#I captured the rarely seen dust l

[entertainmentnerdly]

Using a lens worth 40$ and a entry level mirroless camera, I captured the rarely seen dust lanes within Orion by taking a 7h expsosure. via /r/space https://ift.tt/2WyGGPm

[ego-driven-one-wing-angel]

FF VII - Tseng Headcanons | #1

A/N: No one asked for this, (at least I don’t think anyone did?) But I was in the mood to write some fluffy Tseng so I hope you don’t mind!!

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Tseng isn’t much for affection, but he does shows his appreciation in a number of ways only he’d think of. Sometimes it’s in the form of complimenting you either by intelligence or physical means (I.e. “you’re very beautiful today,” or “That’s an intelligent observation y/n.”, helping you out of sticky situations, helping you get back on your feet after financial trouble. It’s all professional in a sense, but that’s just who Tseng is in general

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Tseng’s friendships are all built up from colleagues, so you’d most likely would have worked with him to get a bit closer to him as a person. As a friend, he’s usually your more honest, straight-to-the-point man who will tell you as it is. He’ll give the best advice, and someone you could always count on in times of need.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Not much of a cuddly guy. In fact, the first time he’s ever experienced cuddling was when he was with you, how you nestled into the crook of his neck, eyes shut as the room went silent. He’ll be unnerved about the whole deal, but he won’t push you off. He’ll just let you sleep in his arms until you wake, but he’ll be a bit awkward through your nap. Since he would have no idea where to place his hands without waking you.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Tseng is all business. He’s not planning on settling down. If he somehow ends up in a relationship with you, the plans for a family, children, the whole-white picket fence idea is still just as slim.

When it comes to cooking, he’s more of the bland-type cooks. He doesn’t put his heart and soul into it like many others, so food just ends up being subsistence to stay alive, that’s it. Many of his meals are simple and easy, and he won’t make dinner a huge deal.

However, when it comes to cleaning, this guy is your man. Not obsessive about it, but he’ll make sure everything is neat and orderly. The type to have his linens pressed every day, to make sure every pen has a spot on his desk, drawers organized unlike you’ve ever seen. Being clean and orderly is part of his job, so his apartment will look better than a five-star hotel.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

He would be straight to the point about it. Discuss issues the two of you have been having, going over why. He’s not going to give you nonsense to worry about and have an emotional turmoil over it. If it’s time for a break up, he’ll be the one to give out the news with a quick fashion.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Tseng is committed in the job, not relationships. There’s a hard chance he’s going to propose, even slimmer? A big marriage. If you happen to capture his heart, he’ll probably request the wedding to be small, perhaps elope just to keep it out of the public’s eye. He’s personal and private, and making huge deals out of something he doesn’t fully understand is a no-go.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

He’s a gentle guy when he wants to be. Emotionally more so. He’ll try to understand your side of things, getting a full picture on all your problems and concerns and even opinions on his own matters. It’s not a normal occurrence when he opens up about anything, so when he does, enjoy it while it lasts. It won’t happen for a while.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

Hugs? He won’t do it. But if you happen to grab him long enough to get a hug, he won’t push you off necessarily, but he’ll be awkward when you part. Maybe a light red would dust his cheeks, but he’ll try to regain his composure as he’s walking away.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Tseng probably could go his whole life without saying the word “love”. He’s the type of person to say it either too late, or not at all.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Tseng rarely gets jealous, if at all. He’s understanding in that sense, and won’t allow himself to let his emotions hinder him in any way negative if he can help it.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

His kisses are usually soft, and careful. He lacks experience in that department, so he relied heavily on you to lead the way. But his favorite? He won’t admit it, with his persona and all, but he tends to love when you give him a simple peck on the cheek. Sometimes in public, his ears will warm up to a crimson, and he’ll straighten out his tie as if the peck wasn’t worth anything, but later on, he’ll place his fingers where your lips met, and the sweetest memory will cause his lips to curve just a little.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Tseng is pretty straight-forward when it comes to the smaller humans, he tries not to be awkward,  but he tends to not understand children as well as he should. He treats them much like adults, which sometimes works in his favor as the children will come and have their questions answered without fluff and lies embedded in them.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)     

Tseng is up bright an early, adjusting the cuffs on his sleeves, inspecting his appearance, making sure it’s overall well done and tidy. Followed by a quick breakfast and finally one last check with his suit before he leaves. It’s usually fast paced, and it follows a very strict routine (one he’s had since he started working), so have fun waking up by his alarm every morning at five am.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights are much different. Usually it’s time to wind down and relax from the stress of Shinra when he returns. He still maintains his usual stoic and professional manner, cleaning, setting out his suits to be taken to the cleaners, prepare for the next morning to repeat the process all over again. But when it’s all said and done, he’ll sit on his love seat to relish in the day, and you’re free to sit next to him. Fitting yourself right in the crook of his neck as you take a moment to rest. (Again, cue awkward cuddling questions)

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Tseng will be the type to reveal things through actions slowly. The little things like how he organizes his desk, how he writes in silence when you pop into his office for a quick surprise, the barely noticeable smile when you make him dinner or give him a snack he hadn’t ask for. He’s not an open person, so to understand how he works requires the utmost dedication on noticing small details.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Anger is sparse. Cool, calm and collected is his mode of operation.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Tseng has the sharpest memory in the Turks. He’ll remember every important detail about you whether you tell him or not. Reading people is his forte, so he’ll notice the tiniest things before you even do. Like how you take your tea/coffee, what your favorite pajamas are to wear to bed, the particular brush you use for your hair. He’s just as interested in you as you are him.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

His favorite memories of you would have to be the most simplistic ones. The times where it’s peaceful like having a dinner with just the two of you, or taking a nap together on the couch/bed. It’s some of the most mundane moments, but some of his favorite to remember through the turmoil he experiences every day.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Tseng doesn’t believe in being protected. He’s the shield if it ever comes down to it. Have you seen how protective he is with Rufus Shinra? Same things apply to you. He wouldn’t dare let a fly hurt you, and if someone happens to come after you, Tseng would be a formidable opponent indeed.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Everyday tasks are done in order under a schedule. It’s hard to be pulled out of routine when he’s done it so long, so he most likely won’t stop unless he has to. Other things such as anniversaries, gifts, important dates? He’ll remember them, written neatly in his calendar, but he won’t make the biggest of deals about them.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

Previously, I mentioned his mind is on par with remembering everything, but only if he puts it on his calendar. If he doesn’t write it down somewhere, this poor boy will literally forget the next day.

When you’re trying to sleep, he has to check his alarm has been set, two, three, five times. The glare of his cellphone as he makes sure the alarm has been set.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Tseng prefers things polished and pressed. From his suit, tie, hair, skin, everything is cleaned and prepped prior to leaving for work. It’s not that he wants to be conveniently attractive, it’s just a part of his job.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

If you were with him for a long time, yes. If it was only for a few years, he’d be upset over it, but he wouldn’t cry nor grieve properly. It’s a part of the job, he says.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Tseng gives off health-nut vibes somewhat. He’s not incredibly obsessed, but he tends to choose things that are healthy and keeps his body well.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

In general, messes. If there’s a way to get him irritated and unnerved, messy areas will do the trick. ESPECIALLY in his home. 

In partners? He’s not a fan of those who are overly confident, especially if they don’t have the means to prove it.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

Unbeknownst to most, he’s restless. Moving constantly at night all hours. Having to even go as far as moving to the couch or bench to try and sleep there. A few hours later he’ll move back to the bed, but he despises the idea he can’t get a normal night’s rest. 

TAGS:@watermeloncavill​ @moonlighttreetops 

[theelliottsmiths]

Could you please liveblog the making of Amerika?

Yes

I'm anticipating complaining about the penis zip guy already

Did you know that for a long time as a child I thought the English version was the real version? Cause I did

The bit where they're putting the paint on their faces is weirdly cute even though Richard looks kind of silly

Flake grow out your long hair pleaseee just like. A cute little bob again. I would listen to him talk for hours honestly I like the way he pronounced the words and his tone language doesn't matter

You can always tell by how he holds his face vs his eyes when he's joking "that's what this song is for: to sneak ourselves into their hearts" i feel like they have done that pretty well. For some reason it seems like most of the American fans are from the Midwest but maybe that's just coincidence

Rammstein saying they have no message except "Fleisch, Fleisch" or "ja" or "ich will" I forgot this entire thing is ceaseless dunking and sarcasm

i like the sounds he makes like the. There's a name for them what is it. The noises you make between words for emphasis etc? Those

"America was so fucking annoying we felt the need to call them out on it"

Oli talks a little like he's trying not to yawn. Them saying the war was on while they were in the practice room is strange considering how long the various wars had been going on just from like a born in the late 90s living in 2020 perspective

Ah yes you really were. So subtle. It's very. Clever many double meanings

"sehr gut, Till". :).

The sehnsucht thing tickles me so much he starts off by saying yes it's better to leave things up for interpretation and naturally my brain assumes he means the well thought out probably not true but poetic stuff, right, and then he goes on to say Americans thought sehnsucht was chainsaw and I cannot

The knife also is good.

In a way Amerika as a video is a precursor Ausländer and I like seeing how it compares because its

AS I WAS TYPING THAT OLI SAID THE WORD AUSLÄNDER

Oli does not seem happy to have his words captured At All

I wonder how many people did the Deutschland thing and went straight to saying it's racist without thinking through the reasons behind what they were doing (at least in part criticising American racism) I'm pretty sure l've seen someone complain about it somewhere like it was serious, I think on Reddit around the time the Ausländer Making of came out? Which is why I bring it up

"we wanted to make it clear that it wasn't a love song so these lyrics are perfect" Till: literally just saying this is not a love song

I would like to see them perform a cheer in proper cheerleader costumes instead of the uncomfy stickman Deutschland dance that makes me cringe my skeleton right out of my skin in 2021 please

The juxtaposition of Richards pro-america comments and flakes sarky comments about how nice the urinals are is so reminiscent of that post that's like America where freedom is the choice between thirty kinds of bread that you can't afford to buy

I was going to make a Regan's grave joke but I do prefer to keep that one for Margaret Thatchers grave

I like schneiders hair at this length

Schneiders capacity to oscillate so wildly between being a vacant dumbass and saying intelligent and thought out things is ceaselessly amazing

Saying it's hard because "it's like a punk concert for them" Jörn my guy my dude almost all of them were in punk bands I just checked and this was 2004 Feeling b only broke up in the 90s do you literally just mean Oli (I do not remember if there was any punk going on in the Inchtabokatables) or

Schneider is making it look so easy was he truly just so -_- about feeling b that he can be completely calm in the face drumming that fast? Cause we know usually his fast drumming involves screaming faces and or actual screaming I swear he does and it's just not hearable under the music sidenote he sings along sometimes and if he does it out loud I NEED to hear it

Richard when it's slowed down looks uh. Looks like he's eh. Hm. Is that the real reason people are so into guitarists?

I don't know which part of the sentence Glasses Paul says in that louder voice (schossen? Is he saying that/shot?) but I do like it if I knew more German I would take on way more Rammstein things as echoes you have no idea how much time I spend saying es reicht wenn hier so 'nen fleischfarbenen Draht lang legst which If that's wrong it's exactly what I was told he said so please correct it but it's not my fault unless you consider it my fault for not knowing enough German in which case it is my fault

But anyway yes hes Talking like its a museum tour and in his little glasses and shirt and everything he is totally playing the part of unhinged historian which is the best kind of historian honestly if you're going to be academic in nature you might as well be fucking mental

I want to know what vibes his speech gives off in German because to me he in English and German seems very theatrical in the way he talks? Including how much he rolls his rs it's very... Showy? But maybe not actually?

I forget how many videos Jörn has shot with them honestly

What do you do with this ash sand once your finished with? Some of them had kids I'd have taken it home and pretended it was real moon dust or something

They really go for it when they decide to do something like this and it really is admirable. It's rare they'll half-ass something and even when if feels like their director has they don't themselves

Richard looks very handsome in his space suit before they hang him up

Pretti

He looks like a marionette now nevermind

THIS FUCKER

I just. Do. Not. Enjoy this man I'm sorry to you and the mullet man I'm sure he's great but for fucks SAKE man he

TILL LITERALLY SAYS DONALD SUTHERLAND POINTS TO HIS DICK AND MIMES ZIPPING YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S FUCKING TALKING ABOUT SO WHY DO YOU LOOK SO CONFUSED

YOU TOLD HIM THE STORY YOU KNOW WHY HES SAYING DONALD SUTHERLAND AND POINTING TO HIS PENIS WHY ARE YOU SO GORMLESS

Look. I have nothing against Americans individually B is American Nick is American i love them dearly i know also other Americans a lot of you guys are Americans and I love you lots but here's the thing why are Americans like this

If it's not in English the brain turns off even if the context is obvious it's like when English people see Welsh/English signs and are so anti-welsh that they don't acknowledge that they're also in English and get angry that they don't know where they are

The sweetest little face though!

Softest boy ever besides Rosenrot Till

Till gets bored of the guy and decides to tell a story about a dick it's very him

This is the hair I think of when I think of Till this is the quintessential till haircut no?

God I do dislike this man

Tills voice is so so high here I adore him so completely it's so soft and high and the song is Not

If you're trying to learn how to say L sounds like a German I feel like richard is the easiest one to copy? Unless they're all weirdos and no other German says L sounds like that. Him and flake.

Flakes smile is more cheerful than Paul's there I said it

I know it's not foreshadowing but Jörn foreshadowing Ausländer

Richard talking about America's tendancy to exaggerate is really interesting since that's something the community as a whole seems to agree is a personality trait of his. They didn't fight, they almost broke up. He hates touring and yet he loves touring. Is that why he likes it there or is living there why he's like that?

Can you casually buy ten litres of orange juice? The boys are busy they cannot confirm and Google does not understand what I'm asking

Yeah Richard and Till, get closer

Knife

Schneiders handprint

I forgot about "there was a rumour in the DDR that America didn't exist" what is it with Germany and conspiracies about places not existing I'm there are tears in my eyes I genuinely I never watch this one flake is so fucking funny

Till talking pictures of the others

It's better than I give it credit for in my memory is there anything they've made that is in not a single way entertaining? I feel like no

Thank you for asking for this one it was every fun actually

[anomalousflesh]

A peculiar event [Part 2] (MC)

(Warnings: Mention of death, PTSD)

(Characters featured: The Brothers, Diavolo, and a random lesser demon)

(Thanks to @morningstar-descended for helping inspire some ideas for Lucifer, they literally gave me one thing for how Lucifer would react to something and I came up with a plethora of ideas)

(MC 3rd pov/Omniscient)

MC and Mammon soon pulled up to the House of Lamentation. MC was both nervous and excited, she was almost in disbelief that she was back in Devildom. 

But, something felt off...

During her time there as an exchange student, there was usually some kind of activity going on inside the House of Lamentation, be it good or bad.

There wasn’t any activity coming from the House of Lamentation...

MC started to grow worried and she, somehow, could tell that Mammon was growing worried as well when he tried to look for a light source in one of the windows while getting out of the car.

Mammon had this concerned look as he finally found a light source coming from the lounge area but found six silhouettes facing something. “...That can’t be good...” He said with rare genuine concern.

MC got out of the car as well and followed him into the House of Lamentation.

When they got inside the building, both could hear the sound of the TV. MC, however, recognized the voice from the TV as one of the broadcasts from the human world.

“--A terrible accident has occurred in [city name] at around 10 pm tonight. A woman recognized to be MC [MC’s surname] has been found dead near [Restaurant name]. Her cause of death was--”

The sound of Levi’s voice had broken the silence for a few moments. “No way... That can’t be her...”

Mammon and MC were next to break the silence, and it seemed to stay broken after that.

“Damn... That looks really painful...” MC replied to Mammon with, “You’d be surprised... It was like getting hit in the head with a memory foam pillow then somehow gaining the ability to float mid-air...”

Asmo was the first to react to MC’s voice.

Asmo had quickly turned around and pulled MC into an embrace. “Oh, MC! I thought you were going to leave me alone forever!” Asmo’s voice seemed to waver a bit as he started to tremble.

MC noticed that Asmo was quite a bit smaller than she is now, but she pushed that aside as she felt a dampness start forming on her shirt only to realize that Asmo had started to cry. She had wrapped one of her arms around Asmo’s trembling form and used her other arm to bring her hand up and start stroking through his hair.

She soon feels quite a few pairs of eyes land on her and she looks up at the other five brothers who weren’t aware of her presence look at her in shock. Two of those five looked like they saw a ghost, one looked like he was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

“Asmo... I’m going to need you to let go of me for a moment...”

Asmo had complied to her request as he had calm down a bit already.

MC had speed walked over to Lucifer, who had fallen to his knees with a distressed look on his face as he looked at the floor.

MC had crouched to his level then slowly brought her hand up to his cheek. “Lucifer? Lucifer, what’s wrong?” She watched Lucifer slowly turn his head up to look at her with the most frightened look she has ever seen from him.

Lucifer looked at MC with this horrified look as flashbacks flooded his thoughts. “...L-Lilith..?” He seemed to have changed into his demon form subconsciously in his distressed state.

MC had pulled him into a hug and started making long soothing strokes down his back, in between his wings and over a spot on his back where a pair of wings used to be but instead some stumps lay in their place.

“No, not quite. It’s me, MC.” She said softly and pulled away from her hug and looked into his eyes. “You don’t have to worry about anything that has happened. I’m safe now. What you saw on the TV is in the past now.”

Lucifer had started to think about the recent events instead of his flashbacks kind of like he was under a spell. He soon calmed down and reverted back to his normal form. “The news on the TV... That was true?”

MC sighed in relief as she found that she successfully calmed him down and set his mind on a different train of thoughts. “Yeah... It was... It hurt for a moment then... Well, I guess I came in contact with a higher being and I have this new body now...”

Lucifer gave MC a look. “...You didn’t just jump straight into it without thinking, did you? You and a certain brother of mine seem to do that so well...”

MC sighed a bit. “No, I asked for the fine print that even the most sensible and knowledgeable people seem to forget at times.” She stood up then helped Lucifer up off the ground as well. “Are you going to do alright on your own?”

Lucifer raised a brow at her question. “Do you realize who you’re talking to?”

MC had already turned around to walk to Mammon, who was sulking in the corner, but she stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Lucifer with this cocky smirk on her face. “Oh, I’m well aware of who I’m talking to.”

It was safe to say nobody was expecting that and half the room started laughing.

Lucifer was shocked, but at the same time, he was actually proud of MC.

The past events seem to have been long forgotten and the gloomy energy was replaced with the same lighthearted energy the place had before MC left.

Some time later...

MC was in her old room, unable to sleep as she still felt an inhuman amount of energy coursing through her veins. This would’ve been the normal time she would go to bed, but she started to consider the fact that the body she had been given wasn’t exactly human...

She sat up and started to think about how the brothers had demon forms and wondered if she had a different form as well but she thought about how two higher beings had revealed themselves to her and started to think that she might have multiple forms. She pushed the thought aside and started to think about how she might have a demon form.

MC decided to go for a walk to help her think and she hoped she wouldn’t get caught by the others as she wanted to go alone. Although, as soon as she walked out the door after successfully sneaking past the brothers, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched. She sighed and decided to tough it out as she began walking aimlessly as she thought about her demon form.

MC soon found herself in an empty area near the old hangout she was at a few hours ago and decided that this would be a good spot to test her theory out.

As if she knew how to do this already, she took a deep breath and thought about changing into a demon then not even a second later, a large pair of demon wings sprouted from her back, some horns grew from her head to a comfortable size, and some parts of her body had smoothed out and became a dark grey, namely her torso. MC started to examine herself and found that the body she had been given was quite appealing, even the baggy clothing she was wearing seemed to hug the curves of her new body, but the hugging of the clothes wasn’t enough to reveal too much of her curves. And she was glad it didn’t.

As MC was admiring her newly discovered form, she soon became aware of the silhouette that had attempted to creep up on her then she immediately spread her wings out and started flapping them. She watched the dust fly up off the ground then flew high up into the air before soaring over Devildom.

“I wonder if that’s Diavolo I see in the courtyard of the castle? I guess I could drop by and give him a quick ‘How-do-you-do’.” MC started to dive down to the palace, the wind whistled as she started pulling her body back upward and started zipping past every pillar and soaring through every archway as if she’s done this all before.

Meanwhile in the courtyard, Diavolo was watching with a smirk. “I wonder how this little bird got in?”

MC could hear him, despite the distance put between them. She looked down at him then her blood seemed to run cold as she saw the expression on his face become the smallest bit sinister as he got into his demon form and start flying as well.

“My, my, what a beautiful bird you are! It would be a shame if you were caught by the wrong people...” Diavolo had this sickly sweet look on his face.

MC felt a feeling she has never felt before. She had the strong urge of rebellion.

“It’s not the capture they should be worried about, it’s what the thing is that they want to captivate and if they can captivate it at all.” She started flying upwards over the city area.

MC made the mistake of looking down, she could see Diavolo quickly gaining up on her. She went higher and higher, and Diavolo was getting closer and closer. He was about to grab her ankle, until MC made a dive, only the wind whistling past her was so loud that anyone could hear it within a 15 mile radius.

Diavolo didn’t chase after her, she was already to far away. Instead he had his normal lighthearted grin on his face as he chuckled. “Well played, MC, well played.”

MC was still in a flight or fight. Regardless, she yelled back, “Not cool, man! Not cool!”

MC flew back to the House of Lamentation before tumbling to the ground in her normal form. She got up and shakily walked to the door before opening the door and walking inside.

Mammon jogged over to MC with a childish look on his face, “Hey! MC, Do you wanna go to- Holy shit, what have you been doing? I can smell the adrenaline radiating from ya!”

MC had a sheepish look, “I was out for a run, that’s all.” She yawned a bit, the thing she was looking for originally.

Mammon got some sort of hint from her yawn. “Couldn’t sleep?”

MC had a surprised look. “How’d you know?”

Mammon had a small smile on his face. “I’ve been there too many times.”

MC had a cheeky look on her face. “Awe, do you really care about me that much?” She giggled a bit.

Mammon blushed furiously.

“What?! N-No I don’t!”

[fortune-fool02]

Innocence and Purity

Gyro Zeppeli x unicorn reader

Requested by: @  atlantianchronicle

Warnings: slight angst, fluff

The unicorn in this is like the one from The Last Unicorn, just so you all know. Please enjoy.

Not many people believed in unicorns and it was understandable as to why. No one had seen one nor was there any evidence to proved they did even exist. But there was a reason for this. The unicorn species had been wiped out to near extinction because of humans and their greed for the power that unicorns held.

And those very few that did remain alive vanished into the unknown, using whatever magic they had to avoid humans at any cost. Some went off to the deepest parts of forests where humans rarely ventured, other simply disappeared altogether. Sad as it was, humans’ knowledge of these majestic creatures faded away, disregarding them as nothing but stories and fairy-tales.

Though, there were a very few who still believed in those creatures and still hunted them down for their magic. Whether it be to sell or for selfish reasons. And those selfish reasons was what intertwined the paths of a human and a unicorn.

***

“C’mon! Boss wants this thing in his place ASAP!” One of the humans shouted, watching as four of the other humans shoved the creature into the small cart. Beautiful alabaster skin ruined by ugly bruising and cuts from their weapons from when she tried to defend herself. Legs bound by gripping rope that gnawed at her joints, locking them in place to keep her still and a sheath forced onto her horn in an attempt to contain it and stop her from striking at them. Which she had done a good handful of times. 

[Name] was no dumb animal as the humans believed. She was intelligent enough understand the language of humans as well as speak some herself. That was one factor many humans had forgotten about her kind. The forest around her was cut off by a sheet thrown over the carriage, blocking off the sunlight and encasing the unicorn in darkness. Lowering her head, the waves of sorrow washed over her body. She had been captured and now was destined to suffer the same horrific fate that others of her kind shared.

Well, that would have been the case if, part way through the journey, something happened. Shouting and yelling awoke the unicorn from her dreamless sleep, setting her nerves on edge at the familiar sounds of violence clashing around the carriage though she was blind to it by the sheet. 

But, despite this, she was not blind to the power she could sense. An unmistakable power that was beyond anything humans could hope to understand. A lightness that matched that of the sun’s and the moon’s. Beautiful, incredible. Holy. Before anything could be done, a pale blue light engulfed the unicorn’s body as if the moon itself was trapped inside of the carriage with her, demanding to be freed. 

***

Gyro gave a sigh of relief, dusting himself off and returning his Steel Ball to its holster. Bodies surrounded the area, the terrorists proving to be less than a challenge armed with nothing but guns. No Stand users. His attention shifted to the carriage with the large sheet draping over it, a clear sign that they were transporting something they didn’t want others to see and that made Gyro want to see it. 

As he and Johnny approached it, Johnny stopped and snapped his attention to his arm. A bright glow radiated from the Corpse part within his arm, shocking both males at this sudden reaction. A similar glow radiated from within the carriage as well, casting the silhouette of a horse that shifted somewhat before the glow from both Johnny’s arm and the carriage faded as quickly as they appeared. 

“What the Hell was that?” Gyro asked, throwing a look at Johnny who just stared at his arm confused. 

“I-I don’t know.” he admitted, “I think... there might be something in that carriage that triggered it, maybe?” Both men turned their attention back to the carriage, unsure of what to expect that could be hiding under that sheet. Well, one way to find out. Gyro approached the carriage, one hand grabbing the sheet whilst the other reached for his Steel Ball again -just in case he needed it- and removed the sheet. 

“What the fuck...?” Gyro’s words trailed off as shock painted his face a little. There inside the carriage, bound like an animal, was a woman unlike any woman he has seen before. Alabaster skin that should have been flawless was bruised from the weapons and raw from the rope that dug into her delicate skin. Silky [Hair colour] locks spilled past her shoulders and over her bare body, acting like a curtain to shield herself from his eyes. 

Throwing a glance over at Johnny, Gyro gave him an uncertain look. He was expecting a horse or something from that silhouette they saw, not a naked woman. “Uh, Johnny,” the Italian called, giving the woman another glance “Do you have a blanket or a jacket or something on you?” After a moment of rooting through his supplies, Johnny tossed him a spare jacket he had and Gyro caught it before entering the carriage. 

“Hey, you alright?” he asked the [Hair colour] woman, gently shaking her shoulder then laying the jacket over her; the jacket was just big enough to cover everything that needed covering but she would need clothes or she will freeze. As Gyro started to cut away at her bindings, she shifted a little, rousing from her unconscious state. 

“Don’t fidget or I’ll end up cutting you by mista-” He was cut off when he saw her face. Her features were nothing short of stunning with her doe-like [Eye colour] orbs that sparkled in a way that no human’s could; glowing with an innocence and purity that he had never seen before. Smooth skin that would put fine pottery to shame but the feature that mostly caught his attention was the odd scar on her forehead. It mimicked a star in shape and pinkish, a clearly fresh scar. As he gazed at her, the Corpse part in his eye flickered, casting a light over the woman and what Gyro saw made the breath from his lungs be snatched away. 

Where the woman sat, he could see the translucent image of a horse that bared a form of resemblance to the woman sitting before him. Same eyes. Same skin colour. Same delicate appearance. Hell, even the same hair colour. But where the woman’s scar was sat a horn. 

This... this wasn’t possible. Was it? This woman was... a unicorn? They actually exist? That would explain the covered carriage and all but why did she look human instead of- It clicked in Gyro’s head. Johnny’s Corpse part must have reacted with the unicorn as he was closer to the carriage when it happened, and that somehow transformed her into a human. 

Her eyes drifted down to her hands, looking at them as if she had never seen them before. Confusion painted her features as she examined her new body, Gyro only kneeled there, not quite sure what to do. 

“W-What did do you?” her voice was soft and fragile, thin sorrow stitched into her words that made Gyro’s chest clench with a cold guilt of sorts. He slipped the knife back into his pocket, 

“We...” he threw another glance at Johnny who was watching all of this from outside the carriage, the steel bars allowing him to have front row seats to this, and he was just as shocked and unsure of what to do as Gyro. “Um, we saved you from those terrorists.” the Italian forced out, hoping that the answer was something that she would be happy to hear though the lost expression on her face told him otherwise. 

She looked lost and confused, scared even. Her beautiful [Eye colour] eyes examined him then her own body again, her hands resting against the floor as she pushed herself to stand. Her legs weak and strange as she had never used her back legs in such a way before, resulting in her stumbling and falling if Gyro hadn’t caught her. 

“Hey, hey careful. Don’t push yourself like that.” his tone was coated in a softness that even he didn’t know he could hold. This creature -this majestic, stunning creature- was lost in the new world she was cruelly thrown into and now, trapped in a body that wasn’t even hers, because of the Corpse part, he couldn’t deny the twisting feeling that knotted his stomach. 

“C’mon, let’s get you outta here.” he said, gently helping her to her feet and taking slow steps for her to adjust to her new body. His eyes glanced up at the sky, they had a few hours of sunlight left, it that, and they needed some place to camp for the night. Somewhere safe. 

“What’s your name? I’m Gyro and this is Johnny.” The [Hair colour] woman looked between the two men and Johnny could feel a similar sense of nipping guilt that Gyro did. This was what the Corpse part was capable of? But, most importantly, why did Valentine want a unicorn? It was obvious that those people belonged to the Government and therefore Valentine, but why did he want this creature so badly? 

“My name is [Name].” Even her name sounded wonderful and suited her perfectly. Slowly, they helped her onto the back of Slow Dancer and she rested her head against Johnny’s back, exhausted from the recent events. 

***

Finding a spot to camp wasn’t that difficult, thankfully, and soon enough, Gyro had gotten a fire going. [Name] sat in front of the fire, watching it dance and twirl, displaying its golden colours proudly - because it had every reason to be proud, it was in its form, free, unlike herself. 

No words had been shared between them since they found her hours ago, they had no idea what to say to her. No idea how to help her but they knew they couldn’t leave her. Gyro looked over at her as he poured some of the coffee in a cup for her. He didn’t even know if she would drink it but the least he could do was offer. He approached her and held the cup for her, 

“Here you go. It’s coffee.” She hesitantly took the cup from him and looked at it, sniffing it a little then took a small sip. 

“Thank you.” Gyro smiled at that, plopping down beside her. A silence hung between them, broken only by the whispers of nature and the crackling of the fire. “Why did you help me? Why didn’t you take me like the other humans did?” [Name] asked him, her [Eye colour] orbs sparkling with wonder that pressed against that thin veil of sorrow. 

Gyro gave her a look as if she asked him a weird question, “Isn't it obvious? You’re a unicorn, you don’t deserve to be captured.” Surprise flashed across her face at his answer, there was no hidden deception or lies under his words. He was genuine. Despite her new form, [Name] still retained some of her former senses, such as knowing when something meant harm. This human and his friend, they were no threat to her. 

That, itself, put her worry at ease for a bit. However, if she remained in this form, she was cut off from the world she knew. Her magic locked away behind a wall that she couldn’t break down no matter how hard she tried. She felt hollow and empty. 

“Thank you for saving me then, Gyro and Johnny.” Normally, [Name] would never thank a human for what they had done to her species but these two had saved her from an awful fate and they deserved her gratitude for that. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned to see Gyro giving her a warm smile that outmatched the flame’s warmth. 

There was a light in his emerald coloured eyes that was unlike anything she had seen before, something strong and determined but was not twisted by need or corruption like she saw in the eyes of so many humans she has crossed. Was this the human spirit she was seeing? If so, then it was... beautiful. 

Slowly, she leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling Gyro’s body tense slightly before relaxing. “Don’t worry, [Name]. We’ll find a way to turn you back.” It was clear by the tone that was branded into his voice that that was a promise. 

Ironic. She had spent so long fearing humans and now here she was trusting humans to help her return to her true form. Perhaps not all humans were the twisted, greed-driven monsters she believed? 

[btswrckd]

Hunting a Hybrid I

Black Panther!Hybrid Jungkook X Fem!Reader

Summary: Four years after it’s made illegal to acquire hybrids as pets, you’re approached by the daughter of your old employer to find one that was gifted to her

Warnings: Slight violence, eventual smut, hybrids are looked down on A LOT in this.

A/N: If you read the teasers and find that some stuff is different, it’s because I was so excited to get this out there that I posted a teaser before I did any real editing. Also, if you’re wondering why I’m posting it all over again, please refer to my earlier announcement. Thanks guys!

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The smell of cigarettes burned her nostrils as she scrunched her nose up in disgust, her hands firmly at her side so as not to touch any surface lest she contracted some kind of disease from such a filthy place. She sneered at the dust particles floating about and brought a hand to her face to keep herself from gagging at the acrid smell of what she can only guess is piss filtering in from the alleyway. If she weren’t so desperate, she’d hightail it out of that “office” as fast as possible and never look back. But she was in need of a service that required skills as calculated as yours.

“You don’t belong here, princess,” A deep voice cut through the atmosphere and she nearly jumped a good foot in the air. He chuckled as her face burned bright red at having not noticed him lounging in a chair upon her arrival. He was so tall and lanky, his long legs stretched out so far in front of him that it was a miracle she hadn’t tripped over him. His head tilted in amusement, silver earring dangling from his lobe in a way that she was almost drawn to him, his entire aura screaming dangerous and yet she couldn’t bring herself to look away. He was gorgeous as he was clad in all black from the his entire head of hair right down to his steel toed boots. 

“I’m looking for Y/N. Y/N Y/L/N.” She squared her shoulders and held her head high, refusing to allow this handsome stranger to distract her from her goal. Eyes scanning the dark room once more, she noted the scary array of knives lined along one desk she presumed was yours seeing as a leather jacket much too small to belong to a man hung on the back of a broken down chair; given your particular services, she doubted you had any time to sit down anyways. She nodded to the weapon filled desk, “I think I’m right where I belong.”

“She doesn’t like visitors, you know.” The man spoke, rising from his seat and rolling his eyes at the two men who flanked her side coming to stand in front of her. “Especially visitors that clearly have no business with us.”

“Maybe you should let her decide that.” She shouldered past her bodyguards and held out a briefcase, raising a brow when he hesitated to take it from her. “There’s $10,000 dollars in there. If Y/N agrees to my request then there’s twice that amount sitting in my safe with her name on it.”

“Ye-Jin.” Your voice came from behind her, startling her bodyguards and causing them to turn quickly, one man reaching for the gun in the waistband of his pants. You were much faster, grabbing hold of his wrist and pushing him back as hard as you could while your leg swept out to kick the other man in his gut, the steel toe of your combat boot digging into his gut and sending him tumbling backwards. You wrenched the armed man’s wrist around to his back, easily taking his gun and shoving him to the floor next to his partner. A smile flashed across your face as you disassembled the gun before his very eyes and handing the parts to your friend, the guard’s mouth falling open.  

“What are you doing in my part of town, Nam?” You turned to Nam Ye-Jin, listening to the rustling of her two goons dusting themselves off as they stood from the ground. “Teahyung’s right. We’ve no business with you so leave.”

“No,” Ye-Jin pushed her nose in the air and you took in a deep breath to keep yourself from reaching over and strangling her. “You haven’t had much business since my father stopped hiring you---.”

“Correction, princess,” You scoffed and stepped towards her, getting a small sense of satisfaction when she shrunk back in fear, “I stopped doing jobs for your father, not the other way around. Don’t let daddy twist that pretty little mind of yours more than he already has.”

“Regardless, you could use the money. How long have you been staying in this dump, Y/N?” She smirked when your shoulders tensed at having been called out on your bullshit. She had seen the mattress occupying the corner of the already crowded room, women’s vest tops and black combat pants that have been ripped from fighting strewn atop it and coming to the only conclusion that made sense. “Now, are you ready to hear my proposal and take this money that you so clearly need or are you still going to turn me away?”

Taehyung narrowed his eyes at Ye-Jin, now recognizing her bravado came from none other than Nam Hyungsik, her father and for a while, your only source of income while what you and he had specialized in was still legal. He folded his arms and leaned against your desk, eyeing your posture and taking in the way your hands curled into fists and your jaw set at having taken the bait.

“I’m looking for someone,” Ye-Jin supplied as if that small bit of information was enough reason to take her money. “Well, more like something. A hybrid. My hybrid. It was a birthday gift from my father and it escaped.”

“Oh, I see,” You laughed and shook your head in disbelief, “so that’s why you came to me. You can’t go to the police because trafficking hybrids is illegal. Or did daddy forget to tell you that when he bought you one?”

“He purchased this hybrid for me as a surprise four years ago, back when owning them was perfectly legal.”

“And now it’s not. Your father’s deal with his buyer is void under the hybrid protection act no matter when---.”

“You’re awfully law abiding for someone who specializes in tracking and moving said hybrids.” She snapped and Taehyung quickly moved between you two before you did something rash and gave the local police even more of a reason to throw you in jail. “You were the best, Y/N, and now you’re just another hunter gone to waste because the government gave these animals rights to live freely among us. I’m not asking you to find me a new one, I’m asking you to find what was already mine.”

“Why the hell should I? Give me one good reason I should risk being thrown in prison for life for you.”

“I gave you 10,000 reasons,” She turned to the briefcase that Taehyung had set on your desk and popped it open to reveal a hefty sum of money. “And when you deliver this hybrid to me, I’ll give you 20,000 reasons why it was worth it.”

You looked to Taehyung to find him fixated on the amount of money neither of you had seen in two years. It was more than enough to get the both of you settled somewhere nice for life, never having to track, capture or even sometimes kill a hybrid again. And for damn sure never having to worry about someone like Ye-Jin showing up at your doorstep ever again. This was a chance at a new start, a chance to disappear and create a whole new you. 

“How did your hybrid escape?” You asked with a sigh, giving in and taking a folder that one of her guards held out containing every bit of information you needed.

Ye-Jin smiled wickedly and hummed at her small victory, “Daddy brought it to me in a cage and it seemed pretty docile, so---.”

“You bit off more than you can chew,” You snorted as you skimmed the papers in your hand and giving them to Taehyung when you didn’t think they were important. 

“It broke through its restraints and killed half a dozen people before making it off the property.”

“Why do you want him back so bad if he’s not tame?” You question as you catch the hybrid’s name and determine its gender. 

“That’s my business.” 

“I guess your daddy didn’t tell you much about how this works, did he?” You shut the folder and toss it at her feet in an act of defiance to show her that she can’t get away with mouthing off to you simply because she’s your employer. “I hunt hybrids for more reasons than just money. So tell me, why is this one so important to you?”

She glared at you, nostrils flaring at the way you pried and tsked while crossing her arms, “It’s a rare breed, pure bred and worth millions.”

You cocked a brow as a way of telling her to continue or else the deal was off.

“It’s a panther. A black panther.”

“Has your father lost his fucking mind?!” You hissed, running a hand through your tangled hair and tugging on the knotted strands in the process. “Do you even know how close to extinction they are? What kind of dumbass---?”

“Can you do it? Yes or no?” Ye-Jin demanded as you rattled off how unbelievably stupid her father seemed to be. 

“No way.” Taehyung answered before you had the chance, shaking his head. “An animal like this is dangerous and he’s better off on his own than caged up in your home. Panthers are fast, strong, and because this one was kept in a cage for all of his life, he’s twice as aggressive. Y/N, tell me you’re not really considering this.”

“We’ve hunted worse, Taehyung,” You tried to argue and not show any bit of fear to Ye-Jin, but he was right. In all of your time hunting, you’d never crossed a panther let alone a black one and given that this one had been bred and held in captivity for all of his life made him unpredictable. He was dangerous and his ability to fight in the trees, on the ground, or in water gave him the upper hand and you didn’t like that one bit.

Taehyung poked his tongue against his cheek in irritation, unwilling to say any more until Ye-Jin let out a small ‘hmph’ and barged towards the door with her two bodyguards in tow, her nose high in the air and a pep in her step now that she was getting exactly what she wanted. When she was gone, he waited a beat before letting out a large huff.

“This shit is dangerous and you know it,” He watched you approach the briefcase and close the latches before you braced your knuckles against your desk and dropped your head in defeat.

“We don’t have a choice, Tae. We’re not exactly raking in money anymore since the hybrid protection act went into effect. Aren’t you tired of barely scraping by?”

“I’d rather be begging on the streets than putting my life on the line for some spoiled little brat who has no regard for hybrid life. Yeah, we used to hunt them but we knew when to draw the line. You heard her, Y/N, she doesn’t give a damn about that panther, she just wants him as part of her collection. You know better than anybody what goes on behind those walls, that family is sick and Ye-Jin getting her hands on that hybrid will kill him. You want that on your conscience?”

“I want,” You whirled around to face him, exasperation written all over your face as his every word sinks in and an internal battle starts within you, “I want to start over, Taehyung. I want to live a life where I never have to consider something like this again. We are criminals, Tae, that’s never going to change as long as we stay here. With this job, we can cut all ties and just leave. We can finally be free.”

“You mean like they want to be?” Taehyung countered and it left you stunned; you spoke of freedom as if you hadn’t had the option before. But the truth was that you chose to be a hunter and you dragged Taehyung into that life with you all those years ago. “Hybrids have been treated like slaves for years, hoping and dreaming for the day to come when they could be free, Y/N. Now it’s here and you want to track down this panther like an animal? For what, some spoiled bitch who’s no doubt going to kill us as soon as we deliver her ‘property’? There’s no way in hell Nam will hold up her end of the deal, especially not if this hybrid is as expensive as she says he is.”

“If he’s killed people then we can’t leave him out there.” Pulling your hair back into a long ponytail, you grab the briefcase and pry open one of the floorboards to stuff into the hiding place only you and Taehyung know about. “He’s volatile which means if he’s out and about among people and he’s cornered, he’ll lash out. We’re better off finding him than leaving it to the local police. The hybrid laws are still fresh and if he’s caught with human blood on his hands, they’ll hang him anyways.”

Taehyung watched you stand and clap your palms together to rid them of the dust and dirt you dug up when pulling at the wooden floor. His eyes followed as you pulled your jacket from the chair and slung it over your shoulders, plucking four or five knives from your collection and tucking them in the various hiding places your combat pants provided and even one into the side of your boot. Something wasn’t right about this situation, there was something Ye-Jin wasn’t telling you and he wasn’t exactly keen on going in blind but he couldn’t very well leave you to track the panther on your own.

“I’m not saying we’ll hand him over right away. I’m saying we need to find him before Ye-Jin hires other hunters if she hasn’t already. I may be her best bet at catching him but I don’t come with a guarantee, she’ll need more than just us looking.”

“You think she went to other hunters?” Taehyung followed you to the door and stepped out into the rain that had started a little less than an hour ago, the droplets of water beating against the window keeping him awake and that’s when he’d spotted Ye-Jin.

“I think if she really wants this panther as bad as she says, then we’re not the only hunters with 10,000 reasons to find him.” You pulled on the door roughly as it was old and the latches didn’t catch securely so it needed that extra oomph just to close the damn thing. The hinges creaked as you jerked it closed and you turned into the pouring rain, hands stuffed into the pockets of your jacket to keep your fingers warm as you reached an older modeled jeep. You yanked on the door and hauled yourself into the driver’s seat while Taehyung did the same on the passenger’s side.

“We’re going to get killed, you know.” He leaned back into the seat to make himself comfortable after you started the ignition and pulled onto the busy streets. “It was nice knowing you.”

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The steel cage Ye-Jin kept in her apartment sized room seemed relatively secure to the naked eye, which is why she would have never noticed that the lock was being slowly sawed off until her hybrid had enough strength to break free from his ‘restraints’, which consisted of a chain collar and leather wrist cuffs. The sight alone made you shudder and bile rise in your throat at the thought of what she could have done to him. 

“You mean to tell me that you had him for four years and you never noticed how fragile the lock was becoming on his cage?” Taehyung questioned, holding two pieces of what would be a latch if it wasn’t snapped in half. His eyebrows shot up at how truly naive Ye-Jin had been, judging her and trying his best to keep from voicing how stupid he thought she was. 

“I’ve only had him for five months.” Ye-Jin tried to defend herself with narrowed eyes and missing the slight laugh coming from you as you examined the inside of the cage. 

“You said he was purchased four years ago,” The gears turned in Taeyhung’s head, recalling the obvious lie you’d been told back at the office and trying to piece together whatever truth was hiding behind it.

“Yes, but daddy simply put down...a deposit, if you will.” She turned to look at you eyeing the tray of scraps sitting on the floor not far from the cage. “It was a present for my 24th birthday this year and daddy secured it before then to make sure no one else purchased it. Daddy hates to disappoint me.”

“Why wait so long to move him?” You asked and toed the tray of scraps that looked about three days old. He was eating, unlike most captured hybrids that nearly starved themselves before accepting their fate of being a pet. He had been building his strength, waiting and allowing Ye-Jin to believe he was becoming domesticated before a chance finally arose for him to break free.

“He wasn’t mature enough to be brought into our home yet.”

“Mature enough for what?” Your head snapped to lock eyes with hers. There’s only one reason people preferred nubile hybrids and it made your skin crawl to think of the kind of abuse they went through to fulfill the desires of the perverts that owned them. “What did you want from him, Ye-Jin?”

“How dare you?!” She squeaked with a flushed face and stomped to her bedroom door, holding it open as her way of telling you to leave for offending her. “If you’re not going to find my hybrid, then leave. There are plenty of other hunters willing to do what I’ve hired them to, no questions asked. Frankly, Y/N, if you’re so worried that I mistreated it then maybe you should take a good, hard look at what you’ve done in the past and recognize that you contributed to hybrid abuse more than anyone else. You are the one who delivered them to people who actually use them for sexual desires, are you not? Don’t accuse me of mistreating my animal when you’ve done much worse.”

Gritting your teeth, you were quick to cross the space between you and Ye-Jin but Taehyung had swooped in and caught your arm before you got too close and killed her. You really couldn’t argue with her when she was right; you’d captured and delivered hybrids without a second thought if you were given the right amount of motivation.

“You came to me,” You reminded her with a growl, hands fisting so tight they shook. “I’m your best chance at finding him and bringing him back to you alive. Need I remind you that you didn’t set any boundaries or give specific instructions when it came to his capture? You think any of those other hunters will bring him back breathing?”

Ye-Jin’s breath caught in her throat; she hadn’t thought of that. She simply asked for her panther to be found, whether he was dead or alive wasn’t a condition that was established among her other employees and they all seemed quite eager to find the cat. Tears glossed over her eyes, whether it was from the distress of losing something she actually cared about or the thought of all that money invested gone to waste, you weren’t sure. 

Blinking back the tears, she looked down at the gun tucked into your thigh holster, “You said you’d bring it back alive. What’s with the gun?”

“Relax, it’s full of tranquilizers.” You rolled your eyes and patted said weapon, almost laughing as she jumped in fright. She’d never been around firearms before, that much was obvious and it was a little entertaining to watch her squirm around a gun that wasn’t even lethal.

“Find him,” She conceded and turned on her heel to exit the room but not before stopping and adding over her shoulder, “or you’ll be living in that cage as his replacement.”

“She really isn’t going to admit how in over her head she is, is she?” Taehyung finally let go of your arm and turned back to the panther’s cage. “I at least give her props for setting him up in a much nicer cage than most hybrids experience. Some are just tossed in a dark room or basement,” He stalked back over to the cage and tugged on the bars to test its resistance and finding that any normal human could probably rip it apart. His eyebrows drew together in confusion, “Why did he wait five months to escape? He could have easily broken out his first night.”

“Not if he was weak.” You nodded to the tray of food you found earlier and pointed out the stacks of other trays underneath it. You then pointed to the sawed off lock in pieces on the floor and then to the leather restraints that were gnawed at but not obvious enough for Ye-Jin to notice. “He’s smart, smarter than Ye-Jin was led to believe.”

“What the hell are we dealing with, Y/N?” 

“A predator,” You moved to the window of Ye-Jin’s bedroom, scanning the tops of the trees of the woods you were about to explore in search of one Jeon Jungkook. “I always knew the Nam family was a little extravagant, but only they would be dumb enough to buy an undomesticated hybrid and then move it to their cabin in the woods.”

“Sounds like a good horror movie if done right.” Taehyung moved to be at your side and leaned against the window pane. The trees rustled in the wind, leaves were picked up and swirled around, and a pair of critters ran back and forth with playfulness. “He’ll need food soon if he hasn’t already found his way into the city limits.”

“Let’s get busy then.”

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“Ugh, gross,” Taehyung swore as he slapped a hand against the back of his neck and grimaced at the squishy guts of the mosquito he just killed. “Why the hell did I let you drag me out here? You know I hate nature.”

“Because you could use $20,000 just as badly as I could,” You grunted when you lost your footing and fell forwards, landing on all fours and cursing your lack of nature skills. You didn’t usually hunt in such a rural setting but Taehyung had found hybrid footprints just outside the Nam home where he’d jumped from Ye-Jin’s window. “This is your fault anyways, jackass. You’re the one who pointed out the prints to Nam.”

“Hey you’re the one who said we had to catch him before other hunters did and I know you didn’t clock that pair of four wheelers sitting outside Nam’s garage. Other hunters are here and we got a head start.”

“Yeah, some head start,” You kicked a pile of leaves in his direction and laughed at his glare as he dusted the wet leaves from his pants. “And by the way, I did notice them but I bet you didn’t notice the snake decal on one of them, did you?”

“Aw fuck,” Taehyung sighed heavily, “Suho’s guys. Figures.”

“Stay sharp. They follow their 'shoot now, ask questions later' policy to a T.” You peeled your jacket from your shoulders and tied the sleeves around your waist. Taehyung always gave you shit for keeping a leather jacket that was a good 10 years old and frayed at the cuffs; there were much nicer jackets that could easily take the place of your stretched out one, but you weren’t willing to part with it. It drove Taehyung up the wall and he would have thrown it out by now if you wouldn’t murder him for doing so.

“If I get caught up in some poison ivy, I’m shooting you,” Taehyung threatened just as the sound of ATV’s being revved up shook the trees and sent the birds soaring. “Shit.”

“Split up. We’ll cover more ground and you’ll handle the situation better if you run in to them.” You braced a hand against a nearby tree, other hand resting on your knee as you doubled over in exhaustion. “We’ve been at this for hours and it’s going to get dark soon. We’ll meet back up at Nam’s in an hour.”

“Fine,” He frowned, hesitant to leave you alone when there was a predator lurking around, an unstable one at that. “An hour, Y/N, if you’re not back by then I’m coming back out to find you.”

“Deal,” You nodded and stalked forward while he turned back to start in a different direction. The damp leaves were quiet underneath the weight of your boots, the rain subsided after your arrival at the Nam home. You could hear crickets chirping and the rush of water coming from a nearby stream and you followed the sound to a clearing that could have easily been a pit stop for Jungkook. Your throat suddenly felt dry, the temptation of the water drawing you near and you knelt to cup your hands and splash cold water on your face. Bringing your hand up to wipe at your brow, you plopped down on the dirt and rested your elbows on your knees. 

You and Taehyung took on too much with this job. Not only was this hybrid smart, he was observant and calculated in ways that made your blood run cold. He reminded you of yourself and you thought it would make chasing him easier, thinking you could predict his every move only to be proven dead wrong when his tracks took you and Taehyung in one giant ass circle for the better part of an hour. Head hanging and shoulders slumped, you really contemplated saying ‘fuck it’ and giving up on the job; you were no match for the black panther Jeon Jungkook. You weren’t even sure why you let Ye-Jin goad you into taking it anyways. Money was your excuse when Taehyung asked you that exact question but pride was the real reason you didn’t back down from her. She’d called you the best and trash all in the same sentence and it stung.

The snapping of a twig had your head whipping around in time to find a fully grown, fully shifted black panther not 10 feet from you, the air leaving your lungs immediately. His fur so dark it resembled the night sky and his eyes so green, a person would think they were actual emeralds. Truthfully, out of the many hybrids you’d encountered, you’d never seen anything more beautiful. His stare pierced yours, studying you and getting ready to pounce as you slowly came into a crouching position, your hand settling on your gun. You took in a deep breath and got ready to draw your weapon when your name came echoing off the trees in a panic, sending Jungkook turning and dashing into the throng of trees.

“No!” You cried and sprinted after him all while knowing damn well you’d never actually catch him. Your name was being screamed somewhere off in the distance and you recognized it as Taehyung, he was in pain, but you were so close to Jungkook. Feet pounding against the ground heavily and breath ragged, you found yourself leaping over a large fallen branch and losing your footing, falling to your knees. You cried out in pain as your hand came down to stop your fall and landed on a sharp rock, the stone slicing the inside of your palm but you continued on, quickly jumping back to your feet to chase down Jungkook.

You came to a sudden stop when you realized you could no longer see his massive black coat, whipping your head around in every direction and trying to locate any sign of him but found nothing. Steadying yourself, you listened carefully for the rustling of his paws or the heavy panting of his breath, doing your best to drown out the wails of Taehyung and your own shallow breathing. Ultimately, the only sounds you were met with was the chirping of birds and crickets, the trees and leaves blowing in the wind, and “Y/N!” 

Your jaw ticked as the panic of Taehyung being hurt washed over you. You’d been taught to set those feelings aside and focus on the task at hand but Taehyung was your friend, your best friend who needed you. A giant blur whipped past you and you weren’t able to react before being tackled to the ground by a body full of black fur. You both went tumbling down a small hill, your grunts of pain followed the sting of being cut by sharp rocks and twigs before you finally stopped rolling. You groaned and turned onto your back while you wrapped an arm around your torso having felt Jungkook’s sharp claws take a swipe at you and blood coated your fingers.

“Shit!” You hissed, turning over to your knees and trying to catch your bearings but a low growl had you freezing in place, your head coming up slowly to find yourself almost nose to nose with Jungkook. His lips curled back into a hiss, a low rumbling in his chest as you grit your teeth and heard Taehyung calling for you one more time; his scream was loud and full of agony. For all you knew, Jungkook could have gotten to him first and mauled him in defense. 

Gritting your teeth, you decided to take the risk that came with trying to outrun Jungkook and you were on your feet, bounding in Taehyung’s direction faster than you’d ever run in your life, the heavy pounding of Jungkook’s paws moving further away from you in the opposite direction. “Taehyung!”

“Y/N!” He howled as you finally came into view. He’d gotten caught in a snare trap, tripping over the wire and causing the pointed stick to plunge into his calf, blood and dirt running down his leg. The stick was too deep to remove on the spot so you opted for sawing at the wire and having him limp back to the Nam house with the trap still lodged in his leg. 

“Holy shit, you’re heavy,” Your arm was wrapped around his waist while his hung around your shoulder to help him out of the woods. “What the hell, Tae, how did you get caught?”

“An ATV was close behind me and I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” He groaned with every step he took, “Think Nam will get pissed that I’m going to get blood all over his floor?”

“Only you would joke in a situation like this.” You rolled your eyes and finally came upon the Nam house, your knees buckling and almost falling to the ground with Taehyung if one of Suho’s men hadn’t caught you guys. You passed Taehyung off to the much stronger man and took one last look over your shoulder into the dark trees.

“You might want to get that checked out,” Suho’s other man gestured to the blood seeping from your shirt, the injury forgotten in the chaos of getting to Taehyung and then dragging him back to the house. “Looks pretty deep.”

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

“Who was it?” Ye-Jin seethed after gathering her team of hunters into the living room while Taehyung was being tended to by the Nam family doctor.

“Who set the trap?!” She repeated louder. “I’m not paying you idiots to try and kill each other! You’re being paid to catch my hybrid!”

“Isn’t it obvious who did it?” You answered her from the doorway where you stood, hands in your pockets as you sauntered into view. Turning to Byun Baekhyun and Oh Sehun, you ran your tongue along your bottom row of teeth in irritation. “Every hunter knows how Suho operates and that he’d have his men do anything to secure a deal. I’m surprised you haven’t taken each other out yet.”

“Morons!” Ye-Jin screeched and reached out to land a vicious slap to both of their faces and all they could do was stand and take her abuse, not bothering to deny what they’d done. “Why are you wasting my time and yours by setting useless traps?!”

“Well you would know that they’re useless, wouldn’t you, Ye-Jin?” You chuckled when she whirled around to face you, a murderous glint in her eye. “You’re keeping something from us and I’m giving you the chance to tell the rest of them now or I can do it for you.”

Ye-Jin pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration and was tempted to throw something at you. Even when you worked for her father, you were the most defiant of hunters and she wasn’t sure how much more she was willing to put up with.

“What the hell are you talking about?” She sneered as the other hunters turned to look at her accusingly. 

“Why didn’t you tell us that he was a full shifter?” 

A collective ‘what the fuck?’ sounded throughout the living room as the other hunters all shared a knowing look. That piece of information should not have been withheld from them and you, it changed the whole game plan. This was no ordinary hybrid meant to be caught with ordinary techniques.

“You saw it,” Ye-Jin wasn’t visibly phased at having been caught in a lie, “that means you got close.”

You nodded silently as the room turned to you, giving you their undivided attention.

“And you let it go?”

“I went back for Taehyung,” You stepped in her direction, only this time there was no one to stop you, other hunters equally as pissed at the malice in her tone. “Taehyung who was hurt chasing your hybrid. Now if you’re done looking down on us hunters, maybe you’d like to fill us in on what else you’ve been hiding about him.”

Ye-Jin sighed in defeat and sunk down on the couch, fingers running through her perfectly combed hair. “It came from a breeding farm with a bad reputation, they were pretty much known for crossbreeding hybrids and the results were less than pleasant. When my hybrid began causing trouble as it got older, the farm owner locked it away and called my father to sell it. Daddy was just excited to start building his collection again since you decided to stop working for us, Y/N.”

“Hybrids aren’t trophies, Ye-Jin, how many times did I try to drill that into your father’s head?” You dropped your head back and began to wonder just how much stress the human body could take before the person keeled over dead. “So you know nothing about Jungkook? Nothing at all?”

“I know that it was supposed to be the start of a new panther lineage but it wreaked havoc whenever it was time to breed.”

“He,” You corrected angrily stepping in her direction to tower over her, “his name is Jungkook and he’s one of the smartest hybrids I’ve ever encountered. All of us combined couldn’t catch him.” You turned to the rest of the hunters that were hired to address them, “He’s fast, strong, and most importantly, he knows exactly what he’s doing out there. Most hybrids panic after an escape, not being taught how to function in the city among humans but Jungkook,” You shook your head, “he’s unlike anything else we’ve ever gone up against.”

“This is crazy,” Sehun raked a hand down his face and turned for the door but Baekhyun caught hold of his arm to stop him.

“Boss told us to get this job done.” Baekhyun tried his best to keep Sehun from leaving but was only met with a frustrated huff of breath.

“Boss can kiss my ass. This hybrid can shift into a full fucking panther, we’ve never dealt with something like that and I’ll bet my life that neither has Suho. We’re not equipped for this, Baekhyun, none of us are.”

“It’s just a fucking hybrid!” Ye-Jin interrupted their argument, “it’s not like it’s military trained. You’re hunters, so fucking act like it.”

“Screw you, princess,” Sehun seethed and Baekhyun had to brace his hands against Sehun’s chest to keep him from moving any closer to her. “You’ve never had to work a day in your goddamn life so what the hell would you know about hunting? Just because your father tried to build a collection of hybrids doesn’t make him or you an expert. Hybrids are 40% animal, sweetheart and sometimes that 40% overpowers the 60 that’s human. Especially when one’s been mistreated like your precious panther.”

“Not mine,” Ye-Jin assured with grit teeth, “it’s---.”

“He was raised on a breeding farm, Ye-Jin, get your head out of your ass! That farm is overpopulated by products of unsuccessful  breeding because the idiot owners don’t know what they’re doing.”

“I can’t believe you bought a full shifting black panther hybrid that was abused all of his life, and locked him up in a cage so weak that a simple human could easily break free.” Baekhyun, paced the room angrily and chewed on the nail of his thumb. “You didn’t think about how dangerous that was?”

“Of course not,” You scoffed and crossed your arms, heading for the hallway to the room where Taehyung was resting, “because daddy assured her it was okay. That because they’re rich and own half the town that they weren’t doing anything illegal, and yeah maybe buying Jungkook before those laws were passed was legal, but it was still inhumane.”

“You didn’t seem to think so when you handed that leopard hybrid off to us all those years ago!” Ye-Jin screamed at you to take the focus off herself and paint you as the bad guy.

“And what happened to her, Ye-Jin? Mi-Sun died not too long after because your father hadn’t a clue how to take care of hybrids!”

“That never stopped you from delivering more. Admit it, Y/N, you never gave a damn about what happened to the hybrids you caught because the money was too good to pass up. I know that’s why you took this job. $10,000 would be just enough to disappear and start anew but guess what, you can erase every physical trace of yourself but you can’t erase the past!”

You leapt onto the coffee table separating you from Ye-Jin and charged at her, tackling her to the floor and raising your fist high before your wrist was caught and you were hauled away by Baekhyun. You struggled against his hold as you and Ye-Jin threw barbs at each other loud enough to have Taehyung stumbling down the hallway to see what the commotion was about.

“You spoiled ass princess! You think your money is so fucking great that you won’t be held accountable for the kind of person you are?!”

“You think the world’s going to forgive you for being a money hungry bit---?!”

“Enough!” Taehyung’s voice boomed and you stopped squirming against Baekhyun’s hold. He looked between you and Ye-Jin and shook his head, annoyed at your bickering. “The fuck is going on?”

“Jungkook is a full shifter,” You supplied while shoving Baekhyun away to straighten your clothes. “Something Ye-Jin failed to mention earlier.”

“Yeah, speaking of which,” He pointed to your torso where your shirt had ridden up to expose a sliver of the bandage that covered Jungkook’s scratch, “what are you doing trying to fight with a scratch like that? You probably opened the stitches, stupid.”

“You don’t seem all that surprised about the panther,” Sehun directed at Taehyung and felt a small stab of guilt when he had to limp into the living room. 

“I saw him shift. It’s why I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going and got caught in your guys’ snare.”

“You said you didn’t want to be caught up with them,” You accused, “that they were close behind you and that’s why you were distracted.”

“I wasn’t sure how you’d react if I told you what I saw,” Taehyung ducked his head in apology but also took the time to joke, “thought it might scare you off if you knew.”

“Screw you, Taehyung.” 

[carolynpetit]

198X and Being Players in a Dangerous Time

NOTE: This piece describes 198X in detail. I encourage you to play the game yourself. It’s currently available on Steam and PS4, costs $10, and takes about 90 minutes to play.

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There’s a song I love by the Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn called “Lovers in a Dangerous Time.” To me, the song is about how the things we might take for granted as a normal part of our lives most of the time can feel frivolous or wasteful in times of great crisis, yet it’s also in those difficult times that we may need those things the most. I mean, how can you go on a romantic getaway when immigrants are being held in nightmarish conditions in concentration camps here in the United States? But on the other hand, isn’t it in these times that we most need to be reminded of our own humanity, the humanity of others, and why a better world is worth fighting for?

When you're lovers in a dangerous time Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime  Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight  Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight

Personally, I often find that many video games, movies, television shows and other types of art that I normally enjoy begin to feel hollow and indulgent when I can’t escape the awareness that moral atrocities are being committed by my own government. However, it’s also true that such times are precisely when art that cuts through the crap and makes me feel something deep and genuine is more vital and necessary than ever. 

Twin Peaks: The Return was essential to me during the first year under Trump, not for being the most “woke” thing on TV (it wasn’t) but for being such a strange and uncompromising show that watching it felt like being blasted with a high-pressure water cannon that washed away the cynicism I’d cloaked myself in as a way of enduring the horrors of the week. On one episode, David Lynch’s own character, FBI agent Gordon Cole, tells chief of staff Denise Bryson, a transgender woman, that he told the agency men who didn’t accept her to “fix their hearts or die,” and there was the show itself, each week, working its own magic to fix my heart, to keep me human in dehumanizing times. 

For me, the new video game 198X enters this same category; it’s one of those rare and urgent works that does what we most need art to do when we most need art to do it. In 198X’s launch trailer, we see footage of games from an assortment of genres as the protagonist, Kid, says, “This is not just a beat ‘em up. This is not just a shoot ‘em up. This is not just a racing game. This is not just a ninja game. This is not just an RPG.” This trailer got me fired up for the game because I felt as if I knew exactly what Kid meant. When I was a kid myself, back in the years of 198X, games were much more to me than what they may have appeared to be on the surface. In my desperation to escape from anguish both internal and external--the pain of gender dysphoria, a home racked by alcoholism and instability--I could turn even a simple, tedious game like Capcom’s run-and-gun Commando, one of the few NES cartridges we owned, into a valiant struggle to triumph over the forces that threatened to swallow me whole. 

Like me, Kid is an expert at finding deeper meaning in the space between themselves and the game. And it only makes sense, since like me, Kid has a need for escape, and a need for meaning. 198X avoids the use of any gendered pronouns for Kid--the only voice we hear throughout the game is Kid’s own, as they narrate their own story--but I believe Kid might be trans or genderqueer. At least, in the absence of the game asserting otherwise, this is my headcanon. I have to admit, seeing a character like Kid in a game still feels like coming across an oasis in a desert. Such representation is so rare, and so precious to me, that it feels life-giving. Brilliantly delivered by Maya Tuttle, Kid’s narration offers us tremendous insight into who they are, even as they remain a fiercely guarded individual. During one of the game’s many gorgeous pixel art interludes, Kid reminisces about how they used to frequent a nearby video store with their father. “But then, we didn’t go there anymore,” Kid says, hinting at some undefined strife that has driven their family apart. “It was no big deal,” Kid says, revealing just what a huge deal it was.

198X’s narrative offers little in the way of specifics, and to me, this only makes it stronger. It asks us to identify with Kid as a player, to feel the games the way that they do and to understand how those games might take on a meaning that reaches beyond the basement arcade that becomes Kid’s refuge. When you start 198X, you’re immediately thrown into Kid’s experience as a player. The first thing you see is an intro sequence and title screen for Beating Heart, a beat ‘em up released in the year 198X. You hear the sound of a quarter sliding into the machine, and then it begins, you’re playing, controlling a brawler in a red hoodie--Kid’s signature color--clobbering an assortment of punks who are out to stop you for reasons that are never explained. They don’t need to be. Kid feels antagonized by the world. Fighting just to survive. That’s why the act of defeating the people who stand in Kid’s way is meaningful. 

198X is a game about how games can mean more to us. If it didn’t let the games that Kid plays within it make their own kind of meaning, unfettered by story specifics, it would undercut its own effectiveness. Unlike so many pixel art games that play as homages to the past and simply want to replicate and capitalize on our memories, 198X is interested in commenting on them, in exploring just what our experiences with the games of the past may have meant to us. Stories in games back then were routinely disposable but that doesn’t mean that the games didn’t mean anything. They did. Through their imagery and music and the way they made us feel, they took on all kinds of meaning, offering places where those of us who felt like losers could be heroes, where those of us who never felt like we fit in here in the real world could belong, could be wanted, could be needed.

Thankfully, 198X prioritizes emotional truth over historical accuracy, allowing the games that you play as Kid to do things that real arcade games of the 1980s never did. After playing Beating Heart for several minutes, making your way out of a subway station and onto a city street, something surprising happens: the camera pans up and away from our hoodied hero to take in an unreachable skyline in the distance. Beating Heart fades out, and it’s only then that we first see Kid, alone in their room in their suburban home, a city in the distance representing all the freedom and possibility that Kid dreams of, but it may as well be a million miles away, for all the good it does them. 

Unable to achieve that kind of escape, Kid finds a different kind at the local arcade, telling us, “In front of these machines stood some of the coolest uncool people I had ever seen. They were the freaks, the geeks, the misfits, the outcasts, the real rebels, part of something the outside world could not understand, or even knew existed.” Is that the kind of narration some people might find cheesy? You’re damn right it is, and thank goodness for it. I have no patience right now for irony. Give me something earnest, sincere and openhearted. Kid may be emotionally guarded but 198X wears its heart on its sleeve and I am here for it. 

My favorite moment in 198X comes a bit later, after Kid reveals their crush on a girl at their high school. “Oh, man, that girl was born a rebel, free to go wherever she wanted to,” Kid says as we see their crush peel out of the high school parking lot in a black sports car, leaving Kid quite literally in the dust. “Free in a way I could still only dream of,” Kid says, and instantly we’re presented with the title screen of 198X’s driving game, The Runaway, which begins with a black sports car speeding off into the distance, leaving Kid’s car, your car, a red sports car in the foreground, pursuing the driver of the black car and the freedom that she represents. 

The Runaway’s most direct reference point is probably Sega’s 1986 racer OutRun (one of the best games of all time, as I talk about in this video), but OutRun offers an escape. In The Runaway, Kid can’t quite get away from reality. You make your way from a barren desert to the outskirts of a city, and Kid begins to speak, completely blurring the already thin lines between their real life and their experiences with the games at the arcade. “Nothing could beat the rush of the highway,” Kid says. “The speeding cars reminding me that there was a way out, a road to somewhere, the city on the horizon. I’d drive all night to get to that place,” Kid says with their characteristic guarded longing, and just then, a soaring, yearning guitar screams above the ambient synth soundscape, sending chills down my spine. So often in the games of the 1980s, music was where emotional complexity could flourish, even when the narrative was just a flimsy excuse for you to run through deathtrap-laden levels and blast killer robots, and 198X’s score is consistently up to the task of capturing the heightened emotion of the period’s best video game music, but what it does here is special, even by those lofty standards.

It’s a piercing, perfectly calibrated moment, but it’s not the last of The Runaway’s surprises. You make it to a bridge, speeding past highway signs that indicate you’re getting closer and closer to the city as Kid talks about how the games at the arcade have changed their life. “Down here, I was free. I was in control. No one told me where to go or what to do. The only bad part about it was having to come back up to the real world.” Just then, you run out of time. Your car slows to a stop. All the other cars speed on, bound for the city, but for you, it remains out of reach. And isn’t that just how it feels sometimes, like there are freedoms that others enjoy, that elude you, no matter what? It is for me, anyway.

The final game you play as Kid in 198X is called Kill Screen. A rudimentary first-person sci-fi RPG of sorts, it has no analog in the actual arcade games of the 1980s, so far as I’m aware, but that doesn’t matter. 198X is an emotional journey, not a historical one. In Kill Screen, you must slay three dragons, all the while taunted by an artificial intelligence known as Motherboard, clearly a stand-in for Kid’s own mother, or at least for the ways in which Kid has come to see their mother as a symbol for all the ways in which they’re trapped. It’s here in Kill Screen that 198X takes its only real missteps. Among Motherboard’s taunts are some statements that feel too plain and standard to evoke the intensity of Kid’s struggle. Sure, when a parent fails to connect with you as a person, even comments like “DO YOUR HOMEWORK” and “DON’T STAY UP” can be painful reminders of the yawning distance between you and them, but in the context of 198X’s economical storytelling, these generic phrases fall flat. Other phrases hit harder, though. When Motherboard’s cold robotic voice intones the words “YOU ARE ERROR,” a Zelda II reference that also pointedly encapsulates how I often felt in the world and how I imagine Kid does as well, I laughed, but it stung a little, too. As I triumphed over the challenges of the dungeon, Motherboard resorted to merely repeating “HELP HELP HELP,” and I felt that Kid’s mom was almost certainly hurting in her own way, unsure of how to connect with her child, the two of them talking past each other, neither sure how to close the gap.

What does Kid’s defeat of Motherboard actually mean? Where does Kid go from here? I don’t know, and I’m glad the game doesn’t try to spell it out. All I know is that there are still possibilities in Kid’s life, just as there are still possibilities in mine, and that games can mean something valuable and real, even when the world feels like it’s falling apart. 

I don’t expect 198X to work on everybody the way it worked on me. After all, it’s a game about how deeply personal our experiences with games can be, how games can take on larger meanings in the context of what’s happening in our own lives. We take our life experiences into the games with us--Kid’s ambiguous gender identity, for instance, is hugely meaningful to me, in ways it may not be to others--and we take the meaning we find in the space between ourselves and the games we play back into our lives. 198X doesn’t just understand that; it captures what it is to find the kind of meaning you so desperately need in a game right when when you so desperately need it, and god, do I need it now. This is one of the best games of the year.

-----

Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting me on ko-fi. I could really use the help right now.

[nadertigerkay]

Tales from Peter Parker: Foreign Exchange Student - Devils on a moonlit night: Epilogue

Epilogue

In the city of New York resides one of the tallest buildings in the city. 'Fisk Towers', a building that deals in mainly financial and market exchange all in the service of Wilson Fisk. Considered by many as one of the richest philanthropists in world providing his wealth for the betterment of humanity. Yet behind that facade lies the enigmatic and calculating criminal mastermind known as, The Kingpin.

A crime boss with an ever reaching and growing control on almost every facet from crime, politics, science, law enforcement and now the super powers race. In his office the Kingpin is seen conversing with a subordinate on the phone. While on his phone his other hand is pushing on a click pen, as it CLICKS and POPS calming his mind.

"Unfortunate about the shippment but than, that's what a backup shipment is planned." Kingpin said smugly

As the Kingpin continues to listen his expression turns from calm to slowly becoming shock. Breaking the pen in process of what he hears.

"And your absolutely certain?" He ask still keeping his calm etiquette manner.

"I see thank you for the update, be certain the pay 'The Enforcers' bail 'Rose' I will let you handle proper punishment." He concludes as he hangs up to make another call.

This time he leaves it on speaker as he listens to the phone ring awaiting the pickup. Finally it stops the caller answers:

"Hello old friend" The caller responds.

"I trust my shipment is under way?" Said the caller his voice slightly muffled by the background noises of monitors.

"Unfortnatly "old friend" your shipment was halted by my cities local vigilantes." Kingpin informed conveying a blatant truth with no stutters of fear.

"Regrettable but I have my own sources of quirks, I had hope to test my powers on the mutant genome." The voice sounded slightly disappointed but quickly relaxed.

"But there's more." Kingpin quickly interjected.

"It appears one of your Yakuza representatives-"

"Yakuza? Kingpin I never sent you Yakuza they don't even work for me much less respect me." The voice cutoff Kingpin, his tone came off surprised as if he rarely displayed the sensation.

"Face it old friend you've been, hehe- (ahem) duped." The voice said with a smug tone sounding almost delighted by Kingpins manipulation.

The Kingpin unfazed by the remark and condescending manner THE voice projected, proceeded to respond.

"I would hold off that boldness, All For One." Kingpin lets go of all pretenses as he calls The Voice by his name.

"Upon arrival to protect the cargo, these Yakuza had your authorization codes along with a special incentive I had assume by you to strengthen our partnership."

"What...... incentive Kingpin?" Said AFO as he slowly loses his mocking demeanor.

"Why from your Nomu stockpile." Kingpin said with such a coy mannerism.

"You insufferable, gluttonous pig you make dealings with Yakuza that have my weapons all without contacting me first!" Said AFO clearly losing his temper.

"Who was the leader of this group so I may make an example of his ilk!"

Kingpin once again unfazed by AFO outburst, an emotion he rarely hears displayed by his friend, takes the time to lite a Cuban cigar. Inhaling from the cigar and its flavor begins to reply.

"I was about to say that "old friend" one of the Yakuza muscles, Souji the thunderer was the leader."

"Souji?!" A brief pause came over AFO as he heard that name. Realizing his outburst was overriding his usual cold, calculating mind he stepped back to reassess the situation and remember.

"Kingpin, Souji the thunderer was killed 2 years ago by an insane vigilante of delusions." AFOF now calmed.

"I know which brings me to my next reveal, an hour ago a autopsy report of his capture revealed he was already operated upon and before he could be further explored his body immediately decomposed to dust."

"Remind you of any group "All For One"?" Kingpin knew the answer but seemed to waited for AFO answer on the subject to test his knowledge.

"I do unfortunately, I thought I had removed that mystical cult from my empire during my reign. But if "The Hand" have returned and are making a move on my operations it could very well jeopardize ALL of our  business endeavors." He said with a bluntness, emphasising to Kingpin how all parties should be concerned.

"Agreed, we can not assume Souji was their last resurrected Quirk user, I will begin to coordinate in having our "Pro heroes" and vigilantes if need be to deal with The Hand once and for all." Said Kingpin.

"I look forward to hearing all the details Wilson however there is just one subject we must deal with, I want my Nomu back." said AFO.

"Regrettable "Old friend" but I have already made plans to bid your marvelous creation to whoever is highest bidder." But as Kingpin finished he felt a tight squeeze on his neck looking diwnbtp seeing a human hand emerge from a small shadow like portal.

"I admire you greatly Kingpin but my admiration can only go so far." AFO voice now echoing from the portal, his arms veins bulges as the coiled tighter on Kingpins throat.

"I will,l...... ssseeee ....  To its..... Proper return!!!" Kingpin struggled grassping for air.

The hand of AFO lets go of Kingpins throat, retreating back to the portal erasing its existence.

"Splendid Kingpin, I look forward to OUR future business together "old friend." AFO voice sneered on the speaker as he hanged.

Rubbing his neck Kingpin returns to seat from the experience to make another call.

"Get me the numbers of all Maggia dons, its time for the summit."

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

Author note: Peter Parker: Foreign exchange student is a comic written and drawn by @alexdrawsagain

[musicallisto]

Hello so I’m female, bisexual, either ship gender works for me. Could you do endless summer, the maze runner, and divergent?I am 5’9 I have black hair and brown eyes.I love to swim, practice shooting my B.B. gun, draw, sing in the shower NEVER in public , do photography, read,cuddle, go to the movies and get lots of candy, shop, binge watch tv, listen to music more like pop a lot.I keep my promises and stay loyal to others, at first I’m quite but I eventually come around to be sweet and caring.

I Ship You With…

E S T E L A   M O N T O Y A

• I ship you with Estela! Okay buckle up because this is going to be a tough, but fun ride. As you know, it takes a lot of time for Estela to open up, but when she does, it’s just so rewarding that it’s worth all the efforts you put into it. She’s actually a huge softie deep down, and I totally headcanon that you would be the first person she would ever fall in love with. She would be super awkward in her head about it, completely lost, and she would obviously not confide in anyone about it, not wanting to be judged or percieved as “weak” - because she believed her feelings and attachment to you made her weaker, since they could be used against her. She spent months stuck in that mindset, and it took her long hours of convincing that it wasn’t a weakness and it could actually make her even stronger than she already was. The first person who would know would actually be Jake, I think; he would discover it by accident, maybe because Estela would let something compromising slip and his arrogant wit would definitely piece it all together and figure out that she had feelings for you. He would get cocky about knowing at first, but she would make sure he understood that if he DARED spill her secret, she would personally rip his guts out, and he knew she was perfectly capable of doing so. That’s why he didn’t brag about it too much, and tried to hit on you for her as much as he could, though. It often led to awkward situations, but at least you would catch the drift pretty quickly, at least much more quickly than if Jake hadn’t intervened. Estela NEVER would have thanked Jake for doing something, but she was relieved, to be completely honest.

• There’s something in both of your personalities that makes me think that you would work so well together? Like you really remind me of her and I think you would teach each other amazing things. First of all, you would teach her how to shoot with a gun. I can see her being very good with spears (obviously) and knives and weapons like that, but kinda sucking at firearm. She would struggle quite a lot at the beginning, trying to replicate her uncle’s position that she had seen when she was younger - but what she didn’t take into account was that her uncle was much more experienced than her, and her memories were a bit foggy since the revolution had happened so many years before. You were patient with her, even when she got angry at not succeeding - something that happened often, despite her best efforts not to take out her anger on you. Not being the best was something that really, really frustrated her. You would also teach her how to draw! She would also get a bit impatient with it, because her first attempts were a little… hazardous, but you explained to her that drawing, just like any other art or activity, was something that you learnt through years of practice and couldn’t master in one setting only. It was still a bit irritating to her, but she understood perfectly, and came back every day to draw something. After a few weeks of training, she would wake up one day before you (just like every other morning), take her sketchbook and draw your sleepy figure, while you were unaware of it. She would spend hours perfecting the drawing, and letting all her emotions flow in a much less violent way than everything else she had been used to. Drawing was like a liberation: you were Estela’s liberation.

M I N H O

• I ship you with Minho! It would also be a bumpy road, but definitely an amazing one. You would compliment each other very well and with your sportiness, I can definitely see you being a runner in the Maze A. At first, Minho would be a bit wary of you, not knowing anything about you, and because he definitely couldn’t trust a girl, especially not one who had just arrived after only boys were sent for years. But you would prove your worth day after day, in the Maze and the Trials after, and Minho would quickly develop deeper feelings for you, ranging from admiration to incomprehensible lust - and then, he had to face the truth: he had fallen in love with you. You would be the hyperactive couple, always trying new activities and being super adventurous in general, fighting alongside each other and protecting each other. When Minho would get captured by WICKED, you would be the first one to leave no stone unturned to find him. Your strength was what kept him grounded in his period of captivity: he would cling onto the memories of the two of you and ask himself “what would Y/N do in this situation?”. That’s how he would end up making most of his decisions… sometimes stupid, yes, but always led by your voice in his mind.

• You would also teach him how to swim. After the eruptions, water wasn’t common anywhere in America, and especially not in the Scorch, but throughout your journey, you came across a few bodies of water and wanted nothing more than to clean off all the dust and sweat that you had been keeping in for weeks. Minho had never learned how to swim, being taken by WICKED at a very young age and right after the eruptions and the global droughts. You were older when WICKED took you in, so you had already learned, and that was when Minho timidly asked you if you could teach him. (and it would totally be an excuse to see you in your bathing suit, too)

E R I C

• I ship you with Eric! You would intrigue him as soon as his eyes would fall on you on the first day of training, at the Dauntless compound. You, the newest Abnegation transfer, in your old, crumpled gray clothes, but with such a fierce glint in your eyes that made you look a hundred times more intimidating than you actually were. Eric’s habits were to push every trainee to their limits, see their full potential, and eliminate the ones who couldn’t make it - it wasn’t a matter of being nice, it was a matter of deserving it. With you, however, he couldn’t quite tell if you, indeed, did deserve it, but what he would notice immediately was that you were damn willing to prove yourself and never abandon. You weren’t used to leave empty-handed, and your determination and combativity was something Eric admired in recruits, even if they weren’t Dauntless borns. You would notice him coming watch the combat training more often than usual, even if your Dauntless-born friends would tell you that he rarely showed up, having “better things to deal with”. Sometimes when you were sparring with some other trainee, you would notice with a quick glance his eyes fixated on you, him biting his lower lip and eyeing you up and down. You wouldn’t pay much attention to it at first: he was probably observing your strengths and flaws just like any other mentor would do. However, when you started snatching the first places of the ranking, his gaze would grow more insistant and more predator-like - finally, he would approach you a few days before your first time exploring the Fear Simulation. It would be the first time you would actually talk to each other and it would be clear he had started taking a liking into you: Eric wasn’t one to be shy about his feelings towards a pretty girl, especially not a pretty and badass girl.

• Thanks to your loyalty and your dedication, you would be the only person he would ever trust to show his Fear Simulation, a place he considered to be the most sacred of all, even if it wasn’t a physical spot. You would get used to his rather harsh and authoritarian tone, and even if at first it would rub you the wrong way, you would start to understand his bossy side. He, on the other hand, would soften it a little around you, because he would understand how precious your affection was and that it wasn’t something he could let get away. You felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity to Eric, as cheesy as it sounded - and goddamn if he hated being cheesy -, and he wasn’t ready to let you go. You would soon start to take private fighting lessons with him, sparring, shooting, training with bladed weapons… he would teach you everything he knew, and you would also show him a lot of things in return. Those after-hours sessions allowed you to get closer… a lot closer ;) at least close enough for Eric to finally shut up all the contradictory voices in his mind, and pin you up against a wall to kiss you right after you won a sparring match and a cocky smile crept its way to your lips. He was more than happy to wipe it off with his own. And you were more than happy to finally have succeeded in making all the walls of the cold, distant Eric Coulter, crumble down.

Moodboard

Playlist

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can’t Stop

The Score - Unstoppable

Fox Stevenson - Trigger

Woodkid - Run Boy Run

ships are closed!

[nerdarchy-blog]

Smiths and magic users across the multiverse of fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons seek to create better artifacts than those of legends. Most fail — especially when compared to the epic weapons detailed below. The incredibly high detail on the customized tabletop miniatures of Hero Forge inspired me to create these six magic weapons for 5E D&D, and you can certainly change the weapon type to whatever awesome weapons of destruction best fit your game and the heroes wielding them. Epic weapons should bring powerful features to bear so I aimed to make these give characters cool and iconic abilities.

https://nerdarchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/hero-forge-epic-weapons.mp4

Epic Weapons can define your 5E D&D character

Hero Forge’s immense variety of options including your customized tabletop miniatures and statuettes 3D printed in full color and awesome features like these Epic Weapons give you deep control over the complexity of creating the perfect representation for your characters. In the same way the amazing magic items our 5E D&D adventurers discover often become signature parts of their identities and stories. For a different sort of game try giving each one of these epic weapons to a party of 3rd level adventurers or even simple NPC stat blocks like commoners and nobles for a wild one shot.

Blade of Giant Might

Weapon (longsword), very rare (requires attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. Giantish runes spell out ‘might’ etched into the wide blade of this longsword that appears to be made of gray stone. While you are attuned to the sword you count as one size larger than you actually are and appear physically more imposing, and you can speak and understand Giant. In addition you have advantage on any Charisma (Intimidation) checks. While interacting with any giants you have advantage on all Charisma checks made to influence them.

While you are holding the blade of giant might all your weapon attacks deal 1d4 extra damage.

As an action you can invoke the ancient Giantish runes to increase your size by one category for 1 minute. During this time all your weapon attacks deal an extra 2d4 damage. Once you use this feature you cannot use it again until the following dawn.

Tech-blade

Weapon (longsword), very rare (requires attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. This weapon combines magic and technology unlike anything you have seen before. It may be from far away, or the future, or both. Whenever you hit a creature with the sword you can choose to deal an extra 1d6 lightning damage.

When you attune to the sword you come to understand the technological aspect of the blade. You can store up to three potions within the blade and buttons operate an injection that administers the potions. When found the sword has 1d4-1 potion inside. The Dungeon Master can roll these randomly or choose. You can load one potion into the blade as an action and a single button can easily be used in combat as a free interaction with an object, but only one potion can be administered per round.

Axe of Primal Fury

Weapon (greataxe), very rare (requires attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. This greataxe embodies the anger, rage and passion of combat and bloodshed. While you’re attuned to the axe you unlock the power and fury inside of you. On your turn, you can enter a rage as a bonus action. While raging you have advantage on Strength checks and Strength saving throws, and when you make a melee weapon attack using Strength, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. In addition you have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. If you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or concentrate on them while raging.

Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven’t attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on your turn as a bonus action.

Once you use this feature you cannot use it again until the following dawn.

If you are a barbarian this weapon is more powerful in your hands. Instead of rage taking a bonus action, you can enter a rage as part of your attack action so long as you are making a melee attack using the Axe of Primal Fury. In addition your rage damage is increased by 1.

Necro-blade

Weapon (greatsword), very rare (requires attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. This bone handled great sword teams with necrotic power and grants you the power of undeath. While it is not fully sentient when you attune to the sword you gain the desire to kill and a penchant for the trappings of undeath. When you reduce a humanoid to 0 hit points with this sword, it rises one minute later as a zombie or skeleton under your control. Roll 1d6. On a roll of 1-3 it rises as a skeleton and on a roll of 4-6 it rises as a zombie. You can have 4 times your proficiency bonus of these type of undead under your command at any given time. If you raise another creature in this manner the oldest creature collapses, no longer animate. You can use a bonus action to command a portion of or all of the group to do a single task. These creatures function mindlessly on the task and do not have the ability to to comprehend complex instructions or avoid obstacles.

In addition to this you can choose on a creature you kill with a strike from this sword to raise as a ghast or ghoul instead of above. You can only have one such creature under your command at a time. Doing this requires no action other than part of the attack and once you use this feature you cannot use it again until the following dusk.

This sword radiates strong necromancy under the effect of a detect magic spell and slowly changes its wielder to acts of evil. While attuned to this you feel uneasy unless you have at least one undead within 10 feet of you.

Eldritch Bane

Weapon (greatsword), very rare (requires attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. This hooked greatsword is a bane to magic users but deadly in the hand of one proficient in magic as well. When you hit a creature that has spell slots with this sword the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or lose their lowest level spell slot as if they had cast a spell. In addition the sword has 3 charges. When a spellcaster loses a spell slot to the sword you can use your reaction, without knowing the level of the spell, to capture the magic lost to regain a spell slot of your own. The spell slot recovered must be equal to or lower than the spell slot lost by the target of the attack. The sword regains 1d3 charges daily at dawn.

Celestial Sunrise

Weapon (greatsword), very rare (requires attunement)

You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. This white metal greatsword is adorned with gold and radiates divine energy. While you are attuned to this sword with a thought you can command the sword to emit bright light out to a radius of your choosing. It can be as near as 5 feet to as far as 30 feet. It then creates dim light out to an equal radius. Undead in the light have disadvantage on attack rolls while within the light.

You can use your action and hold aloft the sword to channel its power to censure undead within the bright or dim light area of the sword. Each undead in the area must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within the light of the sword for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from the area of the sword’s light. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action. Undead of Challenge 1 or lower that fail are turned to dust instead.

Once you use this feature you must cannot use it again until the following dawn.

In addition you can beseech the sword to return to life a creature who has died within the last minute. Doing so takes an action and you call upon the divine forces to intervene in the creature’s fate. That creature returns to life with 1 hit point and any conditions or effects on the creature end. This spell can’t return to life a creature that has died of old age, nor can it restore any missing body parts. A non-good creature feels compelled to carry out a good deed in return for the divine healing and remains uneasy until they feel they have balanced the scales of the sword’s intervention. Until this time the creature takes 3d10 psychic damage each time it performs an evil deed, but no more than once each day.

Once you use this feature you cannot use it again until you defeat an evil creature of a higher Challenge than your level. You need not single handedly defeat the creature in combat but the sword must have struck the creature once before it is killed.

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Your customized 5E D&D epic weapons

These weapons were inspired by the amazing options now available at Hero Forge. I have been a fan of them for years and own quite a large number of them. They offer a humongous number of options with races, items and even advanced positioning tools. And now they are moving in the direction of full color 3D printed customized tabletop miniatures. For only slightly skilled painters like myself the detailed color printed miniatures give me all the detail and more right out of the box. I have seen some samples and I am continually impressed far beyond my expectations. If you like miniatures you have to check out Hero Forge and all the awesome tools they have over there. We recently started a Community Spotlight on our weekly Nerdarchy the Newsletter too and maybe your story will wind up there. We want to know what you’re up to around your gaming tables. Did you find inspiration from one of our videos, website posts or products? Let us know! Comment on this post, tag us on social media or send us a message and share your stories and images. We love making all sorts of content for you and we want to hear about your adventures too. You get a special coupon for $9.99 when you sign up for the newsletter too.

Thanks for reading. Until next time, stay nerdy! Check out Hero Forge and create your own customized tabletop miniatures with epic weapons here.

The awesome power of @HeroForgeMinis Epic Weapons inspired 6 new powerful #DnD magic weapons and we threw in a one shot idea for good measure #staynerdy Smiths and magic users across the multiverse of fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons seek to create better artifacts than those of legends.

[vixykitten]

Before I begin my blog post, I’d like to thank Meenu & Pawan Deol from Living Atman, Patricia Tallman, and Sony for providing me with the amazing opportunities that this retreat to India has afforded me, with particular thanks to Gustav Kiburg and Leo at Sony for allowing me to use their amazing camera equipment to capture the journey. As well as a huge shout out to my roomie Melissa! Without whom I might’ve gone crazy and helped me with some of the details in this blog! *Posh British accent* Thank you my Darling!

In February/March, I travelled to India, and whilst I’m home again now, I’m still on that journey in a way…. Unpacking and processing everything that happened.. As well as dealing with the emotions and feelings that came up during the trip. Maybe that’s why writing this took so long. 

If I’m honest with you, I’m not entirely sure where to start when it comes to my time in India. But as I look back on it, and go through the thousands of images I took over my time there (no I’m not joking, it was thousands), I think ‘chaos’ is the word that comes to mind. But don’t get me wrong, the chaos of India is beautiful, rather than depressing. It forces you to rethink the way you look at life and changes your perspective. There is immense joy to be found amid the bright colours of the country. Sometimes it can seem hard to believe from a Western perspective, when you find yourself confronted with different hygiene standards and a higher level of poverty than you’re used to. But it’s true. 

Seeing a whole family on a scooter, not wearing helmets and with maybe a blanket to protect the little one was a shock. The drivers zip into apparently non-existent spaces, and the vehicles clog the roads. It’s a wonder that they get anywhere. And I found myself wondering just what you had to do to pass a driving test there, or if anyone taught road safety. Vendors would rush past with whole stacks of merchandise on a cart, people would hurry by carrying things on their head, these are the things a photographer dreams of, but also the things that scare those of us who aren’t used to them.

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Children grabbing at your arm, begging for food and money, people sleeping in train stations and on the streets, the slums, toilets that are literally just holes in the floor; but all the while the people are dressed in the same bright colours that are rich throughout the landscape itself, and often have smiles on their faces. There’s a striking contrast between the lack of provisions and the simplicity of their happiness that you don’t find present in the West. I think it’s part of what makes Northern India so unique and beautiful.

I arrived early in Delhi, a few days before most of the retreat group, and it gave me a chance to explore with a friend who was also on the retreat. Our first day was spent exploring the area around our hotel, taking a tuk tuk to a shopping centre getting those last minute supplies we had invariably forgotten to bring with us and grabbing some lunch. Neither of us expected to see cows walking through the centre, that’s definitely something you don’t see back home! 

During those first few days, we also visited Akshardam temple where we weren’t allowed to take photos (unfortunately), as well as the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib temple (Sikh), a stepping well, and Kashmiri Cottage Industries where we were introduced to the craft of making carpets, scarves and saris. We’d visit the Sikh temple and Kashmiri Cottage Industries again, with our retreat group, later in the trip.

The stepping well was called Ugrasen ki Baoli and it was an ideal place to take some of my first shots of India. Birds and bats inhabited the area, with the latter flying like the birds but also hanging from the ceiling in the former well, the way in which the light fell gave it a sort of mystical effect. The only downside was the very steep steps and a LOT of dust! 

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The Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple was surreally beautiful from a photographic perspective. The colour clothing of the people doing service in the kitchen contrasted with the white of the temple and the blue of the water to create a picture book effect that I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to see and capture. Wherever we travelled on our journey through India, one thing that struck me was the way in which people were willing to help each other, regardless of what they themselves have. It’s something that we could learn from here in the West.

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We took a Rickshaw through the Old Delhi Markets. The markets of India are where everything comes together. The chaotic rhythm of life that flows through them is magnificent. Everything erupts with colour, each individual market is a lively community all of its own where stallholders all have their own stories to tell and will happily haggle with you over the cost of their wares; music plays from so many different places within the market creating a chaotic crescendo amid the chatter and the hagglers, there is beauty everywhere, and those insanely rich smells that fill your head (although as with all things, sometimes those smells make you want to move on by rather quickly), I just wanted to keep taking pictures.

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The Jama Masjid Mosque made us feel like we’d joined the Indian Hogwarts! We were handed colourful robes on entering and each one felt like it was representative of our own house colour… is peach the colour of the Indian equivalent of Ravenclaw or Gryffindor? Who knows? Inside the gate, the sunlight glints off the marble detailing of buildings surrounding an inner courtyard hidden from the view of the outside world.

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The Taj Mahal, There’s this moment when you stand in the grounds and it’s like standing in the middle of a postcard or movie, you’re not really sure that you’re standing there, in the shadow of this iconic landmark. The gardens are beautiful, and were definitely my favourite part of our Taj Mahal experience, contrast between the white of the Taj, the green of the garden, the blues of the sky and fountains… add to that the flower and it’s beautiful wherever you look. Inside the Taj l itself, I got a little claustrophobic. It IS a mausoleum and once you get inside, it gets really small and crowded. To be honest, I was longing to get back outside to the open air, but it was definitely worth the experience, and I’d recommend doing the whole thing. There are 2 identical buildings on each side of the Taj made from sandstone which you don’t really expect to see. They are rarely shown in the photographs that we see online or in magazines.

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The Red Fort is somewhere I could’ve gotten lost in for DAYS. Construction work started on it in 1639 and was completed in 1648. Up until 1856 it was the main residence of the Mughal Dynasty. I’m European, so I’m used to seeing older buildings, but I had never seen anything like this! The architecture is superb and there is a clear respect for such an ancient part of India’s heritage. The natural light here was so different to anything I had yet experienced. The way it bounced off the building, created shadow play with the arches, and the views from the fort itself, all of them could, if given the time, create an amazing photography book that I would love to shoot. 

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The Golden Temple was an interesting experience. It was one of the places that I had been most eager to see, and one of the ones that I wanted to take full photographic advantage of. But, as tends to happen, my plan for the day didn’t quite go the way I wanted. It’s what happens with travel, no matter how good your intentions, something comes up. Well, I ended up falling ill, so had to take some time out, sitting under a tree to build my energy back up. But as luck would have it, whilst my original plan changed, serendipity came knocking, in that way it does. I was fortunate enough to watch a young girl catching berries from a jujube tree, look out in a calm zen-like state across the water, and watch locals go about their business, seeing things that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. I did love doing Seva (service – selfless service for the betterment of the community) there as well. Learning how to make roti and naan from locals was a foodie’s dream and will definitely stay with me for a long time to come. 

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A seven hour train ride, an hour by car through a forest, and we arrived in Rishikesh, where everything was so very different from the hubbub of our previous stops. It was so quiet, so peaceful, and so picturesque. Here I was thankful to take early morning walks where I could collect my thoughts and welcome a new day, do yoga admist breathtaking views, and join in morning prayers which were chanted rather than said. Participating in the aarti ceremony by the Ganga River was particularly memorable. The evening Satsang was an incredible revelation for all of us I think, something none of us had ever thought about participating in, but we came away from it with evolving perspectives on things. All of those spiritual moments in a place that still holds a part of me, reverberated through my very core, and when I look back on them, continue to do so now.

I’d definitely recommend attending an Aarti ceremony by the Ganga (Ganges River) I saw one right by the Parmarth Niketan Ashram and a bigger ceremony in Haridwar where we were allowed to sit on the walking bridge to get a better view of the whole ceremony. If you don’t like crowds though I’d recommend the the one at  Parmarth Niketan.

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Dharamsala in the Himalayas remains one of my favourite parts of this retreat. If you hadn’t figured it out from the above, I love nature. And in Dharamsala we were able to enjoy some hiking. That early morning view when you walked out of your room in the WH Grace Hotel was breathtaking, and it made my heart sing. There’s no other way to describe it. Where else in the world would you be woken by a monkey sitting in the tree outside your hotel room?

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The hiking opportunities in this area of India are amazing. Seeing prayer flags out in the open up in the mountains was something that was literally breathtaking. Each one bright against the natural backdrop. The villages are full of life but it’s a slower, more gentler way of living than in the cities like New Delhi. Goats and hens seem to pop up in every direction, living in harmony with the farmers and village people who use them for their meat, milk, and eggs.

One thing none of us expected from this trip was literally once in a lifetime. We went to a Mcleodganj for a meditation class and were fortunate enough to be invited back the next day to a ceremony that was being hosted by the Dalai Lama. Well, let’s be honest, if you turn that sort of chance down, you really don’t know what you’re missing! Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take photos of that ceremony for security reasons. There are so many moments that I wish I could have taken a picture of, but at the same time, there are somethings that are better off remembered rather than captured. After all, as much as I love to take photographs, I also love to stop for a moment, put down the camera, and just take in what is happening around me.

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Locals love having their picture taken! They are more than happy to let you take a picture, which means I was really able to get some amazing shots. One lady in a village near McLeodGanj even invited us into her house and let us take pictures! But by the same token, when they see obvious foreigners, you can often find them queuing to have a picture with you! It was a bizarre fact of our trip that everywhere we went, local people were literally waiting in line to have their photo taken with people from our group. I’m a photographer, I’m used to being behind the camera, and it was all a little surreal for me.

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I loved our Safari adventure at Rajiji National Park! While we didn’t see any elephants or tigers on the bumpy trip, we did find tiger footprints, evidence that elephants had been through the area, deer, stags with huge antlers, stunning tropical birds, a peacock flying overhead, and so many beautiful creatures and so much plantlife. I did mention I love being in nature, right? Standing on the back of the jeep, hair in the wind, looking at the rays of sunshine breaking through the clouds and reflections in the little pools of water, searching the landscape for wildlife, it felt like such an adventure. Life was definitely good that day.

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Our stay at Norwood Green (a tea plantation) in Palampur, included Holi. The Bundla Tea Estate was peaceful and beautiful, continuing our calming theme of the Himalayas.  There was a family staying there as well, so before setting off to Sujanpur to celebrate Holi, we had our own little party in front of the apartments. On arrival in Sujanpur we went to a bright and colourful fair and afterwards ran into Minister of State who gave each of us a beautiful scarf, there was another opportunity for photos, this time with the Minister of State, and we even ended up on his Facebook page! 

Holi itself was an experience! I managed to stay relatively clean of the colourful powder that gets thrown on everyone whilst I had my camera out. Everyone was too scared of damaging it. However, the moment the camera was put away, I got covered. 

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A unique part of the trip, which I have to admit, I’d rather not do again, was our stay in a tent on a field in Anandpur Sahib. No one should sleep in a tent in a the middle of a field in a thunderstorm with a cow passing by to wake you up, and panthers potentially prowling around outside (which wasn’t mentioned until later), and that was just the first night. But the morning I woke up to a beautiful sunrise and a pleasant local breakfast. Although after all that chaos, all I really wanted at that point was a coffee.

We saw a Hola Mohalla display by Sikh warriors (the Nihang) who were demonstrating their fighting skills, in the style of Gatkar. The Nihang are a semi-nomadic people who have separate beliefs and practices from the mainstream Sikh community but are still a part of it. Their fighting skills are mainly for ceremonial purposes, and with no disrespect to the Nihang, I find myself feeling a little grateful for that. We witnessed one of the men being shot in the leg by an arrow. And with the traditional clothing that is worn, which can include massive turbans, their attire can appear rather bulky for fighting purposes. 

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There are so many other things I could share with you from my time in India. But I could be here for a very long time. So instead, I’m going to leave it here, and share my tips and pics from the trip. If you’ve been to India, why don’t you add your own tips in the comments, and if you’re one of the amazing group of people that I travelled with and feel like I’ve missed out something you’d like to mention, why not add it in the comments?

Tips:

Use your scarf to protect from smog/dust in the air if you don’t have a proper dust mask – and if you’re asthmatic make sure you have your inhalers with you, as well as antihistamines.

Hire a car with guide if you’re on your own/not travelling with a group. It’s a cheap and safe way to see India. However be prepared to be stuck in traffic.

Take a ride in a rickshaw or tuk tuk, it’s a fun adventurous way to see the city. I especially enjoyed taking a rickshaw through old Delhi.

Bring your own TP! And wipes! I’m not joking, believe me you’re gonna need it! And if you’re going with a friend, make sure that you both have some in your bags. You will be thanking me later.

Bring moisturiser, maybe even a mask. the dry air and dust doesn’t do your skin any favours. Plus it’s a nice way to relax at the end of the day. By the same token, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, before you leave your hotel in the morning. It’ll add a layer of moisture protection as well as that important SPF.

Don’t eat meat if you can help it. It increases the chance of Delhi Belly and it’s a lot more fun to experience the real local cuisine.

Avoid getting your meals from food vendors on the street. Unless you know that it’s a trusted vendor, or you have something to sanitize the meal with. I’m going to say this again, you really don’t want Delhi Belly.

Try the Lassi (if you’re not lactose intolerant), and try it in every flavour you can, but especially the mango.

Don’t be surprised that rice comes with most meals. You should be able to find other options, but it will be there, at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Walking shoes – make sure you have comfortable shoes to explore in. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world this should be a given, but in India this means something that’s going to support those arches, cover those toes, and protect those feet. Your feet will thank you after you’ve climbed a steep hill, a million stairs, or walked a very dirty street.

Pack a bar of soap so you can wash your clothes in the tub if you’re going to be travelling and staying at places where there isn’t a laundry service. The lighter you can travel the better it will be for you.

In train stations, make sure you know how much it’s going to cost for that porter to carry your suitcase, and your travelling companion’s on his head before you let him walk of with it, and if you really don’t want him to carry it, be firm, keep your hand on it and don’t let go.

Bottled water. Keep it on you, buy it from a reputable source (not street vendors), and don’t drink the tap water. Not even to brush your teeth! (if you keep forgetting, put a post it on the mirror with a reminder)  You do not want Delhi Belly (yes there is a theme here). And trust me when I say that the quality of tap water is not the same as it is in the West. But yes you can shower in it.

The Beauty In The Chaos Of Northern India Before I begin my blog post, I’d like to thank Meenu & Pawan Deol from Living Atman, Patricia Tallman, and Sony for providing me with the amazing opportunities that this retreat to India has afforded me, with particular thanks to Gustav Kiburg and Leo at Sony for allowing me to use their amazing camera equipment to capture the journey.

[linssikeittomies]

BelleTolls: Belle - 2346

Masterpost

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(Year 2346)

Belle was not often seen in the library, but when she did go there, she stayed for several hours, leafing through book after book, perhaps looking for hunts, perhaps merely killing time. No one knew. She would not tell, even to Aedan, what she sought in those tomes. Some feared she was gathering information on hunters. As much as it displeased Aedan to think the same, he sometimes found himself sure of the idea. He did not want to believe anything bad of her, yet it was difficult to convince himself of her complete innocence. Especially when she studied HUN history.

“Civilizing yourself?” he asked jokingly, and heard an intake of air that might be interpreted as a benign chuckle. These small signs of affection were becoming more common. The ice Belle had encased herself in was melting like ponds in spring, and Aedan found himself drawn to her more and more. His father had noticed this, and voiced his objections clearly. Aedan hated distressing his father, but he was done pleasing him by oppressing himself. Which was why he never bothered hiding his affection for the witch, and spoke of her as a person instead of a beast.

Aedan brushed Belle’s hair behind her ear to reveal her face, and she showed him the page she had been reading. It talked about Lata Bhattacharya, the researcher who first discovered the beasts’ power came from demons. She and her assistants later began to suspect it was one being instead of several, and around 20 years later, in the 2170’s, if memory served correct, the name Lucifer became the common way to refer to this demon. To this day, not much was known about this entity. The beasts HUN had been able to capture and keep alive were rarely talkative. It was clear that Lucifer went after individuals with a special kind of mentality: a desperate will to live, an extraordinary sense of superiority, an aggressive need for control… There seemed to be a correlation between the individual’s personality and the class of beast they would turn in to. Lycans were basically all extremely aggressive, and most revenants were possessive beyond reason. Other classes weren’t as clearly defined, but had clear recurring elements. Witches, being the most elusive and dangerous class, were still the most obscure, but it seemed pride was a fairly common theme.

Belle had met Lucifer. What in her had attracted the attention? How long ago had she made contact? She was not new to her powers, but records of witches matching her description were rare and mostly from the time she had spent in the manor. Had her body perhaps been killed once, but her spirit had escaped and possessed a new one?

“I was reliving memories from a long time ago”, Belle said softly, coming closer and letting her shoulder almost touch Aedan’s. A dusty, dry smell emanated from her. She had been outside not long ago, likely on the road. The summer heat always scorched the dirt roads of the countryside. If he looked very closely, Aedan could faintly see brown dust on the abyssal black hem of Belle’s gown. It was very unusual to see her in any state of disheveled: perhaps the prolonged arid, scorching weather tired even her.

Belle closed the book and put it back in the shelf. Aedan expected her to speak, but instead she picked another book from a little further down the shelf. She came to Aedan’s side and opened it. One page had been earmarked with a crisp fold. The page was an entry on Elizabeth Sumner. Aedan’s grand-aunt from grandmother Layla’s side, an eccentric woman to say the least. The entry was not very long, as her career, and presumably life, had ended soon after her 30th birthday.

Elizabeth Sumner. Born May 7th 2269. Disappeared and presumed dead May 2299.

Junior researcher at Hunters Under Nike.

Main field of research: witches.

Oeuvre:

Abilities Of Witches In The North West USA (Iturburua, E., Letter, A & Sumner, E.) (2289)

Capture And Detainment Of The Witch Adelaide Eileen (Bigey, L., Darzi, H., Exavier, J., Iturburua, E., Sultan, L. & Sumner, E..) (2291)

Theorem On The Components For The Creation Of A Witch (Bigey, L., Iturburua, E., Letter, A, Sumner, E. & Villa, Y.) ( 2292)

Suggestions For Rehabilitation Of Witches (Iturburua, E. & Sumner, E.) (2293)

Interview With A Witch: Reasons And Rehabilitation (Sumner, E.) (2293)

Uses And Hazards Of Lycan Blood In Hunting (Gutierrez, H., Mill, L.  Sumner, E., Thatcher, S. & Zapatero, P.) (2294)

Theorem On The Components For The Creation Of A Witch And Reversing A Creation (Bigey, L., Iturburua, E., Letter, A, Sumner, E. & Villa, Y.) (2296)

Using Psychology To Lessen The Influence Of Lucifer In Beasts (Iturburua, E., Villa, Y., Saragosa, M., Saragosa, P. & Sumner, E.) (2297)

Interview With A Witch: Overcoming The Impossible With Empathy (Iturburua, E. & Sumner, E.) (2298)

All works available in HUN database.

Grandmother Layla had sometimes talked about how her sister had been a curious case. Born with an incredible capacity for empathy, she had been ill-suited for the hunting world, but had insisted on becoming a researcher despite her gentle nature and weak stomach. She had grand ideas of rehabilitating beasts: ridiculous, impossible ideas, that she had apparently not been alone in fancying. It was comforting to know she had had Iturburua with her almost the whole way, even if everyone else had ridiculed her, according to grandmother Layla. Even herself. Seeing the titles of her studies proved true everything that had been said of her. A kind soul with a deep well of patient determination.

“Did you know my grand-aunt?” Aedan asked Belle, who was looking at the page with unusual wistfulness. It was truly surprising to hear Belle had a connection to the Mill family other than him. What had the circumstances been for the two women? From Belle’s expression one could surmise their relationship had been good. Grand-aunt Elizabeth had of course been a very friendly and benign person, but it was difficult to picture Belle answering in kind. While she was not aggressively hostile towards hunters, her condescension and revulsion of them soured any good will quickly.

“I knew her personally”, Belle specified, smiling faintly at the page. “I did not scare her. She wanted to understand. To a certain extent… she did. But we did not have much time together.” A strong bitterness, like black coffee, pushed its way to surface and Belle frowned. Whether it was more out of hatred for whatever had separated her and grand-aunt Elizabeth, or for showing vulnerability in front of Aedan, he could not tell. Perhaps it was equal parts both. It wounded Aedan to see how reserved she still was with him.

“Was she the one who called you Belle before me?” Aedan asked warily, feeling jealousy rear its ugly head. It was ridiculous and utterly pointless. However great his grand-aunt had been, whatever she had meant to Belle, it no longer mattered, because she was long dead. She had not mattered in several decades.

“I could no longer remember my own name, so I gave her permission to name me as she pleased.”

With a heavy sigh and a weary smile she closed the book and turned away from Aedan.

“You take after your grand-aunt much more than you do after your grandmother. I am grateful for that”, she said, and floated away on that stormcloud of a dress, which looked more material these days than in Aedan’s youth.