#Demon slayer paint by numbers

[paint-by-numbers-adults]

Dive into the World of Animated Art with Cartoon Paint by Numbers

Painting has always been a beloved artistic expression, allowing individuals to unleash their creativity and create captivating visual masterpieces. In recent years, paint by numbers has gained popularity as a relaxing and engaging hobby for both beginners and experienced artists alike. Among the vast array of paint by numbers themes, animated characters have taken center stage. This article explores the captivating world of Cartoon Paint by Numbers, featuring popular series such as Demon Slayer, One Piece, Naruto, and Studio Ghibli.

The success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has taken the anime world by storm. This dark fantasy series follows the journey of Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks to avenge his family. Demon Slayer Paint by Numbers kits capture the essence of this mesmerizing tale, allowing fans to bring their favorite characters to life on canvas. From Tanjiro's intense determination to Nezuko's endearing strength, these kits provide a unique artistic experience infused with the spirit of the Demon Slayer universe.

For over two decades, Eiichiro Oda's One Piece has enchanted audiences with its epic adventure, vibrant characters, and unforgettable story. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, One Piece Paint by Numbers kits offer a chance to embark on your own artistic voyage. From the iconic Straw Hat Pirates to the captivating villains and breathtaking locations, these kits provide an opportunity to celebrate the boundless imagination of the One Piece world through colors and brushstrokes.

Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto, has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating fans with its blend of action, friendship, and personal growth. Naruto Paint by Numbers kits allow enthusiasts to relive their favorite moments from the series while expressing their creativity. Paint the iconic Hidden Leaf Village, bring Naruto's unwavering determination to life, and capture the essence of Sasuke's brooding personality with these engaging kits. Let the canvas become your canvas of Shinobi dreams.

The enchanting films of Studio Ghibli, led by the visionary Hayao Miyazaki, have touched the hearts of people worldwide. Studio Ghibli Paint by Numbers kits provide a gateway into the whimsical and magical worlds of films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke. Experience the beauty of nature, the charm of fantastical creatures, and the depth of human emotions through these captivating art kits. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring storytelling that has made Studio Ghibli a beloved animation studio.

Cartoon Paint by Numbers has revolutionized the world of artistic expression, allowing fans of popular animated series to combine their love for these shows with their passion for painting. From the fierce battles of Demon Slayer and the grand adventures of One Piece to the ninja tales of Naruto and the enchanting worlds of Studio Ghibli, there is a paint by numbers kit to suit every animation enthusiast. Let your creativity flourish as you bring your favorite characters and scenes to life on the canvas, adding a touch of personal artistry to these beloved animated universes.

[paint-by-numbers-kits]

Anime Magic on Canvas: Paint by Numbers with Studio Ghibli, Demon Slayer, and Naruto

Are you a fan of Studio Ghibli, Demon Slayer, or Naruto? Imagine immersing yourself in the world of these beloved anime series while indulging in the relaxing art of paint by numbers. Paint by numbers have gained immense popularity as a creative and therapeutic activity for people of all ages and skill levels. Now, enthusiasts can combine their passion for anime with the joy of creating beautiful artwork.

Studio Ghibli has captivated audiences worldwide with its whimsical and imaginative stories. With Studio Ghibli paint by numbers kits, you can bring iconic characters like Totoro, Princess Mononoke, or Kiki to life on the canvas. Dive into the enchanting landscapes and intricate details as you paint each numbered section, following the provided color guide. Let your imagination soar as you recreate the magical moments from your favorite Ghibli films.

Step into the dark and mesmerizing world of Demon Slayer paint by numbers kits that capture the essence of this captivating anime series. From intense battles to intricate character designs, these kits allow you to easily recreate your favorite scenes and characters. Simply follow the numbered sections on the canvas and watch as your artwork takes shape, infused with the vibrant colors and emotions of Demon Slayer.

Join Naruto Uzumaki and his friends on their epic journey as ninjas in the Naruto series. Naruto paint by numbers kits allows you to recreate the energy and spirit of this beloved anime. Paint iconic scenes featuring Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and other memorable characters as you fill in the numbered areas with vibrant colors. Experience the thrill of capturing the essence of their personalities and the dynamic action of their ninja skills.

To conclude, if you are an anime lover, enjoy the world of anime and use paint-by-numbers to show your affection for Studio Ghibli, Demon Slayer, and Naruto. Release your creative potential, become lost in these mesmerizing anime worlds, and produce magnificent works of art that reflect your enthusiasm. So take a paint-by-numbers kit, let your imagination run wild, and set out on a vibrant voyage through the anime realms.

[nidzuro]

[paint-by-numbers]

The Anime Palette: Exploring the Vibrant World of Anime Paint by Numbers

Paint by Numbers is a captivating artistic activity that combines creativity, relaxation, and precision. It offers a unique approach to painting where numbered areas on a canvas correspond to specific colors. By following these numbered patterns, even beginners can create beautiful , advanced and intricate artworks with ease. Paint by Numbers provides a structured yet enjoyable way to explore the world of art and unleash your inner artist. The popularity of anime paint by numbers has led to a diverse range of designs and themes, catering to a wide spectrum of tastes and preferences. From popular series like “Demon Slayer,” “One Piece,” and “Naruto” to beloved Studio Ghibli films, there is an abundance of options for anime enthusiasts to explore and express their creativity. The availability of these kits online and in specialized stores further contributes to the accessibility and growth of this niche.

Manga Paint by Numbers: Embrace the Manga Style

Manga Paint by Numbers lets you embrace the unique art style of Japanese manga. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed adventures, heartwarming romances, or thrilling mysteries, you can channel your love for manga into artistic expression. With carefully designed templates that capture the essence of manga panels, you can create dynamic and visually striking artwork. Manga Paint by Numbers combines the joy of painting with the charm of manga, enabling you to create stunning manga-inspired masterpieces.

2. Demon Slayer Paint by Numbers: Enter the World of Demon Slayers and Demons

Step into the captivating world of “Demon Slayer” through Paint by Numbers. This popular anime series has captured the hearts of millions with its compelling story and stunning visuals. With “Demon Slayer” Paint by Numbers, you can recreate breathtaking scenes, portray your favorite characters, and immerse yourself in the battle against demons. Bring the intense action and beautiful art of “Demon Slayer” to life on your canvas and create a masterpiece that captures the spirit of the series.

3. One Piece Paint by Numbers: Set Sail on an Artistic Adventure

Embark on a grand artistic adventure with “One Piece” Paint by Numbers. Join Luffy and his crew as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece. With carefully crafted templates featuring iconic characters and memorable moments from the series, you can relive the excitement of this beloved pirate tale. Paint by Numbers allows you to depict the spirit of friendship, epic battles, and boundless dreams that define “One Piece.” Let your brush strokes sail you away to the vast world of pirates and create a masterpiece worthy of the Grand Line.

4. Cartoon Paint by Numbers: Embrace Nostalgia and Whimsy

Cartoon Paint by Numbers is a delightful way to embrace the nostalgia and whimsy of your favorite animated shows. Whether it’s classic cartoons from your childhood or modern animated gems, you can reimagine beloved characters and iconic scenes on your canvas. From Mickey Mouse to SpongeBob SquarePants, Cartoon Paint by Numbers lets you channel the joy and laughter of cartoons into vibrant and expressive artwork. Let your imagination run wild and create a masterpiece that captures the spirit of your favorite cartoons.

5. Naruto Paint by Numbers: Journey with the Shinobi

Experience the world of ninjas and shinobi with Naruto Paint by Numbers. Follow the path of Naruto Uzumaki and his friends as they navigate the trials and tribulations of the shinobi world. With Naruto Paint by Numbers, you can recreate the intense battles, heartfelt moments, and iconic characters from the Naruto series. Express your admiration for Naruto’s determination, Sasuke’s ambition, or Kakashi’s wisdom through your artistic interpretation. Let your brush strokes bring the energy and spirit of Naruto to life.

6. Studio Ghibli Paint by Numbers: Enter the Enchanting Worlds of Ghibli

Immerse yourself in the enchanting and whimsical worlds of Studio Ghibli through Paint by Numbers. From the magical forests of “My Neighbor Totoro” to the sky-piercing castle of “Howl’s Moving Castle,” Studio Ghibli Paint by Numbers invites you to recreate the breathtaking artistry of these beloved films. Express the beauty and wonder of Ghibli’s storytelling through your own artistic vision. Let the vibrant colors and intricate details of Studio Ghibli’s enchanting worlds unfold on your canvas and create a masterpiece that captures the essence of Ghibli’s timeless magic.

Incorporating Paint by Numbers into your artistic journey opens up a world of possibilities. Whether you’re an anime enthusiast, manga lover, or a fan of cartoons and iconic franchises, Paint by Numbers allows you to express your passion and creativity. Dive into the art of painting, follow the numbered patterns, and watch your masterpiece come to life. Let Paint by Numbers be your artistic companion and embark on a colorful journey of self-expression and discovery.

[halloweensuittruffles]

Starting demon slayer! Falling in love! Again!

[moonybadger]

I might be turning into a Chainsaw Man snob, because I keep seeing people say the anime just feels like standard shonen which always makes me feel ??????????? Are we watching the same show????? This is way better then standard shonen???? I feel like I’m taking crazy pills

[sleepykye]

If requests are open, I wanna req Muichiro x reader who often gets lost ! And probably at some point, she was gonna visit Muichiro but got distracted at something then... she's lost.

Yes ! They are open ! And I really love your idea. I've been running out of ideas as to what I should write recently. But now I know, thank you for requesting this ! 💙😆

| You get lost on your way to muichiros mansion |

The Demon Slayer headquarters falls in slumber as the glorious night sky rises, painting the heavens with stars gleaming in its cloak of darkness alongside with the crescent shaped moon gloriously ruling above them. Other than by the roaring sound of the forest farways, the Mist Hashira is still training. Alone, he trains with the silence and his mind becomes one with the blade he moves in fluid movements. The nocturnal hour is the perfect time for him to concentrate.

His concentration was broken off when your kasugai crow perched on his shoulders. Its beak holding a letter, muichiro instantly recognised the crow and greeted it, before taking the letter from its beak. Inside, the letter wrote-

__________________________________________

Dear muichiro, I have decided to visit your mansion tomorrow to check up on you ! I will come at 10am sharp. Thank you for taking your time to read this letter. And have a nice night.

Signed by yours truly,

Y/n.

__________________________________________

Muichiro smiled at the thought of you coming over to his mansion tomorrow. He was contemplating if he should write back and state that he has approved of your visit. But while he was wondering, your kasugai crow already flew away to return back to you.

He later on forgot about the idea of writing back and continued on training as usual. And after he did, he just went and took a shower before sleeping.

The next morning, you woke up at 8 am . Okay you slept in a little and woke up at 8.05 am-

But that didn't stop you from remembering that you were gonna visit muichiro ! You quickly got up and changed out of your clothes. You were confident that you weren't going to get lost, not this time !! Hopefully....

You skipped your way to muichiro's house, following the path while humming to yourself. Thoughts started flooding into your mind as you think to yourself, " I haven't seen muichiro in so long... I wonder how is he doing..." you were being worried about his wellbeing until, something caught your eye.

You walked towards the field of flowers that caught your eyes. You didn't see these at all when you visited muichiro last time, did they grow because it is spring ? You thought to yourself. You explored the field of flowers and you noticed the way the sun reflects off the flowers and the smell the flowers gives off. It was relaxing...

Some time has passed, it was already 10 am. Muichiro has gotten worried that you may had gotten lost again because you always get lost. He set off looking for you. He was very worried as you may have gotten kidnapped ? You may have injured yourself on the way ?

The thoughts slowly got worse as the number of possible scenarios he is thinking of is becoming worse and worse.

Meanwhile... while you were admiring the flowers, you suddenly remembered " Ah...I forgot I had to visit muichiro " As you looked around, your mind went blank thinking " Where the heck am I...." Your surrounding area was all just flowers. You were lost.

Suddenly, a pair of hands covered your eyes, you were shocked at first but eventually knew who it was. " Ah !! Muichiro !! " you said grinning with your eyes still covered.

"Idiot...you know I was worried about what may had happened to you ? " wall all he said before turning you around and giving you a kiss on the forehead. "Now come on, let's go. ," he said before carrying you to his mansion.

[eggtartz]

✧ 19th October ✧

Douma // Bloodfest (f! demon slayer reader)

kinktober masterlist

warnings : usage of aphrodisiac, blood play

you panted as your katana trembled within your grasp, struggling to even swing it to the demon. it was a mistake for you to go too far into the mountains, taking cover at an abandoned shrine. you did not expected to meet a demon, a demon who's a twelve kazuki at that. your abdomen hurt, your head hurt, everything hurts. his blood demon art is too far powerful for you as you coughed up blood. "hey, hey what's wrong?" his manipulative voice called out while his right hands held a woman's head, the corner of his lip painted with blood. "i thought you were strong! but it only took one slash of my demon art and you're already tired. how boring" he chuckled.

you glance at the sky, you can perhaps stall a bit more time until sunrise. you had to keep him here as long as you could, even if that meant your death. you huffed, bringing your katana up "who said i was tired? i was merely taking my breath!" you smiled, lunging into him. he dodged you easily, withdrawing a fan from his back and snapped your katana into two with it. your hands trembled again as you looked at him. "what're you going to do now, hm?" he smirked.

you clenched your fist, swinging with every technique you had. martial arts, every kick, every punch! everything matters!

given how douma is the upper moon number two, he was granted with power and excellent speed as he yawned while dodging your fist. it took one moment for him to wickedly smiled before grabbing your hands, trapping them on your back. "caught off guard, slayer?" you could feel his breath on your ear as you shuddered.

"caught me off guard? you fell into my trap!" you bluffed as he momentarily loosened his grip. this was your chance! you punched his gut hard, using your shin to keep him down. you might not get to behead him, but there's isn't much time for sunrise. you have to endure the pain! douma snarled, catching your hand again and this time, twisted your limb making you yell. "what a clever one, you are. i see, i am interested" he said as you yelped, your wrist broken.

the adrenaline helped reduced your pain as you gave more punches, using every will, every strength you had. "give up girl! you look cute trying to injure me" his rainbow orbs stared into yours as he pinned you on the ground. "we both know, you won't get to kill me" he smiled, blood that he has consumed dripping on your cheek.

"you damned demon, rot in hell" you hissed, spitting at his face. he was enjoying the degradation, even liking that you hate him. the more the better. that's how sadistic douma is. "again! do it again!" he shaked your shoulders "so cute! give me more!" his eyes were wide as his hands held onto your body, making sure to not let you go.

he wasn't going to, though. after knowing how precious you are, you became too valuable for him.

"darling, tell me. do you hate blood?" he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. he leaned down, licking your neck slowly. "huh?" you managed to squeak before yelping again as he buried his teeth in your neck, making it an open wound. "i like blood. woman's blood is much more delicious, that's why they're my favorite meal" he cooed, tracing your face with his blood smeared finger.

"but you're too special. i need to consume you over and over again. i don't think i'll be satisfied with you" he smirked. before you had time to react, his hands opened your haori. the pink haori you had over your demon corps uniform was easily removed as his mouth was busy on your neck. "w-what are you doing?! back away!" you writhed but using his demon technique, he has immobilized you to not moved. "so sweet. luscious. everything i wanted" he almost moaned as he sucked on your blood, leaving you dizzy over the loss.

you felt your vision changed, your hearing and you scent. you feel changing until you realized he has placed aphrodisiac into your bloodstream. "damn you.. you did this.." you said, slowly losing yourself.

"indeed darling, i promise you'll like it." he smirked as you lost vision and fainted.

"see you soon, darling."

~♪

you awaken to the feeling of a mattress beneath you, as well as your.. body was being held? you opened your eyes to see douma gingerly smiled at you "good morning darling! i thought you wouldn't wake up!" he lifted your crotch, placing his hand under your knees "look, your blood is all mine" he winked "and now you're all mine, darling" you looked down to see your own blood painting your body as arousal crept up, sending electric to your cunt.

"you.. demon.." you moaned, hatred slipping away as you feel your body slowly growing submissive. "feels good doesn't it?" he laughed as he removed his kimono, revealing his dick. "with this, you'll achieve heaven and beyond" he purred, rubbing his dick on your bloody thighs as you whimpered "you're.. cruel.. evil.." you panted, going lustful over his cock and the aphrodisiacs kicked in, leaving your brain defenseless and mushy.

"douma-sama!" you moaned as he inserted inside your warm pussy. he groaned, your insides clenching on him like a sleeve.

a perfect fit.

"that's right, pretty girl. your douma-sama is fucking you" he giggled, finding strength to thrust inside because your cunt was gripping him so good. the way your world is tumbling as you fall into pleasure, the heat between your thighs unbearable as you met your hips with his thrusts. "m-more please.." you sniffled "need more!" you whined.

"oh, my precious" he pressed down your legs to and thrusted inside you with a vigorous and uneven pace. "oh! so good!" you moaned as his hips stuttered, shuddering at the feelings of your pussy walls. "it's too good.. too good!" his smile was menacing as he thundered inside you, ravaging your poor cunt as he found your g-spot, making you very pleased.

"there it is~"

he hit that one spot over and over. you closed your eyes and you see his rainbow eyes, the ones that wrote second upper moon. douma grind down on your pussy impatiently, doing deep thrusts inside. "o-oh.. gonna.. cum.. douma-sama.." your voice was barely there after the screams you had.

"then cum pretty girl, clench on my fucking cock" he hissed as he send a slap to your clit. one slap and you were already over with it. douma stopped for a while, looking over you with a wild look as he withdraw his claws, ripping through your flesh. your sweet blood dripped out as he sucked on them, thrusting into your gushing cunt. "wait! i just-!"

douma licked your inner thighs, your sweet and delicious blood spread by his tongue. he's lost in pleasure, your pussy is clenching him and his dick couldn't last any longer. the second upper moon demon was frowning, concentrating on not cumming too fast, not wanting the pleasure to end until he felt a wave of whisplash. you came undone again on his cock, the aphrodisiacs leaving your pussy hungry for more. hungry for his cock.

for his douma-sama.

you squeezed your eyes, creamy cum sprayed inside of you without notice. douma sighed, making small thrusts to keep his cum inside. he plunged his finger, keeping his cum as well as your blood deep snuggled into your pulsating pussy.

"ah, such a sweet one. i'll keep you, alright?" he winked, giving kitten licks to your wounds that you're sure he'll open again.

[enigmatist17]

Weight of the World (Part 5)

Part 1 2 3 4

This is the final chapter of this, but not of the series I'm doing as a whole I named Branching Path, which you can find on A03 all neatly together :)

---

Spike grumbled as he shifted in his seat for the dozenth time, grateful the first-class cabin was delightfully empty on his side of the aircraft.

Spike was not a fan of flying.

He'd never understood the damn obsession to soar above the earth in these bloody machines, when there were perfectly good things like ships and trains to travel great distances. Yet, it was the only way he was getting to sodding South Africa in the next century, so for now, he'll sit and scowl until they finally land just before dawn. A demon-run taxi business got the vampire to his hotel for the next day, some of the cash Giles had given him securing the vampire a car and the specifics of where it was he needed to go, the demon he'd been dealing with surprised that Spike wanted to go there.

"I've never seen a vampire come back from there, you know."

"If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked." The other shrugs, and Spike spends the day sleeping as much as he can despite the thrum of anxiety underneath his pale skin. By the time the sun sets, a 4-wheel SUV with blacked-out windows is awaiting Spike, and after partaking of some blood that had been packed in the backseat, Spike pulls out his map and begins to drive. It took a solid two days of steady driving to reach his destination, spending most of it debating back and forth if what he was doing was right. Did he deserve this? Did he need this? He'd heard stories of the person he was going to, a demon who could grant wishes of almost any kind if you survived a brutal gauntlet of challenges, the number uncomfortably short from what Spike had heard over the years. Yet here he was, an utter fool going toward what could be death...for a Slayer and her sister.

What has his unlife come to?

His car comes to its final stop outside a small village. Spike drains the last of the blood in his car before he steps out and takes a long and slow breath. Dozens of eyes look over at him almost simultaneously. The humans are still talking and enjoying their evenings but watching a vampire cross through their land with a purpose, ignoring what could be easy meals for the cave system that overlooked their home.

Not many things made a vampire's hair stand on end, but whatever was in these caves made Spike want to turn tail and run. Another breath taken, Spike fished his lighter out of his pocket before flicking it on, wanting to see whatever had been painted on the walls all around him as he advanced. Depictions of death weren't terribly surprising, the drawings becoming more simplistic and looking faded as he cautiously ventured deeper inside, the inquisitive side of him wondering just how old some of these paintings were, just before his flame was snuffed out.

You seek me, vampire?

The voice was everywhere and nowhere all at once, Spike looking around as he continued to venture forward, tucking the lighter back in his pocket.

"You do the finger paintings? Nice work." Spike wanted to cringe at how his normal sass wavered but found that fighting his ever-increasing instincts won out over his pride.

Answer me

"Yea, I seek you."

Something about a woman. The Slayer and her kin made from the stars

"Yea." Spike slowly approached the figure he could now see in the shadows, a low warning hovering in his throat. "Everything's gone to hell, and I'm tired of not being a bad enough bitch for it."

Why does this want you to return to your former self?

The being almost sounds amused, and Spike scowls.

"I can't be the man I wanted to be for the Slayer, never got a soddin' chance, but 'er little sister? She deserves protectin', and I figure I'm the closest thing she's got to one, but I'm no good like this." The vampire waves a hand over himself, and the green eyes continue to watch him. "You know what I want, and I'm willing to do anything."

The being laughs now, the scowl deepening as the figure begins to walk backward.

Look what you've been reduced to, a once legendary dark warrior now pining like a pathetic human. Do you truly believe you will survive what I have for you?

"Give me your best shot." His answer is a snarl, and the being now fades into the darkness surrounding them both.

Prepare yourself vampire.

---

Time seems to pass to the beat of its own drum here. It feels like hours since the being spoke to him, but Spike could be patient; he could wait. He knows that combat and the like will be needed, so to save clothing for later, his boots, socks, and shirt get removed, folded neatly, and placed by some of the cave drawings so he can find his way out when all is done.

It would be done, because he wasn't going to die in some bloody cave, not after everything.

It is time for the first trial, do you understand what I require?

The sudden voice make him flinch, Spike taking a slow and deep breath before nodding, assuming this thing could see him.

"Yea yea, it's not like you haven't been clear about it, oh great, mysterious one." The sass doesn't waver this time; the vampire knows what he's here for and can feel the beginning of his adrenaline rush as he focuses, pacing around the caves that now resemble an arena more than it did a few minutes ago. "This is a test. I don't get what I want unless I pass said test. That about the size and shape?"

Yes

"And since your pad is decked out gladiator-style, and no number two pencils have been provided, I guess we're not starting with the written." He can hear that cursed laugh from wherever the bloody thing is, hands clenching and unclenching as he circles the room. The punch from something behind him sends Spike rocketing to the side, using the wall he fell against as a springboard to land a punch back at whatever it is that had tried to hit him.

It was a massive mountain of a bloke, some sort of joke dancing on Spike's tongue as they sized each other up, but it died just as quickly when the man banged his fists together, lighting them on fire.

To the death

"Son of a -" Heat radiates from the entirety of the right side of his face as Spike is decked with a solid punch, landing back onto his ass as the man quickly moves to follow with more blows. He's able to scramble back to avoid a few hits, but ends up taking one to his chest when Spike quickly gets to his feet, throwing him back enough to slam onto the wall behind him. He doesn't have a chance to move before flaming hands grip his upper arms, skin sizzling as Spike desperately slams his head into the other's face, the man letting out a pained noise and stumbling back. By the time he'd righted, Spike had squirreled away again, the larger man letting out a guttural cry before following after the vampire. While most demons were too prideful to realize when retreat was a wise idea, Spike was not one of those fools, which had served him and his survival well. While he was far more the brawler than his Sire and Grandsire's had ever been, Angelus had carved into him the need to analyze and learn from his more powerful foes when to fight and when to draw things out for the advantage. So he did just that, dodging and weaving while taking continual hits, waiting for his time to strike. It comes when he receives another uppercut to the face, Spike falling to the ground with a groan of pain, the vampire hearing the man rearing up another punch.

He does the worst thing possible and catches the approaching first in his hand. Both he and the other are surprised as Spike uses the distraction to get onto his feet, punching the other man back with a snarl.

"Bad move, bad move, bad move." The other man glares and shoots his arm forward, realizing too late that Spike had leaned down far enough to catch his wrist, flipping him onto the ground with a thud. The vampire wastes no time in kicking the other square between the legs, watching as his enemy turns to try and get up again, exposing his back to Spike, who simply walks over and snaps his neck with a quick jerk of his hands.

"Looks like local boy loses." His words end in a half-delirious laugh, Spike panting heavily as he takes in the victory.

So it would appear

The demon steps forward in curiosity, and Spike gives him a nasty grin.

"Good on me, then, eh? I got what I came for; I passed the test, right?"

Indeed, you have passed the first stage of the test.

"Wait...first stage?" The victory high came crashing down as fast as it had burst in his chest, and the dread of fighting another beast made him tremble slightly. "Bugger."

---

Time truly doesn't pass in these caves, perhaps another test for the poor souls who come to this bloody hell on earth.

Spike had lost count of the foes he faced, demons who looked human to those whom he'd only seen in books, real or otherwise, all trying to kill the vampire like it was their holy calling. He knows it's all a test, a way for the demon who lurked beyond even his own enhanced sight to weed out the weak from the strong or some shit, but he couldn't be arsed to care. He was William the Bloody, no one could best him, and no one was going to take what he came for from him, the latest horned foes going down when Spike sliced its head off. Exhausted, Spike grabs the head and staggers back to the entrance of his latest combat arena, chucking the head towards those bloody green eyes.

"That was a bloody doddle and a piece o' piss." He groaned, falling to his knees for just a moment's rest, glaring at those eyes with as much fury as he could muster. "Got any more ruddy tests for me, you ponce? I'll take anything you can throw at me, if it'll get me what I need. Bring it on, bring on the whole -" He stops when there's a loud crunching noise from below him, throat tightening when he feels something begin to crawl up from the depths and up his body. "Bloody hell..."

There are hundreds of them, hundreds of scarab beetles that scrape and gnaw at his skin, crawling into his nose and mouth and it's pure agony.

He's not sure when he fell down, but he didn't scream, just writhing around on the floor as he kept them in, hands clenched so hard he pierced his skin as the agony continued for what felt like an eternity.

Buffy and Dawn, Buffy and Dawn, he loves them so much he won't scream.

Soon, merciful darkness takes him.

The thudding of approaching footsteps is what drags him from the darkness, his body so battered Spike can do little more than to lie on the floor and see what awaited him next.

You have endured the required trials

"Bloody right I have." He doesn't ever want to move again, but he refuses to face this bastard on the ground, so with a shuddering breath Spike turns and pushes himself onto his knees, knowing he wasn't going to be making it fully upright.

"Give me what I want." Spike shudders at the cool air to his back, the chant of Buffy and Dawn keeping him from revealing any weakness. "Make me what I was, what I need."

Very well. We will return your soul

Spike doesn't see the hand that comes from the darkness; the moment it touches him, the world burns. His entire body is burning as something he'd forgotten claws its way inside, settling into a hole he'd never felt and searing its very presence into every square inch of his body. His eyes glow as he looks for something, anything, to stop the pain, but there is nothing there but the darkness of the caves.

You walk with a soul once more

Spike struggles to force air down his dead lungs as the burning begins to slowly fade, head spinning as he crawls up and onto his feet, now very alone and closer to the exit than he remembered. He can hear someone talking, more than one someone, but they go unacknowledged by the vampire when another effect of his newly acquired soul hits him like a freight train.

The screaming washed over him like a tidal wave, and Spike fell to his knees with wide eyes as voices from the last 120 years clamored to be heard, all of them so angry.

He doesn't feel the needle that is inserted into his neck, once more falling into a darkness that now terrifies him more than anything.

----

Three weeks later

----

Wesley Wyndam-Price was finishing up the last of his paperwork for the evening when he heard the front door to the Hyperion open. He sighed at his now lost evening before going to greet whoever appeared.

"Hello, welcome to - " His jovial greeting dies in his throat when he takes one look at the person who had entered. "Spike?"

The vampire who had entered said nothing in return, and had it not been for the platinum-blonde tips to curly brown hair, Wesley wasn't sure if he would have recognized Spike right away. It doesn't help his infamous duster is also missing, the vampire wavering in place clad in scuffed boots and ripped jeans, his black shirt little more than shreds from something that had clawed at it repeatedly. Spike doesn't seem to be aware of his surroundings; whatever he's saying to himself is a constant stream of languages that switch faster than Wesley can pick up, his eyes soon wandering toward the door.

"Spike, you don't need to go." Spike's eyes snap to Wesley, but it's clear he's not all there, the other slowly raising his hands. "You're quite safe here, I promise."

"No, no, no, no, no one's safe from William." The words are nearly drowned out by the crazed giggles Spike bursts into, the sound nearly making Wesley jump. The vampire wavers in place before deciding a nearby bench is a place to take refuge, collapsing onto it, and curling in on himself with more giggles. "I'm not safe, not safe, not safe, not safe." He seems to be done talking as he tries his best to imitate an armadillo; Wesley slowly steps backward until he can reach the phone on the front desk, dialing a familiar number as quick as his shaking fingers can.

"Hello?" Relief floods Wesley, and after another check to see if Spike has still not moved, he relaxes further. "Hello?"

"It's me....Angel, he's here."

"Don't let him leave; I'll be right down." The line clicks as it goes dead, and Wesley carefully places the receiver down before approaching the curled-up man with what he hopes is a friendly smile.

"Spike?" The man doesn't move, except for one eye peering out from the little space between his limbs. "Are you in any pain?"

"Pain?" The answer is slightly muffled, and Spike begins to laugh again after a moment. "I deserve it, the pain. All of it, all of it because the voices are right; they are right because I am a bad, bad, bad, bad man, a bad man whom you should stake. It's justice, innit?"

"No, I don't believe it is." The former Watcher moves closer, that impossible eye following him without a blink, wanting to say more, but pauses when a familiar figure hovers in his peripheral, stepping back to allow them to step forward.

"Angel." Spike's voice is flat when his grandsire kneels beside him, his expression neutral as the other looks at him. "Have you come to kill me?"

"No." The older vampire shakes his head, Spike flinching when he raises his hand and covers his head again.

"Please stop, please stop I'm sorry." Angel gently rests his hand over one of Spike's hands, the smaller man trembling like a leaf in the wind when he gives a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Angel remains by Spike's side for a good hour, the man switching between pleads and bouts of laughs he can't stop until finally, Spike uncovers his head again.

"Can I rest now?"

[paint-by-numbers-adults]

Unleash Your Inner Artist with Manga Paint by Numbers

If you're a fan of manga and anime, you're probably well aware of the vibrant and captivating artwork that brings these stories to life. Now, imagine being able to create your own manga-inspired masterpiece, even if you're not a skilled artist. Enter Manga Paint by Numbers, a delightful fusion of creativity and relaxation that allows fans to embark on a colorful journey of self-expression.

Manga Paint by Numbers kits provide everything you need to create stunning artwork. Each kit typically includes a pre-printed canvas with a numbered outline, a set of acrylic paints, and a selection of brushes. The canvas is divided into various numbered sections, and each number corresponds to a specific paint color. All you have to do is match the numbers on the canvas with the corresponding colors and start painting. It's a simple and enjoyable process that allows anyone to create their own manga-inspired masterpiece.

One of the most popular Manga Paint by Numbers themes is Demon Slayer. This dark fantasy manga series has taken the world by storm with its captivating story and stunning visuals. With a Demon Slayer Paint by Numbers kit, you can bring characters like Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado to life on your canvas. The intricate details and vibrant colors of the Demon Slayer Paint by Numbers kits allow you to create a visually striking artwork that captures the essence of this beloved series.

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[z0mp13ss]

Small explanation on my demon slayer au bc I got a really good idea for one and now I'm drawing it and stuff:

also spoiler warning for like everything I think? Also has mentions of suicide (just the word, not really the action)

Okay so basically in this KNY Au, there are still hashira, all the hashira are the same, and so are all the uppermoon, but this au is like a combination of a corrupt Demon Slayer Corp and also a combination of Apocalyptic type of au.

They have more complicated ranking systems, each member of the core above the rank Kanoto having numbered statuses, causing a lot more competition because anyone with even a slightly higher number than you has authority over you. Even the Hashira have number ranking, which is more with core strength/their ability to kill more demons in a shorter amount of time, rather than just overall strength. Still working on the ranking, but Mitsuri is #5, and Rengoku was #6, with Shinobu being #7.

While Mitsuri's uniform doesn't have the big gap in the chest like beforehand, a lot of women still face heavy sexism in the corps. Females will often get harsher commands thrown at them, especially those at lower rank.

There are things called "Suicide Missions." Which are missions where 1-3 Demon Slayers are sent into a heavily demon-infested (abandoned) area to hunt down all demons in there. The area is closed off/guarded by special bypassers, who prohibit any demon slayers from leaving without killing every last demon in the area, with crows watching overhead, and wisteria protecting the bypassers. They aren't allowed to assist or help the demon slayers at all, no matter if they beg or even die in front of them. They are just told to assign new ones to the task, and to dispose of the bodies before they get there (if possible.) These missions can take up to 5 days, regularly, at times taking 2-3 weeks of non-stop hunting. (Usually at least 1-2 people die while on the task.)

Fun fact! Mitsuri used to try and be nicer to lower ranks when she first became Hashira, and would either go on Suicide missions with them, or go on them FOR them. This is what resulted in her getting one of her eyes cut, when a lower ranks lashed out on her for not helping them sooner when they were about to die. (The lower rank was then killed immediately after saying such, and Mitsuri was not able to save the slayer.) Mitsuri is now partially blind in her right eye due to this, and doesn't take Suicide Missions unless necessary or with another Hashira.

Shinobu is extremely pale, and at times will cough of blood, mainly due to injecting Wisteria into her system. She isn't assigned Suicide Missions often, and is usually assigned a task with another Hashira. The leader of the corps is aware of her plan (in this AU), and strongly encourages her to continue with it. (I may change the leader to a completely different person, but the person does not truly care about her health or her goal, and truly just wants to see how long it will take for her body to self destruct.)

Obanai's rom feelings for Mitsuri aren't as strong in this au, as Mitsuri isn't as cheerful or anything, and has heavy trust issues. Obanai also does, and the two are somewhat close, however both value their job and both think they are unfit for a romantic relationship. Obanai does have semi-frequent nightmares, like most Hashira. (Sanemi, Giyuu, Shinobu, legit fucking everyone.)

Giyuu does spend time painting a bit, though they are small paintings and aren't the best necessarily, he does enjoy painting things he wants to remember, as he usually gets a bit too busy or stressed out throughout the day to even try to process everything that is said or happens.

Obanai and Mitsuri both have unhealthy relationships with food. Mitsuri is still heavily affected by the comments made on her in her past, and does (at times) not eat even when extremely hungry because she is afraid of people staring to question her, or people telling her she is fat or not good enough. Obanai doesn't like to take off his mask, and is used to not eating, even when wanting to, so he simply disregards his hunger, and it's gone to points at times where he may pass out/faint temporarily from not eating enough. Sanemi usually reminds him to eat at regular times, twice a day.

Sanemi doesn't have as much as a hatred for Giyuu as before, He isn't constantly talking down on him or belittling him, more just completely disregarding his existence, besides for work purposes, which they rarely run into one another. Giyuu isn't necessarily trying to become his friend in this au, either. He does find Sanemi admirable, but simply views friendships as misfortunes because he feels as if all his friendships will end with death.

Shinobu and Giyuu have a sibling-like relationship! I've heard some say that the creator said if Shinobu didn't die then the two would've been together, but I see them more as siblings if anything. Giyuu has known Shinobu since she was like, what 16? And He was around when her older sister was. I feel like he would be the older brother of Shinobu, and Shinobu would be like a little sister to him. They might not have really clear conversations, BUT Giyuu does enjoy her company and they do hang out often, even if they just sit in silence or Shinobu talks about her day.

Mitsuri and Uzui both had hallucinations of Rengoku after he died. (You're welcome! >_O)

Muichiro doesn't really see anyone as a sibling or father figure, he does enjoy Gyomei's company, and enjoys hearing his advice on things (He likes how calm he talks.) He doesn't enjoy being around Shinobu though, he thinks her tone sounds bit prideful, and it slightly irritates him at times.

Sorry this is Mitsuri heavy, shes the only one I actually have like completely laid out, I'll post the drawing for her soon-ish! And then I'll draw Shinobu next (?)! Might do Sanemi next but whateva one of those two.! If you have any recommendations Message me! ^_^

[wolfire4909]

Intro Post 🥳🥳

I'm months late on this but who cares!!!!!!! This is going to be so messy but oh well!!!!!!!!

Im Wolfire!!!!!! People may see me as odd or weird, but that's okay. I'm still a nice person. If you hate me, that is also okay. Just don't be a meanie about it. If you find me annoying, don't make a big deal out of it.

She/Her pronouns please!!!

I occasionally post here due to the fact I use pinterest more, though I don't post anything there. I just have a lot of boards. If you ever find it, come say hi I don't mind at all!!!!! :D

"Why don't you post your pinterest @ wolfire???" I like playing hide and seek. Also, it's quite obvious on what my @ is.

"Why do you have 4909 in your @ here though??" Thats my signature number. I used it on my first ever roblox and Prodigy account.

I also post a lot of art, thank you to those who like it. Thank you to those who atleast take some time out of their schedule to atleast look at it. Thank you for rebloging. Thank you for enjoying my art. My style is quite similar to roblox art style?? Is that how you call it??? I don't know, but I've been doing this style since 2020. I use my Ibis Paint X and use my finger to draw.

Fandoms and Stuff I like: Jackson's Diary, The Kiss Bet, Dead Plate (and other games by the same dev!), Minecraft Story Mode, Flicker Roblox, Doodle World, Project Sekai, Project Diva, Vocaloid, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, Toilet Bound Hanako-Kun, Unikitty, Demon Slayer, School Bus Graveyard, Cookie Run, Word Girl, Miitopia, Deltarune, Prodigy Math (sometimes), Photography, and Sanrio!!!!!

Cinnamon Cookie's #1 Fan (CROB), Jean-Claude and Miguel fan (Roblox Flicker) (It's hard to express my love for them. 💔), Ken's greatest supporter (Jackson's Diary), and Spunny enjoyer. (Doodle World) My favorite Sanrio Characters are Badtz Maru, Pekkle, Tuxedo Sam, Pochacco, Kerropi, and Chococat!!!

Some cool stuff I can do: Write long essays, Science, throw a discus 52 ft (my personal best!!!!), being part of a cool track team, running for long distance, use complicated words for dramatic effect, clear lvl 27 pjsk expert songs, talk way too much, getting myself into the worst scenarios possible, hating on W*lli@m Miller (hate that ugly leprechaun 🙄🙄) and talking about my ocs!!!!

I don't have a specific tag. I just put the most unhinged tags. Thats.. probably my specific tag. Maybe I'll make one. Sooner or later.

Anyways I've talked way too much. Thank you for reading until the end. I would edit this when I feel like it. Oh well!!!! Sorry for flooding your feed, and thanks for atleast visiting my blog!!!!!!

[rwac96]

TYPE: Prompt

AU: Crossover AU

FANDOM: DOOM, Kuroinu

SUMMARY: The Sex Empire and the Black Dogs shall know the wrath of the Doom Slayer. Rip and Tear until it done.

THEME: Rip and Tear, Badass, Vault is Fucked, Doom Slayer being Doom Slayer

Agonized screams echoed throughout Vault's castle, as his men were cut down individually. His men charged at the threat, only to be grabbed and torn into pieces. Some were brought down and stomped upon, painting the bricks in gory red blood. Many would assume it was some sort of mighty Orc or horrific demon from the bowels of Hell.

But, even the strongest of Orcs present at the castle were slaughtered by this invader. Dressed in green armor, the man used strange weapons to cut through Vault's men. There were many guesses going through Vault's mind, the primary assumption would be some horror summoned by Olga. That was the main guess, due to the checkered history between the Dark Elves and humanity.

"Sir," one of his lieutenants said, "the intruder has killed a third of our forces. We...I don't think we have many numbers left."

Vault exhaled heavily, as he realized this could be his final stand. He stood up, even with the knowledge that his death was imminent. As the sounds of what sounded like cannons being fired got closer, he grabbed the handle of his sword; preparing for his final battle.

Meanwhile, the one known as The Slayer tore the last Orc into two; tossing its legs aside and slamming the torso onto the brick floor. He readied his energy sword, preparing to confront and kill the man named Vault.

[eldritchaccident]

Timing: While Leviathan was Away(tm) Location: Axis Investigations Feat: @faustianbroker (as Gabagool), @mortemoppetere, & @eldritchaccident Warnings: Alcoholism tw (mention) Summary: Everyone's favorite gossip demon spends some time at Emilio's

Beady little mismatched eyes peeked up over the edge of the table, narrowing into slits when they saw the unattended phone sitting there. The badalisc hunkered down, wiggled his butt, and then leaped onto the table, claws skittering on the wooden top and adding to the scratches that already marred its surface. 

Paw pads slapped at the phone, the creature finding himself thankful that the horrible man his master had left him with didn’t value security, unlocking it to a familiar sort of screen. He knew what the phone button looked like and nosed that, staring at the recent calls screen. 

Shit, he didn’t know Teddy’s number. Or how to spell their name. Shit. 

Oh well.

Starting from the top down, Gabagool started calling every number that had been incoming or outgoing, immediately bitching about being picked up when someone answered, not bothering to wait and hear if it was Teddy. Eventually it was, though, and the lesser demon heaved a relieved sigh. 

“I’ve called like twenty people, Teddy! Come pick me up! This jackoff isn’t even giving me my daily serving of lamb! This is bullshit!” he hollered into the phone, sounding on the verge of hysterics. 

—

When he’d agreed to this gig, it had seemed like easy money. After all, Emilio had once been the father of a newborn who required next to no sleep and had enhanced senses informing her of every movement her parents made in the next room. How hard could any babysitting gig be in comparison to that? 

He wasn’t sure if it was the years separating him from fatherhood or the fact that Levi’s badalisc was just a fucking nightmare, but he was beginning to think Gabagool was worse than a slayer toddler had ever been. He wasn’t even cute, the way Flora had been. He was just annoying.

So when Emilio came into the kitchen to find the little monster on his phone, it ticked him off a little bit.

“Give me that,” he snapped, marching across the room as quickly as he was able and snatching the phone out of the little beast’s grubby hands. “Who the fuck are you calling? Stay away from my shit, man.” He glanced down at the caller ID, groaning at the name he saw there and hanging up as quickly as he could. With any luck, nothing of the call had gone through at all. He and Teddy might be on steadier ground now than they’d been before, but the last thing he wanted was for them to have something like this to hole over his damn head. “I told you, I’m not buying fucking lamb. There’s food here. Just eat that.”

—

The call had gone through, and had the slayer been listening to his surroundings more than just the whiny whims of the badalisc, he might have heard the quiet, raspy, and always just a little curiously eager voice on the other end far closer than he would have imagined. Definitely far closer than he would have liked. Teddy was practically right outside the slayer’s door when the call came. Teddy didn’t even know that Levi had left the precious baby with Emilio of all people. And you know what, Teddy was a bit offended by that. Clearly the detective wasn’t doing a stellar job.

Timing it just-so for maximum effect, Teddy waited until the clamor died down inside the apartment, then knocked a pleasantly annoying tune on the old painted wood. 

— 

Gabs hissed at Emilio as he snatched the phone away, scrabbling his paws on the table in a defiant little dance. “I’m calling for help! I need help! This is abuse!” he howled, leaping down from the table and tearing back into the living room.

“Your food is shit, poor man! I want lamb! Get me lamb! Leviathan makes me lamb! It makes lamb for me every night!” As he sucked in a deep breath to continue wailing, he heard the knock and clammed right up. His ears flicked toward the door, followed by his big head, and that massive mouth split into a toothy grin. “Teds? TEDS?! Oh! Oh!” He could smell them already, bounding over to the door and skittering in tight circles. 

“Get the door, sourpuss! I don’t have fucking thumbs.” 

—

A knock at the door, the subtle scent of sulfur and soap that was becoming more familiar than Emilio would care to admit. The detective groaned, throwing his head back in frustration. How the fuck had Teddy even gotten here so quickly? He glared at the little demon as it took off for the living room, clambering after it quickly enough to make his leg ache. “Maybe I find out what badalisc tastes like, hm? I’ll show you abuse, you little shit.” 

Another knock, and the demon was running to the door on its stupid, too fast legs. Emilio stomped after it, though he made no move towards the doorknob. “One second,” he called through the door. “I gotta put something in the microwave first!” He made a grab for Gabagool as he said it, making it pretty clear what he intended to put in the microwave. He wouldn’t turn it on or anything. He just thought the demon might be quieter in there, was all.

—

The micro– Oh NO. Without another word Teddy barged into the apartment, not waiting for any kind of invitation. What were they, a vampire? Was that even… Not the time Teds. There was a little furball being scooped up by an abrasive detective and clearly he needed saving. The taller demon didn’t even stop to close the door behind them as they swept into the apartment like a tidal wave. 

“Hey– hey! No cooking the baby!” Demons, despite popular belief, were not fireproof. Or radiation proof for that matter. Video games got it wrong. (Though, not too many had tested the microwave method.) With one fluid motion Teddy carefully dropped the basket of things they had brought with them, and scooped up the little furball the way he liked to be held. “Hell’s wrong with you?” Clearly not directed at Gabagool, the very best demon in the world. 

— 

Gabagool had just started up a rather shrill wail when Teddy came barging inside, scrambling to get away from Emilio as the hunter’s hands gripped his fur with malicious intent, only to be scooped up by the other demon and cradled protectively in their arms. 

“He was gonna cook me! He was gonna eat me, Teds!” the badalisc whined, covering his eyes with his front legs, in a dramatic show of fear. “When does Leviathan come home? I want Leviathan back! And I want my lamb!” 

—

Stupid broken lock. Teddy barged in before Emilio could make good on any of his threats, snatching the wretched little demon out of his hands and holding it like it was a baby instead of the worst thing Emilio had ever had to put up with in his life. He preferred the vampire who’d gotten the drop on him in Mexico six years ago to this thing, even if he’d been mostly dead by the time Rhett finally found him and dragged him back home. He’d like to be mostly dead right now, he thought. If he were mostly dead, he wouldn’t be babysitting a sea monster’s badalisc. It’d probably be peaceful. 

Glaring at the badalisc as Teddy spoke, Emilio nodded. “No, no, you’re right,” he said. “I shouldn’t cook him in the microwave. I’m sorry about that. Really. The oven would work a lot better.” He made another grab for Gabagool, though it was a half-assed attempt at best. He wasn’t really going to put the little shit in the oven, but he’d like to spook it into acting a little less annoying. 

Still glaring, Emilio turned his attention to Teddy. “Wait, how the fuck did you get here so quick. And what — You brought a basket? I’m not cooking lamb for this thing.”

—

There was a lot of mental gymnastics going on behind those ruby red glasses. Teddy tried their best to soothe the frantic demon in their arms with scritches right behind his ears, the way Gabs liked. If Leviathan trusted Emilio to take care of Gabagool, he had to know. But how much? Levi knew he was a hunter, even went as far as to say that was a reason to not 'hang around' the slayer. The middlest Jones squinted, boring their eyes into Emilio as if all his secrets would spill if they just stared hard enough. But they weren't a badalisc. Just the pudgy ball of sass still wiggling about in Ted's arms. 

"I was summoned." They replied flatly, lying outright for once. Another sort of test, gauge his response, see where he lands. "The basket isn't for Gabs." Would they explain what it was for? No. Detective Danger over there could figure it out his damn self. "I did door dash us some ingredients though. This place does have a stove right?" Cooking for Gabagool was always a treat for Teddy. Where Leviathan gobbled up anything the lad made, happily, greedily, Gabs had a discerning palate. Made Ted feel like they were on a cooking competition show. Made them want to make fancy things. "Braised lamb and carbonara, okay Gabs?"

—

Positively melting at the suggestion, Gabagool relaxed in Teddy's arms. "Ohh, that sounds heavenly," he sighed, reaching for his back paws with the front pair, throwing Emilio a faux smile as he did his best to appear as cute as possible. "See, garbage man, this is how you treat a guest! You're getting paid a ridiculous amount of money to take care of me… you could try a little harder." 

Seemingly done with his tantrum now that Teddy had arrived, he wiggled to be put back down, standing stock still as Perro entered the living room to see what the commotion was. The two had a five second stare-off before Gabs huffed and scurried over to him, initiating play much like if he was a dog himself. 

—

Kiss ass, Emilio thought, continuing to glare silently at Gabagool as he twisted and relaxed in Teddy’s arms. Acting like he hadn’t been a little shit the entire time he’d been here. Now Teddy probably thought he was some kind of an asshole who’d been tormenting the stupid thing. Not that Emilio cared, of course. Who gave a shit what Teddy Jones thought of him? 

He shoved his hands into his pockets as Gabs ran off to play with Perro. The dog, at least, was thrilled with the temporary addition to the household. Emilio turned his attention to the basket Teddy had brought, rifling through it. Groceries, like they’d told Gabs, sure. But other things, too. “Why are you walking around with a basket full of candles and shit? And did — You’re kidding. Right? About the summoning.” Levi made it sound a hell of a lot harder to summon a demon. Emilio shook his head, straightening back up and nudging the basket towards the door with his foot. “Whatever. That thing doesn’t deserve… whatever you said you were gonna make him. He’s a prick.” He said it loudly enough for Gabagool to hear, shooting another vague glare in the smaller demon’s direction. “We don’t need any help here. Tell your dad that everything’s fine.”

—

“The candles are for something else that I said I’d do. I’m just here to do it.” Teddy didn’t answer the second part. Simply smiled and raised their brows as they brushed past, searching for the kitchen they were not invited to use. They passed by the playing creatures with a pleasant hum. It was actually pretty nice to see the little demon getting along with another animal, even if that one couldn’t talk up a storm the way Gabs could. “If you think you don’t need help you’re in denial. Did pops not tell you that Gabagool could make rumors come true? You gotta treat him like the little prince that he is, and he’ll be a wonderful house guest. Plus, he likes the Golden Girls. That tip’s for free.” One big grin and the demon disappeared behind the wall. 

Teddy didn’t know what they were expecting to find in the kitchen, but it was somehow both better and worse than they thought it’d be. But– serviceable. Enough. Just a bit of light scrubbing before they got to work. Something they’d probably have to do before setting up any wards or rituals anyway, if they wanted the chalk to stick long enough for it to work. Ted’s phone chimed lightly, letting them know the dasher was coming up to drop off the ingredients that they’d need, but Ted had brought some stuff with them. Were they planning on making dinner here anyway? Maybe. Would they say it’s just cause the rituals would take some time, and doing magic on an empty stomach was never a good idea? Yes. 

“Do you at least have a sauteé pan?” 

—

Hearing Teddy talking up his abilities, the lesser demon allowed a smug smirk to settle over his animalistic features, replacing the scowl that’d been directed right back at Emilio only moments ago. 

Headbutting Perro gently to end their play, the badalisc trotted into the kitchen after Teddy, bumping hard into Emilio’s leg as he went, his stump of a tail held as high in the air as it could be. “And gosh, wouldn’t it be a shame if I’d heard that both your knees were bad? Or that you were terribly, terribly sick? That would be so sad for you!” The threat, while lighthearted, was… probably serious. 

“A man without a sauteé pan? You see what I’ve been dealing with, Teddums? This is an outrage.”

—

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Emilio wracked his mind as Teddy brushed by him, trying to remember if the demon had promised (or perhaps threatened?) to do anything around his apartment. There’d been talks of rituals to ease the curse, sure, but the curse was over now, wasn’t it? Sure, he still woke up in a cold sweat with his own voice in his head, echoing the thought that had rattled through his mind when he put that blade in Lucio’s gut, but that was no different than the dreams of his old living room back in Etla that still plagued him, or the way he sometimes swore he spotted Flora in a crowd. Not a supernatural thing, not really; just the broken mind of a broken man. 

Deciding that whatever was happening in the kitchen was more important than the basket on the floor, Emilio turned to follow Teddy in that direction, shooting Gabagool a glare at the threat. “I’ll feed you to a goat,” he hissed in Spanish, figuring Teddy couldn’t judge him for a threat they wouldn’t understand. Turning back to the slightly more tolerable demon, he said, “I have a pan. It’s on the fridge.” It was not, of course, a sauteé pan, though Emilio was unaware that there was any kind of a difference. “If your little monster starts making things come true about me, I’m going to kick it,” he added.

—

If anyone was gonna spill the beans that Teddy knew Spanish it was going to be Gabagool, but there was definitely more dirt to unpack from that pile. So the demon just looked over at the badalisc, looked back at the food they were preparing and gave a rather knowing look to the little gossip monger. Gabs had been in the family long enough to know the scheming face of Teddy Jones. 

“Speaking in tongues is usually the thing that demons do, not the people watching them, Cortez.” Pan. Single. Ugh. This was going to be a challenge. In a way, that was kind of good though. Fun. Like being on Cutthroat Kitchen. At the very least Teds could spy a few wooden tools, and knives. “If my little angel does that, it’s only because you didn’t respect him enough. Also you may not have a foot long if you do that. Double also, If your kitchen knives aren’t at least as sharp as the ones you use on hunts, I will be disappointed.”

— 

Keep the trap shut. Got it. Gabagool sneered at Emilio, adding a “You wouldn’t dare. Leviathan would gut you,” for good measure before he jumped up on the counter, then to the top of the aforementioned fridge to watch the scene unfold from afar. The creature might have a big mouth, but to be an effective gatherer of gossip, he had to know when to listen, too. 

So he did just that, curling up on top of the smelly, mostly-unused fridge with his chin hanging over the edge, watching the two move about the kitchen with quiet curiosity. 

—

“Getting gutted would be worth it,” Emilio bit back, still glaring at the creature. Gabs retreated to the top of the fridge, which wasn’t quite a victory, but Emilio would accept it as such all the same. Confident — or at least momentarily hopeful — that Gabagool wasn’t going to make good on his threat to rumor his good knee into breaking, the detective turned his attention to Teddy.

They’d certainly made themself at home in his kitchen easily enough, pulling out tools and cooking items that Emilio hadn’t even known he’d possessed. Some of them may have been left by the previous occupant of the apartment, the way a lot of the items scattered around Axis were. Others may have been placed there by well-meaning friends and neighbors. The large wooden spoon certainly looked like a Javi addition. “Knives are sharp,” he confirmed with a nod. You never knew when you might need to use one, after all… though Emilio’s idea of ‘using’ the kitchen knives certainly differed from Teddy’s intentions here. “What are the candles for? If you told me while I was drunk, I don’t remember it now. Don’t remember much of anything there.” It was a lie; he remembered that night on Teddy’s boat a lot more than he’d care to admit, remembered the warmth in his chest that hadn’t been the curse or the alcohol. 

—

Teddy hummed satisfactorily. If there was one thing the demon loved it was knowing something that someone else didn’t. Well. Only if it was for a good reason. Or at least a funny one. Emilio’s confession that Ted wasn’t the problem in their relationship (or lack of one) was a juicy enough tidbit that the ghost would not be given up any time soon. 

Gabs scrambled upward, and the pan came down. All sorts of dirty and grimy in that way that only untouched kitchen clutter always got. Oily dust. A bitch to clean. Teddy’s expression said just as much as they pushed past Emilio to the sink, and slid the pan between a host of other dirty dishes (mostly coffee mugs?) that sat in various stages of growing their own eco systems. A frown wouldn’t do this justice, so Teddy just returned to their aloof base state. 

“Even without the curse hanging over your head I’m sure the wards will do you a bit better than Big Finn alone.” It was quieter, softer. As Teddy scrubbed what seemed like years of build up off the pan, and any stress off their own back. This was something they could do well, something they liked to do for other people. Clear up the clutter in a house, you help them clear up the clutter in their head. Plus, Teds got to cook after, and that was enough to put them in a good mood. If the whole affair came with a little verbal volleyball between them and Emilio? Eh, that was a bonus. 

— 

The fact that they’d been together when Emilio was drunk might’ve been something, but if the bottles catered around the terrible apartment were any indication, that was more the norm, anyway. So maybe nothing. Unless Teddums was also drunk. Humans always did stupid things when they were drunk, and Ted was enough of a human to fall under that umbrella. Affectionately. 

“Is he really worth the effort?” the lesser demon interjected with a scoff, his gaze darting to Emilio. “I mean for fuck’s sake, look at the state of this place. It’d take a miracle to keep anyone happy in a place like this.” Gabagool didn’t know exactly what the wards were for, but he knew Big Finn well enough to make a guess.

—

He could make the claim that his apartment was a mess because of the chaos involved with babysitting Gabagool, or pretend he would have tidied up if he knew that he’d had company on the way, but he didn’t think anyone would buy it. Most of the shit in that sink had been sitting there for far longer than his houseguest had been present, to the point that Emilio had been drinking his morning coffee straight from the pot for a week or so now, and he didn’t think the pan had come off the fridge since the day he moved in. That much was probably obvious by the state of it, if Teddy’s expression had anything to say. 

But, strangely, they didn’t give him hell for it. Emilio watched them carry it to the sink, watched them scrub with a strange expression on his face. What did Teddy care, he wondered, about the shit that went on in Emilio’s head? After all the crap he’d given them, why were they still trying to help? “You don’t have to,” he said lowly, uncharacteristically soft. “Don’t want you wasting any… energy on me, or whatever.” Some things couldn’t be fixed; Emilio Cortez was one of them.

That didn’t mean he enjoyed Gabagool’s commentary, of course. Turning back towards the fridge, his expression shifted from the strangely soft one he’d been delivering to the back of Teddy’s head to a sharp glare. “I still haven’t decided not to stick you in the microwave,” he warned. “You’re small and easy to catch. It could happen at any time.”

—

The badalisc was jabbering on again, and Teddy just continued to smile. Adding in a small shrug at his question. Because hey, when did Teds ever know why they did what they were doing, right? Maybe it was because of some strange desire to see the world better than how they found it. Maybe it was an experiment just to see if they could do it. Maybe it was because throughout each interaction some small sliver of something was uncovered in Emilio that excited Teddy. That reflected back on something that burned within them too. There was a mystery, or at least a hidden treasure. They just knew it. Some strange feeling they couldn’t ignore. 

It wasn’t something that the demon thought the other shared. Even as the man in question talked in softer tones towards Teddy’s back. Even as they turned and caught the briefest glimpse of Emilio’s face before he turned and continued to badger the badalisc. To which Teddy just mocked a stabbing motion behind the slayer's back, mouthing to the tiny demon a quick ‘Should I?’ along with a mischievous grin. To some eyes, (perhaps those seeing this situation for the first time as a third wheel) the motion may have looked to be something else, but that was neither here nor there. There was dinner to be made, and big mouths to feed. 

“Eh.” Teds shrugged again. “I’ll do it anyway. Your apartment’s pretty much in the center of this building. Might help out Sully and Co too. Call it philanthropy. Once I get my mind set on something it’s pretty hard to stop me.” It wasn’t personal. Right? Couldn’t be. Teddy was barely a person. And Emilio sure didn’t think he was much of one either. If the state of this apartment was anything like the man’s mental health, it wasn’t going good. 

— 

Gab’s hackles rose at the return of the threat to cook him up, eyes narrowing at Emilio. “I cannot believe that Leviathan thought you’d be a suitable caregiver, you dick. What’d you do to seduce it, huh? Why’s it like you so much?” Hm. A grin stretched wide across the badalisc’s face at Teddy’s pantomime, unsure of the exact meaning but finding it amusing either way. Snorting, the lesser demon scrabbled down the front of the fridge again to land somewhat ungracefully on his paws, darting underneath the table where it sat to lick the dust out of his fur. 

“You know, you live like this much longer and you’re gonna attract a whole fuckload of stakichar. Then you’ll really be sick all the time, and not just from the whiskey breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

—

“I’m likable,” Emilio replied, a little smug. “Either that, or you’re not likable. Maybe Leviathan left you with me ‘cause he’s hoping to get rid of your sorry ass.” He saw the badalisc’s mismatched eyes dart to something behind his head and he quickly turned around, but by the time he was facing Teddy again, they were the picture of innocence. Asshole. Why had Emilio thought it was a good idea to get involved with a family of demons in the first place? They were all dicks. Even Levi. He’d definitely saddled Emilio with Gabagool as some kind of terrible prank, the slayer was sure of it. 

He watched the lesser demon scramble down from the fridge with a roll of his eyes, glancing back to Teddy. “You really think whatever you’re doing is going to cover the whole building?” That certainly made him more open to it. Trying to help Emilio might have been a waste of the demon’s time and efforts, but if those efforts ended up helping Wynne, Arden, Zack, and Sully, it was something the slayer could get behind. 

As Gabagool went on, Emilio had half a mind to take off his shoe and toss it at the demon. “It’s not that bad,” he said, a little defensive. The apartment wasn’t in great shape right now, sure, but he’d get around to cleaning it eventually. Motivation was just… harder to come by lately. The last few weeks had found him struggling to pull himself off the couch or the mattress for anything other than his basic ‘work, drink, hunt’ routine. It happened, sometimes. Eventually, he’d get enough extra energy to manage the dishes. Until then, they weren’t hurting anyone, no matter what the nosy demon claimed. “You don’t get to talk about how I live, anyway. Are you licking yourself? Eso es repugnante.”

—

“Listen, I’m sure there was a reason Dad chose you.” They trailed off as they got busy. It was strange, but hey Levi had done stranger things. Picking Emilio. Instead of the very clear obvious choice, the one who knew about Gab’s temper, about his likes and dislikes, about the need for lamb. Lamb that Teddy was finally getting to prepare. The nice thing about this particular recipe is that it was quick. Or maybe that was just because of the ritual magic baked right in. Sped up the process. A day's worth of ‘slow cooking’ and flavorful braising in about… five to ten minutes. A demonic instapot. The young demon wasn’t nearly as practiced, or as powerful as Leviathan, but they sure were creative with their rituals and rites. 

Garlic and shallots were thinly sliced, a flavorful broth was boiling away ready for the pasta, and a bit of butter in the pan was making the whole apartment smell like a five star kitchen. The simple things, Teddy found (if they were done juuuust right) made all the difference. The meat was already in the oven, and the demon was quickly balancing a magical act between the ritual and the ‘analog’ cooking. 

When they got like this it was like the demon was in their own little world. Where everything else faded away and some rare equilibrium was reached. Usually this kind of act was reserved for the ones Teddy really cared about but… Well they did care about Emilio. Kind of. In a strange way. It was just… with an odd fascination or something. Right? The idea of something bad happening to the grumpy garbage man twisted up Ted’s stomach in a way they couldn’t really explain. It wasn't pity. That carried a connotation of looking down on the other’s situation. Which just wasn’t the case either. It wasn’t like they were friends, Emilio had made that clear. So maybe it was… empathy? 

Some outreach of the demon’s heart that saw a similar ache in him. Wanted to bandage a wound they had no right to even ask about. In the end it probably didn’t matter. Teddy could feed the badalisc (and the grump), set up the runes and wards, then go back to being told to fuck off. They could figure out feelings later. 

“Bon Appetit my darling prince.” Teddy made a grand show of setting up a plate (perfectly presented with an artistic flair) for the little demon at the table. On top. Not below. They sat next to him, with a much less fancy, but still quite full plate of their own. Then motioned to the counter for Emilio to find the dish set up for him, too. It was rude to just eat in front of someone. Doubly so in their house. 

—

“Yes, because I know how to bathe myself unlike someone in this room,” Gabagool snapped back with a huff. He stood, giving a thorough shake of his little body and then turned on the spot to headbut the table chair until it was pushed out enough for him to climb into. 

Seated on his haunches, the lesser demon stretched his front paws out on the table, resting his chin between them as his gaze danced between the two humanoids in the kitchen. Teds was in their own world as they cooked, which was pretty par for the course. The result, as always, was a delicious concoction of flavors, presented to the badalisc as it ought to have been: with grace and respect. Fuckin’ hell, was that so hard? 

Grinning from ear to ear, the demon bounced excitedly in his chair, wishing he had the booster seat that was back at home. “You, babysitter,” he barked, his gaze snapping up to meet Emilio’s before he got a plate or sat down or did anything that might give him an excuse to say no (aside from just being generally disagreeable), “Get me a phone book or something to sit on. I need leverage on this incredible, amazing meal thankyousomuch my dear sibling.” The back half of the sentence was delivered with a decidedly honeyed tone, a big grin flashed in Teddy’s direction at the same time. 

—

Teddy seemed to lose themself in the process of cooking, though it looked a little more like black magic to Emilio. Whether that was because of Teddy’s added flair to the process or because the slayer had simply never seen anyone cook anything more complex than a sandwich was hard to say. In any case, Teddy’s fascination with their craft essentially left Emilio once again alone with Gabagool. 

“I do bathe myself,” he snapped, irritation clear in his tone. “Just not by licking myself, like some people.” Was it ridiculous, bickering with what essentially amounted to a demon’s pet cat? Yeah. Absolutely. But Emilio was nothing if not stubborn, and he refused to let Gabs get the last word even when it became clear that the argument wasn’t one he could feasibly win. 

If he were a little less exhausted, he would have protested a little more about Teddy’s preparation. The stupid badalisc didn’t deserve lamb after the way it had acted. If you rewarded bad behavior, you were only ever going to see more bad behavior. Every parent knew that, even the bad ones. But he knew Teddy wouldn’t listen, and Gabagool was only his problem for a couple more days, anyway, so fuck it. Anything to make the demon shut up.

Except nothing would make the demon shut up, because the universe hated Emilio specifically. “Stand,” he replied flatly, looking down at the plate Teddy had prepared for him. It looked good, as far as food went. It would taste like ash, anyway. Everything always did. “Who the fuck even has a damn phone book? No.” 

—

Ted’s brows raised as the rest of their face scrunched, as if to ask Emilio if that was really the best course of action here. It couldn’t hide the hint of a smile though. Curling at the edges of their lips, making dimples where smooth cheeks should have been. Instead, the demon stood once more, got the basket they had brought along, and upended it. Carefully. They still needed to actually do the full rituals to fix up this place, and hopefully provide Emilio with a bit of solace. However much the man raged against the idea. Often personally making things worse for himself. 

Teddy lifted and sat the littlest demon on the basket like it was a perfect high chair, comfy and sturdy enough to hold the tiny but dense body. They gave Gab’s one little scritch then decided standing was a lot easier than trying to sit still. Teds munched upon their meal and began the preparations for the ritual. They moved aside the sad excuse for a carpet that blanketed the old hardwood floor and started drawing up the circles and adding in the required runes. 

“Soooooo.” Teds said lowly, trying their best to think of something to talk about that would entertain the badalisc and not piss off the detective too much. “What’ve you been up to that kept you from properly feeding your temporary house guest, huh Cortez?” 

— 

Beaming appreciatively up at Teddy as they situated him on the basket, the creature’s little nub of a tail gave a small wag, and he hummed happily. Paws on the table, Gabagool tucked into the meal with enthusiasm. He was only half listening when Teds posed the question, ears pinned flat as he gave a snort of acknowledgement. 

“Drinking too much, what else?” he snipped, beady gaze darting from where Teddy was settling up the ritual to Emilio, where it narrowed. “Didn’t even take me for any walks. Left that to his… whatever she is. Ward, or something. I dunno.” His expression softened, however. “She was nice, though, so it wasn’t all bad.”

—

God, Teddy babied this thing. Giving it everything it asked for, treating it as gently as one might treat a child or a beloved pet. Emilio rolled his eyes as they bent to its will again, using their basket as a booster seat to help the little monster see over the table. The glare he shot at the pair was mostly directed towards Gabagool, though there was some frustration towards Teddy as well. If they didn’t spoil the demon so much, it wouldn’t have been quite so insufferable. 

Gathering the plate Teddy had prepared for him, the detective practically collapsed into the chair across from Gabagool, still glaring petulantly. A fork pushed food around on the plate, though he had little interest in actually eating it. The rock that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in his stomach felt heavier as of late, and attempting to put any food in his stomach didn’t seem like a particularly appealing thought. Neither did conversation, but that wasn’t quite as easy to get out of.

“I don’t drink too much,” he snapped, though he knew it was untrue. “You’d probably drink, too, if you had to deal with someone as annoying as you for a week. Have you ever listened to yourself speak? Anyone would drink.” He stabbed at the lamb on his plate aggressively. “She’s not my ward. She’s my dog walker. And if I find out you were an ass to her, I really will toss you in the oven.” Propping his chin on his hand with an elbow on the table, he added, “And how the hell am I supposed to walk you, anyway? Can barely walk my fucking self.” Another aggressive stab. There was a lot of meat on his fork now. Rather than bringing it to his mouth, he glanced to Teddy. “You’re seriously doing those rituals? You don’t have to, man. It’s fine. We’re fine here.” 

—

A sly grin slid across the demon’s features as they worked, as they caught the look Emilio shot them. Teddy turned towards the little demon as it gobbled away at the meal.  “My sweet baby Gabs, you’ve gotten your lamb. I can make sure to send more food until pops comes home, would you please be sweet to the poor man? I know it’s very hard, he’s got a very bully-able face. Clearly he’s going through it, and needs some kindness in his life. That’s the least we can do.”  

Pleased with themself (obviously) Teddy returned to the ritual. Carefully outlining a few more runes and glyphs. Almost done. “You got a dog walker? Bougie.” Perro, the other perfect angel, was being a very helpful assistant to Teddy’s rite. Chilling on the couch and every so often giving a little huff of approval or otherwise. Brilliant. “Now I’m just gonna do them out of spite. Protest any more and I’ll add a ward that makes it smell like fresh baked cookies.” 

— 

As much as Gabagool hated the idea of being kind to the ornery private investigator, he cared more about being kind to Teddy, an extension of which was doing as the young demon asked. “Fiiiiiine,” he sighed dramatically, throwing one last glare in Emilio’s direction before settling in to finish off the rest of his meal. 

Plate cleaned, Gabagool hopped down from the basket and trotted beneath the table, stopping and parking his butt on the floor by Emilio’s feet. It was probably the closest he’d been to the man while not trying to bite at his shoelaces or some such antagonistic thing, so it was something of an olive branch, at least on his part. “Cookies? I think you should do that anyway.” He craned his thick neck around to glance up at Emilio, gaze meeting the slayer’s for a brief second before jumping to the food he wasn’t eating. “Not a sane person alive that doesn’t like the smell of cookies… especially chocolate chip. You really can’t go wrong there.” It was almost as if he was asking the man’s permission, which was yet another olive branch. 

—

Emilio returned Gabagool’s glare in kind, tossing a half-assed one in Teddy’s direction, too, just to cover all his bases. “I am not ‘going through’ anything,” he mumbled irritably. “And I do not have a bully-able face. I don’t think that’s a real word.” A bold accusation coming from someone who hardly spoke English, but he was pretty sure he was right. 

The demon came and placed himself on the floor beside his chair, and Emilio eyed him warily for a moment before determining that he wasn’t looking to cause problems. He did seem to be looking for seconds, and Emilio kept his eyes locked on the demon’s as he shoveled the sizable chunk of meat on his fork into his mouth, just to be contrary. He chewed intently and swallowed, the food settling like a stone in his stomach. Worth it, just to piss off the demon a little more. “I don’t want my apartment smelling like cookies. I have a business here, you know. Businesses do not smell like cookies.” Or maybe they did; it wasn’t as if Emilio was a successful businessman. 

With a sigh, he lifted the still mostly-full plate off the table and set it in the floor in front of Gabagool, expression warning the demon not to mention it lest the food be taken away. Unsurprisingly, the slayer wasn’t very hungry after all. With that out of the way, he turned in his chair to face Teddy. “The dog walker’s a kid,” he offered. “Won’t let me give her food or anything without doing something for me, so I let her walk the dog. She’s stubborn.” As if he had any room to talk. “Look, man, let me get you a beer, at least. Can I do that? To say thanks for keeping me from tossing that thing out the window.” He inclined his head towards Gabagool.

—

“I’m in my Shakespeare era. Making up words, inspiring people, not giving a shit about gender roles. The uszhe.” Teddy grinned before standing with a dramatic flourish. They put the very last of the lines on the floor, lit the candles and began the chant. It was an ancient language, bending it to the very modern will of a young demon just starting to fledge themselves on half-baked rites was tricky. But they’d perfected these small enchantments one by one. Lots and lots of trial and error. Teds wasn’t even sure Leviathan knew how much they’d done. Certainly not on the boat, certainly not why. A careful secret they kept, and yet another reason to keep the little gossip as pleased and happy as possible. 

The fabric of time and space seemed to waver, the apartment all at once felt like it was swirling in on itself and expanding out into the farthest reaches of the void. Just for a split second. Light poured around the demon and bled along the chalk until it became one with the wood below. Somehow Teddy didn’t think Emilio would be getting any security deposits back anyway, so it’s not like this would fuck up that situation. Besides, a place like this, what could it possibly be? Twenty bucks and a sticker? 

Everything settled back into place, and Teddy was fairly confident no one outside of the room would be any wiser to it. But the ritual had worked, they could feel the way the magic pulled and pushed around them. Powerful, like a newly plugged in air freshener. Teddy’s joint pain eased away, they sighed contentedly, then turned back towards the table to catch the very end of Gabs gobbling up everything on Emilio’s plate. “I’d take a beer, sure.” They pretended not to notice. They wouldn’t push it. Maybe Emilio still somehow thought Teddy was out to poison him. Like demons used arsenic instead of salt to season their lamb. “She sounds like a mini you. Where’d you find a kid like that, hiding in a dumpster?” 

—

Finishing the food on the plate he’d been offered, Gabagool resisted the urge to make an annoyed face at Emilio, true to its word to be nicer. Instead, he just got to his little feet, sneezed loudly, and trotted out of the kitchen, leaving the other two alone. 

He wondered if their conversation might take a more interesting turn if he wasn’t present—not that it hadn’t been interesting already. Plenty left unsaid. Plenty said that would require picking apart and digesting… maybe while the badalisc digested all that lamb. With a grunt, he hopped up onto the lumpy couch beside Perro and turned on the spot a few times before laying down, using the dog’s rear end as a pillow. He didn’t drift off to sleep, though, instead keeping one ear cocked toward the kitchen, curious about the nature of this relationship.

—

“I don’t know what this means,” Emilio sighed. The phrase felt like a familiar one, like he was in a constant state of not understanding. He felt like that a lot, with Teddy. They were so vibrant sometimes, rattling on and on about things Emilio never quite grasped. It wasn’t a bad feeling the way it had been in the beginning, though. Strangely, Teddy seemed to explain every time they noted Emilio’s confusion. Maybe it wasn’t as much fun rambling when the person you were rambling to couldn’t follow. That explanation, he thought, made far more sense than the idea that Teddy cared whether or not Emilio was confused.

He watched with some interest as the demon finished whatever it was he was doing, sending the apartment into a brief state of chaos before everything settled. Emilio had very little experience with magic. Some hunters worked with spellcasters, but the Cortezes had never been among them. Even if they had, Teddy’s magic certainly wasn’t that of a spellcaster. It was something all its own.

When they were finished, some of the old aches and pains that lived in the hunter’s bones seemed to retreat. His leg hurt a little less, his muscles loosened. The badalisc decided to fuck off, too, which seemed an unrelated but appreciated bonus. Moving around Teddy, Emilio made his way over to the fridge to retrieve two beers. “Actually, yeah. Found her in a dumpster.” He popped both bottles open and offered one to Teddy. 

It felt like an olive branch. A cold peace treaty in a bottle, signed in ink by the markings now etched into his floor. They weren’t friends; Emilio doubted they’d ever be that. But they could get along if they tried to. Maybe that could be worth something, bad first impressions aside.

—

[ellas-journey]

The Demon Slayer Timeline Part. 02

                      [Again Lots of Spoilers for obvious reasons]    Now we know that Urokodaki was active at the Edo Period [c. 1603-1868]. That does not say much since that is a 200-year era but let us resume that. 

   Japan would enter isolation, meaning there was no contact with the outside forces (well almost none) and people were forbidden to leave or enter the country- the famous Sakoku. The Shogunate would also start the bakuhan, meaning the tight control of the land.  The shogun would be switching the number of domains like they were pieces of a Go game. He also created a new code that commanded all the samurai, where he would tell the samurai to live frugally, wear appropriate clothing, continue they military training and not go crazy with entertainment (poor thing did not now that the last one did not serve for much). Lords would need the Shogun approval to marry. The "great barbarian-suppressing supreme general" (and if you read danmeis would think that those titles were an exaggeration) would keep Japan safe from the foreign, and the best way, was by isolating it.    With Japan locked into himself, and the government controlling everything and everyone, there were no more wars, and the samurai class turned into a warrior class just in name, staring to have his status as a hereditary one. They turned into clerks, night watchers, security guards, but extremely overdressed ones. On the other hand, we going to observe the rise of merchants and artisans. Even tho the samurai class still looked with bad eyes to these classes, they would be the ones that would create the new culture that the samurai would consume (and spoiler alert, they would become come rich than then).    Kabuki theatre would be born, shinju dramas (suicide dramas of course they would), the red-light districts were courtesans and actors would be the ones dictating fashions, mass publishing of books and art printing with the ukiyo-e, the shunga (erotic painting). All of this was a culture that was born during the times were Japan as closed over himself but still had its dramas that where sweep under the rug by the government. 

   Now just like with the Edo we must do a really quick rundown about the Meiji Era to understand the Taisho one. The Meiji Era [1868-1912] was the things that the Japanese knew started to change. After almost two centuries of peace, the Americans decided to knock on Japanese borders, and then them to open them with two options: yes or yes. Commodore Matthew Perry dropped anchor on July 1853. The Dutch that lived on Daneshima, the artificial island in Nagasaki warned the Shogun that the Americans would be returning some Japanese runways and look for some goods. The Shogun did not care. Perry was sent was sent way. Perry returned in February 1854 with even more less friendly terms -  they would start fire if they did not open the borders. He was then guaranteed the “Treaty of Kanagawa”.    “But all was no well. There was no way to put a healthy spin on the Shogun’s surrender to these terms. He failed his duties. There were already bellicose samurai domains who thought they could do a better job” Clements,2018. War started in January 1868 were rebels seized the imperial palace in Kyoto proclaiming that the power of the Meiji Emperor “has been restored”. More battles broke out after that, but surprisingly without much violence (amazing I know). “Modernization was now the keyword, starting with the moving of the capital from Kyoto to Edo, the city that had been the de facto center from 200 years; The emperor’s new home, where he took up residence in the departed shogun’s castle, was soon given a new name: the East capital, Tokyo” – Clements,2018. Most of the old daimyos were rebranded with a new set of European-like noble titles creating the “kazoku” or “glorious houses”.    The samurai, even if they fought for the restoration or against it, received a payment cut of 50%, and in 1871 they were freed from using their swords. They could chose wearing their swords or not as it was a matter of fashion. But in 1876 this preference turned to a ban. They were forbidden to wear swords, every-piece of the samurai status was being destroyed.    Once again, the keyword of the Meiji period was modernization but in a specific kind: westernization. Only learning the western way could the Japanese beat them. So, we going to see this quick change in which Japan leaves it's Edo characteristics to become like their European counterparts. Which would also mean that they would learn the not so good stuff. Yes I'm talking about imperialism. It will start with the Ainu and Ryukyu kingdoms to then turn to the continental lands. I will not go into detail into the various (VARIOUS) wars during this time, but the rising sun symbology, that is present on Tanjiro's earrings was not a good thing for non-Japanese. While in Tanjiro's case the earing might symbolise, the sun breathing and Amaterasu, during this time it was the flag of Japanese imperialism.

   Now back go Tanjiro’s Timeline aka Taisho Era [1912-1926]. Ah the Taisho era, the less problematic of the three Imperial eras. [ Spoiler alert: It is still problematic, but we are not here to talk about Japanese imperialism]. After fighting in World War I (in the good side for once) the West is going to evaluate Japan (and they ask why Japan acted the way it did). They realize that it is a well-developed country, but the government had its issues, mainly because new ideas and sects were being born so the Taisho emperor had to find a solution that is reflected in the election of various political parties for the government, that did not go so much as planed.    In 1921 Japan wanted to prove that it was not an aggressive country [AHAHAHAHAHAHA] and will agree with Washington that would maintain the Status Quo of the empire. There was this reduction of the military that would only end up with the older generation teaching the newer generation bigger hate speeches. But the Taisho emperor would die 5 years later, and his son Hirohito was not having all of his dad's bullshit. So, he will again give power to the military and that would start the Manchuria incident at 1931 what would be the beginning of a snowfall of incidents that would culminate in 1945. (So yes it is possible that the trio lived through the WW2).    Now at least we now that all of our favorite character had a chance to be reborn in our timeline, so it all goes well in the end, right?

Bibliography:   CHAPLIN, Danny. 2018- Sengoku Jidai: Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu: the three unifiers of Japan. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Ebook;   CLEMENTS, Jonathan. 2017 - A Brief History of Japan:  Samurai, Shogun and Zen. The extraordinary story of the land of the rising sun. Clarendon: Tuttle Publishing.Ebook;   HILLSBOROUGH, Romulus. 2017 - Samurai Assassins: "Dark Murder" and the Meiji restoration, 1853-1868. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. Ebook;   MANSON, R.H.P ; CAIGER, J.G. 1997 - A History of Japan. Clarendon: Tuttle Publishing, 1997. Ebook;

[blue-eyed-thing]

So memtioned before I've been reading more manga than watching anime. And I've got a HOT take, Demon Slayer purely story wise is mediocre.

Yeah the core group of characters are a fun shonen trio, but there are so many side characters that it's hare to even remember their fucking names rather than their techniques.

But story wise? Pretty fucking boring tbh, it gets away with it for the anime cause of the fucking gorgeous visuals. But the MEAT of it, the part that you should be talking about, the story is just so paint by numbers.

It's just boring.... I know it's seen as one of this gens big 3. But it boils down to, group goes to X location, meets new hashira, fights upper level demon, win but lose something, heal for a few months, do the same again. The overarching plot is very shallow.

I'm 50 chapters from finishing it, and I'm gonna finish it. And there is nothing wrong if you like it, but saying it's the greatest thing ever is just a lie. It's kinda standard popcorn shonen, and that is fine and has it's place, i fucking love dragon ball and put it in the same catagory, but saying it's doing something new is kinda just... wrong.