#GOOD game for me. but maybe i should. ARGH

[fourswords]

wind waker is such a living breathing memory of ocarina of time i'm so serious. ESPECIALLY inside ganon's tower. to the hero of winds that pig's face he sees on every door is just that: an ugly pig's face. to the player, if they've played ocarina of time before? that's a whole slap in the face. a reminder that this IS the ganon(dorf) from ocarina of time. it's the Same Guy. like you look at that face and you go. i remember fighting that. i remember that timeline. i remember how happy everyone was at the end. now do you remember how it was flooded and turned into this world below the sea that you're standing in now? do you remember how all but the few who escaped to the mountains died? do you remember the end of one game and the beginning of this one. head in my hands.

[cubot]

I get alone with my thoughts for one second and then my brain goes to the VN love interest route I beat yesterday and I go, "jesus fucking christ what the fuck."

[nekassvariigs]

Intentionally calling them husband in scenarios, heres how it goes

part two

Luffy, Sabo, Katakuri, Zoro, Sanji ,Smoker, Roger, Shanks, Eustass Kid

part three will feature Robin, Whitebeard, Marco, Ben Beckmann, Franky, Brook, Mihawk.

------------------------------------------------------------

Luffy

Save him please someone.

"Argh i refuse!" he'd snarl pointy teeth showing as he yells.

''But Luffy, you'd be a great husband." you protest making him only more irritated.

"I'm not marrying anyone!'' he slaps his hands on the table, steam blowing form his nose, you pout a little with this fake facade.

You walk over to the kitchen taking out a well cooked meat dish. ''Here i made something for you."

His nose is like a hounds when it comes to meat. "Wacha got there." he's already clanking forks against the table as you set it in front of him.

"If you eat this, you'll be my husband."

He completely ignores your joke, dropping forks aside he takes the food with his hands, chewing the delicious meal.

"So good! Oi Y/n ,I want more, moreee!" he'd whine not even finishing the first set his eyes sparkling wide as he looks at you.

''Oh whatever." you completely lose against him, his obliviousness compares with no one when it comes to this.

He thanks you for the food, licking his mouth from the crumbs, you show him another one.

''Shishishi" he cackles loudly and before you notice the food is long gone.

"Luffy!'' you shout watching him swallow quickly, you're left defeated.

''At least enjoy it you ape.." you wail silently watching him brisk past you.

''Maybe I should consider, aah who knows, but the food is too good.'' he speaks to himself arms behind his head and a large smile.

If you haven't ever experienced a Boa Hancock moment now you understand what it is about.

Sabo

''Isn't this a little sudden?'' he asks.

The two of you lying on the couch whilst watching a movie, not that the movie was bad but somehow Sabo started talking about random things trying to get to know a bit more of your mind until the topic game to be about marriage, you asked him what he thought about being called husband and this was his response.

"Were not getting married Sabo, it's just a question, what do you think?'' his arm pulled back a little from holding onto you , his elbow rested on the couch, hand still on your back he traced light circles.

''Well putting it this way.." he looked in thought his blonde hair falling over his eyes you couldn't help to brush it away, his gaze softly falling on you he smiled into the touch.

"I don't hate it, matter of fact, im open to it."

"Really?''

"Yeah, I mean you've called me D-"

"Ah shut up." You covered his mouth the apples of his cheeks growing as he gently bit into your palm.

You blushed a little, man this guy can be such a tease sometimes.

He pulled your hand away from his mouth, continuing.

"Well, do it." He smiled, his blue eyes flickering form the movie that flashed by beside you two.

''You're my husband." you stated shyly blinking many times as you watched him clench his heart.

"Oh this hits right in the feels." he faked pain falling over onto your lap.

You laughed at his antics, if there's anyone that can difuse the feeling of embarrassment faster its this guy. He laid back on your lap, your hand wandering lazily in his hair, you smiled at him.

His hand reached over to your cheek he pulled you forward, his nose gently rubbing against yours he pressed a lingering kiss.

Katakuri

He's a rather secluded person so you mainly hanged out around his sister, Brulee was the sweetest older sister you could ask for always offering you tea and sweets her genuine heart never wavering. You two had an ongoing joke about her brother the two of you kept codenaming him ''husband'' so your conversations would usually go with her staring a conversation like this. "So y/n, how's the husband?" she chuckled her smile lighting up the room. "He's a delight really we went shopping the other day and let me tell you how hard it is to find something that he'd even remotely hate, he loves everything! I'm starting to think it's impossible to make him mad.'' you sighed, not that you had real intentions of getting the big giant mad, you just wanted to see if he'd ever change his character, no matter how long you were at the store trying on every piece of clothing to waste time, he sat patiently the large scarf covering his mouth he always waited for you with a warm smile giving his opinions on the outfits. Brulee smirked '' He's a very kind person so even I cant see him being unsupportive."

"I know right, its like everything he does always turns out to be even better than he intended!" you flailed your arms a slight frown forming on your brows. The door peered open a rather tall figure coming through he welcomed himself in with a smile, setting some sweet buns on the table, they steamed with a gnetle delicious scent of sesame , rice and hints of familiar mango filling.

"Thank you dear." you smiled to the man as he stepped forth to take off the large scarft, his pointy teeth always caught your gaze.

you continued your conversation with brulee,katakuri sitting by your side as he bit into the sweet bun.

The two of you kept speaking about a certain husband and he for the life of him couldnt understand to who were you reffering to with such familiarity.

''Who are you two talking about?'' he chewed the sweet looking between you two.

"You.'' you quickly replied continiuing your conversation with his sister until she stopped her eyes wide as she looked at you.

You had a quizzical expression on your face and then it clicked, your face flared up red with brulee watching the sweetest smile on her face, you avoided looking at katakuri to save your life.

No need to worry, the large man was barely able to continue eating his desert, a humble red spread over his ears he pinched the bridge of his nose for the longest time. It was for the longest time he thought you were talking about someone else every time you chatted with his sister he thought you were chatting about another man you had spotted wandering onto the island. Now it made sense to him, the words repeating in his mind he groaned setting the pastry on the table, he never pictured himself to be called that , he was barely able to get used to boyfriend so you tended to switch it up very often.

You cleared your throat watching the fluster on his face , your hand reached over to take his , you were met with a comfortable squeeze.

"You two will be the death of me." he sighed a large toothy grin over his face. The two of you were left a laughing mess offering him some tea as an apology for the long confusion along with the sudden surprise.

Zoro

He asked for you to sit on his back while he was working out, you hesitated at first thinking that he's going a little too far, he reassured you there's nothing to be afraid of as he can easily sling over 100 kgs without ease.

''If you say so.." He steadied himself into a plank waiting for you to find a comfortable place over him.

"Ready?"

''Yep." you popped the p feeling your balance loose itself as you held onto waist each time he neared the ground.

You couldn't hold your amusement, he was way stronger than you imagined, your weight seemed to barely affect him as he did his push ups with ease. ''15..16..17.." you counted in your mind your but flat against his lower back.

"Have you asked anyone else to do this while you train?'' you had to know, there's no way he'd be so comfortable with a whole human on his back like this.

"Yeah, I asked," he panted between pushes, you could feel each time his body took an inhale of breath. "Luffy, but he's so light it wasn't even a challenge." sweat dripped down his forehead onto the ground before him creating a little array of a puddle.

"Anyone else?''

He took his time answering this time focusing on his form before he spoke up again, the silence was pleasant, although you were a little worried reminding yourself as you rode on his back that he was still training.

" I think I asked Usopp after that, though he wasn't better than Luffy."

He breathed a little heavier taking some time to stop between curls, to steady his breathing.

"You alright? I can hop off if it's too much." you wondered not wanting for him to collapse with extra weight on him.

"Stay, you're good." he continued with a regained sense of will, crushing through the next 50 push ups.

You grew comfortable on his back having adjusted to the rhythm.

Your hands slid lower on his waist as you lowered your back against his, your concentrated weight now laying flat over him, your head on the back on his neck, just enough so it wouldn't bother him.

He puffed heavier reaching triple digits, his muscles slowly grew sore but he pushed through with a slight sense to impress you.

''Y/n , you up there? Is Zoro with you?'' Chopper asked under the stairs you responded loudly.

''Yep, my hubby's right here!'' there was a quick silence as Zoro's eyes widened under you, not that you could see.

''Okaay! Dinners gonna be ready soon!'' he informed before walking to do help out.

The weight shifted under you, his hand held you in place, as you leaned slightly to his right, he was doing single handed push ups.

"Hey, don't you think that's a bit extreme?'' you told him, as he continued to meet ground confidently.

''Nah." His hand held comfortably on your waist a while longer until he switched sides, the name lingering in his mind. A while later he was dripping wet, you could feel your own shirt soaking in his sweat he gestured you to hop off.

''Here." you handed him some water, he turned to his side his face not meeting yours he drank, chest rising with each sip you admired his well toned back with a silent whistle.

It surprised him, the feeling of your eyes on him made him a little shy, hince the reason he refused to turn around for so long.

You walked up to him, head leaning over his shoulders to have a look at his face. He had spaced out for a bit , a blush covering his upper face you smiled in awe.

''Yeoow, Tell your hubby to move it! Foods done!" you heard Franky call for you, Zoro's face eyes twitching at the mention of this nickname.

Your smile grew wider as you poked his face.

''Were you pulling those stunts because of me?'' you smirked making his eyes open to look at you with the blush on his face still wildly present.

"No.." he spoke softly, his crossed arms unwinding he slipped one around your waist with a serious yet pleading look.

''Don't tell anyone.." you chuckled silently at his words, resting your head on his shoulder.

''Come on, food will get cold.'' he guided you to head down, following closely as everyone greeted you.

During dinner you gave him a look, mouthing the nickname again, he ate his food not saying anything, the tips of his ears were red no matter how much he tried to deny it.

He liked the nickname despite the silence.

Sanji

''Sanji, come here a moment." You ushered the sweetheart over, he waltzed towards you with his signature spin stopping behind you to peer over what you were looking for.

A bunch of jewelry, shining red white, pink and blue all sorts of jewels shined under the display lights. "What's up? Do you need money?''

''Hmm no, give me your hand." you vaguely looked at his hand, his slim fingers flexing before you, a trail of smoke winding in the air.

You offered his hand to the jeweler he took measurements of his ring finger, whilst Sanji watched, if this was an idea for a gift this was the worst way to ask for a ring size, he could of just told you if you asked.

''8.5 centimeters miss." The shop keep informed you of the size.

''Thought as much, could i see the rings over there?'' you pointed under the display, Sanji curiously watching over your shoulder like a cat.

"Of course, for gifts we suggest these as they aren't that flashy and will accentuate the hands well." He smiled pulling out a ring form its holdings handing it over to you.

You turned Sanji's hand so his palm would face you your warm hand meeting with his rather cold and meek one.

"What's wrong Sanji? Your hands are cold." you asked watching him puff smoke in the shapes of hearts, his cheeks a brisk red.

"Hm? Oh I didn't think you'd be the type to buy men jewelry.'' He watched as you slipped the ring on his finger, a slim silver band sitting low on his finger it looked rather pretty but a little too slim for him.

You took it off clasping the metal you handed over it the shop keep.

"How about this one?'' you showed to a thicker ring, the polish on it shining beautifully.

"Good choice miss." he commented handing you the ring.

You took the cigarette from Sanjis lips between your middle and pointer finger holding the ring in your thumb and ring finger you slipped it on taking a slow drag from the white wrapped cigarette.

Sanji watched with deep curiosity, he loved when you did these subtle yet intimate things, his heart beat with a deep flame as he watched you puff out a streak of grey smoke. His lower lip slightly trembling at the sight.

"What do you think?'' You spoke calmly watching him gulp as his eyes wandered to the ring, he twirled it around with his thumb checking if it wasn't going to bother him whilst he was cooking.

''It's good, won't bother me if I wear it for a long time." You smiled taking on another drag of his cigarette. A pleasant smirk laying on your features as you thought about what you're going to say next.

''This isn't typically a thing to take off Sanji." you smiled brushing a hand over his cheek, the lit cigarette dangerously close to his face, protected by your hand.

His heart dropped at the mention.

''She doesn't m-mean.." he thought to himself. Your confident yet seductive gaze at him only confirmed his thoughts, he swallowed slowly, his face plastered in a red blush, you laughed.

''Is this a prop-proposal!?'' his eyes beat out of his face he practically shouted in the most excited way.

You chuckled sweetly, the shop keep blushing at the sight of you two.

''Well take this one then" You smiled handing him money. Your gaze towards Sanji you put a hand on his shoulder whispering.

''I might as well make you a husband, dear.''

Oh boy.. the red that ripped down his nose way quite something, you handed him a hanker chief dropping the cigarette on the nearby ashtray the shop keep kept, you laced your hand with his walking out the shop Sanji followed with a light stumble every now and then walking a few steps behind you as you lead him. His head was so ready to burst with all the imagines of the two of you holding a ceremony rose petals flying and everything.

''My those two are something." the shop keep chuckled watching an overly flustered male leave with his sweetheart in hand.

Smoker

Word seemed to get around around you and the cloudy vice admiral, because of his strict work nature and your dedication people started calling you the type to be married only to two things each other and work, the two of you never met much aside from when it was time to deliver some justice, men practically fangirled when the two of you appeared fighting along each other.

''What's wrong with all of you, there's work to be done!'' Smoker shouted to his underlings as you walked beside him.

''There she is, aren't they the best.." the guys swooned as you stood hands on your hips along Smoker, his cigars burning weak smoke you offered him a light, his face leaning to the fire you provided the guys waited in anticipation for something to happen.

''Got a problem guys?'' you smiled meanly, Smoker puffing on his cigars to light them fully.

''None at all!!'' they all waved their hands with sheepish smiles.

''This is getting a little out of hand.." he looked at you smoke puffing from his face.

''You don't say." you laughed, something you did only around him according to every fanboy out there.

''Look look she's smiling again'' they blushed, a vein popping on Smokers face from this foolery.

''Go do something you idiots!" he knew the rookies had nothing better to do but it beat oogling at you two every second they could.

'' I'm going to HQ if you need something you know where to find me." with the use of his devil fruit and a long streak of smoke he disappeared from your sights.

You chuckled closing the door to his office with your body, Smokers head deep into his papers.

"It's crazy out there." you stood there hand's behind your back as you leaned on the door. Smoker hummed listening to you. ''You don't think we should do something about this?'' you walked over to his desk sitting across him, the single cigar set down in the ash tray he finally pulled his head out of the mountains of papers before him.

''Why should we? It does nothing for us." he stated slicking back his hair you squinted at the sight.

"You enjoy being my fictitious husband that much?" you smiled watching his eyes slowly running over you face, a little shit eating grin plastered on your face, you subsided it once you saw his cheeks redden a little as he resumed his smoke hiding the embarrassment.

"You're kidding right?!'' he winced closing his eyes , a hand clenching under the desk. Just dont laugh, it wasn't supposed to come off this way, but there was no better way for him to answer.

''..'' He was silent as he opened his eyes staring at you through his brows.

It was your turn to return the blush, as you laid back on the chair placing a cold towel over your forehead.

''Those brats..'' you sighed pinching the bridge of your nose you rose your head letting the towel fall to your lap.

Once his work was done he decided to treat you to some tea in the lounge, the two of you passed by a couple of marines on your way, you calmly took his hand in your watching as one spit water behind you, you turned your head looking at them with a knowing smile. Smokers eyes glancing over at your hand he picked up the pace dragging you along a bit faster, you laughed turning your face back to the blushy vice admiral.

Eustass Kid

You watched as Kid toyed around his arm, tightening bolts and sautering wires it looked surreal to just think how it operated.

"Kid what do you think about marriage." you asked him out of the blue never approaching this topic with him before. The mean look on his face grew as he barked at you. " What marriage?! It's annoying to just think about it." Whilst true he had a lot on his plate in the current situation, he wanted to beat Kaido for beating his ass so badly the dumbest of reds showed on his face as he threw some bolts at you making you hide behind a flipped table.

"Get out, you're annoying!'' He puffed slamming his fist on the table, bolts creaking on his arm as he attempted to move it.

"Look at what you did!'' You checked his arm watching smoke and sparks come from it you chuckled a bit. ''You can fix that cant you?'' you pointed at it making him growl back, ''Of course, it's gonna take a shit ton of time because of you though." he held a mean glare toward you. ''Okay okay I get it, I'm sorry." you raised your hands in defeat watching him sigh.

'' Don't stand there, you're helping out now." he waited for you to come closer bringing over all sorts of random tools with you, the two of you worked for a long while, trying to fix all the errors you caused.

As much as he kept focusing on his work, his eyes sometimes wandered to your face watching how you inspected his work. The dumb glint in your eyes as you followed his each move broke the silence.

"I guess it can't hurt.." he admitted his ears a little red.

"Hm?'' you turned to took at him while he was avoiding your gaze with a little sweat dropping down his brow.

"Nothing, pay attention." he moved your face with the back of his knuckle, your side eye stared at his preoccupied thought filled expression, with a wide smirk you pushed his hand back with your face, the longer you stared the longer he stiffened up.

"What?'' his clad orange eyes peered down on you.

You smiled not saying a word.

''You'd make the finest fucking husband." you spoke up suddenly staring right at him with a wide smirk.

He rolled his head throwing it back before he snapped at you.

"GET OUT WILL YOU." he threw an oiled cloth at you watching you scatter out of his room with haste.

Hand over his mouth he stared long at his arm, his eyes wide without a sense of reality, the embarrassed blush covering his face he could no longer work on the repairs.

Shanks

''Hubby am i right on this ?" You were bickering with Ben for the longest time, the stubborn first mate would not bend under your will even if you bribed him with millions.

Shanks turned around with a cheeky look on his face he overheard the entirety of the conversation between you two, you were in the wrong however he wanted to mess around with something else first.

"Hubby?'' he asked whipping around the bar stool one leg over the other he laid his hand behind the counter in a rather confidant way.

"Come on Shanks who's right.'' you blurted out continuing to one over Ben whos scowl only grew the longer you didn't agree with him.

He watched with a glimmer in his eyes calling out your name.

"Hubby~" he smirked watching as you processed the information.

''Argh what the hell! Yes Ben your point is right! Shanks youre dead!" you stormed forward to the captian pinching his nose.

"I call you one silly nickname and you dont leave it alone." you scolded him watching him stifle a laugh as he pushed you to his side with his only arm.

You didn't look him in the face knowing he'd give you a shit eating grin.

"Let go!'' you peeled at his hands , his grip strong as he got in your face with a whisper.

"I refuse~" the gravel in his tone, along the way he looked at you, it was only a matter of time before you shot him a glance.

You looked over at him quickly regretting that instantly.

"There you are." the sultry tone in his voice never leaving as he leaned in his lips hovering just above yours, barely a touch.

He waits for you, with a small smile tugging on his lips. He was pleasantly surprised when you tugged on his collar a rather harsh kiss deepening against his.

Roger

You brought up the topic suddenly the hearty laugh form him was as much as when you did your usual babbling with him.

"Husband, me?'' he snorted between baited breaths.

You felt a little dumb standing in front of him as he laughed his large hat tipping on his head.

'Never hurts to try something once now does it?" He showed you a warm smile once his laughter stopped, you didn't expect him to be so agreeable to something like this.

''I cant figure out if you're serious or joking." you pouted as he guided you to the end of his ship.

''If you want the world, I'll get it for you.'' he clenched his first around thin air, right along your chest as he leaned into hug your shoulder, a bewildered stare darting between his face and hand you didn't even think about the possibility.

"I can't bring you a big ceremony, but if you want the life of a wanted criminal on your hands I can't go denying yours dreams now can I?''

''Guys prepare for a celebration!'' he shouted over his shoulder, every man standing at a halt.

''Your captains getting married!'' he wasted no time jumping assumptions.

"R-Roger wait, now?!'' you pushed a hand on his chest which he took into his with a knowing look.

"No time like the present no?'' He smirked, his teeth flashing in the bright sun.

He didn't even take time to consider something like this...

''I thought it over don't be stupid." Its like he read your mind, he pointed to his crew gazing down at you.

"They're a handful, but take care of them will you?"

"Like that's new.." you chuckled, still baffled by his words.

[michellemisfit]

✨Weekly Tag Wednesday ✨

Thanks for creating the game and for the tag @jrooc thanks for the tag @vintagelacerosette

Today we’re talking fandom. Come play!

Name and A03 handle: Michelle, michellemisfit

Current Location: Living room, surrounded by feathers, as I’m currently fletching some arrows

Favourite picrew: This one is pretty fucking spot on. Or at least it was at the time. Hair is very different now. But then, hair is always different… lol

Also this one is spiritually VERY me

What's one thing you want in a picrew? Ability to add coloured streaks! And a wide selection of scars, or alternatively the ability to move them around the screen. Either is fine. But mostly the hair thing. My hair is generally 4 different colours. Don’t try and limit me to one!!

Favourite thing you’ve created (or seen created) for the fandom? Erm… 3 way tie between Mexico Gallacrafts, Fimo Gallavich, and Cookie Gallavich? Maybe? Argh. Turns out, looking back at my art tag… I’ve created some pretty cool stuff. Huh. Yay me.

Why is it your favourite? I don’t really do photography, and I’m really proud of the idea behind and the execution of that photo. And while I LOVE drawing more than anything, I don’t think I’m exceptional or anything. But I’m damn creative when it comes to silly 3D craft projects, so both Fimo Gallavich and Cookie Gallavich make me happy and feel like something not just anyone could do… I dunno.

Did it come easily or was it hard to create? It was LONG to create. Both cookie and Fimo Gallavich took several days in total. And I think that’s the other thing I like about myself. I am willing to put in the work, and it usually pays off.

Last ao3 fic you commented on? Hah! You’ll be able to corroborate this, I’m not just sucking up!! LOL I’m currently reading Camp is a Battlefield by @blue-disco-lights, @jrooc, and @mybrainismelted, with artwork by @creepkinginc, so that’s the last one I commented on :)

Biggest WIP heartache you’ve ever experienced? I mean… every single WIP I have ever started reading, only to realise that maybe there won’t be any more of it… 😱 Every. Single. One. They’re all special, and they all hurt in their own special ways. And I will remain subscribed to all of them FOREVER, because you never know!!

Also? Comment on WIPs. Tell authors how much joy the story brought you, how much space it’s occupying in your brain, how much you would love to see it continue but how happy you are to have read as much of the story as there is because it’s changed your brain chemistry… do NOT comment saying ‘next chapter when?’, cause that makes you a dick bag.

Favourite trope or head cannon you like included in a fanfic? I’m a sucker for fake dating, only one bed, and a soulmate AU 🤷🏽‍♂️

Least favourite? …not a huge fan of kid fic, but hey, all it takes is a great author to make it work.

Secret or surprising kink or trope? Again, do not kink shame, because you’re only ever one good fanfic away from discovering something about yourself you did NOT see coming…

Describe how you feel after you’ve created something new? Exhausted and antsy. Is it good enough? Are people gonna like it? Should I even bother anyone with this? Why don’t I just go and hide under a rock forever?? I felt okay about this when I finished it, why is it suddenly the worst thing to have ever been created??? …I wish there was a sense of calm and accomplishment. There is not. Brains suck!

Top hype man you have that always helps you get across the finish line: @deedala - I so appreciate how we’re on a similar wave length when it comes to art as well as ‘everybody wants to hunt me for sport’ vibes. I know I can always count on you for kind but honest words, and that’s so important!!

It's been a bad day, you turn to the fandom and you _____? Read comfort fic. Probably Like Real People Do or None the Wiser.

Edit: Also? Go and read comments and tags on old art posts. That’s a sure fire way to cheer me up!

This was fun, and made the 15 minute wait between fletching each feather pass much faster. Thanks!!

If you are currently making your own arrows and need something to occupy your wait time with… how about completing a tag game? lol

@heymrspatel @loftec @creepkinginc @deedala @too-schoolforcool @darlingian @iandarling @iansw0rld @ian-galagher @mybrainismelted @palepinkgoat @crossmydna @mikhailoisbaby @sickness-health-all-that-shit @rereadanon @rutherinahobbit @energievie @junemermaid @francesrose3 @deathclassic @faejilly @rutherinahobbit @gallawitchxx @look-i-love-u @jessij1997 @callivich @celestialmickey @wehangout @doshiart @lynne-monstr @the-rat-wins @blue-disco-lights @suzy-queued @sleepyfacetoughguy @spookygingerr @burninface @gallapiech

[danieyells]

hi! any chance you'd be able to post some of kaito's voicelines? I would love to see them <33

Our wanna-be knight and pathetic little best friend! He's just such a good boy lol. . .once again, another one who just wants to go back to a normal life, poor thing. Kaito's very much your vanilla, sweet boyfriend character with no frills attached, aside from his cowardice and his gambling habit of course. And his terrible aim. . . .

Copying all of them over isn't hard now that I've done it twice. Let's do it again for Kaito!

Hello: (the first time the game is opened after that character is set as home screen NPC. Only happens once per day, unless the character is switched out and back.)

"{PC}! Over here! Hiya!"

You've Got Mail: (whenever there's something in the inbox, usually Arena rewards)

"Hey, new message. Better check it out, yeah? Or are you the type who's got like a ton of of unread inbox messages?"

. . .shut up /absolutely that type (and a sincere apology to literally everyone i know for that my adhd doesn't let me read and respond to their messages--)

Default: (requires no affinity, has no time constraints)

"God, please don't make me go on any more missions... It's not like me being there is any help to anyone anyway..."

"Oh yeah, have you been on WickHive yet? Someone leaked next month's cafeteria menu! Oh wait... I-I already told you that, didn't I?!"

"Damn it... I could've taken {PC} to lunch with that money! God, why am I such a moron?!"

"Ask me anything you want to know! I'm pretty savvy when it comes to Darkwick!"

honestly the fact that he's a second year who doesn't wanna be here and doesn't wanna be doing all of this but he still knows like everything about the school is also kinda sus to me. . .surely he'd divest himself from as much of darkwick as possible if he didn't care

"Urgh... Limited time only, you are not my friend... Huh? Oh, I'm on TikTok. I really want this, but I'm pretty broke this month..."

Affinity 1: (between 5am and 11am)

"Ahem... Testing, testing... Morning! Heh, nailed it... Ack! How long've you been there, {PC}?!"

Affinity 2: (between 11am and 4pm)

"Phew, should be safe here... EEEEEEEEEEK! Oh thank god, it's just a cat... I thought he found me..."

romeo oh romeo didn't you get into enough shit for this romeo? just make sure it's not Romeo cat. Because I'm sure it'll tell him somehow--

Affinity 3: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"Shit, it's Luca… Judging by the outfit he must be going to train. I better bail before he tries to rope me in too…"

Affinity 4: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Eeeek?! Oh, it's just you... Geez, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

i know romeo is constantly on his ass, and I relate to the feeling of being scared the people you owe money will appear out of nowhere and get you, but. . .he's so jumpy lol

Affinity 5: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Ugh, Romeo's texting me... Not gonna open that..."

Affinity 6: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"So your father runs a company, huh? Who the hell leads with that?! This is why I hate talking to Frostheimers..."

so the wording here is wonky because he's quoting a Frostheimer, but there's no visual indication that he's quoting them. But lore drop! Kaito's father runs a company! But I thought he wasn't well off. . .? Maybe his parents are separated or his father doesn't spend any of their money on him. . .or the company isn't doing well. . .or gambling addiction runs in his family lol. . . .

Affinity 7: (between 11am and 4pm)

"Argh, I want junk food! And I want to try all the new snack flavors!!"

my boy is so relateable--

Affinity 8: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"All right, time to man up and bite the bullet... Nope, absolutely not, can't do it!"

Affinity 9: (between 8pm and 5am)

"How is Jin's skin so perfect? Fucking rich kids and their stupidly expensive fancy-ass toner!!!"

kaito really looking at jin like OH NO HE'S HOT

Affinity 10: (between 10pm and midnight)

"(yawn) Guess I'll go brush my teeth..."

Affinity 11: (between 5am and 11am)

"Hey {PC}, you seem different somehow today. Did you change something? Or am I just imagining things?!"

Affinity 12: (between 11am and 4pm)

"Noooo why does Tohma want to see me...? No way it's about something good! Could you come with me, {PC}?!"

Affinity 13: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"Crap, I fell asleep in class so I don't know what our homework is... Help me, {PC}!"

Affinity 14: (between 5am and 11am)

"(yawn) Man, my bed's like a freaking marshmallow. I can never get any good sleep on that thing..."

lol the Frostheim beds are too comfortable lolol I NEED A FIRMER BED TOO KAITO I GET IT.

Affinity 15: (between 5am and 11am)

"Huh? Oh, my pendant! You're always wearing it? Does that mean you've actually been paying attention to me?!"

once again the wording here is wonk because it makes it sound like the pc is always wearing Kaito's pendant. I'm pretty sure he's quoting the pc, who's commented that "you're always wearing it". It would read better as something like "You noticed I'm always wearing it?"

Affinity 16: (between 11am and 4pm)

"Hey {PC}, how 'bout we grab a bite?! I've got tons to splurge in winn... er, earnings, so it's all on me! Get whatever you want!"

your gambling addiction is really and truly going to get you in trouble. disregard that i play a gacha game.

Affinity 17: (between 10pm and midnight)

"...Huh?! Man, nearly fell sleep without putting my phone on the charger... 5%, that would've sucked tomorrow..."

Affinity 18: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Ha ha ha! Have you seen this yet?! It's all over TikTok. Ah man, it's killing me..."

Affinity 19: (between 10pm and midnight)

"Whoa, when did it get so late?! Sorry {PC}, I didn't mean to keep you up... What? You're still good?"

Affinity 20: (between 5am and 11am)

"Morning! Hey, guess what? Luca's busy after class, so how about we hit up the diner? It's been ages!"

do you. . .do you really wanna go there. . .i mean the drinks seem to be fine but according to sho they can't make good food at all. . . .

Affinity 21: (between 11am and 4pm)

"Sorry, I gotta stay after class today... (sniffle) This sucks, I really wanted to walk home with you..."

aw buddy. . .they could wait for you or come pick you up after your remedial lesson. . .!

Affinity 22: (between 4pm and 8pm)

"Hey I'm really sorry but do you mind if we stop by the campus store after class? I'm almost out of granulated sugar."

Affinity 23: (between 8pm and 5am)

"Hey, do you like stars? Oh, um, I was just wondering 'cause there's this place where you can see them really well, so I thought maybe you'd want to go some time..."

he's overcoming his fears and being honest with himself and how he speaks and just. . .asking honestly, no bravado, no act. do it scared, kaito. do it scared, do it awkward, do it sure you're going to fail. as long as you do it. proud of you!

Affinity 24: (between 10pm and midnight)

"Sure is dark. Reminds me of the closet where we first met. Remember?"

Affinity 25(max): (no time constraints)

"I know I'm weak, and a coward. But I really do want to become your knight in shining armor, {PC}."

I love how comfortable and honest he starts to get as his affinity goes up. Still shy here and there, still scared, but he's not as jumpy and he starts treating you like a real friend. laughs with you about stuff, talks a little about hobbies and struggles. doesn't try and look cool for you. and then the honesty--i'm a weak coward, but i wanna be better for you. i wanna spend time with you. just!!! he grows!!! he realizes you like him for who he is and how he is, even if that's a weak coward--and that that's exactly what he wants! and it's okay for him to be that way because you won't be put off by it, even if it's something he'd like to grow from so he can be better for you--but he wants to be better for you as himself and--idk. i have feelings about characterization lol.

Spring: (March-May) (between 5am and 11am)

"(yawn) Man, I wanna sleep, but I can't fail, so I gotta show up for class... Oh! I have Professor Nicolas next! Naptime."

does that mean you're good in anomalous medicine class or. . . .

(between 11am and 4pm)

"Grr! All those girls in the hall were looking at Luca! I'm so pissed off now I'm not even sleepy anymore!"

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"It's finally warm out again, so I really want to go do something fun... Wish I could get an R&R permit..."

well maybe if you stopped sleeping in class and did good in class or went on a mission or something. . . . . .

(between 8pm and 5am)

"Mheheh... {PC}... You've got a petal in your hair... Zzz..."

Summer: (June-August) (between 5am and 11am)

"Ugh, it's too hot to go outside... But I can sense a coming-of-age event on the horizon... All right, here I come!"

obligatory beach event? 👀

(between 11am and 4pm)

"Can't believe Professor Hyde still wears that blindfold in summer. Pfft, I bet it's really sweaty under— Eeeek! S-Sir?!"

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"Hey {PC}, are you free after this? I was thinking of inviting Luca to let off some fireworks! I want to show him how we do summer here in Japan."

(between 8pm and 5am)

"I can't believe I get to spend the whole summer hanging out with you {PC}... (sniffle) Homework? Uh y-yeah, I finished it already..."

Autumn: (September-November) (between 5am and 11am)

"Is it just me, or is it really cold today?! Guess I better get my coat out soon..."

(between 11am and 4pm)

"Have you had the chestnut rice from the cafeteria yet? They made it way too fancy. It's supposed to be comfort food..."

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"Tohma's always reading something. Maybe I should too... All right, let's go with this! 10 Ways To Become Popular Overnight!"

well. . .it's something to read. . .never a bad idea to read.

(between 8pm and 5am)

"Apparently the moon is the most beautiful in fall since the air gets clearer. Want to go take a look?"

Winter: (December-February) (between 5am and 11am)

"It's freezing out there! It's freezing in here! Frostheim sucks!!"

this makes me wonder what the warmest dorm is on average. . .probably jabberwock as long as towa's in a good mood? (or maybe warm jabberwock winters mean towa's in a bad mood. . .?)

(between 11am and 4pm)

"The cold can go to hell, but I guess there's outfits you can only wear this time of year..."

you can wear whatever you want whenever you want if you're brave enough. but this is kaito and he's not very brave. and it's also not very smart to wear winterwear in the summer.

(between 4pm and 8pm)

"I really want to go to Starbucks for the new winter drink! But I really really don't want to go on any missions!! Guess I'll never get to try it."

(between 8pm and 5am)

"Gram... No... No more mandarins... ...Huh?! Oh, it was just a dream... I haven't had a mandarin for ages..."

'gram' in this case is 'grandma' in case you couldn't figure it out haha and the mandarin(mikan)'s used to represent health and longevity and a long prosperous bloodline or something like that for new years. So i assume his grandmother would feed him a lot of mandarins every winter lolol

His birthday: (December 11th)

"Why did Jin, Tohma, and Luca give me all this high-end stuff?! It's freaking me out!! Thank you!?!?"

EVEN JIN AND TOHMA GAVE HIM GIFTS. . .FROSTHEIM FAM IS REAL. . . .

Your birthday:

"Happy birthday, {PC}! We'll make this the best one— Hey, give those back! Those are the cue cards I made yesterday!!"

ksjfkhesbfjh he made himself cue cards to give you a birthday speech with as little stuttering as possible. . . .

New Years: (January 1st)

"Happy New Year! Let's make it a good one! S-So hey, if, er, if you'd like, c-could we, um... could we make our first shrine visit together?"

Valentine's Day: (February 14th)

"C'mon Kaito, deep breaths. Girls aren't into guys with no chill. So stay cool... Stay— Are those chocolates for me?! I'll take them to my grave!"

everyone loves an enthusiastic boy lol

White Day: (March 14th)

"Do you like the cookies I made? Come on, no way they're that good, heh heh... Heh heh heh... Here, take them all!!"

god i bet he makes really good sweets too. like i bet he puts so much love and good spirit into them lolol

April Fool's Day: (April 1st)

"I'd never lie to a girl. Ah! That's not a lie, I swear! {PC}? Are you listening?!"

BAD THING TO SAY ON APRIL FOOL'S ABORT MISSION

Halloween: (October 31st)

"Trick or treat! See those carved pumpkins? I was actually the one who made them. What do you think?"

given his DIY skills i bet he's actually really good at carving too. i bet they look really good!

Christmas: (December 25th)

"Hey, uh, {PC}, do you, uh... Do you have any plans for Christmas? I'm actually totally free!"

Idle: (about 20 seconds without interacting with the game) (below 13 affinity)

"Huh? {PC}? Am I being annoying?! I'm sorry! You're probably busy, right?!"

(13 affinity and above)

"{PC} seems kind of busy... I know! I'll find a video that'll help take her mind off things!"

this one replace the first one after you hit a certain affinity, so it's cute to see that he eventually decides 'i'm not being annoying, they're just busy. i wanna help them' after he gets closer to you. . . .

Absent: (logging in for the first time in 2 or more days?)

"Ah...! Oh my god, you're back!! I'm so happy to see you!!!!  (sob) Please don't leave me again..."

he's so clingy. . .poor guy really missed you, considering you're one of the kindest and most normal people in Darkwick that he associates with. . . . also man 'please don't leave me again' with the whole loop theory stuff. . . .

I THINK I'VE SAID MOST OF MY THOUGHTS THROUGHOUT THIS BUT. He really is a sweetie. He really could have ended up a very plain and 'safe' character, but he's managed to be very charming and entertaining with his struggles and exaggerated behavior, while still being a simple and safe type. Really looking forward to seeing how he plays into the rest of the story, since it seems like his pendant may be kind of important. . . .

[teecupangel]

Hello!! Hii!! It's me again :3c

Hope you're having a good day tee! Been re-reading your fics and ARGH they're so good, wish I could eat them, just needed you to know that ehe.

Anyways! I come with an idea!

Have you ever thought of a role reversal/swap au? Like, the modern gang are the ones in the past and the ones from the past are the in the modern time reliving the(ir) past.

I know that there are a lot of characters, from the past and present, and idk how swapping all of their places would work so I'm only focusing on my pookies for this ask :3c

The pookies in question are Desmond, Altaïr, Ezio and Ratonhnhaké:ton, of course.

So this time Desmond is the one in the past, AND WE COULD GO WILD FROM HERE!!

Was Desmond one of The Greatest Assassin's Of All Time™ or was he just like modern!Desmond who ran away from the creed and was roped back in to the entire thing only after a few years lol. Like I said, GO WILD!!

Rebecca, Shaun, Lucy and Clay are also in the past with Desmond, all the modern day characters are! (So also the antagonists!)

Also, I'm a biracial Desmond truther so that's definitely going to determine the setting he's going to be in.

My HC is that he's Half Syrian, half whatever William is (fuck you William) so maybe he could be born in Masyaf, during when? You decide!

I didn't want this to sound like a Desmond get reborn as Altaïr ask (I LOVE YOU DESMOND REBORN AS 'SOMEONE' ASKS) because I still want him to be in ancient/old Syria (or somewhere near that! Like I said GO WILDDDDD) that's why I'm keeping everything vague jssjaj

And tee the modern day plot is whatever you want it to be, and this time Altaïr, Ezio and Ratonhnhaké:ton (along with the characters from their games) would be our modern gang! Finally they can interact and banter with eachother.

The Animus and isus are still going to be involved of course.

can we get some ClayDes with this? Or AltDes?or both Please and thank you <3.

Also I'm so sorry if this idea seems so vague and plotless it literally just popped into my head a few minutes ago LOL (definitely not from re-reading Zero Eclipse again nope). And as per usual, forgive me for anything spelling/grammar mistakes! English is hard ajdhsjjaajsh.

You know what would be funny, nonny?

If this isn’t a case of Desmond being reborn as Altaïr BUT Desmond pretending to be Altaïr because Altaïr went missing.

Desmond, Rebecca, Shaun, Lucy and Clay all woke up in the temple underneath Jerusalem. The Apple was gone so their best guess was that this was after the big FUBAR that landed Altaïr in hot waters.

And to make this all the more interesting, the gang was sent to the past just as Desmond was about to stab Lucy in the coliseum.

Everyone but Clay doesn’t know Lucy is a Templar. Lucy and Clay make a truce of some kind where Clay keeps it a secret because they all need to focus on how to get back to their actual time.

(Clay only agrees to not explicitly telling everyone that Lucy is a Templar, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to tell the local bureau that there was a blonde foreigner crusader spy and he may or may not be hinting that someone is a traitor among them to Desmond the entire time, loop hole abuse is one of Clay’s favorite past time after all)

And here comes the mystery.

Desmond tries to check Jerusalem out because they need to figure out just ‘when’ they were kicked to and an informant saw him, called him Altaïr and dragged him to the bureau where…

Kadar was working as the temporary Rafiq.

What. The. Fuck.

.

Flashforward to the future where Ezio and Ratonhnhaké:ton wake up in a very familiar face. And hey, it’s Juno.

And he’s screaming at Altaïr who looked ready to throttle her, skin her alive and feed the goddamn skin down her throat.

They ran away from the screaming Juno and find the gang’s van.

Altaïr ‘surprisingly’ seemed to know how to open it and they both hide their before Altaïr tell them his side of the story.

So…

Altaïr decided that restraint was a word that should just be thrown out of the window after his wife and son died. He started messing up the Apple and unlocked admin access to it, which meant that he could get any information he wanted.

And the information he wanted was to change the past so the people he loved and cared for would live past their fated death.

He managed to return to the past and saved Kadar.

Unfortunately, Kadar’s survival caused a ripple in time and space and Altaïr was sucked into it where he… may or may not have met a Reader of time.

He made a deal with the Reader.

Apparently, Altaïr was not allowed to mess with his own time, no one was allowed to do that.

However, that didn’t mean that he couldn’t mess with other people’s time and someone else couldn’t mess with his time.

So they made a deal. The Reader would send someone who would want to give Altaïr a happy ending, in exchange Altaïr was to change the fate of the person the Reader was sending by taking out the Templars in the mean time.

Things started to get strange while they were switching timelines though.

Ezio and Ratonhnhaké:ton were yanked from their timeline because of their deep connection to Desmond and the gang was yanked with Desmond in the process because they were near Desmond (Clay getting yanked was because his digital avatar’s home, the Animus, was connected to Desmond’s phone via a shared network and the transfer counted him as an individual)

Altaïr is sorta kinda sure that they’d return to their original timeline once Altaïr had done his side of the bargain and Ezio and Ratonhnhaké:ton really have no other clue other than what the great Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad is telling them so they just go along with it.

First thing first… Altaïr needs to get into contact with William Miles to get information about this time that the Reader and his Apple was unable to give him.

.

On the other side of this wacky time travel ride, everyone assumes Altaïr is missing because they returned to the past.

Lucy is all in on the whole “we need to preserve history or else we risk the chance of disappearing!” and Shaun agrees with her (for now).

Clay thinks they should just fuck shit up and see what happens and Rebecca isn’t entirely on board with either ideas and more focused on finding out how they could return home.

For now…

Desmond will continue to pretend to be Altaïr who went missing because he was wounded in Jerusalem (after trying to save Kadar, sounds fishy, might be a clue) and the gang is now the kind people who healed him.

(Rebecca and Shaun are pretending to be married, Clay and Lucy are also pretending to be married, it’s very awkward, no one wants to acknowledge that elephant at all)

And…

Oh, yeah.

Malik was the one who got demoted and is now hunting down the Templars.

.

If this is ClayDes, it’s gonna be a slowburn kind of deal.

If you want this to be AltDes, Desmond and Altaïr actually manages to contact one another when they’re dreaming after Altaïr used the Animus to check his own past and got routed to Desmond’s POV.

If you want both, the same setup as AltDes but Clay gets suckered into the dream videocall because of unknown reasons.

[germworms]

Etho's unexpected face reveal

A shortfic of Bdubs accidentally seeing Etho's face on call.

Wordcount: About 1400 words.

Pairing: Etho&Bdubs Platonically

RPF

---

"I'll see you guys later!"

As he stopped recording, he leaned back in his chair. Through his headset he could hear his friends chatting away, about some random topic. He heard snippets of redstone talk, and that made him zone out. He double checked to see if he had stopped recording, which he had.

"Bdubs!" Someone yelled into his ear, making him jump up.

"Argh! What!" He asked, he moved his mouse around to find whoever scared him, rubbing his eyes. "Oh, hello, Etho."

"You tired?" Etho asked, his avatar sneaking in front of him, up close. He was laughing a bit, his own voice an octave lower. A sign of tiredness from the canadian.

He yawned, "Not at all, I gotta edit my video tonight too."

"Awh, you need motivation?" Etho asked, punching him in the game, "I'll be your ear worm."

"Thanks, you are a sweetheart."

"Yeah, I'll go take a quick washroom break, be right back."

"...Washroom." He mumbled, "Crazy man." He couldn't help but smile, he never could stop smiling when talking to him.

Someone walked into the room, hovering above him while wrapping their arms around his shoulders, "I'm headed to bed, the girls are asleep."

He turned his head to kiss his wife, "I'll finish up my editing and join ya', honey."

She closed the door behind her, smiling before closing it all the way.

He turned in his chair, opening up discord to check when the next hermit meeting would be. He saw Etho in the voice channel and joined, knowing that Etho liked to listen to music through Mee6. A big picture of a room showed up suddenly, his heart dropped.

Should he tell him? How would he even tell him, he was pissing right now! No use in calling for him.

He should have turned a blind eye, gone out of the voice group, but he was a tad too nosey for his own good.

His friend for over a decade, his faceless friend who he had never met. An internet friend whom he had spent countless hours talking to.

They had talked about meeting up 5 years ago, and then again yearly since then, but then Covid spread around right as they finally started making realistic plans. Everything got cancelled and they stopped talking about it. Etho stayed in his apartment alone, and he had his family he needed to take care of.

So as he watched, silently, and listened to every sound, a door closing made him jump. Footsteps.

First comfortable black pants, then the bottom of a black hoodie, "Bdubs I'm back."

He felt his heart speed up, the anticipation, not even Beef knew about this. He felt guilty already, he had seen more than enough, "Etho!"

A face became visible on the screen, a head full of brownish blackish hair, quite skinny face, clean shaven. His eyes were tired, but nonetheless, he was handsome. He gulped, "Uh, uhm."

"What did you do, silly?" He heard minecraft sounds, forgetting all about the game. Etho was probably wondering why he was standing so still, listening to him through the game and not through discord.

He couldn't stop staring, he felt like a sinner. Like this was more embarrassing to admit than when his parents had walked in on him as a teen, than his first kiss with a girl and with that boy in elementary.

An embarrassed blush crept up on him, "Bdubs, are you okay?"

Ethos mouth moved while he talked, of course, but seeing a face to a voice he wasn't even supposed to see made him speechless. The way he said his name made his heart skip in a way he hadn't felt in a long time maybe because he could see every syllable from Etho now.

"I- uh, ugh, your-" He coughed, watching how confusion spread across Ethos face. He noticed how Ethos posture was quite poor, "You should check your posture."

"Oh, thank you."

There was a moment of silence, "Hold on."

"Bdubs!!!" Etho's camera was quickly turned off, "You! What! You should have told me!! I- I don't know what to say!"

"Well!" He started, "I mean! Your handsome! Pretty! I mean, you're very- what I mean- I'm sorry!" He stumbled over his words, not knowing how to react. "I'll turn- I'm gonna turn on my face cam!"

He turned it on, forgetting how his face was completely red in embarrassment, "Oh god." he noticed, "It's the lighting!"

He let his words die out. Should he hide away?

"Are you angry?" He asked in a small voice.

"Angry? I- I don't know... A bit, I guess. I trust you, of course, but this has become a big deal for me, my face. I mean, you were gonna see it one day, I wanted that time to be special." Etho said, his voice became weary. "Be happy I actually wore clothes."

"I wouldn't be un-happy so to say."

"You- You're something else, man!"

Bdubs eased up, "I know, baby."

Etho took a long breath, he could hear the gears turning in his head, not knowing what he was planning. Who knew what that man was thinking anyways.

"You get ONE time of facetime, okay?"

He hadn't expected a sudden meet and greet, "Really?"

"Just make a private call, I don't want any of the other hermits joining, Gem will be so mad at you by the way." Ethos voice quieted down.

All hope of a session of editing went out the window, as he pulled up his private chat on discord with Etho, the last message read, 'U up for mc?'

He clicked the call button, "I'm calling! Okay! It's happening!"

Etho chuckled once, "Well, you already saw my face, WITHOUT me knowing, stalker."

"I'm sorry, okay?"

The call was picked up, eyes staring directly at him, while his mind blanked out, "Uh- hi."

"You're so RED, man!" Etho laughed at him, his whole face full of laughter, a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"I am?" He felt his face, "Well, don't blame me! You're pretty handsome, not more than me, though." He lied, of course Etho would be good looking, he could feel it in his guts from the moment he met him. Beauty followed the soul.

"Don't sell yourself short... Literally." Etho began cracking up again, going off screen to laugh.

"Oh, FREAKING funny, huh! I can prove I'm 5'10!"

"Stand up for me, then." Etho said, showing back on screen to stare directly at him. Making him nervous.

He halted in his action to stand up, "I don't take commands from you! You should trust my words."

"Oh, so now you don't wanna do what I say? Sounds like someone isn't as tall as they say they are, hmm, Bdubs?"

His heart skipped a bit, "I- I uh, I am." His voice more quiet now.

"You okay?"

He had to look away, "Nothing! I'm fine! Can you uh, say my name again?" He spoke the last part quickly, too embarrassed to say it out loud.

Ethos face scrunched, "What?-" His voice high, but then he spoke, "Bdubs? BdoubleO? John? Which one?"

He coughed, "Uh! Thank you! That's all, I wanted you to look stupid! Okay, Ha! Yeah.." Hearing his name from Etho was always something he enjoyed, but from Etho AND his face was something else entirely. He was comfortable with his sexuality, of course. He had always been open to girls and boys, and he fell in love with his wife the first time they met.

When he met Etho, he started wondering how his life would be if he had married a man. A thought for the dreamers, a thought he wouldn't make a reality, because he loved his life. He loved his children, his wife, his job.

He loved Etho as much as he could too.

"You like when I say your name?"

As much as a friend could love him, perhaps he never saw them as only friends, but also not as lovers. His wife knew about Etho, how could she not? And she adored him as well. They would frequently put an Etho lets play in the background when making dinner, laughing at the commentary. His wife never had any problems with, what Cleo would call, his obsession.

"You do, you weirdo." Etho said, leaning back, "Can you say my name?"

"Etho." His eyes scanned the screen, the face for any reaction.

A smile spread across Ethos face, he scuffed, "Yeah, okay."

A small pause between them and then a strange question, "Should I buy a better webcam for you?"

"For me?"

"You're the only one who gets to see me, mind I add, maybe HD is better for you." Etho said with a slight smile in his tone, "Anything for you."

In their years together, Etho had picked up on his adorations for him, and he had never said anything about it. Slowly, after a long time, it became their normal.

"You should get some rest, Bdubs."

"I should."

His head was tilted while the two men stared at each other, Etho said in a low voice, "This is kinda nice."

"Yeah, it really is."

[eventinelysplayground]

This is my entry for @aquagirl1978 Leon sequel release event. I used more than one prompt, though some are just touched on while others are a bigger part of the fic overall. I hope everyone enjoys it and gets a good laugh out of it, it was interesting to write interactions that don't normally happen and with side characters too. Leon's attitude is turning what should be a special ball into a frozen landscape. Just pure fluff and fun, WC approx 1420.

Growing Up

There's no question that a ball is a magical world unto its own. The dazzling jewels, bright dresses and outgoing dancers accompanied by delightful food and intoxicating music. It was enough to fuel little girls' fantasies for years until they were old enough to partake at which point this same magic world fueled their fathers nightmares.

This ball was no different really to the hundreds that had come before or those that would follow after except for the fact a Princess was making her debut tonight and a King who normally smiled like the sun now stood to the side glaring daggers.

“Seriously now Leon, you can't just keep standing here like this all night!”

Yves let out an annoyed huff and Leon just folded his arms across his chest.

“Oh yeah, watch me.”

Yves sputtered and nudged Licht in the arm.

“You're scaring them all Leon.”

“Good, they should be scared.”

Those last words were uttered in a low growl.

“Well I tried.”

Licht turned to the table behind them plucking a tart from a tray and taking a big bite of it.

“That is not trying! Leon, listen to me, I know you're just being protective but if you keep acting like this then nobody will dance with Sophie and you know how that will make her look and feel.”

For just a moment a flicker of regret passed across Leon's face but he shook it off.

“She has all of you to dance with, she'll be fine.”

“That's not, argh!”

Yves was clearly becoming frustrated and had just placed his hands on his hips when a big hand clapped him on the shoulder.

“Now now Yves, a ball is no place for a lecture.”

“But Jin, Sophie has put so much work into preparing for tonight and-”

“I know Yves but he's clearly not gonna listen to any of us so let's just go enjoy ourselves and let him stew.”

“But-”

Yves turned around ready to lay into Jin but although he was smiling it was a smile that told him he wouldn't be argued with.

“Fine, but I hope you know what you're doing!”

Yves stormed off and Jin quickly followed behind with Licht. Once they were far enough away Licht turned to Jin.

“You have a plan right?”

“Nope, not this time.”

“Then?”

“Just because I don't have a plan doesn't mean there isn't one.”

Licht looked over his shoulder and saw that Clavis was closing in on Leon and he sighed knowing full well this wasn't going to go well.

“Well this is certainly entertaining, did you know you look just like Chev right now?”

“I do not.”

“Hahaha, deny it all you like little brother but you could freeze water with your glare right now.”

Leon shifted uneasily at the comparison.

“It's just…”

“It had to happen sooner or later Leon, all children grow up.”

“Why did she have to grow up so fast?”

Clavis shrugged.

“I should have made a new decree about children not attending balls. Or one about boys and girls having to keep at least a hundred feet apart. Maybe it's not too late-”

Clavis was laughing hysterically, almost doubling over in the process but it was enough to draw Leon's attention away from his daughter.

“Do you hear yourself right now? You sound positively insane!”

“Mad I'm infringing on your territory?”

Leon smirked at Clavis, the first change to his expression all night and Clavis feigned a wounded expression.

“I may be eccentric, dashing, handsome, cun-”

“Clavis.”

Leon's tone was taught, clearly he was in no mood for Clavis' games.

“I am not insane, and neither are you. You and Emma have been fair and just rulers, beloved by everyone in the kingdom. Would you really throw it all away now because you don't want to face the fact that your baby girl has grown up?”

“That's just it she hasn't grown up, she’s still-”

Leon's words were cut off by a firm smack to the back of his head. It was Clavis who recovered first.

“Did you really just slap your King?”

“No, I slapped my son in law who's acting like an idiot.”

“Oh my this night is turning out to be quite entertaining! How deli-”

“Be quiet or you're next.”

“Dear me.”

Mr. Akatsuki glared at Clavis who couldn't help but gulp.

“I didn't know you were coming tonight Pops.”

“Of all the things you could have picked up from that mutt….”

Mr. Akatsuki sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Listen here, I know what it's like to watch your daughter grow up, to not want her to grow up but you're annoying brother-”

“Hey! I object to that.”

“Did you forget what I just told you?”

Leon was still rubbing the back of his head from the smack and Clavis put his hands up in surrender.

“Good. Now as much as you don't want Sophie to grow up she is and there's nothing you can do about that.”

“I know that, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.”

“Well of course you won't like it, no father likes it! I didn't like it, I'm actually still mad at you for taking Emma away from me.”

Mr. Akatsuki was the one frowning now and he crossed his arms across his chest mimicking Leon's stance from earlier.

“That's different, Emma was an adult whe-”

“Says you. To me…she was still the same little girl she had been. We have to let them grow up though and hope we taught them well, so that when the time comes they make a good choice. Not like some women.”

Mr. Akatsuki stuck his chin out gesturing to where Nokto was currently engaged in seducing a noblewoman. Leon sighed, running a hand through his hair and that's when he noticed it. Sophie was being escorted to the edge of the dance floor by a boy with familiar red hair. He wanted nothing more than to walk over there and pull them apart but his still faintly throbbing head was enough to make him restrain himself.

“I had always wished we had another girl but now…one is definitely plenty.”

Mr. Akatsuki nodded his head in agreement to Leon's words. The three men watched in silence as Sophie twirled her way around the dance floor, a smile as dazzling as the sun lighting up her face. As soon as the song ended and she had been escorted off the floor another young man came up and offered Sophie his hand which she gladly took.

“Hahaha it seems Cedric's courage has spread to others.”

Leon grumbled something under his breath before he walked away from the other two. Clavis waited for awhile to be sure Leon was out of ear shot before he spoke.

“You know I was curious how my darling sister had planned to deal with this but I admit calling in her dear old Papa to handle it was not on my list.”

“Seems like I wasn't entirely needed though. Not when you can order around your knight to order around his son. What did that cost you anyway?”

“Oh I didn't have to pay, as it turns out dear Cedric finds the Princess quite enchanting. I did have to stop his father from discouraging him but anything for young love.”

Mr. Akatsuki groaned and Clavis' expression turned serious.

“Leon still has a lot to learn doesn't he?”

“Yes, but he’ll get there eventually. At least my granddaughter is also making sensible choices.”

“True, she could have been led astray by someone like Jin, or Nokto.”

“Or even worse, you.”

“Dearie me, that hurts my feelings.”

“You'll be fine and so will he.”

“Of course, but will you be fine?”

“Huh?”

There was a devilish grin on Clavis' face as his gaze settled on Emma and Leon who had now joined the other dancers on the floor.

“Well Sophie is still pure and innocent after all but Emma isn't. I mean they have eight children after all and the direction Leon's hands are currently going in it looks to me like he may be anxious to try for numb- ow!”

Clavis began rubbing the back of his head, he was honestly surprised the old man still had so much strength in him.

“Clearly Emma learned her famous, or should I say infamous, slap from you.”

“Nope, hers is even worse.”

Clavis shuddered at the thought while Mr. Akatsuki began to laugh, taking what solace he could in Clavis' pain.

[nephilimcursed]

Bella's Route: Haunted Dark Bridal (G-Edition) - Prologue Part One

The game loads strangely, with slight distortion to your screen. You are no longer... playing as Yui. How strange, instead there is a dark haired girl with peircing, warm gold eyes in the corner of the screen. The background is a dark forest at night, black goo seeps over the leaves.

Bella: "Huh, well that was rougher than most of my fights..."

Bella: (It's been a while since a demon has given me that good of a fight. Maybe it's because I haven't eaten in a while...)

Your character gives her angel blade a spin before putting it back inside the sheath.

Bella: (I should consider stopping by a gas station or something. The Clave only give me a limited amount of money, so I'll only be able to afford Ramen again... but it's better than nothing. Plus it's been 5 days since my last meal.)

Bella: (I'm so thirsty... I don't have enough pecunia to buy a drink though. I suppose water from a river can do.)

Bella: (Ahh- My shoulder was wounded. It's deep, if it had gone through even an inch more, it would have been fully through my flesh and bone. Ouch... It's stinging by the moment.)

Bella: (If only I still had my stele, all I'd have to do is draw a rune on myself to heal. I should have never lost it to those Moloch demons back in New York.)

Bella: (Since I can't go to a Shadowhunter Institue unless ordered, I suppose I'll have to wait to get another. Which means no more runes for a while. I have to heal the human way.)

Bella: (I saw the gas station up the road, I can walk there, wrap up my shoulder, and get food. Then... back to being ordnance.)

Your character trudges up the road to a gas station, and the background changes to that of a interior of a gas station.

Bella: (Finally, that was a longer walk than I thought.)

Bella: "Mphm, ramen..."

Bella: (I'm kinda sick of this, this has been all I've had for a few months now. But at least it keeps my body running in a way. I should probably try to find a place to get some sleep sometime too.)

Bella: (Now that I have this though, I should get bandages and disinfectant. Without my stele, I could get infected.)

Your character walks to the tiny section of mini supplies for the medical supplies.

Bella: (Good, this will cost me all my money for the week. But at least it'll be enough to heal me and gain some of my strength back.)

Bella: (Why does it feel like... someone is looking at me?)

Your character turns, to spot our first familiar face, Ayato Sakamaki. He is simply staring at her as if to admire her figure.

Bella: (Ew... what a fucking creep. He has nothing better to do, huh? Argh, men...)

Bella: (Whoa, that bone structure though... and those eyes. They're like pure emeralds.)

We see another familiar face appear in the scene, Yui. It's strange, seeing her not in the corner, but on the same scale as Ayato. She looks quite worried. There is a Japanese audio, but it seems your character cannot understand the language.

Bella: (That boy... He's familiar... That doesn't matter- he's acting with a lot of disrespect toward the poor girl...)

Bella: (Should I butt in?)

CHOOSE:

Intervene <<<<♡

Don't Intervene

You chose Intervene.

Bella: "Hey, I don't think that's a very nice way to talk to a girl."

Ayato: "Hm? What did you say...?"

Bella: "I said, fuck off. I couldn't understand what the fuck you were saying, but I know you addressed her in a hostile way."

Ayato: "What makes you think you can tell ore-sama what to say to chichinashi, melons?"

Bella: "Don't call me melons, Christmas."

Ayato: "Christmas??"

Bella: "Yeah, you have red hair and green eyes, idiot. If you wanna pick a fight with me, be aware I'll snap back."

Ayato: "..."

Ayato: "Chichinashi! Hurry and come back to the car."

Ayato exits. Yui goes to follow.

Bella: "Wait one second."

Yui:"Hm?"

Bella: "Are you okay...? If he's not treating you right, I can help."

Yui: "Oh... That's very kind of you, but when Ayato-kun gets like this... Best thing to do is do what he says..."

Bella: (I can't help her if she doesn't let me...)

Bella: "Alright, but hey, take my number. If you want, call me. If I'm still in town, I'll get you away."

Your character hands Yui a slip of paper with your number on it.

Yui: "Oh... How nice of you. Thank you so much..."

Bella: "Yeah, what's your name, kid?"

Yui: "My name is Yui Komori... Who are you?"

Bella: "Bella Wayland, nice to meet you, Ms Komori."

Yui: "Nice to meet you too... Thank you."

Ayato: "CHICHINASHI!!!"

Yui: "Kya...! I better go..."

Bella: "Keep my number, be safe."

Yui: "Thank you again... goodbye..."

Bella: "Arrivederci."

Yui leaves, leaving Bella to pay for her food and leave.

[ecargmura]

The Mochi Mayhem Epilogue Was Hilarious (Review)

Here it is. The finale of the DLC. The ending to an era. How should we celebrate this milestone? Excuse me? Could you repeat that again? The Chicken Dance? What?

Anyways, this epilogue is bringing in the main story and DLC together by making the Paldea trio meet up with Kieran and Carmine, the DLC characters in one last misadventure to stop the land of Kitakami from doing the chicken—er, Mochi dance by a mysterious Pokemon that looks like a Pecha Berry.

The overall epilogue was very hilarious, but it also got me having a lot of questions. I know that the event starts in Kitakami when you examine the peach plush in Peachy’s. After the little scene that happens, Arven calls because he wants to come over to the player’s house, meaning you have to travel all the way back to Paldea where Nemona and Penny tagged along and then Kieran gives the player a letter, which then makes the Paldean group go back to Kitakami, which is when the event starts happening. I don’t know why the game makes it so that we have to jump through different regions. I know it’s for plot as the Paldean trio didn’t get offers to study abroad. It made me wonder what would’ve happened if they had come along during Teal Mask.

Despite that, Kieran meshes well with the Paldean trio. It sucks that Carmine was possessed throughout the whole story, but it makes sense as she had her fair share of spotlight in the Teal Mask. This is Kieran’s time to shine! I find it hilarious how he was theorized to have been possessed, but when Pecharunt showed up with the evil mochi, Kieran is the only other person aside from the player to not eat the mochi as it hit his forehead and flew off. Ha, take that, theorizers! I wonder what would’ve happened if Nemona had been involved in the Teal Mask DLC—maybe that was why they took the Paldea trio out of the story for the DLC because the story’s issues would’ve resolved fast.

Pecharunt is a weird Pokemon. While it has a connection with the Kitakami lore, it was never really explored. It just showed up and wrecking havoc. While it did give the Loyal Three their toxic chain, it never really had an involvement in Teal Mask until this DLC. The Loyal Three are its retainers, but there were slight hints of its existence sprinkled here and there. I’m also confused on why it decided to wake up and decided to possess everyone with toxic mochi. Is it angry? Chaotic? I’m not sure. Despite that, Pecharunt is no slouch in battle.

What I liked about the DLC is the fact that Kieran joins the player as a Multi Battle partner which is a definite redemption from his behavior in the Indigo Disk DLC. It was nice being able to battle together with him. I was actually surprised that Kieran’s grandparents were trainers too. They were pretty tough. Arven and Penny were challenging too. I do like that in the midst of the double battles, the last match is against Nemona, who is challenged as a single battle. I loved the mix-match of battling styles.

Once you complete the DLC, Nemona, Arven, Penny, Kieran and Carmine can be interacted with in the League Club with the former three being special coaches. I do like that they give you such a bonus afterwards. I feel like it’s a good way to end everything as you are reunited with the three most important characters in the main story followed by the two most important characters in the DLC. What makes Paldea special is the unique varieties of characters that makes it a worthwhile experience.

Argh, it’s going to be hard to say good-bye to these characters because they’re all so good. All the Gym Leaders, Elite Four, teachers, Team Star, students and DLC characters were just so GOOD! Scarlet and Violet legit shot up to my third favorite mainline Pokemon game because of how good the game and DLCs were. What will Pokemon do now after the masterpiece that was SV? If Unova remakes are true, will it live up to SV’s hype? Will it be better than BDSP? Only time will tell. What are your thoughts on this epilogue and the DLCs as a whole?

[beevean]

Imagine if CoD had two endings:

One where Julia doesn't show up at the end and so Hector dies as the castle crumbles

And the good ending available only if you find every chair in the game, with no immediate logical connection, leading us to believe that she really loves a man who knows his chairs

You know what? You're right! Why didn't IGA go the SotN and HoD route and imply all women in CV are really really horny for men into exploration?? Call that the juiciest of lores!

In all seriousness, multiple endings for CoD would have been great, although I understand the game didn't have the proper budget/time for it. But imagine an ending where Hector kills Isaac during his rageboner moment because he didn't remember Julia's words in time, and boom, he gets corrupted and Death uses him to resurrect Dracula - this could have even been like Julius Mode in DoS and unlocked Trevor Mode, who now has to stop Dracula again. Maybe you could get the good ending if you speak to Julia in the shop multiple times, so that the grip of the Curse relents on Hector (since clearly Julia's presence calms him down)?

An ending where Hector dies in the castle would be too sad, though :( I'm not even sure how much you have to fuck up for that to happen :( although now that I think about it, it also reminds me a bit of DoS where Mina's amulet allows Soma to delay his corruption enough for Arikado to intervene, so uhmmm... maybe if you take too much time fighting Dracula, Julia doesn't show up? Or Hector lets himself die faster if you have missed something that would give him a reason to resist? Argh, now I'm thinking too much.

anyway julia should have absolutely smooched hector in the chair room. bro literally sat on a toilet that was previously under a lake for the sake of his collection. i think he deserves a little treat

[dors-ee]

Big spoilers about veilguard in this post. Like I give previse examples and story points.

Well I am heading to the end I think and... I am disappinted then. Maybe I built up my expectations, due to things people said and things in the game itself, lots of things.

and tbh I held on a lot of stuff by thinking "there's more to it. There's more. It can't just be the elven gods. It can't be just that.".

I mean the game itself dropped a lot of stuff that should lead to more, that imply more, much more.

There were stuff that tbh without this "there's more" are underwhelming and lacking depth and too flat. Lots of things that could... that SHOULD be more.

lots of things that are too easy too.

It feels too fast, too... idk. Flat and easy and lacking depth.

So if killing the gods really is the ending, idk. I think I'd be disappointed enough to consider a refund.

The relationships with thr companions would also be so... superficial, so flat.

The ideas are good, very good. But it all goes so fast and it's just so little. The resolutions come too fast and idk. They all point to something more. All of them.

So I don't know... maybe they're keeping it on for future games then? Bc the game is telling me I am heading toward the end of the main story... by going to go kill the gods.

There's also so little of Solas. Like yeah his memories... and a few talks with him. But... that's it?

like really all I can think about is... that's it? That's just it?

terribly disappointing then. Anyway. We'll see, I'm gonna go kill the gods then.

Maybe I'll give more details with examples after, just to complain about all the good ideas that were ruined. (and tbh if this game was called so good and great and all by some reviewers and the developpers ... then I wonder what people's standards are. What are our standards for good stories? Are we all idk... regressing that something so easy and underwehlming is considered a good story? This is my opinion. And easy stories have their place. But idk. some stuff here reaaaally feel too easy. And I am not saying there are not some good, very good things. But the whole of it and a lot of quests and storylines fall so... flat.

And it makes me reflect on us as a society when I think of what else the entertainment industry did, recently, and our response to it. that's where my "what are people standards" and "are we regressing" comes from.

I'm also not judging. Like if people liked the game. I had a blast playing until I started to suspect the end was coming. and all those thoughts came too. bc part of why I was enjoying it was because I exlected something grand and I was SO excited at all little drop that called for more. that... how to... implied more. The blight changing song, after the reveal of the titan's link to it, and the thing in the depth coming up? I thought this was linked! I thought this was all linked! The echo? The formless? the forgotten ones? The in Necropolis worst than gods?

I thought we'd have so so much more, even by playing and without the expectations from before.

And I was so excited for it to all fall together. So I still enjoy the game and will replay it to explore a few other choices. But... still very very disappinted if it really ends with the gods and we don't get more out of the things that should have more. (the gloom howler too... like... that's it? That's just it?)

So again not judging if pple like it. I like it. I'm just... argh. Disappointed.

But again we'll see. Maybe things fall fall together then. (also we didn't get that much out of Elgarnan or even Ghilan'nain so idk. Falls flat.)

Solas and the inquisitor too nd argh idk I have such a long list of stuff that... just aren't enough. and maaaybe I should read the codex more then. Maaaaybe I'll get a lil bit more depth on some stuff. Idk. But it wouldn't change this feeling of too easy and falling flat and disappinting id it ends only with the elven gods without exploring the other stuff.

Also part of why I am feeling this "that's just it?" is because I've been playing a lot without lots of pauses, I mean I did the first few days take my time but then not. Maybe it plays a part in it.

also not saying there weren't emotional moments. But ... idk.)

[hellparkri]

Kevin Stoley

-They are just bad dreams, nothing more. Just fall asleep at once, Kevin, you're almost eighteen, you're going to school and you have a girlfriend, you've got to grow up-...

 These were his sister's words to reassure him after a nightmare. Kevin was a weird guy, but weird in a good way, Kevin was very interested in science fiction and comics. His room reflected this very well: From posters of  giant Star Treks that filled the entire ceiling of his room, to a complete collection of Star Wars lightsabers. If you needed someone to tell you about a universe that involved a minimum of spaceships, whether it was any comic, book, movie or video game, chances are Kevin Stoley had you covered. This perhaps doesn't sound so bad; But Kevin's sister: Esther, I knew Kevin was a bit of a person... "Sensitive", Kevin used to present constant nightmares with monsters from video games and movies, this would not have any problem if Kevin was still in his childhood, but the problem that his sister had was that her brother was seventeen years old, this was just almost sad, and although Esther was always happy to comfort her brother,  Even she was starting to get irritated from getting up at one in the morning every night to tell her brother that the stain wasn't real and that she wasn't going to kill him.

"I know, but you really have to treat me like a little boy because of that?"

-Listen, just try to fall asleep today without getting up, OK? I have an online exam tomorrow and I should be **super** rested. Esther smiled at her brother one last time and kissed his forehead.

-Argh! Esther, you know I don't like this, it's embarrassing and I'm too old for you to kiss me. Kevin complained while frowning a little. His sister still treated him as if he were ten years old. Although well, he was the one who asked her for help when she woke up from a bad dream

-Kevin, first of all I remind you that I still have to come to comfort you almost every night, second: You shouldn't act like that with those who give you love. His sister asked as she looked at him with that smile that his brother had seen so much before falling asleep.

-Well, obviously not... Maybe because she's not my sister! Kevin shouted in a friendly tone and somewhat sorry for having to wake up his little sister practically every night.

"Look, Kevin, you shouldn't feel ashamed that your sister shows you care, if she didn't, she wouldn't come to wish you goodnight. Besides, who knows if this will be the last time I'll see you, who knows and I'll die in my sleep. we should not be like this with anyone, much less your old reliable little sister! Esther made jazz hands while spreading a big smile on her cheeks. Kevin, on the other hand, just smiled and hugged his sister, that smile of Esther's had now stuck to him too, and he couldn't help but just hug his sister for a while.

"Esther, I promise I won't wake you up today, you always worry about me, it's the least I can do..." Kevin was about to shed a tear when his sister stroked his hair and said:

"Oh, Kevin, you don't need to, just for today, will you?" Someday I'm not going to be there for you, and I hope Red is there to take care of you, I don't know. I only ask you to give it a try tonight. His sister winked at him confidently and left his brother's room, but not before turning off the light in the room and closing the door.

The hours passed; Kevin was already asleep in a light sleep, barely four hours had passed since he had gone to sleep. It was two in the morning, that day it rained incessantly for hours and hours, from morning until almost sunset, it was really an extraordinary event, at first he was relieved not to have school, but "as happened to almost all the children in the town and its surroundings" he realized that the signal was unstable and the light was even worse,  It was almost a miracle that their computer or TV had not short-circuited so many times that they were victims of sudden blackouts. That rain was an event that the whole town would remember for several years to come... And even more, he suffered the tragedy of not being able to play any of his video games for long and agonizing hours, he was truly sure that he had suffered more than everyone in the village combined.

But that didn't matter anymore; The rain had ended a few hours before he went to sleep and all he could hear now was only the loud barking of a dog that seemed to be trying to scare something away. Those loud screams were enough to wake Kevin, who had been sleeping too light for as long as he could remember, so anything no matter how insignificant it seemed was almost certain to wake him up.

"Hell, is it that no one is capable of going to calm their dog?" Kevin said quietly as he rubbed his eyes somewhat irritated. After a few minutes of trying to go back to sleep Kevin noticed that he was simply not able to do it anymore, but it did not seem strange to him nor was it like that in general, once something woke him up it was almost impossible for him to go back to sleep without someone asking him. That was mainly the reason why his sister always had to come and make him sleep. "Or at least that's what was always said in his mind."

Kevin got up: He was short in stature, his hair was straight but extremely soft, his face had some acne marks and he had to wear glasses because of his myopia. He wasn't the most attractive guy, but that didn't matter to him, Kevin used to be quite friendly with everyone around him and "even though he never wanted to admit it" he always thought of others and others thought of him. This had given him quite a few friendships and he was generally appreciated by everyone around him. Kevin put on his glasses and walked to the window of his room and silently admired the stars for a while; With his hands he began to draw the face of his beloved Red MacArthur in the air. She thought for a while what she would think of him if she found out that he still needed someone to comfort him before sleeping, that was the most precious secret Kevin Stoley had, because if someone found out, well... I only knew that at least I would be the laughingstock of the school for five painful months. He quickly shook his head and forgot about that thought, still in his pajamas he decided to go out to his backyard and walk around a little until he got sleepy. But even worse was that she felt that her sister was lying to her, she felt as if she only wanted him to grow up and stop waking her up every blessed night just because a dog barked too loudly or because she dreamed that a monster was devouring him alive. That was indeed the most troubled in his mind. The teasing was temporary, but feeling like a martyr to someone you love was truly the painful thing.

Again he tried to forget those intrusive thoughts and went down in silence so as not to wake anyone up to his backyard. He felt something strange in that place, the screams of that dog had stopped, there was not a single hint of sound in the whole place... Kevin felt a déjà bu, it seemed as if he had already experienced this before; In a dream from many years ago, perhaps. He could not remember for sure what it was that bothered him so much, he felt that he was going to die soon, that there was something extremely wrong in that tranquility of the night, he simply felt... false.

His thoughts short-circuited when he heard something go up near his house, he turned to his right corner; from where the sound had originated and he saw a person climb the fence. He stepped back a little frightened, but it seemed as if the person who had just crossed the fence of his home was not very uneasy or scared.

"Tally-ho, Kevin!"

"What, who the hell are you!?" - Kevin slowly backed away as he watched as the person approached him. It looked like it had some strange fake "wings" and "horns" on its back and forehead as it tried to hide its teeth with a short smile.

"Oh, don't you really remember my name?" Oh Kevin, look how much you've grown! Are you still with Red? Or even better, do you happen to know where Damien is?" said the intruder as he approached with a big smile; His teeth being somewhat long and even somewhat sharp, his clothes were too clean and shiny, but he noticed that there was a little bit of what seemed to be a strange black liquid in one of its corners.

"D-Damien!?" Eh-listen~ j-just get out of here! I-I'm going to call the police if you don't leave~-

"Oh Kevin, would you really do that with your old friend Pip?" I doubt it, now be a good boy and tell me if you've seen Damien anywhere, he's been spending a lot of time on earth and I'm starting to worry already!" Pip started to walk nonchalantly towards Kevin, staring at him, penetrating into Kevin's soul with is purple eyes, even when the boy with glasses tried to scream, Phillip was just getting closer and faster towards him,  until finally stopping for a second; Kevin watched as Pip's expression for the first time denoted some anger and frustration.

-Kevin Kevin Kevin... Do you really not remember my name mhm? Okay, I get it, I was never the most popular or the most loved. That doesn't make me angry... What makes me angry is that you don't want to cooperate..." Pip quickly approached Kevin; Who, helplessly, looked at a great and sharp smile, the blond one formed on his face; his teeth opening massively until revealing that in his mouth there were only rows after rows of sharp teeth, Kevin heard how the jaw tore and stretched to inhuman reaches; Phillip's skin stretched and revealed Phillip's red-hot skin, you could even see Phillip's throbbing veins, the two long horned ones began to slowly expand on Pip's forehead as he laughed maniacally in an increasingly distorted and heartbreaking voice, two long tongues that looked as if they belonged to a snake peeked out before Kevin's helpless gaze; Who only tried to struggle in vain and scream for help.

It was a great and agonizing scream that woke Esther up: it seemed that it came from her backyard, but first she went to check her brother's room as a precaution. "He's not there..." she said to herself in her mind. But Esther didn't feel real panic, the fences in her neighborhood were not very long and this meant that rodents and other wild animals often scurried around the yards, Kevin was already quite afraid of animals such as raccoons and mice, so knowing his brother he had probably only met one of these animals and got a good scare... and, hearing no more screams, he assumed that Kevin had calmed down and probably only admired the nightscape.

She calmly went downstairs and turned on the lights in the living room, but her expression changed completely when she saw what appeared to be a monster on top of her brother's inert body.

That demon looked at her with blood in her mouth for a few seconds; Their pupils were extremely small and luminous: of which a mixture of purple and red light was visible through them. Esther screamed and rushed to save her brother, Pip on the other hand fled the scene quickly. But that was the least that could matter to Esther at that moment, she went to see if her precious brother was still alive, but a quick inspection of what was left of his face and torso was enough to confirm that nothing could be done to save him.

[unjustgalaxy]

OH YEAH ALSO CAN YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR UNDERTALE WONDERLUST AU :0???

ARGH I MEAN I DONT HAVE MUCH?? I HAVENT HAD TIME TO THINK ABT IT😭😭

but um ill write something down under a read more sure👍👍

its definitely tougher now since they went to the SURFACE already, but i bet i could work with it.

i know Troy functions as sort of the protagonist which jesus christ. unlucky. mans definitely NOT getting a pacifist ending now!! (points over at him, covered in blood and gore)

the thing abt ut au is that Troy and Frisk go through a pretty similar thing at the beginning if u think abt it!!

He fell down a big pit (flowers didnt break his fall, but trash is good enough), he then met SOME sort of villain of the story because he got kidnapped (also in pitch darkness, like Flowey was + u can equal being tied to a chair to being trapped in a small box surrounded by bullets) AND he met someone who functions as a tutorial for this new world hes entered (although Blink is way more unwilling than Toriel is😭😭)

i feel like if this was in game form, Blink would start off more like.. you know undertale yellow? Dalv is there, the vampire guy, and he spends like all the ruins Running Away from you before you meet him at the very end. I imagine it would be more like that, but he'd actually teach you stuff the few times you meet him. I'll figure out the logistics!!

Aeon is definitely like the Undyne equivalent. Because she's definitely after them, very scary and angry, but she's actually chill as hell (atleast i'm HOPING Aeon pls be my friend please)

Idk how exactly Ripley and The Inventor will work in this sort of?? situation? OR the Overseer

Like the Overseer was definitely built up as this huge threat - an Asgore level threat - but i'm unsure if he is?? I just have to wait for more wonderlust to come out😭😭

Oh!! And like, regions wise

For sure Reclaim is the beginning area, maybe with like a turn u can take, or you can fall further down into the Trench maybe? And Oasis Flora could be chill like Waterfall is

I certainly don't need to plan all of this so logistically, and should think about it more lore wise, but this helps with making art for it i think

OH and Troy, Runt and Blink definitely team up. Which is more Deltarune like, especially since Troy KEEPS wanting to kill people and they keep having to stop him

BUT ANYWAY THESE ARE VERY SCATTERED AS YOU CAN TELL. I wanna have more info before I actually start like, piecing it together into a whole thing in my head. Because I don't know how many more times they'll go to the surface and if i can somehow change that or implement it so it makes sense lore wise

Last minute thought: The Inventor is Gaster. imagine

and in an ideal world Cogsworth is Mettaton

But i know i wanna make more like pixel art for it bc its fun!! i only made one battle sprite but i wanna make one for like Blink too...

THANKS FOR GETTING ME TO THINK ABT IT I NEED TO LOCK IN AGAIN

oh and also ur tma au rlly intrigues me and i WISH i could read more abt it if only i wasnt fucking terrified of tma OR knew anything abt pd😭😭 the only things i know r through my brother and i did like. bare minimum research into "which fears fit which of the riptide guys" like years ago BUT JUST SO U KNOW I THINK ITS COOL IM CHEERING BUT LIKE THROUGH A WINDOW

i keep making too many aus. undertale? tma fear entities years ago? homestuck au thats entirely unfinished? can i chill?

[beewolfwrites]

An Iron Box - A Mind Bewitched

Thank you all for being so patient! I’m still not 100% but by next week things should be back to normal :) 

The AO3 link is here. 

I hope you enjoy! 

Edit: Sorry guys, I realised too late that Tumblr got rid of all my italics and formatting. I’ve fixed it now. 

__________________________________________________

I had never been particularly concerned with my appearance. However, even I was glad to change out of my singed swimwear. Those awful shorts hadn’t been my first choice, although it was a shame about my hoodie. I had grown quite attached to it. 

Now cleaner, and dressed in actual clothes like a sane human being, I was reclining on the couch in our “living room” while Kuina and (name) made a cacophony of noise in the tiny staff kitchen. What had started as a decision to make dinner together now resulted in an orchestra of pots and pans, miscellaneous clatters and the clack of cutlery on the tile floor. 

I busied myself with the tiny map of the subway station. This scrap of paper would lead me to the answers I craved, but which station would be best to enter through? If the small hole in the paper marked out a den, then it had to be somewhere hidden along the tracks instead of at a station entrance where players could easily discover it. 

But which station?

My thoughts were interrupted by a particularly loud clatter. The door opened and (name) appeared, carrying two steaming bowls with spoons inside. (Name) handed me one of the bowls, which contained a hearty-looking vegetable stew, and sat on the other end of the couch whilst Kuina plopped down in an armchair, a third bowl in her lap. Kuina immediately spooned some of the stew into her mouth, only to spit it back into the bowl. 

‘Argh!’ She fanned her tongue with her hand. ‘It’s so hot!’ 

‘I would never have guessed by the steam,’ I said, setting down my spoon to let the stew cool for a while. 

Kuina prodded the chewed mush in her bowl, and I was mildly perturbed by the fact that she still planned on eating it. Ever the dramatic, she felt around her mouth with a finger. ‘I think I’ve scalded my gums.’ 

‘What a surprise.’ 

Her eyes narrowed and she placed her bowl on a side table. ‘What’s got your boxers in a twist? You’re even more sarcastic than usual.’ 

The comment was so stupid, it didn’t even deserve a response. Finally lifting a spoonful of stew to my lips, I blew on it before eating. And within one bite, I knew that Kuina couldn’t possibly have cooked this. I had tasted her experiments before, and it was a mistake I had no intention of ever repeating. 

‘It’s good,’ I said to (name). 

She smiled quietly, cradling her warm bowl close to her body. ‘It’s nothing much. Just something I threw together.’ 

We ate quietly, leaving the cutlery on the coffee table to be cleaned up later. However, as the sun set and the sky darkened, it became a little too quiet. Something had changed. The city beyond the window was swept in shadows with no sign of life. And no games. 

‘What d’you think will happen when our visas run out?’ Kuina asked, staring out at the empty apartment blocks and offices. 

‘It probably has something to do with the Ten of Hearts,’ (name) replied. ‘Maybe there’s no need for games anymore, since we’ve got all the numbered cards.’ 

The change was definitely due to the Ten of Hearts, which only confirmed at least part of Hatter’s original theory. Even if the cards didn’t send one person home - which I knew already - perhaps collecting them had been a trial. The deck lay heavy in my pocket, carrying so much weight for just a simple pack of cards. Whoever was running these games had been working quietly behind the scenes so far. Now, what would they do?

What are they thinking?

The night stretched on, and although I was occupied with studying my paper map to work out the best route to take, I began to notice Kuina’s futile attempts at hiding her yawns behind her hand. (Name) was curled up on the other end of the couch, her eyes closed in restfulness. Between them, it was Kuina who gave into exhaustion first and headed off to bed. With a not-so-subtle wink, she disappeared upstairs. 

And naturally, in Kuina’s absence, (name) slid along the couch until she was pressed into my side, her face angled over my shoulder to see the map in my hand. Heat radiated from her body, her arm and thigh brushing against mine. She was far too close for comfort, but surprisingly, I didn’t hate it. 

She leaned in closer, if such a thing was possible. ‘Isn’t that…’ 

‘Ah.’ She remembered well. ‘I took it from the tagger’s pocket.’ 

‘What is it?’ 

‘Well, I have an idea.’ 

Sluggish, she leaned her head against my shoulder, and I couldn’t help but tense under the unfamiliar weight. The sweet scent of her hair overwhelmed my senses. She smelled like flowers and fresh air. 

‘Aren’t you going to tell me?’ She murmured, yawning into her palm.  

‘And if I don’t want to?’ 

It’s more fun if you work it out. 

She snuggled into my cardigan, perhaps enjoying the softness. ‘Then I’ll just stay here and annoy you until your visa runs out.’ 

I could think of worse ways to die. However, her words had reminded me. 

Our visas. 

Once again, I looked out of the window. Midnight had passed several minutes ago, yet nothing had changed. There were no games, and no lasers. ‘I have a feeling that won’t happen anytime soon.’ I felt (name) twitch by my side, perhaps unsettled by this new change. However, if we were to find out what it meant, we needed to find the dealer’s den. ‘I believe it’s a map.’ 

‘And that hole in the paper,’ she replied. ‘Do you think that’s where the others are? The dealers, I mean.’ 

My shoulder was beginning to ache, and I shifted a little to the side to ease the pressure. If I asked her to move, she would probably misconstrue it in some way or another, and I would have Kuina nagging at me tomorrow. However, the pressure lifted itself away as (name) sat upright. She leaned closer to the map, analysing the entangled scribbles, then uttered two words.

‘The subway…’

Clever girl. 

I couldn’t help but smile. ‘I went to the nearest subway station this morning to check it against the real map. It’s a loose fit, but it works.’ 

She looked at the map with intrigue. ‘Maybe if we find the place, we’ll get some answers.’ 

‘Probably. But I’m curious to see if anything changes within the next few days.’ 

She yawned into her hand again. ‘Do you think we’ll hear something soon?’ 

Even if we did, you’d sleep through it at this rate. 

With her half-lidded eyes and dusty pink cheeks, she was at risk of falling asleep right here on top of me. ‘I believe we will,’ I told her. ‘But right now, I think you should go to sleep.’ 

She didn’t protest when I detangled myself from her hold. Or at least, she didn’t have the energy to. And personally, I didn’t have the energy to protest about her crawling straight into my bed instead of her own. I kept plenty of distance between us, in case she become too excited and start crossing all kinds of boundaries. However, I had to admit, I found peace in watching the stresses and lines of her face relax as she sank deeper into sleep. She often slept flat on her back, head lolling to the side and hair splayed out over the pillow. Then - and only then - would I allow my hand to touch the glossy ends of her locks. The colour and texture was unlike anything I had experienced here in Japan. Perhaps that was the only reason I was drawn to it. 

Yet as I ran my fingers through the soft silk, I realised there was something comforting about it. About her presence. It soothed that hollow ache deep inside. 

_________________________________________________

Minami-Aoyama station. 

It had taken a little while to work out the subway station that would direct us to the mysterious hole in the map. However, this was it. The three of us were standing at the top of the staircase leading down into the platform, Kuina and (name) peering into the darkness with uncertainty. 

When I looked into those black depths, I felt a rush. A thrill. A new piece of the puzzle was finally within my reach. Hands in my pockets, I fingered the deck of cards. 

Almost... 

‘Are you sure this is it?’ 

Kuina had asked the same question three times now, and I was beginning to wonder if she had short-circuited. (Name) looked at the route map printed over the station entrance. 

‘Positive,’ she said. 

Kuina pursed her lips. Then folding her arms, she began to descend the staircase. I felt around in my pocket for a small torch, which I had found in a toolbox in a storage cupboard. Flicking on the beam, I followed after Kuina, whilst (name) began to trail behind me. Checking the paper map against the direction of each rail-line, I directed them towards the correct platform. 

‘This way.’ 

It was a steep drop onto the train tracks, however in the thick darkness that engulfed the tunnel, the torch became our only guiding light. I shone the beam on the tracks, the three of us trudging through the gravel in pensive silence, wary of stumbling upon something we shouldn’t — a trap, perhaps. Some form of deterrent to kill or keep players from discovering this hideout. We walked on, and I occasionally lifted the beam, shining it on the tunnel walls. 

It should be around here somewhere. 

And there it was. By chance, the edge of the beam caught the metal of a door. The door was cracked open, and there was a panel with a keypad on the wall beside it. Presumably, the dealers had needed to enter a passcode to enter, which would explain the lack of traps. But if that was the case… 

Why is the door open?

I stopped. Directly behind me, (Name) skidded on the gravel, her hand fisting the back of my cardigan to keep from running straight into me. I raised the beam, revealing the door in full. 

‘That must be it.’ Kuina's whisper echoed through the tunnel. 

I didn’t hesitate, approaching the door and walking straight through into what appeared to be a dark, concrete walkway. The air was cold, and there was a mustiness that cloyed at my throat and lungs with every intake of breath. Hearing scuffles and curses from back in the tunnel, I paused, shining my torch at the doorway. Kuina and (Name) emerged, flustered and rubbing at their elbows. If they found it this difficult to walk through a door, it was truly a wonder that they had survived so many Spades games. 

Kuina caught my eye, glaring daggers at me. ‘Hey! Don’t do that again! You’re the only one with a light here.’ 

‘Walk faster then,’ I said as they caught up. I smiled as (name) muttered a string of profanities under her breath, some too explicit to translate for Kuina. 

However, my smile disappeared as I turned the beam down the walkway. Something glistened in the blackness. The other two froze, having also noticed it. I followed the walkway, keeping my eye on this mysterious glimmer, a reflection of sorts, growing larger and larger, increasing in number as we approached what appeared to be a large structure. 

Well, this is more interesting than I had thought.

The structure consisted of endless television screens, running right up to the ceiling in rows and columns, curving around one another to create several large watch-rooms. Wires and cables hung across the ceiling like vines. Small concrete tunnels ran between each watch-room joined them together in a network. 

We walked closer, entering one of the tunnels that led into a central watch-room. I could feel (name) hovering by my side, her breath ragged with anxiety. It was silly. She had nothing to fear whatsoever. Because inside, the watch-room was set up like an office, filled with desks, chairs, papers strewn here and there, used mugs, snacks, pinboards of post-its, and more notably, bodies. 

There were bodies everywhere. 

They were hunched over desks, sprawled across the floor, limp in chairs. But there was something rather curious about these bodies. A pattern, so to speak. Their heads bore the same singed holes running from head to chin, their eyes bloodshot. Every single person in the room had been struck by a laser. 

So this is the game we’re playing, hm?

(Name) squatted down, her hand hovering over the body of a man in a suit. ‘What… is this?’ 

This is the game-master’s handiwork. 

She inspected the charred hole in the man’s crown. ‘They’re not the ones in charge of the game.’ 

My eyes caught sight of something rather familiar tucked underneath a pen pot. A scrap of paper. Pulling it out, I read through the notes. It was filled with roman numerals, all written in different colours of pen, some ticked off. A visa tally. 

I passed it to (name). ‘Evidently not.’ 

She scanned the paper, her eyes widening as she realised exactly what she was looking at. Her expression was one of disgust, and she tossed it back on the desk. 

‘So, these guys were the dealers.’ Kuina held up a piece of paper for us to see. It was covered in numbers and scribbles. I picked out some rather interesting looking nicknames - “girl in blue hoodie”, “fat dude”, “baldy” - along with some items like shampoo, chicken wings, and cookies. Items that held value in a world without currency. In other words… ‘They were betting on us,’ Kuina said. 

Well, at least they knew how to have fun.

Personally, the thought didn’t bother me. In a place like this, it was only natural for people to try and make the best of a bad situation. Coping mechanisms were strangely fascinating. However, (name’s) coping mechanisms were clearly failing her. She was shaking lightly, and her eyes roved over the pieces of paper dotted around the room with a disturbed horror as she came the the very same conclusion I had. That their visas were tied to the number of deaths in each game. Even by surviving alone, we had potentially caused a person’s death. I stepped out from behind her, tracing my fingertip against the goosebumps on the back of her arm. 

‘Momoka’s friend,’ she said, ‘she died right after she told everyone she was a dealer. And the taggers died because we won. I have a feeling their visas depended on whether or not we cleared each game… or maybe how many people didn’t make it.’ 

‘It doesn’t explain why they’re all dead now.’ 

She winced slightly, casting her eyes over the bodies around us. ‘Actually, I have a bad feeling about that too.’ 

Before she could speak further, something echoed from back at the walkway entrance. 

Footsteps. 

Without thinking, my thumb slid over the switch of the torch, plunging us into darkness once more. I grabbed (name) by the wrist and pulled her into the small tunnel at the back of the watch-room. Kuina skidded inside, hiding in the shadows behind us. 

I kept my eyes trained on the original tunnel we had entered through, listening carefully to the clap of footsteps as two torch beams swung in different directions. This was more than one person. But who? Somewhere in the darkness just outside the watch-room, a voice echoed. 

‘Where is this place?’ 

‘Who knows?’ 

Oh? I’m impressed. 

Two figures emerged through the entrance, two faces I didn’t expect in a place like this. That was my mistake. I should have realised sooner. In spite of his clueless appearance, Arisu did have a knack for solving puzzles. Arisu and Usagi hesitantly looked over the room, taking in the televisions, the bodies, the laser wounds. Arisu looked better, less bruised, and no longer dribbling blood and spreading sentimentality like a saint. Beside me, (name) sighed in relief. I brushed past her and stepped into the watch-room once more. 

‘You actually found this place. As expected from someone I have high hopes for.’ 

Kuina walked around the room before leaning against one of the walls. ‘We meet again,’ she said with a nod. 

Instead of addressing me or Kuina, the two peered over my shoulder, frowning in confusion. I glanced behind me where (name), awkward as ever, was grimacing with a little wave of her fingers. Idiot. She was probably still embarrassed by the whole stealing-the-cards ordeal. 

What’s done is done.  

‘You guys,’ Usagi whispered warily. Clearly she didn’t share the same sentiment. 

Pulling the deck of cards from my pocket, I attempted to diffuse the tension. ‘Thanks to you guys, I have all the playing cards with me.’ I smiled as politely as I could. ‘Thank you.’ 

Usagi blinked in disbelief. Meanwhile, Arisu actually had his priorities straight. ‘How did you discover this place?’ He asked. 

I took the scrap of paper from my pocket and held it open. ‘It took me some time to realise this is actually a map. The route map of the subway.’ Sliding it back into my pocket, I strolled around the desks. ‘As for what happens when we collect the cards… I thought I would know the answer if I came here.’ I caught (name’s) eye across the room. ‘But there’s something else we discovered instead.’ 

Arisu seemed to be entranced by the number of bodies around us. ‘They’re not the gamemasters.’ 

(Name) stepped over an arm as she crossed the room. ‘Because we collected the cards, they were all killed.’ I could see her struggling to form the right grammar. I had almost forgotten how patchwork her Japanese was. ‘There must be someone above them,’ she added in English, looking pointedly at me for help.

Unamused, I translated on her behalf, and Usagi frowned deeply. ‘But who?’ 

I shrugged. There were a number of possibilities. ‘Who knows? They might be aliens.’ From the corner of my eye, I saw Arisu’s skeptical face. I turned to him, perfectly serious. ‘Or even God.’ 

Suddenly, a screen blinked. 

The watch-room lit up as every screen in the room flickered to life, glaring a bright white. (Name) flocked to my side. Music - trumpets - echoed from an unknown source, and in the centre of the room, the televisions displayed the four card suits along with the words “Special Urgent Broadcast”. 

And who exactly is broadcasting this, I wonder. 

‘Congratulations to all players!’

My curiosity was quelled instantly. Emerging through the speakers, that tinny yet familiar voice answered almost every question I had. I was pleasantly surprised. 

I have to say, you had me fooled…

Stretched across the televisions before us, Mira’s enthusiastic features came into view one by one, blurring then focusing to reveal her dark attire, her long hair, and a curious glint in her beady eyes. So she was the spy at the Beach. The one who switched off the generators, who organised the Witch Hunt, who had been keeping an eye on our “utopia” from the inside all along. 

But that also meant…

The Eight of Diamonds - Open Market. Back then, the game had taken me off-guard. The decision to place me in the jewellery store, and the answer to the final question. Had Mira been watching the two of all along? 

‘How interesting,’ I mused. What exactly would she get out of toying with us? 

Cold fingers brushed my wrist as (name) slipped her hand into my pocket. I was acutely aware of Arisu and Usagi’s presence, but since they were more concerned with the disjointed image of Mira before us, I allowed her this. I laced my fingers around hers, brushing my thumb against the smoothness of her skin. 

Mira was quivering with excitement. ‘With the exception of the face cards,’ she said, ‘you’ve cleared the numbered games and emerged as victors. It’s a sweet victory, gained by sacrificing so many lives.’ She stood up, as if locked in a trance. ‘I wonder, how many of your comrades have died. Try remembering those who were shot dead with guns.’ 

One of the screens changed, playing game footage of a group standing around. They were gripping guns close to their chests as they inspected a pile of bodies on the floor, nudging them with their feet. 

‘And that girl you burned alive,’ Mira added. Another television screen showed a large billowing flame, which upon closer inspection, was actually a girl waving her arms wildly as her body drowned in embers. 

Perhaps they didn’t have footage of Niragi.

‘Those struck by lasers, and those that drowned.’ 

(Name’s) hand tightened around mine. I followed her glassy stare to a television screen directly across from us, where I instantly recognised the furniture store. But this time, it was different. A table and chairs were fixed in the centre of the room, where two men leapt from their seats. At that same moment, lasers pierced them where they stood, and their bodies tumbled to the ground. And there she was, doe eyed and trembling.  

Your first game…

It was a game of “Rummy”, if I remembered correctly. I squeezed her hand in return, and she eased the pressure a little. 

Oblivious, Mira continued in her wistful dream. ‘Those whose heads were blown off,’ she mused. ‘Those comrades of yours, the despair you’ve felt so far, and those dying moment you’ll never forget.’ 

A number of screens changed at once, each displaying various game footage. In one, I noticed Arisu’s former friend. His partner with the Hawaiian shirt and blond hair who had joined him in the Tag game. In this, he was surrounded by botanical plants, his head lolling as his collar exploded in a spray of blood. 

The screens changed one by one, alternating between various games, various deaths. Meanwhile, Mira’s face cracked into a delighted grin. ‘Everyone,’ she breathed, clutching her heart. ‘I’m so touched!’ She hesitated, smirking with mischief. ‘All of you players, we’d like to give you a present.’ 

Hm? There must be more of you. 

But just how many more? Were there other spies in the Beach? It was a small slip, but it raised another bout of questions. And as (name) had stiffened slightly, I knew that she had caught it too. 

‘Are you returning us to the real world? Kuina asked, hopefully. 

Mira clapped her hands together, shaking with barely restrained mania. ‘There will be new games! Let’s play more games together and fight for the face cards this time!’ 

The face cards. It was a little too predictable, even for my tastes. And naturally, these new games would be even more challenging. But there was a matter of numbers. Since there were twelve face cards in total, did that mean we would enter regular games without knowing the rules, suit, or difficulty, and have to collect cards in the usual way? Or were there only twelve games to complete? 

‘New games?’ Kuina scoffed. ‘You’re kidding.’ 

New games… new challenges… twelve new puzzles to solve. 

‘I don’t dislike the idea,’ I muttered. 

Immediately, (name) drew back a little. ‘What do you mean?’ 

Someone like you wouldn’t understand. 

I met her eye, holding back the very comment that had run through my mind. It would only end with yet another argument. 

Mira continued, cordial and vibrant. ‘The next stage will commence tomorrow at noon. Everyone, let’s have fun together!’ 

And as if someone had pulled a plug, the televisions shut down in unison, the watch-room slipping into blackness once more. Nobody spoke for a long moment, even to address what we had just witnessed, and it was Arisu who eventually decided that it would be best to leave. Kuina followed him, along with Usagi, leaving (name) and I in the empty watch-room. 

She was still gripping my hand in the warmth of my pocket. I didn’t pull mine away, nor did I try to explain what I had said earlier. Finally, after a moment of tense silence, she spoke. 

‘These games, they’re going to be harder than the others.’ 

There was no point in denying it. After a silence, I replied with, ‘Probably.’ 

‘About what you said before,’ she whispered. ‘Do you remember that time on the rooftop of the Beach, when I asked you if you were okay, and you told me it shouldn’t matter to me?’ 

Back then… 

It was right after the Hunting Season game, the measly Two of Spades that had left me with a gash in my side. All that time ago, and yet she still hadn’t learned her lesson. She should have been more concerned with her own safety. But it wasn’t worth the lecture now. 

‘I remember.’ 

‘What I said then still stands. You might not care about your own life, and I can’t stop you from taking part in these new games.’ She chewed on her lip, her eyes welling up. ‘Perhaps this is selfish of me, but you need to survive. And if you can’t do it for yourself, then…’ she trailed off. 

I had heard enough. ‘You cry too much,’ I said. Her affection was better spent on Kuina, or even Arisu and Usagi. It was wasted on this empty shell of a human being. But that was a conversation for another day. ‘We should find the others.’ 

She wiped her eyes on her sleeve and released my hand at last. We walked back through the tunnels, emerging from the station steps into the bright sunshine of Tokyo where the others were standing out in the open, squinting up at the sky. A series of bangs crackled through the air, as fireworks exploded into red, purple and green flowers that sizzled against the skyline. 

Fireworks.

Where had I last seen fireworks? I pushed away the thought, watching the display with no particular interest. Things like fireworks had never excited me. Nothing much did. And yet, here I was, craving the lost warmth of her fingers once more. How was it that someone so hopelessly naive could bewitch my mind in its entirety? Dredging this box from the seabed with her presence alone — a train whistle with the power to break through iron.

‘Let’s make a new deal,’ I said. ‘I’ll survive, if you return the favour.’ 

I could feel her eyes on me, and I knew that she was smiling, just like she always did when she was truly at peace. 

‘It’s a deal.’

[halt-kun]

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 409 - Negotiations (3)

Well, what will the cards tell us today

I'm sick, it's beginning right for the week-end

I'm not lucky

Typical autocracy

now they can shoot their citizens

What happened on tier 1 ? Halkenburg tried to kill Benjamin ?

I didn't think about narrowing down the hideout location argh

let's continue the game with the army screaming in our ears

BIG BRAIN MOOD

Oh,; of course

it's not the only condition so she wants to gain time

wait ??? Can she actually keep searching for a specialist around ?

Maybe she HAS TO take Borksen in

Okay so :

She playes the game with everyone, most likely before organizing the battle royal

Condition 3 will be a pain in the ass for Borksen. Except that she's a soldier although being bystander to an innocent's death is a lot

AAAA

SMART

well we don't know again

KISS KISS KISS KISS

KISS AND BACK TO THE GAME

OH SMART

I agree with Morena.

Now, No and R

What are you going to do ?

LET'S GOOOO

RIP X it'll be yes then

the questions will be :

Are you on tier 1 ?

Are you on tier 2 ?

...

HAHAHHAA

SHE'S IN THE WALLLS

SMAAAAART

well, we knew the teleportation between rooms was made through a nen ability

Oooof, this will be annoying to find

HAHAHAHAHA

I love Borksen

she has all the questions in her head and she's going to guess how many of each category there is

sidenote : that "YES." in replies to "will you kill me." is not giving a good vibe

NOOOOOOOOOOO

Poor Borksen, she looks so defeated here

will she just accept death ?

I'm scared

I SAID SCARED TOGASHI

I'm getting anxious

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ???????

do you mean she cheated ? Or is she doing a new card with the R ?

WELL

SHE ACCEPTED

Now, please don't let her die at the end of the PT

The negotiations ended

I wonder what will happen next chapter

is it going to be back on hiatus ????

Most likely yes, but this time it should be a quick one although we never know how long they can end up even when material is nearly ready

Well, please don't be a cliffhanger such as : THE PT IS AT THEIR DOOR

or

HALKENBURG IS GOING TO KILL BEN