#` ━ ✿ ⁞ (VISAGE.) // THE GIRL KNOWN BY EVERYONE AND NO ONE. ◞ :

[shomatoriashi]

08/24/24; 05:45pm

sung jinwoo x wallflower!fem.reader

[ the academy arc - 10 stages of love ]

{ i never met you, but i wanted to invite you to the party | and you walked in with those [...] eyes, never stolen by nobody… }

1 - first sight

the girls were being too loud again, you think to yourself, trying to focus on finishing your assignments for the day as you flipped through your notes and textbooks.

"god, he's really so dreamy!"

"i can't believe he's in our grade, but is already like, 6 feet tall!"

annoyance was felt coursing through your veins, and you swore that you felt a gentle ache beginning for form against your temple. it was currently lunchtime, and instead of enjoying lunch (or doing homework, like yours truly), these girls in your class decided to gawk at the track team from the windows. the more the girls in your class gushed over some guy, the more you quickly felt your patience running thin.

not wishing to cause a scene (or be even more hated), you slam your textbook shut, making sure the impact was heard echoing throughout the classroom as the girls let out a gasp in response. their hungry gaze looks away from the window, purposely turning their heads to glare at you.

"what's her problem?"

"honestly, if you keep acting like you have a stick up your ass, no one is going to like you."

you ignore their biting words, gathering your bags and notebooks together to head out of the classroom. feeling your strands of hair fall across your face, you blow against it, removing the annoying strands from your eyes.

being known as someone that's quiet and keeps to herself, if you had a superpower, then that superpower was to remain invisible to everyone. you were achingly...average. it seemed like you blended in with your surroundings unless you truly tried to draw attention to yourself. your grades weren't incredibly high, but you never failed any classes and just did enough to get by.

with you already finished with your lunch, you decided to spend the rest of your free time doing some homework so that you could relax when you came home. as you walked through the hallways, uproarious laughter catches your attention. with curiosity felt coursing through you, you step closer to the window, ignoring your reflection while pressing the palm of your hand against the cold glass.

several feet below you, you saw the track team finish their mock race, with some of the members laughing at the utterly exhausted boy that lay in the grass. amidst the teasing words, a single member remains silent, his smile gentle and kind as he got down to the boy's height and helps him up.

you take in the kind boy's features, lightly admiring his side profile and the way his ebony locks of hair fell so perfectly across his face. despite how he was the only one that wasn't laughing, you couldn't miss the amusement shining within his grey eyes and the way his full lips seemed to tilt slightly upwards in response to the whole situation.

as if drawn in by his features, you press yourself even closer to the glass, making the boy's expression shift when he suddenly meets your gaze. the eye contact lasted for a mere few seconds when you let out a soft squeak before landing on all fours against the linoleum floors. your heart was pounding, and you felt as though your mind was getting dizzy at the thought of such a perfect tall boy had noticed you enough to look at you.

feeling grateful that the halls were empty (for now), you crawl away from the window, making sure that your visage couldn't be seen by him-

yet oddly enough, you had a feeling that he had still noticed you.

2 - introduction

there was no way you could possibly go home when such pandemonium was occurring outside your school right now.

according to at least half of the female students, the track team was holding a competition with the rival school this afternoon, and everyone was eager to watch the ever so famous sung jinwoo in action.

after that embarrassing moment where jinwoo manages to meet your gaze, your stomach began to twist and fill with uncomfortable butterflies at the thought of his stormy, grey eyes meeting with yours again...

ah, but you digress.

here you are, someone who takes no interest in extracurricular activities, being forced to stay a few hours longer in school so as to avoid the crowd and being noticed by either your peers, or total strangers from a rival school. had your parents not been at work, you would have called either one of them to pick you up from school to free you from such an event.

knowing that you would need to wait it out for a few hours, you decide to go to the one place that brought you comfort: the library. with everyone outside, eagerly watching the track meet, you were gratefully alone, able to bask in this quiet sanctuary as you were surrounded by millions of stories printed on pages upon pages of books.

with your headphones settled comfortably within your ears, you listen to your favorite music on your phone, exploring each aisle of books with a casual hum while choosing a few books to read and pass time with.

holding the precious books within your hands, you go into the corner of the library, spreading out your chosen novels before picking one that had the most captivating cover. a tiny smile graces your features when you open the tome and began to read, immersing yourself within the story and your music.

you lose track of time with each turn of the page, your eyes completely focused on the printed words while imagining each scene within your mind. as you reached the climax of the story, a hand felt on your shoulder makes you gasp, your eyes going wide as you look back to see the track star himself staring back at you.

his hair was damp from the sweat, and you saw that he was dressed in his track uniform, donning your school's colors with his jacket. he meets your gaze in an unwavering manner, the sight of it all making your heart seem to lurch in response.

the same, tiny smile graces his features, and he takes a step back before introducing himself (as if you didn't know who he was already-)

"hey, sorry for startling you... my name's jinwoo, and it didn't feel right to leave you here when the school's about to close."

3 - interaction

his sudden appearance was enough to make your heart jump within the confines of your throat. feeling your cheeks heat up in embarrassment, you take off your headphones and really look at the time, eyes going wide when you realized that it was close to 8pm.

"shit, i didn't realize it had already gotten so late!" you take the books with you, carefully placing them within your bag as you slung it over your shoulder. you had every intention of making a mad dash home, yet it was jinwoo's large hand felt against your wrist that stops you from going forward.

"wait, it's too late for you to walk home by yourself. let me come with you."

your mind was spinning, and your eyes kept looking down at the spot where jinwoo held your wrist. "u-uhm, well, you probably live in the opposite direction, so it's okay! i can w-walk home by myself."

jinwoo scoff, now purposely sliding his grip toward the palm of your hand as he held it all while saying your name. "don't be ridiculous, you're a girl, and it's dangerous for girls to walk out so freely when it’s so late out."

the dizzy feelings refuses to cease, leaving you a stuttering mess when jinwoo casually leads you out of the school and into the fresh air. you shiver at how cold it had gotten, looking up at the night sky as you saw the stars twinkling back at you. he stops walking and takes in how goosebumps seem to appear across your arms from beneath the sleeve of your blouse, clicking his tongue while slowly shrugging off his jacket.

"here, put this on."

you blink up at him, giving him a questioning glance, yet still, he simply holds out his jacket for you to take. you murmur a quiet thank you, taking it from him as you zipped it up, feeling his lingering warmth surrounding you.

the next 20 minutes for you were spent in a bit of a haze, with jinwoo walking you back to your place with zero complaints. as you arrive at your front door, you were ready to take off jinwoo's jacket and return it back to him, but he holds out a hand to stop you.

"keep it, you can give it back to me some other time."

the heat was felt traveling down your neck, with you only managing to give jinwoo a nod as he walks away from you with a gait that was filled with confidence. you simply stood there, not moving until jinwoo was no longer seen.

only when you unlocked the door to your house did you realize something vital:

you had never told jinwoo your name before-

yet somehow, he still knew it.

4 - attraction

ever since that night he had walked you home, jinwoo seemed determined to become your friend, remaining ever so close to you when you least expected it.

despite being in different classes, jinwoo never seemed to care. he always made time to see you, and you could never say no to spending your lunchtimes with him. in fact, he worked wonders when it came to mitigating your loneliness.

currently, it was late in the afternoon. jinwoo didn't have any track practice today, and was able to spend some time in the library with you. as you both worked on your respective assignments, you and jinwoo end up sharing your headphones together, listening to your music as you snuck glances at jinwoo.

there was something strangely... intimate about listening to music together. for starters, since jinwoo was using the other half of your headphones, it automatically puts him in a position that was closer to you. because of his proximity, you caught the undertones of his minty cologne and an even closer look at his side profile-

a side profile that was, admittedly, utterly gorgeous.

hence why you kept sneaking glances at him.

after you finished answering a question, you decide to look back at him-

only to see jinwoo casually meeting your gaze as well.

not expecting it, you let out a tiny squeak in surprise, feeling the heat rushing to your cheeks as you coughed, trying to pretend that you were not looking at your best friend and taking note of how attractive he was.

his rich chuckle fills at the air, yet he makes it worse when he casually says, "what? see something that you like?"

jinwoo's teasing question makes the heat seem to deepen against your skin, as you struggled to come up with a plausible excuse.

5 - date

"i'm not going to play games with you." jinwoo suddenly says, walking up to you in a bit of an arrogant and haughty manner as he traps you against the row of lockers.

"w-what? what are you talking about, jinwoo?" you held your notebooks close to your chest, making jinwoo chuckle before shaking his head.

"i'm trying to tell you that i like you, and i won't let you say no or reject me, since i know you feel the same way about me."

blood was felt rushing to your ears, blocking out the resounding gasps coming from the girls in your class.

"you can't be serious!"

jinwoo scoffs, ignoring the girls as he was truly focused on you alone. taking a hold of your hand, he leaves the classroom and takes you to a more secluded area. your mind was unable to comprehend what was going on, repeating jinwoo's confession over and over again, seeming to play the memory in an endless loop.

was he playing a prank on you? had he been set up by one of the popular upperclassmen? were you just some bet-

the sensation of the fresh air hitting at your senses finally breaks you out of your fervent reveries, with you looking up at jinwoo as he pins you against one of the walls. you were dimly aware of how you were both on the rooftop of the school, with jinwoo's eyes seeming to flash a glowing purple briefly before morphing back to his usual grey eyes.

"i really like you... and i wish to be with you." jinwoo confesses to you once more, taking a hold of your hand before placing a kiss at the back of it, "so please, say that you'll give us a chance."

at the end of it all, you could only manage to give him a nod-

yet you swore that his smile would forever be burned into your memories.

6 - holding hands

jinwoo had taken you to a nearby amusement park for your first date-

and never once did he let go of your hand.

when he asks you what rides you would like to go on, you tell him with a shy grin, "every single one of them, if at all possible."

never one to deny you, jinwoo actually spends a little extra money on your respective tickets, giving you both a free pass to the front of the line for all the rides. you had spent some time in amusement parks before with your family, but always had to spend a good chunk of your time waiting in line.

now, however, you could skip the long waits altogether and was able to bask in all the rides. it didn't matter if you and jinwoo rode the carousel or a fast paced rollercoaster-

jinwoo still held on to your hand each time, making sure to sit beside you at every chance possible.

with the sun beginning to set, jinwoo takes you out to lunch, letting you enjoy all of your favorite foods. as you bit into a corndog, jinwoo simply smiles at you while taking sips of his soda.

even when your hands were preoccupied with food and couldn't be held by jinwoo, he still made it his life's mission to remain close to you, choosing instead to use his legs to reach out and gently caress at your calves and ankle, the intimacy of it all making you shiver. you tried to play it cool, only to have jinwoo laugh at your poor attempts of keeping your composure.

7 - first kiss

the sun had long set, and you had spent nearly the entire day at the amusement park. still holding hands with jinwoo, he asks what ride you would like to finish the day with, and you could feel the embarrassment creeping up your neck.

"w-well... i've always wanted to ride the f-ferris wheel and enjoy the night sky with s-someone special. y-you know?"

a knowing smile graces jinwoo's handsome features when he interlocks his fingertips with yours, pulling you along before leading you to the ginormous ferris wheel. cutting toward the front of the line, jinwoo flashes his special ticket, allowing you both to get on first.

with you safely tucked against jinwoo's side, the door closes, and you feel the way the cart moves, making its steady ascent while giving you the perfect view of the amusement park. all the lights seemed to sparkle like gemstones from this height, and it was difficult to hide the pure amount of joy you felt.

your giggles echo throughout the cart, with jinwoo softly saying your name. you focus on jinwoo once more, grinning widely at him when you feel him suddenly lean forward to capture your lips in a sweet kiss.

the kiss was a chaste one, with only the sensation of his slightly chapped lips meeting with yours-

but it was still oh so perfect, with you closing your eyes as you pressed yourself even closer to him in hopes of deepening the kiss. with jinwoo's lips perfectly slotted against yours, you forgot all about the gorgeous scenery, completely and utterly focused on the boy who was slowly stealing your heart...

8 - relationship

you didn't think it was possible to feel such a powerful connection with another human being-

yet against all odds, fate had given you just that. ever since your first interaction with jinwoo, the seemingly perfect boy remains vigilant when it came to staying by your side.

your relationship had some bumps here and there, mainly coming from those who became envious of what you had with jinwoo, yet without fail, he would shield you from those hateful gazes and take you within his embrace, always promising to protect you even when things got tough.

somehow, jinwoo broke through all of your walls and made a secure spot within the depths of your heart, one that could only be filled by him as you found yourself constantly daydreaming about the future with him.

sung jinwoo had given you hope and a new reason to find beauty in life again-

and you wouldn't have it any other way.

9 - love

despite being with him for nearly a year, never once were you brave enough to come clean about your feelings for him.

what you felt for him wasn't as simple as just being love for him-

it felt so much stronger than that.

jinwoo fit you in every way possible-

he was like your other half-

your missing puzzle piece.

you had read about romance and the concepts of soulmates before, but never once had you believed in it until now.

you knew that love felt like an almost meaningless word with how much it was carelessly thrown around-

yet at the same time, it was the only word that you could use to properly convey your feelings for him.

as you were settled in bed with him, with his arms wrapped around you, keeping you cozy and warm despite the storm that was brewing outside, you found that you couldn't focus on the movie that was playing on his laptop. your emotions were running haywire, and the memories you shared with him were making you realize how important jinwoo was to you-

that there was no way you could live without him now.

with these thoughts swirling within your head, you clenched your eyes shut and decided to finally tell him. "jinwoo, i love you."

the change was immediate, with your heart seeming to plummet within the depths of your stomach at how strangely silent jinwoo became. tears were felt welling up within your eyes when he pauses the movie all while softly calling out your name.

your sniffles echo throughout his room, and you were ready to apologize to him when jinwoo faces you, his handsome features turned up in a smile that made your breathing hitch.

"those better be tears of joy, jagiya." he softly coos at you, using the pad of his thumb to gently trace at your bottom lip, "there's no need to cry because i love you, too... so fucking much."

jinwoo ends up swallowing your gasps with another searing kiss, refusing to move away from you for even a second as he presses himself even closer to you, becoming a tangle of limbs as he continues to kiss you passionately against his bed.

10 - commitment

your alarm was heard going off right at 5am, and despite how you still felt so exhausted, you knew you had to get out of bed.

your back aches with the sudden weight felt against your abdomen, and you quickly head to the bathroom to relieve yourself all while doing your usual morning routine. with your teeth brushed and your face freshly washed, you head into the kitchen to start making breakfast for your husband.

getting out all of the ingredients from the fridge, you settle them against the counter while switching on the light. you began with cooking the rice, then making some scrambled eggs while frying up some breakfast sausages. in the midst of your cooking, you felt a powerful presence coming from behind you.

you smile all while using your spatula to cook your eggs. jinwoo lets out a yawn before placing the palm of his hands against your swollen stomach, being evidence of the way you were carrying his and yours first child.

"how are my loves doing this morning?" you giggle upon feeling him press a kiss against the side of your neck. "no fair, your daughter and i wanted to surprise you before you headed to work for the day."

"oh? i'm so lucky, being so spoiled by my beloved wife and daughter."

you hum, shutting off the stove so that you could give jinwoo your full, undivided attention. he smiles down at you, looking as handsome as ever even in his adulthood. his hair had gotten slightly longer, appearing a bit wavy with his locks seeming to perfectly frame at his face.

unable to stop yourself, you lean up at the same time jinwoo leans down, your lips meeting with his in yet another kiss that takes your very breath away. not even caring about making breakfast anymore, you continue to bask in his sweet kisses, feeling his smile against your lips when he suddenly picks you up and holds you within his embrace.

you would never tire of your husband spoiling you with his affections, feeling like you were on top of the world the moment you caught sight of your matching wedding bands glimmering beneath the light.

end notes: i've always wanted to write a 10 stages of love story for jinwoo, and i'm so happy i was able to accomplish it today! i've been in such a writing block for the hubby, and i'm incredibly proud at how this turned out 🥹 it's currently unedited, but i'll make any necessary changes once this is posted!

all stories are written by rei; please do not repost, plagiarize, or translate my works!!

[cheezritsu]

Reo Mikage is looking down at you. He has a smile meant to be charming, a smile that belongs to a prince, and it’s aimed at you. You narrow your eyes suspiciously.

“Yes?” You say, presumptuously. The charming smile doesn’t falter.

“I didn’t know I needed something just to talk to you. Is there a line? Do I need a number?” He looks around facetiously but still good natured. Like you’re in on the joke. Like you’re friends.

Reo Mikage is in your class. He’s rich—stupid, filthy rich, so he can afford to be smart. You cannot afford to be dumb. Funny how that works. You doubt this has ever occurred to him.

What has probably also not occurred to Reo Mikage is that he is the last person who should approaching you. There’s eyes peering around every corner at the once secluded interaction. Girls whispering in gaggles, boys who climbed over each other on the picnic benches, even the people that Reo left behind at his lunch table have now circled behind him, watching as he shone his benevolent smile down upon you, a lowly commoner of Hakuho high.

They’re not entranced because it’s Reo, they’re entranced because it’s you. There are two universally known facts about you: one, you hate rich people and two, you hate boys.

And now, in the goddamn quad in broad daylight the living, breathing center of that cursed venn diagram decided to speak to you like you were friends.

“Bro, what?”

Oh, did you say that out loud? Laughter echoes through the quad. His smile does slip now, wavering as it pulls down into uncertainty. His brow furrows.

“I’m sorry?”

“What do you need?”

“Like I said,” his tone isn’t as sweet now. It’s kinda nice that he’s dropping the prince act a little. “Does someone need a reason to just talk to you?”

“I think everyone does? People don’t really just talk to hear themselves talk. Well,” you give him a judgemental once over. “You actually might.”

A ripple of shock takes the makeshift audience. Reo’s face creases even further, annoyance settling in the cracks of his once perfect visage.

You have no trouble admitting that; Reo has hair and eyes like the pansies the school still has planted in the front gates. His tresses look petal soft, too, and his hands are probably the same way. Smooth from knowing nothing of hard work. Long lashes like boys are blessed to have, lips people want smiling in their direction or saying their name. That’s the problem with Reo Mikage; he’s like the boys in the books you read cover to cover. Perfect and pretty, with no use in the outside world. No use in your world, where you live. You could confidently and stupidly use frilly language to describe him because he was as good as fiction to you.

But, you could admit this frustrated flesh and blood expression did wonders on your brain.

“You’re awfully judgmental.”

Your eyes fall the to words below you. “That tends to happen when you’re judged in the first place.”

This is the moment it happens. Something flickers across your face and Reo, who is making your space his business, sees it. A deep, deep anxiety. Sadness he can’t measure.

You snap your book closed, and it releases you both from that moment. You look up again with ferocity. “What do you want, Reo Mikage?”

He doesn’t even know. His friends behind him are snickering at his failure, a failure you’re aware of but shouldn’t be. Can’t be. You’re weren’t even close to ear shot. He was supposed to come over here and charm you, to pacify you as a way to pacify his own boredom, and that just didn’t happen.

Your defiant eyes travel around the quad at the onlookers who know that Reo Mikage was struck speechless by some no name girl in their class and something stutters in his chest.

He’s proud? Yeah, he’s proud of you. He knew you were quiet and generally avoidant, so to hear you spit back words at him made him giddy.

Finally, someone has guts.

The bell chimes and there’s a palpable disappointment. You keep staring him down, waiting for him to move. Reo straightens up, scratching the back of his head.

“Guess we better head in, huh?”

“I guess you should.”

The way you get up is strangely animated to him. You jump up into a crouch, then straighten your legs until you reach your full height. He’s still taller, but you feel bigger. Like you take up more space than him.

You walk right by him. You tense when you’re shoulder to shoulder, and stay that way as you disappear into the building.

“What a bitch,” one of his buddies mumbles, the snickers bouncing around his little group like an echo. Reo turns his head sharply.

Takahashi’s eyes are wide like saucers as an actual glare is pointed at him. “And why would you say that?”

“Uh,” he stutters. “B-because she was rude?”

“So that makes her a bitch?”

“Yes?”

Reo scoffs. “And men who call women bitches for no reason, what do you call them?”

There’s a terse silence that befalls the group as Reo marches back into class. They don’t follow. Instead of an army of footsteps, all Reo can hear is his solitary shoes clicking further away from the scene.

Only stragglers are left in the hallways. Sometimes when he’s walking to the football club after class duties, it’s this quiet around the school, but he’s never really noticed. He’s always too busy talking to someone, or on the phone, or humming contentedly with daydreams in his head.

The black and white color scheme is so sterile. Trophies line this hallway, along with staff photos and class reps for this school year. Class 1-4’s reps were a pair of honor students, a boy and a girl who nearly had the same bangs. They smiled prettily back at Reo as he stepped closer to inspect the bulletin board.

He barely knew their names. He had been chosen as class rep, but declined because of football. Not enough time, couldn’t rise to the occasion like he should have. “Mikages don’t half ass anything. They excel at everything.”

Reo hadn’t even run as rep. Didn’t even raise his hand before everyone decided it should be him. He remembered the count being near unanimous on the boys side. Save for two votes.

One was the guy who ended up being rep. Reo cocks his head at the photo: Tadashi Morimoto. He has a flipoy middle part like Reo, but with more texture. Brown hair and eyes. Handsome, but typically so. A good rep.

You were the other vote against him.

Reo puffs out his chest. Perhaps you are judgemental, but the good kind. Maybe he should trust you, because your judgments prove right. Maybe Reo could learn from you.

He thinks he already has.

[theyonagoda]

The Terror characters (who are historically connected to Australia in one way or another) as marsupials.

John Franklin was the governer of Tansmania, a job that he wasn't particularly good at. (un)fun fact: I think everyone deserves to know the story of Mathinna, a young indigenous girl adopted by the Franklins in an attempt to "civilize" her, who was abandoned and died young after they left. In the show, his visage reminds me quite a lot of the northern hairy-nosed wombat.

John Irving tried to start a business raising sheep with his brother in Australia. He was robbed, almost died of dysentary, lost a ton of money, and went back to the Navy in shame. Fun fact: A piece of his cutlery was found with William Wentzell's initials carved onto them- implying that he was amongst the the deceased officers whose things were re-distributed amongst the men. He's a spotted-tailed quoll to me.

Graham Gore's father, John Gore, was a prolific explorer who circumnavigated the globe twice and participated in the Terra Australis expedition, later becoming one of the first British settlers on the continent. He was also the first person to shoot A. a person of Maori descent and B. a kangaroo. Most of Graham's family moved to Australia by the time he was a young man. Graham's squarishness reminds me of the extinct thylacoleo- also known as the pouch lion.

Bonus Round:

I've heard some information spread about Alfred Gibson, a man reported to be William Gibson's brother, who died in Ernest Giles's expedition in Australia in the 1870s. The Gibson desert was named after him. "Alf," as he called himself, was born in was born in 1851 and was almost certainly not related to our Billy. Nontheless, I'll bite and designate Billy a marsupial- the numbat! A rat-like, termite-eating, thin-snouted little dude.

[distortsverity]

hc : dumbest, most unnecessary 1v1 ever.

The Galactic Boss doesn't see her coming until it's too late.

He should’ve realized something was off when she abruptly stopped screaming out commands to her team, every last member freed from their Pokeball and locked in combat against his own. Should’ve known to keep an eye on her, too, instead of concentrating wholly on the numerous battles happening around them, their respective Pokemon weaving and blasting through the floating earth platforms in hot pursuit of one another.

But of the many, many things he can be faulted for, that is not really one of them. Who could’ve predicted that Hikari, located below on a separate platform, would lose her goddamn mind and island-hop her way over to him, just to start her own fight with the twenty-seven-year-old man.

So she takes him by complete surprise, drawing first blood. Cyrus’s head snaps back upon impact, and Hikari promptly finds a little satisfaction in this shitshow he dragged her into.

She also discovers firsthand that socking people in the face hurts ( less than being on the receiving end, sure, but it isn’t as easy as Sumomo made it out to be ). Nonetheless, she has no regrets, no intentions of backing off now. Keep the momentum going. One solid hit isn’t enough.

Cyrus must fall down and stay down ( clutching tightly onto an empty Master Ball, Hikari swings her other hand up and bashes the capsule against the side of his head ).

She wouldn’t consider herself a bloodthirsty person, but as she proceeds to slam her full weight into him — as the two arch-nemeses tumble to the hard ground together — Hikari laments that she didn’t get to feel his nose crunch under her fist.

This is his fault. All of it. The Renegade has awakened, everyone is going to die, all the lights in the sky will be snuffed out, and it’s all his fault. She is here and not home, she will never go home, there will be no more home, and it’s all his fault. The void is her and her Pokemon’s final resting place ( why couldn’t they wait to be wiped from existence in the company of their friends and family back home? enjoy their final moments surrounded by warmth and love rather than this unworldly chill? ), and it’s all his fault.

She has never felt so small and terrified and helpless in her life, up until today, and it’s all his fault.

Hikari will pass with many regrets, but at least she’ll have bloodied the worst person to ever live on her way out, with her own hands. If she ends up beating him to death, well . . . that’ll be his fault, too.

Cyrus recovers surprisingly quickly from the shock of being struck in the head and body-slammed ( the shock of being assaulted by a young girl who’d been standing on another rock mere seconds earlier ) . . . But not quick enough. He’s on the ground now with his aspiring killer right on top of him. Her fingers eagerly curl into his hair, hastily seizing a fistful of blue. The Galactic Boss snaps out of his daze just in time, with only enough time, to register the Master Ball already bearing down between his eyes.

THWACK. ❝ FUCK. ❞ THWACK. ❝ YOU! ❞ THWACK.

Two years after their first meeting on the shores of Verity, Hikari discovers that he can fully feel, that he can indeed properly express.

She sees emotion take to his battered visage in between her attempts to cave it in further —- intense, authentic, unmistakable emotion —- and she thinks it is ugly. Cracked, pale lips twisted in a bloodstained snarl. Wide, dull-gray eyes glaring daggers into her soul, lit up with pure rage and not a sliver of fear. Looking undeniably at the girl, for once, not past her. Looking up to meet her equally-hateful gaze, not down.

Maybe those emotions have long been present deep inside --- maybe he was already seething when Hikari's Pokemon steadily gained the upper hand against his, again --- but seeing them so up-close and personal proves to her that they exist. His spirit, his “ flawed and incomplete ” spirit is more real than she ever imagined. That’s okay, Cyrus, she would be all too happy to expel it from your body for free.

❝ YOU --- ! ❞ Hikari doesn’t get to hit him again. His right hand shoots up towards her wrist, stopping the capsule mere inches above his face, and she can’t even begin to process that before his left smashes into her head like a brick.

Though Cyrus is a grown man, it still pisses her off that he can hit so much harder than she can.

It hurts.

His unexpected retaliation, the sudden wave of pain through her jaw catches her off-guard and sends stars flashing across her vision. In that split second that Hikari’s mind blanks out —- like it can’t fathom what he did to her and why he’s still alive and fighting —- her grip on his hair loosens just enough. Cyrus lets go of her wrist in return, wasting no time to throw her off violently to the side.

Hikari hits the dirt with an involuntary whimper. His punch did some serious damage, she knows that ( she can feel it, taste it, the metallic tang of blood ), and yet . . . all she can think about, all she really cares about is throwing herself back at Cyrus and punishing him for his audacity.

“ I WON'T LOSE! ” he roars, spite and wrath driving him back onto his feet. “ Not to you! Not to Giratina! Not in any worthless world! ”

❝ SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP! I’LL RIP YOUR TONGUE OUT TOO, MOTHERFUCKER! ❞

Scrambling back up as fast as she can, Hikari pays no mind to either the dropped Master Ball or the blood pooling in her mouth and trickling down from her nose. Shit, is there a dislodged tooth? She notices Cyrus taking several steps back to create some distance between them, as though he is daring her to try again, to charge straight at him like a rampaging Tauros would, “ C’mon I’m waiting for you ” ( of course she won’t be able to ambush him a second time, facing him head-on will only end badly for her but how could she ignore the burning need to strangle that sack of shit ).

She turns her head and spits out a gob of dark red, bracing herself for more action. In the end, sadly, she doesn’t get to take the bait. Through the haze of blinding fury, Hikari barely perceives the sound of footsteps running up from behind her, a woman’s frantic shouts rippling through the dead air . . . and then the feeling of someone's arms wrapping around her torso, keeping her grounded, locked in place, far away from Cyrus. A frustrated scream instantly tears its way out of her throat. She almost turns her anger on the interloper, ready to thrash about and grab and claw at whatever she can reach in a desperate bid to escape —-

Until Cynthia’s voice finally breaks through to her. “ STOP FIGHTING, HIKARI! ” Until her pleas are no longer drowned out by the thundering of her heart in her eardrums.

❝ NO!!! I’M GONNA KILL HI — ❞

“ You won! Your Pokemon just won! We have to —- Please let him go for now! ” ( He isn’t the top priority in this hellscape ). With how firmly the woman is holding onto her, refusing to budge one bit despite Hikari’s flailing, it is not really a request.

Just like that, against her sincere wishes, it’s over as abruptly as it began. An anticlimactic finish. The moment Hikari realizes the futility in struggling, she feels the fight begin to leave her body, little by little, slowly but surely, and the onset of exhaustion creeping up on her ( though her rage refuses to simmer down ). Trapped by the Champion’s warm embrace while her wounded, yet victorious Pokemon make their way back to the rock, she’s aware of herself steadily unraveling at the seams, powerless to stop it because she’s feeling so much so intensely but all she can do now is stand there —-

Why is this happening to her? Goddamn you Cynthia, you’re preventing her from channelling her emotions, her fear and her grief and her anger into violent decisive action so how else is she supposed to cope DO YOU WANT TO SEE HER CRY WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON

And so, with a choked gasp, the dams all come crumbling down ( the child finally accepts that she has failed, and starts to weep in bitter resignation ). ❝ Oh, fuck off, Cynthia, ❞ she forces out through shuddering breaths. ❝ Just. Fuck off. ❞

Whatever words left Cynthia’s mouth in response to that ( or maybe they were meant for Cyrus instead, because his lips move too ), Hikari doesn’t quite listen this time.

No other choice but to let those angry tears fall unimpeded, her face already wet enough with her own blood ( can’t even muster the strength to scrub them away ). Nothing to do except allow the enemy to withdraw from what should’ve been his gravesite. She can only watch helplessly as Cyrus turns his back to them and recalls his team —- already composing himself like he wasn’t scuffling with Hikari just moments ago —- before quietly leaving to parts unknown.

So close. So damn close.

Lucky bastard.

( Hikari and Cynthia will see him one more time, in the aftermath of the Renegade’s pacification, and then never again ).

[stone-stars]

can i ask about songs associated with irina? :o

absolutely! actually fun fact i have a playlist of instrumentals associated with irina (at least the ones we have access to as songs), bc it's such a good collection.

a real quick list of almost every song that gets used for/relating to irina, and then i'll talk about some of them, bc irina's "main" songs have some pairings within them, or at least connections--

frequent/"major": a memory, gunvar, irina (obviously), haunting visages, the gunslinger's girl and the prodigal sister, broken heart banshee and young love

others: alone, a fate refused, hospitable, gutless, kingshammer, demigod, a friend for life

[han from finishing writing this post edit: it got kind of long so i'm putting the rest under the cut]

first: she gets pretty much all of the sadie bellwater songs: first gunvar (many times, but first when fia is telling hank+zirk about their childhood, more on gunvar in a sec), then young love (for fia learning cerenysus = irina), and finally broken heart banshee (for her+fia reconciling at the end of the finale). i'm calling out the order here because it's the opposite of those songs getting introduced for sadie! which i think is interesting. sadie gets bhb for her as the broken heart banshee, then young love for her crypt, then gunvar when she finally rests.

which, aside from the musical meanings of the individual songs i think draws some interesting parallels between sadie and irina. specifically with like, sadie's change from the broken heart banshee to just being... well, sadie. and irina's change from being known as fia's childhood friend to cerenysus, the daughter of the trickster. you almost have like gunvar (humanity, it's a song about love and loss) -> young love -> bhb ("monster" song) as a scale, with young love especially working to tie their mortal lovers to them (sewastian and fia respectively).

but, musically-- like i mentioned, bhb and young love are only used once each for irina: young love is the cerenysus = irina reveal and bhb is her and fia at the end of their fight in the finale. the more prominent one is gunvar. gunvar is... well, it's an irina song in that it's a song about fia losing irina (and bukvar). it's: fia telling the third mates about her and irina's childhood, fia after bukvar is taken questioning irina's life vs everyone, irina and fia talking about bukvar in ep40 and irina saying she has him tucked away, and, finally, fia telling henry to kill irina.

second: she gets the good old marabelle combo-- the gunslinger's girl (for irina showing fia a flashback to her destroying their hometown, and for cerenysus/alette being betrayed by og!henry) and the prodigal sister (for fia first seeing her in the dream, and for fia introducing her to the third mates).

prodigal sister for irina is just... ow. it's for her coming home-- to fia. and gunslinger's ties in perfectly as a pair to it, especially given the original context of gunslinger's as cobb walking the boobs through his and marabelle's history and the betrayals involved in it.

(fun side note, irina (the song) and prodigal sister have a very similar set of opening notes)

a memory and haunting visages serve a similar purpose-- they're kind of the more dire irina songs and the songs for fia+the third mates uncovering information about her and the dangers she may be facing. the two songs have kind of similar themes anyway (with a memory being the song for the memories of betrayal/parties falling apart from the thiala fight, and haunting visages being the betrayal of the blades at the temple of the guardians) they're a good consistent pair of songs for her, and haunting visages is the song for fia incapacitating irina in the finale. to me the specific difference is... a memory is mostly tied to the more "human" side of irina/cerenysus, the side connected to fia, and haunting visages is tied to the more "trickster" side, and the things that keep fia and irina apart. which is interesting.

and finally, of course, irina's theme. it's introduced in ep23 as fia describes and then tries to scry on irina, and isn't actually used that much (6 times total) but there's this really choice thing that murph/em do with this song where. it comes in a moment before she does. as in-- in episode 32, when fia and glorg are talking, the song "irina" comes in when it's clear that irina is being talked about, but before it's confirmed. in episode 40, "irina" starts playing when sienna asks fia if she can feel irina arriving, and then she arrives. it's just a few seconds before in each case but i think it's a really cool way to use the song. (also irina's theme is the song that plays both times fia and irina kiss)

so yeah ! that's irina!

(and, i'm not gonna get into them all, but Some notes on the one-offs -- "demigod" is the song for irina attacking henry to take his death saves, and is the first piece of combat music irina specifically gets, almost an hour into that fight. it's the moment she crosses the line for fia. before that, the fight is almost entirely silent on that side, aside from a brief sting for the living blade of disaster being summoned. also, irina gets "a friend for life" when the third mates say they're her friends in ep40. i just think it's sweet. she's a part of them now!)

[filthy-reckless-rp]

♛ Spotted on the Upper East Side…

Name: Adrian Vanderbilt Pronouns: He/Him Age: 45 years old Hometown: Upper East Side, NY Occupation: Judge Social Status: Insider Faceclaim: Mads Mikkelsen

Who Is Adrian?

“Vincit Omnia Veritas.”

Did a chill just go up everyone's spine or did you, Adrian Vanderbilt, just walk into the room? With a formidable reputation in the courtroom, many would be right to fear and respect you. You're dedication to the truth is admirable and threatening. With sharp wits, extensive knowledge and a tenacity that only a Vanderbilt could possess, there's no one that can stand in your way. Before truth, your family has always been your top priority. You have a lot to be proud of, right? And a lot to protect. You just want your wife and children to be happy, loved. You would never stand in the way of that or let anyone else for that matter. Even me? We'll see. XOXO ---Gossip Girl

A Little Extra

Adrian Vanderbilt is a distinguished judge serving on the Higher Court of America, known for his sharp intellect, unwavering commitment to justice, and an unrelenting dedication to upholding the rule of law. With decades of legal experience under his belt, Adrian has earned a reputation as a formidable figure in the courtroom, his decisions marked by both their fairness and meticulous attention to detail. His legal opinions are often cited for their clarity and depth, reflecting his profound understanding of the complexities of American jurisprudence. However, outside the courtroom, Adrian’s stern demeanor has become something of a legend in its own right. He possesses what many describe as a "resting bitch face," an intimidating expression that seems to convey disapproval or displeasure even in moments of complete neutrality. This has led to a general air of unease among colleagues, acquaintances, and even those who encounter him casually—most find themselves instinctively straightening up or falling silent in his presence. Yet, behind this formidable exterior lies a devoted family man. At home, Adrian is a doting father to his children and a loving husband to his wife, the only people who see the softer side of him. With them, his stern visage melts away, revealing a man who is warm, compassionate, and deeply invested in the happiness and well-being of his family. He is the father who never missed a school event, the husband who remembers every anniversary, and the man who once read bedtime stories with surprising tenderness. To his family, he is simply "Dad" or "Adrian," far removed from the fearsome judge the world sees. Adrian Vanderbilt’s life is a balancing act between his demanding career and his cherished family, embodying both the sternness required of a judge and the gentleness that comes with being a loving father and husband.

What Does Gossip Girl Have On Them?

He was married before he married Josephine Vanderbilt. He doesn't know but he also has a child with this woman - who rather not have them in contact with one another.

Connections

Peter, Nick and Chris Vanderbilt - Adrian's children who he is extremely proud of and loves dearly. They are his pride and joy, even if that's not always apparent.

Tripp and Juliette Vanderbilt - Adrian's nephew and niece. Adrian's especially proud to see Juliette starting her journey to becoming a lawyer.

Nate Archibald - when Anne Vanderbilt, Adrian's sister, married Howard Archibald... He wasn't so sure about him. In the end, his instincts were right. But he loves Nate, Nate's family.

[beamattack]

Hi omg i love your loz idea so so much they live in my head rent free for real!! I have a question tho; what happened to my girl hylia?? Like you said the faceless statue in the village might have crumbled or been destroyed somehow but is that the ONLY statue there is? Are there others? Are they also destroyed somehow? Has the whole concept of the godess hylia faded from hylian memory??

Also as someone who lives in the arctic sircle you got the vibes perfect btw!! Love the frozen wasteland it is my natural habitat ^_^

Thank you so much!! :^D I'm glad you like it, and that you like the vibes! I don't live in the arctic circle but i do live pretty close to it, so we usually get quite cold snowy winters as well!! I love snowy landscapes, they can be more beautiful & have more variety than many might think!!

As for if the concept of Hylia have disappeared from hylian memory - both yes & no! Just as with Din, Nayru & Farore, whose names have been lost to history and are now just known as ”The Three” or ”The Creators”, Hylia's name and visage has been forgotten & warped over time. The statue of the Faceless is the only one known by the villagers, so for them it's normal that that's just the way she looks. There are stories about both her and The Three that have survived and transformed over time - about how after The Three created the world, The Faceless brought down people from the heavens to live on it, and about how the Faceless herself battled an unspeakable evil but had to retreat to the heavens after she had sealed it away, as her wounds were severe. This period in Hyrule is almost exclusively reliant on oral tradition & retellings to tell history, so stories change naturally over time (only Zelda, Impa and a few others can read & write since it's important for the work they do! And no, Link can't 👍).

So in the end, it IS still Hylia that the villagers pray and ask for guidance to, even if it's by another name, but much about her have been forgotten and retold over many, many years.

There is one other statue of the Faceless that can be found out in the middle of nowhere, but just as the one in Link & Zelda's village, its face/head has been destroyed in some way. As for why both statues are like that, I like to keep that to everyone's own interpretations :^) If this really WAS a game there never would be an answer for it in-game either, haha!

(loz idea masterpost)

[valeriethornton]

#VALERIETHORNTON: It feels good to be known so well, I can't hide from you like I hide from myself.

connections  pinterest  playlist  musings visage

BASICS

full name: valerie judith thornton

nickname: val, baby thornton (only to those who've known her since childhood)

age/date of birth: 30 / july 30th, 1994

zodiac sign: leo ☼ gemini ☾ virgo ↑

gender identity: cis woman (she/her)

hometown: los angeles, california

current location: wilmington, nc

neighborhood: masonboro

time in town: five years

sexual orientation: bisexual

occupation: law

PERSONALITY

labels: the bon vivant, the polymath, the atelophobic, the double-edged sword

pos traits: passionate, affable, meticulous, affluent, curious, cultured

neg traits: domineering, overcritical, machiavellian, overwrought,

fears: fear of not being enough, moths

hobbies: reading, crocheting, diy projects, traveling, equestrian sports

languages spoken: english, french, latin, swedish

instruments played: piano & violin

favorite color: emerald green, any variation of pink, sky blue

favorite food: french cuisine

allergies: n/a

APPEARANCE

height: 5'6

distinguished characteristics: n/a

tattoos: none

piercings: ears

right or left-handed?: right-handed

RELATIONSHIPS

parents: amelia thornton (nee: langham, retired actress), eugene thornton (lawyer, heir)

sibling(s): two older "siblings" (tbd)

spouse: tbd

pet(s): a british longhair cat named freyja

other family members: tbd

BIOGRAPHY

tw: illness mention

Not every love story starts with sparks. Amelia Warner (a B+ Hollywood actress at the time) met Frederick Thornton (a lawyer and heir) on a charity auction in Los Angeles, organized by one of Amelia's many well-renowned friends. Frederick was instantly infatuated by Amelia, outbetting her in each and every item of the night, much to her annoyance, only to send every item to her house the very next week, requesting a date.

For months she denied him, finding his approach distasteful and abrasive. It was only after yet another failed highly mediating relationship with a co-star that Amelia decided that a date couldn't hurt.

From then on, the two couldn't stay apart. From dinner on their very first night together to staying all night in Frederick's hotel to traveling the next day to Paris for a week to returning to California for her very first red carpet as the lead in a movie— they spent the next months glued to the hip, ultimately getting married 6 months after the charity event, giving birth to their first child a year later and their second, two years after that.

Valerie was born on a hot, chaotic August night. The hospital was strangely packed, personnel overworked and overtired, so when a nurse (after a 20+ hour shift) dropped the name tags of two babies that had been born almost at the same exact time next to each-other, no one batted an eye. It was easily fixed, no repercussions whatsoever and the babies were brought back to their parents. She had a wonderful childhood surrounded by a loving family who always encouraged her to be the best version of herself and sure enough, Valerie used all her drive to be what she thought she needed to be, perfect in every sense of the word. The school was her kingdom, not only was she an honor roll student but she happened to be liked enough to be considered one of the popular kids, the life every little girl dreams of and every movie teaches to aspire to, reason why her own sense of disconnection from everything and everyone that cemented on the pit of her stomach from a very young age, was always an strange concept to her.  Although all her life Valerie felt like she didn’t belong anywhere, the young woman played the part she imposed on herself with ease. She continued living the picture-perfect life her parents facilitated her with from birth, living life as she was supposed to: straight A’s , enough extra curriculars to keep her mind occupied, a healthy social life, comunity service and enough time to pass with her family— promising young woman was the first phrase anyone who got to spend some time with Val associated with her . 

Upon graduation she applied to various universities and ultimately got accepted into almost every choice she made, choosing Stanford as her alma mater and law as her line of studies, per her famiy request.

Law had never been a subject of interest to her before, but nothing else had either and knowing how much it meant for his father to have someone in the family following his steps, Valerie knew she had nothing to lose and slowly but surely, began falling in love with the career and even began envisioning a life as a high profile lawyer.

Harvard Law came soon after graduation and it was during her time in Massachusetts that she met who would ultimately become her partner. She fell quick and hard and following her parents steps, Valerie got married in a lavished and grand ceremony not even a year upon meeting.

Once her studies were done, Valerie and her spouse decided to settle down in Wilmington, Val's partner's hometown as Valerie decided to fight to make a name in her line of work by her own, without the name Thornton tied to her success. It was around this time where the Thornton family received some shocking news: their family fortune had been wiped clean by their accountant and debt was beginning to pile up from their expending and businesses expenses. The previously wealthy family had to sell everything they owned and ultimately decided to move to North Carolina to start anew.

Slowly but surely, Valerie and her partner started to build a life of their own. She became a Junior Lawyer in his father's firm (now situated in North Carolina and forseen primarly by Valerie herself), a beautiful home they could call theirs and Val even began helping her family get out of their situation along with taking care of her parents who were now having a hard time getting work on their own due to the Thornton name being publicly stained under the public eye. Finally, she felt like her life was her own and she was doing what she was made to do, take care of the people she loved the most.

Tragedy struck when Val began feeling ill for a couple of weeks before landing in E.R, doctors doing every test possible to find the cause of her lethargy, pallor and overall sickness. After three weeks without answers, spent going from the hospital to home, the results were in: pure red cell aplasia, a rare bone marrow disorder. The treatment involved getting various blood transfusions but when her family began getting tested for the transfusions, the results showed they weren’t compatible. The treatment continued with the help of other donors yet the doubt rose within the lawyer: why wasn’t she compatible with anyone in her family?

Once Val was back on her feet (at least strong enough to continue with life as she knew it), she decided to take a DNA test; the response arrived two days later leaving her with more questions than answers when it was revealed to her that the Thorntons weren’t related to her by blood. Knowing everything she ever knew was a lie, Val began to spiral down. Unsure of what to do and how to process the information she continued her life without telling a soul the information she had received but now, in the back of her mind, Valerie knows there is a ticking bomb, a tell-tale sign constantly reminding her everything she knows is a lie, keeping her constantly on edge and straining each and every single one of her relationships..

[mjrarcana]

Name: Mikoto Yuki

Activity level: very high

Age Range: 16-17

Pronouns: she/her

Summary: Mikoto was only 6 years old when was driving home late at night with her parents. One second, she was asleep in the backseat, the next she was crawling out of the burning wreckage of the cart they were in. The world around her had changed and shifted into a nightmare. No one was around aside from a girl fighting a monster and --

…. A dream. One that she had plenty of times. Each time, the girl got more difficult to see. Until it was discarded as childish imagination. And Mikoto always had a vivid one. She learned quickly to keep it to herself. She behaved and tried her best to suppress all of the sorrow.

Smile. Be a good girl. She could hear her mother say. And she tried to live by it. She was empty inside -- but she could pretend. Smile and uplift others. She had no purpose in life. No close connections. Her only companion being her music. Surviving for the sake of it with no connections.

She wore a mask of joy and energetic fun. All to hide how broken and angry she was. She would keep everyone at arm's length. Everything was temporary, after all.

Until she awakened to the power of a Persona and joined SEES... Then she had something she had never known in her entire life: Purpose.

NOTE: I am willing to interact with Makoto Yuki / Minato Arisato as long as it is plotted out first. Otherwise I will always regard them as AUs of each other.

Arcana / Persona: Fool / Judgement / Death / Universe. Wild Card.

Aesthetic Board

Playlist

Verses:

meet me at midnight - main verse. takes place during the events of the game

i'm already gone - P5r verse. In which she's is brought back by a wish. Will add more info but for now see my Makoto verse as it's very similar.

Connections:

n/a.

Tags:

❝ all of me changed like midnight. ❞ ⸺ ⊰ mikoto yuki. ⊱

❝ cuz when I sink I feel so pink. ❞ ⸺ ⊰ mikoto yuki / visage. ⊱

❝ even my heart on my sleeve is pink. ❞ ⸺ ⊰ mikoto yuki / musings. ⊱

❝ I've tried to be what people think of when they see me. ❞ ⸺ ⊰ mikoto yuki / study. ⊱

❝ Build a new me out of paper-mâché. ❞ ⸺ ⊰ mikoto yuki / headcanon. ⊱

❝ i was midnight rain. ❞ ⸺ ⊰ mikoto yuki / aesthetic. ⊱

[shinigami-mistress]

So, I said I wanted to try to write a Madam Red/Grell story. Here is just the first little bit of it. Hope you like it!

*****

The door to the manor opened briskly, and Angelina swept inside like a spring breeze scented with rose petals. The few servants nearby turned to look her way, and although they saw her almost daily, they paused as if to drink her visage and unabashed sexuality. She was used to it and typically drank in such attention, but in the confines of her home on such a day, it was annoying.

“Come on, Grell,” she said, “I’ll take my tea in the parlor, and I wished not to be disturbed.” The last part of her statement was directed towards the other servants.

“Yes, Madam,” Grell replied meekly. Unlike Angelina, Grell's appearance in dull, butler attire caused no real interest nor drew any attention. It was as if Grell was truly lost in Madam Red's crimson shadow.

Angelina didn't take time to ponder the irony of the situation. She retired to the parlor and sank down in a chair. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes as she ran her hands through her. Very little surprised her, but this information was far beyond anything she could expect.

There was a crash in the hallway and Grell's sharp yelp. Angelina smiled to herself as she looked towards the door. A few moments later, the door opened and Grell slipped inside to set a disheveled tea that near Angelina before hurrying back to shut the door.

Angelina picked up one of the cups

“Did you really have to spill all the tea?”

“Would you have drank even if I hadn't spilled it?” All the meekness in the voice had melted away as if it had never existed. Grell spun around; the dull brown hair becoming as red as if her scalp was bleeding as the wild locks broke free of the meager restraint of a hair tie. The green eyes took on a hard green gold shine, and the smile revealed dangerously sharp teeth.

Madam Red inhaled sharply as her heart beat faster. No matter how many she saw Grell's true appearance, it filled her with so many conflicting emotions. Fear, excitement, desire, and even a touch of dread. All the emotions tumbled around inside, but she never gave voice to her feelings. She couldn't help but think of how they has been perceived by her staff when they had entered. Grell had been ignored - almost as if she was invisible. Had they entered as themselves, Angelina would have been the one ignored as everyone ogled the beautiful, dangerous being known as Grell. Now that their masks had been discarded, Angelina felt like that little insecure girl once more while Grell swept about the room with confidence and power. She was red death, and Angelina was her ally, her confidant, her lover…

And part of her was utterly terrified.

(Let me know if you'd like me to continue.)

[hugovance]

VISAGE

“Mother says that a well groomed man is prepared for occurrences in life and death.” Hugo Vance, a well groomed man, takes careful time to keep himself clean even when he’s in a place where it’s not the main priority. Everyday after fighting in the dance you wouldn’t find Hugo with a camp follower in his tent, you would find Hugo cleaning himself up, cleaning his nails, and then shaving the hair off his face and ensuring his hair was always cut to a length his mother would approve of even in war. This called the men to make jokes, mockery of the pampered lord who finally ranaway from his mother. Hugo has always taken then ribs in stride, he knows that men bond through mockery though he rarely takes part for he has little understanding of where the line is.  Tall, lean, and boyish is how one can describe the physical presence of Hugo. He is a naturally curious young man, bright green eyes always holding contact. Something people commented on is far too intense which he has taken note of and now mentally counts to 30 before looking away, he thinks he needs less time. The only facial hair he’s ever had is a thin mustache, he and his mother agree that a mustache is elegant and easy to maintain over a beard. Hugo often gives the impression of a young man filling in for his father when he enters rooms. Described as studious, educated, and kind the Lord has a reputation for his ability to recall historical events, namely dates. With a fondness for reading, hawking, horses, and fencing the Lord is quite active. In the same breath that women use to call him gentle and pious, men will call him boring. The Lord of Wayfarer’s Rest is known to his people because of his love for horse racing through his lands or his hawking with the children.

QUICK FACTS 

Hugo spent some time at the Citadel where he learned what they had to teach him, what they allowed him to do beyond the scrubbing and cleaning of many new members. When he was called away due to the realm being on the brink of war he considered it his greatest sadness. 

While not incredibly war minded, Hugo loves to make plans. He sees the many patterns in the world around him and he knows how to put those pieces together and forge something of success. He was very successful in his time in the dance with the few plans he used to cut off groups using hunting trails and beaten horse tracks. 

While not considered near the top 100 of great knights in Westeros, Hugo is a phenomenal fencer and enjoys taking part in the contest. He experienced one duel in his time in the dance with a young lord hoping to win favor. Using his prized rapier blade he slew the man in single combat taking his host as prisoners. 

“Everyone with experience died. We’re giving it our best and so far, we’re alive and well. May the Gods bless and guide the souls of the dead but, and I mean well when I say this, people die. Whether it’s those little girls or those smallfolk, people died. And people will continue to die if we don’t make room to learn from mistakes.” 

Hugo Vance is not a council member as much as he is a courtier who maintains a close friendship with the King and hand. He wishes to forge positive connections with everyone, seeing little use in animosity and trickery when working together is the only way to solve their problems.

[cryopathiic-a]

To say that Inosuke's blood was boiling was quite the understatement. He seemed ready to explode as he sat in his chair, wrists virtually glued to the armrests as the lady before him painted his freshly cleaned nails into a deep, blood-red color.

Oh, he should have knowns this was a trap when rainbow-eyes promised to treat him later. He should never have walked past those doors.

The incessant cackle of voices was nothing short of insufferable. Honey, did you know? No, she didn't, and Douma was probably about to tell her. And I was like, "no waaaaaay!" Yes way, moron.

Inosuke rolled his eyes as slowly as he could manage. What was stopping him from breaking these lady's fingers, breaking out of this place, and setting fire to the entire mall?

"Uncurl those little fingers, young man." The lady told him off in a stern voice, inbetween two giggles at whatever delightful tale the blond young man was telling. Inosuke bit so hard into his lip that he drew blood.

Something prickled at the back of his head. The man was looking at him. As Inosuke allowed the words to reach his ears again, what little he caught immediately sent his rage off the meters. Something about the boars. The mud, the dirt, the benevolence one had to have to reach out to such a dirty hand, and offer it the roof it had always sought.

There was a shriek as Inosuke ripped his hand free and grabbed the vial of nail polish. The liquid spilled from its container as Inosuke chucked the bottle right at Douma, very much hoping that it would not only land right in his stupid face, but also stain his stupid clothes – and with some luck, spill into his stupid mouth as well.

He still remembers her eyes.

Big, doe-like, filled with wonder. Their color; a deep green like forest trees with veins of emerald and glimmering gold; the sort of thing you can only find on ancient temple statues and be humbled before the beauty that can come from mere earthly rocks. Thick lashes laden with tears. Her dillated pupils had harbored his reflection, her lips, soft and puffy, had donned that final gasp so delicately. And then—

Every tme he looks at that child serves as a reminder of that night.

Dōma tends to avoid it. His days are flooded with activities that leave little space for mulling over several themes in his life; and more often than not, the menace in his custody gets dragged along for the ride. The smile stretches further on his visage, facing his appointed nail lady with near unblinking elation. Eternal Paradise has several business fronts. This salon is just one of many. And Mei-Mei here, she has known Dōma since he was about Inosuke's age.

❝ She was absurd about it, Auntie. ❞ As most of the older women in the Family were often referred to. ❝ We aren't even together and she expects a full report of my day and night? It reads a little toxic, in my opinion. ❞

" She is insecure, being next to a man like you. But that's nothing new, for a woman. Men like to be mothered and some women pick up on that and think it applies to everyone. You don't need this kind of energy in your life, honey, take it from me. Right now... " She nods towards Inosuke. " — you should be focusing on stability. I've been married seven years and I know first hand what it takes to raise a child. You need a partner that can show up, not add more fuss to your life. " The 'Auntie' comments nonchalantly, whilst glossing over his pinky. It is held up in her hardened grip, confessing to a lifetime of toil. Dōma's flawless skin is a stark juxtaposition; as is the blase look he wears whilst browsing through his Instagram feed.

❝ Mhm. ❞ Nonchalantly, prismatic eyes traverse the room for the one in question. Inosuke is seething on the manicure chair, just as Auntie's colleague, another girl from the cult that was offered a job here, tries to reason with the kid. A huff slips through Dōma's teeth. The woman lowers her voice, leaning a bit closer over the manicure table.

"How is it going, with the little one? " Dōma purses his lips.

❝ Ah... there's been some challenges. He has learned so many misconceptions, out there with the boars and whatnot— but it's a slow pro-- ❞

Hushed words cut with the abrupt movement from somewhere in the room. The girl lets out a squeak when something is flung across in the Dōma's direction; it's cool and thick when it connects. A spritz of red paints the counter and drips down his chin onto his silk shirt. The fabric stains crimson. Dōma's eyelids flicker in effort to push a droplet out.

"Good gracious heavens!" 'Auntie' exclaims. She turns harshly towards the girl that sits stunted on her knees. "Well don't just stare like that, go, fetch towels!" What other clients were present in the background are roused; coming to Dōma's aid. Within a couple of labored blinks he is surrounded by warm towels, wipes and a glass of water — as if the entire ordeal would have shocked his throat dry. But the man merely looks down, demurely tapping at the fresh stain in his lap. He reaches for the bottle, but someone gets it for him first, with the expected word of reassurance.

Don't worry about it. How can I help?

I'm so sorry! Would you like me to rub it clean?

Oh, what a disaster! Lord Founder, I can wash your shirt for you!

Is there something you need? What can I get you?

They flock to him; drawn into the humility of such a measured reaction. The most appropriate one, some might say, when dealing with a problem child. 'Auntie' spares Inosuke a scolding word in the meantime; something about messing up her salon. Only then does Dōma seem to perk up — quick to brush past the people crowding his seat and interject.

❝ I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, 'Auntie', I will send someone to clean up this mess, okay? I apologize for the mess and the inconvenience. But I think we should just go. Inosuke, where is your coat— ❞ He begins to shuffle about, knowing well the child most likely would reject putting it on in either case.

"Don't apologize-- are you sure you don't need us to drop you off somewhere--"

❝ No, that's fine.It's fine. I'll just call Nara to come pick us up. ❞

And that he would. Without a second look towards the child. Without so much as a scoff.

[birdsigns]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ~ carol peletier ↠ @wexarethewalkingxdead

all her strength had lain in building a safe place for her little girl. even before the dead came, carol had managed to sustain her hope with the smallest of things — the soft gusts of wind carrying the sweet scent of magnolias, and the mottled light dancing across sophia's slumbering face. she'd taught her daughter how to hear the murmur of pursuit in ed's footsteps, and to leave his darkness behind for the cicadas. it was all they had in that place — the morning fog over the bayou, and each other. as shane ran a damp cloth over her quivering hands, carol felt the last of her soul drain away. his was the gentlest touch she had known from a man in years. in the quiet of the glade, the sophia of her memories took on a new face — one with milky eyes and a numb, snarling visage. a face that no longer had the faculties for sweetness, for joy... nor for fear. only now could carol see her recollections as they truly were: colored each day with the stench of her cowardice. not once had carol entertained the insolence of plotting an escape, not even when ed's fury tore through the household, leaving terror it its wake. in the morning, she'd handed sophia the scissors: to take care of the stubborn gray strands at the nape of her neck, just out of reach. that was the most she'd ever done to fend for herself, let alone her daughter. carol had always been too soft for this world. even now, she could hardly meet shane's gaze, knowing he'd risked his life for her sake. and for what? carol had let her well of tears run dry, and everyone else had paid the price. "i taught sophia to be afraid — that was my doing. i'm the reason she ran away," carol whispered. with those words, she sealed her hope away, entombing it in the earth beside her daughter. no cherokee roses would bloom for her today.

[jonquildove]

starkmatriarch:

“Reckon the Hound intended to have a bounty paid for her,” Harwin explained, “Your brother was still alive and winning his battles and seemed fit to defeat the Lannisters–” A hiss emitted through the gash in Catelyn’s throat, a death-like hiss that spoke of anger and fury. It was a death-rattle that reverberated in her throat. If the Lannisters had not played such an underhanded way, if the Boltons and Freys had not been so disloyal and dishonourable, Robb would be alive still and would certainly have broken the Lannisters. He won every battle in which he fought, and would have continued to do so…and so they killed him at a wedding. And blood would pay for blood, betrayal would pay for betrayal, and she would ensure the Lannisters paid their heavy debt. She was always suspicious of the Lannisters, remembering hanging out with Cersei when they were younger and being friends; yet they grew apart over time. “-I imagine the Hound wanted to ransom her” Continued Harwin after nodding briefly, sensing she stood like she had a crossbow aimed to Petyr and the girl Sansa, in acknowledgement of Stoneheart’s anger. He was concerned for her wellbeing, hearing her violent coughing wrack her body. ”The girl was a frightened thing, distrusting, suspicious of everyone; happen that’s why she’s survived so long. She gave us the slip..thought we were like any other bandits ready to sell her to the highest bidder. But we’ll find her though…the Hound is dead but the girl lives. We’ll find her” Stoneheart nodded, trusting in his words. Harwin was loyal to the last, loyal to Ned, loyal to her, loyal to the Starks. It had been he who had begged she be revived when they found her body, to Harwin did she owe this life, and she would not waste it. He had known her since he was younger, and she him. Though her skin rotted, and the skull showed a little beneath her scalp where hair did not cover it, though her hands were white and mottled and water-soaked, she would keep this life until vengeance was done and her children were safe. No matter how long it took. Catelyn did her best to hide the most horrific features of her new visage, keeping the hood loose about her hair, the cloth shading her cheeks, the scarf about her neck, slipping her hand beneath the scarf in order to hold her throat to speak. She hid in the forest, away from the costumed people dressed for Halloween, yet one had seen her, saying he liked her banshee costume. “Why…Tyrells…what good have they done you?” She asked, “They…are wed to the…lions…”.

“A bounty…? ” It did make sense, in a way, for Sandor to want gold. She did not think the Lannisters would take too kindly for his abandonment of the battle so engulfed with wildfire, nor grant him enough coin to fend for himself. He had sworn at Joffrey, when he saw the fire, leaving with enough gold to travel. He realised he did not like the Lannisters, even though he had thought it a job that paid him well; never liking Joffrey, especially, even though he was his dog that followed orders. “Did he intend to go to Riverrun or was it the Twins he travelled to, with Arya?” A flicker of uncertainty flits through Sansa’s eyes at the burning fury the hiss seemed to hold, but it was fleeting, and she wonders if her mother had noticed. As Harwin talked about her long-lost sister, Sansa wondered what horrors Arya might have experienced, and yearns for her presence. “If she is alive, I hope that we do find her, Harwin, and soon. Where could we start looking for her?” She feels a twinge of sadness, upon Harwin stating that the Hound was dead. As gruff and frightening he tried to be a majority of the time, he had saved her all the same—perhaps, he wasn’t so bad. “…How did he die, do you know?” “They have done every good to me, Mother. They are nothing like the lions. Margaery and her grandmother even tried to get me away from the Lannisters, to wed Willas in Highgarden.” But…of course, that ‘secret’ plan had been found out, to her dismay, and she was arranged to marry Tyrion instead. If her Mother met the Tyrells, especially of Margaery, Sansa gathered that her attitude towards them may change. Well, perhaps more so, if she wasn’t become Stoneheart…

[glamguide]

𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 .ᐟ

Aren’t you curious about her story? You will see how her growth and success were made!

Clementia Idony Divona Fabroa, pronounced as /kleh-men-tiy-uh/ /id-oh-knee/ /dee-voh-nah/, the only daughter of Cleoneth Everleigh Fabroa, The Global Glamour.

Her mother introduced the fashion industry at the age of 4, making the lassie gaze at her mother’s works as Cleoneth was a single Mom and she couldn’t leave her child to everyone.

It was merriment to say that they had already foreseen the outcome since Clementia had the complexion of a model—It ran from her mother’s blood.

Despite her lineage as Cleoneth’s daughter, she refused to stand in line for modeling castings at the age of 11 and endeavored to establish a name or title with blood, sweat, and tears.

Initially, She faced hardship, engaging in online bullying targeting her fatherless status. Attackers attempted to criticize her with insults, but such efforts proved useless, for Clementia determinedly transformed this challenge into a persistent goal.

Now, in her present, Clementia has become known as a Versavisage Metaversal Glamour, The Epitome of IT Girl Glam, and the Nation’s Treasure. It took the lassie seven years to establish her name in this industry without her mother's benefit. She secured a contract with Luminique Paradigm, also known as Lumi Models—a renowned agency collaborating with various luxurious brands and more.

Only 10% of the new models could sign with that agency, as they heard some rumors about how Lumi Models is picky when it comes to its models. This is true since the agency only chose some promising models who made them well-known. Luckily, the CEO, Lumique Aurelia Laurier, saw Clementia’s potential at one of the Milan Fashion Weeks that she got invited to and decided to recruit her quickly.

At every turn, Her resplendent visage graces the roadway, buildings, advertisements, and more!

“Clementia! Let’s go!” Echoed her manager, catching a glimpse of her reflection before the impending event. The lassie beamed with a radiant smile, still enraptured by the surreal realization of having her amidst a dream.

Kicking her feet on the ground, Her manager chuckled. “You look excited, huh?” Clementia nodded and felt a sense of achievement, “Of course! I finally made it!”

“Not now, girly. You need to chill. Let’s go na, Bebe.” Her manager announced, and so Clementia stood up from her chair and followed her out of the room.

[arcanaaa]

@hisreveniens asked: [ 𝐇𝐔𝐌 ]

🌙  *  ―     𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐒  (  prompts for the five senses. add [reversed] to reverse the action. feel free to change wording as needed & add details )

[ 𝐇𝐔𝐌 ] ― sender hums a lullaby to lull receiver to sleep

THE TENOR OF HER FATHER’S VOICE CROONED A SONG THAT SHE DIDN’T RECOGNIZE. She didn’t remember her father ever singing at the guild, or ever having the gift of song. He was better known for his brawn and brash expression rather than defaulting to the more delicate arts. In the years since Cana’s known her father, he had not once ever sang, not even to the other kids that congregated around him in the guild. But that’s what made this moment so special to her. 

Their camp was spartan, with only their pack and a shared bottle to carry them through the cold night. It was a good excuse to fall on-- the seven years of being trapped under the First Master’s spell did a number on everyone, and neither she nor Gildarts were spared of its healing affects. But healing came at the cost of time, and time locked much of their bodies in a state that allowed the magic to settle and permeate their system. A happy coincidence that she found herself becoming inebriated at a much faster rate than before.

Now she found herself leaning her form into her father’s side, her head gently laid upon the firm muscle of his bicep, Cana felt lulled by the fire’s warmth and the burning liquid of booze. It was a perfect moment of peace, one that Cana never would have dreamed would ever occur in her lifetime. 

As the notes of his song reached their final stanza, Cana’s eyes drifted shut and her body slackened, unclenching from her tight hold and granting herself permission to be vulnerable-- to give her father a chance to guard her safely without a fight. As sleep claimed the Seer, Cana could have sworn she felt Gildarts gather her against his side, covering her body with his cape to shield her from the cold. If she were conscious enough to be aware of her sleepy incoherent murmur, she would have noted the fond expression of adoration upon his visage and ceased such action. 

But she did not. So Gildarts enjoyed the rare moment of closeness with his daughter-- his little girl, while he hummed the lullaby that Cornelia had loved to hear, all those years ago.