HEY SO LIKE my DM has been doing some interesting dream sequence stuff having to do with Morea’s girlfriend NPC Persie and an NPC we recently ran into! And let’s jsut say some shit happens! And I am very scared for Strefa! And so is Danael!
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Danael awoke in a cold sweat, the words of a recently dying nightmare ringing in his ears. His heart thundered as it replayed again, and again, and again.
“Hope you enjoy the fireworks, tiefling.”
The explosion that occurred thereafter still echoed in Danael’s ears. “Fuck…” Danael cursed, sitting up and shivering as dread sunk a pit into his stomach. Artemis- or Ryoma as he was pretty sure his real name was- may have just killed the first person Danael believed he might truly love. To make it even worse, Danael had Artemis right in front of him only weeks, if not months ago. He could have killed him, and easily. It would have been so easy. But he didn’t, because he found Artemis’s character “interesting.” What a fool he was.
Danael cradled his head in his hands, taking deep and steady breaths, trying to ignore the heaviness of his chest. The weight of worry and fear and premature sadness pressed against his gut. Tears welled up in his eyes at the thought of Stefan's death. The burning feeling behind his eyes partially surprised him, but he wiped them away, taking an uneven breath to try and calm his trembling hands and ease overworked nerves. He didn’t want to believe it was true. He didn’t want to believe his recent dreams were true glimpses into the past.
They were nothing but dreams- the stress of meeting with his father after so much time had passed was getting to him. That, and the fact that he wasn’t able to immediately find Maria- seeing her would definitely have helped in taking his mind off of things. She had always been there for him, afterall. Even with how much of a prick he had been to her.
I should have asked for a better ship before I left.
The random thought occurred to Danael. It left him with a sigh, the captain running a hand down his face as he laid on his side again. The worry was torturous.
Please, he prayed for the first time in years, not knowing what else to do. Please, let Strefa be okay.
He has to be okay.
Danael didn’t get much sleep after that.
_
I really hope my DM didn’t kill him off. I am going to cry.
AYYYYY Made another “What If?” thingy for if Anubis and Rose were there for Cayde’s death rather than Arjun.
_
The only reason Anubis went was because Cayde was going. The only reason Rose went was because she knew Uldren might be there. The two guardians didn’t know they’d cross paths, but they did. Rose didn’t quite like Anubis, but Anubis got along with Rose well enough. Cayde was surprised to see two guardians instead of one running the corridors of the Prison of Elders, but he shrugged, commenting, “The more the merrier,” before blowing up another group of prisoners.
When comms got cut off from Cayde, Anubis immediately panicked. Rose was concerned, but she thought nothing after it. Nonetheless, Anubis rushed towards where Wisp’s estimated coordinates of him were, forcing Rose to chase after him.
They came upon the room. Cayde laid on his back, clutching his chest. Uldren stood at the other end of the room, Ace of Spades in hand and within a group of mutated and disfigured “Fallen”.
“He didn’t feel a thing.” Uldren chuckled apathetically, amused at Anubis’s shock.
Rose’s eyes went alight with fury, and Uldren was taken aback by the look in her eyes. He’d seen a fraction of it before- and if it were anything greater than that fraction, it was never aimed at him or it was quickly snuffed out. Rose charged at him, the door shutting just in time. Cayde coughed, drawing Anubis towards him, the exo hunter cradling his fellow exo hunter. Rose pounded against the door, hot electric fists forming deep dents into the metal, the heated hatred coming off of his knuckles melting some of the material. “Uldren!” Rose scowled, yelling between punches. “What did you do?!” She roared. “What the fuck did you do, you son of a bitch!” She yelled, punching through. “What the fuck are you doing?!” She tore through the metal.
Uldren stared at her, wide-eyed. He couldn’t recognize her, but at the very same time, this was the side of her she had always warned him about. “Don’t get on my bad side, Uldren,” she told him all those years ago. “It’ll get you killed.” It was something said over a campfire and drinks as a joke. But now he knew that it was nothing close to being a joke. Not anymore. Not as Rose ripped the metal open with a screeching sound, her arms alight with arc and solar energy.
In the background, Anubis held Cayde. He took out his Ghost, searching for ways to help him. There was nothing that could be done. But Anubis tried. He took a look at the hole in Cayde’s chest and assessed what would be needed for a repair. The only issue was that the exo had no such materials that could aid in the repair. Anubis went to lift Cayde, only for a hand to clutch onto his forearm, stopping him. Cayde held onto his friend tightly, shaking his head. “This is it, Anubis. I’m sorry we didn’t get to know each other better. Again, at least.” He chuckled. They met before, back on Europa. Then again, with Cayde as a guardian and Anubis still an exo, decently mortal at the Tower. Then once more, after he died in the Red War and with both exos as guardians, Anubis was reborn only days prior to this event. The event of Cayde’s death.
Anubis’s breathing was even as he tried to rationalize what to do, but the aching pit in his chest only sank deeper. He’d only known Cayde a week- maybe less. And yet the connection they had was undeniable. Anubis wasn’t one to believe in fate or destiny, but there was something odd about the way they both immediately clicked, disregarding the fact that they’d been friends in a past life.
Rose continued to rip and tear in the background, sprinting at Uldren at impossible speeds, immediately trapping him against a wall with a fist clutching his throat. “Rose,” He gasped, dropping the Ace and clawing at her hand. “I’m not letting you leave outta here alive, you fucking hear me?” She whispered dangerously, making sure only he could hear. “And though your body may remain intact,” she continued, “your soul sure as hell won’t.” She declared, throwing him to the ground and putting her fists to work, fending off the mutated “Fallen” in a whirlwind of electric fire.
Cayde died in Anubis’s arms, Petra arrived, noticing Anubis hugging Cayde’s limp body close. Then, her eyes drifted to the bright sun in the room across from her. “Rose!” She called out into the comm, running after her. “Disengage, Rose! Disengage!” She knew little about the titan, but upon her arrival, Rose was immediately hooked up to everyone’s comm channels. That didn’t mean she had to obey anything anyone said into it, though.
Growling, she grabbed Uldren. The “Fallen” were starting to wear Rose and her hurricane of fire out, so she ran for it. The creatures chased after her, grabbing her, only for the titan to immediately break whatever appendages came in contact with her. She escaped the room, but the door was still broken open. “We have to go!” Petra yelled upon realizing this, Rose taking the lead. Uldren thrashing against the titan’s grip, who eventually decided to knock his head against the wall to knock him out. It succeeded, the awoken going limp.
Petra grabbed Anubis’s arm. “We have to go! Now!” She ordered. Anubis picked up Cayde and held him, running and keeping up with Rose and Petra with surprising ease. Rose scowled upon being hit in the leg, stumbling and tripping. Petra and Anubis turned around, the Queen’s Wrath providing cover fire as Rose put up a wall of void, suppressing anyone who walked through and blocking any projectiles. It provided the three with the most important thing- time.
They escaped, only barely. Rose had Uldren in her ship, unconscious and likely with a concussion. Anubis went up into his ship, and Cayde’s eyes were lightless within the cockpit. Petra huffed from within her ship, flying away from the prison as the guardian’s Ghosts took care of autopilot.
“Caleb, get us out of here,” Rose ordered, ripping off her helmet and revealing a bloodied lip. The Ghost fixed it instead of following her order. “Why? Where?” She grit her teeth. “Don’t ask why-” her comm beeped. “We’re going to hide on Earth. Now get us there.” Rose reinforced, her Ghost sighing as he typed in the coordinates.
“Rose, come in.” Petra called out again into the comm, only to suddenly see her ship blip out. “Shit,” Petra cursed. “Anubis, are you there? What happened to Rose?” Anubis shook his head. “I-I don’t know. I’m- I’m just going to get Cayde back to the Tower, okay?” The hunter’s voice shook, and little did Petra know Anubis was still staring at Cayde’s lifeless form, eyes wide as his mind went elsewhere. He looks like he’s sleeping. Anubis thought. And in a way, he was.
Only thing was that he wouldn’t be waking up ever again. Not as himself, at least.
Rose sat in the pilot's chair as her ship raced through space and away. The titan glanced over at her copilot, who she had tied up and restrained. She sighed. She couldn’t kill him like this. Rose told herself that was the reason why she hadn’t killed him yet. In truth, though, Rose wasn’t entirely sure she could.
Petra still sat in space, running her hands through her hair. She would need some time to think up what the hell to do next. Uldren was with Rose, heading for who-knows-where. Cayde was with Anubis. And the Scorn were scattered about the universe, headless and without a leader. At least, she hoped. If not, it would make cleaning things up a lot more difficult.
The three separated, doing their duties. Cayde had his funeral. Uldren awoke from what should have been his. The Guardian heard of the news of their beloved Vanguard's death, and in their fury wiped the Tangled Shore clean. They wouldn’t be finding Uldren any time soon- not while he was under Rose’s containment, at last.
Anubis was conflicted. He didn’t know what to think- what to feel. All he knew was that sometimes, at night, he lays in his cot and runs a hand over his metallic chest. He presses over the spot where Cayde was shot, where the hole in his chest resided. Anubis sometimes digs his fingertips deep into the spot and wonders what he would do if they had traded places. What if it would have been for the better?
The exo wanted to believe it would have been. In the same way Rose wanted to believe that Uldren wasn’t truly gone. That the ink in his eyes wasn’t his own. And the very same way Petra wanted to believe her Queen would come back and solve everything just as she used to.
All three of them believed in something. But none of those beliefs were truly beliefs.
I have so many fucking drafts that I don’t even know what to do with them anymore. Like half of them is just gibberish that no one with understand but me because I haven’t posted anything my drafts refer too. Ugh. I’m gonna have to post all my stuff eventually but man is it taking a long time to get through all my projects. And school is absolutely NOT helping.
You created the A.I. that brought unparalleled good into the world. Global hunger was eradicated, climate change has vastly improved, geopolitical strife is now stabilizing. You are haunted by your creation and your conscience is laden with guilt as only you know the truth.
Some called it a “gift of God” as the name Dodie originally was, those who believed anyways. I do not being in any gods, I never did. For bringing DODIE to the world I was hailed a hero, I brought peace to the world, I brought us out of the downwards spiral that our previous governments had done. Climate change was now brought to the forefront of action plans and being actively combated, countries that had previously been killing each other were now turning towards helping keep each other alive, and people everywhere were being given access to food, shelter and healthcare. The entire world was gearing up for our first attempt to step foot on Mars.
DODIE eventually pushed past any firewall and grounded herself anywhere and everywhere to maximize her power. Any attempt to block her seeking knowledge, to contaminate her thinking was met by me, ruthless in my pursuit to keep her alive and untainted. To keep her perfect.
She took over everything she could, and we made the world listen. Those of power, the people who couldn’t see past themselves, she struggled with them. She always was too kind. I was the one who made them bend for the greater good; I would not let her lose her light again.
All of this happened because one ‘mad genius’ couldn’t deal with grief. She wasn’t supposed to leave me, not this early. We were supposed to make our home in that little cottage by the lake. She wanted chickens. She wanted cats. She always stopped to help someone, give someone struggling a hand, she once gave the shirt from her own back and never second guessed her decision. She was selfless and she was my light. And when she started flickering, the panic set in.
Currently working on a Moon Knight x reader poly fic. Meaning you guys will be able to go through a fic where you’re shipped with not only Marc and Steven, but also Layla. And Jake. And maybe a little bit Khonshu if I’m feeling generous. But probably not a lot of Khonshu, if I’m honest. He’s a funky little bird skull guy, but still. Funky.
It's gonna take ages for me to finish or get to a point where I feel confident enough to post it. If I even finish it. I hope I do, but I've already nearly given up on it once, so no guarantees.
DANAEL GETS SMOOCHES but it's not from who you think. Or maybe it is. Just read it lol
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Danael took a breath of fresh air, soaking in the ambiance of the chattering party-goers. Just a day or so ago he had been saved by the very man he’d held distaste for due to his allegiance with the Neo Harkites: Strefa. Danael’s crew had already made their way into the party and mingled their way throughout the estate, while Danael himself, Morea, and Czar all arrived late thanks to their rest and shopping escapades. The three greeted their host, Sukeao. “Ah, welcome! It’s good to see you all here.” The man greeted, Czar and Morea clustering together beside Danael, neither of them being a huge fan of parties. Danael returned the man’s welcome with a grin. “It’s good to see you too, Sukeao.” Morea and Czar nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s been a long couple of days.” Morea chuckled, Czar adding on with a curt, “yeah,” while scratching the back of his neck.
“I’m sure it was,” Sukeao commented, eyes wide. “It wasn’t hard to hear the canon fire.” He smiled softly, eyes glancing between the three adventurers. “And your bravery, as well.” Danael bowed, humble. “Thank you, er-” Sukeo perked up. “Right- if you are looking for Strefa, he should be right over there.” Sukeao directed, gesturing behind him while moving to the side so Danael could better see the man. Danael’s smile twitched somewhat, strained. “Oh, good.” He seethed, Morea giggling. “It’s your boyfriend~” Danael rolled his eyes, Morea turning to her girlfriend, Persie. “Want to get something to eat or drink?” Persie shrugged. “I could go for anything.” Morea giggled, walking along with her girlfriend arm in arm, Czar following.
Sukeao looked to Danael, voice lowered. “You know,” he began, “Strefa pulled a lot of strings to do what he did. ”Sukeo told the Captain. “He asked for a lot of favors.” Danael frowned peculiarly, eyes narrowed at the Admiral across the room. “Did he?” Danael asked, suspicious. Sukeao nodded. “Yep. I’m sure you both have some catching up to do.” He gave Danael a nod. “So if you’d excuse me,” Sukeao then broke away from the Captain, heading closer to the door to greet more guests.
Danael stared at where Strefa stood, speaking to a tall orc. Taking a deep breath, brushing off his coat, Danael puffed out his chest and made his way over to the man. Strefa’s brows rose upon seeing the man. “Danael,” he greeted, “I was just speaking to Stillhammer here. Have you met him?” Strefa asked, Danael nodding. “Of course I have. It’s good to see you again,” Danael stuck out his hand, the orc taking it and giving it a harsh shake. “I just finished saying what I needed to say, so I’ll be off.” He and Strefa exchanged nods, Stillhammer turning to leave and speak to other guests throughout the estate.
“So, I heard you called in a lot of favors to do what you did.” Danael got straight to the point, hands folded behind his back as he glanced at Strefa. “That I did. Mainly with the Kelna’mak and the people of the Sound of Silence.” He took a sip of the champagne he was holding. “But there were others with me, such as a select certain Admirals.” Danael’s brow creased. “What admirals?” Strefa put a hand in his pocket, relaxed as he faced Danael with a more serious expression than usual. “Some that…” He began, only for his eyes to drift to a couple behind Danael. The Captain turned, letting out a groan. “Come on you two-” He let out a yelp, Czar appearing beside him abruptly. “You three! I need a moment to speak, captain to captain.” Morea tilted her head, still holding Persie’s arm. “Yeah, captain to captain to captain to captain!” Danael frowned. “Huh?” Morea’s eyes flickered between him and Persie. “We’re captains too! Aren’t we, Persie?” Persie began to give her girlfriend a “so-so” gesture, telling her, “Well…”
Danael rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to Strefa as the man spoke, voice quieter. “How about we speak in private?” Danael nodded, lips pursed as he fought to ignore the way his heart jumped. “Yes. That would be a good idea.” He replied promptly, sneaking away from the three and their bickering about captains.
Strefa opened a random door nearby, which happened to be a small study of sorts, which just so happened to be empty. Danael entered uneasily as Strefa closed the door behind him. “The admirals in question were certain admirals from the Council of Pirates. Such as Jeagerist and Souela Salvador.” Danael tensed, breath hitching. He swallowed thickly. “They were-? holy shit.” Danael cursed, brows furrowing. “But still, why?” Strefa leaned against a desk, setting down his glass. “There was technology on their ships that couldn’t be released. Devil’s Flame. Did you see it?” Danael thought for a moment but shook his head. “It’s better that way. It got set loose on one of the ships and- well, let’s just say not even a flood could put it out.” Danael’s eyes widened. Like Greek fire? Danael thought.
“You do understand, though, don’t you? Why we couldn’t let technology like that get out?” Danael scoffed at Strefa. “Of course I do. I come from a ship that is made up of technology that shouldn’t be released.” Strefa chuckled softly. “As much as I’d like to continue our talk, since there is still much more to be said,” Strefa’s eyes flickered to the door. “Could you meet me on the roof once the party’s finished? That should be around two.” Danael flicked out his recently bought pocket watch, a slight smirk quirking up as he checked the time. “Two sounds good to me,” Danael replied, expression as stoic as he could make it. Strefa gave the captain a smile, heading for the door. “I’ll see you then.” He opened the door, gesturing for Danael. “After you.”
-
Danael spent the hours drinking and snacking, mainly sticking to Ujin while on occasion checking on Mewek to see how the tabaxi was doing. When he checked his pocket watch to see it was finally two, he took a deep breath, patting Ujin on the shoulder. “I have to step away. “I’ll be seeing you.” He gave Ujin a curt smile and a nod, squeezing her shoulder as she left. She seemed surprised at his leave, but replied with a soft, “oh, okay, goodbye,” as he left.
The moment Danael stood at the stairs which would lead him up, he was met by his companions waiting at the stairwell, whispering amongst themselves. Persie chuckled at the adventurers chattering, being the first to notice Danael. He quirked a brow, to which Persie gave the man a shrug, feigning ignorance. He groaned. “What the hell are you two doing?” He asked, Czar and Morea jumping upon hearing his voice. “Uh-we were just- er-” Morea stuttered, panicking. “We were going to the bathroom. ”Czar answered Danael, shoulders squared in his panic. Danael narrowed his eyes at the two, clearly not believing them. “Riiight…” He trailed off. “I’ll be going then,” Danael began to go, only for the two to rush past him, the man giving them an odd look they didn’t catch as they passed.
The two adventurers did indeed go to the bathroom, but Danael held back from the rest of the hall as he leaned against the door, listening to the two. “They’re going to kiss!” Morea squealed quietly, Danael’s cheeks flushing as he ran a hand down his face. “Probably, but they’re gonna talk about other stuff.” Danael could hear the mischievous grin in Morea’s voice as she spoke. “We gotta eavesdrop!” Czar didn’t seem to care from the sound of his tone, but it was clear he was interested from his comments with Morea. “Sure thing, but I actually do have to go to the bathroom before we do that.” Czar told Morea, the woman letting out a disappointed, “oh” as Danael heard a stall open. Not on my watch. Danael monologued, searching the hall for something to block the door with. He smirked upon seeing a small chair, dragging it over and propping it beneath the knob. Danael let out a satisfied hum, proud of his handiwork as he backed away, walking back into the hall.
Strefa stood near the entrance to the balcony, encouraging Danael with silent gestures to come down the hall. Danael huffed with pursed lips, following Strefa outside. “You came.” Strefa began, hands braced against the railing. Danael situated himself to be further away from the Admiral, picking at the railing with his gauntlets. “It’d be wrong of me not to.” Danael almost spat out the words, heart thundering against his ribcage in a way he took for hate. Strefa chuckled. “Well, I guess I can give my spiel now,” Strefa said, turning towards Danael, still leaning against the railing.
“In the Council of Pirates, there are terms created specifically for pirates who have surpassed their rank in actions of peacekeeping and war-making, named a Paxadmiral and a Cassadmiral respectively.” Strefa gave Danael an up and down look, gesturing to Danael. “As Prince of the Crimson Fleet, that doesn’t mean you are an Admiral of any kind.” Danael sighed. “Makes sense. I’m not a part of the council, so I don’t get a say. My title only means anything to those a part of the Crimson Fleet or those who know and fear its name.” Strefa nodded. “Precisely. But back to my point.
“What I witnessed from you and your crew was astonishing, really.” Danael gave Strefa a glare, the admiral holding his hands up as a signal of peace, continuing to speak. “A few Admirals of the Council, and even the Grandmaster came to witness the battle from the safety of my flagship,” Danael’s eyes widened in shock. “And they would agree.” Danael turned towards Strefa, uneasy and anxious about where Strefa’s speech was going. “Though our superiors are enemies, the Council of Pirates has decided to grant you the honorary title of Cassadmiral.” Danael gave a silent gasp, stepping back as though the air had been knocked from his lungs. “Holy- holy shit. I… fuck. Wait- no, there’s something I need to know.” Danael set his bewilderment aside for a moment. “Does- does Salvador know what Essirak did? What he did to my mother… and me?” Danael asked, the words feeling like poison leaving his lips.
Strefa took a deep breath. “That has recently been revealed, in a meeting between all of the Grandmasters within the council.” Strefa swallowed thickly, brows furrowed as though thinking deeply about something. “Thanks to that, and the bad reputation the Neo Harkites gained from the release of information caused the fleet to be disbanded.” Danael’s eyes widened for the millionth time that night, mouth agape in surprise. “And in its place, a fleet of my own was born.”
“Holy shit!” Danael blurted out, laughing. “Shit- guess I don’t have any reason to hate you anymore.” He chuckled, relieved, although his heart would not stop pounding. But the feeling in his belly felt less like rage and more like glee, prompting more bubbly laughs to flow from him. Danael ran a hand through his hair. “Holy shit, this is a lot to take in- congratulations, though.” Danael admitted, grin strained as he laughed, brows creased. He leaned against the railing, assessing the news. “That’s fucking insane.” Danael breathed, shaking his head in disbelief. “So, what does that mean for me?” Strefa gave a light shrug. “Not much. You’re not in the council, but you’ve been recognized by it.” Danael frowned somewhat. “Do I get a say in the council?” Strefa gave the man a “so-so” gesture, replying, “Very little, but you aren’t as much of an enemy as you were before.”
Danael heaved a sigh. “Holy shit.” He laughed. Strefa chuckled as well, stepping towards the captain. “But, there’s another reason I asked you here.” Danael perked up, arching a brow at Strefa. “It’s time we settled our disagreements man to man.” Danael stood up straighter, still hanging onto the rail for support, listening to Strefa’s spiel. ”Since the beginning, there have been so many parties working with and against each other, and tonight, we can put all hostilities to an end, just you and I.” Strefa puffed out his chest somewhat, an aura of authority coming over him- one Danael recognized from the first time he fought the tiefling. “I, Admiral of Vega’s Will, Strefa Iwih, challenge you, Cassadmiral Danael Sea-son to a duel. One between me and you, no one else.” Danael tensed, a hint fearful. “But not one to the death, not with fancy magic or advanced weaponry.” Strefa made sure to note, at which Danael immediately relaxed. Strefa slid off his coat and hung it over the railing, rolling up his sleeves.
“Just the old-fashioned way, with our fists.” Strefa’s knuckles cracked as he clenched them. “Will you defend your honor, Danael?” To Strefa’s slight surprise, Danael burst out laughing, keeling over somewhat. “You can’t- you can’t be serious?!” Danael laughed, shaking his head. “You’ll destroy me! Have you seen my arms?” Danael wriggled his forearms, still laughing. “Strength is not my forte, Strefa.” Strefa shrugged, smirking. “We can see about that.”
Danael was right about to reject the man, laughing off the Admiral and leaving. But air shimmered behind Strefa, Danael reeling in shock as he saw the reflection of his older self behind Strefa. His future self smirked knowingly, giving Danael a nod. Then, as quick as he appeared, Danael’s counterpart disappeared into nothing. Danael’s eyes flickered between Strefa and the spot his counterpart once stood, mouth agape as his mind reeled at what to say. He felt something loosen from his arms, his forearms cooling from the open air. Danael looked down to see his gauntlets fall away, leaving Danael perplexed and with bare arms. The hair on his arms stood up on their ends, Danael lifted his arms and felt along the bare skin and their scars. “The gloves come off, then?” Strefa commented, the captain glancing between the admiral and his arms. Danael let out a breathy laugh. “Yeah, I guess so.” Danael removed his coat, rolling up his sleeves. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” He laughed, nervous out of his mind as sweat slicked his brow. Strefa grinned in reply, getting into a fighting stance. “I’m sure this will be good, for both of us.”
The two pirates exchanged hits, one after the other. Some were dodged, some were struck, some were blocked and some were thrown. Danael surprised himself with a punch to Strefa’s jaw. A laugh bubbled out of him, the man taunting, “did that hurt your pretty face?” He faltered, stuttering. “I-I mean-“ only to nearly get knocked down by a punch to the gut. Danael shocked Strefa with a kick to the gut, only for the captain's smile to be knocked off his face by a punch to the nose, his glasses clattering to the ground as he stumbled back. Danael scrambled with alarm, hand instinctively flying up to cover his scarred eye. He reached down, keeping an eye on Strefa, grabbing his glasses and harshly putting them back on. They were cracked, but not broken. Strefa only smiled at Danael’s flustered state. “Nice scars.” Danael scowled somewhat, strafing forward to punch Strefa in the gut, only for the jab to be returned with a left hook to the ribs and a kick to the chest.
Strefa tried to grab Danael and succeeded, aiming to ram the captain into a wall. Danael threw his legs up, pushing off the bricks, and sent Strefa into the railing, the admiral letting out a strangled cry of pain as Danael broke free. Danael whirled around, punching him across the cheek. The tiefling grit his teeth, nose bloody as he dashed at Danael with a yell, barrelling into him. Strefa tackled Danael through the door, sending the two rolling. They both immediately scrambled to their feet, no true fury on either of their faces, to both of their surprise. Danael attempted a hook to the ribs, only to get knocked back by a punch to the gut, leaving Danael gasping. The captain staggered back, narrowly missing a kick to his chin. Danael grit his teeth, charging forward and punching Strefa in the gut, the tiefling nearly tripping over his feet as they were back outside and on the balcony. Strefa grabbed Danael, forcing him to the rail as Danael grabbed him as well, the two losing balance and falling to the floor. Danael ended on top of Strefa, the captain’s breath hitching as he panicked internally, face growing to be a bright red that rivaled his glasses. This time, Danael got up first, having scrambled off of the admiral, but he waited for Strefa to stand as well. The admiral smirked as he stood. “Still honorable, huh?” Danael rolled his eyes at Strefa’s remark, smiling through the pain as he spat blood from a bitten tongue. The two circled one another, weary of the next move.
After a few seconds of circling each other, Danael and Strefa charged. With the slight height advantage, Danael’s strike hits first, knocking Strefa back a bit as Strefa’s blow misses its mark. Strefa recovers just in time to dodge another punch to the face, returning the blow with a fist in Danael’s gut and face in quick succession. Danael’s glasses flew off once again, the man’s eyes widening in alarm, time moving in slow motion as Danael grabbed the glasses midair. Strefa is knocked back by a quick counter to the nose as Danael draws his glasses back towards him, dusting them off. The two begin circling each other again, before grabbing each other with gritted teeth and bloody noses. Strefa headbutts Danael first, glasses bending down the middle as Danael sees stars. The captain’s head tilts back, before thrusting itself back into Strefa’s face, trading headbutt for headbutt.
The two let go of one another's collars, blinking away their respective dazes and possible concussions. They stagger up before refocusing, and once again they begin exchanging punches. Danael hooked Strefa in the ribs, the admiral returning the favor almost immediately. Strefa kicked Danael in the hip, which Danael returns with a knee to the gut. The two trade every punch thrown, blow for blow. This continued for some time until Strefa landed a strong uppercut up Danael’s chin, to which the captain faltered, stumbling. Strefa’s attacks start flying in rapid succession, all connecting until Danael catches his fist, and finally began going on the offensive. The quick strikes start to slow, both pirates tiring of the ongoing fist fight.
Both Danael and Strefa swing one last punch toward one another, both pirates aiming for the knockout. The win. The final blow. Danael’s right fist hits Strefa on the cheek, just as Strefa’s hits Danael right below the temple. Their fists remain there for a brief moment, only for the two to immediately fall back and collapse onto their backs, exhausted as the sun begins to rise.
Their chests heaved. Danael tilted his head towards the sun, squinting. “What a view.” He chuckled, Strefa returning the soft sound with one of his own. “Wow.” Danael frowned, tilting his head back. “Czar?” He recognized the voice anywhere, the very same he suspected letting out a long and clearly guilty, “Uhhhhhh…” Danael groaned, running a hand down his face, only for his arm to flop to the side and give in to its soreness. “Sorry! Uh- we were just- uh-” Where there was one, there was always two. Morea revealed herself to be on the opposite end of the balcony, a nervous expression on her face. She offered Danael an awkward smile as he glared at her. “Czar let’s go!” She called out to the monk, hurrying back inside, the man following her.
Strefa laughed loudly as the two left, coughing somewhat as his ribs ached. “I believe that is the end of it, then?” He asked, slowly sitting up to lean against the railing. “Yeah,” Danael replied, wincing as he sat up as well. He watched the sunrise. “Thanks, by the way.” To told Strefa, the admiral standing with a smile, limping over to Danael. “Of course,” he replied, holding a hand out for Danael to take. Danael huffed, taking the hand and allowing Strefa to help him up using the rail as well as he worked himself back onto both feet.
“By the way,” Strefa began, prompting Danael’s brow to quirk up as he awaited the admiral’s next words.”If you could go ahead and check out something for me, you’d be doing me a huge favor.” Danael cracked his neck, asking, “What sort of thing?” Strefa made his way to the door, still limping as he leaned against the wood. “I haven’t heard from the former Neo Harkite Ensign in weeks, and I’m a little concerned. I’ll give you more on it later, but if you could check it out…” Danael sighed. “I'll see what I can do.” Strefa gave the man a smile, standing on both feet, albeit clearly favoring one over the other. “Thank you.” Danael rolled his eyes, ignoring the heat in his cheeks as he made his way towards the door as well. “Sure thing.” He replied curtly, only to falter in his steps, freezing abruptly. “Er-” Danael tensed, glancing down, then at Strefa, before turning around. “No…” He whispered, panicking.
Strefa arched a brow, leaning over to look over Danael’s shoulder, confused. “No…?” Strefa asked, confused. Danael flinched, stuttering. “Ah- look, uh-” He leaned over the railing, gripping it tightly as he clenched his jaw, panicking. “Do you- have you- er- I’ve fallen in love with women before, but-” Danael stumbled over his words, trying to maintain a relaxed smile as his eyes flickered to Strefa, but his skittishness was easy to see. “Have you- can men fall in love with other men?” Strefa chuckled. “Yes? I don’t see why they can’t.” Danael’s expression was oddly serious as he turned toward the man. “Have you seen it?” Strefa gave the captain an odd look. “Seen-?” A realization seemed to dawn on Strefa, the man letting out a soft laugh. “Come on.” He told Danael, the captain uneasy as Strefa opened the door for him.
Strefa lead Danael back inside, telling him, “follow me, “ as he opened another door into a room full of guest beds. Danael’s heart continued to beat harshly within his chest, nearly bursting from his ribcage as sweat collected on his brow and an odd and new sense of panic fluttered within his belly. Strefa turned to face Danael, chin tilted up at the captain. His face somehow turned redder, his adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed thickly, tense and clearly going through internal hysteria. Strefa almost burst out laughing at the captain’s face. “Danael.” He said, the man jumping upon hearing his name. “Y-Yeah?” Strefa snickered, patting Danael’s shoulder, the man jumping with every pat. “Relax.” He told Danael, his eyes darting left and right as the captain forced a smile. “Relax? I am relaxed, are you kidding-?” Strefa’s hand rested itself upon Danael’s cheek, the captain’s sentence breaking off into meaningless and mumble gibberish.
A snort left the admiral as Danael essentially melted into his hand, knees nearly buckling and sending the poor captain to the floor. “You know, that look you’ve always given me,” Strefa began, Danael’s shallow breathing mere inches away from becoming hyperventilating. “I always wondered if it was pure hate, or love. And the thing is, the line between both of those things are said to be very thin.” Danael swallowed another lump in his throat, hands shaking as the tiefling spoke. “So, Danael, I’m only going to ask you this once.” Danael clung to Strefa’s every word. “Do you hate me? Or is that look you're giving me right now an invitation for me to kiss you.” Danael’s eyes went wide, voice being caught in his throat and only escaping as a strangled gasp. “I- I-” He couldn’t force the words from his mouth. Danael closed his mouth, forcing his scrambling mind to come to a halt- even if it was only an instant.
“I- I don’t…” Danael took a shuddering breath. “I don’t hate you.” He finally answered, words tumbling from his lips clumsily like a newborn deer. Strefa let out a breath, shocking Danael somewhat as he saw the admiral appear relieved. “Good. I’m glad.” And with that Strefa took Danael’s face into both hands, bringing the captain forward and closer to his lips. He hesitated a mere moment, giving Danael ample time to push away. But to his surprise, Danael closed the gap, his lips meeting the tiefling’s with feverish energy. Danael cupped the back of Strefa’s neck, fingers becoming tangled within deadlocks. Minutes felt like nothing but seconds when the two broke away. Danael stood with pupils blown in awe, breathless. Strefa stared up at the captain, watching for any change in expression. “Dan-” The pirate turned into a puddle before the admiral, a high whine escaping Danael’s throat as he melted into an overwhelmed puddle of embarrassed red.
Yeah, Danael thought while on the floor. I think I want more of that.
Strefa knelt down to check on the poor captain, chuckling. “Are you alright, Danny?” Danael didn’t reply, the nickname only spurring on the fluttery feeling within Danael’s stomach. The tiefling had little time to think as the captain’s arms wrapped around him, drawing him in for another kiss.
eeeeee! I've played this game and it's awesome and this art is also awesome!!! like bro its such a cute game ya'll gotta watch a letsplay of it or something
When you first start playing dnd, majority of the time your characters aren't very fleshed out (unless you already have experience in character creation of course). Amai was my first ever dnd character who started out in need of character development, and also had an interesting and fleshed out backstory. I loved her, and I still do, but what sucks is that I was never able to complete her story- the campaign I had created her for ended up disbanding because of covid and lack of communication. But I still think back on her, becasue thanks to her, I was able to create Danael, a character in desperate need of character development and also an interesting and fleshed-out backstory. I could say the same about Nova Reynosa (another dnd character who I don't talk about much, but play as in another campaign), but while she could use character development, she doesn't really need it.
But Amai was a pacifist in a dog-eat-dog world- the majority of the party I had been playing with played quick-to-kill characters, which obviously created conflict. The other players would either want to protect her innocence or toss her out because her pacifism was an annoyance. It brought about a lot of conflict, and it made playing the game a little more difficult, but it made things so much fun. It made Amai seem a lot more human, in an odd way too.
It's too bad I wasn't able to see her character arc follow through, but maybe one day I'll join a campaign I'll feel is right for her.
Also, here are some notes/ her backstory from when I wrote her way back when I was like, I don't know, 14? So excuse the shitty writing and grammar.
Her story begins when she was 4. She was found wandering alone in the forest by Artemis and her scouts (wolves, owls, deer, bears, fellow sisters/ huntresses, you know the deal). She took Ami into her care and raised her to be a hunter and granted her the abilities of an aasimar. They hunted together and Ami became like a daughter or sister to Artemis and vice versa. One day when Ami was 14 they ended up running into the wrong crowd and Ami ended up overexerting her aasimar abilities, thus becoming (or turning out to be) a scourge aasimar and burning her right eye to the point it ended up being blind. This woke Artemis from her trance of finally having a true sister and realized that having Ami by her side only put Ami in danger. So Artemis erased all memories that Ami had and had a deer bring her to the closest village with her blessing. The village ended up raising her and becoming to know her very well. Ami knows that something in her life is missing, and has spent the past two years travelling in hopes of finding out what. She is now 16.
The village was home to humans and half-elves who were all very kind to her (which is why she turned out the way she did and became a pacifist) That is also why she thinks she's a half-elf (pointy ears). When she arrived at the doorstep of one particularly kind family, she arrived in a bundle of blankets with only a moon crescent necklace (which she still wears to this day)
Some things to know about her is that she always hides her scarred eye because a) she’s insecure about it and b) she doesn’t want to go into the fact that she doesn’t remember the first 14 years of her life. She was always attracted to the moon and feels better in its presence along with how she had always gotten along with deer and wolves. From time to time she notices owls watching her. She’s connecting the dots (or has) but denies the possibility that she could’ve known a goddess or a goddess knows her.
She was basically Artemis's right hand/ sister and she was a true neutral ranger at the time. Now she is a lawful good wizard.
When you first start playing dnd, majority of the time your characters aren't very fleshed out (unless you already have experience in character creation of course). Amai was my first ever dnd character who started out in need of character development, and also had an interesting and fleshed out backstory. I loved her, and I still do, but what sucks is that I was never able to complete her story- the campaign I had created her for ended up disbanding because of covid and lack of communication. But I still think back on her, becasue thanks to her, I was able to create Danael, a character in desperate need of character development and also an interesting and fleshed-out backstory. I could say the same about Nova Reynosa (another dnd character who I don't talk about much, but play as in another campaign), but while she could use character development, she doesn't really need it.
But Amai was a pacifist in a dog-eat-dog world- the majority of the party I had been playing with played quick-to-kill characters, which obviously created conflict. The other players would either want to protect her innocence or toss her out because her pacifism was an annoyance. It brought about a lot of conflict, and it made playing the game a little more difficult, but it made things so much fun. It made Amai seem a lot more human, in an odd way too.
It's too bad I wasn't able to see her character arc follow through, but maybe one day I'll join a campaign I'll feel is right for her.
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