#–––– ✧ the chains are broken but are you truly free? ˙ ˖ ✶ main

[feilien]

 "So there's more like me." He'd never really considered that possibility, if he was honest. Of course, it made complete and total sense now that he thought about it. Why would he be the only freak of nature there was? It was oddly comforting in a way, knowing he wasn't as alone as he thought he was. Even if it didn't actually help him in any way.  

 When he was handed the envelope, Long Zhi stared at it for a moment, then took the key out of the envelope. It still seemed far too generous, and he couldn't help but feel a ball of anxiety in the pit of his stomach. There was no doubt in his mind that the other shoe would drop eventually. But, for now, he'd enjoy not having to struggle to survive. "I've never been late in my life."

 He was just about to get up, when Isen inquired about questions. There were more questions floating around in his head than he could count, and there were even more things he wanted to say, each of them more snarky than the other. But Long Zhi had learned a long time ago when it was best to hold his tongue. And the worst thing he could probably do was to piss off his new boss right from the get go. 

 Perhaps this didn't have to be permanent. Perhaps he could stash away the majority of that money and, once he had enough, he could hightail it out of here and start from scratch somewhere else. Maybe even in another country. Sure, he had no ID and no passport, but he'd have to change his name anyway, so he might as well just buy both on a blackmarket somewhere.

 But all of that was completely out of reach for now. So he let out a sigh, and shook his head. "No. No questions." With that, he left.

He could see the questions rise and die on the tip of Long Zhi's tongue. Smart boy. Surely he knew this was his only option, and that refusal would just end in his long, miserable death. After all, if it weren't for his previous position as heir to Xiao Dan's throne, Long Zhi would simply be another person with lackluster abilities, nothing for Isen to take interest in. But he was useful in many ways, thanks to the old man, and it had become crucial that Isen be the one to sweep in when the opportunity rose.

"It is one I've prepared for. This isn't the first time I've trained someone with your capabilities," Isen said with a slight nod of agreement. Evidently it was that easy, as he watched defeat take over Long Zhi. It was a risk. And yet, wasn't it always? Someone with a lifetime of learned self control would easily take to Isen's teachings, despite his subject's clear reluctance to do so.

Still, he knew this wouldn't be like the rest. He knew he had to play his cards right to get the most out of Long Zhi himself, not just his ability. The thought almost brought a smile to Isen's face. It had been a long time since he'd been properly challenged.

From inside his suit jacket, Isen fished a small envelope, which he held out to Long Zhi. "This is your apartment location and number, as well as a key," he said, almost sounding bored. As though this were some run-of-the-mill part of negotiation. "Avenue 34, no more than a mile away. Remember that I value punctuality."

Now Isen took a calculated pause, deciding to extend a gesture of good faith -- treating Long Zhi as a person. "Do you have any questions?"

[icy-watch]

That mother flipper ate Morro. I am beyond mad rn.

Altho, he did say "In the afterlife, anything is possible." So, it's entirely possible that Morro can come back at some point. I really hope so bc he does not deserve to go out that way. It'd just be terrible writing.

Rogue confirmed that Arin's parent are still alive, and he knows where there are. It has something to do with the weird cemetery. I think I mentioned in a response to someone or in a reblog, but I'm thinking that they've probably lost their memory and are being kept somewhere.

Also, on Rogue, I wrote something up on my main account a while back. It's about how his mind was shattered and how there might be a way to fix it. But his mind will never be the same again. It's all based on kintsugi, which is this art form and a way to repair pieces of broken pottery. If they ever do manage to cure his shattered soul, I do believe he will never quite be the Jay we all once knew and love. Bits of him will shine thru, absolutely, but there will always be pieces of him that will never quite be whole.

I don't know if they'll go that route with him - or if he'll ever truly be Jay again - but for me, personally, it'd be a very interesting way to kill of the old Jay and bring in the new Jay. If all of that makes sense.

And Arin. I'm am going to say this loudly, with my whole chest here: All of this feels like it's setting up Arin to be the next Green Ninja. It really feels like with him going off and wandering around with an antagonist and being a part of releasing an ancient being that can create mass destruction and death, they're setting it up for Arin to eventually take on Lloyd's mantel of the Green Ninja.

Stories, especially in Ninjago, are circular. Like a snake biting its tail. Things have a habit of repeating themselves in odd ways. And just from what I've particularly seen in this season - especially towards the end - it really does feel like it.

Ok, there are a few more days left to vote on the poll for the next series for me to reblog. If you haven't already, vote here. If you're unsure of what to vote for, I made a randomized wheel here. I'll y'all in a few days with the final results. Until then!

Correct and incorrect predictions below the cut.

Correct

The Fab 5 will free Thunderfang before the end of the season. I mean, it was pretty obvious.

Sora is def going to be the 1 who reunites with Arin. Hi. Hello. Ouch. I'm still crying.

We'll see Morro again in the Spectral Lands. We did!

Rogue will try and stop Arin and Ras from reaching the Temple of the Dragon Cores. And there will be this whole big fight. And he did! Well, try, that is. They still got there, in spite of him.

Arin and Sora will have a conversation in ep8. They did! Not the conversation I expected them to have, but they did converse. Which means Ras got to keep the rest of his fur.

Arin is going to go back to Ras, and Sora's going to join them. I was right!

Incorrect

Pixal will have more information about Wu, but it's going to take her some time to sort it all out. This really would have been a good way to hint about what's been going on with him.

The prismatic blade with Ras and Arin will be the last 1 the Fab 5 go after. Technically, Drix got a 2 for 1 deal by going after that 1 and the 1 Lloyd had. While it was the last blade gathered, it wasn't really the last 1 they went after.

Arin will be the 1 to cut the last chain and free Thunderfang. Thankfully, no.

The prismatic blades do something weird to spinjitsu. Actually, that would have been cool.

1 of the ninja will manage to track down Arin, Ras, and Rogue and participate in the fight. Sadly, nobody did.

Zarkt will try and make a comeback. He will stay as a failman for the rest of his life.

They'll that Rogue is Jay in ep7. RIP.

Drix and the Draconians grabbed Ras and the hamer for something with Thunderfang. Lol. Nope. For a fight with Nokt.

Lloyd is obviously going to be the 1 to take down Thunderfang. And Arin's going to be a part of it. RIP to Icy. Lloyd died. It was aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall Arin.

Partial

Nya, Kai, and Wyldfyre will find Jay. I mean, they were all there at the arcade, and at the very end. But it was really just Nya who truly found him.

Nya, Kai, and Wyldfyre are going to find Jay in an arcade. Sort of. They did go to an arcade, Kai beat Jay's high score, and Jay beat Kai's high score without even having to be in the room.

Zane's going to stumble across Pixal, altho her memory's going to be a little scrambled. He did, but her memory wasn't scrambled. She was powered down for over 6 years.

Unconfirmed

The Fab 5 have a connection with the Oni. I'm getting the feeling this is incorrect, but it was never confirmed in canon.

Ras's master is Thunderfang. Nothing has been confirmed or denied about this. Yet.

Roby looks ok, but he's still sick internally. Most likely incorrect, but I'm getting the feeling that he's still not fully cured.

Something in the Spectral Lands will cure Roby. Goes along with the previous.

[shorthaltsjester]

downfall has me thinking about the prime deities far more than is best for my mental health and so i’ve been rewatching c1 just because so many of the pcs have relationships with the gods — even percy and keyleth who hold lower opinions of the gods still have relationships with them — and good grief . you ever think about whitestone as this bastion of love that the gods still have for one another and the love that a party of idiots have for one another. that the centrepiece of the town is a tree from the dawnfather, one used for the builders of castle whitestone to take shelter from the tumultuous lands of the alabaster sierras. a mountain range that came about out of the conflict between the dawn father and the chained oblivion.

the fact that the family that whitestone’s lost son found and brought back with him amounted to two temples being erected, and how fitting that after defeating the briarwoods, the two gods that are given new houses of worship in whitestone are the gods of death and redemption, fate and compassion. do you ever think about how many of vox machina are champions but how much the ones who are not are still held in good faith by the gods, whether or not that is returned? do you ever think about the raven queen telling percy he is broken and reminding him that does not mean he is alone, that means he is mortal, as are all those whom he loves. do you ever think about percy’s death letter, read by vox machina in a tavern as he tells them that the raven queen calling him broken finally opened his eyes to the fact that he has chosen his life (and thus, he might choose better), writing “one the lie [that vengeance would bring my family back] was shattered, I scrambled to find a solution, to make a deal, to undo my mistakes and balance the scales. I now understand that there are no scales. There is no redemption, and no ledger that judges me good or evil. I am free to simply be myself and live with the terrible mistakes I’ve made. Tomorrow, I start upon a path beyond the gods and demons who have tormented me, and it’s your friendship that makes this possible. […] I will try and do my best for you all.” and signing it Percival, of Vox Machina - the family he found and chose, not the one he lost and buried himself in vengeance to avoid. and fucking, vex having just heard percy forgive ripley also hearing those words and having carved the word forgive on the weapon she carries who has a conversation with him to remind him (and herself) that committing to forgiveness over grudges and vengeance means also forgiving the person he’s been that prioritized vengeance. the fact that one of the main things they bond over is that they have similar dispositions to justice and a similar unwillingness to forgive but they both see that in themselves as something they wish to improve at, and that when they eventually marry, each time is by someone devoted to a god neither of them necessarily worship but each of which oversees a domain particularly relevant to that connection - keeper yennen is a worshipper of erathis, and thus the justice that both percy and vex care to honour; pike is a worshipper of raei, and thus the redemption that both vex and percy seek (and see in one another). do you get it.

and god the entirety of the final arc of vox machina is truly some of the most interesting cr content for me just because you get the silliness and depth of vox machina in the face of these Beings On High and they all gaze at these idiots trying to save the world with fondness and the realization with downfall that in many ways those gods were just as much idiots trying to save the world makes that so, so interesting. and i wonder what might’ve happened if one of the gods they’d gone to see had been the lawbearer or the wildmother, what might have been made of percy and keyleth. i wonder if the lawbearer might have taken an interest in a calculating and curious man who loves to strike a deal and stick to it, even if manipulating the contents of the deal made to better suit his ends - especially given that percy was rejected by ioun for his propensity not to share his knowledge, and especially given that whitestone has a historical precedent for worship of the lawbearer. and i wonder what the wildmother would make of an angry girl who is fated to watch the people and places she loves be irrevocably changed and die, who wields her vestige, and who favours the world and it’s people over the gods and their rules — something i’m willing to bet melora would find some common ground with.

there’s also some beautiful symmetry between the relationships of the gods to which vox machina become champions and their own relationships with one another. and i’ve made my post about vax and vex vs. the matron of ravens and the dawn father, but i also think quite a lot about vex and scanlan vs. pelor and ioun. vex and scanlan who can be quite antagonistic to one another but also understand each other as few others do; scanlan who tells the dawn father that vex is not perfect but she is the most perfect among them, vex who hears the knowing mistress tell scanlan that his stories give vox machina strength and genuinely tells him it’s true and that he is very powerful, even when he tries to joke about it. ioun and pelor were the ones to take on tharizdun, ioun nearly perishing and having to hide away to recover. when vox machina asks pelor for her location he doesn’t know it. and fuckin. dalen’s closet. should be a silly little wedding oneshot ends with fuckin. vex glowing with the light of the dawnfather as her and percy, the living son of whitestone, are married by pike who is a cleric and is also the champion of the god of redemption, where the champion of ioun turns into a. dinosaur to walk his friend down the aisle and then grants a wish so that she can see her brother again and the champion of the matron of ravens comes to visit - something that is explicitly stated to be allowed by the matron of ravens. where a twin glowing like the dawn and a twin darkened by raven feather embrace. do you get it . do you see it. the fact that the first story we all heard in exandria was one of a family threatened by fate who could not beat it but did their best with it and that now downfall, the newest story but with parts of the oldest story in exandria’s timeline, is the same. a family who is doing the best with what they have, and what they have isn’t always great.

[wordslikesilver]

Really mentally ill thinking about this scenario. Main character, die hard domme type of woman who’s madly in love with her wife and enjoys her sweetly and lovingly the way anyone ought to. The plot stresses and exacerbates her worst insecurities and fears until she’s vulnerable and collapse under pressure. The villain makes their checkmate move, actual mind control or brainwashing or some form of corruption to take the main heroine into their evil cohort, the final stroke that would seal them victory. MC looks broken and shadow eyed. Empty. Frozen in their moment of true despair, now taken advantage of to be used as a blunt instrument. The most powerful person you know, now shattered and twisted into something that doesn’t feel anymore. It doesn’t hear you anymore. All strength falters, when pushed to the absolute for long enough.

Leading up to this, again and again, we see our main character vow to her wife “I will always come back to you” and we see it as simply a promise to stay safe, to come back alive, etc… and the wife learns of what’s happened to the main character. She listens calmly as the ill news is delivered. She knows what to do.

The climactic moment, the villain is going to win, puppeting the main character, using her power to clear any obstacle before them, all her allies captured, restrained, incapacitated or killed and then—

“Stop,” her wife says, no louder than you’d speak to someone across the table. She’s finally arrived at the battlefield. It’s been so long since she saw her wife. A stirring like no other, begins within the caged mind of the main character. All this time, every time her allies tried to reach her, she barely breathed harder, lying face up in the dark liquid prison of her mind. Face down beneath a mountain of magic, torture and restructured neural pathways carved in by nanobots in her blood and the collar around her neck. Nothing was ever supposed to break her free. She was supposed to be gone. Not even the memory of her wife was allowed to her.

And her wife, her darling, gentle, mild mannered and sweet hearted wife, she walks up and places naught but hand on her darling’s cheek as she whispers, “Please come back to me.”

And while the main character is silent and still, despite all the cursing and orders given by the villain to cut this insolent woman down, within her mind, within the prison she is left to rot in, her eyes have snapped open. There’s been this. Aching. In her chest. It’s been so numb and so hard to truly feel it, but the feeling never truly left. Oh how she’s missed her wife. She moves to the source of this warmth, through all the chains and mires and mountains and magic and machines and nails and pain in her mind, all the bindings and control and corruption falling away as if they quite literally weren’t there. Like, useless to the point of could they have ever stopped her? Because her heart is full once again. The memory restored. The hole mended. The aching ceased and serenity returned. The control is broken with a touch and a whisper.

I’m slamming my head on the desk, I’m too hopeless of a romantic to ever look at a character being mind controlled against their will and think they can’t be brought back by the one they love. More than that, I’m too much of a romantic to ever think it would need more than a touch and the scent of the person they love to break the spell. A whisper. A soft request. I am brought back by love. Tenderness will make my knees buckle every single time. I am an aromantic’s most insufferable individual to ever experience, like girl, you couldn’t bring her back with your tears and crying out to her, holding her in your arms, begging her to stop this? Skill issue. She smelled cinnamon on the wind and remembered all our previous lifetimes together, running just to find me.

[chimerafflesia]

KC CUP APRIL 2025: WITCHES AND PLANTS VERSUS THE META ❄️🌿

Or: KC Cup experience as told by some guy who just cannot let it go. ⬅️ I'm that guy. let's GO

starting this off with a shout out to my WINDWITCHESSSS we killed it this month oh my GOD. I climbed from lvl 10 to 19 with these girlies and it was amazing. I feel like I really got comfortable with the deck this month and was able to strategize quickly with it. I truly adore this deck and I love love love playing as my beautiful Rin so it's just a great time. I had a number of incredibly satisfying wins with this deck and that's what really counts between the meta nightmares. WINDWITCHES 4 EVER!!! 💚❄️💚

per usual here is my decklist ‼️I went through so much trial and error throughout (aka figuring out which cards I needed to deal w/ backrow (hi free fiendish chain !!!!)) but I ultimately went with the double MST / triple BOE. for me, this deck is a little better going first, just because depending on what's in my hand it can be hard to play through disruption. but when this deck gets rocking and rolling GOD IS IT FUN. AND FUNNY.

crystal wing synchro dragon as summoned with snow bell I love you so much. what's better than crystal wing synchro dragon? how about one that can't be destroyed by card effects? and what is the opponent going to do, battle it? 😂🫵

lots and lots of fun. I deeply enjoy when crystal wing gets attacked into. atk gain is SWEET. konami please hear my call we need crystal wing off the banlist now more than ever. it will save the meta. it will save your game. it will save ME. please consider 🤍

ultimately I did end up maxing out with my predaplants because they are a better match for the wave of terror that is RDA players 💔 Yuri simply will never get to rest as long as I'm still playing duel links. Jack decks are full of dark attribute monsters and well those are my plants favorite snacks 😋 I see dark attribute and I slam that mind control down IMMEDIATELY. of course we bait a little (usually with predaplast) to waste tuning gum's effect, then we EAT.

live footage of me using predaplant against RDA:

I've posted my predaplant decks like 374835 times at this point but because my brain likes to keep things neat here it is again. only thing I will say here is because of the wave of face up continuous/field spells (hi jack hi soulburner hi jaden players that use necrovalley) I may go back to double MST / one night beam, but we'll see. guess you could play spider orchid for the S/T zone spells. who am I kidding. none of us are playing spider orchid. sorry Yuri but we are waiting on your better pendulums.

I'm mainly mentioning jack here cuz he's the main villain of this KC Cup but we still have some returning villains, and a new one!

(I hate subterror so much please lord what are we even supposed to DO against it 💔💔💔)

all this to say despite everything, despite it all, the broken skills and all the handtraps in the world, I still knew I could do it. and well, a guy like me who loves freemium mobile card games just a little too much, enjoys a challenge and didn't want it to end on a sour note. many duel links players don't know this, but some of us play for fun!!! it all comes down to the fact I simply enjoy the game and enjoy playing it a lot. but I am not a fan of this trend in skills like please konami STOP 💔 because it hinders my fun. it's also just bad for the game. tbh.

made a little joke on twt abt it but yeah if Yuri dropped this year we wouldn't even need fusion recycling plant. we'd get infinite copies of polymerization anyways

ummmm in conclusion new skills are bad. we need a nerf/banlist/literally anything SOON. because I love duel links and I love playing competitively and I want it to be fun forever. this was my most challenging KC Cup yet but despite it all I still had fun. even when I got lava golem'd in back to back matches 😵‍💫 I think it's also because I played as my favorite characters 💚💜

windwitches and predaplant are number one to me. Rin and Yuri after I use their decks to defeat the evil meta:

#RINSWEEP #YURISWEEP and DON'T forget it !!

[maagicmushies]

Nen Talks #3 Kurapika

Hey. You got a free hour or two to spare? If not, fuck off because we're talking about Kurapika's abilities, their symbolism and their connection to his story line and this will be a yap session because he is one of the most storied characters in the series with the highest number of abilities.

So, I think for Kurapika it mostly makes sense to talk about how Nen abilities in chronological order, starting with the Dousing Chain. It's a silver chain with a ball at the end attached to his ring and while it is Kurapika's main chain for combat, the real interesting thing is that the name isn't just for show. Dousing Chain can be used to read maps and tell lies. We're already starting strong because Kurapika is someone who HATES being lied to or even having information withheld for him. All hunters are greedy to an extent, because to be a hunter means to constantly want something that you don't have. Kurapika is this with information, he (unintentionally) compromised the safety of his entire clan just because he wanted to experience more, learn more. The Dousing Chain is this hunger for knowledge taken to it's full form. You cannot lie to Kurapika, nor can you hide anything from him.

His next chain is the Chain Jail on his middle finger and no, I don't think that is a coincidence. It's a gesture brimming with spite and anger and how Kurapika binds the Phantom Troupe. There is more to say about Chain Jail, but it's better saved for a little later on. Next up is the Holy Chain, allowing Kurapika to heal himself or others. This one is almost purely subtext, but Kurapika has a lot of holy themes tied to him. He wears a monk's garb as his primary design for the Yorkshin arc and his primary adversary, Chrollo, has a lot of "anti-christ" theming going on with that evil bible, a cloak adorned with St. Peter's Cross and his twelve disciples. Kurapika is the holy soldier on a mission of righteousness while Chrollo is the embodiment of everything that Kurapika strives to avoid.

The turning point in Kurapika's abilities is the reveal of Emperor Time. It's not a chain, but instead a state he enters when his emotions reach a fever pitch and his eyes go scarlet. Instead of Kurapika being a Conjurer with 100% potential in conjuration with diminishing returns everywhere, it turns him into a specialist with 100% potential everywhere. This is the ability of someone who wants to do everything on their own. Hunter x Hunter's cast is initially set up like one of Togashi's previous works, Yu Yu Hakusho where everyone has their own strengths and no one can truly do anything on their own. However, Kurapika defies this, breaking away from everyone and trying to find any way to be his own team. It's not that he's selfish, it's just that this is HIS holy war and doesn't see the need to drag his friends into it. This aspect of Kurapika isn't just spiritually destructive, but physically destructive because late in the manga it is revealed that there is another restriction tied to Emperor Time. One second for the Emperor shaves off one second of Kurapika's life. As his search for his clan's eyes gets harder, he needs to use Emperor Time more and more. No one really knows how much time Kurapika has left. We just know that he has lost at least 6 years of what he would have had originally, and likely much more than that. After he completes his quest, that might be it. He might just fully burn out. Kurapika has acknowledged this possibility... and is mostly ok with it. Just like Gon and Killua (and his arch nemesis, Chrollo), he doesn't have a ton of self worth, that's what allows him to grab ahold to this great power in such a short time and leads well into the Judgement Chain on his pinkie. Judgement Chain forces someone into an oath with Kurapika and if the oath is broken, the chain which is wrapped around the heart will crush the heart, killing them instantly. I think the allusion to "pinkie promise" might be intentional? As said earlier, oaths and truths are a big thing to Kurapika, so this makes sense but the real tragic thing here is that Kurapika has used Judgement Chain on himself. In order to stop himself from going out of control on his revenge quest, he has made a Judgement Chain vow with himself to only use Chain Jail on Phantom Troupe members. Failure to acquiesce will kill him. Kurapika... still doesn't really know what will happen if he accidentally uses it on someone who isn't a troupe member. It's this lack of foresight and lack of self worth that keeps showing up for him, Kurapika just keeps digging down with no plan on how to get back up and seems to be resigned to the idea that he may never get back up.

The final chain and the one I likely have the least to say about is the Steal Chain. It's his index finger. It basically sucks someone's aura out of their body and then gives that aura (and the ability carried within it) to an ally using Stealth Dolphin. Steal Chain holds a similar role to Chain Jail in Kurapika's characterization, this idea that some nen users are terrible people who need to be chained to hell, having all of their godly nen powers removed. Kurapika really likes this idea because he even uses Judgement Chain to impose this on Chrollo. It fits into that religious theming that keeps coming up with Kurapika, his mission is one of righteousness or at least that's how he sees it.

There are largely two forms of story telling done through nen in Hunter x Hunter. One form hints at a characters backstory and struggles and how they've evolved past it while the other hints at the core of who the character really is. Kurapika's skillset is a fantastic case of the latter, because you get such a vivid picture painted just by knowing what these does. His obsession with truths and oaths, his religious subtext with the troupe and his lack of self worth. It's all communicated through his chains and eyes and this is honestly a fantastic showcase of what a "main character" ability looks like for this series.

[sylver-drawer]

The Writing of Pandora Hearts and its Depiction of Human Ego or an essay I wrote for class because I love PH so much (mainly spoiler free except for a small tangent on Lottie’s character)

When you think about aspects of the Shonen Demographic, what tends to come to mind? Usually it’s something along the lines of fluid yet repetitive action, a lovable cast of characters who get down but quickly move on, and a protagonist who can handle anything. But when you ask a fan of renowned and well-liked shonen such as Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan or Hiromu Arakawa’s Full-Metal Alchemist, what’s most reminiscent is how the characters are written and their depth. That’s why when anyone asks me what shonen I’d recommend, I always immediately recommend Jun Mochizuki’s Pandora Hearts. Jun Mochizuki is a master at her craft, be it with her beautiful watercolor illustrations, the fantastical and fairytale-like world building, or what I associate with her most—how bitterly human she writes her characters and how it hits the reader. The way Pandora Hearts’ ornate writing twists from this alice-in-wonderland inspired gothic adventure, to a story about the beautiful yet ugly depths of human will and ego, genuinely makes me believe that it deserves one of the top places in the Shonen Demographic.

It’s a relatively standard set up. Pandora Hearts follows a young boy by the name of Oz Vesalius on the brink of his fifteenth birthday. During his coming of age ceremony a sinister group called the Baskervilles condemns him for his sin of living, and casts him into the Abyss—a hellish nightmare dimension resembling a broken toy box filled with grotesque monsters called ‘Chains’. With the help via contract of an amnesiac girl who calls herself Alice, her identity being the chain “Bloody-Rabbit” that strangely takes an alternative human form, he escapes the Abyss only to find himself ten years in the future. The first few chapters set up our boyish protagonist’s temperament and desire, as well as the dangers he will encounter with sprinkles of what the world of Pandora Hearts is like. I relate this to the beginning of Attack on Titan, introducing Eren and his friends’ personalities and values before getting thrust into the harsh reality of their apocalyptic world.

The story begins in a cliche, yet familiar way. It starts off relatively light and almost whimsical as it makes you think it’ll follow the monster(chains)-of-the-week format; Oz seeking out the Baskervilles for the reason of his ‘sin’, and Alice seeking out her fragmented memories. Preceding the Shonen Demographic, kids grow up with something like Pokémon or Digimon where there’s a new ‘monster’ to ‘defeat’ quickly each week. It’s a way to progress the story for the very young child viewer in a fun and easy way, even if they miss an episode or two. The main purpose of presenting the idea of this familiarity, is to rope the reader into a false sense of security.

This format is abandoned just as quickly as it was proposed as the story gets more convoluted, pulling the reader in. All the characters seem to be hiding something, the enemies are closer than you think, and at some point you genuinely question yourself if they’re truly the enemies here. You begin to realize that despite all the secrets everyone has—no one actually knows anything. The protagonists, their comrades, and even their enemies; everyone is in the dark in regards to the truth of the catalyst event a hundred years prior, The Tragedy of Sablier, except for the main villain of the story. The fact that the reader is on the same level of knowledge the vast majority of characters are on allows the reader to empathize with them almost as actual comrades, instead of seeing them as simply characters in a story.

Usually in shonen, the reader is given scenes of the antagonist’s side so that the reader has information the protagonists do not, such as displayed in Full-Metal Alchemist where the reader is exposed to multiple scenes of the Homunculi and their plans before Ed and Al are. Shonen villains tend to be bastards after all, pure and irredeemable evil in support of an evil system. This is meant to build a sense of foreboding for the reader, as well as anticipation for how the main characters deal with this danger. It’s because of this storytelling method that separates the readers from the characters, driving almost a wedge between them. Readers' thoughts go from, “I wonder why this happened” (solving a ‘mystery’ in the moment alongside the characters), to “I wonder how the characters will deal with this” (an event the reader already knows will happen soon).

Particularly what sets Pandora Hearts apart from this, is that Jun Mochizuki allows us to empathize with the villains due to their similar level of ignorance as the heroes. We are shown scenes of the villains, but not so much that we gain any major insider plot knowledge. Rather, the most important insider information the reader receives are the bonds between the villains almost paralleling the bonds between the hero cast we’ve already fallen for. Charlotte, who is somewhat one of the Baskervilles’ ringleaders, presents herself uniquely. She is very devote to the Baskervilles’ cause of obeying their leader, and kills and torments without a second thought. Yet, Lottie is as desperate for answers as Oz’s crew. You can see it on her face, where she contemplates as she stands beside her fellow Baskervilles whom she loves like family, “Is what we’re doing truly right?”. It is a very subtle writing strategy, one that acclimates the reader to feel for and humanize the ‘inhuman’ enemy, gradually building up to Pandora Hearts’ crescendo.

This intricately planned writing Jun Mochizuki has drip fed the reader pays off during the story’s climax. By the time the truth is revealed to all, the reader is left in an array of chaos alongside the cast, questioning everything. One of these, being the protagonist himself. Everything we associate with our dear hero, Oz; his classic young yet burdened hero demeanor with a high moral compass, his complicated emotionally charged relationship with his estranged family, his immortalized friendships with Alice and his childhood friend Gilbert that feel as if they could stick through everything—at some point, all of those threads that make up ‘Oz Vessalius’ fall apart. His connection to the antagonist and how it affects the story and narrative still shakes me to the core to this very day, and you’re left wondering what exactly is left and where we can go from here. Everything Oz knows, everything we the reader knows about him and the cast we’ve come to love, suddenly becomes false. You can’t help but feel played, yet when you read back desperately to validate your feelings, there’s the cruel realization that you were never lied to. All the signs were there in your face and it was you, the reader’s, choice to misinterpret them. It’s difficult to manipulate the reader using the reader’s own assumptions and prejudice, and yet Jun Mochizuki has done it in Pandora Hearts.

How Pandora Hearts takes everything the reader knows and destroys it is such a transformative experience that transcends the expectation of a normal shonen. The layers in which Jun Mochizuki had written are so deep, that the characters' roles we tend to reduce to tropes and generalizations have so much meaning to them. Oz, our heroic protagonist, maybe isn’t the strong willed boy he’s supposed to be; and maybe the Baskervilles, despite the atrocities they’ve committed, maybe aren’t wishing for world destruction. Our lovable cast of characters are hypocrites, sometimes betraying themselves or people they’ve sworn to, and reasons we expect to be grandiose turn out to be simple selfish, raw human desires. Those that selflessly fight for ‘love’ are simply fighting for self preservation, and those that do everything for their ‘ego’ crumble so easily in face of their love. Pandora Hearts is just like other shonen, but also not. There’s action, characters who get down but sometimes need time to move on, and a protagonist who tries his best to handle anything. Most of all, they’re all so painfully human, and I think that’s what is at the heart of shonen. Jun Mochizuki’s Pandora Hearts’ intricately written story, with its raw portrayals of the human will as well as the world crashing twists and cast you can’t help but love, is exactly what the shonen demographic deserves.

[the-east-art]

Easts Supernatural Fic Recs

Since's I've been combing ao3 for good SPN fics, and exactly one person (@ennael) said they'd like to see what I've found. A trend you may notice that I'm not a big shipper - shipping is sometimes a little seasoning, but never the star of the show. ]

Passing Ships - BrownieFox

Summary: John gets injured during a salt and burn and a stranger brings him back to the hotel

Notes: This is the first fic in a series that got me looking for SPN fics again. It explores the idea of late series Sam going back in time and trying to prevent the various tragedies that lie in the future. The REALLY interesting part is that this is all done from an Outsider POV - from the young Winchesters as they meet this strange man that seems somewhat familiar. Because of that POV you never really know what Sam is up to, which builds some suspense and curiosity.

(The rest under the cut!)

you gave up half your life - loosingletters

Summary: When Dean and Cas disappeared, Sam was lost. But in a world that had nearly broken apart so many times, he wasn’t the only one who needed support and guidance.

Alternatively: (Salty) Post Season 7 Fix-it in which Sam Winchester accidentally starts organizing a bunch of Hunters all while trying to find his brother.

Notes: I knew this would be good but for some reason it took me a while to get to it. It turned out to be REALLY good. This story really focuses on how people need people, and honestly the stars of this show are the Hunter ocs that flavor the fic - all of them are so unique and different, and make the world feel truly alive.

mad and dead as nails - EclipseWing

Summary: “Your brother is missing.” That’s how it starts. But now Dean’s dead, gone, or maybe he never really existed in the first place. Maybe Dean was never real, and it was always Michael. Because if Sam knows one thing, it’s that Michael is all that is left.

Notes: Honestly this fic is a better analysis and thesis on Free Will than the actual story. This fic does a GREAT job at utilizing Jess as a character and works with the similarities between Dean and Michael as well as the concept of self. HIGHLY recommend.

Ain't No Grave - art_savage

Summary: When John Winchester wakes up to a post-apocalypse future, he only wants to know two things: where are his sons, and just what brought him back? AU in which the apocalypse caused a lot more trouble and ended a little differently.

Post apocalypse story that kind of searches for plausible 'happy' endings for the characters that doesn't keep them chained to the roles they inhabited during the main story. It's kind of low key but I super love it.

The Other Side - EclipseWing

Summary: In which Castiel has no idea what pulled him out of Hell, but he knows that he doesn't expect Dean, or his puppy-dog eyed brother Sam (what sort of angel names were those anyway?) who happens to be on the run from the other angels.

Notes: easily the best swap au I've managed to find. I'm a sucker for stories where Sam and Dean are actually Lucifer and Michael, and this story takes it in a fun direction!

When Worlds Collide - elfinblue

Summary: When a kidnapped Tony DiNozzo is rescued by legendary - and supposedly dead - serial killers Dean and Sam Winchester, the NCIS team takes over the Winchester investigation. What they find is a file filled with contradictions and impossibilities. This is an attempt to cross these shows but keep both in canon.

Notes: an NCIS crossover and the only fic here that is on ffnet cuz they never crossposted, but its worth it I promise! This fic is particularly good because it takes place mostly from the NCIS characters perspectives as they find ways to apply logic to the strange happenings around the winchesters and their works. Reads like a tv episode pacing wise which is awesome. Does have canontypical fat shaming and transphobia which sucks tho.

Anyway those are my absolute faves but I also bookmark my stuff on ao3 as easternCriminal so there's more there!

[notnormalme]

SOOOOO

Since I made a first step

Its time to show you some of my characters moodboards

Which is funny because I haven't even drawn some of the characters yet eheh

LETS START WITH THE MAIN TRIO

PETER aka the main main character

As the story will be called "Pied Piper", or at least that's what I call it for now, he is the one who has the title of Pied Piper

I really wanted to focus on his main color, green, to show this kind of still childish carefreeness, his Carpe Diem. He is the one who doesn't really focus on the consequences of his actions, he does what he feels like and tries to get the best out of life

His quote, "Do you remember who you were?", refers to the fact that Peter doesn't remember his past after all. He doesn't remember where he comes from, who he is or anything that caused him to be in where he is now

I also really wanted to include the fox in it, as it's an animal I assocaite him with

Next up is Avery!

Avery is an elf by origin, abandoned and hated by his species

I really wanted to capture the peace and delicacy of his person, I associate him with a doe, delicate, always a little frightened, but very friendly and sweet

If he were a season, he would be autumn, the warm autumn, what comes after the chaos of summer (Peter) but just before the harshness of winter (Ogier!!!)

He is a very reasonable person, he acts as a balancer for Peter, evening out his chaotic nature but in a very nice and gentle way

His quote, "the chains are broken but are you truly free?", refers to his past where he was just a slave of his own kind and even though he escaped, that part of him is still inside

The last of the main three is Ogier!

As you can already see, he is a priest, an exorcist to be precise. But among the Church, which I identify with crows, he is an owl. Cautious and suspicious, you can't hear his footsteps and you never know what he's planning, like a night hunter

He is winter. He will stop at nothing and will pursue his goal even if he has to die or kill in the process

I really wanted to emphasize the fact that he keeps strict notes on everything and then analyzes it and tries to come to conclusions

GAKSNSKSNSHD TO BE HONEST IM SAD because I didn't really show his love for horses BUT HE LOVES THEM OKAY???

He travels a lot all over the country

His "I didn't want to be controlled" refers to his great independence and the fact that he doesn't like the actions of the Church and how it controls people, even though he is part of it himself

NOW THAT WE HAVE OUR MAIN TRIO

Two characters that I haven't drawn yet, but I know they will be there and I know they will be important

The first one, Roland! I know this may be familiar to vnc fans, BUT I SWEAR IT'S NOT THAT ROLAND

You can see the crows right away, as well as the cross. He is a priest, a high-ranking paladin

Since I am inspired by The Song of Roland, I wanted his main feature to be pride. That's why his color is not yellow but gold

He is a good man, a great knight, but he was consumed by pride, and that ruined him

"Who are you to judge me" OUCH AHSJSHSJSHHS

This is a reference to one of his fights with Oliver, where Oliver tried to convince him and talk to him and he said something like this AND AHSISBSISJS MY POOR LITTLE HEART

OLIVER and uh

I wont explain it a lot

But first, of course, crows, second, lavender AND YES, IT'S BECAUSE HE'S GAY

I really wanted to capture his suffering through Roland's behavior because he is his best friend. He loves him. But he can't do anything about what Roland is doing, his words aren't getting through and he isn't able to change anything

The dagger symbolizes the daggers he exchanged with Roland, very symbolic and beautiful, I love it

Oranges are a very difficult topic, FIRST, NOTICE HOW THEY COMPLETE WITH ROLAND'S MOODBOARD, secondly, this actually reflects part of my story when I couldn't swallow anything but an orange

Yeah, sad little shit BUT ANYWAY

Two last ones

The first will be Otilio, whose name is now Marco. As you can guess, he is also a priest. He grew up in the countryside and I really wanted to capture that and I honestly see him as such a little bird, sparrow, and I tried to show that

I also really wanted to show that his family is a family of blacksmiths

He has this warm vibe, he is a very loving and caring person. The late summer JUST BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

"Is this what I get for loving God?". Otilio lost a friend because of religion. This is also symbolized by the crow devouring the heart

Last is Ottfried

He is my favorite, even though he has been long dead in the story

He is a quiet person, he hardly speaks at all and he wanders around the country only playing the flute and begging

I really wanted to give off his soft calm vibe here. Such chamomile

As for his quote, he was literally seen as cursed

The Church tried very hard to fight him, so I also put there a mouse that had been attacked by a crow. Otto is just such a little defenseless mouse hiding in corners

Yeah

Thats pretty much it

Of course, I also have other characters, Maria, Clara, Claus and a few others, but since everything is at such an early stage, I haven't done anything with them yet

:(

[followerexwrittenstuff]

The Beast of Fanaticism Rises

His eyes opened. He was awake.

Then that means…

His fists clenched.

The Beasts were being freed. Those traitors…finally, I may punish them myself.

He slowly raised himself from his kneeling position, the golden sphere around him fading to dust. He heard a gasp, and looked towards the source. Standing there was a Cookie in silver robes, their upper face covered by a mask. The uniform was different, but he could tell that it was a devotee of the Army.

“You…you have awoken…by the Witches, this means…”

“Exactly what you think it means, my friend.” He nodded, crossing his arms. “The seal on those fiends has broken. The Witches’ world is at risk once again. And we must prepare.”

“Of course, great one. The others will be informed.” The devotee bowed, rushing out and beginning a conversation that he could almost hear.

“The great one has awoken. You are aware of what this means, correct?”

“I…yes, but I did not think it would happen in our lifetime…”

“I felt the same. Go ring the Bell of Warning. I shall show the great one around the citadel.”

“Very well. In the name of the Witches.”

“In the name of the Witches.”

…he was pleased indeed. These devotees were truly loyal to the Witches’ light. 

He would not need to punish any here, he believed.

But Blinding Syrup Cookie would be ready to bring agony to those traitors.

-

He was impressed as well.

Back when this place was first constructed, it was merely a fortress - a place to gather and train for the inevitable freedom of the Beasts. Now, it was more akin to a fortress city - a citadel of silver and stone that towered over all around it. Built along the mountains of the Strong Flour Ridge, it was an edifice that would fall to nothing but the Witches’ will. Or rather, the Witches’ will could command it to fall.

“All this, dedicated to the Witches?” He asked his guide.

“Indeed, great one.”

Slowly, he smiled. “...Your devotion is clear. You have done well.”

“Thank you, great one. The others have likely gathered in the main chambers of the Central Church.”

“Then let us not keep them waiting.” And with that, they marched to the largest building within the City of the Blessed. A cathedral, built similarly to the rest of the city - ostentatious, yet also clearly designed to withstand an attack. It had few windows, but the largest one was familiar to him. A depiction of the Witches…with five crumbling forms beneath them, wrapped in chains. They kept his symbol.

The doors opened wide to welcome them in. Rows of Cookies sitting upon benches faced towards a circular pedestal at the end of the chapel, surrounded by strange mirrors. Regardless of what they were, he marched on.

He could destroy this place easily if they dared turn on him.

As soon as he reached the pedestal and ascended up onto it, he gazed upon the mirrors. He could feel magic within them…but what?

“These mirrors may contact other factions of our order that have spread across Earthbread. It was deemed necessary if we ever required to reach them.”

“I see. Activate them.” He turned towards the gathered Cookies. “For we will need all our forces to turn back the fiends.”

-

“Reverend Mother Cookie! The…the Mirror! It has activated!”

-

One by one, the mirrors flickered to life, showing images of distant Cookies…all clad in attire to show their worship of the Witches’ law.

“My fellow Cookies. My allies in the name of the Witches.” He turned, looking over each mirror before returning to those before him. “You are aware of what my awakening means. The monsters that the Witches sealed away long ago have broken free - and with it, the law of this world is in danger.”

He could see it. How they listened. “Years ago, I founded the Army of the Oven as a way to protect this world against the Beasts.” (to one day make them SUFFER ETERNALLY for their betrayal). “I slumbered, so that when the Beasts were freed, there would be a leader - a warrior that could face the Beasts and BREAK them.”

“And in that time, you have spread across the world. You have sought to unite this realm under the righteous aegis of our ideals. You have even attempted to seize the purified fragments of the Beast’s corruption, so it may be used for what is right.” He turned to Reverend Mother Cookie, who flinched and lowered her head.

“Your attempt to seize the Soul Jam, though it was a failure, was noble. Raise your head.” He said, softly, and she soon did.

“...your mercy is truly great.” The cookie said. “There is…something I must inform you of, great one.”

“Speak.”

“One of our adherents - former adherents - has sided with those who prevented our claiming of the Soul Jam. She and her ‘allies’ may be an issue later on.”

“Then we shall make her wish to crumble, as well as all who stand against the divine.” He said, his calm face falling away for a moment to reveal absolute wrath. “In the end, she will wish for our mercy…mercy that will not be granted. Traitors do not deserve it.”

“Of course, great one. The St. Pastry Order is at your service.” She said, to a chorus of similar statements from the other mirrors.

“Good. Thus, I have a command. Gather your finest warriors, however they may fight, and bring them to Beast-Yeast. Arrive at the southern edge, near the Strong Flour Ridge. We shall find you. And when it is time…”

A snarl of pure rage and hatred spread across his face, almost pushing at the edges of it. “We shall make those Beasts BEG to be resealed. We shall burn them with flames only surpassed by the heat of the Oven itself!”

“WE SHALL MAKE THEM SCREAM, IN THE NAME OF THE WITCHES!!!”

“IN THE NAME OF THE WITCHES!” The gathering, those across the mirror and those within the chapel itself, responded with fervour and belief.

Perfect. They were everything he expected and more.

As the mirrors flickered out, Blinding Syrup let his magic run into the chains wrapping around his arms. They began to glow and writhe, waiting to be lashed out at any targets.

Any being that needed to suffer. To scream. To burn. To crumble and crumble and CRUMBLE AGAIN FOR DARING TO DOUBT OR OPPOSE THE WITCHES! FOR DARING TO NOT LET THEMSELVES BE PUNISHED BY HIM, THEIR MOST LOYAL CREATION!

He grinned at the Cookies before him.

“Gather yourselves. For when our allies arrive…we march for the Fairy Kingdom!”

“WE MARCH!”

“TO SLAUGHTER!!!” They screamed as one.

Unaware that a Beast had awoken. A Beast, loyal to the Witches to the point of madness.

[d-al-wayne]

Introduction

Universe II

--------------------🌟---------------------------

What's my name? You wish you knew. Kidding, call me Deme.

My pronouns? She/her, i don't mind using him/he if you end up confusing me with Damian Wayne.

Sexuality? Pan

Age? Rather not say but i'm a teen.

What i do? You could say i'm a witch in training. My supervisor is Zatanna.

affiliations: Batfamily (formerly) and depends on who are the people who tries to contact me.

________________________________________

>Ooc from here<

RP ACC! [obvious]

Appearance:

Short black hair, cyan-ish eyes, black skin and resting bitch face.

Height: 5'8

Tattoos? 2, one in her neck as you can see in the photo and one in the arm like this photo:

Just look at the arm.

What do they do represent? The first one nothing special really, just magic and space that she finds interesting, the second is in honor of Ivy and the nature.

Her natural hair color is the same as Talia, she painted her hair black to try to forget the past, mostly. She knows she can't that easily, but helps just a bit.

Picrews used: here and here

Race: Human/clone

Clone of who? Damian Al Ghul-Wayne

Relationship (mostly are what she thinks of them) with her family in her universe with phrases:

Bruce Wayne:

Dick Grayson:

Jason Todd:

Cassandra Cain:

Tim Drake:

Duke Thomas:

Damian Wayne:

Talia Al Ghul:

"My mother didn't raise a fool. A psychotic cold-hearted bitch. But a fool no."

Ra's Al Ghul :

"Can't you see? The pressure of being perfect destroyed me."

Thoughts on her own self:

"Just like her father No please."

"I hope know you're not proud of me dad."

"I'm sorry i'm a shitty daughter."

"I don't want to heal my inner child, i want her to have revenge."

"The chains are broken, but are you/i'm truly free?"

"i never changed, you just didn't know me."

That's all because if not, i gonna quote forever. All of the phrases are took out of Pinterest.

Muse and Mun are both MINORS!! so don't send nsfw ask, i will not answer you. I don't mind gore, any triggers? Tell me, still don't have a crystal ball.

Before starting a roleplay depending on it, please call me in dms! Or else i'll not answer sorry.

My first language it's not english, i may make some mistakes, but when i see them, i'll try to fix quickly as possible.

Main blog: @somethingimprressive

That's all, for now.

-------------------🌟--------------------------

[feilien]

 Observe someone. He could do that. He'd done so many times before, that was something he was good at. But then the rest of the assignment followed, and Long Zhi could feel his stomach drop. Observing someone was easy, a skill he'd honed for many years now. But convincing someone to join was a whole different ball game entirely. Although fairly charming when he wanted to be, he'd never considered himself as very convincing. Especially when it wasn't something he was convinced of himself. Why would he want to convince someone to join an organisation he didn't even want to be a part of himself?

 Because you want Isen's approval.

 Letting out a sigh, Long Zhi stared at the folder, then slowly opened it to scan the contents. He considered his options, the implications of Isen's words, and just how monumental of a task this was. Finally, he lifted his head, though not his gaze. "But won't he see me coming one way or the other, if he can predict the future? Wouldn't it be easier to just try and take out the leader himself?" Cut off the snake's head, so to speak. Everything else would fall into place, and it would be easy to just scoop up the remnants. Very little convincing needed.

 "Wouldn't that be a win-win? You'd get rid of Jishaku, and have an easier time snatching up Nakama. I know you want him more as an asset than you want him dead."

Anytime he called Long Zhi into his office, there seemed to be an undercurrent of anxiousness, subdued behind a fairly convincing mask. As though he were expecting something, a lecture or even a punishment. He supposed he couldn't blame him -- Xiao Dan didn't exactly strike him as someone with the foresight to offer praise or a shred of respect to his men, regardless of Long Zhi's former position as heir. Isen had been the same way, once. Even so, it made things easier when the subject expected the bare minimum.

"Yes," he said, turning to face Long Zhi fully. "This will be a longer assignment. I need you to observe someone for me, someone I want to join the Blades. And when the opportunity comes, I need you to convince him...by any means necessary. Whether that be leverage you find or something more direct."

Now he crossed the room, where a file lay neatly on his desk. Isen handed it over. "His name is Shinsai Nakama, the lieutenant of The Ice Serpents -- they are destabilized since Takashi Jishaku took the place of his late father."

The image of Youichi Jishaku with a Isen's gun to his head came to mind. A leader was weak when a few threats, a short fight, could put him on his knees. It was disgraceful. But most of all, Isen blamed himself -- the solution to this particular thorn that had been in his side for decades had been right there, but the old man had been such a low priority...

"I don't intend to let the new leader catch his breath. However, both Nakama and Jishaku are Tensai -- making you the most qualified man for this job." Once the file was taken, he slid his hands into his pockets. "I warn you, this won't be easy. Nakama has the ability to predict the future. He's trained extensively, despite being blind, which is why I want you to take the time to learn his patterns and other weaknesses. You shouldn't underestimate him.

"If Nakama can't be convinced, I want you to eliminate him. Jishaku already has more power than I'm willing to allow."

[followerex]

The Beast of Fanaticism Rises

His eyes opened. He was awake.

Then that means…

His fists clenched.

The Beasts were being freed. Those traitors…finally, I may punish them myself.

He slowly raised himself from his kneeling position, the golden sphere around him fading to dust. He heard a gasp, and looked towards the source. Standing there was a Cookie in silver robes, their upper face covered by a mask. The uniform was different, but he could tell that it was a devotee of the Army.

“You…you have awoken…by the Witches, this means…”

“Exactly what you think it means, my friend.” He nodded, crossing his arms. “The seal on those fiends has broken. The Witches’ world is at risk once again. And we must prepare.”

“Of course, great one. The others will be informed.” The devotee bowed, rushing out and beginning a conversation that he could almost hear.

“The great one has awoken. You are aware of what this means, correct?”

“I…yes, but I did not think it would happen in our lifetime…”

“I felt the same. Go ring the Bell of Warning. I shall show the great one around the citadel.”

“Very well. In the name of the Witches.”

“In the name of the Witches.”

…he was pleased indeed. These devotees were truly loyal to the Witches’ light. 

He would not need to punish any here, he believed.

But Blinding Syrup Cookie would be ready to bring agony to those traitors.

-

He was impressed as well.

Back when this place was first constructed, it was merely a fortress - a place to gather and train for the inevitable freedom of the Beasts. Now, it was more akin to a fortress city - a citadel of silver and stone that towered over all around it. Built along the mountains of the Strong Flour Ridge, it was an edifice that would fall to nothing but the Witches’ will. Or rather, the Witches’ will could command it to fall.

“All this, dedicated to the Witches?” He asked his guide.

“Indeed, great one.”

Slowly, he smiled. “...Your devotion is clear. You have done well.”

“Thank you, great one. The others have likely gathered in the main chambers of the Central Church.”

“Then let us not keep them waiting.” And with that, they marched to the largest building within the City of the Blessed. A cathedral, built similarly to the rest of the city - ostentatious, yet also clearly designed to withstand an attack. It had few windows, but the largest one was familiar to him. A depiction of the Witches…with five crumbling forms beneath them, wrapped in chains. They kept his symbol.

The doors opened wide to welcome them in. Rows of Cookies sitting upon benches faced towards a circular pedestal at the end of the chapel, surrounded by strange mirrors. Regardless of what they were, he marched on.

He could destroy this place easily if they dared turn on him.

As soon as he reached the pedestal and ascended up onto it, he gazed upon the mirrors. He could feel magic within them…but what?

“These mirrors may contact other factions of our order that have spread across Earthbread. It was deemed necessary if we ever required to reach them.”

“I see. Activate them.” He turned towards the gathered Cookies. “For we will need all our forces to turn back the fiends.”

-

“Reverend Mother Cookie! The…the Mirror! It has activated!”

-

One by one, the mirrors flickered to life, showing images of distant Cookies…all clad in attire to show their worship of the Witches’ law.

“My fellow Cookies. My allies in the name of the Witches.” He turned, looking over each mirror before returning to those before him. “You are aware of what my awakening means. The monsters that the Witches sealed away long ago have broken free - and with it, the law of this world is in danger.”

He could see it. How they listened. “Years ago, I founded the Army of the Oven as a way to protect this world against the Beasts.” (to one day make them SUFFER ETERNALLY for their betrayal). “I slumbered, so that when the Beasts were freed, there would be a leader - a warrior that could face the Beasts and BREAK them.”

“And in that time, you have spread across the world. You have sought to unite this realm under the righteous aegis of our ideals. You have even attempted to seize the purified fragments of the Beast’s corruption, so it may be used for what is right.” He turned to Reverend Mother Cookie, who flinched and lowered her head.

“Your attempt to seize the Soul Jam, though it was a failure, was noble. Raise your head.” He said, softly, and she soon did.

“...your mercy is truly great.” The cookie said. “There is…something I must inform you of, great one.”

“Speak.”

“One of our adherents - former adherents - has sided with those who prevented our claiming of the Soul Jam. She and her ‘allies’ may be an issue later on.”

“Then we shall make her wish to crumble, as well as all who stand against the divine.” He said, his calm face falling away for a moment to reveal absolute wrath. “In the end, she will wish for our mercy…mercy that will not be granted. Traitors do not deserve it.”

“Of course, great one. The St. Pastry Order is at your service.” She said, to a chorus of similar statements from the other mirrors.

“Good. Thus, I have a command. Gather your finest warriors, however they may fight, and bring them to Beast-Yeast. Arrive at the southern edge, near the Strong Flour Ridge. We shall find you. And when it is time…”

A snarl of pure rage and hatred spread across his face, almost pushing at the edges of it. “We shall make those Beasts BEG to be resealed. We shall burn them with flames only surpassed by the heat of the Oven itself!”

“WE SHALL MAKE THEM SCREAM, IN THE NAME OF THE WITCHES!!!”

“IN THE NAME OF THE WITCHES!” The gathering, those across the mirror and those within the chapel itself, responded with fervour and belief.

Perfect. They were everything he expected and more.

As the mirrors flickered out, Blinding Syrup let his magic run into the chains wrapping around his arms. They began to glow and writhe, waiting to be lashed out at any targets.

Any being that needed to suffer. To scream. To burn. To crumble and crumble and CRUMBLE AGAIN FOR DARING TO DOUBT OR OPPOSE THE WITCHES! FOR DARING TO NOT LET THEMSELVES BE PUNISHED BY HIM, THEIR MOST LOYAL CREATION!

He grinned at the Cookies before him.

“Gather yourselves. For when our allies arrive…we march for the Fairy Kingdom!”

“WE MARCH!”

“TO SLAUGHTER!!!” They screamed as one.

Unaware that a Beast had awoken. A Beast, loyal to the Witches to the point of madness.

[ofgospel]

;; post-game Sammy, except this one comes in pink edition

[heartfulselkie]

So what do you think about the sentimonster theory ??

I am...currently conflicted about the theory. There's a lot of arguments for and against the validity for it so I'm still kind of on the fence to it being true or not or what it means for the story.

I do like the angst potential (cause we all know that I'm an angst addict) as well as the story telling that can come from such a plot development. But the theory isn't without its issues.

My main problem is that Adrien is an abuse victim, sentimonster or not. And revealing him to be a sentimonster adds an unsettling element to that. So far sentimonsters have been very expendable in the show. There are of course humanoid ones (Ladybug, Sentibubbler) that are meant to replicate a human in every possible way, but these sentient beings literally exist for a single episode, get wiped off the face of the earth and then not a further moment is spent afterwards thinking about it. Obviously we as the audience are a lot more attached to Adrien than a one off sentimonster in a single episode. But it just makes it all the more obvious how impermanent sentimonsters can be. And for Adrien who already struggles with finding where he fits in the world, what kind of person he wants or needs to be, thats just a heavy slap of depressing angst that makes even me a little too over-angsted. It also doesn't help that being a sentimonster would mean his entire existence hinges on some magical macguffin that someone could easily use to abuse/take advantage of him (cough Gabriel cough) or even erase that existence. That is some heavy existential levels of crisis right there. It's honestly a terrifying thought to consider a young boy who has already gone through so much manipulation and abuse to the point where his own autonomy is severly limited (and only overcome by a magical ring at this time) could potential be locked into an existence where his control is tied to an object that can be stolen or broken.

Maybe it doesn't help that the Senti!Adrien theory is just a theory right now, so we have no idea how the show's writers intend for it to be revealed and resolved if it turns out to be true. Because so far they've been fairly competent in writing how Gabriel's manipulation and control over Adrien is abuse without having someone say point blank in the show "Adrien's an abuse victim". They show it in the dialogue and the interactions between Gabriel and Adrien. Adding a "magical" element to an already capable depiction of abuse is treading a thin line. They can either develop it further into something the truly benefits Adrien's character arc, or its going to fall the other way and we're going to be stuck with a very sad and very unfair addition to Adrien's already spiralling depression and isolation. (life of course isn't always fair, but life doesn't involve magical elements that can literally control everything about you with no possible way of changing it)

But maybe being Chat Noir will provide Adrien the way to freedom as its always done for him, that the power of destruction can break his prison and shatter whatever chains hold him, magical or not. I think there's a good chance this is the direction the writers may go if it turns out the senti theory is true. It's probably what I'd do if I were the one writing the story. If a magical element is involved in Adrien's suppression, then it needs a magical element to break it. But Adrien also needs a very real and plausible action to break away from Gabriel's very real abuse. While they would be connected, I don't want the sentimonster problem to combine that fluidly with the abuse and suppression Gabriel has delivered onto his son. Perhaps Chat Noir breaks the chains of being a sentimonster while Adrien breaks free of Gabriel.

So yeah, I'm conflicted about it.

I see the various story elements this can give to the show, but also the pitfalls that would be very disappointing if they were to fall into it. If Adrien is a sentimonster, then he needs a way to separate himself from the Peacock and his Amok so that he can't be attached to an object that overwrites his human will on a whim (and he is human, even if he was born by magical means). At the same time he needs an escape from Gabriel, but a real, grounded one and not by magic means. I think as long as Adrien being a sentimonster is treated as a layer to the abuse and struggles he goes through and not the core reason for it (because it would be so easy to say "oh he's not real it doesn't count/it's not the same as actual people")(and sometimes there just isn't a discernable reason for why someone would abuse another)...

I think I could let the theory grow on me.

The fandom really is incredible on discussing this topic and pitching thoughts and ideas about it.

There's plenty bouncing around tumblr on the problematic side of the theory, but if you want to read a little more on why the theory might not be disastrous, I think @gentil-minou has had the most coherent post on it I've seen so far. It's actually thanks to them I thought a bit more deeply on the theory than just outright not liking it like I had at the start.

[takaraphoenix]

Three Crows and a Goat

Fandom: Shadow and Bone / Grishaverse

Tags: m/m, character introspect, kind of fluff, jealousy, Asexual Kaz

Main Pairing: Kaz/Jesper

Summary: Kaz Brekker wasn't an emotional man, at least not when it came to expressing his emotions. He rather showed it. Like by getting his partner an Emotional Support Goat.

Links: On AO3 / On FFNet

--

Kaz Brekker wouldn't consider himself a emotional man. That wasn't to say he didn't have emotions; he simply preferred not to broadcast them, or to say them out loud. He was a controlled man, a man who always had control – over himself, his emotions, any situation at hand.

He had been informed that while that made him brilliant at his job, it made him questionable at best as a romantic partner. He wasn't one for physical signs of affection either. Human touch came... hard to him. Very rarely and only with those he truly trusted and loved. So any touch at all was already a huge sign of his affections. Still, when his eyes would wander and he saw other couples, hanging all over each other, constantly touching. It made his skin crawl. And it on occasion woke a strange sense of guilt – not an emotion Kaz experienced too often.

His partner didn't mind. He knew Kaz, knew who Kaz was – and that was who Jesper loved. The whole package, all of it, all of him. Baggage, quirks, issues and all. They had found their own ways of handling some things; Kaz' dislike of touch extended to a sexual level. It wasn't something he desired, even though he was close to Jesper, close enough to touch him on occasions, in reassurance, gently. Not sexually. For long, he had thought those two were linked, the same; he disliked touch, so of course did the thought of touching someone intimately not sit right with him. It was only after he had... fallen in love, that he had come to realize that these two things were not entirely the same, because even when he felt the urge to touch Jesper, it was never in such a manner.

And even that, Jesper was okay with. He'd had such a soft look on his face when he had assured Kaz of that. Yet Kaz knew Jesper was a sexual creature, he was a physical person. And so they had come to an agreement, regarding that. As long as it was purely sex – no emotion, no repeats, no personal details exchanged – Jesper was free to lay with whoever he liked.

On occasion, very rare occasions, Kaz found himself doubtful. Doubtful whether this was enough for Jesper. Because Jesper was not like Kaz – he was an emotional person. He was expressive in his emotions. Affectionate. Perhaps not in the traditional sense either, but still.

All of these factors culminated in Kaz Brekker, feared and respected throughout all of Ketterdam, carrying a fluffy baby goat through the streets. If any of his enemies could see him now-

He tried to carry the fluffy baby goat with as much dignity as he could, but there was very little dignity in carrying a fluffy baby goat. The only thing that kept him going was knowing what the goat was for. He knew both Jesper and Inej had thrown him suspicious and surprised looks when he had volunteered to get the goat; that was a job far beneath Kaz Brekker. There was a reason.

Because Kaz was not too good at showing his emotions. And because Jesper was very expressive in showing what he was feeling at all times. And because Kaz knew what the goat was for.

/break\

On the train, seeing Jesper just completely lose it and have a meltdown, Kaz knew most other partners would have gone over there to comfort him personally, hold him close in a tight, soothing embrace. Kiss him, hold him, make him feel safe. Kaz knew how to do the last of those and on occasions the first two, but this was different. This was on a different level.

"I need you to calm down. Hug the goat, shut the hell up!"

At first, Jesper looked startled. Him and Inej had both suspected the goat to be bait, to be a sacrifice if push came to shove. With furrowed brows did Jesper pick up the goat and gently caress it before hugging it tightly. Kaz could hear him whisper a startled so soft before he wrapped himself around the small furred creature. Fully and completely wrapped around the goat.

Kaz sat stiff, watching with wary eyes. Watching the gentle touch as Jesper caressed the fur, buried his face in the goat's neck, hugging it with both arms. The longer he hugged the goat, the more he calmed down. Physical contact soothed him. This comforted him. And Kaz knew that. He also knew he wouldn't be comfortable trading places with the goat, being hugged with so much intensity, two arms wound tightly, face buried in a neck, full body contact. The thought was overwhelming.

And so Kaz Brekker had gone and organized a goat. A small, soft goat. The one the woman he had gotten it from had assured him was the cutest of the goats. So Jesper would have something, something soft and warm and reassuring. Something to hug.

Perhaps Kaz was not the typical kind of partner, perhaps he couldn't offer Jesper the same things others could. But he was Kaz Brekker and he knew how to make the things he could do count.

The smirk spreading over his lips was pleased and satisfied as he watched his partner calm down enough to get up and get his gun out and shoot with pure, raw precision at any danger threatening them from the outside.

/break\

Kaz ran his hands over his cane. Over the mended parts. It was a love-language in itself, the way Jesper had fixed the cane. Theirs was a subtle way of showing each other their affection, but that did not make it any less strong. Like his hands, his eyes wandered. They were on a ship, about to leave for Ketterdam again. Return home. This mission had been a huge failure all around. Perhaps not a full failure, considering they had seen the 'saint' with their own eyes. Had seen the Sun Summoner, the light, the power, the... miracle. Kaz was not a believer, yet did religion not stop being religion when it was physical and graspable? The girl sitting opposite him was not some fabled saint in some religious tomb to be prayed at. She was no Sun Summoner or Sankta Alina, she was a lost girl. She was a lost girl, a scared girl, as he had seen so many before in his life.

The supposed saint sat between her friend and Inej. Inej, who had barely been able to tear her eyes off Alina since they had met her. There was awe and wonder in Inej's eyes, in a way Kaz had never seen before. Even as she was speaking with Jesper, she could hardly look away from Alina.

"The friends we made along the way."

Kaz quirked an eyebrow at that, looking more intensely at Mal and Alina. They truly expected to keep those two, didn't they? No. Lost girl or not, Kaz wasn't in the habit of keep every stray they met. Though, admittedly, he did invest in one of a kind and there was probably nothing more unique than the Sun Summoner herself. It would make Inej happy, that was for sure.

"I'm talking about Milo," clarified Jesper indignantly when Alina looked to be getting a big head.

"Who's Milo?" wanted Mal to know, confusion all over his face.

It was Inej who rolled her eyes, albeit affectionately. "No one you need to concern yourselves with."

That only made Jesper look even more offended. The goat was supposed to serve one purpose; get Jesper through the train ride safely. Instead, he had... grown attached to the animal. Named it. Bonded with it. Kept bringing it up. Kaz Brekker was not a jealous person in nature – he knew what was his and he made sure they were always clear in what that meant. Yet, inexplicably so, he felt jealous of a goat. A ridiculous motion that he most definitely could not allow anyone to know about. What was, perhaps, even more ridiculous was what followed.

"Mister Brekker. Your... special delivery, sir."

Kaz arched an eyebrow and turned toward the voice. "About time. The ship is about to leave."

He put as much displeasure into his words as possible, though he still took the bag of coins from his belt and handed it over to the young woman, in exchange for... a rope. Jesper next to him gasped m a high-pitched manner as he turned and saw what was on the other end of the rope.

"Milo!" Jesper's voice was loud, drawing unwanted attention and earning a pointed glare from Kaz, causing him to immediately drop his voice. "But how—Where-Why? I thought our funds were dwindled, why would you-?"

As he spoke, or rather rambled in broken half-sentences, he picked up the goat, hugging it close and kissing its head. Kaz made a face at that, though subtly so. Though he may not understand why Jesper felt that way about this creature, he knew the goat was making him happy. Otherwise, Jesper would not have kept bringing it up all the time.

"It seemed like a worthy investment," dismissed Kaz shortly.

Inej was hiding a smile and... Mal made a loud sound. "The goat! The goat that helped me escape!"

He lunged forward and started petting the goat too, much to everyone's surprise. "You too? How?"

"There, in that necklace around its neck, was a bullet. I used it to break my chains. To escape. A good boy, aren't you? Such a good boy!" Mal laughed, ruffling the goat's fur.

"His name is Milo and he is the best boy," agreed Jesper eagerly, petting Milo's flank.

"Milo, is it? Pretty boy," Mal was nearly cooing at that. "How do you know him?"

As Jesper launched into a retelling of how they had first crossed the fold, the other three were left simply staring at them. At least Kaz wasn't the only one watching them in mild disturbance. When Kaz turned a little, Alina had taken a seat next to him.

"You two are a very... different couple," whispered Alina curiously.

"I doubt that is any of your business," stated Kaz just a little coldly.

He wasn't one for chitchat either. Though he had to admit, he was mildly impressed that she had picked up on it. Most people who met Kaz and Jesper didn't realize what they were, that they were partners beyond their work. Perhaps there was a potential to Alina, even beyond being a Sun Summoner. She could be useful. Not that he was making any definite decisions, though he had to admit that it would bring Inej joy. And, looking at Jesper and Mal bonding over a goat, all Kaz saw was yet another argument Jesper and Inej would use to try and convince him to keep Mal and Alina.

"This is very thoughtful of you," continued Alina, not minding him, the smallest smile on her lips.

Kaz opted to ignore her. Perhaps then she would go away. Or stop irritating him. She surely seemed to fit in with them, he mused as he looked back toward Jesper, Mal and the goat.

"Oh. Oh, I'll go and find him something to eat," suggested Mal eagerly. "He deserves it."

Jesper handed the rope over to Mal and let the other lead Milo away. Instead, he turned toward Kaz, basically beaming at him. That expression surely was worth the money spent. Kaz swallowed down the smile fighting its way up onto his own lips. No such things, certainly not in public. Instead, he slowly reached out and rested his hand on Jesper's, holding it gently. If possible, the smile on Jesper's lips brightened even more.

~*~ The End ~*~