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Jaune and Pyrrha were going to have to work to get used to seeing that every morning before they opened their eyes. They weren't going to have to do anything to get used to seeing each other first thing in the morning.

Pyrrha yawned into Jaune's chest and nuzzled against him. "Do we really have to get up?"

"Afraid so. We do have to become Hunters, save our friends, kill that one bitch, and save the world," Jaune teased.

"Is there a game setting where we can just have this moment?" Pyrrha hugged Jaune tighter.

Jaune kissed the top of her head. "Maybe we can get New Game Plus after beating this playthrough. Start off early, defeat the bad guys super quick since New Game Plus transfers over all our stats and spend the rest of our days somewhere pleasant on the beach."

"That would be grand," Pyrrha whispered as she got up and stretched. "How long do we have before Professor Goodwitch calls us to the Cliffs?"

"Probably soon. Remember, our HUD has a clock," Jaune pointed out.

Pyrrha squinted as she tried to focus on her HUD. "I...I never noticed! The second ring around the compass!"

"Yup. It's probably a hidden feature. Congrats, we're now veterans of this game," Jaune congratulated Pyrrha.

"Why wasn't that mentioned?" Pyrrha asked after giving Jaune a quick kiss and slipping off the bed. Jaune didn't quite follow suit.

~Jaune,~ Pyrrha reached out with Siarad in an attempt to train herself to use it more. ~Enjoying the view?~

~Always,~ Jaune answered. They searched the room for their clothes and departed back to the room. Fortunately, they were fairly early. Most people were packing up and didn't notice them slip in. Jaune nodded at Pyrrha. ~I really need some breakfast.~

The pair slipped into the kitchen and their willpower nearly crumbled. Nora was going through her clever spiel about how they need to work out a secret signal so they could be on the same team. Pyrrha and Jaune ate quickly.

"I'll take our trays. I'll meet you in the locker room," Jaune offered. Pyrrha took his hand for a moment and ran her thumb across his knuckles. She was glad he would be properly equipped when they went to the Emerald Forest, but she could grow fond of this little gesture.

They separated with reluctance, despite knowing they would never truly be separated again thanks to their secret chat connection. Still, the Hoplite wished for Jaune's presence. She was already feeling boxed in by the attention of the crowd. However, Pyrrha ignored the gobsmacked looks she was receiving. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder after giving in to her curiosity and had to bite her lip to keep smirking as realization struck the masses she had been with Jaune.

Happy memories guided Pyrrha quickly to the locker rooms. She always felt at home at Beacon and the simple opportunity to have a second chance filled her with glee. It was a trivial thing to locate and open her locker. A smile worked its way to her lips as she took in a familiar sight. Eagerly, Pyrrha collected her weapons and spun the familiar weight of Milo around on her palm. There was no need to use her Semblance to assist her. Pyrrha knew and treasured every detail of her weapon. It was hers. Every Primary Combat School student at the very least designed their weapons. Pyrrha had been very involved in Milo and Akouo and she nearly cried the first time she had held them again.

~Jaune, I can't believe I am this excited. Can you please tell me your plan?~ Pyrrha reached out to her partner.

~Miss Nikos! That sounds like the tone of a girl used to peaking at her Winter Solstice Festival gifts!~

Pyrrha clicked her tongue. ~Jaune, I only did that once!~

~You admit it! My image is shattered!~ Jaune wailed.

"Ah, good morning Pyrrha!" Weiss unknowingly cut in.

"Good morning. Forgive me, but I don't believe I caught your name earlier," Pyrrha was grateful for the neutral dialog options.

"Weiss Schnee, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Pyrrha," Weiss answered with a curtsy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Weiss." Pyrrha completed her dialogue selection.

Weiss smiled warmly, but controlled, while her hands came together as if in prayer. "So, Pyrrha, have you given any thought to whose team you'd like to be on? I'm sure everyone must be eager to unite with such a strong, well known individual as yourself!"

Pyrrha hummed for a moment to buy time as she looked at the options presented to her. First, was Jaune's name. She was going to pick that, but dallied on the menu. Pyrrha assumed that Jaune was the first choice due to his status as her co-op partner. The next options were two for Weiss. One was a standard option, but the other! Pyrrha was beginning to regret having the first level skill for "Conversation". She didn't need it anymore now that her conversations with Jaune weren't dictated by the dialogue wheel. The choices, Pyrrha nearly shuddered, were quite scandalous. The second conversation option was all but openly propositioning the Schnee Heiress! It was also yellow, which raised several questions Pyrrha wasn't ready to confront.

The next options were for Ruby and Yang. Pyrrha was exceptionally grateful that there were no other options.

Quickly, Pyrrha selected Jaune instead of the final option. The final option had been the choice forced upon her in the last game.

Pyrrha's gaze wandered for a moment before settling on Jaune as he entered the locker room. "I am hoping to be on a team with Jaune Arc, actually."

"Who?" Weiss asked as she scanned the room. The heiress's brow scrunched up and her smile melted into a flat line. "You mean...tall, blond, and scraggly over there?"

"Oh yes," Pyrrha answered. After the dialogue finished, Pyrrha wanted to find PNKE and destroy them. The tone of voice she used was the tone she would use with Jaune. Pyrrha, with great haste, chose a more standard option for her next words. "I believe Jaune will surprise a great many people. I have the utmost faith in his potential."

"That's...sweet of you," Weiss added nonplussed. The Schnee Heiress was not used to being caught so flat-footed, if Pyrrha was reading the reaction correctly.

"Pyrrha! And, uh, miss?" Jaune asked.

"Weiss Schnee," the heiress introduced herself with a curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jaune. Pyrrha has spoken highly of you."

"Jaune is kind of a big deal!" Ruby shouted as she rounded the closest bank of lockers.

"A very big deal," Pyrrha agreed. She grinned at Jaune. As long as they were conversing, there were no constraints from the dialogue options.

~You're having too much fun,~ Jaune reached out.

~I feel liberated. And...being with you makes me feel brave.~

Quest Received! [Mission Start: Beacon Initiation!]

"All First Year students, please report for Initiation," the voice of Glynda Goodwitch filled the locker room.

"It's finally here!" Nora shouted. Pyrrha and Jaune exchanged hopeful looks. Nora was a cannonball of optimism. Memories of their ginger-haired friend shouting "Tally-ho!" during spars brought a smile to their face.

"She's enthusiastic," Jaune said with a warm grin. It was hard to leave out 'still' in his statement, but he managed.

~So, Jaune,~ Pyrrha reached out. ~What is your plan?~

Jaune simply smiled at his best friend. Pyrrha pouted at the enigmatic gesture. She was curious and Jaune was being completely unfair. He was teasing her mercilessly!

[Now Loading…]

Pyrrha and Jaune regained control while walking towards the launching pads. Jaune, came to a complete stop, randomly, and barely managed to side-step Nora.

"Sorry. Lost in thought," Jaune chose a quick neutral option.

"It's fine! Isn't it Ren? Oh, by the way, I'm Nora! Are you as excited as we are?"

Jaune couldn't help but smile. One, it was Nora. Two, Jaune was reconnecting with one of his closest friends. Three, even the game could tell Ren and Nora were an item. There wasn't a flirt option in the conversation with Nora.

"I'm excited," Jaune agreed using a friendly teasing option. "but I think you've got enthusiasm covered for all of us."

"Well, I have to have a bit extra for Ren here. Say hello, Ren," Nora chirped.

"Hello," Ren 'introduced' himself with a slight nod.

Jaune wasted no time in selecting the universal male greeting of "Sup?"

"Ready to get started," Ren answered with a vertical head tilt.

"Same," Jaune agreed with a corresponding vertical head tilt.

"Okay! Time out!" Nora yelled. This drew the attention of Pyrrha and the future Team RWBY. "How do guys have a full conversation in under ten words?"

"Body language is as important in men's conversation as words," Ren pointed out helpfully.

"Really?" Yang piped in.

"Seriously, what she said," Nora added.

Ren and Jaune exchanged a look, a shrug, and a horizontal tilt. Jaune grinned. "It's just how it is."

Ruby leaned closer to Pyrrha. "You probably understand boys better than any of us. Could you translate?"

~What did you and Ren say in that 'conversation'?~ Pyrrha asked.

~Exactly what I said,~ Jaune confirmed.

Pyrrha sighed. "I don't think they were hiding anything."

"Dang, I was hoping for some deeper mystery," Ruby admitted.

"Well, men are dumb," Yang pointed out.

Ruby crossed her arms. "What about Dad and Uncle Qrow?"

Yang huffed a single laugh and rested her fists on her hips. Ruby sighed. "You're right..."

Glynda Goodwitch strolled over. Her expression was flat. "Students, we have much to accomplish today. Socialization can wait until after Initiation and team assignments."

~The game probably wants us to get back on the quest,~ Jaune explained. ~Glynda's babysitting us players so we don't screw with a story mission too much.~

Pyrrha nodded in response. She was by no means a 'video game' expert, but there was no denying Jaune's explanation made sense.

A gasp escaped from Ruby's lips. "We're getting teams and partners...today?'

"As soon as you all take your place on a platform, Professor Ozpin will go into further detail," Glynda explained.

"Um, Professor Goodwitch, you said a platform correct?" Jaune asked.

"That is correct, Mr. Arc," Professor Goodwitch answered.

~The plan is go,~ Jaune continued his merciless teasing.

~Are you going to tell me?~ Pyrrha asked. The curiosity had become like an itch in the back of her mind.

Everyone, save Jaune, quickly took their place on a platform. Pyrrha managed to secure the same platform as in her first 'playthrough'.

"Excuse me, miss? Could you scoot over a few inches?" Jaune asked. His voice hitched in an attempt to keep his laughter from spilling out.

Ozpin stopped in front of the shared platform. He raised an eyebrow before mimicking the action with his mug and taking an overly long sip.

~Do you think he's mad, Pyrrha?~ Jaune asked.

~I don't think so. My manager drilled the finer points of body language into my head from a young age. Did you see the wrinkles around Ozpin's eyes?~

~Yeah..~"

~Professor Ozpin was smiling, Jaune,~ Pyrrha assured Jaune.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be tested in the Emerald Forest," Ozpin cut into the silence.

Professor Goodwitch stepped forward. "I am sure some of you have heard rumors about the assignment of "teams". Let me put those rumors to rest. You will be assigned teams...today."

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well. That being said, the first person you make eye-contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."

There was a murmur in the assembled students. Nora crowed "Told you so, Ren!"

"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die," Ozpin continued when the chatter died down.

Pyrrha and Jaune took the opportunity to gauge the reactions of their classmates and friends. There were quite a number of people very annoyed with Jaune for his stunt. That, honestly, was the least of Jaune and Pyrrha's worries. The Nevermore and Deathstalker were much higher on the list.

[Quest updated: Recover relic and return to cliff.]

"Are there any questions?"

"Yes!" Weiss announced crisply.

"Go ahead, Miss Weiss," Ozpin answered with a gesture with his mug.

Weiss brightened after being addressed as Weiss and not Miss Schnee. Pyrrha frowned, both at the coming question and at the camaraderie she felt with the heiress in that moment.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Weiss said quickly. "If I may, is Jaune allowed to be on Pyrrha's platform?"

"She's right," Cardin shouted from further down the line. "That's cheating."

Ozpin shrugged. "The instructions were quite clear Weiss. Every student must be on a platform. Jaune is clearly on a platform. There is no violation of the rules here. The question was well founded, Weiss. Hunters require information to be successful. Questions are never frowned upon. Accusations based on incomplete information or biases are."

That was amazing. I almost forgot how completely furious I am with Professor Ozpin for a moment.~ Jaune sent a quick message to Pyrrha.

~This time, we will be ready,~ Pyrrha reassured Jaune.

"Good luck," Ozpin said. The timing of Ozpin's statement put Jaune and Pyrrha on edge. Seconds later, they were in the air.

~Shields up!~ Jaune and Pyrrha communicated at the same time. They formed an impromptu shield wall to protect them during their 'landing strategy'. Jaune was in very good shape, even without his Aura and made it safely to the ground. The couple turned and smiled at each other. Everything was going according to…

[Quest Area Tutorial! Welcome to the Emerald Forest! The Emerald Forest is the first of many procedurally generated regions you will explore in Beacon: Academy. Quest Areas have a defined boundary. If you leave the Quest Area, the quest will fail. Failed Quests do not result in a game over. You will have to live with the consequences! Good luck!]

"Oh no," Jaune hissed.

Pyrrha looked around their 'landing zone'. "Everything looks the same, Jaune."

"We are pretty deep in the forest. Unless you're a veteran Hunter or a forester, I'd bet every tree looks the same. Have you ever heard of 'procedurally generated'?"

"I...I don't think that I have," Pyrrha answered. ~And shouldn't we be communicating this way?~

~I know Ozpin is watching us. I just don't know if he can hear us.~ "Basically, everything is random. There's no way to know how the forest is set up."

"The game can do that?" Pyrrha whispered. Jaune nodded. "So much for counting on using the terrain to our advantage."

Jaune gave Pyrrha a flat look. "You're still amazing. We can still do that."

Pyrrha responded to the flat look with a roll of the eyes. "You know what I meant."

"Right, sorry," Jaune answered. They were best friends and lovers, but they were still a pair of socially awkward dorks that had communication issues.

"It's alright," Pyrrha punctuated her point with a hug. "We should unlock your Aura."

Tears welled in Jaune's eyes. This moment had consoled him in his previous 'life' and reaching this moment was one of the driving forces of his second chance. Pyrrha's hand rested gentle on Jaune's chest.

"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all. Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder, protect thee."

[Your Aura has been unlocked! You will now be able to wield powerful new abilities and will be able to better protect yourself in combat. Enemy attacks will drain your current Aura before draining health. Be aware that certain weapons or abilities bypass Aura completely!] Jaune blinked as the information sapped some of the momentum from the wonderful moment.

Pyrrha was equally thrown for a loop when a simple, [Aura 1/5 unlocked! XP Gained!]

Jaune nearly panicked as Pyrrha swayed after the ritual. "Pyrrha!"

"I, oh, I'll be alright. According to my 'Skill Table', I used half my Aura and will recover at a slower rate for a few hours," Pyrrha explained.

"What? Half?!"Jaune squawked.

Pyrrha sighed under the shock of using so much Aura. "That is what the game says."

~I will be at your side,~ Jaune promised. Pyrrha wrapped Jaune in a hug.

~Always,~ Pyrrha promised.

The stinging retort of gunfire served as a poignant reminder of Jaune and Pyrrha's situation. They were in the Emerald Forest. There were Grimm.

And there were no longer any guarantees.

"You always had a better ear for guns," Jaune complimented his partner.

Pyrrha looked around. "It came from the east. About four hundred meters, thought the forest makes it difficult to pinpoint."

After a moment, she smiled. "I suppose this explains why my Skill Table offers a tracking skill..."

"I wonder if we can look at each others stats and table?" Jaune asked.

"We should definitely see if that is a possibility," Pyrrha agreed. "We haven't used Siraad in a while."

Jaune chuckled as he ambled over to a nearby oak. "I just missed your voice. There's just something special about hearing it again."

"Very special," Pyrrha concurred in a breathy voice. The young woman enjoyed the view as her partner climbed the tree.

"You're not going to pin me to this tree, are you?" Jaune teased.

~Maybe when you get down...~Pyrrha responded and attempted to send a mental image along with the message.

"Crap!" Jaune cried out as Pyrrha succeeded in her teasing. She had been controlled so much in her past life/playthrough and even in her life up to this point that it was likely she was over correcting and going a bit wild.

'This freedom with Jaune is intoxicating,' The Hoplite freely admitted to herself.

"Good news! I don't see any scary huge Grimm. Bad news! I hear a ton of Grimm," Jaune called out from the top of the tree.

"What about the others? Do you seen Ren, Nora, and anyone else?"

"I think I saw an Ursa take flight, so that's where Nora or Yang might be," Jaune answered as he used his years of tree climbing experience to quickly get down with out skinning his elbows or knees.

Pyrrha smiled. She often wondered where Nora stored all her energy. That was a question she was looking forward to slipping into a conversation with her dear friend.

"Which way to the Temple?" The conversation with Nora could wait until JNPR was reunited.

"South. I'm surprised the game hasn't given us a guide ping or something like that," Jaune admitted.

"It would appear the game wants to emulate...life," Pyrrha supplied uncertainly.

Jaune hummed. "Maybe, but we did turn off full immersion. Oh well, we can worry about that later. Let's just head to the Temple, get our artifact and put a few Grimm down."

The partners worked their way through the Emerald Forest, while keeping a close eye on their surroundings and their compass. A Grimm ambush was the last thing Pyrrha and Jaune wanted to experience.

~Do you think we will encounter the Deathstalker?~ Pyrrha reached out through the Siraad link. She didn't want to draw the attention of any Grimm in the area.

~Probably not. I am not going in that cave again,~ Jaune answered humorously. ~Who knows what the game will throw at us as a boss.~

"Grimm!" Pyrrha shouted as her compass flashed red and a shrill chime filled her 'ears'.

A pack of Beowolves exploded from the treeline. The ravenous Grimm were tearing terrible gashes into the earth in their unholy desire to kill. "Now!" Jaune cried.

The sound of hoplon and heater shields striking each other as the Hoplite and Knight formed a shield wall. Pyrrha and Jaune were braced and ready well before the Grimm arrived. The couple stood steadfast in the face of the universal enemy of life. Swords flashed in the dim light of the forest.

~I'm going to try something!~ Jaune reached out to Pyrrha. ~One of my Shield Mastery skills lets me extend coverage. I'm doing that now.~

~Do you want me to attack?~

Jaune nodded. ~You're a lot more mobile than I am. These aren't the biggest Beowolves ever. Try to thin out the group charging us!~

Pyrrha nodded, but Jaune quickly added a, ~Please!~ before she could respond. Jaune immediately began channeling his Aura through the shield of Crocea Mors. Pyrrha sprinted to the right, leaping onto one of the trees surrounding the clearing and taking aim at the Grimm. Silver flames grew from the edges of Jaune's shield, one of the attacking Beowolves recoiling from their touch as if burned. Jaune's long sword took advantage of the opening, cold steel biting deep into the exposed chest of the Grimm. Jaune tore the blade free, scrambling back as the fallen Beowolf was replaced by another leaping at him from the left. The beast was older and smarter, circling around to Jaune's side as he was distracted with the younger and far more aggressive Beowolf.

Jaune was unafraid.

He knew exactly what was about to happen.

Miló played its deadly percussive song. The Beowolves collapsed like a house of cards under Pyrrha's assault. Jaune pushed forward into the opening left by the fallen Grimm.

~Left, four meters,~ Jaune informed Pyrrha.

~Two more Beowolves coming from behind! Swing...now!~ Pyrrha warned her partner.

The final Beowolf fell a few minutes later, but it felt like an eternity.

"How many? How many did we get?" Jaune labored to ask. He slumped against a downed tree. In the previous game, he had fought Ursa and Creep. Jaune had never fought so many Grimm without substantial back up before. He remembered how many Grimm had swarmed up from the ground at the Battle of the Breach.

"Jaune, we'll be better prepared this time," Pyrrha comforted.

The young man nodded. "Yeah, but I had almost forgotten how tough fighting Grimm can be."

"It is very different than fighting people," Pyrrha agreed. She walked over and offered Jaune a hand.

Jaune accepted Pyrrha's hand and got to his feet. "Thanks, Pyrrha. We should get going."

"May I suggest not going into the Deathstalker cave?" Pyrrha giggled at Jaune's flat look. She knew that Jaune had said he wasn't going into the cave, but the banter back and forth was very fun.

"And lose the opportunity to look so awesome taking it down? Where is the fun in that, Miss Nikos?" Jaune teased right back.

"In making it back safely and quickly to Beacon, together." Pyrrha eased the teasing with an answer born from a moment of earnestness.

"Huh, that's a good point," Jaune agreed.

The partners headed out into the woods. They kept a close eye on their compass as they advanced. Occasionally, the din of combat would fill Jaune and Pyrrha's ears.

"Maybe I really should invest in tracking..." Pyrrha wondered aloud.

"What's some of the skills?" Jaune asked.

"I'm going to pull up my journal. Cover me." Pyrrha froze in place as she finished. After a moment Pyrrha explained, "Well, the first level allows me to identify tracks of Grimm and people. Second level improves the information I receive. The remaining levels allow me to pull up detailed information and a marker for objectives in my HUD."

Jaune blinked. "That's...really good. When we get back to Beacon, we need to pause the game and compare our skill tables. If we can work out even more synergy, that can really boost our chances of surviving this so that we can retire on a beach somewhere together."

"A beach? I like the idea." Pyrrha smiled at the image. "What did you have in mind?"

"Mostly? Somewhere you won't have to be the world's most adorable burrito like that one weekend before the Vytal Festival."

"That weekend with the cold spell? I was miserable! How could I be adorable?" Pyrrha asked with a hint of annoyance. She was glad Jaune was thinking of her fondly, but that circumstance wasn't her favorite.

"If I had pictures, I'd show you. But I wanted to hug you," Jaune admitted.

'Another reason to hate last game's settings...' Pyrrha and Jaune thought to themselves at the same time.

"Jaune, please, help me talk Ren and Nora into getting a space heater this time," Pyrrha pleaded.

"I have full dialogue control this time," Jaune reminded Pyrrha. "I promise that we'll get a space heater."

Pyrrha wrapped her arms around Jaune with all of her breathtaking, excitement-borne strength. The hug loosened as Pyrrha leaned closer. The hairs on the back of Jaune's neck stood straight up as the light caress of Pyrrha's breath in his ear hit home. "We have other ways to warm up, too."

"I love the new settings," Jaune said dumbly.

Pyrrha, starved in the last game of choice and physical affection, gave Jaune a quick kiss on the cheek. "We need to get a relic."

"I'm definitely ready to get out of these woods and start being Hunters."

"I'm definitely ready to be right beside you the entire way," Pyrrha agreed.

The trek through the woods was carried out with military precision. Pyrrha and Jaune used their connection from their previous life, Siraad, and their HUD to traverse the mission area. They were brimming with confidence.

~Let's meet up with Ren and Nora,~ Jaune reached out excitedly to Pyrrha.

~I was worried when you talked about 'Procedurally Generated', but this is working out beautifully!~ Pyrrha responded with equal enthusiasm. The lack of Grimm helped reinforce their good mood.

"Jaune! Pyrrha!" A familiar and chipper voice called out. The laughter that followed danced around the trees.

As did the 'whoosh'.

"Hi." Ruby Rose skidded to a stop.

"Hello again," Pyrrha selected the first dialogue option. She was rather fond of it.

"Sup, Ruby?" Jaune also went with the basic dialogue option. His next choice was "Have you found a partner yet?" from the 'Inquiry' option.

"Yup!" Ruby responded with a popped 'p'.

Jaune and Pyrrha were waiting for Ruby to announce Weiss, or for the heiress to shout something like, "Wait up, dolt!"

Instead, Jaune reached out through Siraad. ~Pause the game! Concentrate on bringing up a menu!~

Pyrrha concentrated on pausing the game. Miraculously, Jaune's instruction worked. ~Jaune...what is happening?~

~We've really gone off the rails,~ Jaune gulped.

~Ruby's partner was Weiss!~ Pyrrha balked.

That, however, was no longer the case. As the gamers stared at a frozen and slightly grayed out Emerald Forest, they struggled to comprehend the fact that Ruby Rose was partnered with Blake Belladonna.

Pyrrha and Jaune were now wrestling with just how prophetic Pyrrha's words from the previous night truly were.

Everything was different.

~We can deal with this. It's not a huge change,~ Jaune tried to rationalize.

Pyrrha hummed nervously. ~You are right. We can handle this.~

~Together,~ Jaune repeated their mantra. The game resumed as Blake stalked around a copse of saplings.

"And your partner thinks we should stick together," Blake answered in an amused tone that would not have been out place in central Vacuo or Eastern Menagerie.

"So! Let's all stick together and get a relic!" Ruby exclaimed.

Jaune and Pyrrha could only nod and wonder what else the game would throw at them. Just how much could they count on their previous knowledge?

Author's Note: Guess what's back!

As always, I'd like to thank Racellos for the excellent beta work. The entire fight vs Beowolves is his. My original take sucked honestly. His is much better.

I posted a new fic. "In Vino Veritas". The cover art is incredible. I'd like to thank WarrenDSherman for the incredible work he did. Please check out his fics, particularly the excellent and underappreciated "From Embers to Dust"

Another recommendation is Harmonious Arkos Sloth's Oneshots. Definitely give them a read as well.

Hope y'all enjoy!