#Bloom & Rage

[lmaverick123]

Top 6 Most Anticipated Games of 2025

I remember a time when having ten games to be excited for in a year was easy-peasy.  I might not play all of them that year, but I was excited about them.  Now, finding five was a stretch.  It took some serious effort to find six that I am excited about.  There are some games that I just know aren’t happening.  All the copium in the world that I see from Telltale and the people who believe in…

[twohitgames]

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage confirma edición física

Adéntrate en una historia única, creada por los genios detrás de Life is Strange. Con Lost Records: Bloom & Rage revive el verano de 1995, capturando momentos inolvidables y forjando lazos inseparables con tus nuevas amigas. 27 años después, os enfrentaréis juntos los oscuros secretos que os llevaron a jurar no volver a hablar nunca más tras aquel verano que lo cambió todo. Regresa a los 90 y…

[evereverest2]

Roses — Terzomega

~part five of the Little Monster Series~

2.4k words ~ (light) smut

Days after his last encounter with Terzo, Omega finds himself in the ministry garden.

[parts]: one | previous | next

[author note:] early upload because the last part reached my goal of 50 likes! thank u everyone. for an early upload of part 6, get this one to 100 likes (i made it harder). otherwise, see you next wednesday ;)

—

“You need to get laid.”

The snickering jab came from Earth, who sizzled his cymbal for effect. Air laughed.

Omega’s tail flicked angrily. Having been warming up, he continued to practice with an edge of frustration, not giving Earth a reaction. His fingers climbed the guitar’s neck, quick as lightning, turning into an angry, shrill chromatic scale that left the guitar screaming its highest note through the crackling amp.

“He’s been so uptight,” River sighed, plucking a dark note from his bass.

“Ignoring us,” Air added with a random piano riff. “Too busy to say hi.”

“I’m right here,” Omega snapped. The four ghouls looked up from their instruments. The sound-proof practice room filled with dead air.

It was Alpha who finally spoke up. “You gotta admit it’s been a while, Megs.”

“Since what?”

“Since you got laid,” Earth interjected, hitting his bass drum a few times to punctuate his statement. 

River and Air burst into childish giggles. Omega’s brow furrowed with annoyance. Alpha laughed, a carefree sound, before shaking his head. “Nah. I mean, maybe, but nah. It’s you, man. When’s the last time we all hung out?”

“Last week,” Omega replied tersely.

“That was practice,” River said in his sullen voice. “You hardly spoke at all.”

“Yeah, like, really hung out. We used to do it all the time, right?” Alpha looked around at the other ghouls. There was a chorus of agreement.

“Why are we even practicing?” Omega huffed, suddenly frustrated. “There’s no new music and no tour date scheduled yet.”

More silence. Finally, Alpha said, “I mean, besides the obvious to keep ourselves fresh, it’s the only time we ever see you.”

“I’m busy.”

“We know, Megs. It’s not fair they make you do all that shit.”

“That’s why you gotta do your own shit, right?” Earth was relentless, laughing boisterously.

Air tilted his head, smiling suggestively. “If you need your dick sucked, you know I’m happy to do it.”

“We all want to suck your dick, Omega,” River sighed.

Omega, fed up, threw his guitar on the ground. The amp made a painful shriek that made everyone except Omega flinch.

“Megs–” Alpha tried.

Omega snarled at him, snapping his teeth. They locked eyes for a moment. Fiery red glaring into lightning purple. He growled, “We’re done here.”

He stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Every Sibling unlucky enough to see his terrifying rampage turned the other way, disappearing inside doorways, avoiding his path. There was no destination to his rageful stalking, his pacing of the Ministry. He just wanted to clear his head, to get away from the ghouls, to take one single moment of the day to himself, to think. 

At an intersection between halls, he felt a breeze gently blowing down an empty corridor, one that led to a glass door cracked open by a rock. The garden. The air was cool against his heated disposition. Refreshing. Inviting.

Omega detoured down the hall, slipping outside and carefully ensuring the door remained open. It automatically locked, and the only way to get back inside was to walk around the expansive compound through the front door.

The sky was cloudy blue, overcast but not quite raining. It was warm enough to be comfortable with a coat, though the breeze was cold and light, giving Omega goosebumps. He took deep breaths, smelling the air, calming himself. 

The plants around him were dying in the early fall, some still green, others withering away. The one plant that stood against the seasons was a dark red rose bush, though little remained of the blooms. He noticed, on the pathway, a handful of rose petals, which were bigger than any of the current flowers growing on the bush. Confused, he looked around, seeing another one further down the path. 

He walked forward, stepping around a hedge to see the very rose he had been searching for, clutched in the hands of the last man in the Ministry he wanted to see.

Cardinal Terzo was sat on an ornate concrete bench, looking down and spinning the thorny rose between his fingers. The bench was in a small clearing that looked over a garden of dead flowers, the back surrounded by hedges to create an apse in the walkway. Omega knew it was Primo’s favorite spot, and it surprised him that the old man was not there instead of Terzo. Of course, it was too cold to tend to the fauna in early autumn.

Terzo looked up at the intrusion. He looked sad. Not miserable, not pitiful, but simply sad. Then, he smiled at Omega. His frustration disappeared in an instant, leaving room to sense Terzo’s state of mind. Indeed, he was sad, mourning, his mind mulling over something in particular. But it was not all-consuming. There was a spark of happiness, and it came from seeing Omega.

“Hello, Omega ghoul. Care to join me?”

Omega hesitated. Suddenly, he felt as if he should not be there, and looked away. Terzo said, “Do not be frightened, ghoul. I do not bite.”

Omega relented, shuffling over to the bench and sitting on the edge. He stared at the collection of browning and dead flowers, wondering why Terzo was so welcoming of his presence. Since their tepid encounter days ago, they had yet to even see one another, let alone resolve the tension between them. 

“I was surprised to see this rose today,” Terzo said, breaking the silence. “The bush looks dead. Look how big and red it is.”

He held up the rose. Omega regarded it. 

“It’s dead now,” he pointed out.

“It was soon to die anyway.” Terzo held it to his nose, smelling it deeply. “Roses were mi mamma’s favorite. That is not a very uncommon favorite, is it?”

Omega shook his head.

“Many people love this flower. Yet I can only think of mamma when I see it. No one else will think of that, si? It is mi mamma’s flower. To you, you may look at this flower and think nothing of it. To me, mamma is what makes roses special.”

Omega’s tail flicked back and forth on the bench contentedly. He nodded along to Terzo’s musings. Surprisingly, this gentle atmosphere was soothing him from his outburst at the ghouls, and finally, he could calm down. 

“Is that why you’re out here?”

Terzo nodded. “Two years ago yesterday, I buried mi mamma with roses. I was hoping there would be one left in the garden.”

Omega thought to say something. To give his condolences, to ask how she died, to ask how he was doing, any number of things. Instead, he choked. And before he could think of anything of comfort, Terzo spoke again.

“What brings you to this garden, Omega ghoul?”

Relieved for the topic change, Omega sighed, shaking his head. “Nothing important. I’m taking a break.”

“From?”

“From… everything,” he chuckled slightly. “I’m exhausted.”

“Ah. It is hard, si? They say, eh, you work for Satan, then they say, eh, you must do all these things. It is like a business, not a church. Why, we are no better than the Catholics.”

Omega looked at Terzo, surprised. Though Omega may not have fully acknowledged them before, Terzo had just voiced the very feelings that he had been plagued by for far too long.

“Yeah,” he sighed, then laughed despite himself. “That’s it. I’m the only quintessence ghoul, and they give me too many responsibilities. Trivial, meaningless things anyone could handle, all because of my element.”

“You delegate then, si?” Terzo began pointing at invisible people. “You do this, and you do this. Lower your stress.”

“I don’t have the authority to do that.” Omega sighed.

“They expect too much out of you. They always do.”

Omega looked at Terzo, slowly plucking the petals from the rose. They naturally fell silent, both watching as dark petals drifted to the ground until the rose stem was barren.

“Now I have really killed it,” Terzo said, dropping the stem. He pushed his hair back, sitting up. “I can never help myself from ruining nice things.”

“It’s not always your fault.” Omega leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “That rose was dead anyway.”

“Si. But how much longer could it have lived?”

“Maybe it would have died today.”

“Or maybe it would have lived through winter,” Terzo chuckled. “But it does not matter. You cannot bring back a dead rose.”

Omega stared at Terzo. After a moment, Terzo noticed, catching his eye. Omega swallowed thickly, looking down at the remnants of the flower, breaking their eye contact.

“Maybe we can.”

“Hm?”

Omega rubbed his hands together a few times, his fingers suddenly feeling cold with the breeze. He chastised himself for feeling so nervous. He looked at Terzo again.

The words escaped his mind like air from a deflating balloon. All that was left was his eyes, rimmed by black, always seeing through him, piercing him like arrows. And his lips. One plump pink, one black. An unsettling appearance, but one that Omega had grown to long for. 

Terzo reached up to take off Omega’s mask. He let him.

There was no telling who leaned in first, who initiated the kiss that followed. Only that there was one. One that both had been craving for some time. And it was unlike any they had shared before; indeed, for they had rarely kissed at all. When they did, it was rough, nasty, followed by choking or spitting or both. Never for the sake of being kissed but for the heat of dark passion. But on this concrete bench in the Ministry garden, Omega felt the gentle nature of this kiss, and it scared him. This was not how they were. This was not hatred. This was not lust.

Omega pulled away first. 

Terzo said, “Omega—”

“I want to revisit our agreement,” Omega interrupted, clearing his throat, too terrified of what Terzo would say to let him finish.

Terzo paused. “You want to fuck me again, mostriciatto?” 

Omega gripped the edge of the bench, annoyed at how he always said things like that just to make him mad. “Yes,” he replied through gritted teeth.

“Why did we stop before?”

“It…” Caught off guard, Omega failed to answer right away, his mouth agape like a fool, hesitating. “Your drinking.”

“Eh, you catch me after a party, and you think I drink too much? I do not drink today, do I?”

“You always did when we had sex.”

Now, it was Terzo’s turn to be caught off guard. He shook his head, shrugging. “Wine makes me horny.”

“If we continue doing this, I don’t want you to drink all the time. It increases the risk of getting caught,” he added quickly.

“Fine.” He held up his hands. “I will be responsible. I won’t quit cold poultry, but I will do my best. Happy?”

Being happy was a complicated feat. Omega was surprised at how happy he was at that moment, yet what lingered in the back of his mind was far from the excitement he felt now. It made him want to quell the happiness, chalk it up to being horny, and forget the ways Terzo’s smile made him feel.

Omega nodded slowly. Terzo reached up to touch his face.

“Shall we reinstate the agreement now or later?”

Omega pointedly avoided turning his head to Terzo’s touch, glaring at a dead leaf across the garden instead. “I’m busy until evening.”

Terzo tutted. He got up to stand in front of him, casually running his arms along his shoulders. He leaned over to kiss his jaw. He murmured lowly, “As I recall, you still have one more hour of practice.”

Omega wondered when Terzo found out his schedule, or when he became such a convincing man.

He tilted his head to meet Terzo’s, reuniting once more in a salacious lip lock. His arms slipped around his waist, pressing their bodies close, Terzo now standing between his legs. His hands ran along Omega’s back, lightly scratching, slipping up to tangle his fingers in Omega’s hair. Omega gripped his ass with his big hands, slipping one down his pants just to feel the flesh. Terzo released a gentle groan.

Omega suddenly lifted Terzo, then carefully set him on the concrete bench, lying down. He knelt over him, one leg on the ground to balance, kissing fiercely. Terzo held on to him, still playing with his hair and face with his fingers, splitting his legs apart greedily. Omega slid his hand down his chest, stomach, resting comfortably on the curve of his bulge. He thumbed the length of it, tight in his pants, making him moan lightly.

Then Omega heard something, which made him stop dead in his tracks. The crunch of a dead leaf. He raised his head, his eyes darting around them.

“Mostriciatto—”

Omega shushed him. He walked away from the bench, checking the path that led to the door. Not a soul in sight. The door was still ajar. Omega returned to Terzo.

“I thought I heard someone,” he said, tense.

“There is nobody around, ghoul; you worry too much.”

Omega looked at Terzo, who was disheveled and clearly begging for more. As much as he wanted to relent, to give in to his feral desire to rip into him in the garden, he was too concerned with getting caught, and the moment had passed.

“It’s too risky out here.” Omega pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know why we didn’t think about this.”

“We are horny,” Terzo said helpfully.

Omega sighed. “I should get back to work.”

“You have always been a cockblock, ghoul,” Terzo mumbled bitterly, standing to readjust his pants and fix his hair.

Omega glowered at him. “You think I’m not frustrated?”

“I hope you are,” Terzo grinned. “Then you will treat me not-so-nice later tonight.”

Omega crossed his arms. “I’ll be at your quarters when I’m finished.”

“Oh, Omega, do not finish before you see me. It will not be as fun,” Terzo winked at him. He slapped Omega’s ass on his way out, causing him to jump in surprise. Omega’s eyebrows furrowed, embarrassed, angry that he was embarrassed, and glared at Terzo as he walked up the path and disappeared inside the Ministry.

[parts]: one | previous | next

buy me a kofi <3

[maximuswolf]

Don't Nod bets on Lost Records: Bloom &amp; Rage as multiple projects fail to meet expectations

Don't Nod bets on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, as multiple projects fail to meet expectations https://ift.tt/akBVf4t Submitted September 24, 2024 at 09:13PM by Nic727 https://ift.tt/UwWzgAj via /r/gaming

[7ooo-ru]

В Don't Nod ранее опубликовали новый трейлер сюжетной приключенческой игры Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Анонсированная в конце прошлого года кинематографичная приключенческая игра Lost Records: Bloom & Rage от студии Don't Nod, известной по Life is Strange, сегодня внезапно получила новый трейлер. В ролике должны были впервые показать игровой процесс...

Подробнее https://7ooo.ru/group/2024/04/24/226-v-don039t-nod-ranee-opublikovali-novyy-treyler-syuzhetnoy-priklyuchencheskoy-igry-lost-records-bloom-amp-rage-grss-301875657.html

[mellowdreamer]

HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO VERSE.

this is a modern bending vigilante/hero au featuring zukka, mailee, yueki and a lot of hijinks!

the gaang are all 16-19 here, because while bruce wayne apparently has no problem with it, i’m not comfortable with having vigilantes who haven’t yet gone through puberty.

the avatar world is just one big city, and each of the nations/cities are different suburbs of the city.

kyoshi island, ember island, and boiling rock are small islands off of the city, similar to singapore’s sentosa island.

the city (republic city? i dunno, get back to me on this one) is full of heroes, vigilantes and villains alike. the fire nation is a criminal empire intent on taking over the city. the avatar is a hero who works to keep the balance of heroes and villains in the city, and stop the entire city from becoming a war zone. 

however, the avatar disappeared 100 years ago, and no one was chosen to take up the mantle since. in the avatar’s absence, the fire nation was able to begin its quest to take over the city.

the heroes of the southern water tribe that were left after the various raids have left the southern water suburb on a mission to defeat the fire nation or die.

hakoda, alias chief, left his two young children in charge of their territory, despite them being a) children and b) relatively untrained.

katara, alias painted lady, is the only waterbender left in the southern water tribe. sokka, alias captain boomerang, is the only trained combat hero left in the southern water tribe. all those remaining are either children or incapable of fighting.

side tangent: when sokka does well, he calls himself “grand marshal boomerang” and when he does badly, he calls himself “private boomerang”. thank you to the crimily for coming up with this one!!

one night, when katara and sokka are out on patrol, they get chased by fire nation goons into the ice off of the southern harbour. there, they get into a fight over sokka’s sexist remarks and katara’s yelling having attracted the fire nation goons, and katara’s waterbending gets out of control. she breaks open an iceberg, only to find someone in there.

the two siblings approach the iceberg and break the person out. they are shocked to find a young boy in the unmistakable uniform of the avatar, resting next to a creature they’ve never seen before.

they wake the boy up, to find that his name is aang and he’s the next avatar. and that he has no idea of the fire nation’s quest to conquer the entire city, or the fact that the air nomads – heroes that didn’t resign to just one area of the city – hadn’t been seen for the same hundred years that he must’ve spent in the iceberg.

katara and a reluctant sokka take aang back to the apartment building where the remaining southern water suburb residents have been living and introduce him to everyone.

later that night, the three go out on patrol together. it’s a quiet night, and sokka thinks they might actually get through it without any incidents, until they find a woman being mugged.

sokka and katara are about to intervene, but aang takes down both thugs in a matter of seconds. aang, ignoring the slack jawed shock of his friends, asks if they could go penguin sledding. katara goes to agree, but is cut off by the shout of “MY HONOUR” from a nearby rooftop.

zuko, alias dragon prince, runs from the rooftop before they could find him. his father ozai, alias firelord, had sent him and his uncle iroh – formerly dragon of the west, now retired – to find the avatar. zuko had been banished from the fire nation territory years ago, after speaking up about a plan that would’ve cost them a whole division of goons and refusing to fight his father in an agni kai.

the kyoshi warriors are similar to the birds of prey or the amazons; they’re an all-female crime-fighting unit not directly associated with any of the kingdoms or nations. suki is their leader, and they don’t have secret identities like the other heroes.

iroh, bumi, piandao, jeong-jeong and p*kku are all retired heroes and a part of the order of the white lotus.

toph is the blind bandit and a hero, albeit a less morally structured and ‘good’ hero than the avatar, the painted lady, and captain boomerang. she was a part of the underground fighting ring ‘earth rumble’ when the gaang infiltrated the ring looking for intel and convinced her that her powers could be used for something better than beating bitches blue and making bank while doing it.

azula is firebolt, and she is as brilliant as she is terrifying. she’s arguably more feared than the firelord, mainly because she’s the one who frequents other areas and actually goes on missions. ozai just sits on his stupid throne and yells at people and manipulates his children like the little bitch he is.

mai and ty lee are azula’s sidekicks, and are known as blade and tightrope respectively. also: they’re lesbians, harold.

yue is a part of the northern water tribe’s group of heroes, alongside her family. they tried to marry her off to hahn and have her trained in healing instead of fighting, but she rebelled and threatened to go out on her own, so they relented. yue’s hero alias is tui, but she will be called sailor moon at least three times.

jet and his freedom fighters are a group of anti-heroes who aren’t afraid to hurt innocent people in their pursue of ‘justice’.

zhao is a villain who works for the firelord, under the alias admiral, and he’s an asshole. using the yuyan archers, he manages to capture aang and takes him to a fire nation stronghold. zuko finds out about this, and not wanting admiral asshole to get the upper hand, dresses as the blue spirit for the first time to rescue aang.

during the siege of the north, zhao “kills” yue. she fakes her own death and disappears into hiding until the final battle, in which she kills zhao because it’s what she deserves.

the gaang know that yue is alive, because she’s nice enough to not do them like that, but they have to keep up appearances. because of this, sokka amps up the heartbreak and clings to suki a lot. that’s why a lot of outsiders begin to think that sokka dated yue and is dating suki, though in reality yue and suki are dating each other.

zuko and iroh, after the siege of the north and a trap set by azula, disappear into hiding and decide to take refuge in ba sing se, knowing that the fire nation wouldn’t think to look for them there.

ba sing se is a section of the city that has been fenced off in order to prevent an influx of heroes and villains. the dai li, who keep a tight grip on the suburb and ensure that the residents don’t know of the war raging outside the walls, are a group of “heroes”.

of course, the fence does nothing to prevent zuko and iroh, the gaang, and later azula, mai and ty lee from entering ba sing se and turning it into their own warzone.

iroh fulfils his dream of finally owning a tea shop and zuko, when not working in the tea shop, spends his nights lingering in the shadows of ba sing se as the blue spirit.

sokka, desperate for a warm drink and something to do while the others do their bending training, wanders into the jasmine dragon one afternoon and is served by “lee”.

neither know the other’s civilian identity, so there’s no shady business, just pining over the cute customer/server. sokka strikes a conversion and the two begin flirting chatting. it’s going really well, and you can almost see the romance blooming.

and then in walks azula, flanked by mai and ty lee, all in costume.

sokka and zuko both leap up from their seats and into fighting stances. both are confused as to why the other jumped up, and then azula calls zuko brother and it clicks in sokka’s mind.

he starts yelling at zuko for a lot of things, including yue’s “death” which is how zuko realises who he is. zuko starts yelling back because he’s only once met a fight he didn’t like. in the background of this argument, iroh is trying to fight azula, mai and ty lee to varying degrees of success.

it’s funny that i say degrees, because this is when azula sets fire to the jasmine dragon. iroh grabs the two dumbass arguing teens and shoves them outside as he too runs, telling zuko to meet at their rendezvous point at sunrise.

azula, mai and ty lee chase after zuko and sokka (who are still arguing as they run from the three girls). mai and ty lee don’t want to chase them, because zuko has always been better to them than azula, but defying azula would be a death sentence.

sokka pulls zuko into a building for coverage, and because azula is azula, she summons the dai li and has them surround the building. there would be no leaving without confronting the dai li, and thus zuko and sokka are trapped.

sokka confronts zuko and basically asks how he could justify the fire nation’s villainy, how he could support a monster who’s killing hundreds of people. zuko defends his father blindly because he’s been raised to believe that his father is right, that his father has to be right, and this southern water scum is wrong. but zuko’s losing his grip on the argument and is becoming more and more hysterical but sokka is so calm, so sure of himself, and the dam finally breaks.

zuko crumples to the ground in tears, and now sokka’s gotta deal with this because ozai is a shitface and has been brainwashing his son for years and wow fuck the fire nation.

mai and ty lee, having taken down the dai li, burst in to find zuko crying his eyes out in sokka’s arms. they teasingly ask if they’re interrupting something and laugh as zuko next to sprints out of the building, sokka hot on his heels.

this is the last straw for zuko, who defects from the fire nation, hangs up his dragon prince uniform and fully becomes the blue spirit, a hero who works with the gaang to eventually take down the fire nation.

also, at some stage zuko rescues a turtleduck that got stuck up a tree. don’t ask me how this happens.

[nyxdelanuit]

Letters Pt. 2: Actions (Noya x Reader)

Hello all! This is a sequel to Letters! Please read it first c:

This one is dedicated to my Jac Attack! @fallingintoimagination Happy birthday love <3 I hope you adore this as much as I adore you!!

He had always been there in the background. Watching, holding you up. Playing the part of your boyfriend’s best friend. Noya didn’t know when it happened, but he found his eyes falling to you more and more, Kiyoko all but forgotten. He wasn’t dumb though, he kept up the facade. It wouldn’t do you any good to figure out all the forbidden feelings he had for you. Not when you looked so happy every time Tanaka twirled you in his arms.

 And so he watched, convincing himself it was enough to be there for you. In some ways, he became closer to you than your husband. Noya prided himself on being your partner-in-crime, your confidant. He knew there were a million other people you could confide in, especially when it came to Tanaka, but he was your first call without fail. He had even been the first person to meet your second-born, gripping your hand while Tanaka was stuck in traffic. The three of you laughed at the time, calling Noya your surrogate husband.

That night, he cried for hours. For a moment, he had forgotten you weren't his, that the life you created wasn't tied to him. Noya had tried, unsuccessfully, to fill the void in his heart. Every person he brought into his bed felt hollow, his hand holding more meaning. At least then, he wouldn't get slapped for slipping out your name.

All his patience, all he had given up, all for nothing when he heard the words that had fallen from Tanaka’s mouth. To think he had called him his friend, his brother? Noya moved before he thought, cradling his fist as he watched Tanaka reel. It was only fitting that he feel even a fraction of the heartache Noya felt. The heartache you would feel. Noya was ready to deliver more justice, until Tanaka’s eyes could no longer fall on you. He no longer deserved that. But Tsukishima was pulling him away.

 The rage faded enough that Noya was once aware of his surroundings. Tsukishima held Noya, Noya’s back to his chest.

 “Stop, you know she’s watching.” Noya’s eyes drifted to the cameras, where Ukai was desperately trying to get them to cut the feed. He needed to move, he needed to get to you before anyone else. He was your rock, he couldn’t not be there. Tsukki wouldn’t let him leave, not yet, and Noya slumped in his hold. With a clearer head, he surveyed the court.

 The Karasuno team had been divided. Kiyoko knelt at Tanaka’s side, fussing over the blood oozing from his nose in lazy twin rivers. Between Noya and them stood the team, tense and incensed. On the other side of the net, he heard struggling. Before all this, before you had fallen pregnant with your first, you had been Nekoma’s manager. You had only quit because Tanaka was worried about having both parents be so busy, and you were quick to tell him that his dreams were worth more.

 A glance over Tsukki's shoulder showed Kuroo holding Yaku much the same that Tsukki held him. Yaku wasn't as quickly talked down, throwing elbows in the poor man's face. While Yaku may have been the avatar of their rage, Kenma was staring Tanaka down, the embodiment of their vengeance. Murder shone in his eyes, calm and patient and bloodthirsty.

 What surprised him the most, though, was Yachi. Kind, timid Yachi. As soon as Kiyoko got Tanaka back on his feet, Yachi marched over to them, more confidence oozing from her than Noya had ever seen. The loud smack reverberated through the echoing room, and Kiyoko held her cheek, tears in her eyes.

 "You ignored him for years! We all watched you! But now that he has a life, a wife, you decide that you want him? He has children! I looked up to you? How could you?" Each word sunk into Kiyoko and Tanaka like knives, guilt, and pain written in the hunch of their backs and the subtle steps to put distance between them. Distance wouldn't fix this, not now.

 Ukai finally returned, the camera team packing up awkwardly in the background. He pushed Yachi behind him with a hand on his shoulder, muttering words of comfort as she strode past.

 "I'll be expecting a letter of resignation from the both of you by the end of the week. Extramarital affairs and mingling between coworkers doesn't break your contracts, but I doubt you'll be welcome on the team for a long time." With his peace said, Ukai turned from them, ushering the rest of the teams off the court.

 The chill of the night air brought a sense of finality to what had happened. Both teams, earlier amped up by friendly rivalry, now brought together with a common cause. There had been some heated discussion, arguments on who would go to you. Yamaguchi and Suga were adamant about accompanying Noya to your house, and although Kenma didn’t speak a word, he stood resolutely by Noya’s side. It wasn’t often that Kenma found fondness for other people, but you had his undying loyalty.

 It was Daichi that finally spoke some sense into them. “She won’t want all of us showing up at her doorstep. I know you guys mean well, but she won’t want your pity. For now, let’s leave her in Noya’s hands. We all know he’s closest to her.” Noya could feel the weight of the responsibility sitting heavily on his shoulders, but it was one he would carry without complaint. Kuroo approached to place a hand on Kenma’s shoulder.

 “That means you too. Let’s put our faith in him.” Kenma turned away with a scowl.

 "We put our faith in Tanaka, look how that turned out." He lumbered into the night, Kuroo following with a hurried apology. The remainder of the team dispersed slowly after, murmuring encouragement to Noya as they left. Sometime during that, Noya noticed Tanaka and Kiyoko retreating from a side door, slipping quickly out of sight.

 Noya had hoped he wasn’t too late as he approached your door, thankful it was unlocked. He had a key, hidden somewhere in the bag slung over his shoulder, but he didn’t want to waste precious time hunting it down if he didn’t have to.

 Noya caught the end of your tirade, simultaneously heartbroken and proud of the strength you were showing. He led Tanaka out of his house, throwing the bag after him without a word. Noya thought the ache in his chest couldn't be any worse, and he was proved wrong once he saw you desperately trying to hold yourself together, collapsed in the spot he had left you in.

 How many nights had he fantasized holding you like this? Tucked under his chin, grasping at his shirt? Now those daydreams made him feel all the more guilty. This was not what he wished for, nothing at the expense of your happiness. Noya vowed to himself as he felt you shake in his hold, he would never try to be more than you needed. If this was his karma for wanting after you, he’d hold his tongue until the world died out.

 Noya's arms started to ache, but you had finally stilled. With careful movements, he lifted you into his arms, thanking whatever deity granted him that growth spurt his final year of high school. He laid you on the couch, wishing the fabric was more plush against your swollen face. He stepped lightly through the house, grateful for his previous visits. With a washcloth in hand, he returned to your sleeping form, cleaning the angry tear lines from your face. The blanket draped over the back of the couch was moved to cover you, Noya remembering with a smile that you always slept with one foot outside of the covers and adjusting it to your liking.

 Once he was satisfied, he simply sat on the floor, his head propped up on the couch cushion to watch you. Even in sleep, you didn't look peaceful. What he wouldn't do to wipe the creases from your brow, to at least know your dreams were treating you sweetly.

 You awoke in waves the next morning. At first, the gentle kiss of morning sun begged your eyes to open. They felt so heavy, and yet you couldn’t remember why. Then the rough texture of the cushion under your head made you wonder why you weren’t in bed with your husband. Then the grating realization that you didn’t have much of a husband left.

 The ache in your chest returned, only softened by the sight of Noya, passed out inches from where your head had lain. His hair still half-gelled, half-matted by his arms cradling his head. Even without Tanaka, you weren't as alone as you feared. You took the time to take him in while he slept. He was your dearest friend, but you hadn't let yourself linger on him like this—too much temptation for a taken woman. You had always thought in another life, maybe you would have met him first. You wish you had.

 Your eyes fell to the color blooming on his knuckles, crusty reds flaking over blacks and angry violet. He had already done so much more than you could have asked. Your body started moving on autopilot, and you let the numbness consume you. You couldn’t afford to fall apart, your children still needed a mother.

 Noya woke up while you were in the kitchen, softly plodding his way over to you. You poured him a cup of coffee, cream and sugar, just like how he liked it. He accepted it with a grateful groan, emptying almost half before he started to come alive.

 "Is'okay if I use your shower?" You nodded your approval before returning to the food on the stove. It would be best to finish this before the kids woke up. You had almost made it in time, your daughter running through the hall to tell you her brother had woken her up. You ran a hand through her hair, unable to look at her father's eyes staring up at you. Hopefully she wouldn't read too much into it, she was far to smart to be five. Your body moved on muscle memory as you got your two-year-old son ready for the day, setting him up at the table while your daughter dutifully slid into her seat. You set out their plates, cutting the food into palatable pieces for them before placing plates down for you and Tanaka.

 Shit.

 Luckily, Noya slid into the room then, hair dropping around his face without the stash of gel he came at home. “You didn’t have to make me food, but I won’t say no.” His grin sparked something within your heart, lifting the ache that threatened to choke you. You didn’t correct him, instead taking your seat and enjoying what you could of the meal.

 Noya shooed you out of the kitchen once you were done. “I’ll watch the little scamps while you get ready. We can worry about the dishes later.” You let yourself be corralled by him, realizing now that you were still in last night’s crumpled clothes. Noya slipped your son into his hold with the comfort of someone who had been there since his beginning, chatting animatedly with your daughter as he did. Despite listening to her chatter, his eyes still sought your retreating form. He watched as you paused at the door to your room, your hand shaking as it reached for the handle. The pain on your face rivaled what he had seen last night. Something he hoped he could fix.

 You kept your eyes to the ground as you traversed your room by memory. Clothes were grabbed without thought, and once you had what you needed, you ran from the offending room. You hadn’t meant to slam the door behind you, but it still shook the frame. Your son’s cries echoed from the living room, followed by Noya’s soothing. He quieted soon after, but it was just another thorn in your heart.

 You cried in the shower, trusting the water to drown out your shaking sobs. It felt cathartic, like you were washing Tanaka from your skin, his scent from your hair, and the pain from your heart. It wouldn't be a cure-all, but it would be a start. You left the water feeling like more of a person, noticing the wrung-out washcloth sitting at the edge of the sink. Vague memories of Noya cleaning the evidence of your break from your face flooded your mind. What you had ever done to have someone like him in your life, you would never know.

 You allowed him to distract your kids today as you lost yourself in thought. There was so much to do, but where would you get the energy. Before you knew it, the day had passed, settling into dusk.

 "Noya, don't you have practice tonight?" You mused aloud, eyes lazily drifting to his. He grinned at you sheepishly as he wiggled your son in his hold.

 “Nah, I’m off the team for a month or two. Guess you can’t punch someone on live TV without getting in trouble.” He laughed it off, but the guilt only grew.

 “You don’t have to stay.” Your eyes fell to the cold cup of tea in your hands, fingers stiff. How long had you held this while it cooled? When had you even gotten it? Noya extracted himself from your daughter’s hold, making sure your son was settled on his play mat before coming to take the cup from your hands.

 "I'll stay as long as you want me to. I want to be here." He didn't allow you to answer, traipsing into the kitchen as if it was his own. You followed him with your eyes, the dishes from breakfast, and a lunch you hadn't remembered eating already washed and dried. You worried for a moment before noticing the splotch of food dried to your son's shirt. At least they had been fed, somehow. Noya returned, a steaming cup of tea deposited in your grasp. The warmth brought feeling back into your aching fingers.

 “I hope you don’t mind, but I told a couple of the guys they could stop by. They were worried about you.” You nodded as he reached into his pocket, his phone vibrating. “That’s them now.”

 You must have zoned out again. Kenma sat in front of you, replacing the tea with his hands. His eyes saw too much, and you were tempted to turn away. You wondered if that would answer the questions he had. Instead of prying, he led your hands to his hair, letting you fuss with the dyed locks. You had always loved playing with his silken hair, and for a moment, a piece of normalcy returned to you.

 Kuroo sat on the love seat with Noya, one eye on your kids as he went over papers with Noya, who nodded to his explanations. He caught your gaze and shot you a soft smile. Kenma noticed the pause in your touch, reaching out to splay his upper body over your lap. His arms wrapped around your waist, hiding his face in your stomach. Embers burned in your chest, a fondness that overcame your grief.

 They stayed late into the night, Kenma not releasing his hold on you even as your daughter knotted 'braids' into his hair. He only let you go once you noticed your son nodding off as he played. Your kids were unusually compliant tonight, your son quickly falling into sleep once his head hit his mattress. Your daughter changed herself and slid into her bed, waiting for you to tuck her in.

 “Mama, where’s daddy?” The question hurt, even if you knew it was coming. The words caught in your throat. Kuroo came up behind you, a hand settling comfortingly on your back.

 “Pumpkin, Daddy hurt Mommy. What happens when you hurt someone?” He ran a hand through your daughter’s hair as she thought.

 “You go to time-out.” Kuroo chuckled.

 "You're a smart girl. Daddy is in time-out, he can't come back for a while. But you've got your mama, Noya, and all your other uncles. If you start feeling lonely, just ask to call one of us, and we'll come cheer you up. But you got to be good for your mama, got it?"

 “Got it!” You finished tucking her in, placing a kiss to her forehead. Kuroo led you out of their room, shutting off the light as he went.

 “We gotta head out, but we’re here for you, whatever you need.” He held your hands as he stood in your doorway, placing a kiss on your hairline. “Seriously, anything.” You nodded, hugging him close to you. You turned to Kenma after you released him, catching the angry whispers he directed at Noya. Kenma flushed as he noticed your confused look, clapping Noya on the arm before diving into your hold. His hands smoothed down your hair, holding you as if you were a doll. He wasn’t one for many words, and even less in situations like this, but you could feel his hesitance.

 “I’ll be fine.” You soothed him as you pulled away, letting Kuroo lead him out into the night.

 Noya was a constant at your side, but with the departure of your Nekoma boys, you noticed he had not touched you all day. It set an uneasy weight in your stomach, but you decided not to dwell on it.

 “You should get to bed, it’s pretty late.” Noya waved you off as he made toward the couch. You froze at the beginning of the hallway. “Kitkat?” The words sparked sweet nostalgia in you.

 Noya hadn't called you that since you and Tanaka had gotten engaged. It started out as a flirty little joke when you were Nekoma's manager. "Hey Kitty Cat, you're pretty cute!" He had cheered from across the court. Even after he finally got your name from Tanaka, he kept on catching your attention with the nickname, eventually shortening it down as you got closer. You hadn't realized how much you had missed it.

 “Kitkat?” His voice was right behind you now.

 “I can’t, Noya. I can’t sleep in that bed… not knowing he…” You trailed off, hoping he wouldn’t make you explain.

 "Take the couch; I can fit myself onto the love seat or the floor." Usually, you'd fight this, but the anger threading through his voice killed off any argument you had. His knuckles were white as you walked past, nails biting into his palms. You tried to get comfortable on the couch, watching Noya as he walked past the love seat towards the door. "I'll be back in a minute, I've got to make some calls."

 It had been almost a week now, and you’ve almost settled into a routine. Noya still kept his distance, much to your dismay, but he kept the kids out of your hair as you tried to piece together the remnants of your life. You were unsure how to move forward… divorce, house payment, you would need to get a job and find childcare… It was overwhelming.

 Noya could see it weighing on you, and so he called in some favors. While you cleaned up the remnants of lunch, he snuck into your room. It looked cold and barren, and he could understand why you were so averse to it. Still, he slipped into your closets, thumbing through the hangers until he put together something decent. He surprised you with your outfit as soon as you finished dishes.

 “Put it on, we’re going out and then to dinner. And don’t argue, it’s your favorite.” Your eyes strayed to the kids playing in the living room, already exhausted at the thought of getting them ready, but Noya’s grin only grew wider.

 By the time you changed, two familiar faces, Daichi and Suga, were sprawled out on your living room floor. They had let the kids crawl all over them as they waited. Suga was the first to stand, cooing at your son before coming to wrap his arms around you.

 “Go have fun, sweet girl.” He whined against your hair. “You deserve to go have a good time. We’ll be right here with your precious babies.” Daichi joined him soon, your daughter still hanging off an arm. He gave you a side hug, still swinging her around.

 “It’s good to see you again.” That was all he was able to get out before Noya broke through the two of you.

 “Alright, we got plans to keep, see you guys later.” He cheered, dragging you away by your arm. You’d tell him off for being rude, but your heart was too happy. He was touching you again.

 As soon as the door shut behind you, Daichi took out his phone.

 “Yeah, they just left. Be careful, don’t let them see you.”

 While you were out, enjoying a perfectly mundane day with Noya- complete with your arm tucked into his elbow- the rest of the remaining Karasuno team got to work. A small moving truck backed into your driveway, and the boys wasted no time in unloading their haul.

 With Daichi at the helm, they worked like a well-oiled machine. Your bedroom was cleared out in minutes, anything that could possibly remind you of Tanaka stripped. Yachi was in charge of sorting and putting away all of your clothes while packing away anything of Tanaka’s in big brown boxes.

 Hinata and Kageyama were delegated to babysitting, Daichi not trusting them to not accidentally break any of the new furniture they had bought. They being Noya. Daichi was never blind to the way Noya had treated you, and he couldn't be prouder how Noya was stepping up to care for you without expecting anything in return. Being the secret romantic he was, Daichi hoped something might bloom between the two of you. Until then, he watched exasperatedly as Hinata let your daughter draw 'makeup' on his face. Kageyama, on the other hand, simply stared at your son, unsure of what to do, while your son stared back, big eyes focused on his hair.

 Suga and Asahi already got to work, painting the walls a delicate color to bring more light into the room. Ennoshita mirrored them, painting the far wall a dark grey, to make the room feel a little more spacious and give the room some contrast. Tsukki and Yamaguchi worked in tandem in the living room, putting together nightstands and dressers, and Daichi was left to put together the frame for your new bed.

 Tsukki worked quietly, eyes darting towards Hinata, Kageyama, and your kids. His brow furrowed, and he tried to throw himself into his busy work.

 “Tsukki, what’s wrong?” Trust Yamaguchi to tell when something was bothering him.

 “The kids. They won’t know why that idiot isn’t coming back.”

 “Tsukki, you know it’s not your fault, right?” Tsukki simply huffed, trying to fight the tears building in his eyes.

 "Of course, it's my fault. If I hadn't goaded him like I always do, this wouldn't have happened!" He knew he should shut up, he knew his yelling would scare the kids. He couldn't stop. "If I had just kept to myself, I wouldn't have broken their family apart." Tsukishima almost jumped at the feeling of a hand on his shoulder, but turned anyways to see Hinata. Your daughter was occupying herself with trying to put Kageyama's hair into ponytails, content to ignore Tsukishima.

 "But Tsukki, we're their family too. We won't let anything happen to them, right?" Tsukishima scoffed, pulling his shoulder from Hinata's grasp. But he was right, if anything happened, Tsukki would jump to help without thought. How pathetic he'd become, how soft for these idiots.

 It embarrassed him to see that people had worked their way out from his room, even worse was the soft smiles they held as they watched him. “What’s one dad when you have a small army of uncles, huh?” Daichi grinned, pulling Tsukishima down to his level to muss up his hair.

 They worked quickly, moving fans and opening windows to help dry out the paint. The bed was assembled in the room, the dressers and closets filled with your clothes, nightstands scattered with your possessions. Noya even had the foresight to order you a vanity, something you had lacked prior. You were going to kill him if you ever found out how much money he had dropped on this.

 But Noya was never happier to spend money. He lived as a bachelor for so long, not committing to buying a house or luxury cars, just his work. The two of you had finally finished your dinner, your ghost of a smile growing steadier as the night went on.

 Noya was typing away quickly on his phone, tilting the screen away from you each time.

 “Noya, do you finally have a girlfriend?” You tried to tease past the uncomfortable ache in your chest. You wanted his attention so badly, but you also just wanted him to be happy.

 "You know you're the only girl I look at, Kitkat." His voice was distracted as he finished up his message, he had probably not even noticed what he had said. He slipped his phone into his pocket, full attention back on you. "Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something dumb again?" He laughed, and you shrugged, tucking that information away for later.

 It was definitely a surprise when you opened the door, all of the Karasuno boys plus a few others lounging all over your couches and floor. Along with the familiar boys, Kuroo, Kenma, Yaku, and Akaashi sat at your dining room table, papers strewn across its surface.

 It took you a good fifteen minutes to get past your entryway, each boy coming to tell you how much of a dick Tanaka was and how they were your family. Hugs and shoulder nudges abound, but it was Tsukishima that surprised you the most. He hung back, like usual. But once everybody parted to let you through, you found him bowed to the floor.

 “Tsukki, what are you doing?” You knelt down to touch his shoulder.

 “This is all my fault. I’m so sorry.” It struck a nerve in you to hear proud Tsukki like this.

 “I’m sorry, did you stick his dick in her?” He didn’t lift his head.

 “No?”

 “Did you dare him to stick his dick in her?” He finally looked up at this, aghast. You desperately tried to ignore Kuroo’s hyena cackling as you said this.

 “Of course not!” You took this opportunity to wrap your arms around him.

 “Then I don’t see how it’s your fault. You did nothing wrong.” You held him as he shook, hiding his teary eyes in your shoulder. His hand twisted in the fabric on your back as he tried to hold back his sobs. You stroked his back, urging him to let out all the guilt he had been feeling.

 Tsukki left shortly after he calmed down, Yamaguchi making apologies and excuses for the both of them. You understood more than you thought you would, expecting him to show his face in a few days.

 You let the boys lead you to the kitchen, overwhelmed with the papers in front of you. They formed a tight circle around you as Kurroo and Akaashi sat down.

 “Kuroo and I have been speaking with lawyers on your behalf. Sorry for going behind your back.” Akaashi started bluntly.

 "We're getting it set up so you can keep the house, alimony, the whole shebang. The Nekoma team has decided to chip in and cover all the expenses until the divorce is final." Kuroo continued, guiding you through the legal jargon with Akaashi's help. "We can file this as soon as you give the go-ahead." Tears welled up in your eyes, and you were unsure if it was the ache in your heart or how grateful you were to have all of them in your life.

 Kenma made himself known at your side, slipping his hands up to your face to wipe the tears flowing down your cheeks. “Don’t try to say you can’t accept our help. You might be part of the crow’s family now, but you were ours first. We take care of our own.” He placed a chaste kiss on your cheek, driving away the last of your tears as you nodded.

 “Let’s do it. I’m ready. I just want to move on.” The boys erupted into cheers around you, and to your delight, Noya wrapped you up in his arms, spinning you around the room. Your laughs joined his own, spreading a sense of happiness through your house for the first time in weeks.

 “Before we go, there’s one more thing we want to show you.” Daichi’s voice cut through the celebration. He took your hand, eagerly pulling you toward the door you’ve been trying to avoid. “It should air out until tomorrow night, but I hope you’ll be able to sleep in your room again.” He opened the door, Suga and Asahi standing excitedly behind you.

 This time you could tell it was happy tears. The smell of paint still clung heavily to the air, but your room looked wholly transformed. How they did this in a few hours, you'd never guess. You could have spent hours crying about how you didn't deserve this, or them, and throwing yourself onto the nearest person to cry into their shoulder, but Noya pulled you away from them after a while.

 "It's been a long day guys, thanks for all your hard work!" He smiled although his tone was an absolute dismissal.

 You rose early the next morning, already excited to go to bed that night. It seemed silly, and you were sure a handful of years ago you would have thought the idea ridiculous, but the pull of your new room, new bed, new everything put you in such a good mood.

 Noya woke to the smell of pancakes and bacon, and you, with a huge smile as you hummed in the kitchen. He swore he had never seen a more beautiful sight. Your hair was a tangled mess, the shirt you wore to bed was stained and wrinkled, and he couldn’t be more in love with you. How traitorous his heart was to make him fall even more for you now.

 That day was the easiest yet, by far. The house was full of smiles and laughter, your kids definitely picked up on your mood change. Noya rolled around with them on the floor, all four of you painted pictures in the backyard, you didn't even mind the syrup that your daughter poured all over the couch. It was time for a new one, anyways.

 By the time night fell, you felt so full that you had almost forgotten you’d be sleeping alone. You settled in between the sheets just fine, turning off the light on your nightstand. And then you just stared. It felt different, it felt new, and it felt… lonely. You tried to fight your instinct to reach out to Noya, but it was too much. Especially thinking about how gross the couch must be, the covers tossed in the washer with nothing but a thin sheet separating him from the coarse foam.

 You moved without thought, startling a half-asleep Noya as he lounged on the couch. "What's the matter, Kitkat?" He yawned half-way through, but alert on your face.

 "Come with me." You grabbed his hand, and he followed without hesitation.

 “Okay, I see your nice new bedroom. What’s wrong with it?” He tried to trail his sleepy eyes around the room, looking for anything out of place.

 "Sleep with me tonight?" That woke him up. His eyes widened, and surely you hadn't imagined the way he cared for you. As soon as the words processed in his head, he pulled his arm away from you, harsher than he intended. He turned his face so as not to see the hurt written in your eyes.

 "That's not a good idea. Not now, at least."

 "Why? Please don't make me spend any more nights alone, Noya." You felt tears bubbling up, choking the words in your throat.

 “I don’t want to be another guy that hurts you.” He bit at his lip, obviously hurting himself as well.

 “Yuu, please.”

“Don’t. Please, don’t. Don’t say my name like that.” He all but begged you. You didn’t understand. Had you messed everything up? Did you just imagine that he loved you? Like… like you had with Tanaka?

 Noya escaped to the living room, unable to leave you entirely alone even after this. For the first time since he started staying at your house, he listened to you cry yourself to sleep. Each sob was another stab to his tender heart, and he was torn between feeling like he was doing the right thing and that he just ruined everything.

 The two of you pretended it never happened. You moved around each other seamlessly. It was easier having him there, a comfort. You just never imagined what would happen when he was gone.

 It had been almost four months since Tanaka declared to the world he had cheated on you. There were no calls, no visits with his children. According to his lawyer during the divorce proceedings, Tanaka was planning on moving out of the country. Somewhere else, where he could start his career over. You were a bit thrilled to see the lack of Kiyoko in his life, as petty as that may have been. With your very extended family behind you, you finalized the case, uncontested. You had gotten everything you wanted.

 Almost.

 Almost everything.

 It seemed immediately after Noya was due to rejoin the team for practice. You had one more weekend with him in your home, one day that was eaten up by a party thrown together by Suga. Such little time and so much left unsaid.

 You managed to keep yourself together through the party. Suga had gone all out, buying a tiered cake and wedding toppers only to melt the groom off. It had been a lovely day filled with the warmth and love of your family- both cat and crow… and Akaashi… and Bo…

 As they filtered out of your house at dusk, Suga pulled you aside. Making sure Noya was preoccupied with making sure your daughter didn’t face plant into what remained of the cake, he slipped a piece of paper into your hand.

 “The only reason we thought to redo your room was because Noya thought of it. He also paid for all of it, out of pocket. Thought you might want to know.” He shot you a wry grin, kissing your cheek before jogging out towards Daichi’s car.

 You unfolded the piece of paper in your hands, absolutely appalled by the number at the end of the receipt. Now, this had to be proof…

 The kids were put to bed early that night, not that they knew that. You had a day and a half to convince Noya of your feelings. You weren’t going down without a fight.

 You allowed both of you to unwind, the excitement from the day bleeding into a calm night. Noya was setting up his makeshift bed on the couch when you slipped in next to him, legs brushing against each other. Even this little contact had an effect on him now that you were watching. Wordlessly you passed him the receipt. He muttered a curse under his breath, running a hand through his ungelled hair.

 “Who told you?”

 “Does it matter?” He sighed at that answer.

“I’m not letting you pay me back.”

 “Do you love me?” His words sputtered in his throat.

 “Of course I love you, we all do!” He wouldn’t meet your eyes, afraid of what they might show.

 “You know that’s not what I meant.” You watched him closely, resisting the urge to reach out as tears began cascading down his face.

 “Don’t make me say it, please…”

 “I used to wonder, back when I first married Tanaka,” you hadn’t spoken his given name since the day he left, “What would have happened if I had met you first. If I had fallen for you first, instead of him.”

 “For me… first?” You nodded, allowing Noya to take that information in. “For me first like… like you love me?”

 “Of course, I love you.” You knew it wasn’t fair to tease him, repeating his own words back.

 “I’ve always loved you.” His voice is tight as he admits the secret he’s been holding back.

 “I think I’ve always known.” You allow yourself a touch at first, a hand on his. “Sleep with me?”

 This time he doesn’t pull away, but follows. He’s not sure he understands everything, or really anything at all, but he trusts you not to lie to him. Just like he couldn’t lie to you. The two of you slip into silken sheets, stiff at first. But then his hand cradles your head just like he did the first night, bringing it to rest under his chin. His arm, lithe, lean, and more scarred than ones you had known slipped around your waist to pull you flush with his chest. Legs tangled, breathing shared, and comfort at long last found.

 “Don’t leave.” You whisper into his collarbone, unsure if he’s still awake above you.

 “You couldn’t make me leave if you tried.” He pulls back, and you were afraid for a moment that it was all a sick joke, but his lips found their way to yours instead. It was softer than you expected, tender. More of a promise of kisses to come than anything else. Satisfied, he smiled against your hair, breathing in the scent of something floral he couldn’t place, mixed with something earthy and bold and entirely you. Something he only got a taste of when you walked beside him or wrapped your arms around his shoulders. Now it was ingrained in his senses, and he’d never let it go. Never let you go.

 He stayed awake as you slipped easily to slumber. The moon coming through the window gave him enough light to look upon your face as he did that first night, but this time he didn’t resist the urge to smooth the crease in your forehead, lulling you into a peaceful sleep. With a last press of his lips to your forehead, he follows, eager for what the morning would bring.

[bonesofapoet]

ABANDONED VALOR

[frank castle x musician!reader]

author’s note: one of those 'i didn't want you to see me like this, but here we are anyway." things, in which our beloved musician!reader figures out who frank castle Really Is. we all knew i would come back to them eventually. implied violence, blood/injury, Feelings.

word count: 1394

ao3: here

Almost every morning, he woke from a dream.

It wasn’t always the same dream – rarely was it, actually – but the themes were the same, the plot was similar, and he always felt like he’d been shot in the chest, in the stomach, in the heart.

Dreaming about you – that only meant he had gotten too close, is all.

Fuck.

August melted seamlessly into September, the nights growing colder, longer, darker. Summertime sadness drifted off over the sea into the Southern Hemisphere, and that occasional Winter Depression dipped it’s toes in it’s cousin’s place, ready to fill those shoes when the time felt right.

Frank Castle felt the chill of the wind tickle the tips of his ears, tugged the worn leather jacket closer to his body with his hands buried in the pockets. You were walking beside him, arm carelessly, casually, looped through his. He kept eye contact with you scarce, only glanced at you from the corner of his always alert, always on edge gaze.

He had a job to handle that night, and he wasn’t about to let you be caught in the middle of it.

Frank held your old, sticker covered guitar case while you unlocked the door to your apartment building. He reminisced silently over the familiar weight, the familiar feel of having an instrument he loved in his hands for the first time in months, years, eons. He almost forgot what doing something for joy was like, then wondered if that’s why he hadn’t jumped town yet; left without saying goodbye.

Your apartment was very you, the signs you just played a gig prevalent in the organized chaos that overtook the most prominent spaces of your place. Sheets of music scattered on this table, open notes here, lyrics scrawled on scraps of paper there. Empty guitar stands, small holes in the decor void of practice amps and effects pedals. The equipment that belonged in those voids stayed with your band for the night; all you needed was your acoustic and the man who had breathed fresh life into your lungs.

Ars longa, vita brevis you said, when he commented on the way your music worked it’s way into your apartment decor. ‘Art is long, life is short.’ Art doesn’t wait for organization. When inspiration is there. . . it doesn’t wait until you’re primed and ready for pretty note taking. It comes in messy waves and late night dreams; it follows me home on the train when all I have is my phone recorder and a shitty Starbucks napkin.

Fair enough, he answered, lips tilted in that almost-smile, the one that made your heart beat fast against your rib cage. Frank respected the shit out of your artistry, your undying commitment to it – this was not an easy thing to chase, as a hobby or professionally.

God, he fucking missed playing music.

He waited until you were fast asleep, the movie still flickered soft neon colors in the darkness when he slipped out the front door and let himself out.

He wanted nothing more than to stay with you, just for one night. And maybe he should have, because he fucking hated that he came back instead of sticking to protocol, instead of going back to his apartment where no one could trace him back to you.

Whispered curses, heavy footfalls, soft thuds of jostled furniture. The noise of Frank’s return was careful, quiet, controlled. He wasn’t loud enough to pull you away from dreams being dreamt, but you never slept when Frank slipped out into the night. Never dreamed. It was a lazy doze at best, part of your soul reaching out to the soft embrace of a healing sleep, the other clawing for every part of the world to keep awake.

You found him in the bathroom, door half closed with the sink rinsing away the gore from his hands, then freeing it from his face. It was like a second skin, the way shades of red clung to him in varying stages. Rain slick freshness, also tough, dried, aged.

Wide eyes met guarded ones in the mirror’s reflection under the harsh, bright light. The early stages of a black eye began to blossom over Frank’s right eye, and you tensed – he didn’t miss the way you stopped short, the way words died right there in your throat, before they ever left your lips.

Your heart constricted once, twice, thrice – when your eyes finally adjusted from leaving the dark. Knuckles bright red, deep blue, swollen and raw from constant use. An arm cried crimson, begging for anything to stop the tears. Tender ribs, plum colored bruises blossomed the length of his side, around his jaw. That, too, had already begun to swell. He wore the beautiful colors of a sunset on his skin, though instead of being inspired, he threatened to break your heart and paint the tile floor with the rising tides of emotion.

This man with night blooming gardens for armor, for bones, for a life. It was breathtaking, nonetheless.

“Let me,” you said, voice quiet in strained silence. Tentative fingers closed around his shaking hand, took hold of the alcohol ready to kiss his injuries clean.

The fresh thrum of adrenaline went ignored as you worked, slow and efficient. Every time he hissed in pain, clenched hands around the counter top to keep from flinching – the deep ache in your soul flared something bright and fierce and ruthless.

What remained of the night passed primarily without conversation. The occasional questions left your lips, and Frank refused to lie to you. He knew you deserved better than this, than him, than everything his life entailed – but he was not going to poison what little solid ground this – whatever this was – had found by candy coating truths.

When the sky began to deliver the safety of daybreak, he was finally able to meet your eyes without fear. The blue hour was in it’s prime, dripped fresh, thick emotion heightened by a sleepless night. The contrast of his broken body to the regret that made home in his eyes – well.

This sure as shit was not what you signed up for.

“At least,” you spoke, unsure of so many things – unsure of what he expected you to say, after making it quite clear that no, I’m not going to throw you out, and yes, this isn’t ideal, but I knew, Frank. I knew there was something more to you. I knew it wasn’t conventional when you dodged my questions about what you do for a living. “At least you’ve given me new material to write about. Discreetly, of course.”

His shoulders shook before you heard the quiet laughter. It was natural, the smile that broke your sullen expression.

“Always the artist,” his voice was hoarse, but tension melted with the shadows. Soft peony pink light gave chase to unease. The night had begun to settle, and nothing seemed impossible when the sun illuminated skeletons in the closet.

Steady fingertips lifted to graze skin that still resembled skin, traced his cheekbones and threaded through his dark hair. Your touch was feather light, barely there, yet it still made Frank’s heartbeat rage more than any fight ever could.

In that moment, he made up his mind.

History was not going to repeat itself – not this time. Not in this city. Not with you.

A marred hand reached to twine with the one at your side, always gentle, always kind. You minded his injuries best you could, but he would rather feel the white hot flash of pain by your hand than by that of any other.

You lost yourselves in one another, but it was different that night, that morning, that place where time wasn’t quite one thing, nor the next. The lines blurred, then disappeared altogether, because the only thing that mattered was the grasp of those moments. The stark existence of a simple life made of anything other.

When you drifted off to sleep, his fingertips left ember trails smoldering along bare skin. You wondered if you loved him.

You were glowing with golden dust from fallen stars, glittering bright and hazy and he knew, deep, deep down, where this could go, what this could be. If he were someone else, if this was another life.

He slipped out before the sun rose above the horizon.

[6505-blog1]

The Greatest Rock/Metal Albums of the 21st Century.

21st century marks the most diverse decade for rock and metal continuation. Absorbing, if not radiated by the long progenitors from Led Zeppelin who cranked up their amps and Black Sabbath that turn it out murky and sinister grim, to the dazzling theatrical persona of KISS and Motley Crue, to the new level heavy metal confronter of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, to the head crusher of Motorhead and Metallica, to the destructo maniac of Slayer and Kreator, to the prog menu offerer of King Crimson and Tool, and finally aligned to have some peculiar layers and brooding tendency of Korn. We have come a long way. Yet our engine keeps raging.

I have cumulated the finest, the most influential, and the most prominent albums released in the new millenium by the descendents that took their predecessors to a whole different level, sustain the genre, and move myriads of people to mosh.

In a particular order:

10. Avenged Sevenfold - City of Evil (Warner Bros, 2005).

Rolling Stones magazine has named the sonically-punk with the flames of Iron Maiden, City of Evil on the last number of their 100 Greatest Album of All Time list. That should be a fair consideration since the extravagants like Beast and the Harlot, Bat Country, and Seize the Day altogether with the rest of the setlist ultimately transced the whole level and the destiny of the band as a leading force of eliticians in not so distant future. The 11 tracks have also successfully resurrected the triumph of classic guitar virtuosso portrait demonstrated on 80's as the talisman, Synyster Gates embarked over tons of appealing riffages and dueling solos which was buried after Nirvana and grunge breaktrough on the early 90's. Veteran and Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society guitarist, Zakk Wylde acknowledged him as a "Torchbearer" for arguably giving a birth and cultivating the guitar culture to the next generation.

9. Behemoth - The Satanist (Nuclear Blast, 2014).

The tenth album of Polish most profound extreme metal giant after Adam "Nergal"s battle with leukemia. Unlike the speed and precision exhibited over prior releases, the coagulated dense and horified cultish doom are found intensely throughout the setlist as to explicit the heretic messages. The result is astonishing and stronger than ever. More to add, The Satanist is pure, cathartic, flawlessly emotional, carefully-savage, and conquering by its complexity of repertoire within vivid and cinematical gradation as multi-dimensional tracks Messe Noire, In the Absence ov Light, Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer, and the leadoff Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel ravage in none but diabolical fervor. This album expansive flair has comprehensively unfolded the darkest caverns and creates the new standard of underground craftmanship.

8. Bring Me the Horizon - Sempiternal (RCA/Epitaph, 2013).

I wouldn't believe that i need to make Sempiternal in the cut. Who would have guessed? But i will beat every negation towards it. It is the album that eventually transforms Bring Me the Horizon from bunch of hipsters to one of the most important unit in the 21st century modern rock landscape. A year and a half after the release, Oliver Sykes and co. took over the world attention of rocking Wembley Arena, the same monumental venue where Queen — one of the biggest rock band in the history — was there doing the same story. It was approximately 12.000 attendees which made Sykes stated: "So this is our biggest show ever". The soaring Can You Feel My Heart, the furious The House of Wolves, the euphoric Shadow Moses, and the melodic of Sleepwalking are undeniably the new testament of rock music.

7. Lamb of God - Ashes of the Wake (Epic, 2004).

Count how many metal bands on the planet started after invented Laid to Rest or Now You've Got Something to Die For! It was countless. Lamb of God has became the crowned icon of "New Wave American Heavy Metal" and one of the most distinctive band in the scene. Their ferocious riffs, blistering drum works, lyrical contents, sound, even how to sing like Randy Blythe are largely imitated and seem to be the ideal menifesto of modern metal anatomy with obviously Ashes of the Wake as the highest pedestal. It contains tremendous chaos of 11 front-to-back blazing tracks immensely portrayed after Mark Morton - Willie Adler's virtuosity and of course, Chris Adler's voraciousity. Implying both abundance and how well they grasp the roots that will less likely be outnumbered.

6. Mastodon - Leviathan (Relapse, 2004).

We are now talking (and unravelling) the true genius minds of Atlanta-based extraordinary quartet. The newborn Metallica, Mastodon — the group that always exceed anyone's expectation — has seamlessly ranged their pinaccle from sludge to prog to avant-garde to even folk with staggering exponents of highly sophisticated masterpiece. With any fruition that comes in, the sheer Leviathan is believed as the opener tap. Written after Herman Merville's 1851 novel entitled "Moby Dick", the 46-minutes concept album is nothing but endless breathtaking experience of capturing bizarre Ode to the sea soundtrack. Blood and Thunder, I Am Ahab, and Aqua Dementia are torrent of forceful yet fascinating guttural power chords with Brann Dailor's tracherous drum tempo reflecting the theme while Iron Tusk sets sail upon muscular stoner riff and Naked Burn for menacing-tactical intro and flaunted visceral jarring chorus are hulking the imagery of the beast. Until the epic Hearts Alive with a glimpse of Metallica's The Call of Ktulu patiently reigns and all the greatness rendered.

5. Evanescence - Fallen (Wind-up, 2003).

The album that made Evanescence — a small town band from Arkansas — a megastar in the blink of an eye. It was the second semester of 2003 where the breakthrough hit single, Bring Me to Life played million times on the radio around the globe (and MTV as well) picturing the female face lead singer and her gleaming voice, Amy Lee who started the band with the co-founder guitarist, Ben Moody (though the relationship didn't survive and separation happened in the midst of suporting Fallen tour). The fame that nowhere expected begun when the terrific duo met on a camp and cliche of having the same musical taste brought them to finally sign the major label Wind-up and dominated the world stages in a brief. Fallen with the added values of enchanting piano, symphonical strings livery, and haunting soundscape that most nu-metal groups didn't have at that time effortlessly stood-out and arised in comparison to even Linkin Park. Other songs served like the down-tuned goth Going Under and the everlasting ballad My Immortal are only legitimating their popularity.

4. Ghost - Prequelle (Loma Vista, 2018).

In our nearly five decades of heavy music, such names as Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Van Halen with their fantastic works and spirits have became a catalyst that will be remembered greatly in the faraway future for causing an enourmous impact to our community. Those that have bloomed and paved the way many artists to follow. And if there is a chance for this millenium bands to extend the list, Ghost will be the first to step up the grace.

This year, their most recent release Prequelle has been nominated for The Best Rock Album and its single Rats for Best Rock Song of 61st Grammy. An award that should be familiar since they have been winning it two times with Infestissumam (2013) — their second major label album — as The Best Hard Rock/Metal Album and Cirice — the single taken from previous album Meliora (2015) — as Best Metal Performance. A peak of a decade existence for one superior man behind the wheel, Tobias Forge. Appear himself as a satanic pope, Papa Emeritus I, II, III, Zero, and now with the newest fully renowned ascencion clergy Cardinal Copia has completely shaped the band's identity. But the latest Prequelle has more than to be attained to an award. Forge's admiration to film makes no surprise if any substance on the record is prone to get visualized and draw medieval realms so alive and real. He could blend joyous disco with scattered shock rock backbone for Dance Macabre, provide brilliant exotic pop-esque instrumental opus for Miasma, and close all the novelty and intellegiousness by a soothing grand finale of Life Eternal. That is the last strike.

3. Greenday - American Idiot (Reprise, 2004).

With the overwhelmed mainstream-breaking punk rock hit single American Idiot, it was an album (a concept album, for specific) everyone knew which handfully restored a big disappointment both sales and critical of their previous release. Taking the power back after four years gap with anti-Bush vitriol narration over long and merged tracks was everything we could expect from an ambition. Performing sarkastic American-post 9/11 political singable outcry and dragging down to emotionally-related suburban decline on Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams, followed by californian sunset accoustic staccato and straighforward revv Give Me Novacaine/She's A Rebel, a love story of Whatsername where a street punk main actor St. Jimmy fell and how it all ended on Homecoming.

The grandiose worths 16 millions selling CD is the anthem of this generation where a generation ago pridefully have The Clash with the classic London Calling.

2. Slipknot - Iowa (Roadrunner, 2001).

The most brutal and confrontational album of 21st century nothing to this day can bear. That is the deal. A remorseless turmoil just from the first second of welcoming to the house of pain intro, (515) to the last 15 minutes epilogue of magnificent unrelenting drama title track, Iowa. Please recognize the insolent hate mantra "Here we go again motherfuckers" as Corey Taylor opens up and rips off anything with hammer to the face misanthropic followed track, People = Shit that seems a vulgar warning to extend the torture of their 1999 debut phenomenal self titled album. But things got tenfold. They were all damaged animals, making it excuriatingly worst instead, and wanted any living to hear them. That they fuck what trend you live up on bludgeoning bestial Heretic Anthem, that they are adamant bastards you can't bleach their darkness out on atmospherical assault New Abortion, that killing is their primal instinct on grinding jaw-breaker scorn Disasterpieces, that they are fucking obsolete machines on the scorching psychosis Everything Ends. There lies Neurosis-ian dressed Gently and never eschew Grammy nominated singles, Left Behind and My Plague.

All the violent rampage should be addressed to Ross Robinson (producer) for being able to wrap up the devastating times the band encountered in the studio and that was how its ruthless resonated the world where many people are pissed-off to everything. An absolute impossible album to be re-recorded due to its hell of organic material. Yet apart of any malevolence, Iowa is sadly, a gift to liberate your heart and soul.

Honourable mentions:

System of a Down - Toxicity (American/Columbia, 2001).

Converge - Jane Doe (Equal Vision, 2001).

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (Reprise, 2006).

1. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (Warner Bros, 2000).

The world seriously gives us no chance to break. After Lemmy, Bowie, now we have lost the most beautiful voice that represents our generation.

May rest in peace and honour, Chester Bennington.

We miss you everyday, and we do care if someone whose time runs out is you.

The album that took nu-metal to a whole different level forever and highly contributed to shape the sound that outbursted the 21st century. For two decades, Linkin Park has became the most iconic group on the planet. Breeding the bands like Bring Me the Horizon, Asking Alexandria, and Bullet For My Valentine (with their recent 2018 album, Gravity).

Hybrid Theory (which was the actual name of the band before settling to Linkin Park) is the sublime fusion of heavy metal, alternative rock, hip-hop, pop, and electronica desired only to make a lifetime change. It is truly no derivative. Yet recalling back, it was multiple rejections of label after label before it took off with Don Gillmore (previously worked with Eve 6, Lit, Pearl Jam) to produce the album and pushed the band excessively. It was the part that would not have regretted where all they saw afterwards and going on was all miracle. 28 millions copy sold should be a very serious sensastion everyone must have a seat to talk about. A rock n roll revival after Guns N' Roses's Appetite For Destruction (1987) so to speak. With angst to fuel, Hybrid Theory yielded the catchy single opener One Step Closer, the drug abuse easer Crawling, the unhinged paranoia Papercut, and the most well-known last single sung by anyone In the End. Not to mention its cohesive supplementaries A Place For My Head, Runaway, and My December that blur the foursome due to their equivalent prowess. Admit it, Linkin Park and Hybrid Theory are the gateway to rock and heavy metal empire.

[edh-a-to-z]

19 - Animar, Soul of Elements

Whew. It’s been a while. Been busy with a new job. Finally gonna get back to working on commander deck techs. Here we go with a fan fave, Animar.

The beast of war.

The original stompy commander.

The counter voltron.

This is Animar, Soul of Elements. It comes for thee.

Aminar, Soul of Elements; by Peter Mohrbacher

LORE

There’s not much, only a snippet from here.

In the folklore of its plane, the Animar is the ultimate source of all life—the seed from which all creation grows. In the presence of Animar, crops blossom and herds thrive, and the wake of its wanderings determines the course of the seasons

THE CARD

It’s already a lot of text to throw at anyone. Three abilities, all of which are relevant, looks good.

Protection abilities - anything that keep a commander safe, helps a lot to make a Commander better in a Voltron role. Also helps that some of the best single target removal for EDH is in White and Black. Protection can also mean evasion, another boon.

The next two abilities synergize with counters and themselves. Play lots of creatures, get Animar bigger, make creatures cheaper, and keep going.

Builds

Beat down and Voltron is our game plan.

There was a time when I considered Animar one of the best commanders - an assessment that was common in many a player a while ago.

My build following is focused on getting some counters on Animar, then powering out big creatures and smashing in Animar Voltron style.

Battle Plan

We want a selection of High CMC creatures. But not just any creatures, creatures with a high neutral mana number. Khalni Hydra going for GGGGGGGG? That’s not gonna work for us.

Next, we want a suite of +1/+1 counter granting abilities, primarily to amp up Animar, and also to amp out team. Things that care about counters also synergize well.

We can also add a touch of Elemental tribal.

High CMC

Maelstrom Wanderer; by Thomas M. Baxa

So Animar likes getting out there and dropping a ton of creatures. But we want the best.

Maelstrom Wanderer can be played if you could play Animar, and has some sweet powerful abilities that let your army really rage. Soul of the Harvest can let you replace all the creatures you’re playing

Any solid fatties work here - Carnage Tyrant, Eldrazi fatties, Dragons - so long as it’s big nasty with low colored mana, it can wreak havoc. Basically dump your favorite Leviathans and co that can’t get played outside of a Ramp deck.

Synergstic with these fatties is Fierce Empath, who you’ll likely play for G, can tutor anything with Power >6.

+1/+1 Counters

Counter synergy is useful, and is an option to become a core strategy.

Hardened Scale makes a great choice here. Shaman of the Great Hunt keeps the Naya, Temur 4-5 Power theme going. Increasing Savagery goes once then goes again.

Rishkar, Peema Renegade helps counter do even better, 

Elemental Tribal

Nominally useful, but not needed that much. I’d say you only really need Omnath Locus of Rage, with maybe Brightheart Banneret and Smokebraider as Animar synergy. The wider you go, the more you can justify Incandescent Soulstoke, 

Any other elementals are player for non-tribal purposes - like Avenger of Zendikar is just great to have, especially in a deck that can ramp well. Soul of the Harvest, Bane of Progess, and Magmatic Force are also solid options here.

The Rest

The Ramp

Kodama’s Reach; by Heather Hudson

AKA the Ramp spell to compare all ramp spells to

We do want some ramp. Since we’re a 3 color deck, the ability to fix out mana for Animar and the creatures he power out, it’s a high priority. 

We want a mix of spells that “Find Basics” like Kodama’s Reach, Solemn Simulacrum, Sakura Tribe Elder, Wood Elves (works great with any set of Dual lands, from Amonkhet’s cycle lands to Battlelands to Shocklands) and Cultivate. Fetchlands are ideal, but basic versions like Evolving Wilds are serviceable.

Rocks are important -  Ravnica Signets are great, Chromatic Lantern is always good, 

On the Dork side of things, Shaman of the Forgotten Ways is a champ. Beastcaller Savant, Rattleclaw Mystic, Somberwald Sage, Bloom Tender (pricey, and more like a would-be-nice), 

On the non-basic lands, Ancient Ziggurat is great, 

Random Fun

Ancestral Statues can blink itself infinite if Animar has 4+ counters on it. So...Impact Tremors and Purphoros!

Morph creatures get played for free when Animar has 3+ counters, so that’s pretty dope on the options side of things. 

Weaknesses

Board wipes. Animar loves the board, and his protection doesn’t cover Red Damage, and most Black and White board wipes are non-targeting killers. For going big creature or big Voltron, you depend heavily on the board. Personally I pack in some counterspells, especially ones that hit Sorceries (most board wipes), so Flusterstorm, Muddle the Mixture (or plain ol’ Counterspell), or Swan Song to disrupt this.

RATINGS

Aggro 9/10

Animar can run lean and green, pouring out creatures and generally smashing face. Aggro usually gets a bum rap in EDH, but Elementals can make it work for some reason.

Combo Potential 10/10

A self-contained combo machine, Animar is one of the best at enabling combos, as well as benefiting from combos. Big creatures, big counters, and three colors to play with are greatly conducive to combos.

Overall Power 7/10

Power creep has pushed Animar off the peak, but in any given group, Animar remains a threat in any group of assorted commanders.

Versatility 8/10

Animar can support a variety of builds, from Fatties, Ramp, Voltron, while usually having a mix of them.

Affordability: 6/10

With a fresh, and sorely needed, reprint from M25, we see the price drop to 2/3rds of its old cost. Animar is still 10+ and the decks material isn’t cheap, but it’s much better than before.

Overall Score 40/50

1 of 99 Oddball

While it technically fits into any creature based Temur deck, the building around and availability from the Command Zone make it far less useful as 1 of the 99.

FINAL VERDICT

A great commander by any standard, who’s a great addition to any EDH collector. Grab it if you get the chance.

See you around campers.

[xxdecipheringgravityfallsxx]

Another Teaser to my What If Multi Chapter Fanfic I was making: The first few paragraphs sneak peak.

Stanford Pines wasn’t the type to be perplexed, at least not when under paradigmatic circumstances. Be that as it may, the occurrence on this particular eve that will come to pass would bring quite the conundrum for him to dwell. Nothing in the world could have prepared the exhausted and paranoid paranormal researcher for what would happen today.

As he paced the floor back and forth, casting his gaze all around his shack that was in much disorganized pandemonium, he clutched a Journal close to his chest. Ford Pines wasn’t usually this amped up, and once upon a time his home was tidy down to the last nook and cranny.  

However, if someone else had been subjected to the horrific agony of learning that they have put the entire Universe in peril, like Ford had come to realize- then they too would be within an unsound state of mind.

As he continued to pace back and forth like clockwork, he took notice to the fact that it was quiet, almost to the point that it was terribly unsettling. The only sound was that off the blizzard raging outside, and yet even that brought no respite from Ford’s frazzled mentality.

After pacing for nearly thirty minutes he had come to a frigid halt right in the center of the cluttered shack. There was an agonizing pain blooming in the back of his left shoulder.

A pained and breathy hiss escaped Ford as he almost dropped his Journal. He shifted the Journal to his left hand and then brought his right hand around his back to press against his left shoulder.  

He surmised rationally that he’d injured himself in some mannerism that of which was previously unknown to his knowledge. There wasn’t seemingly any other explanation for this suffering of cryptic origin.

As he stood rooted in place, rubbing furiously at the source of discomfort a blistering burning sensation began to radiate distressingly deeper. What was once pain that was only surface based, had since transcended into the tissue and the muscles of his shoulder.  

Ford let out a discontented noise that was between a growl and a groan. His eyes became crossed, and a scowl settled onto his face as he dug his nails against his shoulder and into the surface of the Journal cover.  

His knuckles a snow white due to the stiffness of his grasp. The certainty he had that this was just an injury making itself recognized was now obliterated. Whatever he was experiencing at this moment in time was far beyond what he assumed it to be. The very notion of this being an injury had long since vanished from his mind, now he believed only one thing, or rather being, was responsible for the discomfort.

“Bill Cipher!” He spat out his voice came out strained and laced with vitriol, he cast his gaze around the shack once more as he attempted to catch sight of the demonic triangle. “Where in blazes are you concealing yourself? I’ve already deactivated the portal! You’ve no rational motives to dwell within this plane of existence for any further!”

Yet, despite Ford’s call out the disorderly shack was as silent as it had been since he had last encountered Bill in the Mindscape, when he had learned of Bill’s gut-wrenching betrayal. 

He waited with bated breath and after an elapsed time of approximately fifteen minutes he came to the bewildered conclusion that Bill wasn’t causing his anguish, so then why did he feel as if a bullet had ravaged through him?  

[maximuswolf]

The Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 Trailer. CoD: BO6 Monster Hunter Wilds MARVEL Rivals Dune Awakening Indiana Jones &amp; the Great Circle Civilization VII Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Lost Records: Bloom &amp; Rage. Streams live at 11a PT / 2p ET / 7p BST / 8p CEST

The Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 Trailer. CoD: BO6, Monster Hunter Wilds, MARVEL Rivals, Dune Awakening, Indiana Jones & the Great Circle, Civilization VII, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. Streams live at 11a PT / 2p ET / 7p BST / 8p CEST https://youtu.be/8yVvxbFrCBA?si=1q5srngo3CW_NevU Submitted August 18, 2024 at 08:16PM by NanoPolymath https://ift.tt/gGWxmA0 via /r/gaming

[blog-aanchal1234]

Diwali Look Guide To Look Drop Dead Gorgeous This Diwali

Diwali Look Guide To Look Drop Dead Gorgeous This Diwali

How To Style On Diwali: Diwali Look Book 2020

The five-day Diwali Festival always starts with full enthusiasm! We can’t just stay relaxed, as Diwali is just around the bend! Though we’re all looking forward to celebrating Diwali with our loved ones, it’s the thought of lining up in the most glamorous, opulent & scenic ethnic outfits for the pre-Diwali festivities that gets everyone enthusiastic. Since you’ve arranged for pujas and family celebrations, your social calendar is often full of invitations to various card gatherings. Getting dressed up in the finest Indian ethnic costumes and adorning sparkling diamond jewellery is just what Indians love, for this is a chance to enjoy Indian culture in all its glory. With the socializing breeze, these are also the days to show off your best set of silk sarees, photo-friendly lehengas, pretty jewellery, and other magnificence outfits. Although your holiday looks shouldn’t be limited to these unique orchestras! The Diwali week is so full of moments where you need to play a low-key game on your costume, and you’re always out there looking fab! We’re putting together some stunning Diwali look with chic dresses and our trendy Diwali jewellery that would make you look drop-dead gorgeous. Ready to spice things up, huh?

Diwali Look #1- Slay it with an overcoat

This saree trend is undoubtedly a “jackpot-Win”-you might have seen plenty of fashion bloggers on this eccentric look. We love the mix of wearing a long overcoat with a cotton or chiffon saree and a waist belt. This healthy movement has undoubtedly redefined the conventional definition. You can also use a diamond-studded necklace to make it all the more glamorous. Our dual heart earrings and a delicate horseshoe bracelet with Avtaara’s blooming flower ring are going to be your Diwali look of the year.

Diwali Look #2- Invigorating gowns

Ditch the conventional theme and flaunt a more modern look with long dresses and gowns. This would be the perfect outfit for women of all ages. If you want to lend your look a formal touch, go for gowns with beautiful embroideries and elegant embellishments. Such dresses are convenient-to-wear and are flawless for celebrations and Diwali dinners. It would be best if you paired your shift with a delicate pair of infinite charm earrings, or a dual heart pendant by Avtaara would also suit to complete the look for pujas and various other rituals. The slightly Indian touch of this outfit will improve its appeal and render it the ideal Indian Diwali outfit. For those who want to keep things plain, they should ditch embroideries and embellishments and go for ethnic patterns.

Diwali Look #3- Always a statement skirt and crop tops

Want to keep it traditional yet in a quirky way? Go for a pair of skirt and crop top, to bring up the jazz, make it monochrome like a peacock blue or the midnight black. This festival dress is ideal for those who want to add a western tone to a traditional style. Typically, the top and the skirt fit great in these styles of garments. But you can also get it tailored the way you want. A simple bright coloured top with a highly embellished skirt, a simple top and a skirt in different colours, or an intricately tailored blouse with a simple skirt are some of the types to choose from. Among many other Indian festival dresses, this one is very trendy among teenagers. After the dressing comes the part for the jewellery; with this merge, go for a poetic pair of earrings for a simply chic look, or you want to amp up your game, wear a solitaire station necklace, a beautiful blooming flower diamond ring, and earrings by Avtaara to complete this Diwali look.

Diwali Look #4- Wraparound sarees

Everyone loves a pallu flowing in the desi movies, but we are young women who always find ourselves in a problem of not knowing how to wrap a saree. Seeing that there is speedy advancement in every field, fashion is not left far behind. To save you from the hassle of going through the pain of draping the saree perfectly, with the right amount of pallu and proper pleats, markets now have ready to wear sarees called wrap around sarees. These sarees give you that traditional touch yet keeps it modern. Well, these wrap around sarees are generally close fitting and look lovely with a décolleté blouses. When you wear something like an off the shoulder top, you should go for the dressy lariat necklace that would bring all the focus on you. A beautiful, exquisite diamantine diamond bracelet and an infinite charm ring would enhance your Diwali look. Almost no outfit will make you appear more glamorous than a saree. When you prefer subtle styles, choose a simple saree, and match it with a chic blouse. You may also go for simple floral or abstract designs on chiffon or georgette. These sarees are incredibly lightweight, making them suitable for ceremonies and festivals.

Diwali Look #5- Palazzo suits

Today, the Palazzo suits are a rage with women of all ages. Ditch normal salwar suits for a change and instead pick quirkier palazzos to match it with a stylish kurta as well as a dupatta to complete your festive look. Thanks to its adaptability and flexibility, this festival outfit is ideal for traditional rituals. Pair it with Avtaara’s Salma diamond bangles and starstruck earrings would go perfectly with this attire.

Diwali Look #6- Palazzo and crop top

Giving a modern touch to the palazzo and suit can make you a little doubtful but trust us, it will be worth it when you see yourself in a palazzo and a boho-chic crop top. To give it a more traditional look, pair it with a designer dupatta and our circulo diamond earrings. To draw attention to your swan-like neck, you can go for a solitaire station necklace.

Diwali Look #7- Dhoti saree

Don’t ever overlook the influence of dull shades; it’s up to you to explore to get the most out of hues like chocolate. Much like a grey saree, it merely looks beautiful with an extraordinary blouse style. It’s great for a streamlined look since this one will never go over the top. It’s all about wearing a flattering dress! -Dhoti type saree with encircled hearts bangles in one hand and our round pave pendant is exactly what you need to attract everyone’s eye.

With all these Diwali looks guides, you can make a statement even this year; after all, this festival is all about spreading light and positivity. Get ready to rejoice and create some beautiful memories with your family and friends. Continuing to spread sparkle with lamps and Diya’s, vibrant fairy lights, tasty food, and lovely rangolis are the highlights of the Diwali festival. There’s really no pun intended, so here’s the expectation that Diwali is the bright light you’re looking for this year. Get this Diwali the most precious lab-grown diamond jewellery by Avtaara at a flat 5 % discount on all types of solitaires. This is a season for the premium Diwali discount to own a stunning jewellery set from Avtaara. Exclusive special Diwali sale up to 15 % from Avtaara, you can just simply buy it on this occasion and make your Diwali even more special.

[albumsreviews]

BTS “ Map of the Soul :7 “ album- every song for every mood

Pt.2

11.”On"

Listen to it when you're feeling: like you own the whole damn world

Key lyric: "Can't hold me down 'cuz you know I'm a fighter / Carried myself into this beautiful prison"

The essence of Map of the Soul: 7 is best distilled into energetic lead single "On," an empowering track about accepting your faults, facing your shadows, and forging ahead. "We sometimes stumbled in the past seven years, and sometimes we wandered a little," Suga said during the group's global press conference on February 24. "We learned to ground ourselves, and the lyrics show a resolve to face and fight our fears."

12.”Ugh!"

Listen to it when you're feeling: like you want to set something on fire / clap back to a troll on social media

Key lyric: "Rage? Of course you need it / When it burns up there's always a reason"

Do you ever just want to shout "Ugh!" at the top of your lungs out of pure frustration? Now there's a song for that. From rappers RM, Suga, and J-Hope, "Ugh!" is a blistering cypher that rages against a world run by anger. Part aggressive call to action, part fiery (and very direct) response to anonymous online commenters, the rap line examines what happens when "someone’s rage becomes someone’s life" and the ripple effect it has online and off.

13.”00:00 (Zero O'Clock)"

Listen to it when you're feeling: like you need a hug

Key lyric: "You know those days / Those days where you're sad for no reason"

On the days when everything feels wrong, when getting out of bed is a struggle, it's important to remember that tomorrow is a fresh start. "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)" is a sweet, pop lullaby from vocalists Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The soothing refrain of "and you gonna be happy" is seeped in sincerity, delivered more like an affirmation than a promise.

14. "Inner Child"

Listen to it when you're feeling: like you need to remember where you've been/need to cry

Key lyric: "I want to hug the many thorns in the budding rose / The smiling kid, the child who was always laughing brightly"

Leave it to V to make everyone cry with a song written to his childhood self. The Map of the Soul era is rooted in honesty and self-reflection, giving the members a chance to contemplate the last seven years. On "Inner Child," V throws it back even further, singing of a time when the stars were too far out of his tiny reach. Now, he celebrates his growing pains, knowing that the thorns helped him bloom brightly. "It will be OK," he reassures himself, "because today's me is doing fine."

15. "Friends"

Listen to it when you're feeling: like you need to tell your best friend how much they really mean to you

Key lyric: "Me from the moon, you from the stars / Our conversations were like homework / BFFs on one day, enemies on another"

Perhaps the album's most endearing moment, "Friends" is a playful duet between best friends and self-proclaimed soulmates Jimin and V. The duo trace their unlikely friendship over a calypso beat, recalling the "school uniforms" and "dumpling incident[s]" that define their unbreakable bond. Jimin affectionately calls V his "alien," and in turn, the raspy-voiced singer asks the dancer to stay by his side always, long after the cheers from the crowd go silent.

16. "Moon"

Listen to it when you're feeling: in the mood to tell someone how much you love them

Key lyric: "I'll orbit around you / I'll stay by your side / I'll be your light"

From eldest member Jin, "Moon" is a lunar love song in which the honey-voiced vocalist imagines himself as the moon orbiting around his very own stargirl, or in this case, the fans. The mid-tempo, saccharine serenade finds Jin contemplating just how much meaning they've given his life. And even though fans often comment on his striking features — "Mr. Worldwide Handsome" indeed — he says he's nothing but a mirror, reflecting the beauty around him. [Insert 'AWWW' here.]

17. "Respect"

Listen to it when you're feeling: a little bit philosophical

Key lyric: "Admiring someone / Was it something really that easy?/ I still can't understand it"

What is the real meaning of "respect"? Rappers RM and Suga meditate on the oft-misused word on this lyrical hip-hop track (sonically reminiscent of some of BTS's rap-heavy earlier work). The duo bring their different styles into this fun, dynamic mix — Suga, a vicious wordsmith, and RM, a modern philosopher — while commenting on how "respect" loses its meaning when it's thrown around carelessly.

18.”We Are Bulletproof : the Eternal"

Listen to it when you're feeling: like you want to cry and never want to stop crying???

Key lyric: "We were only seven / But we have you all"

A sentimental throwback to their humble roots (the title is a reference to their 2013 song), "We Are Bulletproof : the Eternal'' encapsulates the entire journey of Bangtan Sonyeondan. It's epic in its emotional delivery, as the members trace the more painful parts of their history — the all-nighters spent in practice rooms, naysayers, the "embarrassing" name they now wear proudly. Ultimately, they come to the realization that BTS have become so much greater because of all of the people walking beside them now. "We are not seven with you," Jungkook sings [over the sound of our tears].

19. "Outro: Ego"

Listen to it when you're feeling: in the mood to dance like no one's watching

Key lyric: "Look ahead, the way is shinin' / Keep goin' now"

The album ends with the celebratory "Ego," a relentlessly upbeat track from J-Hope about trusting yourself even when the path ahead seems unclear. An autobiographical bop, Hobi looks back on his past struggles — when his "dancing was chasing ghosts" — with newfound perspective, a healthy reminder that accepting your past is the only way to move confidently and colorfully into the future.

Sources ;

https://www.google.com/amp/www.mtv.com/news/3157460/bts-map-of-the-soul-7-track-by-track-review/amp/

[bunchofbloom]

The show’s unapologetic approach was typical of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, though often its story lines draw even less attention to their own progressiveness. “Someone comes out as bisexual, [everyone else] go[es], ‘Yeah, all right.’ Paula is a size 14. They go, ‘O.K.’ Josh is Filipino and our lead is in love with him and everyone goes, ‘Yeah, he’s really attractive,’” says Champlin. “We actively don’t make a Very Special Episode about all of these things. Instead of trying to shine a light on the issue, which a lot of shows do, we sort of, kind of create the world in which we all want to live in already. Instead of using the show as a platform—which gets more attention, both good and bad—the show is just what we wish reality was.”

[mslangermann-a]

@blakeagainstthemachine    

    Mud, blood and God knows what else clings, thick and cracking, to her skin. Every stumbling step amps up her pain, but Lynn keeps running. She can’t look back. She can’t stop. Those beasts, the heretics, won’t be far behind. Her memory blurs, fractured by the gripping agony in her stomach. She remembers their leader’s voice in her ear, hands all over her body. They screamed, fucked and praised before her, waiting for their savior raging in her belly. 

                 Crazy fucks!

   When no baby came, the heretics revolted, clambering to tear Lynn apart. The ropes snapped. Pure adrenaline coursed through her during her escape and she hasn’t stopped running. Warm blood still trickles between her legs and down her thighs, but there had been no child in her womb. Nothing. A hollow, false pregnancy brought on by this terrible place. Lynn doesn’t think about it now. She can’t. Survival is all that runs through her mind, pumps in her legs. 

    She’s without a hope in hell when she finds herself in a forest. Dark leaves and underbrush obscure her vision. A stream gurgles nearby and Lynn navigates through the dark woods by sound alone. Soon, voices reach her ears, murmurs turning into cries and rasps of joy. A fire blooms in the distance and Lynn keeps herself hidden by thick trunks as the crowd shouts for their messiah. Trembling, she peaks around the trunk, searching for a way past the crowd when she spots the center of their attention. 

                                         Oh god, Blake... 

    She stares in horror at the beaten, weakened form of her husband; tied, gagged and helpless against the rotting bastards that surround him. Lynn cups a hand over her mouth. It takes everything in her power not to scream, not to call out his name. The shock muddles her thoughts, making her sluggish and disoriented. Freeing Blake is her number one priority now.