#And Julian's just so eager to please...

[walkingstackofbooks]

Julian's just so much fun to gaslight tho 😈

[dreamerdrop]

your posts on julian bashir get me so much ... can you say more on how you see him as already behaving like someone with sexual trauma as a foundation for his worldview 👀👀👀

OKAY. HI. FAVOURITE QUESTION EVER YES.

Alright, just going to preface this with “a lot of this is projecting and speculative and very much headcanon-y” so grain of salt, please.

Julian Bashir reads to me as someone with sexual trauma. Specifically, he often shows a murky concept of consent, both his own and for others.

TL;DR: Julian Bashir shows a consistent pattern of brushing off violations to his self (physically, mentally, etc.) as embarassing or not a big deal, almost like he’s just accepted that these things are inevitable, and when combined with his hypersexual behaviour, his general refusal to acknlowedge trauma or his personal issues, and his own issues with consent when pursuing others, it all comes together VERY easily to paint the picture of a person who has experienced some form of sexual trauma and has just internalised this as both his own fault and not a big deal.

Earliest obvious example is his pursuit of Jadzia, including a fairly notorious moment in the early episode “Dax” where she outright says “no” and Julian decides she really means “try harder”. Obviously, the doylist explanation is that it was the 90’s and we’re meant to find this dogged persistence cute. (And, obviously, Jadzia is apparently into this herself, go figure.)

There’s also “If Wishes Were Horses”, in which Julian is… well, he’s effectively woken up to be assaulted by a fake Jadzia in his own quarters. He reacts, initially, anyway, in a pretty rational manner, trying to work out what the hell is going on and tries to get her to stop.

Of course, she doesn’t, and Julian eventually just sort of. Gives in. Subsequently, he assumes that this was some sort of joke, and he’s… honestly a lot less angry or upset by that than he really should be.

Again, I KNOW the doylist reasoning is that this was the 90’s and we’re supposed to find his obvious reluctance to make out with an attractive woman to be something funny because ~men are always eager~ and ~women can’t be predatory~ or something, right.

But then there’s all this other stuff to throw into the mix on top of it. Julian’s augmentation, for one, is treated as a traumatic violation of his bodily autonomy by his parents. (Comparable to conversion therapy, ABA abuse… etc. etc.) (I mean, it’s treated as traumatic inconsistently, mind you, but it’s still worth taking into account.)

Julian exhibits hypersexual behaviours (and I haaaaaaate that this gets written off as just ~young men are always just eager for sex~ in the show itself, because like, Julian is, imo, clearly *much more* preoccupied with sex than most people ever are, and I say this as someone with an unhealthy preoccupation on sex MYSELF) as well as a repeated longing for relationships as some kind of balm to cope with his issues. (Sarina is a particularly painful example where his issues end up harming someone else, but his relationship with Ezri absolutely SCREAMS “I’m stressed and miserable and think nothing good will ever happen again and I need something to make me feel like I’m normal”.)

We also have several examples of Julian reacting to traumatic incidents like they’re… nowhere near as big a deal as they actually are. He has his body snatched in one early episode, and considers the whole thing to have been “humiliating” rather than, y’know, a horrifying violation of his bodily autonomy.

Anyway, there’s probably plenty of extra stuff I’m missing here, but my point is: Julian Bashir shows a consistent pattern of brushing off violations to his self as embarassing or not a big deal, almost like he’s just accepted that these things are inevitable, and when combined with his hypersexual behaviour, his general refusal to acknlowedge trauma or his personal issues, and his own issues with consent when pursuing others, it all comes together VERY easily to paint the picture of a person who has experienced some form of sexual trauma and has just internalised this as both his own fault and not a big deal.

… Ahem, I also have a fic on this topic if you want some whump.

[supercap2319]

Archie and Julien are eating you out at the same time.

Y/N whimpered as he felt another drop of precum leaking from his aching manhood in his jock, and onto the floor in the already growing pool of it. He's never been so hard in his life, granted he's never had two ginger studs eating him out like he was a girl.

The locker room was completely empty. The last person had been coach Andrews, but he was long gone at a teacher conference this afternoon, so there wasn't any chance of getting caught or being interrupted during this most intimate moment.

Y/N wiggled his hips, thrusting back at the invading tongues inside his warm hole. He let out a small moan that echoed off the walls of the empty locker room as the sensation was overwhelming. Y/N closed his eyes, and let himself be eaten out.

He heard all about the wrestling movie that Julian tricked Archie and Reggie into buying. They had been expecting a stag film about naked women, doing the most dirty things that a teenage boy could think of. And possibly more.

He saw Archie and Reggie shake down Julian for their money back, and whether or not they got it back, there was a change in Archie and Reggie. They glance at other guys in the shower, and he even caught Archie and Reggie sticking their manhoods inside Julian's mouth and his pucker between his cheeks.

That's when Y/N confronted Archie and Julian after a shower and demanded that they show him how it felt to do things with another guy, otherwise he'd tell the entire team about what they did with Reggie.

That's how he found himself on the bench, bent over as he felt Archie and Julian's tongues teasing inside his tight virgin hole. Y/N moaned for them as they smirked. "What do you say, Andrews? Think he's ready for it?"

"I would say so, but he has to be a good boy for us to get what he wants. Can you be a good boy for us, Y/N?" Archie grinned.

"I will. Please just give it to me." He cried.

"Such an eager whore." Julian laughed.

[beauty-is-terrror]

I know your planning to be angsty and hurt my feelings with your Henry/reader, but I'd love to hear about how the relationship began, all the soft moments, etc. Even if it is just in dot-point form

Thank you very much for your lovely ask. This is the VERY beginning. I have more parts planned so y'all can see how their relationship started and grow, the butterflies rising and first confessions of attraction and love.

____________________________________________________________

please keep in mind that i am not an english literature student, i do not have any literature degrees. therefor i have no idea if this even makes sense, BUT i did read a paper on the symbolism of weather in Wuthering Heights.

english is not my first language

____________________________________________________________

THE FIRST MEETING: Henry Winter x Reader

The wind was rattling on the windows of the Lyceum and on the first floor a group of eager students was waiting for their professor to finally bless them with his presents. Henry was sitting quietly, reading his book, not paying attention to the talking around him.

Richard sitting opposite of him, just stared out the window and played with the pen in his hand.

While Camilla and Francis talked quietly between each other trying to make up their minds about where to have lunch today and what they should have for dinner on Sunday.

On the other side of the table Bunny was trying to explain to Charles why he should come with him to this party tonight, because according to Bunny it would do Charles good to interact with someone outside of their class.

Time passed. The wind was getting stronger.

Suddenly there was movement outside the classroom, a pair of feet moving up the stairs. But it was too loud for just one pair of feet and two voices were starting to get louder as they moved up to the first floor, echoing in the nearly empty building.

Richard, Camilla, Francis, Charles and Bunny moved their eyes toward the door.

Henry still focused on the book in front of him.

The voices grow louder, and it feel like minutes had passed before the door finally opened and Julian walked through it followed by a head of chocolate brown hair.

“Good morning, everybody.” Julian said while looking at each of his students.

I am stepping beside him to look at who he has been greeting, just to be met with stares from five pairs of eyes.

Silence.

Julian moves his face slightly towards me and says low “Usually they are quite the opposite, and I have problems making them stop talking.” I smile at him and look at the faces who are still looking at me like I am some Victorian ghost from a different century.

“Hello. I am Y/N” I try to introduce myself before the silence grows into awkwardness. My name leaves my mouth, and I am being met with a pair of dark brown eyes sitting behind a pair of glasses. He didn’t look up when Julian and I walked in. He didn’t look up when Julian greeted them just moments ago. But he looks up when he hears me saying my name. My eyes stay on his, my hands start sweating and for a moment I am not sure who I am nor where I am. His eyes seem so familiar. We only look at each other in the eyes for a handful of seconds but I could look at them for hours.

My eyes break away, a slight flush rises in my cheeks, and I smile at all the other faces. A muffle of Hellos is moving through the room.

“Well, this is Y/N and she will be with us for about two lessons each week this semester. One of her literature professors is a good friend of mine and asked if I would be having her for some of my lectures. Y/N has a special interest in Greek literature from the ancient world and it’s influences on Victorian and modern literature.” Julian finally giving his students some context on why I was standing there. Why I am intruding their closed off club. Julian moved aside and gestures for me to sit down.

The only empty seat is next to Richard and so I sit down carefully while still being stared at. They have not taken their eyes off me, as if they can’t believe I am not just a hallucination. I swallow and look at the faces around the table, I am being met with smiles from Richard and Francis.

“I am Richard, nice to meet.” He says shy next to me. “Hey.” I say with a low voice.

“Ehm.” Richard’s eyes move towards Henry who has been starring down on his book since our eye contact broke. “Well, this is Camilla and Francis.” Richards nods towards the girl and boy opposite of me. “It is nice to meet you.” I lock eyes with Camilla for a second, but I am not sure what to make of her facial expression, while Francis just smiles, takes my hand and places a kiss on top of it “It is a pleasure to meet you.” Francis’s eyes move from mine to Charles and Bunny. “These two are Charles and Edmund, well Bunny. And they also have no manners as it seems.” They both say hello but are not able to say more as Julian sits down at the head of the table and all eyes are on him, well not all of them. I can feel one pair of brown eyes staring at me from the other end of the table.

“Good. Now that everyone has been introduced, I suggest we start today lesson …” Julian is a marvelous speaker and I can barely keep up with taking notes as he speaks, pens are moving across endless pages, as if any word not written down would be crime. Even though I try to focus on the words coming from Julian’s mouth, I can still feel a pair of dark brown eyes staring at me from the other end of the table. He has not introduced himself to me. He is not writing down a single word. He just looks at me.

As the lesson goes on Julian makes a few references to Victorian literature and we start to discuss Emily Bronte, while the others look between us as if we are speaking a language, they are not familiar with. I am surprised, has no one here ever read anything from one of the Bronte sisters or anything that isn’t a thousand-year-old poem? Suddenly I hear a little giggle from the end of the table, where he has been sitting all this time, staring at me. All eyes move to him. I look him straight in the eyes and say “Is there something you want to add?” and my hands are starting to sweat again.

He opens his mouth and for the first time I get to hear his voice, a voice which would grow familiar to me like my own. “I was just wondering if you could elaborate on the last point you made, about the symbolism of weather in Wuthering Heights.”

His comment surprises me, I look down for a second to break our eye contact, just to collect myself and my thoughts before I look into these dark brown eyes again. “Of course … “ and for the next couple of minutes all I see is him. His eyes. His lips. His sharp jaw line. Everyone and everything around me fads into nothingness. I can see how his eyes move between my lips and my eyes as the corners of his mouth move up so slightly. Till we sit there, smiling at each other in silence and only having eyes for one another.

Richard looks at Francis and Camilla just to find them starring at Henry, just like he has been. Is Henry really smiling? And has he really read Wuthering Heights? Even Julian seems to be surprised. And we all sit there in silence. Charles and Bunny exchanging looks, Camilla looks at Francis. Richard stares at Y/N. Something has happened, something has shifted. The atmosphere is not the same anymore and it feels like they have been witnessing an intimate moment, a private moment.

Julians sighs “We should have students from other departments join us more often. It can lead to such interesting conversations. Oh well, now let us talk about your homework for our next lesson.” The word homework echoing through the room makes most of his students stop starring at Henry and Y/N. But not the two of you. He presses his lips together and lets his eyes leave my face, just to glare down my upper body instead. I can feel my hands sweating and my cheeks blushing. Again.

At some point Julian closes the lesson for today and everybody is eager to get out. Camilla throws her notebook and pen into her bag and grabs Francis upper arm. Bunny is basically pushing Charles down the stairs, while explaining to him, again, that he must go to that party with him tonight. Julians steps next to Richards and asks him if has time for a little chat, as he has been impressed with his recent improvement in Latin.

And so, it just him and me in the room. Alone. I still don’t know his name.

I carefully put pen and notebook into my bag, while pretending to look for something inside of it, for some reason I want to be in his presence just a little bit longer, alone. Even though looking at him seems impossible right now, my cheeks are already red and hot. He pushes his chair back, grabs his notebook, book and fountain pen before moving around the table so he must walk right behind me. I am about to get up myself when he stops behind my back. We both stand still for a second and I can hear him breathing behind me. His face moves next to my ear “It seems like I have to read Wuthering Heights again and look for some of the motives you have mentioned.” His voice is low, he nearly whispers as if trying to make sure that only I can hear these words which sound so thoughtful. My head moves slightly, and we are so close, our noses are nearly touching. “I would love to hear your thoughts …” I want to address him by his name, but I don’t know it and he can see the slight confusion in my face. His eyes move to my lips again before looking into my eyes again and then there is something soft in them as he says, “My name is Henry.” Only a low “Hello.” is able to leave my mouth. He gets moving to leave the classroom, just to stop at the door and look back at me “I am looking forward to see you again.” And without me being able to reply anything he is off and I can only hear his steps down the stairs.

[pink-lemonade-wave-world]

Characters and Listeners Incorrect Quotes - Scythe Audios Edition

I was so patiently waiting for an episode of Atrocity series until my day was ruined when I saw the news. I was eager to see L.L and discover her powers, but noooo 😒. I wish for Scythe only the best and take his time.

━━━━━━━ •♬• ━━━━━━━

Siren, watching Sweet Cheeks: Ah yes. The mysterious and beautiful Sweet Cheeks, so demure…

Siren: …I wonder what sort of melodic sounds this wonderful being makes?

Sweet Cheeks: *screaming*

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Twinkle: Okay, help me, please!

Maverick: Got two words for you.

Twinkle: I bet they won't be helpful.

Maverick: Your problem.

Twinkle: I was right.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

V: You know, I used to play back in my gory days.

Cherky: You mean glory days?

V: Ah, that too.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Livana: I mean. Gray's just standing there now.

Alpha: Waiting for me, I guess.

Alpha: But it's okay, I think they've pretty much settled down.

Livana: Settled down?

Alpha: Well, they only stabbed me once.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Twinkle, gardening: Hey, can you bring me the hoe?

Cheeky: Yeah, sure.

*A few minutes later*

Cheeky: Here you go.

Twinkle:

Cheeky:

Succubus: Why am I here?

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Goddess: Everyone thinks you suck.

Twinkle: I think you have the wrong number…

Goddess: Cheeky?

Twinkle: Nope. Twinkle.

Goddess: Well, you probably suck too…

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Kidnapper: I have one of your friends.

L: Which one? I have seven.

Kidnapper: The loud, annoying, rowdy one who never shuts up.

L: Which one? I have seven.

V, distantly: HEY!!!

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Twinkle: Enough! How dare you mock me in such a manner!?

Maverick: Well. How would you like me to mock you? I take requests.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Marcus: Time for plan G.

Kreed: Don’t you mean plan B?

Marcus: No, we tried plan B a long time ago. I had to skip over plan C due to technical difficulties.

Cole: What about plan D?

Chosen: Plan D was that desperate disguise attempt half an hour ago.

Kreed: What about plan E?

Marcus: I’m hoping not to use it. Floofster dies in plan E.

Cole: I like plan E.

Floofster: D:

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Hunter: Just be careful, Demon Girl!

Demon Girl: *heading out the door* I'm always careful, Hunter!

Demon Girl: It's everything around me that's careless.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Killian: I have a plan.

Julian: Good! As long as we aren’t breaking the law again, I’m open to hearing it.

Killian: …

Julian: …

Killian: I no longer have a plan.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Dark Rose: I'm going to get myself some soup.

Vallakay: Be careful not to burn yourself, it's hot.

Dark Rose: Pfft, I won't burn myself.

*30 seconds later*

Dark Rose, entering the room: I burned myself.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Alpha: Oh and for your information, I don't have an ego.

Alpha: My facebook photo is a landscape.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Twinkle: I only have two emotions: exhaustion and stress. And I’m somehow always feeling both simultaneously.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Atrocity: Little Love, you look deep in thought. What’s wrong?

Little Love: Did you know you can look at any object and know what it’s like to lick it? Even if you’ve never touched it before?

Atrocity: I’m never asking you anything ever again.

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

Jay Jay: Twinkle, I got suspended from school…

Twinkle: WHAT?!?! What did you do?

Jay Jay: My teacher pointed at me with a ruler, and he said “there is an idiot at the end of this ruler”.

Twinkle: And…?

Jay Jay: I asked which end…

Twinkle, unable to contain their laughter: Okay, you just made my day.

━━━━━━━ •♬• ━━━━━━━

Next: Siren's Son ASMR

[sutekinaoneesan]

Just something that recently crossed my mind when thinking about Julian and his relationship with his parents.

Do you remember season 1 all-eager-to-please-puppy-Julian? Just imagine what an argument between Richard and season 1 Julian would have looked like. They did have a lot of differences in the past ever since Julian found out about his enhancements at the age of 15. But somehow I cant‘t really picture season 1 Julian opposing his father in more than a teenager kind of way. He might argue with his father over something but in the end he complies with whatever his parents tell him because he‘s so desperate to measure up to everyone’s expectations because he thinks that it’s the only way to earn their love.

Then take season 5 all-mature-and-grown-up Julian who knows exactly how to step up for himself and defend himself. He’s no longer willing to do as his father tells him. You can see in Sisko‘s office how much he‘s uncomfortable with his parents showing their affection for him. While season 1 Julian would have quietly endured the whole thing, probably feeling even guilty for not being the perfect son, season 5 Julian is ready to defend his newly made home against his parent’s intrusion.

And I just wonder when exactly that change in Julian’s attitude toward his parents might have happened. I mean, of course he grows up a lot during his time on DS9 but I can‘t help but wonder if there was something, a particular event that caused it.

If we take Julian’s statement in Dr. Bashir, I presume? where he says that he hasn‘t been home for three years that would mean that the last time he visited home must have been somewhere around season 2. It’s only my guess but Armageddon Game is set in season 2 where Julian is believed dead and Sisko passes on the news of Julian’s death to his parents. Most likely Julian visited his parents after the events. My guess is that that was the turning point in their relationship.

Like

Richard: We thought you were dead. I’m so glad you’re here. Just imagine, all that talent gone for good. All that knowledge and all those skills.

Julian: We’re talking about my life! I nearly DIED. And all you’re concerned about is that my talent could have been wasted?

Again, it’s only my guess but it would make sense…

[snobgoblin]

from this

please I'm curious to know more

*promping you to talk about it*

OH!!! okok. ok, not to say the endings are necessarily bad- both of them were very emotional the first time. but I don't find myself replaying them a lot because there's nothing to latch onto- with Julian's route especially I find myself thinking about the implications of everything that happened a lot and really running with it- and I do think the endings are fine in that they answer questions about the worldbuilding (what happens if you kill an Arcana and don't replace them? storms and monsters apparently. how does the world function without magic? they start building weapons and everyone just generally feels more unsafe. stuff like that it's like yeah that's interesting) BUT I do have ideas on how to really *elevate* those routes and make them a "god I can't stop thinking about this" thing that really plays into their fatal flaw

>Muriel's was an obvious choice I feel like. at times, his self isolation borders on self harm (there are definitely implications he doesn't fully want to be alone *all* the time) and I feel like the worst thing you could do for his reversed end, is make him go back on his progress. it was so nice seeing him open up! it was nice seeing him want to be remembered! take it away from him. it would be SO easy to make him regress- he killed Lucio! he swore he wouldn't spill blood again and then he did, that would confirm his worst fears, in his mind, that he's a monster, that he's the reason the world has gone to shit, that he let everyone down. so, he gets his curse back. he finds a way. he takes away Asra's myrrh. he disappears, ignoring as you and Asra begged him not to (he explained what he was doing beforehand, it's not like you would remember it anyway and he needed the closure) and he disappears into the forest again, and this time, nobody ran after him. occasionally, Asra or the player may smell myrrh and briefly remember him, but it's always fleeting and they get this unexplainable sense of loss after the feeling is gone. Muriel is left in his hut, with Asra's knicknacks there, remembering how this used to be a home for his best friend, too. thinking about how he doesn't deserve a best friend, he'll just end up hurting them. he'll just hurt the mc. that's all he ever does- this mindset is in no way helped by Vesuvia confirming his fears and driving him away for killing Lucio initially, when the world started to break (though he never could have predicted the consequences of that)

BUT eventually after a few years of introspection, and many many failed attempts he does return to Vesuvia, if for no other reason than like... having zero news on his friends drives him crazy. and even if he thinks he doesn't deserve them, he wants to be around to protect them. if all he's good for is killing, at least it will be monsters worse than he is, and they won't have to fend for themselves anymore. SO he ends up giving Asra and the player myrrh and when their memories return they're half-scolding-half-crying-from-joy that he even came back, but overall they're eager to make up for lost time and hopefully, get him to open up again. but it won't be easy

>for Portia it's a little more difficult to pin down a fatal flaw imo... maybe that she's manipulative but that's not her personality that's literally just her trying to save her brother- and the reversed meaning of The Star wasn't giving me any sparks either, particularly, so I thought it would be cool if Tasya ended up living, and Portia got the life she always dreamed of. she doesn't have to work anymore! but she starts to become corrupt. she starts to become exactly the kind of person she despised working as a servant. she uses her money to say, buy endangered pets. something that would appall Mazelinka for obvious reasons but that would also appall younger Portia- I bring this example up specifically because I feel like Portia has the potential to become very impulsive and at times she lets her feelings get the best of her. a natural progression of this is her becoming more and more impulsive with her money- oh she thinks the seals are cute. now she owns them. oh now she needs a servant to care for them because they're too much work. so she ends up putting someone in exactly the position she was in at the palace, taking care of Lucio's menagerie. butttt this is the one I'm the least confident in. I don't love it if I'm honest- I think there's something more creative you could do with Portia and im not sure what that is? like yeah I think Portia has the potential to become corrupt but ultimately she's so kind at heart that it would be out of character for her to be terribly cruel- or, talking it out maybe her fatal flaw is that she runs herself ragged. maybe you could do something with that, have her snap, idfk- I do like the idea of Portia getting to live out the life she never got in some way, and I do think it would be bittersweet for Tasya to sort of replace Lishka with Portia

THE MURIEL ONE is the one I like here. anyway

[sxftkxssxs]

if your comfortable with it, could you please write something about the m6 (or just Asra and Julian) with an anorexic mc? as someone kind of struggling rn I could use the comfort, but if your not comfortable with it I totally understand 🌻

Oh I definitely can!! I hope this helps, even though its forever late :((

Anorexic mc (main 6)

Asra

He's going to be the most worried about you

He'll do anything he can to support you, and I mean anything

Asra would make sure the things you both eat are things you are okay trying, and he definitely tries to make eating more enjoyable for you

He always checks in on you to make sure you aren’t pushing yourself too hard.

He’s always so proud of you, making sure you can hear him say it when you’re in the privacy of your room. It’s often mixed in with soft whispers of praise.

might invite you to cook with him, if you accept, the kitchen ends up a little more of a mess than before (why is there flour on the ceiling..?)

Faust likes to wrap and squeeze you when you have a hard day. (She’s very cold and now you are too!) 

Julian

At first he’s probably a little stumped, but he’s a doctor. he knows about these things

He makes sure he doesn’t get too carried away with the doctor talk, you’re safe from doctor lectures

Malak will often perch on your shoulders, only squawking at Julian a mild amount

Julian doesn't push you too hard, and often leaves you little reminders that you're doing amazing (though you can't really read that chicken scratch doctor handwriting..) 

He tries his best to be there for you when it gets harder, offering to sit with you while you both eat together, dramatic support when you do well!!

Overall he's such a sweetheart, and he makes sure you're not being too hard on yourself

Nadia

Nadia worries almost as bad as Asra does, but she doesn’t always let it show

She’ll take this into consideration for every meal that's planned

She makes sure any meal you both have won’t be too much for you!

Nadia shows how proud she is of you with soft touches outside of the privacy your rooms provide. When inside the privacy of her own spaces she’ll often invite you to bathe with her. (if you turn that down I’ll go in for you).

if you have a really bad day she’ll have them make something a little less, extravagant

Muriel

He won’t have much to say, but you can tell he remembers from other things he does for you

He’ll quietly ask you if you’ve eaten or if you’re alright if he notices anything off

The food he makes always suits your tastes and always looks like someone put a lot of care into it

Muriel makes sure to eat with you, taking a seat beside you

Inanna will still gladly accept any leftovers, although she’s much less eager to snatch it right off your plate

He tries to show he’s proud of you, he gets a little smile on his face every time you two eat together. Inanna often snuggles up to you after you all eat and won’t get up for anything

Muriel won’t be disappointed if theres some things you just can’t bring yourself to eat, either he or Inanna will eat it 

Portia 

Portia definitely has concerns

She’s more of a baker but she can make (some) foods for you if you’d prefer!

She’d likely ask Julian some questions, or just let him spew as much as he knew on the topic 

She’ll encourage you to hang out with her in the kitchens eventually, and everyone working there would be incredibly supportive

Pepi sometimes steals from the kitchens for you, bringing you little parts of things you like (and a leaf once!) 

Portia shows she’s proud of you loud and clear, big hugs and kisses are absolutely part of the routine

Lucio

He’s got a lot of spirit I can tell you that

Most likely won’t be paying much attention to your plate or anything other than the conversation you’re having

he’ll take some time to process why you might not wanna eat- he genuinely thinks you’re amazing no matter what

Lucio is all about fun and making things not seem as bad, so that’s what he does-

He’ll tell you about things he’s done in the past, things he’s planning on the two of you doing, all of it

I think he’s always got to have a hand on you in some way, so depending on what you two are eating he might draw circles on your unused hand, or link pinkies with you.

Mercedes and Melchior often nudge you, slipping their heads under your arm occasionally. No one can ever tell if they’re trying to encourage you or beg for scraps…

[sadhornyygirl]

hi, i love it your storys, could please write a smut where izzy stradlin and julian casablancas share the girlfriend ?

Sure honey, hope u like it

Threesome (feat. Julian Casablancas)

- I'll fill you up like this later, Izzy whispered beside her as they were watching a movie.

 - What are you kids whispering about? Julian asked, poking his head into his and Izzy's personal space.

 -If you want to eat, feel free to use my bed. Last door on the left.

 -So can you listen and jerk off while we fuck? He glared at Julian

 A perverse thought crossed his mind as Julian raised his hands in surrender.

-  And if you participated together in??

- What? Do you want me to participate?

 You shrugged, not seeing a problem. He and Izzy have been close friends for years, and you've always secretly wanted to do that with another partner. This was your chance.

 The two looked at each other and shrugged.

 The temperature was rising rapidly in the room, so you undid the buttons and took them off, revealing your delicate bra. You tugged at Izzy's shirt, trying to get it off. He helped to discard it, pressing his lips to hers afterward.

 Izzy rubbed her finger across her clit, causing more stains to accumulate on her panties. They will be soggy when you take them out.

 -Give Julian some pleasure, baby. He seems left out, Izzy said into her ear.

 You nodded and reached out to the growing bulge in Julian's pants, gripping the firm mass under the fabric, forcing a groan to escape Julian's lips as he finally felt some sort of stimulation.

-Fuck it, he groaned

 Izzy slouched over the jeans, the sight of his heritage girl making him even harder. He got rid of his jeans and boxers, wrapping his hand around his cock to stroke himself - and relieve himself - as he watched Julian's cock slowly disappear past his lips.

- What a bitch. Sucking your boyfriend's friend's dick right in front of him, Julian said, pushing you deeper on his cock and making your eyes water.

 As soon as he came, you swallowed and released his cock with an audible pop, returning with a smirk, a trickle of saliva connecting from your lips to his cock.

 -Holy shit!, he exclaimed as he let go of her hair, and it took a few moments to compose himself.

 Izzy pulled you up and ran her control over your lower lip, catching some cum, and you wrapped your mouth around it, sucking it clean.

- Get dressed, dear. you didn't have a lot of clothes on, just your pants, panties and socks.

 Julian sat down on the bed, getting ready for you, and you climbed onto his lap, facing him. You took his cock and slammed the head of it over your clit to tease him, then worked your way down through the folds, covering him in your slick.

 He looked down to where his genitals were rubbing, cursing at the sight of him.

 -Mmh, rub your sweet pussy on me.

 You did it again, and he slammed right into your clit, sending jolts of pleasure down your spine. You lined Julian up at your entrance, secretly eager to know what it felt like inside you. You lowered yourself onto his hard cock, swallowing it between your soaking folds.

 -God, you're so tight, he whispered.

 Izzy came and positioned herself behind you.

 -Are you okay?, You nodded, rolling your hips and riding slowly across Julian's length.

 With a hand on his shoulder, Izzy gently registered him forward, positioning him in a better position. He cusp in his fingers and stroked himself a little, pre-cum mixing, and lining up with his ass, sliding carefully inside and inside. It hurt at first, making you curse his invasion.

-How do you feel, baby doll? Julian asked, watching her face contort with pleasure.

 -It's so fucking good. So fucking full. You rocked against Izzy.

 He did and soon, Julian was lifting his hips and slamming into you at high speed, while Izzy firmly gripped your hips and pierced you, her loud moans echoing off the four walls of the room. His body was on overload, every sense heightened, every feeling heightened.

- Fuck, right there!, you yelled, throwing your head back as Izzy slapped your ass.

 -You grab our dicks so well, praised Izzy watching him and Julian go in and out of their holes, eliciting a series of meows from you.

 You gave the boys warning that you were about to come and just as you were about to finish, your walls tightened around Julian, and he spilled inside of you, joining you in your orgasm, coming all over your cock. From him, while Izzy kept her attack on his ass before following shortly.

 You collapsed against Julian's chest, completely exhausted. A quiver of unease spread across her lips as Izzy pulled away. He smiled as he watched his cum come out of you and drip down to where Julian's softening cock was still inside you.

[sophaeros]

Friend said this was casamond+fab core I luv her mind

oh TRULY. i just know that van of theirs got desecrated so bad in so many ways. albert and julian pleasee dress fab up and tease him and ruffle his hair and [EXTREMELY LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER] while he gets increasingly red and shy but still eager to please thank youuu🥰🥰

[thesixthplaneteer]

Day 1 of OC-tober 2023!

Bent the rules slightly and decided to spiffy up a WIP of something from my wife's fave OC's perspective but it still involves my fave OC so like, it's not illegal right? This is a little write up in a later part of our VTM canon involving Noa the Giovanni/Hecata and Nyth the thin blood. I hope you enjoy!

Noa’s dark curly hair and pink flowing dress billowed behind her as she briskly walked to Nythanel’s room. Dignity and a desire for control were the only things that kept her from running to him. Her face was placid with no hint of her inner turmoil. Julian towered over her by over a foot but struggled to keep up with her as he held a bandage to the bleeding wound on his arm. He was a slab of meat of a man yet still whimpered like a dog about his arm as they walked. It annoyed her, he annoyed her. Joaquin was already getting on her nerves earlier in the night but now this. It was always one thing after another with those two. They ate from the palms of her hands however their obedience was a constant struggle. 

I am not losing my grip on them. She thought to herself. I am squeezing them too tight. They are spilling between my fingers like mud. This can’t be sustained with them both.

“Then he bit down like he was trying to take a chunk out of me.” Julian’s voice interrupts her thoughts “That’s when all the plants started shaking and moving so I got the hell out of there and went straight to you.”  He spoke like he was trying to defend his actions. To bring justification for disobeying her orders to stay with and take care of Nythanel. 

Then you should have let him devour you. She thinks to herself. She keeps her stride and silence as they walk down the long hall. She knew if she were to speak now the control she held on herself would break. 

A strong lemon scent filled her nose as she stopped at Nythanel’s door. Thin vines with wide flat heart shaped leaves and white trumpet flowers in full bloom were growing out and snaking around the door. They reached out toward the hall like they were searching for something but did not move further down it. 

“Want me to open it?” Julian asked earnestly. Maybe too eager to prove his usefulness but obviously hesitant to involve himself without permission. 

“I need you to step aside and stay quiet, please.” She spoke with an even tone not looking away from the door. 

Her “please” was more warning than courtesy and Julian knew that. He promptly stepped back away from her and the door.

She reached out toward the door and gently took a bloom in hand . The vines stopped moving and the flowers begane to close as they went dormant, save for the one she held.

“It is Noa my love. Would you let me in?” Her voice was much softer than how she’d spoken to Julian. A sweetness and warmth reserved only for her Nythanel came to the surface as she spoke to the flower. 

Julian hated hearing her get so sweet for him. I’m still useful. He thinks to himself. He wouldn’t dare say it out loud. Noa wasn’t cruel to him but he felt the weight of death surrounding her. He witnessed the ceremonies used to summon wraiths. His fear and adoration of her were in equal measure and it tore him apart that he couldn’t be more like her or more of what she wanted. Nythanel’s accident and Joaquin accompanying them made him realize just how low on the pecking order he was. Despite years of service as her ghoul he felt less wanted by her now more than ever. He felt anger toward her and he hated himself for feeling it. He hated having to share her but he was ordered to and he must obey. 

The flower Noa spoke into closed up a moment after and the vines slowly receded from the door. The green tendrils freed the door and Noa took hold of the handle. 

“Stay out here.” She told Julian in her flat tone. Without waiting for a reply she pushed her way into the room, careful not to hurt the thriving plant life.

She had made sure some of Nythanel’s favorite plants were surrounding him. But they were in pots. Pruned and maintained. Now the room looked more like an abandoned shed that nature was determined to reclaim. Thin vines of Moonflowers wiggled and writhed along the walls and floor entangled with Pink Princess Philodendron. Large rose bushes of a myriad of colors reached out in all directions. Red chrysanthemums peaked out from the choking vegetation. It was a verdant haven that suited her beloved although she worried about the structural stability of the building if this went unchecked for too long. 

The vines on the floor pulled away to clear a path to a mound of various blooms and foliage. She stepped carefully to not step on a wayward vine or leaf as she approached. Walking around the mound she realized it was Nythanel’s wheelchair completely overtaken by the vegetation. He sat splayed out in the seat, his head slumped over and his visible eye closed. He was beautiful in the moon glow from the large window and produced a scene from a fairytale with this presentation. Like a prince sleeping in a meadow waiting to be awoken by love's kiss. 

Noa felt her heart slump as she took note of the bandages still on his head and covering half his face. There was blood around his mouth and on his chin. Red specks dotted the bandages. No doubt the result of his attempted feeding. She took a few more steps closer and reached for his hand. He still wasn’t fully cognizant and his fine motor skills were nonexistent. He still wasn’t speaking but seemed to respond well when spoken too. At least when she spoke to him.  

“Good evening my love.” She said as she gently took his hand and crouched down in front of him to be eye level.

She kept her volume low, speaking softly to him with a small smile on her lips. She felt some joy to have him in this state and she felt ashamed of herself for it. He was always so fiercely capable. Able to take care of himself and relied on even her as little as possible. She understood why he was that way but part of her delighted in him being fully dependent on her now. Her wildflower needed her now more than ever.

His eye opened slowly and his hand squeezed hers. His grip was uncomfortably tight but she was ecstatic for it since he had not been able to hold her hand in a long time. He stirred slowly in his seat. Even small movements seemed labored. So proud of his athleticism and strength, now could barely lift his own arms. He opened his mouth and revealed his bared fangs.

“If you’re hungry then drink from me, love.” He had to be hungry. She thought to herself. He was a thin blood after all. Even if his blood allowed him some power it came at a high cost. She silently cursed Julian for upsetting him so much to cause this kind of reaction.  

She stood slowly and sat on the arm of his chair though it was mostly vine now. With a gentle hand on the back of his neck she pulled his head to her chest and brought her wrist to his mouth. He opened wide then latched roughly.

A quick sharp pain from his fangs then a shiver went through her body. A shiver that she craved and that her beloved provided. She pulled him tightly to her, running her fingers through his chestnut brown hair while he fed. His teeth sank deep into her but thankfully she was more durable than Julian. She would never know what it would be like to have a child, but in these moments she felt like a mother. If everything goes to plan, he will soon be as much her childe as she could make him. The thought of him refusing her like Joaquin crossed her mind. She pushed it away. Nythanel had made his love of who and what they are clear. The studies and experiments they have already done on the matter was more than proof he meant it. Soon she will be able to make it happen for him. Soon she would give him the most precious gift she could. She smiled as she nuzzled into his head. She breathed in the lemon scent that clung to his hair as he suckled from her. 

It was a few precious moments of bliss until she began to feel the hunger in herself grow. She felt an uncomfortable stir in her chest at the vitae being given up. 

“Nythanel, that’s all I have to give for now love.” She tried to pull her arm away but he bit down harder and his hands tightened around her arm. She felt her beast bash at its cage. She fought it to maintain her composure. As truly and wholly together they would become if she allowed him to devour her completely, they had so much they could accomplish still.

“Nythanel.” She said in a low whimper in his ear. “You’re hurting me, please let go.” 

His warm brown eye looked up and into her own dark eyes. He stared at her blankly then a spark of awareness seemed to come over him. His grip on her loosened and he unlatched. Noa felt her beast calm as Nythanel lapped at the teeth and fang marks on her arm. She smiled softly at him and took his face gently into her hands. 

“I’ll be back soon, my love. I’ll bring you more to eat but please don’t feed from Julian. We need him.”  She kissed him on the cheek leaving a red stain and held him in a tight hug. She could feel his trembling arms move around her. She felt the vines moving around her ankles. She wanted to stay in this moment forever. However there was work that needed to be done if she was ever going to get her dear friend fully back. He was reluctant to let her go and it both delighted and broke her heart. But he was too weak to actually stop her.

“I’ll be back soon, I promise.” She said with a wide smile to him and made her way out of the room. Careful to not step on any of the plants that grasped after her as she left. 

Julian leaned against the wall right outside the door where he was told to stay. Noa’s face was once again placid. Her emotions locked away back inside her. Julian pushed off the wall and looked at her, waiting for her to tell him what to do.

“Julian, please make sure he is safely in bed before sunrise.” She said in her even tone. 

“Yeah, ma’am.” He managed in acknowledgement through his own swirl of emotions.   With that she turned and made her  way back down the hall. Her heels clacking as she went. Her mind went through all the preparations she would need to make. Just a few nights more my love. She thought to herself as she flipped open her cellphone to call Joaquin

[paperstarwriters]

(you don't have to publish the ask but make sure it's anonymous) please please please don't worry about the anon I think it might be the same person who made a harrass discord group...of course it's good to acknowledge wrongdoings of creators but it doesn't make anyone obligated to stay away from fandom. If you don't support the racist mess that happened it's totally fine if you stay in arcana fandom. Don't worry.

of course, of course. I'm not feeling pressured to leave the fandom right now don't worry about that. I know seeing it can cause a bit of anxiety, and for a little while it did make me feel anxious, I recalled why I wanted to write a lot of the fanfics I make in the first place, I didn't like how they wrote Muriel's ending, and I didn't like how they represented him a lot, so I wanted to make something that fit the image I had of him instead.

Anyways, I was much more curious about the note they made about the problems with Julian being a bird or the various bird motifs and that being antisemitic. I was wondering how or why that was the case, as when I tried searching it up I wasn't really able to find any definite explanations, so I was wondering if they could point me to a resource or something on the topic. I've heard that a merge between an owl and a human can often be antisemitic especially when that owl is presented as an almost demon-like entity with feathers forming horns like that of a great horned owl, and their beak being presented as a large hooked nose. That much, I do understand, but I'm unclear if it applies to the wider range of birds as well, or not.

In my initial search I found a story called Jewbird written by Bernard Malamud, an American-jewish author, and while it serves as the allegory of antisemitism not only coming from outside but inside as well, the nature of the intelligent bird being representative of an older more traditional Jewish individual (according to another source who were likely more able to draw the parallel than I was), presents him as a human-merged with bird individual and the whole point of the text seems to present it as the pure opposite of being antisemitic.

Of course, I can see the possibility of it, that he was presented as a bird in order to subvert the initial expectations and stereotypes, in the same way that Maus by Art Spiegelman does, but I would still like to be better able to understand the bird-antisemitism connection. Does it apply to specific birds? What kind of bird-like representation causes issue? Would the image of birds flying freely over the sky be considered problematic imagery? Why and how? is it the caged bird that is problematic? Why and how? Is there any possible way that this birdlike imagery can spread into other spaces and cause issue? Should Julian never be given feathered wings, regardless if you're creating a bird image or not? is his bird familiar problematic as well??? this is like telling someone unfamiliar with racism against African-american individuals that cotton is not good to them without telling them about the whole history about slavery and cotton picking, leading them to believe that they just take issue with the material of shirts or something.

I know I probably sound kinda nit-pickey, but I am genuinely curious and would love to avoid making any antisemitic mistakes when including Julian and Portia in my works. I wish to avoid this all the time, of course, but most especially now, as discussion on Palestine has spurred a lot of antisemitism due to the cultural genocide from Israel. And while it's clear that what Israel is doing, it's also clear that not all Jewish individuals support that, even though some news groups or people talking about it frame it as if it is.

Of course I'm open and eager for discussion on the other LIs as well and the intricacies of their problematic representation and how that must be handled corrected or re-framed, especially since in the early more.... hostile days of this fandom, I tended to stick to Muriel's route since I hadn't played the other routes in a while/all the way through so I'm a little unaware of all the other characters' misrepresentations (so if you're mentioning Muriel I probably have heard about and considered that one before—this man does not leave my brain lmao)

I can see the possible issues on Nadia being constantly represented as domineering failing to recognize softness in her (which I belive, though correct me if I'm wroing, is about dark skinned women being seen as violent and tough instead of soft or kind), and Asra being represented through Orientalism (mystic, but lesser other with messy foreign traditionalistic magic that must be corrected through the western logic and science—this partly originated in ancient greece so not entirely western as in America)

But yeah, I'm just really curious about it, cause my initial search only brought up news articles about people apologizing for being antisemitic, or the history of antisemitism. Rather than some of the various possible forms of antisemitism or it's possible relation to birds.

[blackink-onpaper]

The Descend and the Resurface

Damian Hart (Beyblade) x OC

Summary: OC comes from a complex background, and in the midst of trying to save it all and help her family she enters a strange arrangement, which will change her life forever.

Masterlist ���

Tags: Beyblade, Beyblade Metal Masters, Julian Konzern, Jack, Damian, OC, Gingka Hagane, team Starbreaker, team Excalibur

A/N: (ambience suggestion) this chapter and the next will go along with the canon storyline, for this chapter watch Beyblade Metal Masters episode 90 if you like, it’s available on youtube!

Also, please let me know what you think so far! It means a lot to me!

Chapter 4

“Alright then, come at me with your left rotation!” Damian purred for the audience to hear, while Julian went to pick up Destroyer. His return to the Blader’s position seemed to last an eternity: no matter if he won or not, Excalibur lost. All he can do now is win for his pride, for his audience, for Klaus, Sophie and Wales. No doubt his confidence was shaken, but this battle is a sure thing. There is no way anyone, no matter how strong, can defeat Destroyer’s left rotation. I mean, they’d have to be stronger than Gingka then and that’s just impossible.

But then, Julian snapped: “To take back the pride I’ve lost, I will show my skills in this next battle!”

“Good for you” Damian sighed to that, cooly brushing him off “because that right rotation round wasn’t worthy of my time!”

“Go ahead and talk tough while you still can!” Julian replied with strength in his voice, and fire in his eyes. Oh yeah, I’ve seen this before: Damian is done. Upon launch, Damian’s Bey was sent flying into the air, followed by cheers from Gingka’s friendgroup and the crowd. Destroyer was definitely in charge now, with impacts of sheer force hitting Damian’s Bey left and right. A calm, warm feeling of familiarity, comfort and pride came over me, I knew that the series of strange events was now truly over because only two Beys in the world can spin in the opposite dorection, and there is no way some random Blader has the power to defeat it. I began thinking about Excalibur’s imminent win, and planning my way into their backstage corridor to talk to Julian before the crowds start getting up from their seats. All the stressful events and constant shocks from earlier caused a lot of stress on my body as well, I could feel my stomach feeling heavy and a sting of fresh air against my bleeding cuticles that I bit without realising. Julian called his special move, which when in left rotation meant certain win against any enemy as there was no escaping the blasts of gravity that came upon a Bey from every direction. The stadium filled with Destroyer’s purple energy and gusts of wind swirling in all directions, but Damian didn’t wince at all. In fact, his demeanour was that of curiosity.

“Special move: Black Excalibur!” Julian suddenly sung out among all of the noise.

“Yeees!!” I got up from my seat: “Victor Excalibur! Victor Excalibur! Go Julian!” I wanted him to win, I wanted to se my closest friend, the keeper of my secrets, the one I grew up with and spent all those challenging moments with to win. I wanted to see him happy, I wanted to see him achieve his dream and defend his honour.

Destroyer swung his dark purple sword buzzing with energy and power into the air, dozens of meters above the highest row of the stadium, as dark lightening and gusts of electricity ran accross the stadium. Just as he was about to strike, I darted a look at Damian, craving to see a coward shitting his pants after all the disrespect he’s shown to Julian. But just before the gust of smoke took over, I saw an inviting grin.

With low visibility, the presenter jumped in to describe what just happened on the field: “NO! No way! Kerbecs stopped Julian’s all out special move right in its tracks!” I could see Sophie and Wales gripping the handrail that separated them from the battle, eager to see Julian emerge from the smoke, but just as tense as I am.

Damian chuckled: “So that thing was your special move, was it? I see against a normal Bey that probably would have won… However, it won’t work against Kerbecks when it’s in Boost Mode!”

“Julian’s special move didn’t work at all! What is going on out there?!” Gingka was literally on the edge of his seat, and even though the girl sitting next to him was saying something important I couldn’t hear her at all over the spinning that was happening in my head. For a moment I was sure I was going to pass out, but I fought the pain because this was too important.

When I got a grip of myself and tuned back into the conversation, Gingka was saying: “Do you think he would’ve cooked up this best out of three battle thing just so… he could test Hades Kerbecks Boost Mode?!?” I was speechless, utterly speechless if this was true. Lost for any words if Julian lost not to a Blader who was fighting for his team, but to a Blader who merely invited him to suffer so he could test out a design innovation.

“Hang in there Destroyer, counter attack!” Julian was trying to salvage the situation.

“Waste of time!” Damian proclaimed to the entirety of the stadium: “After your so-called special move has been stopped, what more could you possibly do?”

Julian gasped: “I can-“

“Parading around like an emperor when this is the hight of your power, how sad! Just make it easy on yourself, you don’t have any extraordinairy power so there’s no need to keep up that tough guy act!”

I was convinced I was going to faint, I could not feel my face anymore, yet my mouth was gaping open at what I was witnessing. Who is this cruel… this… monster?

“I’m going to take all of it away from you: your pride, confidence, everything sweet!!”

Kerbecks lashed strikes again, and again, with every hit grasping the air out of my lungs. My best friend was out there, and I was powerless to stop someone who was hurting him. What I would have done, or given, to just run out there and slap Damian’s face so hard he’d never speak to anyone like this ever again! Julian begged for mercy, but Damian didn’t listen. He was enjoying himself, and it didn’t matter that even the crowd fell silent, he was going to get what he wanted.

“Stop it! The battle’s already been decided!” Gingka rose a single cry from the audience, accompanied by his friend. Damian’s grin was wide and vicious, not diminishing even when he answered: “No it isn’t! Kerbecks has not revealed it’s true power yet, not even close!”

“JULIAN!”

To my absolute surprise, Sophie and Wales jumped in with their Beys: “Scarring Julian any further will simply not be allowed!”

“YES!” I gasped: finally an end to this atrocious torture. I wonder why the presenter, or the judges or fucking anyone didn’t step in until now? Torturing an opponent cannot possibly be according to the tournamet rules?

The presenter then jumped in, saying Excalibur forfeits as a consequence of breaching the rule of interrupting a game:

“We won’t allow Julian to be humiliated any further!”

“YES!” This time, I was yelling, and some encouraging claps and whistles came from the crowd in the rows behind.

“Heey!” Damian gleamed: “You two are gonna help me test Kerbecks as well? In that case, I won’t hold back at all as I invite all of you straight into Hades!”

Sophie, Julian and Wales called their special moves together - a combination I heard they were practicing in the week before our breakup. Two huge waves rose up, with Destroyer rising above like a dark Poseidon armed with his sword.

“So” I smiled to myself: “they succeeded. They made it work.”

Damian was quick to interrupt their scenic moment of glory: “Nice stuff! Now check this out!” Before he said anything else, I felt a sudden change in the air. It became ice cold even though the sun was shining and it was hot until a second ago, and a slow, swirling wind began to pick up.

Then, a blinding surge of fire-like energy erupted from Kerbecs, similar in appearance but different in magnitude to when Damian called Hades Drive; the stadium grew from ice cold to excruciatingly and suffocatingly hot in a milisecond. When I opened my eyes, I gasped at the sight of a giant dark door levitating in the middle of the stadium:

Damian roared: “Open right now, Hades Gate!”

The gate swung wide to display an empty and endless shadow realm of agony, from which red eyes awoke. Ice cold sweat ran down my feverish body, conflicting sensations caused by something paranormal: something unnatural.

Gold chains whipped out of the abyss, capturing Excalibur’s Beys - a scene of legend, of myth - good versus evil.

Then, the three headed Cerberous, Hades’s faithful servant, emerged from the darkness adorned in gold chain and collars, ready to inflict absolute pain and suffering.

Swirls of fire, absolutely real fire swam across the stadium before retracting to the inferno beyond the gate, and with a swift motion the door sunk into the depths of the Earth, beyond the sight of mortal eyes. The three Beys, and their Bladers, were motionless in their defeat.

Kerbecks faithfully jumped into Damian’s hand, but my bewildered, tearing eyes were locked on Julian’s frail standing frame.

“You’re weak.” Damian spoke among the deathly silence of the stadium, against the faint whimpers of Julian’s cry: “Now you understand that? Admit it.”

“Admit it?”

“Please Julian… please don’t let him win…” I begged under my breath, with boiling tears streaming down my face as I gazed at this broken man on one side of the stadium, and his tormentor’s eyes watching him from across: “please…”

“Yes that’s right, say it lound and clear: you are weak!” Damian ordered sadistically

“I… I am…” Julian whimpered

Damian smiled: “I am… what?”

“Weak.” Julian sunk to his knees as Damian burst into a laugh of victory. But unlike the manic laughter we heard from Jack earlier, this one was an echo of something unfamiliar and cruel.

The crowd remained completely silent. No one, not even the presenters moved or said a word as Damian strolled back and dissapeared into the tunnel leading into the backstage. After Excalibur members were also escorted backstage by paramedics, I ran out into the hallway to get to their quarters, but the newspapers and reporters beat me to it. The entire hall all the way to the enterance was full of ambitious and aggressive reporters trying to get a good picture of what misery and defeat looks like. For them, this was the scoop of the entire year.

I ran out and got into the first taxi that came by. I needed to get to my hotel as soon as possible and wrap my head around what had just happened. I saw I had dozens of missed calls and texts from mine and Julian’s friends who had watched the live stream, but I just couldn’t bring myself to read them. Somehow, I found the way to my room and into my bed, where all of my emotions poured out, leaving a stream of mascara and tears on the crisp white pillowcase. An hour, or even more, passed all the same. Eventually, the emotions calmed down a little bit; I tried calling all the Excalibur members, even their manager and Julian’s parents, but nobody picked up the phone.

I got up to order some tea and medicine to my room, when an envelope I hadn’t noticed before appeared slipping in from under the door. I slowly picked it up, turning it around to see who it was from:

Hades Inc.

[papillon82fluttersby]

Famous Five Art Nostalgia #09 – Part 2

Introductory post

Masterpost

🍒🌲🚁 Five Fall into Adventure – Le Club des Cinq et les gitans

Original publication date: 1950 (UK), 1960 (France)

(Cover art by Jean Sidobre, 1973)

Plot summary (adapted from Wikipedia):

The Famous Five meet up at Kirrin Station and learn Aunt Fanny and Uncle Quentin will be holidaying in Spain, leaving the Five at home with the household's cook, Joanna. On the beach, the Five meet a gypsy girl, the "ragamuffin", called Jo.

(Fun on the beach!)

(Spitting-Jo!)

Jo and George almost get into fight and Dick, who intervenes, gets a punch from Jo and retaliates in kind. The others find Jo and George very much alike. After finding out that Jo is a girl, Dick is very sorry, which moves Jo who is not used to kindness. After this, Jo is devoted to Dick, but Jo and George keep disliking each other.

(Jo makes friends with Timmy)

After the house is burgled, George is kidnapped, and Jo comes with a card requesting some documents to exchange for George. The wrong papers are provided, so George is not released. Jo is helping the villains, but decides to change sides, mostly because she wants to please Dick, and tells that George is likely hidden in Raven's forest by the villains, among them her father Simmy.

(On the morning after George is kidnapped, her cousins don’t worry at first because they think that she has gone fishing early in the morning; still, as time passes, they do get concerned and Julian goes to the beach to see if he can find her, only to be disappointed when he realises that the boat that he thought was George's is manned by two young men)

The children find Simmy's caravan, but no George or Timmy in it. Instead, they found George's writing on the wall of the caravan which says "Red Tower" over and over again.

(Julian shakes Jo awake, eager to start searching for George) [I think that all Judiki shippers will agree that this picture would be absolutely perfect with just a few tweaks to the black-haired sleeper 😏]

Jo knows that Red Tower is a man, a dangerous fellow who lives in a castle-like house on a cliff-top. Jo eventually leads Julian and Dick to the cliff-top house, where George is captive in a tower. Anne is left home with Joanna. At the foot of the cliff, the children find an underground tunnel which leads to the house. In the tunnel they meet Red Tower, a giant of a man with a flaming-red beard and mad-man's eyes.

(The nasty-tempered Red Tower and his henchman Markhoff)

Red captures Dick and Julian, but not Jo who escapes. Jo frees the boys from captivity and climbs up some ivy and swaps places with George. Jo later locks up three of the kidnappers, including her own father. Timmy is doped, but wakes up just in time to protect them from the villains. She and Julian, George, Dick and Timmy manage to make a getaway by boat. The police are alerted. Three of the criminals attempt to escape but their helicopter crashes. Jo is admired by everyone, even by George, who first hated her. Joanna says that her cousin would like to look after Jo, as Jo's father will be sent to prison.

~~~~~~

Bonus: Here’s some more beach fun, just because!

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Thanks for reading!

[mattanaministry]

Mattana Ministry

Welcomes You To:

Senior Program: 2 September

Theme: Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness (3)

Scripture: Col. 3:12;

2 Cor. 5:17-21; Rom. 2:4

Message:

Dress for the Job

Have you ever heard the expression, “Dress for the job you want”? It’s a common saying that encourages a person to look and act the part. And while we are not exactly sure how effective that advice is in the workplace, it’s excellent advice for the Christian life!

In today’s passage, Paul encourages believers to dress for the job and calling God has placed on each of our lives: for us to be a minister of reconciliation and Christ’s ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)! Now, this isn’t something we have to aspire to become, so we’re not exactly dressing for the job we want. This is the incredible privilege God has already gifted us with as His dearly loved children, and today’s passage encourages us to live up to that calling by clothing ourselves in the attire of an ambassador of Christ.

So, what does it look like to dress for this job? Paul tells us it looks like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. As we continue our examination of Fruits of the Spirit, we’re going to hone in on kindness today. So, the question becomes, “What does it look like to clothe ourselves with kindness?”

Well, first let’s examine what the word even means! In essence, it means practical, useful, profitable, or serviceable goodness. It’s the goodness of God in action! It’s not just an attitude of niceness as we have come to see it today—the term refers to meeting real needs. It’s the goodness produced in us by the Holy Spirit which is poured out of us to meet the needs of others by serving others while also abstaining from human cruelty or mercilessness.

So, where do we learn how to live this way? We look to Jesus, to His life, His ministry, and His interactions as recorded in the Gospels. Look at His interactions with the woman at the well in John 4, the woman caught in adultery in John 8, Zacchaeus in Luke 19, and the leper in Matthew 8. We see it in His restoration of Peter after the resurrection. When we read the Gospels, the kindness of Jesus, as expressed through His actions and interactions, truly did lead people to repentance. It drew people to Him—and the same is true today! That’s why Romans 2:4 (BSB) says, “God’s kindness leads you to repentance.”

So then, to clothe ourselves with kindness means to do good to others, to exhibit generosity gently and lovingly, and to serve others with a joyful heart, all of which points to the grace of God in Christ. The early church displayed kindness in their generosity, compassion, and care for widows, orphans, and the poor. The earliest Christians understood that even in a context where they were the persecuted minority, it was their mission to dress for their God-given calling by living out a radical love, charity, and compassion that drew people to salvation.

This was what they were known for, so much so that in the 4th century the Roman emperor Julian noted that the explosive growth of the church was caused by their “moral character” and by “their benevolence toward strangers,” even noting that “The [Christians] support not only their poor, but ours as well.”

May we, too, be a people eager to clothe ourselves in the kindness of Christ that casts a wide net and draws all people to our kind Savior.

MM

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[ohmylcve]

tilting her head while confused with the movie, maisie wondered where she was in that very moment: while her eyes were trying to hold on to the images, they seemed to switch so quickly, as if she didn't have enough time to properly feel them. this simple thought sent goosebumps all over maisie's body, when she came to the realisation that no matter what this movie was about, living would always be just like a movie: when you begin to understand and to feel yourself inside the movie, another scene would pop up, making you have to adapt or else you'd be suffering the nostalgia of not having something. and this was the moment in which she allowed herself to properly think about what was going on between the two of them: he was feeling. she was feeling. both of them were eager to savour the moment, but what if the scene changed? what if just as quick as a movie cut, they could find themselves apart?

but their connection was stronger than simple cuts, wasn't it? their connection lasted for so many movie cuts, almost as if it the exchange between scenes were a translucent one, not changing to another one, but yet transforming. the way their hands touched while passing the joint, it seemed like they were giving space to the unsaid to express itself in the way they were ready to do so... which was using objects to fulfill the lack of touch by the other's hands. as julian mentions the popcorn, maisie grabs it and has to hard blink to properly see the popcorn. with the exchanging light between scenes on the movie, maisie finds herself a bit confused when grabbing the popcorn. there's no sauce, she thinks, recalling the fact that neither her or him had put it all on. with the honey-sriracha-and-others kind of sauces by his bed, she grabs each one, a movement taking way more than it actually should, but time isn't a thing for her right now. as she finish, she shakes the popcorn in order to mix all of the ingredients, letting some of it fall on the ground. without a question, she's quick to grab herself a hand full of popcorns, and put it in her mouth. noticing he's looking at her, she can't help but to laugh while the weird taste mixes itself, playing on top of her tongue as if it was their own playground. "i am maisie. i told you- no, no more..." she laughs, knowing how complex it is to simply form sentences without laughing. "no more silence, okay?" she keeps on laughing, catching her breath as she inhales the haze between them, feeling as if she could actually be even higher just by this simple act. "for...?" she questions, wondering what is it that it's going around on his mind, making him form sentences wide opened, with multiple possibilities of interpretations. as she notices him cutting his sentence by the end of it, she can't help both the curiosity and the expectation towards his next words. pretend you're not what? please, say it, her eyes begs at him, like the invisible string is now around her chest, unable to be cut and unable to be untangled, unless they both used words for it. how she hoped he was about to say what she was feeling as well.

with an attempt to get the answer she wanted, maisie leaned in, even closer to him, holding up a curiosity gaze and not backing away any inch. from this point on, maisie decided that the only movement related to their distance would be to decrease it, and not increase: their bond seemed to be blossoming, and she wouldn't be the one to tear it down. not when she was this deep in. "julian," she says it back, savouring his name just as much as he was savouring hers, each and every letter lingering on her tongue; an abstraction of themselves on each other's tongues. with the smoke escaping from his lips, maisie leans in a bit more, inhaling the smoke once more as if she wanted to show that whatever he wanted to give her, she would take it. "never." voice down low as she was now blinking slowly, eyes no longer able to hold the disguise of its desire. curious of what would follow, her whole face is letting out, one by one, of those so mixed up feelings. as maisie's now aware of the rush of her heart, there's literally nothing else holding her back. "would you do the honors?" she lets out in a whisper, almost as if she was breaking the secrecy they've built up for so long.

julian’s mind felt like it was moving in slow motion, each thought dragging itself into clarity before dissolving back into the haze. the buzz of the joint softened everything—the tension, the questions, the weight of what was happening between him and maisie. or maybe it didn’t soften them at all. maybe it just made them louder, unavoidable in the silence. he could feel his heart beating too fast, its rhythm oddly matched to hers, as if they were caught in the same invisible current pulling them toward something inevitable. her earlier question lingered in his head, echoing as the room settled into the dim glow of the television. the screen flickered with surreal images from the movie, its eerie tones and disjointed visuals only amplifying the strange energy in the room. julian felt maisie’s presence next to him—closer than usual, close enough to feel her warmth, her slight movements, the way her breath hitched every time their hands brushed or the joint passed between them. he inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his lungs like armor against the vulnerability threatening to surface. he held it in, watching maisie as she sat there, facing him instead of the movie. her gaze darted between his eyes and his lips, lingering just a moment too long, as if she were caught in some unspoken thought. he exhaled slowly, the smoke curling out in front of him, dissipating into the air between them, and passed the joint back to her without a word. when her hand touched his to take it, it felt like electricity, a static charge running up his arm and into his chest. her fingers lingered, just barely, but enough to make him question whether it was intentional or if he was imagining it. his eyes traced the line of her hand to her lips as she took a pull, and he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about how easily the joint had become a stand-in for everything else they weren’t saying. the way her lips closed around it, the faint blush in her cheeks when she exhaled—it was a slow burn, and he was letting it consume him.

julian watched her cough and laugh softly, the sound breaking the silence and pulling him back from the edge of his thoughts. she mumbled an apology, her voice quiet, almost bashful, and finally turned to face the television. but he wasn’t looking at the screen. he couldn’t. his eyes were on her, on the way her body leaned just slightly toward his, on the way her presence seemed to take up all the space in the room. she feels it too, he thought, his mind circling the idea like a moth around a flame. there was no way she didn’t. every glance, every laugh, every hesitant touch—it was all there, unspoken but undeniable. he wanted to say something, to break the silence, to make sense of this overwhelming pull between them, but the words wouldn’t come. so he let the moment stretch, the movie’s strange, haunting soundtrack filling the room as the two of them sat there, caught in a tension that felt as fragile as it was inevitable. when maisie turned to him again, her head tilting slightly as she surveyed the snacks on the bed, julian couldn’t help but grin. she was playing along with his silent dare, her expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. her eyes flicked to his, her brow raising as if to say, well? what now? he reached over, grabbed the bowl of popcorn, and held it out to her with a smirk, his free hand gesturing toward the array of sauces and snacks.

julian took another deep drag from the joint, the smoke curling into his lungs like it was trying to fill all the empty spaces inside him. the haze was thick now, both in the room and in his mind. he could feel his thoughts slipping away, like sand through his fingers, leaving him with nothing but raw sensation—maisie’s laughter echoing faintly in his ears, the warmth of her body just inches from his, the tension between them crackling like static electricity. god have mercy on me, he thought as he exhaled slowly, the haze swirling around them. he wasn’t sure what would happen now, but he knew he couldn’t think straight anymore. every filter, every wall he’d built to keep his feelings in check, was crumbling, and he was too far gone to stop it. the movie played on, but neither of them seemed to care. she was looking at him, her eyes heavy-lidded but focused, and he didn’t even realize he was staring at her, his own thoughts a mess of what ifs and why nots. “maisie,” he murmured, her name slipping out before he could stop himself. it wasn’t a question or a statement, just her name, spoken like it was the only thing anchoring him to reality. he looked down at the joint in his hand, then back up at her, a crooked smile tugging at his lips despite the nervous energy building in his chest. “i think… i think i might be too high for this,” he admitted with a low laugh, the honesty spilling out before he could second-guess it. his voice was softer now, more vulnerable, as if the haze had stripped away all his usual defenses. “like, way too high to pretend i’m not—”

he stopped himself, the words catching in his throat. his mind was too numb to think clearly, but not numb enough to ignore the way maisie was looking at him, the way the air between them felt impossibly charged. he knew he should pull back, crack a joke, do something to break the tension, but he couldn’t. he didn’t want to. julian took another slow drag, the joint burning low now, and let his head tilt back against the mattress. his eyes stayed on maisie, though, watching her as if she were the only thing in the room that made sense. julian's head lolled slightly to the side, his gaze settling on maisie with a hazy intensity that even he couldn’t fully explain. the joint was down to its last embers, and as he inhaled again, a sudden thought surfaced in his mind, one he couldn’t suppress, no matter how much his rational brain might have tried if it weren’t so thoroughly numb. “maisie,” he murmured, the words slow and drawn out, as if he were trying them on for size. he let the smoke escape his lips, the wisps curling into the space between them. his voice was soft, a little slurred, but carried a thread of curiosity that felt oddly weighted. “has anyone ever… like… given you a shot when you were smoking?”