So, this is my entry for @miraculous-ninjabird's M200 Follower challenge! I know this was a week late, but that just gave me time to refine it (I had to rewrite this thing 20 times! lol)
Title: The Lantern’s Float-On By
Words: 1,150
Ships: None
Prompt: Late night conversations
Warnings: Swearing, Alcohol, Drinking
Nya sat on the edge of the dock, just watching as the boats floated in and out of the port. The sun had set hours ago, but you wouldn’t know it with all of the activity that was still going on all around the city. She went to take a swig from her drink, but once she realized that she’d finished it off already, she sighed before setting it down. Now that all of the celebrations were over and most of the city had gone to sleep, maybe it was time for her to do the same?
“Penny for your thoughts?” Came a familiar voice. Nya looked up to see her brother clearing some of the garbage and debris from the festival, before he crouched down to join her at the edge of the dock. She noticed the flask poking out of his gi, but didn’t say a word.
“Just thinking,” she said as she subconsciously picked up her cup once again. She knew that it was still empty, but just the act of holding it was almost comforting...especially with how Kai was eyeing her in that parental way she knew all too well.
“What about?” he asked. Nya sighed, as she watched a small gondola float on by, carrying a couple who were snuggling together the way she used to with Jay, back when they first met.
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like, if-” she paused, as she tried to gather her thoughts. “...if we all retired?” Kai’s head snapped back in surprise; it was a little unexpected, yeah, but this was a question which she had been thinking of more and more as of late.
“Maybe once or twice,” he replied. Nya caught him pulling the flask out from his gi; she knew he made every attempt to hide it from the others, but being the sloppy drunk that he was, they both knew that he wasn’t able to stick to it that well.
“The thing is Nya, we’ve been doing this for so long...I just don’t know what else I’d rather do at this point.” Nya nodded as she reached into her own bag, and pulled out an old thermos. Kai eyed her as she popped it’s lid and poured it’s contents in her cup.
“Yeah, but at least you’re a blacksmith. The most that I can hope to do at this point is build freaking mechs and war machines!” She took a sip from her cup, trying to give the warm liquid inside a chance to warm her back up, at least a little bit. Kai on the other hand pulled back in surprise.
“Excuse me?” He asked a little more incredulously than was necessary; “You were so hell-bent on putting me and everyone else in our places, that you invented Samurai X and all of her tech!” Kai gave a single chuckled sigh as he leaned back on his free hand. “Nya...you’re probably one of the smartest people in all of Ninjago! If there’s a way to build something, then you’re the one person who can find a way to-”
“-Make it explointable,” she said coldly as she cut him off. Nya locked her eyes with her brothers as she put her cup down. “Pixal was able to break into my old Samurai X cave and completely assume the identity. The Son’s of Garmadon were able to hack into both the Samurai X tech and the old Bounty’s computer system! And now…” She felt tears starting to well up as she used every last bit of her strength to hold them back. She didn’t want to be here...not anymore after what they had all just been through. She was about to get up when Kai held his flask out in front of her.
“Switch me,” he said. Nya sniffled a little as she grabbed her brother’s flask. It was heavier than it looked, but that was because he’d made it from bronze instead of brass-tin. She took a swig from it without protest, and knit her brows as she caught it’s familiar taste.
“When did you find the time to make another batch of this?” She asked in confusion. Kai smirked as he picked up her cup.
“I was holding onto a couple of extra bottles from that last batch we made together for a special occasion, and, well...escaping a videogame and saving thousands of lives is worth celebrating...” He took a large swig from Nya’s cup, and almost immediately sputtered as he gagged just a little.
“Holy shit!” He cussed as he coughed; “Just what in the hell are you drinking, fucking furniture varnish?!” Nya laughed as she reached into her bag to pull out a half-empty bottle.
“I snagged this from behind the bar while Dareth wasn’t looking,” she casually said as she took another swig from the flask. Kai’s eyes went wide as he realized just what she’d gotten her hands on.
“Nya, this shit’s 170-proof!” She grinned as she slipped the bottle back into her bag. Just because just about everyone else had partied themselves out, that didn’t mean that there still weren’t people stumbling around, looking for someone to continue the party.
“Oh please, we used to distill harder stuff back at the forge!” Kai gave an exasperated sigh, as the alcohol visibly started to take effect. She grinned as he had to lean back to steady himself.
“Lightweight,” she teased. Kai shot her an annoyed look as he grabbed the cup and took another swig; this time only coughing a little bit as he stared her down.
“And you need to slow down with all the liquor,” started to slur, as he warmed the cup from the bottom with his flame. “You didn’t drink like this before you became a ninja.” Her grin fell as she recognized the pained look in her brother’s eyes. It was the same look she’d seen all the time growing up, when he’d scold her for spending too much during the week when money was tight, or when she would complain about him skipping meals when she had gotten three square meals herself. She must have been more tispy than she realized, because she heard him sigh in that little way he always does when she’s been silent for too long.
“I’m sorry,” he said; “I didn’t mean for it to come out like-”
“You’re right,” Nya said, cutting him off. “I was a lot happier with my life before I became a ninja…” They sat there for the longest time, just watching as the number of boats finally started to dwindle; their lanterns going out one by one as they docked.
“C’mon, the sun’ll be up soon...let’s get back to the Bounty.” Nya could feel the alcohol starting to take hold, so when she felt Kai grab her by the arm, she didn’t protest.
Alrighty my friends! I have reached the 200 follower Milestone, which is more than I ever would have expected. I am so happy to have y’all here, and have decided to host a little contest to celebrate!
RULES and INFO
This is going to be a content creation challenge. Below you will find a list of prompts you can use. The rules are simple.
Pick a prompt and create something Ninjago related for it! Once you’re done you can either tag me in the post or tag it under ‘M200chellenge’ so I can reblog and see all the submissions! Also make sure to list what prompt you used. Anyone can participate, you don’t have to be following me :)
I will NOT reblog anything nsfw, hurtful or inappropriate. It can be as light or dark as you desire as long as it is TAGGED CORRECTLY
All submissions must be in by 11:59 pm US Eastern Time on Thursday, June 10th. NOW JUNE 17! Ask if you need an extension.
Prompt list!
-“This isn’t what it looks like, I swear! Okay … it’s kind of what it looks like, but just give me a chance to explain.”
-“I’m here. I know that’s not enough, but it’s all I got”
-Late night conversations
-Sunset kisses
-Villain Kai!
Judging will be based of creativity and best usage of prompts. Dialogue prompts don’t have to be followed exactly as long as the idea is there :)
Prizes!
1st place: 20$ e-gift card for lego.com and 1 commission from me (2500 words or less)
2nd place: 15$ e-gift card to lego.com and 1 commission from me (1500 words or less)
3rd place: 10$ e-gift card to lego.com and 1 commission from me (1000 words or less)
4th place: 1 commission from me (1000 words or less)
Have fun creating and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask! Reblogs appreciated!
