#Derrick Favors

[basketballjersey]

Derrick Favors

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Guilty as Sin? - Chapter Three

pairing: professor!javier peña x f!reader

rating: series is 18+ only, minors DNI, Derrick shows his true self, Javier comes to the rescue, depictions of SA (minor, though proceed with caution), mentions of alcohol consumption

word count: 4.2k

series masterlist

Friday night marked not only the temporary break from having to see Dr. Peña every single day, but also your stupid date with Derrick. He’d been out of the apartment when you woke up, him and Nina off at the gym. Alondra crawled into bed with you, her laptop in tow. 

“I don’t wanna go tonight,” you grumbled, drawing the blankets up to your face as she got comfortable beside you. “Just tell him I’m sick or something.”

“He’s been looking forward to this all week,” she reminded, pulling up Netflix. “Hell, for the last four years.”

“Yeah, well I’ve been dreading this for the last four years so where does that leave us?” you challenged. “I’m supposed to make myself uncomfortable just to make his little dream come true?” 

“I’m not saying that,” she sighed. “I’m just saying what harm could come from going to dinner with him? He’s your friend, just pretend you guys are grabbing food or something casual.”

“But he won’t want casual,” you snapped, throwing your blanket back so that you could get up. “He’ll want the full treatment.”

“There’s worse men to pretend to like,” she said, closing her laptop as she watched you tug on a hoodie and sweats. “At least he’s good looking and harmless.”

“Harmless as a friend,” you pointed out. “Who knows what he’s like on a date.”

“That’s why you should go,” she urged. “To find out if maybe that’s what was missing—“

“There’s nothing missing!” you shouted. “I don’t want him, not because I just haven’t seen how charming he is, not because I haven’t given him a chance. I don’t want him because I don’t want him. End of story.”

“Then don’t go!” she shouted back. 

“How? How am I supposed to turn him down when I’ve tried that for the past four years and he doesn’t give a shit. He’ll keep trying and trying until I finally cave, so I’ll fucking go tonight, but this is it. No more putting his feelings above mine.”

“Then I don’t know why you’re complaining.” 

You took a deep breath, finding the patience you knew you possessed but seemed so far away in this moment. Out of all people, you expected Alondra to understand your side of the situation. She’d never spent a day in her entire life thinking about what a man wanted, what they were feeling and how she might accommodate for it. And yet, here she was demanding that you not only go through with this but that you shut up while doing it. 

“I just want to be alone for a while,” you said, dejected and hurt. “It feels like the entire world is turning for him and I’m just here. You and Nina love him, I know, but what about me?”

“We love you,” she said, her brows furrowing. “It’s just that sometimes it almost feels like you avoid the things that you know will be good for you in favor of shit that’ll wreck you. We’re just trying to show you that Derrick is a good thing.”

You shook your head, wrapping your arms around yourself. “I’m gonna be at the library until my lab. Tell Derrick I’ll meet him back here at ten.”

“Don’t be like that,” she coaxed, following you into your shared bathroom to watch you brush your teeth. “Don’t be mad.”

Spitting out the toothpaste, you tried to ignore her guilt tripping. “I’m not mad, I just want to be alone.”

“Fine,” she said, meeting your eyes in the mirror. “Text me if you need me?”

“Mmhm,” you hummed, watching her leave the room knowing damn well she just earned a spot at the bottom of the list of people you’d reach out to.

Dr. Peña’s lab went by smoothly, the undergrads taking their first quiz of the semester in absolute silence as you got to work grading yesterday’s assignment. Dr. Peña had been taking careful glances at you, his brow furrowed with concern. Not that you could blame him. For the last two days you’d been dressing to impress, or more delusionally, to seduce, but today you’d shown up bare faced and in sweats. 

Setting his pen down, he cleared his throat and walked over to your desk, causing your tired eyes to lift to his. “Everything alright?”

You nodded, giving him a forced smile that only managed to deepen that look of concern on his face. 

“Just tired,” you lied in a whisper, shrugging your shoulders. 

“I know these late night labs aren’t the easiest—“

“No, no,” you assured. “It’s not the lab. Just…personal stuff.”

He lifted his chin in understanding, his fingers tapping against the wood of your desk. “Well, if you’d prefer, you can finish grading those at home. They’re just going to be taking the quiz tonight, so we’ll be fine without our prized TA.”

You smiled at the compliment—or at what you assumed to be one. “It’s fine. Home’s not very appealing to me right now.”

“The offer stands,” he smiled, soft and almost unnoticeable before walking back to his desk. 

Too bad you noticed every single thing he did. 

After the lab, you headed home to get ready for the punishment that was an hour spent at the snobbiest restaurant in Austin with your not-so-friend. Derrick was locked up in his room, no doubt trying to overcome his jitters while you did the same. Only your jitters felt more like tremors, something deep in your soul cautioning you against going. Still, you persisted. 

Slipping into a skirt and your favorite top that gave you the confidence necessary to walk into this situation with your head held high, your makeup flawless and subdued, your hair just the way you like it, you took a deep breath and opened your door to greet Derrick with a forced smile. 

“You look…wow,” he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. While you smelled his clean scent, there was also a hint of something else on his breath—tequila, perhaps? “No one’s gonna believe you’re with me.”

You cleared your throat, glancing at Nina and Alondra who stood in the kitchen eavesdropping. “Let’s go. Don’t want to be late for your fancy reservation.”

He laughed, nodding as he held out his hand for you to take. You pretended not to notice it and busied your hands with holding your bag and phone, which…

Fuck, you forgot to charge your phone. 

“My brother recommended this place,” he said, brushing off your rejection as he walked you out of the building and to his car. “It’s where he proposed.”

“Mm,” you hummed, still lost in your head. 

“You like sushi, right?” he asked, opening your door. 

“Yeah,” you nodded, slipping into the passenger seat. “We’ve been friends for how long now and you don’t know that?”

He chuckled, buckling his seatbelt. “I don’t pay attention to little shit.”

You stared at his profile with something akin to disgust, the realization that he’d never viewed this friendship in the same light as you finally dawning on you. “Friends usually try to pay attention to little shit like that.”

“Yeah, well we’re a bit more than friends,” he smirked, glancing at you before bravely moving his hand to your thigh. You jerked at the touch, pulling away from him to turn towards the window. “So, uh, how’s Peña’s lab?”

“It’s good,” you managed, counting the streetlights as they passed by. 

“That’s shocking,” he chuckled. “What, he’s not a dick to them?”

“He is,” you shrugged. “But not to me.”

“For obvious reasons,” he chided. “Alondra told me about the whole don’t wear a skirt thing. Sounds like a fucking creep.”

“It wasn’t like that,” you argued, turning towards him. “And you can tell Alondra I’d appreciate it if she didn’t tell you all of my business.” 

“She was just looking out for me,” he said, giving you a frown. “Can’t have your professor trying shit if we’re gonna give this a real shot.”

“Derrick, I don’t—“

“No, just…let’s keep this date free of all that pessimist shit,” he snapped, reminding you of his inebriated state. Fuck, and you were in a car with this shithead? “Tonight I want you to put all that trauma aside for once and keep yourself open,” he demanded, causing your heart to race. 

What would happen if you didn’t? Would he hurt you? Would he shit talk you to all your friends? Would he make something up?

“Fine,” you managed, balling your hands into fists as they rested on your lap. 

After a car ride spent listening to him detail his summer of luxury, the two of you found yourselves seated in the restaurant located on the opposite side of town. You’d only been out in this area once to celebrate your first anniversary with Micah, though that time you were forced to split the bill. Derrick wouldn’t have any of that, not with his trust fund and need to prove himself. 

You didn’t speak much at dinner, not because you had nothing to say but because he wouldn’t stop talking. He’d covered everything from the first birthday he could remember to the day he first met you when you were both frightened freshmen on campus. Perhaps the trip down memory lane would’ve made you smile if it wasn’t for his wandering hands beneath the table. 

When the bill was paid and the two of you were on your way out, you thought the terrible night had finally come to a close. But of course it hadn’t. 

Derrick surprised you by pulling you into a dark alleyway, his hands greedy as he pulled you against his frame. You felt his lips on yours, taking and taking and giving you not a damn thing but a sick feeling of alarm in your stomach. 

“Derrick, stop,” you hissed, pushing against his chest as he continued to lean in, caging you against the stucco wall. 

“You want me,” he rasped, nuzzling his nose against your cheek as his liquor-scented breath flooded your nostrils. “You’re just scared of it ending badly.”

“No,” you protested, continuing to push him away. “I don’t want any of this. I don’t feel that way for you.”

“Yet you showed up wearing this.” You froze as you felt his cold fingertips graze the outside of your thighs, inching his way closer to the hem of your skirt. “Just…let loose for once. Let your guard down and I swear you won’t regret it.”

“I already regret it,” you hissed, shoving him hard enough to cause him to drunkenly stumble back. “You’re drunk and acting like fucking dick.”

He shook his head, chuckling at your words or the situation, you couldn’t quite tell. “I want you.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“Four fucking years of waiting around, then you finally decide to go out with me, and now…what? You’re just gonna act like a tease?” 

“I’m going to beat the shit out of you if you keep talking,” you warned, though you knew your strength was no match for his. Still, female rage and adrenaline fueled you, coaxing you into not giving a fuck about the outcome. If he pushed any harder, you’d gladly fuck around and find out. “I’m leaving. Don’t follow me.”

“Stop,” he whined, grabbing your wrist to keep you from leaving. “Don’t be such a bitch.”

“I’m a bitch?” Fuck around and find out, it is. “I’ve been nothing but a good friend to you all these years, even knowing that you didn’t give a fuck about any of that. You’d rather I be in your sheets than in your life, that much is fucking clear now.”

“I’m just saying, it’s not cool to continue to give me hope—“

“I didn’t give you shit!” you yelled, yanking your wrist from his grasp. “How many times have we talked about this? How many times have you made me feel guilty for something I have no control over? I don’t want you, Derrick. I never have, and after tonight I certainly never will. Face it or don’t, but our friendship ends here.”

“We live together,” he reminded, stepping towards you. “You can’t avoid me like you avoid Micah.”

“Can’t I?” you chuckled, shaking your head. “You have no idea how easy it’ll be for me to pretend as if you never existed.”

He let out a huff of disbelief, shaking his head at you as if he had any right to feel disappointed. No, that right was yours alone in this situation. You thought you found a man who you could call a true friend, only to find out he was just as bad as the rest of them. Maybe worse given the way he manipulated you these past four years, all to earn your trust. 

You took off down the street, not caring about the looks you received from passersby. You just needed to get somewhere safe and call—

Fuck. Phone’s dead. 

With fear threatening to take over, you stumbled into the first open shop on the block, a very fancy looking cafe that was mostly stranded on the inside. Tugging down the hem of your skirt, you huffed a sigh in order to rein in the tears threatening to spill as you swung the door open. 

“Welcome in,” the older woman behind the counter greeted, giving you a judgmental once over as your heels clacked against the hardwood floor on the way to the counter. “What can I get started for you?” 

“I was just wondering if there was any way I could use your phone to call a cab? I promise I’ll buy something—“

“I’m sorry, we don’t allow customers to use our phones,” she frowned, a display of mock sympathy that threatened to wear down your last remaining nerve. 

“I understand, and I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t an emergency,” you pleaded. 

“I don’t know what to tell you, ma’am,” she sighed. “Phones are for employee use only. Perhaps you can find a payphone or—“

The woman was interrupted by a familiar voice calling your name. Stomach sinking to the floor, you turned to find Dr. Peña sitting in a booth by the window with his laptop. 

Fucking perfect. 

“Dr. Peña.” You greeted him with a sigh and a forced smile, reluctantly heading towards his booth. 

“Are you alright?” he asked, giving you a quick once over before lifting his eyes back yours. 

“Yeah,” you lied, giving him a quick nod. He tilted his head and you and gave you a look as if to say liar. Letting out the saddest, weakest laugh you might’ve ever uttered, you decided to hell with pride. “No, I’m…it’s been a long night.”

He ticked his jaw as he considered you for a moment, leaving you in sickening suspense. “What happened?”

“You don’t want to hear about all that,” you assured, wiping a tear from your waterline. 

“I do,” he insisted, nudging his chin towards the other side of the booth. “Sit down, I’ll get you a coffee.”

“You don’t have to—“

“Sit,” he ordered, that stern voice cutting through the clouds of self pity and anger still looming overhead. “How do you take your coffee?”

“Black is fine,” you lied, slipping into the booth as gracefully as your skirt would allow. 

It took him a few minutes to return, that time spent locked inside your head, watching a replay from an eagle's eye point of view. Derrick's hands on your body, his lips on yours, his vile claims and threats sounding over and over. 

“So,” he said, handing you your cup as he sat down in front of his laptop before closing it. “What happened?”

“I don’t…I don’t want anyone to get in trouble,” you prefaced, earning a hesitant nod. “Derrick—

“Mr. Crawley?” he asked.

“Yeah,” you nodded. “He’s been my friend for years now, we live together…but he has this really bad habit of not taking no for an answer.” Dr. Peña tensed, his jaw clenching. “That’s why I agreed to go out with him tonight, because I was just sick of having to explain that I only saw him as a friend. Thought I’d just get it over with, but that didn’t really go as planned.”

“Did he…try something?” he asked, his voice low and tense. You shrugged, questioning the entire interaction. If you hadn’t stopped him, if you hadn’t been brave enough to tell him no, would he have stopped? Did what he did really constitute assault? 

“I don’t know. Sort of,” you explained, tracing the rim of your cup as you spoke. “Dinner was shit enough, but then he cornered me in an alley, trying to cage me against a wall and…touch me, but I stopped him. Then he turned into this entirely different person than I’ve known all this time, called me a bitch and a tease. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize my phone was dead when I took off down the block, and now I’m stranded on this side of town. And truthfully, I don’t even know if going home is a good idea.”

Javier leaned back in his seat, raking his hands over his face. 

“I have a sinking feeling that if I go home, he’s just going to start shit again, which is the last thing I want right now.”

He nodded, understanding and sympathy in his eyes as he took a beat to think. 

“Firstly, I’m incredibly proud of you for sticking up for yourself. It’s not an easy thing to do, and you did it.” You refused to keen under his praise the way your heart demanded to. “If I’d have just put up with it—“

“Stop,” he said, shaking his head. “You did the brave thing and the right thing. He’s too fucking old to not know the difference between a woman who wants him and one who doesn’t. This shit is on him, alright?” 

You gave him a meek nod, still not able to look him in the eye. 

“I know you said you don’t want anyone to get in trouble, and I’ll respect that, but know that if you decide to report him, I’ll back you,” he offered, his eyes rounding and voice softening. “I don’t think you should go home. I—“ He sighed, lowering his hand to rest beside yours on the table. “I can drive you to a hotel, and if you need me to pay for it, I will. That way I’ll know you’re safe, and you’ll have your own space for the night.”

“No, that’s not necessary,” you assured. 

“No, it isn’t, but it’s late and you’ve clearly been through enough tonight,” he said. “But it’s your choice. I can call you a cab if that’s more comfortable.”

“Isn’t that…sort of against the rules? You giving me a ride?” 

He let out a soft chuckle. 

“It’s not ideal, but I don’t care about that right now,” he confessed, his pinky reaching out to brush against yours. “I just care about you being safe and comfortable.”

You bit your lip, eyes glued to his hand that seemed to be fighting an internal war over whether or not to reach out for yours. “I won’t feel safe and comfortable in a hotel. I’d just feel…alone.”

“I can’t,” he whispered to himself, moving his hand to his face. 

“Can’t what?” 

“Can’t do this,” he gestured between the two of you. “I can’t keep you company tonight.” 

“I didn’t mean—“

“I know what you meant, and I’m telling you I can’t let a student of mine crash at my place,” he sighed, conflict weighing on his face. “I’ll take you to a hotel and you can call a friend to stay with you.”

“I’m not going to let you pay for my hotel,” you protested. “That’s not happening.”

“Then what?” he asked, dropping his hand to the table. 

“I don’t know,” you snapped. “I’ll figure it out.”

“Here,” he handed you his phone. “Call a cab, they’re safer than an Uber.”

You stared at the unlocked screen, debating whether or not you truly wanted to handle things on your own or accept the help offered to you, even if it meant spending a night alone in a foreign environment, stuck with the flashbacks of Derrick’s hands on your body, his lips on your mouth. There was no safety in that, in being prisoner to awful memories you had no part in creating. The truth was that you needed him to distract you from yourself, and you didn’t care if you had to grovel or beg for it. 

“I’m asking you to please just…stay,” you whispered, too close to tears to speak up. “We don’t have to go to your place. We can go to the library for all I fucking care, I just don’t want to be alone. All my friends are his friends and I know what they’ll say about tonight. Everyone loves him, everyone wants to be his friend, and I’m just…around. They won’t believe me, and even if they do, they won’t see it the way I do.” 

Javier looked ready to tell me to fuck off and go find someone else to bother with all my problems, but threw me for a loop when he said, “Fine. Grab your coffee, and…here.” He held out a black leather jacket that smelled like him; whiskey, smoke, and warm spice. 

“Where are we going?” you asked, standing and draping the jacket over your shoulders as he gathered his things. 

“My office,” he said, his tone clipped and sharp. “It’s the only place where people won’t be around to see us. Not that I really give a shit, but you should.”

“You haven’t done anything but help me,” you offered. “I don’t care if people talk. You and I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“They don’t give a shit,” he countered, leading you out of the cafe. “Besides, we’re already breaking rules. Even if we aren’t acting on anything—“

“Is there anything to act on?” you probed, sticking close to him out of fear Derrick was still around searching for you. Dr. Peña shot you a knowing look over his shoulder. 

“There’s enough to drive me fucking crazy,” he admitted. 

You stopped in your tracks, shocked—and twistedly pleased—at his confession. He noticed your reaction, stopping to turn around and look at you with a pleading expression. 

“I didn’t mean—“

“I know what you meant,” you echoed his words from earlier. He ground his jaw and looked down at the sidewalk for a beat before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. You watched his lips mold around the cigarette as he took a deep drag, his brows furrowed as if he was in pain. 

“I’m not…” He shook his head again, looking up at the night sky. “I’ve been teaching now for five years. Never once have I done this shit. Never once have I let myself get involved. Until you.”

“Dr—“

“Javier,” he cut you off. “Call me Javier when it’s just us. It’ll make me feel better about how fucked up this is.”

“What’s fucked up about a woman in her late twenties and a man in his thirties talking?” you asked, stepping closer to him to feel a bit more of the thrill that did such a good job at blocking out all the bad shit going through your head. 

“I’m your professor,” he explained, watching you carefully. “There are rules against me developing this exact infatuation I can’t seem to fucking shake.”

“You’re infatuated with me?” you chuckled, more out of shock than amusement. Though you’d obviously sensed he saw some sort of potential in you that caused him to act like less of a dick than he did with everyone else, you’d have never guessed in a million years that he was interested in you. 

Javier chuckled darkly, stepping closer to you until you could smell his cologne. “Infatuated is an understatement.”

“And what would you say if I told you I was just as infatuated?” you asked, closing the gap between the two of you as you lifted your hand to rest on his chest. Not pushing him away like with Derrick, but beckoning him closer. 

He whispered your name, sending chills down your spin. “We can’t.”

“We’re not doing anything,” you countered, sliding your hand up to the back of his neck just to feel those soft brown waves that have been calling your name this last week. Javier grabbed your hand and lowered it gently, his thumb smoothing over your skin. 

“I’ll stay up with you tonight so that you can feel safe, but that’s it,” he whispered, his eyes darting across your face. “Okay?”

You wanted to frown, to throw a fit and beg him to not be such a stand-up guy, but that would be like asking a fish not to swim, the wind not to blow, a fire not to burn. He simply was a stand-up man and no amount of seduction could change that. “Okay.”

He let out a soft sigh, stepping away from you. 

“You’re lucky I have shit to grade tonight,” he joked, trying to lighten the mood. “You might consider helping me with some of that, TA.”

You chuckled, nodding. “After a nap.”

“Sure,” he chided. “Take it that’s code for hell no.”

“Would you look at that. You’re more clever than you look, Professor.” 

[anonymousewrites]

One Hell of a Love (Book 3) Chapter One

Sebastian Michaelis x Demon!Reader

Chapter One: One Hell of a College

Summary: Ciel is given a new assignment, and Sebastian and (Y/N) find a way to blend in at Weston College.

Mouse Note: We're jumping right into the plot! Also, MC and Sebastian as a couple looooove to, you know, be in love. Writing them makes me blush. But, welcome back to One Hell of a Love! I had a ton of fun writing the Public School Arc. I have no idea if my updates will get ahead of the anime so just be wary of that (I read the manga so sometimes I am unsure). But please enjoy, feel free to comment (it's encouraged because it helps me stay motivated), and welcome back to the series!

            “Hello, darling,” said Sebastian, smiling at (Y/N) as he finished plating Ciel’s afternoon tea. On the tray lay a letter from the Queen, the seal easily recognizable.

            “My love,” said (Y/N), letting him pull them in for a light kiss. “Sneaking kisses in the halls? How scandalous.”

            “But you tempt me so,” said Sebastian with a smirk. “How can I resist?”

            (Y/N) let out a light laugh before turning around to walk with him towards Ciel’s office. Since their confession, the pair of demons had been quite satisfied together. They doubted the humans knew they were together, but they didn’t care. Their connection was different than humans’, their relationship didn’t follow the rules set by the ruling class.

            Besides, (Y/N) and Sebastian were singularly minded demons. Sebastian still had a job to do, and (Y/N) was entertained enough to continue helping him. Having a relationship merely added to their enjoyment of existence together in the otherwise monotonous, dull living and contracts.

            What was a little fun with the demon they love if not adding spice to existence?

            Sebastian knocked lightly on Ciel’s office door, and Ciel acknowledged their arrival. (Y/N) opened the door, and Sebastian rolled in the cart. Pleased with himself as usual, Sebastian announced the day’s tea and cake combination. He also offered Ciel the letter from the Queen, but Ciel opted to eat his sweet treat before attending to business. Sebastian and (Y/N) suppressed amused smirks at Ciel pushing back work in favor of treats.

            Finaly, Ciel unsealed the letter.

            “ ‘To my dear boy,’ ” he read. “ ‘The Campania incident was a frightful calamity. Have you already recovered? Are you enjoying your Easter? For my part, though Easter is here at long last, I find myself unable to whole-heartedly enjoy the holiday as there is something that weighs upon my mind.

            “I am worried about Derrick, the son of my cousin Duke Clemens. Derrick is in the fifth form at Weston College. But for some reason, it seems he has not returned home since last summer. He used to write home every day, but his letters abruptly stopped as well…The anxious duchess has called at his house, but he refuses to return home and so on. If it was Derrick alone, we might chalk it up to a rebellious phase. However, other students have also not returned home. I wonder what in the world could have brought about this behavior.

            “Because his only son is acting thusly, Duke Clemens continues to lose heart…The whole affair has me very concerned indeed. I pray my loved ones can enjoy Easter in high, peaceful spirits as soon as possible. Victoria.’ ”

            Sebastian considered. “So, in short, Her Majesty has charged you to investigate the reason why students have failed to return home from Weston College.”

            Ciel nodded. “Public schools are independent institutions that refuse all government intervention, so it’s hard to lay a finger on them. Rather, those involved with the school don’t want to publicize their internal circumstances by making waves.”

            Sebastian raised a brow. “Worrying about appearances even at a time like this. My, my, this is why humans are so tiring.”

            “You understand vanity quite well,” said (Y/N), smirking.

            “I am one hell of a butler,” said Sebastian. “Of course I must act accordingly.”

            (Y/N) simply looked at him in amusement.

            Nearly rolling his eyes at their obvious flirting—Ciel was not nearly as oblivious as the other servants—Ciel spoke. “I’d like someone to infiltrate the school, but Weston usually only lets in the sons of aristocrats. Those with titles are few, and I’m acquainted with most of them. If it comes down to sneaking in, a disguise would be dangerous.”

            “So you will go as yourself?” said (Y/N), tilting their head.

            “I have no choice,” said Ciel, taking a sip of his tea. “And I certainly wouldn’t mind having the Queen in my debt. The problem lies not in whether or not there’s an open place at Weston.”

            “If there is none, you simply need to make one,” remarked Sebastian with a light smirk.

            “I’ll handle the investigation within the school,” said Ciel. “Sebastian, (Y/N), you will have to support me without being discovered yourself. How you go about it is up to you.”

            Sebastian and (Y/N) bowed. “Yes, my lord.”

            (Y/N) knew that that order—“up to you”—would be put to good, entertaining use.

l

            “What is our plan for assisting the Young Master?” said (Y/N), sitting down in the library of the Phantomhive Mansion.

            “You do not think we will simply lurk in the shadows until needed?” said Sebastian. “It would give us quite a few private moments.”

            “As lovely as that possibility is, I suspect you have more planned,” said (Y/N), leaning their head on their hand with a sharp grin.

            “Perceptive as ever,” said Sebastian, pleased at (Y/N)’s acumen. “I feel we can better keep an eye on the situation and gather our own information as housemasters.” As adults in the college, they would be able to go places at times students weren’t—imperative for investigations.

            “Playing professors?” (Y/N) considered. “I haven’t done that yet, and I rarely play a masculine role. It sounds fun.”

            “I’m certain you’ll do wonderfully,” said Sebastian. “And I look forward to seeing in a more masculine role.” He knew for damn sure he’d be just as attracted to them no matter what form they took—he loved who they were, not their appearance. That meant little to demons.

            He tilted his head. “However…we should try to craft the proper disguise for your role.” Sebastian put his hand on his chest. “I have the perfect outfit for myself, but we shall have to see how you look.”

            “I can look masculine,” said (Y/N).

            “You can,” agreed Sebastian. “But I want you to look dashing, not just masculine.” He smirked. “Come alone, darling.”

            “You’re doing this to play dress up,” said (Y/N), smirking as they stood to follow him.

            “Or to undress you,” said Sebastian.

            “You’re insatiable.”

            “Positively gluttonous~”

l

            “I think robes would add to the outfit,” said Sebastian as he finished buttoning (Y/N)’s vest.

            They rolled their eyes. “I can’t wear a professor’s robes until I am hired. This is enough, I’m sure.”

            They wore a dark grey button-up with black pants, a black vest, a tie, and a coat overtop (which would become robes if hired). Around (Y/N)’s neck hung a silver cross. Some religious figures would claim the demons wouldn’t be able to handle the holy symbol, but they would be wrong. Unless being used with some sort of religious or divine magic, they were fine wearing it. In fact, (Y/N) and Sebastian knew that being religious would help them get the jobs as housemaster and assistant—they’d be seen as intelligent, well-rounded individuals.

            “You do look quite handsome,” said Sebastian, brushing a hand over (Y/N)’s hair fondly. They had altered it slightly, too, in order to fall in a traditionally masculine style (the length would never matter, though, since men like Viscount Druitt were as respect as Lord Midford, it was just the styling to present more masculine). “However, we could run a test.”

            “Go on,” said (Y/N), smirking. They were looking forward to learning what Sebastian was suggesting.

            Sebastian stepped out of the room and called down the hall. “Mey-Rin, come here, please.”

            “Of course, Mr. Sebastian!” said Mey-Rin, running down the hall. She, unsurprisingly, tripped, but Sebastian caught her and set her upright before she could knock anything over.

            “Really, Mey-Rin, you must be more careful,” tutted Sebastian.

            “S-Sorry, I am,” said Mey-Rin sheepishly, red as usual.

            “Now that you’re here, I need you to see someone,” said Sebastian.

            “Is it a guest?” said Mey-Rin nervously.

            “If you’d like to classify them as so,” said Sebastian, his words avoiding a lie with practiced ease. He stepped to the side, and (Y/N) stepped into their masculine role.

            “Hello, Mey-Rin,” said (Y/N), smirking.

            Mey-Rin’s eyes widened, and a heavy blush appeared on her cheek’s like it did when she faced Sebastian. Obviously, she found this masc form of (Y/N)’s quite attractive (and who could blame her?)

            “Oh, uh, sir, uh, h-hello! Nice to meet you!” She bowed awkwardly and ran off.

            (Y/N) watched her in amusement. “I barely changed my form, and yet that’s the reaction I got.” They smirked at Sebastian. “I think this disguise will work perfectly. Humans always do love a nice face and figure~”

            “They do indeed,” said Sebastian.

            “And I know another being who likes to look at me,” teased (Y/N).

            Sebastian smirked with sharp teeth, not caring in the slightest to look away.

            “Now that we have our plans,” said (Y/N), continuing on, “We should ensure there are…job openings for us.” They glanced at Sebastian. “Don’t you agree?”

            “Indeed,” said Sebastian. “I’m sure there will be an opportunity quite soon.”

            They shared devilish grins which promised murder. They were going to have fun at Weston College.

l

            “Heave-ho!”

            The students of Sapphire Owl House threw their arms up, and Ciel was tossed up by the white sheet. It was an unusual welcome party (though Ciel had worried about hazing), but Weston College was already proving a bit…strange anyways.

            “Well, how do you like the traditional welcome of our house?” said Clayton, grinning. “Devote yourself to your studies all the more as a member of Sapphire Owl house, do you hear? Okay! Toss him higher next. One, two—”

            “What is the meaning of all this racket?” snapped an authoritative voice.

            “Dash it all!” cried one boy.

            “It’s the Housemasters!” said another, freezing as they realized they were caught.

            Ciel rolled haphazardly from the sheet to the ground with a yelp.

            “Clayton,” said a second calm, though commanding, voice. “An upperclassman such as you is involved in this? I’m ashamed.”

            “Explain yourself.”

            “Well, er, this is our house tradition…” said Clayton, formal as ever but a bit hesitant.

            “My, my, tradition is all well and good, but try not to overdo it.”

            Ciel looked up while someone knelt before him.

            “So you’re the new Phantomhive boy.” (Y/N) smiled at him with a hand outstretched. “Hello, I am Assistant Housemaster Noir.” Now their outfit was completed with robes instead of a jacket.

            “And I am Housemaster Michaelis,” said Sebastian, dressed in his own set of housemaster robes. His hair was pushed back, and glasses balanced on his face. He smiled. “Welcome to Sapphire Owl House.”

            Ciel’s eyebrow twitched. So this was how they planned to get in to Weston College. Ciel hated Sebastian as a teacher, and now he was stuck with him.

            Demons.

l

            Ciel, Sebastian, and (Y/N)’s time at Weston College commenced and was as British as it could be. It was a highly regulated school that raised its students into diligent workers and well-rounded men while also catering to aristocrats. Now, they tried to teach diligence by having the boys do certain chores occasionally, but when Ciel had to clean the dining hall…It of course became Sebastian and (Y/N)’s chores instead of Ciel’s.

            “Sebastian,” he called, pulling off his eyepatch.

            In an instant, Sebastian appeared beside him, and (Y/N) only took a moment longer to follow Sebastian.

            “Right here,” said Sebastian.

            “Already calling upon help? My, not even a day has passed,” said (Y/N).

            Ciel ignored the teasing and faced them with his hands on his hips. “It seems that Derrick has been transferred to another house.”

            “We did check the student roll and found the same information,” said Sebastian, flipping the clipboard paper over. “His name is on the list of Violet Wolf residents.”

            “An abrupt change,” said (Y/N). Their nose twitched. They didn’t trust it.

            “He should be at his house now,” said Ciel. “I’ll go there directly, so you tidy up here.”

            “Very good, sir,” said Sebastian, bowing as Ciel ran out of the room.

            “Now, then,” said (Y/N), taking off their long robes and surveying the mess in the dining room. “To work, Sebastian?”

            “To work,” confirmed Sebastian.

            He smirked. They were about to clean this room so well that it would be inhuman. (Poor Ciel was going to be heralded as an excellent cleaner and be asked to do it more often. He’d hate that, and what was Sebastian to do if not make some small irritation for his master?)

l

            Sure enough, once the dining room was spotless and Ciel had returned (unsuccessful) from Violet Wolf, he was giving great praise by Clayton at the amazing job he’d done cleaning.

            “Mr. Michaelis, Mr. Noir!” said Clayton as he spotted the housemasters. “Please feast your eyes on the dining hall! Phantomhive put it in order.” He patted an irritated, exhausted Ciel on the shoulder.”

            “Nice work, Phantomhive,” said Sebastian with an innocent smile while Ciel glared at him.

            “Truly an excellent job,” said (Y/N).

            “You, too, sirs,” said Ciel, gritting his teeth. Then, he paused. He could use this to his advantage. He needed to get close to the Prefects, and since Clayton was Bluewer’s Drudge…he needed to get close to Clayton.

            “I’m very glad to hear that my work pleases you so!” said Ciel, suddenly grinning brightly. He put on a performance of boyish gratitude and eagerness. “You see, I’m actually quite good at housekeeping and such!” He saluted. “So, please, Clayton, consider me at your service whenever you need aaanything done.”

            What a brat, offering up our services, thought (Y/N). That being said, his manipulation of others was entertaining. They supposed it was a fair tradeoff.

Taglist:

@technikerin23

@im-making-an-effort

@izzieg3987

@jinxxangel13

@alexpangender

@otomyoli

@neenieweenie

@nex-crowley

@anxious-chick

@bellacastiel

@v1l-ismissing

@agentdedf1sh

@iamsexytrash

@oceansfloor

@sarkzjam

@temporarilyablog

@elaemae

@urlocalsabito

@roo024

@ittomain1

[randomanimeandmangablog]

I would love an au where the Phantomhive family murders and the fire never happened and Vincent needs to get to the bottom of Derrick Arden's disappearance himself:

He would absolutely enroll the twins as a way to get into the school. At least R!Ciel, but O!Ciel, too, if his asthma was under control.

As far as a reason to hang out on the grounds, I think he would try to play the nostalgic alumnus and propose some fundraising event.

Of course he would offer to fund and organize the festivities, and he'd have Alexis and Diedrich join in to try to make it appear as though they are just generous former students overcome with find memories of the school.

He'd probably have someone hired as a teacher, too.

The twins would be sorted into different houses. Vincent would be so proud to see O!Ciel in his old house, and he'd pretend not to be disappointed when R!Ciel was in Scarlet Fox house.

He wouldn't have his sons involved in most investigations, and he wouldn't tell them everything. But he would try to get any info they happen to pick up and encourage them to curry favor with the prefects and their drudges.

O!Ciel would grow as a person with the chance to be away from his brother. While his tactics aren't nearly as dark and scheming, he still manages to win the cricket tournament through underhand tactics. Vincent is so proud of his boy for cheating.

[shivsdownstairsneighbour]

Closer - End of the Line

Pairing: Stewy Hosseini x Fem. Reader Description: You get hired for a photoshoot with the man behind Maesbury Capital for a GQ-style magazine. Shooting is often all about the price. Rating: General/Teen Word Count: 2.8k AN: Hope you enjoyed it as much as it to ideate it! All photos from which I drew inspiration were done for the GQ article and the NYT article. Props to Erik Tanner and Derrick Leung for giving everyone a vision.

You arrive to the studio just in time to start setting up the equipment and doing test shots to determine the flash intensity. The magazine gave you a list of shots that you would be best to prepare for the feature. The videocall with the stylist was a good opportunity to start making up an idea of what the vibe was going to be with the outfits. You decided it would be best to approach the shoot with some Black and Whites, focus on lighting and keep the backgrounds simple. The man in question was running late and, while you were comfortable with the conceptual proposal for Flux, you didn’t know how at ease the subject would be with trying more artsy pictures and not the classic Bloomberg profile portrait.

“Hey! So, it might take him at least another 20 minutes to arrive. Are you booked after this?”

“Not really, I would’ve just appreciated to be able to finish early so I could get the contacts back to you today.”

“You have until tomorrow night, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”

You were starting to get bored so, in the meantime, you Google a little more about your subject to see if that gives you any additional hints on how to relax him in front of the camera. The headlines were a mixture of financial press and good old classic gossip. On the financial side, Maesbury Capital was almost as getting a visit from the Grim Reaper confirming you were a dead man walking. His word made the difference between a lifeline or the dissolution of whatever you had going for your company. The pictures were classical portraits with him sitting in front of the camera, not doing much aside from looking straight into the lens.

The gossipy headlines were from years past. They portrayed a youth where there were frequent clubbing outings with models, socialites, and actresses around. Some shots were almost from 12 years ago and, while paparazzi would always be pesky with those under the spotlight, he seemed to be out of that circle and into galas. He looked good without the beard during his youth and, in his 20’s, he must’ve been quite the player in the NYC clubbing scene. In either case, he was favored by the camera, so that was not going to be hard to replicate.

In the meantime, you were blasting some rock and pop songs, testing the waters of what could work best to set a mood. You started to bop to some of the songs when the knock on the door alerted you of the arrival of the man of the hour.

“Mr. Hosseini, let me introduce you to our photographer for the day.” He went on to shake your hand as you introduced yourself. “She’ll walk you through the plan as we have two outfits planned.”

He was handsome indeed and he matched the description of both gossipy and financial news. Bloomberg and People agreed on his presence being imposing and how he could command any room he walked into. The one he shouldn’t be able to control was precisely yours as you were the lead during the session, but it would remain to be seen as the pause between your introduction and your next sentence showed a crack in the process.

“Yes! So, we will start with the lighter pictures, making use of the set we have here.” You said, pointing to the indoor area with the flash rig you had created. “And then, once you’ve change to the second outfit, we move outdoors, and we try some high contrast stuff.”

“Okay.” He said, looking at the set as he was processing the brief, before looking at you. “Where do you want me now?”

“Dead center of the set, please.” You were determined to take back your shoot, so as the make-up crew were finishing some final touches once he was under the lights, you took a couple of sips of your coffee to ground you back to reality.

He was sitting, in perfect composure waiting for your instructions. You stood beside him with the exposure meter angled to his face to get a reading for setting up the camera. The proximity gave you a whiff of his perfume. A luscious fragrance, mixing some strong hints of coffee and cigars. The session would get increasingly harder to control if you were going to keep getting distracted with anything pertaining him.

“I’ve always wondered what that is.” He asked, searching for your eyes.

“Exposure meter” You responded, looking chill outside, cancelling the train of thought coming from that gaze inside. “We wouldn’t want to have you look like a ghost on the pictures.”

“Is it even possible?”

“Today, yes. We’re shooting black and white.”

“Any particular reason for that?”

“I think it gives a more intimate, timeless vibe to the shots.” He smirked, seeming pleased with your response.

Picking up your camera gave you back the sense of control you needed. You configure it to the meter readings and started shooting some pictures to confirm everything was according to plan. He looked dazed by the first couple of flashes but regained the composure by the final practice shot. He was a natural in front of the camera, as the third shot was already useful.

“We’re now set to begin Mr. Hosseini. We’ll go for a bit of a chat to get some candid shots, and for others I’ll ask you to pose for the camera.” He nodded affirmatively. “Any questions or music requests?”

“Yes, one.” You raised your sight from the viewfinder. “It’s just Stewy if we’re going get intimate with this.”

“Alright then.” You shield yourself with the camera to hide the hints of blush that appeared after the statement. “Stewy, would you mind angling yourself ¾ for me?”

The initial pose was awkward, but after showing with your body that you were expecting his torso to be in profile with the face angled more towards the camera than out of frame, he started nailing your vision.

“First question, where are you from?” You asked, standing in front of his seat, at eye level from him, and safely shielded away from any direct contact with the camera between both of you.

“Originally, Iran, though I should count myself as a New Yorker after a lifetime here. You?” You answered with the summarized version of your life. You had made it to New York on an arts scholarship that eventually led to your big shot.

You asked him to keep the body posture and change facial angles, but this outfit seemed to be running its course faster than expected. He also seemed to be out of his element with the jacket open, showing the shirt. You asked for a 5-minute pause to check how they were coming along. One was useful, but the rest were giving you very little to work with.

“Are you comfortable with this?” You asked, pointing at the open jacket.

“I can be if you ask me to.” He says, testing the waters with how far he can go with subtle comments.

“It doesn’t work that way. I want you to be you, not business you.” You were probably too in control to notice he was trying to flirt. However, that didn’t matter as you were feeling stressed about the lack of potential in the initial shots.

He started closing the jacket and you snapped pictures of the process. As he was settling the collar, he was getting dazed by the number of shots you were trying to milk out of the process.

“Hey, hey” He tried to get your attention. “Is this really necessary?”

“Everything can be good material.” You said, trying to appear more serious than what was needed from behind the camera.

“Can we pause for a minute?” He said, playfully trying to grab the camera lens. “I’m getting blinded here.”

You pull the camera down, to find him standing closer than what you expected. You get a renewed whiff of the perfume, now having interacted with the leather jacket.

“Is this how it’s supposed to go? You were so relaxed before.” Stewy looks intently at you, leaving the distance of the camera in your hands be the only thing separating you two.

“I’m sorry about that but I need you to do your thing, without minding me, for the candids.” This made you pull your guard down and steal a glance from him being so close. The little glimpses of grey in his beard suited him so well.

“Can I see what I’m doing? Just for reference.”

You show him the monitor with the pictures already taken and give him a few comments. You make a mental note that the candid of him trying to grab the camera is definitely going for final selection. The left side lighting managed to capture the light contrast coming from his streak of grey hair and he looks relaxed. With some additional instructions, Stewy gets the hang of the candids and you repeat a couple of shots with the jacket open.

By now, you’ve learned that he studied at Harvard Business School, quit his rising career in McKinsey for starting Maesbury, and had been to some of the most exclusive bars around. You also start easing behind the camera, letting the atmosphere lighten from your initial absolute grip on the course of the session. He had an imposing presence, but you were guiding how that would translate into the shots.

“I’ll check one final time the monitor, but I think we’ve run this outfit’s course!” You said cheerfully, placing the camera on the table after almost half an hour of continuous shots. Stewy stands behind you, peeking from above the shoulder some of the final outcomes. A playful “No peeking” leaves your lips, making him laugh.

“How can I approve in which I look best if I can’t see them?”

“You won’t. I’m the one getting paid for that.”

“Controlling, I see.” He gave you a side glance before following the styling assistant for the outfit change.

In the meantime, you take a break to gulp the coldest water bottle on sight and start making notes of which pictures you’ll preselect for the contact sheet. You could trace the simultaneous process of you two getting comfortable with your roles. He let go the initial stiffness and you got comfortable directing him. Knowing the next shots were outside, gave you the full confidence you could finish with some quality content. You leave with your camera to the side of the building where the studio was located and start doing some practical shots for adjustment.

While you had seen the outfit pictures from the stylist’s videocall, nothing could prepare you for the final result. If he was looking in control with the first outfit, this one clearly settled who was commanding anything moving forward. The ultramarine blue outfit was doing a number or two on both of you. Stewy was clearly on his element, an impeccable tailored suit, giving him an almost regal look. The blue contrasted with the darkness of his hair and eyes and was ultimately elevated with a watch on a matching color. You were dreading to go with the exposure meter because every step tempted you more towards touching at least the suit lapels.

Standing in front of him, you got it close enough to his face to get the reading and exchanged a determined glance. You were not about to lose it so close to the finish line.

“Are you always so stately in your daily life?” You said standing in front of him, holding your ground.

“Do you mean in control?”

“No, stately. The suits, the watches, the whole cold business persona.” You say taking your stance behind the camera, ready to shoot.

“So, you’ve done your research.” He was standing full frontal, fixing his lapels as you started to shoot.

“I’m asking because that’s all the reference shots I had of Stewy the financier.” The lack of an external flash would give him less hints of any incoming shots. While he could put up more resistance to the guidance, you could get other shots, in motion, that otherwise wouldn’t come.

“What do you know about finance?”

“As much to know you’re like a death sentence.” The response made Stewy smirk and try to pierce the distance between the camera and you after your response.

“Some would call it the circle of life.” Something ticked in him, and he was determined to get his way.

“What’s in it for you? Power tripping?” You crouched to get a lower shot, angling towards getting his hands at eye level.

“Money, definitely. And control.”

“Is that why you want to select the shots? Or are you scared of what finance bros will think of this?” You said teasingly, though keeping a serious tone to match the severity with which he was looking.

“What do you want out of this spiel?”

“You.” You punctuated. “Show me you in absolute control.”

The next shots were a blur. No softness in his eyes, pure and unabridged desire to have it all laid at his feet. You try a couple of takes without the suit jacket to impressive results too. The dark background highlighted his greys and enhanced the depth of the blue suit. It made the exposed parts of him become accent pieces on an otherwise monotone setting.

“Is that what you were looking for?” He said once you lowered the camera and placed it across your chest.

“I’ll let the monitor be the deciding factor.” You say before spotting one final potential angle, something to be playful with since you had made none of those shots. “Before we finish, how about you give me one final angle? An extreme close-up if you will.”

Stewy stands by the doorframe, sunlight hitting his left side. You’re standing a step away from him, enough to get the scene in but benefit still from the extreme close-up angle.

“Do you want me to still dominate you?” He asks, his voice soft enough to make it seem an innocent remark despite the angle you’ve recently explored for the other poses.

“I highly doubt you ever were.” You respond, pulling your confidence out while counting on the camera as a shield. Stewy raises his hands, almost as a sign of a faint victory for himself, shooting a smirk from behind them. His eyes, while on the side, are still fixed in you. The confidence of Stewy Hosseini in one picture, you thought.

Once you walk back and plug the camera back to the screen, you start deciding what could work best for the contacts. You’d let the editors decide, but you were already partial on a five-picture set that would be best for the article. He was taken immediately to get changed and finalize the profile, so he didn’t get a peek of the final shots. The last moments outside had really made you see him in what he must incite in people once he walks into a meeting room. You surrender, let things take its course, and put some resistance but as a method for self-preservation more than salvation.

He came out of the dressing room on another stately suit, yet this was the actual one he had been wearing while you were setting up and chilling in the studio. He was wearing a sweater underneath instead of a shirt, giving it a more casual and welcoming presence.

“Do you have anything else to do afterwards?” He said placing a hand on the upper part of your back. Nothing suggestive until, as you two walked towards the studio entrance, the hand started sliding down towards the lower end of it and you were walking beside each other.

“I wasn’t so sure before, but I might now.” His raised eyebrow gives you an open window for proposing what you had in mind. “Have you ever heard of Rhomboid?”

“Do you know anyone?”

“A couple of friends are organizing it.”

“I’ll pick you up.” He handed you his card and you took it with the hand closest to him. “Dinner will be my treat.”

“In that case, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.” You stop besides his car, and you hand him one of your business cards from your camera bag.

“Pleasure’s all mine.” As his car goes off into New York traffic you head home ready for a night about town and the new venue your friends scored for this week’s party. You’d have time tomorrow to sort the pictures out. But, tonight, it was all about power dynamics.

[gutfaced]

28 and 37 for the ask game? (and happy birthday!!!!)

Which fic is closest to your heart? — i honestly want to say mother, because cassia means a lot to me and the way her life goes is very tragic. she's undermined by her mother in favor of her sister, and undermined by her husband in favor of an uprising. her mothering is a thankless job if not for the happiness her boys do bring her. she's so loving and so selfless in so many ways and still gets the brunt of misery.

Pick one of your fics and share three songs to go with it — wound in the armor, with respective songs: hound dog, big mama thorton // layla, derrick & the dominos // who's sorry now, connie francis.

if you read the fic, i think you'll understand the choice of lyrics. the first song about cassia's refusal to defend hasil throughout his endeavours. the second being hasil's bargaining in response. and finally, cassia accepting his death and allowing herself to avoid mourning.

[medea10]

My Review of Black Butler: Public School Arc

I’ve made no secret about my love for Black Butler. It has everything I could ask for. Sexy butler, cheeky brat, flaming gay reaper, stoic sexy reaper, J. Michael Tatum’s sexy voice for the sexy butler, Junichi Suwabe’s sexy voice for a sexy undertaker…Ahem, so yeah. It checks off a lot of boxes. And looking at my calendar, it has only been a mere 10 years since the last Black Butler season.

I thought I was needlessly cruel to Blue Exorcist for being away for only 7 years. To be fair, Black Butler did have a few things after the Book of Circus arc in 2014. Book of Murder came out in 2015 and Book of the Atlantic came out in 2017. Still, a long time without this story. Thankfully, at the Aniplex special in 2023, they gave us the return of several shows produced by Aniplex including Madoka Magica, Blue Exorcist, and of course, Black Butler. And the next story in this tale would be the Public-School arc where Ciel goes undercover once more for the queen to uncover a massive spoiler alert.

Now, let me try and remember things correctly as it has definitely been a minute since I read this in the manga. If I remember correctly, no we do not see Grell and William in this arc. If we do, it’s probably a flashback of some sort. I also don’t think we’ll see Sebastian’s love of felines this season. And if I also remember correctly, there’s a term used. A certain three-lettered “F” word that was used. And I’m wondering if Crunchyroll would be fool enough to use that word.

AND WE DODGED A BULLET!

Also, Black Butler will now be animated by Cloverworks.

Shit! Look, I know nearly every anime I’m watching now is going through the change. Konosuba, Blue Exorcist, Spice and Wolf, all of those changed studio hands. But I still have a severe distrust of Cloverworks. I know they’ve done some really good gems like My Dress-up Darling and Bocchi the Rock. But then you remember what they did not too long ago with some other animes. Wonder Egg Priority and the second season to The Promised Neverland comes to mind. I really don’t want any more fuck-ups here. Black Butler already suffered enough with creative differences when we got season two.

HISTORY: After a family tragedy that claimed the lives of his parents, Ciel Phantomhive was in a terrible situation that seemed to get worse and worse. At his lowest low, he makes a contract with a demon named Sebastian. Ciel sells his soul to the demon in favor of revenge on those who have wronged him. After fulfilling most of that, Ciel and Sebastian live in Ciel’s family home where Sebastian is now his butler.

Despite his young age, Ciel has not only the family business to attend to, but duty to the queen of England. His title is known as the “Queen’s Guard Dog”. Sebastian aids young Ciel in many situations for his job. From solving a Jack the Ripper case to infiltrating a circus, to solving a case involving zombies on a luxury liner.

PUBLIC SCHOOL: Once again, Queen Victoria has asked for Ciel’s help. This time it’s to get some insight on a member of the royal family (Derrick Arden) who appears to have gone missing from a prestigious school he was attending. Much like with Book of Circus, Ciel is in unknown territory and must put on an act to survive his new settings. This time, Ciel must become a student at the illustrious Weston College. Unfortunately, Ciel must start at the bottom and do as he is told by his senpais, headmasters, and the schools P4.

The Prefect Four (P4) are these four special lads that are head of certain households. Edgar Redmond, Herman Greenhill, Lawrence Bluewer, and Gregory Violet are the four that head up each special house. Each student is assigned a house and currently, it looks as though Ciel is in the Sapphire Owl dorm headed up by Bluewer due to Ciel’s earldom and family status. To add to Ciel’s plate, getting into any other dorm is troublesome as there’s bad blood between the four houses. Not to mention, snot-nosed little shits deceiving Ciel for petty reasons. And of course, going to school with his betrothed’s brother as well as a certain loud-mouth friend.

LICENSING: Black Butler has had an interesting time in the licensing arena. A couple of years after debuting in Japan, FUNimation licensed, dubbed, and released it. Hell, they were nice enough to license Book of Circus, Book of Murder, ye who shall not be named, and even have the movie Book of the Atlantic released on the big screen. During this time, FUNimation did drop Black Butler from its category. To be fair, they did the same thing to Full Metal Alchemist. A big fuck-up if I’ve ever seen one. But it gained it back. And now, Crunchyroll has it. With the death of the FUNimation website, Crunchyroll has every piece of Black Butler (anime) media.

Mm-hmm, y’all better have Brina Palencia and J. Michael Tatum coming back.

Well, shut my mouth! Okay, I’m fine by this. I love how they sound exactly the same as they did all these years ago.

Actually, they managed to get everybody to their original roles. Todd Haberkorn, Jerry Jewell, Cherami Leigh, Ian Sinclair, Monica Rial, John Swasey, Justin Briner, and many others came back to voice their respected characters. Not so sure about Patrick Seitz voicing Agni just yet. And as for Prince Soma…Um, next category please!

SADLY, THIS CHANGE: A couple of years ago, voice actor Christopher Ayres went through hell with lung cancer, COPD, and massive surgery. However, his long fight came to an end in October 2021 as he passed away. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk about Chris Ayres as I seem to have stopped writing DBZ reviews, but since he plays a key character on Black Butler, might as well do it here. There are several characters he still played up until his sickness and death, so it’s sad to see their character when they come on screen. I am definitely going to miss him as Frieza as he is best villain of that show. But, I did like his Prince Soma. Thanks for the memories!

With. That. Said…

*Soma is now played by Abi Kumar

NEW CHARACTERS: Being in a prestigious all-boys school, there’s bound to be a lot of interesting new characters. Oh-ho-ho, you have no idea. There’s the fake femme boy with the worst name possible. Lizzie’s older brother is there and is a drudge to a prefect. And then there’s the boy who shit his britches. It was more tragic than…whatever that scene in Prison School was. For this category, I’ll focus on the Prefect 4. These four play a bigger role as the arc delves further in plot wise.

First, there’s Edgar Redmond (the one in red), the head of the Scarlet Fox dorm. He has this charm that can woo the panties off ladies. It gets worse I’m afraid. Because it has been several years since reading this arc that I have forgotten completely that Viscount Idiot Druitt is his uncle. Forgotten the relationship, never forget what he did to Ciel.

Lawrence Bluewer (the one in blue) is head of the Sapphire Owl dorm (the dorm Ciel is in). He, along with everybody else in the dorm is more on the strategian spectrum than anything else. While good for grades, it’s not really good for competitions like you’ll see halfway into this arc.

Herman Greenhill (the one in green) is the head of the Green Lions and I’m pretty sure Erwin Smith’s doppelganger. Their dorm, pure strength. Just don’t get caught on the wrong side of this guy’s cricket bat. Hahaha, foreshadowing!

And finally, Gregory Violet (the one in purple) head of the Violet Wolf dorm. His dorm is full of those artistically inclined. This guy is crazy talented with his art. But, he does come into some suspicion as the missing person Queen Victoria asked Ciel to look into was actually in the Violet Wolf dorm.

JAPANESE CAST: *Redmond is played by Toshiki Watanabe

*Bluewer is played by Junya Enoki (known for Yuuji on Jujutsu Kaisen, Nasa on Tonikawa, Inui on Tokyo Revengers, Red Blood Cell on Cells at Work: Code Black, Naoya on Girlfriend Girlfriend, and Jack on Beastars)

*Greenhill is played by Shunsuke Takeuchi (known for Takeda on My Senpai is Annoying, Varis on YGO Vrains, and Askin on Bleach: Thousand Year Blood)

*Violet is played by Tatsumaru Tachibana

ENGLISH CAST: *Redmond is played by Reagan Murdock (known for Hayakawa on Chainsaw Man and Itsuomi on A Sign of Affection)

*Bluewer is played by Brandon McInnis (known for Sir Nighteye on My Hero Academia, Hitogami on Mushoku Tensei, Finral on Black Clover, Gyuutarou on Demon Slayer, and Mafuyu on Given)

*Greenhill is played by Jonah Scott (known for Legoshi on Beastars, Tatsu on Way of the House-husband, Raiden on 86, and Akihiko on Given)

*Violet is played by Kieran Flitton

ENDING: Ciel is making his long journey into finding Derrick Arden and the other missing boys for Queen Victoria. It’s just long and tedious. Ciel already made waves with the P4 by becoming a drudge’s drudge. But then, he managed to calculate a win in an annual cricket tournament. Something that Ciel’s dorm has been unable to do since his father Vincent Phantomhive attended the school. All of this is to meet with the school’s headmaster. This guy is elusive and is rarely seen, and yet his rule is absolute and must not go against his word. How elusive is elusive? A demon like Sebastian couldn’t even get his hands on him. That should tell you something.

Ciel will actually meet this mystery man as Ciel was invited to have midnight tea with the headmaster, the prefects, and their drudges. There, Ciel decided to get right to the point and start asking some questions, mostly about the disappearance of Derrick. Ciel is then one-upped as the missing person the queen asked to look into is staring at him right in the face. Why all the secrecy? Derrick is really dead. Not just that, but now part of the undead. Not just that, he was murdered and used as a zombie puppet by the headmaster.

Hmm…why does this have a whiff of the movie Book of the Atlantic? Because the headmaster is none other than Undertaker himself. Mmm and Junichi Suwabe is still voicing Undertaker in Japanese. Ugh, John Swasey is still voicing Undertaker in English. Continuing.

It was then that we got a couple of flashback scenes that explain to people who have forgotten Undertaker’s role as it’s been so long since Black Butler has been on. Now, do keep in mind that Clover Works is in charge for this one season. And we get a retelling with the new animation. And we see one second of Grell! I am fine with this. Undertaker’s appearance was because Redmond’s disgusting uncle had him come to take care of a problem. And that problem?

The prefects killed Derrick. Yeah, he wound up on the wrong side of Greenhill’s cricket bat. I told you not to get on this man’s wrong side. Things between Derrick and the prefects were fine at first. Derrick was Redmond’s drudge and I gotta say, Redmond has the worst judgement of character as we see several of his own drudges doing shady things behind his back. In Derrick’s case, it was hazing. Not just that! He beat the shit out of the students with the most talent and potential, to take it as his own to impress the prefects. But wait, there’s more. He’s got not only certain students, but one of the higher-up faculty members wrapped around his finger. Weston is corrupt and the prefects are quite disgusted by this turn of events. The only way to fix the problem is to murder them all. Murder Derrick, his cohorts, and even the teacher. While Derrick and his friends were kinda failed zombies, the teacher seemed to pass off as normal.

…I mean close to normal as zombiely possible.

Now that everything is out in the open, it’s time for a fight against the supernatural. Eh, not really. Yeah, Sebastian played it out in his head how his fight with Undertaker would go down. It would have ended with Ciel being kidnapped by the laughing reaper. Undertaker escapes, he lives to laugh another day. Sebastian and Ciel are left with taking care of the zombie boys and then having to report back to the queen about this wild predicament.

In the aftermath, Ciel reported everything he learned back to Queen Victoria. Her fascination with the undead raises eyebrows from the audience, but Ciel will find out when he finds out. In the meantime, the public will be given a false story about Derrick and the other missing boys deaths. Clumsy zombie professor as well! Redmond, Greenhill, Bluewer, and Violet are all expelled from Weston. Their drudges have been promoted to prefect. But no one is happy by this. Those drudges were there that night and learned everything. Like a British P.I.F. or Princess Margaret’s love life, there is no happy ending here.

Okay, one episode left. Now what? It’s like a normal episode of Black Butler. Normal in the sense that the episode revolves around Ciel, Sebastian, the crew that runs the household, a few particular run-ins, business talk, and loud hijinks. But during the episode, Sebastian and Ciel come across a little something. As Sebastian got a hold of a certain trinket of Undertaker’s, he was able to do some research and learn that there’s some special people’s names on it. One name in particular caught Ciel’s eye as it’s his late grandmother. So, Undertaker has been doing stuff with and to the Phantomhive family longer than anyone could think.

We end this season with…oh, let’s just say the beginning to the next arc. Get ready for some wolves…whenever this season comes to existence. In the meantime, just watch Spice and Wolf. It’s not Black Butler, but it has J. Michael Tatum and Brina Palencia as the main cast. Let’s just hope that we don’t have to wait another Goddamn 7 years to see Sullivan and Wolfram. Actually, we’re getting the next arc in 2025. Well, that’s lucky!

Okay Cloverworks, I’ve pre-judged you too hastily. You did a great job with Bocchi the Rock and My Dress-up Darling. And you exceeded my expectations here with the Public School arc of Black Butler. Good job!

Now that you’ve reached this portion of my review, you’re probably wondering if you should hop onto Crunchyroll and watch this season despite several other seasons existing and you never seeing. Hold up, Buttercup! Do not do that! I highly recommend at least watching the first half of season one and the movie Book of the Atlantic. Those two things should keep you not so confused. Book of Circus and Book of Murder arcs are semi-recommendations for this case. Mostly due to the fact that there are a couple of characters shown this season that you might be lost if you suddenly see these people.

But if you’re like me and you love to watch things in chronological order, it should go as this…

*Black Butler (season 1) *Black Butler OVA’s (season 1 OVA, season 2 OVA eps: 1, 2, 4, 6) *Black Butler: Book of Circus *Black Butler: Book of Murder *Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic *Black Butler: Public School Arc *Black Butler II NEVER WATCH THIS!

Okay, enough time has passed and I’m sure everyone has eventually made peace with what Black Butler tried to do with season two. You’ll either meet people who thinks we made a mistake in judging it so hastily and those who will never speak of it again. I am in the category of people who never want to see this again. But will happily watch the OVA’s that came from that season. I’m a Grell fangirl and will happily watch anything with him in it. Even if that thing features Alois or Claude.

Back to the matter at hand. I liked how they handled this season for the anime. Never mind the fact that I love Black Butler to the point where I would even gather up the courage and enter a contest to win more Black Butler stuff. I never do that and yet when FUNimation put this out years ago, I gathered up my courage and did so. Got me some nice swag including a notebook. I still have to this day and have Yuya Matsushita (live-action musical Sebastian) and Patrick Seitz’s (eng dub for Agni) autograph. I’m digressing again.

Cloverworks kept things legit. One thing I will always applaud Cloverworks for is their animation. It’s great! I mean, compared to some of the other animes that changed studios, this is one of the better outcomes. One thing that also seems on-brand for Cloverworks is recaps. Thankfully, they kept it to a minimum at the first part of the episodes. But then, we get a bigger (but slightly necessary one) when Undertaker is revealed at the climax. The reason I say that is because A LOT OF TIME HAS PASSED for people watching this. And yes, we’ve got a new studio at the helm. Plus, I get to see Grell for one second.

Did I mention that I like Grell? Because I do like him! But just like some of the Black Butler sequels from the past, I found myself enjoying every moment of it.

If you would like to watch Black Butler in (almost) it’s entirety, Crunchyroll has quite the line-up. Unfortunately, the hour-long Book of Murder is for some reason not on their site. Black Butler’s first and second season are also available on Hulu.

FINAL NOTE(S): A few quickies!

It still makes me hot whenever Sebastian says “Yes, my Lord” in any language. Violet is best boy in the P4 category. The OP theme is a banger despite my prejudice against any Black Butler opening theme not sung by SID.

[felixstudios]

hey would headcanons for how the managers (maybe even bosses too) react to being told by someone that they get gender envy from them be a dumb idea or

Random Corporate Clash Headcanons, You Have Gender Envy Edition

Duck Shuffler

🎰He laughs a lot

🎰 Doesn't really have any outward reaction that shows how he feels, he just asks you if you want to spin his slots

🎰He was secretly kinda flattered

Prethinker

🧠"It's only logical that you should feel envious of someone as smart as me, no matter in what capacity"

🧠Um... I'm not sure he really understands what gender envy is

Derrick Man

🛢️"......."

🛢️"Okay."

🛢️He goes back to work

Deep Diver

🫧He doesn't really know or care if you meant in terms of him being male, female, or both. He's just happy he's apparently some kind of gender icon to you

🫧She will probably ask you if you're trans and if you are, give you some tips

🫧Free trans supplies!!!!!

Rainmaker

⛈️She's a little confused and says sorry she made you jealous

⛈️ Doesn't really get what it means

⛈️Will ask what she can do to make it better

Land Acquisition Architect

🚦He's a bit confused but he eventually asks you what that even means

🚦When it's explained to him, he just kinda shrugs and says he's just been himself

🚦Then asks you nicely to please get off the land of C.O.G.S., Inc.

Gatekeeper

⚔️She's proud of her apparent accomplishment. Gaze upon her! For she is perfect.

⚔️Potentially will give you trans advice that's veiled as an insult Ex: "Thine shirt art but a disgrace to see!" is her way of saying your shirt looks great but does you no favors in trying to pass if that's something that you worry about.

Witch Hunter

🔱Scoffs and basically tells you to leave

🔱Thinks you're just tryna sweet talk him

Public Relations Representative

🧱He says thank you and asks if there's anything he could do to help ease any possible gender dysphoria you have

🧱Will probably try to talk to you more frequently afterwards

Bellringer

🔔Doesn't really know what it means

🔔Asks you if you're trans and/or have gender dysphoria

🔔Will then try to have a very loud discussion with you

Multislacker

🥪"Oh... that's, like, a trans thing, right? Sorry... I don't really know a whole lot about that."

🥪"I know it's a lot to ask since you've probably been asked like a thousand times, but... could you explain all that stuff to me?"

🥪He has a slight gender crisis by the end. He is egg. You made him discover he is egg.

Mouthpiece

☎️She doesn't really get it, but she's glad you look up to her somehow

☎️You get some free cookies for the road

☎️And a new sweater

☎️And a new scarf

☎️And a... oh that's a lot of gifts

Major Player

🎹He makes a big deal about it and then asks if you wanna dance with him

🎹Is genuinely very flattered he's a gender icon to you

🎹He give you... a free pride pin of your choosing. Don't worry about why he has so many, don't look into that don't worry about that don't-

Firestarter

🔥He apologizes for making you want something he has and literally asks if taking himself apart so you can take his suit/body as like your own Cog disguise would help you feel better

🔥Will also ask in what ways can he help you feel less gender envy about him

Plutocrat

🌑Gives you a bit of a confused look

🌑Tells you to leave

🌑Once you're gone, he asks one of his Satellite Inventors what the heck a gender envy is

Treekiller

🪵Laughs a bit and says that's a funny story

🪵Refuses to believe that a man who's quite masculine could be a gender icon. Not because he underestimates himself, he just doesn't really understand that kinda stuff

Chainsaw Consultant

🪚Stares at you in confused silence

🪚After several seconds, he just says, "What?"

🪚If you explain it to him, he just says, "Oh."

🪚He wasn't sure how to express being kinda flattered

Featherbedder

💤Doesn't really seem to care about it

💤Just takes a nap lol

💤They just weren't sure how to respond

Pacesetter

👟Well, of course someone as perfect as him would be a gender icon

👟He'll probably end up making extra sure he looks perfect as always around you because now he feels like he has to meet expectations to not shatter your image of him

[darkmaga-returns]

By Derrick Broze

The Biden administration and Tom “Mr. Monsanto” Vilsack have emerged victorious in their effort to use the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to force Mexico to accept U.S. grown genetically engineered corn.

On Friday, an international trade panel ruled in favor of the United States in their ongoing dispute with Mexico over an attempted ban on imports of American genetically modified (GM) corn.

The Mexican Department for the Economy said it disagreed with the ruling but would follow it. The Mexican government has been attempting to limit the introduction of GM corn to their country because they believe it poses an unreasonable risk to the domestic corn supply, and thus the health of the country’s numerous indigenous communities and farmers who depend on corn.

“The Mexican government does not agree with the panel’s finding, given that it considers that the measures in question are aligned with the principles of protecting public health and the rights of Indigenous communities,” Mexico’s Economy Department told the Associated Press. “Nonetheless, the Mexican government will respect the ruling.”

The U.S. government celebrated the decision. Ambassador Katherine Tai said the ruling “underscores the importance of science-based trade policies”.

The decision was the latest in an ongoing legal battle between the Mexican and American governments over Mexico’s previous calls for banning imports of U.S. GM corn for human consumption. In 2020, former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) announced plans to ban GE corn for human consumption. This plan was later watered down, but the country did continue their fight against cross-pollination of their world-renowned corn seeds.

[livingsspecter]

A rant about the P4 (Spoilers)

As of the recent news about the new season and their designs reveal, i have some shower thoughts i’d like to share lmao

First of all, about the whole murder incident, as a victim of bullying myself i cannot condemn them completely, even considering the extent of the bullying, Derrick and his friends striped other boys down, humiliated them so badly that they would pee themselves, that boy was pure evil. Although, of course i can understand that their actions were extreme.

About their naïveté, i was thinking that considering their social standing and age, they were probably only raised to be successful gentlemen, and nothing else, they live in this bubble of shallow rich people and irresponsible authorities, that care more about status and the whole “tradition” thing in their school than student’s wellbeing. So, their whole world WAS that school, their dynamics and their job as prefects, the real gruesome stuff and hideous things of the “outside world” were probably brushed away in tea time and not lingered on for too long. Violet was the only one who realized most of the stuff in both the Weston arc (his comment about the headmaster just wanting them to do their job for him, his suspicion of Sebastian and Ciel) and Blue cult probably because of his observant nature and like for more “macabre” stuff, but overall, he is still naive and easily influenced.

I don’t think most people will have a point of view beyond “lmao how are they so naive/stupid”, but i think this whole arc is a presentation about how rich kids are just pawns, and blinded of the world’s real serious matter in favor of shallow social rules (not saying they are completely oblivious and have no faults, after all, they’re old enough to think for themselves, but just this whole dynamic that they live in, shows this).

[seirclys]

OG! Penelope Eckhart Headcanons: Abilities and Magic

Part 3!

As always, I only really write for OG! Penelope instead of Siyeon(our FL), so this is much more conjecture than anything. SPOILERS FOR THE NOVEL.

I imagine that Penelope, throughout the lifetimes she spent trying to fight against Laila, deviated from the original script many, many times. Many of them were to fight against Laila or others where she tried to run away and start a new life.

Of these lifetimes, and of Penelope's unique, hellish existence, her powers developed in a strange manner.

As mentioned in Part 1(Appearances), Penelope uses magic unconsciously to maintain her appearance. This is due to the fact that she takes the most pride in her appearance, and it is her greatest asset.

Abilities

Throughout her many lifetimes, Penelope has learned different life skills or pursued a life of craftsmanship underneath master artisans, trying to find her passion that a household of abuse has stamped out. They've been useful in not only helping to make a name for herself but for her to survive in lifetimes when she left nobility. I'll only list some of the more prominent ones.

Weaving/Embroidery: The latter being a skill of nobility, Penelope lived up to her namesake by learning textiles over several lifetimes, earning her high praise in foreign countries for her vivid tapestries and intricate embroidery scenes. This skill includes tapestry weaving.

Woodworking/Sculpture: A skill of practical craftsmanship and also of the arts. While Penelope never learned stoneworking/masonry, she could theoretically apply these two skills to stoneworking.

Calligraphy/Scribework: That one lifetime she went off to become a scribe at a secluded academy. It helped her be able to examine ancient books and interpret them, as well.

The Ancient Language: Technically, the ancient language is bound by the blood of the Ancient Wizards. Think like in Percy Jackson where the half-bloods' brains are hardwired to read Greek or Latin, and something like that but without the dyslexia. However, Penelope also picked up other ancient, foreign languages during her time as a scribe.

Metalworking/Metal Engraving: Although she was never allowed in the forge(because of how weak she was, unable to lift a hammer), Penelope absorbed a lot of the knowledge from observation, while she worked on intricate detailing and carving in magic spells into delicate artifacts.

Weapon Proficiency: There were several lifetimes when Penelope left to become a mercenary, a soldier, or a knight. In addition to learning the standard Imperial sword forms, she also traveled around a lot and learned from other swordsmen. She favored the use of spears and long daggers, as well as unconventional weapons like thin cables to wrap and restrain opponents.

Swordmastery: As mentioned above, Penelope learned a lot of sword forms and trained extensively. She was eventually certified as a Swordmaster in a few of her lifetimes, earning her acclaim. However, she has never been recognized as one in Eorka.

Her usual weapon of preference is an arming sword(the conventional, straight double-edged European swords) like what Callisto and Derrick carry. Eorkan swords seem to have a knuckle grip, but Derrick's gap is smaller for some reason.

There were a few times she carried an executioner's sword(blunt-tipped sword).

In addition, she's proficient in polearms, specifically spears.

She carries around a few knives underneath her clothing.

Marksmanship: Given her preference of a crossbow in the original text, I believe that Penelope was actually very proficient— it's just that it was confiscated for a while before Siyeon got her hands on it. She's extremely good with a crossbow and a conventional bow.

Equestrianism: I think riding any rideable category of animals counts at this point...? Novel Spoilers but there are flying, mounted troops...? But yes, Penelope learned that both as a hobby and also as a knight.

Herbalism/Apothecarist: A skill of both healing and harm, Penelope uses a vast knowledge of natural plants to both help and to get rid of enemies through poison.

Perfect Memory: Penelope has a semantic, autobiographical, and near-eidetic memory. This means that she can recall general worldly knowledge, knowledge of her own life, and visual memory with extreme detail and clarity.*

Jewel Dealing: One of the jobs Penelope took. She can easily discern gems of exquisite quality, thus allowing her to sell her jewels at better prices.

Ceramics: A skill she also picked up. She uses it in her magic.

*Part 4 elaborates on this.

Magic/Mana

Like in Shrike, I will be calling those of Ancient Wizard heritage "Arcani". They use mana, and do not require the use of staffs and wands to perform feats of power. They use "mana".

Necromancy

The manhwa elaborated that the Ancient Wizards drew power from nature and the Laila from living energies(aka sucking out their life force). Given Penelope's many deaths, I believe her magic would naturally start to skew toward what Laila would use. It was difficult to come to terms with, but Penelope's magic can be categorized as necromancy.

She's much more in tune with the dead and harmful energies left behind after death, like resentment, hate, and despair. In the first few lifetimes when this connection solidified, she was branded as an insane, raving woman from all the negative energies assaulting her mind.

Eventually, she managed to turn it into an empathetic path, where she would help the spirits pass on properly.

She can also summon spirits! Her powers are very much focused on death and lingering spirits. Penelope often has a small retinue of spirits following her around, deciding to serve as her companions.

While she can theoretically control any spirit, Arcani spirits are drawn to her, since Penelope is the last Arcani alive, and thus they gather under her command.

While usually manifesting as shadowy blobs or small glowing creatures(usually aquatic, or butterflies), stronger spirits can take on more humanoid forms.

I'm not borrowing from Roxana here, it's just butterflies are used as symbols of the cycle of life and death, metamorphosis, and the soul. Soul butterflies are translucent like glass and glow the slightest.

As for humanoid forms, they usually take on the image of masked individuals. Some have normal human faces, while others still have shadowy visages, and wear masks or veils. In these forms, they usually have some sort of magenta/bright pink incorporated in them, like their eye colors or in clothing accents.

Some of them are sometimes sculpted prosthetics or doll bodies by Penelope.

Usually, they are only visible to Penelope, but they can be made to be visible to others as well.

Flora/Poison

Penelope's first breakthroughs of her magic were during the torture happening in the latter part of each time loop(when Laila's , and so her magic is aimed at causing pain, unconsciously, to keep someone alive enough to suffer without fading away in death.

In the vein of "causing pain" magic, one of Penelope's preferred methods include summoning thorny vines or flowers to strangle, restrain, or otherwise incapacitate her opponents.

Penelope loves flowers, and constantly summons them to enjoy their scent and appearance. Because of this, she has a sweet, floral scent.

In addition, she practices mithridatism(building up immunity to poison by taking it). It's a bit useless since her tolerance resets when she dies, but it's been a habit that Penelope had since she was 16, so she's still a bit poison-tolerant. It has saved her life a few times, though, along with her iron stomach. This has allowed her to use poison in conjunction with her magic.

If you've read Roxana, you may remember that in Season 2, Roxana is able to incapacitate and even kill someone with her touch because of how poison-saturated her body is. Penelope has been working towards this state for many time loops, succeeding only in the latter stages where she consumed poison like she was starving.

I mention this because Penelope uses blood magic, as well, the poison making its attack prowess much more effective.

She wraps her body in a thin layer of magic to be able to interact with people normally, though not many initiate physical contact in the first place.

Eventually, she is able to control whether or not poison exudes from her skin, but it was a difficult process.

Weaving

Penelope manifests thin yet strong strings of mana to ensnare and trap her victims in combat.

In addition, she can weave together elaborate illusions using elements like water and fire, or just from mana to confuse others.

Weaving can also be literal: Penelope works magic spells such as protection into fabric and garments and imbues the threads with mana to strengthen them.

She can also use mana ribbons and change their solidity to act as blades.

Penelope usually summons three spear-like weapons to float behind her, which she can control without touching to attack. These can even turn into the aforementioned mana ribbons. For reference, refer to Honkai Impact 3rd's Herrscher of the Void and her Subspace Lances, which were the major inspiration here.

Subspace/Pocket Dimension

To be further elaborated on in the next post, but as you may have seen in Shrike, Penelope has the Eternal Ataraxia. It was essentially a spatial prison to entrap her soul for her ancestors.

I feel like, at some point, Penelope would either crack her way into one of the subspaces or find a way to make it happen after literal centuries of studying the Mirror of Truth.

Most of what I can say is going to be elaborated in Part 4, anyways.

Unlike in the Eternal Ataraxia, the usual Subspace is a barren land, if there is even any.

[basketballjersey]

Derrick Favors

[reincarnatedonthefirst]

I’m feeling overwhelmed, emotionally.

Derrick and I had our session today. Things went wrong toward the end of the session which led to us having an honest conversation about our relationship (it’s difficult for me to be honest with my feelings when I’m upset with someone). In the conversation, I admitted to Derrick that I do see him as more than a friend and more than a client (he told me that he was aware of this which led to the confession).

Also, at the beginning of our session, he told me that I am important to him. That was the most touching thing he’s ever said to me. And I know he meant it. We’ve been friends for years and even though I have problems with him, he always comes back to me and I always let him back in.

In fact, the reason why he came across my new profile yesterday is because he thought I changed my work phone number and he was looking for my old ad (he thought my number changed because I’ve been steadily ignoring his text for weeks). I liked knowing that he took that step to find me again.

Derrick, though I have issues with his masculinity, is actually my friend. He genuinely cares for me. And that is very important for someone as lonely as I am. He is not generous. He is not wealthy. But the friendship he provides does have value. I don’t think I can ignore that anymore.

The reason he comes back to me every time is due to my own generosity over the years. I have been very generous with my time and no one else listens to him the way that I do. So it’s understandable that I am important to him.

The fact that he still pays me for sex makes the relationship complicated to me. He finds the relationship confusing as well because when we are together, I am very affectionate.

Derrick likes me and wants a relationship with me. But I don’t want to date anyone. I like my freedom. I don’t want to be beholden to anyone. I think he’s great but I don’t want a commitment. Also, Derrick has proven to be a liar. He lied to me once and, of course, he cheated on his wife with me during the last two years of their marriage… That’s not acceptable.

But I’m also scared of losing his love if he gets into a relationship… But that’s not enough of a reason to date him.

Masculinity issues aside, Derrick is a catch (so to speak). Very attractive, smart, good job, great lover, mature for a man his age (I’m 6 years older than him).

I think life has something in store for us. The fact that we’ve known one another for so long seems to be significant… or maybe I’m searching for meaning when there isn’t one… Regardless, I like the fact that we have time in. But for our relationship to survive, I’ll need to be a better communicator. He does a wonderful job of giving me space to speak my mind when something bothers me. My problem is that I’m afraid to speak my mind. Always have been. But if I want for this relationship to work in my favor, I’ll have to learn to communicate better.

This is all so much to process. I need to give myself a few days to calm down and look at our relationship again objectively.

I do worry that Derrick will find someone and I will lose him altogether. In any case, I have to remember to put my happiness first.

This is all so hard to work out.

[anonymousewrites]

One Hell of a Love (Book 3) Chapter Twelve

Sebastian Michaelis x Demon! Reader

Chapter Twelve: One Hell of a Midnight

Summary: Sebastian and (Y/N) face Undertaker in battle once more.

            “This school is a respected institution that has produced elites who form the mainstay of Great Britain. Our generation cannot afford to defile the tradition that has been protected for thousands of years since the founding of this school! For the history of Weston College is the history of England!” said Bluewer, desperate to prove that he, Redmond, Violet, and Greenhill had done the right thing.

            Ciel narrowed his eyes before closing them as if exhausted the situation. “…Fine.”

            Sebastian and (Y/N) glanced at Ciel.

            “I was investigating this incident…under the orders of a certain distinguished personage. I can’t keep silent now that I’ve uncovered the truth,” said Ciel. “However, I shall request measures which will take your circumstances into account.”

            (Y/N) raised a brow. They wouldn’t interfere with Ciel’s decision��what happened to the P4 was none of their concern—but they disagreed with giving lenience from the outset. If these four were so noble, they would take the punishment they were given. If the situation gave them a lesser punishment, then very well, but (Y/N) found no sympathy for them.

            However, there were other issues with people (Y/N) did have some connection to—positive and negative—to handle which were much more pressing.

            “Now, that just leaves you.” Ciel narrowed his eyes as his attention went back to Undertaker. “What are you after?!”

            Undertaker smiled as he picked up a cupcake and leaned on his other hand. “You have bestowed upon me plenty of laughter so I will explain for old times’ sake.”

            “It was only for a moment, but Derrick was conscious beyond a doubt,” said Ciel. “He was clearly different from the previous reanimated corpses. No! He has evolved!”

            Undertaker munched on his cupcake. “It pleases me to hear that! Quite so. The dead can also advance by way of episodes.”

            “Episodes?” Sebastian furrowed his brow. “Do you mean the counterfeit memories you have created? Connecting them to the Cinematic Records of the dead was how the corpses began moving.”

            “Guess again.” Undertaker pouted and crossed his hands in an X. “You’re close, though. Those memories were gibberish. The current corpses are being moved by their longing for the future.”

            “Humans recall their pasts in their final moments. That is their cinematic record. At the same time, they crave the future they were to have had although those futures are incomplete. The fragments of those futures comprise their episodes.”

            (Y/N) narrowed their eyes. “I did not experience such longing.”

            Undertaker grinned. “You took your death into your own hands and welcomed it with open hands. You threw away your future with a vengeance. Of course you experience no longing. You reveled in revenge.” He laughed. “And, as ever, you prove an interesting exception~ Quite the inspiration~.”

            (Y/N)’s eyes flashed fuchsia at his continued focus on their mortal life. After he pushed them through their memories once more, they were fed up with it and itched to return the favor of pulling him away.

            Sebastian’s eyes narrowed at the playfulness with which Undertaker directed his quips to (Y/N). He disliked the familiarity with which Undertaker addressed them. He had already said he reaped their soul originally, and Sebastian despised that degree of “closeness” Undertaker could claim with them—even if it was such a moment as death.

            “But I digress.” Undertaker tilted his head and leaned on his hands. “What if those episodes could be extracted? What if several tens of thousands of cuts can be had? What if the total length of the linked episodes was longer than their Cinematic Records?

            “It’s akin to a future forecast. They are memories of the future, nothing like my counterfeit memories. If I connect such a thing to the Cinematic Record—do you not agree that what will be perfected is a reanimated corpse infinitely approaching a living human?”

            Undertaker grinned at the horrified expressions of the humans and the narrowed eyes of the (Y/N). “Weeeeeell, the probably of success is still very low as it is dependent on the quality and quantity of the episodes.” He shrugged. “I still can’t approximate other ways of returning to life.” He grinned at (Y/N). “Eh?”

            “I have no shred of mortality. The person I was died in every way,” said (Y/N), speaking with an icy, sharp tone. “These experiments are your attempt to perfect what will always fail.” Whatever he was planning, whatever his end goal was, whatever experiments he was planning, (Y/N) didn’t like it. To mess with nature itself was to invite twisted magic. It would never end well; something would break, whether it be the experimenter or the experiments.

            “Oh?” Undertaker grinned. “Perhaps for now. But I wish to look beyond the fated end.”

            “Beyond the end?” said Ciel, furrowing his brow.

            Undertaker flipped the top hat onto his head. “Has it ever occurred to you that something exceedingly amusing may unfold beyond the roll of the credits?”

            Sebastian smirked and raised a brow. “I disagree with you on that point. ‘Death’ is an absolute end. That is why I find it—” his eyes turned fuchsia “—most beautiful.” He gazed at (Y/N). “What do you think? You are the one who experienced it.”

            “To disturb the process of death would be to disturb nature,” said (Y/N). They narrowed their eyes. No one was quite understood how humans became demons as it was so rare, but they knew it wasn’t continued life so much as rebirth into something new. “And you invite your own ruin when you do so.” They had been a witch; they understood.

            “How poetically put~” said Sebastian, smirking.

            Undertaker tutted and stood. “This is all I can tell you with the compensation I have received. Well, then.” He grinned. “It would be a nuisance if certain bothersome individuals were to discover my whereabouts. So I shall be going now.”

            “I won’t let you escape again!” shouted Ciel. “Capture him, Sebastian!”

            “As you wish!” Sebastian ran forward.

            The moment he lunged for Undertaker, Agares ran between them and grabbed Sebastian’s hands. His scholarly cap fell from his head, and (Y/N) saw the stitches—he, too, was reanimated.

            “So, you too, were a corpse, Vice Headmaster Agares,” said Sebastian, narrowing his eyes. “That must be why I felt a sense of discomfort then.”

            (Y/N) grabbed Agares and forced him back with Sebastian, but above them, Undertaker jumped onto the hedge wall.

            “That one is replete with episodes and is my crowning masterpiece, for now,” said Undertaker.

            (Y/N)’s nose twitched, and their eyes turned fuchsia. So Undertaker was planning more. What is he working towards?

            Undertaker snapped his fingers, and human hands burst out of the ground. The humans let out a gasp and cry, and (Y/N) and Sebastian narrowed their eyes as the reanimated, simply bizarre dolls of Derrick’s friends dragged themselves out of the ground.

            “These are Derrick’s accomplices!” said Ciel.

            “Run!” Edward was instantly focused on survival after the attack on the Campania. “Leave this garden now! Hurry!” He supported Greenhill on his shoulders.

            Ciel opened the garden door, and the prefects and drudges ran for escape. Harcourt was knocked down by one of the accomplices, who loomed over him.

            “I-I can’t move!”

            “Come on!” Ciel grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

            Undertaker chuckled as he watched. “He may have inherited the Phantomhive blood, but he’s quite unlike his predecessors. Most, anyways.” He tilted his head in amusmenet. “Don’t you agree?”

            (Y/N) and Sebastian narrowed their eyes; Undertaker’s connection to the Phantomhives was quite strange.

            “What a riot this is!” said Undertaker.

            “My, my, you are quite carefree about all this,” said Sebastian. “Do you believe you can stop us with something like this?”

            “How dare you underestimate us like that,” said (Y/N), a cat-like grin flitting across their features.

            Undertaker grinned. “I’ve never underestimated you. I know not to.” His eyes flicked to Sebastian. “All that sets us apart are our goals.” His eyes slid to (Y/N) and Ciel again.

            Sebastian’s eyes widened as Undertaker smirked, and his entire body went into alarm mode. If he brought down Agares now and then sought to capture Undertaker, then Ciel would be left open to attack or (Y/N) would be, and after seeing (Y/N) bleeding in his arms, Sebastian would do anything to avoid that.

            So as Undertaker looked at (Y/N) and Ciel, Sebastian’s desire to protect his contract and his love overtook his need to follow Ciel’s orders—Ciel’s life took precedence, and he could ignore the order (and, fortunately, protect (Y/N), too).

            Sebastian bent backwards and slammed Agares’s head into the ground. His brain was crushed, and he stopped moving. (Y/N) shifting to jump towards Undertaker, but Sebastian’s heart thudded, and he grabbed (Y/N)’s waist.

            “Wha—Corvus, let me get him!” hissed (Y/N).

            “No, Felis,” said Sebastian, leaping towards Ciel. (Y/N)’s eyes widened at the tone.

            Undertaker chuckled as he ran in the opposite direction. “Just what I’d expect from you, Master Butler~” He knew Sebastian would choose to protect Ciel under the contract and (Y/N) due to his heart. It was ever-so-entertaining to Undertaker.

            “Sebastian?!” said Ciel as Sebastian landed in front of him.

            Undertaker landed on the wall separating the outside world and Weston College. “I do hope you’ll continue to protect the Phantomhive house so loyally.” His voice was remarkably somber compared to his usual melodramatics. It still lilted with amusement, but there was something more. Posing beneath the moon as if he held it, he cackled and shook his head. “Fare thee well!”

            He flipped away and disappeared into the night.

            “Corvus, put me down!” snapped (Y/N).

            “Sebastian—” Ciel spoke at the same time.

            “Stay behind me!” said Sebastian, putting (Y/N) down but pulling them close while he grabbed another reanimated corpse’s head to push him back.

            “Sebastian, why did you come to me?!” cried Ciel. “I ordered you to seize—!”

            Sebastian cut Ciel off. “By the terms of our covenant, your life is my first priority. I have gone to great pains to cultivate you.” He looked back at Ciel with shining fuchsia eyes. “I cannot afford to have him steal you away.” His eyes went to (Y/N). “I will not allow it.” Sebastian crushed the skull of the corpse.

            (Y/N) stared at him as blood flicked across his cheek, and they felt a hunger develop. As much as they were frustrated at Undertaker escaping—they wanted to run after him and teach him how unpleasant experiments could really be for all his amusement—(Y/N) saw Sebastian’s protectiveness and pure devotion. He had only been able to move due to Ciel being in danger, but that didn’t change the adoration in his eyes as he gazed at them, the dark, demonic love that spoke of his willingness to spill blood in their name.

            And (Y/N) loved it.

            “Aaah….” Harcourt fainted upon seeing the corpse’s head crushed, and the moment of silence was broken.

            Ciel jumped and examined him. “Hey!”

            “You should let him sleep,” said (Y/N), stepping up to Sebastian’s side. They were a team—a pair. “There is still much cleaning for us to attend to in the wake of this Midnight Tea Party.”

            It didn’t take long. With Derrick, Agares, and one accomplice dead, Sebastian and (Y/N) had only three corpses to take on. A mere moment was all that was needed for the demons.

            Ciel looked around at the bloody garden. “Dear me. How am I going to explain all this to Her Majesty?”

            “Why not give her the facts as they are?” said Sebastian, pulling on fresh gloves. “Tell her that a ‘perverse, erstwhile grim reaper is reanimating the dead.’ ” He took (Y/N)’s hands and removed their gloves to give them clean ones.

            “And that we have no idea what he is planning in the long run,” said (Y/N).

            Ciel huffed. “She’ll never believe—”

            “Ciel!” Edward pushed the door to the garden open and reappeared. He had a sword in hand, ready for danger. “Everyone’s escaped safely…” He trailed off as he looked at the corpses. The situation had already been handled.

            “We’re done here, too,” said Ciel. “Watch your step.”

            “I will.” Edward looked down and paused. His gaze hardened, and he gripped his sword tightly. “Ciel.” The earl glanced at him. “It frightens me to no end that I might have ended up like those prefects, too…” Edward gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “That I might have become a man who deludes himself into thinking that the sin of murder is equal to justice!”

            Ciel looked at him. “Don’t worry. Consider yourself normal, if it scares you so. Unlike me.”

            (Y/N) looked between Ciel and Edward. To see the Aristocrat of Evil looking at the Midford, a knight of justice, made (Y/N) tilt their head. Humans were so complicated, and, despite their darkness, (Y/N) was very much aware that there was more than just good or evil in their hearts. There was Ciel’s desire to serve justice to those that law cannot touch, and there was Edward’s desire to resist tradition brainwashing his thinking. There were grey areas.

            (Y/N) understood those.

            They had existed within them as a mortal. They lived within them now—no good or evil, just Felis.

Taglist:

@technikerin23

@im-making-an-effort

@izzieg3987

@jinxxangel13

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[theladygia]

Rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you have written less than ten, don’t be shy and share anyway.

Thanks to @ellionne for the tag :) I have not written/posted as much as I would have like lately, but I've really enjoyed writing what I HAVE posted.

Hope you guys have too!

Demon in the Details - Do you think you're clever or something? (Chapter 2/?)

Harry Potter || Tomarrymort

Fuck, it’s gorgeous. Tom groaned, inwardly of course. He wasn’t going to show the demon any weakness, especially such an exploitable one such as attraction. But Tom desired power in all its forms, and this demon echoed with power.

2. Come on Down, to Hadestown (Chapter 4/8)

Harry Potter || Tomarrymort, Hinny

And so he left Harry there in the forest, with only memories and a burning ankle. Tom returned to the Otherworld and reinserted himself back into the daily workings of the court, charming disgruntled judges and finally etching the snake carvings that will function as his new spy network among the jury.

3. (Don't you know what you're finding? This is) heaven in hiding

Harry Potter || Harry/Bill/Fleur

Not for the first time, Harry considered the merits of lodging a formal complaint about The Hogwarts Career Counseling Session. 

4. Helluva Way to Find You, Wasn't It? (Chapter 3/3)

Harry Potter || Sirry

Harry’s fingers traced the ridges and dips of his glass, knowing better than to fill the empty tumbler up for a fifth time. He’d already had to cast a weak sobering charm on himself before Sirius handed over the latest mix.  He was trying to keep himself from any other form of fidgeting as he waited.  Sirius was clearly still processing that his godson would eventually be serving an eternal deity as a conduit between the worlds of the living and the dead. Old news for Harry, but he could see how someone new to such knowledge would be having somewhat of a mental breakdown over it. 

5. I walk the line

Harry Potter || Sirry

The vial would be innocuous if Harry didn’t know it for the deception it was.

6. The Puddlemere United Calendar Fiasco of 2002-03

Harry Potter || Harry/Fred/George, Perciver

“It’s a lucky day to be a reserve, ain’t it boys,” Peregrine Derrick sighed out as he and his two teammates who had shown up to the pitch early took in the new photographer’s set up, the makeup artists who had spread their products out on the seven brought-in vanities, and the racks of navy and gold clothing. Oliver Wood and Harry Potter, the only other Hogwarts graduates who’d earned spots on Puddlemere United’s starting lineup for the upcoming season, grunted and nodded their agreement, respectively.

7. scars (to your beautiful)

Harry Potter || Tomarrymort

Mirrors aren’t one of Harry’s favorite pieces of furniture.  It still catches him off guard, at times, that favored pieces of furniture are things he can have these days. Preferences have never stopped feeling like an item he couldn’t afford. But he has a house now, one of his own that is firmly his own. An interior that he can decorate as he wishes, a pantry he can stock as full to bursting as his anxiety would like.

8. you look so perfect standing (sitting) there

Haikyuu!! || Kenhina

As he put his hair up in the half-bun he’d been favoring recently and sighed, Kenma knew he was being ungrateful. So many people would kill or do other equally exhausting things in order to have as distinctive a guide to their soulmate as he had, but he’s already sixteen years old in a city as bustling and global as Tokyo, and the glaringly bright orange hair he’s been dealing with since his fifth birthday hasn’t led him to anyone or anything besides a lot of odd looks.

9. The Loveliest Crown of Thorns You Ever Did See

Harry Potter || Tomarrymort

Sirius is full of shit. This isn’t a surprise nor a realization. It’s a fact Harry has always known. He’s lived with his godfather for more years than he even had with his parents before their deaths, so Harry is well aware of the utter nonsense Sirius is willing to let spew from his mouth to achieve his end goal, whatever it may be. 

10. Entwined (Chapter 9/?)

Harry Potter || Tomarry, Jily, Wolfstar

“Harry!”  Lucas’s yell cut through the air and had all four Potters turning around at the sound. They should have been looking south anyway, Harry realized, considering the train station was, well . . .  somewhere vaguely that direction. Harry felt a little sheepish at not knowing where the station actually was, but his dad always apparated them, or they took a Portkey when they left the country, so how was he to know? His mother’s laugh broke him out of his thoughts. “Your friend sure has a lot of energy for a boy who’s been on a train for the past five hours, Har.”

Most of my go-to writers to ping have already been tagged, so I don't want to double tag y'all (but know that I'm tagging you in my heart). So I'll throw this to the two who I haven't seen hit with this yet and save the other eight a double notification. You're up, @lerya-fanfic, @alissiawrites! (If you want to, that is!)

[ask-derrick-hand]

Introductory Post:

It appears that almost all of C.O.G.S Inc. has a sort of 'ask blog' here. I wouldn't doubt it if this was Dana's idea but I digress. Whatever the reasoning is, I was ordered to make one of my own. So here I am.

[This blog is where you ASK QUESTIONS, INQUIRE THE DERRICK HAND (Me), AND DELIVER FEEDBACK.]

[FOR THE SAKE OF ALL PARTIES KEEP 'ASKS' SFW. PLEASE SHOW DECENCY.]

(Hey. I did you a favor and cut out most of the P.R. bullshit. Sorry Dana, you know I just like to get to the point.)

Thank you for reading.

Oh wow! An ask blog! By @bambi-on-the-ps3 ? More likely than you think...

Art provided by my pal @shifscorner

I've sprinkled my head canons into this ask blog, just letting y'all know

I ALLOW CHARACTER INTERACTION BTW

Uhhh ummm Yeah