#I don't like it as a standalone but I did enjoy the activity so

[anglerflsh]

coronation bow

[nicksolemnlyswears]

STAY WITH US

this oneshot can be read as a standalone.

COMFORT ME, STAY WITH ME

COMFORT ME, STAY WITH ME (PT. 2 HELAENA'S TURN)

pairing: aegon targaryen x targaryen! reader x helaena targaryen

word count: ~2.7k

warnings: spoilers for s2e2 of HoTD, mentions of death of a child, mentions of blood, light cursing

a/n: so i lied, so sorry, my apologies, remember how i said i wanted this part to be smut? well it didn't happen. in the end it didn't seem right because these oneshots originated form a place of care and comfort [not horniness like usual]

that being said i am open to doing a series of small oneshots based on their relationship that are more spicy because regardless it lives rent free on my brain and i'd love to share the pervertedness they'd get up to. also i've never written a threesome and that seems like a good writing exercise.

hope you like this oneshot. it's really sweet and when i was thinking of what else to do with them it simply clicked. my only wish is for it to have the same comfort provoking feeling as the other two. while this little series was written as a way for me to feel better about these characters it makes me happy to know it served the same purpose for a lot of you guys. also this was my first time writing for HoTD and you're all so nice ;) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL THE LOVE.

enjoy!

Without Jaehaerys by her side, his twin sister Jaehaera must adjust to being alone. Her lifelong playmate is gone, and now she ought to find her place as an only child.

The silver-haired girl restlessly jumps through different activities, searching for the one that will entertain her long enough without company. It is difficult because each time she successfully gets distracted, she turns to catch her brother's attention, only to find he's no longer there.

Queen Helaena watches her as she stitches together a new embroidery piece for a dress. The Queen spent her days with both her children, but now that one of them is gone, she spends nearly every waking moment with her daughter. Observing. Protecting. Alert.

"The three-headed dragon shall rise once more," Helaena mumbles under her breath. The maids ignore her mumblings. The Queen's words don't make sense half the time.

A squeal of delight from her daughter prompts the needle to pierce Helaena's finger and a bead of blood forms at the pad of it. Looking up, she finds you picking up Jaehaera and kissing her chubby cheeks. The girl is enamored by her cousin and the attention you provide.

"Good morrow, 'Laena," you brightly greet her, setting down Jaehaera and sitting by her on the floor. "Have you broken fast yet?"

Helaena places a hand in yours as a greeting and nods kindly, assuring you she's been eating all her meals. At times, her appetite turns into nausea as glimpses of her dead son invade her senses, but she tries fighting through it.

She closes her eyes and thinks of anything else—primarily you. You who distract her and treat her with such care without judgment of her eccentricities. It's odd how she's caught herself multiple times seeking your approval.

As Helaena returns to her stitching, Jaehaera bounces over and falls into your arms. "I wish for my hair to be like yours."

"Allow me, Princess," Jaehaera's nursemaid intervenes. She does not wish to be seen as lazy and incapable of her job to care for the children.

The small Princess holds tightly onto you, hiding her face on your chest as she settles on your lap. "No, I want my cousin to do it. She's a Princess, and I want Princess's hair."

You giggle at her words and gesture to the nursemaid that it's alright. "Come on, sweet girl, sit," you coo, positioning her in front of you.

One of the maids hands you a hairbrush, and you begin your work. As a Princess, your hair is mostly styled by your maids, but every lady should know how to style it appropriately.

"You're such a pretty girl, Jaehaera. Did you know that?" You talk to distract her from squirming too much. She's an impatient little thing, like her father.

Jaehaera giggles sound throughout the room. She hasn't laughed like that since her brother died. It brings a sad smile to Helaena's lips.

"You're prettier," Jaehaera whispers bashfully, her cheeks a healthy hue of pink.

"Oh, I don't know about that. You're much more beautiful. Do you know why?"

Jaehaera shakes her head, causing you to hold tightly onto the intricate plaits you're weaving in her hair. You inadvertently smile at her benightedness.

"Because you look just like your mummy, and she's very beautiful, and she's a Queen," you gasp lightly, creating a tone of excitement in your voice.

Although she's kept her nose down while stitching, Helaena's cheeks burn just as brightly as her daughters. Your words continue to flatter her. You have a way with words that can make even the most ordinary of townsfolk feel special.

With a small, excited gasp, Jaehaera asks, "Will I be Queen one day?"

"There's always a possibility," you hum, pining the remaining plait into her hair. It is hard to explain the complexities of succession and legacy to a child when there is a current war debating that same subject. "All done, go over to the mirror."

"She adores you," Helaena sighs as she watches her daughter fawn over her new hairstyle.

"And I, her. She's the sweetest girl ever."

Helaena turns to look at you and sees the soft smile gracing your lips. Your eyes then catch hers, and your smile broadens. It makes her wonder what her life would be like if you were not around. How would she have dealt with her emotions?

"I must go, but can you come to my bedchambers tonight? There is a matter I must discuss with you," Helaena says timidly, casting aside her embroidery.

"As you wish, my Queen." You can't fault her for preferring to speak in the depth of the night when the castle sleeps, and there are no wandering eyes to pass judgment.

It gives Helaena whiplash when you effortlessly switch from calling her name to calling her 'my Queen.' She rather enjoys both terms, especially when you call her yours.

Helaena bids you farewell with a kiss on the cheek, blissfully unaware of its effect on you. Such displays of affection are not rare in court, but lately, their significance has changed for you, as Helaena has never been one to indulge in court etiquette when it involves physical touch.

When the sun has disappeared over the horizon, and the castle has quieted down, you make your way to the Queen's bed chambers.

You have always been inclined to stay in the shadows, where it's safe. You are a sheep amongst a den of wolves, and if you draw too much attention to yourself, danger will follow.

You have failed so far, considering you enjoy the company of the King and Queen. Grief unexpectedly brought you together and made your bond steadfast, but wherever Aegon and Helaena go, watchful gazes follow, thus making you part of the spectacle as well.

Otto and Alicent Hightower are taking the reins of this unnecessary war, but you feel safe under Aegon's and Helaena's careful watch. You believe they will protect you from any danger coming from within the castle walls, at the very least.

You're doing your mother a great disservice as you strengthen the bond of the King and Queen. The ache of losing a child will forever remain in their hearts, and waves of pain continue to crash, but that thick fog of grief that was cast upon them has slowly started to lift, thanks to you.

Pushing open the door to Helaena's bedchambers, you step into the room. It's well into the night, and the candlelight illuminates the room. You stumble over your steps when you notice Aegon and Helaena standing close together as if they were about to kiss.

"My apologies, your graces. I believed the Queen to be alone," you bow your head, red painting your cheeks. It's a gesture that originates from embarrassment rather than submissiveness.

"Do not apologize. We wished to speak to you," Aegon speaks, beckoning you deeper into the room.

He offers you a goblet of wine, which you accept gracefully to alleviate the dizzying wave of nerves you're feeling. You've never been alone with Aegon and Helaena. People have always been around, and up to a fortnight ago, they barely spoke to one another.

The ruling couple sought your counsel regarding their marriage, recognizing you as an intermediary. You offered your advice to the best of your abilities, considering you have yet to marry.

With time and encouragement, they reached out to each other for comfort. Piece by piece, they were able to speak and share the emotions that troubled them. Nonetheless, they kept you closer than ever.

You're the calm amidst the storm.

You take a drink of the sweet wine to busy yourself. Helaena and Aegon stand side by side, his hand on the small of her back as Helaena plays with her fingers. They're backlit by the fire burning by the fireplace. It casts a warm glow over their figures, making the situation seem much more intimate. You're certainly intruding.

"We wish to thank you for everything you've done for us recently," Helaena breaks the creeping silence. She's just as nervous as you are, if not more.

"Helaena and I have been thinking about how to repay you for your generosity," Aegon continues, staring intently back at you to gauge your reaction to his words. He's afraid of reading you wrong and fucking things up—like he usually does.

You instantly shake your head, "As I said before, there is no need-"

Helaena's following words cause silence to befall as you stare back at them in surprise. A sort of surprise they cannot read. "We wish to wed you," Helaena blurts nervously, her fingers twisting together.

This is not a moment to speak in riddles. Helaena is fully aware of the situation before her and wishes nothing more than for you to stay by their side, no matter the cost.

For once in her life, she hasn't felt lonely in the castle. She has an ally she can trust and confide in.

You've been the subject of Aegon and Helaena's conversations for numerous nights. At first, it was difficult to understand that they both held deep affection towards you while caring for each other. They debated for a long time about what to do about it and they agreed on one thing wholeheartedly—you only deserved the best.

Then, it came to Aegon.

He's named after Aegon' The Conqueror' Targaryen. The King took over the seven kingdoms with his sister wives by his side.

A simple Valyrian tradition would solve their dilemma while strengthening his claim to the throne. It's poetic, a part of history being re-enacted.

"Pardon?" Your voice is barely above a whisper. You stare back at them with wide eyes as they jump from Aegon to Helaena and back to Aegon.

The goblet in your hand lightly shakes along with your hand. You place it on a nearby table, afraid of spilling it. Surely, you misheard.

"Our affection grows greater day by day. More than we ever thought possible," Helaena confesses, desperately reaching for your hand.

Your gaze falls on Aegon to seek his opinion, and he nods in agreement. There is not much to say. You have proved yourself valuable to them in a way that is much too important. You serve to keep them sane and emotionally stable. A feat no one has cared to accomplish before.

You do not use Aegon as a puppet or manipulate him to achieve sinister goals on behalf of his name, much like the rest of the court does. Those people only care for power, even if they break Aegon piece by piece. They destroy him while you take the time to pick up the pieces and put him back together.

"Such drastic actions must not be taken. I merely offered you comfort when you needed it because I care for you both," you stutter, pressing a hand to your forehead. All of a sudden, the room is warm, and a layer of perspiration forms on the back of your neck.

Aegon grunts and approaches you, cupping your face in his palms, "That is precisely why we wish to do this. You have cared for us like no one has before, including ourselves. You planted yourself in our souls, and now we cannot let you go lest we go insane. If you do not feel the same, say it, but do not lie to us."

His tone is firm, yet he cannot disguise the pleading behind it. He's never wanted something as much as he wants you.

"I-" Your palms ghost over the top of his.

It is all too much. The prospect of being wed looms over your head like a threat. Otto Hightower will have no qualms about using your lack of a husband as a war strategy. It should not be his decision in the first place, but it is out of your hands as you're considered a prisoner to him.

You would be a liar if you said you did not reciprocate their feelings. They've been present for a while now, it is why comforting them comes so easily to you. Seeing them hurt only pains you.

With this new opportunity, you will no longer be used. You will not be sold to some old lord in the countryside for the gain of a few hundred men. You would be protected.

Most importantly, you will marry a man and a woman who love you. Yes, they are broken, but with you by their side, they will thrive and rise to the occasion.

Aegon's lilac eyes beg you to accept their proposal. "I feel emotions I thought impossible. They are confusing and overwhelming, but they are real," you admit.

Relief floods over Aegon, and he can't help but release a sigh of relief. He presses his forehead against yours, whispering a silent thank you to the old gods and the new.

"Will you become our wife? Our lifelong companion?" Helaena asks, coming up behind you. You feel her breath on your neck as she leans her head on your shoulder.

One word is enough to respond. One simple word will change your life. For good or bad is to be determined.

"Yes," you breathe, reaching for her hand. The smile on Aegon's lips and Helaena's giggles in your ear make it all worth it.

Aegon needed to do things right so no one could argue against your union. He contacted the Septon himself, and only a day later, after his proposal, the Valyrian ceremony took place.

He clearly instructed his guard and the Septon that they must not tell anyone, or there would be consequences.

The ceremony is quick and private amongst the gardens of the Red Keep. You wear the traditional red and gold robes and headpieces that match Aegon's.

A red dragon decorates the front of your garb, matching Helaena's golden one on her dress. She stands to the side with a faint smile, Jaehaera clinging to her dress.

Aegon carefully cuts your lip with the dragon glass. As blood surges to the surface, he presses his thumb to the cut and later spreads it across your skin. You repeat the same on his lips, staring apologetically back at him, yet the burning pain does not compare to the pain he's felt before. It's almost pleasurable as he takes in the symbolism of the gesture.

Cutting your palms, you let the blood that will bind you together for eternity fall onto the goblet. You lock eyes with Aegon as you take a drink from it, passing it to him a moment later.

He was not raised surrounded by Targaryen customs, but he has a new deep appreciation for them. The ceremony is deeply intimate as they share the blood that will mark them as one.

With a couple of final words, the Septon concludes the ceremony and with the knowledge that you are entirely theirs, Aegon crashes his lips against yours.

Aegon stayed firm in his words. He did not wish to sully your name, so he waited until the moment was right. The reward is much too sweet.

It is the first time you've shared a kiss with Aegon, and it is unlike anything you've felt before. In the past, you've snuck kisses in dark corners of the Red Keep, but none have ever kissed you with the intensity Aegon has to offer.

Helaena approaches your tangled embrace, and as you resurface for a breath, she presses her much more delicate lips on yours. The kiss is so different yet the same simultaneously. The intent behind it is identical while the pace is slower and sultrier.

Yours and Aegon’s blood coats her lips and it’s as if she also partook on the ceremony. Your heart beats intensely inside your chest but you’re happy.

Finally, you three are bonded, destined to stay together for eternity.

Jaehaerys will forever be missed. His life has become a mystery; Aegon and Helaena will never see it fulfilled. But in this tragedy, the gods were kind to Aegon and Helaena and provided a new person to love, cherish, and join their family.

were you expecting a good old throuple situation? eh, eh (pretend i'm wiggling my eyebrows and nudging your side with my elbow). im just saying she's perfect for their little dysfunctional family and the drama it will create with the Hightowers and Targaryens? immaculate.

if you enjoyed this oneshot please don’t forget to like or comment (i accept keyboard smashes, emojis, words of encouragement, praise, virtual hugs and gushing about hel and aegon) and if you want more of it feel free to let me know!

[flowerandblood]

Duty and desire (Oneshot)

[ canon • Aemond x niece • wife female ]

[ warnings: incest obviously, sex content, smut, angst, praise kink activated, lactation kink, fluff ]

[ description: An incident between her husband and their sons causes her uncle to completely break down. She decides to show him how deep her feelings are towards him and to comfort him. A heartbroken, vulnerable, infatuated Aemond in need of simple tenderness. ]

Author’s note: The events of this oneshot are part of the canon of The Fall from the Heavens series and feature the same characters. I couldn't sleep and that's how I mentally coped with what I saw in the second episode of the second season. You're welcome, lol. If you still didn't watch it, wait with reading it (if you don't like any kind of spoilers). It can be read as a standalone story.

* English is not my first language. Please, do not repost. Enjoy! *

My other works: Masterlist

_____

He had returned to their chamber earlier, tense and visibly frustrated despite the fact that he usually spent that part of the day sparring with their sons, training them in the wielding of the sword.

She smiled at him from above her book, watching as he involuntarily looked into the cradle where Visenya slept peacefully.

The birth of their first daughter was joyous news for the entire kingdom, including them.

"So early?" She asked, spreading out comfortably in her chair, curious about this change of plans. Her uncle only pursed his lips at her words, walking over to the table where she sat and reached for a cup, into which he poured himself a little wine.

He remained silent.

A bad sign.

"What's happened?" She asked immediately, seeing that hundreds of thoughts were currently running through his mind, which if they did not find an outlet would eventually explode in the form of his fury.

He took a few deep sips from his goblet without looking at her, setting it down with a loud clink of steel on the table.

"Viserys and Aegon have suggested that Ser Robert should be the one to train them today. They apparently want to become archers." He said with a sneer and anger that startled her. She swallowed hard, closing the book, understanding full well that his words were only the tip of what he was really thinking about.

"In your presence they always feel they have to prove themselves. They're afraid of being ridiculed in front of you. Maybe it's…"

"At their age I dreamt of my father doing for me what I do for them. This is our time together." He growled, looking out of the corner of his eye into the area where she sat, but not directly at her, immersed in his thoughts, memories and regrets.

"I know." She whispered and her words, something about the way she said them made his lip tremble, made him lower his head in shame and cover his face with his hand, drawing in air loudly.

"They are terrified at the sight of me. Both of them. They don't love me, they just fear me. Their own father." He mouthed, his quivering voice betraying that although he tried to control himself, something about the thought had broken him.

She stood up from her seat, shaking her head, coming up to him quickly, wanting to touch his arm with her hand, but he moved away and turned his head, not wanting her to see what was happening to him.

"If you could hear with what pride and admiration they speak of you when you are not there. They so desperately want to please you." She muttered in pain, feeling a squeeze in her heart at the thought that he might have believed he was a bad father, when they both knew how hard he tried.

"To please me? My sons, they live to please me? And if they don't then what will happen to them? Hm?" He asked and fell silent, looking at her at last, his eye red with grief and despair, his face simultaneously red and pale with emotion, his lips parted in a heavy breath.

He covered his eyes with his hand as he burst into silent sobs, as if he had not stifled the thought for a day or a month, but for years, ever since their first son had been born.

She looked at him in disbelief, stunned, at the same time hurt and saddened by his words, by the thought of how he judged and perceived himself.

"Looking into my eyes do you see anything other than love?" She asked, renewing her attempt, taking a step towards him, and this time he didn't pushed her away, looking at her uncertainly.

"– it's something else –" He whispered.

"– how can it be? – do you think I would love a man who is a bad father to my children? –" She asked further, and he swallowed hard, trying to calm his breathing, his cheeks red from tears.

"– stop it –" He said and turned away, wiping his face, walking to the other side of the room, embarrassed and ashamed of his weakness.

"– sit down on the bed, husband – I want to explain a few things to you –" She finally said.

He sighed heavily and did as she asked, making room beside himself, looking down at his hands, heartbroken. She, however, walked up to him and did not sit next to him, but on his lap, surprising him by taking his warm, red face in her hands, stroking his moist skin with her thumbs.

For a moment she simply looked at him, all helpless and vulnerable, feeling the heat in her chest.

"– you're defending our family – you're the rock that protects us – you have to show strength – be determined – and that's hard when you're king and father at the same time – the burden of the crown is great and you know it – you're trying to prepare them for it –" She whispered, with each successive word placing kisses on his red face: on his forehead, his temple, his eyebrows, his eyelid, his cheekbone, his lips, his jaw.

She felt his hands involuntarily rise to her waist, stroking her through the material of her gown.

"– so why don't they understand this? – why do they push me away? –" He muttered, focusing his gaze on her full, plump lips, his manhood hidden in his breeches pulsed softly in a natural reaction to her closeness.

"– because they are still children – children who need their father to love them no matter what – a father who will sometimes let them go their own way –" She said softly, in a gentle, light motion untying the black ribbon at the back of his head, making the front strands of his silver hair fall over his shoulders.

"– I just want to spend time with them like a father with his sons – I want them to need me –" He whispered, and she nodded, letting his broad hand move her hip closer, making her body press against his.

"– I know, my husband – my sweet, sweet husband –" She whispered and heard him draw in the air loudly, surprised, his erection pulsed hard between her thighs.

She licked her lips, wondering if he was aroused by what he was hearing.

"– my husband is so good to me –" She gasped softly, letting their lips join in hot, sticky, lazy kisses, making wonderful heat surge through her body. "– my sweet friend – my sweet boy –"

She shuddered as his fingers tightened on the material of her gown, his throat leaving a sound she had never heard before.

He moaned.

Not the way he usually did, low and deep, when it was on the verge of panting, but high, the way she did when he gave her sweet pleasure.

Their fingers tightened on their bodies, letting their mouths find each other in greedy, violent, deep kisses – his cock between her thighs swelled all over and pulsed, hot, betraying that he was now completely ready to possess her.

"– I love you – please –" He muttered, forcibly ripping her gown off her shoulders, exposing her naked breasts, all swollen with milk. Something like a sigh of delight and relief left his throat as he sank his face into her sternum, his thumbs stroking and teasing her nipples hard from the cold.

She moaned as she tilted her head back, untying the material of his breeches, feeling the wonderful, pleasurable wetness between her thighs, proving that she was ready to receive him deep inside her.

"– my sweet husband deserve to be soothed – doesn't he? – to feel his beloved wife – how warm she is – how wet she is –" She whispered, cupping his swollen, quivering erection in her palm, feeling how incredibly hard it was, its tip thick and smooth, dripping with his moisture.

"– yes –" He mumbled in shame, directing one of her breasts to his face, holding it in his hand, finding her nipple with his mouth, beginning to suck it loudly along with her milk as she guided the head of his cock against her pulsing slit.

"– ah – my husband is so hard for me – makes me feel so fucking good – so, so big –" She cooed, sinking slowly onto his manhood only to lift herself on it with a loud click of her wetness, opening her thirsty, fleshy cunt again and again on his long, throbbing erection.

"– f-fuck –" He exhaled, embarrassed, imposing a fast, aggressive pace on her at once, clearly aroused by what she was saying and how she was behaving, needing her affection, her acceptance, her closeness, everything he couldn't ask of anyone else outside the door of their chamber.

"– it's all yours, my dearest – I can ride you all night – you'll fill me with your seed as many times as I need, won't you? –" She gasped, and he groaned loudly into the skin of her breasts, clamping his hot hands on her hips, pounding into her like there was no tomorrow, panting and quivering along with her.

She wasn't sure she had ever experienced a similar orgasm, so overpowering, hot, soothing, delightful.

"– f-fuck – f-fuck, Aemond, yes –" She whimpered, throwing her head back as she felt his body convulse, his warm seed filling her womb wit his low moans of pleasure.

He released her nipple from his mouth, panting heavily, snuggling his cheek into her chest, letting her arms embrace him in a tight grip, her lips placing tender, hot kisses on his hair.

"– forgive me – I'm ashamed – I –"

"– you are my husband – let me give you relief when you need it –" She whispered, combing her fingers through his long hair.

"– but – it was –"

"– a husband can show tenderness and understanding to his wife, but a wife to her husband cannot? –" She asked in pain, and he swallowed hard, letting out a loud, shuddering breath.

"– it won't happen again –" He muttered, needing, apparently, for her to tell that lie so he could stop thinking about how weak he was, how he needed it, how pleasant it was.

That he would beg in his mind for more.

More of her tenderness.

More of her praise.

More of her love.

"– as you wish –"

[orbitsaturn]

"actually?" "yeah, actually."

─ in which you accidentally bump (fall) into someone you might know in an indoor climbing gym

"his arms look really meaty..."

modern au! kinich x reader abt 2.1k words!

final part of part 1 this can be read as a standalone!

your user is sparkling toots in this fic

──────────────────────

"I'M DODGING I'M DODGING!!" you yell over the call, hastily pressing multiple keys and moving your mouse quickly. it's been a while since you played with your friend, almightydragonlord, yes, cheesy username. but still, you enjoyed playing with him as he makes everything easier, really, EVERYTHING easier. he helped you with your builds the first time you met him, albeit much to your refusal (felt insulted when his so-called lizard, 'ajaw' called your characters trash) (it was actually ajaw but you refuse to believe how a lizard can somehow spell out the words l o s e r).

anyways!

the only response you can hear from the other side of the call is loud typing, followed by a brief. "mhm" from the almightydragonlord. he's quiet, the only time he really speaks to you is when he's giving you constructive criticism or the rare times he chuckles when you die during boss fights. which you respond by angrily yelling at him.

"toots, behind you." snapping out of your thinking, you quickly dodge the incoming attack hurled behind your character by the boss you both were fighting. with one more quick setup from the almightydragonlord it was instantly over, the huge numbers brought by his characters becoming more and more like a regular sight for you. welp! at least your daily boss fighting is done for the day.

"dragonlord I'm gonna go now! i'll see you later?"

"mhm, see you"

"as curt as ever i see! bye!!"

and with that, you ended the call. pulling off your headphones and doing your daily routine to hang out with one of your friends later in the day.

───

"hi mualani!" you waved enthusiastically to your friend who was at a distance. she also waved back with the signature smile that she boasts.

as you make your way towards her you feel a sense of suspicion by the seemingly mischievous smile on her face.

"guess what we're doing today!"

"what?"

"rock climbing!" mualani says, clapping her hands together eagerly.

"we're going rock climbing?!" you cried, quickly whipping your head to look over at the outfit you wore today, which was clearly not appropriate for some activity. furthermore, you've never rock-climbed before except for that time in elementary in the local playground.

wait.

you did have some experience in rock climbing. maybe you should just rely on your memories from your elementary school days! but that was years ago.. and your outfit might hinder you from movements that are essential for climbing.

"don't worry. i got some extra clothes in the back of my car." mualani winks upon seeing your worried demeanor "also it's indoors! so we won't be climbing on real rocks! haha!" she pats your back reassuringly.

upon hearing that you breath a sigh of relief. "oh thank goodness" you say dramatically clasping your hands together. you knew you'd actually be fried if it really was real rock climbing. after the brief chat you both share you quickly make your way to her car door, quickly sitting down and buckling up before the car starts.

always. remember. to. buckle. up.

was the mantra you always repeated before getting into a car when you were young. nowadays putting on the seatbelt was just muscle memory for you. whenever you get into a car you put on your seatbelt without thinking. a necessary habit honestly.

the ride was short, it only took a few minutes to arrive at the indoor climbing gym. funny enough you saw a car with the plate "drgnlrd" parked near the gym. who the hell names their license plate like that?! it's also the same name as the username your friend online has.

well, it's probably just a coincidence!

as you both head into the gym with no expectations whatsoever you were instantly baffled by the sheer height of the

fake rock climbing thingy?

you don't know what it's called but you do know you'll be able to conquer it. i mean, you weren't called the ruler of the playground for nothing! you were dubbed "sonic" by your peers back in elementary for climbing super fast on the rock climbing part in the local playground near your house.

it's safe to say you might be the best (worst) one in the room!

as you head your way to the changing rooms in the gym you notice a familiar figure high up on the rock.

"his arms look really meaty..."

"what are you looking at? let's go so we can climb sooner!" a voice from behind you quickly snaps you out of your thoughts.

oh my god. why were you even thinking about how some random dude's muscles look tasty?? get a grip!

as the both of you head inside you remember the time when almightydragonlord sent a video of him skydiving. yes skydiving, falling out of a helicopter type of skydiving. the area he was skydiving at looked really familiar too!

wait.

familiar?

as you retrace back to the video he sent you, the feeling of dread forms in the pit of your stomach.

lush green trees, tall hilltops, and the distinctive sight of saurians.

lush green trees...

tall hilltops.

SAURIANS?!

NATIVE TO NATLAN SAURIANS?!

HE LIVES IN NATLAN?!?

BUT YOU LIVE IN NATLAN TOO??

ugh! you even shouldn't be thinking about him when your supposed to be conquering the climbing wall soon!

"ugh.. let's not think about this today..." you grumble, quickly putting on the clothes mualani handed you earlier. as you make your way outside the room mualani is already there waiting for you,

"hi!! ready partner?" she smirks at you, dragging you to the rock wall (which looks even more intimidating close up) that you have to conquer.

gulp.

NO!! you can do this. you weren't called the ruler of the playground for nothing. you can conquer this. maybe think of it as a necessary level to beat! plus you have a harness attached to you right now! so you won't wall to your death if you fall. and! if the harness fails you know who to sue to get money.

with one more final nervous gulp, you start conquering (climbing) the wall. when you look up you already see mualani way ahead of you. oh dear, looks like you have a time limit to this level.

"wait!!" you cried, starting to climb the wall, with ease actually, this was way easier than you thought!

"heh. I might actually be the ruler of the climbing gym now!" as you smirk to yourself you notice some weird white powder on mualani's hands? "mualani, what's that stuff on your hands?" you yell out above, "oh! this is climbing chalk, it helps strengthen the grip of your hands if they usually sweat." she yells back.

sweat

sweat

sweat

you know that feeling when you're suddenly aware of how your hands produce sweat and it sweats right after? yeah, it's sweating right now when you realize your hands have the function to sweat.

"oh uh! that's fun" you reply nervously, the word 'sweat echoing throughout your head, the feeling of your sudoriferous (sweat) glands activating within your hands right now, it isn't mandatory to lather that white stuff when you're climbing, so it should be fine...

right?

yeah no, it's not fine you can feel your hands sweating right now, loosening your grip, BUT,

it's not mandatory to lather that stuff so...

"hellloooo!! up from above! hurry up!" mualani's voice snaps you out of your thoughts once again as you look up in response, "we're almost to the top y'know!" she yells making you realize that you were really high up.

and that makes you sweat even more.

but you prevail! you grab onto the next wall hold, and the next, but the feeling of your grip getting weaker every second was not concerning at all! (lie) but you were almost there! you're about to beat mualani and claim the title of the ruler of the climbing gym!

"watch i'm going to win," you say confidently, but in that moment your grip was already weak, weak enough to make your hand slip.

the last thing you see is mualani's shocked expression, followed by one of relief and confusion..?

...

..

.

a hand quickly snakes around your waist, making sure you don't fall to your inevitable doom.

"you good?"

a familiar voice brushes against your ear, your stomach dropping. a foreign feeling of heat rushing to your face due to embarrassment.

as you look at the person who saved you, you are instantly dumbified.

a beautiful mixture of green and orange meets your eyes, with long, thick, dark lashes that compliment the brightness of his orbs, creating a stark contrast that makes it difficult to look away.

wait.

beautiful amber green eyes with dark fluffy hair.

no way.

is he..?

"almightydragonlord?" you say breathlessly, staring at his face shamelessly.

"oh?" his arm unconsciously tightens around your waist, a look of surprise painting his face with the utterance of his online username. in a few seconds his face begins light up as he realizes your identity, "sparklingtoots?" a subconscious smile making it's way to his features, which in turn causes you to gawk even more at him.

oh dear. that smile is deadly.

"t-thank you?" you say confused, blinded by his smile. gosh, he was cuter in person, instead of falling to your death maybe you'll die by the brightness of that smile instead.

wait.

shouldn't you be falling right now?

you slowly look down at your waist.

a hand.

his hand.

the hand you complimented earlier without realizing it was him.

snaked around your waist to prevent you from falling, the proximity between you two was worse, your left side touching his right, his fingers gripping your waist tightly to secure you onto him, the feeling of his forearm around your stomach firm.

oh archons, he's built too?

"u-um, aren't you tired?! shouldn't you let go?! uh! I have a harness don't worry! and I must be heavy!" you say nervously, the close proximity between you two was not helping your conversational skills whatsoever!

"oh sorry, it was on instinct, I'll let go if you want to" he slowly releases his hold on you, careful to not make you drop unexpectedly.

wait, wait, wait, wait.

you're still really high up! you might actually faint if you start free-falling!

you instantly grab his hand, positioning it back on your waist again. "wait! actually please keep holding on, i think it'll be terrifying once i start swinging down." you look up at him, eyes that basically read, 'please don't drop me or else I might actually pass out.'

"you think i'd drop you without any warnings?" he looks at you confused, his hand keeping a firm grip on you once again to prevent you from falling. "i mean... you're carrying a full-grown person right now, so you might claim that you won't drop me on purpose but i don't know if your hand is gonna agree!" you say worriedly in response.

"don't worry i'm strong." he replies, trying to reassure your worries "do you see my pocket? there's some climbing chalk in it, use your hand to get some."

"uh, which pocket?! the front or back?"

"any."

you hesitantly reach into the front pocket of his pants, grabbing a handful of chalk which you quickly lather all over your hands. "now use one of your hands to grab onto one of the holds closest to you" he instructs, which you quickly follow. as you grab onto a yellow hold and then grab onto another one until you are free from his hold, you realize just how much your grip has improved, that you should've just slathered on some climbing chalk before you started climbing to prevent this whole fiasco from happening...

"thank you! um, almigh-"

"kinich."

"oh! thank you the almighty dragon lord kinich!" you tease. in response, he lets out a brief chuckle that you've always heard on the calls you had together.

"i didn't know you lived in natlan!" you exclaim, slowly making your way down the wall. "i thought you knew?" he replies confused, keeping watch of you to make sure he'll catch you before you fall again. "shhh.. i know you sent me that skydiving video months ago but i just realized until today! also, do you do that stuff often..? i mean... you had no hesitation jumping off the helicopter!" you ask him in curiosity, it's strange! most people would hesitate for a bit before jumping off! but this dude didn't even look worried at all!

"oh yeah, i do a lot of stuff like that, like bungee jumping, mountain climbing, sky di-"

"HUH?!" you look at him in disbelief. is he one of those adrenaline junkies?!

"i know most people are shocked, but I find extreme sports enjoyable." he says, looking at you with a gentle smile.

oh dear, you don't think you'll get used to that smile anytime soon.

as you both make your way down, you learn more about the almightydra- kinich, how his lizard ajaw was really the one who made the nasty comments about your characters (which you still don't believe), and how many extreme sports he does, which was a lot. and mualani also descended down quickly to make sure you were okay! as you near the start of the climbing wall you swear you're gonna kiss the ground once you make it back down.

"oh my archons." you collapse on the floor, heaving a sigh of relief, at least you know now to make sure you have emergency climbing chalk in your pockets... you really should invest in some if you're planning to climb more in the future...

as you are laying down on the strangely comforting gym floor you feel a cold object against your forehead. "are you free after this?" a voice above you says as you look up to see kinich leaning over you, water bottle in hand, pressing it against you. just as you were about to respond you were quickly cut off by another voice above you. "yeah she's free!" mualani chirps above you, giving a thumbs up to kinich which she then looks down to wink at you. "I'll be going now. make sure to tell me everything after," who then looks down to whisper at you, giving you a mischievous grin before walking away.

kinich then drops down beside you, turning his head to face you.

"lunch with me today?" he asks, which in turn you grin, "are you asking out on a date? the almighty dragon lord kinich! asking me out on a date! can you believe it?!" you tease,

"and what if i was?" he responds, his amber-green eyes meeting with yours.

"h-huh? actually?" you say surprised, taken aback by his forwardness. you knew he was curt but you didn't expect it to translate over to real life! "yeah, actually." he stands up, offering his hand to you. you grab his hand as he helps you stand up before facing him.

"also, don't worry, i don't do extreme sports with my car." he flashes you a grin.

──────────────────────

A/N!! OH MY GOSH HELLO EVERYONE. thank u all for the support from part 1, I hope you guys liked this one as much as the previous one!! I tried really hard to not make kinich ooc... (I hope I didn't..) I looked up his lore and stuff and found out he liked doing extreme sports! and the skydiving from the previous one I wrote was pretty unexpected BUT!! akshually (nerd emoji) "As a core member of the Scions of the Canopy tribe, Kinich is fond of extreme sports, and is said by his companion K'uhul Ajaw to have plunged headfirst off a cliff and lived to see it (LIKE!! THATS BASICALLY SKY DIVING!!)" quote the genshin wiki!! anyways I hope you enjoyed reading this.HAVE A GOOD DAY OR NIGHT!!

[peacemaker-ic]

I received the codes from the EA Creator Network for the latest kits, Urban Homage and Party Essentials, and I finally got a chance to check them over. Short version: these kits really aren't for me. I don't dislike them, they either aren't my style or designed for an activity I just don't enjoy.

Urban Homage is nice that it was a Collab with Ebonix to give sims of colour some clothing that feels authentic for the style it's delivering, but for me, I just don't have many sims that would benefit from it for telling their story. The fit is nice and neutral (not too baggy or fitted), nice variety of colour, and a bit of personality too. I would have liked to see more then just clothing though. A new set of boots such as a combat or timberland-esque would have been nice, or a new hairstyle or two. I don't know if I am just conditioned to think that is what a CAS kit should include, or if the kit feels unfinished because it lacks those items. The jeans are definite favourites, even if i wish it had a better bootleg cut. The tee is also lovely with the graffiti prints. I would love to see more kits like this though. There are many regions, ethnicities and demographics thats aren't represented much in regular packs that kits could cater for so although it's just not really my style, I would love to see more.

Party Essentials did feel incomplete until I started looking at it like a decor kit, then it came together. Can't say I am a fan of the colour palette though. My favourite was the pastel rainbow, and I kind of wish it had more of that swatch style. The golds, bright pinks and blues just felt a little... overwhelming to me. Given time I could probably make them work. I am thankful the bar was designed as a standalone object though. The curse of regular bars is they often look unfinished if not integrated with island counters and they are already too large as it is. This item strikes that right balance. I still desperately want a drinks tray so i can avoid having to huge a 2x1 object just to have access to bar drinks. The lights definitely needed a medium wall height option at a minimum, same with the streamer items. The new record player is a nice addition too. I just can't see myself using this kit much because it's relatively niche category. I don't like the party mechanic of TS4 so I doubt i will use most of these items much, if at all apart from the table, bar and record player.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. If you do want to grab them, because you like throwing parties or really dig the Urban homage look, remember you can use my code PEACEMAKER at checkout to directly support me as a creator via thesims.com or EA App.

[twwings]

so I spent the last few months just marathoning The Magnus Archives??? I was curious and I have a long-ish commute that I need to fill with audio, so I went for it. I was somewhat spoiled by fanart I saw randomly over the years but not entirely spoiled, and I quite enjoyed it. Some thoughts (both positive and negative thoughts below) because I wanted to write them down as I chew over the show. Also my ramblings might be pleasurable to folks who are big fans and enjoy hearing about people listening to their thing for the first time?

Spoilers for all of TMA, but as I haven't listened to The Magnus Protocol yet (I'm sure I will) no spoilers for that.

thoughts in no particular order:

didn't know that my trypophobia could be activated aurally! thanks, season one. it's good to learn about yourself

because I had seen lots of fanarts around, I knew that Jon/Martin would eventually be a canon thing, so I just spent the early episodes making fun of Jon whenever he was mean about Martin. Jon would be like "ugh, Martin, amirite?" and I'd yell at the car speakers like "lol you're gonna MARRY that guy"

sometimes I found the show a little boring or too expositiony (like the episode where Leitner shows up) and it made me think a lot about the conditions of production, like, having fans who were super into the show and red stringing it up clearly made them want to explain things sometimes in a way not necessary to the story - or, at least, it didn't feel necessary to me as a casual listener who was coming in after the fact and not part of the fandom. maybe it felt necessary for other folks, or to the cast and crew at the time.

relatedly, oh god, I did not keep up with all the plotlines and stuff. like it took me a WHILE to realize that the show was not just gonna be standalone/anthology stuff and would have an overarching plot so I did not pay attention early on to repeated names or plots. and because I was listening on my commute I was like "welp, can't google it, gonna let it go" and I did. I'm here to tell you that the magnus archives is still enjoyable even if you don't care that much about what's going on

when I did really start to care was the end of season four/season five. absolutely love that they went there with the end of season four (I thought it'd just be a buffy-style "now we fight a BIGGER big bad at the end of this season" escalation forever, but no, they unleashed hell on earth, baller move, A+, loved it

so I was spoiled that Martin (and Jon? I wasn't sure) died at some point, though I didn't really know where or how. I also saw someone post something like "oh TMA, great show, too bad it ends after five minutes into episode 160" so from that I kind of extrapolated that Martin died in episode 160? so my experience of listening to that one was REALLY on tenterhooks because the first five minutes was Martin going for a nice walk! and then Jon getting taken over by the statement! so while listening to the middle bit of 160 I was convinced that when Martin came back from his walk Jon was gonna kill him (while possessed, obviously) as part of the ritual thing. so really the following 40 episodes of Martin being alive were pretty sweet to me. Every episode after that when Martin was alive I was like, score, bonus, love it, I'm glad Jon didn't stab him three seconds after they got into a relationship

kept listening for a physical description of Jon to match all the fanart and never got one? I guess the fanon of what Jon looks like is just super consistent for some reason?

hated Tim, I can't disguise it, I hated Tim and I was glad when he died and I was glad he didn't come back, sorry Tim fans, live your truth and I will live mine

wish there weren't so many cops on this show, tho the show did seem to recognize that a little in S5 and try to do some things about it

I'm just a huge sucker for every genre experiment in S5. omg I loved it. Terminus gets a coroner's report, The Unknowing gets slam poetry, The Flesh gets a gardening manual?????? mwah. it made me excited for the format of the statements again when they'd gotten stale. so many smart and interesting genre experiments in S5! and I, like Jon, don't even like poetry (just write some prose! I've never identified with a character more), so you know I'm impressed when I'm exclaiming about some poem

seriously! the genre experiments!!! so good

"queer couple navigate their new relationship and also The Hellscapes" = amazing, ty, also ty for doing it twice

somehow I managed not to notice the line about Jon being asexual at first and then I saw some tumblr post about it and I was like, wait what? my brain had gone pretty far down into some non-asexual fanfiction stories before I got that bit of canon and had to record-scratch freeze-frame. anyway I am pleased by the ace rep and hope to go read some non-sexual D/s for them in the future, please tell me if you know some good stuff

please also tell me if you know about fanfictions where Martin consensually feeds Jon his own memories and it's weird and intense

saw a cute fluffy domestic fanart where Jon was blind (ie had blinded himself to escape the eye) and I laughed and laughed that this is a fandom in which the happy fluffy AUs are the ones where the characters have violently blinded themselves. not to say I'm not gonna read the fluffy AUs where they've violently blinded themselves, I am, I'm sure they're lovely, it's just funny

don't think I wasn't thinking about Crowley and Aziraphale in the episode where Jon is like "what if we ran away together" in season four. When Jon is like "What if we ran away together, you and me, we could do it, what if we did" and he absolutely knows that Martin is not gonna say yes and maybe he doesn't want Martin to say yes but he wants to ask him anyway, he wants to try it anyway, because the fantasy of escape, together, is overpowering. anyway don't think I didn't think about Crowley

also laughed and laughed at the like four episodes at the end where Jon is like "maybe I should . . . . . . . . . . . become the Torment Nexus? From the classic scifi novel, Don't Become the Torment Nexus?" and first Martin and then everyone else is like "Jon, don't become the Torment Nexus" and it's really clear that you should not become the Torment Nexus but then later Jon says fuck it and becomes the Torment Nexus

I say it's really clear but the idea that you should strand and isolate and burn out the powers is not a bad one. I did like that the second to last episode was just a debate on morality with no clear resolution. that's a lovely way to send off your characters. tho it didn't matter a lot to the end plot? but still.

Jon "I think I'll just become the Torment Nexus" Simms, istg

THE TORMENT NEXUS

Sue Simms' voice is incredibly hot, Gertrude Robinson is absolutely deadass smokin, love how the Legend of Gertrude just built up over the seasons until by the end she was this like powerful callous avenging angel, no notes, might build a shrine in the woods with pictures of Gertrude in little jars

Gerry and Jurgen were both madly in love with her and she didn't notice or care because she was too busy kicking ass, no notes AT ALL

I really like the bit at the beginning of S5 where Jon is depression-listening to old archives tapes, like it's really effective to do the birthday party flashback just there when the world's just been apocalypsed, but I can't stop thinking about how Jon is listening to that tape and, in retrospect, being like "did Elias/Jonah use his all-powerful knowledge and vision to find out that there was cake in the office?" idk it really feels like Elias's motives in that flashback are like "eat cake" and no one else realizes that he's used his monstrous evil eye power to locate cake. anyway I imagine that Jon had all of these thoughts during his depression

Basira made me laugh ALL THE TIME, the voice acting was so good and she was so over everyone's shit. but at the same time there's this real softness to her at the end of S5 after she's killed Daisy, like she's still tough and grounded in her own perspective but suddenly more compassionate or sympathetic. she has such a good journey over the show

were Basira and Daisy a thing? I could not tell. maybe I should not ask. maybe I am not meant to know. maybe even asking shows how little I know, because their intense and murderous bond exceeds traditional relationship categories

I had a really nice time!!!

I will need to read fanfictions

I will need to watch animatics

I will need to seek out fanarts

the end

[wolfliving]

Meanwhile, in Brickland

Cory Doctorow:

Analog companies can raise their prices, or worsen next year's model of their products. *Digital* businesses can *travel back in time* and raise the price of something you already own, but need to pay a "subscription" fee for. They can reach back in time and remove features you've already paid for. They can even go back in time and take away things you already own. The omniflexible, omnipresent digital tether between a device and its manufacturer creates *so many* urges that they can't resist:

Are you one of 4,000,000 people who built "smart home" products from Wink into your walls, ceiling and foundation slab at any time since they started shipping in 2014? Surprise! Now you have to pay a "subscription" for all of those gadgets or they'll *brick your fucking house*:

Did you buy a "Mellow Sous Vide" gadget? Surprise, it now costs $48/year to use that gadget!

Did you buy an Exogen ultrasound device to stimulate bone growth after a fracture? Surprise, it bricks itself after you've used it 343 times! Enjoy your e-waste, Hopalong!

Did you *buy a Ferrari performance sports-car*? Surprise, it bricks itself if it detects "tampering" - and the only way to un-brick it is to connect it to the internet, so you'd better hope it doesn't brick itself deep in an underground parking garage. Oops!

Did you buy a Peloton treadmill? Surprise, your $3,000 "smart" treadmill no longer works in standalone mode - unless you pay $480/year, that treadmill is now a clothes-drying rack:

Did you buy an Epson printer? Surprise! It will brick itself after you print a certain number of pages, *for your own good*, because otherwise its ink-sponges might leak:

Did you get - no, wait for it - *did you get a neural implant?* Surprise. The company's new owners don't want to continue supporting your implant, and they won't let anyone else do so either. So now, *part of your brain* has been bricked:

This is like a lifetime money-back guarantee - *for companies*. Any company that experience's seller's remorse can cancel or alter the transaction, retroactively. It's as if Darth Vader opened an MBA program whose only lesson was *I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it further":

Darth Vader has the Force. Corporate enshittifiers have something even more powerful: IP law. Companies can cleverly arrange overlapping layers of IP - anticircumvention, trademark, patent, trade secrecy, terms of service, cybersecurity law, contracts - to criminalize otherwise legal activity, like reverse-engineering, jailbreaking, creating alternative clients or third-party parts:

That means that companies know that they can enshittify to their heart's content without fearing a competitor's disenshittification products. Raise the price of ink all you want, because you've figured out how to criminalize generic ink cartridges:

That's a lesson Spotify took to heart. Aaaallll the way back in 2022, Spotify started selling $90 "Car Thing" tablets - little car-vent-mounted gadgets that made it slightly easier to connect your car stereo to your Spotify account. Now that a suitable interval has gone by, Spotify has decided to remotely brick every one of these solid-state devices, no later than December of 2024:

Now, this may seem like a loss to all those Car Thing owners, who are out $90. But consider this: our descendants are *gaining* thousands of pieces of immortal, infinitely toxic e-waste.

So there's that.

Then there's this: Jason Koebler just published a breakdown of a leaked sSamsung repair contract on 404 Media, revealing how Samsung requires its "independent" repair partners to trick you, abuse you, spy on you, and literally destroy your phone:

First: every time you bring a phone to an independent Samsung repair shop, the company has 24 hours to notify Samsung, providing your name, email, phone number, address, the IMEI of your phone, your warranty status and complaint.

Then, the technician is required to inspect your device for any evidence that you have had it serviced by unauthorized technicians or fixed with third-party replacement parts. If they believe you have failed to act in accord with Samsung's shareholders' interests, the technician is required to *immediately destroy your phone* and notify Samsung.

(This is radioactively illegal, and has been since 1975, when Congress passed the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which protects your right to use third-party parts:)

Why does Samsung do this? They can't help themselves. It's in their nature.

[luckykittysshowerthoughts]

Raphael as an Autistic Character

I recently went over this in an ask I received, but I thought this deserved its own standalone post. As an autistic person myself, I wholeheartedly believe that Raphael is the most heavily, yet most realistically, autism-coded character I've seen in media.

I've seen it the "Raphael is autistic" headcanon floating around a couple times, but I think he deserves a full breakdown not only on why he's autistic, but how it impacts and explains his character. Because just like with real people, it's one thing to just toss a label onto him, and it's another to understand how this impacts him as a person. I think a lot of the stranger or more unlikeable parts of his character are much more appreciable when recontextualized through an autistic lens.

So, here I go. Down the list of symptoms Raphael displays, starting with sensory processing symptoms and moving into social-emotional symptoms.

Sensory Issues: Hyposensitivity

When it comes to sensory issues, the elephant in the room is his sense of taste. Raphael has a hyposensitivity to taste- meaning he perceives taste to a significantly lesser degree to most people. This is clear when he consumes Solomon's food without being disgusted at the taste- as well as several other occurrences of weird taste, like absolutely dousing his sandwich in Hell's hottest hot sauce.

But it isn't just that he doesn't perceive the taste- he actively enjoys it, moreso than other foods. I think this is because, with his dulled sense of taste, "normal" foods taste bland to him. Something to the degree of Solomon's cooking is the only thing powerful enough to give him the kind of sensory feedback most of us get from "normal" food. Which is why he enjoys it.

I don't think it's just taste that he's hyposensitive to, either. He also seems to have a very limited sense of pain. In Season 4, Raphael is seen accidentally catching his hand on fire- and not even noticing until somebody else pointed it out to him, at which point he simply described it as "hot". I'm sorry, having your hand on fire isn't just "hot" like a summer day, it's searing agonizing pain. The fact that he was this nonchalant about it, when we've seen other nonhumans like Mammon respond to pain (and even being on fire) perfectly normally, says something. I think Raphael's lack of pain perception could also contribute to how violent he is- if he doesn't feel pain the same way most people do, he might not fully understand the weight of his harsh punishments. What he'd consider the equivalent of slapping someone's wrist with a ruler could be literally stabbing someone, we don't know.

Sensory Issues: Visual Processing

Raphael, like many autistic people, seems to be a very visually-oriented person. This was highlighted multiple times in the Devilgram "Raphael's Welcome". The first time it was shown was when Raphael refused to eat food Lucifer recommended due to how it looked. This is the same angel that eats Solomon's cooking with absolutely no issue, and yet gave a hard no to anything Lucifer offered him because it looked a little funny. His priorities are way out of wack. Visuals seem to be a very powerful influence over how Raphael thinks and feels, and this is very in-line with the autism spectrum.

The next time Raphael's visual fixation was brought up in the Devilgram was when he entered Majolish. The first thing he did was start looking at all the clothing up close and pointing out details about how they were stitched, the quality of the clothing, etc- to which Lucifer remarked that Raphael has always had an eye for detail. While Raphael is oblivious to or actively avoids other types of sensory input, visuals seem to be very important to him and how he understands the world.

Sensory Issues: Hypersensitivity

This one is going to be shorter than the others, because I really don't have as much evidence for it nor as much to say about it. But I do suspect Raphael to be hypersensitive to sound. Again in Season 4, when MC was looking for Raphael, the first thing Lucifer told them was to look for the quietest place around. While a lot of people prefer quiet, how on-the-nose Lucifer was with this combined with Raphael's more obvious autistic traits makes me suspect he might be hypersensitive to sound.

Communication Deficit: Social Cues

You know it's bad when Mammon tells you to read the room.

Honestly, I feel like that should be all I have to say. But you know what, I'll go on.

Raphael has repeatedly shown that he has very little understanding of social cues. He's somehow made it this far without catching onto the fact that everyone is terrified of Solomon's cooking, for example. He also once compared Satan to Lucifer after literally everyone in the room tried to warn him not to.

Raphael doesn't even seem to be aware of his own social cues and the impressions he gives off. When Diavolo announced that he'd be working with Thirteen, Raphael scowled and shook his head- only to seem genuinely surprised when Thirteen noticed this and took offense to his reaction, telling her that he "didn't say anything".

His understanding of social cues is... not very good. To say the least.

Communication Deficit: Emotional Expression

One of the first things we learn about Raphael is that he's incredibly difficult to read. It's not hard to see why other characters feel this way- the majority of the time, he has a completely blank expression. Hell, one time he flat-out said he was having fun and didn't even smile about it.

Smiles in general seem to be excessively rare with him, and it's often made a big deal of when he does.

Despite his lack of expression, he doesn't seem as emotionless as people portray him as. According to Simeon, he's actually "pretty intense". Even in the screenshot above, he's clearly feeling something, he just isn't showing it in the way a typical person would expect. He gives all the hallmarks of someone with very strong emotions but an inability to translate them to others- something very strongly associated with autism.

Communication Deficit: Speech

One of the other things we were told about Raphael before we met him is that he's incredibly quiet- to the point where others, including Luke, have difficulty understanding him as a person. Reading through the lessons, he has "..." dialogue significantly more than any other character. It's rare the game goes out of its way to include silent dialogue, and usually when it does it's in a very serious situation where it's meant to be emotionally impactful. This isn't the case with Raphael. He does this regularly, in casual personal interactions, and even to the point where it causes miscommunications with others.

An example I can think of off the top of my head is when he went to clean up a mess Thirteen created with her spiderweb bazooka. He left in the middle of a conversation to go do so, without giving any verbal acknowledgement of what it was he was doing, leading to Lucifer assuming he was goofing off and scolding him. Normally someone would say something along the lines of "we should clean that up", or "let me go clean that up real quick", or "I'm going to go clean that up", etc. Most people would say something like that without even thinking. But Raphael just gave his usual "...", and that socially inappropriate silence lead to a clear misunderstanding with Lucifer.

"Quiet" to the point of impeding on one's ability to connect with and communicate intent to others isn't normal, and it makes me wonder if he may be partially nonverbal.

Communication Deficit: Tact

Raphael is... not tactful. At all. He's incredibly blunt, even harsh, with pretty much everyone. It's so constant and grating that angel Lucifer stated that he actively avoids Raphael.

Given his other very clear social difficulties, I have to wonder just how much of Raphael's rude language is actual harmful intent and how much of it is just that he's awful with tact. I wonder how much he really meant all the dickish things he's said to the brothers.

It certainly puts his character in a different perspective. As does a lot of this. Which is why I wanted to elaborate this far on all of it instead of just throwing out autism symptoms and giving him an "I'm autistic and I think he is too" seal of approval. His character starts making a lot more sense when you look at it through this lens.

And now, of course, the obligatory Michael comment of the day.

(I'm sorry, you know me by now, I couldn't not.)

I think Michael is autistic too, and I'm mentioning it here because this ties directly into Raphael and his autism. It's said in Raphael's introductory video that he's "the only one who truly understands Michael". If Raphael is autistic, and he and Michael are on the same wavelength so to speak, it would make sense that Michael is too.

I think they're on opposite sides of the spectrum- Raphael is the cold/distant/withdrawn, deadpan, hyposensitive, partially-nonverbal autistic while Michael will turn out to be the hyperactive, overexpressive, talks-your-ears-off-about-special-interests, way too in-your-face due to lack of social cues, sensory-seeking autistic. Two sides of the same coin.

They'd both play into the double-empathy theory, that autism miscommunications are due to a mismatch in autistic-neurotypical communication methods and that two autistic individuals can generally communicate just fine.

[cacw]

ok here's my list

après nous le déluge - this is my favorite fic in the world. this is where my mind goes every time I imagine my ideal ending... the writing and characterization is incredible. genuinely some of the best I've read for cap and it will always have a special place in my heart. I am not kidding when I say I think about it all the time! I wish I had more words to tell you how much this one means to me

The Dead Forest - standalone steve fic, gutting and critical to my playlist and all corresponding steve readings

So I Took a Faithful Leap - the one where steve buys a farm. I feel like this one is a very realistic play on what could have been after the war and I enjoy it very much. I also like to imagine them living on a farm because of this one so this and its sister fic are crucial cheyeh reads

When I Put Away Childish Things - big focus on bucky's family and home life. it's been a couple years for me but I remember it being very thoughtful and the ending passage will always get to me

Body Studies - this one is kind of a classic I don't really have much else to say here

Bone Of My Bones - I know I said before I haven't fully read NEC but I did read this spinoff anyway because I thought it was good and I couldn't bring myself to look away even when it was actively telling me to. the more emotional beats hit even if NEC is not my favorite thing in the world; I think it captures their dynamic very well. another one featuring steve cutting bucky's hair which is a favorite trope of mine that I don't see enough of. the more I think on this one the more I come to learn to love it again

Let this be light work - I'm not a fan of group fics and I always learn towards heavier stuff but this one is still pretty cute. I'm pretending a big reason I bookmarked it isn't because bucky gets to pet sled dog puppies, which is a niche that pertains to me specifically and personally

Gravity - from winifred's POV. it’s not a love letter but it is. jesus christ

A Distressing Affliction - from sarah's POV. when a kidfic is good you feel it deep in your soul

[practically-an-x-man]

3, 43, 51, 62 for that ask game

Thank you so much!!

Ask Game for Fic Writers

3. on a scale of 1-10 how much do you enjoy incorporating romance into the average story?

Hm... obviously a lot of my fics involve romance in some way or another, just because I think there are so many ways it can take shape and I love exploring those different dynamics. So for fanfics... maybe an 8 out of 10 - romance is by no means a requirement for a good fic, but I just think it's fun, especially when you can look at the ships and say "Hey, Eris and Rick love each other, and Jasper and Kyle love each other, but they love each other in completely different ways"

But in terms of all my stories, both fanfic and original, it's more like 3-4 out of 10. I still like writing romance, but my original writing is a lot more sci-fi, horror, or modern fantasy, only a few of which have a major romantic plotline.

It's really only fanfic where romance is so ubiquitous in my writing, my original stories have some very different vibes.

43. how did writing change you?

Oooh man...

So on a more serious note, writing has kept me alive. I've pushed through some of my darkest moments with the knowledge that if I don't get this story finished, nobody will ever be able to read it because it otherwise exists only in my head. It's why I keep so many active WIPs even when I can never update them on schedule - as long as I have a story waiting for its ending, I have at least one reason to keep going.

On a less serious note, it's changed how I look at the world. When my mind wanders, I find myself mentally describing what's around me, or coming up with snippets of description or dialogue (either for my stories or just standalone bits). I also have gotten a lot better at categorizing my thoughts and emotions, since I find it easier to put words to those feelings.

51. share the synopsis of a story you work on that you haven’t published yet

Hm... I can't really call this a WIP since I haven't even written out a full outline yet, but I picked an idea at random from my ideas list and here's my attempt at a synopsis:

Christina "Chris" Carver can see the future. It comes in pieces, illogical flashes that overtake their entire body at the most inopportune of moments. When they experience such an episode in the middle of a crowded subway station - mere moments before a devastating bombing that costs dozens of lives - their life is upturned in a complex legal struggle that they can't seem to fight their way out of. How do you prove the existence of foresight? They're going to need a really good lawyer.

(it's been a while since I looked at this OC and I think they're due for a bit of a revamp, but the plot is one of my more dynamic ideas)

62. what’s the weirdest reason you’ve ever shipped something?

Oooh man... I'm not sure. Most of my OCs and those ships come from these sort of "what if?" opposites - what if Mister Morals Rick Flag was met with someone with an incredibly flexible moral code? What if Peter Maximoff was forced to slow down and pay attention? What if Alex Summers, a man who mocked physical mutations, was given a partner who develops extreme physical mutations herself? What if Wojchek, a sailor with a lot of superstitions, ended up in a relationship with one of his own old sailor's tales? And so on and so forth. I don't know that any of those are weird, it's usually just an element of the character that I want to draw out and focus on.

And all of my canon-character ships are fairly run-of-the-mill, I think? At least, I can't think of any that are super out-there or have a particularly weird reason behind them.

[power-chords]

The zine sounds interesting. I feel like I know almost nothing about literary/film theory though, so I’m not sure how much I’d get out of it. Good job on your work though, sounds like you have a lot to be proud of.

Your commute sounds awful bro.

Thank you! It's definitely not for casual Mann fans. I really did want to create something that was neither freely available nor immediately accessible and that had that set of guardrails in place. With that said, it's not an academic work and it's not designed to be impenetrable to someone without a background in film theory or literary theory. I have neither of those things! The people it's designed to "keep out" are dispassionate tourists. If you want a copy of it you have to be able to find it first and you have to interact with me directly; its intended audience will find it of its own accord. We've lost niche weirdo subcultural fan spaces like forums and standalone websites and the Mannzine was motivated by that kind of bygone sensibility. If you ever decide you want a copy just let me know. If not, that's cool, too.

And my commute objectively sucks but I don't experience it as "awful" except through the months of January-February where everything feels extra awful anyway, lol. I'm used to it and it forces me to go outside and walk a few miles every day which is a net benefit to my physical and mental health. It's more the fact that I am commuting for work than the activity of walking around a city and taking trains with my headphones on, something I in fact enthusiastically enjoy doing.

[sizzlingpatrolfox]

Thanks for linking all the vmin and vminkook posts for me. Really enjoyed going through them. You make excellent points.

Also thanks for replying. Appreciate it.

Another ask for you if you have the time?

So you know all the jimin promoting jk has been doing? Like that one vlive where he only watched jimin's videos or all the other ones where he has been singing jimin's songs(among others)

You think he did all that maybe because he was feeling guilty?

Because no matter which way anyone puts it, jimin has had the worst of the promotions so far( also the most success but still..) especially compared to jk.

Hope you are well too 💜

- Lizzie

You're welcome, no need to say thanks 😅 I love the name Lizzie 🤩

Being real here, Jungkook didn't do any "promo" for Jimin. That wasn't promo. Anyone watching a Jungkook weverse live at 7am already knew face and like crazy existed. Promo is posters on the street, youtube ads, tiktok ads or challenges, billboards on Times Square. The end goal of promo is to reach as many people as possible, and even better if it's new audiences. Fans did all of that for Jimin. I can agree with calling it support, because in the end it was about Jungkook showing appreciation and enjoying Jimin's music/performances. But it wasn't promotion.

I have said that I wouldn't put it past Jungkook to do that live because he was overcompensating for something, but it wasn't about their careers. If Jungkook feels guilty or like he has to make up to Jimin for something, it's more likely something personal rather than about their careers. So no, I don't believe him watching Jimin content had anything to do with Jimin's activities.

As for FACE... things were going so well at first. I was really happy and satisfied about the rollout. The album was announced with a proper time lapse for people to buy it, Dior, Tiffany, magazine covers.

Then come March and they suddenly started dropping a lot of stuff simultaneously. As a standalone activity, things about face leading up to its release were more than ideal. The company -and Yoongi- sandwiching it between all the other releases was messed up. I saw so many people say that they couldn't buy face because they had just bought tickets for Yoongi's tour. As if it wasn't enough, everything ended after 10 days.

So to sum it up; the way I see it, all was going alright until the whole of rapline decided to release music at the same time and until hybe ignored like crazy after such success, while immediately running to try and get another member the same. Both of those things could've been sorted out.

Personally, the worst of it all is the underserved hate he got for nothing at all. He literally got defamed in every direction for having a basic, regular kpop album rollout. For doing stuff BTS have been doing since 2013. He even got denied stuff that other members and other groups under hybe are getting just like that but he's the only one who gets called names because of having the bare minimum.

[windona]

Hi! I'm returning to Tumblr. I'm glad to see that you watched the Blue Beetle film! I did too! *HIGH FIVE* I was curios to see how many people from when Jaime Reyes got more known thank to Young Justice animated series and I'm glad to see you still active on this website and loving Jaime! I have a lot of feelings about the film, anyway I'm glad it's better than I imagined! Maybe it can be better, but I enjoyed the 90's feeling the production style gave to me.

Yoo, I could not resist I have been following this movie since it was announced!

I actually got into Blue Beetle from Batman the Brave and Bold, but that was around the time s1 of YJ was airing so I was like. A Blue Beetle sophmore/junior when all the YJ freshmen came in XD I don't think I could ever stop loving Jaime.

Oh man, us Jaime fans ate with the movie. It's a shame it's not doing so well at the box office- between Barbenheimer and the Superhero Flop Year it wasn't the best environment sadly. I hope that when it opens in countries like Japan that will help give it a boost. Of course, YJ fans could also give a big boost if they came out in droves...

I liked the throwback style too- it felt like a good overall nod to older superhero movies that were more standalone and less cynical. I'm not surprised some got Raimi Spider-Man vibes. I also liked how the visual effects were done. I know some were put off by the voice of Khaji Da, but I felt it was a good choice to reflect the popular AI voice of today.

Oh man, I have so many more thoughts on the movie and am always down to talk about it. When it comes out on streaming I'm definitely having a watch party.

[nausikaaa]

Bold Game

thanks for the tag @asocialpessimist and @alexalexinii (you tagged my sideblog but i figured i'd do it here)

rules: bold the things that apply to you (i also put in pink my own comments)

APPEARANCE

I have blonde hair (i did as a kid, but not anymore) // I prefer loose clothing to tight clothing // I have one or more piercings (two in each ear) // I have at least one tattoo // I have dyed or highlighted my hair (in the past, not anymore) // I have gotten plastic surgery // I have or had braces // I sunburn easily (i still have scars on my back from getting badly burned last year!) // I have freckles (they're very faint though) // I paint my nails // I typically wear makeup // I don’t often smile // I am pleased with how I look // I prefer Nike to Adidas // I wear baseball hats backwards

ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS

I play a sport // I can play an instrument // I am artistic // I know more than one language // I have won a trophy in some sort of competition // I can cook or bake without a recipe (my mam and sister are a professional chefs and bakers and all my friends say i'm a really good cook too) // I know how to swim // I enjoy writing // I can do origami // I prefer movies to TV shows // I can execute a perfect somersault // I enjoy singing (just not in front of people) // I could survive in the wild on my own // I have read a new book series this year (i prefer standalone books but i did read Inanna, the first in a Gilgamesh retelling series, and i just started the Roman Mysteries series because my friend loved them as a child) // I enjoy spending time with friends // I travel during work or school breaks (when i can afford to!) // I can do a handstand

RELATIONSHIPS

I am in a relationship // I have been single for over a year // I have a crush // I have a best friend I’ve known for ten years // my parents are together // I have dated my best friend (my one and only ex was one of my best friends, we broke up and stayed friends and then they moved away for uni and we haven't spoken in a few years) // I am adopted // my crush has confessed to me // I have a long distance relationship // I am an only child // I give advice to my friends // I have made an online friend // I met up with someone I have met online (my lovely friend @neoptolemid!!)

SEASONAL

I have heard the ocean in a conch shell // I have watched the sunrise // I enjoy rainy days // I have slept under the stars // I meditate outside // The sound of chirping calms me // I enjoy the smell of the beach // I know what snow tastes like // I listen to music to fall asleep (only sometimes) // I enjoy thunderstorms (so long as i know the farm animals are okay, i LOVE the sound and atmosphere) // I enjoy cloud watching // I have attended a bonfire (i think every british person has at one point for Guy Fawkes night) // I pay close attention to colours // I find mystery in the ocean (the deep sea fills me with so much fear and confusion it just morphs into pure rage) // I enjoy hiking on nature paths // autumn is my favourite season (nope, spring is the best. similar weather but my seasonal depression starts to leave and all the baby animals are born)

MISC

I can fall asleep in a moving vehicle (well that depends. train, yes. car, no.) // I am the mom friend (yes unless by best friend is there, then she out-moms me and i become the chaos child) // I live by a certain quote // I like the smell of Sharpies // I am involved in extracurricular activities (i'm not in school anymore) // I enjoy Mexican food // I can drive a stick shift // I believe in true love (that's a pretty loaded statement, i'm still on the fence there) // I make up scenarios to fall asleep // I sing in the shower // I wish I lived in a video game // I have a canopy above my bed // I am multiracial // I am a redhead // I own at least 3 dogs (i've had 5 over my lifetime but only ever 2 at a time)

i don't know who has done this yet, but i tag @dilfaeneas @ileadacharmedlife @shivrcys @jasonfunderberkerthefrogexists @otherpeoplesheartachept-2 @sunshinesalmon @purplemoths @prettygoododds @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @confused-bi-queer @ic3-que3n @forabeatofadrum @bazzybelle @theearlgreymage @aristocratic-otter @larkral @hushed-chorus @martsonmars @ivelovedhimthroughworse @blackberrysummerblog @fatalfangirl @ebbpettier @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @cutestkilla @youarenevertooold @alleycat0306 @shemakesmeforget and @shrekgogurt

[simp-ly-writes]

Chapter Seven: Forgiveness

Can be read as a standalone: Personal Hell Series (pt.8)

Pairing: (Hazbin Hotel) Lucifer Morningstar x demon overlord!Reader

Summary: Preparing for the fight, you ready the troops, resolve prior conflicts, and help Charlie to led her destiny as you once and for all let the past go. Embracing a new lifetime, one that has you no longer the indebted servant, celestial lover, or war general but allowing yourself to love you and those around you without work on the mind.

Warnings: 4988 words, NSFW adult-content (18+ MDNI!), some emotional angst and teasing.

A/N: If you know me, do not read this, don't even look at this. This is my first time writing anything of this subject so bare with me and hope you enjoy!

Masterlist | Taglist | edited.

Hazbin Hotel Masterlist

“So…” Angel Dust starts to comment, looking around your house before one of their hands extends towards your shotgun as you slap their hand away, placing a cup of coffee into it instead. “...What's it like being reincarnated? Does it hurt or do you remember anything you did in the past?” He asks, now tilting the mug towards you in a pointed motion. You offer a simple small smile, shaking your head before necking down the remainder of your glass as Husk strides over with the coffee pot to refill your cup  with piqued interest in your answer. 

After a few days had passed since entering the dreaming world, Charlie was still distraught over Vaggie and felt conflicted on why Alastor would lead her to such a person that tormented her every night Adam still breathed. You could do nothing, tried everything to force yourself to sleep but just as you would start to feel yourself being pulled away, various memories of past lives would flash before your eyes and you would awaken moments later to find a still asleep Charlie the next room over. In light of cheering the Princess up, you decided to invite some of your mutual friends from the hotel back to your place where you all waited for Charlie to awake to hopefully a wanted surprise. 

After thinking a moment longer on your response, both demons leaned forward to pick up on your answer. “I remember only snapshots of my past lives, yet I don’t see them as me now- we are different people and…” you shiver as blood flashes over your skin, flickering with a warping reality. “...I am not too proud of my prior actions and the vague reasons behind them.” Husk nods his head, seemingly understanding as his eyes cast over, Angel Dust wraps an empty arm across the cat’s shoulder, directing a knowing look. “We can all be losers at times but hey! We can all be our little own version of fucked-up together!” Angel Dust cheers as you laugh nervously, looking between the two to pick up on what you are missing yet a creak of the stairs has you all putting this conversation aside as Charlie rubs her eyes clear and lets out an excited cheer. 

“Holy Hell, you guys- I have missed you all so much!” She states, pulling all of you into a group hug. Seeing her reflection through a window, Charlie scrambles to fix her appearance as you wave a hand over her head, fixing it in an instant as she smiles appreciatively. “So! How have things been at the hotel?” 

Angel Dust pulls out his phone forcing Husk to answer, “Erm, well Charlie… our bonding activities have fallen through without you there and Alastor almost stepped on one of Sir. Pretentious’s eggs last night, Vaggie has been… even less talkative than usual and Niffy… has been Niffty,” You nod your head along as he speaks before turning around and back to the kitchen where you prepare brunch for the group. A mountain of pancakes are carried over to the dining room table as you slice the remainder of the fruit salad you started to prepare last night from your garden. “Breakfast is served!” you all out as their feet rush over, they hum out happily, “This shit if fucking fantastic,” Angel dust comments, mouth stuffed as you chuckle out, standing up to grab a napkin just as Husk yells back, “I will trade you some of my cocktail recipes if you teach me how to make these scones.” You turn around, smiling with a handful of serviettes in hand as you dish them out, now taking a bite of your own food as you all chat for a few hours, the food beginning to cool just as Charlie turns to face you. Husk and Angel Dust enforcing that they would wash the dishes since you cooked the meal. 

“I want to go back to the hotel… but I don't know if I can face Vaggie just yet,” she comments as you put your coffee down, humming out in contemplation before saying, “And that is perfectly fine but Vaggie choose to be with you for a reason, to help you run this hotel, maybe she also wanted redemption for her past just like you are trying to do for others.” Charlie’s wide eyes stare through you at this information, her head tilting as she digests it and with a click of the glass being washed in the kitchen sink- a small smile creeps its way across her face. “I never thought of it like that…” she simply says, playing with the table cloth before darting upstairs to pack her bags. I guess I’ll take that as a yes, she does forgive her, you think to yourself, bringing the remaining dishes to the sink as you say your thanks once more to the boys. 

--

When reentering the hotel, you did not expect to be invented with such hostility as you push your finger down on the angelic blade currently pointed at your neck. “Good to see you as well, Vaggie,” you comment with a teasing smile as you let out a sigh of relief, dropping her weapon as she steps to the side, inviting the group back in. Nifty is hanging from the newly installed chandelier, in a battle with the resident bugs of the hotel and Alastor is nowhere in sight. 

“It's good that you all are back, you missed the broadcast put every news channel has been receiving multiple call-in’s about angels scouting around Pentagram City, seemingly preparing the site for a larger attack. We are running out of time,” Vaggie states, twisting the end of her hair as she looks up towards the ceiling, also making sure she is ready to catch Niffty is she were to fall. “Well, I may know of a person that could be of help, Carmilla Carmine, fallen angel and overlord may very well be able to provide some answers after a recent meeting Alastor and I had with her. An Angel’s head was presented at the boardroom table by one of the Vee’s-” 

“And why didn’t you tell us this information sooner?” Vaggie presses, now looking at you with narrowed eyes as you cross your arms, standing your ground, “Information is most valuable as it is dangerous.” “And that is the most political bullshit I have ever heard you say,” She retorts as you shrug your shoulders now making your way upstairs, “Go to her Vaggie, you may also find more of the answers you are looking for, who’s to say that can’t help other things as well?”

You watch as her eyes dart around the corner of the room, winning herself over with your thoughts she nods once before picking up her spear and darting out of the hotel. Once standing a few steps up, you address the remaining crowd below you, “I can no longer guarantee the safety of the royals, pentagram city and this hotel as the angelic attack reigns near. I am understanding if during these times you make your leave to survive, let it be known I house no harsh feelings if you are to do so. I believe in your dream, Charlie. I believe it to be possible because we have all the resources we need in the team we have here,” you state, looking at the Princess with a soft smile, you can picture her mother standing proudly behind her- doing what even she was unable to get done before her leave. You both are unknowing to the shared nod of determination sent between the remaining group. 

“We already have been through the shitter, the sewage system, hell the fertilizer pile together, there ain’t no way any of us are leaving you now,” Angel Dust states, placing a hand on Charlie's shoulder as she begins to tear up once again, pulling everyone into a hug of thanks as you lean against the banister, smiling down at scene playing out in front of you. 

Charlie looks up, still holding on as she waves you over and you step down, joining the pile as you all laugh and topple over to the carpet floors below. Nifty hops down, into Husks awaiting arms as she joins you all laying on the floor, her feet kicking excitedly, “I can’t WAIT to kill them all!” She cackles out as your shoulders tense, Vaggie remains looking at the gleaming chandelier above, a possible reflection of her internal hope as you pray to every deity and god that would listen, please do not come crashing down again. 

--

As the group disburses into fortifying the hotel and gathering close friends and family to join the fight. You and Charlie talk in her room, sitting while overlooking the city below from the floor-to-ceiling windows. “It seems that all we need now is an army once Vaggie returns, hopefully with the weapons…” Charlie comments, sentence falling off in the end as KeeKee runs up and places herself into the Royal’s arms. 

You humm out, cracking your fingers and your neck as she pans her head up to yours once more, “And I can be just the person to help with that.” You take a stand, holding out your arm for Charlie to loop around as you both hop into a shadow you created on the floor, appearing at the front of the hotel amongst the various near-dead plants and uneven pavement. You summon your spear, slamming the end of it to the ground in quick succession. The earth groans to your command, pulling itself apart as various shadow forms of people you have slain in Hell’s past emerge, waiting for your command. “Welcome yourself to Hell’s army, new General,” you state with a proud smile as Charlie rapidly shakes her head in protest. 

“Okay, hahaha, very funny, but that's your job-” “Was, my job… I think that I should accept a long awaited promotion,” you cut her off with, looking off into the distance in a train of thought. Charlie grabs your hand, giving it a squeeze, “I don’t know how to direct a crowd like this, to win them over…”

“You already have, Princess. Simply be yourself, sing your songs and they will follow. You already are the best parts of your mother and they listened to her words much before my own,” you give her hand a squeeze in return before dropping it and compelling a tree stump to grow taller as Charlie now commands the army at an elevated position. 

Taking a deep breath she looks towards you as you provide a thumbs for motivation, clearing her throat, she projects her voice to the crowd and begins to sing as you motion you head back and forth to the beat, “Have you ever had a dream so clear in your mind that you could taste it?”

“YOU MEAN LIKE TEARING HUMAN FLESH APART?” one of your spirits yells from the back as you quickly clap your hands as their form turns to ash, drifting off into the wind without another word, Charlie continues to sing, sending you a thankful look as you walk between the rows of soldiers, joining them in formation for a moment, healing those last scars of your past.

“C’mon boys hop in the saddle!” Charlie shouts, jumping down from the log as she runs through an aisle and back towards the hotel as various shadowed faces look at one another before starting to slowly follow behind. You summon your skeleton stallion, it lets out an echoing cry as you dart off towards the palace, humming in tune to Charlie's voice before shouting out, joining the choir and singing, “We cannot take this anymore, the time has come to go to war, prepared to fight- we’re read for…this!” 

Taking a moment to look behind yourself before the hotel comes too far out of view, you see two fingers standing at the top of the crowd, sharing a hug just as a raven flies over your head, landing on the back of your hors, clawing on to a rib as you embrace yet another lifetime ahead of you. 

--

Lucifer did not know how long he had been asleep at the desk, he swore to be dreaming for the first time in eons, your finger turning the door handle, softly shutting it behind you. Your hands trailing up the various spines, each leather cover stitched by your hands as small red blood droplets could be found on the pages from the mistakes you made along the way. Hell’s history, your history together was sealed in these bindings as you reach the end of the wall, peering down to an almost filled shelf that is missing a book you had yet to finish before your death. 

Waving your hands over the empty space, it is soon filled with a glimmering flash of gold coins falling to hit the hardwood floors. They shatter on impact like glass and flicker out like a fire beneath your feet as you stand to your full height once more. Lucifer groans, setting his head back in the papers as he rubs his forehead, eyes glassing for the mental torture he endures over and over again as history would have it. 

The ringing of a bell can be heard in the utmost parts of the King's ear, a servant comes stumbling inside the room to complete the request. You breath is smooth and featherlight in comparison, drifting to encompass any senses he held prior as he tunes himself in, “A set of tea please,” you ask kindly as the butler nods aggressively, “of course, your highne-” Lucifer does not brother himself to hear the rest. Picking himself up from the desk as he walks over to your mirage. Your eyes snap over as he makes his way down the couple of stairs that designate your working space from the library and common space. Your smile growing, your hand extending outwards, your hair now fully grown back as you stand in a blood-red dress-shirt and white trousers. 

Lucifer takes off his gloves, casting them to the coffee table just behind you. You watch as his hand shakes, unsure of whether to trust you or not. You notice the struggle in his mind, you lean your forehead against his own, you feel as he lets out a shuddering breath murmuring seemingly to himself. “If you are to be a dream, the first one I have had in lifetimes or even a fleeting thought of mine. Please make this a long one- one that I can become lost in happiness.” 

“Hello Lucifer,” you whisper on his lips, a few tears escape from your eyes as you rapidly blink, your eyelashes falling to his skin as he hiccups back a chuckle at the feeling and a cry in shock. His shaking hands find shelter on your cheeks as your hands trail up from his hips, to his shoulders and carry through to his arms, resting on the backs of his hands as you rub small, comforting circles. 

“Why?” he mutters, taking his head back as your hands fall back to your sides, “why come back to me, after what I had seen with my brother I-” Your eyes drift off towards his shattered crown in the corner and the golden liquid that stains the floors beneath you. “I found that I was living in the shoes of a dead person all along, among other things,” you chuckle out just as Lucifer shakes his head with a tisk. “If you are to be new, then I am Lucifer, a man who appears to be falling in love all over again, a pleasure it is to meet you,” he bows, picking up your hand to place a kiss to the back of it. 

You giggle to his antics, picking up his chin from your hand to bring your lips together. Lucifer lets out a silent gasp in surprise, his body going stiff just as you move a hand to the back of his head, grounding him in this moment. He relaxes at your touch, hands getting lost in the roots of your hair as you lean down to further the kiss. Your heart beats at a mile a minute and you hope that your King cannot feel the sweat building in your palms but as you feel his lips break off from your own, watching as his hooded eyes stare at your swollen lips before falling down to your neck as your knees buckle in ecstasy. 

Soon you feel yourself falling backwards onto a soft cushioned surface as you are transported into a new room. You lay on your back in shock, watching as Lucifer crawls his way towards you on the beds covers, moving to straddle your hips he leans down, warm breath caressing your ear as a shiver runs up your spine to his whisper, “I love you.”

“I love you,” you sound out, just loud enough for the both of you to hear as you pull him flush against your body and bite lightly down on the base of his neck, threatening to break the skin. Lucifer lets out a deep moan that has you squeezing your thighs, locking both of your legs and feet together as the two of you unravel one another. Lucifer’s eyes darken with unseen pleasure, savouring the feeling of your body against his own. And with an equally silent demand, your tops have disappeared, the cold air of the room embracing every inch of your skin that Lucifer had yet to claim as he pulls his neck from your lips, upper body now upright as you look up to him, eyes dilated and housing a lazy smile. 

You look as his hair glows in the setting sun’s light, forming a halo as you shiver at the feeling of hs hands trailing the sides of your body a smirk emerging on his bruised lips as your breath hitches at the feeling of his tongue making its way down to your navel regions. “Lucifer,” you moan out as his smirk only grows on your skin just as the time seemingly grows when he pulls away, hands grasping your waist as he tilts his head to look down at you. “I won’t move any further love if you don’t want me to. I need to hear you tell me you want this… want me… and I will understand if you do not, I promise that nothing will change about anything we said earlier.” 

Thinking about his words, nervousness explodes in your chest before becoming drowned with excitement, your body demanding, your heart longing.”I-I haven’t done anything like this in some time,” you start to say, struggling to finds the words before you hum to the feeling of his warm palms hugging your sides as you fix the hair out of your face, chest rising and falling in rapid succession as you maintain eye contact with the man above you. “I will lead if you wish, but I will only do what you feel comfortable with,” Lucifer states softly, helping you to fix your hair just before his breath hitches in surprise. Now carrying the smirk, you lock your hips and circle onto your side as Lucifer’s eyes go wide, his hands racing for support as he squeezes his hips. You peer down at the royal beneath you, hands training over the various scars across his chest and arms, usually unseen by the gloves he wears before leaning down, placing your head to rest atop his head as you listen to it hammer against his ribcage. 

“I want you Lucifer,” your hips buckle against his own, “I want this and every ribbon and string it comes with.” You repeat the actions, feeling as his chest rumbles with the groan he exhales, his hands grip your hips before directing the movement of your hips against his own. You grasp on to the rough feeling of your pants rubbing against one another, feeling each seam and ridge as your hips glide over the buckle of his pants, your hands grasp at his shoulders, nails clawing into his skin, hitting a point of desire as Lucifer compliments your moans with his own, indulging himself with the pain and pleasure you invite him to. 

Lucifer starts to thrust his hips up into your own, smiling while seeing your eyes go wide before rolling back as you both move in tandem to each other. You soon become reduced to mere sounds, unable to speak a word to the new worlds you find yourself becoming lost in, letting go of control. You let out a cry as Lucifer lifts you off him, you squirm in his hold as he silences you with a kiss. By grace of his magic, you gasp at the feeling of his skin against your own as he flips you around. Hot, wet kisses trailing from your neck, down to your chest as your hands grip to keep his head there. 

Coming up for air, your hands fall as Lucifer licks his lips, “look at me, darling,” he coo’s to you, “look at me,” he states again, now with more gravel in his tone. Your eyes flutter back open, a soft moan escaping from between your lips in response to his soft command. Becoming frustrated by the lack of his lips against your own, your hands begin to rise, reaching towards his neck before your wrists are captured behind your head that Lucifer holds in pace with one of his hands. You whine out he lets out a small chuckle, placing a kiss to the corner of your mouth, you feel him smirking into your skin. 

“P-Please,” you beg, yet you do not know for what as your eyes flutter closed your hips moving to drag across his own yet he holds himself up, not allowing for any further touch as you huff out, frustration rising in you by every moment that ticks though. “Tell me, what do you beg for? What can I do to serve you?” Lucifer asks in a breathy tone against your lips as you shiver at the feeling. Tilting your head to the side, exposing your neck, you buckle your hips upwards once more, pleading, “please, Lucifer.”

Lucifer teases, pushing in gently as you moan out loudly in response, pleasure ringing in his ears to the sound. “It's this what you want?” he teases, thrusting gently into you once as you rapidly nod your head, hearing his smile. “I need to hear you say it,” his hips pause halfway through the motions as your feet kick out in equal frustration and embarrassment. “I need you Lucifer- fuck-” you scream out as he begins to pick up pace. He makes no move to cover your sounds, only encouraging you to be louder, “That's it, love. Call out to me, and me alone.” 

Your pleasure builds, your head tilting back into the mattress as tears begin to well in your eyes, breathless you whisper out as Lucifer tilts his head closer to you to listen, “I’m close.” He hums in response, letting go of your hands as they race to hold his lips, savouring the feeling of his mouth on your own. You feel dizzy, tears falling down your cheeks as you break the kiss to emit a loud whine as Lucifer finds the spot within you yet to be touched. Focusing in on it as he watches you fall apart from underneath him. 

“That's it, darling,” Lucifer praises you, his lips moving from your chin to across your collarbones before placing both of his hands on either side of your head, thrusts gradually lessening in rhythm. Your legs still, your hips tilting upwards as you take a sharp intake of air, filling your lungs. Your hands grasp at the sheets, fingers digging into the mattress, a soundless scream escaping your mouth as you exhale into a moan yet Lucifer remains restless, maintaining your high as you climax. 

Your legs cramp, body starting to stutter from the overwhelming pleasure. Lucifer was not far from you, holding himself back until your hands were pushing on his chest, urging him to stop as he quickly pulled out and finished. He twitches against your stomach, breaths laboured with sweat staining his forehead, hairs sticking to the moisture. “Gorgeous,” he murmurs out into your skin as you collapse in the bed. Feeling weightless in bliss- you mindlessly giggle at his hair ticking your neck as he leaves a kiss on your shoulder before rolling over as you both stare up at the ceiling, lost in this moment. 

Your eyes close, listening as he hums out a simple tune, your breath gradually becomes evened as you pick yourself up, making a move to stand before wincing and falling back onto the bed with a huff. Covering his laughs in his arm, you watch as his feet dangle lightly off the edge, swinging back and forth happily before turning in on his side to look at you and your bright red face. “Shut up,” you mumble out childishly, he does not cover his laughter now as you soon join in. 

Laughing now mere chuckles, Lucifer stands before you, muscles flexing as he stretches out his back and shoulders before turning back on his heel to face you, extending his arms, he reaches to cup underneath your thighs before hoisting you up into his arms. You wrap your sore legs around his waist, occasionally shaking in muscle memory as he walks you both towards the bathroom and into the shower.

Lucifer places you on a heated stone bench as the glass walls begin to steam, he moves to sit beside you, washing cloth and soap in hand as he kneads through your muscles and washing your skin. You return the favour, lathering the sponge as you rub gentle circles across his skin. Humming out approvingly, he holds your other hand, playing with your fingers thoughtfully before you both rinse off and magic yourselves dry. 

Searching around the bathroom for a towel, you bend inside a cabinet as Lucifer whistles out. Turning around to glare at the man, he opens his mouth to make a remark before you both are frozen still to an external voice breaking your moment together. “The tea has been prepared alongside dinner in the seating room,” a staff member announces as you both look between one another and the cracked open door.

A series of excited whispers can be heard from the next room over, various cutlery clatters against tables and candles are lit and lighters are waved out. Waiting for the bedroom door to close, your shoulders drop as you lean against the sink counter in relief as Lucifer walks towards you in a fluffy white robe, helping you into one of your own before making your way to the sitting area. 

Cheeks still painted red from the heat of the shower and partial embarrassment, you stick your head in your hands, elbow on the table as Lucifer pours out tea for you both, coming to kneel beside your chair as he takes a hand away from your face. “Whatever is the matter, dear?” he asks, concern washing over his features as you do your best to smile. “I feel embarrassed for myself, for what the staff must think of me, coming back and… sleeping with you so suddenly…” you state as Lucifer shakes his head. Now holding your hand as he raises himself off the floor to press a kiss to your cheek. 

“I say this delicately but… in the time we have known one another, it has been a long time coming,” he says the last point with a wink that has you pushing his face away from your own just as he ducks in to press another quick kiss to your cheek before settling himself at the otherside of the table. 

Taking a sip out of your tea, you lean back in your chair, observing the various dishes before you, “...you still remember my favorites,” you say in a small voice, a small grateful smile finding its way over your fleeting embarrassment. “I could never forget, not when I lifted the cloche during one of our combined dinners with Lilith and that same smile happened because of me.”

Looking at Lucifer as he says this, your mind flickers back to Charlie's words that seem so long ago now. “...Promise that you will at least look at him even if he does not notice. You deserve to see yourself loved…” Lucifer is engaged with describing the various dishes, his eyes are bright as he recounts his various associations with the foods and a startling amount of them are with you. “And those were always my favorite dishes, even with you gone, I felt like I was still eating lunch with you before court…” he continues to ramble as you reach across the table, fingertips touching one another as his words slow, looking down at your connection. 

“Thank you for loving me, after all this time, for still loving me,” you say, tearing up as you laugh, shaking your head, “gods why am I crying- fuck!” you shame yourself with. “I can say the same, thank you for staying with me, for forgiving me…” Lucifer says, fingers now crawling over to interlock with your own for support. “I thought I died in vain of my struggles and successes yet I realise that the gift you have provided to me is so much greater than my stupid records or plaques. It appears we both are fucked up,” you laugh through your tears, dapping them away with your napkin as Lucifer locks his ankles with your own underneath the table. “Yes, it seems so,” Lucifer replies, picking up his tea cup to cheers your own.

Hazbin Hotel Masterlist

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[sillybub]

what do you think about cats movie 2019? did you enjoy it?

So the movie was my introduction to Cats, and I went to go see it ironically with my siblings since we all heard how mortifying it was.

And like, yeah I didn't like it very much? I thought it was weird and I didn't understand it, and humans are so scared of what they don't understand. Granted, I had no clue about what I was going into, and my initial reaction was mostly in part to being taken way off-guard. I remember liking Skimbleshanks and thinking that, the fur itself looked really nice even if the designs were ugly. But mostly I thought it was a bad weird movie.

Now that I've had three years to reflect on it?

It's still a bad movie, but for different reasons than I initially disliked it.

1) The character designs are just bad and uncomfortable. They all have fully human faces, hands and feet, and it does not look good. This was an initial takeaway but I still stand by it. The fur itself was rendered well, but it doesn't save the designs.

2) They just made some straight up upsetting decisions regarding Jennyanydots and Bustopher Jones. I don't care that they're different, they're just actively unlikable and uncomfortable (I don't want inaccuracy to the stage show to be a factor in my opinion; I'm trying to judge it as a standalone entity). You can tell that Rebel Wilson and James Cordon just kind of thought of their characters as a joke and had no respect for them, which is simply not a good look. I'd never cast an actor who didn't have respect for their role. And if the character isn't deserving of any respect, then it's a badly written character.

3) I'm sure we've all seen the Sideways video about what a trainwreck the music was. The way it was recorded was not flattering for the vocals OR the orchestra; rhe style of recording lends itself to realism, which just does not work with the kind of story Cats is.

Which leads me to qthe most complicated one:

4) They tried to force Cats into a traditional narrative, which...just did work. They tried to have a focal protagonist (who I feel like wasn't effective foil for Grizabella), they padded the movie with dialogue in an attempt to flesh out the Jellicle Ball and Jellicle Choice, which just made things MORE confusing tbh, and trying to make Macavity more of a present threat was a noble move, but ultimately failed.

This open up a conversation about what a good film adaptation of Cats would look like.

Good news,, we already got one in 1998.

It's not just a proshot; it's also a film. They used cinematic techniques that are specific to the medium when they recorded it; use of CGI, use of editing techniques such as slow-motion, performing multiple takes, pre-recording the vocals and lip-syncing during shooting, etc.

They even modified the makeup designs to better suit close-ups. And to replicate the audience interaction, they chose to have the cats look into the camera. These are adaptational choices that WORK.

But like, okay, suppose that 1998 doesn't count. You want a "proper" film.

In my professional Film Major opinion, Cats is one of the worst musicals to adapt to film. Too much of its appeal lies in the strengths of theater and the weaknesses of film.

We want films to be realistic, in a visual sense. In theater, you can get away with standing on an empty stage and miming washing dishes, and the audience will believe that the character is literally performing that task, not pretending to do so. That does not fly in film. We need to see a sink and plates and forks and water. There's little room for abstraction, is what I'm trying to say.

And Cats is so abstract. This works GREAT on stage, but not much so for live-action film.

Abstract meaning "exists as an idea, but not having a concrete existence".

We understand that the cats we see on stage are literally cats; but they're representing by the suggestion of cats. Bold makeup, fluffy wigs, and painted unitards combined with certain movements suggest cats to us without trying to literally look like a real cat.

In film? You need to look like a cat. If a lady walked onto the big screen with a rope tail and painted on whiskers, you'd say "that's a lady in a cat costume, not a cat." You want to see furry ears and a tail that actually twitch and move. Probably retractable claws and slit pupils, too.

And then you'd have to figure out how to adapt the rest of the plot. Do they stay in the junkyard, keeping it confined to one location as per the stage musical? Do you lean into the abstraction, or try to make it more realistic? That, of course, was the failure of 2019; trying to make an abstract and whimsical musical into something realistic. If you want to aim for realism, I truly think you'd have to change the source material beyond recognition.

I used to talk about adapting Cats as an animated anthology, showcasing each song in a different style of animation. And I still think that would be sick, but my thought process there was that animation lends itself well to abstraction; you would lose out on the magic of live dance, but could perhaps make up for it with stunning, stylized animation. It's what I personally would enjoy most.

TLDR; it wasn't a good movie OR a good adaptation, but to be fair, Cats is fucking hard to adapt.