhere in the rural Romania
The snow was quiet. And it was everywhere. Yuriko allowed her gaze to wander toward the trees and mountains that rose against the sky that was already growing dark. The darkest time of the year, huh? She could not deny that there wasn't a certain darkness at this moment. Surely, she hadn’t expected to spend her Christmas with Ruki like this. Away from home, away from their families. Yuuto and the Mukamis didn’t even know where they had gone, for they couldn’t afford to tell anyone.
And that meant… no Christmas date this year either. It had been Yuriko’s dream for so long, to go to the city and watch the lights while sipping something warm, including a nice dinner and Christmas cake later in the evening. Like in all those anime scenes she had watched through the years. It was a couple thing to do. But it couldn’t be helped now.
Still, this was a beautiful place. Yuriko pushed the corners of her mouth up. There were frost flowers on the window, she had a soft pillow behind her back and several blankets she could wrap around her if it became too cold. Though she doubted it. Ruki had made sure there were rattling flames in the fireplace before he had headed for the tiny kitchen of the cottage and left Yuriko on this couch with a book.
Against all her habits, Yuriko hadn’t even opened the novel yet. Instead, she lifted her feet on the couch, losing herself in the view. If only this peace would last. Perhaps that was all she needed for her Christmas with Ruki. Nothing fancy, but peace and quiet after everything they had been through.
“Yuriko?”
Ruki’s voice wafted in Yuriko’s ears at the same moment as the aroma of hot cocoa sailed in her nose. She turned her head, meeting his gaze, this time feeling how the corners of her lips jumped up on their own. Marshmallows! Ruki had added marshmallows, candy cane, and whipped cream to the hot cocoa he now pressed into her hands. His own mug was filled with a much darker sort of cocoa that gave out a hint of bitterness as Yuriko drew a breath.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.” Ruki sat down on the couch as well, his eyes never leaving Yuriko. “Our dinner is in the oven now, so if something is pressing you, you should share your thoughts with your master.”
“Umh… not necessarily pressing…” Yuriko took a sip of the cocoa. It dangled on her tongue as the sweetness caressed her taste buds and warmth slid down her throat. Such a perfect type of drink. Was there anything better than this?
“Do not lie to me. I can see that there is something.” Ruki kept his mug on his lap while speaking with as steady a voice as ever.
Shifting in place, Yuriko focused on drinking. Would it be ungrateful to tell her thoughts? About her silly little dream that now couldn’t come true. It was slipping between her fingers time after time because… either there wasn’t the right person, or something happened. In this case, the latter.
Ruki stayed silent, enjoying his beverage as well. He turned his head, gazing out of the window and into the darkening evening without a hurry.
Yuriko picked up a marshmallow and pushed it into her mouth. It melted on her tongue almost overly sweet and delicious. As she swallowed, she knew there was no keeping secrets from Ruki. After all, the secrets she had kept before had only grown a distance between them, and she did not want the same to happen ever again.
“It’s just… I have this dream… It’s kind of stupid.” Yuriko sighed as heat coursed onto her cheeks.
“I doubt that your dreams are stupid.”
It was impossible not to smile when Ruki said something like that. Yet, Yuriko still had to push the words out. “I… umh… I have always wanted to… be taken on a Christmas date. But now, we’re here and there is no way we could do that…”
“Christmas date?” Ruki let out a chuckle. Of course, he found the whole idea silly. “And here I was thinking you would want a traditional family Christmas.”
“I…” Yuriko shook her head. “It wasn’t ever a big thing for us… I mean, Dad was usually at work as always. The best parts of Christmas Day were KFC and the Christmas cake Mom bought for us. But that stopped when… when she went missing…”
“You might need to enlighten me with this so-called KFC. I am afraid that I have not heard about it. But I can make you a cake as a dessert for tomorrow.” Ruki took another sip from his mug. He didn’t know what KFC was? But it was a huge thing at Christmas!
“You know… a bucket of fried chicken…” Yuriko leaned in, blowing into her cocoa. “The cake is usually strawberry shortcake with a chocolate plate with the text Merry Christmas on it.”
It had been a while since Yuriko had seen Ruki as confused as now. He moved their mugs to a side table and took Yuriko’s hands in his cold ones. Knitting his brows together, he gazed directly into her eyes. “Is that what you wish for Christmas? A date, fried chicken, and a strawberry cake?”
“Yes, that’s what I hoped for, but…” Yuriko squeezed Ruki’s hands as gently as she could. “...in reality all I want for Christmas is you. And you’re here with me. This cottage in the woods near the mountains is much more romantic than anything else.”
It honestly was. They had spent a while in that inn, but staying there when everyone prepared for celebrations had seemed… rather dull. Also, Christmas was very different here than back home. Of course, the decorations were similar, but the atmosphere was something else. Everything was directly from the stories Yuriko had read.
“Besides, people here don’t do Christmas dates, right?” Yuriko tilted her head. In the books, Christmas was always a family thing in Europe or America. Perhaps it would be better if they spent their holidays in a local manner. The only problem was their families weren’t around, and they couldn’t even reach for them because of what they had done. Would the Vampire king ever forgive them? No way, Yuriko would bring this up now. It would ruin the mood completely.
“That is correct. People gather in their homes with their loved ones…” Ruki’s voice died down and his gaze turned inwards. Yuriko tried to entwine their fingers, but he let go of her hand and grabbed her hips instead, pulling her legs over his. “Unfortunately, I cannot offer you that. I do apologize. It is my fault that we are in this situation and for that, we must stay here.”
“Ruki… I don’t blame you. And it was my deeds that only made everything worse… If I hadn’t been there, then everything would have gone…” How? Shin and Carla had proceeded with their plan anyway and forced Shu into action that way… but at least, Ruki would have been by Karlheinz's side and not hiding from the man.
“Do not say such things, Yuriko. We do not know how things would have been without you, but I would never change you away.” Ruki sighed. “Look at me.”
Lifting her head, Yuriko met Ruki’s gaze. The storm behind his eyes never ceased, right? He would always struggle. But in that way, they were similar. Their agonies would not leave them, yet together they could overcome the anxiety. They wouldn’t need a date or a family Christmas because they had each other and this cozy corner of the world.
“I chose you. Not because I had to but because I wanted to. I did not expect to fall for you, I did not even believe that the Vampires could find love in their hearts.” Ruki glided his fingers along Yuriko’s blue thigh-high sock, following the bend of her knee. “You showed me my true self. And by surrendering to me, by allowing me to be your master, gave me the greatest gift I can imagine. I will never let go of you, for you have stolen my heart. I will always love you.”
“Oh gosh, Ruki…” Yuriko placed her hand on Ruki’s. It was so cold, like the weather outside, but it didn’t matter. She was more than willing to share her warmth with him for the rest of her life. “I will love you too, as long as I live. I don’t regret my choices even though I made some mistakes. Now, I only wish to cherish this love.”
“Yuriko…” Ruki’s voice rasped hoarse. He grappled Yuriko’s wrist and hauled her closer. She allowed him to pull her on his lap, her legs settling on both sides of him and her skirt sliding up her thighs. “Tomorrow, I’ll take you for a walk through the village nearby. I know it is not the same as going on a Christmas date back home, but I wish to show you that peaceful beauty. And afterward, we will have a Christmas dinner with a cake as a dessert.”
“Ruki, you don’t have to…”
“That is right. I do not, but I choose to do this like I choose you. Always you.” Ruki pecked Yuriko’s lips. The kiss was brief, almost passing. “And the next year, I will look into this KFC. Perhaps it can be arranged.”
A giggle erupted from Yuriko. Ruki and fast-food chicken. That was something she would look forward to seeing. And this decision, as tiny as it was, meant promises for the future. Their future in this secluded place. They would make their own elysium here after all the calamity they had gone through ever since Yuriko had become Ruki’s possession.
“Umh… thank you, Ruki.” Yuriko swayed her hand up, lacing her fingers with his thick, messy hair. It was slightly rough against her hand, but the sensation made warm vibrations course through her. “Is there anything you wish for Christmas?”
Tracing Yuriko’s back with his palm, Ruki stayed silent for a while and only looked at her. “I already have everything I want.”
Ruki didn’t make this easy, and Yuriko couldn’t give him much, because she had no money of her own or the skills to make anything. Still, she wished to see happiness sparkle in his eyes. Why was it always doom and gloom hanging above their heads?
“Though, there is one thing…” Ruki shifted, pressing one hand on the small of Yuriko’s back while pushing her backward on his lap and reaching somewhere with his other hand. His grip was firm, and there was no way Yuriko could drop, but her stomach curled into a knot anyway from the movement.
“Umh… what is it?”
Yuriko was about to peek over her shoulder, but Ruki shook his head. “Stay still and close your eyes.”
“But…”
“No buts. Did you not want to give something to your master for Christmas?” Ruki looked deadly serious as if this was a matter of life or death.
“Of course.” Yuriko let her eyelids slide down, and darkness landed over her field of vision.
“That is my good girl.”
While Yuriko felt how her cheeks flared, Ruki pushed her even more backward. She was dangling in his grip halfway toward the floor, until he suddenly let out a chortle and straightened their position once more.
“Now, part those rosy lips of yours.”
Yuriko did as told without further questions. Whatever this was about, she put her trust in Ruki. And if this was his Christmas wish, she would gladly grant it to him.
“Such a beautiful view.” Ruki placed something between Yuriko’s lips. It was hard and slightly sticky, radiating warmth. “Suck this for me.”
A rush of peppermint attacked Yuriko’s tongue when Ruki glided the item deeper into her mouth and let it move back and forth. Sweet freshness filled her senses, and she wrapped her tongue around the candy cane, sucking it as Ruki had commanded her. A hint of cocoa and whipped cream jumped from the surface of the cane, and she felt like smiling, but as Ruki kept going there was no chance of that.
“Fufu, you look like you are about to drool~” Ruki pulled the cane out of Yuriko’s mouth, letting her swallow. “Let us test out something else. Open your eyes and pick up that hot coco of yours for me.”
Face already burning, Yuriko peeked at Ruki while turning and reaching for the table. He had that smug smirk lingering on his lips. She rotated back, holding the mug still half-full of the heated drink. To her surprise, Ruki dipped his finger into it and pulled it out all covered by the whipped cream.
“It seems like your master has made a mess.”
“Oh no, what a terrible mistake~” Yuriko let out a giggle.
“Horrible indeed. Perhaps, you should do something about it.” A smirk lingered on Ruki’s lips as he spoke and swayed his digit closer to Yuriko.
“Anything for my master~” Accompanied by a vibrating chortle, Yuriko enveloped the finger with her lips, sucking it into her mouth. The whipped cream coated her tongue along with the salty taste of Ruki’s skin. Such a perfect combination.
Ruki pressed his finger slightly, locking Yuriko’s tongue in place. The sensation caused her throat muscles to gag and water to rise in her eyes. Blinking, she tried to swallow but it was impossible like this. Instead, she wrapped her hand around Ruki’s wrist and held onto it. Ruki pushed the finger further in, forcing a strained sound out of her.
“Amusing~”
The finger left Yuriko’s mouth, and she gaped for a while.
Ruki brushed her bottom lip with his thumb and smiled, leaning in. “You are such a good girl. Tonight, you deserve a special celebrational cane that makes you forget all your worries for this time of the year. How does that sound, my angel?”
Heat covered Yuriko from head to toe. Such a pleasant thought, that. “I… I will gladly… take it all.” She pinned her upper body against Ruki’s chest and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Very light, very demure, both of which the coming night would be not.
Ruki brushed his nose on Yuriko’s, answering the kiss in the very same manner. “You truly are the love of my life. I love you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Now and forever…” Yuriko whispered against Ruki’s mouth. “I will always love you, Ruki.”
Drawing bases purchased from nukababe/Etsy. The background is a combination of Ibis Paint's assets and my drawing.
"She smells like that person… What does that mean?"
A moodboard for Oskar. He can't help but notice Mielikki's scent that brings back memories he would rather forget. Who is this woman? And why is she staying even if he tries to scare her off?
"I'll make damn sure that no one else can have her either. Perhaps I can't touch her, but neither will those two... or anyone else in this world.
Mielikki is my prey, even though I can't hunt her."
A moodboard for Frans Viktor from Moribund series. He's calm and collected, always keeping his composure. Humans are simple prey he tosses aside after feeding. Until Mielikki walks into his life and he can't feed from her. The sweetest prey is the one you can't have.
A moodboard for Mielikki, the FMC, for the first original story I'm working on directly in English. She's a fae changeling who thinks she’s a human... and with her magic locked, she pretty much passes by as one.
Until she meets the Kalha family, four moribund (a vampire subrace inhabitating the Northern Europe), who take an interest in her sweet scent. Bit by bit the truth starts to unravel, and Mielikki realizes she isn't who she thought she was... and neither are the people around her.
⚠️ This story includes themes that can be triggering. The content has similar traits to Diabolik Lovers' games. By opening the links and reading forward, you accept that the story is meant for people who enjoy dark romance with scenes intended for adult readers. There won't be further warnings, so if you aren't a fan of these types of stories, DO NOT READ. ⚠️
Nalia Wagner - belongs to Nalia Tsukino (@nalia-tsukino)
Both have given their permission to use their characters through Yuriko's story
Beta reader: @ruki-mukami-dl
Eve stayed with the Sakamakis and Ruki’s life had lost meaning, but then new livestock appeared. The one whose blood smelled almost as intoxicating as Eve’s even though that shouldn’t have been possible.
Ruki decided to make her his possession.
DARK
[Prologue]
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08] [09] [10]
[Epilogue]
|| PDF || EPUB ||
MANIAC
[Prologue]
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08] [09] [10]
[Epilogue]
|| PDF || EPUB ||
ECSTASY
[Prologue]
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08] [09] [10]
[Epilogue]
[Brute End] [Manservant End] [Vampire End]
[After Story]
|| PDF || EPUB ||
Heaven Scenarios
written together with @ruki-mukami-dl
[Heaven 01] [Heaven 02] [Heaven 03]
Links will lead to AO3. You must be logged in to see the work.
⚠️ Warnings for Heaven 03: This chapter contains blood, violence, gore, torture, and death but also shower sex. It's toxic by its nature, and probably even more violent than a typical DL canon scene. I don't recommend reading it if such works of fiction make you uncomfortable. Dead dove, do not eat. ⚠️
