#��� it’s been awhile seeing her work exist alongside these characters
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astearisms · 1 year ago
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fionna and cake drawings before and after watching the episodes so far. it’s nostalgic and somehow cathartic and poignant and relatable and—it just started
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lettalady · 10 months ago
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I have a what if for an older story I still think about. I know that WISH isn't really near the Infinity War time line buuut...
What if Loki and The Agent in WISH had been snapped?
Oh boy it's been awhile since I've hunted down those plottings and played with the characters from the Loki WISH series. We never connected (care of tech failing and loss of data which I'm still upset about even years later) where we were at the last posting with the scenes I'd written of a SHIELD facility, the disc, and the chaos that ensues.
At any rate...
[ Look ma, a Weekend What If that isn't LJH! ]
What if Loki and The Agent in WISH had been snapped?
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In my head I imagine being snapped not as being erased from existence but dragged from reality to a barren sort of holding area. Neither alive nor dead? Waiting for an undoing, or whatever comes next   —
The struggle of having fought for the safety of their people only to face off against impossible odds. Loki gets dusted before Thor's eyes, when he thought him to be dead. An anguished brother losing so much in the blink of an eye, and then forced to relive the pain in the retelling of events - to catch up coworkers on the threats posed and the need for action. 
Word of mouth, gossip, rumor reaches the agent in regards to Loki’s so-called last stand. The organization she once felt such loyalty to calls on her to join in the regrouping and attempted defense against Thanos. If she refuses there’s just more of the same in her future, if she accepts she can attempt to rebuild bridges long burned.
Then comes the snap and she, too, dusts — having heard the tales of watching half the population simply vanish. It’s not like they have the ability to reach out and communicate that no, those lost were not entirely gone (until the actions undertaken that undid the loss of so many and tada individuals thought to be gone forever have returned! –  but we’ll get there). 
So it’s a surprise to find herself in a world that seems familiar and yet so foreign, again with that weight felt of a gravity different than her home planet, a scent to the air she’s able to breathe that tangs of not-home nor anything else that had through her misadventures become familiar to her. To find so many others also puzzling through what they’re faced with. Dragged from wherever, whatever and faced with this strange near-nothingness. To not be alone facing it would be a blessing. To see some semblance of organization… while reeling from that really-shouldn’t-be-a-familiar-thing-but-is feeling of being yanked from one reality to another.  
Our agent is rather uniquely qualified to identify the similarities of the occurrence, and rather than stumbling to her feet and fighting to quickly gain her bearings only to be taken captive and dragged someplace worse – hearing shouts of direction passing through the amassed group, most wearing similar faces of bewilderment. 
The reunion wouldn’t be immediate, not with so many of the population suddenly arriving to wherever they are. But then she hears the familiar cadence of Asgarians and gravitates that way. Leaders, of varying species conferring – those that can translate for others doing so to allow for less confusion in an already mind bending experience, and one in particular that she knows intimately. 
Shock of counterevidence to his death. Alive and possibly not if you hold certain beliefs about where they’ve been ‘snapped’ to, but certainly given more time together. Loki working alongside others and debating courses of action and deferring to someone else’s argument, looking away from the gathering of minds to realize he’s being watched by so many but in particular a face he hoped he would never find amongst those looking for answers. 
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[ find the Loki WISH series on A03 ]
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bmaxwell · 11 months ago
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Game of the Year 2023: The Top 10
2023 was a great year for the videogames industry. A lot of great videogames were released in 2023. It was a fucking lousy year for the industry if you had a career there. It has been deeply disappointing to see record sales and critical acclaim alongside frequent layoff announcements. It feels like the pursuit of endless profit, whatever the cost. It's not sustainable and, as someone who has loved this hobby for my entire life, seeing the people who create games treated as disposable is disgusting. So, as much as this post and this blog are about YAY GAMES, there's also an undercurrent of filth that we have to keep in mind.
Apart from that, 2023 had its usual ups and downs for me. I played non-mobile games on my phone more than ever, thanks to two things: I got a Razr Kishi adapter to clamp onto my phone, turning it into a tiny Switch. Oh, and I got a pretty decent new phone. And Honkai Star Rail hooked me. That's three things.
Speaking of HSR, the ability to access cloud saves from my phone and my desktop PC was a godsend. This is true for Game Pass as well. Frequently I'd pull out my phone in the breakroom at work and pickup whichever game I'd been playing on Xbox, and it worked surprisingly well. I played a lot of Dead Cells this way, and finished Fuga 2 and Dordogne there.
If you'd told me at the start of the year that my best experiences of the year would include Baldur's Gate, a Harry Potter title, and an ALAN WAKE game, I'd have been pretty skeptical. But here we are. Also, if you're a theater kid I feel like this year had a couple of really special moments for you.
2023 also marked a return - at least somewhat - to the hobby of boardgaming. I was neck deep in the hobby from 2008 - 2015. I recently picked up Wingspan and it became a Sunday afternoon staple for myself, my wife, and our youngest child. I've missed the tactile non-digital experience of boardgames. It's nice to be back.
10. Honkai Star Rail
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Well. You win universe. A gross free to play mobile game chock full of microtransactions and gacha mechanics is one of my favorite games of the year. The Genshin Impact people made a turn based RPG, see. And it's stylish as hell, and music is great, and when you get a new character from the loot boxes you get this little dopamine hit, and...
The game's events have been really surprising and well done. There's one involving staffing and stocking a museum, one involves shipping logistics, one's themed around ghost hunting. I wish I could have the $70 version of this game that isn't compromised by trying to squeeze players for money. The problem with that, of course, is that this game would not exist without all the bullshit.
But it feels good to play, it looks incredible, and I can swap between playing on my PC and my phone pretty effortlessly. So, despite the predatory MTX bullshit, I have really enjoyed my time with Honkai Star Rail this year.
I think my second biggest issue with live service games is that I don't get a sense of closure. I can't Finish Honkai Star Rail. And I'm not going to play it forever. So I get really into it for awhile (most of the year in this case) and just kind of...stop.
9. Goodbye Volcano High
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This one is reminiscent of Night in the Woods; it's a coming-of-age story about anthropomorphic dinosaurs graduating high school, with all the fears and doubts that come with that. Some folks seem to have their entire future mapped out, some are just gonna work an hourly wage job and play D&D, and your character is serious about making a career in music. More serious than her bandmates are. Also, there's a meteor coming and it looks like it might hit Earth.
This game resonated with me on a few levels. The writing is great, the characters are well written and, unlike Stray Gods, the music landed for me. It does a great job of showing us different attitudes and values clashing into one another while making each of them relatable. The hope, resentment, and willful blindness of "My friends aren't invested in this thing we're doing together as much as I am" really blindsided me. It dredged up some feelings I haven't examined in years, both for better and worse. I didn't have much in the way of expectations for this game, but Goodbye Volcano High wormed its way into my heart. Goodbye Volcano High is the game mostly likely to be the game where I look back in the future and regret putting it outside of my top 10 for the year.
Hah! Suck it, me! Top 10 babyyyyy!
8. Pikmin 4
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I've never really engaged with Pikmin, but this one was a blast. It does the Honey I Shrunk the Kids thing of "tiny dudes in a normal environment so it looks all big" thing that I love. Solve lots of puzzles by throwing little plant being at them. I love that the inspiration for the series was Miyamoto watching ants carrying leaves in his yard. It still has that feeling all these years later.
It feels odd to call Pikmin a relaxing experience, as you can and will lose Pikmin. Sometimes due to the natural attrition that comes with war, sometimes when the wrong little doofuses wander into water or fire, etc. There's also a timer, which is usually a dealbreaker for me. And the story revolves around rescuing fellow space travelers who have been transforming into mute plant people on this hostile planet. In fact the whole thing sounds like a pitch for a horror game. Despite all that, there's an easy charm to Pikmin. Your little astronaut dorks keep their spirits high, and there's playful music as you explore this huge, colorful world. I found it to be a great way to unwind at the end of the day for a couple of months this year.
7. Persona 5 Tactica
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Persona 5 achieved mainstream success that the games before it never reached. Atlus has been milking it for all it's worth too - Persona 5 Dancing in the Moonlight, Persona 5 Royal, Persona 5 Strikers, and an upcoming Persona 5 mobile game. Some folks are feeling understandably burned out - I didn't get into dancing or strikers, and didn't play Royal (after putting 120 hours into Persona 5) so I was geeked when they announced a Persona 5 tactics game. On paper it's a strong pitch for me.
And in execution it's every bit as good as I'd hoped. My only complaint is the chibi art style. It isn't bad, just not to my taste. Beyond that? It's got the Persona charm, the banging music, and good solid tactical gameplay with just enough of a twist to not feel dull.
The "one more" mechanic from the series is key here, allowing the members of your 3-person team extra movement and actions. This is especially important because of the game's version of the all-out attack, which forms a triangle between your 3 party members and deals heavy damage to enemies caught inside. This makes combat an experience that rewards putting thought into. The game even has some side battles that are basically puzzles, giving you one turn to finish.
The game's new characters - Toshiro and Erina - are a welcome addition to the Phantom Thieves crew as well. I came around on Toshiro in a big way and was immediately in love with Erina. The game is about fighting against oppression and finding your courage to resist. Your friends are there for you when times are tough. It's hammy and melodramatic in the way that Persona is, and I love it. I love the game's revolutionary aesthetic, even if it's largely window dressing.
The DLC has been great so far too, starring Akechi and Kasumi in gameplay I can only describe if "What if Persona and Splatoon had a tactics baby?"
6. Diablo IV
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The Diablo series has been the most consistently great video game series for me. I love the first 3 games and spent a TON of time with each. Diablo IV has the worst longevity of the series, but the best campaign. Now, I have to add a bunch of qualifiers here. The "best campaign" is a pretty low bar to clear. Diablo has always been - and continues to be - find new gear/numbers go up. The cutscenes are, as usual, top notch. While the story wasn't necessarily riveting, it was nice to have an antagonist with a personality and some ideas beyond RAWR I AM VERY EVIL RAWR. In fact, I was half-expecting the game to ask if I wanted to side with Lilith near the end, and I just might have done so. And the cinematic of the human army marching into hell while Lilith and Imperius have a philosophical discussion was incredible.
As for the replay value, maybe they'll find their way much like Diablo III did. My main issue with Diablo IV is the way new content is handcuffed to new seasons, how seasonal characters are siloed off from the rest of your characters, and how the game feels like it was built around microtransactions and milking money out of the player.
The game feels good to play. Abilities feel powerful and interesting, the loot grind is fun, and exploring the variety between the classes is a joy. Diablo IV is one of the best games released this year, it's just a shame that, like a lot of modern games, Diablo IV feels compromised, it feels like a Product in a gross way. Still, every previous game in the series has had a long tail for me, so I'm not counting Diablo IV out yet.
5. Darkest Dungeon II
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Darkest Dungeon is my favorite game. I have a tattoo of it on my arm. It's impossible to expect a sequel to improve on that or even meet it. Subsequent journeys into a fiction can never be special in the same way that first one is, and Darkest Dungeon II is no exception.
The game is immediately recognizable - you'll see some familiar faces lined up in a tug-of-war formation against a group of enemies. A row of skills at the bottom of the screen, a torch at the top. Artwork with thick, dark lines and plenty of shading. The moment-to-moment gameplay IS a lot like the first game, but the trappings around it are not.
Gone is the persistent campaign of the first game, replaced by a more familiar roguelike structure. You embark on runs that either end in victory or failure, unlocking new things between runs. This makes the game more approachable and forgiving, but it means the lows are less low and the highs are not quite as high. In the original title losing your veteran Crusader you've sunk hours and hours into feels like a real gut punch, but by the same token finally - FINALLY - conquering the darkest dungeon feels incredible. Those extremes are lost in the sequel, and that probably makes for an objectively better game.
It's not just the same run every time; there are 5 chapters to conquer, each themed with a personal failing: Denial, Resentment, Obsession, Ambition, and Cowardice. The game's personality is still here in full force thanks to Wayne June's narration, Stuart Chatwood's music, that incredible artwork and gallows humor that I love so much. Each of the characters is treated as an individual with their own dark backstory this time around, each crafted in loving detail and unfolding by way of cutscenes and/or interactive gameplay moments. The stress mechanism is still here but takes a bit of a backseat, while relationships between characters are brought to the forefront.
Darkest Dungeon II is just what I wanted from a sequel to my favorite game. I'm glad they didn't just make the same again but prettier, but still kept the game's bones intact.
4. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
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Yakuza has become one of my favorite game series over the past few years. I'm down for whatever they throw at us. Bringing Kiryu back yet again? Sure. New protagonist? I'm down. A period piece starring the cast as historical figures? Fucking bring it on.
I love the series. The melodrama that hits me in my feels, the never-ending parade of lovable weirdoes and freaks in Kamurocho, the deep well of fleshed-out side games like bowling, pocket circuit racing, and karaoke - it's all here. I'm not tired of it. I thought I would be, but I'm not.
Kiryu is a lovable, stoic doofus with a strict moral code and penchant for helping out anyone who needs a hand. This time they gave him a Clark Kent disguise after faking his death, and also a bunch of James Bond Spider-Man gadgets. Let's go.
I will never get tired of my big hearted himbo beating people with bicycles and helping out folks in need. And I got misty-eyed at the ending. I was not prepared for my stoic boy to full on ugly cry. Still waters run deep.
3. Hogwarts Legacy
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In the years since JK Rowling outed herself as a human shaped pile of garbage, I've distanced myself from the Harry Potter universe. And when Hogwarts Legacy released, the game was a lightning rod for controversy. I decided to see for myself, and was treated to a wonderful, smartly written game that managed to capture the magic of the world without constantly referencing the movies and books that everyone knows. It's the same trick that Jedi Fallen Order pulled a few years ago, and it works every bit as well here.
The school feels massive and detailed, and it was a joy to explore or just get lost in. The game world outside the school was unexpectedly huge as well, and the broomstick flight felt so good and natural that I rarely bothered to travel by floo. Optional side activities like growing your own plants for your potion brewing, decorating your Room of Requirement, and breeding creatures were all pleasant distractions that served to flesh out the world of Hogwarts.
The game's cast is fairly diverse, and most students felt like real people rather than caricatures of their Hogwarts houses. Most students do have their house traits, but they're not constantly front and center. The side stories and main story kept me engaged throughout my time with Hogwarts Legacy, and I was a little sad to see it end. It's a shame the IP has JK Rowling's stench on it, and that a lot of people will miss this game because of that.
2. Alan Wake II
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Alan Wake and Control are both posterchildren for games with incredible world building and lousy game play. I've started both multiple times only to end up walking away in frustration. Alan Wake 2 largely fixes my complaint with those previous games by letting me explore and become immersed in the world without throwing frequent contextless fights in my way.
Alan Wake 2's combat isn't necessarily more engaging, but there's far less of it. What you're left with is the good stuff, a Twin Peaks-like horror mystery in a small town where everything and everyone feels a little bit off. Sometimes a lot off. It's a game where the characters play everything straight, but there are plenty of winks and nods in the margins. The game is full of wonderful freaks and weirdoes, many of whom had me frequently grinning like a fool. Alex Casey. Warlin Door. The Koskela brothers. Rose. Odin and Tor. Alan and Saga. Ahti. Thomas Zane. All hamming it up in a story that gets entirely up its own ass in the best way.
The Herald of Darkness scene is one of the best things I've ever seen. Ditto for the late game scene on the lakeshore. Hell, the game had me sitting and watching a short Finnish art house film at one point. It's a game full of glee and confidence from a studio with the belief in itself and its fans that allow it to swing for the fences. Not every part of it works for me, but the parts that do are so effective that the whole experience is lifted up on high. I wish Remedy's gameplay worked for me, which is never has. But this is a terrific work of art, and the good stuff far outweighs the bad.
Baldur's Gate III
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My love of Baldur's Gate and the CRPG genre was something I'd left long in the past. Despite playing excellent modern entries like Divinity Original Sin, and Pillars of Eternity I hadn't been captivated by one of these in some 20 years.
It's hard to put into words what a triumph Baldur's Gate 3 is. I can't name a single thing it really does to revolutionize the genre but Larian executed on every single element of the game. Starting with the story, they make the stakes incredibly personal on top of the usual "Oh shit the world is in danger!" thing we always see. A mindflayer puts a parasite in your brain at the beginning of the game. World saving aside, getting that out of you feels pretty important.
Or not! You can decide to lean into it, and the writers did a great job of mixing viewpoints into the story. Mindflayers are horrible monsters but wait. Are they really though? Your party members will have their own opinions on the matter, as well as their own traumas and baggage and backstories. The writing and voicework for these party members are the best part of one of the best games ever made.
The game's ensemble cast might be the best of any game. By the game's end my party was my Tav, Karlach, Jaheira, and Astarion/Gale depending on the situation. There are party members I missed, and one I may or may not have killed (I regret nothing). Baldur's Gate III's story branches in so many ways, it all feels like it's a hair away from collapsing in on itself but it never does. My friends and I were exchanging stories about what we'd seen and done in the game as we played, and the variance is impressive. Baldur's Gate III is like a dude spinning plates while juggling chainsaws, and people keep tossing stuff into the mix and you think "Well no WAY can he keep all this going!" but goddammit, it all keeps going.
The way the game rolls with whatever choices you make (or dumb shit you want to try) whether in or out of combat, is truly incredible. It feels closer to having a DM than anything I've ever played. If you want to do something weird or dumb, the game does an incredible job of yes and-ing you. And it's not without consequences, the game reacts to the wide array of shit you can do within the D&D ruleset. The game sets up storylines both big and small early on, and manages to pay them off in interesting ways before it wraps up.
The combat was a sticking point for me in Divinity Original Sin 2. It's not that it was bad, but it was overwhelming. Combat could be long and difficult, and losing after an hour only to reload a save was incredibly deflating. Baldur's Gate 3 threaded this needle almost perfectly for me. Most combats were challenging but not crushing, and did not overstay their welcome.
I kept waiting for the game to drag and lose its momentum, but it never happened. I was glued to it for the entire 100+ hours it took me to roll credits. I fully plan on replaying it one day.
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sailforvalinor · 2 years ago
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Request: tell me everything about the fantasy series with Miles and Kyelle in it, please?
*runs around my house like a maniac screaming*
Thank you so much for asking!!! Okay, I’m still going to try not to go into TOO much detail here, because this is about nine years worth of lore I’ve built up here, but I’ll at least give you what I have planned for the first book because it’s what I have the most planned out 😁
(Okay, um, I accidentally wrote WAY more than I thought I would, I apologize aaaaaaaaah)
So, in this universe, the God-figure, the Author, created three different peoples, who inhabit the earth, the sky, and space respectively. (These peoples will have names, but the only one I’ve come up with is the Caelarians, which are the Sky people.) They existed in harmony in the beginning, but after awhile the space peoples, often informally referred to as the Illusionists due to their ability to manipulate people’s perception of reality (this sounds a little bit like TLC on paper, I promise it isn’t lol), grew jealous of the earth peoples for a myriad of reasons, and have been trying to invade for thousands of years by the time the story begins. The Caelarians act as the last line of defense for the earth, and in order to protect it, cut off all contact and travel between the two realms, and thus knowledge of the sky and space peoples faded into obscurity and myth. Caelaria as a culture becomes very defined by its role as protector and defender. Also, instead of every person being born with some latent ability, like the Illusionists, Caelarians have a handful of people born every generation born with a Gift—some sort of miraculous ability that can aid the kingdom.
So, with all that lore out of the way, about ten years before our story picks up, Caelaria is in a period of peace, and has been for the past few hundred years. The king has two children: a daughter named Firaine, and a son named Gywair. However, ascension works a little differently in Caelaria: the firstborn, before being officially named as heir, has to undergo a series of semi-mystical trials that test their character and ability to lead. If they fail, they are passed over for the crown, and then the next child (or the closest kin) undergoes the Trials. If the heir apparent fails, they are named High Prince/Princess and still hold a position of renown within the court, acting as the monarch’s closest advisor. Furthermore, every generation a child is born who is destined to become the king or queen’s Guardian, a warrior sworn to protect their monarch with their life. When the child in question is around five or six, a Guardian’s Mark appears on their skin (no clue what this is gonna look like yet), and the child is brought to the palace immediately to be trained and raised alongside the monarch-to-be in question. Kellen is Firaine’s Guardian, and has lived in the palace with the prince and princess nearly his whole life.
When Firaine undergoes the trials, she fails, and thus Gywair undergoes them (even though he kind of loathes the idea of ruling), and succeeds. (Kellen thus becomes his Guardian instead, which is just as soul-wrecking as you would expect.) He becomes king a few years later when their father unexpectedly dies. The current Illusionist emperor sees an opportunity here—being possibly one of the most powerful Illusionists ever to be born, he possesses the ability to cast illusions over his appearance (which most illusionists cannot do), and murders and replaces a Caelarian duke named Aphelion. He then courts and wins the hand of Firaine, and then encourages her jealousy of her brother, eventually manipulating her into planning a coup to seize power. Their plan was to take advantage of a loophole in the rules of ascendancy—if the monarch is dying, they may bestow the kingship on whoever they wish, via giving them their scepter, a weapon of great power.
The coup goes off without a hitch at first—Aphelion sneaks Illusionist warriors into the palace and they suddenly attack during a meeting the Gywair was having with his advisors. Everyone in the room is killed (including seemingly Aphelion, though of course, that’s a ruse) except for Firaine and Kellen (who is not dead but grievously wounded). Firaine holds her dying brother in her arms, expecting him to pass on the kingship to her—but to her shock, he realizes her deception in his last moments, and dies without passing on his scepter to anyone.
Meanwhile, as all of this is happening, a young mother suddenly finds that her six-year-old son, Gael (a main character! Finally!) has had the Guardian’s mark appear on his shoulder, and thus brings him to the palace to be presented to the king. However, as the king’s council is in session, Gael is instead first brought to meet his future monarch—the little princess Estella, Gywair’s daughter (our main main character!). Aphelion and Firaine had accounted for Estella, of course—they manipulated the princess’s nursemaid, Coriander, into bringing Estella to them when the time was right. However, when the time comes she has a crisis of morals, and instead of taking the princess to Aphelion, she takes both Estella and Gael and runs.
Aphelion, furious at Firaine’s failure, attempts to pick up the scepter himself—but, as a defense mechanism, the power of the scepter rejects him immediately and instantly warps him and the other Illusionists out of Caelaria and down to earth.
…however, unfortunately, this also zaps every single other person in Caelaria down to earth with no way to get back.
Coriander, finding herself suddenly zapped to an unfamiliar land with two panicky six year olds, certain that she’ll be caught and killed for her betrayal, uses her Gift to manipulate memories to erase Estella and Gael’s memory of their previous lives and identities to protect them, and then leaves them in two separate orphanages in a nearby city where she hopes they’ll be safe. (Unfortunately they are not.) She is then unfortunately captured by the Illusionists and her fate is unknown.
And that’s where our story picks up! (Yeah, that…that was just the background. Why am I like this.) We follow a now sixteen year old amnesiac Estella, going by the name Dulce, living on the streets as a street musician. She’s had a very rough and lonely upbringing, but is finally found by her grandfather (her mother’s father) who has been searching for her this entire time, and is brought to the Haven, a remnant of Caelarians hiding out in the ruins of a forest city. Her grandfather runs into Gael quite by accident looking for Estella—who has been having an equally rough time, having been sold into slavery, and being sold from master to master due to how stubborn and rebellious he is—and brings him with them, having no idea that he is Estella’s Guardian, but recognizing him as Caelarian.
They then meet Kyelle at the Haven, who you’ve heard about, and they also meet Sage (MY BELOVED). I accidentally made him way too much like me, he’s the resident bookworm, a couple years younger than the others, and pretty shy. They also come to find out that he is Coriander’s son, and has inherited some of her gift—he is able to dream other people’s memories. This ability isn’t voluntary, it happens on its own, which can be a bit of a burden, but it comes in handy in helping Estella and Gael reclaim their lost memories.
Miles gets introduced here too, although he doesn’t have a major role in this first story. He’s actually a triplet; he has a brother named Ammil and a sister named Rowan. They are all wildly different from each other, which is really entertaining, and the three of them have grown up with Kyelle and Sage. Miles and Estella become quick friends over their shared love of music (Miles plays mandola), and he introduces her to his siblings, who are also musicians.
The story then follows Estella and Gael as they go on a quest to figure out how to get back to Caelaria. Kyelle comes along due to her resourcefulness, and Sage comes to aid the recovery of their memories along the way in case they remember something important (despite his lack of combat ability). Along the way they slowly find out all the above background information, how the coup happened, etc.
Gael’s Guardian abilities begin to come to light along the way, though he has no idea what’s going on (I’m thinking that they, along with everyone’s Gifts, have been dulled by their time away from Caelaria, and thus you can’t see the mark on his shoulder). A Guardian has the ability to sense when their monarch is in immediate danger (Gael often describes it as a ringing, buzzing sensation at the base of his skull), and they gain superhuman strength and reflexes for the duration of the time the monarch is in danger. You know how mothers in extreme situations have been known to be able to lift cars off of their trapped child due to adrenaline? It’s like that, but on steroids.
Estella and Gael are my main ship—I am insane about them and could talk about them for eons—they have a very deep bond and are extremely overprotective of each other (which causes some problems later on but that’s another story), but are both unwilling to voice their feelings for various reasons. They’re infuriating and I love them 😂
Kellen also shows up again later and becomes a mentor of sorts for both Estella (as her father’s best friend) and Gael (as the last Guardian)—however, having his king die in front of him and failing in his role was an extremely traumatic experience, and it’s a miracle that the sudden severing of the bond between him and Gywair didn’t shatter his mind.
And finally, I mentioned Hevel in my oc’s, but he doesn’t actually show up in this first story. He’s the son of Aphelion and Firaine that no one ever knew existed—and is thus both Estella’s cousins and technically the prince of the Illusionist realm. As a half-Caelarian half-Illusionist, he has no ability to create Illusions—however, he does have the Gift (although he’s more likely to call it a curse) of not being able to see Illusions at all. He’s thus shunned by his society as a whole and most pretend he doesn’t exist at all, including his father. He eventually joins Estella’s side.
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mirkwoodshewolf · 3 years ago
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The Celestial and the Company; A Hobbit fanfic
*Author’s note*
Hey guys well this is a series I’ve been working on for awhile and I hope you all enjoy this. Now connection to wifi/tumblr working is fuzzy so I’m gonna do this slowly and hope and pray this story gets out as best as it can. So images and gifs may come later down the road or until I find out this theory I have can work 100%. For now enjoy this prologue and for the upcoming chapters of my newest HOBBIT/LOTR story. I’ll even do a basic character bio sometime around just so I can get you guys into this character’s story more and see how I blend this with my own brain process/Tolkien’s work.
Next part 
BACKGROUND INFO HERE
Taglist:
@plethora-of-things
@queensdivas
@waddles03
@psychosupernatural
@queen-paladin
@ixchel-9275
@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels
@peter-parkers-cullen-nerd
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For as long as Middle Earth has existed there has always been an ancient Guardian watching and protecting over it.  They have existed long before the coming of Men, Dwarves, Orcs and Goblins.   Before the skin-changers, the dragons, even before the Elves and just shortly before the Ents.  But not one of them has ever had the courage to tell their own story.
Not till now.
I was born at the start of the Second Age of Middle Earth. Alongside my brothers and sisters, however to us Middle Earth is Ageless.  It had no beginning or no end.  No boundary between the earth and the sky.  Like the horses that run the plains of Rohan, we belonged here.  There would always be my kind watching over Middle Earth.
Who am I you may be pondering? Just what type of creature could have existed longer than even the immortal Elves of Middle Earth.  Well the story that I’m going to tell you is true. I lived it all, the good, the bad, the hard times and peaceful times.  And I remember everything about it.
From the sun, the sky even the wind blowing against my face.
My name is Hela and I, along with all my brothers and sisters are who the people of Middle Earth called The Celestials.
A sonic boom ran across a large field, tracking behind a stream of lightning behind as she ran faster than any other being.  She raced across the field till she came up to the Anduin river, there she made a leap from a boulder and like a fish to water, she swam with grace and speed through the strong rapids.
She ducked down before doing a huge breach into the air. She landed down on the other side of the river and raced once again with great speed through the Lothlorien woods. The Lórien Elves knowing of who she was, all backed off her trail and allowed her great speed to pace, some of them even bowed their heads before her.
Past the ancient dwarf Kingdom of Moria all the way to the Misty Mountains.  Thus she ran with even greater speed all the way to the top of the mountain’s to reach the Pass of Caradhras.  As she now stood at the very top of the snowy peak of Caradhras, the woman removed her facemask to reveal a young woman around the physical age of her late 20’s.  Her hair went down to her shoulders and was as dark brown as the earth except for two white streaks that framed the front of her face so elegantly and beautifully, and hazel eyes that shined like starlight.
Her outfit almost resembled light Elvish armor mixed with a Ranger’s.  Red and silver was the pattern of her uniform but on her forearms were two wrist gauntlets forged in pure silver.  And on each one, a colored gem fit neatly inside the mold made to fit five gem pieces in each gauntlet.  The one on her left gauntlet was a green gem while the other worn on her right was scarlet red.  The red gem glowed and her red and silver outfit disappeared showing off her true clothing.
She wore tight black leggings with two silver stripes going down her thigh to meet a triangle shape along her might-thigh before tracing back down as a single silver strip.  Her armor bodice was thin but as strong as Mithril, the colors of black and silver mixed in together in a magnificent way, and if you looked very closely, you could see engraved ruins around her bodice, symbolizing her as a Celestial.
“I have found you, sister Makkari. Let your speed help me through this new age. And hope you’ll grace me in finding the others as well.”
My name is Hela, and after the War of the Last Alliance I became the Last of the Celestials.  Sauron’s forces were strong and his will stronger.  But my brothers and sisters fought valiantly until making the ultimate sacrifice to stop an enemy that only we could stop.
In the three years after Sauron’s defeat, I’ve only managed to find two of the ten sparks of my family’s celestial magic.  Makkari and my big sister Cersei.  Cersei’s was the first to find just a few months after the war when I came across a very special rock that glowed of Celestial Magic.
When I had picked the rock, it shifted into a green gem and from the burnt earth, new green life was forged.  For that was my sister Cersei’s celestial power, creating new life out of different things.  For example she could turn a stone into water, water into air, and air into fire. Or even use her power to change an enemy’s weapon into nothing but moths, or give a blunt knife back it’s sharpness without the use of a wheel to sharpen it.
And just now near the borders of Rohan, a Mearas came up to me and normally no wild Mearas would walk up to anyone.  But this one I knew was special, it offered it’s mane to me and from one single strip of hair I had sensed the power of another Celestial.
My sister Makkari, who was known as the fastest Celestial. So taking that single horsehair and using my sister Cersei’s powers of altering matter, I made the horse hair into a red gem and had placed it onto my gauntlet before inheriting my little sister’s speed.
I looked out and surveyed all of Middle Earth as a new Age began to dawn, however this time none of the other Celestials would get to reign in this new peace.  Nor any other age after that, for its only just myself.
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scrawnytreedemon · 3 years ago
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Shit I’ve Been Winding Up For A Long Time Now But Am Very Aware Will Probably Hold No Relevance Should I Actually Go Into This More--
This is about Bhunivelze.
I.
You know, when I was chilling out, on my bed, that evening on that half term in early June, deciding to check up on ClementJ64′s FF retrospective because-- Hey! It’s been awhile, I wonder if he’s got around to doing the final bit of the FFXIII saga --You know, I was there, chilling, just for a laff. Just a laff.
The rest of that week was spent spiralling into a hyperfixation I absolutely did not anticipate in any way, shape, or form, because the way they introduced that character was “wwhdhfjjhHJDFJKHKJHW H A T??”
That retrospective and a good amount of wiki-scrounging is all I have as a basis for this. This is not a coherent character analysis-- Though I might tag it as that for ease of access. This is not, by any means, the thoughts of someone deeply familiar with FFXIII on the whole beyond plot synopses and overarching themes.
I don’t think I’m brave enough for that.
Reading the vast yet surface-deep lore on those wiki pages on my birthday while in a delirious state of mind was enough to make me somewhat nauseous.
Do you think I’m going to go through all of that in real time?
(Someday, someday.)
Ugh, I don’t know how to begin, but let us, I guess. I’d recommend you read this church-mime-demiurge’s FF Wiki page if you want the same level of base-knowledge I had, and maybe the aformentioned retrospective if you want the experience, because I don’t think I have the wherewithal to get into all of that from the bottom-up.
I am also, so, so fucking sorry for any remaining FFXIII fans in advance. There is like, a good chance I may be butchering the characterisation completely, so bear with me here.
With that... we begin?
Where do we even start with this guy?
How on earth to you begin to explain the absolute monolith you’ve constructed from crumbs of a Guy, some material no doubt spliced in from the Pale King, Sephiroth, y o u r  o w n  G o d  O C and other characters, and the mountains of religious trauma you carry around at all times that is probably the only reason you’ve been able to latch on as hard as you did?
I’m going to try.
What gets me, in summary, about Bhunivelze is how he’s a prime example of how love and concern can become deadly forces if in the wrong hands. His first acquainting with human emotion was by deceiving and possessing Hope, reverting his body to a teenage state, and planning to live among humanity through him. He sees human sorrow and suffering, and decides that, to End This(because it must be ended, you see) he’s going to destroy all the souls of the deceased that make up the Chaos that’s been eating this world for the past five-hundred years so they all forget and Are Happy. :).
Capital G God here hasn’t been present for the vast part of human history because he’s hidden himself away from Everything due to paranoia from killing his own mother and throwing her body into the Cosmic Basement, THEN creating the beings that would come to create humanity and OTHER beings because he didn’t have the keys to the cosmic basement. And also he believes death is a thing because she’d’ve somehow cursed all things to pass(including him) out of Spite.
Which explains why he’s so fucking averse to it and anything to do with it.
Bhunivelze, to put it lightly, is Shit at stepping into others’ shoes and Getting their experiences-- All the FalCie in FFXIII are, but him especially. It’s clear(again, in the f u c k i n g JP--) that he makes attempts to sympathise with them and does what he can to help, but it’s with such a loftiness and a complete inability to Understand why anyone would want grief, The Worst Fucking Experience In Existence, and even less why they’d be willing to Go Up Against Him And HisThe New Perfect World just for it-- And what would it matter, anyway, forgetting their loved ones. It’s not like you can grieve lost memories, right?
Right.
It reminds me of when at the end of the story of Job in the Bible, where, after putting this man through hell on earth, God rewards Job by giving him ten new children to make up for the ones that he lost. I. And that’s fucked! Nothing can replace the sheer uniqueness of each individual person you loved so dearly! But if you were a nigh-omnipotent deity high and mighty, with a cursory, almost mechanical knowledge on the functionings of the human psyche, that would seem adequete; enough.
Bhunivelze is doing that on a cosmic level.
I now want to get onto the romance: that being, his affections for Lightning. I don’t know how much I’m going to say, but it’ll probably be alot. It’s something that hits very close to home.
There is this... thing, within certain branches of Christianity, perhaps even in those of various Abrahamic faiths, where God’s love is posited to be the love-- The ultimate, most-fulfilling, all-encompassing love you could ever imagine --Because, well, he is love, so the story goes, and so often the best way to convey that is through the imagery of...
Marriage.
Giving up yourself so completely, to serve, to be the Bride; to be bound by him for all eternity; and for there to be no higher bliss than this.
This angle is pushed on young girls and women the most; from the mere parallels to the woman’s role in marriage, all the way down to downright-horrifying ultra-Evangelical purity pacts. With men, God is your dad, your best bud and confidant, your boss, your king, your this, your that, and the ‘marriage‘ as it were is relegated to a sort of half-thought; a metaphor.
For me, God was an attempt at all that, and my arranged groom.
(It was almost incestuous; was incestuous, that my own Divine Father would reach for my hand in marriage.)
Bhunivelze experiences Emotions™ for the first time through Hope, experiences Hope’s sheer overwhelming admiration for Lighting(whether there were any baby-crush feelings mixed in, I can’t say), and promptly falls into a nigh-romantic obsession with Lightning, deciding that she will be Etro(his all-but daughter)’s replacement, will be his Goddess of Death to-be-- He even calls her as such, before the final boss-battle--
...In the JP.
What happened in localisation, probably due to a number of factors, all the way back in early 2014, was that everything emotionally challenging about Bhunivelze was scraped off, like it was extra fat, and tossed aside, leaving us with the bland, clichéd shell of a foe-god we’ve seen time and time again. And I mean everything. I mean his very love for humanity; the fact his ploy was, in his eyes, to save them. Because if they’d left that all on, then it would raise the question of even if there was such a seemingly pure, all-knowing, loving being hell-bent on setting things “straight,“ would they truly be unquestionable? Would we have the right to fight for our humanity in the face of the Creator of the Universe?
To reject a love so personal?
That’s what gets me about FFXIII’s tackling of God, no matter how hackneyed and poorly-executed. It’s personal.
It’s from a feminine experience.
I know that terming is... vague, and problematic, but the way Christianity and much of the video game industry handle femininity itself is weird and problematic, so as it stands, I’ll have to simplify it. Apologies.
What sets FFXIII’s Let’s Kill God™ plot aside from most JRPG Let’s Kill God™ plots is that with our protagonist being a woman, and one who is very in touch with her femininity alongside her sheer strength; often, in these stories, God is reduced to Yet Another Foe, expected or unexpected, and you are tasked with taking him down unquestioningly for the Good of Mankind-- You will fight God, because you are right to, and you will go man-to-man-to-however-many-men you decide to bring along for the bloodbath.
And that just, doesn’t speak to me.
Even as an Extian.
Especially as an Extian. And an AFAB one with a deeply complicated experience with my gender, at that.
Leaving Christianity was painful. Questioning God was painful. Coming to terms with the fact that I had been mentally, emotionally, and spiritually traumatised under the guise of All-Encompassing Love was so, so fucking painful. I had been taught since I was five years old to devote myself to him, spent my life desperate to feel something, anything, to stay connected because I just, I never could Feel It on a deeper level, never could Give Up Myself, all I was, couldn’t Die A Spiritual Death And Be Reborn As His Eager Vessel, thus deeming myself to be worthless and a broken vessel for years and years on end... And for all that to have been... Nothing.
Lightning is hollowed out, the shards of her dead sister ripped from her in-stasis, leaving her emotionally numb for the majority of the game, Bhunivelze sweeps it under the rug, pretends he’ll perform a miracle and return Serah to life in exchange for her compliance, then sends her on her way to do his work, all the while knowing he’s going to pull said-rug from under her and elevate her such dizzying heights in the aftermath--
That he’ll deny her humanity.
Sand down all the rough edges that make her her, and polish her up afterwards, gild her as he is gilded, make her a Goddess.
And he’ll do it all because he loves her.
You can’t fight God like you can everything else. To fight It is the fight Existence Itself; FFXIII even conveys that by making Bhunivelze’s model part of the arena; it’s baked into the fabric of the game, no matter how minute.
While Lightning Returns is far from perfect in its execution of this concept, and that in itself makes me wince, not even taking into account the horribly botched excuse for a localisation Bhunivelze endured, it speaks to me more than anything else I’ve seen so far.
And it’s helped uncover some things within me. Helped me untangle them, just a little more.
So, yeah. I have alot of Thoughts on Bhunivelze, I want to share them, and I’m kinda really sad I have no one but my currently-absent friend Vee to share them with. I could get into alot more, like his very Fucked relationship with familial bonds, and how Lightning’s role as saviour so deeply parallels the overwhelming panic and never-ending guilt of Evangelical proselytisation, but I think I’ll leave those for another time.
In short, Bhunivelze is the epitome of Divine Love gone deeply wrong; on all fronts.
And if all of that isn’t enough to intrigue you, then, in Vee’s words, Lightning and Velze are literally canon endgame Sefikura lmaOOOOOOOOOOOOOO--
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squirrelcrow-po3 · 3 years ago
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SOOO this will be a long post
context: during night whispers in oots, feathermist (jayfeather equivalent) is overwhelmed with stress and emotion that he decides to go with stormheart (stormfur) and brook to go to the mountains, despite boartusk screaming at him not to. while there, he has a nightmare of the clans being destroyed and goes home without telling anyone. he finds that because he was gone, the dark forest has taken over the clans. basically, in my rewrite, there is a 'head' of starclan and the dark forest. they dont fade away, but the existence as they know it of starclan and the dark forest hinges on them. if they are killed by another cat from their afterlife, they ake over. but if they are killed from an outside source.. bad things happen. for awhile, this cat for the dark forest was one eye. but when tigerstar died, he killed one eye and took over. this cat for starclan was gray wing, but as he tried to defend the clans against the dark forests' surprise attack, he was killed. this banished starclan away forever, and made them unable to come into the living world or send dreams to living cats (though later, leaders find out they still get nine lives, they just don't have a ceremony. they fall asleep at the moonpool and wake up without seeing any starclan cats). anyways, the clans were merged into one big clan under tigerstar's rule, forced to worship the dark forest. most cats were brutally killed, especially old cats and cats deemed by tigerstar "not fit to serve him". the one good thing sunchaser has done was hide briarlight in the twolegplace so she wouldn't be harmed. okay so the prophecy cats are trying to figure out what to do. dovewing begs ashflake to do SOMETHING to help her. and he actually does, for once. he tells her that before he came into her body, he witnessed something: cherryflight was alive in the tunnels. dovewing tells feathermist and sunchaser, and they do to find cherryflight. ivypool stops them, still loyal to the dark forest. but dovewing convinces her to let them go. they find cherryflight and kill tigerclaw. the end! except literally most of the clan cats are dead :[
alive cats:
thunderclan: thornsnap (thornclaw, who is elected the clan's new leader), mousewhisker, feathermist, squirrelflight, sunchaser, cherryflight, icecloud, dovewing, ivypool, rosepetal, honeyfern, molepaw, pepperpaw (cherrypaw), brambleclaw (though mortally wounded), daisy, sandstorm, antkit (honeyfern's kit)
windclan: gorsefire (gorsepaw who lives, is elected the clan's new leader), heathertail, kestrelflight, crowfeather, nightcloud, squallstrike (breezepelt), hootwhisker, sedgewhisker, featherpaw, oatpaw, leaftail, harespring, slightfoot, tigerkit (sunchaser and heathertail's kit), frecklekit (sunchaser and heathertail's kit)
riverclan: willowshine, mothwing, hollowflight, minnowtail, havenpelt, sneezecloud, beetlewhisker, reedwhisker, podpaw, curlpaw, lakeheart, harekit, gorsekit, dapplekit, softkit
shadowclan: murkystar (blackstar), tawnyspark (tawnypelt), spruceheart (tigerheart), snowbird, sparrowtail, wasptail, berryheart, sleekkit, juniperkit, strikekit, needlekit, pinenose, puddlekit, slatekit, birchkit, lionkit
outside of the clans: briarlight, brook, stormheart, fern (fernsong, who is a kittypet), flip, bristle, lark, thrift, stem, sol, earth
with that out of the way. these are the 'books' though i imagine them more like novellas within the same big book
book one:
pov character: antkit
thunderclan is in ruins, but has the most surviving warriors out of any clan. brambleclaw gives up his place as deputy, as he is incredibly injured. he asks squirrelflight to be leader, but she refuses. everyone agrees that thornsnap should become leader, as a surviving senior warrior. thornstar wants everything to return to how the clans once were. antkit becomes feathermist's apprentice. he soon realizes that squirrelflight is pregnant again and tells thornstar, who is outraged that she is still in a half-clan relationship. squirrelflight decides to leave and join windclan.
at the next medicine cat meeting, antpaw realizes that riverclan is doing worse than thunderclan because they have no leader or deputy. they cannot agree on who should become leader: reedwhisker, mistyfoot's son and the most likely candidate that she would choose as her deputy, or mothwing, who was once deputy. shadowclan also has no trained medicine cat.
brambleclaw is dying, and squirrelflight returns with crowfeather to witness his last moments. thornstar relents and the clans agree that half-clan relationships should not be against the new code. squirrelflight has her kits, two toms. who she names maplekit after her father, and bramblekit after her dear friend.
feathermist and antpaw go into the twolegplace to bring briarlight back. he learns she had been taken care of by a kittypet named fern, alongside his four kits. fern agrees to join the clan with briarlight.
book two:
pov character: tigerpaw
in windclan, tigerpaw and his sister frecklepaw have recently been made apprentices. ever since he was a kit, he felt as though heathertail didn't like him. and with the new rules, tigerpaw is excited to go to thunderclan to meet his father. but he soon realizes that sunchaser is an aging, bitter tom, nothing like the hero he thought he would be.
suddenly, news comes out that shadowclan has annexed riverclan by force. but murkystar isn't working alone. two strange cats named sol and earth have come to shadowclan, claiming to be in contact to starclan. sol predicts the eclipse to prove this. he says that starclan wants the clans to become one strong clan. the other clans are outraged, claiming that that's what tigerstar wanted to do. but murkystar is too far gone to listen.
tigerpaw decides that he isn't wanted in windclan or thunderclan, so he joins shadowclan, much to frecklepaw's horror. there, he meets needlepaw, sleekpaw, and juniperpaw (who is training under willowshine to be a medicine cat). he especially bonds with sleekpaw and juniperpaw, who were orphaned in the great battle. as well as earth, who is his age. and was also abandoned by his mother and father, and was taken in by sol. tigerpaw relates to this. needlepaw is the only cat that tigerpaw doesn't get along well with, mostly because she doesn't necessarily trust sol.
however, riverclan is suffering under shadowclan. they aren't treated fairly, and are thought more of as soldiers to do murkystar's bidding than clanmates. but tigerpaw thinks this is for the best. but with needlepaw, he begins to question why starclan would want this. but juniperpaw and sleekpaw shame him for thinking this. he sees minnowtail sneaking out of camp, but keeps quiet for now.
third book:
pov character: frecklepaw
in windclan, frecklepaw is coping with her brother's absence. soon, skyclan appears at the edges of the lake territory, and frecklepaw convinces gorsestar to allow her to greet them, desperate to escape the clan and her family situation.
there, she meets hawkstar (hawkwing) and leafdapple, who retired before the journey. she tells them about the clans' situation, and about sol. leafdapple is shocked, and recognizes him as the kittypet that she turned away in the gorge. she realizes that he must have come to get his revenge on the clans by turning the clans against each other.
frecklepaw returns and realizes that gorsestar and thornstar plan to raid shadowclan to forcefully release riverclan. frecklepaw tries to get tigerpaw to listen to her and return home before he gets hurt, but he refuses. but he does believe that sol is a fraud. frecklepaw gains her warrior name, frecklecreek. she realizes the only thing left to do is help riverclan by herself.
in secret, she meets with minnowtail to plan an uprising.
fourth book:
pov character: minnowtail
minnowtail tries to drum up support from her riverclan clanmates, but they refuse out of fear. she is turned into murkystar, but manages to escape before she is killed. she shows up in thunderclan to gain help from them and windclan. frecklepaw fears for her brother's safety, and wishes they could peacefully do something. but minnowtail assures her that they will try to avoid too much death.
the clans try to warn murkystar to surrender before fighting happens. but sol assures him that starclan wouldn't let them lose. with no other options, the battle begins.
im getting kinda lazy at this point, but shadowclan is defeated and riverclan is released. sol is chased out. earth surrenders. murkystar is demoted to an elder, and tawnyspark earns her nine lives. riverclan agrees that minnowtail should be their new leader. they begin to start to revise the code, but recognize that the clans will always be changing and adapting.
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infinityactual · 4 years ago
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Hi work is slow as hell so I wanted to say something that's been on my kind for awhile.
When women say 'We don't want unrealistic, scantily-clad babes, we want women in functional, full plate!' we are NOT saying that is the only thing that can ever be done ever again.
When members of marginalized groups (Black, POC, LGBTQA+, women) say 'We don't want the same stereotyped trope characters we get, we want actual characters we can relate to!' we are not saying that is the only thing that can be done ever again.
We are saying that we would like that content alongside the *usual fare. Not instead of.
And I think that might be where a lot of tension comes from in some cases. A group says they want more of one thing, or express disappointment that there isn't more of a thing available, or that they're tired of the standard depictions of marginalized groups, and suddenly others think that said groups want to ban all content that isn't about them.
Now, I'm sure there are a fair number of people from these groups that do want to see that. I am not speaking for them, I am speaking for myself and whoever else agrees with me.
Because I am all for some hot chick in a plate mail bikini. It's nice to look at, and in the right context, it isn't a huge deal. But I also greatly enjoy a full armored woman who at least looks like she can kick ass properly. Case and point, lady sparts in Halo. They LOOK like they can do the things they're depicted doing.
One thing I liked about World of Warcraft was that the bikini armor wasn't the standard. It was fairly rare to see armor on a game model that was obviously absurd levels of sexy. And when they introduced transmog, that gave players the option to choose. If I wanted my mage running around in a bikini, I could make her high level robes look like that piece. I could have my Death Knight in full fuckin plate that made her look like she weighed two tons. I had the option.
And for games where you make your own character, I think having the option is really important. Because then everyone is happy. Everyone can make themselves in a game, or make their OCs, or whatever.
But NPCs and set PCs need variety too. They need to reflect that the world is not 100% straight white people, mostly men.
All we want is the option. We want a bowl of candy where one person can take one of everything, another can take only the red Starburst, and yet another can pick only the chocolate, butterscotch and salted peanuts. All we want is to have the option to pick and choose our own experience, to be provided with a variety so that there is something for at least most of us.
We are tired of the exact same thing all the time. *And it goes without saying that all of us do want to see negative stereotypes go completely. Those don't need to exist for any reason. Period.
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fatalism-and-villainy · 3 years ago
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Nobody asked for a Qi Ye reaction post but here one is nonetheless (at almost 1500 words.... hello.)
[~spoilers~]
One of the first things I can say is that I love love LOVE Priest’s writing style. It’s hard to say how much of this is a translation thing, because I did get the vibe that this translation was a lot smoother and better than the other cnovel translations I happen to have read. But god!! Her style is very densely allusive, and a challenge to follow at times, but so so beautiful. The story’s narration also shifts perspective a lot in the middle of chapters, which gives it this almost cinematic bird’s eye effect for me (except with internal-emotional states more than visuals). I can see it being the kind of thing that might bother people, but I love it – and I think that it ties in with the themes about the ephemerality and impermanence of life, and the way these little moments are all part of a much bigger sphere of existence.
I also like the way she does humour more than MXTX, honestly? I find the slapstick humour in MXTX’s works to be overdone and distracting from the other story and characterization work going on in her works. Whereas here, the humour landed more and also felt like it tied in more with the actual development of character and themes. Like, for instance, Liang Jiuxiao’s battle with the sable wherein he gets scratched every time and exhausts Beiyuan’s entire supply of antidote – it’s over the top, but also genuinely funny to me, AND I feel the comedic setup of Liang Jiuxiao constantly being an unwanted visitor contrasts very well with the entire heartbreaking scenario involving Beiyuan drugging him for Zhou Zishu, as well as his general progression from a Pure of Heart, Dumb of Ass archetype to being completely shattered by the evil and corruption in the world.
(The Sex and Kissing stuff is also, imo, more sensual and generally hotter to me than MXTX’s stuff – not trying to pick on her specifically, she’s just my only point of comparison for these novels.)
The main romance is ehhh… Mixed Feelings? I loved Wu Xi in all the parts he wasn’t playing the role of “love interest who expresses their love via violent jealousy”, but the parts where he WAS…. woof. Like, I don’t necessarily mind jealousy when it’s internal sensations, or when it’s a very intentionally fucked up dynamic, but I like it less so when it’s couple who’s riding off into the sunset and are the only foil to the general aura of melancholy and sadness in a story? Really hope that’s a one-off specific piece of characterization and not a general Thing for Priest…
I did actually like the gradual development of Beiyuan’s feelings, and the way there’s no Big Moment of Realization – or rather, there is a moment of realization, but it’s not super dramatic, it’s just sort of settling into something that’s been there awhile.
Another problem with their relationship for me though, I think, is how rushed the denouement of the book is, and how many important things are glossed over. Like, okay, they’re riding off into the sunset, but are they actually going to talk about the fact that Beiyuan seduced Wu Xi for Deception Purposes and then drugged him…? Taking advantage of Wu Xi’s very earnest and intense feelings in the process? Like, they stay in the capital for three months of negotiations before they leave, all while Wu Xi hides Beiyuan in his house – there must have been conversations and Relationship Negotiations? And yet we don’t See any of that, we’re just treated to them riding off in a carriage with some cheeky little line about how Beiyuan has the rest of his life to make things up to Wu Xi (presumably by having rough sex)… like ok.
The racism… there was a lot of it in the presentation of Nanjiang! I think the thing that stood out to me though was the line about Wu Xi’s having a kind of intuitive understanding of how people are (an intuition attributed to children, even!) despite not being cultured – it slots so perfectly into the kind of colonial propaganda that posits colonized people as having this innate, intuitive understanding of the world or connection with nature or what have you – but of course they’re not mature, they’re not cultured, they don’t have the capacity for rationality, that we do. To be fair, the line I’m thinking of is also applied to Liang Jiuxiao, but it is of a piece with how Nanjiang is characterized throughout the novel – like, oh, they’re so simple! When they like someone they just get married! It’s presented as a romantic ideal, but in a way that portrays Nanjiang as being Simple and Rustic and lacking the cultural complexity of the Great Qing. (Especially since we b a r e l y see the country or its people on the page.)
(Not to mention the way Wu Xi’s bodyguards from Nanjiang are portrayed as being confused and grossed out by him being in love with a man – contrasted with the commentary about how commonplace sex between men is in the Great Qing. Feels very like Nanjiang gets cast as less “enlightened”?)
I think those elements are also part of why the romance doesn’t fully stick its landing for me – because Wu Xi does take in and consider Great Qing cultural stuff, and incorporate it into his worldview alongside the influence of his home culture – and we don’t see Beiyuan doing something similar in return. He wants to leave for Nanjiang in part because he’s exhausted with capital politics and wants freedom, but why Nanjiang specifically? What does the country mean to him? How’s he actually going to fit in there? (This is another thing that also could have been filled in more with more actual writing about what goes down after that final battle.)
I honestly was deeply moved by Helian Yi. I shed literal tears for that man on multiple occasions. I do feel like I would have benefitted from more actual exploration of his past life-relationship with Beiyuan? Because as it was, I felt like that aspect of Beiyuan’s characterization was kind of informed rather than fleshed out – what did he see in Helian Yi in the first place? And I think the unrequited love would have been more poignant if we’d had more flashbacks to when it was requited.
Also, the possible-incest reveal?? What even was the point of that…? (I know people have posited that that’s why Helian Yi originally had Beiyuan killed, but with that final deleted-on-JJWXC extra I feel like it’s meant to be that he thought Beiyuan was responsible for Su Qingluan’s death. Another thing that should have been elaborated on, plot-wise…)
In general, the ending was very rushed. It gave me distinct “project due the next day” vibes.
ZHOU ZISHU!!!! – my main emotional engagement with this, tbh. I loved what was done with him, loved getting to see more of the atrocities he was behind (haha), loved the chilling “ends justify the means” ideological track he was on, loved how enmeshed he was in Hierarchy and political intrigue and how Carefully he handled himself around his social superiors… yeah.  
I am also…. Also losing my mind over the entire Vibe between Zhou Zishu and Liang Jiuxiao. Misplaced devotion… broken pedestals… weird subtextual hard-to-define Feelings... selfishly wanting to hide the worst parts of yourself from someone…. Ahhhhh it’s good. Love those intricate complex homoerotic friendships. If there Exists any fic (whether platonic or less so) that anyone wants to rec… pls do 👀
I have to say, another problem I had with the ending was that I don’t think the tonal dissonance was well-balanced. Like, there’s a very melancholy atmosphere for pretty much everyone except the main couple, and I do understand that their getting away from the capital is the only thing that engenders that happiness (as a big theme of the book is that the politicking in the capital is exhausting and demoralizing – and to my understanding that is similar to the themes at work in Faraway Wanderers.) But I don’t feel as though those two streams were working in communication with each other in the final chapters – I would say that the cutesy scenes with the main couple just felt jarring in contrast to the sadness and regret that permeated the rest of the narrative. I think perhaps they were too saccharine, rather than emphasizing escape and looking forward to different possibilities? I’m not sure. (It also seems questionable to present Nanjiang as an Escape, given that Wu Xi is in charge now?? They’re still right in the thick of politics?) Anyway, this all is why I like the placement of that final extra at the end of the narrative, because it Is a turning back to melancholia that I like to see during nominal happy endings.
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1-800-sunset · 4 years ago
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Dabihawks/Toukei Pride and Prejudice Au
Keigo Takami lived in an orphanage all his life in Netherfield Park. The orphanage doubled as a farm that raised livestock and crops. The orphanage itself was run by Inko Midoriya. Even after his 18th birthday Keigo decided to continue to stay there and work for Inko to help keep the orphanage afloat. He was not the only one who stayed behind to help, his best friend Rumi who also grew up in the orphanage worked right beside him. The kids that stayed were tight knit and like a small ragtag family. Izuku, Inko’s son, spent all of his childhood alongside the other orphans around his age like Fumikage, Eijiro, and Uruaka, at this point they were all 18. Rumi and Keigo were more like the young kids’ older siblings, them being 24. Inko loved them all just like they herself but often wished they would start to venture and explore what's out there. 
One day there is talk throughout Netherfield that some of Lord Enji Todoroki’s children and Tenko Shimura were going to attend the ball that was going to take place. A ball that the entire neighborhood was invited. The rumors were that Tenko was looking to buy property in Netherfield and decided to bring along some of Enji’s kids. Keigo and Rumi alongside Inko, Izuku and the rest of their little family attended the ball. Keigo, Izuku, and Rumi loved to dance and did so without second thoughts until they realized how most of the room had stopped to stare at three newcomers that stood out. They definitely looked higher class by the looks of their clothing. So they just had to be Shimura and the Todorokis. Rumi leaned over to Keigo to explain to him that the one with the light blue hair and red eyes was Tenko. The other two were the Todorokis. Touya was the older one with the quizzical brow flaming red hair and blue eyes. The younger Todoroki was named Shoto and had split hair between the red hair matching his brother and snowy white, eyes heterochromatic one gray and one blue.  Scar surrounding the blue eye. Keigo could not help but notice the way Izuku looked at Shoto, he looked dare he say entranced. He could not help to comment to Rumi that Touya looked so bored and such a stick in the mud to which Rumi laughed and agreed with him. Ururaka somehow dragged Izuku and motioned Rumi and Keigo to join her to introduce themselves to the newcomers. Shoto looked excited to be around other people and was overall polite while Tenko and Touya seemed to stick to their own business. This rubbed Keigo the wrong way. They seemed like two overly proud and aloof people. 
Shoto certainly takes a liking to Izuku and they dance twice but when they aren’t dancing they seem to talk and simply connect. Keigo from afar noticed their connection. Next to him stood tall aloof Touya. So he decided to ask him if he liked dancing as a way to see if he was willing to dance instead of sticking to the sidelines. Touya responded by saying he doesn’t dance if he could help it. Keigo tears away from him to meet up once again with Rumi. The two hide away to talk then hear Shoto and Touya walking by. Shoto speaks of his newly found adoration for Izuku and even calls him handsome. Touya agrees that Izuku is in fact handsome but Shoto also states that Keigo is as well. Touya only responds that Keigo is not handsome enough to tempt him. Rumi and Keigo scoff at his attitude but look on the bright side that if Touya did like him he would have to speak to him. Keigo says he wouldn't dance with him for all of Derbyshire let alone the half that Todorokis own. Inko, Izuku and Keigo all speak with Shoto about how much he seems to like it here with Touya by his side. Inko notices the way the two look at each other and begins to say how Izuku is single and how once a girl named Himiko wrote him poetry upon poetry. Keigo sees how bringing up Himiko was bringing Izuku’s mood down so he states that poetry is really not the way to win someone over.
“I thought that poetry was the food of love.” Touya asked an eyebrow raised at the notion that Keigo did not seem to think poetry was romantic.
“ Well poetry is beautiful yes but it could be vague and not really prove how deep  one’s love really is. So one poor sonnet will kill those feelings stone dead.” 
“So what do you recommend to encourage affection?” 
“Dancing. Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.” Keigo says his lips turning into a smile before bowing and turning his back on the group to go to the dance floor.
That night Izuku rambled so much about Shoto, Keigo reassures him that it seems mutual. Keigo says how he always thinks the best of people. Izuku states how he can’t believe what Touya said about Keigo. Keigo says it’s fine and he doubts they will ever speak again.
Over breakfast Izuku gets a letter from Tenko that he would like to invite Izuku to eat with them. Izuku accepts the invitation and takes the horse seeing how far their place is from Tenko’s. Not long after Izuku leaves it starts to rain, making Izuku stay the night with the Todorokis and Tenko. Izuku however catches a cold and has to have an extended stay. Keigo gets news of this and goes to the place the Todorokis and Tenko are staying by foot. 
Tenko and Touya are having tea when Keigo arrives. Touya stands up immediately to greet Keigo while Tenko asks if he walked here seeing how his boots and trousers were all muddy. Keigo says he did and was here to see Izuku. Touya tells him Izuku is upstairs. Even after Keigo leaves the room to see Izuku, Touya is still standing there having noticed that Keigo’s eyes were in fact golden like honey. Only being able to say that he has “fine eyes”. Shoto joins Keigo and Izuku for a while as the two speak. Keigo thanks Shoto for letting Izuku stay while he gathers his strength again. Shoto says that it has been his pleasure to look after Izuku.
Once Izuku falls back to sleep, Keigo and Shoto join Touya and Tenko in the parlor. Tenko notes how it’s been awhile since he has talked to Natsou and Fuyumi as Keigo reads in peace. Until Tenko states how accomplished both Fuyumi and Natsou are in their hobbies. Touya says that he can only think of a few people who truly earn that title.  For a person to earn the title in Touya’s book that had to have an extensive knowledge of dancing, music, languages, and literature. Literature to help improve his own mind. Keigo shuts his books and says he has never met such a person, believing him to be too perfect. Touya argues back that if he is so harsh on all people,  Keigo replies that a person like that existed they would be quite a force of nature. Tenko and Keigo tease Touya for being too serious and Keigo wants to laugh but Tenko tells him Touya hates to be laughed at. Touya says once someone loses his good graces they are lost forever. Keigo finds that pretty reasonable. Rumi with a carriage eventually comes to pick up Izuku and Keigo. It is her that gives Shoto the idea to throw a ball. Although Touya is quick to say if there would be people of all classes. To which Shoto states that no one should be excluded and everyone who wishes to come shall be allowed. Keigo scowls at Touya, swearing to loathe him.
 Keigo was last to board the carriage but required a little help up. Touya offered his hand to act as a rail. Leaving Keigo a bit confused as to why Touya would offer such help.
That evening Inko receives news that Tenya Iida, a childhood friend of Izuku, was visiting. The reason for his visit was to see how they were all doing. As well as seek a potential partner. He worked with Lord Enji Todoroki and the Lord felt it was time for Tenya to settle down before getting more responsibility. Upon reuniting with Izuku and the others, Tenya has a crush on Ochako since childhood and decided to pursue her.
The day of the ball Keigo wears a white loose shirt with  delicate ruching, white trousers and matching boots. Rumi decorated his blonde hair with small pearls claiming they pulled the look together. Touya looked for Keigo. Keigo beforehand Rumi vowed to never dance with Touya. Tenya spent the evening trying to woo Ochako and slightly succeeding.
Touya eventually corners Keigo with Rumi and asks Keigo to dance. Keigo wants to refuse but finds himself saying yes. As the two dance Keigo brings up the comment he made about the mix of classes. Obvious disdain in his voice. Touya doesn’t deny it but asks why he brings it up. Keigo states to try and make out his character. They two wordlessly continue the dancing focusing only on each other. After the song is over Keigo runs off by himself trying to figure out why he would say yes to such an arrogant man in the first place. 
Izuku gets shy and nervous around Shoto and can’t bring himself to be bold enough to stay around Shoto for too long. Or else he would become a red muttering mess. Shoto didn’t seem to mind was was still enamored by the green haired boy with matching eyes. Touya sees this and assumes that Izuku does not seem to like his brother as much as Shoto does. His mind says Izuku is probably only fooling around with Shoto to get higher up on the social ladder. And his brother is too blind to even notice.
The next week passes and Tenya and Ochako get engaged making Inko incredibly happy for the both of them. Izuku however gets a letter from Shoto that he, Touya and Tenko were moving back to London and as well their respective estates. Izuku was heartbroken and devastated. Keigo was determined to not let Izuku be this upset and told him to go after Shoto. So Keigo helped Izuku pack a suitcase. Keigo would be damned if these two who obviously cared for each other. Something in his gut told him Touya probably had something to do with it. 
Since Izuku is gone Ochako invites Keigo to come to her new home on the Todoroki estate in Rosings Park with Tenya. Ochako is happy to be married and has a great deal of affection for her new husband which makes Keigo incredibly proud and happy for her. Although the estate belongs to the Todoroki family Keigo doubted that Touya would be there since it was heard that he was in London. Upon Keigo’s Arrival Enji Todoroki arrived at his estate and invited them for dinner. Lord Enji introduces himself and Keigo introduces himself and lurking in the background is Touya. Which surprises Keigo.
“Touya? What are you doing here?”
“ Keigo, I am a guest here.”
To Tenya and Ochako this was a normal exchange but Enji could not wrap his head around how those two know each other. From what he was told Keigo was of a lower class and an orphan with no family lineage no less. Touya was glad to see Keigo once again but remained aloof. Alongside him was a white haired man with gray eyes.
“You know my son?”
“Yes sir, I have had the pleasure of meeting your son in Hertfordshire.”
The man with white stepped up and bowed before the three to introduce himself as Natsou Todoroki. Enji’s third oldest and Touya’s brother. Keigo noted the distinct hatred in Touya’s blue eyes towards his father. 
Keigo finds himself sitting next to Touya at the dinner table because Enji forbids Ochako and Tenya from sitting next to each other claiming it would be distracting. Touya asks him if his family was in good health to which Keigo responded that they were doing well.
“Do you play the pianoforte, Mr. Takami?” Enji asked, drawing away Keigo’s attention from Touya. Touya scowled and glared at his father.
“A little sir and very poorly.”
Enji continues to ask more questions that get more intrusive and belittling until Touya slams down a fist on the table telling Enji to stop. Keigo does not hold his tongue and snaps back answers. He does but notes how Touya was so quick to defend. After dinner Enji asks Keigo to play for them. Keigo insists that it’s not false modesty; he truly doesn’t play the piano well. But Keigo despite knowing full well that Lord Enji is doing it to put him in his place as someone lesser. He plays the best he can. In the background Enji asks Touya how Fuyumi is doing and how her piano is playing . And Touya responds with a simple fine. 
“I hope she practices. No excellence can be acquired without constant practice.” Was all Enji gruff out.
Touya walks towards the piano determined to speak with Keigo properly. 
“You nearly frightened me Touya by coming here to hear me, but I would be scared even if your sister does play well.”
“I am well enough acquainted with you, Keigo, to know that I can’t really scare you even if I wanted to.”
“So what was my brother like in Hertfordshire?” A new voice joined in. It was Natsou. Keigo stopped playing to focus on him.
“You really care to know? Prepare yourself for something dreadful. The first time I saw him at the ball he danced with nobody at all and stayed along the sidelines with a cold stare.”
“I knew no one besides my own party”
“Oh and no one could be introduced in a ballroom?”
Enji called for Natsou to join him back, leaving Touya and Keigo alone once again. Before started to play again Touya  interrupted the silence between them.
“I do not have the talent of easily conversing with people I have never met before “
“Perhaps you should take your Father’s advice and practice.”
Touya leaves Keigo but continues to stare at him.
The next day Touya barges in the Iida house while Keigo is writing a letter to Izuku. Keigo is confused as to why and stands to greet him and offer him a seat. He tells him that Tenya and Ochako had gone to do business in the village. Touya blurts out how charming the house is and understands why Tenya liked it so much. The two simply look at each other before Keigo offers Touya some tea to which he declines. When hearing the door click open alerting the both of them that Ochako and Tenya were back, Touya bid farewell to Keigo and briskly left his cheeks slightly rosy. Ochako upon seeing this asks Keigo what on earth has he done to poor Touya. Keigo hasn't a clue on what just happened.
The next day in the garden while reading Keigo finds Natsou and starts conversation with him. He asks him how long Natsou is staying in Kent and he says as long as Touya is. Keigo remarks how it seems how everyone seems to be at Touya’s disposal and worries for whoever he marries. Natsou says whoever he does marry would be lucky and explains that his brother is a very loyal companion. Further telling how he heard Touya saved their little brother Shoto from an imprudent marriage. The reasons being that the one that had Shoto’s affections was his lack of interest. It started to rain and Keigo ran from the garden heading towards a safe place to be protected from the rain. When Keigo thought he was alone he turned to find Touya had followed him.
“Keigo I have struggled in vain and could no longer bear it.These past months have been a torment. I have come to Rosings with the single objective of seeing you. I had to see you. I have fought against my father’s better judgment and his expectations , your inferior class and no lineage, my birthright all of these things. And I am willing to put them aside to ask you to end my suffering.”
“I don’t understand”
“I love you, most ardently.”
The blush on Touya’s face grew. Keigo was in disbelief at this man. How dare he throw all that out the window for him but not for Izuku. Anger is what Keigo felt.
“Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.”
“Sir. I appreciate the struggle you have been through and I am most sorry to have caused you pain, it wasn’t my intention.”
“Is this your reply?”
“Yes, sir”
“Are you laughing at me?”
“No”
“Are you rejecting me?”
“I am sure you will overcome and disregard your feelings.”
“Can I ask why you so easily say no like this. Am I that repulsive?”
“And I want to know why you insult me and still tell me you like me even though you said it was against your better judgment!”
“No believe me -“
“If I was uncivil that was some excuse but I have other reasons that you know I have!”
“What reasons”
“Do you think I could accept the man who has ruined Izuku’s happiness.Do you deny it, Touya? That you separated a young couple who loved each other”
“I do not deny it”
“How could you do it”
“Because I believed Mr. Midoriya is indifferent to Shoto. I watched them and realized his attachment was deeper than Mr. Midoriya’s”
“That’s because he’s shy!”
“ Shoto is modest and was persuaded that Mr. Midoriya didn’t feel strongly for him.”
“Because you suggested it.”
“I did it for his own good.”
“My brother hardly shows his true feelings to me! I suppose it had something to do with his fortune.”
“ Too many a person has tried to harm Shoto, I have to be cautious for his well being and the way Mr. Midoriya was acting. I had to be suspicious of his actions. Forgive me. I excluded you and your friend from this.”
“And what about your insults? The ones clearly directed at the less fortunate may I remind you that I am a part of. I have no fortune, no parents, no lineage yet you do not hold your tongue. You are so quick to disregard these things for me but for 
Izuku you do not. At least he has more than what I have yet you deny them their happiness.”
“You think I rejoice in your circumstances. I would overlook them but your pride is not something I could.”
“My pride!? And those are the words of a gentleman! From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for others' feelings made me realize you are the last man in the world I would ever marry!”
“Forgive me, sir for taking up so much of your time.” With that Touya left Keigo alone.
Keigo later made it back to Tenya’s house, mind simply else were. Every sentence he read in his books would never stick and opted to stare out the window. At night fall Touya left a letter for Keigo. 
Keigo read the letter inside Touya and told the tale of the many people who have tried to use Touya and his siblings to get money and or fame. His sister Fuyumi had a suitor last summer that proclaimed passionate love for her and tried to convince her to elope with her but when he found out in no way would he be able to touch her inheritance, he disappeared. Leaving Fuyumi heartbroken. He also told of their harsh childhood with Lord Enji. They tell the story of how Shoto got his scar from a boiling cup of tea spilled by his poor mother. Who had been forced to marry Enji and bear his heirs. A woman who was so far gone to hurt her own child who was 5 at the time. She was locked up in an entire wing of the Rosings estate. The tales of abuse left Keigo with a sour taste in his mouth. But Touya continued to apologize for his insults he said with little disregard.
Izuku and Keigo arrive at the orphanage on the same day. Izuku tells him how it’s fine that he didn’t find Shoto but London was such a nice place to visit. Keigo doesn’t tell Izuku about how it was Touya who suggested Shoto leaving. Only for Eijiro to come in to say he was invited to go to Brighton by the Bakugo family that lived across town. It was no secret that Eijiro held only son Katsuki’s affections. Izuku’s uncles Shouta and Hizashi asked Keigo and Rumi if they would like to go with them to Derbyshire. At first Keigo turns down the offer but due to Rumi’s badgering gives in. As they pass through Derbyshire, Hizashi insists on visiting Pemberley, one of the many estates belonging to the Todorokis’ . Keigo doesn’t want to go worrying that he might run into Touya once again. As fate so loves for the two to cross paths so often. Rumi assures him that she heard that Touya was in fact absent and that she heard he was in London once again. The estate itself was very beautiful. Keigo’s golden eyes mirrored some of the decorations in the mansion. Murals in full detail above them painted on the ceiling. The housemaid that was giving them the tour led them through a room filled with lovely marble statues. Keigo found himself in front of a bust of Touya. The likeness is almost uncanny. High cheekbones, slightly hooded eyes, and head full of unruly hair. Shouta asks him if the bust is true to Touya’s appearance. The housemaid asks Keigo if he knows Touya and responds with a little. Rumi hides a chuckle as he glares at her cheeks a flame. Soon enough they separate to explore different parts of the estate. Keigo finds himself in a study with an extensive library. A faint playing of piano can be heard in the room next door. The door is slightly ajar and he peeked through. He saw a lovely woman around his age with white hair and red parts woven in. Glasses framing her gray eyes. She played beautifully before stopping suddenly and shouting “Touya”. Touya had entered the room and his sister had wrapped her arms around him. Touya’s eyes met Keigo’s, in surprise Keigo ran out towards a balcony and down the stairs. He was still completely unprepared to face Touya after their last meeting. Touya followed him out, Keigo’s back leaned against the railing eyes not meeting Touya’s. 
“Keigo!”
“I thought you were still in London.”
“No, no I’m not.”
“We would not have come here if-“
“I came back a day early-“
 
The two spoke in tandem before cutting each other off. Silence liners as Touya stares at Keigo. Words stuck in his throat, it is Keigo that begins once again.
“I am in Derbyshire with Izuku’s uncles and Rumi”
“And are you having a pleasant trip?”
“Very Pleasant. Tomorrow we got to Matlock.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Are you staying at Lambton?”
“Yes. At the Rose and Crown… I am so sorry to intrude. They said that the house was open to visitors. I had no idea.”
“May I see you back to the village?”
“No. I’m very fond of walking.”
“Yes, I know” Touya said a healthy blush on his cheeks recalling when Keigo had walked all the way just to see Izuku.
“Goodbye, Touya” Keigo said, bowing ready to leave and walked down the rest of the stairs all the way to the village.
By the time Keigo made it back it was already nightfall. As he walked into the eating area of the place Keigo, Rumi, Shouta, and Hizashi were saying a familiar head of red hair caught him by surprise. He quickly hid behind a curtained closet to peak out. Touya was talking to Shouta before leaving. When Keigo was sure Touya was gone he came out of his hiding spot to rejoin with his group. Hizashi told Keigo that they had just met Touya Todoroki, and that he had asked them to dine with him tomorrow. Rumi made the ever humorous comment that Touya wanted him to meet his sister.
The next day in the room where Keigo saw Fuyumi and Touya is we’re they found said siblings. Fuyumi played away as Touya watched. When the door opened, the pianoforte stopped playing and saw the young woman get up from her stool to greet them calling out Keigo’s name. When coming face to face Keigo and Fuyumi bowed to each other. Touya, not far behind them, introduced her. With a smirk she said that Touya had told her so much about Keigo, enough that it feels as if they are already acquainted. Rumi in the background is very focused on Fuyumi, taking in her loveliness. Keigo made a mental note to tease Rumi about that later. Keigo stated that the piano was very beautiful and that once Touya had to suffer through his playing for an entire evening. Fuyumi was shocked because Touya said he played so well.
“Then he has perjured himself most profoundly.”
“No, I said ‘played quite well’”.
“Oh quite well is not very well. I’m satisfied.”
Fuyumi looked at her brother and Keigo with a knowing look in her eyes. There was definitely a fondness between them that still went unspoken. Then she shifted her focus to Keigo’s companion. She was definitely what Fuyumi would call attractive. Touya then asked Shouta and Hizashi if they liked to test wine to which Shouta even with his monotone voice said a very enthusiastic yes. Fuyumi asked Keigo to play a duet with her to which Keigo said his playing was not nearly as good as hers and Fuyumi said she didn’t care about that. She just wanted to play a song. Keigo sheepishly accepted.
That night upon returning to the place they were staying Keigo received a letter from Izuku. That letter informed him that Eijiro in his trip to Brighton with the Bakugo family got hurt pretty bad and in his fragile state also got a cold. They all at once leave Rumi and Keigo go home to wait for Shouta and Hizashi to bring back Eijiro. Everyone at the orphanage was on edge and worried for Eijiro. They knew Katsuki would rather die than let anything else happen to Eijiro but the concern was still there. Three weeks pass by and Eijiro comes back safely with Katsuki glued by his side. They both looked much happier than they were before the trip. At the dinner table Eijiro spoke excitedly about Brighton and his adventures there. Then when talking of how he was being treated by doctors while he was injured and sick Eijiro let it slip that it was Touya who brought in some of the best doctors to help him get better. It was Keigo who picked up on that slip up and questioned Eijiro on Touya’s involvement. Eijiro cursed at himself before in a whisper explained to Keigo that Touya wanted his help to be kept secret. Later that same dinner Katsuki announced his and Eijiro’s engagement. Eijiro leaves the house that night ready to start his life with Katsuki. Keigo could have not been happier than to see someone he has known for their entire life grow up and find a place of their own.
One day while Izuku, Inko, and Keigo were out in the village there was news of Shoto coming back to Netherfield. Inko treated it with a little indifference but was still taking that information. Izuku tries to assure them that he is okay. Touyahad brought Shoto to Netherfield with the sole purpose of having Shoto go through with his plans of getting Izuku’s hand in marriage. This initially surprised Shoto because it was Touya who told him it was best to give up on Izuku even if he felt he never truly did. Everyone in the household scrambled into places trying not to cause a panic. Although Shoto and Touya were introduced in the room there was still an air of awkwardness, Izuku and Shoto looking into each other's eyes while Touya and Keigo sneaked glances at each other. Shoto in slight nervousness stepped out with Touya behind him. Outside Shoto rehearsed his proposal over and over again with Touya watching over him. When he deemed himself worthy enough Shoto walked back inside and requested a private audience with Izuku alone. Shoto apologized to Izuku for the way he acted towards him. As well as he professed his love and asked for his hand in marriage. Izuku with waterfalls streaming down his freckled face accepted. Inko, Rumi, Keigo, and Fumikage listened through the door listening in on the proposal before dramatically opening it to congratulate the newly engaged couple.
Keigo was happy for them he truly was but there was still a sting of sadness seeing Izuku being engaged. It didn’t help that Touya left earlier, it was almost like he could feel the ghost of blue eyes looking at him. That night there was a loud knocking on the door of the orphanage. Inko, Rumi and Keigo ran down stairs to see what the commotion was about. Inko upon opening the door was taken aback, for it was Lord Enji that walked furiously. It was almost as Keigo could imagine fire rolling off his body. Enji made it clear he needed to speak with Keigo alone at a matter of urgency. There were rumors that were being spread that Keigo had the intention to be united with his son Touya. Enji said he knew this to be a scandalous falsehood but by not wanting to further agitate Touya by supposing it possible, Enji immediately stepped out to make his sentiments known. Keigo brought up if Enji believed it impossible he wondered why the Lord would trouble himself from coming so far. Enji wanted those words to be contradicted in his presence. Enji accused Keigo of starting the rumors that Keigo hasn’t had the slightest idea where they came from. Enji asks if Touya had offered him his marriage. To which Keigo replies if Enji thought it was impossible  then how could he think that. Keigo tells him that he is not engaged to Touya and when Enji tells him to promise to never enter such an engagement, Keigo refuses. For Lord Enji Todoroki has insulted him in every possible way and can now have nothing further to say. He asked Enji to leave immediately before showing the Lord out.
Keigo couldn’t sleep. The birds began to chirp their sweet morning songs. Keigo decided to take a very early morning walk. The sky was still slightly dark and the fields had a layer of mist covering them. Keigo wrapped his tan coat closer to him. He looked off in the distance only to be met with an ever familiar figure. Touya had been walking towards him through the mist. Long black coat trailing behind him. Finally the two were face to face once again.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Nor I. My father…”
“Yes. He was here.”
“How could I ever make amends for such a behavior?”
“ After what you have done for Eijiro, and I suspect for Izuku also, it is I who should be making amends.”
“You must know. Surely you must know it was all for you. You were too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my father last night and it has taught me to hope as I scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If however your feelings have changed, I would have to tell you you have bewitched me body and soul and I love… I love… I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
Keigo allowed himself to walk closer to Touya before grabbing on too his hands before bringing them up to softly kiss them.
“Well then… Your hands are cold.”
The sun in it’s morning glow made both red and golden hair shine as the two leaned in to a slow kiss. When they parted they rested their forehead together merely looking at each other with.
Keigo brought Touya home to allow him to tell Inko and Rumi he was to be married to Touya.The both of them thought Keigo hated him. They believed Touya proud and unpleasant but it really was the opposite. Keigo explained to them what Touya had done for them and how he was wrong. Keigo didn’t hate him  and misjudged but rather he loved him. They were both wrong about so many things.The two of them are so similar and they were both so stubborn. Through Inko and Rumi’s tears they said he really did love him. Through hugs and tears Keigo parted from them. 
Keigo watched swans swim peacefully in the lake in front of the Pemberley Estate that Touya had whisked him off to. Underneath the gentle glow of the lanterns in the night. Touya sat by his side. 
“How are you this evening, my dear?”
“Very well— Only I wish you would not call me ‘my dear’ “
“Why?”
“Cause it’s what Inko always calls us when she is cross about something.”
“What endearments am I allowed?”
“ Well let me think “Keigo” for everyday.  “My dove” for Sundays and “Angel Divine,” but only on special occasions.”
“And what should I call you when I am cross? Mr. Todoroki?”
“ No. No. You may only call me Mr. Todoroki when you are completely and perfectly and incandescently happy.”
“And how are this evening Mr. Todoroki?”
With a String of Mr. Todoroki leaving Touya’s mouth each time planting a kiss on Keigo’s face before landing his final kiss on Keigo’s mouth.
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letshaikyuu · 5 years ago
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𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 É𝐩𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐞
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«𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 É𝐩𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐞 - French for “beautiful era,” a term that describes the period in French history beginning in 1890 and ending at the start of World War I in 1914, which was characterized by optimism, relative peace across Europe, and new discoveries in technology and science.»
𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐞 - 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨
𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: profanities, abusive parents, mentioned depression and anxiety
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.7k
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
There were numerous things Semi hated about working at a coffee shop. The loud noise, the crowded space, spilled drinks on the floor when people can't keep their eyes open and arms that intentionally flail around and knock glasses off the table. He can't say that 'Primavera' is a slow-running and old coffee shop, not at all. He has been working here for the past two years and can only turn his head away when any accidents happen. But, the main problem with working in a coffee shop was the low payment.
In his hand was a small envelope that contained this month's payment. In it was the same, small amount of money, not a dollar down and not a dollar up.
'Fucking hell, I can't live like this anymore!?' He let out an exasperated sigh and aggressively raked a hand through his dyed hair. Looking around the empty coffee shop, Semi looked at his friends that were joking around and talking about how to spend this month's paycheck. If only Semi could live a, seemingly, carefree life like them.
After attending the same high school, Semi's friend group (which is equivalent to their school's volleyball team) went their separate ways. All the third years found themselves in one university program or another, the second years were all flourishing in the science field, and chose programs that made your head hurt. The only first-year chose to chase after his volleyball dreams, alongside their former captain.
'God knows where they are in the world now...,' Semi looked at his right fist that was unconsciously gripping the white envelope. Loosening his hold on the crimpled white paper, he angrily gazed at it.
High school was not a time he was extremely proud of in his life. It had more downs than ups and was constantly giving him a headache. Yes, he was part of the school’s volleyball team, but his happiness was cut short after he sustained an elbow injury that wasn't planning on healing any time soon. Out of all the body parts, his elbow was the last part he'd pick would get injured. But, there he was. Sitting on the bench during his entire third year and watching his other teammates lining up victories. He didn't know what to do after high school. His mind was empty and out of ideas to help him overcome this obstacle. When everyone was talking about their chosen programs, Semi's response would always be: 'I'm taking a gap year.'
Now, a year after that, Semi still wasn't any closer to deciding on a program he'd be content with. A program he knew he’d love and find solace in, maybe find a good job in the same field. He paid minimal rent at 'La casa de Tendou.' His best friend from high school was also a barista at 'Primavera' and offered Semi to stay at his small one-bedroom apartment close to his university. His back accommodated to the thrifted couch in the living room, but he was in no place to complain. The only thing Semi paid for was the groceries and part of the bills. Tendou was too nice to him sometimes.
The only thing he found irritating and not very comfortable are the times Tendou’s fling and he meet up in the bathroom. Yes, he is straight, but seeing the naked body of a chick his bestfriend had been fucking a few hours prior was never a nice sight to wake up to. By now, the two of them have met up countless of times that Semi doesn’t even blink. Thankfully, she remembers to put some clothes on now.
'Speaking of the devil,' he whispered under his breath as excited footsteps approached his lonely figure.
'Hey, Semi-semi! What are you sulking about now, we're eating good tonight!' He waved his still intact envelope in front of his face and stood proudly in front of him. Behind him, Yamagata and Reon were nodding in agreement. 'We're heading to an izakaya later, you know, to treat ourselves,' Yamagata's usual deep voice had an extra kick of excitement to it and Reon simply agreed.
Reon was the cashier at the coffee shop because he is the only one out of the four that can be trusted with money. Yamagata works as the baker and part-time musician whenever there's an open gig at the coffee shop. Both of them were from Semi's old volleyball team and studying at the nearby university. Of course, Semi was the only one working full-time at the coffee shop because he was the only one who doesn't have any lectures and exams to prepare for.
'Semi-semi-,' Tendou's confused voice called out to his friend who slung a bag over his shoulder, not before shoving the envelope in his bag. 'I can't come with you tonight. Have fun without me.'
Pushing past his friends and before they could even stop him and ask him what's wrong, Semi was already out the door and into the night. Sighing, Tendou looked back at the remaining two and spoke:
'Guys, we gotta do something about Semi-semi.' Evoking hums of agreement and nods, Tendou stood there for a few seconds before raising his head. A small smirk was plastered on his face. 'Satori? People can't trust you when you look like that,' chuckling at the 'scary-looking' face of their friend, Yamagata and Reon knew that Tendou was definitely up to no good. But, with Tendou, if you're not on the receiving end of said ideas, you sit back and enjoy the show.
'I have just the thing to get Semi-semi out of his slump.' Somewhat graciously turning on his heel, he picked up his bag and jacket and headed towards the door. 'Follow me, peasants! We have shit to organize! Chop chop!'
'If we're the peasants, then why do you like a badly drawn cartoon character?' Yamagata called out to him. ’Nobody appreciates the first drafts enough!’ Yelling over his shoulder, Tendou impatiently waited for the two to join him outside. Joking about how his, non-existent may I add, pet snail moved faster than them, the walk to their favorite izakaya was filled with a very euphoric atmosphere.
Can’t say the same for poor Semi.
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
’You’ve fallen behind on your school work and your paintings are getting worse, yet you still find the need to disagree with me and argue!?’ The loud voice of your mother bounced off the small studio apartment you moved into a few weeks prior. It was still bare and decorated with minimal furniture and a tiny cactus was seated on the coffee table. Your mobile phone’s speaker was suffering and could hardly keep up with the volume of your mother’s loud screaming.
’I need to shove this cactus down her throat now,’ you muttered under your breath and put your face in your hands. The lecture continued for a good few minutes and she ended the call before you could voice out your own opinion. Groaning, you leaned back on the small couch and stared at the ceiling.
This was nothing new. Your talent ultimately became a curse because your parents were always funding you and sending you to the best artists in the area. Even at a young age, you were covered in paints, chalk, and various art supplies that they made sure you have. You showed remarkable talent at drawing and painting, always showing off your skill in art competitions. What your parents loved the most about your talent is not what people think. To them, you were a walking dollar sign and title that had the chance of excelling and becoming famous in a few years. Of course, that was not a far-fetched idea at all, what are you talking about. That’s why they’ve always been trying to ’support’ you when it came to your dreams, but all they wanted to have was the money you were going to earn in a handful of years.
It was in the middle of junior high when you started to lose interest in art because of the enormous pressure building up on your young shoulders. After school, you’d always be forced to draw and better your talent, but after countless of days, you’ve had enough. That didn’t sit well with your parents who weren’t letting you have a say in this situation.
’You do know we’re the ones that made you who you are today.’’How can you be so damn ungrateful after everything we’ve done!?’
Your lovely parents applied for a spot at this humble art institute close to your small studio apartment, hoping that you would get in. It was known for having numerous secrets talents that’d later flourish into the most beautiful of flowers. Unfortunately for you, you did get a spot and now are suffering through your first semester at university. You’ve made one friend and she was thankfully willing to put up with your sarcastic and depressed ass. And now, you’re suffering together with someone.
Classes regarding art history, painting classes, drawing classes, and lots of other shit took up most of the hours in your day. Art was not something you liked to learn. Institutes hardly teach you anything and most of the professors have nothing nice to say about your art and style. You’ve gotten numerous comments from teachers and peers alike that with an attitude like that you don’t deserve to be part of the institute. Yes, you may have commented a nasty thing or two, but your art was not bad. It started to suck awhile ago because of the loss of love and inspiration. But that was not your fault, your parents were to blame.
’Ye, you turned me into a huge ball of depression and anxiety,’ you commented while glaring at the white ceiling. The night was still young, but your non-existent friendships didn’t allow you to go outside. Or was it the anxiety? ’Fuck it, I’m making some ramen,’ getting up and heading towards the kitchen, you missed the buzzing of your phone on the table.
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Returning to the couch, you picked up your phone to see the countless of messages on it. You chuckled as you went through each message. ’Ye right, when was a figure model ever hot F/N,’ you typed a short reply and tossed your phone aside. Munching on your ramen, you turned on the TV, but paid zero attention to the screen and noise.
’New figure model, huh...Maybe this will be good.’
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
«𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭:  @pirate-diary​, @of-heroes-and-dreams​, @ukaiwachin​, @kawaiibaka96​, @proplayer-kenma​, @shinsukestan​, @brokutoforever​, @mysticrainpain​, @bareeganbaree​ and if you wish to be added to the taglist, either DM me or slip into my ask box ;3»
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sebastianshaw · 4 years ago
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(thanks to @prfxxor for helping me hash out this headcanon!) I’ve written many times before that Shaw immediately recognized Madelyne as not being Jean at all, but that we are never given an explanation as to why. My new headcanon is that Shaw is really, really good at picking out clones, alt-reality counterparts, and other such doppelgangers. This is due to having been in the Hellfire Club for so long. The Hellfire Club is EXTREMELY cutthroat; Shaw became Black King because the current White King deceived and betrayed him, tried to murder him and killed his beloved Lourdes in the process, and then Shaw killed him and his Inner Circle in vengeance. And while that was the first attempt on Shaw’s life by another member, it was far from the last. Murder is a very accepted means of promotion in the HFC, and even when death isn’t on the line, the politicking and manipulation and backstabbing is just...the culture, really. So even though Shaw frankly does not give enough of a shit about MOST people to pay attention to them at all, he did learn to pay VERY close attention to people in the Inner Circle, and then anyone he might conceivably need to be “worried” about, just to survive. Picking up little signs, little signals, small expressions, anything that’s even slightly “off” from their usual. Because sometimes it’s not paranoia, they actually are out to get out, especially when you’re HERE and especially when you’ve made the enemies he has. So, Jean being one of those potential foes---both as an X-Man in general and because he probably always expected vengeance for the Dark Phoenix saga---he probably paid pretty close attention to her mannerisms, demeanor, the way she carried herself, etc., and that’s how he pinned Maddie as someone else the second he met her. It sounds....kind over-the-top for what’s realistic to my mind for him, even typing it out, but it’s the best explanation possible (and also comics generally doesn’t CARE about the realistic limitations of mundane abilities and treats them like superpowers a lot--) This does NOT apply to anyone he meets. It applies to people that were either in the Inner Circle alongside him even if they were on good terms (after all, he THOUGHT he and Buckman were on good terms) and to people of whom he’s made an enemy and has reasonably/realistically had a chance to study in such a way. So for instance, he could distinguish Courtney Ross/Sat-Yr-Nin from Saturnyne because he worked with Courtney for awhile when she was White Queen, and has had enough interactions with Storm, Magneto, and Gambit to probably do it for them too...but like, he’s really barely interacted with Xavier prior to Krakoa, he wouldn’t know an imposter or alt-reality or cloned Xavier wasn’t the real guy just because they acted somewhat different because he doesn’t know how Xavier acts (and honestly the current Xavier is PRETTY DIFFERENT ANYWAY in his mannerisms) He’s probably rapidly brushing up on the rest of the Quiet Council, but still, this is going to apply only for a small pool of characters. It also only applies to clones who are FUNCTIONALY DISTINCT PEOPLE from their genetic donor. For instance, Madelyne is a different person from Jean. Ben Reilly is a different person from Peter Parker. They have different personalities, behaviors, etc. Whereas Sinister’s Marauders or the Krakoa clones are not, they’re psychological duplicates (or at least intended to be) and thus Shaw doesn’t see anything different about, say, the current Shinobi than he does the original, because there ISN’T anything different. It also does NOT apply to illusionists and shapeshifters who are deliberately TRYING to deceive him. Madelyne was never pretending to be Jean, so she never tried to affect Jean’s mannerisms. The shapeshifters and illusionists in Marvel are generally disguised because they WANT to be taken for that person, and all of them seem to be VERY good actors, so unless they’re just so grievously out of character that ANYONE could guess it. Shaw’s good, he’s not fucking psychic, nor is he Sherlock Holmes, and I don’t want him to be, I prefer his skill set being concentrated in the very IMPERSONAL fields of engineering and business, as I feel that fits him best and because like...idk Shaw is capable enough AS IT IS that giving him further talents feels risking OP to me. As a note, Shaw’s father was canonically a shapeshifter himself, and while I hc he kept this from Sebastian, it’s certainly possible he didn’t, giving Shaw additional experience in picking out doppelgängers and knowledge early in life that such things CAN exist...but honestly like I don’t like piling on skills like this if we don’t have evidence for it, so like I’m sticking with “shapeshifters can fool him if they include the right mannerisms” especially since like...idk, it kind of drives me nuts in RP how it seems like EVERYONE thinks their muse can, say, see through Mystique? Like I once saw a thread where someone wrote their muse realize something wasn’t right because their “friend” mentioned having the wrong kind of game console...and like, really? You wouldn’t just assume he had another one or had gotten a new one, your mind would INSTANTLY go “something is wrong”? Even in a world with Mystique, Lady Mastermind, Skrulls, and Life Model Decoys, I call bullshit. Same for how I see so many characters just “somehow know” that the other character (usually a villain) is lying to them, even when the character is explicitly supposed to be naive and trusting and like...I just don’t want to do that, players of deceptive muses have enough shit to put up with like this even if I could theoretically justify it.
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beachbabywrites · 6 years ago
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Anya // A Natasha Romanoff imagine
Valentine’s Request 14/?
REQUEST: So this idea just came to me with Natasha x reader x wine and i couldnt resist. Natasha and the R slept together while being on the Avengers, right, and after a couple of weeks Nat decides to quit the team and live a normal life for awhile, no S.h.i.e.l.d and all. Even tho they had feelings. After like 2, 5 years the R meets Natasha in the shop and theres a toddler right by her side. The R is a fem, please, she has magic hands yeeah😂❤ - @chonisbestmistake
"I'm a goddess, what can I say?" You whispered against pale flesh. A heartbeat thundered under your lips, your hands caressed soft skin.
"I've never believed in myths." The woman under you whispered before she wrestled you onto your back. With one hand she held both of your wrists above your head, her free hand teased with intent til you groaned. She pulled away, a smirk on her face as she crawled off the bed, turning to a dresser.
"How can you call me a myth when I'm sitting right here? I've seen centuries of humanity denying my existence but never to my face." You sat up, back against the headboard.
"Wanda can move things with her mind. Is she a goddess? Am I a goddess of war? Chaos? Despair? I don't believe in gods. Superhumans, yes. There's something about them to believe in." You tilted your head to the side, she turned abruptly, the look on her face told you the conversation was over and she had something else on her mind.
"No one's heard from Natasha in days. Have you gotten any word from her? -S" You stared at the phone screen, your heart couldn't decide if it wanted to stop altogether or race away. Taking a deep breath, you answered.
"Not in a couple days. Have you tried asking Clint?"
Waiting for the little 'ding!' of an incoming text was proving to be more exhausting as the hour moved on. You paced the room, you paced to the kitchen and back. You checked the burner, you checked your personal. Nothing new.
Your answer wouldn't come for four more days, days you spent worrying, checking with agents who had worked alongside Romanoff, checking to see when her last mission was. No one had an answer for you before then, 'it was so abrupt, so out of the blue!' and 'I think her identity was blown, someone from her past showed up.' were both whispered to you on separate hallways. No one knew when her last mission was, no one knew if this was her last mission. That is until you got the email from Deputy Director Hill forwarded to you by a trusted companion.
"Agent Romanoff turned in her signed resignation letter on the 11th of this month. The reasoning is unclear. She has requested that she not be contacted."
You didn't believe it. Natasha wasn't the kind to retire, she had told you one night that the Avenger's was her only place in the world, she didn't have a backup plan if it all ended.
You showed up at her apartment and tried your key. It didn't fit the lock anymore. You pulled a bobby pin out of your pocketbook and when the door fell open you couldn't find it in you to enter the apartment. It was all different. The white couch with a wine stain was now yellow with green and red stripes. The Monet painting that hung next to her bookshelf was gone, a flat-screen replacing it. The place was empty, no food in the cabinets or fridge, no books on the shelf, no magazines on the coffee table. Her bed was stripped and clothes gone. It was like she scrubbed every bit of Natasha away from the apartment.
In your own home, you checked the drawer you had given her to keep her things in and to your astonishment it was empty too. You wondered how long it had been empty, had she been here just days ago to take her things back and leave? Or did she take them when she first left?
That night -and the next and the next- your chest felt cold and your bed, hollow. Or was it the other way around? You weren't sure anymore.
Agitation crawled under your skin, anxiety surfaced as anger and anger ate away at your sleep for many nights, soon turning to a deep gray depression. But it didn't stay depression long, no, the anger came back at the one month mark of her vanishing. It was a cycle you didn't know how to control. Your emotions were getting in the way of your work with the Avengers, making you dangerous to take on a mission.
Everyone tiptoed around you, the teammates that used to pick and tease now avoided you if possible if not, they spoke to you like they were comforting a sad child. Steve begged you to take time off, Wanda threw pitiful glances your way. Stark kept you busy.
You envied how Thor could come and go as he pleased, leave this planet and escape to another realm. You had never thought of your exile on Earth as an unbearable condition, not until you couldn't get away from the things that taunted you and reminded you of everything you should have said.
When one night the pain of losing Natasha so unexpectedly seemed to finally dull, you went out with Agent 13 and let her introduce you to a girl who worked at her favorite coffee shop. The girl was nice, her name was Elle, her smile was bright and when you woke up the next morning beside her you almost felt alright again. When she hugged you goodbye your body froze up and your mind stalled. A familiar scent of jasmine and honeysuckle and whiskey and warm nights and wrinkled sheets and red nail polish and quiet whispers flooded your senses. Sharon confronted you a week later and wanted to know why her coffee order was wrong for the first time in the nine years she had been going there.
So you decided you needed closure. To know she was okay. Or that she wasn't. You just needed to know what happened to her.
Agent Barton knew something, you could just tell, the look in his eyes was sympathetic as he wished he could say something before remembering he had an appointment to get to.
Steve knew nothing, but he wouldn't let himself focus on it for too long. "Natasha can take care of herself. If she was in trouble, she would have gotten word to us. I know there was something between you, but don't you think its time to move on? I mean, heal. Let yourself get over it." His kind intentions were ignored and you called the next best spy you knew.
So that's how you ended up in Ely, Nevada in a hotel room, a notebook splayed out in front of you. You'd officially met a dead end. One of Natasha's credit cards registered to an Alina Melnyk had paid for a three-year lease on an apartment building that was no longer standing and then the card was never used again.
You looked out over the small town, wondering if Steve was right. If Natasha had wanted to be found, she would have left a forwarding address, her phone wouldn't have been thrown out.
You picked up your pocketbook and headed outside, a list running through your head of food you needed, wondering how illegal it was to stop and dig up a small cactus from the parking lot of a movie theater.
The white fluorescent lights of the grocery store flickered a bit as you examined the options. You could hear the sound of a child laughing a couple aisles away. She scolded her mommy and laughed louder again and you smiled as you picked up a bag of chips.
You heard the little girl's voice growing louder, coming closer. You turned to watch as her mom pushed the cart by the aisle. She was leaned in close to the little girl, two small hands on her cheeks as the girl babbled on about two cartoonish sounding characters.
"We'll see, Anya, my sweet little chickpea." Her mom assured her and pressed a quick kiss to the girl's forehead.
The 8 dollar bottle of wine in your hands hit the floor, you gasped as you felt the liquid hit your feet.
"I'm so sorry." You rushed out as a woman in a uniform shirt came to ask if you were okay.
It was her.
It wasn't Natasha anymore but it was her.
You headed down the center aisle, your cart was long forgotten as you scanned the store for the red-haired woman. You turned a sharp angle and almost collided with someone else, a mess of apologies were thrown out before both realized who they were apologizing to.
Natasha stood before you, red hair in a bun, bangs covering the little scar above her left eyebrow. She was pale as a ghost and seemed to be frozen.
"Natasha?"
"That's not my name." She answered, but didn't move. The little girl was trying to get her mother's attention, waving wildly. "What are you doing here?" The anger in her voice squashed every bit of the confidence you had when you flew out to Nevada.
"I came looking for you."
"I didn't want you to."
"Natasha-"
"That's not my name." She was never the kind of person to lose her cool, to yell and make a scene, but she was turning red in the face and with every word her voice grew louder. "Will you please get out of the way so I can get through?" When the child asked, 'Matsya, what's wrong?' she pulled her glare from you and softened her gaze as she placed a hand on strawberry blonde curls.
"Nothing is wrong, chickpea. Come on, what do you say we go find you a new flower?" She was talking to you again when she whispered, "Move, now. And go back to New York or so help me-"
Nothing made sense anymore, especially the child. She looked too much like Natasha to be adopted. You wondered if she had left New York and the Avengers and you to start over, to have the family she was told she couldn't have. Her hostility didn't make sense, but what could you expect when you cornered a predator. But what really didn't make sense though, was why she showed up at your hotel door in oversized glasses and a floppy sun hat.
She stayed six steps away at all times, you thought when you opened the door she would hug you. She lifted her arms slightly, her hands clenched and she dropped them by her sides again before asking if you'd speak to her.
"She's yours." Was the first and only thing out of her mouth for about ten minutes. "My neighbor watches her during the day while I'm at the diner."
"She's mine?" You asked, wondering if she thought you were that dense.
"She really is. I hadn't slept with anyone else in the time we were together and after I left I didn't let anyone touch me. I didn't want to risk hurting her."
"Why did you leave?" You asked, fighting back the urge to yell 60 questions at once, all of them starting with why. "You didn't even say goodbye."
"I didn't know what else to do. I did what I thought was best for Anya."
"Anya? Is that her name?" She nodded and pulled a phone out of her oversized tote bag to show you pictures. "Were you pregnant when you left?"
"I was, yes."
"If she's mine, why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"
"Like I said, I did what I thought was best for my baby. Our baby. The day I found out I heard from one of my W.I.s that a man named Kocera had just gotten his visa approved and I left as soon as I could. He was a horrible man when I knew him in the '90s, a dangerous man. And I had wronged him before. So if he were to find me, what was stopping him from getting even?" The straw hat that Nat held in her hands was being wound and unwound until finally, she threw the hat down on the desk. You felt like you were watching a completely different person; Her mannerisms, her speech pattern, everything about her was different and you understood finally what the agents meant when they told you her specialty was reinventing herself.
"You never even called me."
"I didn't know what to say... You went on dates. I thought it would be unfair for me to send one email out of the blue after two years." You bit your tongue to keep from admitting you spent those two years a shell of who you used to be, pathetically waiting and searching and denying.
"I went on one date. It didn't end well... Natasha, I missed you." The distance between the two of you felt too far, but both of you were scared to move closer.
"You have to understand, I go by Elitsa now. I missed you too. More than you could ever know, especially after my behavior the last few years. Would you like to meet Anya? I think it's about time she meets her mother."
"I'm sorry, but how could she possibly be mine?" You asked, nothing in your history, the history of your people could explain how she would be yours. No stories were passed down from the great grandmother that birthed time, chaos, light and dark that warned you of this.
"You are a goddess aren't you?"
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weaselbeaselpants · 6 years ago
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Rewriting the svtfoe finale
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Oh boi is it mah birthday already?
Yes, yes I do. But first let me give you my thoughts on what needs to be changed aside from the finale. I think the first half of Season 4 is great. Up until Meteora’s Lesson all the episodes are doing something plot related, the give us good characters, they resolve issues from before and better explain stuff like Reynaldo the Bald Pate. Then Cornonation kicks off and it starts to feel kind of rushed in some parts. Episodes that should feel like closers to certain plot threads or breathers feel more like drivel that doesn’t go anywhere and is keeping us from fleshing out the main plot. Either ax some of those episodes or have more in the season to better flesh out the plot. (I’d love a follow up to Cornonation with Globgor that really sets up the escalating tensions that start in the finale).
-The first thing that needs to change is Moon having collaborated with Rhombulus to free Globgor. Moon can still pull a 180 and be using the solarian warriors, but her being involved in a false flag operation affects her character none. Having Rhombulus free Globgor of his own accord makes more sense for his character and can be made into an important conflict later; it shows how much the MHC has crumbled since it’s down to just two members. Them later relying on Rhombulus in a teeth-clenched partnership also builds tension - As is, the whole plot point of Rhombulus being bad and then getting thrown in the slammer but not really feels pointless cause it goes nowhere and has 0 affect on the rest of the season since the MHC were all on his side anyway I guess.
-Give us more of the Magical High Commission. They barely appear in person and when they do they’re made into really weak villains. The MHC’s problem, at least as far as I can tell, is that they’re all about order and think they’re true neutrals like Glossaryk, when they really have more of a ground in Mewni’s government then they’d like to admit. Outside of prejudice, their beef with Eclipsa is because they went out of the way to replace her family for the sake of order, got caught, and are now having to deal with the fact that their decision was a bad one and the kingdom and queen is doing fine without them.
-Moon’s betrayal needs to be hinted at and given more leverage throughout the season. Not that she distrusts monsters, but make it clear that she’s mad at Eclipsa and her decisions. Perhaps at the end of Cornonation, before there’s the big pan out of the stadium, Moon looks up with a look of suspicion and sees Mina’s crow. The thing about freeing Globgor is, Eclipsa gave her kingdom her word that he’d be locked away. They resolve it so quickly in the episode it’s incredible there isn’t some hesitation even by those who like Eclipsa - how truthful is she when she gives her word about anything? Yes, Globgor’s a cool guy but in context this would be pretty tumultuous. Mewni-John Oliver would be having a field day with this.
-Star needs to show more resent towards magic throughout the season. Her using spells so willy nilly kind of stiffens the fact that she needs to poof all of it away. Make it clear that she’s becoming more distrustful of the stuff and self-reliant even without it.
-The finale needed to be longer. It should have been two 22-minute episodes like “Divide” and “Conquer” were. More time to establish what this big decision Star is making means, more time to flesh out the drama and leave in the time to breathe.
-----------------------------------Anyway here’s my rewrite:
The beginning of Cleaved would start with the MHC still partying it up. Then they tune in through Omnitraxus’ crystal ball to the sight of Mina about to throw the monsters off a cliff and they spring into action, realizing that Moon wouldn’t allow such a thing which means Mina must be acting on her own. Rhombulus starts to crystalize Mina only for the crystalization to have no affect - Mina laughs and explains it’s some result of Solaria’s crystal-pulverization spell that protects her warriors from him specifically. Mina then declares the MHC enemies of Mewni and says they should go just like the monsters. To prove her point, she straight up attacks Hekapoo, who poofs away, which is how Omnitraxus and Rhombulus realize it was a duplicate so they poof off the find the real Hekapoo at the tavern.
Star, Marco, Eclipsa, and Moon are all having their back and forth about whether or not killing the magic is a good idea, now interrupted by Omnitraxus and Rhombulus who of course don’t want to die while Hekapoo is still apathetic. This can be interrupted with more back and forth of what’s going on on Mewni with characters we’ve seen throughout the show trying to fight against the Solarian warriors - this is the last episode! We should have a more suitable goodbye cameo to characters like Ludo and the other royal Mewni houses (Spiderbites have their chance at redemption bah) than just a little blip at the end - but to no affect.
Eventually Star and Marco make their decision and jump into the realm of magic anyway. The Tom/Dark Unicorn fight happens but with more Marco spells. As Eclipsa, Meteora and Moon help Star perform the whispering spells alongside the ghosts of the queens, Marco and Tom try to keep the unicorn distracted. It doesn’t work for awhile but finally Hekapoo, Omnitraxus, and Rhombulus step in and help them out one last time as they accept their fate alongside Glossaryk.
The queens perform the whispering spell, saying goodbye to their moms, and Star and Marco’s goodbye goes on without a hitch. That part of the episode is essentially perfect. Same with Star waking up in the aftermath of Mewni, the confrontation with Mina, Eclipsa and Globgor’s last scene together. All good, no change!
Star meets up with Ponyhead and Rich Pigeon recovering from their wounds and they have their little heart-to-heart. While they wonder if Kelly’s safe, Kelly suddenly bursts in riding Jorby and asks what Star and Ponyhead are doing in her dimension. Star runs off to the site of where the Magic sanctuary would be, saying quick goodbyes to show-favorites as she does so. On earth, Marco goes through the same thing but heads towards a strange cave that’s erupted out of Britta’s tacos (and likewise the former magic well). Star and Marco run through the cave and meet each other, realizing what has happened: the many dimensions weren’t separated, they were cleaved together thanks to the magic collapsing - but earth, the dimension that didn’t have any direct magic, is separated from the rest by a pocket-dimension cave - the last portal and possibly remaining magic in the universe.
Happy ending. Star and Marco get to be together with all their friends; Mewni starts a new as it now has a bunch of new territories to it’s name; earth isn’t catastrophically altered or placed on top of Mewni but the one remaining portal means there’s still a bridge between the worlds that occasionally leaks Mewni creatures; magic and all the beings that existed because of it get a proper send off - maybe you can have the mewni/earth cave I talked about be decorated with crystals, flames, celestial bodies, and carvings that resemble Star’s spells - a tiny monument to the times when magic existed.
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anghraine · 6 years ago
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1/2 Good morning. Hope you’re warm and safe this week. I’ve got a question about Austen fannish hx that I was hoping you could help with. Like many, I fell in love with Austen over Firth’s wet linen-clad chest. I went on from there to read her books and seek out scholarly meta. I know there’s an undercurrent of “those started the dark times” with Firth’s dip in the lake, but I don’t know the reasons behind it. Is it just that the ‘95 adaptation got so big it steamrollered over other favs?
2/2 Or did the mini-series lead to Austen’s characters getting misrepresented in later adaptations? Thanks for taking the time. I always enjoy your blog.
Thanks! I’m quite cozy these days. 
As far as I understand, you’re asking if my dislike of the fanon interpretations that sprang out of the 1995 comes from a) it being so popular that it overshadowed other interpretations in other adaptations, or b) it being so popular that its interpretations were repeated in other adaptations. I’d say … both, really.
First of all: I’ve never hidden that I dislike the 1995 P&P as an adaptation (it’s good TV, but I don’t really care) and I specifically dislike that scene. My reasons are varied but certainly subjective, so I don’t want anyone to think they’re wrong to like it, or that it’s the author of all P&P-related sins. 
Also, this is more than a little rambling.
Disclaimers aside, I think there are two major factors in how certain ideas got spread by the 1995 P&P. Firstly, there were pre-existing ideas about P&P that the 1995 used; in those cases, the 1995 isn’t uniquely responsible for them, but rather, amplified them. Then there were elements that the 1995 either exaggerated or invented outright.
In both cases, it was not just the immense popularity of the adaptation that spread ideas I consider mistaken (the other P&P adaptations have also been very popular and made highly questionable decisions). Rather, the sway of the 1995′s interpretations and inventions was the result of the widespread belief/insistence that it was The One True Adaptation in which Austen’s vision was precisely translated to cinematic form. That is, the 1995 largely supplanted the novel in popular consciousness because it was seen as the novel (an interpretation very much pushed by many of its fans), in addition to being extremely popular in its own right.
So. The wet shirt scene is a pretty good example, in that it a) differs quite significantly from the book, b) is now overpoweringly associated with the characters in the book, because of c) the narrative of the 1995 == Austen. It bothers me the most (well, almost the most—there’s one I hate more, lol) because it’s become the iconic image of Austen’s Darcy despite being highly uncharacteristic for him, IMO, and overshadowing the character dynamics of the original scene.
The scene sometimes gets directly carried over into other adaptations, and sometimes not, but I think we see something of the dynamic in where the 2005 goes with it. In a lot of ways, the 2005 overtly resists the 1995′s narrative, but ultimately adopts/continues/reflects what the 1995 did, and that’s present here. While the Darcy/Elizabeth meeting in the 2005 doesn’t involve the pond, it relies on the same underlying assumption that Darcy and Elizabeth’s encounter doesn’t carry sufficient dramatic weight unless something is added. It adopts the logic of the 1995 while merely differing in particulars.
There’s also stuff like the idea that Elizabeth is radically set on only marrying for love (the deepest love!!), which gets repeated in adaptations over and over and over again despite never appearing in the novel. It’s a … possible interpretation, but the phrasing and setting are so exactly replicated from adaptation to adaptation that it’s pretty clearly a direct result of the 1995′s popularity and displacement of the novel.
OTOH, I think a lot of what it did with Darcy reflected a broader sense that Austen’s Darcy doesn’t quite work, that he’s underwritten as a romantic lead and needed to be ~improved. I mean, iirc Andrew Davies said so outright (and it’s obvious in any case). That’s also very much present in the 1940, though taken in another direction. It’s there in the 2005, of course; Colin Firth said he was playing Darcy as shy, but Matthew Macfadyen played him as very much more so. There are stage versions going back to the early twentieth century with complaints about Darcy. Austen criticism has constantly struggled with The Problem of Darcy, going back to the very beginning.
I do not remotely agree with this perception, I’m sure to the surprise of no one; I think Darcy is a difficult character for many people because he doesn’t actually fit the archetypes he’s reduced to (e.g., he’s not a subpar Byronic hero, he’s just not a Byronic hero). He doesn’t live up to this idea of a satisfactory brooding romantic lead—as argued by Andrew Davies, but also many others—because he wasn’t written as a somber exemplar of masculinity in the first place. Also, people often project their feelings about his (supposed) general type (which varies) onto him; I read an article awhile back about how he’s the sort of person who would steal handicapped parking, and, um, what. 
(It’s worth nothing that there’s an alternate narrative alongside this one. Critics aside, Darcy has always been a very popular character—comments about him as one of the novel’s main attractions go back to 1813 itself, and Austen seems to have thought that the novel’s appeal rested on both Elizabeth and Darcy, to go by one of her remarks to Cassandra.)
Anyway, the deliberate ‘correction’ of Austen’s Darcy in the 1995 reflected a reasonably common perception of him, rather than some unique misreading by Davies et al. Their particular correction dominates over the other ones because the 1995 dominates over the other ones (esp in its portrayal of Elizabeth and Darcy), but the subsequent versions probably would have tried to correct Austen regardless. 
In conclusion: 
- Its towering influence has operated on both vectors,
- It’s fine if that works for you, but
- I will hate it forever.
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blueeyeswhitegarden · 5 years ago
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Arc V Anniversary Day 30
Day 30. Post-Canon headcanons/thoughts:
I have a few headcanons for the characters after the events of the series. I already mentioned a few of them in a previous prompt, but Yuya and Yuzu start dating not too long after the finale. The other counterparts soon follow suit, although it takes awhile for Yuri and Serena to develop feelings for each other. Much like Yuya, Yuzu regains more of her memories as Ray. It's only a few pieces and feelings at first, but she is soon able to remember much of her previous life. It does take her awhile to process everything, especially when she was in kind of a limbo spirit state with the other girls after Zarc was defeated, but with the love and support of Yuya, Gongenzaka, Sora and Shuzo, she is able to accept that she is both Yuzu and Ray at the same time. She also takes the time to rework her deck from the ground up to represent all of the Bracelet Girls. It is challenging since their archetypes aren't designed to play together like the Dimensional Dragons are, but she is able to pull it off and eventually becomes a pro duelist as well.
Dennis sets up his own You Show Duel School in Heartland and he effectively becomes the head teacher. Kaito sometimes joins in to help him with lessons, but he's also busy helping to take care of his younger brother Haruto. He doesn't like being too far away from his family after the dimensional war. Ed also joins the school to learn more about Entertainment Dueling, but his main priority is to help rebuild Heartland. It does take a long time for Heartland to be restored and even afterwards, no one in the Xyz dimension feels comfortable seeing Fusion monsters or Polymerization. The scars of the dimensional war run deep, but they are able to enjoy dueling thanks to Yuya and Dennis. Dennis does enjoy meeting up with Yuya, but he is nervous to be around Yuzu at first. He still feels guilty over what he did, especially with Ruri. Both Yuzu and Ruri try to reassure him. Even though they are fused together, the counterparts feel at ease about it. They were originally the same person, so staying fused together with Yuya and Yuzu feels natural for them. It still takes awhile for Dennis to not feel a flood of guilt whenever he sees Yuzu. I don't think that Shun completely forgives Dennis for kidnapping his sister and starting the Heartland invasion, but knowing that both Yuto and Ruri are still alive still helps him to feel more at ease. They can't live together in one dimension like they used to, but they aren't gone forever either. Seeing Dennis' determination to help make the kids in Heartland smile and teach them the values of Entertainment Dueling does help Shun to be more comfortable around him and he agrees to some demonstration duels for Dennis' students from time to time.
It still takes awhile for the City to be completely rid of the Commons and Tops structure of their society, but it is a much better place now that Roger and the Council are long gone. Chojiro goes back to helping kids enjoy dueling and his presence really helps both sides as they struggle to rebuild their society. Crow of course also helps with entertaining the kids, but he always takes extra care of Frank, Amanda and Tanner. They want to become strong Entertainment Duelists as well. Jack also helps with rebuilding their society. He is the former King, but he is still admired and respected throughout the City. Chojiro eventually decides to make his own You Show Duel School with both Jack and Crow as teachers. They eventually become friends, but their relationship is different from how it was in 5D's. Yuya also comes by to duel both Jack and Crow and just hang out together. Jack does eventually meet with the Arc V version of Carly and they become a couple as well.
Leo effectively abolishes Academia. There are still students left there during the finale, but the school is still in ruins after the battle against Zarc and Leo is no longer focused on reviving Ray, so Academia no longer exists. He also decides to remain in Fusion instead of living with his family in Pendulum. After everything Leo did, he didn't think he deserved to be with them and he obviously didn't want to be in charge of another school again. He wanted to spend his time being a scientist again and learning more about the four dimensions. Reiji is perfectly okay with this. Even though Reiji is no longer carrying all of his anger and hatred towards his father, he also doesn't feel comfortable living together with Leo again. Reiji devotes himself almost entirely to raising Reira. He still runs LDS, but he also doesn't want Himika to raise Reira. Even though she felt guilty for how she treated Reira before, Reiji didn't want to risk Himika having a negative impact on her again, so his time is divided between raising Reira and his duties as the CEO of LDS. Yuya does help out as an honorary big brother to Reira and Reiji gives her a new teddy bear to comfort her as well. Asuka, along with all of the other Fusion You Show Duel School students, decided to take over Academia and rebuild it from the ground up. It takes quite some time for the Academia mindset to be completely erased from Fusion, but Asuka is able to show these former child soldiers that dueling can make people happy instead of causing destruction. Sora is happy to see Academia change from a prison to a fun school, but he prefers to live in Pendulum and go to the original You Show Duel School. That is where his first real friends live after all, so he decides to move there permanently and lives right with Yuya and his family.
Shuzo insists that Yusho becomes the head teacher at You Show again, but Yusho doesn't want to take over the position after his friend had done such a great job in his absence. They decide to run the school together, although sometimes Yusho goes to Fusion to check on Asuka. He doesn't leave for too long. Being apart from Yuya and Yoko for all those years was quite hard on him as well, but he also doesn't want to abandon all of his students in the Fusion dimension either. Gongenzaka is still focused on improving his Steadfast dueling, but he'll still frequently come over to You Show to help out. They have a lot more people interested in their school after Yuya defeated Reiji, so the school is often quite busy. Yuya enjoys traveling to different dimensions and meeting up with all of his friends, but nothing makes him happier than being right alongside Yuzu. They can be dueling, talking or walking quietly, but Yuya will still have such a bright smile whenever they're together. That is a big reason why it doesn't take long for them to officially become a couple. Yuya is busy with being a pro duelist, having matches against both Yusho and Jack from time to time and Yuzu has to work on her own efforts to become a pro duelist, but they always make time for each other. They never like being away from each other for too long though. They give each other hugs after they've been away for more than a day. Gongenzaka often joins in because he loves seeing his two best friends be so happy together. After they're older, Yuya and Yuzu eventually get married and become an Entertainment Dueling couple. Yuzu has to take time off when she becomes pregnant, but with so many loving friends and new grandparents to help them out, it isn't too long before she duels right alongside Yuya again. Their children grow up admiring both their mother and father, hoping to make people smile with their own dueling styles in the future.
I also want to thank @arcvanniversary​ for setting up this month's event. It's been so great to see so many people wanting to celebrate Arc V, especially with this being the fifth anniversary of the series as well. Seeing the different answers for the creative and discussion prompts have been so great. I love having the chance to talk about Arc V and even with all of these responses in mind, I'm not sure if I have been able to capture just how much I love Arc V or what it means to me. I do love seeing more positivity and celebration for the series and I hope that we'll be able to have another event next year.
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