After an exhausting start to the masquerade, you drag Delphi to the bathhouse
This fic is a part of @the-midsummer-masquerade
You’ve lost track of hours spent dancing and rutting. Though you had promised yourself that you’d take it slow at first, you’ve once again gotten swept up in the excitement of the lustful celebration.
But then again, how could you not, when Delphi is your date?
The magician is so passionate, so carefree. They know what they want and are unafraid to grab it. Though Vesuvia is already rather sex-positive, there’s still a level of shyness when it comes to attending the infamous masquerade. You might for example run into an old friend making it awkward, and there may be one or two bad apples who tease you despite the otherwise welcoming environment. But Delphi is unafraid. Delphi wants to go out and get dirty, they don’t care who tries to stop their fun, and just being by their side makes you brave too.
But at the end of night two, it doesn’t make your feet less sore, or your back less tight, or your eyes less droopy. You’re beat, and yet Delphi is still excitedly running around like they could go long into night 3 without rest.
“Delphi, maybe it’s time to cool down.”
“Huh? Oh- yeah! After we try out the Midnight Room! It’s pitch black, so it enhances other senses!”
“The Midnight Room will still be there tomorrow. How about we head to the baths? Nadia was very kind to let us use her private spa, after all.”
“Huh? But we can do that tomorrow too!”
You didn’t want to say it but…
“Delphi. You are stinky. You are very stinky.”
“…so?”
“When you’re stinky you need to bathe!”
“I thought you liked my musk,” they pout.
“Bath. Now.”
“Oooooh you’re using your dom voice? Haha, okay then. We can take a bath.”
Nadia’s bathhouse is as immaculate as ever. The scents of rare flowers and salts fill your lungs. Delphi marvels at her collection.
“Woahhh, these are eucalyptus leaves! In baths, they’re good for sore muscles, but I can use them to make potions that make you focus! Nahida’s so smart, no wonder she has so much of it…”
You smile, “see? I knew you’d like the bath house.”
You walk up to them, and start to rub their shoulders. They sigh, immediately relaxing a bit. Their shoulders are tense, but the tension quickly melts under your hands. You loop your fingers under each strap, and quickly remove their robes. The silk fabric falls around them, leaving them naked.
You continue to rub down their back, calming them and soothing their spirit. Then, you take their hand, kiss it, and lead them to the bathtub.
They groan as you massage shampoo into their head, nails scratching against their scalp. They sink into the water so much, you have to pull them up to be able to lather their body with soap. They blush as you pay special attention to their chest, and under their arms.
“Can’t get enough of me?”
“I’m only scrubbing because you were sweaty today.”
“Right, right…”
You move to their ass, scrubbing a bit more rough than necessary.
“Hey!! Hey!!! Watch the goods!”
“Sorry, I couldn't help it.” You go back to scrubbing their body.
“Ahh, all clean,” Delphi brags, reclining into the bubbles.
“…no. Not quite.”
“Huh? What else is..”
They trail off as you spread their legs, and with a soapy hand, grab their cock.
It is kind of funny to me that Lucio is a comfort character to me but in my oc lore I made him actually even worse and meaner than in canon
Your honor I’m not guilty of being a hater I love my blorbo I just love drama even more. It’s essential to the lore that he is partially responsible for the death of my oc’s family and that he broke their little heart.
Febuwhump 23 - “Ask a Doctor if Torture is Right for You!”
Day Three: Muzzling with Delphi (my Arcana oc!)
{WC: ~1,150} {spoilers for the Arcana, pre plague, implied character death, medical setting, torture, plague, as you can tell Valdemar is the co star of this fic, giving my oc a real bad time, Delphi also says a lot of fuck words}
@febuwhump
Everywhere Delphi looks is red. An ugly, dull shade, like spilled wine never cleaned. A dirty, foggy filter overlaid atop everything. The walls, the ceiling of their tiny room. Even their own body was distorted.
But not just by their vision.
Even with the restraints keeping them firm in their bed, Delphi could see the blistering red sores, the puck marks like insects had bitten away at them. And the surgical, purposeful marks left by previous experiments. They shivered, they wished they had a blanket. And morphine. And anyone by their side.
Speak of the devil, the door opened.
What bothered Delphi the most about when Valdemar visited their little hospice room wasn’t even the experiments, it was the attitude Valdemar treated them with. They hardly acknowledged Delphi, preferring to work on them like they were a plant or something. The moment Delphi had contracted the plague, they ceased being anything but an experiment to their former college. And even though Delphi always detested Valdemar for a reason they couldn’t place, it was an insult to their pride to be dismissed like they weren’t human.
Valdemar scribbled furiously, noting the growth of the throbbing red patches, how much weight Delphi had lost, the new shade of sickly yellowish white their skin had become.
Delphi started to cough, clearing their throat of mucus in order to speak. Valdemar rolled their eyes; this had become routine. They prepared themselves for a litany of annoying yips and whines from their subject.
“F-ffuck. You,” Delphi sniffed. “Fffuck off and die.”
“Such detestable language, #068. One would hardly think you worthy of working as a court magician, with such a low standing.”
“My name is Delphi- and shut the fuck up about the court. Suck a cock.”
“Ah yes, I remember now. That’s how you got the job.”
Delphi lunged at Valdemar- or tried to. In theory. But between their weakened body, their deteriorated muscles, their constant vertigo, and the restraints shackling them to their deathbed… they barely managed to ratte the bed against the cold floor.
“068, you’re only going to bruise your limbs-“
“Shut the fuck up you gangrenous piece of-“
“-which at this stage in your disease-“
“-ugly ass face and stupid fucking horns-“
“-could cause blood clots to form-“
“-stupid piece of shit-“
“-costing me days of valuable research with you.”
Valdemar sat back and waited for them to finish insulting them.
…then they smiled.
Now, normally they liked to keep their patients fully verbal. Oh, how they loved the screams, the pleading, the gurgling of if all. But their favorite part of experimenting was breaking their patient- and they gad been waiting years to see this loudmouthed, annoying, ridiculous, sloppy, little pig of a magician become broken beyond repair.
They turned around, searching for the perfect tool. They picked out the appropriate sized scalpel, and an ink pen, and they brought the tools to their subject’s bedside.
Delphi’s eyes were focused on the blade.
“I’ve asked you nicely not to act so vulgar, #068.”
They took the pen, and grabbed Delphi roughly by the face, craning their neck back.
“The fuck are you doing to me this time? Taking more skin? Shocking me? That won’t make me stop fighting you, Valdemar.”
“I know.”
They start to dot around their neck. “That’s why I’m cutting your throat.”
“…you wouldn’t. You wouldn’t kill nd so fast.”
“An elusively accurate observation, 068. I’m cutting into your throat, yes, but not to bleed you dry. Instead, I’ll be operating to sever your vocal chords. This will make all vocalization difficult, and speech unnecessary.”
“…you’re just scaring me, shut up-“
“Of course, you’ll no longer be able to request water or medicine, but we both know that wasn’t necessary from the beginning, yes?”
“Get your hands off me!”
“Eating will be somewhat difficult, but your prognosis indicates that death by starvation is no concern either way. Which reminds me… I ought to vivisect you soon while your body is still fresh.”
“Ah, finally,” they cooed. Finishing marking out their knife’s path, Valdemar turned to the medicine cabinet to find a paralytic agent. If Delphi kept wiggling- they’d risk cutting the fun short.
“I don’t offer this opportunity to all my toys, but because we were once colleagues, and your body will provide me incredibly valuable insight on how the plague affects subjects with high magic volumes… I’ll be as kind and generous to allow you one question.”
“…why me?”
“How cliche.”
“…the way you’ve tortured me… I know you don’t treat your other subjects this way. You aren’t even really experimenting on me- you’re just trying to fuck with me. Why me? What did I ever do to you?”
Valdemar is silent for a bit. On one hand, it would be delicious to continue torturing Delphi without giving any hint of the reason why. On the other, it would be cathartic for them to reveal their hand here…
“Why do you think?”
“…is it something I did to you when we both worked for Lucio?”
“You may guess again.”
“Is it because I didn’t work hard enough to find a cure?”
“That wasn’t a concern.”
“…please tell me you aren’t doing this to hurt Julian,” they let slip.
“…I ought to not tell you this, but i'm curious to know how an emotional being reacts.”
“068, you may rest easy knowing that I have no intention of telling 069 what has become of you. Knowing the extent of what I’ve done will damage his worth ethic. Once you’ve died, I’ll tell him you died naturally of plague. Now, for my notes, please tell me whether that fact comforts or hurts your emotional state.”
“…both.”
“Fascinating. Keep up the helpful feedback and I may not need to surgically muzzle you. Now. Are you still curious to know why I’m doing this?”
Delphi is quiet, but nods.
“Alright. Your aunt crossed me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your aunt. The one that lived in vesuvia. She irritated me, but she died before I could do anything to correct it.”
“…wh-… the fuck did she do?”
“As a result, I am using you as a substitute for her. Sort of a… stress relief.”
“What!?”
“In a way, you’re suffering here is all your aunt’s fault. How does that make you feel…?”
Delphi mumbled something. Valdemar leaned closer-
And got a face full of spit.
“You do not talk about anyone I love that way. And I am not helping you with your stupid little research. I don’t care what you do to my body. You are never getting inside my head.”
Valdemar calmly wiped the red speckled spit from their face, their skin shuddering and peeling from offense.
“…very well, 068. It is quite literally your funeral.”
They took the paralytic agent, and steadied it above a red and engorged vein.
Day Three: Give a short summary of their relationship to the other main characters!
Delphi
Asra - Delphi definitely still looks up to Asra immensely, and is incredibly thankful to him for everything he has taught him… but occasionally their pride does get in the way of properly thanking him. They see him often, and consider him a confidant.
I’m not sure how much I want to keep of Asra's feelings towards the Mc with him and Delphi. Depending on the au (since I often put my friends ocs and mine in the same universe), Asra has feelings for @teeth-farie’s oc Salem, so perhaps Asra sees Delphi as more of a familial bond.
…Delphi does not know about the ritual.
Nadia - In my head, while Julian and Nadia became extremely close friends again after their memories were fully restored… Delphi always felt an uncomfortable sort of grudge towards Nadia. They know the trial wasn’t her fault, and that it was all necessary… but Delphi is a stubborn person.
Nadia is not completely unaware of this, and wants to build a friendship with them.
Portia - Lacking memories of their family (as well as them being missing for a long time- but that’s another story), Portia is the closest thing Delphi has to a family, and they have gotten extremely close to her.
Portia sees them as family as well, but damn if there aren’t days where she looks at them and Julian and thinks “oh no there’s two of them now.”
Muriel - Muriel and Delphi don’t hang out often because their personalities and energies clash so much, but Delphi wants to get to know him more. Muriel… is happy that they’re such good friends with Asra!
Lucio - Delphi isn’t sure why, but when they think about Lucio they see absolute red. They despise him, they think he’s ridiculous, and they have no idea why he acts so… flirtatious towards them. He implies that he knows more about Delphi than they know about themself, and it sends them into a blind fury.
Day One: Introduce your apprentice! Just their name, personality, appearance, and likes/dislikes for now! If you have pictures of them, post them today!
Delphi my beloved friend Delphi
Where to even start with this clown
Delphi is a bold, good hearted, but a bit foolish little magician. Though they’d be quick to remind you that they’re also a potioneer, aka a magician who specializes in synthesizing potions to create incredibly specific and powerful potions. Any shmuck with an alchemy table could brew you a hair growth potion, but Delphi could brew you one that’ll grow just your eyebrows and no other patch! Or a warming potion just for your ears- this one they made for themselves, as their long ears get cold too easily. Delphi comes from Olyth, which is a continent I made up to exist in the Arcana universe. It’s northeast of Nevivon, and based on Ancient Greece. Most Olythians have elven traits, blue hair, and pronouns. I’m mostly joking about that last bit. Delphi used to have deep blue hair, but through excessive use of magic it bleached (I hc that this is why Asra’s family has white hair with bits of purple, but I digress).
Delphi is rather small, and fiercely in denial of it. Though they posses a decent amount of muscle, most of their strength comes from their magic. Admittedly I based their physique on Link from BotW. Still, they could easily lift most people, and won’t hesitate to brag about it. They also have an awful little mullet.
Delphi enjoys food, wrestling, dandelions, wine, insects, and being praised. They dislike being condescended to, formalities, and wearing too much clothing.
They have a squeaky little British accident, which I picked specifically because it’s funny to me. They sound like Akira from the original English dub.
Day 12: Can they cook? What’s their favorite meal?
Delphi is… an interesting cook. Their food looks sometimes delicious, sometimes dubious, but it’s the most amazing thing their guests have every tasted. They particularly enjoy barbecue.
Iliad only really knows how to make soups and stews, but goddamn if it isn’t the best stew you’ll ever taste.
Day Nine: Do they have a patron arcana? Who is it? What’s their relationship like?
Minor spoiler warning for the Arcana!
Delphi
Delphi’s patron arcana is, just like in the game’s canon, the Fool. They often look to Scout for guidance, especially because they often make pilgrimage to the realm of the Arcana.
Almost as a secondary patron, they have an incredibly deep trust and connection to the Hangman, and why not? He’s saved their beloved multiple times, and he is a reassuring presence to Delphi.
Iliad
Due to her lack of magic, Iliad considers herself invisible to the Arcana, often believing that they overlook her or simply do not care. She has had, from birth, a contract to the Devil however, who if anything has been far too close for comfort; he would visit her yearly on her birthday. He often manipulated her by promising to release her from his contract. More on that tomorrow, however.
Despite her nihilistic beliefs, however, the arcana do watch over her and guide her, particularly her family’s patron; Strength.
APPRENTICEMBER DAY FIVE: Delphi AND Iliad Edition!
{Art by @governmentfundedvampiresex! In the center is xer oc Garlic! Leftmost is @fishyreject’s Rhett, and rightmost is Delphi!}
Day One: Do they have any other friends outside of canon? What about the minor characters?
Delphi AND Iliad Edition! (So I’m not tagging my friends 100 times)
Oh man there’s. A lot.
I have a bunch of aus/roleplays with my friends where our apprentices interact with each other… so I’ll just use this day to describe some of the relationships between my apprentices and my friends apprentices, alongside minor characters!
The only minor character that Delphi has a very close relationship with is Maz, who essentially fucking adopted them onsight. They took one look at this scrappy little blue pup and went “is nobody else going to feed this poor little thing some soup?”
A joke I’ve made countless times before and will make again is that, prior to meeting Delphi, Maz had heard lots about them from Julian. Thanks to his… exaggerated descriptions, Maz was expecting a 6 foot tall, broad chested, bold and intimidating warrior wizard with a 16 pack.
When they saw Delphi for the first time, she had to hold back a laugh.
@fishyreject’s Rhett (art by him as well)
Delphi’s been friends with Rhett for as long as they can’t remember. They look up to Rhett immensely, secretly wishing they were as brave as he was. Rhett sees them as the sibling he’s never had (rip 2 his sister but she sux). Though they had a complicated relationship when Delphi was a court magician (thanks to Lucio playing favorites), they eventually felt confident enough to leave the well paying position and attempt to run the shop full time, and it was thanks to his support. They are… buddies.
If we are talking about the roleplay lore… Iliad and Rhett had an extremely rocky start. As in, “Iliad as a mecenary was tasked to hurt Rhett and all his friends” rocky. Though it was exposed that she was fed false information, and chose to join the side of the heros (not the anime ass redemption arc), Iliad… never fully forgave herself for her actions against Rhett and his family. However, she considers her and Muriel her closest friends because they’re have a similar calm, quiet nature, and they feel comfortable discussing their honest thoughts with each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@governmentfundedvampiresex’s Garlic
Auuhaaouughha… the notorious Thripple…
There’s a lot to be said about them! In the thripple au, Garlic is Delphi’s boyfriends boyfriend, and the three of them share a unique warrior’s bond (and something else too, but that information is cursed)
Garlic is the most calm and supportive of the three, helping soothe Julian’s anxieties and Delphi’s stubbornness. He also cooks the best dessert of the three, to be honest. He’s a bit shy and sometimes doesn’t say aloud what he wants or needs, and Delphi wants him to be more bold and outspoken, so they encourage him heavily!
Iliad is the same, though in a less… pushy way. She wants Garlic to find confidence in himself, too. Additionally, Iliad has many hobbies that she shares with Garlic such as knitting or cooking, though she has little time to indulge in them… but the two often find time to work together!
@l0veal0t’s Faline
Before leaving for Vesuvius, Delphi and Iliad grew up on a small island off the coast of Olyth called Swami. It’s a rather secretive island, not appearing on most world maps. People often go there if they want a peaceful place to live in community, and not be found. Delphi and Iliad’s parents fit into the latter, but Faline’s parents simply wanted to live a quiet life on the small, independent island. But perhaps the wealth they accumulated through owning Swami’s sole trading port had much to do with it.
Delphi, Iliad, and Swami met as small children, and became fast friends, almost inseparable. They played together as well as doing chores. They whispered secrets to each other. Faline soothed Iliad when Delphi was missing, and assumed drowned at age ten (though she thought it odd that Iliad never seemed to recall that they had died, often speaking of them as if they were still alive).
…but during the destruction of Swami, Iliad mistakenly thought Faline was killed by the raiding pirates.
When they reunited, Iliad was probably overjoyed by the sight of her childhood friend, and immensely relieved that she was safe and sound.
@teeth-farie’s Salem
We have an au where Salem and Delphi do a little kissy… maybe even a smoochy.
They’re a fun dynamic together, considering that Salem looks uncanny and terrifying but in reality they’re very cuddly and sweet, whereas Delphi is the human equivalent of a poorly socialized Pomeranian that bites ankles.
They hold hands everywhere. Delphi likes to carry Salem around. Salem has tasted their skin.
Iliad is so terrified of them, very worried for Delphi at first but quickly sees how happy they make them.
