#I don't even know if I'd want him to be saved from the Great Seal

[timeturner-jay]

For the ask game, how about your favorite Persona 3 character? (This is cheating but I'm curious lol)

Hehe, definitely Minato on my end then, too! ;D

who? | only know their name | loathe | ugh | overrated | indifferent | dead | alive | secret third thing? | just okay | cute | badass | my baby | hot | want to marry | favorite 

And lmao, I'm glad we're in agreement about the things we highlighted for him, too! He deserves all the best things. (Which makes his fate all the more tragic, hahaha ouch. But at the same time... It does feel like the perfect ending to his story, doesn't it? :') )

[iz-star]

About Zayne's possesiveness...

With Sylus calling us "kitten" all the time, I've seen Sylus mains being torn between if they like being called that or not, for some It's totally fine but for others is such a mood killer and I'm not a Sylus main but I'd be the second one for sure.

Then I remembered that Zayne once mentioned that I was his "favorite kitty" or that I was "his pet..." something like that? And I was like "where did he say that and why didn't I cringe when he said that? Maybe this is the effect of love (xD) maybe I understand Sylus mains better? I need to find out"

Then I remembered:

If Zayne is my personal Mr Kitty Cat, then I don't mind being his favorite kitty, we were basically the ones that initiated it and even put cat ears on him... So yeah, the whole vibe of this is totally different from Sylus' pet names.

However... He calling us "his pet" was a whole different story:

The way he lets his possesiveness slide for a second? You know, all of the guys are possesive somehow, they only show it differently, in this case, Zayne's possesiveness doesn't show too often cause he's aware that to be possesive of something is to allow yourself to show your weakness, to implicitly say "This person has a great power over my feelings or my behaviour bc It's mine..." that's why he stops himself when he says "Don't leave it with anyone else or I'll—" and then changes the approach "Do you want to leave it with someone else?"

And as the player, it leaves us hanging... Thinking "What would you do, Dr Zayne? What are you willing to do?"

We have to think about these questions from the perspective of Zayne's persona, of the kind of guy he is. We know the other guys have a bounty and have committed crimes/ killed people, while Zayne has done none of that and it's on the completely opposite side of things: He's a well respected doctor, has saved tons of lifes, is obssesed about saving people, a workaholic cause he knows the world needs him. The worst thing he's done (as far as we know) is that he had to kill his friend William when he was turning into a Wanderer and even so, it was William the one who asked this of him after Zayne desperately tried to save him against all odds.

Zayne is not someone who would even think of hurt others easily, even if he's quite able to cause others harm, just as much as the other LIs, but all versions of Zayne have in common that they're really kind. Sure, Dawnbreaker is a serial killer but we know he doesn't kill people out of joy but instead mercy. Sure, Foreseer was quite severe when MC first met him but It's not as if she didn't deserve it when she literally intruded his place, lied to him and tried to steal his powers (lmao) and we know he was wary of Astra all the time so he didn't want anyone to enter the Tower for their own sake and he paid with his life the price to keep MC alive. Master of Fate was supposed to kill MC but instead he chose to seal her powers to give her another chance to keep on living the life she told him she wanted to live (even without him).

So it's interesting to think what would Zayne do for MC? Us? If he decides to be selfish and fulfill his desires, what would he do? It seemed like he was even questioning himself, showing too much of what he's not used to show (And now with SS we just know how much he needs MC/us).

So that's why he changes the approach. His feelings are involved in this sudden and unexpected show of weaknesses, so he asks us "Do you want to leave it with someone else?" Now asking us about what we feel but not quite giving us time to reply.

The way he calls us "his pet" comes now more like he's gained control of his feelings again and is calling us that as a punishment for making him go through this unwanted jealousy but he's so ambiguous and smooth about it, that is giving "if It's too much don't take it" vibes because he neither confirms nor denies that he was talking about us.

Zayne is the kind of guy that would spoil you and shows his love through different ways: taking care of you and your health, acts of service, affirmation, sparing time for you, having you as his top priority, always offering his time/ himself (Have you notice how Zayne says "My free time is all yours, do with it what you want" while Sylus says "Who is your free time for if not me? " or how Xavier asks "Do you want to sleep with me?" while Zayne asks "Do you want me to sleep with you?"), he gives and gives (and lord knows how much he's tried to change and be more careful about his words and actions so they don't come across as alof, bc yes, Zayne hates to be mistaken as a heartless person) but of course he's also willing to do all that as long as you work for it and earn it too and if you misbehave, he makes you pay for it and knows how to give you a firm "No" when you try to backpedal or get away with it.

He knows (or tries) to balance his depth love by spoiling you while at the same time letting you know that nothing comes for free (even if he'd give it for free). Balance is a word that fits him best in all the aspects of his life, especially when it comes about love. He shows his feelings if you show them too (he both says "I never thought I'd have only one person in my eyes" accepting you're the only thing he sees and he also says "I want to be the only one in your eyes and for you to be mine" expressing what he desires too in a soft way) and when he shows his possesiveness, he's letting himself to lose this balance and he probably knows that you are the only thing that could make him completely lose this balance. His evol seems to be an analogy of this behavior, Zayne is always hyperaware that he could lose control of it at any given time and maybe, when it comes about his feelings, does he feel the same? ("It wouldn't be love if I could control it"). He's scared of hurting you but is he scared of the things he'd do for you?

Especially bc, all his other lifes and the current Zayne have always shown the opposite of possesiveness, they sacrifice themselves and their happiness for your own happiness and your well being. When MC asks Foreseer Zayne "Didn't you say you don't want to lose me again?" his literal reply was "I will never lose you as long as you're alive and well" and when Master of Fate was supposed to kill MC, he chose to seal her powers away even if it also meant to sacrifice his presence in her life (even after he promissed that they would always be together and promissed not to leave her and desired fulfill those promises). Dawnbreaker's only solace is MC, he only yearns for her and nothing else, a powerful quote they say in his anecdotes is "It's better to die with clarity than living as a walking corpse" referencing to ppl that turns into Wanderers but this quote applies to Zayne too, in the sense that he's basically a walking corpse cause he doesn't live his own life. MC is the only thing that keeps him alive somehow and she's not even in his own world. Dr Zayne says "When you and the world wake up, I hope we do not meet again" bc he knows this is the best for you.

All Zayne's are filled with pent up yearning, want, need, desire, to a point It's seems it is about to overflow and he does a goddam good work at hiding it; no wonder why Dr Zayne is taking all the available chances with MC, but even he seems to be aware that this won't last forever and even in such period of time, why he seems so afraid to loose up... lose control of himself? Especially cause Dr Zayne seems to be the balance amongst all Zayne's, he's not as dark and depressive as Dawnbreaker, nor as cold and severe as Foreseer, nor as happy and carefree as Master of Fate but at the same time holds a little of all of that.

So the question here is, how a showcase of the loss of this balance would be? For now we can only imagine and come up with assumptions but I'm quite curious to see it playing fully ingame, you know? Altho I'm not sure if I'd like it if it comes at the cost of him getting hurt again.

[douglasanondr]

My internship is done so now I can do these things again. I'll do the other comics I said I'd do in a bit, but I had this idea in mind so I did it first.

I want to talk about, at the very least my interpretations of Sig's corruption and Schezo's corruption, Because they are very different.

From the get go, we know how Sig's corruption works, ancient demon wrongfully sealed away want's to come back in the body of their descendent. That's all you need to know, and what they do with it is great. Normally the Demon would be evil, fucked up, something we would really not want Sig to be a part of. But it's not, the Demon is just angry, angry and desperate. From what we see with Strange Klug, the Demon just wants it's own life back, it was imprisoned for 500 years, watched the world moved on without it, it just wants a sense of self again. You get to understand how desperate and angry at the world the Demon is for being imprisoned for literally no reason. But it in order to get it's body back Sig has to die so, you can see why this a very touchy topic.

In contrast, we really don't know much about how Schezo's corruption works. Despite how old Madou and by extension Schezo's lore is we don't know much about how his corruption is. What we do know though, leaves a lot for interpretation. For one, we know his corruption makes him evil. From what we've seen nowadays and from the little bit of what we know about his past, he is legitimately a good person, he had a code of ethics, he likes and cares for small animals, he's willing to help people even if it is secretly for his own goals. He was and still is a good person, but the corruption turns him into a serial killer, hell of a switch up. Second is that it gives him constant hunger for magic, and the ability to take it. That's self explanatory it means he hungers for magic and that he can now take it from other mages by actively sucking it out of them, killing them in the process, if their lucky. Finally, as of recent (by recent I mean SEGA era) it can be quelled, not removed, quelled. From an audio drama I forgot the name of, Schezo tells a mentally deteriorating Arle, he needs her, not just her, everyone, Satan, Rulue, Draco, Witch, Everyone. That can interpretated in a lot of ways, I choose to interpret it as Schezo saying he needs everyone around him because they keep him human, sane, himself, not a monster. Not fully, but enough for him to control himself.

That's all we know about Schezo's corruption, we don't know how much of a hold it has on Schezo, we don't know how dangerous it makes him, how his endless his magic hunger is, hell we don't even know if it can be fully removed from Schezo. All we know is that it makes Schezo a Monster, and people that care about him can calm it down, not defeat it calm it down. It is so vague, you can interpret it in any way. (I personally prefer, the Eldritch method)

What I like about this is that Both Sig and Schezo's corruption is that they both go to two very different ends of the spectrum. There's still Hope with Sig's, We can still save Sig, we could even help the demon, hell we could even do both. But, there is still a chance that things could go wrong, but There's Hope. But for Schezo, it's already to late, they've lost, Schezo is essentially a ticking time bomb. Sure he's calmer now, but that's not gonna last forever.

In simpler terms. Sig can either win or lose, if he wins, there's a chance that everyone even the demon can be happy, if he loses, he dies. Schezo can only lose, and when he loses, everyone dies.

[quitealotofsodapop]

I like to think that it takes a but before Wukong and DBK end up having a much needed conversation about Wukong's pregnancy and the reasons he'd kept it hidden. They didn't hold off on it until Revenge of the Spider Queen, but I don't think Wukong was exactly eager to talk about it.

I also think that Wukong ought to have had some hidden resentment not even he had been aware of at the fact his big brother, who definitely is the sort to swear he'd protect Wukong no matter what despite Wukong not needing it, hadn't been able to keep his promise when it came to Wukong's capture, torture, and imprisonment. Being thrown into a Furnace for nearly 50 years and then buried under a mountain for 500 more isn't exactly something you just 'get over', and that's just a small part of what Heaven had done to Wukong. Like... he doesn't blame DBK because there's no way he could have known... but also DBK had broken his promise to keep his baby brother safe and presumably the first interaction they had after Wukong was freed by the mountain was presumably DBK asking Wukong for help with his toddler son who was hurting himself with a power he could not control and Wukong was probably hurt by that. And he was definitely hurt by the fight they later had.

Basically, there's a lot of bad stuff that happened with the journey and the events that led up to it and I think Wukong was suppressing a lot of that trauma, and it came out in ways he didn't really notice. Part of that comes to a head during their first heart to heart when DBK is told why Wukong had kept the fact he was pregnant a secret. He still didn't know exactly how long he was pregnant, that it was indeed during the Journey and not something that came about after it, but he knows Wukong had been pregnant when he was sealed under the mountain and Wukong had knowingly kept that from him. The rest of that only came out while they were in the web, which onky served to infuriate DBK even more because he'd thought he'd HAD this conversation with Wukong already and he comes to find out that Wukong had kept even more from him.

Basically it be like,

DBK: Why are you being so secretive about this? A child is amazing!

Wukong: There's a reason I don't want this getting out, DBK! Could you imagine what would happen if work got out that the 'Great Sun Wukong' was pregnant and vulnerable!? What would the Jade Court do!? The thousands of enemies I've made over the years!? I'd be lucky if they didn't start lining up at my door to try to take advantage!

DBK: I would have protected you! You're my little brother, you could've have told me!

Wukong: Oh, like you protected me so well during the war when I got thrown in a Furnace and trapped under a mountain!

Silence, as Wukong realized what he said, and that he hadn't meant to say that aloud. He'd thought he'd gotten over that tbh.

Another thing to consider;

Wukong also missed out on 500 years of life back when he was captured. 500 years of being unable to make amends with his mate. 500 years unable to defend his people from the Fires and the hunters.

And DBK spent all that time free, married, getting invited to parties, and generally having a life while his younger brother rotted under that mountain.

From Wukong's perspective, DBK forgot about his little brother. And that def stirs up some resentment once the two reunite after DBK's release.

But the full truth is even uglier than that.

As Sun Wukong and DBK's arguing escalates, I can see DBK finally breaking down into tears.

DBK: "I wanted to save you xiandi! I truly did! Azure and the others claimed you a traitor but I Knew you would never surrender without cause!" Wukong, angry tears: "Then why didn't you try freeing me from the Furnance?! Did you just sit around for all of those 49 days!?" DBK, voice raising accidentally: "IF I DID THEY WERE GOING TO KILL TIESHAN!" *covers mouth in shock* (The room goes silent. A long-held secret having just been revealed. As if the demon king had expended all his magic to break a verbal geas/spell that had tormented him for centuries) Wukong: "...t-they? Who's they?" DBK, shaking with tears and anger: "Many. Not just Heaven... if I moved to help or defend you in any way they'd... they threatened to... "take away what I had conquered". They treatened it long before you even surrendered to the Emperor." Wukong: "Wh-who? Who would threaten that? Who knew you'd defend me even if I had surrendered-" *goes quiet at a realisation left unsaid* "No..." DBK, eyes saddened: "Yes." Wukong, now angry-crying: "But... why?!" DBK, unsure himself: "I believe... some of them suspected that it wasn't truly Heaven we would have surrendered for. We are too much alike in many ways..." Wukong, taking in a deep breath: "The Emperor he'd- He said he'd- I'm sorry..." DBK: "I know he threatened to take Liu'er away from you. Anyone with a brain could deduce that." Wukong: *nods mournfully* DBK: *deep sigh* "I suppose I could have at least visited you... buddha knows Macaque did." Wukong: "Wait, you know about that?" DBK: "Of course! He visited your mountain nearly every year on the dot. Mostly to plant peach trees and sunflowers in the soil outside and pray for your swift release. Odds are he did not reveal himself due to your falling out- Xiandi are you ok!?" Wukong, realising that Macaque still loved him even then: "NO!!!!"

I love emotionally tormenting these characters. >:3

[evergreenalice]

having finally beaten ToTK awhile ago, I feel I can give some thoughts, I have many, but I'll focus on the story right now

my main feeling towards the game is frustration

this game had some of the best scenes in any Zelda game, full stop

Ganondorf's unsealing, fucking banger

the dragon scene? fucking AMAZING

drawing the master sword high up above the clouds? Beautiful

"Remember this name" as the main theme plays in the background, FUCK man

and that was possibly the coolest final boss of any video game I've ever played

but everything else is just... meh

and it's really frustrating, I feel like if given more time to cook, they could've made something really fucking cool

the story was really disorganized, and frankly, I got tired hearing the same thing 4 times, not skipping any of the sage cutscenes in hopes something, ANYTHING, would be different, but they weren't, I was fed the same thing four times!

and ultimately... I wasn't that invested in the story

some say that Zelda has always had bad stories, and this is just false

Zelda has always had relatively simple stories

but I was invested in stopping Ganon in OoT, I saw his impact on the world, and I saw how it impacted characters I'd grown to love!

I was really invested in the story of Link's Awakening, I didn't want the island to disappear, but it had to as sad it was

I think I cried the first time I beat LA as a child

but... here? Meh, I didn't feel the stakes, they were certainly there, but I mean, when it came to viewing the past, I cared about Zelda I guess, I like her, and I mean, the really fucking good scenes in the past are centered around her

I somewhat cared about Rauru and Sonia, but I mean, that was several millennia ago, I don't mourn dead people from the 2nd century much, of course they're dead, it was long ago, perhaps their death was tragic in some way, but, I don't feel that upset at it

and for the ancient sages... not even the writers cared about them! They don't even have names! WE DON'T EVEN SEE THEIR FACES!

and in the end, the most powerful part of the story, a beautiful scene of sacrifice... was just undone

and I'm not saying that Zelda shouldn't have been saved

BUT

let there be consequences

say that perhaps, she is very negatively impacted by her experience, it may take years for her to get over what has transpired. Which isn't impossible, and is still a hopeful note... but there were consequences, ones that will be overcome with great effort, and community, and support

but instead we are left with Zelda as she was... prior to her sacrifice, she doesn't remember it

I'm not saying happy endings are bad, but, a happy ending out of nowhere with no consequences? I don't like that

I grew up playing Zelda, and often these games had a sense of melancholy to them

Link saved the wind fish... and in the process lost that entire island of people, and Marin in particular

Link sealed away Ganondorf, and went back in time to warn the kingdom, and live out his childhood that was stolen to him... but he knows he's not a Kokiri, his identity was false, and he fundamentally, as Saria said, is of a different world from her, there is an innate barrier that will only grow between him and his former home, and in the end he will eventually become the Hero's Shade

Breath of the Wild did this well, it is a game about the aftermath of your failure, Zelda and Link have both lost their past, they can't return to it, they've failed, and time only moves forward, and they do

in all of these cases, it's not entirely negative, there is hope, there is a future

but there's also melancholy, there is loss, and I think that's something that ToTK just couldn't do

[abybweisse]

Why I think Undertaker has to be Cedric, revisited

At this point in the series, I'm a bit surprised how many in the fandom not just don't see him as Cedric K. Ros-- but actually rail against the idea.

So, here's a long, somewhat thorough overview of the situational and physical clues that he's Cedric, the father of Vincent and Francis/Frances.

Situational hints

How he cries over the details of Vincent's death. Not just that he died but what became of his remains. I'd cry over my dead son, too, especially if I had the ability to reanimate corpses but his body was destroyed by fire so that I couldn't do that. Let alone the fact his cinematic records were destroyed, so I not only couldn't make a bizarre doll of him, but I couldn't even review his memories to see what happened right before he died. This ties in with what he later says about not wanting to lose any more Phantomhives. But it strongly suggests that whoever set the fire did so specifically to thwart the efforts of a grim reaper. Whoever did that either knew Undertaker was a reaper or was at least following the instructions of someone who knew.

The whole not wanting to lose more Phantomhives thing. Claudia/Cloudia is gone, and so is Vincent. Reanimating real Ciel is the best he can do to not let the older twin go. He tried to destroy Sebastian to release our earl "Ciel" from their demon contract and might try again. Makes you wonder just how many Phantomhives he's really lost already. As well as where others might still be alive. What exactly was his business in France? 🤔

Even his odd comment to our earl (before the attack) that he wasn't sure which twin this was... but that it didn't matter because they were both Phantomhives. Instead of seeing an heir and a spare, he saw them equally. At least he did then. I suspect he now sees our earl as a spare soul... or conversely sees real Ciel as a spare body. I guess both could be true, making them still essentially equal in his eyes. Again, this could be another attempt to save our earl from Sebastian. By putting our earl's soul into the unmarked body of real Ciel, that might void the contract... unless the seal on our earl's eye also somehow affected his soul. 🤔 Anyway. I digress, since that gets into a separate theory discussion.

Standing in to help young Mr. Pitt take a photo of the twins. That's right after telling our earl it doesn't matter which twin he is. Then the other twin and Mr. Pitt arrive, the latter holding a new camera. It's odd that Mr. Pitt would ask a non-relative of the kids (besides a nanny) to help stage the photo, though Pitt is perhaps the non-traditionalist anyway. Undertaker seems like he's shocked to be asked, but he also seems amused. Mr. Pitt likely doesn't even suspect Undertaker is the twins' paternal grandfather, otherwise he might have seen it as a scoop, á la "LOWLY UNDERTAKER IS SIRE TO PROMINENT NOBLE FAMILY" or something equally scandalous. Because undertakers were considered low class citizens. So, Undertaker acts shocked but complies with giddy delight. By asking Undertaker to help stage the photo, he has likely, unwittingly asked a relative of the boys, which would be considered completely appropriate for the time period.

How he treats the Midfords. He recognizes Lizzie's talents and skill with a sword, otherwise he wouldn't have wanted her at Sphere Music Hall as a protector of the lords of the stars, while he kept them and Blavat hidden away. So he probably had Blavat bring her into the cult. Undertaker might see some of himself in Lizzie, but he definitely sees it in Frances/Francis, and I don't just mean physically. Both women fight in a similar manner as he does: highly skillful and graceful. Idk what he thinks of Edward, but I know he got a great laugh from watching the Phantom Five (including Edward) perform onstage. He doesn't interact much, if at all, with Alexis, who isn't a Phantomhive.

What he says to Francis/Frances, as well as how she responds. Again, he hardly acknowledges Alexis' existence, but Undertaker speaks directly with "Lady Phantomhive". That's really important because she's married into the Midford family and hasn't gone by her maiden name in many years. As long as Edward is old plus at least a bit longer, since she strikes me as too proper for a shotgun wedding, even if she weren't a noble. So, he sets her apart from her husband because she was born a Phantomhive. He doesn't want to lose her, either, because she is her mother's daughter. Then, when she nervously states he hasn't changed in roughly four years, he pokes fun at the fact he hasn't changed in a much longer time frame. He says her birth, over 30 years ago, seems like just yesterday. She's sweating bullets, and it's not just his creepy vibes. She knows he means it -- that 30-some-odd years is nothing to him... and that he very specifically recalls her birth. I'm pretty sure she knows he's her father, and she's horribly embarrassed by the fact. Alexis doesn't have a clue about it, and she'd rather keep it that way. But what he says strongly implies that he was present at her birth. Maybe down the hall, like Vincent was when his sons were born, but there... and just as anxious and excited and proud.

How the years for Cedric's birth and death dates are hidden by a speech bubble. Cloudia/Claudia's dates are fully shown because she's a regular human being. Well... a human, anyway. But if Undertaker is Cedric, then the birth and death dates for him would be from when he was a human, before he committed suicide and was sentenced to serve out his punishment as a reaper. That death date could be decades or even centuries before Cloudia/Claudia was even born. Remember that this family tree isn't one prepared by humans; it's part of the dossier that the German reapers have for our earl. The focus is purely biological ancestry, not marriages. Cloudia/Claudia and Cedric don't have to be married to be on this family tree; he is biologically the father of both Vincent and Francis/Frances.

Physical hints

He looks a lot like Francis/Frances and Edward. And Yana-san tweeted years ago that Francis and Edward look like Cedric. Here's a comparison between Edward and Undertaker. Here's one between Francis/Frances and Undertaker.

The place on his right where his hair has a long braid seems to match up with Lizzie's and Francis/Frances' right side locks that tend to stick out. He's got it tucked behind his right ear, but the braid might originate from the same spot. If Lizzie and her mother pushed those locks back, behind their right ears, the placement would be the same as Undertaker's braid.

He has the exact same baby hairs at the nape of his neck as Lizzie and Francis/Frances. They might be a bit shorter, but they are definitely there. Here's an old post about it. Edward possibly does, too, and we could tell if his hair was grown out and pulled up, but his hair is short and a bit shaggy on the nape of his neck, so we can't be sure.

[simshousewindsor]

WHAT IT TAKES

[Buckingsim Palace]

[??]: (inaudible talking)

Queen Katherine: (on the phone) Yes, I see. No, no. Thank you.

Queen Katherine: That was the palace press secretary. In her view, even after the outpouring of love the country showed the family after granny's passing, the steps we've taken haven't done the trick. The rumors about our marriage still haven't gone away.

Prince Rainier: (scoffs)

Queen Katherine: (stands) I think we can both agree, it can't go on like this.

Prince Rainier: Agreed.

Queen Katherine: Let's take this opportunity to talk frankly, with no kids, no Martin, no distractions. Lay our cards on the table about what needs to change to make this marriage work.

Prince Rainier: Well, start! I'm used to going second.

Queen Katherine: If I am to go first -your attitude.

Prince Rainier: My attitude?

Queen Katherine: Yes. It's incessant.

Prince Rainier: You try having other people tell you what to do and when to do it. What to say, and what not to say. It's humiliating!

Queen Katherine: (stern) As a matter of fact, I do! I have also learned more about humiliation in the past few weeks that I truly hoped I would in a lifetime. My government is failing, my family is failing, and my marriage is failing. What's worse, I've never felt more alone than I have in the past three months.

Prince Rainier: Why do you think that is?

Queen Katherine: Because you are no support, Rainier. You have been lost in your role and your self for months. You've shut me out.

Queen Katherine: Okay, I know this marriage has turned out to be far different than what we both imagined and that now we both find ourselves in a...

Prince Rainier: Prison.

Queen Katherine: ...unique situation. We have a marriage that's different than any others where as...

Prince Rainier: Divorce.

Queen Katherine: ...Yes. It isn't an option for us.

Prince Rainier: You're right.

Queen Katherine: So, what do we do? I need you. Our family needs you. You need to leave the past there. What will it take?

Prince Rainier: All right. If you're truly asking. To make it bearable, to make it work... I'd need to feel valued. To feel respected.

Queen Katherine: You are!

Prince Rainier: (stands) No! No, I'm not. None of those sims of your court, cabinet or even government respect me. Their snobbery and prejudice towards me ends. They consider me a foreigner because I'm from Brindleton Bay.

Queen Katherine: You haven't behaved like you've earned their respect!

Prince Rainier: No! I will earn their respect with the only thing that will shut them up and command their respect. My eight year old son out ranks me, and I don't want to hear the old "he's heir to the throne" rhetoric.

- - - - - TWO DAYS LATER - - - - -

[Chambers of The House of Lords - Palace of Windsor, Easton]

[The Duke of Norfolk]: Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm bearing the date the 19th of November, 2024, to give and to grant under His Royal Highness, the Prince consort, the style and titular dignity of a prince of the United Kingdom of Windenburg. The Prince consort shall henceforth be known as His Royal Highness The Prince Rainier, Prince consort.

- - - - - ACROSS THE HALL - - - - -

[Chambers of The House of Commons]

Richard Philemon [Minister of Energy]: I am here to acknowledge the friendships I had with Miss Emily Wilson and Mr Ezekiel Birch. The former of whom, I last saw in April 2024.

Richard Philemon [M.E.]: There was no impropriety whatsoever in my acquaintanceship with Miss Wilson. I shall not hesitate to issue writs for libel and slander if scandalous allegations are made or repeated outside the House.

- - - - - ACROSS TOWN - - - - -

[10 Downing Street]

Linwood Keller [Prime Minister]: (angry) Sh*t! He lied on the House floor.

[Aide]: He's doing whatever it takes to save himself. Does he not know this is live?

Linwood Keller [P.M.]: Philemon just ended the Conservatives power in government. The House minority leader is starring him right in the face, knowing he's lying. Call the palace. I need an urgent audience with the queen!

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[rea-grimm]

Demon's Creed - Mammon

Thick yellow, glittering to golden smoke billowed from the summoning seal. Very soon a figure began to appear in it. 

When the smoke cleared, you couldn't believe your eyes as Mammon stood in the middle of the circle, but he looked different. Horns grew from his head and black bat-like wings stuck out of his back. 

The Templars were thrilled with this summoning. They hadn't expected such a success and were going to make the most of it. 

"Who dares to call the Great Mammon? ' He asked with his head held high, looking around. Your gazes met for a moment, but he didn't seem to care. Instead, he focused on the Templar. 

Negotiating with another the price for his service. After all, he didn't work for free. He wanted money, gold, precious stones, anything they held dear. And the Templars would promise him almost anything they had just to buy him. 

Mammon nodded contentedly at their offer, and you could see the promise of that wealth appealed to him.

"Well, we can high-five on that. But I want it all in writing in the contract. After all, a contract with a demon is something that can't just be broken," he said smugly, and you wondered how they just went along with his request and broke the seal that prevented him from coming out. 

You knew the demon was fast, but this was a speed you didn't expect. Just as soon as the seal was broken and he was free to come out, within a flash all the templars were lying dead on the ground in pools of blood. 

"They shouldn't have underestimated me," he grinned in satisfaction before turning to you and helping you to your feet. 

"At one point I thought you were serious," you said weakly. 

"Did you really think I'd trade you? I'm sure they didn't even have all they were offering," he shrugged." Although, maybe if they offered me something really expensive," he grinned. At that moment, you looked at him with such a murderous expression that Mammon paused. 

"Hey, he'll calm down. Don't look at me like that. You know I didn't mean it that way," he began to mumble before taking you in his arms. Before you disappeared, you noticed that one person wasn't completely dead and was slowly getting up. Your father. 

Mammon carried you to the infirmary where you were treated. They treated you and kept you there for observation. 

As you lay there, Diavolo came to check on you. 

"I'm sure you have many questions," he said when he was sure you were all right. He explained what you'd asked him and then gave you two choices. You could stay there with them or you could leave with the understanding that he would provide you with a haven. He knew it was a tough decision, so he gave you time to think about it. 

After he left, almost all of the brothers crowded into the room except for Lucifer. Beel brought you a pile of food to regain your strength. They were all worried about you and concerned that you might be afraid of them. Despite all their concern, Mammon tried to throw them out of the room. However, they all ignored him and didn't take him seriously. 

It wasn't until some time later that they slowly began to leave you, and eventually, you were left alone with the white-haired demon.

He had a big rant about how he saved you and how you couldn't live without him. 

"... I was your first demon anyway. I love you," he trailed off before pausing. "Y- You didn't hear that! Forget it!" He stammered, blushing red all over before quickly leaving the room, surprisingly not tripping over his own feet. 

It was getting close to evening and you were going to give Diavolo your decision on whether to stay or leave. Since Mammon and the others had left, no one had followed you. You weren't sure of your decision, so you wanted to think it over in the fresh air and take a little walk. 

You got out of bed, slipped into your slippers, grabbed your robe and walked to the door. You opened the door and you were shocked. Mammon was sitting on the floor next to the door. 

The moment he noticed you, he immediately knelt and pretended to look for his gold card. He must have accidentally lost it somewhere. 

Before you could ask him anything more, he barged into your room to see if he'd lost it there. 

"Are you sure you want to leave? You don't want to stay here? There's everything you could ever need. Food, decent company, a roof over your head, me..." and he started to talk you into not leaving and staying there with them and especially him. 

You listened to his suggestions and just nodded as he wouldn't let you speak. He didn't even give you a chance to defend yourself, as every time you opened your mouth to say something, he started again with more arguments. 

"Mammon... Mammon!" you wanted him to listen to you, but in vain. Finally, you sighed, grabbed his collar and kissed him. The demon stopped talking, flushed like a crab and his mouth was open like a fish. 

"I'm not going anywhere. Is that clear? I love you too, and I want to stay here," you said. 

"Who said I love you," he protested when his brain was able to form words again. "I wouldn't let you go anywhere though, you're mine," he added quickly.

Previous parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

[kagedbird]

TESSDE AU (+ Lucia :]) (??? part 3)

The large group make their way to the Temple, very obviously garnering the attention of people they pass by. Some treat it as a procession, others merely gawk. Allora curls Lucia closer to her chest nervously, rubbing her arm to self soothe. Lucia doesn't mind, clinging just as tight to her mother.

They see Martin's statue long before they reach the Temple. Its height is massive, breaking through what once was a ceiling of the building, with not a speck of moss or dust to be seen, even as they got closer. It was clear the Temple was well taken care of.

Athrodite: *stops just at the main entry wall to Martin's statue, smiling brightly* If you would please, change into your draconic form, Great One, and step before His visage to pray. I would ask everyone else to remain outside the walls while she does, but you are free to roam.

Taliesin: *taking Lucia and kissing Allora's temple* We will be right here when you are finished, Cherub.

Allora: *sighs and nods, reluctantly letting him take Lucia* Right. Thanks.

Inigo: Everything will be okay! Just warn us if you start to explode with your power or something. *gives her a hug and nuzzle*

Allora: *leans into it and returns the nuzzle* Yeah, I'll do my best.

Lucien: *takes her hand after, squeezing it* I'll keep watch for any would be assassins! You can count on me!

Allora: *kisses his knuckles softly with a smile* Always do. *blinks as Kaidan swoops in last to hug her from behind and kiss her lips softly, blushing and giggling when he pulls away* Goofball.

Kaidan: What? Everyone else is givin’ ya a parting thing. Wanted mine t'be memorable. *grins*

Allora: *rolls her eyes and gives Lucia one last cheek kiss* If anything happens, listen to your fathers, all right? No stopping for anything, no trying to save me, nothing. Am I clear?

Lucia: *frowns* Yes mama…

Allora: Good girl. *tickles her side to lighten up the situation, smiling at her peels of laughter, before nodding to Lyra and Davidicus* Wanna see a cool trick?

Davidicus + Lyra: ??

Allora: *tenses and melds into her draconic form with Mirmulnir at the helm, tail sprouting from her lower back, ears and teeth elongating, nails becoming claws and body growing scales at a rapid rate* … *gives jazz hands* Tada.

Davidicus + Lyra: *wide eyed*

Athrodite + Hilio + Elona: *immediately on their knees in reverence, bowing and uttering prayers and thanks*

Allora: *grimaces but shakes off her weariness, stepping between them towards Martin's “grave”* All right… just a simple prayer. Noooo problem… ugh…

Allora sits on her knees before the statue, looking up at the massive stone work, frowning as she thought she felt some form of thrumming energy beneath it. What was... that...?

…Oh. Oh.

He was still in there???

Allora: *grimaces, tail tapping the ground anxiously* Boy, you got a raw deal, huh? Sealed forever more in this draconic stonework to hold back Daedric Princes, but remain somewhat conscious. From what I've learned from Lucien, you didn't even really know your lineage, huh? Just to be swept up in it all and sealed in the end. Though I guess it was either that or let the world be ravaged... *huffs*

Statue: …

Allora: … *sighs* …I don't really know what I'm doing. Not just… in this, between us, but this life. I desperately just want to have a quieter life now. I have a little girl, and quite a few men I adore. I just want to be content with them for however long we have in our lives… I wonder if you felt like that too, at any point after you learned about all of this. Did you want to go back to the days before your legacy? Before everything? I don't want to go back to my world… but I do long for the days where it was just Bren and I on the farm. Of course I'd want the others with us now, in that space of quiet. But everywhere we go, it's just… always something. *squeezes her eyes, sighing* …Always something. *chuckles quietly* …I'm very tired of it.

Statue: … …

Allora: ...I know I'm not really connecting with you to pray and that I'm just talking to you. Sorry for that. I'm nervous. *flexes her hands, letting out a short breath* Okay. Here goes nothing…

[liliallowed]

Fun fact! Selkie's seal skins are basically like their souls! When they shed them if they wanna look human they have to be kept very safe. Some humans also take advantage of selkies and trick/coerce them by stealing their skins and in some old folktale stories some people just... force the selkies to marry them???? Big ew but like usually the likes can get their seal skin back and escape.

Sorry for the info dump I love selkies so much <3

noooooo. that's so sad!

I did watch song of the sea and read about selkies in a fic. I also know they're in Celtic mythology but I didn't really dig too deep into their lore with human interactions.

I'd like to imagine they tend to avoid humans most times living in pods.

still if a human even TOUCHES y/n dust is biting their head off...

and crimson will probably sneeze and sink their ship from the sneeze...

this makes me wonder if y/n is captured by humans... dust can't exactly go to the surface... he WOULD try but he'd probably just claw at the beach ineffectively...

crimson is more likely to be able to scare the humans or straight up just rise to the surface CRAWL their way to the city and look for y/n... destroying buildings and crushing anyone in their way... they're too big to be able to subtly rescue them... they also aren't sure HOW to find them. (y/n can communicate with them if they are close by though with telepathy) everything is so SMALL. people are firing harpoons at them. stupid annoying insects. crimson WON'T lash out too violently. they don't want to risk hurting y/n.

I feel like they'd make a great distraction for y/n to steal their coat back and escape.

if y/n is close, crimson will immediately freeze up and quietly go back to the water holding them in their hand. like. smoll floof ball.

then they'll slowly heal their wounds while dust like just holds them asking "ARE YOU OK DID THEY HURT YOU WHO THE FUCK DID THIS IM GOING TO FRIKING KILL THEM."

and crimson is just staring at him with a bleeding arm like: bro I just saved your mate.

and dust ignores them.

all in all I think dust wouldn't let y/n near humans. he doesn't trust them.

and crimson is just chilling in the deep down dark depths... so that's a long swim to get to shore near humans.

crimson's territory is basically a deadzone. there's very little fish there and it's infamous for sinking ships... so this scenario is highly unlikely to happen.

[lady-forest-1142]

hiii I'm reposting my review of cordelia's honor here from my goodreads bc I need more ppl to share in my obsession dammit! (also if I've misspelled any names have pity on me, I read this on audio)

an instant favorite? an instant favorite that I read on audiobook?? in this economy??? unequivocally, yes. holy fuck. this had everything. large cast of compelling characters, fast-paced plot, romance, explorations of war and violence and power and motherhood and disability and morality, tight writing, dry humor - the works. I wish Barrayar had been six hours longer. I need to start the next book immediately. I don't know that I can do it justice in a review.

Shards of Honor: okay, after all that gushing this was only ("only") a 4.5. we've got a survival story, a galactic war, a psychological thriller, and a romance all combined, and the plot shifted tones and focuses just a little too much for me (plus I'll admit the space battle parts lost me a bit). we're following cordelia naismith, a research officer on assignment on a (unbeknownst to her) politically-advantageous planet. cordelia's base is ambushed by a mutineering band of barrayaran soldiers, the enemies of her people of beta colony, and she finds herself stranded on the planet with the notorious barrayaran admiral aral vorkosigan. the plot escalates in leaps and bounds from there - to outline anything more would be a spoiler. needless to say, cordelia and aral fall in love, against a backdrop of the aforementioned mutiny, a war, a scheming emperor on his deathbed, and a masochistic officer. cordelia is a soldier, a captain, a captive, a prisoner of war, a psychic patient, and a lady in the course of 336 pages. and I love her. she's an absolute badass, she's deeply compassionate, she isn't afraid to call anyone (particularly aral) on their shit, she's reckless. she waterboards someone in a fish tank. she utters possible the most metal romantic line I've ever heard ("when he's cut, I bleed"). I want to be her when I grow up. aral falls sickeningly in love with her - he literally admits that he first got a crush on her upon seeing her throwing up in a creek and proposes marriage to her after less than two weeks. he's also a (CANONICAL) disaster bisexual whose idea of therapy is getting drunk in hideous hawaiian shirts with sentimental value and he has a sadistic murdering ex-boyfriend. actually this is a great book to read as a bisexual. I want to be their third so bad.

Barrayar: yeah this is the book that sealed the brainrot for me. political intrigue, a fancy-dress ball, assassination attempts, high emotional stakes, cordelia being the only rational person in the room 80% of the time, the BEST side characters, all escalating to a civil war that, naturally, involves cordelia beheading people? sign me the fuck up. I'm not gonna talk about cordelia and aral again save that I love them even when aral is being a moron with a horrible father. he doesn't rly deserve cordelia and he knows it. ok. now. koudelka is my babygirl and can literally do no wrong, okay? even though he is a moron of the absolute highest order who needs to be slapped approximately every 50 pages (cordelia usually takes care of it). (actually all the men in this book are morons and the women are perfect. no wonder I like it!) hottest man to carry a walking stick / sword since jem carstairs. droushnakovi my QUEEN, idolizes cordelia (as she should) bc barrayaran society is stupid and misogynist and she's never seen a female soldier before, deserves every good thing in the world (first and foremost a briefing on feminism). bothari....I am clenching my fist in emotion. when we are talking of COMPLEX MORALLY GRAY MEN....look no further. when he calls himself cordelia's pet dog???? gnawing at the bars of my enclosure. he is FAR from perfect and I'd probably want to be at least 500 meters away from him irl but GOD does he get in my FEELINGS. plus also girl dad, so we have to cheer. ohhh my god and I haven't even gotten into the politics and social structure of barrayar and how it is so similar to our own and how cordelia is in the perfect position to critique it bc beta colony is suuuper different and way more advanced, and critique it she does. the conversations about motherhood and the expectation that mothers carry their children to term biologically even when technology exists elsewhere in the galaxy to literally replace and replicate a uterus? actually every single discussion about motherhood and social expectations on barrayar vs beta colony. frighteningly prescient for a book published in 1991!! ALSO the conversations on disability and the validity of disabled life that I am sure will only continue?? (count piotr can go kick rocks btw). can you tell this is my favorite book of the year yet?? jesus christ. I need the next one immediately.

[nothingtherefornow]

It would be so good if those questions could finally be answered in Tekken 8

I honestly don't want the final fight between Jin and Kazuya to turn out the same way the fight between Heihachi and Kazuya ended in Tekken 7, with the son's victory and the father's death.

Kazuya had great reasons to hate Heihachi, who I think deserved to die for what he did, the moment he threw his own son into a cliff just because there was a risk he inherited his mother's devil power was the moment Heihachi sealed his fate.

But between Jin and Kazuya ? Why should they hate each others ? Kazuya seems to dislike Jin but not to hate him, and while it's understandable that Jin would resent his own father, Kazuya never really did anything to warrant the same hatred directed to him from his son that Kazuya himself felt for Heihachi.

Kazuya probably didn't know that he had a son until Tekken 4, and Jun didn't know that he survived his fight against Heihachi during Tekken 2, the two of them had no reasons to seek each others out, Jin shouldn't put the blame on his mother's death on his father, but I can understand why he would.

Even though, I'd like to think that at this point, Kazuya and Jin antagonism toward each other is more the result of a very big ideological difference rather than a personnal feud between them (even if their blood relationship makes their fights more personnal).

For Jin said it himself : "people like us shouldn't exist" (I hope he is not just thinking about the Devil gene's existence and that he also includes the fact that both he and Kazuya spread war throughout the world and killed millions of innocent people) and Kazuya's answer ? : "such pathetic words Jin Kazama" while displaying not an arrogant and mocking expression, but a face expressing disappointment, as if to show that Kazuya finds it ridiculous and absurd that Jin rejects his own blood, and by extension their demonic nature that protected them from death more than once (Jin when Heihachi shot him in the head, and after his fight against Azazel, while Kazuya would have died at Heihachi's hands without the Devil gene)

And it makes sense that Jin wants nothing to do with the destructive power of the Devil, because even though the Hachijo clan tried to weaponize that power in order to protect the world from global threat, in the end this power would become the catalyst of many targedies in the future.

As much of a threat Heihachi may have been for the world by militarizing the Zaibatsu Mishima, if Kazumi hadn't tried to assassinate him with the Devil power, maybe Heihachi wouldn't have turned out as bad as he became. Although since Heihachi imprisonned his own father and left him to die from hunger and thirst after Jinpachi attempted to take back the Mishima Zaibatsu (and rightfully so, since his company was getting known for anything related to war, something Jinpachi and Kazumi deplored) and failed, then I can understand why Kazumi would try to kill her husband while thinking she would protect the world by doing so.

While Kazuya seems to want to remake the world into a "the strong live, the weak die" fashion, Heihachi seemed to always work to achieve world peace, but the fact that the world was endangered because of Heihachi's own actions in the first place, while the man proclaimed himself to be the world protector, mostly makes Heihachi sound like an hpocrite despite his intentions, which is why I always had sympathy for Kazuya but none for Heihachi.

Because Kazuya accepts his demonic nature and fully embrace it (to the detriment of his humanity unfortunately) for the very reason that his demonic power is what saved him twice when Heihachi tried to kill him. To Kazuya whose own father attempted to kil him twice, once when he was a child, and a second time when Kazuya finally had a chance at redemption in Tekken thanks to Jun and Angel's influence, the only reason of his survival was his Devil powers. for Kazuya power became the most important thing a man can possess, because this same power kept him alive against the man responsible for his trauma. It's just tragic that the price for such power was the loss of Kazuya's potential at love compassion for the world and for a few people who could have been important for him (if there was none of that in Kazuya before Tekken 4 then Angel woudln't even have bothered with him in Tekken 2)

If we forget Tekken 6, Jin in Tekken 8 seems determined to protect humanity from the Devil gene's power, and in his eyes Kazuya embodies the enemy of humanity (and it is true that Kazuya presents himself as such when he announces the 8th tournament), and to Kazuya Jin is an obstacle to his plans and ambitions, in this context it is normal that they are enemies who clash and seek the other's destruction (more on Jin's part than Kazuya's part though), but nothing obliges them to hate each other at this point, unless Kazuya really start to hurt people who are important for Jin.

The reason why Kazuya hates Heihachi so much is obvious. Hell,Kazuya antagonizes mankind because he's been abused by them.abandoned. betrayed.

Why does Jin hate Kazuya anyway?We were never really given an answer nor did any character ever asked Jin why he loathes his father so badly. Jin only says that once Kazuya dies,everything will be fixed. The reasoning behind that statement?

I can only think of one reason which is that Jin believes Kazuya to be the root of all miseries that was forced upon Jin. In Jin's eyes,Kazuya is a coward who left Jun after impregnating her with a child that bears power of devil,never returned to be a father and most importantly,wasn't there when Ogre supposedly killed Jun.

It's not that Jin really needed a father in his life but rather that He wanted someone to save his mother and prevent so many tragedies from happening. The very first time Jin sees his father is when Devil messes with his head,projecting illusions while manifesting himself in Kazuya's form. I mean Jin has a point to hate Kazuya that much.

But the two should ask two important questions from each other in Tekken 8...

Kazuya:Why do you love to hate me so badly,Jin Kazama?

And...

Jin:Why did my mother left you,Kazuya?

[marshmellowzz]

HIII! I wanna be the first one to request on your blog(I hope I am😭😭) YOU DIDNT HAVE IN YOUR RULES,HOW MANY CHARACTERS YOU CAN REQUEST AT THE SAME TIME BUT I'D LOVE TO HAVE KISSING HEADCANONS(female reader) WITH MUZAN,GYUTARO,DOUMA AND AKAZA!! Thank youu :))

Uppermoon Kissing Headcannons 💞

A/N- Hi anon!!! I'm really sorry about the character request limit thing, I'll fix that right away. and yes! you are the first person to request, thank you lovely! i had a lot of fun with this request! I really hope you like it <3 (^з^)-☆Chu!!

Muzan:

Very rarely gets romantic with you, but oh boy when he does...

Muzan is a megalomaniac, he has a very inflated ego and a delusional sense of self worth, he sees no value in any life other than his own, so naturally, he even surprised himself when he took interest in a human—a lowly being like yourself. You are EXTREMELY lucky that you even caught his attention, and because of that he feels that he is entitled to you, he is your ultimate superior, your god, you should be groveling at his feet and thanking him for bestowing his affection onto you. From the very moment his eyes set on you, your fate was sealed.

Even so, he is a man that you've come to love, and because he's had many wives in the past he is extremely adept, and he knows exactly how to get you head over heels in love with him.

He is a traditional kisser, he's more into deep, heavy kisses to show intimacy. Although sometimes his kisses seem more demanding and rough. In short, he wants to show you what he really wants - he wants you to be his.

You are always left breathless and flustered no matter how many times he kisses you.

It gives him great pleasure to watch you gasp and pant as you desperately try to catch your breath. It makes him feel empowered, as he could go on for hours and he'd still be okay.

He'd probably be the one to initiate the kisses, that sense of superiority and need to exert power in any situation shines through in your relationship, he will kiss you when he wants to kiss you, and that's final.

Whenever he's in the mood he'd grab your cheeks and pull your face closer to his, until eventually your lips are feverishly against each other.

He'd grab your hips and pull you closer to get rid of any distance between you two, he wouldn't be very touchy-feely, but if he's in the frame of mind he'd be more teasing — squeezing your ass, rubbing his hands along your waist and hips, fondling with your breasts, etc.

Although he doesn't really like PDA, he is a very possessive man, and will sometimes bring you to meetings and kiss you in front of his subordinates to make clear that your his, and his alone.

Gyutaro:

His behavior would initially be extremely hesitant. He would pull away from you, insult you, mock you, whatever he could do to scare you away.

He would be very convinced that you were trying to tease him or were making fun of him.

Gyutaro is not very fond of himself. He usually compares himself to others and greatly envies/despises those who are fortunate or possess things that he longs for. Standing next to Daki, he has grown accustomed to being the unattractive sibling -- he just never imagined being loved the way you love him.

Daki doesn't help the situation very much either, she'd probably be reinforcing Gyutaro's thoughts of himself, she'd be like "Big brother, don't kid yourself! Y/n's probably just messin' with you!"

The truth is that he doesn't understand why you like him. He thinks it's silly when you compliment or lean in for a kiss, it's hard for him to accept that you're attracted to him, and at times he thinks you're trying to 'save him' or 'bless him'.

"Your pity doesn't matter to me, stupid girl."

Yeah...It'll be hard to convince him that you truly like him, and he probably wouldn't show you much affection initially.

After some time, he will grow to love your touch and kisses, even if they are small. It gives him comfort to know that you are not bothered by his appearance.

Gyutaro is more sloppy when he's kissing you, he completely abandons any rhyme or reason and simply lets his body take control.

He's newer to kissing so he might be a lil' inexperienced and inconsistent (please be patient with him he's trying 😭)

Sometimes he'll miss your mouth and plant a kiss on your cheek instead, he plays it off well, most times you don't even notice.

Gyutaro's kisses are more gentle and relaxed, he values a passionate kiss more than a harsh one.

It's difficult for him to express his tenderness, so he appreciates it when you initiate the kiss.

He's a sucker for knuckle and hand kisses. He has cold hands and he gets really blushy when you kiss his knuckles or try to warm up his hands.

The reason Gyutaro prefers small pecks and short kisses is not only because he finds them most comfortable, but also because he also struggles to commit to a long and sensual kiss because he is afraid you'll leave him and abandon the relationship you two have built.

If you want him to settle in and feel comfortable, you'll need to give him a lot of reassurance. At times he will pull himself away or withdraw from any affection; he does not believe someone like himself is worthy of your touch or your gentleness.

He likes PDA but only because you're something he can show off, you are like a boost of self-esteem for his emotionally-constipated-self, he likes to flaunt that even someone like him managed to bag a diamond like you.

Gyutaro loves cuddling and kissing, he loves being able to hold you close to him and just all around touching you, he's a very touch-starved individual—he will seize any opportunity he gets to feel your skin against his.

Douma:

Oh goodness...

Douma is definitely the most affectionate among them, which is ironic because under his carefree and outwardly friendly air the man is clinically apathetic, the concept of emotions being completely foreign to him, his love for you would be more of a source of amusement for him—something that he can play and toy with.

The only reason he kept you alive was because he found you pretty and grew quite fond of you.

Let's start off by saying that...Douma has zero concept for personal space, like...none.

He's always holding you, he loves placing you on his lap and just kissing you as he pleases.

His kisses come in wide variety and he gets very unpredictable at times.

For example, sometimes Douma places light and feathery kisses on your face, gently peppering them all over your face. Just cute small pecks!

He'll probably wait about ten minutes before jumping you and pulling you into a slow and savory kiss, the kind that always leaves you breathless.

Like, what happened to 'hello'? 'how are you'? 'my name is...'? what happened to that...?

He's extremely handsy as well, whether it's gently cradling your cheeks, his hands running down your inner thighs, or simply cupping your breasts in his hands. He just can't keep his hands off of you, you're too adorable!

He's very flirtatious and he loves to tease you, he just loves to see you get flustered or embarrassed.

"What's wrong, dearest? Cat got your tongue?"

Douma's favorite type of kiss would definitely be the French kiss, he likes the tongue work involved, he loves the sensation of his tongue on yours and he feels that it is very intimate.

Douma completely spoils you rotten, he buys you tons of chapstick flavors and colorful lipsticks and then kisses you to test which one tastes the best.

If you think he only does this in private then you are sorely mistaken.

In uppermoon meetings, Douma may just spontaneously invite you to a steamy make-out session just to annoy the rest of the group.

He's a sucker for PDA, he isn't jealous, he just wants to show you off. You are one of his most polished gems, and there's just no way he's going to keep you hidden from the world, he wants everybody to see your beauty.

Akaza:

He's probably the most appropriate and sensual with his kisses.

Akaza would also be hesitant with kissing. He is not a gentle man in the slightest, and he cherishes strength and takes pride in it. However, emotionally, as much as he wants to deny it, he is weak.

Akaza also has a weak spot for women, he'd like to tell himself that he doesn't eat them because they're simply helpless beings, but in reality the man cannot bring himself to harm them.

Generally, Akaza's kisses are deep and meaningful, his kisses have a lot of raw emotion behind them, and he doesn't just pass them around like they're charity.

It takes him an extremely long time to trust, he believes that showing love also showcases vulnerability, and he needs to be sure that you're going to be as committed as he is.

Although, once he falls, he falls HARD.

His kisses are a good representation of that. Akaza doesn't mind quick pecks, but he isn't a huge fan of them, he prefers to draw out his kisses for as long as he can. He lets his lips linger on yours, his arms tenderly wrapping around your body as he pulls you close enough that your foreheads lightly bump against each other.

He's a firm believer that the lips is the most intimate spot to kiss, he likes to kiss you there the most, and he likes it when you do the same for him. He wants to let you know that only you have access to that spot, and that you've gained a permanent spot in his heart.

Akaza is not one for PDA, he dislikes it and often avoids doing even the littlest things like holding hands or quick kisses in front of anybody. He feels that those are reserved for when you two are in the privacy of each others company. Not only that, but because he has an image he needs to maintain.

Akaza isn't unnecessarily handsy, but he's not afraid to get all touchy-feely with you.

Akaza also quite enjoys forehead kisses, he thinks it's a good way to show care, and affection. He uses it as a way to tell you 'I've gotcha,' or 'you're safe here,'.

An all around very sweet kisser! He uses it as a way to express how much he loves you without saying it out-loud.

[sanityshorror]

[The creepypasta ft Julius the Dressmaker by Sanity's Horror]

Julius the Dressmaker

[official creepypasta; also known as/former title: the dressmaker from hell]

2024 illustrations of Julius the Dressmaker will be shown after you finish reading. The ones above are from June 2022

I don't have much time left, he'll return any moment. It's beyond me how I'm still conscious, let alone alive. Even the smallest movement causes indescribable excruciating pain. However, I feel it necessary to push through this agony because everyone desperately needs to be warned of him. It's far too late to save myself, anyone who attempted to try would be embarking on a suicide mission. This is simply a warning I hope could save others. The fate of meeting this man, this demon, isn't something I would even wish on my worst enemy.

My name is Casey O'Sullivan. The events that lead to my predicament all truly began a long, long time ago. My youngest days, actually. Maybe even before my birth, this fate had been determined for me. The more I think about it, yes. It was inevitable I'd meet my maker at the hands of Julius Doherty. Hopefully, this will all make sense to you by the time you're done reading. I don't know if I'll be able to even finish telling my story before my imminent death. Forgive my rambling, I'm very foggy in the head. I've gotten ahead of myself. Let me get back to where I started.

Ever since I was a little girl, I'd dreamed about my wedding day. In fact, I actually began planning it as a child, going so far as to have my gown picked out by the time I was 8. After seeing a photo of my great, great grandmother on her wedding day, I knew I wanted a replica of the gown. As expected from a photo from 1890, it was rather low quality and unfortunately deteriorating. Every time I touched the image, another bit of ink seemed to fade or blur into nothingness. Despite this, I could still make out most of the details on the gorgeous dress. Given my determination to preserve the treasured image, I didn't look at it all too often. I'd made a great effort to keep the grainy photo from further eroding. Sealing the photo airtight in a Ziploc bag, I'd tucked it into a labeled envelope and kept it locked in my nightstand drawer.

Logan was my highschool sweetheart. We've been together ever since he asked me to junior year prom. He's the first and only boyfriend I had. In fact, we'd been close friends since childhood, so much so that both our parents joked about us marrying when we grew up.

It was a lovely day when Logan proposed to me. The location may not have seemed anything special to your average person, simply the gardens of our neighborhood park. However, for us, it was the park we'd played as children where we'd met nearly two decades ago.

Logan sat me on one of the aged swings that hung on the faded red set, the same swings that were nearly as old as we were. He'd gotten down on a knee in front of me and asked me to marry him, right there in the wood chips. Being the sentimental person I am, and how much thought he'd clearly put into the proposal, had me in tears of happiness. Of course, I said yes without hesitation.

It was at our engagement party when a tall, strawberry haired, well dressed man approached me. I felt like I knew him but couldn't quite place the name to his face, which was obscured by a pair of mirrored sunglasses despite being indoors. The scar on his neck stood out though, and I wracked my brain attempting to remember where I recognized him from.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Interrupting my thoughts and before I even could open my mouth, the man spoke quickly but confidently in a hushed tone, "I heard through the grapevine you wanted an authentic Victorian wedding dress. I know where you'll be able to get the perfect, handmade dress better than you could dream. I was sent by the owner to extend this offer, he says to consider it a personal invitation." He took my hand in his own, pressing a slip of paper into my palm before letting go.

Taken aback by the unexpected and sudden encounter with the stranger, I wasn't sure how to immediately respond. For a moment I just stared at him and blinked, then glanced down at the paper he'd given to me. On what appeared to be torn from a notebook page, the words 'Doherty's Dress Shop' had been scrawled, accompanied by what I assumed was the address, along with a date and time. It was only a few blocks away from my apartment yet initially I couldn't recall ever seeing it.

The man startled me as he suddenly spoke again, "It's the Victorian era styled boutique store," he told me, as if he'd read my thoughts.

Hearing that from him was all it took for me to suddenly remember the place. "Oh, yes! I've always been curious to pop in there and have a look, actually. Unfortunately the place has always either been closed or I was in too much a hurry when it was open."

The man smiled widely. "Well, you'll finally get the chance to do so. Simply show up on the time I wrote, the owner has it scheduled as a personal appointment for you."

That night, I debated whether to go to the shop, ultimately deciding to. Despite the odd invitation, it easily could be explained. Likely one of my sisters or close girl friends, all of whom would be bridesmaids, had gone to the shop to surprise me. Yes, that had to be it, given how many times I remembered bringing up the place and my curiosity of it. As for the unnamed stranger who'd given me the invite, I gave up trying to remember where I recognized him, reason being he obviously was an employee of the shop he'd invited me to.

Upon entering the store the following Saturday, I was greeted by a tall, flamboyant man who I assumed to be the owner.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

The heels of leather boots he wore clacked loudly, giving audio to his already striking appearance. Dressed in a button down shirt with shiny gold and blue stripes, it had an oddly pleasing clash with the dark yet bright purplish hair that framed his face, which reminded me of a porcelain doll. On his right cheek bone, a small, black heart had been tattooed beneath his eye.

With a soft, almost harmonic voice, he spoke to me, "I see you accepted my invitation, how wonderful to meet you, ma'am!" The man smiled gently, "and congratulations as well, on the engagement."

Offering my hand out to shake, "Nice to meet you. I've been looking forward to our appointment!"

He didn't take my hand, instead crossing his arms in a manner that felt a bit intimidating. However, the relaxed smile on his dollish face kept me at ease. "As have I! Your sister is acquainted with an employee of mine and happened to mention your wedding to him."

"Oh, yes, that would explain how you knew." Though it hadn't been exactly what I'd assumed previously, it made even more sense and calmed the bit of remaining anxiety I held.

"Mhm," the purple haired man nodded at me "I heard you had something specific in mind?"

"Yes, my great, great grandmother's dress," I reached into my purse to get the treasured photo, "I have a picture I brought with, in fact!"

The tall male wordlessly uncrossed his arms and held out a rather delicate hand. His long, slender fingers were manicured better than my own. I hesitated upon noticing how sharp his glossy, black nails appeared to be.

"Well?" he raised an eyebrow, "I can't read minds you know," the tone of the man's voice was playful and friendly. Once again, my worries were put at rest and I proceeded to hand him the photo.

Snatching it out my hand, the man studied the photo in silence with a blank face for well over a minute. I figured the faded and smudged ink of it was causing him to struggle to figure out whether he'd be able to replicate it accurately.

When he finally looked up at me again, the soft smile had returned to his face. "I can most certainly do that for you," the man spoke enthusiastically. "We'll make sure this dress both meets and exceeds your expectations. You must have a perfect dress for the big day, after all, weddings are always something to celebrate to the fullest extent. How about a lovely pair of white, leather ankle boots to match?"

I beamed, the idea sounding perfect. "Yes, absolutely! Thank you so much!" I had agreed without a second thought.

The photograph was handed back to me. I looked down to inspect the old picture in my hand, expecting to see another mark of wear. Oddly enough, not only was it in the condition it had been previously, the ink actually appeared less faded than before and wrinkles not as noticable. I would have thought more about the weird predicament of the photo, if it hadn't only then occurred, "What's your name, I don't think I caught it?"

However, by the time I looked back, the dark haired male had disappeared. Shuffling through my bag I took out the appointment card which I'd received at the engagement shower. Though I didn't remember any name being on it before, I was surprised to find it had been scrawled on the bottom: Julius Doherty. The name rang a distant bell in my mind, though I couldn't place it.

Tilting my head back up to look for the man who had seemed to vanish in thin air, I was startled to find he now stood directly in front of me.

"Do you believe in God, Casey?" Julius asked softly. His icy blue eyes locked on my own, catching me in a stare down I couldn't escape from.

I blinked at the question, confused at not only the seemingly instantaneous, silent way he'd moved but also baffled at the sudden curiosity in my faith. "Yes," I answered carefully.

"You believe in heaven and hell?" Julius asked in a manner that felt a bit more like an interrogation.

Nodding, I answered, "of course."

"Where would you rather go?" the man asked in a tone that filled me with dread despite the gentleness of his voice.

"Heaven, of course," I told him.

Julius chuckled, shaking his head to himself as if I'd said some joke and motioned me to follow. "Very well, let's go measure you for your gown now, dear. We must make sure it's just perfect!"

As odd as the man's behavior was, I foolishly wrote it off. Chalked it all up to his obvious eccentric and rather quirky personality. Julius was odd, certainly, but as he began to casually chat with me about life and latest celebrity gossip, the strange aspects of him were forgotten. As our lighthearted conversation flowed while he'd taken my measurements, he began to feel like an old friend. Julius was friendly, sweet and kind, even. He decided to make the veil for my wedding gown free of charge and when I pushed back, he insisted.

Once we'd finished covering all the bases for my wedding attire and scheduled my next appointment, Julius saw me out. He walked me to the door and held it for me, a real gentleman.

"You get home safe, now, Casey," he'd told me, opening the door into what I only now realized was early night. I could have sworn I'd been there no longer than two hours at most.

"I will, thank you again, really! Just gotta give Logan a call and let him know I'm alright, he must be worried," I reached to take my phone out. 8:30pm. How the heck had it been over eight hours?!

"You can just blame me," Julius chuckled lightheartedly. "I shouldn't have kept you so long chatting. Time is an odd thing."

I didn't understand exactly what he meant by the last part so I just agreed, as I was running late already and didn't have the time to ask for an explanation. "It is. Alright, I must be going now. I'll see you in a month for the fitting appointment, Julius!" I smiled and gave a wave goodbye. Julius returned the gesture before disappearing into the shop, while I began my trip home.

The appointment for the fitting of my gown had been scheduled for exactly one month later. Today. I woke up this morning thrilled, clueless to the hell, quite literally, I would be walking into.

It was raining and despite leaving a bit early, the weather caused me to run late, albeit only by a few minutes. I was half soaked once I made it into the shop, which seemed to be scented by fresh roses.

"You're late," Julius's voice alerted me to his presence. His tone was flat and he appeared to be rather unpleased by my tardiness.

"My apologies, Mr Doherty, I left early actually. I'm excited for today!" I held my hand out to shake with an apologetic smile.

Upon hearing me, a small smile spread across Julius's face, though it appeared very forced. Rather than returning the offered handshake, the tall male simply crossed his arms across his chest as he'd done our previous meeting. "I, as well, have been looking forward to showing you the dress I've made for you." He turned on the heel of his boot, walking towards the back of his shop and motioning me to follow. "No need for such formalities between us, yes? It's just fine for you to address me as Julius."

"Alright, then, Julius," I agreed, following along, admiring the dresses and various accessories that the shop was packed with.

"Every customer of mine is special to me and means a great deal," he told me as he walked over to a curtain hung in a circle, obscuring whatever was behind it from view.

"You're a kind man," I'd chuckled.

"Oh, you're far too sweet, my dear," he laughed lightly.

For some reason, his reaction made a pit of dread form in my stomach. However, I didn't have more than a second to register it. At the same moment, he whipped open the curtain to reveal the mannequin that modeled what would be my wedding wear.

What immediately caught my attention was how life-like the mannequin appeared to be. A woman, strikingly similar to Julius's own appearance, down to the doll-like face. However, her eyes were ocean blue instead of the near white, icy blue of the dressmaker's.

"Do you like it?" Julius's voice cut through my distraction.

I looked at the gown finally and was taken aback by just how perfect it was. The attention to detail was stunning. Each bead and sequin was placed flawlessly in a manner that could have only been done by hand. The dress successfully made me forget about the oddness of the mannequin that wore it.

"Yes!" I nodded, blinking back tears of joy, "I love it! It's-"

"-perfection." Julius cut me off, finishing my sentence for me. The man smiled proudly at my reaction to his hard work.

"Beyond perfection, thank you, Julius," I beamed at him.

"Shall we get you in the gown to make sure it fits properly, then?" Julius began unbuttoning the gown to remove it from the mannequin, leaving it in a plain underdress slip.

"That sounds wonderful!" I agreed.

Julius showed me over to the dressing room. I changed into the dress in privacy, emerging only once I was ready for him to help button up the back and tie the corset for me.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Bringing me over to a mirror, Julius helped me on a small platform.

"You remind me so much of my sister," Julius hummed to me in his soft voice, "look just like she did on her wedding day."

He did up the buttons of the dress.

"Oh, you have a sister?" I asked while admiring myself in the gorgeous, hand crafted gown. It was so flawlessly made that may have as well have been a true Victorian era vintage dress.

The corset was laced and tightened to the extent I could hardly breathe.

"I did," the man sighed, placing the lace veil upon my head. Julius stood behind as he adjusted it, while I watched both our reflections in the mirror.

"Did?"

A sad smile on the dressmaker's face was visible. "Yes," Julius spoke, "but she's dead now." There was something about the way sweetness dripped from the words that made my stomach twist.

"I'm sorry to hear," I turned my head to look him in the eyes while expressing my condolences.

"Don't be," Julius's voice grew softer and sickeningly sweet, "she was a real bitch." To my horror, his sad smile warped into a demented grin, showing razor sharp teeth that were inhuman.

"Excuse me?!" I attempted to back away but didn't get very far as I stumbled on the long gown.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

The sound Julius's boots made was deafening as he stepped forward, grabbing my wrist and digging, what I realized in terror were claws, into my flesh. Julius's expression grew unsettlingly gentle again as he spoke, "just as I said, she was exactly like you. No worries, though, my dear Casey! I'll turn you perfect just as I did for her!"

Those words made it click why the mannequin which had modelled my dress resembled the man, the demon, in front of me. That…had been his sister.

I yanked my arm out of his grip in disgust and fear, adrenaline helping me ignore the pain of his claws ripping through my skin. Julius just stood there, watching me with icy, dead eyes and an unreadable expression as I backed up, clutching my injured arm to my chest.

"You…you fucking monster!" I spat.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

I'd made him angry, furious. He reached a clawed hand out towards me again but I managed to just escape it, making a mad dash towards the door.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

I tried the handle but it was stuck, locked. I was trapped.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

I felt my stomach drop as outside the glass, the world blurred and faded until it was nothing but black. It was surreal to witness, as if suddenly everything had been drowned in the darkest ink. There was truly nothing beyond the window panes of the shop.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

"Unfortunately, heaven was never an option for you," Julius hummed.

Clack! Clack Clack!

He was right behind me now. "You're in Hell, Casey."

"Let me go!" I screamed, turning to face my capture.

Julius didn't respond, he simply raised a hand and struck me across the face with enough force I fell to the ground. Something heavy hit my head, there was a searing pain, and then my own vision faded to black just as the world outside the shop had.

I awoke strapped down on the surgery table in the most severe pain of my life. The stench of blood was mixed with the overpowering sweet scent of rotting roses. Looking down at my body, I realized to my horror, I was missing multiple patches of skin. Though I was still dressed in the gown, the fabric had simply been removed along with my flesh beneath. The amount of anguish my body was in prevented me from being able to tell if I was dreaming or not. I was still groggily coming back to reality when I heard the unmistakable sound.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

The clacking of the dressmaker's heels alerted me to his presence. My vision was blurry from pain but I could make out he carried a large pair of old, rusting and dulled but jagged scissors. The blood covering him confirmed that he indeed had skinned me.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Julius leaned over me while threading a long needle. He almost was singing as he softly spoke, "Pain is perfection…and you'll be perfect forever…here, with me…in Hell."

I wrongfully interpreted this as him possibly wanting company, a friend. "I'll stay, be your friend even! Just don't kill me like this! Please!" I begged, "we can forget about all this and just chat and gossip and-"

Suddenly enraged, Julius cut me off with a smack across the face, snapping loudly, "what in the damn world would make you think I want your friendship, you worthless slut?! You'll be perfect company for me, once you're dead and cannot speak!"

Shocked and in even more pain, I didn't have a chance to respond, as he instantly switched back to a calm and relaxed demeanor.

"Why are you doing this?!" I finally managed to ask between tortured screams.

"Oh, I'm simply making you your wedding dress, my dear." Julius's voice dripped with sickening sweetness. The gentle smile on his lips contrasted with the pure maliciousness in his cold, dead eyes was enough to make bile rise in my throat.

I forced down a gag, choking out, "what?!"

"Skin is such a lovely fabric," Julius hummed the words with a content sigh, stepping next to the makeshift surgery table I was tied to.

The man stared down at me silently for a good minute before slowly lifting his hand which held the scissors into the air. As if to put on a display, he used his index finger and thumb to hold up the large, worn scissors. He smiled for a brief moment before his expression changed into one of focus with pure evil intentions.

Without waiting another second, the demon took the scissors to my skin, cutting in effortlessly. He seemed deaf screams of pain, like he'd tuned me out while going about his slow, torturous work. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain as the old, razor sharp scissors unceremoniously tore into my flesh repeatedly. My vision blackened again and everything spun. For a brief moment I thought I'd be spared from any further agony before my death.

Then, just as my eyes drifted shut and everything faded, I heard his voice. "Oh Casey, wakey wakey!" followed by a painful jab of a large needle into my arm. A sudden, searing pain shot into my body followed by an intense wave of energy and euphoria. I looked over, becoming even more disturbed upon realizing his actions. It was a large syringe that he'd stabbed into my arm, obviously to inject some sort of drug into me.

"We can't let our bride fall asleep on her special day!" Julius sneered in the most gut wrenching sugar sweet voice.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, demon?!" I spat, energized by whatever concoction he'd given me enough to ignore the pain a bit.

"Nothing is wrong with me, my dear," Julius spoke softly in a tone that sounded like he genuinely believed the words. "The only problem here is you, in fact." He talked while continuing to cut into both my dress and skin.

My throat was raw from screaming in agony. The pain had become so blinding I was not sure whether I was beginning to fail to register it completely or if it simply encapsulated my entire existence.

"You see," Julius kept talking. When I didn't look at him, he smacked me across the face with a bloody, clawed hand, "hey! You look at me when I speak, goddamn worthless bitch!" The demon dug his claws into my cheeks, making me turn my head towards him. Shockingly, Julius looked rather calm. "That's better." He patted my cheek then returned to cutting my body. "As I was saying, to make sure your dress is actually perfect and fits flawlessly, I have a trick."

"Oh lemme guess? You sew it right on me?" I managed the sarcastic comment through my misery. My brain ran at warp speed, fueled by whatever amphetamines had been given to me.

"That's exactly right!" Julius responded, delighted. "No need for new hair, so we won't have to scalp you," he smiled, "that's always a very painful process, no one has lived through that. You've actually lived much, much longer than most. I must say, I am impressed, Casey."

"Fuck you!" I spat.

"Such rude language," he responded as if he hadn't been throwing around curses moments ago. "And to think, in response to compliments? A 'thank you, Julius,' would be much more appropriate." He punctuated his words by cutting into my waistline.

"Stop!" I screamed, thrashing about in the restraints.

"Got to make your waist smaller if we want perfection, dear," he patted my cheek again with a blood soaked hand. "No worries, though, we'll get you right stitched up, we will!" A large needle pierced into my skin and I could feel the thread tugging my body into the shape he desired.

"For the love of God, stop, please!" I begged as tears streamed freely down my face.

"There's no God here, Casey, you're in Hell," he repeated his earlier words as he finished stitching me. The other side of my waist was given the same treatment, though I could tell he purposely was taking his time. His expression gave away how much he enjoyed my suffering.

Finally, once Julius was finished, he straightened up right. The noise of his boots could be heard as he backed away.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

"Time to put your boots on you!" Julius declared, moving to the foot of the table.

"Huh?!"

With a grin, the man held up a hatchet for me to see before raising it into the air, preparing to deliver a strike.

"Don't, please-" I never got a chance to finish my sentence.

In one, brutal but clean blow, the limb was severed. I didn't even realize I'd been screaming until I felt a hot iron press against the stump to cauterize it. That feeling was what caused me to screech so loud my vocal cords blew out.

Julius spoke as took his large needle and thread back up, "finally, you've shut the fuck up, thank goodness." With quick yet small pristine stitches, he sewed a white boot over the injury to replace where my foot had been.

I glared the best I could through the torture and my tears, ignoring excruciating misery I was in to give him the middle finger.

Julius simply rolled his eyes and stretched his shoulders before giving my other foot the same treatment as the first. This time he seemed to work quicker, almost in a rush. I couldn't scream but I didn't even want to anymore. Instead, I silently wept and accepted my fate.

….Clack! ....Clack! ….Clack!

He backed away again, covered in my blood. Julius wiped his face down with a cloth then told me, "Usually I prefer to do all my work in one go," he told me as he stared, seemingly admiring what he'd done to me. "However, I have a matter I must attend to briefly."

I must have given him the most baffled expression because he grinned and patted my cheek. "Oh, I'll be back Casey, don't you worry about that." Julius undid the one of the cuffs which had restrained my wrists down. The man took my hand in his own, placing what I realized was my phone in it. "Go ahead and amuse yourself while I'm gone, there is WiFi in Hell." And with that he turned on his heel and walked away.

Clack! Clack! Clack! Bang!

Julius had left the room, slamming the heavy door behind himself in what seemed like a rage.

That leads me to where I am now, typing this out, trying to finish in time before he returns. It's been well over an hour.

Before I began writing this, I spent a brief bit of time searching up his name. After browsing various results, I discovered something that disturbed me deeply. His sister…Annabella O'Sullivan, she's my great, great grandmother. And she…she killed him, back in 1898. Behind his shop, she murdered Julius single bullet to the face. Which I realized is right where his heart tattoo now sat. It was only a few weeks later Annabella disappeared under mysterious circumstances, along with her husband, my great, great grandfather. Their children had been left orphaned, which explains why I'm here today.

What led her to kill him remains a mystery to me. Maybe he'd hurt her…or maybe, just maybe, could she have done something that warranted her to meet the same ending which I soon will?

These questions will never be something I'll find the answer to. I don't have much time left. Once Julius returns, it's inevitable my death will come swiftly. I'm already bleeding out. My vision is turning hazy and I'm beginning to no longer be able to think straight.

I'm no longer afraid. Telling my story has come to set me at ease with my fate. The pain has faded to numbness. I'm already at peace, knowing this will all be over shortly.

One final time, I must beg of you: do not fall for this demon's tricks and trap. Don't fall for his disguise as harmless, he's anything but that. Should you be invited to a place by a tall man with a scarred neck, don't speak to him and run away as fast as you can. I figured out once you engage, these monsters can plant false memories. I never knew this shop, in fact, it never was here before I was invited. And if you can't, then may Lord have mercy on your soul. I met the Dressmaker from Hell, I hope you never do.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Please, tell my family, friends and fiance, Logan, that I love them all, so very much.

Clack! Clack! Clack!

Sincerely,

Casey O'Sullivan

…Clack! …Clack! ….Clack! …BANG!

[art from 2024]

[image 1: redone cover art; image 2: what happened after the end; that's Casey, yeah]

[arcadejohn127-9]

Hello! I hope you're having a good day! I was wondering if I could request the brothers with a partner thats been away for awhile maybe visiting family or something and the brother is having a hard time with them not around, missing them, so the mc decides to come back early to surprise them. Like maybe they open their bedroom door and mc is sitting there waiting for them or mc pops out of nowhere and gives them smooches and a big hug. What would their reactions be? If you don't feel up to it then please feel free to delete this, I'd never want to bother a writer. Also! I want to say, your writing is really great!! I can't wait to see more works from you in the future!

Some fluff for everyone~ you're not a bother, I just let myself get overwhelmed and some poor timing irl just happened last time - I'll be sure to be more thoughtful about how many asks I accept to do in such a short time

Though I only made it a short surprise visit - sorry!

Lucifer:

He was ashamed to say it but he was missing you

You were having a small summer break to see your family and be back in the human world

For a man who's lived thousands of years he never suspected he'd fall this hard

He stared at the other side of his, foolishly believing you'd be there to greet him in the morning

What he didn't know that due to pact magic; you could sense his mood

An invisible tug pulling at your mind telling you to see him

When he got back home he immediately headed to his room, not wanting to deal with his brothers

"Hello (Y/N)."

He stopped, whipping around to see you on his bed

"Surprise!"

He let go of his shame, rushing over to you and fell to his knees

"I've missed you, my love."

"I know~ i could feel it in our pact, I never knew you'd miss me this much, you really are a softie."

"You're teasing will not effect me this time, are you back for good?"

Why? Because he was whipped and was internally screaming with excitement

"No but I thought I'd pop in to give you these-"

You cupped his face and smothered his face in kisses

Before he could do anything you suddenly disappeared, giving him a peace sign

He got a text not too long after saying you'll pop in next week

Mammon:

Everyone knew he missed you and I mean EVERYONE

even random demons on the street knew!

He was moping around, whining about you being gone

He constantly looks like a kicked puppy

And you could feel it with your pact, you decided it was best to visit him

You teleported in his room

He wasn't there at the moment so you kept yourself busy by playing pool

As soon as he trudged into his room you greeted him

You were surprised his neck didn't snap due to how quick it moved

"(Y/N)!!! YOU'RE BACK!"

He was Infront of you, picking you up and putting you down on his pool table

His face buried in your chest

"i knew you'd miss me, our pact was telling me to see you so I'm visiting."

"only visiting...? You won't stay?"

"Don't use your puppy eyes on me or else I won't give you your gift."

He immediately perked up at that, mouth sealed shut

You cupped his face and covered it in kisses, making sure to mostly aim for his lips

He wanted more

He tried to hold you closer but you only disappeared

Happy to see a note on his bed saying you'll come back soon

Levithan:

Nothing felt the same anymore

Gaming with people was just annoying and made him rage quit

He just rewatched old shows, saving up the news ones for when you came back

Is worried you're never coming back

You took pity on him feeling his pact flare up

You came back to the devildom wanting to surprise him, the human world feeling a bit lonely without his presence

You were hiding in his bathtub, under all the cushions

When he stormed into his room with a massive frown you immediately rised out of your hiding spot

He screamed pointing his fork at you almost dropping his food

"you're here?! Like---- actually!??!!!"

You almost tripped when you jumped out of his bed, rushing over to him

He didn't care how overwhelmed he got, letting you stroke his hair and hug him

"Only for a little bit, but your pact told me you were lonely and I wanted to see you."

He immediately got embarassed knowing he got called out

"i- I miss you."

You smiled, kissing all over his face and holding his hands

He was stunned and bright red but you suddenly teleported away

You texted him, telling him what you'll come back officially and for him to expect more surprises

Satan:

Was more aggravated without you

'excuse you, that's my emotional support human'

He hated seeing any couple as he knew you were still gone for another week and he couldn't hold your hand like others could with their partner

Your pact was always raging; you almost tripped when you felt that invisible tug

It seemed it was time to visit the Devildom to sooth your boyfriend

You were hiding behind his door

When he came into his room you just missed getting hit by it

You saw his tense he looked and immediately slinked over, wrapping your arms around him

"Asmo I swear I will-"

When he saw it was you all tension left his body

He hugged you, sighing with joy as he leaned against you

"Now I feel bad I'm only popping in."

"hm, it is a shame perhaps you could stay then."

"I love you but I left mid dinner with my parents, there's only so long you can be in the bathroom before it gets concerning."

You both laughed but you knew you had to get back

So you kissed his face as much as you could reach before dipping back with a quick "see ya!"

Asmodeus:

Poor Solomon, having to hear him complain about you not being there almost every day

He spends most of his time in his room hiding away from his adoring public

Noticing his skin keeps looking awful no matter what he does

When your pact kept tugging you you knew you had to go see him

You teleported over, landing on his bed

He just left his bathroom, an oversized shirt on him and a towel aroulnd his neck catching the water still dripping out of his hair

"AH-! nooo sweetheart why did you come back now?! My hair isn't dry!"

"I'll come back later then-"

He pulled you into a hug, hiding his face in your neck

"nooo!! I missed you so much."

You just laughed, having mercy on him and patted his hair causing it to completely dry

"I missed you too, but I'm only seeing how you are."

"you're cruel."

You kissed his head before moving his face so he looked at you, he was pouting

You kissed all over his face before giving him a big smooch on his lips

You immediately teleported back when he tried to cling to you

You left him a note on his table that you'll be back in a few days

Beezlebub:

Don't look at him like that

He's just stress eating okay??!!

He's so use to having you cure other cravings he has that now he's gone back to being a complete eating Machine

Sure that never really changed but before your arrival he ate ALOT more

His pact with you was always shining and you felt the need to see him

You decided you'll pop in

You somehow ended up in mini fridge, all the trays were taken out and there wasn't a spot of food inside

You saw your boyfriend chowing down and coughed into your hand

"surprise, baby!"

He stopped eating, quickly gulping down and helped you out of the fridge

"you shouldn't be in there you could catch a cold."

"I missed you too."

You kissed both of his cheeks, giving him some actual kisses

He just let you shower him in kisses as he held your hips

"I missed you aswell, are you staying?"

"not for long but I'm coming back next week, save me some of that Ice cream."

He looked down at the ice cream and nodded with a frown

You teleported back after kissing his forehead

Belphegor:

Has been clinging to anyone he could get his hands on

Which mostly was his twin, just clinging to his arm, leg, back, wherever he could

He missed hugging you and taking naps with you

Didn't even bother to hide how much he missed you

Has considered going back on all his chatacter development just so he would come back

You had a feeling it was best to go back to the devildom for a visit when your pact kept fizzing

He was sitting in his room, crushing a squishy plush cow with a snarl

"Missed me?"

He whipped aroulnd and just stared at you in shock

"I am asleep again?"

He frowned

"this is reality, I'm just making a stop here to see you."

He hugged you, breathing in your smell, missing it already

"I missed you, when are you coming back? Naps haven't been the same."

"you gotta survive another week, but I got something for you."

He raised a brow, confused on what it could be

But surprise! It was kisses all over his face

He felt true peace feeling you kiss him again and actually fell sleep smiling

You laughed as he suddenly flopped smiling like an idioit

You made kissed his cheek one last time before heading back

[leafweaverryn]

isn't that the point though? i can't remember where, but i feel like i read somewhere that the developers/writers of botw/totk *wanted* link to be a shell character that the players could project themselves onto. that's also why he's a little more androgynous than previous iterations. yes, twilight link had more personality. yes, ocarina of time link had more personality. but could it be argued that the first link, the very first link to take up the sword generations and generations ago had personality? no. by creating a "shell" link with "no character beyond the gameplay", legend of zelda is going back to the roots.

the story isn't about link.

the story is about *you*.

and one of my favorite memories i have of breath of the wild isn't a link story, it's a me story.

i'll put it in the read more in case you don't care, but i feel like saying "oh this link is terrible because he has no personality" is doing this link a disservice. because he *does* have a personality. he smiles like a dork when he's cooking and makes seal puns. he gets shy and bashful when he tries on new clothes and is praised for being beautiful.

so anywho, that's my two rupees on that. i hope you have a great weekend.

okay, so my favorite story to tell about legend of zelda: breath of the wild.

i'd beaten vah ruta, which was really the only thing i wanted to do because i wanted to stare at the shark husband and bond with him, so i was kinda meh on going anywhere else or doing any other quest. at this point, all i'm really doing is gathering korok seeds and filling out the map. when i have a random thought: "oh! hetsu said he lived in the lost woods! i should go there, turn in some korok seeds, and get some more inventory space!"

totally forgetting one very important detail from my legend of zelda history.

so humming a jaunty tune (yes, it was "link, he come to town, come to save, the princess zelda" we don't gotta talk about that), i head to a tower, take a look around, and check my map. there's some patches i haven't gone to yet, and i take a guess. after a few hours, i spot a dense cloister of trees and figure, "there we are!" and on foot, head inside the forest.

here, i *did* remember some of my legend of zelda history, specifically the locked memories of legend of zelda: ocarina of time, aka one of the only two zelda games i had really clocked a solid amount of time in. i grew up with oot, have a lot of fond memories of it, so when i saw the torches whipping in the wind, i knew what to do.

follow the wind.

so i did, grinning the whole way because i felt like a pretty smart cookie for getting through it on the first try.

at the end of the forest, i felt a chill.

me. the player. in real life. not link. *me.*

the fog parted as i stepped forward, walking because something was tickling at the back of my mind that i'd stumbled into something important.

sunlight filtered through the trees. i could hear the giggles of koroks and the rustling of the leaves as they hid.

and there it was.

the master sword.

i didn't mean to find it. i didn't even know where it would be.

all this time, wandering around, wasting time and doing nothing, *looking* for nothing.

and i stumbled upon my destiny.

i wasn't looking for it.

and it found me.

*me.*

not link.

and *that's* why i love breath of the wild and tears of the kingdom and this incarnation of link. because he isn't link. he isn't a character in a story.

link is *you*

and *you* are the legend this story is about.

Every botw/totk ship having a midoff over who gets the completely lobotomized shell of a character they call this iteration of link