Burned My Wings

Multi muse RP blog

[moosemuses]

Information

Selective | Low activity | 18 + only | OC friendly | Mutuals only

20+ years of RP experience (recent return to the tumblr RPC after years of being away)

Multifandom: Witcher, Star Wars, Modern/fantasy, Nioh/RotR, TES, Horizon series, dragon age, mass effect and more.

Multimuse.

Due to this being a recent return, not all info is 100% there yet but I'm absolutely willing to answer any questions about any muses or such!

Carrd rules

Carrd bio

Mobile rules below:

==QUICK INFO.==

Roleplaying is one of my many hobbies. I will be slow.

I'm located in Sweden, 35+ of age.

This blog is for RP and for me to explore my own characters through memes etc.

A lot of my icons and gifs are my own, please don't use them. Un-edited icons are from hollow-art.

Each muse bio might have specific RP info too in their bio.

==INTERACTIONS.==

Don't be a dick, please reblog memes from the source, don't god mod, don't use AI.

I am not afraid to use the block button; and would request the same if you don't like what I'm doing. I'm not here for any drama.

I tend to adapt my formatting to who I write with. I'm fine with icons, no icons, small text or regular text.

We're all busy with life, sometimes threads are dropped and things are missed. Reminders are welcome.

Don't reblog threads/things you're not involved in. Comments are a different thing and appreciated.

I follow people I want to interact with, if there's no interest, I will unfollow again.

With canons (Lambert really), I have duplicate anxiety and thus won't interact with duplicates (odds are I'll block them too to avoid misunderstandings etc)

==FANDOMS.==

Most of my muses have multiple fandoms I can write in. If not, I can usually easily make one up for them.

In many cases, I have my own headcanons about lore and such. So if I write something that isn't canon, it's most likely on purpose.

As for any Star Wars RPers out there, I have _very_ strong opinions about the canon version of TBB. Please look at my disclaimer for more info. I'm not likely to RP with any characters from TBB unless we're of the same opinion.

With Witcher, I prefer the games. I don't know enough about the books and the tv show I ignore.

==SHIPPING==

I am extremely unlikely to ship with anyone these days, due to past experiences.

IF it were to happen, it takes a very long time and requires a good rapport both IC and OOC.

Don't force ship. Most of my muses are involved with my own characters (or canons) so it'll just get really awkward.

==TAGS.==

I tag anything particular like gore tw, blood tw, etc.

I don't write NSFW, however gore/body horror happens.

I won't touch interactions involving pregnancy/childbirth. (tagging these things are appreciated but not required)

Animal death warnings are appreciated.

[moosemuses]

Lambert verses

Lambert's verses all start with his Witcher 3 verse (game Lambert) which results in a few different scenarios. Short info is bulleted, detailed info is under the readmore.

Important locations and things for the various verses: More detailed info in this post.

Sardis: An original country far in the south, ruled by Kherus (an OC of mine) Deserts, steppes and the occasional jungle are the main biomes of this land, with a large bustling city filled with trade and a royal palace. The architecture consists mainly of ancient Persia designs, as well as some Egypt; same with the clothing styles.

Morrow: An island to the west, where my original witchers exist. Centipede witchers. Based on dunmer from Skyrim and the island/culture is based of Japan.

Actual verses:

Main verse: Takes place before/during and shortly after Witcher 3. Younger Lambert with black hair.

Old Wolf AU: The keep and the other Wolf witchers are attacked a year after Witcher 3 and Geralt and Eskel dies, along with Kaer Morhen being destroyed. For years, Lambert is alone. Older Lambert with grey hair. He can be found just about everywhere and is very done with things. New monsters have appeared and Witchers are needed again more than ever.

Witcher Morrow AU: A Nioh/Witcher crossover, where demons/corruption spread into the Witcher world. A few years after Witcher 3, Eskel starts up the Wolf Witcher school again. Isaiah and Hide helps him, with some assistance from the Centipede witcher school on Morrow. Lambert remains on the path, occasionally visiting until he becomes a more steady presence in the school.

Werebadger AU: Turns out Lambert has a latent family curse that forcibly turns him into a werebadger at the end of Witcher 3. This Lambert is a lot more wary of other witchers, for good reasons.

Arena AU: A sub AU to the Werebadger AU. Lambert is kidnapped a year after he's shapeshifted for the first time and is taken into an arena. He's tortured for years and brought down to nothing but an obedient slave, until Eskel finds and rescues him. This Lambert lacks his left ringer finger and thus can't cast signs on that hand.

Any AU is open for interaction; it might require some communication in preferences, though I am partial to older Lambert myself so I'd say I 'main' the older version, if nothing else is clarified.

Main Witcher 3 verse

Lambert inherited much of his mother Astra's kindness and softness, something his father Torvald tried to beat out of him. Lambert's prayers were almost answered one day when Torvald came home injured and almost dead. However, it was short lived as the Witcher who had rescued him, Vesemir, was soon to follow. As a reward for saving the man's life, Vesemir wanted the thing that Torvald saw when he first entered his home. Which happened to be Lambert. And thus Lambert was ripped away from his home, to become a Witcher in the Wolf School at Kaer Morhen.

Many years later, Lambert was done with his training and sent out to continue the Path of taking out monsters. The first thing he did was to travel back to his family home, only to find a much older Torvald but no Astra. The father claimed disease had taken her but Lambert had become very skilled with detecting the truth in the environment and from people. After questioning the villagers, he figured out that Torvald had most likely beaten Astra to death.

Enraged, Lambert confronted Torvald, who confessed to his crime and before Lambert could stop himself, he committed patricide on the spot. Needless to say, he had to flee the place, before he continued his solitary Path, only returning to Kaer Morhen to winter.

During the events of Witcher 3, Lambert aids Geralt and the others. Vesemir's death hits Lambert harder than he thought it would and he sticks around with Eskel for some time.

Old Wolf AU

After Witcher 3, Lambert and the other witchers return to the keep next winter, mainly to discuss what to do without Vesemir there. They linger far into spring, making plans, which would become their downfall. They're attacked by a strange mercenary group, who manages to surprise them all. Eskel and Geralt are killed in the defense of the keep, leaving Lambert cradling Eskel's body as he lays dying. Before he can venture inside the keep to find the others the whole place blows up, barely leaving Lambert himself alive to search through the ruins.

When it's clear that the other's can't have survived, he leaves, never to set foot in a ruined Kaer Morhen again. He sets back out on the Path, doing so for a few lonely and bitter decades. During these years, Lambert earns himself quite a rumour as the Black Wolf; a lone wolf just trying to be a Witcher. Witchers have become less and less popular, along with mages and sorceresses and he lives his life under constant threat. The mercenary group that took out the others at Kaer Morhen are still at large and Lambert never manages to track them down, despite his best attempts.

Ever since the Witcher 3 events, strange things has started to happen in the world. At first it was the scarce appearances of new monsters, but after a few decades, it's blown up into a disaster. Monsters are in abundance again and across the continent, there's talk about somehow starting up the Witcher schools again, as they are needed. Being one of the few Witchers around in the north, Lambert spends a lot of time studying and killing these new monsters, becoming an expert on them.

When the bounty hunters after him become too numerous in the north, he heads back south which has seen some changes. Sardis, a powerful country there has a new King, a remarkable man. It happens to be Kherus, who just a few years earlier, had taken over. Lambert spends a lot of time in Sardis' deserts and jungles, carving out a new life for himself.

Witcher Morrow (Nioh crossover)

The corruption from the world of Nioh enters along with Hide, spreading a new type of monsters into the world. People blame the Witchers at Kaer Morhen and they're forced to flee to Morrow and join the Centipedes Witchers there instead, while trying to figure out what really happened. This happens shortly after the Witcher 3 events.

Eventually, with how dangerous the world has quickly become, Eskel returns to Kaer Morhen once it's safe and starts up the Witcher School again. Isaiah and Hide helps him, while Geralt retires to Toussaint. Lambert is more sceptical and continues the Path for a while, taking out the new monsters. In the middle of this, Amrita is starting to spread, leading to increased corruption.

This is a darker Witcher world, where the Schools do make a return and Eskel becomes the Grandmaster of the Wolf School. These events eventually lead to an Oldbert who becomes a swordmanship trainer at the School.

Werebadger AU

Lambert is nearly killed during the Witcher 3 events, which seems to trigger a latent curse inherited from his mother. The others are very shocked to see him transform into a giant, dark werebadger. Geralt and Eskel manage to bring him down without hurting him. After this, Lambert struggles with his role as a Witcher. Eventually, he accepts his fate and continues his Witcher work, though he's forever wary of other witchers and becoming a contract himself.

Arena AU

A sub AU to the Werebadger AU. Lambert is kidnapped a year after he's shapeshifted for the first time and is taken into an arena. He's tortured for years and brought down to nothing but an obedient slave, until Eskel finds and rescues him. He has lost the ring finger on his left hand, making him unable to cast signs with that hand. He eventually regains a sense of himself and continues on the Path.

[moosemuses]

My Witcher lore

Over the years I've developed a bit of my own Witcher related lore and tidbits. It's mainly things I have in mind for myself but it's good to know from an outsider perspective. I absolutely don't expect (or necessarily want) others to use this for their witchers, but it's what I'm using for mine.

Witchers

Witchers don’t have their emotions really mutated out of them; they’re trained to suppress them. The mutations make it a bit easier, that’s all.

Female Witchers aren’t new to them, they exist and they know it.

Their eyes reflect in the dark and their pupils will change size depending on mood and light. This means all Witchers can see fairly well in the dark as it is but a Cat potion makes it into actual daylight levels

They can't cast signs without their medallions on.

Lore on the Wolf school, Sardis, Morrow and Centipede witchers below.

Wolf school

(I am aware there's been more lore released through other games but right now I'm content using my own)

The Wolves, unlike the other Schools are a very tightly knitted bunch; not necessarily because they all know each other well though. There’s simply an instinctual pack feeling that follows the Wolves - whether it’s been ingrained in them through training or literally followed through the mutations. You’ll be hard pressed to find any Wolves willing to betray or even fight each other, unless absolutely necessary. Of course, exceptions exist.

Wolves eat like, well wolves. The way to a Wolf’s heart is simply through their stomach and they can eat a lot in one setting. Life on the Path is rough and they’re extreme opportunists with their food. They never know when the next meal will show (which goes for a lot of witchers actually), so they’ll devour everything they can in a short time. A Wolf picky with their food is a rare sight.

They’re not the fastest nor the strongest witchers, but their endurance and stamina is nothing to laugh at. They can hunt their targets for a very long time, easily out running any humans (even other witchers) and monsters. If you’ve got a Wolf witcher on your trail, the odds are big you’ll become exhausted long before they do. Whether they hunt you or fight you.

Just like actual wolves, they can be any size really. Most often, they’ll be medium to heavy builds though; comparing more to Bears than to say Cats. Powerful arms and backs to handle using two handed swords as much as they do.

All Wolves have amber coloured eyes.

Sardis

Sardis used to be a quiet and peaceful country, neighboring Ofir to the south, until its recent King took over - who duelled the last one and came out victorious. Now there’s a lot of activity going on, with entire armies being recruited and trained, it’s clear from listening to any visitors that Sardis is preparing for war but to what scale no one knows.

Deserts, dry steppes and mountains are the most common themes in the country. The capital and the royal palace is situated in the center, along one of the largest rivers in the whole continent. The harsh climate offers enough deterrence to any would be attackers but just in case, almost every city and village are walled off, tied together with secure trading routes. The river itself offers ample trading opportunities.

The architecture consists mainly of ancient Persia designs, as well as some Egypt; same with the clothing styles.

Religion is a strong theme in Sardis, as they believe in several gods, who all represent an element or concept. For instance, the ruling deity, a man with a snake’s head, called Ahestor, governs all the other gods, as well as is the royal family’s chosen god. All gods and goddesses follow a similar theme, of having a human body with an animal’s head.

Pretty much everything is handled through dueling in Sardis. There are specific professions that involve this too. There are those who can be hired to fight duels for others, and those that work as judges for any duel and keep tally on all matters of duels in the country.

The succession of who is King or Queen is handled through dueling as well. Anyone can challenge the current ruler, if they think they can survive the ordeal.

Morrow

Morrow is an island to the west of Nilfgaard; filled with riches and bountiful resources. Despite having almost every type of climate, the prominent ones are lush fields and forests with colorful trees, conifer forests, swamps and wide plains of steppes.

What brings the whole island together, is the abundance of monsters and exotic creatures. So much so that there are several specialised trades on various monster parts and many people would go without work if the monsters were fully eradicated. Therefore, unlike on the mainland, the witchers of Morrow follow stricter rules when it comes to monster slaying. Sometimes, it’s preferable to simply redirect the monster if possible or try various rituals and offerings to placate the beast; at least the monsters whose parts can be harvested while the monster is still alive and remain healthy.

Senselessly killing monsters, whether you’re human or a witcher, is very much frowned upon and can end up in hefty punishments. In most places, people don’t even call these monsters exactly that. They’re just beasts, like all the other animals. The vicious ones are usually referred to as demons or creatures, while the docile ones by their actual names or just beasts.

Morrow will trade with anyone who offers a fair trade back; but their rich land is of interest to many, including Nilfgaard, especially years after the mage hunts occur.

So far, no one’s dared to invade them though as they are a people known for their combat prowess. Not only does the witchers act as a small army if a threat arises, there are clans across the island of hardened warriors who act like a second buffer against the dangerous wildlife when the Witchers aren’t around. (Clothes and architecture are Japanese inspired during the 1100s-1400s, as well as ethnicity.)

As mentioned above, Centipede witchers maintain an important role in Morrow; and are very much respected, unlike their counterparts on the continent. It’s considered an honour to house a witcher for the night in one’s house. They carry with them interesting tales and a feeling of security that no one will reject.

Centipede witchers cull monsters as they see fit, while maintaining a healthy balance between humans and monsters, in order to protect both from being wiped out. They educate non witchers on methods to keep their families and lands safe. They’re not just monster slayers and many have deep social networks in order to be able to determine the amount of monsters in the area; as well as communicate often with other witchers. Much of their work consists of scouting and investigating an area’s wildlife before they make decisions.

Other Schools of witchers are welcome to the island, provided they follow the rules set by the local witchers. Anyone who doesn’t and comes over mainly to slaughter every monster they find, is kicked out.

The Centipede School

The School itself follows the many basics of every other School. Only here, most willingly become a witcher and parents will be honoured to surrender their child to the School if requested. The trials are still tough though, and they still kill a great deal of the children.

The mages responsible for the mutations use a rare specimen of a centipede’s poison for the very mould of the mutations. The heavier armoured centipede that populates the entire island, with colourful plates over grey skin and red eyes, became the symbol of the witcher school.

The Centipede witchers are tall, toned witchers. While not as enduring as Wolves or as strong as the Bears or as fast as the Cats, their magical prowess is intense and very much focused into their close combat style.

These witchers perhaps undergo the strongest physical changes of any School. The mutations will cause their skin to turn greyish, sometimes dark, sometimes lighter; the sclera in their eyes will turn red or black with the feline irises always turning an intense red. Some even develop slightly pointed ears and even sharper fangs, creating rumours about exactly what the mages use for the trails. (based on dunmer from TES)

Due to their extreme eye changes, Centipede Witchers can only see marginally better in the dark than humans and Cat potions are a near must for them. 

These witchers use light to medium gear - often a type of chitin-, usually very decorative and colourful; the latter depends on the witcher and their preferred location. Especially to the north, many of them will use helmets with goggles built into them, using a specific see through material harvested from the giant centipedes. This is to protect their eyes from the many storms to the north, which are either filled with dust, sand or snow. 

Fond of using one handed swords - katanas or sabres, depending on the witcher’s preference -, they tend to keep their other hand free for spell casting. These witchers excel in their signs  and have a natural resistance to magic in general.

Their spell hand uses a clawed glove, from which they can also lacerate someone badly when they’re not coating the hand or glove in Igni or any of the other signs. Quen allows them to add so much more strength to a punch without hurting themselves (enough to punch through stone walls), Yrden allows them to physically grab at a wraith, etc.

They’re very dependent on getting up close to their foes; using agility and strong chitin armour that still remains light, in order to protect themselves. Most know how to use a bow, but prefer to bait monsters close to them and wait patiently for flying beasts to land.

They’re an honourable bunch, which can be used against them and they’re very distrusted outside of Morrow, due to their appearance and reluctance to take off their masks on the continent. Many decide to stay on the island due to this and because they don’t really understand the traditions on the continent. 

[moosemuses]

Hide's full background

(this contains spoilers for Nioh and a little for Rise of the Ronin - also rotr isn't connected to nioh's universe in canon but it is in my stuff!)

Miyoshino gives birth to twins in 1525 AD, on the 14th of September. The twins are separated to keep them safe, as their mother is a yokai (A demon), meaning her sons are Shiftlings or half demons. Hide lives with his mother for ten years, until she's murdered by Kashin Koji. The event leaves Hide traumatized and injured enough to the point that talking forever becomes difficult for him and he's selectively mute during most of the Nioh era. He spends his teenager years on the streets, where he's often bullied for being half a demon. At the age of 26, he cuts a lonely life as a demon hunter.

Fate would have him encounter Tokichiro, who accepts him for who he is and drags him along on his adventures. As Nioh 2 takes place, Hide becomes an important instrument during the 1500s in Japan. He encounters his father and his twin but loses them quickly again, due to the conflicts and the Spirit Stones corrupting most people around. Along with Tokichiro, he starts to work for Oda Nobunaga and gets to know Mumyo, the leader of the now extinct Sohaya - a clan of yokai hunters.

Eventually Tokichiro and Hide asks to share a name together; Hideyoshi; and the pair spend the next years battling in Nobunaga's name. The more Spirit Stones that Tokichiro collects however, the stranger he grows and the bond between him and Hide becomes strained. As decades pass, Hide realises he doesn't age with the rest of them, due to his nature as a half demon.

Saika Magoichi tries to kill him at some point as they're in opposite forces. They very quickly form a bond, despite their battle in which Hide came out the victor. They part ways, but there's a growing interest between them that lingers. Nobunaga is killed, due to Tokichiro conspiring against him, having now been corrupted by the Spirit Stones. Hide is shocked and has no interest in following him in this path and him and Mumyo join the rebels. During this time, the Saika aids them and Magoichi personally takes on training Hide in the use of rifles, as well as swords as whatever Hide knows already is clearly self taught. They grow closer; close enough that Hide learns Magoichi's real name; Suzuki Shigehide.

Hide quickly comes to blows with Tokichiro; reluctantly ending his life for the greater good, however it only lasts a short while. Kashin Koji resurrects him and later on; it's Hide who is slain by a much more powerful Tokichiro, using his own dagger.

The Interim is the place where all dead must pass and since Hide can't really die; thanks to his origins, his visit there is short. He does encounter his mother here again for the first time; who is very happy to see him but haven't been able to rejoin the world of the living after her death. She tells him to reforge the blade Sohayamaru, which is in fact part of his glowing dagger and Mumyo's medallion. Objects, along with the actual blade, that grants eternal life to whoever wields it. As he returns to the living world, he asks the others for help, realizing that a lot of time has passed between his 'death' and awakening.

Hide is surprised to learn that Shigehide is no longer the leader of the Saika, having passed that role down to his nephew; who is now the new Saika Magoichi. Instead, Shigehide joined the rebels, as he greatly detests Tokichiro's new reign. Their time apart has made them both realise how much they really care for each other and they're officially a pair after Hide's return.

Tokichiro; now a powerful lord years later, have more or less taken over. Hide returns to end his reign once and for all; killing him with the help of the now forged blade. Tokichiro apologizes for what he's done, now that he's come to his sense; claiming it all as having been one long living nightmare for him that he couldn't escape.

Hide fights Kashin; defeating him as well; and perhaps for once ending his chaos, as he's the one who has been possessing people in order to cause havoc across the land. Otakemaru as the man turns out to be; is an ancient yokai who Hide seals away forever; fulfilling the destiny he was set out with. In doing so, he falls into a deep slumber that lasts for almost two decades.

He awakes again, because of Maria; a woman who arrives in Japan to free Otakemaru (During Nioh 1 events) and in doing so, Hide's freed from his own slumber. The man chasing Maria, William; is a foreigner who happens to be around when Hide awakes with red eyes, a sign of possession. Their ensuing battle is what knocks the sense back into Hide and he joins him in taking down Maria.

Hide learns that the rebellious group that took down Tokichiro in the first place, has now converted over to a group of people who'll kill yokai and also keep watch over any Spirit Stones, to avoid them being misused again, something that Maria directly does. Mumyo and Shigehide are still a part of it; neither having aged at all due to Mumyo having worn the medallion (which is actually the cross guard of the blade) and Shigehide who took Hide's dagger after he fell asleep, so it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. The reunion is happy, especially between Hide and Shigehide who refused to abandon Hide even after eighteen years.

During these events, Maria also resurrects Tokichiro; hoping to bring the cruel lord back and someone Otakemaru is more than happy to possess again. Before he can however, Hide intervenes and ends up possessed himself. As he fights off Otakemaru inside his own mind to regain his control; he's aided by no other than Tokichiro who luckily is his old self after his resurrection. Otakemaru is finally defeated once and for all; Maria is stopped and peace returns to Japan. Tokichiro leaves the world of the living peacefully and Hide, Mumyo and Shigehide go on to continue ridding Japan of yokai and watching over any remaining Spirit Stones.

Hide experiences a few time travel events that lead him to encountering his mother and learning that Otakemaru is actually his uncle. It's an uncomfortable truth for him and one he tries not to think about.

In between Nioh 2 (1525-1616) and Rise of the Ronin (1853) the Sohaya is rebuilt into a clan that protects the Spirit Stones and makes sure that no one attempts to use them for evil again. They gather magical artefacts and kill hostile yokai where they can, although the spirits and the demons calm down a lot in this time, due to the lack of the Spirit Stones presence. To the point where the public almost forgets that they still exist.

In 1724, Shigehide is assassinated by Shogun spies, who has started to see the clan as a rival force; not trusting their use of magic and strength. While Hide kills the man responsible, he's so distraught and broken that his body shuts down and he enters a very long sleep. It's first in 1811 that he wakes up again, to a new world but a thankfully similar clan. Shortly after that Mumyo decides to stop extending her life to build a family and gives birth to a boy called Reyse in 1815.

In 1837, Hide encounters a nine year old shiftling, who lost his family and village to a shogunate raid, called Tenshin. He takes him to the Sohaya, who raises the boy as a warrior. Hide quickly starts to see the other half yokai as a younger brother, trying to give him the care he himself didn't get as an orphan.

In 1853 (Rise of Ronin events begin) the black ships arrive to Japan, and the clan finds out that there is a Spirit Stone on one of the ships. Hide and Tenshin are sent out to investigate. While Hide collects the Spirit Stone and a secret document, the Blue Demon shows up with a weapon that is capable of taking out yokai. Tenshin is injured in the fray and before Hide can react, he's shot and killed himself. His body, per his nature, dissipates and he's re-formed by a shrine on land but by the time that happens, the ships are long gone.

A few weeks later shogun spies raid the clan, killing most of the Sohaya. Mumyo and a few others manage to survive as Hide covers their escape. While Mumyo decides to rebuild the clan further inland, Hide heads out to try and find Tenshin, as he can feel he's still alive through his Guardian Spirit. Declaring himself a ronin to keep the Sohaya safe, Hide encounters Ryoma Sakamoto in 1858, having no idea what that man will bring him in his life... or that Hide will once again become involved in Japan's politics.

[moosemuses]

{ femur, tibia, and tarsals for Hide }

HC meme

femur. what drives them forward ?

The wish to prevent something as catastrophic as the spirit stones to end up in the wrong hands again. In order to make up for what he failed to do before.

tibia. who/what keeps them moving forward ?

Sheer stubbornness. He can't die after all. People help too. There's almost always someone important in his life he can rely on.

It was first Tokichiro, later on Shigehide, then Tenshin and currently Ryoma.

But beyond that, Hide has a strong desire to protect anyone. He's highly empathic with human and spirits, even if a lot of humans frustrate him a lot.

tarsals. what past mistakes stick with them with every step they take ?

Hide has a tremendous guilt over what happened to Tokichiro. He knew him well and should have seen the road he was walking, long before things turned so wrong. Hide's failure had so many killed. It wasn't until Tokichiro moved on that Hide managed to forgive himself, but he'll never be able to forget it. It's a thought that remains in the back of his head. When will it happen again?

[moosemuses]

(okay I actually grabbed trim reblogs from Xkit now so that should be solved at least ghfghh, dammit times were easier back then)

[moosemuses]

"Look, the gist of my fucking job is this," he gestures for each sentence with his hands pressed together.

"Monster shows up, people scream. People hire witcher, witcher kills monster. People can't pay witcher, now witcher has to kill people."

He throws his hands out to the sides.

"And people keep wondering why I'm so pissed off all the time."

[moosemuses]

Back scars (Lambert)

The Black Blood was an uncomfortable potion; it felt like his blood was burning; but it’d be much worse for the vampire before him, if she decided to take a bite out of his throat. She was pacing around him in the rain; snarling; naked, delicate features remaining even now that she had been exposed. Proud, her head high; in her head, witchers were below her, nothing more than sheep, like the rest of them. Several had fallen under her claws and teeth; she didn’t imagine this one would be any different.

   Of course, it rained. It always fucking rained down here. The sword hilt was slippery under his hands; as he held it with both, raised against his shoulder. Hair plastered against his forehead, gear drenched already; he might as well be doing this in a river.

   “Stop fucking toying with me, no one cares,” he rolled his eyes; her pacing was getting tedious and he wasn’t foolish enough to charge for her first. The bruxa snarled at the taunt, a snarl that quickly turned into a loud shriek. Her hair was drenched wet too, her skin glistening like all bruxae did.

   The witcher glanced at the nearby buildings; hoping people had the sense to stay inside during this. It was unfortunate that he had tracked her to a city. Even more unfortunate that she had discovered him and taken matters into her own hands. How awkward, the hunter turned prey. Lambert swirled the sword once, taking it into one hand now, as his other extended out from his side. Forming his fingers until the purple glow manifested on the cobblestones around him.

   She cloaked, as expected; darting forward. The rain, while cumbersome, came with one advantage. It was easier to see where she was, since the rain revealed her cloaked figure. His eyes fell to her feet, seeing where they splashed against the ground and he grinned viciously, side stepping past her first attack, sword held close to his body as he did so; edge aimed against her. The vampire shrieked when her claws and fingers fell against the oil coated silver, Yrden destroyed her cloak as she staggered out from the circle. Hunched over, she watched the blood on her fingers, lips curling in rage, before she had no choice but to jump backwards as the witcher hadn’t paused in his attack.

   Lambert missed this time but he used the momentum to turn and run along her side, moving quickly as the sword swung upwards this time, towards her shoulder. At the last moment, he feinted, turning direction and her side step launched her straight into the blade. Lambert twisted the blade as he saw it impale her side, working fast to try and take her out before she’d actually get pissed off. Her hand flew up though, backhanding him with such force that he fell to the ground; taking the sword with him.

   “Fuck,” he hissed, flexing his jaw with a crack, while staggering back up on his feet. She lunged towards him, forcing him to dodge backwards; he felt her claws nick his forearm, before he twisted the sword back, hitting her chin with the pommel of the sword instead. The bruxa flailed backwards, sprawling as she screamed in fury, before getting up on all fours, staring him out. His upper lip curled unpleasantly, before he charged forward; throwing Quen on himself as he did so.

   He practically threw himself on top of her when she stood again, trusting the shield to stop her first attack and that he’d be able to overpower her before a second attack got him. One foot landed on her arm, pinning her down; her other hand swiped at the shield furiously, screeching as his sword threatened to impale her chest this time. He felt her chest heave suddenly, the high-pitched sound forming inside of her lungs and his eyes widened in alarm, before he threw himself to the side instead. Her shriek attack directly missed him, but the sound from it left his ears ringing, as he gritted his teeth in the pain of it; making the throbbing pain in his jaw even worse.

   She was suddenly over him this time; launching up on his shoulders and back; wrapping her legs around his chest. Her wet hair covered his sight suddenly, the way she had flung over him and he felt her foul breath over his neck.

   “Fine, drink it then,” he growled, reaching back to grab at her arm; still trying to pull her off of him. He’d prefer if she didn’t, after all, but when he felt her sink her teeth into his neck, he realised the choice had been made for him.

   A painful noise escaped him when she basically tore out a chunk of flesh from his throat in her effort; his fingers drew blood from her skin as he tugged harder at her arm; struggling for his life now. She had seemed content at first, until she realised his blood wasn’t fit to be anywhere near her throat. The vampire started to choke; spitting out blood by his shoulder suddenly. Maybe she understood what he had done; because she gathered enough strength to jump off of his back, before she wildly raked her claws down his entire back, almost as if taking satisfaction from the slow blow.

   This time he couldn’t hold back the loud cry of pain; as he felt even the front of his ribcage vibrate as the claws cut into the bone. The gazes were deep; blood oozed out within moments, especially when he forced himself to move despite them. It was now or never, or he’d just become another forgotten medallion in passing; lost in some obscure city.

   She was still staggering; coughing up the poison that was his blood and Lambert strode up to her, almost dragging the sword behind him. Pale eyes turned to face him before he swung the sword in a wide arc across her shoulders. His chest heaved as he watched her head slowly slide off her shoulders; not pulling back the sword until her body crumbled to the ground as well.

   “Fucking bitch,” he snarled, attempting to sheathe the sword when he realised, he couldn’t even bend his shoulder that far back. Let alone that the sheath itself had been eviscerated by her claws; the steel sword only clung to the sword harness by a thread. He’d have hoped she had hit the sword instead of his back, but she had somehow managed to slide past it.

   Lambert was downing a Swallow already before he picked up her head; attaching it to the hook by his belt, purely by habit. Everything right now was out of habit; he had nothing to go on but instincts honed over decades. He wasn’t out of the woods yet and he knew it; the wound on his back was lethal and the rain hardly helped in cleaning it. Looking up to the sky, he closed his eyes, pressing his teeth together again in pain, before letting out a sharp gasp between them. He was in a city. There had to be healers.

   A few doors had opened in the houses along the street now, curious citizens who possibly had seen the fight through the windows. Wide eyes, hushed whispers, mothers clutching their children; as they stood in the doorways, the light of fire behind them looking incredibly tempting right now.

   He killed it single handedly. It wasn’t admiration he heard in their supposed whispers. Freak. Lambert looked away, he knew there’d be no help from people like that. If we’re lucky he’ll bleed to death, leave us be. His gaze fell down the street, spotting the sign hanging outside one of the buildings there.

   The sign was that of a healer and he made his way there, carrying the silver sword in his hand still. He heard the doors close behind him, felt their eyes in his back from the windows. The cold rain was starting to seep into his bones; not making the burning sensation on his back any better. He was tired, as he walked up to the door with the sign and knocked on it. Lambert heard someone shuffle from within, someone reluctant to open it. He suddenly slammed his fist into the door; he had no fucking patience for their stupidity when his life was on the line.

   “Open the fucking door or I’ll break it down, it’s your fucking choice,” he roared close to the surface of the door. Amber eyes glared at the shorter, older man who opened the door suddenly; glaring back at him.

   “Ugly and rude,” the man claimed instantly. Lambert’s irises rolled to the heavens for a moment in exasperation. Then he turned slightly, showing the wounds on his back.

   “Too stubborn to just roll over, I take it,” the healer grumbled. “Can you pay?”

   “Yes.” With that Lambert staggered inside, ignoring the protests about the muddy boots. Or having a mutant under his roof. What would the others say?

   “I ain’t doin’ nothin’ until I see the coin,” the healer insisted. “I’ll take 60.”

   “60?!” Lambert spat; that was two whole fucking contracts. The older man smiled cruelly.

   “You’re dyin’. Ain’t got a choice. Pay up or you can walk out.” The wolf growled, bristling to the point where the hand the healer held out started to tremble. But he was beginning to feel weak; the pain was starting to become too much, even if sheer stubbornness stopped him from outright showing it. If looks could have killed, the healer’d be nothing but a smear on the wall, but Lambert handed him two pouches with thirty gold in them each.

   The human hurried to fetch the things needed while Lambert undressed his torso; one glance told him that it wasn’t the finest tools he produced but he was too tired to argue; gritting his teeth with a hiss as the man went to work. A crude needle piercing through skin with unkind hands; it was something he’d gotten used to. Healers who’d rather not use their valuable reagents on mutants, and if they did, it was overpriced. Mostly because they knew that the wounds a witcher sustained were usually mortal.

   He knew the bastard decided to not use any type of soothing balms either, as he poured alcohol over the wound with no warning; tugging at raw skin as he saw fit; making noises of disgust from his mouth as he worked. Lambert stared dead ahead into the wall, as the healer wrapped up his chest and back.

   “Now, get out of here. And take your fucking bad luck with you,” the older man barked sharply, already washing off his hands. The wolf collected his things, putting the bloodied armour back on, winching as it scraped against the wounds under the bandages. Not bothering with buttoning anything, he threw the remains of the sword harness over his shoulder, letting the steel sword rest against it. The silver was held in his hand again, as he left the building; hearing the healer slam shut the door behind him.

   The pain was worse now, but at least he’d not bleed to death with the stitches on. There was no way that wasn’t going to scar though, with the way they had been stitched; he hadn’t dared to look but he knew it’d be crooked and bumpy.

   He tried to brush his hair away from his eyes, shaking it next to get rid of the damn water everywhere. The heavens seemed determined to drown the lands below and he paused under a roof from one of the sheds, hugging himself with a frustrated noise, trying to dispel some of the cold from his body.

   Leaning his shoulder against the wall, he realised he had to do something about the wound in his neck too. Frankly he had no strength to bother right now, as he slipped to the ground, letting the sword lean against the wall instead. He pressed his heel against an uneven cobblestone on the road, sighing to himself. Kicking harder at it until it became loose entirely. He loathed the waiting, it always brought back the shitty memories. Especially outside in the rain. It reminded him of his childhood; locked outside, not daring to scream because if his mother found out; she’d have let him in and faced the wrath of the monster who had shared their house.

   He pulled up the collar over his neck, shivering suddenly; whether from blood loss or the cold, he couldn’t tell. Just wishing for the damn sun to come back.

[moosemuses]

Yet another lost kodama. Usually the spirits would find their own way home... but sometimes they needed some extra help. Hide had nothing better to do, as he carried the kodama in the palm of his hand.

With Yatagarasu perched on his shoulder, Hide felt right at home. During his youth much of his company had been spirits alone. Dealing with... humans was still difficult.

Despite the last decades.

[ki-pulse]

    Tell him about it. At least Hide belongs to this mythology.

    William has half a mind he should be able to smell the little fellows by now, but the gold antennae rising from his temples only detect the kodama in Hide's hand. He hadn't gone out of his way to find them as he marched across the country, something that hurts his heart. They're just as much victims of the war as anyone flesh and blood.

    The agate blue shark draped behind his shoulders is supposed to be helping, yet it only has eyes and a toothy grin for Hide. Wondering if all Shiftlings taste the same, no doubt. William knows his old friend...or something like that...well.

    There's nothing to say though he feels like he should. Nature abhors a vacuum. Brushing hair away from his antennae, Adams folds his arms. "Shilling for your thoughts?"

[moosemuses]

The shiftling stares straight at the shark, unafraid but watchful. Still, he ended up lifting his other hand to provide the kodama extra shelter, even if he very much doubted it'd go after another spirit.

He remains quiet for a while - as was his nature - taking the few extra steps towards the shrine. Perhaps William would understand, being other like himself. But Hide wasn't sure by how much.

With the kodama secured on top of the shrine, Hide glances back at William, over his shoulder.

"Humans are... difficult," he admits turning his gaze back to the shrine, struggling for both the words and his voice. "Cruel." Some were anyway.

[moosemuses]

@hemoproteins-au continued from X

Understanding the concept of time had been tricky enough; and his last time travel shenanigans had been a long time ago by now. But now he stood before the concept of... alternate histories... even people. He had recognized Yoshitsune. The man had even taught him how to play the flute, despite the short time they had met. But then, this one wasn't the same Yoshitsune. The man he knew was long dead...

Hide's eyes followed the dog's movements. The reddish, multi-eyed guardian on his shoulder watched all the dogs with its beak raised high. Each word from Kurou was listened to intently, each sweeping glance from the other was followed by Hide. At the sight of the sword and the armour, his brow furrowed thoughtfully. To learn that Kurou wasn't from his history per say had been a momentary... disappointment. But he was quickly over it.

He saw in Kurou's eyes that the same experience was there. He was just as real as the one Hide knew. And that's what mattered.

"You chose to fight? Despite given the chance to rest peacefully?" Hide's fingers almost moved with the first words, before he realised that Kurou was still familiar enough where speaking proved easy. Mostly anyway.

"That is to be admired," the shiftling smiled gently.

[moosemuses]

For Ash: femur, metatarsals. For Hide: skull, carpals. For Varga: radius, sacrum.

HC meme

Ash

femur. what drives them forward ?

Hope. To free her people from the Empire's clutches. A future where she and the Bad Batch still stand a chance.

metatarsals. if they could disappear for a day, where would they run ?

Back to her home world, where she's no longer welcome. Assuming disappearing meaning no one will know she's there either. If it'd give her one last chance to take in the sights, she would.

Hide

skull.  what memories/thoughts do they guard the most from others ?

Those of his mother. They're few and precious to him and he won't risk anyone else seeing/hearing much in fear of some entity using it against him. Especially considering he's the blood of two very infamous (one quite dangerous) demons.

carpals. what small habits do they have ?

Hide communicates a lot via his eyes. Slow and soft blinks, hard glares. His body language is very visible and very open. There's no poker face; if he doesn't like you, you'll know.

He's also very attentive to his surroundings, keeping an eye out for spirits.

Varga

radius. who/what do they reach for first in a crisis ?

In Skyrim, it's Tenshin. She's been alone a lot and will make use of the fact that she has someone with her. Besides, he was hired to protect her from the very start. It's now natural for her to seek his help.

In Star Wars, it's Rex, closely followed by the Bad Batch and especially Crosshair.

sacrum. what sacrifices have they made ?

In Skyrim, her family; whom she leaves when their decisions for her become too much for her to bear. Her humanity, cursed as a werewolf.

In Star Wars, she's one of the last of her people and is sought after as a treasure because of it, for people to keep as a trophy.

[jamsmemes]

(     *     BARE BONES.

a selection of headcanon questions inspired by key bones in the human body.

skull.   what memories/thoughts do they guard the most from others ?

cheekbone. what makes them smile ?

mandible / jawbone. what are they incapable of saying out loud ?

teeth. what lasting mark do they leave on others ?

hyoid / neck. who taught them to speak up, or stay silent ?

clavicle / collarbone. who/what do they lean on when they're vulnerable ?

scapula / shoulderblade. what burden do they carry on their back ?

sternum. what makes their heart pound hardest ?

ribcage. who/what are they trying to protect ?

humerus. do they use humour as a shield or a weapon ? what from/to ?

radius. who/what do they reach for first in a crisis ?

ulna. who stands by them no matter what ?

carpals. what small habits do they have ?

metacarpals. do they ask for help or clench their fists and bear it ?

phalanges. what is their relationship with touch ?

spine. when do they lose their backbone, what scares them ?

pelvis. what future or legacy are they afraid/excited to be responsible for ?

sacrum. what sacrifices have they made ?

coccyx / tailbone. what outdated beliefs do they still carry, if any ?

femur. what drives them forward ?

patella / kneecap. how compliant/obedient are they, who will they kneel for ?

tibia. who/what keeps them moving forward ?

fibula. do they ever feel overlooked ?

tarsals. what past mistakes stick with them with every step they take ?

metatarsals. if they could disappear for a day, where would they run ?

[moosemuses]

At a loss (Hide drabble)

Hide watched the others talk, as he often did. Now that they had all joined Tokugawa’s forces, he was back into more familiar terrain of following someone else. To be at their beck and call; to be a mercenary again. Fit only to fight, never to question. A role that did seem hollower these days. Not that he had much enjoyed the brief time of being aimless after Nobunaga’s death. It had mostly been running around, trying to salvage the situation at hand, only to see it fall between his fingers like sand. So much death in such a short time and the rest of them were powerless to stop it, as chaos just continued to rain down.

   It was frustrating; it’d made him tear at his hair; as stronger emotions than he was used to had taken place in his heart. Everything had been so well the last years, he’d grown comfortable around those he lived with and aided. He had never felt as much at home as he had the last decade. Perhaps not fully accepted but since he was Tokichiro’s friend and respected by even Nobunaga himself… it had been better than the years he had spent alone.

   Of course, he had noticed the changes in Tokichiro, not just the physical ones… but the ones in the man’s personality. He’d always been ambitious; something Hide himself had never fully understood. But he’d also become impatient. Desperate. For what Hide had no idea.

   He was calmer now that the initial shock had settled. His soul wasn’t like a stormy sea but rather a mellow lake, although it was disrupted by the occasional ripple. Ripples that he promptly ignored. Hide would simply wait until the others came to a decision for now and then do what was told. As he always did.

   Resting his back against the old fence, he glanced upwards to the large trees surrounding their temporary camp. An abandoned village; it seemed a bunch of yokai had scared away the inhabitants… those that they hadn’t killed, considering the corpses that still littered the streets between the damp shacks. The rice fields stood abandoned and the storm that loomed in the distance drenched the open landscape in greying light. He heard the distant cry of a crow, looking up towards the tree, just to see one of the birds fly away.

   “It’s a wonder you’re still alive, you know,” the voice to his side startled him, making him stand straight, blue eyes focusing onto the man there. They instantly narrowed though, as his head lowered, glaring at the all too familiar man.

   Saika Magoichi didn’t let the glare stop him; undoubtedly, he had received many in his profession. Putting one hand on the fence, he rested his other hand on the hilt of his sword.

   “You’re so distracted you might as well be in a whole other world. Anyone could get at you like that.”

   Hide arched an eyebrow, his narrowed gaze quickly turning doubtful. Clearly, the man didn’t consider himself as anyone, since he had outright failed his assassination attempt on Hide in the first place. 

   Magoichi’s brow furrowed slightly, his hand fell from the fence as he too stood upright now, his chin lifted a little higher.

   “You got lucky that time,” he commented now. There was a marginal widening of Hide’s eyes, perhaps not having expected him to understand his gib that instantly.

   “Like I said, you’re protected. It makes you… different,” Magoichi continued, his gaze easily looking over the camp, with mild interest. Then he gave a sideways glance towards the Shiftling, who still didn’t look too impressed.

   “Besides… we’re allies now. Lord Ieyasu hired my band… in order to combat Hideyoshi’s sudden take over.” Magoichi gave a small smirk and a nearly exasperated chuckle.

   “These lords… shoot one down and another crops up in their place, like weeds. It never ends.” Hide stared towards the ground now, listening to a view that was different from his own clearly. They needed one Overlord to the rest, else there’d always be feuds. But… Magoichi was right… no one would ever be happy with who ruled. And now, they had someone who seemed mad with power. And who had more Spirit Stones than anyone else. A dangerous combination.

   “You don’t talk much, do you?” Hide looked up, the comment all too tiresome by now. He gave the other a dull, impatient look. He did talk. In his own way. It was hardly his fault that people were simply too impatient or loud to listen. That was something always time had to judge though, Tokichiro had picked up on it fairly fast. Up until the end that is… when it seemed nothing Hide ‘said’ really got through to him.

   The Saika grinned at the look he was given. “Seems the rumours are true. And yet not, because I’m pretty sure you just told me to sod off.” His grin turned into a smirk instead, as Hide’s brow furrowed in stunned confusion. Unable to come up with a wittier response this time, his frown remained as he stared out over the camp now. Suddenly he had mixed feelings about the Saika Ikki’s presence here. Their Magoichi had tried to kill him but here he was, keeping a normal conversation and understanding Hide’s cues faster than anyone else ever had. If nothing else, it’d been a nice distraction from his otherwise solemn thoughts.

   “Heh, we should spar some day,” the Saika continued. “You gave me quite a challenge, but I’d rather make sure it was just luck, rather than anything else. I have a reputation to uphold.” Blue eyes looked back to Magoichi, a hint of amusement in them. It was going to end in the same result, Hide was certain and he looked to his side, as Mitori manifested over his shoulder. The golden eagle lifted its head high, yellow eyes staring intently at Saika.

   There was a wide grin on the man’s face now. Maybe it was the reveal of Hide’s actual guardian. Or maybe it was because it too was a bird.

   “Of course. I had a feeling that Hakutaku wasn’t truly your Spirit. You don’t seem like a scholar. Well, then, I’ll take that as a yes.”

[moosemuses]

Yet another lost kodama. Usually the spirits would find their own way home... but sometimes they needed some extra help. Hide had nothing better to do, as he carried the kodama in the palm of his hand.

With Yatagarasu perched on his shoulder, Hide felt right at home. During his youth much of his company had been spirits alone. Dealing with... humans was still difficult.

Despite the last decades.