#I guess I'm not shocked by how many people pick saving her but I'm shocked at how vehemently they hate the other option

[agentark]

I genuinely feel shocked when I see how many people pick chloe over arcadia bay ngl

[kissorkill16]

Hello Neighbor: Kept Secrets

By JJ

Summary: With Nicky missing, and no one around to help, it's up to Trinity and the rescue squad to investigate the neighbor and save their friend.

Chapter 4

I kicked open Enzo's bedroom door, sweat dripping down my face, and my face filled with panic.

"HE TOOK HIM!"

Enzo put his book down and looked at me in shock, he stood up and walked over to me. "Trinity, what -"

"NICKY'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!", I kept screaming. "WE HAVE TO SAVE HIM, HE'S IN TROUBLE!"

Enzo grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently, it made me calm down, but only a little bit. "Trin, take a breather. Who took Nicky?"

I took a deep breath, and then I tried to explain. But just as I was about to tell him, I heard a crash, then a bang coming from Maritza's room. The noises made me jump.

"What's going on in there?"

Enzo rubbed the back of his neck, looking at his feet, "Maritza's been really acting out lately, and she's been taking her anger out on a couple of things and people.", he said. "Me and Dad tried talking to her, but she'll just throw another chair at us."

I stared at him in shock, then I walked to Maritza's room, I opened the door as slowly as I could, just to be safe that she wouldn't throw something at me.

My eyes widened when I saw the huge mess in her room. There were so many torn up pillows, Barbie dolls with their heads ripped off, the curtains were ripped off her window, and in the center, I saw the photo with her, Lucy, and Mya.

I picked it up, careful not to cut myself on the broken glass. Then I turned around to look at Maritza, and I didn't like what I saw.

She looked like an absolute animal. Her hair was messy, she wasn't wearing her usual headband, and she was clutching that old baseball bat she used to play with when she was in elementary school. I carefully stepped forward to her, extending my hand to put on her shoulder.

"Mari, are you -"

"DON'T TOUCH ME!", she yelled at me, swinging her bat at me. Luckily, I was quick enough to move out the way. However, that only led to her breaking her own wall. Thankfully, it didn't break enough to have a pipe burst through the wall.

"Mari, calm down!", I tried. "I know you're upset about -"

Mari let out a dry laugh, nothing close to joy. She almost sounded insane. No, scratch that, she did sound insane. "Upset?", she asked, letting out another laugh. "That's a good one."

She paused for a minute, but then she swung her bat at her bookshelf, breaking one of the shelves in half.

"I'm not upset, Trinity. I'm overly pissed!", she said. "I keep losing people for no damn reason at all! First it was Lucy, then it was Mya, and now it's Nicky! I didn't do anything to deserve this!"

She let out another dry laugh, this one sounded more like a sob.

"But,...I guess I do deserve to lose Nicky.", she whimpered. "He needed someone to believe him, someone to be on his side, and I abandoned him just like everyone else."

I'm not going to lie, I felt like crying right now too. She was right. She did do that. We all did.

She took another swing at her bed, then she threw her bat at her window, nearly breaking the glass. Then she collapsed on her bed and started crying.

I sat down beside her, putting my hand on her back and gently rubbing it.

"I know you're overly pissed about Nicky's disappearance,...", I started off. "But taking your anger out on the people who are trying to help you isn't going to bring him back. We all feel guilty about how we treated Nicky before he was kidnapped, and I promise you, we know exactly how you feel. But -"

Maritza's head snapped up, and she looked at me with her eyes widened. "What did you say?", she asked.

"About what?", I asked.

"You said Nicky was kidnapped.", she said. She picked up her bat, "Who took him?"

I was scared she was going to hit me, but I knew I had to tell someone the truth.

I took a deep breath before I started.

"Everyone thinks Nicky ran away, but earlier this afternoon, I saw Mr. Peterson holding Nicky in a tight grip.", I said. "Mr. Peterson is hiding him somewhere in his house. I always wondered why he was the only one not helping, and now I know. He's the one who has Nicky."

Mari slowly stood up, walking towards the door. I jumped up and ran towards her, afraid she might do something irrational, and I wrapped my arms around her. She struggled in my arms for a while, but then she dropped her bat and broke down again.

She wrapped her arms around me, and cried into my shoulder. I didn't even care that she was getting my favorite shirt wet, what mattered more to me was that she was calming down.

We stayed that way for a while, and then I felt her sniffling and snoring. That's how I knew she was asleep. I gently picked her up, and carried her back to her room. I laid her down on her bed, then I put her blanket on her, warming her up.

Enzo walked in the room, careful not to step on any broken glass. "You got her to calm down?", he asked.

"Uh huh.", I replied, gently rubbing the back of Maritza's head. "I guess all she needed was a little cry and comfort."

"Probably."

We sat down in silence for a moment.

"By the way, I heard something about Mr. Peterson. But I didn't really hear much since there was a lot of noise going on in here.", he said. "What's going on?"

This was going to be tough.

I already knew what happened to Nicky. I knew if I told anyone about this, they'd all think I was crazy just like Nicky, and that would drive me to do the same stupid thing he did and break into Mr. Peterson's house to save him.

But I had to try. For my friend.

"Let's go to your room.", I said. "I don't want to wake Maritza up."

We quietly walked out of the room, going to Enzo's room and closing the door behind us.

When we sat down on his bed, I told him everything I saw today at Mr. Peterson's house.

And his reaction was not anything like I expected.

[queen-scribbles]

Breather

My SWtOR Secret Santa gift for @ishallobservethis! I had to do something with Felin soon as I saw she had a "tripped and fell in love by accident" arc with Koth. I love the Smuggler, I love accidentally falling in love pairings, and Koth always need more love. So I wrote them a little scene between chapters 7 & 8 of KotFE.

---

Despite her best efforts in the moment, Felin had never been all that good at subtlety. So it wasn't really a surprise when Koth caught one too many of her 'surreptitious' glances in his direction.

It was enough to prompt him to look up from his half-disassembled rifle, arching a brow at her. "Need something , Outlander?"

"No, um, I just... the stuff with the Heralds was... a lot." Felin set down the tools she'd been using to repair her own blaster. "Wanted to be sure everyone's okay after that, you know?"

"And I'm first on your list?" A wink. "I'm flattered. And fine. The rifle took damage, not me." He shrugged. "Not the first time I've been in a fight like that, anyhow."

Former military. Right. On the run for deserting because he had a conscience. He was used to danger, used to Zakuul and Asylum and didn't need her fretting over him. But I want to.

She didn't want to dwell on why that was. She cared about all her comrades in arms, that's why.

"Good," she said, clearing her throat. She picked up the tools and went back to work. There was just a little carbon scoring to clear away, but better to have it in working order now, under the circumstances. "I gotta ask, Koth," she started after a few minutes' companionable silence working side by side, "especially after that mess, what exactly did Lana tell you that had you all gung-ho to bust me out?"

"Bunch of stuff," Koth laughed, turning back to reassembling his rifle. "Findin' the lost riches of a crime lord, taking down some bigshot admiral--not to mention a near-mythic Sith. Or was he a Jedi?" He shrugged, brow furrowed as he slotted the casing back together. "Point is, she spun you up as this dashing hero who thrives on long odds."

Felin chuckled. "Somethin' like that. And what, your curiosity got the best of you?"

"Somethin' like that," Koth said, shooting her a grin. "Gonna take someone experienced with long odds and pulling down powerful Force users to deal with Arcann and Vaylin. Wanted to see if you were the real deal. She didn't mention you have a great smile, though."

She smirked down at the blaster. They'd traded flirty banter a couple times in the swamps; if he wanted to go again she was happy to play. "Can't imagine how that slipped her mind, it's one of my best features."

"Guess she was distracted by the skytroopers and Knights and wildlife chasing us," he deadpanned.

"I do bring a flare of adventure to the lives of most people I meet," Felin joked, biting back the odd little squirm that didn't want to see him hurt in the course of this adventure.

"Only most?" Koth asked, half-joking, as he secured the last pieces back in place.

"Some are too boring to be helped," she said with exaggerated drama, biting the tip of her tongue. as she finished and holstered her blaster. "Not you, though," she winked.

"Well, that's a relief," Koth said with a laugh. "Think I'd be a little intimidated if you found my life experience boring."

"You mean running from a galaxy spanning empire with a price on your head isn't normal for you, Vortena?" Felin said with faux-shock.

"Right now it is."

"Touché."

The hum of the engines shifted, rocking the shuttle just a little. The computer beeped, and Koth wiped his hands on his jacket as he leaned over to check it.

"We're dropping out of hyperspace," he reported. "Almost there. I should check on the Gravestone repairs when we land. If we're gonna use it to save the galaxy."

"Yeah, be bad for that hope--and the engines--to go up in flames when you try to take off," Felin said dryly. "Would hate for our dashing heroics to end before I have a chance to really see what y- the ship can do."

Koth chuckled, sent her a smirk. "Have a little faith, Outlander. Let me show off her moves." His expression sobered as a view of Asylum flashed outside the shuttle. "Be careful down there, huh?"

She nodded as they headed to strap in for landing. "Do my best."

The flicker of relief in his eyes made her heart skip a beat. Or two. Maybe she wasn't the only one worried.

Maybe she liked that thought a bit more than she should.

[magicwhiskers29]

For the latest ask game...Great Ace Attorney, specifically

Favourite Character:

Gina, my girl Gina!! I love her development!! She adds to the atmosphere so well in Unspeakable Story, and I love her and Gregson's dynamic in DGS2!

Least Favourite Character:

Roly Beate. I think his gag is a little obnoxious, but I'm less endeared to him than Pat, so... I don't really actively dislike him that much, but he annoys me, so if I have to pick a least favourite...

5 Favourite ships (canon or non-canon):

-Ginasusa

-Haosusa (/Susarei)

-Ginasusaohao

-Asoryuu

-Nikosusa

Character I find most attractive:

Uhm. I don't know if I feel qualified to answer this. Maybe I'll just say whose design I like best... In which case, Gina again, maybe? I think she's very well-designed! :)

Character I would marry:

Also not that qualified to answer this one, uh... I could marry Courtney Sithe to make her history of marriages/relationships even more confusing? lol

Character I would be best friends with:

Iris!! We both like writing and science so I think we'd be cool buddies

A random thought:

Killing off Jezaille Brett at the start of DGS2 is an excellent way of setting the tone for the rest of the game, as well as setting up that, yeah, important characters can just die, so that Gregson's death works better later. I think it's a very shocking reveal that she's the victim, and I like it a lot.

An unpopular opinion:

Idk if this is that unpopular, but I asked my friend, and they told me this is at least a weird opinion, but Return of the Great Departed Soul is my favourite case in the doulogy, and my favourite case in Ace Attorney overall.

My canon OTP:

There aren't that many canon ships, to my memory, but the Vigils (Evie and Daley Vigil), I guess? Better than the Beates or the Garridebs...

My non-canon OTP:

I guess since this says OTP I can't say Ginasusahao, so uhm... Ginasusa, maybe? That's probably my favourite DGS ship, but I'm not like, that attached to it specifically, so...

Most badass character:

SUSATO MIKOTOBA!!! She saves you in court so many times, and she will take down anyone she needs to with a Susato takedown <3

Pairing I am not a fan of:

Hm... The most I think I get towards DGS ships I don't care is ambivilent, tbh. I can usualy see why people like them, though. I guess the ones I stear most clear from would be Baroryuu or Asobaro? Nothing against then, and I can get why people ship them, but they're not really my thing.

Character I feel the writer's screwed up:

Right, this isn't so clear-cut as it would be as if I was writing this about PL, but if you'll allow me to be petty for a moment, I do have a few minor grievances with Susato. I love her writing for the most part, but I think there was a major missed opportunity in the specifics of her ending.

I don't think her thematic beats about choosing her own path work quite as well if her sole motivation to return to Japan at the end of DGS2 os for Ryuunosuke. Like, yes, she chooses to follow him over Kazuma, that's something, but she's still just choosing to follow another character, when she was previously set up in Blossoming Attorney to be capable of standing on her own if the law only allowed it! I think i would have liked it more if it was at least implied that she returned to Japan to help Ryuunosuke AND start to try to begin her own legal career.

Otherwise, I think her ending's uncomfortably similar to the midpoint in her arc for the ending of Unspeakable Story. Albeit indirectly, she's once again returning to Japan upon her father's request, and I think that could have been avoided a little if her motivations for wanting to return were established as being outside of what other characters want, because that is her arc!

Favourite friendship:

Kazuma and Susato. Everything they do with those two is so interesting to me, and I love writing about it. It's so interesting how core Kazuma is to Susato, but how also she can't mean as much to him, because he only met her properly after he's already decided his mission. But she still means a lot to him, and I just, augh. I love the tragedy.

[alitgblog]

volume XI thoughts

I did in fact have access to this on Tuesday and started to play but then got distracted and didn't finish until like 2am when I couldn't sleep anyway (this was a mistake I was so tired at work)

movie night!!! And fun movie night titles!! ofc MC doesn't get her own custom one bc everyone's got different names but my MC is named Maya and with how things have been going I'm pretending her movie title is Messy Messy Maya 🤭

Emel and Oakley both being unfaithful in casa but finding (forcing?) their way back to each other and forgiving each other feels very much like something in the show so I appreciate that storyline tbh

Felicity is too beautiful of a sprite to waste as a Casa girl that only shows up for movie night.

Sienna going "I don't care if it's egotistical, pick my movies" because no one else is gonna care to pick hers 😬😬 id feel bad for her if she wasn't so mean

Hari and Hazel are so cute together but it seems like it's gonna die out soon 🥲 Like I see why if Hazel is panicking and Hari isn't the most reassuring guy and also not completely over MC but aghhh he's gonna fumble Hazel to LIAM. Hazel, not LIAM plsss

Absolutely awful that Liam is so funny bc he's such a piece of shit (awful in the best way, like he's so Messy Mitch from LI UK s10 coded and while I don't like him I appreciate the fun he brings). Saw someone suggest that he could be a late game LI and if he evolves and changes, sure, but a lot is gonna need to happen, otherwise give him a last minute jokey option like Hamish.

I think the thing stopping me from going full in on this Claudia route is she keeps going back to Theo, and not like she has to be pursuing MC 100% for me to pick her but I'm just getting mixed signals with her trying to save her relationship with Theo when they clearly aren't into each other anymore but there are plenty other people around.

Not on a Theo route and haven't talked to him but ngl his little video clip was cute like I almost jumped ship to be messy but nahh. I wonder how that's like if you're actually pursuing him though like does it feel like pay off or shock or reassurance or anything.

very nice they had Jin spell it out to Sienna in front of everyone. like kind of mean, but if it was gonna happen at any time, Movie night is definitely the time to do it.

Like even MC's movie clip playing, first of all was just if she slept with someone in casa I think (which, it's fair enough considering the game's limitations but I was missing all the other times she hoed around). So for my MC it was with Claudia, and Claudia barely has a response to it. And so I'm kinda just going towards the character actively pursuing and paying attention at this moment and it's Jin.

I guess MC was honest to Jin so he didn't mind the movie night thank God but also I want to replay to see the drama unfold. but in my head for some reason he'd be shocked it was Claudia bc she didn't say anything and like it'd be one thing if it was someone she just met like Max who she's been friendzoning ever since but another thing for it to be her best friend in the Villa. but alas, that is a large amount of branching and coding and dialogue to write so I'll let it slide.

a recoupling so soon after?? it's not like the season feels too rushed, but like I mentioned before, the pack in so many things in each volume you don't get much of a chance to chill out with the characters and pretend it's a vacation for your character lol

the problem with me playing early is I'm so curious how everyone else's game went. like is it only your OG LI or Casa Boy that can pick you?? And the chat you have with your partner after, does that lock your route because after this I feel there was a little bit less attention on MC from the other LI's (which I don't mind, so they can have their own stories now, but I wanna knowwww)

Shower scene, Sienna throwing another fit one last time for good measure

But now MC is back with Jin and they have all the cutesy interactions again yay

And then we have no rest in the morning, just straight into a DAYTIME heart rate challenge??? I just think this challenge should always happen at night idk

I forked over the gems for the cowgirl outfit (partly bc the mermaid dress was awful and bc my MC has red hair so I wasn't gonna make her dress like Ariel) but i wish there was a costume that was free instead of just your partywear dress? Like it can be a shitty costume but I understand people not wanting to pay gems for one outfit for one night of the game.

Hazel's outfit though 🥵

Such a minor detail, but I do love that despite her being so awful to MC, that Sienna canonically is a very conservative dresser. like we all see her churchy outfits. and I think maybe she's a little insecure about her body and stuff. that being said, the dialogue she has when she's in costume about feeling confident, and her costume isn't super revealing, and the girls being shocked at her dance, is all very good to have. like it's nice to have that type of character around and the fact that she's also the villain rn? she contains multitudes (or I'm reading into it too hard 😂)

mentioned briefly before but Hazel and Liam??? tf??

And now Claudia and Bea flirting with each other? Okayyy I mean my fingers are crossed so here's hoping they find each other if not MC. and they have a lot in common but feel like different characters so like pls let them be together (I say this as someone every few months posting about how it shouldve been Cora and Angie not friendzoned Oliver and Angie in the s4 finale)

ok but his entrance feels so overshadowed by other things going on though like I feel like he didn't get a chance to really bombshell to the point where I think he should've been introduced next volume instead. like have him have a normal bombshell entrance with dates or smth, then maybe when they're all chilling the next day and getting to know him someone brings up he missed heart rate challenge and they suggest he dances for the characters he's most interested in, if we really wanted to get his messy entrance in.

Two unfortunate things are true in my mind: Logan is very attractive (at least when he's got the hat on) and also he looks like Liam 🫣

depending on how this goes my MC may be hoeing around one last time

cliffhanger being the challenge results is lame

am i,,,, actually excited to replay this season 🫣

[snowywolf1005]

TRIGUN STAMPEDE

VASH X PLANT READER

EPISODE TWO: THE RUNNING MAN

Vash and y/n at the dinner table with merly and Roberto.

"So let me make sure, I'm followed, This Bad man running around, stealing plant, is not you? And this guy who looks like you, but he's your twin brother." Vash nodded, Roberto smoking, y/n cough, "there's no proof, though, " said merly.

Vash was doing fake cry.

"Crying won't help your case," said merly, Vash put his head down. Y/n put him on his back.

"That guy knives, stealing plant. What did he want from it?" Said Roberto, "The money? Or is it about honor? " said Merly.

Then a little boy come up to them, bringing some bugs in a cage.

"Hey there, kiddos," said Robert, "or those guys for us" y/n question. "Thanks you Tonies, I keep your budding safe," said vash, patting in the head.

"What a heartwarming scene. Hehe, are the bug gone?" Said merly, "almost. ".

"Okay, quite that. Tonies, how many times I told you? Don't bring your worms here! Mama loves you, baby! Now shoo!" Rosa yelled.

"Sorry, vash and y/n," she said, pulling her gun at them. Everyone else pulled out their guns, too. "It the cash, not you two," said Rosa.

TIMESKIP

"AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!" vash scream, "Y/N!!! HELP ME!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!" vash screams top of his lungs.

"Don't let them get away!!" Rosa yelled, vash running for life, while y/n swinging around with her blade like spider-man.

And she is looking for vash as well. Y/n dough all the bullet.

(She spider-girl, spider girl), and she finally found vash.

He was surrounded by six people. "VASH!" y/n yelled, grabbed vash.

"Vash! Y/N! Over here!" Merly called out. Y/n landed safely, "Y/N! THANKS YOU! THANKS YOU!" said vash, hugged y/n.

Later.

Vash and y/n looked at the photos of themselves. Vash made a frown face, "Why do they use this photo?" Y/n asked, "that you're issues," said Roberto.

"So this journey, folks are part of this gang?" The man asks, vash and y/n, and other steps away back.

"Who cares? I can't wait to meet them anyway," said the other man.

After moving somewhere.

"This is why's we don't save lost puppies," said Roberto, "Sorry," said merly, while their walking. "Hey puppy, it would be easier if you pick up a fight," said Roberto.

"Huh!? Are you really in the mood for a shoot-out? Y/n is a good fighter, and she even has her blade, " said vash.

"What you deal!? oh wait, let's me guess, you forgot ammo," said merly, "no, I got extra, I prefer not to use it, bullet are too pricey, " said vash

"YEAH! Even pain our pill!" Said merly, "I can buy one bullet or two thousand doughnuts," said vash.

"Oh my God, vash, but I do have a plan, though," said y/n. They look at y/n, "OK, what your plan?" Said Roberto

The man sees a red coat. "This way!" He said running, "someone saw him!" Said the other.

"There!" He yelled, "That a dead end!" The other guys yelled, but they were shocked to see.

"Damn, they got us," he said. It was a blue bird. Y/n looked around, "Cost is clear come on," she wisperd, they walked. "You're plan works!" Said merly.

When they about leave. Rosa and two other women come out pulled out their guns. Y/n and other stop, "vash, y/n, don't make harder for me," said Rosa.

They dropped on their knees and put their hands behind their back. "With the plant(something, something), the money is our only hope," said Rosa.

"How could you! They scrafic their life, they save you twice," said merly,".

Rosa said (something, something, something, something, something, something, something, something,".

Then a big car coming towards to tonsi. "Tonsi!" Rosa yelled, y/n stood up and pulled out her blade, grabbed Toni's.

"VASH THE STAMPEDE AND Y/N THE STAMPEDE!! YOUR COMING WITH US!" An old man yelled.

Vash and y/n hopped on blue bird. Y/n is riding it, "money! Come back!" He yelled, merely and Roberto followed them, "what your plan now y/n?" Said vash.

She looked around and saw some rocks. A hand almost hit y/n and vash. The car is slowly down, and they stop, "they stopped," said merly.

Then, a hand came out and grabbed sleeping bags cause the birds get scared. They went off again. "Come on, fight me! You are a gunman, "an old man yelled.

"Nope," said y/n, vash laughs. Then the bag came off, the old man and his son fell.

After Merry takes vash, he has to fight back and can't run away. Leaving y/n to help him while she was injured.

"Help! We need backup! Bac- augh!"

"Coming," said y/n, they look at y/n. "Coming with wha?" Said Roberto, "the plant," she said. They were shocked, vash get on the blue birds, and took off.

Later (Sorry)

The old man fired a bomb at y/n, but she missed it. "Vash!" Merly scream. "That was a close one," said vash. Old man jaw dropped.

"Y/n, let's me protect you. You have enough to protect me," said vash. After some fight and talk. The bridge is falling apart, y/n used her blade to pull up the bridge so the old man came back, but her hands started Bruning.

Later again

They have drink. Y/n and vash packed their things and about to leave, but they were stopped by Roberto. "You shouldn't say goodbye, the people miss you, what are you running away from? Oh, right, he told me morning million knives, " he said

Then, a loud scream comes from the dinner. "What going on!?" Said vash. A spider creature crawling around on gofes. The spider trun red

He ran outside, and then he exploded.

[clairelsonao3]

Author Ask Tag Game

Thanks to @i-can-even-burn-salad @tabswrites and @mysticstarlightduck for this tag a few weeks ago, around the time I took a break from tag games. Back on the horse, though.

1) What is the main lesson of your story (e.g. kindness, diversity, anti-war), and why did you choose it?

I don't really "choose" lessons or themes. They emerge. But if Good Slaves Never Break the Rules had a lesson, it's probably about The Power of Love, not only romantic love, even though it's a romance, but love for our fellow humans and love for ourselves. And the power of choosing love over hate, despite how cruelly we may have been hurt in the past -- or how we may have hurt (or perceive that we have hurt) others.

2) What did you use as inspiration for your worldbuilding (like real-life cultures, animals, famous media, websites, etc.)?

The world of GSNBTR owes a lot to (mostly) fanfics with modern slavery AUs that I have read and enjoyed over the years. I basically took all my favorite elements from those stories, mashed them together, and threw in a few of my own unique touches. And of course, the worldbuilding has expanded from there, in many cases in much more detail than I imagined it would when I started.

3) What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, help readers grow as a person?

My two MCs both start out with their separate goals -- her to get through university and become independent, him to find his sister -- which end up merging into one singular goal (save their loved ones and defeat the villain, essentially) by the end of the story. Learning to trust and work together is part of the journey they undergo, and with their individual strengths, they end up making an incredible team. So I guess demonstrating that is what I'm trying to achieve with them.

I want to make readers feel something. It doesn't even have to be necessarily what I feel, or what I set out to make others feel. If you feel anything -- love, fear, sadness, shock, hate, disgust -- while reading this, my work here is done.

4) How many chapters is your story going to have?

At this point (I just posted Ch. 27), I suspect not more than 40, give or take. (But take this with a grain of salt; the number has already expanded several times). We are in Act III and it's outlined in detail, with may of the scenes at least partially written, but I'm just not sure how long each chapter/scene is ultimately going to be and how and where they'll be divided. I have an idea of that, but I can't decide it ahead of time; I only know when I sit down to write and edit the chapters.

5) Is it fanfiction or original content? Where do you plan to post it?

Original (although I'm not afraid to admit there are some fannish elements/tropes to it) and I'm posting it on Ao3! It will eventually be an ebook as well. It probably won't ever migrate over to Tumblr, unfortunately, not only because of the time and energy that would require but also because the NSFW and romance elements make it much better suited for Ao3, I feel. Also, having it in one place only allows me to gauge exactly how many people have read it and engaged with it (not that that really matters, but still!)

6) When and why did you start writing?

When? As soon as I could pick up a pencil and string together letters on a page to form words. Why? Because telling stories is in my blood (literally; my dad is also a writer).

7) Do you have any words of engagement for fellow writers of Writeblr? What other writers of Tumblr do you follow?

Write what you want. It sounds simple, but I spent way too many years of my writing life writing what I thought OTHER people wanted, and it almost derailed my ability to write altogether because it made me so damn miserable.

For newer writers: If you find yourself beginning a writing question with the words "Is it okay to..." or "Can I..." just stop right there. The answer is "yes."

I follow more people than just about anyone I know and I think most of them are writers; it's in the 4 digits. So I'm going to put this question aside for now and start working on a post of my favorite Tumblr writers and stories, so for future similar questions, I'll be able to direct you to that.

This one was going around a few weeks ago and IDK who's done it so OPEN TAG!

Template under the cut

1) What is the main lesson of your story (e.g. kindness, diversity, anti-war), and why did you choose it?

2) What did you use as inspiration for your worldbuilding (like real-life cultures, animals, famous media, websites, etc.)?

3) What is your MC trying to achieve, and what are you, the writer, trying to achieve with them? Do you want to inspire others, teach forgiveness, help readers grow as a person?

4) How many chapters is your story going to have?

5) Is it fanfiction or original content? Where do you plan to post it?

6) When and why did you start writing?

7) Do you have any words of engagement for fellow writers of Writeblr? What other writers of Tumblr do you follow?

[mommymothma]

Dave who gave you permission to tug on my heart strings like that?

Here is like the most concise version of my thoughts I am capable of generating 5 minutes after the finally

1. Ezra ahsoka and Sabine are the knee father son and holy spirit I love them and would die for them

2. Sabine's helmet just auto generating into the world was awesome. It means ahsoka picked it up and brought it for her queen behaviour

3. I appreciate that they mention Kanan by name this live action shows sometimes have a habit of just not mentioning important animated characters (like how Satine wasn't mentioned once in the mandalorian)

4. Sabine's family being wiped out on mandalore... I don't know why it took me so long to piece that together that yeah... they probably died. I guess I assumed people kind of just left after the siege but it was intact then and.... can't tall forever moving on

5. It was a violation for that trooper to just pluck Sabine's helmet off her head like that. A disgrace to the way. I'm a little shocked her helmet doesn't seal? I thought most of them did but what do I know

6. Yaya new kanan inspired lightsaber for Ezra just dropped.

7. Force sensitive Sabine. I have mixed thoughts on this but it was awfully convienient

8. I would love if Ahsoka just dual wielded one lightsaber and then Morgan's sword I think it was such a badass as thing for them to do a real win for the gays

9. Ahsoka being afraid of being left alone to die... just think about how many times that thought has crossed her mind. ESPECIALLY with the "all your friends are dead" line.

10. Baylan you SOB. Get your ass back here and stop cosplaying force daddy. Shin needs you. Also, highly sus by the way. But could be cool if it ever leads to a baylan, ahsoka and whoever the "son" will be trio eventually.

11. Manifesting the purrgils return to come save our girlie pops. Really thought that's what the hole in the sky was for.

12. I see u. I see u Dave with the whole "shadows in the stars" thing. I see anakin. And as much as I love the idea of him watching over ahsoka, I also don't like it because he's probably teaching her to be a force ghost which sets her up to die i am weary

13. Ezra not taking off the stormtroopers costume before dropping in on a republic ship is the most Ezra thing ever what a mad lad. Also, go hug your mom bro

14. I don't like them being left behind. But there is something to be said about the possibility of wolfwren now

15. Ahsoka fearing Sabine would turn to the darkside because she experienced loss is such a real reaction for her. She's seen what loss can do to a person

16. Um what was that cargo? Were those bodies in caskets. Clones? Dathomir stuff? I'm not sure but I don't like it

17. They better find their way home in the first episode of season 2 I need this rebels reunion ASAP stop holding out on me filoni

[temporalbystander]

I'm not sure if it's because this is all action oriented so far or what but there doesn't seem like many good scenes to stop on and talk about.

I picked this one because it's just the typical Ladybug trying to talk the Akuma down. With all three sides wanting to "save" Kagami, is it weird that I'm kind of siding with Felix? I mean I already made that decision earlier this year, not the time for that discussion though, but I can't help but think that ... Well... That if anyone should be the true holder of Duusu. It's him. I believe I said this in Emotion too, Kagami is safe with him. Probably safer than with Ladybug and Chat Noir, if not just as much. Though I am now looking forward to a reluctant team up some point in the future.

Huh. She's actually worried for him... Good for her. Good for him too I guess... *sighs* I knew when I started watching these that I wouldn't see any of the impacts I had made on my friends lives. But since everything seemed to have happened more or less the same I'm questioning just how big of an impact I actually made. Now that I'm watching the future?

... it's got me wondering if I even want to make a change at all. Things seem to be going well for everyone so far. Kagami has someone willing to do anything to protect her, Felix has someone else to focus on. Marinette is brave enough to stand up to Gabriel. Honestly maybe it would be better if I just hang back a bit and let this all play out.

As sweet as that sentiment is, he does realise that as long as Kagami holds onto the ring she is free? It seems Felix has a little bit of a certain mindset when it comes to solutions. Specifically about how permanent they need to be.

So... After Kagami expresses her shock at almost being shot at by her mother. Felix says this. About his father. That? Has terrifying implications that I do not like. (And I thought the line his mother gave about only his father being able to control him was a reference to him being a sentimonster.) Times like this? Kind of makes you grateful to be an orphan, seems like half my class has parental issues of some sort.

Okay, we all know that the fan will be back next time he transforms, that doesn't stop this moment from being sweet as all hell. I seriously did not think Felix had this type of heart. I used to be so good at reading people too but Felix just threw me for one hell of a loop. If any of this is faked I'm going to be very upset.

... have to say. The dude makes sense. He did say not to call them sentimonsters though. So... What do we call them? Amoks? I mean, clearly Felix and Kagami still classify as people but what about the red moon or the lollipop construct? Those that are clearly a summoned entity brought forth with a different purpose in mind?... I never thought I would have to be so careful about my words regarding what comes from a magical feather.

Oh... Wow he really does sound like a father here. Much better one than Gabriel and his own that's for sure. Kind of sad though huh? That the peacock does hold the power to make such a creation, yet it's a one time deal. You get one chance and that's it otherwise you have to accept that you're choosing to kill a living being.... Well. Now I know I was right to trust Felix. And I am beyond glad he trusted me. I think I need a bit before I continue this episode.

[achaiapelides]

Kit's Diary

Chapter 13

Dear Ty,

I just realised that I forgot to tell you about my therapist appointment last week. As I told you, I had to take notes about what I remember about my childhood. I asked Tessa and Jem about if I should tell her about the first heir stuff and they reminded me that the whole Unseelie Court knows about me anyways for some reason. So I decided to tell her about that too at the next appointment. Mrs. Sullivan, being her enthusiastic self, gave nice commentary like "mmhmh" and "mkay". Please note the sarcasm here.

After my long ass monologue finally ended, the therapist confirmed that I definitely have trauma from what happened since my dad was killed and I found out I was a Shadowhunter, but also possibly some trauma from experiences I made in my childhood, that my brain made me forget to save me from being too traumatised. She asked me if I was willing to be hypnotised, so that she can find out what this traumatic experiences were to be able to help me better. I agreed. Mrs. Sullivan said she would contact a warlock who was able to do that and I suggested that maybe Tessa would have this ability too. I guess I feel more comfortable with having Tessa know my past memories that I don't even remember myself, than some random warlock I never met.

In addition to that Mrs. Sullivan also suggested that I might have ADHD. She printed out some sheets with the traits she observed in me and some other ones typical for ADHD and asked me to give it to several people I know, preferably some with little connection to each other. They should pick all the traits they have observed in me. I'm also supposed to fill out one sheet because some questions are about how I feel about certain things and how I think I behave, which obviously only I can answer. Then we made another appointment in two weeks, because Mrs. Sullivan is on vacation the next week. Well, this week I mean.

When I got home I gave Tessa and Jem one of the sheets and told them all the therapist said. They suggested to give one of the sheets to my school friends and one to Hazel, because she surely observed something about me too, as my ex-girlfriend. Jem even send the photo of the sheet to Emma, so she and Julian can point out, what they observed about me, too. And Tessa agreed to do the hypnosis thing and said she would also feel more safe about me, if no random warlock we don't know found out about me being the First Heir.

I have to tell you about something else, too. In school everyone is obsessed with this one singer from America, who just published her new album. Her name is Taylor Swift and she's apparently super popular, especially in America. I didn't know her. Was I living under a rock for the past years? Yes probably. (That was a metaphor by the way. I don't actually live under a rock obviously. It just means being unaware of mainstream things. Like Taylor Swift apparently. Lol.)

Anyways, back to Taylor. Once Leo found out that I didn't know, she forced me to listen to all of her songs and give her my opinion. After doing that I finally realised why she was so shocked. These songs are amazing. And she has so many different ones. Heartbroken songs, angry songs, love songs, revenge songs, calm songs and sad songs. Even some rocky songs. And some "I don't give a shit" songs. She really has everything you could ask for. Apparently she also is friends with Ed Sheeran and sung a duet with him. Yes I know Ed, but not Taylor. I'm weird, I know. I swear if Jem and Tessa listen to "Perfect" one more time, I'm sending Ed a marriage proposal on their behalf. Maybe he's Will Herondale reincarnated and I just don't know about that. You never know with this Shadowhunter stuff. Lol. And I changed topics again. Come on Kit. You can do better.

Anyways, back to Taylor, AGAIN. If you ever read this and you haven't listened to her songs yet, which I highly doubt, considering your literal twin sister is Livvy, you should listen to "Wildest Dreams". I think you might like it. And "Begin Again", too. I also just found the perfect song I can listen to on loop, when I'm missing you again. It's called "Haunted" and for some reason it fits perfectly to us. And it gives me feelings. Much feelings. Why can this woman describe my feelings better, than I can? If she ever stops her career, she should consider becoming a therapist. Wait a second, Julian just called and asked to speak with me. I'll be right back.

Holy shit. You won't believe what just happened. Well, you will actually because it was you idea, haha. Anyways, Julian called and said they saw the sheet Jem send them and were discussing it, when you randomly visited and after they told you what they were doing, you wanted to help them because you knew me best. Holy shit. What? Huh? Am I dreaming. What??? I couldn't believe that was true and literally asked Mina to trip my leg really hard so that could bring me back to reality. But this is real. What? Omg. I think I broke. Where is Taylor when you need her? She better have a song about this.

Sorry, I'm back from my lovesick happiness trip now. Calm your shit, Kit! (oh a rhyme!) He just helped. You didn't even interact. What will you do when it comes this far? Die? Yeah probably. So if I black out, when we see eachother again, don't worry. I'm good. Just lovesick.

Oh man, I'm talking to myself again. I think I need an extra therapy session for this.

Aaaaanyway. (I used this word too much today, I know.) So, Emma send back the sheets with her's, Julian’s and your comments. And I can see so clearly what you wrote. Aaaaahh. Thank you so much. Aaaaahhhhhh.

I think I should stop writing for today. It's dinnertime now anyway. But maybe I can hope that you're thinking about me now too? Is that too much to ask?

I love you so much, Ty. I wish we could be together again. But I guess we both need some time to heal. Don't think I won't miss you every second of it, because I will.

All my love, Kit. (Hopefully yours one day)

Author's note:

What a coincidence that of all the times my friend could have forced me to listen to all the Taylor Swift songs and made me get a bit too obsessed with her, she chose the time when I was writing chapter 13. This was not planned. What the hell?

[singofsolace]

This is a fascinating interview with Catherine Zeta-Jones all around, but the part that stuck out to me the most is that this is the only interview I've seen (and having been down an endless YouTube rabbit hole, I've seen a lot), where Catherine admits that the infamous story of how she and Michael Douglas met was actually a scary situation for her, and not the lighthearted, romantic thing that they usually present it to be when they talk about it in live interviews.

Here is an except of what I'm talking about:

What were you doing when you met Michael [Douglas]?

I was shooting “Entrapment,” and I was promoting the European release of “Zorro” at the Deauville Film Festival. I did the event on a Friday night, and I was going to fly to Scotland the next day to meet Sean [Connery] on the Isle of Mull. Michael was there promoting “A Perfect Murder,” and he asked to meet me. I remember I walked through the door of the hotel when I arrived, and he walked right past me with his golf bag on his shoulder. I went, “O.K., guess he really wants to meet me, he just walked right past me.” He knew Antonio [Banderas] and Melanie [Griffith] for many years, and he joined us all for drinks and dinner. That night we found out we have the same birthday.

And it moved pretty quickly from there?

Well, he said he was going to be the father of my children.

What? He said that the first night he met you that he wanted to be the father of your children?

Yes! And I went, “All right. I’ve read a lot about you. I’ve seen a lot about you. I heard a lot about you. Good night.” And I went to bed and got up at 5 a.m. I went to London, changed planes, went to Aberdeen, got on a ferry across to the Isle of Mull. And there was a big bouquet of flowers saying “I’m sorry if I scared you. Love, Michael Douglas.” He always says whoever was the florist who got those flowers to the Isle of Mull saved his life. I will say if somebody says they’re going to father your children when you’ve just met them, it is a little scary. Unfortunately he was right, again.

~~~

While journalists like Hota Kotb have occasionally pointed out that it was incredibly bold of him to say this to her on a first date, it has always been played off on live tv by both Michael and Catherine as a lighthearted story, because he wound up being right about being the father of her kids... but clearly, from this 2021 interview that's in print, it's not a wholly light-hearted memory for her...?

I just feel like a 53 year-old man doesn't frantically send flowers to a 28 year-old woman with a note saying "I'm sorry if I scared you" unless it was incredibly apparent at the time that that's exactly what he did...? She said "good night" to him in a way that very much implied finality. She said no. The apology flowers only add to the creepiness, in my mind.

I know everyone probably has an "it's all well that ends well" attitude toward it, because they've been married 23 years, and I admit that it is absolutely none of my business, and not my place to judge, etc., but having watched so many interviews where they happily bring it up unprompted, I had started to feel like I was going crazy, thinking "does no one else think that is an incredibly creepy pick up line, or is it just me?"

They always tell the story like people are meant to laugh with them about it, like we're in on the joke, and maybe most people are, but this interview of Catherine's is the first time I've felt validated in my shock at the pure audacity that someone would say this to a woman on their first date, and that instead of it being a low point they would try to downplay or forget, it is recalled fondly, because it "worked."

[sunnyshouldntbehere]

The Proof of Our Love - Living Love AU - (Part 1 - InoAoi)

Hi world! I have almost finished my Word document of all of my KNY Next Gen OCs (that's a lot of capslock, eek), so I thought that I would come and share some small thoughts I have for how I think the ships' families would be! (...I guess? XD Iunno, I'm having fun). For easy context on this AU, look at the fourth tag; it's pretty self-explanatory. Moving on~~~~~

Starting with... InoAoi!!

Like some people I believe that Inosuke and Aoi began very slow and gradual, and then all of a sudden love hit them like a bus, ROFL. After years of having to interact with one another, Aoi always being the one to patch him up (it eventually became a deliberate thing where they'd seek each other out), and Inosuke slowly growing fond of her attitude, cooking and good-looking (SORRY XD), Inosuke probably just goes for it one day because it makes sense and feels right, and they have a nice moment that leads to Them :D

Inosuke doesn't ask for anyone's permission before asking Aoi to marry him - and he tells her just as much - but Aoi cares more for Inosuke than for 'impropriety' and so bursts into tears when she tells him fervently 'yes'. Aoi does get him to come with her when she goes to tell Shinobu they're getting married though, because as improper as it was, her sister deserved to at least question the both of them in some small semblance of 'typical courtship rule-abiding', etc., etc. Shinobu (and Giyu) are rightfully shocked and surprised, but the small amount of anger Shinobu feels from being blindsided by such crude misconduct quickly vanishes, because as much of a bonehead as Inosuke was, Aoi had said 'yes', and it was clear that even that boy (a man now) cared deeply for her younger sister in his own many ridiculous ways (if it were anyone else, she wouldn't let it slide, but this was Inosuke, so what more could she expect?) Shinobu and Giyu gave their blessing, despite Inosuke's insistence that they didn't need it and that he would have married Aoi regardless (Aoi covered his mouth with her hands when he wouldn't stop talking), and the happy couple were married when Inosuke was 20 and Aoi was 21

They have one child: a daughter named Kei (I don't know if I'll be giving all of the names of the children from all of the ships here; we would be here all day, but if I feel like it I might)

She is exactly like her father in looks and personality save for her deep blue eyes she got from her mother (much to the delight of her parents). Inosuke teaches her Beast Breathing (all Hashira/slayers teach their firstborn children just in case something terrible were to ever happen again; it's a widespread precaution and common sense for them)

Inosuke becomes a hunter and Aoi becomes a doctor. Inosuke is frequently away for several days before returning home with his signature grin and carcasses in hand. Aoi always scolds him for getting blood on his clothes and through the house, but they both know there's no heat behind it and that she missed him just as much as ever (Inosuke consistently picks his girls up as soon as the animals are put down and gets blood on all of them anyway as he spins them around and kisses them. None of them mind <3). Kei is always excited to see her dad come home and loves to help him skin his kills (Aoi scolds her for tracking blood inside when she gets blood on her feet, and Inosuke laughs as she grumbles about having to clean her bloody footprints off of the wooden interior)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's all for Part 1! If you got this far, then thank you for reading ~ :D Check out Part 2 if you wanna I guess, blehblehblehhh :P Have a great day! ~ Sunny <3

[spaceytingz]

1, 13, 23, 48, 58, 59, 79, 83, 85, 100.

hi bestie, thanks for the ask!

1 . What's your biggest insecurity?

That I might be too much for people. Like, everyone is so low energy, so apathetic, so laser focused on what they already know and their comfort zone that I feel like any connection I might want from a person might overwhelm them. also other things but we are NOT getting into them today.

13. Tell a secret

I ratted out my best friend for using drugs to her mom cause she ratted me out for something small (and changed the facts to make me look bad) cause she was being spiteful and we were arguing before that. She still doesn't know, I manipulated literally everyone involved to mask my interference. In a sense I actually did the right thing considering her life was going extremely downhill cause of addiction and technically if I were a truly good friend I should have ratted her out earlier. Sadly, her mom learning about it didn't make her stop and she's been rolling downhill for a while.

23 . Do you believe in an afterlife?

Not really, I think the traditional idea of an afterlife is stupid. I think if I die, my "soul" would just merge with the universe. Maybe another way of existing, who knows. However, I'm also a fan of the theory that everyone's afterlife depends on their belief.

48. Are you afraid of death?

Inconclusive. To me, death is an exceedingly boring concept, second only to decay. If I were to die in ten seconds, I don't think I would care, simply cause I can't panic much in ten seconds. If I knew I'd die in a week I'd be mad as fuck. Honesly, if I knew I'd die anytime I'd be mad as fuck. I'm not afraid of death, I'm angry at its inevitability.

58. What's the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to you?

Honestly, I don't dwell on the bad parts of my past, so I really can't remember anything I'd define as terrifying. Like sure, there's been some times I almost got ran over by a car, the time my legs got stuck in mud and couldn't get out, that one random party where a psychopath was threatening to pull a knife on everyone but like.... i didn't get run over, my dad pulled me out of the mud and the psychopath got handled and even if he didn't i could have beaten his ass with a chair so................ honestly the only form of terror i feel is when I'm faced with the possibility of things not turning out in the best way possible.

59. What's the happiest day of your life you've ever had?

I think that's a question no one but married couples or people with children can genuinely answer cause.... I'm having a lot of fun most days, but I don't think I've had one day that's sooo much better than the others. I'll take the safe answer and say one of the days in september while I was in Italy and having fun and drinking limoncello every day.

79. What's your most prized possession?

I don't....really have any valuables. Love my laptop but it can be replaced. Love my books but I wouldn't die to save them from a fire. Love my childhood plushies but I don't play with them anymore.... Frankly I'm a bit of a hoarder so I don't think I can pick one of my many beloved things.

83. Do you like it when people guess how you're feeling?

Not really, I don't really like when people assume I'm feeling some way and I hate it when they're correct cause......what do you mean i'm not like super mysterious and baffling.....how dare you assume you can read me

85. What kind of interview questions do you answer to yourself?

When I'm pretending I'm getting interviewed on TV, I love answering questions about my personality. Like.... maybe a bit of a shock factor for the audience, just.... maybe it's a fantasy that me just being #real and funny would be enough to entertain the audience.

100. Are you okay?

Yup! You know, there might be some things to work out, but as I've said before, I think I'm the only truly happy person I know.

[bonaesperanza]

#I love that in so many direvtions#cold military science as the new Hell#angel weapons#Or a direction of the heirarchal layers of baurocratic government not being unlike the tiers of heaven#Mm that has a lot of tasty ditections

So it kinda went in most of those directions actually.

It was set in a highly rigid, vicious and militaristic society in a fantasy version of the late 19th/early 20th century, and it initially followed two young military officers from an aristocratic background. They were brothers and one of them was a bastard with a sweet personality who was bullied by the legitimate one. It started as a kind of coming of age for them where they had to come to terms with the society they lived in and how to deal with it, with one becoming vicious to get ahead and justifying it with his birthright and the other one kind of floundering and withdrawing into himself.

The angel was a kind of... representation of love and kindness and gentleness and innocence (duh), and I guess the fact that she was immediately picked up and half torn apart for parts for a fantasy A-bomb was I believe probably allegorical even though I hadn't intended it at the time (I used to be VERY good at unintentionally creating symbolism as a teen - sometimes I look back on the stuff I made and I'm kind of shocked both at how cool the symbolism was and how well it reflected my internal states that I wasn't conscious of LOL).

So the sweet brother accidentally discovers the angel and tries to save her (I keep saying "her" but the angel was really only nominally female, today I'd probably say that they were nonbinary but I didn't know what that was at 15) even though that will mess up the war effort. He becomes sort of obsessed with her and clings to her as the only pure or beautiful thing he can find in the world.

And then there's a more hard worldbuilding subplot with all kinds of angel weapons, one of which is a blood curse that ends up being used on the brothers' posh family by their political enemies. And the vicious brother is the only one in the family who doesn't die, making him discover that he was adopted/switched as a baby (after a mystery subplot about why he didn't die and the exact parameters of the curse), which completely crumbles all of the foundations of his identity, pushes him into a psychological crisis and makes him realize that the status and birthright that he'd been using as a justification for committing all his acts of aggression are an illusion. Which prompts a redemption arc after which he's the one who ends up definitely saving the angel in his dead little brother's memory and making friends with her.

So there was a lot of themes about people making a hell on earth through their ambition and insistence on power and hierarchies and violence, and there were several coming of age stories about how different people dealt with that as they stepped into adulthood and were dealt variously good or shitty hands in life, and just how it affected them generally, and there was also a subplot about the innocent angel reacting to all of this and how it changes them to see how people are acting on Earth, but also cool magic fights with angel weapons and tons of political intrigue :) And there were also some other worldbuilding elements that tied into all these themes that were also cool but I won't get into them so I don't make it too long.

Looking back on it it was a neat story, especially since I was like 16 when I thought of it. Looking back on it some more it was a period when I was watching trashy shounen anime, reading Dostoevsky and learning about the world wars at school, so it checks out

EDIT: oh and it's worthwhile to note that the angel wasn't fallen because they rebelled against god, they were sent to earth as some kind of messenger and were shot down by some kind of magical anti-aircraft gun.

fallen angel being immediately stripped for precious metals and parts by scavengers as soon as its impact radius has cooled enough to approach

[the-canine-king]

Okay so funny story, I was listening to Uninstall again and it became an earworm before I finally decided to check out the media where this song came from (or at least the manga), Bokurano

After reading the first volume I literally couldn't put it down and committed to finish reading it. Here's my honest thoughts on it (not really a formal review). Also I'm gonna spoil it bc there's no way not to spoil it if I want to talk about the story lol

First off, I'm actually a complete sucker for dark psychological/ existential stuff that talk about morality and life and don't mind darker tones being addressed in stories. The manga does not shy away from the ugliness and tragedy of it all and it's the centerpiece to a lot of the character's stories. Characters having to choose which choice is the "right" moral choice is always so fun to read. Plus, all of them don't share the same moral compass which is always so fun to read different perspectives and arguments. Compared to the saturation of "being the good hero" in stories, I love when characters are cruel and selfish for their own personal gain. I don't like them as a person but as a writing device? A painful yet entertaining read.

Despite the story being pretty simple (due to it feeling "episodic" since it just develops one pilot at a time) and predictable (in some parts lol), I really enjoyed the story through and through and in my opinion it worked pretty effectively. I was going to try to pick out a favourite pilot, but I honestly think almost all of them had a solid, satisfying story despite the tragedy. … Almost all of them.

Kanji's probably felt the weakest one. Each character had a chapter or so to establish who they are and their story so far. For Kanji, it almost felt incredibly nonchalant? Despite being the third last battle, it didn't feel completely satisfying on how it ended his story. Sure, it might've been set up for Ushiro's battle (the question of "would you kill an ally to save 10 billion?" leading up to "would you destroy a world to save your own?" all very fun moral conflicts), but it almost felt like there was no build up or "resolution". He died shooting an ally which is such a rough thing to put a kid through, but at least the others had some sort of "conclusion" on their life stories. (Such as having the resolve to protect others or having the last chance to be with a parent that neglected them) I did like that tactical planning involved and it was an incredibly depressing read when they were at their wits end. Him dying on top of his mother's building was really touching in a way(??? idk how else to explain) but again it was disappointing that there was not much with him.

Chizu's story I'm incredibly annoyed with. I wish nothing but a thousand deaths for the teacher and those associated with him. I'm so… fucking pissed that he got away with it. Like how?? AND he still got hired WHILE he's STILL doing that?? AND Like there was nothing in the story that pointed towards any good reason to keep him alive (revenge is bad, he's a good guy in a way now, people change, etc.) like MAYBE if there was some sort of discussion on the justice system or how things like these are always going to continue to happen to other girls (like the new girl he started talking to). But it was so dog ass lame that I seriously just couldn't believe he went away with it. I was shocked when Kirie stabbed him, I thought he killed him and it was going to be about the cycle of revenge or it contributes to his apathy towards life itself. While I highly enjoyed Kirie's story, I honestly think he should've killed him lol. Also, it's so fucking annoying that there was a whole discussion about the moral conflicts of protecting those close to you even if it means killing a stranger and then… Chizu's family is so okay with what happened between her and her sister?? Like I guess they wanted to show how despite it all she still killed many in her quest of revenge but at the same time she's your family member that got pregnant and raped by a teacher how is that in any way a good message. Chizu's sister pissed me the fuck OFF. "Oh I don't talk to him anymore" HOW ABOUT YOU FUCKING DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR SISTER…? PLUS, he was the major tip/ leak about the pilot's identities, if the government was so hellbent on making news outlets and tabloids keeping it a secret WHYYYY did they fucking release him??? I read someone's complaints about it on reddit and I completely agree w/ almost every point. Like idk about you but kids having innocent crushes on adults are completely normal, rapists and pedos are a terrifying reality that can happen to other people too. Doing nothing about said criminals either in a good or darker way? Absolutely unforgivable. Again, I would've been (to some extent) fine with it if there was SOME sort of discussion or critique about him getting away with it, but it's completely brushed off (worse that they tried to make Chizu JUST as bad as him).

And now with Machi… I'm incredibly conflicted on her story and twist. To be fair it was 3am and I was binge reading w/ a headache near the end so I probably missed a lot of details. But now that I'm awake and read some explanations about it I guess it works…? Again this is because I was completely confused during this time but now that I get it I think I have a new appreciation to the character. So at first it was gonna be rant but I concede since I'm actually just a dumbass lol.

Also I just want to say the art is seriously not as bad as people make it out to be lol. They make it sound like it's some amature work, but all of the characters have such a refreshing look to the style with their diversity of design. I mean it's not that extreme of a diversity but it's nice to see varied head and eye shapes in a manga since nowadays it's the same proportions.

EDIT: I forgot to say but idk how I felt about the kid's ages for the sake of the story. Like yeah it's children fighting a battle to determine which world gets to live and it's sad but at the same time it reads too mature for them? I suppose it's meant to be similar to a coming of age story and children being more philosophically open/ curious about life and death but lol. a fourth grader talking about the relationships and family blood in some mature way is kinda jarring

Overall, great story and great read. After clearing up my confusion I honestly think I might raise my score a little. 7.5/10 to maybe even an 8/10 (high maybe, i felt like it could've done a bit more but at the same time it was good enough?). Would highly recommend for those who like dark, depressing tales and a discussion on the importance of life and moral choices.

[aspenmissing]

𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗, 𝚂𝚊𝚖 𝚆𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 (𝙿𝚝 𝟸)

"G-Gabriel?! The archangel Gabriel?" Y/N stutters, pushing off from the post. Cas nods. "One of heaven's most fearsome warriors?" Cas nods again. "Saved my life?" Cas nods again, sighing. "Because why? Because I'm a Winchester? Because he took pity on me? Or because I'm the sister of someone who has demon blood-"

"As I said, no one knows why he saved you. Many do question it, but never say it out loud in fear of being seen as doubtful."

"Well if you find him, do tell him to make a drop-in with me. Because I'd like my questions to be answered." Y/N says, crossing her arms.

"As I also said, if he doesn't want to be found, then he won't be found. You're just gonna have to let him find you. Whenever that may be." Y/N turns her back to Cas.

"You angels do love not giving straight answers, you know one of these days when you ask me for an answer, I'm just gonna stop halfway-" She turns around to face Cas, only to see him no longer there. "Oh, and that! I'll be sure to just hide when you turn around, see how it makes you feel!" She shakes her head, sighing before straightening her jacket.

She walks out of the motel room and sees the Impala, all clean now. She smiles and jumps into the driver's seat, Dean in the passenger and Sam in the back. She looks between the two.

"What did I miss between you two? Is it because Dean lost rock paper scissors?" Dean looks at her in shock at how she knew that. Sam chuckles, shaking his head.

"It was nothing." He replies, looking at her but still looking disappointed.

"What about you and Cas? What were ya talking about in there?" Dean questions. Then shakes her head.

"It was nothing." He rolls his eyes playfully before Sam goes through the contents of the hex bag in his hand, picking up the bone. She sees his pout in the rearview mirror. "Well, are you going to figure out a way to find this witch, or are you just going to sit there fingering your bone?" Dean chuckles, shaking his head as Y/N starts up the Impala.

"You know how much heat it would take to char a bone like this?" Sam questions, holding up the charred bone between the twins, they turn their heads to look at it.

"No?"

"Bomb fire level?" Y/N answers.

"A lot, more than that or some kitchen oven."

"Okay, Betty Crocker, what does that mean?" Dean asks.

"It means we make a stop," Sam says, looking between the two, smiling. She smirks at him.

"That a boy, Sammy."

==

Back at the high school, the three enter Don's classroom, Dean and Y/N checking the two kilns while Sam heads straight to Don's desk, kneeling.

"So, Tracy used the kiln to char the bone, what's the big deal?" Dean questions as the twins walk over to Sam, who is rifling through the stuff on Don's desk.

"Guys, that hex bag turned up in our room, not after we talked to Tracy-"

"After we talked to the teacher." Y/N finishes, realizing. Sam looks down, noticing a bottom drawer with a latch, which is locked.

"Hey -" He says, getting Dean and Y/N's attention. They look down at the latch. Sam gets a hammer off the table behind them, kneeling back down to hit the lock until it breaks open. He opens the drawer where there are bones in a bowl, one charred, the others not. Sam stands back up, looking down at the bones.

"My god, those are all from children." He says

"And I'm guessing he's not saving them for the dog." Dean jokes.

"Or the hellhounds."

==

In a park, Castiel stands beside a bench with his hands behind his back, watching as the children skip by in Halloween costumes. Uriel sits on the bench, doing the same.

"The decision's been made," Cas says.

"By a mud monkey," Uriel says, chuckling.

"You shouldn't call them that," Cas says.

"Ah, it's what they are," He gestures to the people around them, before looking up to Cas. "Savages, just plumbing on two legs."

"You're close to blasphemy," Cas says, looking at Uriel. He sighs at him. "There's a reason we were sent to save her. She has potential, her brother has potential, they may succeed here."

"I understand why he is important to heaven, but Y/N? The only reason why she is of any importance is because of the grace that she's got in her, all because of an angel who found interest in her."

"You shouldn't question how archangels work and why they do it." Cas sits down on the bench beside Uriel, sighing. He rests his chin on his hands. "And any rate, it's out of our hands."

"It doesn't have to be."

"And what would you suggest?"

"That we drag Dean and Y/N Winchester out of here, and then we blow this insignificant pinprick off the map," Uriel suggests, spitting in venom as he looks at Castiel.

"You know our true orders," Cas says, looking over to Uriel. "Are you prepared to disobey?" Uriel just looks at him, unable to answer.

==

In the basement of Don's house, Don stands at an altar-like table, starting an incantation. Behind him, Tracy's hands are tied to a rope, which is attached to the ceiling, a rag wrapped around her mouth, stifling her cries as she struggled to get free. Don continues to talk in Latin? as he takes a knife and a chalice from the table, walking over to Tracy. He runs the tip down her neck, not drawing blood, but staring at her with a smile. Then he raises the knife above his head to stab her, only to get shot from behind three times. He drops to the floor as Dean, Y/N, and Sam come up from behind him. They put their guns back in their pockets as Dean goes over to Tracy to untie her as Sam and Y/N check Don's body. Dean cuts Tracy down and she rips off the gag.

"Thank you, he was gonna kill me! Ugh, that sick son of a bitch. I mean, did you see what he was doing? Did you hear him? How sloppy his incantation was?" Tracy spat. She looks up at the siblings, as they look at her in realization.

"You-"

"My brother -" This sets the Winchesters off as they go to draw their guns again. "Always was a little dim." Tracy throws her hand up, yelling an incantation, sending the three flying back and hitting the ground and writhing around in pain.

"You son of a bitch!" Y/N spits out, groaning in pain, her brothers doing the same.

"He was gonna make me the final sacrifice, his idea, but now, that honor goes to him. Our master's return? The spellwork's a two-man job you understand, so for six hundred years, I had to deal with that pompous son of a bitch. Planning, preparing, unbearable." Tracy says with venom. She kneels by Don's body, picking up the knife and chalice. "The whole time I wanted to rip his face off."

Tracy starts digging the knife into Don's bullet wound, holding the chalice up to catch the blood flow. She looks back over to Dean, Sam, and Y/N, who are still writhing in pain on the floor clutching their stomachs.

"And you get him with a gun, uh, love that." She stands back up, walking over to the altar on the table. You know, back in the day, this was the one day you kept your children inside. Well, tonight you'll all see what Halloween is."

Tracy starts another incantation and Sam, still clutching his stomach in pain, makes his way to Don's body, putting his hand in blood and smearing it on his face. The twins see him and whisper.

"What are you doing?" Dean whispers, Y/N looking at Sam with a confused yet painful look.

"Just follow my lead," Sam says. He spreads blood over Dean and Y/N's faces as well, moving back away from Don.

As Tracy finishes the incantation, the ground cracks in front of Don and black smoke pours out of it, and into his body of Don. Y/N tenses her jaw, knowing that they were unable to stop his rising, and another seal had been broken. Don's eyes shoot open, now white with the pupil staying black, his body now being controlled by Samhain. Dean, Sam, and Y/N lie still on the floor, their torture finished. Samhain rises off the floor, looking at Tracy's back that is turned to him, his vision blurry. He then walks over to her and she turns around, smiling at him as Samhain kisses her.

"My love." She says.

"You've aged," Samhain says, caressing Tracy's cheek.

"This face...I can't fool you."

"Your beauty is beyond time." The two lean in, their foreheads resting together before he suddenly snaps her neck sideways, her body falling to the floor. "Whore"

He turns around as he sniffs the air before looking down and seeing Dean, Sam, and Y/N lying on the floor. He walks over and looks at them for a second, and because of his blurry vision and them not moving, as well as the blood on their faces, he is unable to see them. After another second, he walks past them and leaves, shutting the door behind him. Y/N opens her eyes and leans over to Sam, whispering so that Samhain doesn't hear them.

"What the hell was that?" Y/N questions.

"Halloween lore. People used to wear masks to hide from him, so I gave it a shot."

"You gave it a shot?!" Dean exclaims, looking at him not believing that they took a chance like that on an idea Sam had from reading lore. Y/N begins chuckling, trying to be quiet in case Samhain hears. "How are you laughing at that."

"Because it's just funny that Sam risked our lives on a shot." She says, looking at Sam. "You are an amazing little brother."

==

The three leave Don's house and walk across the street toward the Impala, wiping the blood off their faces.

"Where the hell are we gonna find the mook?" Dean questions.

"Where would you go to raise other dark forces of the night?"

"The cemetery," Y/N says, opening the driver's side door.

"Yeah," Sam says, getting in the back while Dean walks around and gets in the passenger's side. Y/N turns the engine on and drives off toward the cemetery. Sam leans forwards, resting his arms on the front seat. "So, this demon's pretty powerful."

"Yeah," Dean says, nodding.

"Might take more than the usual weapons." Sam glances at Dean and Y/N out of the corner of his eyes, and the two get what he's suggesting. Y/N shakes her head.

"Sam, no, you're not using your psychic whatever. Don't even think about it. Ruby's knife is enough," she says.

"Why?"

"Well because the angels said so for one –"

"I thought you said they were a bunch of fanatics," Sam says. Y/N looks to Dean.

"You said that?" She chuckles, looking back at the road. "Not wrong."

"Well, they happen to be right about this one," Dean says, to which Y/N nods in agreement.

"I don't know, guys, it doesn't seem like they're right about much."

"Well then forget the angels, okay?" Y/N looks to Sam, brows furrowed. "You said yourself, these powers, it's like playing with fire." Dean picks up the knife and holds it out to Sam.

"Please." He says. Sam looks at the knife before grabbing it, not saying anything as he leans back, looking out the window.

"We're sorry, Sammy, we're doing this for your good," Y/N says, looking in the rearview mirror at Sam, seeing his frown. She sees that he goes to say something before shutting his mouth. She sighs, concentrating back on the road.

==

At the cemetery, there's a bunch of teenagers in a room in the mausoleum, walking around in costumes as rap music plays. Justin stands there looking around.

"Dude, I'm tripping balls!" He says. Footsteps echoed around and Justin notices. "Yo, shh, be quiet, it's the cops." Everyone scuttles around to hide; the music is turned off. The person walks down fully, revealing it to be Samhain as he walks towards the room they are partying in. Justin notices it's him. "Mr Harding? I mean, Don?" Samhain closes the gate to the room, locking it. As he walks away, he runs his hand across the gate. Justin tried to open said gate, but it doesn't budge. "Don, you, uh, you locked us in."

Justin tried the door again, and it stays locked, but the doors to the crypts in the room start to shake. The teenagers back away into corners, but Justin looks to one side and begins to back to the other side. A door comes open, and hands reach out and grab his ankles. Justin screams as a zombie drags him off his feet and into the crypt, a second later blood splatters out of the crypt, squirting out and covering the ground in front of the crypt. The teens start to freak out and try to get the gate open. Sam, Dean, and Y/N rush down the stairs, hearing them pleading.

"Help them," Sam says.

"Dude, you're not going off alone," Dean says.

"I'm coming with you," Y/N says, but Sam stops her.

"Do it!" He orders. Sam runs off after Samhain and the twins look after him for a second but then look back at the teens, Y/N motioning for them to move.

"Stand back! Stand back!" She shouts. The teens move away from the gate and Y/N shoots the lock, kicking open the door to let them all out.

"Go out, come on, get out, move!" Dean shouts. As the teens rush past them, Dean and Y/N look around the mausoleum as the doors shake, watching as one of the grave doors crashes to the ground and breaks. A zombie crawls out of it and stands up as another grave door crashes to the ground and the zombie in the next grave over starts to crawl out as well. Dean puts down the duffel bag as he and Y/N pull out a weapon the second zombie gets up, as the two hold up what looks like a silver stake.

"The party's just started."

"Bring it on, stinky."

==

Sam walks through the mausoleum looking for Samhain. He turns a corner and sees the said demon himself in a room facing the far wall. Sam tries to walk silently up to him, narrowing his eyes at the demon. However, Samhain hears and turns around suddenly, throwing up his arm, and a bright white light comes out of it. It dims, however, and Sam keeps walking towards Samhain.

"Yeah, that demon ray gun stuff? It doesn't work on me," Sam says. Samhain then runs at Sam, only to be uppercut as they begin to fight. Samhain finally pushes Sam against a wall by his neck, getting the upper hand.

==

Back in the crypt room, Dean has already taken out one of the zombies, the silver stake coming out of its chest lying on the floor. Y/N stabs another zombie to the ground with her silver stake next to the first one. She sighs in relief.

"That was way too easy," she says. She senses something behind her, hearing the clicking of heels as she turns to see a woman staring at her. Dean senses too and is quick to grab another silver stake and stab her, only for her to flicker and disappear and appears behind Y/N. Y/N pulls out the silver stake from the zombie and goes to stab her again only for the woman to motion both her hands at them, sending them flying across the room and into a wall, them sliding down the wall.

"Zombie ghost orgy huh?" Dean says.

"Well, that's it, we're torching everybody," Y/N adds.

==

Back with Sam, he manages to get the knife out, trying to stab Samhain and when it starts to cut into his skin, it sizzles and Samhain pushes it out of Sam's hand and whips Sam around- throwing him into the wall across the room. Sam gets back up and Samhain looks at him, ready to attack, goes running at Sam. Sam is quick to put his hand up, using his psychic power to stop him. Samhain struggles against Sam, as he manages to keep him from advancing too much. Samhain continues to advance slowly, causing Sam's hand to shake more. Dean and Y/N come running around the corner, seeing him use his powers.

"Sammy..." Y/N mutters as the twin's faces fall. Sam sees them over his shoulder of Samhain but continues. Sam begins using a lot more concentration as Samhain keeps advancing, causing his nose to start bleeding as blood pounds in his head, causing him to grab his head with the hand not holding Samhain at bay. Y/N goes to help him, but Dean grabs her arm, keeping her where she is. Black smoke begins to flow out of Don's mouth.

The two watches as Sam finally exorcizes Samhain as his nose continues to bleed and the blood pounding in his head starts to slow down. Once Samhain is out of the body, Don's eyes turn back to color as he drops to the ground dead, the black smoke disappearing. Sam can barely raise his eyes to meet Dean and Y/N's stare, Sam realizing that this is the first time they've seen him use his powers, not knowing that they had already watched him do so.

Y/N and Dean look at him sadly, Dean with a little bit of fear in his eyes and Y/N with a little bit of anguish, knowing that the angels may have been right and that she may have to stop her brother if he is to go down the path of the demon blood, and kill him before he could end the world.

==

In the motel room, Sam is packing clothes into his duffel bag. Dean and Theo were nowhere in sight.

"Tomorrow," a voice says from behind Sam. He jumps at the sound and turns around to see Uriel sitting on the couch. "November 2nd, it's an anniversary for you."

"What are you doing here?" Sam asks.

"It's the day Azazel killed your mother, and 22 years later your girlfriend too. It must be difficult to bear, yet you so brazenly use the power he gave you. His profane blood pumping through your veins," Uriel spits out.

"Excuse me?"

"You were told not to use your abilities."

"And what was I supposed to do?" Sam questions. "That demon would have killed me, my brother, my sister, and everyone."

"You were told not to," Uriel says.

"If Samhain had gotten loose in this town -"

"You've been warned, twice now."

"You know? My brother was right about you, you are dicks," Sam says, sneering at Uriel. Sam feels a gust of airflow past him as Uriel is suddenly in front of him.

"The only reason you're still alive, Sam Winchester, is because you've been useful. But the moment that ceases to be true, the second you become more trouble than you're worth, one word. One, and I will turn you to dust," Uriel then backs up but continues talking. "As for your sister, tell her that maybe she should climb off that high horse of hers. Ask Y/N what she remembers from hell." Wings flutter as Uriel disappears, Sam's eyes going wide as he turns around to look for him. Dean then enters the room, looking at Sam with a confused look, as to why he's looking around.

"You okay, Sammy?" He questions, Sam, looking at him with a sad look.

==

In the park, Y/N sits on a park bench, watching kids play with a soft smile. She senses something besides her, even though she's looking the other way.

"Let me guess you're here for the 'I told you so'," she says, looking at the angel.

"No."

"Well, good, 'cause I'm not that interested," Y/N says, looking away.

"I am not here to judge you, Y/N."

"Then why are you here?" Y/N questions.

"Our orders."

"Yeah, you know, I've had about enough of these orders of yours –"

"Our orders were not to stop the summoning of Samhain, they were to do whatever you told us to do," Cas says, looking at the woman. Y/N crosses her arms.

"Your orders were to follow my orders?"

"It was a test, to see how you would perform under... battlefield conditions, you might say."

"It was a witch, not the Tet Offensive," Y/N says, causing Cas to chuckle a little. "So how'd I do huh? Did I fail your stupid test? I get it. But you know what? If you would have waved that fairy magic time-traveling wand of yours and we had to do it all over again, I'd make the same call. 'Cause see, as a hunter I don't have the luxury of knowing what's going to happen when these seals are broken, hell I don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow or in 10 minutes. But what I do know is, that this, here?" Y/N gestures to the kids playing in the park. "These kids, the swings, the trees, all of it is still here because of my brothers and me."

"You misunderstand me, Y/N, I'm not like you think. I was praying that you would choose to save the town," Cas says.

"May you repeat that?" Y/N says, looking at Cas in confusion.

"These people, they're all my father's creations. They're works of art, and yet, even though you stopped Samhain, the seal was broken and we are one step closer to hell on earth, for all creation. Now that's not an expression, Y/N, it's literal. You of all people should appreciate what that means," Y/N looks at him a little pained, and sad. "Can I tell you something if you promise not to tell another soul?" Y/N nods.

"Go ahead."

"I'm not a... hammer as you say. I have questions, I have doubts. I don't know what is right and what is wrong anymore, whether you passed or failed here. But in the coming months, you will have more decisions to make. I don't envy the weight that's on your shoulders, Y/N. I truly don't." The two share a look, and Y/N looks out to the kids again and when she looks back, Castiel is gone.

"He's gonna be the death of me," she mutters.