Simon was glad for just how busy he was being kept after his announcement. The new rule about council members holding only that office, as well as the shuffling of staff, and preparation to welcome an envoy from the Demon Realm whilst also preparing to send their own there, had all been more than enough reason for him to avoid Gavin. 

Honestly, his reaction was more or less what he had expected too. His -Ex- friend was shocked, angry, and panicked as his and the faith’s carefully laid plans started to crumble around them. Gavin couldn't pull on his strings emotionally; the faith had lost a good number of people in high positions of power with the shuffle, and they had lost most (hopefully all, but more likely simply most) of the staffing positions in the palace that they had worked to fill with their brown members. 

I felt safer than I had in weeks, and honestly more clear-headed than ever. It was like a fog that was obstructing my view was lifted. 

Sinte said it was pettiness, Fig said it was clarity. I think it's just adrenaline and that will collapse into an early grave once all of this is over. 

“Simon! Your notes!” Another thing that had changed was that both my younger siblings were becoming more involved in court and the matters of the kingdom. 

The thinking is that until I wed and have heirs, my heirs, Sarah and Samuel, will be my heirs and thus need to learn how to rule in some capacity. 

“It's good to have a backup plan.” Sinte had told me cautiously, “Just in case.” She was a military person, and a person of the people. She was thinking of the kingdom's future, and for that I was thankful. 

No matter how awkward it was to think of the backup plan involving me being dead. 

Sarah has begun taking audiences with the common folk and is starting to sit in on less complicated meetings about internal affairs. Samuel, being only eight, is still far too young to be actively involved, but his education is becoming similar to what mine was at his age. 

“Come in!” I call to the door, which swings open shortly after to admit both Sarah and Sinte to my office. 

“Sinte, what can I help you with?” 

“I'm resigning from my council office, unfortunately. Though I have found a list of worthy replacements!” She places a rather thick folder of paperwork on my desk, which contains her formal resignation in order to keep her military leadership position and her list of replacements. “They’re all good people with many years of experience and are still active members of the military community, though they are retired from service.” 

“And I have your notes!” Sarah adds again, handing over the notebook she and I had been using to handle audiences and to answer any of her ruling-related questions. “The audiences were pretty simple today; almost everyone had the same concerns.” 

“What were they?” Everyone agreeing to be worried about the same thing was never good… It could mean war, drought, famine, or a potential uptown. 

“They’re all worried, or excited,m or curious, about the demon realm alliance.” Saraha shrugs. She had only ever gone over the demon realm’s history with the rest of our lands briefly in history, as most children did, so she didn't see the ‘big deal’ in having an alliance with them. 

‘Being the first just makes us special!’ she had declared, much to Fig's delight. It didn't help that Sarah was magically gifted, and Demons were known to be great workers of Magic and Magic artifacts; she was excited to meet other people like her in that regard, as it was a rare skill amongst humans. 

“I see…” I sigh softly, "I'll draft an address for you to make and then I'll make one myself later on as well.” 

“Don't forget that the Demon Realm Envoy will be here soon.” Sinte reminds me, “My men sent a letter that they should be here in a few days' time.” 

Sinte had insisted on having her own people escort the envoy to the palace from the border. Usually it would have been the guards' jobs, as they handled internal military affairs, but with an unknown number of them being plants by the Codos faith, it was a safer bet to have Sinte’s military escort guide them.

I had sent a letter ahead explaining that there was an internal issue requiring the guards' attention as an excuse for why the military was guiding the envoy to the Demon King, who had taken it quite well. He had admitted that they had no such ‘internal military group’ and thus our own envoy would be escorted by their regular military as well. 

He was a very chatty king, especially through letters. Ever since our meeting and my first letter about the envoys he had been sending me ones every few weeks. 

350 Lieblings-TV-Episoden, die ich jedem empfehlen kann:

Diese Liste ist nicht wie die anderen Listen dort draußen, das kann ich euch versichern. Sie ist meine ganz persönliche Liste und spiegelt meinen Geschmack und meine Lieblingsserien-(Franchises) wieder. Wie immer arbeiten wir uns von gut zu besser hoch

100. The  Kennedy Curse (Timeless 2x05)

99. Chinmoku (Death Note 1x25)

98. Because you left (Lost 5x01)

97. Posttraumatic Slide-Syndrom (Sliders 2x08)

96. Resist/Nevertheless she Persisted (Supergirl 2x21/2x22)

95. Unusual Suspects (The X-Files 5x03)

94. Switch for the Utmost Limit (Haikyuu 2x24)

93. Weaponized Soul (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency 1x07)

92. Yippi Kayak (Brooklyn Nine Nine 3x10)

91. Revenging Angel (Farscape 3x16)

90. Spider Wars Episode I: I really really hate clones/Spider Wars Episode 2: Farewell, Spider-Man (Spider-Man: The Animated Series 5x12/5x13)

89. Cracked Mirror (Star Trek Prodigy  2x14)

88. On the Beach (E.R. 8x21)

87. The White Room (Roswell 1x21)

86. One Way Out (Star Wars: Andor 1x10)

85. Norse by Norsevest/Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge (Hercules: Legendary Journeys 5x06/5x07)

84. Rising 1+2 (Stargate Atlantis  1x01/1x02)

83. Bizarros in a Bizarro World (Superman & Lois 2x10)

82. Welcome Aliens (Resident Alien 1x09)

81. Fissure Quest (Star Trek Lower Decks 5x09)

80. Who shot Mr. Burns? 1+2 (The Simpsons 6x25/7x01)

79. Changing Channels (Supernatural 5x08)

78. Burning Down the House (Due South 3x01)

77. Wormhole X-Treme (Stargate SG1 5x12)

76. Bride of Chaotica (Star Trek Voyager 5x12)

Steve pictures Lando kneeling in front of the couch, bare knees in the grass. He should have brought a cushion or a towel. He’d offer his coat, if he were inside, but he doesn’t want to interrupt now. 

“This what you want, big boy?” Lando asks, in a voice Steve has never heard before. It’s high and breathy, like he’s affecting Marilyn Monroe. 

Johannes had gone on to win every bout he fought in after that. 

Lord Vos: A well-earned victory that was won only when a long clashing of blades resulted in the other being pushed over the line of the ring. Sir Simone, a quick but entertaining and challenging battle, he would have to spar with either man again sometime. Lord James, a long match that resulted in a victory after a short round of fist-a-cuffs when both lost their swords. 

Round after round, Johannes entered the fight with Vaevelia’s favor tied tightly around his pommel, and he left each on victorious. 

He had never felt this confident in battle before, not even in other competitions when his life wasn't truly on the line. There was no fear coursing through his veins, no second-guessing his moves, no wondering about what could have gone differently after the fact. Just simple confidence with every strike, every step, every breath. 

It was exhilarating, breathtaking in its own right, as Vos would comment between bouts when they sat together. 

“I dont think ive ever seen you fight that quick before…” Vos huffs, blowing a crazed strand out of his face with it. “You were quicker than I've seen you.” 

“It feels like it,” Johannes answers simply, still catching his breath after his bout with Lord James, taking another swig of water that Finnian offered him.

“More sure too… like you’;re seeing a few steps ahead.” Vos sighs; he was pouting apparently. He had lost two bouts out of the eight he had so far and wasn't pleased, despite both being hard-won victories by his opponents. 

Johannes only nods, eyes the fight happening in the center. Pel had returned from the medical tent, apparently cleared with ‘nothing but bruised pride’ as the doctor had put it. He was fighting now with one of the Eighth Legion knights. 

“The forfeit from Petre isn't being counted as a victory, right?” Vos eyes him carefully. The older knight, while naked below them, was well respected by many younger knights and Lords. 

“It isn't, nor was it a loss on his part. I ensured that.” 

“Good. How many bouts do you have left?”

“Another three, my last is the final one of the competition.” Another thing Johannes had ensured, if only to make the giving of his invitation more dramatic. 

He wanted the moment to be worthy of Vaevelia, so it needed all eyes on her. Properly this time, out of awe, not scandal.

Hopefully, she wouldn't turn him down after what happened that morning. 

“What are you going to give your little darling?” Vos was teasing now, a sly smirk on his face, “We all know you aren't going to give back what she gave you.” 

Johannes will never admit it, and he’ll swear Finnian to secrecy, but he goes bright red in the face and smacks Vos upside the head for the comment. 

“He’s won every bout so far.” Cordelia sings-songs in Vaevelia’s ear as the final break between bouts begins. The last round is between Lord Johannes and a Knight from the first legion. 

Johannes hadn't lost a single one; if anything, he had only come close to losing twice, and even that was still a rather far thing. 

“Do you think he’ll give back your favor?” Emma asks from behind her fan. All the girls of the Star-Dorm were watching Vaevelia very closely and had been for the entire competition, “Or will he give you some present?” 

“I doubt Lord Johannes would do something like that for someone he is not involved with.” Vaevelia sighs. She was usually much better than this, sighing all the time and near pouting at her friends’ comments, but she couldn't help it. They were all treating Lord Johannes’ attention like some romantic fairytale when really it was just some passing fascination. 

Lord Johannes was a high-ranking Lord, one of the highest-ranking ones around aside from the royal family. He was the Lord Commander of the second legion, made so at barely seventeen. He was in line to be the crown prince, with word being that he would be crowned in the next few years. 

Vaevelia’s previous position as Lady Hoshimiya wouldn't have been enough to allow such a thing as a romantic relationship, let alone her current position of Miss Vaevelia, with no surname, inheritance, or power to entice a spouse. 

To top it all off, though no one around her could ever know of this, Vaevelia was a Lunaire. The very ones that Johannes hunted. 

Marrying him would certainly be a death sentence, for her or for their future children should they inherit her magically touched lineage. 

The only reason she hadn't been killed when her own powers manifested at the age of four was that her father’s side of the family was from overseas and didn't have the same ingrained disgust with magic and those with magic blood as the rest of their society here. 

It was a lucky thing, especially considering her own father’s position as a Lord serving the First Legion’s Lord Commander at the time. 

“I think we’ll certainly find out, won't we?” Indrina sighs, a knowing look in her eyes, but not pushing it any further. She understood Vaevelia’s resistance to the potential match, though the older girl was still trying to get her friend settled with someone standing. 

Especially before she went back to her home country after their graduation to marry and be crowned. 

“The last bout is starting!” Amelia shushes them as Johannes and the knight take their places in the ring. 

Johannes has his back towards them, as he had had for nearly every bout he participated in. Almost as if he were putting himself between them and the opponent. 

Vaevelia shakes her head as the thought comes to her mind. She shouldn't get strung along by her friend's excitement or by his temporary affections. It will be simpler for her, safer really, if she just graduates and then enters the convent as she planned. 

Maybe she could even find a way to contact someone from the magic school, see if they would take her back as a teacher or even a magic apprentice. 

Though that was unlikely, those who left never did return after all. It was safer for everyone who called that place home. 

The clashing of swords drew Vaevelia’s attention back to the match before her. Johannes barely manages to swing himself back and away from the sword of the knight, whose blade manages to just barely slice the skin above his right eye. 

Vaevelia can feel her body leaning forward, feel her breath catch in her chest as Johannes stumbles for a moment before pouncing forward again, sword parrying the knights before directing the hilt of it at his ribs and sending the older man fumbling back a few paces. 

They were well matched; Johannes’ talent against the older knight’s experience made for a long bout. Perhaps the longest so far that Johannes had had. 

By the time it ended, which was with the Knight’s sword flying out of the ring and sticking into the wall of the pit behind him, Johannes’ hair was stuck to his forehead with sweat, and his neck was flush from the effort. 

Knights came into the ring, some helping the losing fighter back to his feet, one handing Johannes a towel for his face as the announcers went through the final scoring and began to tally points. 

Johannes, after a moment with his men, hands his sword to one knight and walks over to where Vaevelia sits in the bleachers surrounding the pit. 

“Miss Vaevelia!” He calls out, his face flushed from the day's fighting, his blue eyes bright with excitement as he brings a small black envelope out of a pocket on his chest. “Would you do me the honor of attending this afternoon’s East Garden Tea Party with me?”

He holds the invitation out to her, waiting patiently even as his hand trembles slightly from what surely is exhaustion from the twelve bouts he had fought that day. 

It's Cordelia who pokes her in the side after a moment, seconds that felt like ages, bringing her gaze back to his face rather than the small envelope. 

“I did agree, didn't I?” She smiles and nods, “Yes, I would love to attend with you,” and takes the envelope, shocked at how warm his armour feels against her hands. 

(please click on photos for better quality)

Been meaning to post this for a while because I really like the wings someone gave my lil ghost c:

I've also added sparkles now to my posted ponies and unicorns so that I know who I'm supposed to post next

So that's the basics for the normal updates now but soon I'll be posting the new pony ? And unicorns I've made recently they are very special (:

Part 11

„The mission week“

Luqua‘s POV

„Now I see why they let you in…“

‚Just a little bit more…cmon get angry….hate me…that is what your species do.‘

‚Ugh…‘

Bangs that cover her eyes. An expression that is unreadable. A tear? Powers that awake because of hatred. That is where a lot of people want you Laila. Feed on the negativity. On your past. Take revenge on those who hurt you. Isn‘t it what you wanted all along? They left you in the forest, because of them you had a blackout. Feed on the hate. Take revenge. Break those chains that hold you back.

‚Yes, yes…now the finishing blow!‘

„That is why your father isn‘t looking for you.“

‚I see your hatred eyes, your powers even…Cmon all of this will be over soon….for you.‘

„Ughh-„ Hands that don‘t let Luqua breathe. A gaze full of hate that is only designed to take revenge. Finally you can see what kind of powers they saw on you on the first day. Unleash your power. Bend the air around Luqua. Feed on me. That is the only way. Feed on the hate. Hate her. Hate those people who aren‘t your own. Kill-

„Laila-, Laila, stop! …..Don‘t listen to these voices!“

„…I need to take revenge.“

„No, Laila…! Don‘t listen to it… To be honest, when I saw you at the infirmary, I was skeptical. Because I thought you were a human. But with time my eyes opened to the truth that I didn‘t want to accept. Even if you were a human…Not every human was against us. Against those who have elemental powers. Some even joined our side. And when I saw how caring you were to our gardens, to me and to Ravi, even when I was mean to you back then. You were considerate. You weren’t agry at me. Because you understand that everyone at their core has their own problems.“

„Madam Fotia-„

She just wants to use you. Like your classmates did. They lied to you. She does the same. Cmon feed on me. On the negativity. Do what I told you to do. Don‘t think. Do it. Take revenge on them

Laila‘s POV / Flashback

„Laila, my sweet child…listen to me…be understanding and help those around you, always say what is on your mind without hurting others, alright?“

„Yes, daddy!! …But why?“

„Like that you and others can live in peace…“

„in peace? …So everyone will be my friend?“

„Yes…“

-End of flashback-

.

.

.

„Aghhhh!“

„That‘s right! Keep resisting the voices! Laila, you can do i-„

‚…so blurry…dark…I cannot feel my body anymore…‘

Thud

„Laila! Laila, can you hear me?!“

„Laila, wake up!“

.

.

“Sneaking off in the middle of the night! Sachi's room faces the pathway!” Takuma was whispering as the three Maigo adults sat in the kitchen. “Just think! They could have gotten hurt or lost! Or-“

“They could have rang ____-sans door bell…” Yukii sighs. “I wouldn’t leave my Geta to him…”

“And Tamashii is insistent that there was another child there, but Sachi says they were alone by the door.” Takuma huffs.

“Did you see anyone?” Michi asks his older brother.

“No, the streets were as dead as a salt-filled graveyard.” Takuma scoffs, falling silent after a moment, “They were saying it was his grandson.”

“Taro?” Yukkii gasps, horrified.

“He’s been dead for years… died right after Rin moved back with her parents.” Michi sighs heavily.

“While Tamashii was in the hospital that year.” Takuma adds, “I didn’t even think they knew about him.”

“Unless he’s still around? Beyond the grave…” Yukki suggests, “Isn’t it possible?”

“Not nessicarly” Michi corrects him, as the more experienced necromancer of the three, “when any member of the coven passes, they’re buried in such a way that guarantees their soul won’t stick around. Rin saw to it herself.”

“Well… not all parents can let go so easily…” Takuma hisses, grunting when he is shot upside the head by Yukii.