#|| drabble

[blueyemxn]

Off Script

A Billie Bust Up Drabble solely based off this

Summary: Fantoccio is frustrated with a certain goat that keeps ruining his play and his friend Tavi comes in to try and rectify the situation.

Yellow eyes glared down from the theater box where folded hands clutched in a vice grip, almost causing the wood to groan from the pressure. Below was a theater set carefully and meticulously crafted by himself. Each set piece was in just the perfect place and at just the perfect angle for the scene he envisioned. However, there was one problem, one very messy, chaotic and annoying problem.

“Take that dragon! I’m going to rescue myself!” called out one very obnoxious goat as she swung her sword, nearly tripping over her fluffy pink dress that threatened to tear from the sheer force of their clumsy little toes. She was rather jovial, despite the fact she was supposed to be crying out in despair at being trapped by an enormous and frightening dragon! 

Fantoccio slammed his fists on the box’s counter as he ground his teeth at the sheer incompetence that this goat displayed; making a mockery of his masterpiece that he had crafted so flawlessly over the course of months in preparation for this very moment. She was ruining everything despite his very clear instructions–

“Tocci?”

“Macbeth’s pantaloons!” He nearly screeched, his body shooting up and whipping around to face the owner of the voice. “Tavi, I told you not to sneak up on me like that! Especially in the middle of a play!” 

“Ah, sorry,” the deer apologized, giving him a meek smile. “You just looked really upset, is everything okay?”

“No, nothing is okay!” he declared as his arms shot up before pointing to the disaster of a scene down below. “That goat is getting everything wrong! It’s like she didn’t even read the script! I’ve never seen anyone botch something up so badly, not even you!”

For a split second her smile wavered, not that Fantoccio really noticed as he went back to glaring at the goat girl. She was still hacking at the cardboard cutout of the dragon, causing it to bend and warp from the edge of her wooden sword. The more he watched, the more infuriated he got over the whole situation.

“Hm… that’s actually kind of an interesting prospect though,” Tavi muttered. The young deer had rolled forward in her wheelchair, peering down at the stage below and watching the scene play out with a rather intrigued gaze. 

Fantoccio’s eyes flickered back to his friend with a disapproving glare; though she merely ignored it and continued. 

“Typically one would expect the princess to just cry and accept her fate, only hoping one day to be rescued. But with the princess taking fate into her own hands, she learns to be more independent and resourceful in times of danger. It would lead to so many experiences she could integrate into her future ruling of her kingdom. Making it better, stronger and–”

“And off script!” Fantoccio cut her off as he waved said play script in his hand. “The princess is supposed to be weeping and calling out in despair for someone to save her, not fighting the dragon! How is the hero going to be able to save her in the next scene if the dragon is already defeated?! It ruins the entire story!” He continued, on the verge of going on a rant.

“Then you just need to improvise,” Tavi replied simply as she looked back at him. “What’s the saying? The show must go on?”

“Yes but—hnnnng!” He grunted in frustration as he pulled down his hat tightly to cover his face. “Not for the entire play! Being such the forgiving puppet that I am, I will let a few mistakes slide, but she’s been doing this for every scene she’s in!”

“Really? Maybe she prefers to do things through improv?” Tavi asked as she picked up the script and started to flip through it. 

“This is not the place for something so…so…chaotic! This is my masterpiece in the making, it needs to be followed to a T!” He insisted. “How else is the audience going to marvel at how great my playwright and acting skills are?!”

At this she couldn’t help but give a small, amused laugh. “There are plenty of improv actors and playwrights that gain the awe of their audience, Tocci,” she explained to him. “It’s all about how you can adapt and fit the scene and story as it goes along. The better you can do that, the more impressive you’ll be to your peers and audience!”

Fantoccio gave pause for a moment at her words, though inevitably went back to pouting; making a small ‘harumph’ sound as he continued to glare at the goat girl with one hand on his face. Tavi just gave an amused smile before returning to the script.

When she finally got to the current scene, she paused as she read the specifics. She then looked back at the play still going on, the goat girl using exaggerated and outlandishly ridiculous words while continuing to do what could be considered the utter opposite of what she was supposed to be doing. Tavi then looked back to the script as her brow furrowed. There was a distinctly long pause before she started to speak again.

“Tocci… has it occurred to you she might be doing this on purpose?” She asked as she looked at him. Fantoccio didn't bother to look back at her as he rolled his eyes and did a circular motion with his wrist.

“You mean like that improv stuff you were talking about?”

“No, I mean, like, deliberately trying to ruin your play.”

There was a pause before his head whipped towards her.

“That is utterly ridiculous! Who would want to ruin the greatest play the world has ever seen?!” He asked, giving Tavi a doubtful look.

“Well did you—” she paused for a second before rethinking her word choice. “Did something happen that would cause her to want to ruin your play?”

With that question his eyes went wide and had a hand raised to his chest. “Tavi!” he gasped dramatically, “It sounds like you’re trying to accuse me of something! I am nothing short of being a gracious host to all who come to my theater!”

“Where did that weirdo put it?! It has to be somewhere around here!”

Large ears rose from their neutral position and turned in the direction of the faint, irritated voice of a certain goat. Tavi’s face twisted as she looked at Fantoccio expectantly. 

“Nothing happened!” he insisted despite her expression. “All I’ve done is invite our newest guest to participate in my masterpiece! I mean, isn’t that gracious of me? Who wouldn’t want to act alongside moi?” He ‘rhetorically’ asked as he showed a smug smile before continuing with an exaggerated eye roll. “Sure, I may have had to give her some… encouragement, but she said yes of her own volition!” 

Yea, that’s what she thought.

"Sorry Tocci, but I’m just not convinced,” she said with crossed arms and a shaking of her head. “She’s obviously looking for something and someone obviously took it.”

Fantoccio huffed. “Well even if I did so happen to procure this…imaginary item, it would take far too long for me to find it. The play can’t go on without its star after all!”

“Really? For someone who knows this place like the back of his hand, I would think you would have no trouble finding any lost items. But I guess I was wrong about that, huh?” 

At such an accusation the puppet of small stature huffed “Nonsense! There is nothing that Fantoccio the Great can’t find within his own theater!” He said, his smug grin emerging briefly before fading. His glowing eyes returned to watching the goat from beneath his large green hat. “But say I could find it in time for the next scene and give it back; she’ll just… leave and never come back! What then?”

“Well…why don’t I go talk to her while you go searching? I’ll convince her to stay, at least until your play has finished. And if not… well I can help finish it instead, maybe?” 

At her words Fantoccio looked back at Tavi, who was looking away with a nervous smile. She could feel a blush form on her cheeks from her unusual suggestion as she twiddled her hooves together. “I… I know I’m not a very good actress, but even if she does leave, you still have me, right?” she asked him, forcing herself to look at him for a brief moment, as if looking for some sort of confirmation.

Fantoccio floated idly there for a second, looking down at her as he crossed one of his legs. His expression read that of a man deep in thought, pondering his next move while also analyzing the girl before him. He didn’t speak again until there was a resounding CRASH from down below that gained his immediate attention. When he looked, a large set piece had fallen and came apart into several pieces with the goat girl incessantly jumping around the place.

“Ugh, I just fixed that!” he exasperated as he looked below, a low growl hanging from his lips. Perhaps Tavi was right and he should give back that stupid parasol so she could leave and stop destroying everything she touched. 

Dramatically flipping his poncho as he turned towards Tavi, Fantoccio lifted his head in a rather condescending manner. “Alright, fine, we’ll do it your way Tavi. Go talk to the goat girl while I go find her––this imaginary item you’re so convinced exists. Make sure she memorizes and follows the script down to the letter by the time I return!”

Hearing him relent finally made her laugh, turning it into a small grin as her ears started to wiggle happily at the news. “I won’t let you down Tocci, I promise.”

“Of course you won’t. Now hurry up, before she breaks more of my stuff!” He ordered before flying off to find that stupid parasol, leaving Tavi to herself for a moment. 

She could only chuckled to herself before moving off to do her own near impossible task: convincing a young teenager to listen and do what she’s told.

[happyorsadmultimuse]

drabble for @shelbysdevil​

Lizzie wasn’t sure what time it was. The only sounds in the house were the sound of her typewriter, the factories in the distance and who she guessed were Arthur snoring in the upstairs. It was far from the first time she couldn’t sleep. Looking at the stack of papers next to her that needed typing up was large enough to keep her occupied. Having lit the fire in the kitchen and opened the doors to the shop she sat in only her nightclothes as she continued typing. Tommy had told her to stop working when she found out they were expecting their first child, but she didn’t stop. As of now she had gotten so used to working a normal job that she didn’t want to stop now.

In honesty, it was the baby that kept her up. Her rounded stomach was now so large she could barely fit the nightgown over it. The baby had been awake most of the night moving around and kicking her in her ribs. It made it impossible to sleep. Resting her hand on her stomach for a moment she couldn’t complain, the only thing she wanted was a healthy child. A little bit of her and a little bit of Tommy.

It was of course Polly who noticed she was expecting before she even knew. With the amount of work, she hasn’t noticed she had missed her course. It took her by surprise, she knew eventually it would happen but it did sooner than she had expected. Placing the sheet of paper on the table she got a fresh one to type up the next letter. Of course, Tommy could do this himself, he could even hire a new secretary if he wanted to. Not being able to sleep was a good excuse to get some work done. Her husband had done it plenty of times. More than once had she found him in his office in the middle of the night.

Feeling her neck go stiff and her shoulders aching she needed a break. This was new to her. Before she could carry on for ages before getting tired. Now? Half an hour and it was time for a break. Leaning back on her chair, she lit a cigarette looking at the scoreboard on the wall. Resting her hand on her stomach she knew that once their child arrived she had to stop. She would have plenty to deal with, her typewriter would have to sit cold. Perhaps he’d let the next secretary use it? He had bought it for her after all. Lizzie knew she was being paranoid when she was worried he’d hire someone new, someone better, someone who would take her place. That nice girl she always said he should have. Someone who wasn't her. That she would become one of the women who glared at her when she walked down the street.

Those who knew their husband would come to see her. Looking at the gold band around her finger in the light of the desk lamp a smile spread on her face. She could still see him in front of her when he said I do. She had gotten a new dress, had flowers in her hair, only two of her sisters from her side came. Their wedding night didn’t feel too special they had been together plenty of times before. More than she could count. Him having called her Mrs Shelby for the first time. For her it was more the feeling of knowing the boy she had loved for that long, loved her as well. He was several years older than her, she could remember her older sisters wanting to have him smile at them. The boy with the dark hair and the pale eyes who always seemed to run from someone and the Shelby boys would cause chaos in the street. She could remember their aunt and their mother shouting for them to be careful. How his mother would tell her mother when they stopped to chat how much of a handful her boys were. Lizzie was little then, still holding onto her mother's skirt.

She had only been 14 when the war broke out. Turned 15 that winter. The following year her mother sent her and her sisters out to make money. Their father had been sent to London for the war effort. He was too old for France, but they used him for other things. At 15 she was sent to her first man. A soldier who was on leave from France wanting an English girl. He didn’t care how old she was. He had been kind to her, even given her extra. The next time she wasn’t so lucky. It seemed Lizzie was destined for that job while her sisters got normal jobs. Her oldest sister worked as a secretary while her middle sisters got factory jobs.

“I promise you will never know hardship,” she said out loud and looked down at her stomach “Your father will get you a house with a real garden. You will go to a nice school, never know what it’s like going to bed hungry. You will be loved,” she smiled as she ran her hand down the front of her stomach. Hearing steps on the stairs she knew who it was. He had probably either waited for her to come back to bed or woken up with her gone. Putting her cigarette out she went back to typing. Hearing the feet across the old floor, it didn't take long before she felt his hands on her shoulders. The hands she knew could be deadly weapons were always soft with her. It was as if they changed whenever he touched her. After the hands, a kiss was pressed to her temple, Lizzie smiled and placed her hand on one of his “I couldn’t sleep so I figured I’d do this,” she told him as she continued typing.

“C’mon,” she heard his voice say as he put his hand in the keys. Looking at the half-written letter she turned to look at her husband “Come back to bed.” It felt unusual to hear him say it. Normally it would be her saying it. Looking at him as she knew he was serious, she had to finish what she had started.

"I'll just finish the letter and then I'll come to bed. Why don't you sit down and wait? You used to love listening to me type," Lizzie smiled remembering how he would just sit and watch her as she typed when she finally learned how to do it. How he'd ask her to do it while he would try to relax on the bed. Just wanting to listen to her work, she never understood why, but she never said no when he asked her.

Listening to her typing up letters, memos and whatnot. How he would have the door to his office open so he could listen to her when they were the last two still in the office.

"Alright," was all her husband had to say as she watched him drag his chair to sit next to her desk. Watching as he sat down she started typing. Looking up at him while she typed she couldn't help but smile as she saw his blue eyes watching her. As she finished she pulled the paper out of the machine and set it down with the rest.

Using the edge of the desk to help her stand she looked at her husband "Well?" she smiled before holding her hand out. Feeling him take her hand she turned the desk lamp off with her free hand as she lead him through the house and up the stairs. Soon they would be moving into a new home. More fitting for a growing family. Letting his hand go she let him close the door behind them. The room was dark besides the one lamp on the bedside table and the fire that was still burning. The room was warm. Throwing her dressing gown over the chair Lizzie sat down on her side of the bed.

Feeling a pair on hands on her shoulders and a nose buried in her hair she smiled and placed her hand on his. “You need to sleep,” she heard his voice murmur in her hair. Feeling the hands gently push her towards the bed, Lizzie looked up at her husband before she gently ran the back of her fingers down his cheek.

“You need to sleep as well,” she raised her eyebrow before she felt a hand on her thigh that was moving up and under her nightgown. “At least blow out the candle,” she giggled as she felt her husband nuzzle into her neck. With a groan he turned out to snuff the candle out.

“Now, where were we?”

[dragonofthestone]

Tim had never been more grateful for work outside the Nest.

For the brief time he'd popped into where Greed had been there was a noticeable shift in the air. It was hard to pin point exactly what it was only that it felt off and seemed to leave him and some of the others a bit more on edge, even wary of whatever was going on with the Boss.

With head low and mouth shut Tim quietly kept out of the way finishing his own tasks before slipping back up above to watch the setting sun while Greed headed below

He'd be lying if he said a small part of him wasn't more than a little concerned, even wished he could offer some sort of help. But if whatever was going on not even Roa or Dol knew, than it was better left alone until other wise spoken to.

[nameaprice]

Heartseeker's

A Rainald and Sivir drabble by @wanderlustknightofmagic

This year was when Rain would get experience Heartseekers with Sivir. Little Lief was sent his grandparents to give the two the day to themselves. Not really aware of what the difference between this day and the holiday celebrated on his home was, Sivir was ready to enlighten him. While the costumes were optional, Rain insisted they dress in them. Shockingly, Sivir was fine with it. The knight was confused... until he saw the outfits.

Cheeks turned a deep red when he noticed just how much of his chest would be exposed with that strange attire. Though as he turned to Sivir, she was wearing a big smirk on her face and Rain could swear she licked her lips. Swallowing hard, he would undress, the spell to change clothes conveniently banned for today. Several times while putting on the borderline costume, his rear was smacked and squeezed. Of course the favor was returned, via groping, when it was her turn.

Resisting throwing away the day’s plans to spend them ‘in bed’ was hard for the both of them, but they managed.

Now all dressed up and feeling just how... odd these outfits were, the knight looked to his fiance. “So... Do we... go out on a date now?” The inquiry came with a small tilt of the head and raised eyebrow. Sivir just smiled a bit before taking his hand and guiding him out of the house. Now was her turn to show him some of the wonders of her world.

Their first location was a little spot, a hole-in-wall location that was decorated for the day. They were seated by a few others who seemed to be celebrating in a similar manner to them. It appears like they were a couple who was also ready to spend the day in a similar manner to the two. Food was ordered and the two enjoyed their meal with chatting a bit together and even including the other couple. It felt similar to the Day of Bonds back home and he was growing more comfortable as time passed... even if the outfit felt silly.

Later, the four of them would exit the hidden gem and begin to head towards a gathering of others who were celebrating similar to them. Sivir noticed that Rain seemed very much out of his element at this point, a bit of a shyer nature peeking through, so, being the dutiful future-wife she was, she rushed over to his side. Hand reached over to grip his own and even interlocked their fingers, holding it up to show her knight while smiling. Looking at her, whatever small worries or anxiety he was feeling... faded. A smile grew on his face as well and a small nod was given before the two rejoined the larger group.

They ended up a large party-like celebration with a whole band even playing. Of course, this type of dance-floor was not where he was proficient so, his lovely partner was in charge yet again. Leading him in a more freestyle dance, he was doing his best to take in her own moves and try some of his own.

It was awkward, a little clumsy, but the smile he had on his face was well worth the embarrassment he might have had.

By the time it was time for dinner, the two were in the middle of another dance when Sivir’s stomach growled. Stopping their dance, the two would bid farewell to their Heart Seeker friends before heading back to their home, via portals, to go and finish off the day with a home-cooked meal.

Before entering the home, Rain stopped her and brought her in for a deep and loving kiss before pulling away. “Honestly... I was a lil scared going through with ‘verything tonight. Not muchova party goer but... I had an amazin day thanks to ya, Siv. I love ya hun, thanks for a memory I’ma cherish for life~”

[balladofaspider]

It felt wrong to hide it from him, the man she adored and trusted so absolutely. To keep such a serious secret from a man who was so open and honest with her. So Holly had finally steeled herself and confronted her fiancé. It was time to tell him everything, reveal to him her secret second life. 

He didn’t take it well. Not the news of her life as a vigilante, that didn’t even seem to register with him. It was her new self that ruined it all.

As soon as she revealed the legs she watched the horror take over Ben’s face and her blood ran cold. He tried to play it off but she could see how uncomfortable he had become.

“Monster…” those words haunted her. Uttered from lips she had only ever found love from. 

Benjamin barely touched her after that. Kept himself at a distance both physical and mental. Eventually he took to even sleeping on the couch, leaving holly in a double bed that felt far too large, far too empty. She would lay awake at night staring at the second pillow where he used to lay his head, missing his presence. 

He left her entirely after three weeks. 

Holly had come home from a long day at the shop to find him gone. She had assumed he was only out for a few hours, that he’d be back later and she’d wake up the next morning to find him passed out on the couch (though she hoped maybe he’d finally rejoin her in bed.)

It took her three days to realize he was gone for good. 

Texts and calls went unanswered, belongings seemed to have been abandoned and the only visitors to her door bring delivery men, never the man she had engaged. 

It tore her up inside, and therefor she tore herself up. All four legs. 

It was their fault. It was their fault Ben had left her. If they didn’t exist maybe he wouldn’t have shut himself away, maybe he wouldn’t have left. Maybe her grandmother would still be alive, maybe she could live a normal fucking life.

Their fault their fault their fault.

Holly screamed not out of pain, but out of grief as she tore them from her back. They’d grow back, she knew they would, they always did. But she hoped, prayed that maybe this time, they wouldn’t

She doesn’t remember when she passed out. She remembers waking up and having to bleach the blood from her bathroom floor, folding up and disposing of the discarded legs in a trash bag directly into the dumpster out back of the complex. 

The shower she took was long, water beating against her tender, slowly healing back until it ran cold and even then she stayed. Her fingers pruned and she broke out in goosebumps but she stayed in the shower yet. It must have been at least an hour before she finally shut it off. 

Her engagement ring disappeared somewhere in her apartment, she doesn’t know where and she’s never bothered trying to look. She considered throwing it into the river at one point but could never bring herself to follow through, still clinging on to the foolish idea that maybe Ben would come back, maybe he would overcome his horror and return to her. 

It’s been almost three and a half years since. 

Benjamin was the last time Holly allowed herself to truly connect with someone. To open her heart and let herself be vulnerable in the manner she had. Everyone has been held at arachnid arm’s length since, no matter how close they may assume they are.

[balladofaspider]

Quickly jotted un-proofread drabble that’s been in my mind about Holly’s fears

tw: body horror, mutilation

Sleep had not been restful. Holly had tossed and turned all night, her mind plagued by something she could no longer remember after she woke. Her body was stiff and sore when she pushed herself up from the mattress. Maybe she needed a new one… she really shouldn’t be waking feeling this awful. She scrubbed her hands over her face in an attempt to wipe the remaining sleep from her eyes but froze when her palms smoothed over something foreign on her face. Horror immediately froze her blood in her veins. No… no it couldn’t-

Now wide awake, the woman could feel the obstructions at the corners of her mouth, new appendages growing from her upper jaw. She could feel every time she blinked, a sensation feeling far too distinct, far too strong than it ever had been before. 

No, no no no…

Holly all but tore the sheets off of her and bounded from the bed, sprinting to the bathroom and grabbing the corners of the sink so hard she thought she may shatter it. 

Her horrors were realized when she met her reflection. One she no longer recognized. 

Extra eyes had grown, bringing the total to six all clustered on her face. Mandibles protruded from the corners of her lips, causing an uncomfortable stretch in her mouth and an unnerving feeling every time her mouth moved as the muscles of them shifted. A cautious glance down at her arms and hands brought more of the nightmare to life. Her arms had begun to blacken, matching the four legs that grew on her back. Her skin seemed to be slowly transforming. A touch found it to have hardened, resembling chitin more than flesh.

No, no no no no no no! Please no! 

It was a horror that kept her up at night; the fear that one night she may wake to find her mutation having extended to more of her. No, no please. In the mirror she found not the reflection of Holly Mae, but that of a monster. 

“No! NO!” She cried, screamed. When her hands were brought up to her face she found them to be far more claw like than they had once been. They dug into her cheeks, leaving deep gashes in their wake. 

She broke. Shattered.

In a fit of hysterics she began clawing at her own face, gouging at the eyes and pulling at the mandibles. No, no she couldn’t. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t be a monster please, please! Scarlet stained the porcelain bowl of the sink and spattered to the tile floor by her feet as she continued her rampage on her own features

No more, no more, NO MORE-

Holly woke suddenly, snapping up in bed. Her chest heaved as she tried to regain her bearings. She was… this was her apart ent apartment. So that… It had all been … a dream? Right….? Right? 

She threw herself from the bed, following the same motions as she had mere moments before, practically breaking the bathroom door down to get in. Please please please she prayed to whatever deity may be listening. 

In the mirror she found her own face. One set of eyes that looked back at her filled with terror, lips parted slightly as she tried to catch her breath and calm her racing heart. A slow glance down at her hands found but a pair of calloused palms and dirtied nails. She was… she was fine. Everything was fine. It had all been a dream…

She slowly collapsed to her knees, hands still hanging on to the edge of the sink. The tile was cool against her skin, a reassurance that this was true, this was real life. But the image of her monstrous reflection haunted her every time she closed her eyes. A mimic of her that drew further and further away from humanity. Nothing like that had ever happened in the four years since the bite, since her arachnid legs grew. There was no indication that it would ever happen at all. But the thought terrified her. 

Super villains and the threat of dying didn’t scare her. It was the thought that one day she may wake to find she had been stripped of her humanity. 

[balladofaspider]

Light filters in through the windows beside her work table, illuminating it with a lovely natural light that brought out the beauty of the flora before her. While she trims and places the flowers in the vase, adjusting them into a pattern she seems acceptable, her four extra appendages busy themselves with choosing the next. One returns to her with a collection of three, holding it for her to take and weave into the current bouquet. The first and second go in seamlessly, but the third one stops her progress in its tracks. 

It’s a sprig of heliotrope. A beautiful cluster of tiny, saturated purple blooms. Aside from one: a stark white one hiding amongst its siblings. 

A mutation, she thinks, and immediately it sours her mouth. 

Mutation… The legs on her back slowly draw back to her body, almost as though they’re ashamed. Suddenly she’s all too aware of them, their presence. She can feel exactly where they connect to her back, feel every joint. It’s overwhelming, overstimulating. She wants to rip them out. Toss them into the dumpster behind the building and let them rot.

The bloom reminds her of herself: mutated, starkly different, doesn’t belong. 

And so Holly reaches into the cluster and deftly plucks the sole white flower, letting it flutter lifelessly into the trash can beside her.