❝ some people call this junk. me? i call it treasure. ❞ ❝ i don’t like talking to someone who holds their honor so cheaply. ❞ ❝ i’m not a person. i’m a weapon in human form. ❞ ❝ you have opened the door to darkness. ❞ ❝ i will feast on your heart. ❞ ❝ the silence suits you. gives you an air of mystery. ❞ ❝ my ancestors are smiling at me. can you say the same? ❞ ❝ you’re losing a lot of blood. maybe you should sit down for a moment. ❞ ❝ there’s no glory in war.     it’s just something they tell soldiers so they’ll risk their lives. ❞ ❝ you’re going? i’ll miss you. ❞ ❝ if one of my enemies wouldn’t pay to have me killed, i’d take it as a personal insult. ❞ ❝ don’t like those eyes you’ve got. there’s a bad hunger to them. ❞ ❝ you’re either the bravest person i’ve ever met…or the biggest fool. ❞ ❝ kill well…and often. ❞ ❝ good to have you by my side. i need reliable people around. ❞ ❝ i should bash your face in after all you’ve done. ❞ ❝ you’ve been a good friend to me. that means something. ❞ ❝ what is better? to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort? ❞ ❝ kill one person, and you can solve so many problems. i wonder at the possibilities. ❞ ❝ all the living shall fear the dead. ❞ ❝ filth. run to the horizon before i hunt you down. ❞ ❝ yes, yes. i haven’t got all day. ❞ ❝ defy me, and i can offer you only pain and suffering. ❞ ❝ prophecy tells what may be, not what should be. ❞ ❝ you stink of death. i salute you. ❞ ❝ i’ll give you another chance, but watch yourself. ❞ ❝ my favourite drinking buddy. let’s get some mead. ❞ ❝ there are so many delightful ways i have pictured you dead. ❞ ❝ we’re one of the same kind, you and i. ❞ ❝ i don’t mean you any trouble. just leave me alone. ❞ ❝ you’ve caused enough trouble. ❞ ❝ politics are something best avoided. i prefer more personal confrontations, myself. ❞ ❝ i’m a nobody, really. ❞ ❝ now it’s time to face the consequences of your actions. ❞ ❝ i live in the shadow of death every day. ❞ ❝ it’s best if you didn’t mention to anyone that you saw me here. ❞ ❝ legends don’t burn down villages. ❞ ❝ i trust that this is just the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship. ❞ ❝ skilled, lethal and good-lucking. yep, it’s a curse. ❞ ❝ there is murder in the air. i can taste it. ❞ ❝ i’ll be here if you need me. ❞ ❝ you know what’s wrong with this place these days? everyone is obsessed with death. ❞ ❝ everything mortal fades away in time, but the spirit remains. ❞ ❝ the sunrise is almost as pretty as you are. ❞ ❝ no one else needs to die. ❞ ❝ you’re not going to kill me, right? ❞ ❝ is that confidence, or bravado? confidence i can use. bravado gets people killed. ❞ ❝ those men are ruthless. cunning, deceitful…they’ll pay off whoever they can. ❞ ❝ you realize if you set foot in there, you’re never coming back out. ❞ ❝ i have done nothing to earn your distrust. ❞ ❝ i can handle anything you throw at me. ❞ ❝ i love you. you know that, right? ❞ ❝ keep a song in your heart, and a blade in your boot. ❞ ❝ we face the world together now. ❞ ❝ with any luck, a worthy hero will step forward and solve our problems, just like in the tales of old. ❞ ❝ i don’t want to see you again. ❞ ❝ the day might come when i am forced to draw my sword for one side or the other. but that day has not come yet. ❞ ❝ my fingers are trembling. ❞ ❝ arrogance will serve you poorly. ❞ ❝ i hope your parents are proud of you. they have a lot of reason to be. ❞ ❝ the gods know what you’ve done. ❞ ❝ aren’t your hands coated with enough blood? ❞ ❝ its scent is foul, unclean. hurtful. ❞ ❝ i will listen to you until all the sugars in the world turn sour. ❞ ❝ i have a bad feeling about this. ❞ ❝ you want to talk to me? after everything you’ve done? ❞ ❝ please, i know i’m asking you to do something difficult, maybe even dangerous. i just don’t know who else i can trust. ❞ ❝ you have something to say? something on your mind? ❞ ❝ i hate you. i hate you forever and ever and ever. ❞ ❝ giant spiders? what’s next? giant snakes? ❞ ❝ you’re just rotten. no good. ❞ ❝ boys, girls, dogs, elders — there’s nobody i won’t fight. ❞ ❝ i would wake up and hope that it was just a dream, but know that it was not. ❞ ❝ i used to be an adventurer like you. ❞ ❝ iron sword, huh? what are you killing? butterflies? ❞ ❝ i know who you are. ❞ ❝ i was once an adventurer like you. ❞ ❝ this place’s harshness has a way of carving a man down to his true self. ❞ ❝ the best way to get over the loss of a lover is to find a new one. ❞ ❝ i saw this and thought of you. ❞ ❝ sorry, but you don’t scare me. ❞ ❝ hope you’re willing to back those words up with your fists. ❞ ❝ don’t even think about it. ❞ ❝ ever see someone killed with their own weapon? would you like to? ❞ ❝ you expect me to believe that? ❞ ❝ in a world of fools, you stand above the rest. ❞ ❝ i saw you do that, you know. ❞ ❝ the bards do not sing tales of those who die in their homes, slain by time. ❞ ❝ i’ve had just about all i’m willing to take from you. ❞ ❝ may the gods watch over your battles. ❞ ❝ sorry, i’ve got important things to do. we’ll speak another time. ❞ ❝ i look forward to hearing about the next person you murder. ❞ ❝ lot of history in these walls. ❞ ❝ i’d be honored to walk by your side until the trees themselves fade away, if you would have me. ❞ ❝ i’d marry you. i’d marry you twice. ❞ ❝ mind’s playing tricks on me. ❞ ❝ what are you hunting? never mind…i don’t want to know. ❞ ❝ i’ve never seen anything quite like that. ❞ ❝ looks like we’re the only ones who made it. ❞ ❝ something different about you…i can tell. ❞ ❝ we were made to dominate. the will to power is in our blood. ❞ ❝ good to know the world didn’t get boring while i was gone. ❞ ❝ you’re abandoning me? me? ❞ ❝ truth is, i’m not going anywhere like this. hurts to breathe. ❞ ❝ you will push the world harder than it pushes back. ❞ ❝ i’ve heard about you and your honeyed words. ❞ ❝ you’re here. that’s enough. ❞ ❝ come. won’t you share a drink with me? ❞ ❝ still alive? keep close to me if you want to stay that way. ❞ ❝ you’re not a threat…merely an annoyance. ❞ ❝ we were just talking about you. ❞ ❝ that was the hairiest fight i’ve ever been in, and i’ve been in more than a few. ❞ ❝ perhaps you aren’t as powerful as you think. ❞ ❝ it won’t die, it just keeps coming! ❞ ❝ you bring a smile to this one’s eyes and peace to their heart. ❞ ❝ there are so few pleasures in life as fine as your company. ❞ ❝ i should bash your face in after all you’ve done. ❞ ❝ hey, you. you’re finally awake. ❞ ❝ these people would rather weave their own horrid tales about my life than simply ask me for the truth. ❞ ❝ a warrior knows to trust their gut. ❞ ❝ i will listen to you until all the sugars in the world turn sour. ❞ ❝ no offense intended, of course. ❞ ❝ i can tell you’re new around here, asking a question like that. ❞ ❝ don’t worry. i’m the very soul of caution. ❞ ❝ you would be better off keeping quiet than flapping your gums on matters you don’t know anything about. ❞ ❝ you deal with powerful forces. take care they do not overwhelm you. ❞ ❝ the things we do here…evil, evil things. no more. ❞ ❝ that which is unknown can create unease, even fear. it is to be expected. ❞ ❝ i’m fine. but we should go inside to talk. ❞ ❝ now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. i fear dark days approach and everyone’s strength will be needed. ❞ ❝ i will spare your life this once, but after that, you are prey. ❞ ❝ lust can make a man do the unthinkable. ❞ ❝ i wouldn’t have made it without your help today. ❞ ❝ wouldn’t want people to think you’re part of the common rabble, now would we? ❞ ❝ just give me a minute…i’m out of breath. ❞ ❝ come on, give me your hand. we’re getting out of here. ❞ ❝ no, this can’t be happening. this isn’t happening. ❞ ❝ you have no authority over me. ❞ ❝ my past is long and storied, and not altogether proyd. ❞ ❝ i just need to be alone. for a while. ❞ ❝ you are so beautiful. such a lovely smile. ❞ ❝ you walk as a lion among sheep. ❞ ❝ i don’t like you, and i never will. it’s nothing personal. ❞ ❝ right to the point, aren’t you? i like that. ❞ ❝ i’ve got a good feeling about you. and i don’t often get good feelings about anything. ❞ ❝ i don’t think there are warm fires and friendly faces inside. ❞ ❝ i presume you’ve already seen some of what i’ve accomplished. there is so, so much more to be done. ❞ ❝ i give you three days before you screw up and someone runs a knife across your throat. ❞ ❝ it was us or them. we fought to survive. ❞ ❝ there is no progress without sacrifice. no wheat without threshing the chaff. ❞ ❝ wait…is that truly you? i can hardly believe my eyes. ❞ ❝ don’t suppose you could enchant my sword? dull old blade can barely cut butter. ❞ ❝ i never should have come here. ❞ ❝ come to think of it, i did hear some odd noises coming from over there. ❞ ❝ please. keep your voice down. ❞ ❝ i bet the two of us, we’re very alike. ❞ ❝ i know the horrors you committed to survive. while i dismissed it then, i cannot now. ❞ ❝ it is in everyone’s best interest if the matter is dropped entirely. ❞ ❝ oh. are you going to cry? ❞ ❝ keep your wits about you and you won’t be harmed. ❞ ❝ it’s far more exciting, you see, if the future is unknown. ❞ ❝ sure, leave. everyone else does. ❞ ❝ i see your way with words remains as elegant as a falling boulder. ❞ ❝ who are you? speak, or i’ll cut you down where you stand. ❞ ❝ no offense, but you’re not looking so good. are you feeling ill? ❞ ❝ this is just strange. eerie. what is this place? ❞ ❝ why not take the next step? we can help each other. ❞ ❝ truth is, i’m a little nervous. i’ve never done anything like this before. ❞ ❝ when the world was young, things were simpler. ❞ ❝ i never thought i’d see another friendly face again. ❞ ❝ i fight so that all the fighting i’ve already done hasn’t been for nothing. i fight because i must. ❞ ❝ i am sworn to carry your burdens. ❞ ❝ i know romance has never been your strong suit. ❞ ❝ did you run into any trouble? ❞ ❝ this life might not look like much to you, but i’m content, and isn’t that all that matters? ❞ ❝ i’m not your enemy. i’m actually trying to help you. ❞ ❝ before i tell you any more, i need to make sure i can trust you. ❞ ❝ you’re no fun at all. guess i’ll have to make my own fun elsewhere. ❞ ❝ at this point, i’ll take what i can get. ❞ ❝ this place needs a true hero these days. ❞ ❝ look, i’m sorry about your troubles, but i’ve got to look out for myself. ❞ ❝ my life is dreary. where is my prince come to rescue me? ❞ ❝ i may have lost a drop or two of blood. ❞ ❝ a lack of ambition like what you have really ought to be punished. ❞ ❝ you seem friendly, but so does a bear before it’s chewing your face off. ❞ ❝ stop skulking in the shadows and step up here. ❞ ❝ you have the whole world before you. go out and experience it…be whatever you want to be. ❞ ❝ so you can cast a few spells? am i supposed to be impressed? ❞ ❝ i keep thinking i can see something move in the shadows. ❞ ❝ i like you. you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty. ❞ ❝ i just can’t be a part of this place anymore. ❞ ❝ i for one desire to see you grow and develop your talents. ❞ ❝ if they’re not with us, they’re against us. ❞ ❝ i want to leave everything from this cursed place behind. ❞ ❝ these calamitous times bring out the worst in people. ❞ ❝ you’re someone who can get things done. i like that. ❞ ❝ so, what’s your heart’s desire? what kind of deal can we strike? ❞ ❝ i’d take this a bit more seriously if i were you. ❞ ❝ don’t be sorry for me. ❞ ❝ remember this: they are the enemy and will not hesitate to end your life. ❞ ❝ i don’t like the look of this. perfect spot for an ambush. ❞ ❝ you walk a dark path. your actions can lead only to ruin. ❞ ❝ how can something so sad be so funny? ❞ ❝ up to no good, are we? ❞ ❝ i’m glad you’ll be with me in there. i don’t like the looks of this place. ❞ ❝ if they choose to fear me in their ignorance, that is their choice. ❞ ❝ i know this looks bad…let me explain… ❞ ❝ the more important question is: why are you here? ❞ ❝ travel safely. it’s dangerous out there. ❞ ❝ i’m fairly certain you’ve wandered into the wrong bulding. ❞ ❝ oh, it’s you. i was wondering why i was smelling something so unpleasant. ❞ ❝ we’re the only people around who aren’t complete fools. ❞ ❝ you know…you ain’t so bad. ❞ ❝ look. if you’re trying to get to know me - don’t. ❞ ❝ you certainly have a strange energy about you. ❞ ❝ we’ll do our duty no matter what stands in our way, right? ❞ ❝ i have studied things beyond the reach of most humans, seen things one should not see.  ❞ ❝ there’s a lot of feelings wrapped up in this old place, and i don’t think you’re quite ready for them. ❞ ❝ next time you’re looking to pester someone, make sure it’s the right person. ❞ ❝ i hope you don’t mind if i walk up with you. ❞ ❝ our bond is in many ways sacred. ❞ ❝ i’m guessing you figured this part out already, but my father’s not exactly a good person. ❞ ❝ set my hatred aside? not a chance. it’s what keeps me strong. ❞ ❝ don’t make me regret my sudden outburst of tolerance and generosity. ❞ ❝ men who understand one another need not waste words. ❞ ❝ all right. i won’t deny it. what you heard is true. ❞ ❝ does the air feel…heavy down here? i’m a little woozy. ❞ ❝ i have a problem i think you can help sort out. ❞ ❝ i have to admit, i had my doubts it even existed. ❞ ❝ what is that thing? could the legends be true? ❞ ❝ i’d advise you to trust in the strength of your sword arm over tales and legends. ❞ ❝ travel safely. it’s dangerous out there. ❞ ❝ nice place. i never knew you were so wealthy. ❞

❝ you wanna know what's on my mind? ❞ julian fidgets with the zipper of his leather jacket. ❝ cheese fries. and unlike your repressed ass who denies himself the simple pleasures in life, i'm gonna go get me some. ❞

as he begins to walk the other way, he stops abruptly, ignoring the complaint of a pedestrian who then bumps into him. they're fortunate he keeps his hands to himself. bucky scrubs a frustrated hand over his face. shit. and it wasn't that julian couldn't defend himself, because bucky knew how powerful he was when it really boiled down to it. but he couldn't, in good conscience, abandon him. not when they were both wanted men, anyway. so, rather than pursue his escape, he tails julian to the restaurant and lingers off to the side of the building, waiting for him to satisfy his craving.

despite knowing it'd have little effect on someone, he brandishes the unsharpened blade of sorts at him all the same. " you got us in this mess. i look like a wet dog washed ashore, nary a coin to his name. i told you not to go after that ship. that captain was no joke ! " the knife is lowered and he turns himself onto all fours, deciding that he'd much rather be anywhere else than sat beside edward. " whatever, with any luck, we washed up somewhere that's already settled. with better luck, i'll get eaten by a panther first so i don't have to look at you any longer. "

@mindfade

her gloved fingers tap, drawing along a divot in the grain of the table. celine's appreciation is met with stoicism, not unlike yennefer's usual temperance. “ i only achieved what i set out to do, ” her hand waves the polite gesture aside, her tone neither snarky nor cold. “ margarita also happens to be a dear friend of mine, ” her elaboration ceases there, the sorceress' gaze fixing upon celine then. “ so, you can thank me by turning these poor excuses for herbs into a dressing for our mutual friend. if you're too tired, i'll see what i can make of them. ”

❝ i had my mom bring it back from her last trip to japan, one of her friends makes them. ❞ he'd planned on giving it to her for christmas, but now is as good a time as any, he thinks. ❝ something to keep your ideas in. ❞

a beautifully crafted leather journal decorated with golden blossoms looks up at her, inspiring awe. “ what the fuck, jules, ” her handbag slips from her shoulder and she sets it on the asphalt, the gift wrapping held beneath her arm, to open the journal and flip through the blank pages, yet to be filled. as nikki looks at him, there's a near-imperceptible wobble to her bottom lip, like she doesn't quite know what to say. and it's not so far from the truth. “ ... thank you. this is- i love it, ” there's an awkward wiggle, as she opens her free arm out to draw him into a hug whether he likes it or not. “ please give your mom a hug, too? this is insane, ” she flips through it again before closing the cover, tracing one of the blossoms. “ easily top 5 gifts, ” despite her tease, the genuine smile that touches her eyes cannot be refuted.

“ well, gee. i didn't realise i was hosting a pity party up here, ” bucky tears his gaze away from the illuminated cityscape to give his full attention to his unexpected company. he has half a mind to ignore her and carry on with his business, but he's not that cruel. perhaps he was more of a fool than anything for now indulging her. his potential idiocy remained to be seen, whilst he waited in the dark. her intentions, a mystery. “ you clearly wanna talk. so, talk. or, what, cat got your tongue? ”

julian remembers his first day here vividly. everyone else had already been working together for some time, familiar with one another, and here he'd come, desperately searching for a second part-time job to bridge the gap between rent and utilities. he's glad he'd taken a chance, though. nikki is the kind of friend he used to wish for as an only-child-turned-lonely-adult. someone to regale with horror stories of his failed dates with losers from west hollywood and tech guys from santa monica; someone to play mario kart with on days off before hitting the local swap meet. ❝ i have something for you, by the way. it's in my car. ❞

at the mention of a gift, nikki's smile drops. “ what? ” she smacks his shoulder, then, like he should know better, before draping her handbag over her own. “ you're supposed to be saving your money. i would've settled for you literally just driving me home, or like, junk food & a movie night... what is it? ”