#He doesn't fear much but in this situation he WOULD

[wolfsong-the-bloody-beast]

Navigating a Fade manifestation of Lucanis' PTSD as the underwater prison he was held and tortured in, to help him start dismantling his fears, begin healing and also accepting Spite, to help them both stop fighting for control, is certainly not on the list of things I expected from this game, but I'm so in love with it.

Even before that, you just know that Lucanis is not alright. He can't possibly be. He doesn't talk about it much, but who would be after the experiences he's had? And there are signs all over the place. I mean, he keeps hiding in the closed space of the pantry like a feral cat under a couch, and likely not just because of Spite, for example. But he keeps it all in, just like he keeps Spite in. Or out, even, in this case. But you also know that he can't go on like that forever.

And now, Lucanis has finally hit the wall. Thankfully, Spite knows what to do. So, he briefly takes the steering wheel. "Help us." ("He'll listen! He always listens to you!" I feel totally normal about knowing this, thanks, Spite.)

Just... the doors of Lucanis' mental prison opening for Rook by themselves as they gently talk down each manifestation of Lucanis' fears and doubts as a metaphor for Lucanis letting Rook in and letting himself be vulnerable with them is just 👌 Delightful. We don't break a single lock. He opens himself up to us.

And it doesn't magically solve all his problems and restore his mental health, of course, but it's a promising start. I like how the game acknowledges this. Rook is there for him, easing some of the worst thoughts, lending him perspective that he lacks because his mental downwards spiral is so thoroughly suffocating at that point. They're helping him start somewhere. Of course, helping Lucanis reach an understanding with Spite, thus helping him end the constant and surely stressful and exhausting battle over his own body there and then, showing him that Rook accepts and cares about him the way he is, so he can start accepting himself that way, goes a long way. It doesn't fix everything, but it's an important breakthrough.

The way Lucanis looks at Rook afterwards, when Teia asks them if they're alright? Also great. 👌

Though I think Rook should be able to hold Lucanis for at least like 300 hours afterwards, because that's approximately the amount of time I need to cry about it - the whole thing, Lucanis' dynamic with Rook, and Spite's trust for Rook and his willingness to play nice despite having been ignored and pushed away for so long.

Actually, poor Spite doesn't get enough credit for all that. He really goes, "Fuck, if he's not going let me in or go to Rook for help, I'm going to pull them into the deepest crevices of his psyche, so they can see the mess for themselves," and improves the situation for himself, Lucanis, and his budding relationship. Good job, Spite!

[lost-in-fiction-like-ur-mom]

hii I was wondering if u could write something where daeho and reader are already in a relationship and they find eachother after the first round and maybe they are upset with eachother for going into the games.

anc if it could have a bit of fluff that would be nice!!

tyy🫶🫶🫶

At Least We Have Eachother

KANG DAE-HO X READER

Summary- Dae-ho and you both join the squid games for the benefit of the other. Neither of you know about it, until you find each other after the first game.

Warnings- Squid Games, mentions of blood, murder, and death

A/N- Thank you guys for the overwhelming support with my Daeho fic. I am so motivated right now, it's not even funny. He is such a sweet baby, MY SHAYLAAAA

Word Count- 1,192

Your debt was not something you were proud of. To be honest, it crept up on you. It started with medical bills, then Daeho ran into some Ex-Marines, who dragged him into a bad gamble.

From there it kind of went down hill. Struggling to pay bills, borrowing more money, making the wrong people mad. In other words, the two of you were in an extremely bad position.

When a strange man with a suitcase approached you on your way home, you were hesitant. In any other situation you might have ignored him and walked away. But, you had just had another invoice from a debt collecting company. Not to mention the loan shark that came up and threatened Daeho two days prior. The eviction notice was also putting a hole on your kitchen table.

The idea of following the funny-looking card, winning a bunch of money, clearing your (and Daeho) debts. It was too good to be true, you knew that deep down. At the end of the day, you were at rock bottom. Desperate people do desperate things.

So, while slipping Daeho a simple lie about spending the night with a friend... You took off to the discrete location alone. Where you were picked up by a van. You don't remember much after that.

The regret sunk in deep when you realized what you had gotten yourself into. When you awoke seeing hundreds of people around you, all in the same position, you were noticeably scared. You barely left the bed you woke in. Only to stand with the crowd to listen to the guards and sign the needed contract. It seemed too late to back out now...

The first game was lonely, intimidating, and revealing. The only reason you weren't lying head face in the sand dead, was your fear. It struck you stone-cold still on 'red light'. The ring of your ears pressured you to move forward on 'Green light.' Due to the deadly shots to other players. It pushed you to move so you didn't suffer the same fate.

You were much too nervous to talk to anyone, you saw little point in making friends at first. That was until the realization of any team games.

After the first game was officially over and you had returned to the common room, you'd taken a moment to think. To think how it would be if you were able to walk home now. How it probably wouldn't even matter if you had died, so many people were out for your head anyways. It was all looking dark, but Daeho was your light. He was always so positive, he kept you happy. You owed it to him to keep fighting.

To keep fighting for that adorable, handsome, sweet face. That same face that was currently staring you down....

"Daeho?" You questioned, just in case your mind was playing a trick on you.

"What are you doing here!" He ran over, pulling you further behind the layered beds. His grip was tight on your arm, once the two of you stopped, he seemed to notice. At that he quickly loosened his squeeze.

"W-why are you here! I-I thought you were sleeping over at-" You cut him off, your guilty conscience taking over.

"Daeho, what are you doing here?" You rebutted, frantically pushing your hair back. He knew you were nervous.

"To settle some of our debt, but that doesn't even matter anymore. People are dying, you can't be here!" He stressed over you. He did a few takes over your form, making sure you were not hurt in any way. You thought he was finished until he slowly brought his hand up. He stuck his thumb out and seared a few drops of blood off of your cheek. You hadn't noticed them before...

An argument against him was impossible to think of, but you managed. "Well I can say the same about you! You could get killed also. Where would that leave me!" He threw his head back, pressing both hands over his face. He dragged them down, an annoyed expression on his face.

"Ohhh, this can not be happening.. I-it doesn't matter, because you're here, where you were not supposed to be!" He started to fidget with his fingers, a sign he was distressed.

"Dae...I'm also here because... I got fired yesterday..." You looked down, picking at your nails. His head snapped to look at yours. "What?"

"They were... overstaffed and, apparently a younger employee could do the same amount of work for minimum wage... So, they just got rid of me..." He looked sympathetic, but still mad.

"You should have told me. We would have figured it out. You didn't have to lie."

You thought for a second, "Its not like I wanted to lie! I was trying to help us!"

"How reckless!" He said. It was almost comical!

A laugh pushed its way out, "Oh my gosh, don't act like you aren't here too!" You started to raise your voice, frustrated.

He took a single step back, hands on his hips. "You're supposed to be the smart one! I'm fun, loving, a burst of fricken light!" He said, his words contradicting his tone, not joyfully at all.

"Whatever! What matters now is that we were stuck in a death trap! The money is not even our first problem. We might not even be alive before the day is over! Or worse, you'll be dead and I'll be left to suffer!"

He gave another sigh, stepping forward and embracing you. It was exactly what both of you needed. His arms wrapped impossibly tight around you. You could only reciprocate the squeeze. His head fell on top of yours, he nestled in.

"I don't want to argue, I just want you safe... We will be fine." He said, keeping you in his grasp.

"I know, but I just wanted to help... The man seemed so promising, that we could have a normal life again." You wanted to let your tears flow, but you couldn't risk looking weak. You had to remind yourself that there were still a couple hundred other players in the large room.

He shook his head on top of yours, "I would live in a tent as long as I was with you.... I can manage anywhere, as long as you are by my side..."

You pulled back to look at him. Your arms still wrapping around each other. "I just, I know you're not happy... I wanted to clear everything up, one day own our own house. One that we can never get evicted from." He pushed a stray hair behind your ear.

"Oh Dae, I don't care about that. I just want you." You shoved your head into his chest.

"I love you.."

"I love you too."

"What the hell are we going to do here." You questioned, peaking up from his chest slightly.

"Were going to stick together. We're going to get out of this alive." He pulled back and down to press a firm and reassuring kiss on your lips. Maybe things would be so bad after all.

Oh, how naive you both were...

A/N- Honestly, I like my first Daeho fic better. But that's probably because I am a SUCKER for emotional hurt/comfort. Anyways, I hope y'all enjoyed this one. Pls lmk how I can improve!!!

[bogboy420]

not sure i 100% agree w this post tbh but i think that's bc i hav a very different perspective on things

i do think tho that jax has a fear of being controlled and consequences but that's 1 of the things that was always p noticeable 2 me as some1 w ASPD and is 1 of the reasons i hc jax as having ASPD i don't think it comes from jax "wanting" 2 b an asshole and tbh i think this is smth a lot of ppl don't understand abt ASPD or abt when i talk abt jax and y i think he has ASPD

i think it's far more likely that jax's behaviour comes from constantly lashing out bc of being in a high control environment, like the digital circus is controlled by caine and apart from the daily adventures they don't really hav anything 2 do and caine brags abt how much control he has over their environment saying "1 of the few things i don't hav control over is ur minds" which is fucking terrifying when u think abt it and what it would b like 2 hear that after being permanently transported 2 a world that doesn't even technically exist and u can't go back, that is a terrifyingly controlled situation and it makes sense 2 me as some1 w ASPD that jax would b lashing out at the ppl around him by messing w them as a way of trying 2 regain some lvl of control of the situation he's in

it's not "his fault" he's just in a really bad situation and i think more ppl need 2 understand that the circus in tadc is not just gonna b this cozy normal 4 the characters even if they r trying 2 achieve some lvl of normality and attempting 2 achieve normality in a bad situation doesn't stop it being actively terrible and it feels unfair 2 say that some1's behaviour is their fault when they r reacting 2 a situation that would realistically b actively traumatising especially 2 some1 who has ASPD which can make u unable 2 handle the idea of some1 having control over u in any way bc of how massively unsafe it can feel

also tbh i don't think that the employee re-evaluation scene was mild?? idk it just feels weird 2 say that it's mild as like an objective thing?? like idk 2 me that scene was genuinely scary and tbh way 2 real i think every1 just kinda is gonna hav different feelings abt stuff

also tbh jax 2 me always just kinda seemed tired af? but in more of like a mania way if that makes sense?? like ep 4 we see depressed jax whereas in the previous episode we saw jax in a more manic state desperately trying 2 grasp at any semblance of control he could possibly hav over the situation while lashing out at those around him since he's pissed off and scared, he's mad abt being put in this situation and having no way out bc "this isn't fair wtf, y is it just ok 4 this fucking guy 2 do this? and y is no1 helping me when im clearly freaking out?" like from jax's perspective he was basically just having an ongoing mental breakdown and none of these ppl cared enough 2 help him but now he's expected 2 give a shit abt them which yeh that would b frustrating but it's frustrating on all ends bc the others don't seem 2 c that jax is having a mental breakdown abt his situation and think he's just being a dick but then that makes things more frustrating 4 jax bc now it's like "oh so when it's gangle crying u care abt mental health but just bc im not having a mental breakdown in the 'correct way' now im an asshole" which then leads him 2 lash out more bc he thinks their being assholes and so on, it just continues in a cycle and idk man it feels weird how much of the responsibility 4 this is usually put on the shoulders of ppl w ASPD 2 try 2 calm things down and b more civil when it's like... that's literally the thing that is super hard 4 us bc of having ASPD tho? yk?

like okay, 4 ppl who don't hav ASPD, try imaging 2 b civil w ppl that u think r being dicks 2 u 4 displaying mental health symptoms or ppl who u perceive as being controlling of u, hard 2 imagine y u would right? or how it should b ur responsibility 2 make peace w the ppl who r treating u like shit 4 being disabled and/or actively controlling u, bc like surely when they r the 1s doing that it should b on them 2 apologise and not on u 2 make nice w ppl who r actively treating u like shit

now on top of that try 2 imagine being civil in a way that is approved by normal society just in general if u had the following symptoms:

- lack of empathy, meaning that u don't automatically mirror the emotions of other ppl and can also make it hard 2 tell what emotion some1 is even feeling

- more prone 2 irritability even if u feel like ur being unreasonable

- this might just b bc i also hav dissociative stuff going on from other things but that combined w my lack of empathy i've found can result in my conversations w ppl not rly feeling "real" and it feeling not rly any different from talking 2 an npc in a video game or a chatbot ai which can make conversations difficult especially bc of the awareness of knowing im "supposed 2" c conversations w real ppl differently which can just make me more prone 2 irritability bc then it feels like every conversation has an added layer of unachievable societal expectation that just simply isn't fair 2 me due 2 it being unachievable, usually i wouldn't list this since it's likely a combined thing of cross over between my dissociation and my ASPD but from what i've seen in the show it feels very relevant 2 jax and how he interacts w ppl

- chronic boredom which can also make u hav less patience 4 conversations that r getting in the way of u having fun and can make it so that u kinda just want 2 get the conversation over w so u can go back 2 having fun or finding smth fun 2 do even if u do actually wanna help the person

- possibly gonna get shit 4 this 1 but being selfish? ik it's seen as an inherently negative quality but it's smth that ik i hav bc of my ASPD where it's just legit hard 4 me 2 think abt any1 other than myself and i often need shit explained 2 me bc of that and so it can make conversations hard especially when ppl hav this very vilified idea of selfishness that can make asking questions come off as antagonistic

now imagine having all of that shit and probably more going on constantly and then imagine having 2 try 2 make nice w a bunch of ppl u think r controlling u and being ableist 2 u abt ur symptoms and trying 2 control u 2 make u more acceptable 2 them would u actually fukin do it or would u b like "well y is it my fukin job 2 make nice w these guys when they r actively being dicks 2 me?"

so yeah idk as some1 w ASPD i think jax's behaviour makes so much more sense thru that lense than it does thru a neurotypical lense

Jax's fear of being trapped and what that might imply about his past/future

Hello 2 days ago i've developped a chronic case of Brainrotting about Jax, tragic I know.

I'm kinda basing this slightly of what Gooseworx have said in QnAs though I will not rely on it because I think purely relying on a creator's words and not the media isn't really satisfying.

The main thing that stood out to me in this episode with Jax was that he seems to fear punishement.

He seems really freaked out when Gangle proposed the idea of Cain punishing him...

And then he immediatly goes to Zooble to be like "lol you don't believe Cain actually could punish us right ?" and while he's proven right at the end of the episode, the fact that he immediatly tries to seek reassurance that he wouldn't get punished says a lot. In fact in his expressions he looks both sides while saying it almost like he seems...unsure/anxious (idk the right word).

Also when he's brought into the employee training scene. He's weirdly...afraid and shaken by it ?? (not showing the screenshot cos everyone remembers that scene).

Which like, I understand that was terrifying but it was a strangely strong reaction to something that...light ? I mean he wasn't brainwashed or anything. I might be stretching it but all of it, including the scene's purpose makes me wonder if it brought Jax bad memories of...something.

After that scene happens, he completely acts normal and stops trying to be a dick completely.

Now this isn't a convo about weither that's Jax's true self and his jerk self is a persona. People are trying way too hard to either try to make him a one dimensional asshole or secretly a good guy which like he's neither he's a bastard with layers. But that's not what this is about so ANYWAYS.

All of this made me wonder what was Jax's main Thing, more so his theme or the thing that makes him tick.

We know with Gangle it's her issue with masking (her dreams, how she feels, etc...), Ragatha being a people pleaser, Zooble's body dysmorphia, King's memories and how they link with the loss of his wife and Pomni's desire for companionship.

For Jax we actually don't really know other than...he's a dick and he's using it to cope which like....duh ?

But with this episode and also a little thing that I got from researching QnAs (because i'm normal and chill like that) made me realise what could Jax's Thing.

A Fear of Consequences and being Trapped

Now the main thing that drove this thought was me finding out Gooseworx assigning a song to Jax which is this one.

Don't fence me in, huh....

That line meaning a desire to not be restricted and not losing their freedom.

This makes me think this is probably what Jax's character is at least partially about, or more so...his biggest fear. Being restricted, reprimended or trapped.

I think in part that fear could be related to his past, which I'm gonna throw my cards here, my own personal theory is that he was stuck in juvenile detention for misbehaving as a kid. That experience traumatising him enough that he was probably similar to the Jax we've seen at the end of episode 4, just Tired.

Now does it Necessarely have to be a juvenile detention center, honestly no ? But it's the thing that makes the most sense in my head.

Either way this also explains a lot of things about his behavior in the circus.

He's now secluded in a space with absolutely 0 Consequences, the one person who can dish it out is an AI who is probably programmed to never harm humans (directly at least). He's even proven right at the end of episode 4.

I think what led to Jax's shit behavior was this realisation that this is pretty much now his Safe Heaven. In real life he can't just be who he wants to be, there's potential consequences that he's afraid of.

Now I know I'm gonna hear like "oh so you just think Jax is an asshole by nature", I don't think he is (i don't think he's ever been a nice person his life but like there's a difference here), I genuinely think he's not more so being himself rather that it's just that he's overcompensating for the lack of freedom that he's felt his entire life.

In a way it's similar to how people act on the internet.

Imagine that you were a misbehaving kid and you were reprimended HARSHLY for it, to the point where you're not really fixed per say but you're stuck being terrified of even being slightly flawed.

But now here he is, in a place where death doesn't matter, the harm he does doesn't matter and the one person who can actually hurt him just gives him weird shenanigans that give him opportunities to lash out.

However, there's a tiny little problem...

This fantasy cannot last forever forever and I'm not talking about them getting out because as far as they know it's out of the cards for them.

It's very much clear that the circus with the arrival of Pomni is becoming more tight knit and less divided, creating a more solid friendship group with the help of Pomni being an actual normal nice human person (Zooble is nice too but they're more jaded and too depressed to deal with most of everything, and Ragatha is a whole baggage).

It's becoming increasingly clear in the episodes themselves as well that, Jax can't just be an asshole anymore. Every episode since episode 1 has led to him being reprimended or him not being given what he wants. The group is becoming closer and they're sick of his bullshit.

He also probably doesn't like being alone and hated. We see him seeming sad at the talk of Kofmo's funeral before having to go back to being angry and dismissive in his facial expression.

Maybe he really did want to go to Kofmo's funeral but like would anyone actually believe he would be genuine, after being an asshole for so long would it really be worth for Jax to just break it all right there.

But it's clear he's also not really enjoying being alone.

Jax in a way is basically burrying a hole for himself. Being an asshole was his perfect dream after probably living a life of boredom and repression but now that this consequenceless existence has finally revealed itself to just be a mirage, he's now unable to access the things he really needs.

Actual friendship.

It's clear that the Digital Circus has a point of companionship being extremely important, in fact when we get mentions of Kofmo's abstracting we get also mentions about how no one really founds his jokes funny. Kinger mentioning how making someone feel alone and unwanted is the worst thing you could do to someone. Gangle is saved by Pomni and Zooble's presence.

However there's no one at fault for Jax's isolation, he only has himself to blame.

Ive got more but i'm tired so hope you guys enjoyed it.

[bambooswordwielder]

Obsessed with the fact that Shen Yuan only transmigrates when all the Peaklords have settled into their positions for a few years because the idea of Shang Qinghua being stuck watching Shen Jiu and Liu Qingge arguing for nth time about some budget detail that is DEFINITELY getting overblown now and just being stuck thinking

"Damn this would've been such a good enemies to lovers plot line... Imagine how much I could've made off of them..." and regretting not monetising their rivalry more before he killed off Liu Qingge ( "Oh and the angst Shen Qingqiu would've faced after his secret lover died and everyone blamed him for it! Fans would've been begging for more extras!" 🐹💔)

Like all the peaklords are desperately trying to mediate and fix the situation and Shang Qinghua is just imagining his one hundredth Fix-It Fic/AU where Shen Jiu is the King's trusted scholar and Liu Qingge is the King's personal bodyguard

Everyone thinks when a single tear falls from Shang Qinghua's eyes its because during Liu Qingge and Shen Jiu's fight they destroyed both his newly drafted budget (for the fifth time that month) and the fact they also destroyed the table (for the third time that week and the week just started)

Reality is Shang Qinghua is crying because he thought of an angsty death scene for the two Romeo and Juliet style because both their families couldn't accept them being together

Years of this pass and at some point he even picks up writing again (specifically about characters clearly based on Shen Jiu and Liu Qingge) and he gets really popular, popular enough his novels start to flood all of Cang Qiong and even Liu Mingyan takes some inspiration from them

Everyone knows damn well that the characters are clearly meant to be Peaklord Shen and Peaklord Liu, but no one tells because they all are legitimately waiting for the next volume of "Battle-to-your-poisonous-heart-and-peaches"

Does everyone know it's Shang Qinghua... Noooo.. Would anyone admit if they did know.... No.

Then all the sudden on day Shen Qingqiu suddenly looked in the dictionary and discovered what the word 'nice' is and now he doesn't abuse his students 🐹🤯

He even let himself get poisoned and potentially ruined his cultivation for life for Luo Binghe of all people!? Um excuse Airplane Logic, but the MC is supposed to only get all the good stuff AFTER he falls into the abyss!

And what's this about Liu Qingge helping to 'clear' his meridians so he has to personally visit Qing Jing peak every week?? Def something is off, an author knows fishy when he sees it

For how many years Shang Qinghua is stuck watching these two do their whole "You're my precious Shidi" and "I'll always be here for you" act and he's just stuck eating dogfood wondering when exactly is the marriage extra coming in and why the System won't tell me why Shen Qingqiu is acting all happy go lucky now

Shang Qinghua notices Shen Qingqiu talking to Yue Qingyuan more, he notices Qing Jing disciples running straight to Shen Qingqiu with joy and excitement rather than the reserved fear they had before, he notices how Shen Qingqiu only glares at him twice every meeting than before!

Maybe this isn't his version of PIDW, maybe it's a fan made version where Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu fall in love and with the power of love and friendship Shen Qingqiu learns to be kind and to care and isn't going to cause Luo Binghe to go down his dark path and maybe they can all have a happyily ever after—

*Endless Abyss Arc*

"Oh fuck–"

[Before Endless Abyss Arc]

*Shang Qinghua watching from a distance as Luo Binghe is practically clinging to Shen Qingqiu's side. Shen Qingqiu pats Luo Binghe's head and Luo Binghe does THAT smile he only does for his wives*

"Well this is an interesting fanfic..."

[After Airplane Reveal]

"Wait... So you're actually a transmigrater as well, Cucumber-Bro?"

"Yeah, and?"

"..."

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Do you hate, or have you at least at some point hated, Liu Qingge?"

"I– No–Wait what???"

"Let me reword it. Have you ever considered murdering him at one point?"

"WHYAREYOUASKINGMETHESEQUESTIONS!? YOUKNOWWHATHAPPENEDTOSHENJIU! IMNOTRISKINGHISFATE!"

"... So I'll take that as a no."

"OBVIOUSLY!?"

"So it's just a normal Friends to lovers 😮‍💨 No flavour 🙄"

Shang Qinghua was then brutally attacked.

[During the Five Years SY was dead]

*Shang Qinghua watching Liu Qingge go every single day to fight Luo Binghe for Shen Qingqiu's body*

"Oh my Airplane.... It's not a enemies-to-lovers... It's not Teacher X Disciple... It's a bloody love triangle with both! Oh how much money this plot would've made me 💔 I would've been able to pay for four months worth of rent and groceries!"

Random Disciple visiting An Ding: "Um.... Is Shang-Shibo okay? He fell on the ground?"

An Ding Disciple: "Leave him. He does that sometimes. Now about your budget request..."

*Shang Qinghua screaming in the background*

Random Disciple: "..."

An Ding Disciple: "..."

Random Disciple: "Should we check on–"

An Ding Disciple, now dragging other disciple away: "Let's settle this at your peak."

Years later when Bingqiu have already had their wedding and everyone has become somewhat tolerant of their relationship, Shang Qinghua just sighs loudly and Shen Yuan asks him what's up. Shang Qinghua looks him in the eyes and just shakes his head.

"My ship...💔"

"..."

"OW– Why did you have go hit me on the head!?"

"Because I don't want to know what's going on in there and I need to make sure what's in there stays in there."

[biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer]

IF your requests are open, could you please do Hyugo, Geo, and Crowe with a calm s/o that makes them feel safe? Like, for Hyugo, the s/o is probably the big spoon, (was thinking of slightly taller but I think slightly shorter is better..?), someone who just loves to hold him - and for that little time, Hyugo is in heaven. And so is s/o. (Just giving suggestions, you don't have to follow the script.) For Crowe, it's probably similar? But Crowe is the prince charming - meaning s/o would probably have to be hard to fluster (?). The s/o would probably kick some ass if anyone dared say anything about all those three in a ny situations - or if anyone talked shit about the s/o's close friends in general. Geo is probably a completely different story. He doesn't like to be touched - but little things, such as little gifts (or maybe flowers) and the s/o's presenece makes his feel strangely at ease.

I LOVE your work! I can't really figure out how to write my oneshots, especially hcs - but if I ever do, I'll make sure to tag you!

WITHIN YOUR ARMS

Thank you so much for the kind words! And, if you want some advice on writing oneshots or HCs, just press buttons on your keyboard that at least somewhat personify what you're trying to say; but either way make SURE you tag me, whatever it is you cook up I'll feast upon till the day I wither and die. 😔

-- Signed solemnly by @biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer AKA Sky Fort(resse)s and Burning Citadels <3

In Geode's case, you serve as one of the few people - that he's already well acquainted with - whom he trusts. Fully trusts. He doesn't know whether to be irked or content with this innate feeling, so he does what he typically does with feelings - repression.

He's very rarely someone who cracks, or makes it aware how weak he truly feels, the only people who have are Hyugo and maybe his parents - adoptive parents, but parents nonetheless. The point is, that odd trust makes him feel that if he were to crack and have the dams break, you'd do something different. You wouldn't try to rebuild said dam or freeze the cascading waterfalls of tears with ice...you'd simply let the waterworks run, let these feelings run wild and about, until they find their due course down wherever it is that feelings go.

Not that he will, of course. That'll never happen, especially if sober. The only way tears'll ever happen is if Geo's tipsy or high. He's never been under the influence. Doesn't want to be either.

The only reason he starts somewhat talking to you is if you're close with Crowe or Brittney. Or if either of them - or even Deryl - ask him to be more open with you.

He appreciates your nonchalant nature, you've got a moral compass and plenty of passion - but you're logical, reasonable, tolerable. He finds himself approving of you eventually.

You both get closer typically through Deryl or Crowe being with you lot, the former tends to drag Geo along regardless, while the latter wants to simply relax with his friends - and you lmao.

Anyway he'll only start cracking when you show a more serious interest in being his friend, whether that be inviting him somewhere or getting him a small gift. "Did Deryl put you up to this? What even is it."

"It's from me! We're friends - at least I want us to be - so, yeah. Heard you like these. :))"

"Oh". *long pause* "Thank...s. It's appreciated. :]"

Soon enough he decides he likes you enough to hang out with you alone, and that's when the true bonding starts. You become good friends pretty quickly - especially comparing to Geo's friendship track records and in turn it takes him significantly longer to discover he likes you. Not simply platonically.

To put this simply, Geo's a little bitch who fears rejection and humiliation and thus, you will have to be the confessor in terms of these romantic feelings.

Insert long dramatic timeskip.

When together, Geo gently, gingerly, starts being less stoic around you, he still detests being touched, but he'll allow a handhold every now and then, he enjoys knowing you're comfortable and content with him. Only allows things like hugging when severely comfortable around you, and only when you're asleep. You'll probably be watching a movie together and you 'fall asleep' (or maybe you actually do, who knows) on his shoulder, and after about 20 minutes that man is grinning to himself. Not that you'll ever know, but the satisfaction he gets is insane.

This man will also serve as the perfect #malewife. Will cook, will clean, will drive, will be a jealous little shit. There's no way he isn't. He definitely spends hours in bed contemplating what to do about these nuisances. ALSO GETS RED AND FLUSHED EASILY!!!!!!!!!! He blushes so hard his skin looks red. That's probably why he looks up at the sky when around you lets be fr.

In terms of sleeping in the same bed, it'll probably never happen. Firstly, his touch aversion; secondly it's normal for couples to sleep separately in Japanese culture anyway, so for him that was always the norm growing up. It'd take a LOT to get you both together, but let's make some magic happen and you're in a one-bed scenario (check out that one HC I did of this trope btw).

Only touching that happens will probably be hand-holding, but while that may seem small for most, for Geo that's insane. For him to initiate touch is even crazier, so if he does, you better stay with him. If something happens that makes you either scared or otherwise require comfort, he might let you hold him - him being preferably in a couple of sweaters to ignore the feelings (also I HC he's cold all the time) - BUT he's big spooning. He is not risking his hair being touched, no sir no ma'am.

"Hm. >:)" *silently smiles in the dead of night in a Japanese manner*

For Hyugo, you're one of - if not the - only thing that's remained steady in his deranged, messy life. He's surrounded by falseties, by masks, by faces of people who either hide their truth from him, or - like his brother - made it apparent how willingly they would be to leave him alone within this web he's entangled himself into, been forced to be entangled into.

He's been raised in wealth and fame, so he's learnt about reputation - and the vitality of safety - from a young age, an age that should've been saved for childlike naiveties...but not Hyugo. Since his youth he's either guarded, watched or puppeteered - if not by his family then by his reputation, and if not for reputation then the endless scandalous things he's gotten up to.

He's learnt to rely on intuition, on logic, on maintaining unpredictability that can leave most confused or deterred from pursuing any suspicious things he might've revealed sometime ages ago. He's got a good memory to, how else is he meant to memorise every alibi and lie he's ever uttered?

Either way, he never was able to simply be. To exist in himself and feel serene, at ease. Until he met you, that is; and it wasn't a short process either! This man's got intense, well-rooted trust issues. He fears attachment, but alas his heart decided that this one - this beautiful stranger - was someone...stable. Someone trustworthy, someone safe.

He's by far not a saint, he knows it, some nights it even haunts him...on rarer times he wonders if he's even got any humanity left. If he has any empathy left. Love left. The thought scares him, oddly enough. Until you come along and remind him that clearly not, because he feels something akin to devotion in terms of you, especially after a long time of knowing you.

When he does grow close to you, in a sense that blends the lines of platonic and romantic, he sees you as his aegis. His sword and shield, his camouflage and beacon. Not that he'll admit the extent of thee feelings, of course not. He's got a facade to maintain, or 100.

When you two eventually try out a relationship and find it works well, find you guys have stuck it out together for a year or so and decide to live together, he serves as a domestic cook and tutor. He'll help you as much as he can, when not MIA or finding himself occupied by important-people-duties.

In terms of sleeping in the same bed, it'll take a LONG time to get to that, but say you two are watching a movie and he ends up resting his head on your shoulder, gingerly nuzzling into your neck and then, before either of you know it, he falls asleep.

According to himself, one of the best nights of sleep he's ever gotten. And that begs the thought, was it you specifically? yes it was

He thinks about it, and overtime notices he's less anxious around you, his inner turmoil finds pause in your arms, and soon enough he's wrapped around your abdomen as many nights as he can get - and if you're willing. You've a calm presence, a soothing soul and your touch is a balm to the many wounds he's earned and suffered, both physical and mental - murder takes its toll on everyone. He'll rarely say it, but your calm is one of the things that's kept him relatively normal.

100% snuggle switch, loves being the little spoon on darker nights, where the intrusive memories and haunting thoughts return to drive him insane; loves being the big spoon when he's in a protective or possessive mood. If he's feeling affectionate he'll be your personal koala. "Haah. You're many things, Y/N, but you're not false and I pray - for both our sakes - that we'll remain together, that I can stay together with you. For you...I'm willing to try." OR... "Hello. Goodnight." *snores in Japanese*

Hyugo will sometimes decide to flirt with you. If you're calm enough to not appear fazed, he's gonna be the biggest tease possible, kissing either your neck or cheek when he's off to do whatever. Enjoys seeing your reactions to things he does, it brings him immense joy to have you feeling - and expressing - your contentment.

May or may not mutter itadakimasu before annihilating your cunt. May or may not get extremely horny at the prospect of feeling so at ease in your arms, because while being inside your arms are nice, he can think of a few places that'd also be real nice to fit in.

I'd also like to say I'm betting my amygdala on the fact that Hyugo sounds really melodious when he whines. He loves being touched, also. If he feels safe with you, you holding him or touching him makes him feel heavenly. He loves it, and he definitely grows to loving you as well.

In Crowe's case, you've already been friends ages, but even from the second his gaze landed on you he knew he was gone. Despite your camaraderie starting during the pinnacle of a fight he'd thrown himself into to aid you, feeding his newly innate desire - need - to protect you...he knew he was gone.

He probably hadn't realized the extent of it, but even after that fight ended and especially when you finally accepted his hand in friendship, seeing that stoic and distrustful glare turn into a gaze of a simmering warmth, a soothing calm and acceptance. In short, he found you ethereal.

And it was over the course of this friendship that he recognised how truly trustworthy and reliable you are. You're non-judgmental, you voice your concerns, you remain a force of stability amongst the dramas and chaos that is university. You provide a calm to his boisterous and troubled life. You're got an authenticity about you, another trait that Crowe adores you for.

He's got baggage, he knows it, yet with you he feels unburdened. Free from all the shit that's piling up behind the scenes, the rumours and the scandals and the insanity. You offer him a respite from that. An escape, one he ironically enough wants to be trapped in forever, as long as you allow it.

Crowe enjoys making playful remarks, flirtatious compliments; especially when he's jealous or feeling particularly bold. Typically you either bite and flirt back, or coolly brush it off, giving a snarky "I know." or "I'm honoured you think of me so highly."

Anyway Crowe catches on to his own feelings rather quickly, and is the most logical about acting on them. He aids you with homework, studies alongside you, spends as much time with you as possible. But as the years of uni go by, you both grow more distant due to busy schedules and a general social growth and/or decline on your part.

Crowe became a council member, the class president, gaining leadership roles and popularity as time went on, but at the end of the day; nobody - not even his current friendgroup, as awesome as they are - can compare to how safe and genuinely at peace he was with you. By your side.

Now let me say, for the sake of the argument and these HCs, that one day you both lovedrunkenly confess under the stars and have primal carnal sex and in general are so intuned with one-another spiritually physically emotionally that you guys end up together, like how you were always destined to be.

In terms of dating, Crowe will amp up his flirting, especially if you react to it subtly, or indicate you like it. He respects your boundaries of course, that'll never change. He also gets the #malewife title btw.

When you both end up sleeping in the same bed, it doesn't take too long for that to happen, considering how long you've known each other, and while yes sometimes you two go at it and have more carnal loving heated passionate *coughs*...ah, sorry. Anyway! Despite how invested you both are in each other, on nights where it's quiet, where you're listening to each other's heartbeats and breaths (a DJ can make a backing track just from that tbh), Crowe holds you in his arms and resists the urge to weep. Because he has you, in his arms, in his bed, in his heart and soul; and you have him in your heart, your mind, sometimes even between your thighs.

He's so in love with you it's beyond words, touches or gifts. He feels so safe and loved with you, knowing you'll support and defend him as passionately as he does you...and his heart swells.

Will typically serve as the big spoon, loves holding you in his arms, pressing you to his chest and feeling you softly breathe on his skin. Can be a little spoon sometimes, and whenever you wrap yourself around him, he sleeps a tad more soundly than he would normally with you.

"I love you...God I love you so much it hurts..."

OR

"Darling, you're everything to me...and you always were and will be. Eternally."

[fastest-yeast-in-the-east]

The more I think about it, Midori was kinda an idiot and not even because the players fooled him during the banquet. Midori likes to act powerful and like he's always the one in control, but then you remember his job description is 90% just:

Die

And when you really think about it, it doesn't seem like ASUNARO valued or liked him. I mean, if nothing else, they at least trusted him to go and get all the participants to sign a consent form, which, from what we know, was a pretty important task, but aside from that, ASUNARO really just told him

Like, at least the other floor masters, Miley and Gashu weren't just flat out told to die (Gashu just sorta decided to, anyways). It really makes you wonder how ASUNARO viewed Midori. From what we know, he was originally intended to be a participant himself until he "died", which just further implies that ASUNARO was itching to get rid of him. Who replaced him, if anyone (ASUNARO could have planned for 21 participants, counting Midori, or they replaced him with Kai), is unclear, but if Kai was meant to serve as a substitute for him as ASUNARO's traitor within the participants, and knowing how Kai was considered a non-candidate who wasn't meant to win (and we all know what happens to losers in the death game), it all just heavily supports the idea that ASUNARO wanted nothing more than to kill him off.

If you were working for a company that wanted nothing more than to put you in situations where you were all but guaranteed to die, you wouldn't want to work there anymore, would you? But Midori does. That plus his overwhelming fear of death, makes him look like a really big idiot, and to be honest, I think he may really be one. Sure, he's smart in a lot of ways, being skilled at manipulation and pressing people's buttons, not to mention reprogramming Maple forget her original purpose is to kill him, but he also just couldn't see that his boss clearly had it out for him.

So if they hate him so much, why even hire him? I believe, that in Kai's mini-episode, a silhouetted figure appears whose hair resembles Midori's. This has led many to believe she is Midori's mother (which might explain why he's so screwed up, if he was raised in ASUNARO). If his mom already worked there, and probably outranked Gashu, that could have influenced ASUNARO's decision when it came to employing Midori.

AKA Midori is a nepo-baby.

ASUNARO hired him even though they didn't want to and either his mom didn't actually care that much about him (otherwise she might have objected to the killing of her son) or has retired or died and then ASUNARO had an employee who they don't want nor need. In other words Midori's relationship with his employers is more like

As the only floor master whose death is actively sought out by ASUNARO, Midori might actually be pretty low down on the totem pole, I'd say below the other two floor masters, but just above Ranger and Safalin who aren't really floor masters. Midori clearly doesn't understand that ASUNARO would 100% let him die, seeing as how he pleaded to Meister right before he died. At the end of the day, to them he's just a problem child they can finally do away with. The experiments ASUNARO let him do on other people "until they broke or he got bored" were probably just ASUNARO keeping him entertained to shut him up for a while, more or less treating him like a literal kid.

The more I think about it, ASUNARO clearly values Midori especially little, and it's honestly a little funny to think about. Him and his experiments really just make him the death game equivalent of a tablet kid.

[gachagon]

Love your Eden’s Garden analyses my dude. Seriously, you’ve tackled aspects of certain characters I hadn’t even considered. I agree about Eloise being one of the blackened, girl is hiding nerves of steel behind a thin layer of shyness. I also think she’s gonna be connected to Desmond as the thing he guards and trusts the most (in reference to what was described in his blackmail). Upon further analysis, Desmond strikes me as someone who wants people to trust him, but has issues trusting others, outside of maybe Eloise. In a nutshell, he wants people to trust him without him putting his trust in other people. That’s his hypocrisy, in my mind at least.

I’m also gonna keep an eye on Grace in the chapter(s) going forward, in addition to Diana and Kai. Her silence after Eva’s execution speaks volumes. Mayhaps she’ll be going through a character arc? I feel like even SHE thought that execution was way too cruel.

On to my questions though! Out of curiosity, with what you’ve said about students’ deaths being linked to their hypocrisies, who do you think is the least hypocritical in the cast? By extension, who do you think is most likely to survive and/or die, at least within the next chapter or two?

Thanks so much lol I'm glad people ave enjoyed my thoughts so far and I've loved hearing everyone else's opinions and theories as well this whole week!

As to answer your question, I've got to say I think the "least" Hypocritical student so far is actually a controversial opinion of mine since I've noticed lots of people don't like his character T_T

It's Kai Monteago. (Note: I have NOT done everyone's FTE's yet but I'm gonna watch each one for this update soon!)

Now, this does not mean I don't think Kai lies or is a hypocrite, just that I think out of everyone on the cast so far he's the one who's the most honest about how he actually feels.

If Wolfgang is the most Hypocritical person because he hides everything he's feeling and doesn't let anyone know what he's actually thinking, then I think Kai is the least hypocritical out of the student body (minus Damon & Diana bc I think they're both being set up obviously as the protag and antag) because he's so honest about everything about himself and doesn't actually feel the need to hide his own insecurities, worries, fears, and anxieties.

Whenever anything goes remotely bad, Kai is always the first out of the cast to admit he didn't actually trust anyone, he's also the only one who's outwardly always wary of others and nervous. He just doesn't like thinking about the potential for someone murdering him or someone winding up dead. But it's pretty clear just from how he acts in his FTE's, trial, and body discovery that he not only doesn't trust anyone there but that he's not afraid to admit that openly when shit hits the fan.

For Kai, it seems like he's fully aware of the situation and thus knows that just agreeing with whatever the rest of the cast is talking about will keep him safe. He obviously is still a bit of a hypocrite because he's judging the ones who openly admit to not trusting other people, but he's also the first of the cast to always admit he had reservations about trusting them to begin with.

In a way, I can't exactly say Kai is a bad person because of his hypocrisy. He's only been an Ultimate for like 1-2 years, which is way less time than most of the student body. All of this is very new to him, he reminds me of Makoto in that sense where he was someone who would've never thought they'd be an Ultimate, or someone who became one by chance. Even the story he shares of how he became The Ultimate Influencer makes me believe that it really was just dumb luck that he got his title.

And he's only really falling in line because he obviously sees the way everyone treats you when you don't agree with the majority opinion, even if that majority opinion is rooted in rationality. In a way, it makes sense that Kai would act this way because he's an Influencer and has to deal with widespread groupthink about himself daily lol Any small action he did in the outside world was scrutinized and judged by an invisible audience, so now when he's in a situation like this he just goes with whatever will make the most people like him.

Though I can definitely see Kai breaking out of that kind of mindset the more he becomes friends with other people, and now that Wolfgang is gone, I definitely think the rest of them will act more freely instead of looking towards a leader of sorts. This is also why I think Kai will be the "support" character for Damon that we thought Eva would be. Kai is the one person left now who's wholly honest about himself, meaning he and Damon can become friends quicker that way and potentially work on investigations.

Also the two of them have very similar talents in the sense that "anyone could do this". But their ideas about their talents are swapped. Someone mentioned earlier that they think Damon might hate being a Debater or that he has some kind of insecurity rooted in the fact that he's a Debater. And I kind of agree. Where as Kai is wholly proud of his title as the Ultimate Influencer, Damon is very insecure about being seen as the Ultimate Debater and makes up for it with a big ego.

He doesn't let anyone look down on him for being an internet personality, and doesn't let lies about his past or things people wouldn't know about anyways (like the scandal he mentions in his FTE) get to him. But Damon flounders when someone even remotely challenges the idea of his talent being "useless" to society. In truth, the both of them are like foils and will probably be paired more often especially since they share a room together.

[katerinaaqu]

Hello :) firstly I wanted to say that I love your analyses and I love all the information and knowledge you’re able to give us, thank you soo much for that.

Secondly since you know so much especially about the odyssey and Odysseus and I’ve recently seen a post where you explained the calypso situation I wanted to ask if you’ve made such an in-depth analysis on the Circe situation? I’m convinced the whole thing wasn’t consensual but there are always ppl saying stuff like “what Hermes said isn’t important” “Circe was at his mercy when she asked him to do the deed with him so he tricked her into doing it” “Odysseus was invulnerable to her powers so that means he wasn’t in danger meaning he willingly slept with her” and since I haven’t read the odyssey in a while I wanted to ask you .

Tysm for your time and I hope you have a wonderful day

Hello and you are very sweet! I really feel happy you do enjoy them and I am also grateful to receive comments and thoughts from you under my work 🙏 it always means so much when people get interested in the ancient texts much more when they honor me with their trust on tye matter.

I believe you are referring to my latest answer then where I re-analyzed the Calypso matter.

OF COURSE I can! I would be happy and delighted to especially since their relationship is so complicated and fascinating to begin with. The way in which it evolves in a very interesting degree and the way both characters share common traits is also fascinating. Circe is called also wily or with tricks which also seems to correspond to the essence of Odysseus himself. A power couple no doubt. But indeed so misunderstood by the media and their interpretations.

So here goes sorry if this is long:

I find it so interesting how far selective interpretation goes 🤔 😆 I find it interesting that indeed there are people out there that read the passage where Hermes SPECIFICALLY mentions how Odysseus has no choice and say that "oh it doesn't matter really!" Hahaha so to be more precise the passage goes as such;

Then you shall not refuse the goddess's bed if you want her to release your comrades, and she shall offer entertainment to you

(Translation by me)

The passage is clear. Hermes tells Odysseus he has no choice but to accept the bed of Circe's if he wants to save his men and see them again in human form. I find it quite interesting that people ignore that or they claim it is unimportant to the plot. This is literally the reason why Odysseus is there. What is more I find the notion of the moly immunity funny because Circe was not a force to be reckoned with only with her magic. In fact Homer also writes afterwards;

However make her swear a sacred and great oath that she will have nothing else bad in store for you so that she won't hurt or unman you when she has you stripped naked.

(Translation by me)

Hermes clearly states that Circe does not need to turn him into an animal to be dangerous. In fact as someone else said before me, it almost seems like Circe might as well kill or castrate him while she has him naked and vulnerable. Hermes clearly states that Odysseus is not safe even if he is immune to her power at that specific moment. It also shows that Circe could harm him at every moment and the only reasons she didn't were this promise that he extracted from her and perhaps her own feelings for him (curiosity or other). Throughout the passage Odysseus was speaking on the fear he was feeling even from moment number one;

And she opened the fine doors calling me in and I followed her with a heavy and grieving heart

(Translation by me)

Odysseus was literally frightened. All the time. As he said he had a grieving heart (ἀκαχήμενος ἦτορ) and he continued to be distrustful of her and afraid even if he had extracted that oath from her.

However my heart could not be pleased for I was distracted as my mind was always thinking on dark thoughts

(Translation by me)

I adore how Homer uses the word ἀλλοφρονέων (=to think differently, to be distracted) but the word αλλόφρων also used in modern Greek to speak on someone who is mad or crazy and is also used as a phrase to indicate someone who is not just worried but someone crazy in fear. Odysseus has extracted the promise, he has accepted the attentive care of Circe and her handmaidens in the bath and he is now sat before a real feast and he is crazy in fear and doubt. His continuous sense of anxiety is obvious in the passage. So to say that Odysseus was just fine and that the whole adventure with Circe was a breeze and that he was safe against her just because he had eaten the Moly at that time seems to me funny since every part of the passage shows how he was afraid. What was more, there is no guarantee that the Moly would protect him forever from Circe's magic not to mention that as we said before, even without her magic Circe had plenty of aces up her sleeve starting from her animal entourage till a potent knife at the time that she had Odysseus under her mercy (thus the need for a promise on her part).

Also even if we say that Moly would keep him immune forever, what about his men? His men had not consumed Moly and it was obvious that the only reason that Odysseus was there was to rescue his men. What guarantee did he have that Circe wouldn't enchant his men again if he misbehaved? Quite frankly as I said above, Circe's likeness for his boldness or potentially his mind plus the oath he extracted from her seems to be the only thing that prevents Circe from using his men as hostages once more. Quite frankly the whole adventure with Circe was a very big hostage business. Odysseus was thinking on his men's safety (not to mention the rest of them waiting by the ship) apart from his own and as you see he was already very much afraid as it was.

I also find it interesting that the reason why Circe seems to be getting Odysseus immediately to her bed is that she knew he would come. Just like Polyphemus knew by a prophet that Odysseus would blind him (although she didn't know the nature of the person that would blind him) Circe says that she knew from Hermes that a certain Odysseus would arrive at her isle on his way back from Troy. So in one way someone to say that Circe was out of options seems at least funny as a notion. It seems that she knew who was coming she just didn't seem to know the conditions that would bring him there.

Now was Odysseus attracted to her?

In my opinion there is no doubt about it as he describes how beautiful Circe was. Would he consider to sleep with her if it weren't of Hermes's advice? In my opinion no. Odysseus would absolutely be finding Circe attractive given her beauty and her divine nature, which is no surprise there but finding attraction to one person and act on it are two different things. In my humble opinion I do not think that Odysseus would act according to that attraction. Would he be curious on the experience with an immortal goddess? Absolutely. He is a naturally curious person and he wants to gain knowledge from other experiences in his life. Would he act up that one? Again I think not.

The reason why I think so is that the essences of loyalty in marriage are not as cut and clean as we usually think of in modern times. True if we judge from Hera myths, it was not preferable for a man to have extramarital affairs but it was generally tolerated. Agamemnon speaks on the affairs he had and many others had affairs. Odysseus would have no reason to hide his actual attraction towards Circe (and he doesn't given how he does speak on her very warmly eventually). Throughout his narration he mentions many things negative about himself including but not restricted to; the conquest and enslavement of Ismarus, his mistake to insult God Poseidon, self-destructive thoughts, feeling of fear towards Circe or Calypso, his moments of sadness and isolation etc. All of these things would be considered embarrassing or even diminishing for him. Why would he hide affairs at a world that was more tolerant towards the affairs and instead say all these others that would make a king or a warrior embarrassed?

Now there is an interesting question of course as to why did Odysseus remain there for a year?

It is indeed food for thought to think about it because once his men were back to human form in theory he could leave right? That in my opinion is not cut and clean like that. For once he had to wait until his men were back to good health and spirits to travel and he might as well take advantage of Circe's hospitality to refill their batteries. However there is also the moment where in the Odyssey his men arrive personally and scold him that he forgot about their country and their homeland for the arms of Circe. So one can think indeed; did Odysseus indeed forget himself?

In my opinion it is possible. His men are not the only ones who wanted to refill their batteries. So was Odysseus. In fact he has MUCH MORE in his plate than the average human already. He has already been at war, he has the war crimes on his mind anyways and he has also witnessed most of his men dying in horrifying ways (Cicones, Polyphemus, Laestrigonians etc) and he has just witnessed the results of his actions as well with the Curse of Polyphemus and the way that the sack of Aeolus fiasco happened. Odysseus already was suffering a lot. Regardless of the fact that he was always afraid of her, the hospitality she offered was very much needed. He could rest and enjoy some safety of dry land for a change after everything he had been through and Circe kept her promise and was a very good hostess to them. Odysseus too needed that break. It is possible that he forgot himself at the care of Circe and quite frankly Circe seems to be also wishing to keep Odysseus by her side so she does seem to make it as easy as possible for him to stay.

So Odysseus enjoying some nice rest after so long, even in the arms of a goddess that scares him makes it cheating? In my opinion no. What is more it seems that the fear of Odysseus was always apparent. It seems that he was avoiding requesting from Circe to let them go the whole time. It almost felt like he was putting the whole thing off out of fear for her anger and refusal. He almost seemed to be gathering off the guts to tell her. When his men straight out demanded it he didn't seem to have a choice but to comply. So it shows how scared he was when he literally BEGGED Circe to let them go by falling on her knees.

And then I climbed onto Circe's beautiful bed and hugging her knees I begged her to set us free with a cry.

(Translation by me)

So basically Odysseus felt helpless before her and he had to do the employing ritual to her (you can see my other post about this ritual) so that he would be sure that Circe wouldn't refuse him or be angry at him. That same fear continued later for when he came back from the Underworld, he preferred to stay by the ships. He was literally brought back in by Circe herself who gave him some advice.

But while most part of the text in the Odyssey indeed implies the lack of free will or lack of options etc someone would think why would Odysseus be considered a cheater in the hands of Circe?

I think the answer lies to the general idea that many people have that we should consider Odysseus as an unreliable narrator and that all the details he lists are lies to cover his cheating.

Although as a logic seems to be very generalized, and it COULD hold some water in regards to some details, I still am not convinced as mention above that Odysseus is lying here. For starters he was already very emotional when speaking to the Phaeakes and an emotional Odysseus is the most honest Odysseus (we saw his emotions betraying him with Polyphemus, with his revelation with the Phaeakes or later with Penelope). Odysseus was already in a very strong emotional state so I do not think his narration is inherently doubtful. What is more, he does seem to have so many details in his narration about himself that are not positive about himself. He would have no reason to hide the specific one. And Odysseus mentions how Circe never had his heart before (see also my other answer here). I cannot find much of a reason for him to lie about that when he has literally admitted everything else that could paint him in an unpleasant light (especially his hubris with Polyphemus).

So to sum up yes I think he was being forced. His men were held hostage and he had to save them. Circe was never helpless regardless of the situation and she had many different ways to kill him if she wanted to. Would he be curious anyways? Absolutely. Would he act according to that curiosity? In that case I think not. He does say so himself and his imprisonment in Calypso's island in his narrative was supported by other characters and the poet so why would he lie for Circe either. One can definitely think about his emotions and how strong they would be about Circe but I think regardless of that, he wouldn't have necessarily act towards that curiosity given how his psychological state was originally

But I guess this is everyone's guess.

I hope this helps. It definitely it is up to you what you want to interpret and I will be happy to offer more passages inside the future reblogs and such! ^_^

[seokminfilm]

attorney fever | lee seokmin

🪄 pairing, lee seokmin x reader

🪄 warning, non-idol au, romance-comedy (is it funny??), fluff, a tiny bit of angst, attorney au, hint to girl dad!seokmin, hint to single dad!seokmin, wholesome, meet cute, vague (??) mutual attraction

🪄 summary, your charming lawyer is trying to make a good, professional impression on you, but how can he do that with a bunny figurine sticking out of his suit pocket?

🪄 author's note, this came up in my head when i saw the the 2nd picture on pinterest and i knew i had to do it....."thank you lyr's brain" we all say in unison! ALSO happy 2025!! new year new lyr so stay tuned for some big changes i may make!! much love lyrnation <3

🪄 now playing, trial, phoenix wright: ace attorney ost

🪄 word count, 1.1k | for @kstrucknet

Being in this situation was less than ideal for you.

You were being tried in court because an entitled lady wanted to sue you and your entire workplace for "conspiring to kill her" because you had accidentally put pickles on her sandwich, to which she was "deathly" allergic.

(If you could even be allergic to pickles.)

And so, here you were—standing in an overly decorated courtroom just three days before New Year's Eve, waiting for the lawyer who was supposed to be defending you in the trial.

Your friends had all heard good things about the specific lawyer they had hired for you, and you trusted them, even if the main thing they told you to comfort your obvious worry was that the lawyer was "drop-dead gorgeous".

(Like that was supposed to help you not lose tens of thousands of dollars just before the new year.)

The doorknob twisted, and you stood up, brushing off your outfit as you stood at attention, ready to see your defense attorney.

If he couldn't save you, there was no way you were going to make it out of this courtroom alive, and you'd have to call your mom and tell her you lost your job and have to live with her again and—

Suddenly, all of your worries, fears, and thoughts in general popped like a bubble to a finger, face heating up at the sight in front of you.

He was drop-dead gorgeous.

"You must be..." He trails off, voice rich and confident as he takes your hand in his. You shake it, nodding as you try to clear your throat. "I am."

"I'm Lee Seokmin. I'll be your attorney for this rather unusual case." The smile he gives you sends your body to heaven and back, and you're sure you've been gripping his hand like you'd drown if you let go.

"Thank you, Mr. Lee. I—trust me, I didn't think I would be in this situation either," Blushing, you stare down at your shoes, and Seokmin offers you that shockingly pretty smile again, shaking his head as he retracts his hand.

"That doesn't mean we can't get you out of it, though. Have a seat." He gestures to the empty seat behind you, and you nod, sitting down as he stares at you, dark brown eyes taking in your features.

"So, I've read the case over a few times, but I need to hear your side of the story so I can argue with the prosecutor." Seokmin's voice is firm, experienced—and you would be lying if you didn't think it was extremely attractive.

"Well, long story short—I didn't know the lady was allergic to pickles, and put them on her sandwich like normal because I do that with all sandwiches all the time." You say, blushing at the absurdity of all of this—here you were, telling a really attractive man about a silly mistake of yours turning into a court case.

"She returned after taking a few bites, gestured down at the pickles she pulled out, and then went on a thirty-minute rampage about how we were trying to kill her because she was rich or something."

Sighing, you rub your head, shaking it moments later as you look up at Seokmin.

"I honestly don't really know. All I know is that I could lose my job, and thousands of dollars if I lose." You sigh, your voice becoming shaky as you look down at your feet again.

Lord forbid you to lose this case—everything would change if you did, and not for the better.

"Hey, hey, look at me," Seokmin's voice is calm now, and you follow his instructions, studying his features. His eyes meet yours, and you know he could break anyone with just his stare─it's soft, intense, and almost makes you want to break down on the spot.

"It's going to be okay. You're going to be okay. You put your faith in me, and I'm going to do everything in my power to prove to you that you did the right thing. No stress here, okay? I know you're innocent. Now, I'll get the court to realize it too." Seokmin's words are instantly comforting, and you nod, giving him a smile as your eyes glance down to the little figure sticking from his pocket.

It had been distracting you the whole time, and you had wanted to get a glance at it for a while now. Now that you finally did, the smile that spread across your face was impossible to hide. It was a little bunny rabbit, cute little face peaking just over the top of the pocket.

"Um, Mr. Lee?" You asked, and Seokmin's eyes widened just slightly, replying quickly nevertheless. "Yes?"

"Is that bunny supposed to be the pocket square for your suit?" You gesture to the little bunny peaking out from his chest pocket, and Seokmin's face turns red, laughing nervously as he takes it from his pocket.

"Oh, um─no, no. My daughter, she─" His explanation was hurried, as the blush on his cheeks grew, and your heart broke just a little at the implications of his sentence, even if you knew it was wrong.

He had a daughter. He must be married, then.

"It's cute, though! Your wife must have forgotten to take the bunny out of your pocket," You say, and Seokmin smiles, shaking his head. His eyes become far away for a second, and he shakes his head again, sighing.

"I have no wife to do that for me anymore, so it must've just been my daughter's doing." Seokmin's laugh is bitter, and you fall silent, noting his now solemn countenance.

It hurt you to see him sad, even if you've only known him for a few minutes. He was a dedicated man, and you feel like that didn't apply to just his job. If only you could offer him some comfort of some kind. Would you even be able to do that? Would it be right? Would you be overstepping your boundaries as his client?

Seokmin recovers quickly, shaking himself slightly as he clears his throat, standing up as he glances down at his watch. The pain has vanished from his eyes, something like confidence in his eyes as he looks at you.

"I apologize for falling silent unexpectedly. Let's get you in there and prove you innocent, yeah?" Seokmin's smile is warm, and you nod, giving him a smile that changes his whole world for just a second.

It's warm, inviting, trusting, and he feels his face heat up as he turns away, feeling a swell of something in his chest.

Something he hasn't felt in what feels like forever.

Then and there, as the two of you leave the quiet room, he makes his decision: Seokmin will win this case for you. He was starting to think he'd win any case for you if you asked him.

[lexicorp]

Okay so like--

Main examples imma have are gonna include TFP, Armada, and a bit of Earthspark [so warning for prob spoilers]

In both Armada and TFP, you can see thru the seasons of Star being relatively loyal, to salty from the shit and thus lashes out, to coming back to the corrupted reliance/attachment to Megatron despite it all

In Transformers Prime, Starscream ended up leaving the decepticons and was rogue for a large chunk of the show. The lead up was: Megatron being off tryna find some space rock while star lead the cons on earth, and did a smooth ass job, but as /soon/ as Meg got back he immediately began his downplaying and backhanding of Starscream's rank and accomplishments. So it's like, when Meg nukes himself, why would Star give a damn. Buuut of course Megatron ends up being alive cuz of dark energon, and eventually gets rezzed thru a stream of shenanigans, to then /immediately/ beat the shit outta Starscream for tryna keep him dead. In summary, it's just Starscream constantly being belittled and beat up as usual, until Megatron then nearly off lines him in a cave. Then replaces him with some sus ass spider, who immediately betrays star and leaves him to the bots.

But I digress, the whole bs that goes down that relates to our primary topic, is the fact of how screwy their relationship is. How Star ends up rogue and scrounging on his own for a long ass time, before eventually not being able to take starving in a broken down ship anymore, and comes back to Megatron with bargaining chips. Meg almost murders him again, but instead kills dreadwing in a false show of faith (even tho meg was already sus of dreadwing and prob woulda done it anyway) so then Star gets some life debt mentality and heavy fear of leaving the decepticons given the poor states he experienced before. /Thus/ the being stuck in the situation and trying rlly gd hard to please the bitch that uses him as a constant scapegoat. Enter unhealthy attachment to where Star actually later is absolutely distraught at Megatron's death instead. Which seems absurd but it just goes to show how much Megatron fucked up his psyche.

Then a good example of TFP star mirroring Megatron is most clear involving the Predacons. Star is terrified of them, but constantly uses violence to belittlement to try and get them to listen. To feel some semblance of power/control. Even if it doesn't always work. And of course, that behavior is unfair towards the Predacons and they didn't deserve it either. Then it perpetuated the cycle with said Predacons mirroring the behavior themselves.

Megatron's projection of the violence he learned as a gladiator, or D-16's breakdown over sentinel, lead him to do fucked up things. The situation he endured was screwed up, but that doesn't excuse his actions. It can only explain them. And if people can be happy for redemption arc Meg, there's no Primus damned reason why anyone should be against a Starscream redemption.

In Armada, Starscream was sparked into the war, and knew jack shit else. Megatron and him had this fucked up father son relationship in my eyes, and I'm sure you can see how that could go. Star desperately wants to impress Meg and prove himself capable, and sometimes went out of line with the air of a teenager. And often due to Megatron being a selfish lying bich. There's a lot of star getting beat up for shit that isn't his fault but told it is, and people constantly manipulating and gaslighting him and he questions his whole ass life but then even after leaving after a particularly wack incident. Then he again gets roped back next to Meg by some other guy. And in the end, as he's pulling his kamakazi stunt to /show/ Megatron's stubborn ass Unicron is real; he expresses how he came to realize that nothing he ever did was ever enough.

Then in Earthspark, you have that iconic S1 line when Megatron asks star "what if you could go somewhere safe?" After Star had just escaped a prison and Meg had shot/tossed him around intent on being him back minutes ago; star responds with: "nowhere is safe if it's with /you/." And that shit hits hella hard to me, especially with just how Meg reacts with having like, subtle surprise. Cuz Meg doesn't fully understand his own actions.

Megatron in Earthspark is constantly held accountable. Dunked on my bots and cons alike, and he takes it like a champ all things considered. And the pain around S2/3 Earthspark is that it was set up so much for them to allow Starscream to have some positive influences and work thru stuff as well, but they just didn't commit to that angle of it, and instead made Star the villain again for barely a good reason and not touching the trauma lore after that. Which was so dumb.

They could clearly do a good redemption lore bs with Megs, so they should have been able to equally with Star. They've both done shit things. To each other and others. Many people can debate on who did worse things (even if imo Star gets fucked up objectively more), but the fact in my mind is that the most important part is how a person/character can recognize their own behavior, and correct it and heal to be able to become a better person for themself and others. And be allowed to have moments of weakness and be met with understanding and soft correction from their peers.

Like, it's stupid to blame Starscream for Megatron beating the shit out of him. oOh bUt StArScReAm TrIeD tO kILl MeG oMG-- like bitch it's 99.9 percent of the time a behavior on Star's part born /from/ the abuse. Starscream wouldn't have even started following Megatron in the beginning if he didn't have some sort of respect for the guy! It's just all so insanely wack to me, and it's so /hard/ to clearly articulate my mental process about the whole thing.

Star lashes out as a defensive measure, as a learned means of "yeah this is totally how you are supposed to interact with people", and just out of straight warped perception based on the fact that he was so heavily shaped by his environment to the point that people being chill or nice or something feels uncomfortable.

Basically, I'm jus like-- Star has done questionable things, and can be a jerk, but that doesn't mean it's his fault he endured what he did. It's only his fault for his /own/ actions of hurting someone else as a result. And that doesn't exempt someone from being able to become better and deserve better.

I just had a huge realisation yesterday and I wanted to share this after going through some pretty horrible stuff over the weekend: Something I've always asked myself ever since getting into G1 Transformers was "why do you like Starscream so much even though he's a narcissistic bully? Why are you, someone who is a victim of narcissistic abuse, taking comfort in a narcissistic character?" Well, I think I finally figured it out. Because Starscream is also a victim of that very same abuse. I mean, he's beaten, called names, bullied, unappreciated, abused, and put through the wringer…and he internalised all that abuse because he knew no other way. He had no one to turn to, and the few bots who did support him, he treated like dirt. Once he had that freedom and power, he abused it and became the very thing that abused him. I have no doubt he was always self-centred, selfish, had a huge ego, etc. before all that but honestly? I think Megatron's abuse caused him to turn out the way he did. I could have turned out that way and it's a little scary, some of the parallels I'm drawing with him.

@ichbinmeltdown wrote a great analysis on Starscream that I want to share here:

"Megatron was abusive as hell to Starscream. He treated him horribly, and I legitimately almost cried a few times watching it. There's an episode called Starscream's Brigade that introduces the Combaticons, and I think that perfectly demonstrates the cycle of abuse. The entire world is against Starscream at pretty much every turn throughout the series, but none more so than Megatron. Every word out of his speech synthesizer to Starscream is to berate him, and he's constantly throwing him around, beating him, even ripping out his speech synthesizer in a scene from a previous episode (Hoist Goes Hollywood, IIRC). His own teammates don't like him, and even his brothers- Skywarp and Thundercracker, going off of the idea they're brothers- just... allow Megatron to abuse him. (Not to get into headcanons here, but I personally believe that Megatron's abuse fractured the Elite Trine's family dynamic. They are still brothers and love each other, but they're all too afraid of Megatron to really... stand up for each other as they did in the past.) And Starscream seemed to just snap in this episode. He treated the Combaticons poorly, and even when teaming up with Shockwave, he subjected him to a lot of the same ridicule and torment that Megatron put him through. He failed to realize Shockwave was the one of the only bots who would give him a chance- and unfortunately lashed out at him, which ruined his chances of Shockwave ever being a true friend and ally to him. Once Starscream had finally gotten a taste of power and not being under another bot's boot, he too became the very thing that he lived in fear of. And that really is how the cycle goes- when you're finally free from abuse, it can be tempting to overcompensate and take back all the power you were robbed of, at any cost whatsoever. Starscream, like D16 in Transformers One, snapped up this opportunity."

And the sad thing is, I've seen this in real life and I've internalised some of the abuse I've dealt with too. I'm not proud of it. Like the Seeker Trine, my own family dynamic has been fractured by similar abuse. I know there's traces of narcissism in my behaviour too, and I'm NOT proud of it. Maybe this is why I can forgive Starscream for being a narc, because I can see a little bit of my own personality/attitude/behaviour in him. Maybe it's because I know where it came from, I get why he acts that way and it's not just random and out of the blue. Maybe it's because--and I know this is a bold statement--I don't think he would do some of the stuff my own family did to me (blah blah blah he's a fictional character).

I didn't mean for this to turn into a long rant, so

TLDR: I finally figured out that part of the reason I love and relate to Starscream so much despite him internalising some of the abuse I went through, is because he was the victim of that same abuse.

[masquenoire]

@riddlethat​ asked: what would he be like as a father? like, to his own child??

(Continued under the cut!)

Distant for the most part. Roman has very few, if any, good memories of his own parents while growing up and has no desire to perpetuate his experiences onto a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Sionis were domineering and self-centered people, utterly obsessed with their self-image and how others perceived them. Roman’s no different but the thing is he doesn’t pretend he’s a good man. His parents did and in public they portrayed themselves as a loving family, plastering fake smiles plastered on their faces as readily as the lies they spouted. Behind closed doors, life was a very different story where they openly reviled their son, if they weren’t pretending he didn’t exist or otherwise dismissing him as a nuisance in their lives. As a result, Roman would find it difficult to connect with a child. He’s cruel, vulgar and foul in every imaginable way, his idea of a good time being brutally torturing some hapless fool and making their death a slow and excruciating one. There’s no room for innocence in the life of a mob boss but upon becoming a father, Roman would at the very least try. What are they interested in? Are there certain things they like? All these and more he’d try to find out about his charge, gradually spending more time with them before asking upfront the more comfortable he gets. He’s not taking them to the ball game anytime soon but he will fund their interests and activities, treating them to the best of his abilities as a way to make up for the lack of presence in their life. It’s for the best, or so Roman believes. He’s a deeply troubled man who is prone to explosive violence and unspeakable acts of cruelty, plus with so many enemies who’d just love to use his children as a way to target him, keeping his distance is the best way to avoid them getting hurt. He’ll kill for them, and gladly do it too, but his own upbringing makes him too afraid to get more involved, out for fear of being just like his own parents once were.

[funkle420]

sorry for yapping so much today lol BUT

i wanna yap abt marcille and falin. i feel like when they were in school, maybe marcille didn't have romantic feelings for falin yet but admired her curiosity and aptitude for magic.

then later, during the time that they and laios were exploring the dungeon together, that's when she started to fall for her. she saw how capable and brave she was in action. i think for her that combination of strength and bravery with delicacy and charm really did it for her, like the prince on horseback the succubus turns into for her. marcille wants a partner who's pretty and romantic, but not weak or shallow.

Falin also says at one point before Marcille joins their party that she thinks Marcille treats her like she's 10, and while i think this is mostly her being self-conscious, it's clear that Marcille babies her like how other people of long-lived races tend to do to everyone else, despite them being developmentally in the same life stage. It seems more likely that, in the dungeon, Marcille grew to see Falin more as she truly is, rather than the limited side of her she saw in school.

Then during the events of the story, she slowly comes to realize her feelings are romantic, especially when she hears Laios talk about how much Marcille meant to Falin.

Falin, on the other hand, I don't know when I think she fell for Marcille or realized those feelings, but I do think that she knew she was attracted to Marcille by the start of the events of the story. After she was resurrected, I think their interactions show that. My interpretation is that after the conclusion of the events of the manga, Falin made the first move. Like a lot of people who've had NDEs, maybe she felt like she shouldn't hesitate to say how she feels.

(pls recommend good post-manga fanfics!!! not just abt farcille but abt anything, i love seeing ppl's ideas abt what happens after)

[blujayonthewing]

desire to roleplay authentically when my character has traits that can come across as difficult or frustrating vs irl intense fear and terror of ever being difficult or frustrating FIGHT

[melanielocke]

I love this moment so much for both Jayce and Viktor. Viktor's views on politics remain a bit vague since he has other priorities throughout most of the season, and I don't think he was in favor of an independent Zaun at the start, but I do think he would agree to anything that would ensure this doesn't turn into a war and I think maybe at this point he does start seeing the potential. Jayce and Viktor definitely came up with this together and perhaps Viktor even encouraged him to go negotiate with Silco. And I'm guessing Viktor isn't present for the negotiation because he feared he would be bad at it.

I'm also wondering what Viktor thought the situation in Zaun was like, because I think it's very different compared to when he grew up. When Silco talks to Finn about him being a parasite, his lack of loyalty, he paints a picture of an undercity where everyone was extremely poor, far more than now, but they all helped each other through it. I think this was the time before Vander & Silco's revolution, when Viktor was a child (he must have been in his late teens during the revolution?). And in this view, getting inventions that could improve quality of life to these people as fast as possible makes a lot more sense, considering he'd expect everyone to behave and just help each other with it rather than make weapons and do terrorism.

But I'm also obsessed with how great Jayce's character growth is here, how he's spent an entire season being pushed around and letting himself be manipulated by pretty much everyone, and now finally he's done and choosing for himself what he wants to do. And he's deciding to fully commit to equality by emphasizing Viktor as his equal.

I think it's also very kind to Viktor personally to give him this role, because even if he wasn't a political radical, his dream was very much about helping the undercity, and now at least he could accomplish something massive for them before he dies (as he's accepted he'll die at this point), even if it wasn't through hextech like he thought.

With Zaun vs Undercity and it being politically charged word makes me giddy that Jayce specified Viktor being a Zaunite specifically to the council, the leaders of the elite and the city!

And yeah, Jayce is part of the council obviously, but that doesn't mean he isn't that well liked or highly regarded still. I feel Jayce is risking a lot with the wording here, even before "I don't give a shit what you think." :D He ties himself and thus the council being partners with a Zaunite already, it's just 👏 (And the fact it's his and Viktors proposal even though it was just Jayce meeting Silco is interesting)

FOR REAL, it's such an interesting moment, because Jayce refers to Viktor as a Zaunite here when Viktor has never to this point referred to himself as Zaunite!

I think that leaves 2 possibilities:

1 ) Jayce is speaking off the cuff here and calling Viktor a Zaunite to drive home the point. Viktor might even be uncomfortable with that since he's never done so himself and it is making his existence more political than he would choose to make it himself. After all, it's not as if Viktor perks up and agrees that he's a Zaunite here. He looks a little bit put on the spot (but that could be Viktor's general anxiety around public speaking and being in the spotlight at all, especially after he's just experimented on himself illegally with Shimmer lol).

OR (and I think this one is a lot more likely?)

2 ) Jayce and Viktor discussed this speech before Jayce gave it. Given that Jayce was going to push hard to have Silco's terms agreed to, that would mean an independent nation of Zaun was all but a certainty in Jayce's mind.

Viktor in this scenario agreed to help Jayce break the news, in part because he agreed broaching the subject with an example of a positive Zaunite/Piltoverian relationship would strengthen the case. He agreed it was ok for Jayce to call him a Zaunite and while Zaun is still a politically charged term, it takes on a different meaning if it's the name of an established entity rather than a radical ideal held by separatists. IE, he's not identifying Viktor as a separatist by calling him a Zaunite anymore, he's calling him a citizen of a sister nation that is worthy of respect and doesn't automatically imply that the use of the term is radical or charged anymore, it simply is.

I think it also shows Jayce's optimism here that he'll succeed in just ramming Zaunite independence through as his final act as a Councilor, specifically because he includes Viktor. He wants this to be his crowning legacy for his political career and he's optimistic enough that he's including Viktor in the success, rather than shielding him from potential blowback (like when he took responsibility for the Hexgem's theft and tried to shield Viktor there, he only takes sole responsibility when it's a failure, he always includes Viktor in success).

And beyond Jayce and Viktor's partnership, this moment does show a lot of growth from Jayce too I would argue beyond his awful, "They're dangerous!" moment on the bridge. He's acknowledging here the importance of giving someone from Zaun a voice. It's a bit reprehensible that there isn't someone from the undercity already on the Council, but in the absence of such a person, Viktor is the best they can do in a pinch as far as a respected member of Piltover society with a background and personal stake in Zaun.

I think we see a lot of Jayce's humility and love for Viktor in this moment that he immediately cedes the spotlight to someone from the community being impacted here rather than trying to represent them himself.

[lunar-gl1tch]

I think the delayed reaction I'm having to the finale is that. The whole erasure makes no sense. Live peacefully? without any memory, even of his own father??? he doesn't want to forget and they don't want him to forget either. Until the very last second he asks Sonoi to be his memory because he wants to be with them. Emotionally, it hit me like a fucking train, I'm a sobbing mess now just thinking about it, but the donbrothers accepting Tarou's deletion just bothers me.

The donbrothers I know would go down to hell itself to get their asshole leader back because he's earned that sort of loyalty. I want to believe Tarou being back, being literally the white rabbit coming back through the looking glass means he's still Tarou not that small miserable boy who had just lost his reason for happiness and everybody he ever loved that left the oden cart. I want to believe the movie will do something about this because it's??? the most insane system the don clan came up so far?? did they assume their heirs would never be happy on their own? is this going to happen to Jirou too? because that's unacceptable. Did the points come into play? does filling your gamer points clean slate you like a tetris line? I get Tarou losing the don momotaro part of him, he always was bothered by it (it was painful strength) but losing everything is excessive??? and probably traumatic?? He still wandered into Donbura out of muscle memory but can't remember all the days they spent there. That's horrifying. I want to know who came up with that and i want them to kick their ass.

i know, I know, trying to make sense of the donbrothers worldbuilding is a fool's errand but. I feel there's a passage missing in how it worked out. They better get him back this summer. That peaceful life is fake and unwanted and Tarou deserves to be happy for real.

anyway i have to suspend disbelief and believe White Rabbit Tarou has retained his memories at least partially and his smile was of recognition or the whole card castle falls on me

[mad-hunts]

what chess piece represents you?

the black knight.

you are a black knight, the black sheep, the underdog. as the only piece that can jump over others, you can easily get yourself in and out of situations - always catching people off guard with your charisma and cunning. you move in the shadows, trading information with shady people, getting the upper hand through not always good methods. how far do you think this road can take you? for all your charisma or cunning, lies can only get you so far. one day, that mask you've put on will slip, and you'll be left defenseless. but until then, oh black knight, live like there's no tomorrow - because there might not be.

tagged by: @divingdownthehole.

tagging: @lvebug, @twcfaces, @talentforlying, @forensisch, and anyone else who might like to do this quiz!