𝐌. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐟.
@thecardreader.bsky.social
𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛, 𝑦𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡.
FF7 AU of Mollymauk Tealeaf of Critical Role. || MDNI
FF7 AU of Mollymauk Tealeaf of Critical Role. || MDNI
Pinned
It makes Molly chuckle as he lounges lazily against the table, one arm propped up and lazily holding his wine glass. He twists it between two fingers, watching Viv with an easy smile.
"Ah, you always need a planner when things go awry." He raises his glass and takes a sip.
"Did you enjoy the
"Ah, you always need a planner when things go awry." He raises his glass and takes a sip.
"Did you enjoy the
"Oh he was always a monster, just... in the way that siblings often are."
That draws a warm look to her features, a fond glimmer in her eyes as she reaches back to some of her fondest memories.
"He was quieter than I was even then. Quieter than our friend too. That wasn't to say he wasn't —
That draws a warm look to her features, a fond glimmer in her eyes as she reaches back to some of her fondest memories.
"He was quieter than I was even then. Quieter than our friend too. That wasn't to say he wasn't —
"I feel it might be hypocritical to say we're not monsters. The world seems us as such, so we may as well embrace it. A monster can still be good, yes?"
He shrugs, posture relaxed as he takes another small drink from his glass. "You mentioned a brother. Tell me about him. Not the monster, I doubt
He shrugs, posture relaxed as he takes another small drink from his glass. "You mentioned a brother. Tell me about him. Not the monster, I doubt
September 17, 2026 at 11:56 PM
It makes Molly chuckle as he lounges lazily against the table, one arm propped up and lazily holding his wine glass. He twists it between two fingers, watching Viv with an easy smile.
"Ah, you always need a planner when things go awry." He raises his glass and takes a sip.
"Did you enjoy the
"Ah, you always need a planner when things go awry." He raises his glass and takes a sip.
"Did you enjoy the
"I feel it might be hypocritical to say we're not monsters. The world seems us as such, so we may as well embrace it. A monster can still be good, yes?"
He shrugs, posture relaxed as he takes another small drink from his glass. "You mentioned a brother. Tell me about him. Not the monster, I doubt
He shrugs, posture relaxed as he takes another small drink from his glass. "You mentioned a brother. Tell me about him. Not the monster, I doubt
With a small shrug of her shoulders she took another drink.
"What's done is done, I suppose. I've learned to live with it for the most part. But it hurts worse around this time of year. Thank you though, it's nice to not hear 'oh but you're not a monster! you're not like that!' for a change."
"What's done is done, I suppose. I've learned to live with it for the most part. But it hurts worse around this time of year. Thank you though, it's nice to not hear 'oh but you're not a monster! you're not like that!' for a change."
"I think you're correct that being a monster doesn't make you monstrous. I think we monsters make that choice every day."
He meets her gaze with a faint, sympathetic smile. "If they choose to be, I suppose that's their choice. But knowing that you couldn't have changed it doesn't make the pain
He meets her gaze with a faint, sympathetic smile. "If they choose to be, I suppose that's their choice. But knowing that you couldn't have changed it doesn't make the pain
September 17, 2026 at 11:34 PM
"I feel it might be hypocritical to say we're not monsters. The world seems us as such, so we may as well embrace it. A monster can still be good, yes?"
He shrugs, posture relaxed as he takes another small drink from his glass. "You mentioned a brother. Tell me about him. Not the monster, I doubt
He shrugs, posture relaxed as he takes another small drink from his glass. "You mentioned a brother. Tell me about him. Not the monster, I doubt
"I think you're correct that being a monster doesn't make you monstrous. I think we monsters make that choice every day."
He meets her gaze with a faint, sympathetic smile. "If they choose to be, I suppose that's their choice. But knowing that you couldn't have changed it doesn't make the pain
He meets her gaze with a faint, sympathetic smile. "If they choose to be, I suppose that's their choice. But knowing that you couldn't have changed it doesn't make the pain
She meets his smile with a small one of her own that doesn't quite reach her eyes. Eyes that hold a little bitterness and a little sadness.
"Personally, I think not. Being a monster doesn't mean... you're monstrous. But I lost my brother and a couple of other people who meant a great deal to me—
"Personally, I think not. Being a monster doesn't mean... you're monstrous. But I lost my brother and a couple of other people who meant a great deal to me—
The words prompt what is probably an expected smile, a display of too-sharp canine teeth, and he blinks slowly.
"Is there something wrong with being inhuman?" he asks with a leisurely sort of sigh, sipping his wine. He gestures to all of himself with a shrug.
"Your personality thus far is nothing
"Is there something wrong with being inhuman?" he asks with a leisurely sort of sigh, sipping his wine. He gestures to all of himself with a shrug.
"Your personality thus far is nothing
September 17, 2026 at 11:16 PM
"I think you're correct that being a monster doesn't make you monstrous. I think we monsters make that choice every day."
He meets her gaze with a faint, sympathetic smile. "If they choose to be, I suppose that's their choice. But knowing that you couldn't have changed it doesn't make the pain
He meets her gaze with a faint, sympathetic smile. "If they choose to be, I suppose that's their choice. But knowing that you couldn't have changed it doesn't make the pain
ooc. It's a good thing Molly's not licensed, he'd lose his job for flirting with patients.
September 17, 2026 at 11:05 PM
ooc. It's a good thing Molly's not licensed, he'd lose his job for flirting with patients.
Molly straightens and brushes imaginary dust off the fabric of his elaborate, ostentatious coat. He grabs the front of his coat and gives a little shake before offering a wide smile.
"You know where to find me, Mr. Richard," he responds with a light, easy-going laugh.
A closer look might reveal
"You know where to find me, Mr. Richard," he responds with a light, easy-going laugh.
A closer look might reveal
Molly is right and Rufus hates that he is right.
And yet, what is done is done, to him anyways.
The path has been set in stone, and to him, there is no way going back.
Not anymore: not this time.
“Well — thank you for your Ted Talk, Mister Tea.” The President gives himself a metaphorical
And yet, what is done is done, to him anyways.
The path has been set in stone, and to him, there is no way going back.
Not anymore: not this time.
“Well — thank you for your Ted Talk, Mister Tea.” The President gives himself a metaphorical
"I hate to tell you, darling, but you can't make the choice for other people. If you are what she wanted and what she loved, it's a disservice to her to force her to make another choice."
Molly brushes a finger very carefully under Rufus's eye to catch the stray tear, wiping it away.
"You think
Molly brushes a finger very carefully under Rufus's eye to catch the stray tear, wiping it away.
"You think
September 17, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Molly straightens and brushes imaginary dust off the fabric of his elaborate, ostentatious coat. He grabs the front of his coat and gives a little shake before offering a wide smile.
"You know where to find me, Mr. Richard," he responds with a light, easy-going laugh.
A closer look might reveal
"You know where to find me, Mr. Richard," he responds with a light, easy-going laugh.
A closer look might reveal
The words prompt what is probably an expected smile, a display of too-sharp canine teeth, and he blinks slowly.
"Is there something wrong with being inhuman?" he asks with a leisurely sort of sigh, sipping his wine. He gestures to all of himself with a shrug.
"Your personality thus far is nothing
"Is there something wrong with being inhuman?" he asks with a leisurely sort of sigh, sipping his wine. He gestures to all of himself with a shrug.
"Your personality thus far is nothing
"I'm a monster."
It's delivered with all the air of someone commenting on the weather. Just a simple fact that hangs in the air for a moment as she takes a long drink from her wine.
"I don't know who my birth parents are or were. But they gave me and my brother up for experimentation and then —
It's delivered with all the air of someone commenting on the weather. Just a simple fact that hangs in the air for a moment as she takes a long drink from her wine.
"I don't know who my birth parents are or were. But they gave me and my brother up for experimentation and then —
"The beginning is usually a good place."
He lowers the wine bottle back to the table and slides the glass forward with a smile.
He lowers the wine bottle back to the table and slides the glass forward with a smile.
September 17, 2026 at 10:53 PM
The words prompt what is probably an expected smile, a display of too-sharp canine teeth, and he blinks slowly.
"Is there something wrong with being inhuman?" he asks with a leisurely sort of sigh, sipping his wine. He gestures to all of himself with a shrug.
"Your personality thus far is nothing
"Is there something wrong with being inhuman?" he asks with a leisurely sort of sigh, sipping his wine. He gestures to all of himself with a shrug.
"Your personality thus far is nothing
. . . Testing a theory. He just wants to see how high he could climb hypothetically by hypothetically climbing up the plate piller. He's getting he could make it topside.
September 17, 2026 at 10:50 PM
. . . Testing a theory. He just wants to see how high he could climb hypothetically by hypothetically climbing up the plate piller. He's getting he could make it topside.
"What's your name, love? And are there any specific questions we're looking to answer today?"
Delighted by this the silver leisurely plopped down in the seat opposite of him, crossing one long leg over the other.
She's always enjoyed having golden opportunities to see what fates await her.
She's always enjoyed having golden opportunities to see what fates await her.
"Of course. Have a seat."
September 17, 2026 at 10:37 PM
"What's your name, love? And are there any specific questions we're looking to answer today?"
"The beginning is usually a good place."
He lowers the wine bottle back to the table and slides the glass forward with a smile.
He lowers the wine bottle back to the table and slides the glass forward with a smile.
"Hm, we'll see where the night takes us~"
Propping her chin in her hands, she watched him refill their glasses and hummed.
"Where should I start..."
Propping her chin in her hands, she watched him refill their glasses and hummed.
"Where should I start..."
"Only what you're comfortable with." He smiles brightly and lifts the bottle to refill their glasses.
September 17, 2026 at 10:36 PM
"The beginning is usually a good place."
He lowers the wine bottle back to the table and slides the glass forward with a smile.
He lowers the wine bottle back to the table and slides the glass forward with a smile.
"Only what you're comfortable with." He smiles brightly and lifts the bottle to refill their glasses.
"I would love one." She smiled and held her glass out. "Especially if I'm to do talking about myself."
"I'll answer what I can." He's only got a couple years of memories to pull from, anyway. "Now. Would you like another glass?"
September 17, 2026 at 10:24 PM
"Only what you're comfortable with." He smiles brightly and lifts the bottle to refill their glasses.
"I'll answer what I can." He's only got a couple years of memories to pull from, anyway. "Now. Would you like another glass?"
"Likewise, I'd hate to start this friendship with lies. But only answer what you're comfortable with. I don't want you to feel pressured in any way."
"I could," Molly replies amicably. "I'd prefer I not have to."
September 17, 2026 at 10:13 PM
"I'll answer what I can." He's only got a couple years of memories to pull from, anyway. "Now. Would you like another glass?"
"I could," Molly replies amicably. "I'd prefer I not have to."
She understands that expression, she'd been the author of it herself many times. Leaning back she sips from her glass again.
"You do know you could lie to me and I wouldn't know."
"You do know you could lie to me and I wouldn't know."
A pause. His expression shifts, unreadable. "I suppose we have a deal."
September 17, 2026 at 9:58 PM
"I could," Molly replies amicably. "I'd prefer I not have to."
"I hate to tell you, darling, but you can't make the choice for other people. If you are what she wanted and what she loved, it's a disservice to her to force her to make another choice."
Molly brushes a finger very carefully under Rufus's eye to catch the stray tear, wiping it away.
"You think
Molly brushes a finger very carefully under Rufus's eye to catch the stray tear, wiping it away.
"You think
For a man who hates to be touched, he surprisingly allows Mollys gentle movement of his bangs from his eyes, though it is obvious how tense and uncomfortable he is from it.
But he doesn’t push him away, and he does not refuse his words simply for the fact they are the truth.
And the truth hits
But he doesn’t push him away, and he does not refuse his words simply for the fact they are the truth.
And the truth hits
One hand very carefully reaches out to sweep aside those fallen bangs. His expression is careful, gentle, though he supplies a great deal of effort to not appear condescending.
"I think you're scared. You cling to the things you can control because the things you can't have the power to hurt you.
"I think you're scared. You cling to the things you can control because the things you can't have the power to hurt you.
September 17, 2026 at 9:57 PM
"I hate to tell you, darling, but you can't make the choice for other people. If you are what she wanted and what she loved, it's a disservice to her to force her to make another choice."
Molly brushes a finger very carefully under Rufus's eye to catch the stray tear, wiping it away.
"You think
Molly brushes a finger very carefully under Rufus's eye to catch the stray tear, wiping it away.
"You think
ooc. I will be back for replies shortly! thank you all for giving my darling tiefling a chance.
September 17, 2026 at 9:32 PM
ooc. I will be back for replies shortly! thank you all for giving my darling tiefling a chance.
Reposted by 𝐌. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐟.
"you're not a monster," i said. but i lied. what i really wanted to say was that a monster is not such a terrible thing to be.
September 17, 2026 at 8:37 PM
"you're not a monster," i said. but i lied. what i really wanted to say was that a monster is not such a terrible thing to be.
A pause. His expression shifts, unreadable. "I suppose we have a deal."
"On one condition," She scoots closer and leans in, gently flicking the tip of his nose. "You share a little about yourself too. What you know, or remember. Deal?"
Sliding a little closer, resting his chin on his fist.
"Humor me. I can manage a little depressing."
"Humor me. I can manage a little depressing."
September 17, 2026 at 8:45 PM
A pause. His expression shifts, unreadable. "I suppose we have a deal."
One hand very carefully reaches out to sweep aside those fallen bangs. His expression is careful, gentle, though he supplies a great deal of effort to not appear condescending.
"I think you're scared. You cling to the things you can control because the things you can't have the power to hurt you.
"I think you're scared. You cling to the things you can control because the things you can't have the power to hurt you.
Posture changes into that of a defensive one as Molly calls him out. Annoyed that he’s being read so easily. It infuriates him when people see behind the mask; of the man who is etching to just break free.
But mollys question halts his tongue from unleashing barrages of abuse in self-defence to
But mollys question halts his tongue from unleashing barrages of abuse in self-defence to
"How healed are you when you're still bleeding over your past? I don't think there is anything you've done that you could not remedy with the person you loved, should you be willing to fix it. Sitting around moping isn't going to dare that person to scale your walls and forgive you."
He swallows
He swallows
September 17, 2026 at 8:45 PM
One hand very carefully reaches out to sweep aside those fallen bangs. His expression is careful, gentle, though he supplies a great deal of effort to not appear condescending.
"I think you're scared. You cling to the things you can control because the things you can't have the power to hurt you.
"I think you're scared. You cling to the things you can control because the things you can't have the power to hurt you.
Sliding a little closer, resting his chin on his fist.
"Humor me. I can manage a little depressing."
"Humor me. I can manage a little depressing."
She laughs. "It's a rather depressing topic, if we're being honest."
"On the contrary, love — getting to know you sounds more like a topic I'm interested in."
September 17, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Sliding a little closer, resting his chin on his fist.
"Humor me. I can manage a little depressing."
"Humor me. I can manage a little depressing."
"On the contrary, love — getting to know you sounds more like a topic I'm interested in."
"I don't know that comfortable is the word I'd use, but I've learned to live with it. For the most part."
She stares at her glass for a moment.
"But that hardly seems like a topic for a good chat now, does it?"
She stares at her glass for a moment.
"But that hardly seems like a topic for a good chat now, does it?"
"Who doesn't these days? Are you comfortable in your trauma, dear?"
He swirls the wine in his glass. "If I'm aiming to get wasted, I'll drink something harder, but for a good chat, I love wine."
He swirls the wine in his glass. "If I'm aiming to get wasted, I'll drink something harder, but for a good chat, I love wine."
September 17, 2026 at 8:31 PM
"On the contrary, love — getting to know you sounds more like a topic I'm interested in."
"How healed are you when you're still bleeding over your past? I don't think there is anything you've done that you could not remedy with the person you loved, should you be willing to fix it. Sitting around moping isn't going to dare that person to scale your walls and forgive you."
He swallows
He swallows
Some wounds just need time to recover, don’t they? And the drugs and alcohol are just medicinal to that.” It’s not strictly what he said, but he’s very good at twisting words to suit himself.
“I had it. I lost it. I’ll get over it. Time is a great healer… like everything else before.”
“I had it. I lost it. I’ll get over it. Time is a great healer… like everything else before.”
September 17, 2026 at 8:28 PM
"How healed are you when you're still bleeding over your past? I don't think there is anything you've done that you could not remedy with the person you loved, should you be willing to fix it. Sitting around moping isn't going to dare that person to scale your walls and forgive you."
He swallows
He swallows
"Who doesn't these days? Are you comfortable in your trauma, dear?"
He swirls the wine in his glass. "If I'm aiming to get wasted, I'll drink something harder, but for a good chat, I love wine."
He swirls the wine in his glass. "If I'm aiming to get wasted, I'll drink something harder, but for a good chat, I love wine."
"Most of us have some form of trauma or another."
Sips again.
"Glad you are because I am not. I typically get something harder and usually so I can forget or medicate something."
Sips again.
"Glad you are because I am not. I typically get something harder and usually so I can forget or medicate something."
"Far too many, in fact. A curious lot of people we have around here."
He grins. "I am a bit of a wine snob, I'll admit."
He grins. "I am a bit of a wine snob, I'll admit."
September 17, 2026 at 8:20 PM
"Who doesn't these days? Are you comfortable in your trauma, dear?"
He swirls the wine in his glass. "If I'm aiming to get wasted, I'll drink something harder, but for a good chat, I love wine."
He swirls the wine in his glass. "If I'm aiming to get wasted, I'll drink something harder, but for a good chat, I love wine."
"Wounds continue to bleed when there's no one tending to them. I'd imagine your scars cut deep enough that time hasn't healed them."
Molly sighs, lazily rotating one of the rings on his finger. Something gaudy, bright.
"With all due respect — none, in my case — I'm going to call your bluff. If
Molly sighs, lazily rotating one of the rings on his finger. Something gaudy, bright.
"With all due respect — none, in my case — I'm going to call your bluff. If
Who cannot love and be loved in a romantic sense. Platonic is as far as some can manage.” Lifts the glass, tipping more wine straight to the back of his throat; gulping it down in one.
“— and I’d put myself into that bracket. Which is fine.”
“— and I’d put myself into that bracket. Which is fine.”
September 17, 2026 at 8:18 PM
"Wounds continue to bleed when there's no one tending to them. I'd imagine your scars cut deep enough that time hasn't healed them."
Molly sighs, lazily rotating one of the rings on his finger. Something gaudy, bright.
"With all due respect — none, in my case — I'm going to call your bluff. If
Molly sighs, lazily rotating one of the rings on his finger. Something gaudy, bright.
"With all due respect — none, in my case — I'm going to call your bluff. If
"I didn't think it was. Not fully, though I dare to say you keep them at arm's length when you're struggling. You want to push them away because you feel you don't deserve them."
He sits back once again, fingers tracing the label on the wine bottle. Some intricate thing in a language he can't read.
He sits back once again, fingers tracing the label on the wine bottle. Some intricate thing in a language he can't read.
Wet blues watch as the glass is refilled, listening in silence, contemplating… always silently thinking. Always waging a war with himself whether to be honest or continue to hide.
Glistening orbs lift as Molly comes to an end, a sigh is released.
“S’not about my Turks.” He admits, lifting the
Glistening orbs lift as Molly comes to an end, a sigh is released.
“S’not about my Turks.” He admits, lifting the
Molly remains very quiet for a few minutes, watching. Appraising. A softness touches his crimson eyes, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"The inevitability of death does not mean you should sentence yourself to a lifetime alone. And the inevitability of death hasn't stopped
"The inevitability of death does not mean you should sentence yourself to a lifetime alone. And the inevitability of death hasn't stopped
September 17, 2026 at 7:58 PM
"I didn't think it was. Not fully, though I dare to say you keep them at arm's length when you're struggling. You want to push them away because you feel you don't deserve them."
He sits back once again, fingers tracing the label on the wine bottle. Some intricate thing in a language he can't read.
He sits back once again, fingers tracing the label on the wine bottle. Some intricate thing in a language he can't read.
Have a seat.
-raises hand-
[ Placing a sign on his table. FREE TAROT READINGS FOR SHINRA EMPLOYEES. ]
September 17, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Have a seat.
"Of course. Have a seat."
Staring at the sign.
".... Does it count if you're kinda sorta but not really retired?"
".... Does it count if you're kinda sorta but not really retired?"
[ Placing a sign on his table. FREE TAROT READINGS FOR SHINRA EMPLOYEES. ]
September 17, 2026 at 7:51 PM
"Of course. Have a seat."