#Hair (Quotation Subject)

[tisajest]

I have such a fondness for “ugly” Jason, I think he should canonically be “ugly” always ❤️

[myusuchaa]

with you in a distorted fairy tale ༻¨*:·.

'dark if ' chapter 1 - elbert greetia

Chapter 2 ->

This is a fan translation and may not be 100% accurate. I do not own anything. Cybird reserves the right of ownership for all in-game content.

author's note: Throughout this story, Kate refers to Elbert with feminine pronouns 彼女, and Elbert's title is the Queen 女王. Therefore, in sentences where Elbert is the main subject, sometimes you will see Elbert's pronouns listed as she/her. (i.e, "Elbert removed her hands"). This may be a bit confusing to read through, but I wanted to keep the translation as accurate and close to the original material as possible.

Victor: Miss Kate, your hands have the power to create the ultimate happy ending.

Victor: Now, come, and enjoy your time in this distorted fairy tale world.

Somebody's fingertips lightly grazed the back of my neck.

Kate: ..mnnn

I squirm from ticklish stimulation as someone whispers into my ear.

???: --Ah...It's definitely- ....-not

(What... what is this..)

Before I could make sense of those whispered words, I groggily began to wake up.

When I awakened fully, I found myself in a soft bed.

(Where am I..?)

Blonde, blue eyed beauty: Ah, you're awake.

A "woman" [1] with moonlight hair and sea-blue eyes peered into my face.

[1] When Kate awakens, she perceives Elbert as a woman. The pronoun is placed in quotations to indicate that he is not really a woman, just seems like one thanks to Al's ability.

(Wah... I've never seen such a beautiful person before..)

Kate: Could.. could this be heaven?

Man with raven colored hair: Unfortunately no, this is your reality.

The man standing next to the beautiful woman replied with a chuckle.

The dark-haired man is just as bewitching.. charming, even, to look at, making the two before me a truly eye-catching duo.

Man with raven colored hair: You've just woken up, is there anything you feel is wrong with your body?

Man with raven colored hair: You were found collapsed in the forest by a hunter who brought you here.

Kate: Oh, I see.... my body feels fine! Thank you very much for saving me.

I got up from the bed and bowed to both of them.

Kate: In any case.... exactly where am I?

Blonde, blue eyed beauty: ....this is my castle.

Queen Elbert: I run this this country..... as the "Queen of Greed" - Elbert.

Mirror Alfons: I am Alfons the Mirror, the Queen's servant. I hope we will continue to get to know each other [2].

[2] In Japanese, Alfons uses ｢以後お見知りおきを｣ which is similar to saying "I hope you will remember me in the future." Here, it is meant to be a surface level greeting for someone you know you'll see again, though more commonly you'd say 「よろしくお願いします」 or "It's nice to meet you". But I think the meaning behind the first phrase really plays into Al's curse and fated end.

(The Hunter, the Greedy Queen, and the Mirror...)

(Then this must be... the fairy tale world of "Snow White"?)

If this is the case, then the other remaining important characters are the Prince and Snow White.

(I wonder of one of these people are what's missing in this story.)

Queen Elbert: As you've just woken up...... are you hungry, Snow White?

Queen Elbert: I was thinking of preparing a meal for you.

Kate: Sn-... Snow White? That's.... me?

Mirror Alfons: The Hunter gave you that name.

Mirror Alfons: A beautiful girl laying in pure, white snow-- Snow White.

Mirror Alfons: And so, you were taken in by the Queen, who is looking for the most beautiful thing in the world.

Mirror Alfons: Thus, I had you brought to the castle-- such is your story.

(I'm Snow White in this world...)

(...then, wouldn't it be dangerous for me to be near Queen Elbert?)

In the traditional story, the Queen is jealous of Snow White's beauty, and attempts to poison her.

There hasn't been any hostility toward me here yet, but..... it's definitely better safe than sorry.

Kate: Aaaaah, well! Thank you for your help, then.

Kate: However, I don't think I need a meal right now. Well, if you'll excuse me.......

Realizing the situation I was in, I quickly tried to get out of the bed.

--However, at that moment, Elbert grabbed my hand.

Queen Elbert: Where are you going?

Kate: ...Ah uhmm.. I'm going back home to my family.

Mirror Alfons: Oh? Dear, do not lie to us.

Mirror Alfons: While you were asleep, we confirmed that you are not a resident of this country.

Mirror Alfons: Coming here alone, a foreigner from abroad.... what home do you have to go back to?

(What should I do... I can't escape this...)

(No one would believe that I actually came from another world...)

Queen Elbert: ......Snow White.

Kate: Y- yes!

Queen Elbert: .....I personally do not care who you are, or where you came from.

Kate: Eh...?

Queen Elbert: As Queen, I should punish you for coming here on unlawful terms, but...

Queen Elbert: More importantly, I want to obtain the most beautiful thing in the world.

Queen Elbert: And you might be what I've been looking for..... so please, stay in this castle for a while.

Kate: Ah, that....

Queen Elbert: Of course, we will provide food, clothing, and shelter for you.

Queen Elbert: And if you require money, I'll give it to you, whatever sum you ask for.

Queen Elbert: For my own sake...... please, stay in this castle.

As Elbert wished this, her eyes looked extremely lonely, almost desperate.

There was no way I could brush her off and refuse her offer.

Kate: If you say it that way.... then okay, I understand. I'm not sure what I'll be able to do but...

Kate: Oh, and I don't intend to ask for money. I'd be grateful just to have food, clothing, and shelter.

(If you think about it.... it's easier to find the missing part of the story if I'm near the main character.)

Queen Elbert: Thank you, Snow White.

As Elbert expressed her gratitude with a gracious expression, she did not look like the type of cruel person who would poison Snow White.

--time skip--

We were shown to a dining room where a wide variety of dishes were lined up on the table.

Queen Elbert: I didn't know what you liked, so I let the chef make whatever he could think of.

Queen Elbert: ........Please, eat as much as you want of whatever you'd like.

Kate: Oh... thank you very much.

The freshly cooked food was steaming, and the delicious aroma wafting through the air stimulated my appetite.

(....But, if I were Snow White, I'd have to be careful about what I eat.)

(Apples, in particular, should be avoided.)

Although I still don't sense any hostility from Elbert, due to the background story of this world, I couldn't help but be wary.

Kate: Um... are there any dishes that contain apples..?

Queen Elbert: ...........Why do you ask?

The moment I asked, the air around Elbert became tense, and her blue eyes became cold.

Kate: Well... I can't eat apples because of my allergy to them. They make my mouth itchy....

Without even understanding the reason for her icy stare, I lied about the reason.

Queen Elbert: ...I see.

Queen Elbert: If that's the case, there's no need to worry. In this castle, we do not eat apples.

Kate: Is that so...

I was curious and wanted to ask why apples weren't used here, but I was too hesitant, and refrained from asking in the end.

Meanwhile, Queen Elbert picked up a piece of bread and tore it in two.

Queen Elbert: ...Which would you prefer, left or right?

Kate: Uhhhh.. right.

Elbert then took a bite out of the left bread, and handed the right to me.

Queen Elbert: ...Mm, it's delicious. Please go ahead and eat, too.

(Maybe he knew I was on guard this entire time and he's trying to tell me the food is safe this way.,?)

Kate: Thank you very much...

The bread slice I got from Elbert had a gentle sweetness and was delicious all around.

Queen Elbert: I also recommend trying this salad, which uses vegetables from a nearby village.

After seeing that I finished the bread, Elbert took her portion of the salad and started eating it.

Seeing that, I went ahead and ate my salad.

Elbert eats some, and then I eat some more.... this strange back and forth of meal tasting continued for some time...

Kate: Thank you for the meal! Everything was delicious!!

Queen Elbert: .............

Kate: Elbert?..

Queen Elbert: My stomach........hurts......

Kate: Wha!?

Mirror Alfons: I came to check on y- Elbert?

After coming to the dining hall, Alfons quickly donned a shocked expression and went to support Elbert by the shoulders.

Kate: Umm.... is Elbert okay?

Mirror Alfons: She simply ate too much... She is usually a small eater, so she pushed himself too hard.

(Could it be... she was forcing herself to eat a lot to put me at ease and help me eat as well...)

Seeing Elbert's kindness, I began to feel ashamed of myself for being scared of eating poisoned food under his watch.

Kate: Ah well.... I'll help out too!

I stood on the opposite side of Alfons to help support Elbert.

(..Oh?.. The Queen has a surprisingly sturdy build...)

(Wait! No, no!! Now's not the time to be thinking these things.... let me just help out with a pure mind..)

With the help of Alfons, we put Elbert to bed in her room.

Mirror Alfons: It's not an illness, so if she rests, she'll feel better soon.

Kate: Elbert... I'm sorry for making you eat too much..

Queen Elbert: I chose this myself.. so no need to apologize with such a sad look on your face.

Elbert's hand gently brushed across my face.

Queen Elbert: You're more adorable when you smile than when you're sad.

Queen Elbert: So please... do not worry about my health.

Kate: Mm! Then, thank you for the delicious meal!

Elbert took her hand off my cheek and gave me a soft smile.

She was supposed to be the Queen who poisoned Snow White, and yet her smile made my heart race.

Queen Elbert: By the way, I still have not gotten your name. Snow White.... what is your real name?

Kate: It's Kate.

Queen Elbert: I see... Then, Kate, it is lovely to meet you.

--time skip--

That night in my bed chamber, I decided to plan my course of action.

(The Queen has been friendly to me so far, so I'll have to get serious about finding the missing piece of the story starting tomorrow.)

(The only things that are from the story that I have not tracked down yet are the poisoned apple and the Prince.)

(However, searching for the poisoned apple is quite risky.... it may be better to search for the Prince first.)

On the second day in this world, I decided to cooperate with Queen Elbert.

Queen Elbert: A Prince.....?

Kate: Yes! I want to find the one and only Prince who will love me.

Kate: Please, Your Highness...will you help me?

Queen Elbert: ...........

Queen Elbert seemed to think very carefully about my request.

Queen Elbert: Why exactly do you want to find the Prince?

Queen Elbert: You said yesterday that you did not need money, and you simply brushed Al off when he tried to flirt with you.

Queen Elbert: If you are not swayed by money or the opposite sex, why would you want to seek out the Prince?..... I don't quite understand.

Kate: That's... erm.... finding him is necessary to make my wish come true.

(I am searching for what is missing in this world to correct the distortions, and then return to my reality.... That is what I should do...)

(The Queen seemed to be troubled by my statement........ I can try one last time to do something...)

Ah, that's it!

Kate: People become more beautiful when they are in love....

Kate: If a Prince whom I love and loves me appeared before me.... perhaps we can find the most beautiful thing you are searching for.

Queen Elbert: ...Really?

As soon as Elbert heard it was a beautiful thing, her eyes widened and she came over to me.

Her large hands gripped my shoulders so hard it hurt.

Kate: Y-yes.... that is... most likely so...

(They say falling in love makes people more beautiful-- that isn't wrong per se...y'know?)

Queen Elbert: If there's potential, then so be it. Thank you for trying to make my wish come true, Kate.

Queen Elbert: Let us gather all the people in this nation to search for a Prince... the one and only Prince who will make you beautiful.

Thus began the search for the Prince, led by Queen Elbert.

Chapter 2 ->

page dividers from @/adornedwithlight

[reggies-floatie]

Young Love- Derek Hale X Vampire!Reader

Summary: What if instead of Derek falling for Paige when he was younger, he fell for Y/N?

After Y/N randomly left Beacon Hills leaving a young teenage Derek Hale confused and frustrated, she finally returns after a few years, grown and the new history teacher of Scott and the rest of his pack.

Warning: pure filth, enemies to lovers to strangers to lovers again, switch Derek, a bit of angst and smut and fluff, oral male and female receiving, breast worship, and so on…

Enjoy my beautiful readers-

November 7th, 2004

Sitting alone in the music room, practicing my piano trying to focus I hear this bouncing? Fed up with it, I go out to see who’s making all this noise, the second I enter the hallway I make direct eye contact with the one and only, Derek Hale.

“You mind playing basketball somewhere else?” I say clearly agitated,

“Why would I do that?” The arrogant voice of the Hale boy rings against my ears.

“Because idiot, i’m trying to practice” I state through gritted teeth, my eyes glaring at the raven haired boys.

“ooh looks like we’ve got a feisty girl on our hands boys” he says grinning,

Not wanting to play into his games I roll my eyes and shut the door of the music room, praying that the music from the piano drowns out the idiotic boys in the hallway.

After that interaction, about a week later I’m sat at my usual lunch table with my friends Paige and Grace comparing our test answers for history when all of a sudden Paige looks up and smiles, she grabs Grace and quickly their off. Confused, I look up to see the Hale boy walking towards me, that same cocky grin on his face that he had earlier in the week.

“What do you want Hale.” I say rolling my eyes,

“Just wanted to say I think you look gorgeous today, Y/N”

I choke on my milk, “Sorry?” I ask my face heating up,

“You heard me, Cmon Y/N let’s go on a date” He says confidently,

“Yeah i’m good” I say confused but flattered, “is this some kinda sick joke?”

“Why would i be joking?” Derek says with raised eyebrows, I reluctantly agree on going on the date, little did I know what Id be getting myself into.

After our first date, we would use any excuse to see each other and by seeing eachother, I really mean going into empty classrooms and dark hallways to makeout with eachother until we lost our breath. We were whipped for eachother.

That is until my uncle Alaric called me, he sounded really worried, something was going on with his wife, my aunt and he thought i could help. I had no time to say goodbyes to anyone not Paige or Grace. Not even Derek. Little did I know, me going to Mystic Falls would lead to me becoming what my uncle was sacred of, what he hunted. A vampire.

September 8th, 2012

“Good morning class! My name is Ms. Y/L/N, I’ll be your new history teacher!” I happily speak out, “I hope to get to know each and everyone of you lot very well! I know you all probably don’t want to be here given history is the most boring subject” I say using my fingers as air quotations for the last part.

“But i hope you know i’m trying my very best to make this class enjoyable, I’m not one to give out homework, and i’ll always try to give you as much class time as i can to help you guys, so please if you’ve got any questions i’ll be more than happy to help you guys.” I say making eye contact with a boy with a buzz cut, i can tell he’s going to need help.

The year started our lovely, that is until this blonde girl, Erica, waked into class looking as confident as ever, it was a good look on her don’t get me wrong, but i could tell by her smell that she was a wear wolf. As the year started I could tell who was and wasn’t aware of the supernatural world. the people who I knew that know about it were, Scott McCall, Allison Argent, Stiles Stillinski, Erica Reyes, Issac Lahey, and Boyd. I’m sure some others knew but those were my main suspects. There was this one kid, Matt I knew he was up to something i just didn’t know what.

I was going to sub in for Mr. Harris as he randomly didn’t show up and the school didn’t have any substitutes that could come in last minute, so as any good teacher would I rushed over, as i walked in I heard Scott and Stiles whisper about how Derek Hale is trying to expand his pack. Hearing this I stiffened my back and coughed to get the student’s attention. I made direct eye contact with scott and with that, he knew that I knew about him and his friends.

Given that the class was the last of the day, when the bell rang i started writing notes for Mr.Harris when none other than the trouble duo came up to my desk, “Need help?” I ask not looking up from my paper at the two.

“you know about us.” Scott says, his heart rate rising, “are you a wolf too?” the boy with the buzz cut butts in,

“something like that.” I say finishing my notes, “what is it you were saying about derek hale?” I ask, standing up.

Me being impatient, I compelled the two boys into telling me everything they know, once they are done, we chat for a bit more before i’m off. I’m about to get in my car when I notice a tire in flat. I turn around as i’m greeted with Issac claws out pointed at me.

“Hello Mr. Lahey” I speak up, with a calm voice.

“What did something like that mean?” He asks, that sly fucker listened into my conversation with Scott and Stiles,

“Vampire, blood sucker, you know whatever they call us these days.” I say shrugging, “what’s it to you?” I ask the boy, when suddenly it clicks, he thinks i’m the Kanima,

“you sure?” he asks, “I need you to come with me”

“I’m your teacher Issac, me getting into your car would be highly inappropriate.” I know for a fact issac doesn’t care and he won’t leave till i do so with that i get into the passenger seat.

After a quiet drive and a few empty threats, we show up to a loft type place? slowly walking behind him we get a these big doors to which he opens, “Derek, I think we found our Kanima” issac says out loud to which i scoff. he can’t be serious.

“derek’s out right now with boyd but he’ll be back” Erica states, “Ms. Y/L/N?” she says confused as me and isaac walk in,

“Hey Erica” I say with a smile unbothered by the situation, “for reference i’m not the Kanima but i’m glad you guy’s thought of me” I say a smile plastered on my face.

“only. a kanima would say that” Issac says with a scoff, suddenly he cuts me with something normally i would care and it would heal, but i let out a scream, that little shit has vervain. I fall to the ground holding my wound.

What feels like two hours which is really ten minutes go by when Erica and Issac stand up at the opening door. In walks in boyd, with Derek Hale in all his glory,

Boyd is the first out of the two to notice me, “Ms. Y/L/N? holy shit are you ok?” he asks, the second my last names leaves his mouth derek looks up, there he is, the boy who i fell in love with then abandoned.

“don’t, she’s the kanima.” erica says her eyes glowing at me,

“If i was the kanima I don’t think vervain would take me down but here we are” i say, the veins under my eyes showing as well as my fangs,

“Y/N?” Derek says looking at me, “you three get out of here” he says looking at his pack members,

“but-“ is safe starts but is cut off,

“she’s not the Kanima.” he says his red eyes glowing at the three, and with that, they leave,

i try to muster the energy to move, or to even thank him but it’s cut short as a shooting feeling of pain hits me, causing me to scream, worried, derek runs over “how can i help you?” he asks looks at the wound,

“blood. i need blood and fire.” i says throwing my head back in pain, derek runs off and comes back with a blow torch and his claws out,

“her i got fire and you can use my blood” he says starting at his once girlfriend,

“fuck that, i’m not feeding off you, i’ll kill you” i say looking him in the eyes, but everyone knows derek hale is the most stubborn person ever. “it’s going to feel weird but when it gets too much tell me okay?” i say as he nods. with that i close my eyes as my fangs come out and i sink them into his neck, tasting the blood in my mouth sent a sense of euphoria to come over me, and i think him too as he lets out a sudden groan, after a little bit i pull back as i grab the torch and i burn the vervain out of me. the pains too much for me so i pass out, the world going black.

I wake up to the smell of coffee and the sun shining into the room, i’m on a mattress and i’m wearing a large shirt which i assume is derek’s, i groan and sit up only to meet the gorgeous green eyes i once yearned to see. “hey” i mutter weakly,

“where we’re you all this time?” derek says handing me a cup of coffee,

“I was with my uncle, in Mystic Falls, i became a vampire just a little while after i came there, that’s why i never came back i was scared that if you saw me like, we’ll you know, that you wouldn’t love me anymore.” i say looking down at the floor, “i was ashamed derek, and i feel so bad” i say finally meeting his gaze,

“how’d you die.” he asks, sadness in his voice,

“it was either me or my sister who had to die, so i took the step forward and here i am” I say a weak smile on my face. the rest of the day is spent with me and derek catching up, the things we missed, i never thought that seeing him and the conversation we had would lead to him, laying down on the mattress half naked, with me in top of him making out. hey, maybe old habits really do die hard.

I let out a small moan as his hands wrap around me and unclip my bra, “derek” i moan as one of his hands goes to my breast and the other goes into his mouth, i don’t think i’ve ever felt this good holy shit, his mouth moves from my boob to my neck, which leads to him flipping me over and removing my pants and underwear, his hand finds my clit as he plays with it, leaving little figure 8’s making me moan, the other hand goes to his pants and with one hand he pulls them off, he kissed my mouth, then my neck, then my breasts to my stomach then to my mound, my hands go straight to his hair as his skilled tongue draws patterns on my clit to my entrance, the feeling is so divine and i feel as if i’m about to come when he stops,

he draws a whine out of me, “calm down my girl, i want you to come around my cock” he says stroking his member.

i close my eyes as he enters me, and shock of pain and pleasure erupts through my body as he slowly starts moving. his pace gets rougher and rougher as we both start moaning louder and louder, I flip him over as i started riding him, pinning his hands above his head, i bite my lip and let my head fall against his chest as this new position is the one to send me over the edge, i feel my stomach start to tighten as i finally let my release go, clenching around derek

“oh fuck” i hear him slip out as he comes inside of me, completely emptying himself. I drop next to him as he holds me close, “stay with me this time?” he says staring into my eyes,

“of course” i say smiling.

later that day i changed into better clothes, i saw derek standing behind the kitchen island washing the counter, i walked over and kissed him.

as i pretended to drop something, he laughs it iff but it’s stuck in his throat as he feels my hand palm him, i pull down his sweats and start massaging him with a grin, “you dont need to.” he starts but i just smile as i take him in my mouth.

he lets out a moan as his hand goes behind my head pushing me further down his large cock, this man had to be atleast 9 inches, i continue to deepthroat him as i hear the door open, hearing that mixed with the voice of erica and issac only make me keep going i can tell derek is annoyed that they came here, but i know he’s happy that i’m continuing.

they walk into the room and start talking to him, i reach my hand to fondle his balls as he lets out a chocked growl and i feel something shoot down my throat, suddenly i hear issac stop talking, “oh shit derek” he says laughing as he realizes what happened, quickly he leave pulling erica behind him, her still being confused,

i stand up and kiss his lips, with a smirk, me coming back is going to be so fun.

Hey gang! sorry i haven’t posted in a while, i’ve has loads going on omfg. sorry if the words are wrong, not only am i on the phone but english isn’t my first language. i hope you enjoyed and make sure to send requests.

muah muah -Bailey

[ninyard]

"if you can't figure it out by now, then i don't have anything else to tell you."

This would be perfect for Andrew to say to Neil

“If you can’t figure it out by now, then I don’t have anything else to tell you,”

(aka an Andreil “what are we?” conversation.)

-

“Allison hasn’t stopped calling you my boyfriend since we got back from the cabins.” Neil was sat parallel to Andrew with his arms wrapped around his knees in a meagre attempt at keeping warm, next to Andrew’s outstretched legs. The air on the roof of the dorms was crisp with a fresh Spring breeze, the wind swirling debris in little whirls around them. “I haven’t told her to stop, but I will if it bothers you. ”

“Is that what you’ve been thinking about for the last twenty minutes?” Andrew asked, a rhetorical air to the question he didn’t really want answered at all. The smoke that left his lips disappeared quickly in the wind, miraculous that his cigarette was still burning. He brought it back up to his lips and inhaled before turning to look at Neil. He didn’t say anything, and his bored gaze didn’t say much either.

“It’s Allison.” Neil settled for, as if it were explanation enough. He sat up straight to match Andrew’s eye-line. “It’ll catch on.”

Andrew regarded Neil for only a second longer before turning back towards the view in front. “She has never strayed far from being a tabloid princess. It’s nothing more than front page news to her.”

“I told you she was betting on us,” Neil said, but Andrew held up a finger to stop him. “What?”

“Their poor choices in gambling are not my business.” He said, stubbing out the finished cigarette next to him and flicking the butt over the edge. His hands found rest in his lap, interlaced into each other. “They chose a horse in a race and think that they’ve won. I don’t care.”

“Tell me to ask her to stop, then.” Neil looked away as well, arms crossed over his chest, close to asking Andrew to go inside. They could talk in their dorm, except for the fact that Kevin had surprisingly invited Matt over to discuss his playing strategy, and this was not the kind of conversation Neil wanted to have with company. They could speak in German; but he’d made a conscious effort to speak in English in front of his teammates since he promised not to keep secrets from them anymore. “Say the word and I’ll tell her, because I don’t care.”

“Evidently not.” Andrew said. “Why bring it up if you didn’t?”

“Well, does it?” Neil didn’t want to indulge in his desire to dodge his questions by changing the subject. “Bother you, I mean.”

“Irrelevant bullshit doesn’t bother me.” Andrew pedantically emphasised the word bother with quotation marks in the air. “You’re asking stupid questions.”

“Valid questions.” Neil corrected.

“Needless questions.”

Neil sighed and extended his legs. He had to brush the hair from out of his eyes to look over at Andrew, reminding himself that he needed a haircut. “I’ll tell her to stop, then.”

“That is not what I said.” Andrew brushed him off with a wave of his hand.

“So are you my boyfriend?” Neil wasn’t sure why he cared so much, or if he even cared at all, because he knew in truth he would never go out of his way to call Andrew his boyfriend anyway. But in some ways it felt important to understand what was really happening, and how exclusive was their nothing? In his own mind, never to be spoken aloud, did Andrew even believe that they were a thing?

Andrew looked at him, his gaze falling from the top of Neil’s head to the bottom of his chest and back up again. He tilted his head, and landed on Neil’s eyes. After a small inhale, he nodded forward, “No.”

Even expecting it, even knowing that was what he was always going to say, it still felt like a surprise punch to his stomach. That’s what Andrew had done to him, he’d turned him soft, he’d turned him into someone with an interest in normality. He’d turned him into someone who longed for a boyfriend and a life, a home, a future, even if his stomach twisted at the thought.

He pushed down the tiny feeling of disappointment that radiated through his gut, and smiled, “Okay.” Andrew didn’t look away, but he remained silent, and Neil filled the space with a question he knew he shouldn’t ask, but had to ask anyways, “So what are we?”

“You are living inside a movie.” Andrew didn’t laugh, but Neil was sure that the desire to was buried somewhere beneath his stoic expression. “Is that how far removed you’ve become in your freedom, that you think that is something you have to ask me?” He shuffled himself over so he was better facing Neil, and he glanced between his eyes. “We are nothing.”

“A truth?” Neil tested.

“Fuck off,” Andrew poked Neil’s chest hard enough to hurt. “That is the truth.”

“So I’ll tell Allison to stop.” Neil’s head bowed in an over exaggerated nod of understanding. “I’ll tell her that you are not my boyfriend, and you don’t want to be called that. I’ll tell her you said that.”

“I hope that is not supposed to be a threat.” Neil had hoped his response would be more telling, but Andrew continued with, “Would you like to be called my boyfriend?” His tone was less inquisitive than it was mocking, the slightest grimace in his face telling Neil that he hated even saying it.

“I don’t know.” Neil reached a hand out towards Andrew, pausing for a silent glance of approval from him before he placed it on his chest, playing with the strings of the black hoodie he wore. “I’m mostly tired of not knowing what I mean to you.” Andrew’s expression hardened into something resembling annoyance as he continued to speak. “I’m not asking you to call me your boyfriend, okay? I just want to know if you‘re going to meet another guy, and think it’s okay to get him off, because we’re not together.”

Andrew didn’t move to reciprocate the touch Neil had given him, but raised an eyebrow at the hypothetical. “It sounds like it would be a problem for you if I did.”

Neil matched his stare and coolness in his response, “And what if it is?”

“This is an entirely unproductive conversation to have,” Andrew rested a wrist on Neil’s shoulder and brushed a piece of hair back behind his neck. A small but meaningful gesture that perhaps was given in lieu of ensuring Neil that his example would never happen. “I will not give you the pleasure of reassurance. If you haven’t figured it out by now, then I don’t have anything else to tell you.”

“How can I figure it out, when you keep telling me it doesn’t exist?” Neil’s voice was low, and Andrew’s sigh meant he heard the gentleness in it. He heard the way Neil hadn’t meant to sound so pleading, the words leaving his lips in such a way that felt like a desperate whisper for answers. “I want to hear you say it.”

Andrew looked down at the hair by Neil’s neck. “You know that I won’t.”

“Then tell me that we’re not just fucking for fun.”

Andrew dropped his hand and pushed Neil off, seemingly thrown by his bluntness. His laugh was a single short breath, not a semblance of a smile or humour in it. He shook his head as he took a cigarette from the packet he’d pulled from his pocket. Once the cigarette was placed between his lips, he stopped with the lighter a few inches away from his face, pointing the fire starter at Neil. “Well, we’re certainly not fucking for love.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Neil watched as he struggled to ignite the lighter, hand cupped around the flame, the wind set on blowing it out. After the third unsuccessful try, Neil reached forward to help him shield it with both his hands, until three short puffs in from Andrew told him it was lit. Andrew leaned back and exhaled. He watched as Neil pulled his hands away.

“You want to know if I’m going to get bored of you, then.” He said through smoke. Andrew adjusted himself to tuck one of his legs beneath the other, leaning his elbows on his knees. “You want to know if I have feelings, is that it?”

Neil shrugged his shoulders and looked at his hands. “Maybe.”

Neil listened as Andrew let out another smoky exhale. He cleared his throat, and when Neil thought he might speak, he instead filled his lungs again. There was no need to flick off the ash as the wind did that job for him, but from instinct he did it anyway. He let out another humourless laugh, two short puffs following in order to keep the stick lit. Andrew was not looking at Neil as he lifted his eyes to watch him, Andrew’s hazel gaze fixed on something in the distance. Using the thumb and index finger of his free hand he wiped the sides of his lips, tensing his jaw like the words took it out of him just to say. “Fuck you for even asking.”

The tug in Neil’s chest was impossible to ignore. It felt wrong to hear Andrew’s voice wrapped around those words, words that separately read like an insult, yet meant something different to their original form when he uttered them. Like watching a fish out of water, like listening to a mime sing; to have these moments of vulnerability from Andrew were as beautiful as they were rare. He hadn’t intended to steer their conversation to the place where it had landed, and part of him felt guilty as he watched Andrew silently struggle through the side of himself he swore did not exist. The side of Andrew that kept itself buried six feet below, hidden from anyone who asked, except for Neil, who’d been digging a hole for months trying to find it.

“When you put a name to something it gives it permanency, yet an opportunity to end,” Andrew sat up and moved closer to Neil, finding his position with one knee in between his legs, sitting back on a spot on the lower half of Neil’s thigh. He threw the cigarette somewhere behind him as he settled. Taking Neil’s hair into his fists, he examined the look on his face with his lips slightly pursed. He considered his words and took one hand out of Neil’s hair to hold his chin up, making sure he was listening. “You label it however you wish. I will not. Do you understand?”

Neil nodded, afraid to speak, as if any words insufficient would cause Andrew to change his mind about where he rested his body weight. It was reassurance enough that he’d found his way there, and that he remained, comfortable by his own volition.

“And for the record, Abram,” Andrew leaned in close, wisps of his hair tickling Neil’s face, his breath hot as he left a gentle kiss on his jawline. Neil shut his eyes and breathed in the moment, hiding his fists in the pocket of Andrew’s hoodie. “To answer the question you so annoyingly want answered,” He left another kiss higher up on his jaw, brushing his lip against his ear lobe as he moved, slowly, so gently Neil was both afraid he would fall apart, or that he would be able to feel his quickly beating heart through his skin. The hand that had sat in his hair moved to cup the opposite side of his face, the other tucking Neil’s hair behind his ear and holding him by his neck. Neil couldn’t help but shiver as he whispered in his ear, “I will not be fucking anyone else, and I am not just fucking you for fun. Happy?”

Neil nodded as he turned into his lips, melting into the kiss that warmed him up as the wind persisted. His hands pulled out of the hoodie pocket, and he tapped Andrew’s neck for permission to hold him. When Andrew hummed with a barely there nod, he hooked his hands around the back of his neck and pulled him closer.

There were a million things Neil could label Andrew;

Terrifying but caring. Gentle while violent.

Beautiful, like something that deserved to be hung on a wall, yet so precious Neil wished nobody else could see.

Rough. Jagged.

Talented. Human.

Misunderstood, perhaps. Genuine, most of the time.

When he thought about Andrew, there were a million things he could identify him as before landing on Neil’s boyfriend.

He would not tell Allison to stop, nor correct Nicky when he joined in. He would not say it out loud, either, as if their nothing that is something was so sacred it couldn’t be uttered. It was a relief of course to know that Andrew was his, and though he felt embarrassment rush through his blood at the idea of it, he was certain that what they had both found in each other was glaringly rare and hauntingly perfect. He noticed how perfect they fit together in each others space, lips on lips, hands on skin, and wondered how he ever doubted this was it; that this was real.

He was sure that no one else could experience such a thing.

[rottenpumpkin13]

So how did the Firsts setting Lazard up on a date go? You mentioned it in an old post, and I'm curious.

Malicious Non-Compliance

wc: 3291

desc: The boys set Lazard up on a date and just have to tag along—in disguise, that is.

n: I used this as a prompt, I hope you don't mind me answering like this!

Zack kept both of his legs propped up on the chair, bracing his chin in the crook of his joint knees. A wad of fanned-out cards between his fingers met his attention. He sniffed, scrunching his eyebrows together. 

“Think, Zack, think!” He muttered to himself.

The audible frustration stretched the smile on his opponent’s face. Sephiroth kept his cards facing him with one hand, using the other to drum his fingers on the table, a rhythmic reminder that time did indeed pass in the Corporate Archives, no matter what the stubbornly broken clock on the table told them. 

Zack groaned softly, snapping his head up to meet Sephiroth’s expectant flick of his eyebrow. 

“Got any twos?” Zack asked. 

Sephiroth shook his head. “Go fish.”

Angeal slammed his hand down on the table. “WE’RE PLAYING UNO!” 

His outburst was bombarded with a wave of shushes from the nearby tables. Angeal tossed his cards, letting them scatter across the table before splaying his hands in surrender. 

“I give up,” he said.

Zack and Sephiroth’s boyish laughter and subsequent high-five marked the moment the Arcive doors squeaked open, letting in a pair of boots that marched purposefully across the floor, kicking the tail of a long coat as they headed straight toward the table. 

Genesis was enraged, and one did not need a magical looking-glass to discern that. The red blotched on his cheeks matched the fiery hue of his tousled hair as he plunked himself on the empty seat beside Zack. 

“Good evening to you too, Commander.” Angeal smiled.

Genesis’ eyes were unblinking and grave as they glared at him. He crossed his arms, opening his mouth purposefully, in a way that told all three men that they were to be subjected to an avalanche of words. 

“Lazard needs a life!” He declared suddenly. “One that doesn’t involve us and certainly has nothing to do with this company!” 

“And you came to this conclusion how?” Sephiroth asked. 

Genesis replied with an annoyed “tch!” as he turned away from him. “He’s not letting me go to LS8!” 

Zack leaned towards Sephiroth’s right. “What’s LS8?” he whispered. 

“Some Loveless thing,” Sephiroth shook his head. 

Genesis snapped his head toward them, steam practically billowing from his nostrils.

“It’s not some Loveless thing!” he spat. “It’s the Loveless thing. It’s the biggest event of the year. All of this year’s cast members are going to be there, and there will be a screening for the new documentary, and everyone who’s anyone will be there!” 

“And you’re not going?” Zack asked. 

“I can't go!” Genesis moaned. “Lazard's keeping me from it because of—” he mimicked quotation marks with his fingers, “—my tendency to act improperly and embarrass the company through alcohol-fueled displays.” 

Angeal's lips were crooked as he swaged his head from side to side. “He kinda has a point, Gen. You, alcohol and these Loveless parties are usually a recipe for disaster.”

“Maybe!” Genesis parried. “But he has no right to keep me from them! I'm an adult and a commanding officer, I can make my own decisions!” 

Zack slumped back in his seat. “You do have a point about Lazard needing a life, though. The man works too much. He needs to have some fun once in a while.” 

“I can't argue with that,” Sephiroth signed. “I frequently cross paths with him at odd hours of the morning. Sometimes it's three AM and he's up working.” 

Angeal jerked his head back. “What are you doing up at three AM?” 

Sephiroth froze. “....Things.” 

“Ooh, ominous!” Zack piped up. 

“Not it's not!” Genesis snapped. “He just has insomnia and likes to prowl around the building like a wraith!” 

Sephiroth looked pleased. “Which you would know because you also have the tendency to galavant about the building at odd hours.” 

Zack raised his hand. “Can confirm. I've seen Genesis break into the training room at 2 AM once!” 

Genesis grazed with him a mocking look. “Puppy, why were you stalking me at 2 AM?”

Zack pouted. “Kunsel told me you teach secret materia classes and the meetings are in the middle of the night.” 

“Gossip and hearsay,” Genesis replied coolly.

“Am I the only one who sleeps around here!?” Angeal snapped.

He began gathering the strewn cards on the table, neatly stacking them together. “But you guys are right. We should do something about it. Give him a break, you know?” 

Genesis stretched his back into an arch. “What he really needs is a date. One night with a pretty girl and he'll soften like butter under the sun.” 

Angeal considered. “It would be nice to know he has someone.” 

“Yeah!” Zack bounced his legs beneath the table—much like a dog wagging its tail. “Can you imagine if Lazard had a girlfriend? He'd let us get away with all sorts of stuff because he'd be too happy to care!” 

Sephiroth looked apprehensive. “This doesn't sound right. I believe the right term for this is meddling?” 

Genesis rolled his eyes. “It's not meddling if we just introduce him to a woman and let fate weave its tapestry.”

“Alright,” Sephiroth braced his head on his palms. “Who?” 

Angeal had known his best friend long enough to know that Genesis' unsettling grin was the calm before any storm. 

The redhead crossed his legs, looking off to the side. 

“Don't worry. I have someone in mind.” 

Director Lazard sits in his office the next day with a chip on his shoulder and a stack of bullshitted Second Class mission reports by his side. He's tempted to chalk up the incompetence to the typical end-of-the-year slog. 

But the colorful text on the mission report in his hand at that moment made it impossible. 

He sighed, placing the document down and reaching over for his notepad, where he proceeded to jot down a few words. 

“Note to self,” he wrote, “confiscate Zack's crayons.”

The glass doors of his office slid open, giving way to Genesis' pompous and irrepressible vibrancy that morning. He marched in with a smile on his face. 

“Director, you're going to love me!” 

Lazard didn't bother looking up from his writing. “Flattered as I am by your advances, Genesis, I prefer the company of women.”

“Tch!” Genesis pooped himself down on the opposite chair. “Funny you should say that! Do you perhaps know Meg from Urban Development?” 

Lazard slid his glasses back onto his nose bridge. “Reeve's assistant.”

“Yeah, her! We got to chatting yesterday, and she couldn't help but mention how charming, sophisticated, and attractive she finds you.” 

Lazard's immediate slack jaw was a promising response to Genesis. He found satisfaction in the way the director was rendered speechless by the prospect, his cheeks blotted with red. 

“Did she…really say that?” 

Genesis nodded eagerly. “She did! So I've taken the liberty of setting you up on a date tonight. You're welcome.”

Lazard frowned. “Tonight? Oh, no. Tonight won't do. I've got too much to do. Some files in the data room have gone missing and I'm the one who must see to it.”

Genesis swung his legs over the arm of the chair, leaning back with a purposefully dramatic and drawn-out sigh.

“What a shame. Oh well, I suppose Rufus will be happy to hear that.”

“Rufus?” Lazard echoed. “Shinra? 

“Him,” Genesis folded his arms across his chest. “I hear he's got the eyes for Meg. He's been dying to take her out, but she's been waiting for you to ask her instead. A tragedy, I say. A modern-day soap opera plot. Ah well, I suppose she'll have to settle for the Vice President instead.”

Genesis' crooked tactic worked like a charm. 

Lazard chewed his bottom lip, his eyebrows scrunching together in a way that told Genesis that the older man was seriously pondering over it. 

“I can…I can postpone a task—just this once!” he added quickly. “It would be rude to cancel a date, after all.” 

Genesis stood up at once, so pleased it oozed from every pore on his grinning face. “Good! I'll make sure to email you the details in a bit. Have fun tonight, Director!” 

Genesis left the office, stepping out in the hallway and pulling his phone out. “And this is the part where I tell Sephiroth I told you so—OW!” 

An object hit him right in the eye. His hand shot up to cover it, the other eye furiously searching for the source of the attack. A lone, purple crayon rolled by his feet. 

He turned to see an ongoing scuffle between Angeal and Zack down the hallway. Angeal tried his best to wrestle away a box of scented crayons from Zack's grasp. 

“Let go!” Zack whined. “I promise I won't use them anymore!”

“No!” Angeal yelled back. “Not until you tell me where the blueberry-scented one is!” 

Zack let himself go limp in Angeal's grasp, his face reddening as he avoided the other man's eyes entirely. 

“Did you eat it, Zack!? You ate it, didn't you!?” 

Zack squeezed his eyes shut. “You can't prove anything!”

“OH MY GOD!” 

Genesis rolled his eyes, choosing to walk away instead of witnessing their debacle. 

The Cinnamon Veil was an upscale restaurant in the glitzy area of Sector Seven. The sidewalk outside the bustling establishment was heaving with people, overtaken by a line that wrapped around the building.

Couples stood with their arms linked, common people bedecked themselves in finery and their best clothes, and amidst the excitable crowd ...Was Angeal wearing a fake mustache. 

“I gotta admit,” he said, stroking the faux facial hair pensively. “When I previously imagined my Friday night, being married to Genesis was not in my plans.” 

Beside him, Genesis adjusted his pencil skirt. His large sunglasses teased the vibrant eye makeup beneath, which complimented his rosy lips. 

“Oh, hush!” Genesis smoothed his hair. “And put your arms around me, we’re supposed to be a couple!”

“And what do I do?” Sephiroth’s voice cut in. 

Behind them, Sephiroth had been forced into a black T-shirt of a heavy metal band he did not know, eyeliner that stung his waterlines, along with jewelry and fake piercings. A pair of aqua-blue contacts concealed his infamous eyes. 

“You’re already doing your part, darling.” Genesis placed his sunglasses on his head. “You’re our rebellious, teenage son. Now stand there and act displeased with our family outing.” 

Sephiroth crossed his arms, frowning pointedly. “Understood.”

Angeal and Genesis turned around, looking for any sign of Lazard and Reeve’s assistant, Meg.

Sephiroth piped up again. 

“I'm a homosexual.”

Angeal and Genesis snapped back around on cue. 

Sephiroth shrugged.

“What? My research tells me that a child revealing their sexual orientation to their parental figures causes a strain in their relationship. It can’t get more rebellious than that.” 

“Seph,” Angeal huffed. “Were you dropped on your head as a baby?” 

“Yes, several times.”

Angeal and Genesis elected not to respond, slowly turning back around again. Angeal spotted a head of sandy blond hair a few spaces ahead of them. 

“Look!” He pointed. “There he is!”

Lazard looked positively radiant as he and Meg talked. Genesis marveled at how stunning of a pair they made, thanking no one but himself for the brilliant start to a courtship, of course. The conversation flowed naturally, and none of them had ever seen Lazard so at ease.  

“Aren’t I a genius?” Genesis sighed. “You’ll see. Soon enough, Lazard will be out of our hair and you’ll all be praising me.”

Angeal scratched his fake mustache. “If everything goes smoothly, that is.”

“I want to be held,” Sephiroth said suddenly. 

Angeal and Genesis whipped back around. 

Sephiroth was unbothered. “I've never had parents before,” he said. “I don’t know how to act.”

Once they were inside the restaurant, they were ushered to their table. Genesis had made sure to book one right across from Lazard and Meg’s, giving them the most optimal view of their date. 

“I don’t know about this, Gen,” Angeal muttered, settling into his seat. “Spying makes me uncomfortable. We’re invading his privacy.”

“No,” Genesis corrected him. “We’re making sure Lazard doesn’t blow his chance at love.” 

“May I have ice cream for dinner?” Sephiroth asked, thumbing through the menu.

“You can have ice cream for dessert.” Angeal rubbed his temples. “Where’s the waiter?” 

As if on cue, a waiter—literally—slid in from their left, his polished shoes squeaking on the floor as he posed. 

“Right here!” He flashed them a winning grin. 

One curious fact about The Cinnamon Veil was that all of their waiters were required to wear a tawny mask as a part of their uniform—hence the veil. And yet, even a mask was no efficient cover for Zack’s notorious, black spikes and the telling glow of Mako eyes. 

“Zack!?” All three of them sputtered in unison.  

The Second looked pleased, proudly showing off his vest and bowtie. He placed the pen to his notepad and cleared his throat. 

“I’m Zack and I’ll be your server tonight. Can I get you started on the seared scallops? The sole meunière? Or perhaps some ice cream for the kid!”

Genesis’ lips were pressed into a thin line. “What are you doing?” he scolded. “You’re going to ruin everything!” 

Zack pouted. “No, I’m not! And F.Y.I., it was mega rude of you to not invite me along.” 

Genesis sunk into his seat. “That’s because this is an undercover affair and you’re the poster boy of conspicuity.”

Angeal gestured toward Sephiroth. “Oh, because emo Sephiroth is pure stealth.”

“It’s not a phase, father,” Sephiroth shot back. 

Angeal pulled a face. 

Zack tucked his pen in the pocket of his apron. “Look, I’m just here to make sure Lazard's date goes well. I want him to be happy just as much as you three, ‘kay? Plus, I hit the jackpot. I’m their server!” 

Genesis sat up straight, the color returning to his face. “Oh! What did he order?

Zack replied with a grimace. “Garlic-fried rice.”

“What?” Genesis slapped his hand on the table. “Oh! That man has no game whatsoever! How is he expected to kiss her good night when his breath smells like garlic!?”

Zack held up a hand. “Don’t worry, I took care of it. I switched his order with someone else’s, so I’ll bring him something else. You know how Lazard it! He hates conflict, so he’ll force himself to eat it.”

Zack opened his notepad. “But anyway. What are you guys having?” 

Sephiroth looked back down at the menu. “What do you recommend? 

“Well, I think—” Zack snapped his head toward another table mid-sentence. “Oh! I gotta jet! I’ll see you in a bit!” 

Zack ran off toward another table and began taking their order instead. Angeal sighed, watching his student from across the dining room. He shook his head. 

“It’s as if his attention span dwindles by the day. He should be glad he’s a SOLDIER. Real-world jobs are not meant for him.”

Something about his friend’s words struck something in Genesis. The redhead snapped his head towards him, frowning pointedly as he looked from Angeal to Zack scurrying back into the kitchen.

“Goddess, ‘Geal, you’re so harsh with him. He’s doing his best, you know.”

Angeal shrugged, turning back around. “I know, and I am proud of him. But I want him to reach his full potential and I think he lacks the focus it takes to reach it.”

Meanwhile, Sephiroth was the only one who noticed Zack sail out of the kitchen again, this time with Lazard and Meg’s orders ready. He had limited knowledge about the culinary arts, but he did know shrimp pasta when he saw it.

And he also knew how much Lazard detested shrimp.

Sephiroth uncrossed his arms, sitting up. “Um, gentlemen?” 

The urgency in Sephiroth’s voice, just like his words, went unnoticed by his friends. 

“Yeah,” Genesis continued. “But sometimes it comes off as you not having faith in him.”

“I do have faith in him,” Angeal pressed, clearly annoyed. “If anything, you’re the one who thinks he’s just some Second Class runt who follows us around.”

Sephiroth couldn’t look away from the car crash unfolding right before his eyes. Zack served Lazard and his date their meals, the former looking quite displeased with his order. But it was just like Zack had said, he wasn’t the confrontational type. 

“Mother?” Sephiroth tried. “Father?”

Angeal and Genesis ignored him. 

“Not true!” Genesis replied, his tone getting more heated by the second. “I adore Zack!”

“Hmm.” Angeal rolled his eyes. “Just like you adore Sephiroth.”

Genesis faked an overdramatic gasp which he emphasized by placing a hand over his heart. “How dare you accuse me of disliking my own child!?”

Meanwhile, Sephiroth watched as Lazard took one bite of his food, then violently spit it back out—right in Meg’s face. Lazard began coughing and spitting food all over the place. Meg’s face was befouled by the bits of shrimp and rice. Her mouth was hanging open in disbelief.

Sephiroth turned back around. 

“Gentlemen, I am begging for one second of your attention.”

“NOT NOW!” Genesis snapped at him. 

“A-HA!” Angeal pointed an accusatory finger at him. “SEE? NO WONDER I'M THE ONE HE COMES TO WHEN HE'S UPSET, GENESIS! YOU’RE A BITCH!” 

“I BEG YOUR PARDON!?” Genesis stood up, making Angeal rise to his feet as well. “TAKING CARE OF HIM IS A JOINT EFFORT, ANGEAL! DON’T UNDERMINE MY PARENTING!”

Meanwhile, Lazard and Megan were actively arguing. Zack tried to work the middle-man role in vain, failing at calming either of them down. 

“Our plan is going down the drain here, men,” Sephiroth said. 

They continued to ignore him. 

“PARENT HIM?” Angeal laughed. “YOU’RE BARELY HIS FRIEND. ALL YOU TWO DO IS  ARGUE BECAUSE YOU PICK FIGHTS!”

Genesis grabbed his coat. “WELL, IF WE’RE SUCH A BURDEN TO YOU, ANGEAL, MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST PACK OUR THINGS AND LEAVE!”

Angeal slammed his fist on the table. “YOU’RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE! I WANT A DIVORCE!”

Sephiroth watched helplessly as Lazard ripped away Zack’s mask. 

“Oh dear,” Sephiroth whispered. 

Sephiroth had heard about the six stages of grief before, and he was almost certain each of them became etched onto Lazard’s face in the span of a single second. Zack awkwardly smiled and waved, which only served as a catalyst to redden the older man’s face and propel his rage.

Sephiroth was nonplussed. “Hm. It appears that, as the youths say, all hell has broken loose.”

Angeal and Genesis persisted in dragging out their squabble. 

“MY MOTHER WARNED ME ABOUT YOU!” Genesis shot back. “YOU KNOW WHAT? SINCE YOU’RE THE BETTER PARENT, KEEP HIM! I’M BETTER OFF ON MY OWN ANYWAY!”

Angeal gasped. “YOU CYNICAL ASSHOLE! YOU WON’T EVEN FIGHT FOR CUSTODY? HOW SELFISH CAN YOU BE?”

Sephiroth flinched once Meg grabbed her drink. She threw it in Lazard’s face before promptly walking off. Then Lazard and Zack began to argue, the former grabbing him by the neck and beginning to shake him.

“I might be witnessing a murder,” Sephiroth said. 

“I DON’T NEED THIS!” Genesis screamed. “I’M LEAVING! I’M DONE!” 

Angeal grabbed his coat. “YEAH, WELL SO AM I!” 

Angeal and Genesis went their opposite ways, leaving Sephiroth to watch the fight escalate by the second. He would’ve been more motivated to step in if Zack were in any real danger. But the sight of Lazard thwacking Zack with his own apron was far too entertaining to intervene. 

He wondered if Angeal and Genesis were watching. 

Sephiroth turned around. 

“...” 

“Mother?”

“...”

“Father?”

“...”

The sounds of Zack getting disciplined in the background persisted (“Ow! I didn’t know!” Thwack! “Director! I swear I didn’t mean to!” Thwack! “Ow!”) Sephiroth slumped down in his seat, disgruntled.

He crossed his arms over his chest. 

“This is just like real life.”

[singemall-stayallnight]

Positive Encounters With Jimmy Page & Robert Plant

"When I lived in Brighton, in the late seventies and early eighties, I met Jimmy Page and Philip Hale at a private musical event in Hassocks where I played piano for a small invited gathering. I chatted to Jimmy and briefly to Philip. I was invited to Jimmy's home at Plumpton shortly afterwards where an engineer was mixing Robert Plant's vocals on the album "In Through The Out Door". It was lovely, atmospheric; a truly beautiful place. There were guitars everywhere, even nine in the tiny WC. It was a charming place and Jimmy was a gentle, compassionate host. I recognised Philip Hale's photo in a local paper a short while later and recognised him immediately. It was so sad to read of his passing." Reply

Anonymous25 May 2017 at 13:15

A shot of Jimmy Page at his home, Plumpton Place. | Source: Pinterest

Jimmy Page with his Stratocaster at Plumpton Place. | Source: Pinterest

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/29920183-who-are-the-nicest-rock-stars-classic-rock-edition#29920857

"Jimmy Page was nice when I met him."

by Anonymous reply 6 December 19, 2021 4:05 AM

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/34120072-have-you-ever-embarrassed-yourself-in-front-of-a-celebrity-

"Yes, and I worked in Burbank (Hampton’s) which was an industry restaurant so met many, many celebrities and never acted a fool.

But when I met Jimmy Page in London ten years ago, I mumbled some gibberish, rolled my eyes at myself, then we stood staring at each other for what felt like an entire minute then I said, “anyway, I’m a really huge fan” and he yelled, 'awww!' And gave me a big, tight hug.

He was actually so sweet and I’m sure he got that idiotic behavior all the time but I was just the biggest dork."

by Anonymous reply 7 March 14, 2024 12:09 PM

"Wow R7! That's so cool. I probably would have reacted the same way. Who goes to work expecting to meet Jimmy Page!"

by Anonymous reply 8 March 14, 2024 12:37 PM

"R8

Oh, sorry. I didn’t write that properly - was still waking up, I think.

I didn’t meet Jimmy at Hampton’s in Burbank but in London where I was on vacation. I saw him walking with another guy and introduced myself."

by Anonymous reply 17 March 14, 2024 7:44 PM

This quotation by Pamela Des Barres about Jimmy is (partly) positive. Jimmy was a player. While we're on the subject, Robert was a player too.*

https://www.loudersound.com/features/pamela-des-barres-my-stories-of-alice-cooper-robert-plant-jim-morrison-and-more

"Jimmy Page

'My other true love that I thought I was really, really in love with. And he sure led you to believe it, man. I found out later from three other girls that he said the same things to all of us. But the best lover, the best talker, the best line giver, the best everything. He was it. He was the supreme catch if you were a groupie because he took you on the road, he bought you things, he whispered sweet nothings all the time. He led you to believe you were the one. And it really felt good.

He was the epitome of British royalty. I haven’t seen Jimmy in years. Although, you know what I hear now, he’s let his hair go grey and he’s sober for years. I think he’s a completely changed guy.'"

Here are a few threads with nice stories about coming across/interacting with Robert.

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/i-met-robert-plant-last-week.709197/

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/robert-plant-30-years-ago-1988-now-and-zen-album-poll.747966/

"I'll post since may be interesting for some of you guys who like this album.

I was assistant engineer on the recording. I was just 18 years old at the time. It was recorded at the 3rd Studio I worked at, Marcus Music, Kensington Gardens Square, which got demolished to make way for the rebuilding of Whiteleys :(. That was a great studio. I also assisted on ABC's Alphabet City there.

I loved working on this album. I volunteered because I had grown up with Led Zep. My best friend's uncle was Led Zep's roady and then did some live sound for them, IIRC. Led Zep IV was my fav album when I was 14. So, I volunteered for the Robert Plant session when I knew he was coming in. I hit it off with him straight away because of the indirect connection. Such a great guy. I got to sleep at normal times since he started at 10am and finished at 8pm, which is unheard of. He would buy us all curry EVERY lunchtime. I got to record some of his vocals in the upstair studio, which was a real privilege as a trainee engineer.

He would mercilessly tease Tim Palmer who was the producer/main engineer. Tim had done work with Texas. We took days getting a drum sound and RP was really digging TP that they recorded Led Zep IV in a week, or whatever it was, and the drum sound then was way better than he was getting now!

I remember Doug Boyle, quite a young guitarist, buying this supposedly super-duper guitar amp from the States. Trouble was it just sounded **** in the studio. Plant really gave him good teasing on that as well. Of course the great guitar amps are Marshalls and Vox AC30's.

The real icing on the cake was when Jimmy Page came and did some guitar over dubs. I was, and still am, such a fan. He used Vox AC30 amp and Les Paul. The sound was just amazing, and the way he played just had that great sound. When he bent just a single note that guitar just sang.

So, working on that album was one of the BIG highlights of my career. RP gave me £200 at the end too!! That's unusual. Assistant engineers/Tape Ops got a pittance, so it was well appreciated. RP's knowledge of music was amazing. He was playing REM, who I hadn't heard of at the time."

-Timbo21, Sep 2, 2018

Robert Plant performing on his Now And Zen tour in 1988. | Left photo: © Sheryl Chapman | Right photo: © Timm Chapman

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1271389-to-be-wondering-a-lot-what-Robert-Plants-first-date-with-Liz-Jones-would-be-like susiedotcom · 02/08/2011 13:26

"I'd never heard of Liz Jones before now, but I do see Robert Plant out quite frequently in Worcester (well, DH does now that I never go out after dark…) He's the loveliest, coolest, friendliest guy ever and I can't believe he'd go out with the woman I've just been reading about. I'm quite pleased (and a bit surprised) to see so many RP fans on here though."

There seems to be a good amount of positive and negative experiences posted online when it comes to Robert. Here's a few of the negative ones:

This one in particular is from a Q&A thread hosted by men who work in the Nashville music business.

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/16819213-country-music-gossip-ii

"NG1 here. I know the engineer who has worked on many of Allison Krauss' records. I love how natural and unforced her voice sounds. He said that is partly because she barely whispers when she sings, and they have the volume tuned up high to catch her voice. Her voice is beautiful."

by Anonymous reply 319 June 12, 2016 5:05 AM

"R 319 take a listen to Alison's first couple of records -- she was singing in her "real" voice then. Her current whispery, throaty, style, while lovely, isn't natural and has lead to a few bouts of vocal rest and forced time off the road. And while she can be charming, she can also be, shall we say, difficult. That second album with Robert Plant will never see the light of day, she drove him nuts in the studio."

by Anonymous reply 326 June 16, 2016 4:40 AM

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant performing in 2008. Credit: Getty Images

"NG1 here.

Patty Griffin is not a Nashville artist. She's from Maine, and started in the folk scene in Boston. She moved to Nashville for a very brief time, where she recorded her first two albums, them moved to Austin, where , I believe she still lives. I see her around some, but I don't think she spends that much time here. She and Robert Plant live together -- or at least used to, I don't know if they still do -- which seems like the strangest couples. I've met Plant many many times, and he is the world's biggest ass."

by Anonymous reply 344 June 18, 2016 4:04 AM

"To NG1

Thank you for mentioning to us about Robert Plant. I always thought he was an ass. He thought his crap didn't stink. I wouldn't be surprised if Patty Griffin kicked him to the curb.

Like you have said on here before is Country music is where any artist can be forgotten or be pushed to the side at any time. Dang, that sucks."

by Anonymous reply 345 June 18, 2016 10:02 AM

"Oh, and Patty and Robert split up more than a year ago." by Anonymous reply 347 June 19, 2016 6:37 AM

Robert Plant and Patty Griffin with Robert Plant and the Band of Joy at Bonnaroo. | © David Oppenheimer

https://forums.ledzeppelin.com/topic/15152-robert-plant-band-of-joy-tour-2011/

Posted February 16, 2011

"The Show Must Go On?

Locals comment on the Band of Joy turmoil in Tennessee:

dropshadow 8:50 AM on February 14, 2011

'Try waiting on him sometime, and you'd never buy another ticket to one of his shows. He's a complete ass.'

There was also a thread on Datalounge that had a comment about how wait staff members working in various restaurants in Austin "hated" Robert, but I can't find the thread, nor do I remember the title. I'm pretty sure the thread was from the time he lived there with Patty or shortly after he'd moved back to England.

Here's more DL threads on LZ, for anyone interested:

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/14519026-led-zeppelin

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/25295397-let-s-talk-about-lez-zeppelin! (Lez is just a typo, it's not a reference to the cover band.)

There's other mentions of Jimmy and Robert in non-LZ threads on DL. You can use the search feature on the site, but theirs is not the best. Another option is to type a name and site:datalounge.com into a search engine. There have been other LZ threads & threads that contained LZ stories on DL, such as the one below, but they've expired.

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/8208701-rock-roll-royalty-70s-style!

Random Robert stories:

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/robert-plant-solo-recommendations.953836/

"Dreamland 2002: would get my vote. Saw him on that tour. Small venue of less than 2000 people. I was standing about 4 deep as there were no seating except the balcony. He kept smiling at this hot girl off to my right. As the show drew to a close, security came out and escorted her backstage. Guess a good time was had by all."

-JFSebastion, Dec 14, 2021

Robert Plant in 2002.

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/robert-plant-solo-recommendations.953836/

"Jimmy (Page) had an upward curve until LZ IV,followed by a downward spiral from there on. This point of view was confirmed to me by none else than Robert Plant at Copredy in 1995 when discussing LZ! Twenty years later I still hold to this opinion."

-joachim50, Mar 4, 2016

"I actually did not like to be misunderstood and misquoted:

Please note that there is a difference betweeen curve and spiral.I will not elaborate on either. I described "the upward curve until LZ IV,and the downward spiral as a "point of view that was confirmed (to me)by Robert Plant at Copredy in 1995 when discussing LZ.

So this was MY opinion at the time which I put across to Robert Plant,and he agreed to MY opinion.So I label it as his confirmation.

The background is that I got into talking with him at the bar at Copredy when I was chatting with Dave Pegg and Simon Nicol and was introduced to Robert Plant.During the course of our chat he(RP) asked me for my opinion about the albums of LZ to which I replied,that I regarded the" First Four" as monuments having an upward curve especially as Jimmy Page's contributions were concerned,and that afterwards an increasing number of cracks were to be noticed until ---in my opinion---the whole thing collapsed with Presence.

Robert Plant looked at me and told me that he agreed,and gave as reasons "too much money,too many birds,too many hard drugs,and too many personality clashes."

He also said that during the last 5 years of LZ his heart had not been in it anymore,and that he had been coerced by management to continue.He also said,that he regretted not having stopped working with LZ since especially the qualities of Jimmy Page and John Bonham had vaporized more and more dramatically due to their complete immersion into the Rock'n Roll lifestyle."

-joachim50, Mar 4, 2016

Led Zeppelin in 1971. | © Chris Dreja, Courtesy of Proud Galleries

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/robert-plant-the-early-solo-career-1982-1993.1194809/

"I really enjoy all the albums up to and including Fate Of Nations, with the exception of Manic Nirvana, which is okay, but not much more. I have to be in a 1980s mood for Shaken ‘N’ Stirred, but when I am, it’s a real blast. I saw RP on the tour for his second album and I remember a girl shouting out, 'I love you Robert', to which he replied 'You wouldn’t like the real thing at home.' That gig was a lot of fun."

-The Bishop, Feb 8, 2024

Robert Plant sings on stage during his ‘Principle of Moments’ tour on September 3, 1983 in Detroit, Michigan. | © Ross Marino/Getty Images

There are a lot of Zep threads on the Steve Hoffman Forum, as well as specific ones on Page, Plant, Jones and Bonham.

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

Does anyone know which interview this poster is referencing?

This is a comment from a thread on the Steve Hoffman Forum but I can't remember which thread. I copied the comment but forgot to copy the link:

"Occam's Razor - Okay, thanks. I get it now. To tell you the truth from my perspective, I think Robert thought Alison was more capable in a wider genre of music and could adapt to more of his style. I knew the first time I heard/saw the "Please Read the Letter" video it wasn't exactly right. He was restaining his voice to match her style and adapting to her style. I knew it would only be a matter of time. When I read, remember this, that he wanted her to "moan" on a particular song, and she responded with "I'm not black", she just blew it. That statement was wrong on many levels even if she couldn't "moan" as he wanted. Totally "ignorant" thing to say in my opinion. Anyway, I DO love his current project very much and think Patty is just perfect. I think Robert finally found it. Also, LOVE the fact that he's doing more of a SOLO project rather than "duet" style. I do think though that Patty's voice and ability to adapt to Robert's style enhances his singing in a very positive way. His voice is sounding amazing.

BTW when you are a talent like Robert, yeah, four days is enough time to KNOW just where the thing is going or not going. I totally agree with him on that."

That response from Alison was indeed wrong. I'm curious to know who told this story. If it wasn't Robert, it was probably T Bone Burnett. If anyone can link to the interview that mentions this, or remembers anything about it, please let me know. I'd appreciate it.

*Just to give one example of this, from Lisa Robinson's Vanity Fair piece on Led Zeppelin, "Robert's tour amours were girls he managed to convince that he was, at any given moment, about to leave his wife, Maureen, the mother of his two young children."

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

culture shock (2)

"Alright, explain this dragon grandsire thing." Jullus demanded. Reinhardt didn't immediately respond, holding up a hand to gesture that he needed a moment. Swallowing the mouthful of warm cider, he exhaled.

"What do you want to know?"

"Vedrfolnir called you his grandson, and you said an ancestor of yours drank dragon-blood. Don't people normally turn after ingesting the stuff?"

"Not back then, as far as we know." Reinhardt replied. "The general educated--" Here he made quotation marks with his fingers. "Guess is that before Nidhogg's curse, you'd need to drink a lot of dragon-blood to trigger a transformation. But if you've had say...only a cup or two, you're walking away with enhanced senses and stronger aether. And depending on the potency of the dragon's blood, the lot searing itself into your bloodline to pass down to your descendants." Jullus' eyes widened.

"But from what I was told--wasn't the curse triggered well over a thousand years ago?!" He exclaimed. "And if your ancestor had blood before that--did everyone in the family-?!" Reinhardt waggled a hand as he lifted the cup to his lips again.

"Yes and no." He continued, swallowing again. "It's just like say...okay. Your blue hair." Jullus blinked as a white-clawed hand gestured at his head.

"How often does that pop up in your family?"

"...It came from my great-great grandsire on my mother's side." Jullus responded. "It's a bit odd. Mother said the color tended to either skip several generations or just show up for about three or four before it disappeared again."

"The same in my case. The original enhancement would show up and vanish. Now it's gotten a power boost thanks to Nidhogg's curse. At some point the two merged inside me. Add in the vial of dragon's blood I ingested when I became a knight, and..." Reinhardt gestured with the now-empty cup to himself.

"That sounds like a mess."

"Mess would be putting it mildly." Reinhardt exhaled. Riven and Sebastian had a better grip of it than he did. They called it 'genetics' and apparently the Allagans had not only specialized in it, they'd used it to create unspeakable horrors. They'd both tried explaining it to him, but Reinhardt just couldn't wrap his head around the specifics. Though to be honest, the sciences hadn't been his strongest subject when he'd been sharing tutors with the Fortemps children.

"So..." Jullus was thinking. "You said it was based on the potency of the dragon. Is that why the curse was so strong? It came from a direct member of the First Brood?"

"Two. And yes. Midgardsormr's seven children are the First Brood. They are the ones technically closest to him in power. If they'd been left alone to their own devices, they would have been masters of the star and damn near deadly to fight. Not that they're already not."

<Tiamat.> Paien commented. <Forget Hraesvelgr. He is too soft from his isolation and he's not moving unless his father snaps at his heels. Vrtra is only just learning how to hold his own in a proper fight. Azdaja is too small.>

Dare you to say that to her face. Reinhardt thought. He blinked as Jullus suddenly waved a hand in front of him.

"Reinhardt?"

"Sorry. Paien had a observation." Reinhardt looked around--ah, there was the cider jar. Going over to it, he helped himself to another cupful. "Got any more questions?"

"A lot, actually. But my head hurts just trying to figure you out." Reinhardt set down his cup and poured a fresh one for Jullus, the Garlean nodding a thank-you as it was proffered to him.

[fvirytips]

What to do when people are gossiping

(how to make them stop, what to say, xtra!)

ahh gossiping. how I loved it. Notice how I said loved? yeah, gossiping is terrible! it spreads lies, makes people feel bad, and also makes you feel bad afterwards. It has literally 0 good effects.

Proverbs 11:13- Gossip betrays confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

excuses!

Of course, it's a sin to lie. So we can't just make up a lie to get away. Instead, we can be telling the truth, and avoid this horrid sin!

There are 3 ways:

Change the subject

Q) "Did you hear about ____'s Mom?"

A) "No, please tell me later! and do you want to get lunch"

Q) "Isn't ____ so annoying?"

A) "Eh, I don't really talk to them, but shouldn't we go to our next class?"

Q) "Look at ____"s hair!"

A) "Wow.. oh, and do you wanna walk around a bit?"

See! So simple! Just say a word such as "Oh" or "Wow" or anyhting else that doesn't agree or disagree. Then change the subject to something you usually talk about.

"Confront"

In quotations marks because your not actually confronting them, more like showing them that their on the wrong.

Q) "Woah.. isn't ____ so ugly?"

A) "Well, we are just teens so you know, we're still developing and stuff.."

Q) "Did you hear that ____ is ____?"

A) "No.. and I thought you didn't like them, why are we talking about them.."

Q) "Ugh! I hate ____"

A) "Yeah she can sometimes be rude, but I don't think she means it, maybe we should just tell her?"

This one's risky, and you'll probably have to adjust it depending on your friends personality, but if they keep on gossiping. especially negatively, then it's best not to be friends

Ignore/Divert

Q)"Omg did you see ____?"

A) "Let's get lunch, the queue is short!"

Q) "Did you hear about ____?"

A) "No, I don't get into drama and stuff.."

Q) "Urgh.. I hate ____!"

A) "Isn't the sky so pretty today?"

These are my techniques to stop being a gossip! But how do we stop our friends from doing it?

Tell them it's wrong, and that imagine if they were in their shoes. You don't have to perform a Maryin Luther King Jr (love that guy) type of speech! Just drop it into conversation:

"Hey, you know how we always talk about ____, well, it's old news now, plus we should be planning for the summer!"

Or you just don't engage in it! If the gossip is really bad, get out of there!! Don't get tempted by its pretty face. It's all lies. Lies and deceit!

TL:DR- DONT GOSSIPP! Just ignore, confront, or change the subject! Remember that we aren't living for this stinky world 🤢 we are living for God, our Spirit, our Svaiour and Heaven!

Amen!

[elnierah]

Companion Post - Chapter 1 Remaster: What Alterations Were Made and Why?

Apologies for the multiple posts, but I believed it would be wiser to separate all these subjects instead of condescending them all into one giant wall of text.

This one serves to breakdown and highlight exactly how I plan to approach Remasters in terms of alterations and additions to the plot. So if you've just read, or wish to, the new chapter 1, and are curious as to why some slight changes were made, this will explain exactly why.

I likely will not do this for other chapters, just because of how long these analysis posts take, but if you're ever curious of a change or addition, please do not hesitate to ask me!

I will format this post by scene: ( so those ~~~~ sections )

Scene one:

This scene, in terms of raw content, hasn't been altered much. There are a few additions though, mainly Yusuke's relationship with his mother and her art. This is a subject which is brought up later on, but I believe it belongs in the beginning far more to introduce both him and his ideals. Even if this story is derived from another, established IP, these tidbits are key to narrative and character progression.

Alteration: Madarame no longer sends Yusuke to 'rest' during the day, just tells him to go to his room to brush up on his art skills in preparation. Makes more sense for his character to pressure practice. Also a small line of 'allowing' Yusuke to forgo job hunting today which serves as subtle expositions as to Yusuke's usual routine.

Scene Two:

Scene starts with Yusuke waking up instead of amidst painting. Just a preference to segue into descriptions of their living conditions and his mental state.

New addition: this section elaborates on exactly why Yusuke does not vend nor exhibit his art, and why he clings to that one aspect. In the original text, it's not touched upon and could even cast a misinterpretation on him, one where his desire could be seen as childish or selfish - while in reality it's because it's the last shard of his willpower, autonomy as a person, not Madarame's sole puppet. 'Rebellious spirit' if we're using P5 terms.

Emphasised the fact Madarame only wishes Yusuke to vend/exhibit them to crush that aforementioned willpower, not because there's justification behind it. ( Aka, village is in a more dire state so not many would care for paintings, referenced further in scene four )

Addition: added an element of Yusuke finding Madarame's complete disregard of the letter's arrival suspicious, which in turn is what makes him drop the paintbrush instead and experience mental dissonant.

Alteration: Madarame gives him the 'wedding' attire the night prior instead of Yusuke already owning it.

Alteration: Yusuke's curse at himself is no longer in quotations, only narration. Just a preference of mine.

Elaborated on their landlord's neglect, that they justify allowing the home's disrepair because their payments are often late.

Scene Three:

Scene starts in the washroom, detailing the state of their home and their living conditions more. ( Example, reusing bath water, mold, etc ) This is also so Yusuke can have a 'shower' instead of just changing directly. Preference.

Emphasised Yusuke just wishes for a humble life, and that they used to have such in the past.

Alteration: Their scissor broke, so when Madarame brings up Yusuke cutting his hair, he can't. ( good ) It was strange of Madarame to immediately yell at him to leave after requesting that, so this was added to ensure more flow.

Alteration: Madarame gives him the bread in this chapter instead, as it makes more sense for him to do so now than after he believes Yusuke 'failed'. He's trying to ensure his success here, after all. ( He won't give him bread in chapter 2 as a result, so Rita's food is very much appreciated )

Yusuke's not as timid. ( overall )

Scene Four:

Elaborated on details regarding their village, how it manages to survive and added mentions of the charity harvests! ( Akira's and other benefactors [ as they are now dubbed ]

Seasons have been added! It's winter in the start.

Elaborated on how isolated the village is, and how nearby lands have been gentrified. ( Mentioned later, but should've been present at start )

Emphasised the fact that rumours regarding the Kurusu family are sparse whispers - not trusted much at all.

Scene Five:

The mansion is two miles away ( 30/40 minute walk ) from Yusuke's village. Its outside is also more detailed too. ( Example, gate, what the fountain looks like, breeds of flowers, etc )

The gatekeepers are given descriptive appearances. Uniforms too.

His Lordship! A term I've been itching to use for a while now but didn't wish to suddenly introduce as of Chapter 30. [ If you've noticed, Akira is referred to as a 'Lord' at the mansion, and a 'Majesty' at the manor ]

Biggest change: Zeriya makes an appearance, taking over the gatekeeper's guide duties. The fact he was absence in this section miffed me to no end, especially when you consider how involved he is regarding targets.

Yusuke is even more suspicious, with description of why and his mental processings.

The description of Akira's appearance has been altered slightly, both to reinforce his depressive and sickly state. Example: his eyes are vacant, his skin is ghostly pale and he harbours dark circles under his eyes. ( Aka, he's at his hunger limit ) [ His natural complexion is not as pale [ skin tone is P5's ], which Yusuke will notice later on. ]

Addition: Yusuke believed his portrait model was going to be an old dude. Most of the other benefactors are in their later years, after all, so this is the reason for the assumption.

Alteration: Yusuke senses Akira's behaviour is a performance, given he has 'experience' acting in accordance for his father.

Alteration: No one is presence beside the gatekeepers, Akira and Zeriya. This is to reflect the way the kingdom perceives Akira's need to feed and their preference to avert their eyes to it. ( Also for their own comfort )

Alteration: The 'trap' room is slightly different, with the bed now out of sight via a partition. Don't wanna send the wrong message to your 'guests', of course!

Addition: Akira brews them tea, Yusuke's drugged whilst his not ( uses different spoons so the liquid doesn't mix ). He also eats food closest to him, also not drugged. This is done because it can help lead their guest into a false sense of security, that the food is safe because their host is consuming it. A classic manipulation tactic.

Yusuke avoids the food because he feels ill, as if he's going to vomit from stress instead of sole suspicion. He does grab a piece of cake to circumvent upsetting Akira though instead of outright 'disrespecting' him.

Addition: Flower tea to obfuscate the natural scent of vampires, just in case their 'guest' has learnt of such.

Alteration: Muffins are gone, red fruit tarts are now in! For symbolism, perhaps. ;)

Alteration: Yusuke's stomach no longer growls immediately at the sight of the food, due to both stress and having eaten that bread.

Alteration: Akira ( lies ) about how they met someone who informed them of Yusuke's existence, and that rumours spurred them to search for this 'stubborn artist' instead.

Alteration/addition: Yusuke still assumes this aforementioned person is Madarame, but there is a lot more emphasis on his hurt, sense of betrayal.

Alteration: Yusuke is a lot more offended by the 'stubborn, egotistical artist' moniker, but he does find the affair rather odd.

Alteration: Yusuke's emotions are so amok by what Akira says that he correlates Akira's desire to convince a stubborn artist as the same as his father's. This leads to him accidentally insulting him.

Addition: Akira attempts multiple, other methods to have Yusuke consume the drug, such as suggesting celebratory drinks, before he grows fed up/gives up. [ Bro gave up way too quick in the old version ]

Emphasised Yusuke noticing Akira growing more and more restive.

Scene Six

Addition: Akira 'entertains' Yusuke for as long as he feasibly can. He grows ruder, more curt as a result of this instead. [ Akira's more frustrated/altered personality whilst starved seeps in far too soon in the old text. ] There is also a more natural segue into his question of 'would anyone miss you' too.

Alteration: Yusuke no longer thinks Akira's polite. He also says he needs to ask Madarame if he can stay instead of speculation.

Addition: Akira begins to toy with the food ( tart ) to spur Yusuke to eat, having sensed his hunger and the hours wane.

Alteration: Yusuke's excuse of 'rare stomach condition' is now what provokes Akira's decorum to shatter apart.

Important/biggest addition: Zeriya now comes to evaluate the proceedings, as an hour is the maximum they'll wait before reassessing the situation. His arrival is what spurs Akira to storm out, having reached both their time limit and his own. This change causes Zeriya to be the one to provide recompense instead, with the amount lowered to reflect his less generous personality. Why was this changed? Well... Whilst there was nothing inherently wrong with the original version of events, [ *Akira kicks Yusuke out himself after not succeeding to drug him, gives him money to ensure his lack of return quite forcibly and almost bites him due to a lack of control ] those events do not align well with Akira's profound aversion to interacting with humans/targets beyond what is absolutely necessary. He foists all responsibility onto Zeriya, both to handle difficult/unsusceptible targets and ensure they don't pester them. This change will give more credence to Zeriya's frustration later on and how Akira's mental health is a taut thread, ready to snap at any moment. It will also cause a chain effect, one I need chapter 2 to acknowledge.

The next important addition is: Zeriya plants a seedling of hope within Yusuke's mind, telling him to perhaps return tomorrow. This is a change I debated quite extensively, as I wish for Yusuke's return to still be spurred solely by his desperation, the utter terror Madarame instills in him with his threats of imposed prostitution, not by any level of reassurance. This wish of mine is however remedied and maintain by the fact Yusuke remains distrustful, that he does not ultimately desire the opportunity itself as it is not one built on his own terms and he finds the inhabitants of the mansion to be insufferable. To illustrate and strengthen this point, Yusuke's plan of defense against Madarame is more elaborate, with his actions being more premediated than before. But this one addition also spurs Madarame's reaction to his actions to be, well... more extreme.

As you can see, these ultimately small alterations have caused a chain reaction, one where everything had to shift if the personalities and inclinations of each character were to be maintained. ( For example, it would be very out-of-character for Zeriya to NOT at least attempt to convince a target's return if given the chance. ) Yusuke is also quite intelligent, so it also makes more sense for his attempt to circumvent punishment to be quite clarified ( with his downfall ultimately being his love for his father. ) That aforementioned element however also elicits Madarame's, somehow, even more abhorrent side ( he's always abhorrent, but alas ) which leads to a more extreme and distressing version of scene seven. In other words, these changes were all decided by deliberating on how each of these characters, in their truest essence, would react to one another's actions. Cause and effect, if I may.

I apologise if this all sounds gibberish. I am very, very bad at articulating my decisions and thought process, so if you're at all confused, please feel free to ask me! Moving on!

Scene Seven

Yusuke is far more salty at Akira for his outburst. [ As he should be ]

Amount of money lowered from 4k to 2k due to aforementioned reason. ( Zeriya is giving the money now )

Addition: Yusuke, amidst his mental deliberation, picks up some supplies from the newly added Winter's Harvest.

Alteration: Madarame's distorted desire to use Yusuke is a lot more pronounced overall, referencing and maintaining his/shadow's personality from P5.

Addition: Yusuke's emphasised heartbreak over the belief Madarame betrayed his promise ( regarding his art ) is now what gives him the strength to lie to his father.

Alteration: Yusuke's plan to protect himself is to pretend Akira never dismissed him, to maintain a pretence of employment, instead of saying they wish for the painting at a later date.

Alteration: Madarame still sees through Yusuke's facade, but because Yusuke's plan to provide the money over time ( to give credence to his employment ) can be perceived as stealing, Madarame reacts even harsher with physical abuse.

Addition: Yusuke's attire is ripped during this horrible treatment, symbolising the tearing of his heart.

Alteration/addition: Madarame uses Yusuke's mother against him to further the sting of his verbal abuses.

Emphasised the fact that Yusuke's return to the mansion is his last chance. ( Before Madarame forces him into prostitution... )

Addition: Mentions of the 'business card' and phone calls. ( now and later on )

I believe that covers most, if not a majority, of the changes made to Chapter 1! These alterations/additions were born not only from deliberating how the characters personalities would amalgamate, but also from my new philosophy when it comes to my creations/stories/writing. I've mentioned it across various comments, but the earliest chapters of YCTL were/are stuck betwixt my prior conflict of whether or not I wanted to simply remaster or do a complete rewrite, and that is reflected in their plot and occurrences. This project serves not only to elevate my writing style but also to give these chapters ( at least up to 6 ) the same treatment and standards I hold for my work as a whole. Aka - if I decided upon a complete rewrite from the start, this is very likely how the chapters would've came out ( if not slightly different. ).

In conclusion, and as mentioned before, if you have any questions regarding this or my work in general, then please feel free to reach out via Tumblr - Questions, DMs or Twitter! I would be more than delighted to answer any curiosities or concerns! I also find direct questions a little easier to answer than trying to figure out/articulate them on my own.

As always, thank you so much for your support! And I hope you'll all be able to continue to enjoy my shukita/kitashu fics! ヽ(˵ ͡~ ³ ͡°˵)ﾉ

[nebulouscoffee]

15 questions 15 mutuals*

*but I don't actually have 15 mutuals so we're just gonna have to make do lol

Thanks for the tag @bijoumikhawal!

Were you named after anyone?

Nope- though I almost was, first after my mom's little sister (who sadly passed away when they were children due to health complications) and then after a yoga teacher who turned my mom's life around- but in the end my parents went with some random name they just thought I "looked like" haha

When was the last time you cried?

*dramatic hair flip* well, I don't wanna brag, but, uh- I did cry myself to sleep last night💅💃🏾🙈 (no hugely tragic reason really lol it's just been a rough month)

Do you have kids?

Nope

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I definitely can be sarcastic sometimes, but idk maybe not to the extent where I feel like people who know me would describe me as "sarcastic"? Thinking about it, I guess I usually reserve it for commentary on stupid conflicts and like bigots and stuff, not for everyday interactions with people just being harmlessly sincere

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Faces I think? Not like any kind of evaluation, I just think that's the first thing I look at. Also I guess, do they look/sound like they're okay, or like they're having a bad day/in a bad mood

What’s your eye color?

Black. If you wanna get really technical, then really, really dark brown, but honestly it just looks black haha

Scary movies or happy endings?

I don't see how they're mutually exclusive! But if I had to answer, I do like horror but it's not my top watched genre, so happy endings I guess? Idkkk I don't really get this question

Any special talents?

Special? Hmmm idk... I can do a pretty solid gollum impression, does that count😂 (okay maybe impressions in general, yes unfortunately I was That Kid in class who could do all the teachers and some of my impressions were even Teacher Approved😂😂)

Where were you born?

*pulls a Garak and tells you six different answers*

What are your hobbies?

Writing, cooking, music, reading, movies- is it weird to say researching? Love researching

Have any pets?

Yuppp she's a mutt she's a stray she's a queen I love her <3

What sports do you play/have you played?

LOLLL okay back when I was a teen and I used to play sports For Fun (as in, I was never part of any teams or anything, just messing around VERY non-competitively with my friends) I dabbled in basketball, badminton, football (as in the kind where you kick a ball with your foot, not whatever y'all got going on in the US), frisbee & volleyball on the beach. But I cannot stress this enough- I sucked at everything across the board and it was all just for fun lmao, literally you cannot put enough quotation marks around "played" when saying I "played" sports😂🙈 Anyway those days are all gone, now I walk my dog ig

How tall are you?

Smol (juuuust about 5'3'')

Favorite subject in school?

Ahh I could never choose!! I love you science I love you social studies I love you literature everything was so interestinggg (I was a terrible student though, failed exams All the time😌)

Dream job?

I actually would love to write novels and instrumentals and stuff... And I guess I could probably see myself working in wildlife conservation too, maybe later on in life

Tagging: uhhhh @fancy-a-dance-brigadier @lorenzobane @enterprisery @sapphosewrites @cordrazine-official ummmm @wanderingwriter87 @trillscienceofficer and YOU!! Yes, you, seeing this post, consider yourself tagged (cheating😌)

[hms-no-fun]

this is so cool, i'm actually obsessed. i don't even want to joke about the quotation marks around "cis". what if the world's most cisgender man did take recreational feminizing HRT once a year for fun & enlightenment? why not?

i quite like the idea of treating hormonal balance as a discursive equilibrium, just as subject to recreational chemical intervention as any other mind-affecting bodily system. eating better can change your mind. smoking weed can change your mind. taking hormones can change your mind. for some of us (for me), testosterone feels like venom in the veins, and cutting it off & replacing it is a biological lifeline. but just as OP says above, the psychological effects are often the most immediate. fat redistribution and body hair reduction were a massive benefit, but the most affecting of all really was how it quelled or altered something in my mind, something beyond gender yet associated with it-- my body stopped feeling like an uncomfortably obligatory slime mold. before anything in my body actually physically changed, my reflection changed. i saw through the mirror not a millstone of meat i'd been unwillingly tethered to at birth, but a mass of clay to be shaped and molded at my pleasure.

something a fair few trans people in my circles have gone through --not many, to be clear, but enough to be notable-- is the experience of circling back on their assigned gender from a place of safety after having transitioned for a few years. for some trans people, their agab isn't this wretched thing to escape from but a starting point they needed distance from before re-evaluating. it's not always a binary flip of the switch, nor should it be. gender is a playground and there are no rules!

i dunno if i came to any kind of point here i just think this is cool

I’m actually obsessed with this person. more cis (“cis”) people should be doing this who gaf

[suplementosnaturais34]

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[mahayanapilgrim]

Reflecting on the sufferings of humans

BIRTH

To begin with, and until the pregnancy reaches term, we have to stay in the cramped confines of our mother's womb, scarcely tolerating the darkness, the evil smell, and the changes in temperature. Then, when we are born — upside down — it is as if we were being drawn through a wire extruder.

When we are touched, it is like being whipped with briars.

When we are wiped clean, it is as if we were being flayed alive. When we are taken onto our mother's lap, we feel like a little bird being carried off by a hawk. Such are the sufferings of birth.

OLD AGE

As we age, our complexion fades, and we lose our good looks and take on a dark blue ashen color. Our senses become dulled, while our body becomes bent and our limbs crooked. The flesh withers, the skin becomes loose.

Our face is a mass of wrinkles, our hair turns white, and our teeth fall out.

As we become physically weaker, we find it difficult to get up, we stagger as we walk, we collapse when we sit down, and when we speak we cannot articulate.

As our senses degenerate, our eyesight dims, we become hard of hearing, and our food loses its flavor. Our enjoyment of things diminishes, so that we cease to derive pleasure from sensual delights such as food: a little less food leaves us feeling hungry, while a little more gives us indigestion. Nobody likes us.

ILLNESS

When we are sick, we suffer infinite pain and distress resulting from imbalances of the four elements due to our previous deeds and present circumstances. Aching and physically weakened by illness, we are no longer free to enjoy things we like, such as food and drink, or sleep. We are obliged to resort to unpleasant medicines, treatments, regimens, and so forth, and wonder apprehensively whether we are going to die.

DEATH

At the time of death, nothing - neither medicines, nor treatments, norspecial rituals - can help, and we will have no choice but to leave behind all the wealth, fame, power, following, and friends we have worked so hard to obtain, and even the body we have cherished so much. As our vital force is severed, we will go through intense suffering and die. These four great rivers of suffering are common to all human beings, but they are not the only ones we have to experience, for there are also specific sufferings that occur interspersed between these four.

The suffering of not getting what we want— things such as happiness, riches, power, and pleasure in this life that we fail to achieve even though we sacrifice our bodies and lives and go through all sorts of difficulties to do so.

The suffering of misfortune befalling us— things we do not want, such as hunger and thirst, heat and cold, involvement in disputes and lawsuits, being the subject of rumors, or being punished by the authorities.

The suffering of separation from beloved relatives and what is pleasant-happiness and comfort, wealth, entourage, companions, relatives and friends, and the like.

The suffering of encountering hated enemies and what is unpleasant-sickness, negative forces, obstacles, enemies, robbers and bandits, fires, floods, and savage beasts of prey.

In short, both rich and poor suffer greatly. For the rich, the greater their wealth and circle of attendants, the more they must suffer protecting it all.

For the poor, there is the misery of deprivation, for they never manage to acquire the food, clothes, and other things they need, however much they look for them. As we read in the Series of Lives,

The first is afflicted by guarding it, The second is exhausted looking for it.

Whether they are rich or poor, Nowhere will there be any joy.

And the Four Hundred says:

At best there is mental anguish, In most cases it is physical.

By both these forms of suffering Is the whole world daily crushed.

These quotations merely illustrate what we can all too plainly see for ourselves.

- Dudjom Rinpoche - A Torch Lighting the Way to Freedom - Shambhala Publication

[synonymouswithanonymous]

about art

https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/faqs/copyright-reform-questions-and-answers#:~:text=They make sure that all,%2C caricature%2C parody and pastiche.

"The Directive allows users to use content freely for purposes of quotation, criticism, review, caricature, parody and pastiche."

A pastiche is a work of visual art, literature, theatre, music, or architecture that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists. Unlike parody, pastiche pays homage to the work it imitates, rather than mocking it.-wiki

"Pastiche is one of the newer harmonized user rights in EU copyright law. The exception for caricature, parody and pastiche was made mandatory as part of Article 17 of the Copyright in the Digital Single Market Directive (CDSMD) in 2019." https://copyrightblog.kluweriplaw.com/2023/03/13/the-pastiche-in-copyright-law-towards-a-european-right-to-remix/

For the USA the laws are slightly more relaxed. So to demonstrate the law in practical usage terms I will use Weird Al Y as an example.

https://www.stadleriplaw.com/blog/weirdal

"Although Weird Al's re-recordings are near melodic copies of the original recordings, they do not violate the copyright owner's rights. Since "Weird Al's" songs meet the required aspects to define a parody, he is not required by law to get permission. He also does not need to pay the creator of the original song."

And although weird al cites sources, in the USA he's not legally required to do so. Nor in Europe.

I kept seeing this argument, got tired of zero people actually putting up the laws, so researched, and here it is. Now the USA laws do seem a bit unfair to the original artist, same music but different lyrics, but the first artist isn't paid. I thought for sure he would be paying royalties at least. But nope. But I don't make the laws. The actress in question over this subject hasn't violated any laws in Europe or the USA. I think continued claims of theft are libelous and wrong. I mean get over it and let it go. It just makes me think The only reason this is used against her is bc of who she's dating. Misogyny is real, and just another excuse they use to be misogynistic towards this woman. It is bullying and libel. They've also come after her for so many other things, her hair, weight, eyebrows, feet, etc. So it shouldn't surprise me that stories are made up about her, but it does. And it's all swallowed down so happily bc some people are so thirsty for any excuse to hate.

The law is the law. Art is art, if people are inspired by it so be it. Let artists be artists. Choose to see the good in people and their intentions without judgement, stop looking for the bad.

Or that's all you will find. I also don't think it's right to try to trash someone's reputation online and call them a thief when they are not. Or call them a plagiarist when they are not. She's an actress that went to an arts based school, I'm sure she's aware of all the artistic lines she can and cannot cross.

So if you've ever been inspired by art and wanted to do something similar, or use elements from that piece, you are in the clear. The above laws and Fair Use say it's ok to get your art on!

If you've ever made a GIF, meme, clip splice, fanfiction, YouTube video, tiktok, musical, moodboard, collages, or downloaded a pic and shared it, under fair use/pastiche/parody laws, you're in the clear too. Keep on rocking content!

Fair use laws are meant to protect creativity, not stifle it.

[purelypacino]

All things considered, I think he aged "well." I put that in quotation marks because ~well~ is subjective, yadda yadda yadda. He lived pretty hard and rough until his mid-30s and continued to smoke past 40. He only quit in 1994, at 54.

What I think separates him from Robert is his laissez-faire attitude toward his appearance. Al genuinely doesn't give a fuck 😂 He'll go out with his hair a mess and his clothing equally rumpled. And that's fine. Robert tends to clean up a bit more. Al shows up to things like he just heard about them an hour ago. That's kind of always been his way, and I love that about him. I love it when he gets dressed up and is properly coiffed and all that, but I love even more that he's stayed essentially the same person, whether he's got oodles of money or not.

I'm not gonna say anything about the double standard for men and women ageing in the spotlight because we all know about that lol.

Unpopular opinion but I don’t think Al aged well 😢 70s and 80s and especially Michael Corleone legitimately the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on but anything after the 90s I can’t deal. To me Robert de niro is sexier as an older guy but I feel like such a traitor saying soooo 🤷🏼‍♀️

Well, we definitely have to consider the fact Al was a heavy smoke up into sometime in the ‘90s and I think I read he used to smoke 2 packs a day or something like that?? 😳 He was smoking since 9 I think and drinking since 13 I believe so that definitely impacts how well someone ages! I do agree Robert aged much better so I presume he wasn’t chain smoking or drinking, maybe?

But I still think that old man is sexy as hell no matter what. 🗣️🙏🏻

[lorcantips]

Bentonite Clay Shampoo for Natural Hair

Bentonite Clay Shampoo for Natural Hair

This video is a tutorial on how to create a bentonite clay mixture that will clean your hair. Very easy and works a treat… Enjoy my … source