I have a new brainrot to share =w=
Reader is an alquemist, a real good one at that. Everyday they spent hours and hours working on whatever projects they have in mind, forgoing having meals or sleeping in favor of acquiring more trivial knowledge.
Until one day their recklessness catches up to them and they collapse from exhaustion. They wake up under the care of a doctor who reprimands them for being so reckless. But it's clear from the look of pure dread on the alquemist's face that they have learned their lesson.
The alquemist returns to their lab to study and experiment once again, but with a clear goal in mind. To make themselves immortal. What scared the so much? Well, the person who was following them around ever since they woke up.
Death, death itself was following them around. Or how she likes to be called, Hu Tao. She is playful, likes to crack up jokes and pull pranks, even if they are all morbid. She took a liking to the alquemist and decided to meet them before their time. The horror of their meeting was so great that the mortal went back to life through sheer fear. They can barely remember what Hu Tao did to make them so afraid of her and her dominion, but they don't want to find that out.
Hu Tao was a bit annoyed at this but playfully said that it didn't matter, she would have them in her collection sooner or later. This motivated the alquemist to find a way to avoid death forever.
Day after day after day the alquemist would improve their health, discovering remedies and medicine to prolong their young (yet) short life, even if every waking moment they had to listen to the voice of their inevitable end going on and on about whatever topic she wanted to share with them.
But death wasn't as friendly with those around the alquemist. Everyone who even looked at the alquemist would bring upon themselves Hu Tao's scorn, who walked up to those mortals and gently poked them, and immediately, they were mortals no longer. The alquemist couldn't ask for help, no one could see the specter. They couldn't seek comfort from their friends, Hu Tao proved herself very possessive. They weren't even allowed to have pets, as not even the doves that nested on their window were safe. The only person they had available to talk with was Death itself. Thankfully, she was very happy to oblige.
And that's all they did. Talk. Hu Tao never touched them, she only talked. She didn't have to sleep or eat, so she was always around, meaning there was no escape from her presence. The stress started catching up with reader, every day they got weaker and Hu Tao's wicked smile got wider. Until one day they found their answer. A potion. A potion that could grant eternal life.
Hu Tao looked emotionless as she watched the alquemist boast about their creation, banishing her for all eternity from their life. But as soon as they drank the potion, her smile came back and turned into a grin.
"I knew I picked the right human to keep me company."
She said coming closer and closer, coming face to face with the alquemist that was now afraid that their potion didn't work.
"Aya, it worked just like you and I wanted."
She kissed the alquemist, who noticed their mistake as soon as the light didn't vanish from their world.
It's not... written that well x.x it's 2 AM and I had to share this ASAP before it went away. I hope you liked it! And happy new year ^^
anon i am actually so sorry this took me forever but the idea was so good i couldn't just leave it blank. happy new years and i hope you n ur fam are all healthy!!
content warnings: DEAD DOVE, threats/talks about death etc
"Where are you going?" Her saccharine voice takes on a mocking undertone. Daring. Challenging. I dare you to run, goes unsaid.
"Away." You mutter, packing a small bag of food and money. Enough to last a week, tops. But after, you'll have to figure out…
"What, from me?" She laughs, twirling her hair idly. "Do you know how silly you sound, right now?"
You do, actually... Your expression sours even more, if that were possible. "I don't care. I'm leaving."
"You're such a child. Running away when things don't work out."
Your movements freeze coldly and yet your heart bursts into angry flames. Turning around, you muster the most furious glare you can. "I'll have you know that I am a Dastur and a honorable graduate from the Sumeru Akademiya. I don't do 'running away'."
"Was," She emphasizes and your lungs seizes itself. "But they didn't like you all that much after your little stunt, did they, doctor?"
There's not much you can do, back pressed firmly against the door while she crowds your personal space like she always did until you suffocate. You can do nothing but clutch helplessly at the little bag. "Even all those needy little villagers demanding your medicine- they weren't one bit grateful, am I right, or am I right?" She taunts, fingers now tracing your neck, a gesture that should've irreversibly rotted your skin on contact if it weren't for your self inflicted curse. But instead, your body fights with everything to undo her damage, causing a low throb.
It's… true. Your initial enthusiasm about your research as soon as you had graduated was met with scorn and dismissal. And when you pushed for funding, they kicked you out. The word of the Akademiya was worth more than the lives you've improved. No one would shelter a Dastur driven out by the Elders, and you had to rely on your own plant knowledge to survive the first few days with roots and leaves until you figured out how to hunt.
Family and friends were scattered a across the world. You'd have a better chance getting back into the Akademiya than saving enough mora to book a cramped vessel back to your humble hometown.
"Forget them." Hu Tao coldly implores as she struts around your shabby office like she owns it. "The moment your family finds out that you've been kicked out, they'll just leave you like everyone else. You know that better than anyone."
"Don't talk so high and mighty. I'm sure they'll understand, they…" They what? Yes, you're fully aware that you're the pride and joy of the family for making it into the Akademiya. You've heard your parents telling your siblings to look up to you. If you returned without honor…
"They'll understand…" Your movements remain frozen, gaze fixed on the doorknob with the intent to leave, yet you do nothing. “They will.”
“They won’t. And even if you think they do, I’ll show you the truth.” She inches towards a dying plant sitting by your windowsill. It’s barely hanging onto life from neglect ever since you started focusing all your energy into your research. Her fingers gently grace a petal, and almost instantly, the remaining greens wither, granting your plant what you can no longer achieve. “I know you’re smart enough to know what I’m getting at.”
This had been the most direct Hu Tao has ever uttered a threat to your face. Even if your mother and father and siblings welcome you with open arms, you could no longer risk their lives for your own selfishness.
“It was fate that we met. I would know, because I’m always at the end of the line for everybody.” She continues, cruel and callous. “But you. It was your fault that you’re in the state that you are. If you had obeyed your orders instead of pushing for more, maybe you’d be basking in glory instead of living in this little shithole.”
She’s right. If you hadn’t pushed for funding. If you hadn’t conducted illegal, self-inflicted experiments. If you hadn’t-
“They’ll all push you away, in the end. But me? Baby, you know I’ll stay no matter what.” Now she’s back where she was before, almost pressed against you, trapping you with the door of your abode. Despite how annoying she’s been, she’s stuck with you at your lowest, and now you’ve reciprocated by rendering yourself immortal. “Why won’t you say the same to me? Why are you running from the inevitable?”
Death doesn’t discriminate. It’ll take everything, regardless of circumstance.