#// her 'good' ending is to leave while seeking the unknown and letting go of the legacy she has carved

[usagimen]

           I   also   think   it’s   important   to   stress;   she   did   not   reach   Godhood   in   Shibuya;   it   was   merely   the   portion   that   awoke   to   signify   her   strength   as   a   special   grade   of   her   own.   Though,   for   posterity   sake,   the   term   special   grade   holds   little   weight   to   Sayuri   as   she   recognized   that   it   is   a   broad   umbrella   term   as   the   category   was   drastically   shaping   with   students   like   Yuuta   &&   Todo.   Gojo   did   insist   most   sorcerers   are   rather   eccentric;   the   best   are   utterly   unhinged   &&   feral.   Sayuri   is   no   different,   even   if   she   insists   on   the   image   of   a   regale   noble   woman,   at   core   she   can   be   an   annoying   brat   with   childish   tendencies   who   never   forgot   her   station   in   life.   Then,   there   is   the   side   of   her   that   upholds   a   deep   sense   of   honor   &&   pride;   this   will   always   be   her   crux,   most   Kobayashi   women   fall   because   of   their   hubris.   

            She   enjoys   combat,   the   thrill   of   a   fight,   the   reminder   that   within   this   life   she   is   the   epitome   of   strength   embodied.   Her   constitution   was   recognized   in   youth   making   her   a   formidable   opponent   as   she   showed   no   fear   of   anxiety   when   faced   with   the   ultimate;   her   precision   in   constantly   picking   a   choice   despite   sacrificing   herself   or   knowing   it   will   emotionally   harm   her   always   led   her   to   victory.   If   she   was   not   a   pariah   to   the   Kobayashi   family,   she   would   be   the   ideal   matriarch,   embodying   their   traditional   values   of   what   makes   a   woman   of   the   violet   tides.    Anyway,   Godhood   is   only   found   in   the   midst   of   taking   on   Uro   -   who   also   can   compete   at   that   same   level   of   velocity   due   to   her   affiliation   with   Fujiwara   Clan.   

          She   did   gain   a   neat   ability   in   the   process   of   ‘bending’   the   sky   to   move   in   the   air   or   teleport   through   mirrors;   just   like   Tsukuyomi   though   this   was   solely   of   her   divine   presence   while   his   entrance   always   sparks   an   air   of   uncertainty,   hers   dominates,   releasing   a   scorching   sensation   &&   smelling   faintly   of   roses   which   Sayuri   is   known   for.   This   was   to   signify   through   her   suffering   the   persistence   to   live   without   understanding   why   granted   her   succession,   to   swallow   the   darkness   &&   give   home   to   an   entity   most   would   shun,   while   enduring   the   cruelty   of   the   Kobayashi   curse,   she   was   on   another   tier.   Her   physical   prowl   also   dominates   exceptionally,   if   Sayuri   was   never   cursed   with   Tsukuyomi,   she   most   likely   would   live   with   Heavenly   Restriction   &&   while   a   grade   three   sorcerer   she   would   still   catapult   herself   into   another   category   to   demonstrate   the   iron   nature   of   her   physical   form.   Her   grade   level   was   captured   by   herself   not   because   of   the   slumbering   deity,   something   she   makes   clear   when   one   inquires   about   her,   this   is   what   her   family   revels   in.   Their   Goddess   is   that   of   an   entirely   different   powerhouse,   while   they   are   unable   to   home   &&   cultivate   this   succession   the   pride   they   feel   in   knowing   she   bared   her   teeth   to   grab   her   title.

[maarrgarr]

The Unknown Heir.

masterlist of the Unknown Heir.

Gojo Satoru x fem! reader.

Synopsis: The reader returns after being gone for two years and leaving her boyfriend, Satoru, without giving him a reason. But now she doesn't come back alone.

Warning: English is not my first language, possible grammatical and spelling mistakes, some plot changes.

The morning of that day began with you waking Ryusei up with a delicious breakfast in bed. "Happy Birthday my beautiful baby!" you told him when he opened his eyes. He gave you a big smile showing his white teeth and jumped towards you, hugging you around the neck. "You don't have to call me that anymore mommy, I'm grown up" he told you. You died of tenderness, but at the same time your heart broke knowing it was true.

You noticed how Ryu's eyes sparkled when he saw his favorite foods on the tray: mochis, pancakes with chocolate syrup, was accompanied with orange juice and chocolate milk. Ryu loved sweet foods, and although you didn't like that he ate so much sweet because it could hurt him, since it was his birthday, of course you left him.

When he finished his breakfast, you helped him get dressed and you both went to the infirmary so that he could stay with Shoko. "Can't you stay with me even today?" he asked you with a sad face. "Sorry love, but I have to go to work. I promise you that tonight we'll have a great time with everyone, yes?" He nodded a little more happily, "And will you give me the gift I asked for?" he asked and luckily, Shoko just opened the door. "Happy birthday to my beautiful nephew!" Ryu's attention drifted to his aunt and soon the two of them were in each other's arms.

You left Ryusei and went to the training ground where Tetsuo, Rumi and Gojo were already there. It was the same as always, the students trained among themselves, while you and Satoru watched them. You two didn't talk as usual, and you didn't look at each other either.

You were sorry for Ryusei, but you still weren't ready to talk to Gojo, let alone tell him the truth.

But, unfortunately for you, time has already given you several opportunities to tell him, which you missed. So fate would see to it that Ryusei got his birthday present.

It was already getting dark. And in one of the rooms, there were Shoko, Rumi, Ijichi, Ryusei, to your surprise there was also Yaga and lastly you. On the table there was a light blue cake with white details and around it many sweet things and on another smaller table, were the gifts that had been brought to Ryusei. While the room was also decorated with light blue and white balloons.

It was a quiet gathering, all of you chatting and laughing. Soon it was time for Ryu to blow out the candle. You lit the candles and soon everyone sang happy birthday to him. You picked up Ryu and he blew out all three candles. You smiled happily and kissed him cheek lovingly. "I love you" you whispered and he kissed you back on the cheek, "I love you more, mommy."

After blowing out the candles, they kept talking and having a nice time all together. Until Ryu yelled excitedly: "let's play hide and seek!". You were about to say no, since they were all big people and you didn't think they wanted to play that game, Ryusei's favorite. But Shoko spoke before: "Let's play". Rumi and Ijichi agreed, the latter a bit intimidated by Ryu, who almost forced him to play. You turned to Yaga thinking that he would say no, but to your surprise, very seriously he said: "I'll play."

"Mom counts!" Ryusei said and ran off, soon the others followed. You didn't give much thought to the fact that your son was out there by himself, so you just closed the loop and started counting.

Ryusei was running through the corridors trying to find a good hiding place. Hide and seek was his favorite game and he hated being found first. He looked at possible places, but none convinced him. In a corner he turned and for not looking well, he ended up colliding with someone.

Ryusei's gaze was on the person's legs since he was very tall. He looked up and saw a man, with hair the same as his and with bandages covering his eyes. "Sorry" Ryusei apologized, but for some reason he didn't leave.

Satoru walked through the halls with his hands in his pockets. He was ready to go to his apartment, where Megumi and Tsumiki were waiting for him. When he suddenly noticed how a small body was approaching he did it quickly and bumped into it.

Gojo couldn't believe his eyes. In front of him was a boy with his same hair color, his same eye color. He was just like him.

Satoru couldn't understand what was happening. Many things were going through his mind. Maybe he was dreaming? no, he was pretty sure he was awake. Perhaps there was some rupture in space-time where his child self and his adult self met? either, everything seemed to be normal. So why the fuck was there a kid exactly like him?

Ryusei couldn't understand what was happening either or really, he couldn't understand what he was feeling. Being in front of that man, he felt a kind of energy shock, it was strange. Ryusei was a little intimidated by the tall man, but at the same time, he was very curious about him.

On the other side were you. You finished counting and went looking for them. You checked every room you came across, but you never found anyone. You'd be lying if you said you weren't excited, you felt like a little girl.

You turned a corner and found yourself with a scene that took away all your emotion and, on the contrary, made your nerves invade you.

Ryusei and Satoru face to face.

Quickly, father and son, turned to see you. You weren't surprised that Satoru noticed your presence so quickly, but you were surprised that Ryu did. "Mom" Ryusei said.

Gojo felt a chill run through him when he heard how the boy identical to him called you mom.

He turned to look back at the child and realized that he didn't seem to be more than three years old, the same number of years since you left. Memories of you throwing up, memories of him noticing how you ate more than usual and how you had frequent emotional swings, washed over him.

And as if his mind were a puzzle and memories were the pieces, he felt everything coming together and fitting together perfectly.

That boy was his son

TAG LIST: @jellykingsblog, @dummyf , @nyfwyeonjun , @lenasvoid , @yyxy27 , @staygoldsquatchling02 , @whoami-72 , @blackcatpandora , @descargueestoporgojosatoru , @iluv-ace , @mommasbigd , @guenievresworld , @idktbhloley , @cluvsya, @ieathairs , @darianias , @dcvilxswish , @kyriekurokami , @yourfavstalker25789 .

[nhasablogg]

If I'm to let it in, it might just stay forever

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Characters: Derek/Spencer

Summary: Derek and Spencer go to the tickle club.

Anonymous said: So in the For Love to Replace your Shame fic the last line basically says that after a couple weeks they walk back into the club hand in hand. I was wondering if you could write a small fic where Derek and Spencer are in the club together? I just wanna see Spencer actually be able to enjoy it :)) -M

Words: 1.4k

Read it on AO3.

Referenced fic here.

Spencer looked good under the flashing lights. Not necessarily as though he belonged, because he was visibly nervous, his grip on Derek’s hand tight enough to be uncomfortable, but he looked good because he seemed giddy. A spark in his eyes which Derek hadn’t really seen before, especially not in regards to this, something that still made him shut down before he realized he wasn’t being judged.

The Feather was jam-packed. A Saturday, which had been absolutely freezing and miserable, prompting desperate people to seek fun after dark, and boy did they sound like they were having fun. Now that Derek was here off the clock he felt much more relaxed, and so he was taking it all in differently. Not seeking, simply watching, though he was mostly watching Spencer. While Spencer was obviously still a bit on edge it wasn’t as bad as their first couple of visits. He wasn’t alone with his feelings anymore, his shoulders lighter. His eyes were everywhere, head going back and forth, his cheeks pinkening as the ticklish laughter surrounded them.

Derek leaned closer to him to be heard over the music. “We can stay as long as you want, which also means we can leave whenever, okay?”

Spencer nodded. “Okay.”

“I mean it, pretty boy. The minute you want to leave, we leave.”

Spencer squeezed his hand. “I hear you.”

“Good.” Derek squeezed back, wondering if the visit would include him tickling Spencer at all or if they would be saving it until later, behind the four walls of a bedroom. He’d just started doing it, tickling Spencer until he was a giggly mess, without it ending with Derek having to reassure him that he loved that this was something he wanted him to do. Not that he minded it, but he was glad it was becoming easier now. He quite enjoyed himself doing it.

They’d decided to come back to The Feather because Derek found it unfair that Spencer had had his eye on this club for ages before he’d been forced to visit it due to a case, but what Derek hadn’t told him was that he was equally as curious to return. Curious about it all, curious about what would catch Spencer’s eye, about how he would react. Spencer could probably feel his gaze on him, and while he might’ve felt self conscious about it he seemed entirely too preoccupied to say anything about it.

“Oh, look, I did that to you last night.” Derek didn’t mean for it to sound as any form of teasing - he genuinely felt a surge of excitement as he caught sight of a woman trying to twist out of the grip of another woman who was targeting her hips - but Spencer covered his face in embarrassment anyway. Maybe Derek wasn’t too mad about it.

“I think this might end me,” he said, peeking out when Derek nudged him.

Spencer didn’t know this, but Derek hadn’t been able to stop thinking of this, this moment, the things Spencer had told him, for the past few days. He’d imagined them entering. Imagined Spencer being grabbed left and right by unknown, eager hands. He’d imagined being jealous, but there had been something appealing about the sight, too. Sensual, almost. Of course that didn’t end up happening, because these people valued consent more than anything. And besides, Spencer didn’t want to come here to get tickled by others. He’d told him that countless times.

“I want to experience it normally,” he’d said. “Remove the case from it.”

And Derek, who had thought of the case nearly every single day since it had happened, had understood what he meant.

They hadn’t talked about what they expected out of this experience. Spencer had seemed too anxious and excited and shy all at the same time for Derek to want to ask. He couldn’t imagine he wanted strangers to touch him anyway, besides his protests, but if he did, in the midst of drunken giddiness to finally be able to be himself, non-judged, Derek needed to quickly decide how he felt about it, because who was he to deny Spencer this if he wanted it?

But who was he kidding. He didn’t like the idea of that at all.

“Quick question,” he said as they elbowed their way deeper into the room, aiming to take a lap before ordering drinks. “I know you said you don’t want to, but if someone grabs for you, am I supposed to protect you?”

“If someone- grabs for me?”

“You know. Pulls you into a tickle fight.”

“Oh. Well, I doubt anyone would.”

“Right, but if.”

“Sure, yeah, protect me. I don’t think I’d like that.”

“I don’t think I’d like that either.”

Spencer grinned, the last bit of anxiety falling off his face. “You’d be jealous.”

“I so wouldn’t.”

“Uh huh.”

Derek liked the fact that Spencer was smiling too much to get all in his feelings about this, and so he merely pulled him closer with the pretense of pulling him with him. He wasn’t stupid enough to think Spencer believed that that was his intention, but it made him feel better to pretend. They’d not reached the stage where honesty overpowered anything else yet. They still had walls, although they’d broken down several of them pre-relationship, if that was what they had. They’d not talked about it.

Derek was absolutely terrified to talk about it, truth be told.

“You think we can just- go in?” he asked as they stopped in front of a door labeled “bondage room”.

Spencer shook his head. “We shouldn’t either way. I wouldn’t want to have people see that.”

“That’s fair.” Memories of the case flashed before him. The idea of Spencer tied up, helpless. The thing he desired being used against him.

A hand on his wrist, squeezing it. “I’m okay, Derek.”

Derek knew he wasn’t, but he didn’t say anything. Instead he slipped his hand into Spencer’s, squeezing it back. “Let’s get something to drink, okay?”

Spencer nodded and they made their way through the crowd hand in hand, something Derek still wasn’t used to.

“Do you want a Tickle Me Drink or a Blushy Lee Bourbon?” Derek asked him as they sat down by the bar, reading off the menu on the wall. When he turned back to him Spencer was blushing, although he didn’t avert his gaze, and Derek suddenly felt as if he would explode.

“Not a fan of bourbon,” was all he said, glancing down up the drinks list. “How about a Pick Your Spot Pina Colada?”

“You got it, pretty boy.”

Derek wanted to tease him about picking a drink without a name which he would have a hard time saying out loud, but he didn’t. Instead he leaned over toward the bartender - not the bastard from the case - and ordered for them both. Derek picked the Cosmotickleton, grinning when Spencer squirmed beside him.

“So,” he said as the bartender went away to start on their drinks. “How are you feeling so far?”

Spencer shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

“I’m sure it’s a lot to take in after everything.” Derek leaned closer, a finger on Spencer’s arm. “How ‘bout you tell me what you’re liking?”

Spencer shivered, subtly, but Derek could feel it. “About the club?”

“Uh huh.”

“I like how accepting it is.” His answer came quickly and easily. “It’s loud and overstimulating, but- well, I’ve never felt safe in a club before, you know?”

Derek wanted to ask more. Wanted to hear him talk about the particular tickle scenarios that were happening all around him, but realized Spencer wasn’t here for that. Realized there was more to it than the exposure to the tickling itself. Maybe one day Derek would understand. He was happy to wait, happy to explore, happy to solve parts of the puzzle himself until that day.

They got their drinks, clinked their glasses together and watched the dance floor. Watched people kiss and grind and tickle and jump. And later, they danced - Spencer was a hip swinger much to Derek’s delight - and as they pressed close, and with Spencer’s permission, he pressed his fingers into his sides, making him swing in a different way. And even later, when they stumbled into Derek’s apartment because it was closer, Derek kissed him for several minutes before he went for his ribs, but only because Spencer had grown impatient.

[yourgoodbuck]

Hide and Seek

(art by @albatrossart !)

Marie gasped as she ran into the room, hiding behind a row of tall clay pots and praying the shadows would be enough to obscure her.

Moments later, the sound of heavy hooves became louder as a beast approached the doorway. He was tall, easily nine feet even without the horns on his bull head. His cock, massive while soft, hung between his muscular bull legs, his balls hanging low behind it.

Marie pressed her hands against her mouth to keep herself from making any kind of noise. The minotaur’s heavy breathing was the only other sound, slow and heavy.

“I can smell you,” he said, walking past the row of pots that currently hid Marie from his view. “I know you’re in here.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing that this nightmare would end with her waking up safe and sound in her bedroom.

He paused in his footsteps, sniffing the air before chuckling. “I can smell your cunt.”

Her eyes flew open and she pressed her hands harder against her lips.

“You wanted to see me. You wanted me to see you.”

His footsteps began to approach her hiding spot and she froze, legs pressed together.

“You liked the idea of teasing me, right up until I broke through those pesky chains.” He laughed, a deep bellow. “That’s alright. I’m just going to give you what you want, that’s all.”

A hand fell from her face onto the straw next to her, breaking the silence with a crack like a gunshot.

His ear twitched, and he slowly turned his head to look at her. Marie found herself unable to move a muscle.

“There you are, small one.”

He smiled, and before she had the chance to process what he was doing, he had leapt on top of her, knocking several pots to the ground behind them.

She opened her mouth to scream, and he grabbed her roughly by the throat. “I wouldn’t do that. After all, who knows what else lurks in this dungeon?”

Her eyes went wide and her lips clamped shut.

“Good girl.” He released his hold on her and she gasped for air. He pinned her down with his hips, his rapidly hardening cock flopping between her clothed breasts and pushing past her chin against her cheek.

A quiet whimper escaped Marie, though she made no movement other than closing her eyes. Those eyes soon flew open again as her throat was grabbed again.

“Eyes on me. I want to see that pretty face of yours when I ruin you.” He let go of her after a few seconds, leaving her coughing.

“Now, open that pretty mouth of yours, and if you try and scream, you’ll never speak again.” His thumb stroked the front of her throat, resting against the side of it but not holding onto her.

Lips trembling, she opened her mouth. As soon as there was enough clearance, he shoved his cock past those plump lips into her mouth and groaned.

“So warm…” He began to shallowly thrust his hips, but even this slight movement was enough to make her gag on him. Her eyes welled with tears as he began to push further, past the back of her tongue, into the beginning of her throat. Out of instinct, she swallowed, the muscles rippling around him.

“Fuck,” he breathed, and without another word, shoved another four inches down her throat. Marie tried to cry out, but his cock was an exceptional gag.

He shifted his body again, this time moving so he was on hands and knees above her. He began to slowly sink down, and with wide, watery eyes, Marie realized that he intended to sheathe the whole thing inside her.

She began to struggle, but it was easy enough for him to pin her arms down with his legs. With another groan and a sigh, he sank to the floor, his pelvis resting against her face, his heavy balls resting on the base of her throat.

“I think I’m going to like having you around, small one.” He raised his hips a few inches into the air, then slid back into her throat to the base. “Like a glove.”

She could do nothing but lay there and take it as he began to fuck her face in earnest. At some point, she blacked out for an unknown amount of time, and when she came to, he was still just as hard.

“Did you fall asleep?” he asked mockingly, slamming into her face roughly, balls smacking her chin. “Don’t worry, I didn’t stop.”

After what felt like too long, he finally let out a bellowing cry as he sank deeply into her throat, his cock throbbing and pulsing as he came. Her stomach and throat quickly filled with cum, and even when he pulled out, he still wasn’t finished. The last few ropes were flung across her face and chest, ruining her clothes.

Breathing heavily, the minotaur moved back so he was sitting on his knees in front of her. His cock was softer, but not completely so.

“Be still. I don’t intend to put my cock inside your cunt without some preparation first.”

He spread her legs, lowering his head in between them and inhaling deeply. “You want this just as badly.”

In response she whimpered, trying to move her legs out of his powerful grasp.

He paid her no mind, as if she were a doll instead of a young woman, and began to lick at her lower lips. His tongue was flat and broad, covering a wide area and making her shudder in response.

He hummed, beginning now to use the tip of his tongue to hone in, deliberately circling but not yet touching her clit. When he finally did, she arched her back, hands weakly trying to grab onto the floor.

He did this to her for a few minutes, brushing the tip against her clit again and again, pulling away just before she could even begin to think she might orgasm. His tongue flattened, pressing against her opening before plunging inside.

This time, she couldn’t help but cry out as his tongue filled her. At least for now, he didn’t seem able to punish her, and he also didn’t stop, thrusting his tongue in and out of her quickly warming hole.

Just as she thought she might cum, he pulled his head away, licking his lips as he looked her over, moving to pin her legs down as the head of his cock pushed against her entrance.

“You might feel a little pressure.”

Both of his hands pressed her down into the floor by her shoulders, and after what felt like an eternity, the head of his cock caught and he pushed inside of her. Marie’s mouth opened in a silent scream as she was stretched, her walls barely able to accommodate the monster’s cock.

“Good girl. I knew you would be able to take me.”

He continued to press deeper inside of her, but eventually ran into her cervix. A small wave of relief washed over her. He can’t go any deeper.

He pulled his hips back almost all the way, and then slammed his cock forward into her cervix. Marie gasped, as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She had no time to recover as he did this again, and again, and again, and with horror, she began to understand why.

“You’re going to take all of my cock in every single hole,” he grunted, his words punctuated with his thrusts, “even if I have to force it. Especially if I have to force it.”

With one last push, she felt him move through into her womb. She glanced down and nearly fainted at the sight of his cock bulging her belly as he sank balls deep into her.

“That was easy.”

He held that position for what might have been an hour, his cock throbbing and pulsing inside of her. Every slight movement made her groan or shudder, and she found herself unable to bring herself to try and move.

“Such a perfect cock sleeve.”

After some time, he began to pull his hips back so he could properly thrust into her. Her body shook, partially from pleasure and partially from the shock of being stretched so wide, of being so full.

“I knew you would like this,” he grunted, and it wasn’t too many thrusts later before he let out a long, low groan as he sank deeply into her and came, her belly swelling further as it was filled.

He pulled out part of the way, just enough to keep her plugged up as he continued to cum.

“Please,” she whispered, weakly struggling even as her own orgasm overtook her, “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t—”

“You can, and you will.” He rested a hand on her round stomach, rubbing it almost tenderly. “You’re mine, and I’m going to make sure you’re always full.”

[hollysoda]

Okay so I know that totk turned one year old a couple of days ago but I was away for the weekend and didn’t get a chance to post something about it. Now I’m home again, I think I wanna just put some thoughts down

Firstly, I still love totk. It was a really fun game and had just as much fun playing through it complete blind as I did playing botw with only a loose knowledge of the game. In fact, I enjoyed it more than botw. Maybe it was because I knew more about Zelda than what I did back in September 2022 when I first played botw, or maybe it was because I could see the improvements they made when it came to dungeons and overall exploration. For at least six months totk was my favourite zelda game. Now, a year on, it isn’t.

I think on reflection totk is a very flawed game. While it is technically genius, story-wise it’s incredibly weak, possibly the weakest in the entire franchise. Here are a few points worth mentioning:

Why bother bringing back Ganondorf if he isn’t going to have any real motive? Is there a reason why he’s fighting with Rauru and seeking his own secret stone, or is he just doing it for funsies? Part of the reason why Wind Waker Ganondorf is so good is because he has a strong and clear motive. Without any motive, totk Ganondorf just feels like an enemy rather than a main antagonist

The main thing that drives forward a story is a theme to take away from it. Breath of the Wild’s theme was exploration and lost memories, Skyward Sword’s theme was loyalty and/or devotion, but it’s hard to tell what totk’s theme is. Sacrifice could be the outstanding one, seeing as both Zelda and Rauru make crucial sacrifices for the sake of Hyrule, but where else is it seen in the story? Totk just tries too many things, and having a clear theme would just help to solidify things

For a game that was supposed to solve the mystery of who the Zonai were it sure did a poor job at doing so. I absolutely adore the Zonai and in my opinion Rauru and Mineru’s designs as some of the coolest in the entire franchise but my god. Their lore is so underdeveloped it hurts. We know the bare minimum about their civilisation and culture. We still don’t know why they died off, why they built the labyrinths (and by extension who the Lord of dragons/owls/boars are), why they have secret stones in the first place, why is the Temple of Time in the sky when it was originally on the ground and most importantly why is draconification a forbidden act. If you’re gonna imply that the three dragons introduced in botw were once people then tell us!! Totk deserved a dlc that could explain all of this and not leave us in the unknown

Saying that the Sheikah technology just “disappeared” is an absolutely awful way of saying “uh yeah we never thought about that”. That’s some god awful world-building and planning on the developers behalf. Even if they just said that after the Calamity it lost its magic and then parts of it were repurposed for new technology, like the Skyview towers, it would be so much more believable. The Divine Beasts should have at least been in the game somewhere, perhaps in the depths. The lack of Sheikah tech makes the game feel so disjointed from botw, and makes totk feel as though it’s only a sequel because it has the same characters in it

The ending of the game just doesn’t sit right with me. Why bother having Mineru beg Zelda not to swallow her secret stone if in the end she would be able to turn back into a human. I understand the developers want a happy ending but at least let there be consequences. Let Zelda’s memory be a bit hazy or give her dragon features like many artists have done and let Link permanently be an amputee

Also the Ancient Hero angers me. I’ve got no problems with him not being a hylian because honestly it makes it wayy more interesting knowing that not every hero was hylian, but just explain why. If he’s some sort of Zonai, why doesn’t he look like Rauru and Mineru? Is he some sort of hybrid or a different breed of Zonai? And why does the tapestry depict him as a hylian if he’s not? Seems like an oversight more than anything

I think I should stop there because this post is getting long but uh TL;DR totk could have been a phenomenal game if they spent more time planning out the storyline and fleshing out lore. I get it, the game was originally botw dlc, but after so many delays we at least deserved a better story.

I do still love this game though Tears of the Dragon goes HARD

[tiredly101]

He is a caretaker, he is sunshine part 2

Pairing: Wally Darling x Caretaker!Male reader

Part 1 (part 1 was also adopted)

Illustrated Au, I kinda ended up adopting two more fics because I'm kinda weak but I did make some changes to adapt it to my writing style! Picture done by @doueiie

To say today was exhausting would be a understatement. It had been one of the children’s birthday today and the sweet little boy decided he wanted to bring in cupcakes for the other little children, most would think that was a sweet action but most don't know how dangerous it is giving more than twenty children sugary cupcakes so early on in the day.

The rest of the day the children were zooming around, bouncing off the walls and swinging dangerously high on the swing set. It was chaos and trying to calm down such hyper children was not a easy task especially when you could practically see them vibrating because of the sugar.

Luckily after a genius idea of getting them to all play some extreme hide and seek and tag game to exhaust them just in time for their nap and M/n found himself wanting to join them for a nap and this was as clear as water to someone.

While rocking one of the younger children helping them fall into a blissful sleep, M/n found himself nodding off. His head growing heavier until bumping into something soft to this side. Realizing what he had done M/n quickly apologized to Wally who M/n didn’t even notice when be plopped himself beside him.

Softly and reassuringly smiling at M/n Wally brought your head back to his plush shoulder allowing him to rest and even though M/n was at first against the idea as he was worried about the other children he quite quickly drifted off.

Seeing the current predicament, the others did their best to quiet any waking children to let M/n and Wally have their little moment much to Wally's joy. M/n was softly snoring on the puppet still with the little girl snug in his arms and Wally did think it was a sight to behold.

M/n was very relaxed and Wally wishes he could stay like this forever, it was as if M/n was the sun to him and he was so desperate to bask in M/n's warmth forever yet he knew he would never forget this moment. Enjoying the peaceful silence he soon noticed the little girl in your arms start to wake up and he carefully took her from M/n's arms and started rocking her very gently as to not disturb M/n's sleeping figure.

Wally whispered quietly to the little girl who was excited to share what she had dreamt before letting her go play with her friends leaving just the two guys alone once again. M/n was always so good with the children, always so kind and understanding; so warm and sweet and in Wally eyes M/n was perfect but soon, as if M/n felt his stare, he began to awake, kinda groggy and hair messy from laying on him for so long.

Wally thought M/n looked so adorable like this that it made his heart swell, slightly disoriented M/n was quick to realize that he had fell asleep on him.

"Oh Wally, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to fall asleep, wait where are all the children!," Said M/n and Wally laughed at how he was so quick to worry for the children and so he reassured M/n that the children were fine and just playing out side and that he had no problem with M/n sleeping on him.

Wally so desperately wanted to tell M/n how much he loved having him by his side but it was too soon and the fact that the two of you were still working didn't really help the romance. Wally knew he would soon have to repay his friends for keeping the peace for his sake.

Wally was sure it would have been a difficult task without M/n helping them. Maybe one day he’ll be able to tell him how he feels and maybe one day sleeping on him wouldn’t be such a rare thing.

He wishes to feel M/n's warmth again, unknown to him M/n was also praying for the exact same thing. It had been the best nap you have had in years, it was just so easy to be at peace around him.

"M/n was sure Wally had put some sort of spell on him"

This post was also adopted but would you guys like a part 3? Let me know and I'll tag you

Tag list from the adopted post:

@xllisa @thesmilingface @ghostlysenses

[sillygonk]

Strings of Devotion [ao3]

summary: Samurai is rapidly gaining popularity, despite being relatively new to the industry. The group leader and vocalist, Johnny Silverhand, quickly became a heartthrob, furtherly increasing the band's reputation. But their path to money and fame can’t be too easy. Banzai Riot, another fresh Night City band, is gaining fans just as quickly as Samurai, and is led by an enigmatic girl known as "V". As both bands soar in popularity, their rivalry (or rather rivalry between the leaders) escalates, fueled by a one-of-a-kind opportunity – Battle of the Bands competition with a three-year contract from Universal Recording as the grand prize. Will they jump down each other's throats first chance they get, or will they find a common ground amidst their shared journey to success?

pairing: Johnny Silverhand/V

word count: 4,4k

Chapter II ->

Chapter I – Get in gonk, we’re going to get famous!

In the waking world, where reality's gleam, I long for the man from my nightly dream. When I try to reach, he fades from my sight, Leaving me alone in the quiet night.

In the first rays of light I whisper his name, But he's vanished, like…

Like, uh… Like…

Fuck.

“Writer's block again?”

V stopped scribbling and looked up at Raf from her notebook. “Yeah,” she ran a hand through her ruffled hair. “I… It's just, like, my brain is playing hide-and-seek and I’m losing every fucking round. Fucking pisses me off.”

She tried to break through that creative barrier for the past hour, while ignoring both the loud music playing in the background and the lively banter of her bandmates gathered around their favorite booth at El Coyote Cojo. This rickety old thing had seen it all and was marked by years of their spilled drinks, drumstick banging and even jack-knife carvings on the tabletop, for which they got an earful from Pepe couple years back.

V was mindlessly running her fingers along the gashes, cursing under her breath. Seeing her frustration, Raf sighed heavily into his beer and took a sip. “I think you just need to chill, you know? Take it easy. Clear your head.”

“Ooor, you know,” Nova smirked. ”Fuck what he said and let’s start a good ol’ bar brawl and see where the night takes us. That will give you some inspiration.”

“Yeah, ‘cause I need another fucking charges on my record,” V snorted, looking into her friend's pink optics. “Plus, Mamá would kill me if I blew up in her bar again.”

“I’m not saying here. I‘m saying, like, in general.”

“Maybe don’t say anything else, how ‘bout that?” Raf sighed again.

V just rolled her eyes at them. Like fire and water, Nova and Raf were total opposites. Nova thrived on chaos. She was beautiful, loud, and was always drawing attention wherever she went. Even though she was a big softie on the inside, Nova had an unapologetic attitude and was a force to be reckoned with. Raf on the other hand was the epitome of calm and collected for most of the time, but behind his composed exterior hid a batshit crazy madness. Sometimes, when his rational façade would crack, he’d dive headfirst into the unknown just for the giggles. He was also, as the only guy in the band, just a baby.

She equally loved and hated them sometimes.

“What about that new track you've been working on, V?” Misty chimed in and started humming. “The one with the killer riff?”

“Ah, that one,” V sipped her beer. "Well, I have a track with no lyrics. Nothing we will make outta this.”

“We can say it’s a ballad and call it a day.”

A drink almost flowed out of V’s nose when she snorted.

“Yea, I don’t think that would be enough, Mist.”

Nothing was ever enough anymore, it sometimes seemed. Ever since they started taking music seriously, nothing had been the same.

At first, it had all been just for fun – they had been just a pack of raggedy teens who tried to find a way to blow off some steam in a safer way then jumping into gang life or ending up as dorphers. It started in abandoned garages or basements with klepped equipment and no skills. Their learning stage had been laughable at best, but it was better than wandering the streets looking for trouble. They honed their skills, at first getting somewhat good and then better and better each day. They began to realize that their music held a power beyond mere entertainment. It was their way to escape the reality for a while. It even became a lifeline in the darkest of times.

Then, slowly but surely, a shy idea rooted in their minds that maybe, just maybe, they could turn their passion into something more. Sometimes they dared to dream of a future where music was not just a hobby, but a way of life.

In the beginning they ignored these silly dreams, thinking they were too big for their own good. However, over time, they managed to convince one or two owners of second-rate pubs to let them play here and there. Then they even got the courage to ask Mamá Welles if they could play at the Coyote and to their delight, she agreed right away. “I thought you'd never ask,” she even said. To their even bigger delight, after their little gig, she told them that they should think of it more seriously. And that was it. For the first time they really thought the idea through and made their decision.

The legends of this city.

And now, here they were, stuck in one place, trapped in the shadows of their own ambition. They still had almost no name, no money, and in their minds, no prospects in a city where everyone wants to be a legend. They were getting somewhat recognizable locally, but it was too little and too slow. They all knew that their path to a breakthrough would be rocky, but come on. Not that rocky.

Still, they were refusing to let their dreams die. They may have been naive back then, when they made that decision, but now? Now they knew that they were meant for something more. They may not have been the most fortunate, but they had their passion, their perseverance, and, most importantly, the unbreakable bond that held them together. Which was cringe if V thought about it long enough, but she wasn’t one to denied it.

And as V reflected on those formative years, she couldn't help but smile at the memory of the innocent teens with stars in their eyes. They persisted despite the hardships, living hand-to-mouth, with empty pockets but unbroken spirits. They poured their hearts into every chord, every lyric, clinging to the hope that someday, their determination would pay off. They just needed to do better and be better. Better than anyone else.

So no, V didn’t think that leaving their song at “ballad” stage would be enough.

“Alright, V,” Raf placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft but firm. “Show me the stuff.”

“It’s not finished,” V stated, trying to hide her notebook away.

“And it will never be finished if you’ll keep gatekeep us, you gonk.”

This time it was V who sighed. Even though Raf was (usually) right, she would never admit it out loud. Fucking smartass. She handed him her notebook.

As Raf flipped through the pages, he nodded or shook his head while reading her never finished lyrics. V was on the edge of her seat, waiting for his take. When he finally got to the latest part, he laughed.

“The man from my nightly dream? Who the fuck you writing about?”

“Not your fucking business, that’s who,” V scowled, snatching the notebook from his hands.

“Hey, I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m saying it’s a bit corny.”

“Then you write something, funny guy,” V rolled her eyes. “You are all trash today, seriously. Maybe except Misty.”

She wasn’t going to count the silent one, Prime, as she was baked out of her mind in the corner of their booth, as usual, not bothering anyone.

“Why thank you,” Misty smiled. “And don’t listen to them. Writer's block is just another hurdle in the vast maze of creativity. Take a step back, breathe in the chaos of the world around you, and let it fuel your imagination. Night City wasn't built in a day, and neither is a masterpiece. Just trust your abilities, trust the process, and you'll be back in the zone before you know it.”

A small smile spread on V’s lips. Misty, always the sweetheart, was her forever favorite addition to the band.

“Thanks Mist. You’re seriously an angel.”

“I know,” she smiled sweetly. “Maybe I should give you a reading?”

“Eh, not today,” she drank rest of beer in one gulp. “You will pull out The Fool card and my mood will be ruined.”

“V, I told you hundred times now, The Fool card does not-“

“Yeah, yeah, it does not mean I’m the fool, I know. Still doesn’t make me feel any better when you pull it out every single time,” she murmured under her breath, suddenly irritated at the stupid card. Misty only giggled and pat V’s head.

“Is there any way to make your mood better then?”

“Yeah. I need another drink.”

As if on cue, Jackie appeared on the top of the stairs, walking towards their table with a tray full of beers, smiling widely.

“Hola fuckers. And Misty.”

“Jackie, my man!” Raf greeted him with a grin, sliding over to make room for him. “Finally missed us enough to crawl out of a studio?”

The man in question shot a quick glance at Misty and V tried to hide the smirk, though unsuccessfully, when she saw her friend blush.

“Maybe a bit,” he placed the tray on the table and sat next to Raf, stretching out on the bench. “But I come with big news and you’re going to lose your minds.”

“We’ll see. What do you have?” V nodded at him, already reaching out for a beer.

Jackie placed a flyer on the table. “A chance for you to finally make a name. Music contest.”

“Music contest?” Nova frowned and leaned in to take a better look at the brochure. “Like a talent show for kids at school?”

V silently agreed with the comparison. In her mind's eye, she couldn't shake the image of over-the-top judges acting like they know shit, fumbled mediocre performances and uninterested applause. They would most probably end up as some kind of puppets, doing mere sideshow for the amusement of others.

“Hey, don’t insult me, chica. I wouldn’t have come to you with this if it was not legit. This isn’t some dive bar competition, it’s an opportunity, a big one. And, it’s in Afterlife,” Jackie wiggled his eyebrows.

Afterlife? The Afterlife, a cornerstone of Night City's underground music scene? And, sure, mercenary work offered by first-rate fixers, or whatever, since lines between the criminal underworld and the artsy trades somehow got really blurry there, but dude. The music scene. Everyone who wanted to become someone dreamed about Afterlife. This was where real deals were made.

Well. V could re-consider being a puppet if it takes place in the Afterlife.

“So… It is legit?”

“Por supuesto. At least check it.”

Nova reached for the flyer with a heavy sigh and read it quickly. “Batlle of the Bands, yada yada, big opportunity for newbie bands- newbie? I ain’t a newbie, it’s you guys who are amateurs.”

“Just fucking read it Nova,” Raf grimaced.

“Fine, Christ. The competition will consist of presentation and three phases, yada yada yada, oh, OHH!” She exclaimed excitedly and sat on her knees. “The winner will sign a three-year contract with Universal Recording. Guys, Universal Recording! It really is legit!”

“What did I just say?” Jackie rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. But seriously, we've been playing gigs at crappy joints for too long. This really could be our big break.”

“Where did you even heard about it, Jackie?” Misty frowned.

“Wakako tipped me off about it,” he shrugged. “Talked with her about you guys copula times, guess she thought it might help you. As soon as she got the detes she let me know. I’m actually surprised that you didn’t already knew about this. Wasn’t Dex supposed to take care of stuff like that? This is a huge deal.”

“Well, Dex is a shitty manager,” V scoffed. “Fucking unbelievable that your cares about us more than our own.”

V met Jackie’s manager a couple of times now. Wakako Okada was a fucking scary woman. Professional and polite, sure, always treating everyone with the same level of respect and courtesy, but she was also reading you like an open book, her piercing gaze seemed to see straight through your core, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable. And yet, despite not knowing her very well (and low-key being scared of her), V couldn't help but feel a deep respect for Wakako. She was one of the best in the business, after all, and there was no denying that. If Wakako wasn’t representing solo artists exclusively, and only within the rap and hip-hop genre, V would gladly sell her kidney to afford hiring her. At least Jackie made the cut, and V was really happy that he was able to work with the woman. She let him spread his wings and he was currently recording his first album under her watchful eye. Lucky bastard.

“You seriously should take care of your own biz all the more,” the lucky bastard said.

Guess he was right. They couldn't really deny the allure of this whole shebang. After all, when opportunity like this is literally knocking at their door, they couldn't afford to lose it. Especially if they were left to their own devices. V glanced around at her bandmates with a flicker of hope and was met with excited smiles and silent nods. From all except one since Prime was still spaced out and didn’t say a word since they sat down at the table.

Prime. Always a woman of few words. It might have something to do with her always being stoned, but, as she always said, no one had any proof for that. And she was right, if her constantly bloodshot eyes and the smell of pot that clung to her clothes were not proof enough.

V nudged her lightly.

“Astra? You with us?”

“Huh? Yeah,” Prime blinked slowly, her gaze drifting lazily towards V. “Sup?”

“We have a situation,” V handed her a flyer. “Big shit, big chance. We might even score a record deal. What do you think, we’re in or we’re out?”

Astra took a minute to check out the brochure and nodded slowly. “Oh, hell yeah, we’re in.”

“Really?” V beamed.

“Yeah, dude. That sounds cool,” she focused on the flyer once again and her eyes widened. “Yooo, this in Afterlife? Are we finally hitting the big leagues or sum?”

“That’s the plan, babygirl,” Nova laughed at her stoned enthusiasm.

“Oh, hell yeah, that sound epic.”

“Aight,” V nodded. “Then we just need to get the application and-” she fell silent when she saw Jackie pull application card and a pen from his inside pocket. “The big man thought of everything I see. Thanks Jacks.”

“A sus órdenes, chica,” he saluted mockingly.

“Kay. Guess we’re really fucking doin’ it,” V started to filling up their application with a goofy grin. “Nova, you want to go with full name?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever. Badges don’t have anything on me anymore, I don’t give a shit.”

“Cool, cool,” V quickly finished putting in their detes. “Okay gonks, sign this up and I’m taking it to the Afterlife.”

“I'll tag along,” Raf quipped in, already signing the papers. “I should get going anyway, I have morning shift tomorrow, so I’ll at least keep you company for a while.”

V narrowed her eyes at him.

“You just want me to drive you home afterwards, don’t you?”

“Yup.”

“Fine.”

When the papers were signed and the beers were finished, everyone decided to go their separate ways. Raf wasn't the only one working in the morning after all. The booth cleared and the gang headed downstairs, empty glasses in hand, so that Pepe wouldn't have to clean up after them.

Finding an opportunity, V tugged on Jackies sleeve, pulling him away from the group.

“Will you ever ask her out, Jacks?” V smirked at the man.

Jackie stuttered, tips of his ears turning red at the question.

“Dunno what you’re talking about.”

“Oh really? Well, that’s a shame,” she hummed. “Misty would be thrilled.”

“You think?” his eyes gleamed and V laughed.

“Yea, you gonk. You just need to finally grow your balls,” she punched him on the arm, which he most probably didn’t even felt.

Jackie’s gaze wandered to Misty again. He cleared his throat and nodded, but pushed V to the side when she laughed at him. They said their goodbyes to Pepe and went outside.

“I, uh, I’ll take Prime home,” Nova winked at V with a smirk, which she returned, silently acknowledging their shared mission.

“Right, we should be on our way too. Need to take this pretty girl home.”

“Aw, you think I’m pretty?” Raf batted his eyelashes.

“The prettiest.”

“Prettier than Nova?”

“I heard that!” Nova yelled, already a few steps ahead, tugging Astra along. “You kids be safe. See ya tomorrow.”

V laughed and waved at them, then pointed at Jackie. “See you soon, Jacks?”

“Obviously,” he smiled. “Still have some jobs bagged, waiting for us.”

“I sure hope so. We need to finish them before you’ll be too famous for that,” she hugged him tightly.

“Still have a lot of time,” he ruffled her hair.

With a quick wave to Misty, assuring her she will be home soon, V and Raf made their way to where V's motorcycle was parked nearby, trying to disappear quickly and leave the lovebirds alone. She swung a leg over the back of the bike.

“Hop on, babygirl,” she patted the seat. Raf sat down behind her, but not without rolling his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

“That’s like, what, twenty minute drive?”

“I’ll make it in fifteen,” V smirked and revved the engine.

They took off, making their way through the streets of Night City, wind whipping through their hair. V weaved through late-night traffic with ease, the scenery shifting from the gleaming towers of the corpo districts to the gritty urban sprawl of the combat zones, flickering streetlights flashing by in a blur. Though the journey was quick, V still sighed sadly when she checked the time after parking the bike in the dark alley. Seventeen minutes.

They made their way inside and paused briefly to explain to the security guy why they were here. He nodded in acknowledgment before directing them to the bartender. As they stepped further into the bar, V felt a thrill of excitement going down her spine. Just being here was enough for her to feel less stuck and more hopeful about their future. They reached the bar and she smiled at the woman.

“Hey.”

“Hi. What can I getcha?”

“Rather, what we can get you. Application for the Battle of the Bands,” Raf flashed his charming smile at the woman, while V pulled out their application.

“Alright kids,” she smirked and reach out. “Let me just check the papers real quick, can't ignore the drill.”

She took the application from V’s hand, took a moment to glance over it, her expression thoughtful. Then, with a nod of approval, she returned it to them.

“Looks good to me. Now I just need the entry fee and you’re good to go.”

“Entry fee?” Raf’s smile faded.

“Yup. There’s always a catch,” she tapped at the bottom of the papers. Both V and Raf looked down.

NOTE: entry fee – 3,500 ed

V huffed and rubbed at her eyebrow nervously. Nova and her fucking reading comprehension.

“Shit. Just… Just gimme a minute, okay? I need to make a call.”

“Who you callin’?” Raf frowned.

“Dex. We ain’t gonna pay from our own pocket, he’s the fucking manager, he need to manage,” she moved away from the bar and headed towards the exit.

“Whoa, wait then, I need to hear you chewing him out,” he laughed and winked at Claire. “We’ll be right back.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Claire chuckled and shook her head to herself as they made their way out. They were kinda adorable, she had to admit, with wide eyes but still exuding self-confidence. With a little smirk on her face, Claire got back to polishing the countertop as out of the corner of her eye she noticed a tall figure in leather jacket approaching the bar. She let out a resigned sigh.

“What now?”

“Those two that left, did I just saw them submitting an application?”

“Yup. Seems like they're gearing up to give you a run for your money."

“Lemme see their papers, huh?”

“You know I can’t do that, Johnny.”

“I know, but you have a soft spot for me,” he smiled sweetly.

“I do not.”

“And for me?” a second guy approached them.

“Don’t get involved, Kerry, you’re supposed to be the reasonable one.”

Kerry shrugged. “We’re just curious.”

When the woman rolled her eyes, Johnny whined.

“C’mooon, lemme see, I’ve been a good boy today.”

“The day hasn't ended yet,” she raised her eyebrow. He took it as a challenge.

“You poked the bear, Claire,” he snatched the documents before she could stop him.

"Johnny, I said no!" the woman exclaimed, her tone sharp with anger, but it was already too late. He quickly scrutinized the papers, narrowing his eyes, when he saw something he did not wanted to see.

Banzai Riot V – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Lara “Nova” Foster – lead guitar, vocals Rafael Gupta – bass Misty Olszewski – violin Astra Prime – drums

“So?” Kerry urged him. “Who are they?”

Johnny clenched his jaw and showed him their info. Kerry glanced at it, his eyes getting wider.

“The fuckers from Banzai?”

“Apparently.”

He heard about them, of course he did. A new band on the rise, slowly gaining fans and momentum, just like Samurai. Making a name was already hard enough when you're fighting for it with no opponents, but when do you add another young and dynamic team to the race? One that is similar in style, on top of it? Nightmare. It was one thing to compete against other bands, but to go head-to-head with a group that was basically their mirror image was not fucking good. Johnny knew that in the cutthroat world of the music industry, standing out was crucial. But now, with those motherfuckers in the scene, it was going to be so much fucking harder to achieve.

Kerry’s voice got him out of his head.

“Shit, they're coming. Put it back!”

Johnny quickly put the papers back in their place and turned around, nonchalantly leaning on the left side of bar with his elbows, his back to those little fuckers. Kerry, similarly, looked the other way, but both of them strained their ears to get any details about their rivals. Claire rolled her eyes at them.

“Kay, can send you the eddies now,” said the girl rather happily, her eyes glowing with blue.

“Okay, got it. From… V?”

“Yep.”

Oh, so she is the leader. She most certainly didn’t look like one, Johnny thought, barely holding back a snort. A sly grin tugged at the corners of his lips instead, as he processed the newfound information. With long basketball shorts, ripped tank top and checked shirt tied around her waist she hardly looked the part of a rock star. She looked more like someone you'd find shooting hoops at the local court than leading a fucking hardrock band.

As Johnny's mind wandered, Claire's distant voice slowly pulled him back from his thoughts. He blinked, refocusing his attention on the scene unfolding behind his back.

"… your own equipment, ‘cause the sounding is on us. Other than that, you’re all set.”

“Thanks Claire,” he heard the guy’s voice. “Appreciate it, really.”

“No prob. Guess we will see each other often over the next few weeks, so there will be an occasion to say it again, but still good luck.”

“Thanks,” the girl, V, said, and he could hear a smile in her voice. “See ya around, then.”

“See you,” Claire watched them go and when they were out of the earshot, she narrowed her eyes at Johnny and Kerry. “Enjoyed your eavesdropping?”

“Wasn’t even listening to that bubbly little bitch,” Johnny scoffed, turning around to face her again. “Can you fix me a drink?”

The bartender shook her head in disbelief but relented, reaching for a glass and a bottle of tequila. She poured him a new one, which he accepted with quick thanks and returned to his table, Kerry hot on his heels.

“That chick was their vocalist, did you gathered that?”

Kerry glanced at him, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, I guess.”

“You guess? The fuck you mean?”

“I dunno, man,” Kerry shrugged, his gaze wandering back to the direction where their competition disappeared. “Was more focused on checking out the guy she was with.”

“Dumbass,” Johnny groaned. “Well, while you were busy checkin’ out the gonk, I was busy listenin’. Turns out, that chick is the one callin’ the shots."

Kerry's eyes widened in surprise, his attention finally fully focused on Johnny's words. "Seriously?” When he was met with Johnny’s uh-huh, he hummed. “Damn, she sure is unobtrusive,” he thought in silence for a while, but couldn’t suppress a twinge of doubt gnawing at his gut. His brow furrowed with worry. “Think we should be worried?”

"Please, they've got nothing on us. We've got this in the bag," Johnny said, downing his Tequila Old Fashioned.

Sure. They had it in the bag. One hundred percent.

Or, if he was really honest with himself, ninety nine percent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They stepped out of the bar, their laughter echoed through the dark alley as they made their way back to V’s bike. Raf grinned, his eyes shining with excitement.

“Can you fucking believe it? We have a fucking golden ticket to the Major Leagues!”

“I know,” V smiled, fishing a cigarette from her back pocket. She lit it with a flick of her lighter and took a long drag. “And call me fucking crazy, but I think we stand a chance.”

“Are you kidding? We've got this in the bag, V!”

She smiled at his enthusiasm. He was right. He was fucking right, they could totally score this. All they needed was determination, which they had, confidence, which they had, and a talent, which they obviously also had.

A bit of luck would be also welcome, but to the hell with it – they were working hard for the success and they will succeed. Right now, they just needed to focus, work hard and show all them gonks something good. Something memorable and spectacular. Something…

“Aww, shit.”

“What?”

“Now I really need to think of a new song.”

[sicklyseraphnsuch]

Simon Sleeps AU Overview

Marcy leaves Simon because she was afraid that her new vampiric state would harm whatever was left human in Simon. Also, she really is awfully angry at Simon for leaving her the first time.

Simon understands that he has Made a Mistake in leaving Marceline the way he did. Good intentions aside, he knows that he hurt her terribly. But hey, if he already left once before, and aiming to leave permanently. Then leaving again temporarily is a decent compromise. He can't look out for Marcy 24/7 like he used to. But this way, if he sleeps, he can keep his mind for longer. He can stay as Simon longer. And maybe, just maybe, he can buy himself enough time to figure out a permanent solution.

He carves a note in his hibernation station to Marcy. It has instructions to wake him up so if ever she needs him, he can be there for her.

Of course, Marcy is not who wakes him up. Fast forward a century or so. Marcy is still out doing whatever it is she after becoming a vampire. A little penguin stumbles into Simon's hideyhole, seeking shelter. It wakes up Simon who stays awake long enough to expand his hidey hole and give the little penguin a place to live out. In exchange, he hopes that the penguin could maybe collect some trinkets or curios that it could find for him.

When the Crown's whispers start getting too loud again, Simon freezes himself into slumber.

Fast forward however many years.

The next one to wake Simon is an odd creature hithertofor unknown to him. She looks like a person made of gum. She followed a penguin when it tried to steal some curios out of her scavenging bag.

Simon stays awake again, a little longer this time, to give this little bubblegum girl some company. They start organizing the loot that Gunther, the penguin, collected for Simon in his long sleep. She gets a fascinating look into the Pre-War world and also some company.

Simon catches himself calling her Marcy, and each time he does, he goes to sleep for a month. But his plan works out in that he is successfully prolonging his lucidity (much much longer than he ever did in canon). During one of his awake periods, Marcy comes back to find:

Simon literally did not move from where she left him and it was literally centuries ago

There's a new kid on the block and Simon is doting over her

In true Batman gets a new Robin fashion, Marcy gets angry at Simon and Bubblegum. She unceremoniously tells Bubblegum to go away before she really lets Simon have it. The emotional turmoil this inspires in Simon causes him to freeze humself before the Crown could take advantage.

At this point, a hurt Bubblegum decided that if Marcy was gonna be a total tranch, then she was gonna make her own family.

Meanwhile, Marcy feels too guilty about blowing up at Simon that he lets him sleep for awhile. Also, she's still not over him "replacing" her and leaves again.

But this begins the cycle of Simon sleeping and waking up, now with Marcy and Bonnie to do so. At some point, they figure out a way to do it more regularly than "something happened and I could really use a friend" when they distress call Simon into waking. But this takes centuries to hash out.

Marcy and Bonnie through Simon have a contentious relationship. But repeated exposure to each other via their common friend lets them get to know each other like that. They end up dating. They still break up.

As magic begins to really establish itself in the new Ooo, they wake Simon up more to do little bursts of research together. Simon builds himself a psuedo home that's a cross between his school office, his classroom, and a his apartment. He believes that surrounding himself in familiar sights delays the Crown's advance for a little while.

(Some days, he less lucid moments gets him believing that he's still at his university, teaching classes. Bonnie takes these pretend classes either as a student or a teaching assistant. But when Simon starts to call her Betty, she stops and ropes a few of her candy people to attend in her place. If it helps Simon...)

(They tried introducing Simon to princesses once. Once. Ever since, they know to keep Simon's circle small. And even so, they sometimes invite a few friends to Simon's lectures because a new, non-princess face keeps his mind fresh)

Eventually, a little human boy learns about Simon's lectures through PB. Simon isn't known as the Ice King, despite the Crown on his head. In this world, he's known simply as Professor Petrikov.

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Striving for the mundane and ordinary and enjoying every moment of it

Fate is fickle - I hear that a lot from certain people. It amazes me how fate works, how it can easily bind you to certain doom, or set you free to soar the skies of endless possibilities. Cold and impartial, yet forgiving and merciful at times.

Only a handful are able to just barely escape what should’ve been a doomed fate, and they know better not to question it too much unless they want to drive themselves up a wall over such trivial matters. If fate hands you a reprieve, take it without question - you’ll be a lot happier and unburdened that way.

As for how to do that, it’s entirely up to you. Some might continue going on grand adventures, seeking out even more answers in an attempt to sate their never ending curiosity or dissatisfaction. Other might choose to lay low and settle into a routine, putting the old days behind them for good. And most fall somewhere in between, seeking the thrill of adventuring in the unknown while taking breaks every now and then to appreciate the slow and mundane moments of life that they once took for granted.

Yes, this has to do with the present company visiting the camp and joining us on the hunt for crafting materials. In this case, it’s teatime gyroids, which are perfect for making tea sets. Makoto, Qingmei, and Dainn stopped by on their way back from Vulture Point where they were working with the Olive Rose Philharmonic Orchestra. Qingmei - who’s the social media savvy one out of the three - has been teasing snippets on social media about recording with them, which sounds exciting.

Raiden was there too, but she had other matters to attend to so she went the opposite direction. Connie was the one who called her over suddenly, leaving us to wonder what’s going on. Giving the timing with the final preparations for Sazona quickly approaching, I hope it’s not a repeat of what happened with Adrikha when Connie had to deal with some legal mess that prevented them from proceeding. That doesn’t seem like the case though - at least that’s what Qingmei believes. Whatever’s going on, I hope they resolve it quickly and smoothly.

As for the thing with the Olive Rose Philharmonic, that’s been going well. Makoto’s worked with them in the past and now he’s bringing Raiden, Qingmei, and Dainn into the fold. Thanks to Makoto, the other three have been really into the songwriting thing. The latter two especially, probably because they never had the luxury of getting into a creative hobby back then, nor did they expect to venture into something like that.

It’s funny to think that after spending centuries fighting for their lives against a seemingly doomed fate, now they’re just chilling out and writing music. I mean, it makes sense as music’s a form of artistic expression. Considering that Qingmei and Dainn were brought up in a way that they were never really allowed to express themselves, I can imagine how freeing it is for them to finally find an outlet that lets them be vulnerable as well as come to terms with the shit they’ve had to put up with throughout their lives.

As someone who also tends to keep things to themselves, I also find it freeing to let my thoughts out in some way, preferably through art and journaling. It’s not good to keep everything bottled up, especially when all it’s gonna do is make you suffer through the silence. Sure, there are times when you just have to grit your teeth and move on, but it’s not healthy to be in that state all the time. No one can keep on carrying a heavy load of baggage indefinitely - dead weight is dead weight, after all. If you can’t let go of things that only serve to hold you back, how do you expect to move forward and grow?

I remember Connie saying asking if it was wrong to be envious of Raiden for being so carefree. I didn’t know how to answer that, so I asked them how would they live their life after they complete their journey. Their response is to simply move on to the next journey, whatever that will be, because they have a responsibility to uphold. In other words, to simply be able to retire and live a quiet and unassuming life will never be an option for them. Either they keep going, or they die for a greater cause - that’s just a matter of fact.

I know there’s a lot more to Connie than meets the eye, so I don’t expect to fully understand their views, or even what’s their true purpose for this journey other than uncovering long buried truths to maintain peace and stability. There are reasons why they have considerable sway in some circles despite being an outsider, reasons that are better accepted without looking too much into it. Jamie once described them as a disruptor, which I think is accurate, and given their interventions, their presence was very much needed to bring about lasting change. So someone like Connie is very much tied to fate, and so they will oblige to do whatever it takes to maintain the order of this world.

Such a heavy burden to carry, but they’ve proven that they’re up to the task down to the bitter end. I don’t think I can live like that - then again, the mind of an immortal’s built far differently compared to us mortals. They need to have some sort of resilience to deal with the passage of time, though everyone’s different because of life circumstances and whatever. Someone who’s of a long lives species - like Raiden and Connie - will obviously see things differently compared to those who were originally mortal then turned immortal - Pai, Qingmei, and Dainn.

Instead of moving on, Raiden decided to stick around, mainly because she became attached to Qingmei and Lian and the rest of the Dānch��n Lǔmǎng. Before falling out with her brother, they had traveled around various worlds because they could. She said he was the restless type who always seemed to want more out of life, and that was one of the few things they could never see eye to eye with.

Maybe it was his dissatisfaction that eventually led to him losing his way, becoming jaded after experiencing various misfortunes where he was completely helpless. That led him to come to the conclusion that in order to rid the world of misfortune was to wipe the slate clean, essentially. Such an extreme way of viewing things, but there are some points to his logic, though not every sound points in my opinion. Like, I get the whole bad apple spoiling the bunch, but he simply took that way too far. To be pushed into viewing the world like that, he truly went through a lot, so despite the awful things he did, those close to him could never truly hate him.

Aside from Raiden, Dainn also has a lot of complicated feelings with him as he wasn’t just a travel companion, but also a romantic/sexual partner. Their relationship was tumultuous, to put it simply. A perfect example of a warped view on love in the sense that they keep hurting and forgiving each other, unable to let go or work things out. From what it sounds like, Raiden’s brother was the kind to send mixed messages

Not surprisingly, their stormy relationship has been alluded to in various songs like Mindreader, Promises, By Your Side, and most recently, When the Night Wore On. It’s actually become somewhat of an inside joke, which isn’t too unusual since a lot of people write about complicated exes.

Still, I can’t help but wonder how Raiden feels about it. Like, how awkward is it having someone write about their ex - who happens to be your own sibling - and how they fucked you in more ways than one? I guess it’s not that bug of a deal since they have poked fun at it as in being like “Welp lol we write about our trauma and added music to it so now it’s a banger”, or sorry about going on and on about this ex…anyway.. cue dramatic music” kind of thing.

Maybe it helps that they share a similar sense of humor, so it’s like they have shit that they’ll never get over, but they’re also able to look at it in sort of a “haha, well that was fucked up wasn’t it?..anyway, moving on…” sort of way, which is honestly similar to how I would react. Just do what you need to do to get it out of your system and then walk away without overthinking it, that’s really the best way to move forward, at least for most situations. No need to dwell on what’s already done.

That being said, I think Raiden, Qingmei, and Dainn are all doing fairly well after all the shit they’ve been through over the past few centuries fighting against fate and all that. Of course, some days are harder than others, but they’re more than content living mundane and ordinary lives with the occasional thrill of adventure in between. Though I imagine it’s a huge jump from worrying about whether tomorrow will come to having to think about what to have for dinner or some other boring routine stuff like that. Still, probably a welcome change compared to literally fighting for your life.

So music’s turning out to be their thing and it’s been surprisingly therapeutic for them. Raiden’s got some background in classical music while Qingmei and Dainn are more self taught. And of course, Makoto’s got an extensive background on that, so it makes sense he wound up falling into the producer role.

Qingmei, at this point, I would say is at an intermediate skill level on the piano, which is her preferred instrument. Meanwhile Dainn has made a lot of progress on learning the cello thanks to Makoto’s teaching. Like, I would find it hard to believe that he’s been playing for less than a year and had absolutely no musical knowledge prior to that. That just goes to show that if you’re eager and willing to put in the work to practice diligently, you will see results. I really should take a page out of his book when it comes to hobbies I want to get better at but have trouble finding the motivation to do so.

Their latest song When the Night Wore On really highlights everyone’s strengths, so it’s no surprise that people are super hyped for the Olive Rose Philharmonic version. It’s the kind of song that’s already pretty damn good, so a recorded version with an orchestra will elevate it even more, especially with that dramatic bridge and the emotion behind the lyrics.

The song’s basically about someone who’s been put on pedestal by various people in their lives and how they have to maintain that image to avoid letting everyone down. Then at the bridge, they finally get fed up and lament about how they’re only human, not some infallible being, which then results in them being alone because the others can’t accept that. No doubt that this stems from personal experience, specifically Dainn’s since he wrote 90% of the lyrics.

For me, the highlight of the song is obviously the bridge, especially the line “I’m not some fucking savior” because that just hits so hard. Like, go off, get that anger out sort of thing. Despite it being a super personal song that has his name written all over it, Dainn actually expected Raiden, Qingmei, or Makoto to sing it since they’re far more experienced.

Of course, they were like “Nuh-uh, those are your words, your thoughts, your emotions, so you should be the one singing.” And they were right. He was initially unsure since he felt that out of the four, he was the weakest when it came to vocals, though it’s more because of the lack of musical background, especially compared to those who are classically trained like Raiden and Makoto.

Basically, he can hold a tune better than most, he just need to work more on technical skill, which obviously takes time and practice. Since the song’s about a flawed human being, it makes sense for the vocals to be “imperfect” with things like a slightly shaky vibrato that manages to hit the notes and the near shouting and voice breaking on the bridge - it’s those little things that really make a song come to life. In fact, I think that’s the most emotion I’ve ever seen come from him, and it was all real, which I think is beautiful.

It’s not easy to open yourself up like that, and he certainly didn’t expect for things to turn out like that. He was actually surprised and a bit embarrassed at how well received When the Night Wore On was, which is understandable. In fact, Dainn’s super nervous about performing the song with the orchestra since the original recording really took a lot out of him. Then there’s also the issue of him likely being overpowered by the orchestra during the climax, which Raiden and Makoto are working on addressing.

They’ve got plenty of time for that, so for now they’re just taking the time to chill out and just live life. It was Qingmei’s idea to stop by the camp since it’s a long trip back. What better way to pass the time than to go searching for gyroids and making cute tea sets with them?

I live for these moments when I can slow down and enjoy the stillness. Maybe that’s why a lot of friends like to stop by the camp to take some time off their busy lives to do the same.

Read on AO3

[prosegalaxy]

"Dystopian Destinies: A Tale of Twins, Factions, and Sacrifice"

In the not-too-distant future, the world was divided into two opposing factions: the Order and the Chaos. The Order controlled technology and resources, while the Chaos lived off the grid, seeking to overthrow the oppressive regime. Amidst the chaos, a young woman named Aria found herself caught in the crossfire. One day, as Aria scavenged for food in the ruins of an old city, she stumbled upon a hidden underground bunker. To her surprise, she discovered her long-lost twin brother, Alex, who had been taken by the Order as a child to be raised and trained as one of their elite soldiers. Alex was initially wary of Aria, fearful that revealing his true identity would put them both in grave danger. However, as they shared stories of their pasts, they began to form a bond. They knew they had to escape the bunker and reunite with their family living within the Chaos faction. "We can't stay here," Aria whispered to Alex one night, as they listened to the sounds of battle above them. "I have an idea, but it will be dangerous. We need to find a way to disable the Order's main communication hub. If we do that, it could weaken their control over the city." Alex hesitated, but eventually agreed. "Alright," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's do this." Together, they infiltrated the communication center, working as a team to disable the system. The act of sacrifice was necessary for the greater good, and it allowed the Chaos faction to gain an advantage in their ongoing struggle against the Order. As Aria and Alex fought alongside one another, they discovered that the power of unity could overcome even the most formidable of adversaries. In the end, they found not only inner peace but also a newfound sense of belonging with their fellow rebels. The twins had saved not just themselves, but countless lives in the process. Their story would go on to inspire others to rise up against tyranny and strive for a brighter future. As Aria and Alex navigated through the dimly lit corridors of the hidden bunker, they found themselves face-to-face with their long-lost family members. "I never thought we'd see each other again," whispered Alex, his voice trembling with emotion. Aria nodded, feeling a surge of affection for her twin brother. "We must leave this place before it's too late," said Aria, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. They couldn't afford to be caught by either faction, as their loyalties were uncertain. With a silent agreement, they began to search for an exit. As they ventured deeper into the bunker, they stumbled upon a group of Chaos rebels. A young woman named Lila approached them cautiously. "Are you friends of Alex?" she asked, her eyes darting between them. Aria nodded, and Lila explained that the rebels were planning to disable the Order's communication hub. "That could tip the balance in our favor," murmured Alex, his mind already racing with the possibilities. The twins decided that they would help the rebels in their mission, even if it meant making a sacrifice for the greater good. With newfound determination, they joined Lila and her comrades in their quest. In the heart of the bunker, Aria and Alex found the communication hub. They worked alongside the rebels to disable its signal, knowing that this act would likely mark them as traitors to both factions. Despite the risks, they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for a chance at inner peace and a world united against tyranny. In the year 2135, the world was divided into two factions: Order and Chaos. The Order sought control through technology and surveillance, while the Chaos fought for freedom and individuality. Aria, a skilled hacker in the Chaos faction, lived her life in hiding, never knowing what happened to her long-lost twin brother, Alex. One day, Aria received a mysterious message from an unknown source: "Find me in sector 35." Unable to resist the urge to discover the truth about her family, she ventured into enemy territory, only to find Alex living in a hidden bunker beneath the Order's control center. The twins were overjoyed at their reunion but knew that they had to be cautious around the Order's forces who patrolled the area. "Aria, we have to get out of here. I overheard something important in the communication hub," Alex whispered nervously. "But we can't do it alone." As they hatched a plan to escape and disable the Order's communication hub, Aria couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging she had never experienced before. Together, they were unstoppable. "We need to make a sacrifice for our people, Alex. We have to give them hope," Aria said resolutely. Infiltrating the hub, they disrupted its signals, giving the Chaos faction a significant advantage in their ongoing struggle against the Order. As the twins made their way back to their comrades, they found inner peace and purpose in their actions. Their sacrifice inspired others to join the fight for freedom, and together, they would change the world. In a dystopian society, where the world is divided into two factions - Order and Chaos, Aria and her twin brother Alex lead separate lives. They are raised in hidden bunkers, unaware of each other's existence. One day, a message from their long-lost family member reaches them both. The message reveals that they are siblings, and their parents were key figures in the rebellion against the Order. Aria and Alex decide to meet and escape the confines of their respective bunkers. As they navigate through the treacherous landscape, they encounter various challenges, testing their strength and resilience. Finally, they arrive at a communication hub for the Order. Together, they disable it, granting a significant advantage to the Chaos faction. Through this act of sacrifice, Aria and Alex find inner peace and a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels. Their bravery inspires others to fight against tyranny, bringing hope to those who have been oppressed by the Order for far too long. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the desolate landscape, Aria and Alex stood side by side, taking in the vastness of their newfound world. "It's been so long since we last saw each other," Aria whispered, her voice barely a whisper against the wind. "I never thought I would find you, but here we are," Alex replied, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. The twins exchanged knowing looks, understanding the gravity of their situation and the importance of their mission. "We must disable the Order's communication hub to give our people a fighting chance," Aria said resolutely. "I know it will be dangerous, but we have no choice," Alex agreed. With determination etched on their faces, they set off into the darkness, guided by their knowledge of the land and their unbreakable bond as siblings. As they approached the bunker, they could feel the weight of their decision, knowing that countless lives depended on their success or failure. Inside the bunker, they found themselves face to face with their enemies. The tension was palpable as Aria and Alex tried to blend in, gathering information and planning their attack. "We have to trust each other completely," Aria whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, we do," Alex replied. Finally, the moment came. With precision and skill, they disabled the communication hub, leaving the Order blind and vulnerable. As the twins made their escape, they knew that their sacrifice would change the course of history, and they could finally find inner peace in knowing they had done the right thing. "We did it," Aria said with a smile, as they rejoined their fellow rebels. And together, they fought for freedom and justice, inspired by the unbreakable bond between two siblings and the power of sacrifice. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape, Aria and Alex exchanged nervous glances. They had been raised in two vastly different worlds, yet they shared the same determination to bring change to their divided society. In a world torn apart by the battle between Order and Chaos, Aria and her twin brother Alex grew up on opposite sides of the fence. Aria was raised in the Order's bunker, while Alex was hidden away by the Chaos faction. Their reunion was the result of a daring plan to bring them together, sparking hope for those living under the iron grip of the oppressive regime. "Remember our mission," Aria whispered, her voice barely audible in the hushed air. "We're here to disable their communication hub. Our people depend on us." Alex nodded solemnly, his eyes fixed on the imposing bunker before them. Together, they infiltrated the heavily guarded facility, navigating through hidden passages and evading the watchful gaze of the Order's soldiers. As they moved deeper into the heart of the enemy stronghold, Aria couldn't help but think of their long-lost family members, wondering if they were alive and fighting for a better future. As they reached the communication hub, Aria and Alex knew that their actions would have far-reaching consequences. "Are you sure about this?" Alex asked, his voice trembling with doubt. "This is our chance to give hope to those still trapped in the bunker," Aria replied, her eyes blazing with resolve. They initiated the sequence to disable the hub, and as chaos erupted within the Order's ranks, Aria and Alex felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through their veins. In that moment, they found a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels, who hailed them as heroes. Their sacrifice inspired others to rise up against tyranny, igniting a spark of hope in the hearts of those still living in fear. And as Aria and Alex stood together amidst the chaos they had created, they found the inner peace they had been seeking all along. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie orange glow over the desolate landscape. Aria and Alex stood at the entrance of the hidden bunker, their hearts pounding with anticipation. As they cautiously stepped inside, they were greeted by the sight of a dimly lit underground city, filled with people living in fear and desperation. "I can't believe we're finally together again," Alex whispered, his voice trembling. Aria nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. They had grown up in separate worlds, raised by different factions to serve Order and Chaos respectively. But fate had brought them back together, bound by their shared blood and a sense of purpose. "We have to disable the communication hub," Alex said urgently, "It will give the Chaos faction a significant advantage." Aria nodded in agreement, her resolve strengthening with each passing moment. They knew the risks, but they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their people. As they navigated through the labyrinthine tunnels, they encountered others who had been captured by Order and forced into servitude. The sight of these prisoners fueled their determination. "We must free them all," Aria vowed, her voice resolute. Together, they continued their mission, the weight of their responsibility heavy upon their shoulders. Finally, they reached the communication hub. As they began the process of disabling it, a sense of inner peace washed over them. They had found their purpose and were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. As they activated the self-destruct sequence, Aria and Alex looked at each other, knowing that their actions would inspire hope and resistance among their fellow rebels. "For freedom," Aria whispered, holding Alex's hand tightly. And as the bunker exploded around them, they found the inner peace they had been searching for, knowing that their sacrifice would lead to a brighter future for all who lived in the shadows of Order and Chaos. The world was once a utopia, but now it was torn apart by the constant battle between Order and Chaos. Aria and her twin brother, Alex, were born in the hidden bunker where only the members of the Order faction lived. They spent their lives separated, raised by different families who didn't know of each other's existence. One day, a message reached Alex that his long-lost twin sister was alive and in the Chaos faction. With hope in their hearts, they decided to escape the bunker and find each other. Upon their reunion, Aria and Alex were overjoyed to be together again. "I never thought I'd see you again," Aria whispered to Alex, tears streaming down her face. "Me neither," he replied, wiping away her tears. They exchanged stories about their lives and realized that they shared the same values and desires for a better world. As they plotted their escape, Alex had an idea. "We could disable the Order's communication hub. It would give Chaos a significant advantage," he suggested. Aria agreed, but knew it would mean sacrificing themselves for the greater good. They stole uniforms and weapons, blending in with the Order members as they made their way to the hub. As they approached the hub, Alex shared his thoughts on inner peace and self-discovery. "We can't change the world if we don't find our own inner peace first," he told Aria. She nodded, understanding that sacrificing themselves would bring them a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels. As they detonated the explosives near the hub, Aria and Alex looked into each other's eyes, knowing it was the last moment they would share. Their sacrifice inspired others to fight against tyranny, and in that moment, they found the inner peace they had been seeking. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow upon the world below. Aria and Alex stood side by side, gazing at the breathtaking sight. "Do you remember our old home?" Alex asked, his voice filled with longing. "Sometimes," Aria replied softly. "I can still see mom's garden, the way the wind rustled through the leaves." In the distance, they heard a faint humming sound. Their eyes locked as they recognized it - the sound of their old lives slipping away. Alex gripped Aria's hand tightly. "We must leave this place," he said, his voice determined. "We can find our place in the new world." They ventured out into the unknown, guided by a map scribbled on a piece of cloth. They encountered others who had also escaped their confines - some filled with anger, others with sadness. But Aria and Alex found solace in one another's company. "We are family," Aria whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "And we will find our way together." As they journeyed, they discovered a hidden underground city - a haven for those seeking refuge from the Order. There, they met a wise old woman who knew their parents and offered them guidance. "You must help us," she told them. "The world depends on it." Aria and Alex hesitated, but the old woman's eyes held a fierce determination. They knew in their hearts that she was right. They had to fight for the world they wanted to live in - a world where everyone could be free. And so, with newfound courage, they made the ultimate sacrifice, knowing that it would bring about a brighter future for all. The once vibrant city was now a ghost town, its streets empty and lifeless. Aria had heard stories about what it used to be like before the Great Schism split humanity into two factions - Order and Chaos. She lived in a hidden bunker beneath the city's surface, part of the Order, the guardians of peace and order against the anarchy of the Chaos faction. Aria and her twin brother, Alex, had always wondered about their family who were believed to be on the opposite side of the divide. One day, as they scavenged for supplies, Aria spotted a strange symbol - a sign that someone from the Chaos faction was nearby. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, and to Aria's astonishment, it was Alex, the long-lost brother she hadn't seen in years. "I... I didn't think we'd ever find each other," Aria whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "Are you really from Chaos?" "Yes, but I want to help bring peace between our factions," Alex said resolutely. "We have to do something about the Order's control over the communication hub. If we can disable it, we might tip the balance in favor of the Chaos faction." Together, they infiltrated the heavily guarded bunker housing the hub, using their unique skills and knowledge of the city's underbelly. As they worked, Aria and Alex discovered more about each other and themselves, finding a sense of belonging in this fight for freedom. The weight of their sacrifice hung heavy on their hearts as they knew it would mean turning against their own people, but they were determined to make a difference. "We can't let fear control us any longer," Aria said, her voice firm. "We have to find inner peace and stand up for what's right." The siblings disabled the hub, igniting hope in the hearts of those fighting for freedom. In that moment, they realized that their family wasn't bound by blood, but by a shared belief in a better future. And together, they would continue to fight until peace was restored. Aria and Alex found themselves standing in front of each other, their gazes locked as memories flooded back. "I can't believe we're finally together again," Aria whispered, tears glistening in her eyes. "Me neither," Alex replied, his voice a hoarse whisper. "We have to escape from this bunker. It's the only way we can help our people." They shared a determined look as they began to make their plan. After hours of discussion and preparation, Aria and Alex knew it was time. "Remember, we must disable the Order's communication hub," Aria said firmly. "It will give Chaos a significant advantage in this fight." Together, they made their way through the labyrinthine tunnels of the bunker, evading patrols and avoiding detection. As they reached the central hub, Alex paused, looking at his sister with admiration. "You're braver than I ever thought possible, Aria," he said softly. "And you're smarter," she replied, giving him a reassuring smile. They activated the explosives and hurried back towards their escape route, knowing they had just made the ultimate sacrifice for their people. As they joined their fellow rebels in the fight against tyranny, Aria and Alex found inner peace and a sense of belonging. Their actions inspired hope among their comrades, and together, they continued to challenge the Order and strive for a brighter future. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. In the distance, the last remnants of the once-great city were swallowed by darkness. Aria and Alex stood side by side, gazing at the sight before them. The weight of their mission hung heavy in the air, but they knew they had to try. "Alex," Aria began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I can't believe we're finally together again." Her eyes welled with tears as she reached out to touch his face. "Me neither," Alex replied, his own voice cracking. He pulled Aria into a tight hug, their arms wrapping around each other like a lifeline in the chaos of their world. "We have to make a plan." Together, they hatched a scheme to disable the Order's communication hub, knowing that it would grant the Chaos faction a significant advantage. As they made their way through the shadows, they couldn't help but feel the eyes of their enemies upon them. But their resolve was strong; they were determined to free their people from the clutches of tyranny. Reaching the hub, they set their plan into motion. The resulting explosion echoed throughout the night, signaling a turning point in the war between Order and Chaos. Aria and Alex's act of sacrifice reverberated through the hearts of their fellow rebels, inspiring them to fight back against the oppressive regime. As they stood amidst the ruins of what was once the Order's stronghold, Aria and Alex finally found inner peace. They had discovered their purpose, and in doing so, had given hope to millions. United by family, survival, and self-discovery, they were no longer just siblings—they were warriors for change. Aria and Alex, twins separated by fate, finally found each other after years of being apart. The world they lived in was divided into two factions: Order, which sought control and stability, and Chaos, who fought for freedom and individuality. Growing up in the hidden bunker of the Order, Alex had never known a life outside its walls. Aria, on the other hand, was raised among the rebels of Chaos, yearning for her long-lost brother. When they met, their connection was undeniable, and they knew they were meant to be together. Their reunion was filled with excitement and curiosity as they shared stories of their lives apart. "Do you remember our mother's laughter?" Alex asked, his voice full of emotion. "I do," Aria replied, a smile forming on her lips. Their time together was limited, but they knew they had to act. With the help of Aria's fellow rebels, they devised a plan to escape the bunker and disable the Order's communication hub. It would give Chaos a significant advantage in their fight against tyranny. "We must make a sacrifice for our people," Alex said firmly. "Together." With determination in their hearts, Aria and Alex executed their plan flawlessly. As they disabled the hub, they felt a surge of inner peace, knowing they had done what was right. Their actions inspired others to stand up against the Order's oppressive rule, igniting a flame of hope among the rebels. In that moment, Aria and Alex found the sense of belonging they had always sought. They were no longer just siblings; they were warriors fighting for freedom, united by love and sacrifice. And as their story spread throughout the factions, it became a symbol of what could be achieved when family, self-discovery, and inner peace came together in the face of adversity. In the dystopian world of Order and Chaos, Aria and Alex's reunion was a moment of pure joy. As they embraced, tears streamed down their faces, and they spoke softly about their lives apart. "I always knew we would find each other," whispered Aria, her voice trembling with emotion. "Even when it seemed impossible." Alex smiled through his tears. "You were never far from my thoughts, sis. And now that we're together, nothing can keep us apart." Together, they hatched a plan to disable the Order's communication hub, a crucial step in giving their fellow rebels an advantage. As they stealthily navigated through hidden passageways and secret doors, Aria couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced since childhood. "We have to do this for everyone," Alex reminded her, his voice filled with resolve. "For our family, for the people suffering under Order's rule." And so they pressed on, their bond strengthened by their shared sacrifice. Their actions sparked a flame of hope within the hearts of the oppressed, inspiring them to fight for freedom and self-discovery. In the dimly lit bunker, Aria and Alex finally met after years apart. The reunion was brief but emotional as they exchanged stories of their lives under separate factions. "We must escape from this place," Alex whispered urgently. "But how?" Aria asked, her eyes filled with concern. "We need to find a way to disable the Order's communication hub," Alex explained, his voice low so as not to alert any nearby listeners. "If we can cut off their ability to coordinate, it will give the Chaos faction a significant advantage." Aria nodded, her mind racing with possible solutions. "I might have an idea. But it's risky and dangerous. We would need to sneak into their stronghold and find our way to the hub. It could cost us our lives, but it's worth it if it means giving hope to others." Alex considered her words carefully before agreeing, "We must do this together. For our people, for freedom." And with that, they began their plan, knowing that sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Through their act of selflessness and bravery, Aria and Alex found inner peace and a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels, inspiring others to fight against tyranny. In the dimly lit bunker, Aria and Alex locked eyes for the first time in years. They had grown apart, but now their fates were entwined once again. "You're alive?" Aria asked, disbelief etched on her face. "I am," Alex replied softly, his voice echoing through the cold, stone walls. "But how...?" Aria trailed off, unable to finish her question. Alex looked down at his hands, fidgeting with the worn fabric of his uniform. "They took me from you when I was just a child," he whispered, the pain in his voice palpable. "I've been living here, hidden away by the Chaos faction." "And now?" Aria asked, her voice steady despite her racing heart. Alex met her gaze once more. "Now, we have to do something. We can't let them control everyone any longer." His eyes flicked towards a wall filled with screens displaying the world outside their bunker. "We need to take down their communication hub. It's the key to everything they have." "But how...?" Aria started again, only to be interrupted by Alex placing a finger on her lips. "Trust me, Ari," he said with a smile that seemed to light up the entire room. "We can do this together." Together, they began formulating their escape plan, knowing that failure wasn't an option. They studied the bunker layout and devised a strategy, all while sharing stories of their lives apart and reminiscing about their childhood adventures. As the days passed, their bond grew stronger, and so did their resolve. Finally, the day came for them to put their plan into action. Stealthily making their way through the bunker's corridors, they reached the communication hub. "Are you sure about this?" Aria asked, her heart pounding. "Yes," Alex replied firmly, his voice filled with determination. They disabled the hub, and in doing so, gave the Chaos faction a significant advantage. As news of their heroic act spread throughout the bunker, Aria and Alex found a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels. Their self-discovery had led them to inner peace, inspiring others to fight against tyranny and paving the way for a brighter future. In the heart of the city, Aria and Alex stood side by side, their eyes scanning the towering buildings that housed the Order's stronghold. The air was thick with tension, but their connection was undeniable. "It's been too long," Alex whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of machinery in the background. "I never thought I'd see you again." Aria nodded, her heart swelling with emotion. "Me neither. But we have to make a choice now. We can't just stand here and watch as our people suffer." "But how do we fight them?" Alex asked, his eyes filled with despair. "They have the power, the resources, everything we need to survive." Aria gripped her brother's hand, a determined look on her face. "We find our own strength. Together, we can change the course of history." As they began their escape through the labyrinthine corridors of the bunker, Aria and Alex discovered that the power of family ran deeper than they ever imagined. Their bond, forged by blood and shared experiences, allowed them to navigate the treacherous path with ease. In a bold stroke of defiance, the twins disabled the Order's communication hub, cutting off their enemy's lifeline. The act was risky, but it gave the Chaos faction an unprecedented advantage in the struggle for power. As they found their place among the rebels, Aria and Alex learned that inner peace could only be achieved by fighting for what was right. Their sacrifice inspired others to join the cause, uniting them in a common goal: to free their people from tyranny and rebuild their shattered world. In the dimly lit bunker, Aria and Alex shared a quiet moment, their eyes meeting across the table. Their reunion was filled with cautious excitement. "You've grown so much," Alex whispered, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I always knew you were strong, but look at you now." Aria smiled softly, her gaze lingering on her brother's familiar face. "And you've changed too, Alex. You're wise beyond your years." Their conversation was cut short by the sudden sound of approaching footsteps. They exchanged a nervous glance before hastily hiding under the table. "It's the Order!" Alex hissed, clenching his fists in anger. "We have to get out of here, now!" Aria nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. They knew they couldn't stay any longer. Their plan was set in motion, and there was no turning back. They were determined to bring freedom to their people, no matter the cost. As they sneaked through the dark corridors of the bunker, their steps silent but for the occasional creaking floorboard or distant echo. They knew that any misstep could lead to disaster, but they pushed onward with unwavering determination. Finally, they reached their destination: the Order's communication hub. With trembling hands, Aria and Alex worked together to disable the system, knowing that this act would tip the scales in favor of the Chaos faction. Their hearts raced as they heard sirens blaring in the distance, signaling the beginning of a full-scale rebellion. As they stood back to back, guns raised, Aria looked at her twin brother with newfound respect. "We did it, Alex." "Yes, we did," he replied, his voice filled with pride and relief. "And together, we'll fight for our people." In that moment, Aria and Alex found the inner peace they had been searching for – a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels. Their sacrifice inspired hope in others, igniting a fire within them all to stand up against tyranny and fight for freedom. In the heart of the underground city, Aria and Alex stood in front of the communication hub's control room, their hearts pounding with anticipation. "Are you sure about this, Aria?" Alex whispered, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "We could get caught." Aria gripped her twin brother's hand reassuringly. "This is our only chance to make a difference. We have to do it now." Together, they stepped into the room, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. They quickly found the control panels and began disabling them one by one, their hearts racing with every beep of the shutting-down systems. As they worked, Alex leaned closer to Aria. "Do you remember Mom's stories about the world before the divide? She said it was so different, so full of life." Aria nodded, her eyes glistening with memories. "I wish we could have seen it, Alex. But I think I understand now why our parents chose to hide us away." Just as they finished disabling the final panel, an alarm blared throughout the bunker. Aria and Alex exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes filled with determination. They had made their choice, and there was no turning back now. As they emerged from the bunker, Aria and Alex were greeted by cheers and embraces from their fellow rebels. They had ignited hope in the hearts of those who fought for freedom, and a newfound sense of belonging washed over them. In that moment, Aria and Alex knew they had found their purpose – to bring about change and inspire others to seek inner peace and self-discovery. And together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, hand in hand, forever united as twins and partners in the fight for a better world. The sun had long since disappeared behind the smog-filled sky, leaving the world bathed in an eerie glow. Aria and Alex stood at the entrance of the hidden bunker, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Aria: "Alex... it's really you." She whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of the machinery around them. Alex: "Of course, it's me. And we need to get out of here." He replied, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that threatened to consume him. Together, they navigated the dimly lit corridors, the echoes of their footsteps reverberating through the empty halls. Their conversations were hushed, filled with whispered words and shared glances. Aria: "Remember when mother used to tell us stories about the world outside? I always wondered if it was real." Alex: "I never thought we'd ever get a chance to find out. But now... there's hope." As they reached the communication hub, Aria's fingers hovered over the control panel, her breath catching in her throat. With a steady hand, she disabled the equipment, plunging the Order into chaos. Alex: "We did it! But we can't stay here; they'll come for us." Aria: "Then let's give them something to chase." She declared, setting off an alarm as a diversion. The twins raced through the labyrinthine corridors, evading pursuit and finding solace in each other's company once more. As they fought for their people, Aria and Alex discovered inner peace in their shared purpose. The echoes of their laughter reverberated through the halls, igniting hope within the hearts of those who listened. In the dimly lit corridors of the hidden bunker, Aria and Alex stood face to face after years apart. Their eyes locked, filled with a mixture of disbelief and joy. "Alex?" Aria whispered, her voice trembling. "Is it really you?" "Aria," Alex replied, his voice just as quiet. "I've been searching for you, too." The twins embraced, their hearts swelling with the warmth of rediscovered kinship. They knew they shared a common purpose now – to break free from the iron grip of the Order and reunite the fractured world. "We need to disable the communication hub," Alex whispered, his eyes scanning the blueprints he had memorized. "It'll give Chaos a significant advantage." Aria nodded in agreement. "We'll do it together." As they stealthily navigated through the complex, their footsteps echoing like thunder, Aria couldn't help but marvel at her twin's resilience and determination. Alex had been raised in the Order's bunker, while she had grown up with the Chaos faction. Together, they represented a bridge between two warring societies. Reaching the hub, Aria and Alex worked side by side, their hands dancing over the controls. The room filled with a deafening silence as the communication system went offline. With a heavy heart, Alex knew his sacrifice was necessary for the greater good. "Aria," he said softly, "I won't be coming back." She looked into his eyes, her heart aching at the thought of losing him again. "Stay safe, Alex. We'll find inner peace together in the end." With that, Aria watched as her twin disappeared into the darkness, leaving her with an unbearable weight on her shoulders. But she knew, deep within, that their sacrifices would bring hope to the oppressed and inspire others to stand against tyranny. And perhaps, one day, they would find each other once more in a world free from chaos and order. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow across the desolate landscape. In this world of Order and Chaos, Aria and her twin brother Alex were inseparable, bound by blood and shared experiences. They lived in separate factions, with only whispers and rumors connecting them to the present reality. As they stood atop a crumbling tower, their eyes met for the first time in years. The joy of reunion was tempered by the knowledge that danger lurked around every corner. "We have to find a way out," Aria whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the chaos. "I know," Alex replied, his gaze fixed on their surroundings. "I overheard a conversation about an escape route. It's risky, but it might be our only chance." Together, they navigated the dark corridors of the hidden bunker, their hearts pounding with every step. The air was thick with tension, as if they were walking through a minefield. They found the entrance to the escape route and began their descent into the unknown. "Aria, we need to make a choice," Alex said as they stood at the edge of a chasm, the path before them fraught with danger. "We can either save ourselves or help the Chaos faction by sabotaging their communication hub." Aria looked into her brother's eyes, searching for a solution that would not only save them but also bring hope to their fellow rebels. "Let's do it," she declared, her voice filled with determination. They infiltrated the communication center and disabled the system, sending shockwaves through both factions. The Order's grip weakened, and the Chaos faction gained a crucial advantage. As they walked back to their comrades, Aria and Alex felt a sense of inner peace wash over them, knowing that their sacrifice would inspire others to fight against tyranny. In the dimly lit bunker, Aria and Alex stood face-to-face for the first time in years. Their eyes locked, filled with emotion and recognition. "Alex," Aria whispered, her voice barely audible. "I knew it was you." Alex smiled, his gaze never leaving hers. "Aria... I can't believe we're finally together again." "We have to get out of here," Aria said urgently. "We can't let them control us anymore. Our people are suffering, and it's our responsibility to help them." Alex nodded, his determination evident. "I've been learning about the Order and Chaos factions from my trainers. We need to disable their communication hub. It would give a significant advantage to the Chaos faction and inspire hope among our people." "We can do this," Aria said confidently. "But we must be careful. The Order's security is tight, and they won't hesitate to harm us if they catch us." Together, Aria and Alex devised a plan to sneak out of the bunker and infiltrate the communication hub. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to make a difference for their people. As they prepared for their daring escape, they couldn't help but feel a sense of inner peace, knowing that they were doing what was right. Finally, the night arrived. Aria and Alex slipped out of the bunker and made their way toward the communication hub. Their hearts raced as they navigated through the Order's territory, aware of the potential danger lurking around every corner. But they were united in their cause and driven by their shared determination to bring about change. As they stood before the communication hub, Aria and Alex took a deep breath and began their sacrifice for the greater good. And in that moment, they found not just inner peace, but a sense of belonging among their fellow rebels. Their act inspired others to join the fight against tyranny, knowing that together, they could create a brighter future for all. In the dimly lit bunker, Aria and Alex stood face-to-face after years apart. The reunion was overwhelming, as they struggled to remember each other's faces amidst the blur of their early childhood memories. "I... I don't remember you," Alex stammered, his voice barely audible. "It's okay," Aria reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We were taken from each other so young. Let's just focus on getting out of here." They began to devise their escape plan, knowing that the stakes were higher than ever. Order and Chaos had been at war for decades, and tensions were reaching a boiling point. Aria and Alex knew they had to do something to tip the balance in favor of Chaos. As they discussed their strategy, Aria's voice was filled with determination. "We need to disable the Order's communication hub. It will send a message of hope to the Chaos faction, and weaken the Order's control." "But it's heavily guarded," Alex pointed out, concern etching his features. "That's why we need a diversion," Aria said, her eyes sparkling with resolve. "We'll create chaos in the bunker to draw their attention away from the hub." With newfound purpose, they set their plan into motion. As they executed their diversion, Aria and Alex felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through their veins. They knew that what they were doing was a significant sacrifice for the greater good. As they reached the communication hub and began disabling it, Aria and Alex felt a sense of inner peace wash over them. They had taken a stand against tyranny and given hope to their people. Their actions inspired others to rise up and fight for freedom. In that moment, Aria and Alex realized that they had found not only each other but also themselves. Their journey had been one of self-discovery, survival, and family. And in the end, it was their unwavering love for one another and their people that brought them inner peace. Aria and Alex stood in front of each other, their eyes locked in recognition. Years apart, they were now face to face, reunited in the dimly lit bunker. "Alex?" Aria whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Is it really you?" Alex's eyes widened, and he nodded, "Aria! I never thought... how are you here?" "I was sent to find you," Aria replied, trying to contain her joy. "They told me about the Order and Chaos, and that you were raised in the hidden bunker." Alex glanced around nervously, "We don't have much time. The Order is closing in. We need to escape, but first, I have a plan." "What is it?" Aria asked, her heart pounding with anticipation. "We disable the Order's communication hub," Alex explained. "It will give the Chaos faction a significant advantage. But we must do it quickly before they realize we're here." Together, they stealthily moved through the dark corridors of the bunker, their steps barely audible. They reached the hub and began working on it, their hands trembling with nerves. "Aria, I have to tell you something," Alex said, his voice low. "I've always been proud of you, even when we were separated." Aria smiled through her tears, "And I've always looked up to you, Alex. Thank you for coming back for me." They completed the task just as the Order's soldiers appeared in the distance. With a heavy heart, Aria and Alex knew they had to make a sacrifice for their people. "Stay strong, Aria," Alex whispered, taking her hand one last time. "Together, we can change the world." With that, he turned and ran towards the soldiers, his actions inspiring hope among the rebels. Aria watched as her brother fought valiantly, a spark of inner peace igniting within her heart. As the sun rose on a new day, she knew their sacrifices would not be in vain. As Aria and Alex stood in front of the communication hub, their eyes met for the first time in years. "Aria," Alex whispered, his voice barely audible. "I never thought we'd see each other again." "Me neither," Aria replied, her heart swelling with emotion. They had been separated since they were children, when the Order had taken Alex away and raised him as their own. But now, fate had brought them together once more. "We have to disable this hub," Alex said urgently, glancing around at the enemy guards patrolling nearby. "It'll give our people a chance to fight back against the Order." Aria nodded, her determination unwavering. Cautiously, they began their work, careful not to draw attention to themselves. As they progressed, the siblings shared stories of their lives apart and rediscovered their bond as twins. "I always knew you'd come back for me," Alex said, his voice filled with gratitude. "And I always believed in you," Aria replied, her voice thick with emotion. Together, they finished the task and triggered a massive power surge, disabling the hub and leaving the Order without communication. As the alarms blared and chaos ensued, Aria and Alex knew they had made a difference. In that moment, they found inner peace, knowing they had sacrificed for something greater than themselves. As they joined their fellow rebels, their presence inspired hope and unity among the once-divided factions. And so, the fight for freedom began in earnest, with Aria and Alex leading the charge towards a brighter future. In the dimly lit bunker, Aria and Alex stood face-to-face for the first time in years. "Aria?" Alex whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I'm right here, Alex," she replied softly, wrapping her arms around him tightly. They had finally reunited after years of separation, separated by fate and circumstance. The world outside their bunker was a constant battle between Order and Chaos, factions determined to control the last remnants of humanity. Aria explained how she had found Alex, and they began planning their escape. "We have to disable the Order's communication hub," Aria said firmly. "It will give our people the upper hand." Alex nodded in agreement. "Let's do it," he said, his eyes sparkling with determination. The siblings stealthily navigated through the labyrinthine corridors of the bunker, avoiding detection at every turn. As they approached the communication hub, Aria felt a pang of regret. The act of sabotage would be a significant sacrifice for their people, but it was necessary to tip the balance in favor of Chaos. As Aria and Alex disabled the hub, they knew that their actions would inspire hope among their fellow rebels. Together, they found inner peace and a sense of belonging among those who fought against tyranny. Their self-discovery had led them to a greater purpose, one that transcended personal desires and united them with others in their quest for freedom. The world outside their bunker was changing, and so were they. Aria and Alex knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they were no longer alone. Together, they had found a sense of belonging and purpose, and they would use it to fight against oppression and usher in a new era of hope for humanity. In a world divided into two factions, Order and Chaos, Aria and her twin brother Alex were raised in separate bunkers. Years apart, they unexpectedly found each other in the hidden depths of their respective homes. Their reunion was filled with joy and disbelief as they exchanged stories of their lives under the oppressive regime. "Aria, I can't believe we're finally together again!" Alex exclaimed, his voice echoing through the dimly lit corridor. "I never thought the day would come." "Me neither," Aria replied, a hint of emotion in her voice. "But now that we're here, we have to figure out how to escape and bring hope to our people." They spent hours planning their daring escape, using their knowledge of the bunker's layout and secret passages to devise an ingenious strategy. As they spoke, a sense of unity and understanding blossomed between them. They knew that whatever sacrifices they had to make, they would stand together against tyranny. "We have to disable the Order's communication hub," Aria whispered, "it will give the Chaos faction a significant advantage." "I agree," Alex nodded, "but we must also find a way to make it look like an accident. We can't risk alerting the Order that we're working against them." As they prepared for their mission, Aria and Alex felt a growing sense of inner peace. They knew that whatever the cost, their actions would inspire others to fight for freedom and self-discovery. Together, they stepped into the unknown, determined to change the course of history and bring hope to their people.

[readingforsanity]

The Art of Racing in the Rain | Garth Stein | Published 2008 | *SPOILERS*

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. 

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn’t simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life’s ordeals. 

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny’s wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoe, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swifft family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoe at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man. 

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it. 

The Art of Racing in the Rain tells the story of Enzo, a dog of unknown breed. His owner, Denny, is an amateur race car driver, and Enzo becomes obsessed with all things racing. In his mind, he believes himself to be more than dog, but more like man. 

Denny purchases Enzo from a farm in his home state of Washington, and together the two of them begin a life that means everything to Enzo. When Denny meets Eve, who will later become his wife, Enzo feels jealousy that she can give love to Denny that he cannot. Though he is cold to Eve in the beginning, he quickly warms up to her and she to him. Denny and Eve have a daughter, whom they name Zoe, and Enzo agrees to protect her at all costs. 

While Denny continues to try racing out, Eve is often left alone with Enzo and Zoe. When one day Denny is out of the house for a race, Eve complains of a headache that feels like someone or something is crushing her skull. She quickly takes Zoe and leaves, leaving Enzo to fend for himself for those three days. Delirious with hunger and unsure of what to do with himself, Enzo ends up destroying Zoe’s stuffed animals, though he doesn’t remember doing so. 

When Denny returns home and finds his wife and child gone and Enzo left alone, he is angry. Eve tries to tell him that she was sick, and that she could barely take care of herself and Zoe, let alone remember the dog, Denny becomes even more angry. But when Zoe arrives in her room to find her toys destroyed, Denny turns his anger on Enzo, but Eve balks at this. She won’t let him hurt the dog. 

Eve’s condition continues to worsen, though she does have good days. Her mood swings are insane, and she often complains of debilitating pain. She refuses to seek medical help, or go to the hospital. It isn’t until a day at the lake when she slips on a wet rock and hits her head that the truth is revealed. Enzo, as a dog, smelled the decay in her long before it was confirmed, though he didn’t have the devices to say anything at all. Eve is diagnosed with brain cancer. 

When released from the hospital, she stays with her parents who Enzo has deemed the Twins, as they dress alike and act alike. Zoe also stays with them, so that Denny can continue to work. That first night, Eve requests that Enzo stays with her as well. For months, this arrangement works for them. When Eve surpasses the 8 month mark, of which the doctor had told her that she would likely only live for 6-8 months, they celebrate. Eve confesses that she is no longer afraid of dying, and during the night, she passes away. Denny receives the call, and they go to the home of his in-laws. 

When he arrives, he says his goodbyes to his wife when he is approached by her parents about custody of Zoe. They want to take care of her, give her a childhood to which he couldn’t because they’re privileged. Denny is upset and doesn’t agree to this, and takes Zoe home. But a few days later, Denny is at work when the police arrive with a warrant for his arrest for child molestation. A few months prior to Eve’s death, he and Zoe had gone with many of her family members to a cabin for a week. When they left, Annika, a cousin of Eve’s and only 15 years old, tagged along with Denny and Zoe, and Enzo, for the return ride home. 

When it was too late to take her home, she was going to sleep on the hideaway couch in the living room. Denny exhausted, ends up passing out. Annika attempted to have sex with him, which he quickly put a stop too. Annika was upset, but called her father to come and pick her up. But now, it seems, Annika has been telling people that he had attacked her. 

Zoe is taken to live with her grandparents, and a major custody and criminal case is built against Denny. He does everything he can to fight for his daughter. He is awarded some rights in terms of visitation, but while the criminal case comes together, he isn’t allowed to leave the state, forcing himself to have to turn down racing and teaching jobs outside of where he is allowed to go.

When Enzo is hit by a car, and he feels himself wasting away due to lack of money because of his custody and child support battles he is going through, he feels like giving up. Denny agrees to give his in-laws custody of Zoe, so long as he is still allowed. But Enzo puts a stop to this, and Denny decides to keep fighting. 

When away for a teaching job in which Enzo is allowed to go with him, Denny is introduced to an executive from Ferrari in Italy. He offers him a job, and he understands that while he cannot accept until his cases are taken care of, he will keep the job for him until he is ready. 

When Denny’s case finally goes to trial, Annika recants her statement and the charges are dropped. She confessed that she had been telling people what she had hoped would happen that night when she went home with Denny, and not the truth. After this is recanted, his in-laws decided to drop the child custody case as well, leaving Denny to raise Zoe as was his hope the entire time. 

At this point, Enzo is suffering greatly from hip dysplasia and arthritis, and his old age keeps him from even going to the bathroom a lot of the time. On the day that Zoe is to return home, Enzo dies but confesses that he will come back as a man. 

Several years later, Zoe and Denny are living in Italy, where Denny has suddenly become a Formula One racer. He meets a family with a young son who is a huge fan, whose name is Enzo. Denny believes that this is Enzo reincarnated in life as a boy, just like Enzo thought the entire time. 

Discussion Questions 

1. Some early readers of the novel have observed that viewing the world through a dog’s eyes make for a greater appreciation of being human. Why do you think that is? We often wonder what a dog is thinking, and this book gives us an insight into that. Do I appreciate life more? Absolutely. I have opposable thumbs, which Enzo envied. I can walk through life for many more years than a dog, though Enzo lived several lifetimes in his short years. 

2. Enzo’s observations throughout the novel provide insight into his world view. For example: (1) the visible becomes inevitable; (2) understanding the truth is simple. Allowing oneself to experience it, is often terrifically difficult; (3) no race has ever been one in the first corner; many races have been lost there.” How does his philosophy apply to real life? Enzo believes in never giving up, and through his mannerisms, hopes to portray this to Denny, who never gives up his fight for his daughter. 

3. In the book’s darkest moments, one of Zoe’s stuffed animals - the zebra - comes to life and threatens him. What does the zebra symbolize? The zebra symbolizes the bad in all of us. Every great dog can have their moments, like Enzo did when he ultimately destroyed all of Zoe’s toys. Though not his fault, we all go through things in life that we ultimately end up regretting or wishing we never did. 

4. Can you imagine the novel being told from Denny’s point of view? How would it make the story different? I don’t think so. The book would have much been more depressing if it was in his point of view. Though, from time to time, I often wondered what was going through Denny’s head since we were never given his perspective. 

5. In the first chapter, Enzo says: “It’s what’s inside that’s important. The soul. And my soul is very human.” How does Enzo’s situation - a human soul trapped in a dog’s body - influence his opinions  about what he sees around him? How do you feel about the ideas of reincarnation and karma as Enzo defines them? Enzo ends up being wise for a dog, because he truly believes that his soul is human just awaiting the opportunity to be a man. Do I believe that animals become humans after their first death? Not really. Though, I’d love to hear from my childhood dog what it is like to finally be a man. But do I believe in karma? Absolutely. What goes around comes around for most people. 

6. Do you find yourself looking at your own dog differently after reading this novel? I unfortunately do not have any pets personally, but family members do. I will continue to wonder what they think, but I have a deeper understanding of the love they have for their humans. 

7. In the book, we get glimpses into the mindset and mentality of a race car driver. What parallels can you think of between the art of racing and the art of living? Most of them are quite the same. We often live fast-paced lives, just like racing. But the different is that the driver enjoys the fast-paced environment in a race car, whereas most people don’t enjoy the fast-paced life. 

8. The character of Ayrton Senna, as he is presented in the book, is heroic, almost a mythic figure. Why do you think this character resonates so strongly for Denny? Does it resonate with Denny, or does it resonate with Enzo? We don’t receive Denny’s point of view at all during the book so we can’t stay if it was his obsession with Senna, or Enzo’s obsession with him. But, everyone has someone they look up to in life, and Denny may have saw himself in Senna, and admired the way he raced to the point that he wanted to be just like him. That explains why the both of them were expert racers in the rain. 

Questions provided by the publisher. 

[div1nity]

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 . while it's always something she subtly encouraged within her clients who share similarities of isolation &. a lack of faith , coraline can't ever guess who will take that step to break down the barrier of their own routine to welcome in a frightening , unknown change of the other side ; the light can be just as intimidating as the dark .

remaining quiet , hands continue their soothing journey against war torn skin &. allows jarod the space to let go , words were hardly needed at the moment , not until his sobbing came to a stop &. the tears allowed the heaviness of the emotions he held on his sleeve to ease their weight . some of the tears that stained his cheeks end up on skin , though pays no mind . she wonders if it's an alcohol fused agreement &. while those never hold any weight to them , it was still something to even entertain the conversation .

the questions has her head tilting slightly to the side , eyes trailing face , attempting to detect any hint of bullshit - hands turn to cup his face , thumbs grazing under his cheeks , trying to think of how to respond to the questions ; it wasn't that she was ashamed of who she was , where her journey began - she's just not good at putting things into words in this area .

❛ i used to be a nasty piece of work ❜ the best place to start , right ? ❛ i liked hurting people . i was hurting , as long as it wasn't me . . . i didn't care , the world sure as shit didn't care about me for what it turned me into . ❜ eyes leave his , head falling back against the pillow , staring up at the ceiling - one hand remains on his face , the other having nails drag lightly over shoulder . tongue presses against cheek , trying to piece thoughts together . deep down , the part that always caught her off guard was very much alive part of of her that craved that destruction again , the violence , it was like an itch begging to be scratched , she'll refuse to , again &. again , not entertaining it even if crimson offered her a way out for good if the cost was giving into the thoughts just one more time .

❛ something . . . several somethings happened to me , things i couldn't ignore ❜ the drug addiction that began to sink her deeper &. deeper into a self made hell . lucas , too , he was a huge starting point of realising the life she was living wasn't sustainable . a twinge of sadness lingers - she hopes he's okay . voice returns back to normal , steadier than the weaver that slipped it's way in for a moment too long ❛ i realised i just . . . couldn't do it anymore , there comes a time where you realize the well you're using to poison the village is also where you get your own water . ❜

❛ the how is complicated . everyone begins their journey different because it started for different reasons . for me , it helped to remember everyone has their own story , some struggle that they're not telling anyone . i'm not the only one suffering , it doesn't give me a pass to be cruel . simple , yet oddly effective ❜ eyes seek out jarod's face again , finally comfortable in words to look up .

❛ you have start with what's doable for you ; maybe treating strangers in your backseat a little kinder , give their stupidity some grace ❜ index finger taps the tip of his nose , a playful pointed gaze .

coraline doesn't think she'll ever see the man he does when looking in the mirror , some feral monster cursed for the rest of his days to live life in a murderous rage . he wasn't damned , he was human &. although it felt like damnation , it wasn't grounded in reality . there was always light , jarod simply needed to put in the work , step out of the shade an allow himself to bathe in the sunrays .

❛ whatever it is . you're a good man &. i have faith in you , you'll find your way , i know it . ❜

      Jarod resists looking at Cora at first, trying to hide in her bosom so as not to be completely exposed.  He has already poured much of his heart out to her, so it is perhaps silly to think he could be less exposed than he already is, shoving all his disgusting, bloody entrails under the proverbial rug.  But when he locks eyes with her, steady aquamarine gazing into wet, red-rimmed onyx, whatever anxiety he had about it slides right off of him.  She is giving him a comforting, understanding look, and he tries to smile at her gratefully but presses his mouth into a thin line instead, his jaw set against a sob he can feel building in the back of his throat.

      He has never given much thought to what he owes himself—nothing.  For years, he has embraced his status as a monster, perhaps even thinking himself as more evil than the others he interacted with.  Victims of his tried to appeal to his better nature and found it almost entirely lacking, by his design.

      A Brigade begged him for her life, fear and anguish contorting her young face, wisps of mousy hair swishing back and forth over her cheeks with each movement of her head.  It looked like she had been walking along the road for a while, her tears cutting bright trails through the dust on her cheeks.  She was trying to get back to her van.  She denied it was hers while she knelt on the floor of it, gasoline darkening her jeans, the stain creeping into view over her knees, but they all do that.  Everybody wants to be a Brigade until there’s a loaded gun in their face, then they renounce all associations with the group.

      That young Brigade told him he would have to live with himself for the rest of his life if he lit the van up with her inside, evidently imagining some glimmer of humanity in him.  Her wide eyes were alight with hope, which rapidly faded from them when he told her he had already done much worse.  He let her go in the end, insisting to both her and himself that it was only so she could relay a message to her fellow Brigades about their rapidly approaching extinction.

      He wraps himself up in monstrosity like a fur coat in the winter, to protect against the frigidity of being human.  He would rather be a beast on the hunt than an ordinary man unable to do anything other than sit on his couch in the evening dark, gaunt face illuminated by a news broadcast, half-lidded, hopeless eyes watching bodies being exhumed from rubble.  The human Jarod is weak, grieving, and lonely; the monstrous one is too vicious and preoccupied to give into that; neither of them feels like they owe the other anything.

      But Cora takes the coat from him and doesn’t leave him cold.  She folds the fur neatly and sets it near the door for him to collect again when he leaves, and she invites the shivering human man to sit next to her near the hearth, looking golden and angelic in the firelight, the antithesis of the icy screen that first listed his daughter among the dead.  Cora is startlingly alive and more of a home than his house—

      He sighs abruptly, almost as if the wind has been knocked out of him, and then he sucks it all back up with a shuddering gasp that rattles his entire frame.  Then, he cries, the sob he has been trying to hold in bursting from him with untamable force.  More than ever, he wants to bury his face in Cora’s chest and dry his eyes on her radiant, rosy skin, but she has him arrested, unable to turn away, tears spilling freely over his cheeks like that Brigade girl in the van.  All he can do is nod weakly and say, “Okay… o-okay…”  If she says he’s owed something, even if he owes it to himself, he will trust her judgment on it.

      His weeping quiets some as the cogs in his head turn around.  He has blindly agreed to something he has no idea how to execute, so overwhelmed by her presence that he spat out the first promise that came to mind.  But promises aren’t any good if you can’t keep them, and the image of her pouty lips downturned in disappointment flashes in his mind.  This needs to be addressed before it gets too much away from him.

      He sniffs, getting himself a bit more composed.  “I-I don’t know where to start,” he confesses softly.  “With other people, I mean.”  He is tempted to laugh, but the sound sticks in his throat, and his frown deepens.  “I didn’t even know where to start with you.”  She must remember him standing in the middle of the room, having only shed his hat, clutching its brim in both hands and turning it around and around nervously.  He debated telling her he had changed his mind and running away, but now he thanks his past self for not doing that.  “I don’t… know that I know how to give people the benefit of the doubt.  I-I want to.”  If only because she wants him to, but it still must be worth something.

      He sniffles again, his eyes wide like saucers.  “How did you start doing it?  Why did you start doing it?”  If she could set him up with even one stepping stone, it would be much better than throwing himself headlong into the sea that stretches before him.

[anxiousnerdwritings]

yandere platonic headcanons for Lady Dimitrescu would be fun to read? 🦦💗

— for the yandere platonic Lady Dimitrescu, could you maybe include her daughters too? 🦦

Yandere Dimitrescu Family Headcanons (platonic)

Somehow you garnered Alcina’s complete and utter attention. Maybe you were a curious soul from the village who ventured too far into unknown territory, resulting in you ending up in the clutches of the Dimitrescu family. Or maybe you were nothing but an innocent baby who Mother Miranda entrusted to Alcina, only for her to form her own intense attachment towards you.

Either way, you are Alcina’s now and she and her daughters have no intentions to ever allow you to leave them. You’re family and family always comes first.

Alcina Dimitrescu

You would become the apple of Alcina’s eye. You’re her baby now, her world and she has no plans to ever let you go. She’ll absolutely love and adore you. You won’t ever have to go with out. She will give you anything and everything you could ask for, just not your freedom or own free will. But that’s alright! Who needs free will when you have mother who would do absolutely anything for you.

Alcina will have a say in everything concerning you. She wants nothing but the best for you, it’s the least you deserve for being so precious. And she’ll be damned if you get anything less than perfection. Sure, she can be pretty controlling but it’s only because she truly knows what is best for you. She is the only one who knows what’s best for you.

Much like your “sisters”, she will expect nothing but complete obedience and overall submission from you. She won’t tolerate any kind of misbehavior or acting out. Alcina has high expectations for her family and your no exception but she can be a little more lenient with you. She loves and cares for you deeply and nothing could ever change that but she’s not letting your unsavory behavior ruin her family fantasy.

Alcina is very protective of you. You’re her baby, how could she not be? You’re place is always by her side, usually holding your mother’s hand or onto her dress. More times then not she’ll just scoop you up in her arms and carry you around wherever she goes. She usually has you sit in her lap or next to her, anywhere you can be as close as possible. She can’t bare being separated from her darling for too long, her mind will start racing full of worries. She needs to have you close, where she knows you’re safe and sound. She’d go as far as having you stay in her own room with her. Hell, your sisters will all end up staying in there too.

Alcina doesn’t take well to seeing you interact with anyone who isn’t her or your sisters. She only wants you in the company of family at all times and if she sees otherwise then she’ll quickly intervene. Or your sisters will if she’s not there to do so. And they are more than willing to teach whoever is trying to take their precious new sibling’s attention from them a lesson they’ll never forget. At least until that person is ripe enough to be dinner.

Speaking of which, your sisters will be her eyes and ears when she can’t be with you, although that’s rare. They’re always trailing after you, keeping a very close eye out and watching over you when Alcina cannot. Even when you think you’re finally alone, you never truly are.

Alcina doesn’t really like to punish you, she prefers to spoil you rotten with affection and gifts, but if she sees fit then she will. She usually grounds you, which consists of locking you in your room until you’ve realized your wrong doings and are ready to apologize. Or until you’re begging for your mother and sisters to let you out, running straight into their arms when they do so. They may even go as far as to put you in the dungeons for a time, at least until you’ve learned your lesson.

You will never be allowed to leave the castle. Maybe on rare occasions, Alcina will take you for a stroll out and about, but you aren’t allowed anywhere on your own. Besides, you’ll have all the more time to spend with your dear sisters. Isn’t that great? Of course it is! After all, you love your sisters, don’t you?

Alcina loves to dress you up! She’ll style your hair, playing with it however she likes. She’ll even do your makeup, whether you want her to or not. And your sisters are all there to lend their help as well. If they have to hold you in place just so Alcina can do what she wants then so be it. She may just let you wear her hat if you behave.

If anything were to ever happen to you, no matter how small and non life threatening it is, Alcina would be out for blood. More so than she already is. She and the girls will blame any and everyone else for whatever has befallen their precious baby. And someone will pay for it. It doesn’t matter if it was an accident or if it was your own clumsy fault. Blood will be shed.

Bela Dimitrescu

Bela is the oldest of Alcina’s daughters and the most adoring towards their new sibling. All it takes is Alcina caring about you for Bela to care all the same. It doesn’t take long for her to fall into step with her mother’s own intense attachment.

She’s the one Alcina trusts the most to watch over and protect you when she’s away. And Bela takes her role very seriously. She won’t let you out of her sight no matter what. You can try and run. You can try and hide but she’s always the first one to find you. Even when you think you’ve put even the smallest bit of space between the two of you she’s right there to take all that hope away.

Bela wants you to be very dependent on her. Not as dependent as you are on Alcina but enough for her to have some extra control over you. She’ll be the closest to you, becoming your confidant and best friend. As much as she loves and cares for you and she does, she would also use this as a way to get information to keep track of what’s going on when neither she or Mother are around. As rare as it is that doesn’t mean you don’t still have your secrets. No matter how small and insignificant they can be.

She would devote the most time and attention to you out of all the sisters. They all devote a lot of their time and attention but Bela does so the most. She wants to be a good older sister for you because it’s what you deserve, that’s what Mother has instilled in her head.

Alcina has given only Bela permission to punish you out of all the sisters. She’s the one who can be trusted not to scare or hurt you too terribly but enough to get the point across. You’ll be sure to learn your lesson if you know what’s good for you.

Bela sincerely wants to do right by you as a sister but she also wants to do right by Alcina as a daughter. She’ll be conflicted but undoubtably go along with what Mother wants. But she’ll always come back around to comfort you and be a sister to you.

All the sisters love to play games with you. Their favorite games to play are tag and hide n seek. Especially when you’re the prize. They’ll give you a head start, counting all the while and then they’re all off to find you. Bela is the one who usually finds you first. She knows all your hiding spots and all the places you would ever think of going to in the castle.

The one who finds you first gets to have you all to themself for the rest of the day. That is unless Mother comes in to sweep you away. If you win then they’ll let you go outside, all by yourself. At least that’s what they say. But you haven’t won so far and they don’t ever plan on you ever winning. It’s not like they would let you out even if you did.

Cassandra Dimitrescu

Cassandra isn’t as quick to take to you as her sisters are but if Mother says your family now then you’re family. She will eventually fall into line with Alcina and her sisters’ intense attachments towards their new family member. Especially if you’re quite affectionate. She and her sisters all melt for even the smallest amount of affection you have to offer.

The sisters already compete for Alcina’s love and favoritism but now they’ll compete even harder for yours. They each want to be your favorite sister. They want to be the one you have a high regard for, who you would choose to run to first. The bragging rights are only a bonus.

Cassandra is said to be more sadistic out of her sisters and that’s very true. She’s never like that with you though. No, she and Daniela spend most of their time terrorizing anyone who tries to get too close to you. You don’t need friends or anyone else for that matter. All you will need is your sisters and mother.

She likes spending whatever time she can with you. The sisters are never not fighting over who gets to have their time with you first. They’re rarely ever content with having to spend time with you all together. More times then not you’ll end up in a game of tug of war with them. You being the one stuck in the middle. Usually, Alcina would have to step in and make it right but now the girls started playing their games, resulting in you becoming their makeshift prize.

You’re never without at least one of the girls. And much like they’re mother they have you glued to their sides. Or rather they’re glued to your side. You’re able to do whatever you please around the castle when you’re not with Alcina as long as the girls are there to keep an eye on you. But Cassandra is the worst. She’s the one more likely to attack and torment whoever is around you. The person doesn’t even have to be doing anything in regards to you for Cassandra to go off on them.

Daniela Dimitrescu

Daniela is elated to have a new baby in the house. It doesn’t matter how old you are you’ll always be their baby. And she can’t wait to cause some trouble with you. Bela tries to supervise any and all of Daniela’s time with you because she knows Daniela will no doubt get you into trouble. She just wants to make sure she doesn’t get you hurt or anything.

Out of the three sisters, Daniela and Cassandra are the most troublesome. They’re more likely to teach you bad habits and encourage you to act out on them. At least with the castle staff, otherwise you’re on your best behavior for you sisters and Mother.

Daniela is the most selfish out of the sisters. She’s the youngest, she believes she deserves more than her sisters and that includes more of her new precious sibling. She wants her new sibling all to herself. She doesn’t want to share you with Bela and Cassandra.

Daniela loves to bring you things. Sometimes they’re nice and wonderful and other times they’re disturbing and will keep you up at night. Don’t get attached to anyone or anything and you may not end up getting a piece of them as your next ‘gift’.

She’s probably the most affectionate, always having to hang off and be touching you in some sense of the word. She just likes to be close to you, they all do. But Daniela is the worse among them. More times then not you will wake up to her cuddled up next to you in your bed. At least the rare times you’re allowed to sleep in your own room. Soon enough, Bela and Cassandra will file in as well, taking their places wherever they can stay as close to you as possible.

All the sisters have a habit of taking your belongings and keeping them to have a part of you. Especially your jewelry and clothes. The girls will wear them if it means they can be and feel closer to you. Daniela being the worse one.

You’ll probably never get back your missing things from your dear sisters. Hell, you’ll probably never see them again, that is unless the girls are wearing them. Or if those certain belongings of yours have lost your scent or warmth. The girls also very much love to bask in their new sibling’s smell. And the feel of your warmth only ensures the sisters’ closeness towards you.

[nonokoko13]

Child!reader being adopted by spy x family characters Pt. 2

As I said in the previous part, these adoption headcanons are really specific, including your hypothetical pronouns and name; these two are extra so you can imagine yourself with your name and desired gender. You can ask for less specific headcanons if you want too. Part 1 here

Enjoy!

Sylvia Sherwood

How you met

She carries the responsibility of WISE, she needs to be committed to it. More than ever now that the peace was threatened every day by those who wanted war to arise again

She missed her family, but she overcame it. Just like the HQ she had to be impenetrable

At least, that's what she thought

Because right in front of her there was the question which answers she wanted to hear. A kid.

It would be normal to see one if she wasn't at the HQ

It didn't help no one knew there was a kid there until you spoke up

The camera system didn't record you and there wasn't any entrance to the agency that had been forced. You weren't any employee's kid either

After scolding them and order to search your parents she met you again

"Hello little one. May I ask you how did you get in here?"

You smiled, seeming to have been waiting her to ask

"Because I like to play and explore! And I'm really good at hide and seek"

Sylvia raised an eyebrow. No matter how well someone was good at hiding there was no way you could break into the HQ; it sounded surrealistic

"But how did you find this place?"

"Because it was easy to find"

"Don't you think you could end bad breaking into unknown places?"

"If I don't know what isthis place how I'd know that?"

Fair enough

That conversation wasn't going anywhere, yet she was angrier with the security staff than you. You didn't look worried though

You gave her an idea

"Do you want to play with me?"

Both entered in the nearest police station, she talked with the officers before telling you to count until 1000 while she was going to hide. You started the count facing a wall

She felt bad, but there were some traffickers she had to catch before they made the exchange

She was following their car; everything fine until she believed to see a small hand greeting her from the car's trunk

She returned to the police station to find out that moments later of her departure you disappeared without anyone realizing. She went to the point where the delivery would be made

Outside the abandoned warehouse there was no signal that you were there until she saw you getting out from under the car on the other side

Something caused a shooting that would make the police come and caught her at any moment. The bands kept shooting at each other while you were behind a transport container

"What were you thinking?! I told you to stay with the police!"

"I'm sorry, I counted until I know, then I saw you following the car, so I followed too. But before they caught me I hid in there...I'm sorry..." You pulled out a walkie-talkie

"I got two from the police station. I left one in there so the others thought the guys of that car were betraying them, it should have worked to scape with no bad guys seeing us"

She was impressed. However, there was no time to ask where you learn that from

Analyzing the situation the principal scape was blocked, fortunately they hadn't noticed you yet so–

You pulled her shirt, pointing somewhere else

"Let's get out"

General headcanons

Sylvia was still surprised that your plan of exiting through a rear window she hadn't seen and walk away without hurry could work

She stopped walking to watch you smash the walkie-talkie and take out some matches to burn it

"Now they can't find footprints!"

The police may not get answers about it but she had many questions for you

She lied to you about the HQ, after the shooting her lie was on the floor. Thenceforth Sylvia's not able to tell if you were playing along and keeping her secret or you have no idea what's all about

You thought her name was Handler. When you knew she was called Sylvia Sherwood you pointed your hoody logo and say "S of Super, you're superman–Superwoman!"

That's how she begun to be mistaken with an endearing mother and her son. She was superwoman and you "kid", because you said that's how you were called, along with child, shrimp, demon...

"That's unacceptable". She handed you lists of names to choose, unfortunately no one convinced you

It wasn't until you two went to a jewelry store that you found the name

The casual way you break in HQ when you want still frustrates her, how do you do it?? You don't see big deal though

Fullmetal lady didn't remember how tough was motherhood

Anyone would freak out if they found out about spies. Yet there you are, admiring flying guys in underpants

Sylvia asked you about your family, but you always tell the same: you lived with dad until he left you with a woman that he said was your mom

The Handler found out your father is a repeat offender, currently on a maximum security prison in another country. Both him and the woman without offspring legally

"Please, don't tell me one of his criminal records is jailbreaking"

The informant doubted "Actually, that's the main one"

"..."

The Forgers

Scenario where it's up to both of them to adopt you. To keep Loid's mental sanity safe it will be independent of the timeline where Yor has a kid on her own, feel free to imagine both kids being Anya's siblings at the same time. You can ask me to include that idea if I write more about this

How you met

As I said before Twilight wouldn't adopt anyone due his job, only one kid for Operation Strix and that was Anya. For now Yor didn't want more kids, she loves Anya and that's enough for them

Not for Anya. She wanted a little sibling

All started talking with Becky when Damian mentioned his brother. Back at home she brought the topic and neither Pa or Ma were giving her an answer of where babies come from

That's when she begun to feel like being a sister. Any plan helped her to convince her parents though

Anya remembered something Mr Henderson told them. "If you want something, take it into your own hands"

And she took it too seriously

Next day Anya and Bond disappeared, she was in the dogs park with Yor

While Mrs Forger panicked Anya had returned to the place she met Twilight

As the time passed the Forgers worried more. When they found Anya and Bond at their building's door they felt relieved

Your presence didn't make things better

They asked Anya where she had been and where did you come from. She said she adopted you

Of course Anya wasn't going to say she broke into an orphanage and took you

Loid's scolding made you cry

"Anya, we aren't adopting–"

"If she's not my sister I won't go to school ever again!!"

"Just for a trial period" that's what Loid hoped

General headcanons

Loid thought babies were easy because it's unnecessary (more impossible) communication with a living being that can't talk; after all babies only have basic needs. He was wrong

It would be easier if you could talk. Why are you crying? You have eaten! Are you sad? Cold? You dislike him?

Yor is not better either. Because her parents died when Yuri was a kid Yor didn't have experience with changing diapers, or anything related with babies

She was more scared than Loid to the point she didn't want to hold you. She broke Yuri's ribs with a hug when he was a toddler, what if she kills you with few contact?

In less than 24 hours you already had a crib and all kinds of things a baby would need. However, having three bedrooms and parents sleeping in separate rooms meant all your things ended in Anya's room

You cried at night until they discovered you calmed down when Anya let you a plushie to hug

She can't wait for the day pa and ma share bed to take back her bedroom

The second night Anya had an idea

Ma is scared of being your mom, solution? Leave you in her bed while Yor is asleep imagining that would work

Thanks God Yor doesn't move much when sleeping. On the other hand Yor is a light sleeper due not being used to sleep with someone so she woke up minutes later

She almost jump out of the bed, realizing that would make you cry made her contain. You groaned, did she wake you up? Yor wasn't sure of holding you, instead she laid down again and approached you to her chest

Seeing you so peaceful by her side melted her, thinking about it you looked a bit like her and Loid.. She blushed at the embarrassing thought

Bold of them to not imagine that's why Anya chose you

In the morning Loid discovered what happened and had a little words with Anya during breakfast before she went to school

Yor went to work and he decided to take a day off from his work to spend the morning with you. The Handler said the first days you should see them to recognize faces

Walks with Bond, buying toys, trying to teach you sign language...Normal stuff

Loid is glad you don't do anything but sleep and eat, except your obsession with munching. When you first kissed Yor he found it normal until you munched her cheek and now you do that to everyone; probably you're teething

Yor found it really cute, but you shouldn't go kissing and chewing cheeks. Anya thinks is funny just don't try to chew her hair again please

Another problem came with names. Loid was going through a list of 850 names in alphabetical order, meanings included; Yor didn't take it to the extreme

"Hum, what about Rose? I think it's a cute name, I mean it's both decision and I'm not good with names Loid–"

Welcome to the family Rose

A spy, an assassin, a telepath and... Well, a baby. Seems like a good mix

Yor Briar

As we know Twilight only would adopt for Operation Strix's sake. Yor became mother by marrying Loid, but what if she had already a kid before being Mrs Forger?

Inspired by this post of @say-seira

How you met

Long ago before Twilight adopted the identity of Loid Forger, the Briars moved to a flat in Berlint

While the eldest sibling had recently become an adult Yuri was only a kid, Yor decided to move to the city so he had nearer his school. It was possible due her proper salary as Thorn Princess

This change would make her job easier too. She had a new client which death could pay Yuri's entrance to a good university

There was a politician who negotiated with terrorists, helping them to get into Ostania and providing them with weapons in exchange to gain good propaganda abroad and getting rid of competition

Knowing this was enough to make Yor's blood boil. He deserved to die, she was sure of it

Struggling with the security around him, Yor finally killed the target without leaving trace

The only inconvenience was a bad injury made by a bullet that she received. After removing the bullet the wound got worse

She went to the hospital to avoid an infection. In the waiting room she met a kind lady, Yor swore that she had seen her before

The woman was scared, but Yor reassured her she will wait her

While Yor was attended the girl was taken to another room. As she promised, Yor waited in the hall after her wound was treated; with a buttoned medical gown on because she didn't want to attract more attention due the bandaged wound in sight

Time passed and many people enter and exit from the room, but she didn't. A nurse carrying something mistook her for one of the staff and scolded her for standing there

"Here, take the baby to the nursery"

"Me? But— wait! What about the woman? Is she okay?"

From afar she heard the answer, but before Yor could explain the error the woman had left. She was shocked, how? She seemed fine

Against her will the dark-haired looked at the lump she was holding: rosy cheeks babbling in dreams, you were in peace

Her shock grew when she saw you shared the username that the man she killed had. That's why the woman was familiar: she was the politician's daughter

Yor searched someone who hand the baby when she recognized the doctor that guided the woman to the room, he was talking with a masked nurse

The fact they went to a private place and maintained their voices low made her suspect

"Did you take care of the mother?" the nurse asked

"Yes, they got ahead of us with her father but I think they will pay us anyway. When they found it was a medical negligence we'll be far from here"

Yor understood they were assassins as well, probably paid by a rival. Luckily they hadn't seen her yet

"Heh, do you they will pay more if we got rid of the baby?"

Yor left the hospital with you, unsure of what to do. Did you have more relatives? The widowed politician didn't have more kids, and your mother came alone. What if they wanted to kill the rest of the family?

A small hand grabbed hers, and every fear disappeared. Looking at each other, she knew you were safer with her. Perhaps it was only guilt or sympathy, but she would try

General headcanons

The moment Yuri saw Yor holding you was in disbelief. Yor said she found you in the streets and he believed it

At first he tried to convince her sister to leave you in a orphanage but once scolding was enough to cease

Still disliking you for the first months. It took some time until he saw you like one of his family

Yuri helped, although they had a rough time because you refused to eat Yor's purees. Your endurance might grew up to make you the only person who can eat her food without bleeding but it doesn't mean you like its flavor

She viewed you as a sibling until you were two, being called mom made Yor too happy to correct you. Yuri was just Yuri, you never feel like using formalities with him or addressing "Uncle" everytime you talked

Yor decided to let your belongings, it was better that way. When you were older, and only if you wanted, she would tell you the truth

She's bad with names, Rose was the only name she could think of but you're a boy. Yor's parents loved that Yuri and her had matching names, therefore you would be the sweet addition to it

The only name I could think of is Yuu because it's gender neutral and means "you" sorry

During the first year of your life she didn't try to hide the blood of her clothes from you. Yuri never suspected either and you wouldn't remember it when you grow up

Your lack of childhood amnesia was something she didn't have in count. Not that she knows you know anyway

Yor has been training you since you were able to walk, if she wasn't there when you needed at least you would be ready to defend yourself. Proud to say you're her strong boy

That said, if the assassins that tried to killed you found were you lived it's something you ignore. Being the protective mother Yor is they could be dead by now

Six years later, it was still Yor and you against the world, with Yuri being the only paternal figure you had. Before one day she met a man and everything changed

She said he will help her by accompanying her to a party so Yuri stopped worrying about her. She said it would be one night, and the next morning you woke up with Yor waiting to talk with you

In part she accepted because of you; you passed the Eden exam before knowing you needed a dad for it. That requisite seemed stupid for you, as you reassured her you could go to any other school; now you would be accepted into the best school!

You agreed and started packing. What else you could do? The decision was made before you were asked anyway, and you didn't want to argue with your mom because she was doing it for your future too

Of course it affected you. No matter how nice they were it was a huge change; in one day you had to move to a new place which didn't feel like home and live with strangers who you'll have to share mom with isn't easy

Anya was nervous too, but for different reasons. She was so excited to meet her soon-to-be sibling! For her, who was an orphan last week, having a pa, a ma and a friend to play with was great

Her expectations went down when she read your mind. You didn't think bad of them, but excited wasn't the word to describe your emotional state either

Loid may not be good at understanding children, but it was clear for him you wasn't comfortable. For him would be weirder if you didn't seem affected at all

On the contrary, Yor seemed cool with all of this to you. Even without any idea of how to be a wife or mother for Anya she enjoyed her time as Forger, which confused you a bit

Yor is happier, not only because she didn't have to worry about the SSS or Yuri anymore. They make her happier, it's just matter of time she could fall for Loid and have a baby that was her own, real kid

Being sure Yor loves you and your new family want you to feel welcomed doesn't make disappear the feelings you carry with. Still, if mom is happy you prefer to keep it to yourself and try to maker her smile too

If it wasn't because Yuri hates the idea of her sister hiding her marriage for a year and sympathized your situation he would have laughed at the irony when you told him during your uncle-nephew walk the next day of his meeting with "Loiloi"

He doesn't know they got married before you attended school so he assumed you had been holding it for a long time. He passed his fingers through your hair

"I understand it's difficult, but I'll be for you whenever you need me"

+ Honorable mention to compensate you for the mild ansgt without warning

Daybreak

We don't know much about him but I included this dork for fun

Thinking about "Daybreak" and "parenthood" makes anyone's mind stopped working

Mainly because it's difficult to say which one would be the child

Not "How you met headcanons" because he wouldn't be able to adopt to begin with

From what we saw in chapter 27 he seems to live alone, depending on his amazing spy career to afford pork steak for dinner. So he must not live too good given that after his first mission he was fired

If he had a child, it would be likely because of a previous relationship he had and didn't end well

He didn't adopt you. You're his biological kid, the only not adopted of this gang

Sorry we can't choose our family good luck ig

Not necessarily ended bad, even remaining as friends, your mother took a different path and is happily married with another man

If she knew he wanted to be a spy either thought "it's a joke" or *sigh*

She was who brought money in the relationship, now you live with her and your step-dad but at the beginning you didn't want to

Daybreak talked with you and promised you could visit each other and even live with him when he could afford it

They don't get it

Who would take care of him? The idea of living on his own was frightening to you

Imagine being father and is your kid who worries about whether pops know how to pay taxes without mom

You took after him in terms of appearance. Any signal of intelligence was from your mother

Average smart but surely smarter than him

Probably he thanked God that you were a boy. He will love whatever you are but he was relieved of saving himself of buying female products when you were on that time of the month and guide you through puberty

As much as he says to be a charming man he's not good with women either so

Your name is Sunny. Guess who chose it

Probably you see him more on weekends than during the week

Until you showed him Spy Wars he didn't have no idea that existed such good series

Of course not cooler than the legend he is but Daybreak jokes about how reading that and seeing your cool pops in action would make you half as good spy as he is someday

Quite sad is that your common sense along with the things you see on TV are enough to be better spy material

You try to watch it with him to see if he learns something

Unsure of what you'll be in the future but in the mean time you had fun watching cartoons and liking kids stuff like dinosaurs and skateboard

Current status: Busy with your first year at school and getting him out of trouble

[lilydalexf]

Thank you for the nice words! Here are some very good X-Files fics set fully or partly in New Orleans. Enjoy! At a Loss for Words by Karen Rasch Mulder and Scully head for the Big Easy for a little R & R. But things don’t work out precisely as they had planned. The ghost of a long dead courtesan feels that Scully would be the perfect host for her spirit. And Mulder needs to find a way past his own fears to save them both. [Part 7 of the Words series.] Divided We Fall by Dianora Scully becomes fed up with Mulder and the X-Files, and takes a leave of absence to work things through. Dominion by aka "Jake" "So what's in New Orleans, Mulder?" His slanting smile widened into an all-out, cat-who-ate-the-canary grin, producing a seldom seen dimple in his unshaved cheek. "The third in a series of decapitations, Scully. Ritualistic overtones." He waggled his eyebrows. "The heads are still missing." Every Sparrow Falling by Alloway Horror. Deadly birds, mysterious soldiers and abandoned carnivals lead Mulder and Scully to small-town America, where they discover that dwelling on the past can be a very dangerous thing. First Few Desperate Hours by @all-these-ghosts "He’s not sure the road that brought them here is on any map." On the road and in the shadows with Mulder & Scully. Gazebo by Mish Let's just say, it's post "all things", and it has smut. Go Be by Invisivellum Flickfic; Continuation (sorta) of the last scene between M & S; Third-person POV; Scully gets the opportunity to just “go be a doctor” for a while... Goin' Nowhere by Nicole Perry Mulder and Scully are on the run, pursued by common enemies and able to trust no one but each other. Will they find the truth they seek before it is too late? [Unfinished, but ends with some closure] Letters of Transit by Loch Ness It's 1999-- The Date has come and gone, the "Project" is underway and deadly bees have been unleashed on North America. With the world coming apart and people scrambling to get away from the swarm. Mulder faces fateful decisions about his own role in events to come-- and about Scully. Louisiana by Terma99 Moisture in the air and bath can lead to steam. New Orleans by Paula Mulder and Scully get stuck sharing a hotel room. No Quarter Given series by Mish She wants to feel alive. Partial Abandon by MoJo Scully takes a twelve hour break in the Big Easy with Mulder for some pure MSR. Reflections of the Unknown by Sophos Scully and Mulder investigate serial killers in New Orleans, and reflect upon their feelings for each other. [There is a sequel] She Walks at Night by @fragilevixenfic Mulder’s knack for getting himself and Scully into sticky situations leads them to the heart of NOLA at the tail end of Hurricane season after barely surviving a Floridian storm—to investigate a rumor of a notable Voodoo Queen and missing girls trying to bring her back. Skeleton by @lilydalexf A skeleton's talking, and Mulder and Scully are investigating. As far as casefiles go, this one is on the fluffy side since our agents are pretty busy paying attention to each other. Smoke on the Water by Miss Elise While on a case that takes them to Louisiana, Scully considers the men she has loved in her life. Solving the murder of Ophelia Washington will take all the strength Scully has. Split the Lark by @syntax6 Scully and Mulder deal with a traumatic event. Victim Soul by prufrock's love The case of a purported 'victim soul' - a comatose girl who suffers for and heals others - sends Mulder and Scully, still coming to terms with her cancer, to New Orleans. What Hands Do by Mish "And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand." I think that about covers it.

[laviexenrose]

honorhearted​:

That’s that.

Her words echoed like a nail pounding into a coffin, a wince tearing across Ben’s features as he drew a breath. A part of him wanted to argue – no, no, it’s not over, it can’t be, it’s not – but something held him back, keeping him silent as he watched the pain war across her face. There was a time for absolution, and this was assuredly not it. She needed the time to process, to think, to grieve, and it tore him up inside that he was the cause of that torment.

With a lump in his throat, Ben took a cautious step forward, seeking her eyes with his. “And by ‘no further involvement,’ you mean…with this case?” Or do you mean with me? 

For a long moment, they both stood there, neither moving and neither speaking. Finally, he ventured a soft, “Like I said, I am needed at the drop-off around 2:30. If you’re still willing to join me, then you’re more than willing to come along. And if not…” His voice trailed off and he steeled his shoulders. “Well…I have to ask you to come anyway, just in case you decide to try and warn your father.”

Without further preamble, Isabelle turned away from him and suddenly the door was in his face, shutting himself off from the one good thing in his life. 

Stupid…he was so stupid! Was he never meant to hold on to the ones he loved?

Irritably tightening the sash on his robe, the chill of the rain finally seeped into his bones, and Ben turned in order to sit and wait out the storm – both the one outside and the one within their very hearts.

Tentatively, her eyes met his. What else could she mean? “Yes.” Isabelle gently nodded along with her response to him. Then it dawned on her what Ben had asked without needing to utter another word. What was to become of them? She parted her lips to speak, but promptly closed her mouth, letting the thought fizzle out, much like their relationship, or lack thereof. Not right now. With her father’s fate hanging in the balance, Isabelle couldn’t afford thinking of much else… Even if she did, she wasn’t sure how to feel anymore. The dire situation with her father was a towering, brick wall between them, which wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so they would have to remain separated. What other choice was there?

…

Isabelle could hardly wait until it was time for them to leave for the drop-off. Time, unfortunately, was no respecter of anyone or thing, neither slowing down or speeding up, as much as she wanted it to. Her muddled thoughts would not allow her to read at peace and eventually, she gave up the activity altogether. Falling back against the mattress, she let her thoughts wander where she did not want…

Not even one week ago, they were rolling around in between the sheets, tangled up in each other’s arms, losing control and track of time. God, she felt like the biggest fool on Earth. She could forgive him, but how was she supposed to trust Ben ever again? Turning and curling up in a ball, Isabelle pressed her face into the bed and hid underneath a blanket. The rain pelted down against the window, no end in sight.

Finally, when the time came, she emerged from the bedroom, dressed in layers for warmth and having also thrown on a trench coat over the entire ensemble, ready for the ‘date’ that neither one of them wanted to be on, probably, at that point. Though the fear of the unknown was like a ball and chain to her ankle, making it difficult to move forward, she was also ready to get this over with. Regardless, time wasn’t going to wait for her to be fully mentally prepared of what they were about to do.

“I don’t think it’ll ever stop raining,” Isabelle mused, not really knowing what else to say to him. At least while they were still in each other’s company, she didn’t want to be completely silent around him.