I stared at the glowing screen, completely dumbfounded. To be honest, I couldn’t quite believe my eyes. After months of agonizing waiting, aggressive refreshing, and pure anxiety, I had actually done it.
Congratulations! You have officially bought your front-row tickets for LADS!
The bold text on the screen seemed to dance. Finally, I was going to see them in person. And from the front row, no less! A breathless laugh escaped my throat as I flopped backward onto my mattress, tightly hugging the familiar, soft stuffed snowman nestled against my pillows, my little chibi representation of Zayne.
I had been utterly obsessed with LADS ever since their debut. Honestly, how could anyone resist? They started as five undeniably gorgeous guys, which expanded into a six-member powerhouse just last month. As I lay there, my mind cycled through the lineup like a familiar, comforting playlist:
Xavier: At 23, he’s the youngest of the group, featuring soft ashy-blond hair and striking blue eyes. He has this gentle, melodic voice that can lull you to sleep but completely hold your attention the next second. Beyond his visuals, he’s an absolute genius lyricist who makes their music feel alive.
Zayne: God, Zayne. If I’m being completely honest, he might just be my bias, slightly a bit more than the others. With his perfect hair and sharp hazel eyes, he commands attention. He’s the leader, the second oldest at 27, and carries himself with the stoic, mature professionalism of a stone-cold doctor. It’s incredibly endearing.
Rafayel: He’s pretty in the most breathtakingly handsome way possible. At 24, his signature vibrant purple hair and matching eyes have become a household staple. He's been in the spotlight since his childhood acting days, dominating everything from theatrical stages to the silver screen. As the main visual of LADS, his stage presence is so immersive you can't look away.
Sylus: The resident bad boy. His "devil-may-care" attitude has won over millions. At 28, standing at a towering 6'2" with striking silver hair and piercing red eyes, his looks are devastating. He serves as the main rapper, and even though fans practically beg him to sing on every track, he playfully denies us every single time.
Caleb: The ultimate golden retriever of the group. With warm brown hair and unique ultraviolet eyes, he radiates incredible "big brother energy" on stage. At 25, he is the main vocalist and the absolute rock of LADS, always looking out for the other members and holding their foundation together.
Valko: The newest addition as of last month. At 26, he brings a fresh energy with his fiery red hair and bright amber eyes. He shares Caleb's warmth but has a completely distinct, playful personality. His laugh in recent livestreams is totally contagious, and it’s obvious he’s a total sweetheart.
A massive grin stretched across my face as I looked up at my ceiling. “I can’t wait,” I whispered aloud. That night, I drifted off to sleep feeling more content than I had in months.
⭐️❄️🐟🐦⬛🍎🐺
The next day, I found myself humming their latest track as I went through my morning routine. Xavier's incredible talent for composition always stuck in my head. While brushing my teeth, I mindlessly scrolled through my phone and noticed a new update from Infold Corp showcasing the boys in their brand-new concert outfits.
The outfits looked incredible! There was subtle tinsel woven through their hair and sleek jackets customized to match each of their signature core colors. My eyes lingered on Valko's profile. I knew a lot of people had been hesitant about a sixth member, but Infold had been dropping hints for a while, and his background as a street dancer made him a perfect fit in my book. He seemed to vibe perfectly with the rest of the guys.
Curiosity got the better of me and I tapped on the comment section. I instantly regretted it.
A heavy sigh escaped me as I scrolled through the negativity. Even though I thought Valko was a great addition, a loud portion of the fandom was clearly still throwing a tantrum about the change:
"He’s just a worse mix of Sylus and Caleb. It’s redundant and unnecessary."
"Oh come on Infold! We want more focus on the original members! Why throw someone else in when the line distribution is already packed?"
"They need to put him on hiatus or something to phase him out."
“Jesus... these people really need to calm down,” I muttered to myself, rinsing my mouth out.
Just as I was finishing up, my phone started buzzing on the counter. The caller ID flashed: Anne 💞 Calling. I smiled and picked it up on the first ring.
“Hey! I was just about to head out the door for work. Are you already at the office?” I asked, balancing the phone as I tied up my shoes and grabbed my keys.
“Yeah, I just got to my desk!” Anne’s voice buzzed through the speaker, accompanied by the familiar, rapid clicking of her keyboard. “Listen, apparently Mrs. Mary’s daughter finally went into labor last night! She called in super early and asked if you could cover her client until she gets back.”
My eyes widened in excitement. “Really?! Oh, that's amazing news, I know she’s been waiting for this day! And yeah, absolutely. My contract with my last client just wrapped up yesterday, so my schedule is completely clear. Where’s the address?”
I headed out to my car, tossing my bag into the passenger seat and syncing my phone to the dashboard console.
“Perfect, you're a lifesaver! Let me ping the address over to your GPS right now,” Anne said.
⭐️❄️🐟🐦⬛🍎🐺
Stepping out of my car, I shielded my eyes as I looked all the way up to the top floor of the towering luxury complex. My jaw practically hit the pavement. Mrs. Mary had always mentioned she worked with high-profile clients, but seeing this place in person was a completely different story. The architecture was sleek, modern, and completely screamed "unbelievably wealthy."
"Alright," I muttered to myself, grabbing my bag from the passenger seat and taking a deep breath to calm the sudden flutter of nerves in my stomach. "You're a professional. Just a normal, everyday client who happens to live in a literal palace in the sky."
I walked through the pristine glass double doors of the lobby, where a concierge in a tailored suit greeted me. After I explained who I was and that I was covering for Mrs. Mary, he checked his tablet, gave me a polite nod, and swiped a security card to grant me access to the private penthouse elevator.
When the doors finally chimed and slid open, they led directly into a massive, sun-drenched foyer.
"Hello?" I called out softly, stepping onto the polished hardwood floors. "Is anyone home? I'm here from the cleaning agency to cover for Mary."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from down a long hallway. A voice ringed out, bright and instantly familiar.
"Oh, awesome! Over here! Sorry, we're kind of in the middle of a chaotic morning."
A young man rounded the corner, running a hand through his vibrant red hair, his amber eyes crinkling with a warm, apologetic smile. He was wearing an oversized hoodie and sweatpants, looking completely relaxed, yet completely unmistakable.
My breath caught in my throat. My mind short-circuited as the realization hit me like a tidal wave.
It was Valko.
There’s no way this is happening.
"Hey there," Valko said, offering a friendly wave, completely oblivious to the internal meltdown I was currently experiencing. "Thanks for coming on short notice. Come on in, the guys and I are just trying to sort through our schedule before rehearsal."
I stood there, frozen, my hands gripping my bag tightly. I had bought front-row tickets to see them on stage last night, and now, by some absolute miracle of a scheduling twist, I was standing right inside their living room.
No way, No way, No way, No way, nope, no. I thought. This isn’t happening!!!
Valko blinked, his amber eyes shifting from a warm smile to a look of mild concern as he noticed my wide-eyed, completely frozen posture.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, tilting his head. "You look like you just saw a ghost."
"I'm fine!" The words flew out of my mouth a little too fast and a little too high-pitched. I cleared my throat, desperately trying to summon every single ounce of professionalism I possessed. "Perfectly fine. Just.. aha.. ready to get to work."
"Awesome. Follow me," Valko said, turning to lead the way down the expansive hallway.
As I stepped forward, my legs felt like lead. My mind was racing at a million miles an hour. Keep it together, I told myself. You are a professional. Do not scream. Do not bring up the front-row tickets. Do not mention the Zayne plushie sitting on your bed right now.
The hallway opened up into a massive, open-concept living area and kitchen that looked even more spectacular than the foyer. Sunlight poured through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a space that was currently a whirlwind of morning activity.
"I told you, if you touch my coffee, I will not let you buy anymore model airplanes." a calm, firm voice resonated from the kitchen counter.
Sitting there, staring intently at a laptop screen with a steaming mug in hand, was Zayne. He looked exactly like he did in his official photos: sharp, composed, and effortlessly striking with his hair slightly messy from sleep. He wore a simple dark gray sweater, but he still carried that intense, stoic aura that made my heart do a dangerous flip.
"Aw, come on Zaynie, sharing is caring!" a cheerful voice chimed in.
Caleb walked out of the kitchen pantry, holding a box of cereal. His unique ultraviolet eyes lit up the moment he spotted me. True to his reputation, he immediately flashed a warm, golden-retriever-like smile that instantly made the room feel ten times cozier.
"Oh, hey! You must be Mary's backup," Caleb said, setting the cereal down and walking over. "Thanks for swinging by so quickly. We're a bit of a mess today with the concert rehearsals coming up."
"It's no problem at all," I managed to say, my voice steadying slightly under his welcoming demeanor.
Suddenly, a loud chord resonated from the far corner of the living room. Seated at a sleek digital keyboard with a pair of headphones resting around his neck was Xavier. His soft, fluffy hair caught the sunlight as he looked up from his composition. He gave a quiet, polite nod before turning back to scribble something down on a notepad.
"Don’t mind the total chaos." a deep, rich voice chuckled from the balcony doorway.
Sylus stepped inside, sliding a pair of sunglasses into his pocket. Standing at his full height, his looks were absolutely wrecking in person. He wore a fitted black t-shirt that made his broad shoulders impossible to ignore. He leaned against the doorframe, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at me. "Don't let it scare you off. We actually know how to clean up after ourselves. Most of the time."
"Speak for yourself, Sylus." Rafayel’s voice drifted down from the floating staircase.
Even in casual loungewear, Rafayel looked like a walking piece of art. His signature vibrant purple hair was perfectly styled, and his eyes sparkled with playful drama. He groaned softly, leaning against the banister. "Someone woke me up three hours too early. I expect a full breakfast or I am going on strike for today's choreography."
"You're always on strike, Raf," Valko laughed, dodging a playfully thrown sofa pillow from Rafayel.
Standing in the center of the room, surrounded by all six members of the biggest group in the world, I held onto my cleaning supply bag like it was a life raft. It was completely surreal. Just yesterday, I was buying their merchandise, and now I was standing in their kitchen.
Zayne closed his laptop with a soft click and stood up, his sharp hazel eyes locking onto mine with a calm, professional focus. "Alright, let's let her do her job. We have to leave for the venue in an hour anyway. Where would you like to start?"
"The kitchen," I blurted out, perhaps a bit too quickly. I pointed a slightly trembling finger toward the island where Zayne’s laptop had just been resting. "Kitchens are always a good baseline. High-traffic area, you know? Good to knock out first."
Zayne gave a slow, measured nod, his sharp hazel eyes scanning my face for a split second before he picked up his coffee mug. "Understood. We'll clear out of your way." He turned his attention to the rest of the room, his natural leadership taking over. "Everyone, gather your things. We need to be in the van in forty-five minutes, not an hour. Don't make the manager wait."
"Forty-five minutes?!" Rafayel dramatically threw his hands in the air, his vibrant purple hair shifting as he practically melted onto the bottom step of the staircase. "That is an actual tragedy. I haven't even chosen my shoes for rehearsal yet. Caleb, tell him he's being a tyrant."
Caleb just laughed, walking over to slap a comforting hand on Rafayel’s shoulder. "No can do, Raf. If we're late again, the choreographers are going to make us run the intro sequence until our legs fall off. Come on, up you go." With the effortless energy of the group's anchor, Caleb began herding the members toward the hallway, picking up a stray jacket from the sofa along the way.
As the living room began to clear, Valko lingered behind for a moment near the kitchen island. He flashed a quick, sympathetic grin. "Sorry about the whirlwind. If you need anything, there's extra trash bags in the lower pantry cabinet. Don't hesitate to yell if these guys left a massive disaster somewhere."
"I think I can handle it," I said, offering a genuine smile. "Thanks, Valko."
His amber eyes brightened at the reassurance, and with a cheerful wave, he jogged up the stairs to join the chaos of the upper floor.
⭐️❄️🐟🐦⬛🍎🐺
Once the apartment fell completely silent, the heavy weight of the reality set in. I was alone in this penthouse. THEIR penthouse.
I took a deep, centering breath, unzipped my cleaning supply bag, and set to work. True to Sylus's word, they weren't terribly messy. It was mostly just the typical clutter of six busy guys living together. There were empty protein shake bottles to recycle, sheet music lyric drafts neatly stacked near Xavier's keyboard, and a stray sketching pencil left behind by Rafayel on the coffee table, which I carefully placed next to, what I presume to be, his sketchbook.
I pulled out my microfiber cloth and multi-surface spray, focusing entirely on the sleek, dark marble countertops of the kitchen. Focusing on the physical labor helped ground my racing thoughts. Spray, wipe, repeat. I repeated the mantra in my head, deliberately blocking out the memory of the concert tickets currently sitting in my email inbox.
Twenty minutes flew by in a blur of productivity. I had just finished sanitizing the kitchen island and was moving toward the massive floor-to-ceiling windows to spot-clean a few smudges when a soft sound caught my attention.
I turned around to see Xavier standing in the archway of the living room.
He had changed into a simple, oversized white hoodie and a pair of dark cargo pants. His hair looked slightly damp, as if he had just rushed through a quick morning shower routine. He wasn't wearing his headphones anymore, and his striking eyes looked incredibly bright in the morning sun.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Xavier said softly, his melodic voice even gentler in person than it sounded in recordings.
"No, you're fine!" I said, holding my microfiber cloth like a shield. "Did you forget something?"
"Just my notebook," he replied, pointing a finger toward the digital keyboard in the corner. He walked over with quiet, deliberate steps, picking up the small leather-bound journal I had carefully avoided moving earlier. He flipped through a few pages, a small, satisfied smile touching his lips. "Thanks for not moving it."
"Of course," I said, keeping my tone as professional as humanly possible. "I try to leave workspaces exactly how I find them."
Xavier closed the notebook and tilted his head, studying me for a brief moment. There was an innate, quiet intelligence in his gaze that felt incredibly observant. "You're doing a really thorough job. Mary usually skips the high glass panels because she says her shoulders hurt."
"Well, I've got a bit of a height advantage on Mary," I joked lightly, feeling the tension finally leave my shoulders.
He let out a soft, genuine chuckle that made my inner fangirl do a silent backflip. "I guess so.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Well, I should probably get downstairs before Zayne comes looking for me. Good luck with the rest of the place."
"Thanks." I called out as he turned to leave.
As his footsteps faded down the hall, I looked down at the polished surface of the counter, a massive, unstoppable smile breaking across my face.
“Best. Shift. Ever.”
⭐️❄️🐟🐦⬛🍎🐺
Hours flew by as I kept my head down, channeling all my nervous energy into making the penthouse absolutely spotless. I vacuumed the expansive living room, meticulously dusted the shelves, and ensured the massive windows were completely crystal clear. By the time I was putting the finishing touches on the living area, the sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting the city below in a blanket of glittering twilight.
Just as I was packing the last of my cleaning sprays back into my bag, the heavy front door chimed and clicked open.
The lively, chaotic energy from this morning was entirely gone. Instead, a heavy, collective sigh echoed through the foyer as the boys practically stumbled inside, looking completely drained from a grueling day of choreography and vocal runs.
Rafayel was the first to appear, dragging his feet as if his designer sneakers weighed a hundred pounds each. His vibrant purple hair was disheveled, and he immediately collapsed face-first onto the nearest plush sofa with a dramatic, muffled groan. "I am deceased," he muttered into the cushions. "My legs have ceased to exist."
"Stop exaggerating, Raf," Zayne’s voice drifted in, though even his usual crisp, authoritative tone sounded worn thin. He walked past the couch, his shoulders slumped as he loosened his collar, his sharp eyes showing dark circles of fatigue. He gave me a brief, tired nod of acknowledgment before heading straight to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water.
Caleb entered next, carrying two heavy duffel bags that looked like they belonged to Rafayel and Xavier. The usual retriever energy was entirely wiped out; he offered me a weak, exhausted smile, his ultraviolet eyes half-lidded. "Hey... thanks for staying so late," he rasped, his throat clearly raw from hours of main vocal practice. He dropped the bags with a heavy thud and rubbed the back of his neck.
Sylus strode in behind him, looking slightly less battered but visibly fatigued nonetheless. The silver hair that usually looked perfectly styled was messy, damp with sweat, and his black jacket hung loosely off one shoulder. He didn't even crack a joke. He just muttered a low "Good evening" and headed straight toward the balcony for some fresh air, running a tired hand over his face.
Xavier was practically leaning on Valko for support as they closed the door. The youngest looked like a walking zombie, his eyes barely open as he clutched his leather-bound lyric notebook to his chest. Valko, despite his known stamina, looked equally spent. His fiery red hair was plastered to his forehead, and his bright amber eyes were dim with exhaustion.
"We survived," Valko whispered, offering a faint, sleepy grin as he gently guided Xavier toward the armchair. Xavier sank into the fabric, instantly curling up into a ball and closing his eyes. "The choreographers didn't spare us at all today."
The pristine, freshly cleaned penthouse was now filled with the quiet, heavy breathing of six utterly exhausted idols. Seeing them like this, stripped of their glamorous stage personas and completely wiped out from their hard work, made me worry.
“A-Are you all alright..? You guys don’t look too good.” I ask nervously, scared of overstepping.
Caleb was the first to lift his head, letting out a soft, raspy chuckle that turned into a quiet cough. He cleared his throat and gave a reassuring shake of his head. "We're okay, just completely spent. It always gets like this right before a major tour kicks off."
Zayne leaned against the kitchen counter, holding his glass of water. Even in his exhausted state, his medical background seemed to kick in automatically. "It's just severe muscle fatigue and mild dehydration," he said, his voice low and clinical, though his eyes softened slightly as he looked across the room. "We pushed past our recommended limits today. I've already told the manager we need a structured recovery schedule tomorrow."
"A recovery schedule won't bring my joints back to life," Rafayel mumbled, his voice still completely muffled by the sofa cushion. He rolled over onto his back, staring dramatically at the ceiling. "I feel like a discarded marionette. My hands are too tired to even pick up a mic."
Sylus looks from the balcony, sliding his hands into his pockets. His eyes tired. "If you're dead, Rafayel, at least do it quietly. Some of us are trying to enjoy the silence." He looked over at me, his piercing red eyes assessing the spotless room. "You did an incredible job with the place, by the way. It hasn't looked this clean since we moved in."
"Seriously, it looks amazing," Valko added, sitting down on the arm of the chair where Xavier was already fast asleep. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking around at the sparkling countertops and pristine floors. "Thanks for sticking around so late to finish up. We really appreciate it."
"It's really no problem at all," I said, feeling a warm rush of relief clear away my lingering nervousness. "I just wanted to make sure everything was ready for you guys to actually relax when you got home."
Caleb smiled warmly, the classic "big brother" energy returning to him. "Well, you definitely accomplished that. Go ahead and log your hours with the agency, we'll make sure Infold approves a hefty bonus for covering on such short notice."
"Thank you, Caleb. I'll let you all get some rest," I said, gathering my cleaning bag and heading toward the foyer.
Before I reached the door, Valko called out with a bright, sleepy wave. "Get home safe! And thanks again!"
"Goodnight, everyone," I called back.
Stepping out into the quiet hallway and waiting for the penthouse elevator, I let out a long, breathless sigh. My hands were tired from hours of scrubbing, but my heart was racing. I couldn't help but smile as I pulled out my phone and looked at the digital concert tickets waiting in my inbox. Seeing the immense, exhausting dedication they put into their work behind the scenes only made me more excited.
Front row was going to be absolutely unforgettable.
⭐️❄️🐟🐦⬛🍎🐺
Once the door closes behind her, the boys collapse entirely, their facades crumbling.
“Fuck, I can’t with today.” Caleb groans into his hands, his usual smile completely gone, replaced with a heavy frown. He drops back onto the sectional, letting his head fall against the headrest with a dull thud.
The polite, professional boundary they had maintained for the cleaning backup evaporates instantly.
Sylus glares at Caleb. “You’re the one who insisted we run the bridge choreography three extra times. Isn’t that right, Leader? Don’t start complaining now, Xia.”
“Because Valko kept missing the cue on the third beat,” Zayne says flatly. He walks over to the fridge, grabbing a carton of milk and pouring a glass with precise, practiced movements. His eyes look at the new member. “And because your stamina levels are fluctuating wildly, Valko. You need to pace yourself better during the opening sequence.”
Valko, who is currently slumped on the floor with his back against Xavier's armchair, buries his face in his knees. His fiery red hair is completely damp. “I know, I know... I’m sorry. The stage blocking is completely different from street dancing. It feels like I’m re-learning how to walk.”
Caleb lifted his head, his frown softening as he looked at the newest member. “It’s not on you. Infold rushed the integration, and we all know it. We're all feeling the crunch.”
Xavier didn't even open his eyes, but his knuckles tightened around his leather-bound lyric notebook. “The transitions are too crowded,” he murmured, his voice barely audible but carrying a sharp edge of frustration. “I told the producers the arrangement needed to be adjusted for six voices, but they wanted to keep the old hook. It’s messy.” He pulled his notebook tighter against his chest like a shield. “They cut two of the bridge lines from the title track,” he mumbled, his voice sounding hollow and defeated. “They said the pacing was too slow for the live show. I spent three weeks arranging those harmonies.”
Sylus, still leaning against the balcony doorframe, let out a dark, cynical chuckle. He pulled a lighter from his pocket, flicking it open and closed in a rhythmic, metallic snap that mirrored his restless energy. “Management doesn’t care about the art, Xavier. They care about the ticket sales and whether we can survive the two-hour set without fainting on the live broadcast.” His piercing red eyes swept over the group. “But if they think they’re pushing us this hard through the entire tour, they’ve got another thing coming.”
Zayne set his milk glass down with a precise, quiet click against the newly polished marble counter. He massaged his temples, looking over to the heap of exhausted idols in his living room. "Complaining won't restore our glycogen levels. Everyone needs to eat something high in protein and go straight to bed. No staying up to paint, Rafayel. No late-night rewriting, Xavier."
A soft, indistinct mumble came from the armchair. Xavier shifted, burying his face deeper into his hoodie, but didn't open his eyes. He was already halfway to dreamland, his leather notebook still gripped tightly like a security blanket.
Rafayel finally rolled over, hanging his arm dramatically off the edge of the couch. "Eat? With what energy? I can't even lift my fingers to order takeout. Valko, you're the new guy. Use your youth and vibrant spirit to feed us."
Valko, who was currently laying flat on the floor against Xavier's chair, let out a breathless, exhausted laugh. "Hey, my 'youth' just spent six hours doing high-intensity street choreography variations because someone kept missing the mark on the second chorus transition."
"It was an artistic interpretation of space!" Rafayel shot back weakly, though there was no real bite to it.
"It was a tripping hazard," Zayne corrected flatly. He walked over to the fridge, pulling out a pre-prepared tray of healthy meal-prep containers. "Fortunately, the nutrition team planned ahead. Grab a box, heat it up, and get upstairs. We have a 6:00 AM call time for wardrobe fittings tomorrow."
A collective groan echoed through the spotless penthouse.
Sylus opened one piercing red eye, glancing toward the door the cleaning girl had just exited. despite his exhaustion, a small, subtle smirk played at the corner of his lips. "At least the place is quiet now. And clean.”
“She was nice,” Valko said quietly, his voice thick with sleep as he carefully shifted so he wouldn't wake Xavier, who was still dead to the world in the armchair. Valko rested his chin on his knees, his amber eyes reflecting the dim ambient light of the living room. “She actually looked at me like I belonged here. Didn’t feel like she was judging the new guy.”
“But she was obviously a fan, thank god she was professional. Still, you can’t just go attaching yourself to her like a puppy, Val. You’ll end up hurt or worse.” Sylus says.
The room went entirely silent at Sylus’s blunt warning, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound cutting through the tension. Valko flinched slightly, his amber eyes dropping back to his knees. He knew Sylus wasn't trying to be cruel. He was just realistic. In their line of work, a fan's affection was a double-edged sword, and as the newest member, Valko was currently walking on the thinnest ice.
“Sylus is right,” Zayne said, his voice dropping into that familiar, unyielding tone he used when delivering hard medical truths. He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “Professional boundaries exist for a reason. If management or the media catches wind of any undue familiarity, the blowback will fall squarely on you, Valko. And right now, you can’t afford any more negative press.”
Caleb let out a tired sigh, running a hand through his brown hair. He hated when the mood turned this clinical, but as the anchor, he couldn't dispute the facts. “We just need to focus on the tour. Once the fans see the chemistry on stage during the opening night, the internet chatter will die down. It always does.”
From the depths of the sofa, Rafayel finally pushed himself up into a sitting position, his vibrant purple hair a chaotic mess. The dramatic flair was gone, replaced by a rare, quiet sincerity. “Just don't take the comments to heart, Val. When I was a child, people said I was nothing but a pretty face who couldn’t carry a scene. You just have to let the work speak for itself.”
Valko looked up, offering a small, grateful nod to the older members. “I get it. Thanks, guys. I’m just... ready to prove I earned my spot.”
In the armchair, Xavier stirred slightly, letting out a soft, sleepy mumble as he shifted his weight. His grip on his lyric notebook finally loosened, the leather-bound journal slipping from his fingers. Caleb caught it before it hit the floor, carefully setting it on the side table.
“Alright, look at us, we’re practically falling apart,” Caleb said, standing up and stretching his arms over his head. “Zayne’s right. Let’s get some food in our systems and call it a night. We’ve got a massive day tomorrow.”
One by one, the members begrudgingly moved toward the kitchen island to grab their meal-prep containers. Even Sylus finally abandoned his spot by the balcony door, grabbing a container with a low grunt before heading toward the hallway.
As the penthouse finally emptied out and the lights dimmed section by section, the spotless living room fell completely dark. Down in the city below, the streetlights and billboards painted the sky in shades of neon, a quiet reminder of the massive world waiting for them. They were exhausted, bruised, and under immense pressure, but they were a unit now.
⭐️❄️🐟🐦⬛🍎🐺
‘I want to be able to reach up there to the stars.’
‘Can I really keep them all together, even when I, myself, can’t?’
‘Just play the part, read the lines. That’s all you need to do.’
‘Don’t get attached. Don’t hope for anything more.’
‘I’m so tired, just keep smiling. Smile..’
‘I’m not good enough.’
End of Chapter 1
Hi! So tehe I hope yall enjoyed this chapter, I know I had a blast writing this! (My notebook hates me cuz i was writing ideas like a madman) honestly I have no idea what to call this series.. i dunno man I just kinda wanted to write and hopefully it was good! Let me know yalls thoughts in the comments and such! And if you all have any suggestions for a series name, I am open to all!!! Love you guys and thank you for reading the first chapter!
A/n: I wrote this as fast as possible to get it out today! I want my wolf boy! 😭
It's been a week after your phone call with MC over the bizarre situation.
For some reason, all five men from your past horrible dates have taken an interests in you and have been trying to smooth things over and get a second chance to go on a date with you. It led to a whole ordeal on them chasing you and fighting one another just to get your attention.
For whatever reason has made them change their mind? You don't know, and honestly, your a little scared to find out!
For the past week you've been minding your business and focusing on your research at the Hunters HQ. Each day you came in, there would be a gift of some sort laying on desk. Sometimes flowers, or a trinket of some sort. On the seventh day it happened you brought it up to MC, who only sighs.
"I'm so sorry, its... them. I've tried talking and have been drilling some sense into them... but they're men, so I'm not surprised." MC huffs as she looks at the two displays of flower arrangement sitting on your desk.
You couldn't help but let out a snort. "Is that why you date women instead?"
"One of the reasons, yes. Also I prefer having pussy."
You let out a surprise shriek and go to cover MC's mouth with your hands, causing her laugh to be muffled. "We are at WORK! This is a professional setting!"
"How professional can it be when I'm having sex with one of my co workers?" MC laughs harder when you let out another horrid scream. A few of your research friends glance over your way but don't comment on the two of you.
MC soon removes your hands from her face and lifts up a small envelope in her hand. "As I was walking over here, I passed by your Boss. He said he was meaning to give this to you, but something came up."
You tilt your head as you take the envelope from her and begin to open it up. As you read the contents inside it, your eyes widen in surprise.
"What? What does it say?" MC looks over your shoulder to read the contents inside, you move it closer to her so she was able to read.
"'Greetings Dr. (Y/n)'... Ooooo, fancy~ . They brought up your doctorate... 'We would like to personally invite you to help with our research in EonCore Tech. Our chairmen has been going through background backgrounds and history for latest researches for one of our next projects and has personally selected you to help with it. If you would like to be part of this Research Project- Oh my gosh! You should contact them!"
MC starts shaking you by the shoulders, encouraging you to contact the company. "Come on! You love big projects! This could also be a good opportunity for you to step back from... All of this." She motions towards the flowers on your desk.
You couldn’t help but agree and decided to call the company.
A change of scenery could do you some good.
And a change was needed indeed!
You couldn’t help but marvel over the research lab you’ll be working in.
Of course you couldn’t be too surprised, this was a tech company after all. They had to have the state of the art technology for their protocore research.
One of the lead researchers showed you to your work station that you’ll be occupying for the next two months. You expressed your gratitude and thanked them for this opportunity, which they only brushed aside with a smile.
“You should really thank our chairman, he was the one that looked at the files on who should join this little project.”
“Oh, will I get the chance to meet him? I would like to thank him.”
“You can thank him now if you like.” A new voice reaches your ears and you turn around to meet a tall, red headed man.
You had to crane your neck just to look up at him.
“Oh! You must be Mr. Valko then! It’s so wonderful to meet you sir, thank you for this opportunity!”
You stick your hand out and he goes to shake it, giving you a toothy smile.
His hands were warm.
“Please, the honor is mine, actually. I’ve read over your files working for the Hunters Association. They’ve praised you for your hard work on helping improve the Hunters weapons."
At the mentioned of one of your many projects, your eyes light up as you begin rambling about the procedure behind your research. Both Valko and the Lead researcher blink in surprise as you speak about the process of your old project. They both watch you as you retell the tale with bright eyes and excited hand gestures.
“-well eventually they kicked me out of the research lab because I wouldn’t rest so I took it back to my apartment and the cops were called on me because my neighbors thought I was bringing in a bomb. But the whole thing was just a misunderstanding and-,” you begin to trail off as you blink and look at both Valko and Lead Researcher. “Oh, sorry, I’m rambling…”
“You’re all good, you should be proud of your work after all,” Valko smiles down at you, not even being bothered by your enthusiasm. Even his co worker agreed with him.
The sound of a phone going off alerts everyone as Valko pats his pant pockets and eventually finds what he was looking for. “Sorry, I gotta take this. I do hope we can talk more and you can finish your story.” He flashes you a bright, genuine smile as he goes to answer his phone and turns away towards the exit. “Hi Grannie. Yes I received the lunch pack-,” you weren’t able to hear the rest as he walks out the doors of the lab.
After polite greetings and introductions, you were finally briefed on the project EonTech wanted you to be part of. You listened to your colleagues as you begin to unpack everything from your bag and onto your new desk. Eventually you noticed one of the notebooks that rested on your work desk wasn't your original research notebook.
It was your Self Improvement journal.
You don't really remember packing it, buts it's at work with you, you might at well keep it here.
The second day you come in, you see a coffee cup on your desk with a few packs of sugar and a tiny cup of portable creamer. A note with a doodle of a wolf on rests beside.
'Here's a gift from me to help start your first second official day working here!'
-Valko
Oh, that was sweet of your boss!
You wonder that this could also be the start of a friendship!
Valko has started the courting ritual.
When he passed by the researches lab, he glanced over at your desk and had to refrain from wagging his tail when he saw that you were drinking the coffee he got for you. Valko also looked to see how much sugar and creamer you used in hopes to know what types of coffee he should get for you to in the future.
Seeing that all the packets and cups have been used, he guesses you prefer it sweet.
Something you both have in common.
Valko is hoping later on he can have lunch with you later.
Just a week ago, Valko was sitting on the bus in Linkon with a face mask on. It was his day off and he wanted to go out for the day without being noticed; it was nice to have a bit of normalcy in your life.
It was a busy day and it was packed on the bus. Valko sat with his arms crossed as he felt the bus make another stop. He glances out the window and does a double take as he sees five men that were arguing over each other. They didn't seem to be making an effort to get on the bus so that's a plus for him....
But he looks over at the front and perks up a tiny bit with interests when he sees you quickly boarding, even going as far as to tell the bus driver that the men outside aren't here for a ride.
Eventually you make your way further into the bus and take your seat right next to him.
He then smells it through the mask.
Your scent.
His sense of smell was strong for a wolf like him, even he can smell your scent through the mask. But your scent... he couldn't place his finger on it.
While you focused doing your own thing, he moved the face mask down just below his nose-
and that's when it hit him.
The smell of freshly baked cookies his Grandma would make during the holidays. The smell of the fire burning in the fireplace in the family living room. The scent of the homemade soup his mother would make him every time he would get sick.
Your scent... You smelt like home.
Valko's eyes flutter shut as he takes a deep inhale to get more of it, only leaning towards your side by just an inch.
Suddenly the bus started moving, causing him to jerk to your side and hitting your shoulder with his own.
"S-sorry!"
"No, its ok."
God, even your voice sounded so sweet. Like melted chocolate.
Valko sits up straight as he goes to think of a way to speak to you. he glances at you occasionally, seeing you writing in a journal.
What were you writing? Were you drawing instead? If so, could he see? Would that be too much?
He then hears his sisters voice in his head calling him annoying.
Valko kept thinking of ways to start a conversation with you. But before he was able to say something, you received a phone call.
“Ah, hello? Hi, MC… yeah, sorry for inconveniencing you earlier.”
Fuck! He missed his chance!
Valko repressed the urge to let out a whine, and instead pouts under the mask as he looks out the window.
The call lasted 20 minutes. You were still talking too. Valko was impatiently waiting for the call to end so he can speak to you.
But then the bus stops.
And you get up.
Valko begins to panic as he watches you leave. At least tell him your name!
He goes to get up and notices something resting on the seat beside him.
Your journal.
Valko goes to pick it up, feeling the soft leather in his hands. He examines it for a bit before feeling the bus starting to move again. He quickly looks up to see that your gone, and looks out the window...
Still on the phone, and walking away from your stop.
The wolf-man slumps back down and opens the journal up, hoping to maybe find a name of some sort.
First page, it had your name.
'My Self Improvement Journey'
Ah, your were making a self improvement journal. That doesn't seem so bad.
Valko takes a look at the entries you've made, curiosity getting the better of him.
'When in a group conversation, or one on one, try not to go on rambles.'
... What?
'If you notice nobody is adding on to what you are saying, or seem uninterested, stop talking.'
That doesn't seem like a self improvement...
Valko continues to read the things you've written down. Feeling sad for each entry and wondering how you got to all these conclusions.
'STAY AWAY FROM SUGAR! Go for healthier alternatives, even if they are gross and not what you want.'
'Wear colors that are more neutral and flattering. Too bold of a color will make you look like trash.'
'Don't hold high hopes for waiting for someone.'
Valko hated it. He hated every single entry. He then quickly got out his phone and starts typing away, seeing if he can find your name on social media. Since he was tech savvy, he was able to find it no problem.
He was able to find where you work, getting a bit giddy when he saw that you’re a researcher for the Hunters Association. Valko lightly starts kicking in feet in excitement.
Do you also do research? What kind? Do you work with weapon modifications for the hunters or are you more of Wanderers research on how they tick?
Valko couldn’t wait to learn more about his, and hopefully, future mate.
He looks at the journal again, feeling the need to do at least something about this… depressing book. The thought of throwing it away sounded a bit mean, this was your property after all, but he also doesn’t want you to continue adding more stuff to it.
Valko could feel the slight twitch of his wolf ears perk up as he got an idea.
He pulls out a pen and opens the journal once again, making his own entries and revisions to your notes.
Your temporary boss was an interesting man. Nothing wrong with him! But just… interesting.
Any time you walked by him in the hallways he always made sure stop what he was doing just to greet you properly. With everyone else he just gave them a smile or a nod of acknowledgment.
One night you were working pretty late, just ending a phone call with MC telling her you couldn’t hang out with her and Tara. You were sitting alone in the labs when your boss thought it would be funny to sneak up and startle you.
He felt really bad when he saw how bad it scared you to the point of tears.
Then the next day he bought you some candy, you desperately tried to decline saying it wasn’t sugar free but he only laughed it off. But you firm, and he left looking all pouty.
Today starts the third week of working for EonCore Tech. MC felt like she hadn’t seen you forever and so she meets you at the front with a lunch box in hand.
“There’s my favorite researcher!” MC saunter ups to you with her arms wide, still holding the lunch box as she wraps her arms around you.
You giggled and hug her back, a smile appears on your face. “It’s so nice for you to come over.”
“I know I encouraged you to come here and work for a bit, but I miss my bestie! Do you know how lonely me and Tara are without you?”
“You guys are dating! I don’t wanna be a third wheel!”
The both of you were a giggling mess at the front entrance of the building, updating each other on what’s been going on in each others lives.
Then it was broken by someone clearing their throat.
You both turn to see Valko staring down at the two of you with a toothy smile on his face. “Good Evening Miss Researcher, who’s your friend?”
“Oh, Mr Valko-,”
“Heh, I’ve told you before, Valko is just fine.”
You blush as you stutter over your next words. “R-right well… this is.”
“I’m MC, her girlfriend.”
You turn to look at MC with a horrified look on your face. All she did was wrap an arm around your shoulder and pressed a kiss on your temple.
What is even happening?!
“Oh? Well I wasn’t aware you were in a relationship.”
“BECAUSE IM NOT????”
Valko turns to MC, his smile still present on his face as he sticks his hand out. “It’s still wonderful to meet you. Friend or girlfriend, whoever Ms Researcher is on friendly terms with is a friend of mine.”
Valko knew MC was lying. Your scent was not even on her! What was she even going on about? If it was for protection against him, he could understand.
MC squints her eyes at him as she unhooks her arm from you and shakes the males hand. “Is he treating you alright, babe?”
“Oh my gosh MC, please stop. Valko, I’m so sorry.” You go to pull MC away from Valko. “Well try not to take too much of your time! I know you’re super busy so we’ll just go.”
“Wait-,”
“Bye!”
You go and grab ahold of MC hand, dragging her away. “What the hell is your problem?!” You whisper yell at her. Valko was still able to hear you both as you walked away.
“What? I was only trying to protect you from him!”
“MC, that was my Boss!”
“Temporary Boss.”
“MC!”
Valko couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle as he makes his way into his building. He begins to think of a way to maybe talk to MC in order to court you better, and learn more about you.
Inspired by the dreamcatcher rooted in Ojibwe culture, the legends of Spider Woman Asibikaashi, Nanabozho’s tales of sugar maple syrup, and his epic battle with the giant serpent Mishe Nahma.
Weird Baldur’s Gate 3 AU I had the idea of years ago but never wrote about.
WARNINGS⚠️: Isekai, all the dark themes that goes with the game, potentially Marie-sue shit (a common trait in my stories you'll find out), Tav is reader, reader is from our world, it can be platonic or romantic, poly or monogamy, meme power and no I am not joking. Also, SPOILERS!!!
It can be x reader, x OC, x [insert whatever you want]. For writing ease, I'll be using "you", but if you wish to use my idea, you can of course do as you please (you can use an OC, a character from another universe, or even the game companions get isekaied, whatever you wish!)
So, here is my looooong idea.
You're a normal person, living a normal life in our world. With both the problems and advantages of it. One thing about you is that you're an avid player of a game called Baldur’s Gate 3. Game of the year 2023, and, in your opinion, quite deserved. You have played hundreds of hours, maybe thousand. You have played the game so many times, tried so many different paths, good, evil, a mix of both, Tav, Durge, origins characters. You have dated all the companions at least once to get the most details on them, learn about them as much as possible. You have read all the books you could find, even the most "useless" ones, that gives nothing to the story.
You could honestly call yourself an expert, or at least quite knowledgeable.
You come back, in a day like every other, home. You do your daily routine, play a few hours maybe? Eat, sleeping routine. And then go to bed, fall asleep as you normally do.
You wake up on the ground.
Not the one of your room, mind you.
No, this one is... softer? Skwishy? Viscous? It was very weird. Smelled weird too. Feels fleshy.
You open your eyes, and see the floor.
Naturally, you jump. The fuck is this ground???
You look around, and freeze. Because you know this place. Too much. You've seen it dozen of times, each time you start a new campain in your favorite game.
You're on the nautiloid.
How.
Your first instinct is panic, as one should. How the fuck are you here??? Why???? Why are you in the game??? Shit, do you have a tadpole??? Are you infected????
After a while, once you calmed down, you decide to try yourself on the path you know from the game. You can't seem to have any other options anyway.
You notice you have normal clothes (for you), not pyjamas or in-universe outfits. You check yourself to see if you're hurt, or if anything else from your world have followed you.
It has.
You take out of your pocket your phone, perfectly fonctional. It turns on, battery full, and somehow still connected to the Internet?
They have Internet in fantasy Hell?
Not sure what do to with it as of now, you put it back and starts to go to the next room, after scouting all you can from the room.
You go to the next room, knowing Us is waiting there, but unsure if he will help as you're not sure you bear the tadpole, never feeling the squirming often described by the narrator.
You decide to try yourself anyway (reckless much?)
When you reach him, you do not hear him, confirming you're not tadpoled (Yay!).
But for some reason, you feel compelled to recite the lines the narrator uses to show you use the illithid powers.
And now?
You hear him.
You hear Us.
He asks for your help, confused on why you suddenly felt like thrall, but grateful anyway. You free him from his prison of flesh and bones, and scout this room like you did the previous one, before feeling that you must repeat the illithid lines. You know it will keep you safe. So you do before leaving the room to meet your first companion.
The meeting happens pretty much like you know it, except there is a small problem. You're no fighter. You don't know how to use anything but a knife, and only to cut meat from the supermarket or veggies. Not exactly killing machine material.
But once again, that impulse manifest.
It tells you to recite a new sentence, a dialogue line you recognise from... Lord of the Rings???
You're gonna ponder on that later, so far the Impulse was right, so you listen.
You enunciate the line (you recognise it from being something Aragorn said), before naming his sword.
That appears in your hands.
To say you're startled is an understatement.
But you somehow know how to use it. As if you spent decades weilding the sword.
You and Lae'zel, with the help of Us, beat rather easily the enemy.
Your alien friend admits surprise on how you managed to materialise such a sword, or a sword at all.
You admit not being sure on how you knew how to do it, only that it would work.
After another comment of her (probably laced with some form of insult somewhere), you continue your way to Shadowheart.
You notice the difference between the game and the reality, while the game path is mostly the same, you can actually see the other companions afar, but you also know you cannot help them yet, not having the freedom to move as freely as in the game where only your actions makes the game progress.
You find Shadowheart, free her, and then go to the helm. You get the flaming sword (you quote Star Wars classic "May the Force be with you" to avoid getting close to an actual overpowered devil after Shadowheart command spell force him to let go of it), and make a run for the tentacled control panel.
The things here are quite similar as to the game, until you face the fall feom the ship. You're not tadpoled, so most likely the guardian will not help you. You let the Impulse guide you once more to save your ass from turning into a very red crepe, which it does successfully.
From there, you follow the path you know: find Shadowheart, explore the beach, kill the walking brains that are not as nice as Us, explore the nautiloid crash, find the companions, and go help the grove. Maybe not the order you would follow in the game, usually doing the temple ruins first, but again, you remind yourself this is not a game. You need to prioritise the main quest events to make sure no catastrophes happens.
You find Astarion, Gale and Lae'zel.
You were not interested in getting under the dagger of the vampire, so you call out his lie, making sure to stay away enough from his range. You tell him what you know of the tadpole, and you're willing to help. You even use your new power to connect to his mind to help convince him.
Without a surprise, Gale is quite curious at yojr "incantations", in common instead of whatever language spells usually are, and how they work.
You are not willing to answer that at the moment, you'll wait until the core team is there, like that you won't have to answer the same questions several times.
More questions about how you know more will join that ragtag group, you answer the same "answer when we all there".
Lae'zel attitude is sure to cause frictions in the group, especially with Shadowheart, and you take note to have a talk about it when you have the time.
You go immediately to the Grove, to at least have the place located, and in case be there if you're early to the attack.
The universe decides you shall match the game timing, luckily, or unluckily.
Having risked your life enough for the day, you decide to go for a distance weapon (referencing this time Legolas to get millenia of experience with the bow), having fun with his elven abilities (his ability to shoot without missing and having the best eyesight you ever knew).
You enter the Grove, break the fight between the dumbass and Zevlor (potentially by punching said dumbass), and go meet Wyll, who you hope will (lol) be better than his game counterpart.
You go deal with Kagha fast, saving the child and calling the druids out for their bullshit, taking advantage of your knowledge to know that their rite will just cause them to die, as such has been the fate of the other communities that practiced it, and their blatant racism disguised as "community protection".
You get the letters hidden in the chest inside the Grove and leave that place ASAP after dealing with Nettie.
You decide to stay a bit within the Tiefling camp to get potions, rations, and sell things (you're a pick everything in game, you are one here too).
By reflex, you check your phone, and notice the battery of your phone being strangely low for a phone you haven't used once. The battery may not be worth the old ones from analogic phones, but even that was weird.
You want to not worry about it, thinking that well, it was bound to get empty of energy anyway, especially in a world where you couldn't recharge it, but you knew it was important. That battery was important. You couldn't pinpoint how, exactly, however. And in a world like this, that was dangerous.
Lae'zel wants to interrogate the Tiefling her captors mentionned, and you remember how that one went. You go with her, but make sure she doesn't act out like she did in the game.
When she tries to shew you out for it, you firmly reminds her she is not with her creche, she is not with her kind, and that her attitude is just causing more problems than solving.
You inform her that you understand well she is out of her element here, pretty much isolated, in a world she doesn't know, and that being tadpoled is terrifying for her. But going for the aggression every single time when other options exist is just begging for enemies they don't need right now, especially with all of their abilities lost due to the illithid worm.
You are not asking of her to be suddenly all soft and sweet, you understand she's not like that, but that she at least make the effort to be civil with people who are no threats to her, for all of their survivals.
She will huff, but understand your point (I think, at least, she would understand. She would not like it, but she would get it, I think. Or maybe that later game Lae'zel 😅😂).
You ask your companions how they know when they become more powerful, like how does Gale has suddenly enough magic to cast a spell he couldn't before?
Once they explain, with them wondering how you would not know, you take out your phone to check the hour, noticing that the battery has barely moved somehow?
Gale, of course, is extremely curious. So are the others, but he's the most open about it. You show him some features, take a picture of him to show.
You're surprised to see his face activate the QR link mod. You click, and see...
His character sheet. The same as in the game, on your phone screen. You even see the experience bar. The levels.
You notice movement.
Your battery number got down.
It reach 20%.
You start to feel tired.
He asks what's going on. You say you just discovered something, but will study it later.
You take his picture, show him. He's fascinated with the quality of the picture.
You see the sun is getting down, and decide that you all need to rest. Lae'zel is not happy, but you remind her that trecking the whole region without proper resting is plain stupid.
The group chose to sleep outside of the Grove, in a zone we already know as safe.
While Gale make food, you try something. You put on selfie mod, let the camera show your own face.
The link appear. You click.
You see your own sheet. But it's blurred. You can't see your characteristics, strength, charisma, or even some of the abilities you have. You do see an experience bar tho, and a level. Level 2, as one would expect at this moment of the game.
Now that you know, you check another thing. Those weird reference powers you have. You try a reference you know works, and see what it does.
The power activates. You use it.
The battery goes down.
You maintain the power for a little while, until the battery goes down to 10%.
It's much faster when you use your powers.
You're so tired.
The other people try to get an answer out of you, of your strange device, your weird clothes. Your knowledge of things.
You say not everyone is here yet, so, no answer for now. But if you get your way, tomorrow or the day after should get them what they want.
You go to sleep, increasingly tired.
You wake up a few hours later, on your bedroll, under the skies. You check your phone. 100%.
You look around, and see a tent that was not there when you went to sleep.
The Impulse tells you to go there.
You do.
What you see shocks you.
Because inside the tent, is your room. Like, identical. Your bed, your decorations. On the desk, your PC (I know a lot of people do not have a PC in their rooms, especially if they have space, but I do not and it's easier if everything is in the same room 😅).
The other door you see, because somehow the tent has a door on "this" side, leads to the bathroom. You do not hide your joy at having access to modern technology shower and WC, because it's not gonna be something you'll have in the wild of a fantasy world. And you do remember the few you saw in game. Thanks no thanks.
You open your PC. You see it works as usual. You open Baldur’s Gate 3, curious on how the game will react.
Almost disappointingly, it works the same as before. You're not stupid enough not to take advantage of the situation tho.
You start a new game, honor mode. You activate or download the mods that will make the game the most identical to what you are currently living. And then, you start playing the game the way you lived it the day before.
Like this, you can always have an oversight of what's happening globally, which quests are on, what cancel them, how the character evolvle level wise in a main quest sentered run, and also to help yourself remember as much as you can from the game.
The phone battery doesn't move.
You hear a knock from the tent door (it's a tent, how do they manage to knock on it?), open the door and see the others awake and ready to fight.
Now, how to explain you own a magic tent that appears magically and has your modern room in it.
You don't!
You say it will be explained once you get the last missing core member (what do you mean you don't actually know how that tent is here?)
You decide to go find Karlach fast, because you don't know how long they're gonna accept that excuse.
You also decide to use the situation to test your powers. Because they're weird. Why are they bound to your godamn phone???
You manage to find Karlach, and make sure Wyll does not kill her (or get killed by her, depends on who you ask), and deal with the fake Paladins of Tyr, or whatever their name is.
You, of course, meet Raphael on the way there. You decide that showing your hand this early is not a good idea. You do not know what the limits of your powers are, and even then, your team is way too low level. So you keep yourself to the closest you can to the game dialogues.
You also deal with the blighted village. Your power proves itself useful as you can use the illithid authority without any downside. But you do know that using it that much will tire you faster, but it cannot be worse than continued use of it during a fight.
You explore the village after getting rid of the goblins and saving the gnome, getting the book, activating the forge (you're not sure if it's as useful as in the game, but at least that'll serve as practice if needed).
You go fight the trolls, wanting the headband, but the difference between reality and game mechanics catches up to you, and you fall.
Your brainrotted brain, for some reason, summon to you a meme. One that do lazers (or whatever attack meme you imagine).
You did not expect it to work.
It did.
Very well.
All of your group is chocked at the insane damage you just caused by saying out loud something sounding quite insane.
The trolls are dead, quite obviously.
You get the handband, and put it on yourself after cleaning it.
You also decide you need to figure out exactly how all those... Powers you now have work.
With the village now secure, you ask the magic specialist of the team, namely Gale, for help.
You explain your situation, how you never had any form of power before, and you do not understand how they work.
Together with him (and potentially others who volunteer to help), you learn exactly how your powers work.
Simply put, you have the power of memes and Internet. You can summon the power(s) of the characters you reference, the longer the reference the longer you can use their abilities.
You can also use straight up memes. Like, if you say the meme, it can either summon it (like that meme with the big mouth that shoot a laser from it), or the people around replays it.
You can also plays songs, like if you play Gangnam style, the people you want will dance it as long you dance it too.
(I also imagine that if you're a writer or an OC creator, you can temporarily summon your creations, but that's entirely up to you)
You discover that the price for using all those abilities is the battery of your phone... Which is also yours. The phone battery tells how much energy you have. It falls to 0? You pass out and won't wake up before it's back to a 100%. Sleep regenerate the battery. You discovered that specific part with the battery when you accidentally overworked yourself and lost consciousness as the phone shut down.
The advantage of this is that your need for sleep is similar to your phone, so 2 to 3 hours needed to recharge. You will be fully rested, as if you slept your ideal sleep hours.
It is vital, tho, that you stay close to your phone. If you're too far from it, the battery will go down much faster, and won't recharge once at 0%. You will also not be able to use your powers.
You are thankful that the battery of your phone seems to have the durability of a Nokia phone now, because as long you don't use use your powers (at least in big ways), you can last days without sleeping at all.
With this better understanding of your capacities, you can now properly deal with whatever this world will offer you.
God damn this took way too long to write 😂😂
Feel free to rewrite this at whatever sauce you want, be it in which order you want the events to happen, or anything else 😊
It is an Isekai type, but I also recently thought of this if like, two people (bffs?) Get into BG3 and the chaos that ensues 😂
Thank you for reading this way too long anf chaotic post!
if you're sitting on a fanfic idea because you think it's "too weird" or "too niche" I need you to understand something: the internet is VAST and FULL of people with your exact brand of weird. that crackship that makes sense only to you? there are at least 50 people who will read it and go "oh my god FINALLY." but even if there were ZERO? you still deserve to write the thing that makes your brain light up.
seeing people say "this trope has been done to death" as if that's ever stopped anyone from eating bread. BREAD HAS BEEN DONE TO DEATH FOR LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND WE STILL WANT MORE BREAD. write your chosen one AU. write your coffee shop meet-cute. write your 47th iteration of "there was only one bed" because guess what??? we're still hungry.
Please note that I am very new to the universe, and I do not have the books to give me answers (that would require money, which a peasant like me doesn't have), so I have only Youtube/Instagram shorts and videos (which I have been told many times are unreliable) and Tumblr fics (you can see the problem). So I apologize if the question seems very obvious 😅
So I would like to ask the people who actually know the lore something about the Emperor, because there is something I don't really understand.
He is, if I understood well, what we call a Perpetual. An immortal. Vulcan also is one, I think? But not the point.
The Emperor is immortal.
My question is, why was he placed on the Throne? Because if I understand well, it was to save his life (at least, it was one of the reasons). But as a Perpetual, he CAN'T die, right? He heals no matter what, like Vulcan did under his corrupted brothers torture. So whatever he do on the Throne right now, he could have done it just after healing.
Unless I am very wrong and it never was why? Did people not know he was a Perpetual? Or they don't regenerate?
Also, another question I have in mind, when Magnus forced his way with his powers to warn his father, it says it caused to pour demons. But the way I hear it, it always seems to imply it pretty much gave access to demons to the Webway. Is it actually that, or am I very misunderstanding all this?
I would appreciate if Lads could stop their adds things for people who ALREADY have the game 😂 I'm almost two years in (September 2024 is when I truly started to play), I still have adds for them on Youtube or even here, on Tumblr 😂😂
already feel like deleting this LMAOOO ive never posted anything like this and it feels so weird and new but flambert took over me 💔 hoping to whoevers up there that ppl i know irl wont find this hsgsheb
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