bakerstreet | A sword needs a shield

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A sword needs a shield

WARRIOR/GUARDIAN AU MEME

In a world rife with war against monstrous fiends, there are those praised for their natural strength and healing abilities. Marked with a symbol which represents either a sword or shield, these individuals are further powered when contracted with those bearing the opposite symbol. Because of this, contracts are deemed mandatory once an individual turns eighteen years of age.

While contracted, Warriors (sword) and Guardians (shield) become sensitive to one another's emotional and physical states. The stronger the bond between them, the more power and abilities can be unlocked. While it's possible to form and break contracts at any given time, the result is a numb and draining sensation which takes time to recover from, making it in everyone's best interest to keep a lifelong contract. After all, the most legendary pairs are the ones who've been together for many years. And with monstrous armies constantly on the attack, the world needs all the help it can get.

Due to Warriors and Guardians being so vital to the city's survival, they are simultaneously treated as royalty by society and kept under close watch by the government. Powered individuals are assigned large and lavish living spaces within a closed community while Commoners, those who lack powers, are situated in surrounding mediocre homes. A vast shield around the city is among the greatest protection against monsters of the outside world, second to the combined power of brave Warrior and Guardian citizens.

But everything couldn't possibly run as smoothly as they do now without the help of Commoners. Everyone has an important role to play in the world. Which one have you been born into?

HOW TO PLAY -

Post with your character and preferences.
Choose their role and feel free to include a brief summary of ideal partner personalities, job duties, etc.
Pick a prompt and tag around!

ROLES

Warrior: Those whose supernatural abilities lie in offensive attacks, physical strength, debuffing the enemy, etc.
Guardian: Those whose supernatural abilities lie in defensive attacks, support, healing, buffing allies, etc.
Commoner: Those who are born without any supernatural abilities. Commoners are viewed as second-class citizens, as their duties revolve around aiding Warriors and Guardians however they can. i.e. Maids, cooks, weaponsmiths, entertainers, etc.
Monster: Those who are the greatest threat to humankind. Because they also possesses supernatural abilities, it's been rumored that they share ancestral ties with Warriors and Guardians. Though Monsters are at war with humans, there are some who are indifferent to them altogether and choose a life of peace.

PROMPTS

The Contract - Could this be your very first or possibly even your thirtieth? Whatever the case, you've trusted them enough to give them a glimpse into your soul so long as you're together. Will you take advantage of that vulnerability? Or use it to build a healthy relationship? Unfortunately, not all contracts are as perfect as they may seem on the surface.

Training - Good teamwork is the difference between life and death so it's important to ensure you and your partner are focused and in sync, especially before a mission.

Bonding - Physical intimacy between Warriors and Guardians is an experience unlike any other, but emotional intimacy is where it all begins. Spend some time together outside of combat, share in each other's interests, get to know their likes and dislikes. It might not seem important at first but in the long run it will make you both stronger.

Mission Time - Is it a long and perilous journey outside the barrier to slay Monsters? A short and simple quest to gather special materials from a specific region? A reconnaissance mission to survey unexplored territory? Whatever you two were assigned, just remember what comes first: keeping each other alive.

Aftercare - The aftermath of a mission can be incredibly taxing, both on the mind and body. Injuries may need to be tended to, emotional states may need to be realigned - especially if you or your partner came close to facing death. But hopefully your partner is there to provide the comfort you'll likely need in this time of vulnerability.

Downtime - When you're busy training or working all the time, it's easy to forget just how lively the city can be. How do you choose to spend your free time in it? Partying the night away? Visiting friends and family? Or maybe you're the type who just likes to stay in for a quiet night.

Different Classes - Whether they're a maid, tailor, or even family, Commoners make up the majority of the city's population. But even if society might see them as lesser doesn't mean they should be treated that way. Over the years, some may despise or be fearful of the supernaturally powered, but there are also some who've developed or maintained close relationships in spite of it all.

Forbidden Love - It's illegal for Warriors and Guardians to develop romantic relations with Commoners, extremely taboo with those they aren't currently contracted to, and utterly unthinkable to even speak to Monsters. But love doesn't discriminate. If you have to sneak around to see your lover then so be it, but sooner or later your partner or the government is bound to find out, right?

On the Run - For whatever reason, you and someone else have decided to start a new life far away from the city and its strict rules. It wasn't easy slipping away from under the government's watchful eye and it won't get any easier with monsters around every corner, but maybe you can find a way to make it work and live happily ever after. Just know that the government always finds a way to get what they want in the end.

Wildcard - Mix and match or choose your own adventure!

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[ Either a Warrior or a Guardian, let me know if there's something you want! ]

[ Sheik is male and a separate character from Zelda. He'd be either role! ]

[Guardian ISO a Warrior.]

[Don't even have to really AU much in terms of being the guardian. Guardian by canon, would be really cold at first to a warrior or commoner but he warms up with time. He could also fall into the monster category depending on how dokkaebi are viewed.]

Edited 2021-03-06 23:20 (UTC)

Meng Yao had not had time to think. It was all impulse and desperation. All he knew was that for some time they had been stalked by the most malicious spirit he had ever encountered since Nie Mingjue. Someone with a grudge against his guardian. He had been seeing something like the outline of a sword for quite some time. Not that he ever planned to mention it. He would have taken that knowledge to his grave rather than allow Kim Shin to die and leave him alone in this world. But, in the end, the sword was key to banishing that demon.

Meng Yao had never stopped practicing his cultivation after leaving Diyu and before Diyu he had long been peeking over Xue Yang's shoulder and studying Wei Wuxian's notes. He was nowhere near the demonic cultivator that the Yling Patriarch had been, but he knew enough. The spell was simple in execution. However not many people, if anyone, would be willing to tie their golden core to someone else's soul. It wasn't the same as extracting it from his body, but it was the same as tethering someone's life force to your own. He'd drawn the talisman up in his own blood. Sweat was pouring down his face when it was over and he was gasping as though he had been the one locked in a fierce battle.

His eyes settled on Kim Shin. Still there. Looking surprised, but alive. Meng Yao smiled. Then his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed.

Edited 2021-03-20 21:35 (UTC)

Joong Hun had never stopped hating the goblin for what had happened and all those years he had planned and schemed for a way to punish him. Had he found him before Meng Yao came into the goblin's life, more than willingly would the general have let the spirit take the sword from his chest without complaint.

But now, now he had a reason to want to live rather than die.

Unfortunately the sword had always been the way to slay him - even back in the days of Goryeo - and he had been too blind to see that then and now. But only when the sword was drawn from his chest and he had slain the vengeful spirit at the cost of his own life could he have finally realized that that was what Wang Yeo meant all those years ago. It was the only way to save Meng Yao and he had resigned himself to giving up his life in guardianship of the man he loved. A sword for a life. Kneeling down and supporting himself on the blade as he did even in the past, he looked up at the cultivator with blurry eyes. He could barely see what he was doing... His life was ebbing away with every second now that his life source had been pulled free. "A-Yao," he called to him, trying to each for him as he felt himself start to fade.

But then, the pull on his spirit began to stop. Began to fade just as he had... And his vision started to clear. Right as he started to come to, he saw the slender figure crumple down like a poor doll. With a cry, he jumped up - stumbling, as he did so - and gathered the fallen man up in his arms. "A-Yao!!!"

Meng Yao wondered briefly before he blacked out if he was going to die again. It didn't make him as angry as it had the first time. Especially since he supposed that was his fate. What would living have been worth without Kim Shin? What did he have to go back to? All he had thought about in that moment was that he had to stop the unthinkable from happening. A moment later his eyes fluttered before weakly opening. As his vision cleared, he gaze landed on his goblin's frightened face.

"A-Shin..." he murmured. He was weakened, but he was alive. More importantly, his precious person was alive. "What I did worked then. Good."

Despite not being on regular night hunts he wasn't completely useless as a cultivator. He still had his skills. He curled towards his goblin's hold, awash with relief. He reached up to touch the man's face as if to be sure they were both still really there. He had drawn symbols not only on the talisman , but on his own body as well. So, he was a little blood stained. But, he would recover.

"You fool, what have you done...?" The goblin's voice quivered as he held his companion in his arms, his whole body shaking from fear and an adrenaline high through all of this. When the cultivator did open his eyes, the trembling man hugged him to his body in relief, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Gods, you're alive. A-Yao, you bastard. What would I have done if you left me again..." There was another shudder as he tried to fight back the heaving cry that was bubbling up in his chest. "I thought I'd lost you..."

He seemed to have forgotten just a moment ago he was fading away into oblivion. That seemed like it didn't even matter in the face of the loss of the man he'd slowly come to love over all these years together.

"You're bleeding... A-Yao, A-Yao!" Panic set in again as he noticed the blood on his beloved's body. "Are you hurt? Let me-" His hands blazed to light as they had so many times before, ready to heal any wounds that he may have sustained during the battle. It had been hard to keep an eye on him during all of it, but...

Meng Yao did feel bad for frightening Kim Shin, but he would do it again in a heart beat. His weak smile widened as the goblin fretted. It was probably wrong to think A-Shin as adorable like this, yet he was.

"It's okay, A-Shin," he reassured the other. "I needed just a little blood for this ritual and it had to be my own. I wasn't about to let that charlatan have his way. I'm not going anywhere."

He felt the warm glow of Kim Shin's healing and the cuts on his hands closed up. He leaned up to plant soft kisses on his goblin's forehead and cheeks trying to calm him. And frankly, he needed some calming himself. He had been terrified that it wouldn't work.

"That foe of yours is way too incompetent to get the better of me...is he truly gone?"

"He's gone," the goblin assured his fallen companion, still hugging him close to his body as if Meng Yao would fly away if he let him go for even a moment. He was still in obvious distress even though he had been the one in danger of fading away. "Damnit, A-Yao," the goblin lamented, burying his head in his lover's chest. "I was so scared I was going to lose you!"

The battle was all but forgotten, its aftermath a mere memory now. All he cared about, all he worried about was here in his arms right now. Nothing else outside of Meng Yao mattered. The pile of dust and ash that had been their foe was completely forgotten in favor of the delicate, beloved package in his arms. Lowering those arms just a bit so he could look at him, his expression was wrought with worry and nervousness. "I'm still here," he finally realized, his brain catching up with him because he had been too worried about Meng Yao up until this point.

"You did something... Are you okay? What's going on?"

Meng Yao had never minded being scooped up in Kim Shin's embrace and he certainly was not going to complain now. Especially since the numbness of the relief was wearing off and he was keenly aware of how close a call that had been. He clung back letting his hands slowly fist into the fabric of the clothing on Kim Shin's back.

"Who scared who?" he demanded. "You were the one starting to fade away, so I only did the only thing I could think of."

He was silent for a moment, hesitating. He had not been sure what Kim Shin's reaction would be to Meng Yao sharing a core with him, he had not really had time to sit there and think about the moral nuances. Even if he had, it likely would not have changed his mind. He moved a hand and lightly tapped the man's chest lightly. As he had expected, his core responded and where a blue sword was here was now a golden sword with his own life energy that he had cultivated over a lifetime was shining there. It responded, but it was in Kim Shin's body. He had no idea what would happen now, only that apparently both of them would live. That was enough.

"Every cultivator has a golden core," he said, weakly. "Some of mine is now in you. Or maybe all of it is in you. I allowed the ritual to take as much as it needed to take to keep A-Shin alive."

Edited 2021-03-21 19:40 (UTC)

"So you... You are my sword, now," he said quietly, looking down at what lit up in his chest. "That's why I didn't fade away..." Sitting back without really thinking about it, he pulled the precious person in his arms into his lap so he could hug him tightly, burying his face in his shoulder. "All those years I wanted to die, I finally found someone to live for... I had to make the choice between keeping you safe and staying alive. I would gladly make that same choice again, but I no longer wanted to die selfishly... I selfishly wanted to live longer, with A-Yao..." Hiding his tears in the cultivator's shoulder, he nuzzled him while trying to control his shaky breathing.

"It seems we're bound even more deeply now," laughing, he raised his head with those tears - both in relief and joy - streaming down his cheeks. "I'm so glad, qin'ai. I'm so glad I didn't fade away. I would have gladly given my life for you if I had to. I admit I thought I had no other choice... It's always you with your scholarly ways proving me wrong," he laughed again, wiping one of his eyes with the back of one of his fingers. "I am so happy I am still here with you.

Sitting there holding with what what he could have lost in his arms - either to the hellish advisor or by him being sent onto the next phase of his life - only deepened the feelings he'd developed for him. Not only did they share the same heart figuratively it might as well have now been literally.

Feeling his goblin begin to tremble Meng Yao held onto him again, but tighter. He placed a hand on the back of A-Shin's head as the man hid his face in his shoulder.

"My beautiful A-Shin," he murmured quietly. "Did I not tell you? I warned you it would be impossible to get rid of me. I am just glad you are not angry with me."

Something dropped and landed on Kim Shin's shoulder. Meng Yao was not sure when he had teared up as well. He had always felt that his precious guardian was more open with his feelings. It was beautiful. But he did not like to see A-shin cry even if he was cute when he fretted.

"So glad. That was too close."

Even if he wasn't sure what this meant now. Would he be a mediocre person now or more powerful? If so, there were other ways to cultivate. Wei Wuxian had proven that. But he had merely swapped his core with his shidi's. Meng Yao was literally sharing his to keep Kim Shin alive. He was glad that Kim Shin was holding him because he still felt weak.

"I am your sword. I'll protect you forever."

That flimsy thing had been given to him by the man who wanted to kill him anyway. Meng Yao would do a better job. He ran his fingers through the goblin's hair and touched his face as though making doubly sure he had actually succeeded. Feeling the full force of his relief hit him he leaned in and captured those precious lips.

Their kiss was punctuated by rain - just tears, this time, the goblin was not crying with the sky - as his eyes continued to weep. He might have closed them, but the stream of relief continued down his cheeks. Had Meng Yao looked up, he'd see the trees in full bloom strangely out of season. A goblin's happiness.

"Stay with me," he whispered into their kiss. "Forever is not long enough, A-Yao. I need more time with you, please." Putting his hands on his lover's face, he continued to cradle him lovingly, finally opening his eyes to gaze down at him. "You did so well, my love. Your quick thinking kept me here," he sighed, running his tough fingers down that soft, pale skin. "You're my savior this time." Their debts repaid perhaps. But nobody seemed to be counting debts anymore, not between the two of them.

"We'll protect one another. The sword and the shield," he said, still brushing over and over Meng Yao's face and forehead as if he were still in disbelief that he was still here with his beloved. "I'm here with you forever. I don't ever want to leave you, let's keep it impossible to be rid of you. You are my heart now, in all senses." Leaning in, he let his forehead touch his lover's again to allow them to steal another kiss. "We should get home... You just linked your lifeforce to me, didn't you? You should rest, my love..."

As usual the guardian was here worrying about his better half again.

Meng Yao looked up at the blooming foliage in wonder. All this time spent together and Kim shin's abilities could still manage to impress him. He he breathed in relief against his lover's lips that for once, he'd managed to do the right thing without harming anyone or making them resent him. Now that they were safe he had been worried the goblin might not appreciate his presumption. Instead he blossomed like the flowers above them under his A-Shin's praise.

"What about you?" he asked in equal apprehension. "Are you sure you feel okay? Nothing hurts? We should perhaps both rest."

He loved when Kim Shin was protective. He felt the same way about his goblin. He raked his eyes over the man making sure his sharp gaze would miss nothing. But Kim Shin had color in his cheeks. Aside from the fact he was crying with relief, he seemed fine.

"I just want to take you home right now," he said, his honesty leaking through at last. He wanted to be alone with him, if he had to make his feelings known. "I want to give you a warm bath to make sure you're alright, and dress you in something comfortable and make sure you get some rest..." Always the caretaker, the guardian. Trying to make sure his most precious person was cared for. "I'll be alright. We can both rest, but for now let's get away from this place... It smells of death."

The smoking ash that was once an evil spirit was tainting the air and their moment. He wanted to be away from it. He wanted to be somewhere warm and safe with the person who meant the most to him.

"Can you walk? I can carry you, but..." He knew that Meng Yao liked to do things on his own, too. Still, it wouldn't have been difficult to carry him if needed, even with the tears of relief still stinging his eyes.

Serves the smoking pile right for trying to torment his most beloved person. That spirit should have known that Meng Yao too could hold grudges. When his ire was roused he could plot another's downfall all while wearing a meek little smile.

"Hmm..." he feigned thinking it over for a moment. "Even on a regular day that sounds convincing. I agree. We should go where the air is less foul."

Meng Yao attempted to stand, but was hit by a wave of dizziness that had him swooning back into his guardians arms.

"Apologies," he said, looking self-concious. "Maybe that did take a bit out of me. Maybe if I just rested a second -"

He had a feeling the goblin would be carrying him away before he finished.

"Aish!" He captured the man just as he nearly fell off his feet. "You foolish man. Come on then, let me help you so we can at least sit and you can rest." Getting away from the remains of one of his most hated persons was all he could think of right now, getting Meng Yao safe from that sight.

In short order, he found a safe place for them to sit and rest for a short while: a small copse of trees where they would not be disturbed. Nevermind that the trees were in full bloom from the goblin's joy...

"There," he said, helping his beloved sit against the strong trunk of one and taking a seat next to him so that they could rest after their trial. "I could send for the servants, too, if a carriage ride would be better?" Tilting his head to the side, he paused to wipe his own face with his sleeve for a moment.

"Don't call your own sword foolish."

Meng Yao let himself be guided enjoying that the constant closeness reminded him that he succeeded. That A-Shin was not going to fade away and leave him.

I want you to live forever.

Kim Shin set him down and to Meng Yao's relief, sank beside him. Turning his head to look at his lover he nodded. He leaned a little against Kim Shin's larger frame, but he was careful. Just in case the man was weaker than he let on. He'd rarely ridden the carriages in the passing weeks preferring to fly his sword. There was no way it was going to be his mode of travel today, however.

"I think we should," he said. "That way both of us could rest on the way home."

Edited 2021-03-22 02:31 (UTC)

"Then stop doing foolish things like nearly passing out," he replied, frowning a bit at the retort. Still, he was glad to rest with Meng Yao for a bit and know that his partner was also able to close his eyes and rest after the amount of energy he exerted. "Let me see if I can signal them..." Holding his hands up, he summoned forth a small blue light that immediately took flight like a small blue signal, flitting off as if it were on its way back to their home. "It should reach them with our location soon."

Turning to put his arm around his companion, he leaned into him the way Meng Yao was leaning into him. "Let's rest for now, my love." It took some time as they rested there, but soon the sound of carriage wheels were grinding across the ground and the familiar sound of the Yoo servants' voices could be heard. "Ah, there they are now. Let me help you up?" Offering his strong shoulder, he moved to stand with Meng Yao before calling out to the men who had come to collect them.

Once they were both on their feet, the goblin and his sword made their way out of the small forest and caught the attention of the servants who quickly helped them get into the carriage to ferry them home. He sat beside him and put his head against Meng Yao's with a soft sigh while the carriage began to move forward towards their home and some real relaxation. "It's over now. We can rest easy. Thank you," he managed at last, thanking his sword for saving his life again.

He poked Kim Shin lightly in the shoulder, looking mock offended. "A-Shin wounds me. I've never done that technique before."

At least Kim Shin's abilities seemed to be unaffected. He relaxed a little at least being able to take comfort in that. He sat there basking in his guardian's warmth until their carriage arrived. He didn't refuse the help as he leaned on the Korean's shoulder. One of the things he'd always appreciated about A-Shin was his strength.

"I hope that it really is over," the cultivator said with a frown. He knew how stubborn vengeful spirits could be from unfortunate first hand experience. "Though I think you and I are past 'thank yous'. I'm glad that I could at least in some measure repay you. Life would be horrible without my A-Shin."

He said the last part shyly, even though he was sure it was obvious to anyone who had seen him five minutes around Kim Shin how he felt. He would die of grief, he truly would.

"I would guess one only uses that technique once, yes..." It seemed unlikely that Meng Yao could bind his lifeforce to more than one person and in a selfish, greedy little way the goblin was glad it was him. In such a way they were bonded in an irreversible manner that no one could ever take from the two of them.

In his heart he hoped that all of this was finally over but knowing their history and penchant for vengeful spirits, it was likely not quite over... For now, though, he would hope that all the spirits in their lives had finally been put to rest and they could live comfortably without incident for the near future. "I can say the same of A-Yao. Before I met you, I had hoped for death. But as time passed I wanted to stay alive to spend more and more time with you. So..." He looked away with shyness creeping up in his face and he covered his cheeks with a sleeve for a moment. "In the moment I thought I would fade away, all I could think of was wanting to stay here longer with you."

They were both hopeless for one another, both mutually in love beyond words at this point. "I'm just glad you're okay..." He finally said, breaking his silence.

[ooc: Warrior.]

Edited 2021-03-07 15:32 (UTC)

[ooc: guardian.]

[ooc: I think it could be interesting if she could switch between Guardian and Warrior. But open to discussion.]

[ooc: Guardian.]

[ooc: Either Guardian or Warrior or some combination of the two.]

[ooc: Warrior with some Guardian tendencies.]

[ Warrior who obediently will be your Guardian. Would love for it to be medieval fantasy as timeline. ]

[open to discussing roles/scenarios.]

[ It's six months into their contract, and after a rocky start, their partnership has leveled off and is a road far easier to tread. Wei Ying thinks of it as a road, at least. All of this is leading to something, leading somewhere, and it feels good to have someone at his side, someone who - deep down in the core of himself - gets Wei Ying. They're entirely energetically compatible, as they should be, and unlike his previous contract, it doesn't feel like he's forever struggling to find his footing.

There are, however, some difficulties. Though syncing up in battle is never an issue, these days, outside of battle can be. Wei Ying is always acutely aware that he and Lan Zhan have wildly different personalities, and this is clearly reflected in their individual approaches to training. Wei Ying is constantly in motion, pushing the limits of his body and abilities, while Lan Zhan spends a lot of time meditating, which - as Wei Ying has been told multiple times - can only benefit him, and provide considerable support to the rest of his regimen. Some days, he and Lan Zhan will sit face to face, and Wei Ying will close his eyes and slip under with ease, letting the outside world fall away until it's just the glowing warmth of their bond between them.

Other days, he's too restless.

This is one of those days.

Sighing, aggrieved, he shifts his position on the grass for maybe the seventh time in three minutes. He takes a deep breath and slowly releases it, willing himself to focus but finding himself rocking from side to side instead, and listening to distant traffic. When he tries to clear his mind, he wonders what they're having for lunch. When sitting up becomes unbearable, he flops over onto his back.

About thirty seconds pass and, slowly, he peeks an eye open to look at Lan Zhan. Half a year, and he still doesn't understand. How can someone be completely motionless for so long? ]

Lan Zhan, how much longer do we have to do this? Are you waiting on me to grow roots?

[ He is massively bored. The fact that it's only been ten minutes since they started is immaterial. ]

Being assigned Wei Ying as a partner has been an experience and not one he's necessarily enjoyed for various reasons. His partner is gifted, Wangji can admit that easily enough, but compatibility during missions doesn't mean compatibility outside of them. And they're very different.

He'd almost gotten to the point he'd needed when Wei Ying's voice pulled him back and Wangji opened his eyes, gaze settling on the other man for a moment.

"You can go."

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A sword needs a shield

Yuzu Hiiragi | Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V | M/F or F/F

Sheik | The Legend of Zelda | M/M

Maria Hill | MCU | F/M (30+)

Kim Shin / The Lonely and Great God – Goblin / OTA

let me know if this fits

sounds good, assuming we're going off the end of the drama-ish where the sword gets pulled out?

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Jyn Erso | Rogue One | OTA

Cassia Andor | Rogue One | OTA

Essa Erso-Andor | Rogue One OC | OTA

Cassian Andor | Rogue One | OTA

Rey | Star Wars | OTA

Ben Solo | Star Wars | OTA

Gawain | Fate Extra/Grandorder | OTA | m/f pref

Lan Wangji | Mo Dao Zu Shi

2 (ish)

Re: 2 (ish)