#I have a thing with fable and legend coming soon too

[newkatzkafe2023]

Ahhhh I'm sorry if I already asked this but I forgot and got anxious about it (○.○)

Could you do one with the Wukongs x Selkie reader? If you don't know, selkies are seals who take a human form by shedding their sealskin, and if their sealskin gets stolen, they can't return to the sea and have to stay humans until their sealskin is returned (I don't think any of the Wukongs would do that tho)

Aghhhhg thank you so much sorry if I already asked this!!!!!!!

Yes I do know what a Selkie is and they are so adorable😍 also you don't know the Wukongs very well do you😑

(Lmk Wukong) OMG🤩🤩🤩 he saw you on the beach and never squealed so hard in his whole immortal life. God you are the cutest thing ever especially with how curious, Social and Friendly you are. He can't control himself at all, then one day he found that you have a half naked sea monkey form and well he was in no rush for you to leave. Oh you need your skin back??? but you just got here, It's totally not in his closet underlocking key or something that will be ridiculous😅.

(HIB Wukong) He found you sniffing Luier's face and bouncing with Silly girl. uhhh, ok???🤨🤨🤨 but what surprised him the most was your sea monkey form, and suddenly, he found himself blushing at your naked form. Although you clearly weren't a threat, so he couldn't really find a reason for you to leave oh you want him to hold your skin while you play with the kids. Ok but opps he totally misplaced Don't worry we'll find it soon in the meantime just go home with him😏😈

(MKR Wukong) Ohhhhhhhhhh a land monkey, so that's what one would look like you thought as you sniffed and frisk a Blushing annoyed Wukong, and Wukong thoughts were who is this chubby monkey with very dead skin And why does she smell like the ocean??? In otherwords your both very curious about one another, and it's kinda cute. Wukong can see you're clearly not a threat, to anyone not even yourself but he does get worried about your naive curiosity which is why he's holding on to your skin until further notice😤.

(NR Wukong) Ohhhhhhhhhh he Definitely thinks you're adorable, all innocent and chubby but in your sea monkey form your a thick bimbo. Now I see him as the only one who has some knowledge on what exactly you are and your fables and legends. I mean your not the most dangerous creatures but you are normally difficult to catch, but don't worry he'll make sure nobody takes advantage of you just as long as you give up your skin😇

(Netflix Wukong) He's baffled like what is he looking at here😧??? It has never seen anything like you before. Although you are an adorable squishy and it makes you non-threatening but your sea monkey body. Oh my that's something to get use too especially when your just as naked as he is, but your friendly and social nature makes you easy to get along with and he wants you to stay with him. He just has to figure out how to get your skin🤫

(BMW Wukong) Out of all the people you follow around it had to be him, seriously your luck your cute. Don't take anything to heart though he has totally knowledgeable about your Species and how he can keep you around him. He keeps your skin well taken care off and well hidden especially after seeing your thick sea monkey thighs he would be an idiot to let you slip from him😳

(Destined one) Cuddle parties 🥳 are mandatory when it comes to the two of you. With your big chubby body and his warm fur you guys are a match made in heaven, and he secretly makes fun games and puzzles for you to solve since you love spending time playing with him. Their were even times where you would get sad whenever you have to leave him and it breaks his heart too, until he found out about the value of your skin. To this day you keep misplacing your skin and whenever you ask him All he does is shrug his shoulders while hiding your folded skin neatly behind him.

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG🦭

[adrift-in-thyme]

Hello! If you are still accepting fic requests... I saw your "Legend is a sympathetic crier" post and it grabbed hold of my brain. Could you try a fic of that with Legend/Fable or Legend & Sky? Either one would be fun, I think!

Hi! Thanks so much for the prompt!!

I really wanted to write this with Legend/Fable but I don’t feel confident writing Fable as a main character just yet (I’ve seriously gotta play the games Legend’s in so I can write those two). But I went with Sky instead! I hope you like it!

Fic under the cut (can also be read on Ao3)

———————————-

Wild’s latest memory is one of his worst.

At least, Legend thinks it is. He isn’t usually around for the aftermath of these kinds of things. Warriors or Time are always quick to usher the group away as soon as that faraway look comes into the champion’s eyes. But today the memory had come and gone with uncharacteristic speed, and there had been no time for an escape.

Legend hadn’t minded too much at first. He’s handled worse things than the reminiscing of an amnesiac, after all. But that was before Wild had crumpled, falling to his knees with his hands pressed to his face. That was before the wailing had begun.

Even now, that an eternity has passed, the sounds of anguish still split the air. Twilight has drawn the champion into his arms, but his shoulder does little to muffle his heartbroken cries. And with each passing second Legend’s chest constricts further.

A lump situates itself painfully in his throat and he struggles to breathe past it. He won’t cry–he can’t—not here. Yet, the tears are coming anyway, burning his eyes and trickling down his cheeks.

He balls his hands into fists, fingernails digging into flesh. Even the stinging pain does nothing to keep back the emotions rising within him. And they’re not his own, not even close—for goodness sake, he doesn’t even know what the memory was about—but they come anyway, strong and suffocating. He fights not to crumble beneath their weight.

Still, the sobs wrack Wild’s body and still, he stands frozen in place, unable to tear his eyes from the sight.

Somewhere off to his side Time leads the others away, saying something about privacy. Somewhere even nearer Wind laments their helplessness. But Legend hears them as though they’re miles away.

When Wild speaks, however, he hears the anguished words plainly.

“I forgot her. How could I forget her?”

He doesn’t know who this mystery girl is (though he may have a terrible, terrifying inkling), but it doesn’t matter. The statement on top of everything else is just too much.

It takes everything he has to walk away instead of running.

Putting some distance between himself and the others helps a bit. As soon as he’s out of earshot, the emotions begin to subside and the tears along with them. But the mere thought of the champion–of how he’d looked and sounded–brings them roaring back.

Legend kicks viciously at a small pebble, sending it flying.

It was only a matter of time before this happened–before someone started bawling their eyes out and he just had to follow suit. But it’s stupid, horribly so. He isn’t the one who should be crying. He’s the one who should be standing strong, keeping his walls up, and letting no one, not a single person, see how the pain of others affects him.

He reaches a small cliff and, with a sigh, flops down onto it. It’s a dismal sort of day though, overhung with rain clouds and fog, and within a second of sitting down his tunic has sopped up half of Hyrule’s water supply. Cursing, he leaps back to his feet.

Wonderful. Even nature is trying to make him cry. Or scream. At this point, he feels more inclined to go that route.

Instead, he settles for glaring into the mist. It doesn’t provide any satisfaction, but it’s something.

Anger is better than sorrow any day.

“Legend?”

He jumps at the sound and whirls, reaching for his sword. Sky holds up a hand to stop him.

“It’s just me.”

Legend lets out an annoyed huff, sheathing his weapon. His thoughts are scattered now like seeds born on the wings of the wind.

“Yeah, I can see that now. Mind not sneaking up on me next time?”

Sky chuckles. “Sorry, I thought you’d hear me. I’m not usually all that stealthy.”

He comes to stand beside him, following the direction of Legend’s gaze from moments before.

“You were deep in thought though. I called you three times before you noticed I was standing there.”

Legend shifts, uncomfortably.

Three times? That’s a first. He’s usually much more attentive, often to a fault. “Bunny hearing” Fable jokingly calls it, and he can’t help thinking she’s onto something. Few sounds slip his notice.

“Well, what’re you doing here?” He asks, sitting down on the moist grass. Wetness be damned, he’s too tired to remain standing.

Sweet Hylia, why do emotions have to be so exhausting?

“Shouldn’t you be back there—” He jerks a thumb behind him— “comforting the person who’s actively breaking down?”

Sky settles down by his side and folds his hands in his lap.

“I can’t help Wild,” he says, quietly. “The fewer people around him right now, the better. Twilight and Time are with him and that’s enough.”

That’s good, Legend supposes. The champion is closer to the two heroes than he is to anyone else in their party. Still, he wishes something more could be done.

Well…what he wishes is that he could snap his fingers and all pain would just disappear—from him, from those he calls friends. That would be easier, much easier than sitting here and dealing with the whole lot of it.

…or watching it tear someone down into a sobbing, mess.

Hylia help him, his own problems are more than enough without him having to go and absorb everyone else’s. It’s like being a chu, oozing about, taking on any element they encounter, and spewing it out indiscriminately.

“It’s difficult watching something like that.”

Legend turns slightly so he can see the Skyloftian’s face. There’s something he can’t quite make out in his gaze, an emotion he thinks he should know yet can’t place.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Sky continues, almost as though reassuring himself. “But our hero’s spirits want so badly to take it all away. It just doesn’t sit right, leaving him with such a heavy burden.”

He meets Legend’s eyes now, a small, sad smile lifting his lips. “Especially when it feels like that burden has become yours.”

The tears spring back with a vengeance and Legend turns away quickly to avoid Sky catching sight of them. Not that it matters. He knows what the Skyloftian is doing, and he knows what it means. He saw him crying back there, he must have.

He slumps despite himself, curling in with his shoulders hunched. He feels very much like he did when Twilight and Sky saw him in his bunny form, caught in the trap of vulnerability and hating every second of it.

“I know it’s not my burden,” he mutters, testily. “I just…I can’t help it.”

Plucking a blade of grass he begins ripping it viciously into thin strands.

“It happens every damn time.”

Sky nods and there is a kind of comprehension in the movement. Somehow, it makes Legend feel worse.

First the tears, now an uncharacteristic outpouring of his heart. What on earth is wrong with him?

“It’s not a weakness you know.”

Legend gives a derisive snort. “I don’t see how it couldn’t be.”

“You’re such a kind, sensitive soul,” his uncle told him once, fondness in his eyes. But kindness and sensitivity are blatant invitations for hurt. That much has been drilled into his skull.

For a long moment, there is only suffocating silence. Then, Sky scoots closer. He’s warm, far more than the dreary chill of the wind or the bone-aching wet hanging in the air and seeping into his tunic. Still, Legend stiffens.

“I know it feels that way sometimes,” the Skyloftian continues. “But it’s what makes us heroes.”

Legend side eyes him. “Crying our eyes out makes us heroes?”

Sky chuckles. “Well, maybe not that specifically. You know what I mean, though.”

Legend sighs. He does, despite not really wanting to accept it.

“If only dealing with emotions was as easy as saving Hyrule,” he says, wryly, in a half-hearted attempt at bringing some humor into the conversation.

Sky’s face falls slightly. “Yeah…if only.�� Then, he smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Anyway, I guess the bunny form makes more sense now.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Legend snaps, sending him a scowl.

“It’s just like the rancher said, you’ve got a soft, little bunny heart.”

“Hey, now! You’ve got no right!”

Sky laughs, completely unperturbed by Legend’s pout. And even the veteran has to admit the sound makes the air feel lighter. At the very least, it’s better than the sound of sobs.

“Oh!” The Skyloftian suddenly jolts, reaching into his pouch. “That reminds me. I have something for you.” He presses a small, wrapped object into Legend’s palm. “I’ve been meaning to give it to you, but I couldn’t find a good time. I guess now is as good as ever.”

Legend peers down at it, curiosity peeking. But before he can begin freeing it from the handkerchief that envelopes it, Sky rises.

“Well, I’m gonna head back. Open that whenever you want to. There’s no rush.”

“Okay,” Legend replies, slowly. He watches with narrowed eyes as the Skyloftian turns and starts in the opposite direction. If he wasn’t suspicious before, he certainly is now.

Nevertheless, he makes himself wait until Sky is out of sight to peel away the wrapping. And then he freezes, breath catching at the sight within.

It’s a tiny, ornate carving of a rabbit.

It stands on its hind legs, so alert and lifelike Legend half expects to see it twitch its nose. Gently, almost cautiously, he runs a finger over its little head, feeling the smoothness of the wood.

Something wet and warm drops onto the back of his hand, and he realizes with a streak of frustration that he’s crying again. Cursing Sky, he swipes at his eyes. There’s no stopping it now that it’s begun, however. In the end, he’s forced to let the sobs rip through him.

And as the tears pour down faster than he can wipe them away, he closes his fist around the precious object and clutches it to his chest.

[crashdevlin]

Local Legends 2- Guilt

Author’s Note: This is part two of Local Legends miniseries, a nightclub AU with a bit of a twist.

Summary: The Winchesters are Lebanon legends, courting controversy like any wealthy family does. Y/n has always been interested in the gossip, but never had cause to be a part of it, until she runs into Dean Winchester at his nightclub and gets the fabled black business card that lets her into the VIP lounge.

Pairing: Dean x Reader, OMC (Rick) x Reader

Word count: 2246

Story Warnings:  cheating/infidelity, angst, guilt, shame, relationship angst

~~~

You stared at the TV, but you weren't seeing the image on the screen. Your mind was stuck at Draco Corde, in the VIP lounge, with Dean Winchester.

Why your brain wouldn't leave that room, you didn't know. You wished it was the shame. You wished you were overthinking the ramifications of cheating on a man you'd been dating since college but it wasn’t guilt you felt when you thought about the VIP. At least...not when you were alone. The shame hit like a Mack truck as soon as Rick walked into your apartment.

"Hey. I missed you last night," he said, dropping his briefcase by the door and flopping down on the sofa next to you.

"Got in late. You were already asleep."

"Pub quiz ran that late?" His eyes were on the TV. It wasn’t an interrogation, just an inquiry.

"No. I went to the club for a cheaper drink. Ladies Night."

His eyes found you right away. "You went to Drac two days in a row?" You shrugged. He'd never cared where you drink. Why did it matter? "I don't think you should hang out there, Y/n. That place…" He sighed and leaned forward to look into your eyes. "The Winchesters aren't good people and I don't want you-"

"We have three bars and a nightclub around here, Rick. Only one of those is a fun place to be. People come from three counties away to go to Draco Corde. Since when do you even have an opinion on the Winchesters?"

He sighed again and looked away. "Since you let me in on your opinion of them. Since all I've heard since I moved to Lebanon is bad things...and even in KC, Y/n. Their legacy is so bad, I heard about them clear across the state, babe. They're literally bad news."

You couldn’t argue that. You didn't really know how to. "Still...they just own the place. I've only ever seen them twice."

"Twice?"

Your jaw dropped a bit at the unintentional admission. "Y-yeah. I...saw them tonight, too."

"Twice in a row. This is why I don't want you around their club, Y/n. You’re gonna get dragged into their craziness and I don’t know what to say to get you to stop this."

You blinked at him a few times before standing. He was right. You were getting dragged into the Winchesters' craziness. "I love you and you don’t have to worry...I won't be going to Draco again for a while." After what you did, you couldn’t imagine going back there without feeling overwhelmed with guilt.

You bit your bottom lip as he sighed and stood, wrapping his arms around you. "I know I don't have to worry about you. You're a smart woman. I'm worried about them."

"You don't even know them, Rick."

"I know about them, Y/n, that's enough."

You nodded. "Okay." You didn't want to talk about it anymore. "So, this weekend, I was thinking we could go check out that new multiplex in Wichita. You know, the one with the full restaurant and-"

He hissed and grimaced. "I can’t, babe." He reached up to run his knuckles over your cheek, then stepped back. "My parents called and they want me to visit this weekend. My sister is having an engagement party and I have to make an appearance, in the very least."

You licked your lips and looked away. His parents were a sore subject. His sister was another. You'd never met them. After almost three years, you'd come to the conclusion you would never meet them. They didn't really look like good people anyway from the few pictures you'd seen of them.

"So, you're going to Lawrence?"

"Yeah. I know. I'm sorry. If I didn't have to go, I wouldn't."

"You don't have to do shit for them," you snapped. "I don't understand your unwavering loyalty for these people."

"They're my family. I know you don't have a good relationship with your-"

"This isn’t about my family. This is about yours. You say you don't want me to meet them because they're so terrible but you'll run to them as soon as they call? I don't get it."

"I'm not running to them," Rick said, eyes rolling as he turned away from you. "Look, my family are bad people but I was raised to respect family. I was raised to-"

"They're bad people but you have to respect them? Really? Bad people get cut off! Cut them off!"

"I'm not-" Rick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I can’t. I can’t have this argument again. I have to go. Okay? I'll be back on Sunday night."

"Fine," you bit out.

"I'm sorry, okay, but I have to. I just have to."

"I said 'fine'." Rick just shook his head as he walked out of the living room. You pulled your phone out and called your boss. “Do you have any shifts I could pick up this weekend? I am...I don’t have a reason to stay home anymore so…”

Your boss penciled you in for work on Saturday, grateful for an extra set of hands on a Saturday night.

~~~

"I just sat a two-top of tens in your section. You're welcome," the hostess, Katarina, said as she tapped your shoulder.

"Thanks?" 'Two-top of tens' meant two hot guys. You had no interest in that.

"Look like good tippers too. You so owe me."

"It was my turn in the rotation. I don't owe you shit more than your normal share of the tips, bitch." You shook your head as you pulled a pen and a small notepad out of your apron and started walking toward table 14 in the back corner. You stopped in your tracks when you noticed the broad-shouldered man with the fluffy hair. Sam Winchester. Which meant that the man sitting across from him could only be Dean.

Sam and Dean, in your workplace, in your section. What kind of coincidence is that? God must be testing you...since you failed the last test.

You took a deep breath and stepped up to the table, placing cocktail napkins in front of each of them as you smiled brightly. "Welcome to Marcella's. My name is Y/n, I'll be serving you tonight. Is this your first time visiting us?" you asked, as professionally as possible, quoting the service standard greeting you were taught when you were hired.

You could see Dean smirking as you focused on Sam. "This is our first time here, but it's not the first time you've served me. Neat, huh?"

Your smile faltered for a moment as an unwanted rush of heat blossomed between your thighs. You cleared your throat and continued on your script. "Well, welcome to Marcella's, we're so happy to have you here and hope you come back in the future. Since it's your first time, would you like any recommendations?"

"Oh, I know what I want. Tried it Thursday...it was real good," Dean said, leaning forward.

You finally caught his eyes and lost your smile completely. "That was an exclusive special for last Thursday. It won't be available again," you said, seriously.

Sam snorted as Dean nodded. He obviously thought something about the interaction was amusing...whether it was your denial of his brother or the code you used to do it, you weren't sure.

"I'm sure the chef could whip you up something delicious, though!" Your fake smile returned. "Can I get you started with some drinks? We have a full bar, stocked with some of the best, top-shelf liquors."

Dean smirked and nodded. “Yeah. Okay. Get me a 20 year scotch, neat.”

“Pappy,” Sam said, looking at the bar menu.

“Sure! I’ll go put those drinks in with the bar. Y’all take a look at your appetizer menus and I will be right back.” You started to walk away but Dean’s hand wrapped around your wrist. You stopped and looked down at the physical contact. “Yes, sir?”

“That skirt you were wearing on Thursday was hot as hell.” You tugged on your arm to get him to release it. “But there’s something about a girl in uniform that’s hot, too.”

You swallowed thickly and stepped away, heat flowing through your veins. You put in the drink orders and went back to the table. Dean kept his hands to himself and didn’t make any comments as he ate his food. You thought maybe Sam had chastised him, which you were grateful for as you waited on them. You kept your smile in place and gave them three more drinks each, so Dean was tipsy as he stood and looked down at you.

“You should come by Drac again. We had fun, didn’t we?”

You licked your lips as he and Sam walked away. You bit your lip as you picked up the book holding the check. Your jaw dropped at the stack of hundred dollar bills. Over three times the amount needed for their $300 bill. You turned to protest the amount of tip but they were already out the door.

“That’s a six hundred dollar tip.” Katarina’s eyes were bigger than you’d ever seen them.

“Six hundred thirty,” you corrected, rifling through the bills. “And I can’t keep it.”

“What do you mean? Of course you can!”

“No. I can’t.” You shook your head. “Ethically, I can’t...for reasons I can’t go into.”

You shoved the money in your apron and cursed the fact that you couldn’t let yourself keep the rent money from a man you cheated on your boyfriend with.

~~~

You put the bills in an envelope and shook your head as you approached the bouncer at the front door of Draco. He looked you up and down, obviously unimpressed with the way you looked in your work uniform so you presented the envelope. “Will you please give this to Dean Winchester?”

“I ain’t a messenger boy.”

“Look, you just need to hand him the damn envelope.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Nah. I remember you, Miss VIP. You go in there and give it to him yourself.”

You bit your bottom lip and pushed past him, stomping toward the second bouncer at the curtain. He just pulled the curtain open as you approached. He obviously recognized you, as well. You just kept stomping. Your eyes fell on Dean, sitting in the corner booth with a rocks glass in front of him. He smiled and his eyes lit up as he saw you show up. You slapped the envelope on the table in front of him, making sure to keep your eyes off of his. “I cannot accept this. I took a 25% gratuity but I can’t take more than-”

“You’re denying my generous tip?”

“No, I’m denying...whatever bribery or-” You shook your head and stepped back, trying to shake off the memory of you writhing under him on that very table.

“I don’t need to bribe you, sweetheart.” He slid the envelope back across the table. “Take the money. I gave it to you for a reason.”

“And what reason is that? I was that good of a waitress?” you snapped.

Dean smiled and leaned forward. “You drive an oh-one Sonata with a squeaking drive belt and a shit radiator. You wear Wal-mart underwear and Target heels. Your purse is knockoff Dooney. You aren’t doin’ well financially, Y/n. You’re really in a position to turn down a payday?”

You swallowed heavily and stepped back. He was paying that close attention to you? “I don’t need your charity, Mr. Winchester.”

“Need is relative. Look, I’m tryin’ to be nice. You were...so very nice to me.”

“I’m not a whore and I don’t need your money for how-”

Dean rolled his eyes and stood, picking up the envelope. “I’m not trying to pay you for the phenomenal sex. I’m just trying to help you.” He tapped the envelope against the table and licked his lips. “My dad was a mechanic when he was my age. My parents had a one bedroom apartment in Lawrence. They slept on a hide-a-bed in the living room while Sam and I shared a bunk bed in the room. We ate PB&Js on white bread and Piggly-Wiggly meatloaf. I grew up...financially challenged, honey. I know what you’re living with.”

You blinked at him a few times. “How did you...I didn’t know you grew up poor.”

His expression softened as he offered the envelope to you. “Nobody does. We haven’t been poor since I was a teenager. Take the money.”

You bit your lip again as you reached out and took the money back. “You don’t have to-”

“Want to.”

“Why?” you asked, tucking the envelope into your pocket. “Why do you want to help me?”

Dean shook his head and set his hand on your shoulder. “I’m getting tired of you asking ‘why’.” He squeezed your arm gently and smiled. “I’ve taken a liking to you. Something good about you. I’m feelin’ it.”

“I’m...I’ve still got a boyfriend.”

“Yeah?” He chuckled. “And where’s he tonight?”

“Home,” you lied. “Waiting for me to get there.”

He seemed a little skeptical, but he didn’t say that. “Well...you better get home to him, huh?”

“Yeah,” you agreed. “Yeah, I should. Have a nice night, Mr. Winchester.”

“Call me ‘Dean’,” he commanded with a wink before stepping away and heading back to his seat.

[crazylittlejester]

Heyyyyyy how y’all doiiinnnggg…..

It’s been while, hey siri play “DEAD” by Melanie Martinez -

A) from that old post about what I would want to see in the fic: lwk I’m cool w/ whatever I put in (what I though was at the time) a prompt for like 500 words and did not think this far ahead 😭 lol I trust ur judgement on whatever gets added I’ll eat it up like those rlly yummy life saver mints

B) I’m back babyyyyyy the Ao3 curse works harder but I’m harder >:3

may or may not have almost died but that’s okay it keeps me on my toes. I have new medical insight on how to improve my whump 💪🤩😍

C) I’m abesolutely so sorry about that anon (ik I’m super late to the party) what they said was so out of line and I cannot think of what you could have even possibly done that would (unjustly) cause such a reaction?? People are assholes especially when they can abuse anonymousy online. I’m glad u seem to be doing ok 💜

D) I know i say this every time and blah blah blah but please make sure to not push urself over creating content and pleasing followers. I will (likely) not be dying anytime soon and I can wait as long as necessary for the Cia fic dude I make the prompt with the understanding that with you as the writer I would be meeting your needs/criteria for my silly little mentally ill twink to get sent through the meat grinder. Take as long as you need 💜

On a much less feely note:

E)

(No hate to you or anyone really who has this opinion)

Theory/hot take/opinion/etc:

Echoes of Wisdom (new game coming in sept) Zelda ≠ Fable (from SNES + game boy games)

Like, I get it, on a surface level it makes so much sense because the EOW game is in the same artsyle as the Links Awakening (remastered) game. Nintendo doesn’t really use the same artsyle with games (atleast since the N64) unless they are direct sequels, prequels, or otherwise linked (BOTW & AOC). New game but with the same artsyle as previous game? Obviously linked!

Except, no??? Here’s where that opinion doesn’t hold as strong:

the main peice of evidence here is that the Zelda in the trailers is the Zelda from OOT.

(I really wish I could put pictures as anon 😭)

Verbatim. That is her. She is wearing a pink dress, trapped in a pink crystal, while link fights and eventually cracks open said crystal. It’s hard to see the dress because of the crystal obscuring it, but in another clip (when the staff is first seen i believe) you can see her in the dress and it’s her.

Even if it’s not, it’s definitely not Fable.

There are two (?) versions of the Zelda’s that fall under “Fable”. one is in a blue dress (ALTTP) and one is in a white dress white a pink over apron-thingy. While its arguable that the crystal makes it look pink, or its too dark to see anything, ultimately the tabard is not the same and the top being two parts is not there, so no, its not Fable.

Which is really weird, because the Link is in fact the same link as the SNES + Gameboy (I call it the “Pixel Era”) Link. Brown Longsleeved undershirt + green sleeveless dress-tunic over it. Even weirder, he wield the hylian sheild. WHICH DID NOT EXIST BEFORE OOT. Again, not Pre-3D link.

It does exist in ALBW, meaning if you are into LU then it works with legend being the same person in all those games, but ALBW is canonically the “successor” to ALTTP

BUT GANON IS HERE?????? Hellooo????

(Fun fact: Gannon is what his pig/beast form is called while gannondorf is what his Gerudo form is called! :D)

Gannon only exists in the pixel Era games + ALBW. All of the 3d games use gannondorf. So this is such a weird thing to exist.

EVEN MORE CONFUSING, THE ZORA!?!??!?

If you don’t know what im referring to, for like literally 2-5 seconds there is a clip of the zora of this game. Ok, cool. Zelda game, with water, therefore there’s obviously gonna be zora.

(This is a “duh” moment for older fans but pls stick with me lol)

There are two versions of the zora: pre-OoT and post-OoT. TLDR; pre-OoT they look like horrifying fish monsters and try to kill you, Post-OoT they become hot and even get shipped with link in the later games. Hyrule historia (which is not the most reliable sometimes) explains it better but it has to do with the big Triple Timeline. The difference in zora design depends on which timeline you’re looking at, one of the timelines doesn’t have them at all.

So what’s so confusing? Is does the zora design not fit?

Yes!! You know why? BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO OF THEM. BOTH ZORA DESIGNS. IN THE SAME GAME. CLEARLY INTERACTING IN THE FIVE SECOND CLIP.

Also this was pointed out by my sibling: in the beginning, the hood long wears is eerily similar to the Hylian Hood in totk/botw. Later on in the trailer, my cousin pointed out a canon that looked “like it was zonai tech” but it was just a green cannon so tbh that’s more loose.

The Gaurd designs are also kinda weird to me? I can’t tie them back to any of the games bc of the weird helmet shape, and their uniforms look exactly like link’s first outfit in Hyrule warriors, though that seems unintentional.

Anyways. This game is. Something. I really don’t think it’s related to previous games (I hope not for the sake of lore holes it could tear up) but what we do know is:

- OoT Zelda has been taught Ctrl C + Ctrl V by magic yellow orb and uses a staff.

- Likely Takes place in the downfall timeline due to artstyle, the fact that the enemy zora exist, and the fact that Gannon is here in beast form

- atleast some inspiration from botw/Totk with the copying and open exploration mechanics

- there is maybe some alternate space/dimension bullshit from that one clip of Zelda moving blocks of water like she’s Moses

- takes place where the Hylian shield exists and therefore likely the story of a hero is still a thing

- takes place where BOTH ZORA meet and interact with eachother

This is driving me crazy. My dad says it’s the Zelda multiverse 😭

Sorry for the word vomit, I rlly needed to info dump ✌️

Your favorite void crawler,

Mandarin Warriors 🍊

OH MY GOD HEY, HI, I WAS GENUINELY WORRIED ABOUT YA

a. alskkddk okay 👍

b. oh my god I really hope that you’re doing okay dude, or at least that you’re feeling a bit better 🫶🫶🫶 sending hugs and love your way my guy

c. people sometimes suck and I considered turning off anons for a bit after that but i have too many wonderful anons and id hate to lose any of em because of one idiot

d. it’s going to be the next thing I put up when I come back from my so called ‘mental health break from writing’ 😭 (i literally can’t seem to stop writing, i am glued to my google docs 💔). Im not sure if you saw the post (and its totally okay if you didn’t, youve clearly been going through a lot and i genuinely hope that you’re okay) where I said part of why it’s takin so long js because I’m writing two separate versions of the fic because it’s heavy enough I feel it should be rated mature, but I’m making a ‘watered down version’ for people who were really waiting for this fic but dont wanna read anything rated higher than teen. I don’t write explicit things, but we’ve crossed the line from ‘implying things’ and into the ‘traumatic past events are being discussed’ zone and if im gonna write about trauma I’m gonna Write About Trauma, an’ yeah

i really hope you don’t die anytime soon anon, i don’t know what it is exactly that you just went through and you do not have to tell me, but i sincerely hope you’re doing okay, and if not okay, at least feeling better. I really was worried about ya 💜

and to yap about EoW:

IM GLAD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO SAW THE HOOD AND THOUGHT OF THE ZONAI STUFF, IT REMINDED ME A LOT OF TOTK

i think itd be really cool if it was a new Link and Zelda. I love the like, art/animation style they chose, and I doubt nintendo is ever gonna tell us which Link this is 💀 but we can always have our theories 💔

NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR YAPPIN, ITS WHAT THE YAP BOX IS FOR! FEEL FREE TO INFODUMP WHENEVER DUDE I LOVE IT HEAR IT, AND YOU SERIOUSLY HAD A LOT OF INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY

i know this is like the fourth time im saying this but again, I hope you’re alright. I missed ya, it’s good to hear from you again 💜

[umichenginabroad]

Week 0: Sleep 0

Hi, my name is Alex Shamoun, a rising sophomore in Robotics. I am Michigan born and raised and I am very excited to be able to share my journey through Reykjavik, Iceland. Iceland is a very unique country in both geography and culture. Iceland being an island formed with a large amount of volcanic activity gives it both a geographic uniqueness and due to its separation from everyone else it was able to be culturally unique. Over these next 7 weeks I can’t wait to share what I get to learn and experience with you. 

Me getting my last bit of real sleep for the next 48 hours.

I will say that while Iceland may be a really nice destination to visit, packing to be here for 7 weeks was not fun. That comes from the fact that Iceland is cold and windy, but despite being from Michigan I don’t really know what I am going to be dealing with. I’ve mostly got a lot of sweaters and hoodies but I also have my fair share of graphic tees and UofM shirts. I spent multiple days packing and repacking just to try and make sure I am well prepared for whatever environments and situations confront me. I think I have enough stuff to where no matter what happens I will be good but who knows. What will I be able to wear or will I freeze? I will learn that and much more very soon. 

The mess that is trying to pack for Iceland and being unsuccessful in said venture.

I am writing part of this while at Reykjavik airport after landing from my overnight flight. We left DTW at 8:30 pm and it was a group of four of us UofM students on an Icelandair flight. I will say that Icelandair was kind of alright. The price was pretty good (when compared to Delta), however there was no meal for a 6 hour trans-Atlantic flight (you have to buy it). I ended up just eating some Kaleche(middle eastern pastry) I had packed with me to satiate my hunger. Once we got off the plane and got through customs we were met with our fabled guide for the next 7 weeks Christopher, and oh boy did he live up to the legends. 

The man, the myth, the legend: Christopher, keeping us entertained.

Christopher was foretold to us by the students of last year as a very eccentric and high energy man and for it being 6 am that was definitely true. He was up and active, telling dad jokes, speaking in a high energy voice and was tryna get us going and honestly it was working. This man actually worked miracles on us, while the jokes weren’t the best it was just the fact that we were able to talk and his energy was flowing into us just by being around him. Christopher was honestly one of the only things that got us through the morning and the airport.

On the drive over from the airport to our apartment we were able to actually see the volcano that is erupting. While we weren’t able to get too close, we were still able to see the smoke plume of toxic gas coming from the volcano. It was really interesting that it was just literally that close to the place we all flew into and that it was completely safe for us to  be there.

The volcanic plumes in the distance

After this we all got situated in our apartments and worked out details with roommates. The view from my apartment was absolutely fantastic. I’m in a 3 bedroom apartment where I thankfully have a single room. We have a balcony on the 4th floor and so you can see the Hallgrimskirkja church (extremely large lutheran church) (pictured at the end) over the heads of all the buildings and it’s really beautiful.

Everyone in the apartments after the drive, trying to stay awake while waiting for them to let us in.

We were given some free time in which we went to the grocery store ( of which I’ll probably talk more about next week) and just explored the city. In the end it was a lot of walking which I am going to be doing again tomorrow. To cap the day off and bring an end to probably hte most busy and tiring 24 hours of my life, we went to a really fancy restaurant called Loa. We had a magnificent 3 course meal. I had lamb soup, lamb shank, and (not lamb) chocolate cake. Iceland is known for its lamb and fish, and this was some really good and tender lamb. Honestly though, the chocolate cake was what really sold me on the meal, it was absolutely delicious and exactly the right amount of chocolate. 

This lamb shank was glazed in a sauce, cooked on top of mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. 

I have had a really busy day (i’ve been up all day and yesterday) so I am going to call it a night and send this off and report more of my journey later. Stay tuned and have a wonderful night.

The view from my window at 12:30 am, the sun never sets on Iceland, much like the British. The Hallgrimskirkja church is the tall tower that is pointing out of the skyline.

-Alex Shamoun

Robotics

Engineering in Reykjavik

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

NBD just crying over Action Comics 1060 (in a good way but also a sad way because DC is being VERY DUMB and ending PKJ’s run in favor of a Jason Aaron Bizarro filler arc ohhhhhh how I weep bitter tears of frustration)

…Anyways, spoilers!

So 1060 is the penultimate installment of PKJ’s (stellar, spectacular, phenomenal, brilliant, top-tier) run on Action Comics and I just want to applaud him—for a lot of things, really, but in *this* specific case, I wanna stand and cheer because he’s making it EXTREMELY CLEAR that the twins (who are not actually twins) are in fact, Clark’s kids. No question, no ambiguity; Otho calls him papa, Clark refers to her as his daughter, and he’s willing to travel through LITERAL HELL to get her back.

It’s entirely possible that future writers will try to get rid of these kids, but I appreciate that PKJ has made it *very* difficult for them. XD Any retcon they’d come up with would be so messy. (Of course, saying this, I realize that the more depressingly realistic outcome here isn’t that writers actively try to erase them, but rather, will probably sideline/ignore them, trot them out for generic precocious kids stuff every now and then, and wait for the next line-wide reboot to ‘streamline’ Clark aka toss out anything mildly interesting and/or additive to Clark’s corner of the DCU.)

Right. Sorry. Salty tangent. XD

So anyways here’s some panels that tugged on my ‘Aunt Kara’ heartstrings.

‘I know sweetie. I know. It’s so hard, not knowing.’ HOW VERY DARE.

There’s also a really great page wherein Kara gets Osul to calm down by reminding him of a…I think Phaelosian legend? Or possibly Kryptonian, I know she was trying to find stuff for them in a previous issue.

(Went back and it’s actually the House of Ra fable; the House of El’s is ‘Nightwing and Flamebird’, Ra’s is ‘Red Son and Starchild’.)

I love that Lois lets Kara and Osul have that moment, that space; I maintain that while Clark has a better handle on getting what the kids went through on Warworld given that he was there, and Lois obviously has more experience with raising kids that have unique needs thanks to Jon being half alien, but *Kara* is more readily equipped to sympathize with Otho and Osul’s struggles with transitioning to Earth life, based on her current, canon characterization. (Which is, uhhhh…Woman of Tomorrow and alsoooooo…Rebirth? Maybe? WoT is def canon, the recent SG one shot visually referenced Kara’s departure from Argo.) But I digress!

Speaking of the kids’ struggles…Otho is Going Through It. The stuff with Sister Shadow (AKA Norah Stone AKA evil daughter of an alt universe Bruce and Talia) trying to tempt her to the dark side by preying on her trauma/difficulty adapting to her new home and revealing a future, tyrannical version of herself is some wonderfully juicy character work, both from the perspective of fleshing out Otho AND being additive to Superman’s roster of villains; that’s something I love about PKJ’s approach to world building overall. Yes, he’s revamped some of Superman’s established bad guys (Metallo, Mongul) but he’s also added awesome new foes, like Norah Stone, and Pyrrhos.

I really hope DC lets him do like. A mini series on his original Kryptonian/House of El characters. I would honestly love to read about all these cool new, additive elements, than deal with the Luthor cameo fest over in Superman rn. XD

In conclusion: DC once again shying away from anything interesting and new with Superman in favor of the safe status quo. -_- I mean, I hope I’m wrong. I hope the new ‘Superman Superstars’ opt to build on the solid foundation PKJ has set up. But given what happened with Bendis? Creators’ absolute refusal to incorporate any of the canon he built, because they knew DC would walk it back ASAP? (And the Superman group editor openly admitting that was his number one priority as soon as he GOT THE JOB???) Just shows a complete lack of faith in your creators, and doesn’t really give me too much hope for one of the few remaining titles I look forward to each month.

…but hey, hopefully Marilyn Moonlight will be neat??? XD

(Also LET A WOMAN WRITE A MAIN SUPERMAN BOOK YOU COWARDS.)

[a-flux-uchiha]

Coronation

Gen, Fable centered, Artemis and Dusk also feature heavily. Definitely one of the things I'm more proud of this month. Kinda funny that both things I'm most proud of are both Fable things haha

“Hey Dusk, Artemis, can I ask you about something?” Fable asked, probably failing to disguise her anxious fiddling. She’d mostly successfully been ignoring her anxiety over her impending coronation and ascension to the throne, but it had come back to hit her over the head out of nowhere, and she’d gotten the idea to ask Dusk and Artemis, both of whom were Queen in their respective eras, about their coronations and how it had been immediately afterward. 

They’d settled down in this area for the day so that Shadow and Dot could work on transmuting the dark magic left behind by the monsters the Links had killed. Fable would be helping them, but her anxiety over becoming queen had been skewing her magic control past what even her rings could control. Her magic control had always been a bit iffy, interacting directly with the triforce twice had completely thrown it off, enough she couldn’t just account for it when trying to do something and causing dangerous flares. 

Legend had found the control rings for her, which she hadn’t really taken off since, but they could only do so much. So if her magic was thrown off by high emotion, then she couldn’t really do any magic. So Dot had banished her from helping until she figured it out. 

“Sure, I wasn’t really doing anything anyway.” Artemis sheathed her sword and stood up, re-clipping the rapier to her belt. “Would you like to take a walk?” 

“Yes please.” 

“I can come as well,” Dusk agreed, standing up and dusting off her clothes. “Let’s not go too far from camp though.” 

“Of course.” Artemis led them off, although dropped back a bit to walk between Fable and Dusk once they were a bit away. “So, what did you want to talk about Fable?” 

Fable took in a deep breath of the fresh forest air, then let it out slowly. “I wanted to ask about your coronations, and kinda about stuff right afterward.” 

“You’re turning eighteen soon, yes?” Dusk asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Fable nodded, ears tilting down. “A month or two. I don’t know if it’ll have to be rescheduled because of this or if it’ll finish before it’s scheduled.”

“Perhaps preemptively reschedule it when we reach your world next,” Artemis suggested. “It will put less stress on the planners if they know beforehand it will likely need to be pushed back. They don’t appreciate being told they have to reschedule something only a few weeks in advance, especially if it's such a big event.” 

“Good point,” Fable said, a bit embarrassed she didn’t think of that sooner. “I’ll do that as soon as I can.” 

“Back to your initial question,” Dusk said mildly, if a bit firmly. “My coronation was quite the affair, but it was less nerve-wracking than you would think. There were many people, but there were enough that faces blurred together. I couldn’t tell you even ten people that attended my coronation that I saw.” 

“Mine was similar,” Artemis agreed, smiling faintly. “If you asked me afterward who attended, I would have only been able to tell you that Impa was there. It will seem quite daunting, but leave your focus on the ceremony. It will be over more quickly than you think.” 

“And afterward?” Fable asked hesitantly. 

“Not much of a difference,” Dusk admitted. “I was already functionally ruling, it was simply a formality at that point. My parents had already died a year or so beforehand, I had been prepared my whole life, so I was ready. I had a regent until I was of age, but they were simply a formality by the end of the year.” 

“I too was functionally already ruling before my coronation, however, it was because my father’s mind had begun to go. My mother died when I was small, so technically he was functioning as my regent until I came of age, but Impa took over for him three or four years before my coronation because he was unable to fulfill his duties, and slowly transferred all duties to me to prepare me for being queen. She’s taken it back on with my absence, I feel a bit bad, but she did admirably during the war, and I have no doubt she’ll continue to do so.” Artemis chuckled quietly. “I do hope she’s getting along without Warriors and I. No one to gossip or mock old biddies with.” 

“You are doing the majority of the duties of a queen, yes?” Dusk asked after their giggles over Artemis’ last comment died down. 

“I think so,” Fable mused. She didn’t technically have a regent, something she had heard complaints about, and she oversaw the majority of matters in the kingdom. Those she didn’t her advisors did, and they reported to her. “I oversee the majority of things personally, and those I cannot my advisors handle and then report to me.” 

“Sounds like a queen’s workload,” Artemis said, huffing quietly. “You delegated the majority of your work to your advisors?” 

“Yes, I have several levels of advisors to ensure only the most important things get to me.” A system set in place by the Queen two generations before Fable, when the kingdom was just barely getting back on its feet. There had been so many issues with getting the government up and running the way it had been before the Fallen Hero that the Queen had just fully started over, creating new positions in court, and establishing a set of levels that anything had to get through to go to the Queen’s attention. There were a couple of ways to bypass it, but those were rarely used, and all went through Impa. “It was a simple matter of having them take slightly more power, I’ll review anything big when we arrive at my era again.” 

“Sounds more functional than my system.” Dusk sighed, ears dropping. Fable glanced at her curiously, it was probably the first time Dusk had brought up her government, after noting that she had figured it out so she could leave with them anyway. 

“Mine certainly could be more functional for delegating work,” Artemis mused, contemplating something. “You’ll have to sit me down and describe how exactly yours works at some point. I feel it would be useful.” 

“Let me sit in too,” Dusk said quickly. 

“Delegating problems too?” Artemis guessed, although Fable doubted she actually thought it was delegation. If Fable had to guess, it would be more of an issue regarding Dusk’s control over the government itself. 

“Not really.” 

“It’s just us, you can speak freely,” Fable offered quietly, they were still fairly far out from camp, definitely out of earshot. “It’s not like word will get back to anyone in your kingdom.” 

Dusk sighed, changing course to head for a recently fallen log. She settled delicately on it, while Fable and Artemis just sat down on the ground, far more used to just sitting around wherever than Dusk. “It’s not delegation. I fear far less information gets back to me than I would like. I have no way of otherwise obtaining that information, however.” 

Artemis and Fable exchanged a glance. They hadn’t met an Impa in Dusk’s world, and no one had mentioned one, and there hadn’t been any Sheikah among her staff, at least not full-blooded ones. No white hair or red eyes to be seen in her staff anywhere. 

“No Impa?” Fable asked gently, scooting a bit closer in case Dusk needed the reassurance. 

Dusk’s ears dropped further, if that was even possible. “No. She-” Dusk paused for a long time, and Artemis and Fable exchanged another look. “She died in the invasion. Zant killed her as an example.” 

Fable’s ears flattened against her head. She couldn’t imagine not having Impa, she’d been there all of Fable’s life, Impa had half-raised her, and supported her in everything. She couldn’t imagine not having any sort of confidant. 

Based on Artemis’ similarly pinned ears and hard expression, she also couldn’t imagine being without her Impa. 

And if there hadn’t been any sort of attempt at replacement, that had to mean the Sheikah were either so depleted that they couldn’t spare someone to be trained as an Impa, or there simply weren’t any Sheikah to fill the role. Neither was good. 

“She did her best to support me, and she died for it,” Dusk whispered, staring at her lap. 

Dusk wasn’t crying, but Fable had to somewhat discreetly dry a few tears. “If we can, we’ll help you reform your government,” Fable promised, laying a hand on Dusk’s knee. “Whatever we can do, just say so.” 

“I don’t even know what can be done.” 

“Start with the top level,” Artemis suggested, a wry smile playing at her lips. “Sweep them clean and start with a new slate. Then work your way down with their assistance. Fable has her government structure, we can work off of that.” 

“Yeah, and if we need extra help we can get my Impa to help, she’s been doing this since she was a young woman, and she hasn’t been a young woman in probably a century.” Maybe that was a bit of an overstatement, Impa couldn’t be more than eighty, but it certainly felt like a century. 

“We’ll work it out,” Artemis said, affirming the sentiment. “You aren’t alone in this.” 

“Thank you,” Dusk whispered, although she didn’t look up at them. 

Fable huffed when no one made a move for a hug. That was totally a hug moment. “Come on, that was a hug moment, get in here.” 

Artemis giggled, but did lean in to let Fable grab her and pull her in for a hug. Dusk took a bit longer, but eventually scooted hesitantly off her log and into range. Fable cheerfully pulled her in too, hugging both women as tightly as she could manage. Maybe she hadn’t expected to be brought on this adventure, but it was well worth it for the sisterhood she’d found. 

[rachelsshowerthoughts]

@tumblingxelian

Firstly, DO NOT RESPOND RIGHT NOW. GO SLEEP. REST. THIS WILL STILL BE HERE WHEN YOU GET BACK.

Had a bunch of thoughts on how the actual Akuma thing works. So.

Akuma: Fable/Parable (possibly Faerable? Fable, Parable, Fae, as in Fairy Tale?)

Host(s): the Storytellers - Chloé (The Narrator/Playwright), Adrien (The Minstrel/Editor), Kagami (The Chronicler)

Akumatized Object: The Writing Desk (school desk between the three of them. Used to write the stories)

Marinette gets swept up in the Akuma, unable to transform, but Tikki and Plagg manage to get away. They eventually lure Marinette out, and get her to transform, becoming Ladybug, which replaces whatever character the Storytellers had her playing. Ladybug quickly flees to find back up (likely Luka, as he's out side the area of effect) and gives them the Cat (if it is Luka, also maybe the Snake too? So we have access to both Cataclysm and Second Chance?). Then, she returns to the Story Book (Area of Effect) but . . . everything is WEIRD.

We already talked about how people have been affected, changed to characters in a story. Stories that don’t normally interact, so are causing chaos as they clash. But The Bubble isn't just effecting people, it’s effecting the landscape. Keep in mind, while Chloé and Adrien might have grown up on very similar fairytales, Kagami most likely grew up on very different ones, especially if she was (as I think is implied) she was raised in Japan. So city streets are a weird mishmash of regular houses, old-timey stone cottages, castles, and Japanese architecture.

Ladybug would probably try to just run straight for the Akuma, but that isn’t how stories work. You don’t START fighting the big bad. First you help everyone else. So Ladybug is bogged down helping Juleka find a cure for Rose, or helping Kim with his giant problem, or saving Mylene from having her voice stolen. Maybe some of them join her on her "quest". All very fairytale basics. But as she goes through, she's getting Exposition, cause isn’t that how stories work? As you fight, you learn information on who you're fighting? So, she's learning about "the cursed princess", "the crystal warrior", and "the sheltered prince". How much pain they're in. How they're all trapped. How all they want is freedom.

She reaches the "Storybook Castle" (really the school, altered by the Akuma), and this is where I see the parents coming in to play. They've all been dragged out, to act as both defence, and jailers. Yes, they are keeping people out, but they are also keeping the Akuma IN. This isn’t just a "beat the big bad". It’s "Rescue Mission".

First, is Audrey and André.

Audrey is a sphinx, harsh and cruel, spewing "riddles" (her contradictory views of the world), and if you can’t "solve" them, she tries to kill you.

André is a dragon, impressive only in size and greed. He wants everything to be HIS, all attention on HIM, but is otherwise weak, and easily bested. They are both outside, to give them more room to work, but once defeated, Ladybug heads inside.

Inside, is Tomoe, who seems split between two legend. One, a Yuki-Onna, a snow spirit from Japanese legend, who is emotionless, implacable, will freeze you solid for DARING to question her. Another, a cursed sword, which possesses its user with its malevolent spirit. Tomoe wants Kagami to take the sword, but she keeps refusing, so fine. If Kagami won’t take it, Tomoe will make sure SOMEONE does.

Finally is Gabriel. At first, he doesn’t seem to be anything. He's harsh, cold, and seemingly unflappable, but otherwise seems to be . . . normal? But no, Ladybug soon learns he's been warped too. Gabriel is a vampire, a traditional creature of darkness, isolating himself away from others, and doing the same with those he considers "his". Nathalie is his willing thrall, the two fighting to keep Ladybug from passing, but she beats them too. Then, she makes for the inner chamber . . .

The Akuma hasn’t actually moved much. The Narrator is speaking frantically, changing stories, genres, and tones at the most random times. The Minstrel tries to interject with his own wit and whimsy, but many of the jokes come off as forced and pained. And all the while, the Chronicler records their words, making no changes. In the end, they don’t really fight Ladybug. The Narrator tries, but stops herself repeatedly, and the Minstrel holds her back, cracking awful jokes the whole time. The Narrator switches between trying to fight him, and clinging to him. The Chronicler just keeps writing, doesn’t even stop Ladybug from taking the pen away. Cause this is how the story always ends. Villains defeated, victims rescued, hero triumphant.

The only Question for the Trio . . . which are they?

Not Aware AU exactly but kinda tangential. I always toyed with this idea of "Kagami was transferred into Adrien's class when she joined the school."

This could be in S2, or be because Tomoe saw Adrien was attending school and she's got those later season machinations & sends Kagami to make sure he's not snagged by a gold digger.

(In the former case its just in S2, while in the latter it starts after Princess Fragrance.)

This was fine and fun at first, but Kagami is more willing to start shit with Chloe & much less patient with Adrien's continued softness.

Plus, Adrien can't really explain why he's fond of Chloe cos its a mixture between he can't imagine his life without her (Sibling coded) & stuff like, "She was there for me when mom disappeared & got me into school".

This leads to her at some point losing her patience and dragging both off to a classroom and basically saying "Either she needs to improve or you need to drop her, because this cannot go on."

You'd expect it to be a two on one but Adrien's efforts to play peacemaker lead to Kagami arguing with him as well.

Then when one of Chloe's major blows lands hard against Adrien, "Our parents harm more people every day than I do in a year and you still love them, hypocrites!"

It does nothing to Kagami, because she doesn't love her mother, she respects her, obeys her and fears her wrath but she doesn't love her even a little and she assumed Adrien was the same.

He is not the same & is in fact kind of defensive of his father at such a blatant rejection of one's own family and how uncomfortable it makes him.

It basically descends from there, cos I love slow burns but sometimes its just like, "Hmm what if they all started screaming their issues that they do not realize are issues at the top of their lungs?"

None of these kids know therapy talk so their languages on it is already going to be shit even before we remember literally not a one of them has much in the way of healthy communication or good social skills outside of formal events so:

So you have Chloe defending stuff like destroying Roses' letter because "That's how Mama handles it when I give her bad gifts, she's telling me to do better and one day I'll get it right!" As well as "Why would Papa want to see me when he doesn't need me for something? He's not a lunatic control freak like your parents."

Then you have Adrien defending stuff like, "I know my dads cold and has impossible standards and barely lets me do anything I want but he is protective and just wants what's best for me!" & "My mom was always kind to me, she was perfect even if she never let me go out or have a birthday either!"

& Kagami defending Tomoe with, "It doesn't matter how I feel about Adrien, or my instructions, I act as I do because it is for the good of my family. My emotions, my life don't matter at all before that duty!"

So its just three incredibly fucked up abused kids steadily airing each others and their own families laundry list of abusive traits and experiences under the pretext of saying "No my family is normal & OK yours is the bad one" and "How dare you call 'that' bad, when your parent does this!"

(Also Chloe may think Gabriel killed Emilie or otherwise would rather have Adrien sealed in amber forever than as an actual living boy,)

With this continuing until it either gets physical or they basically collapse.

Meanwhile the class is just watching in mounting horror and disgust and discomfort. (Nino is likely especially pissed) Like even with Chloe it may not justify her behavior but it puts so much of it in a new deeply messed up context where it kind of makes sense she doesn't even know how to be nice.

To quote a friend of mine:

The rich kids have taken knives to each other. They've cut open their festering wounds. The rot is exposed, scrubbed raw. While they lie angry, bleeding, crying, and dying [inside], they have the opportunity to look upon themselves once more and apply new dressings.

I can see it, but unless Gabriel is ACTUALLY out of the country, all three get Akumatized. My thoughts are a weird mix Grimm Brothers Fairytales - Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel & Gretel, etc. Not in specific, but like. More fairytale tropes?

Adrien is the "Cinderella"-style. Rapunzel, Snow White-style, "One Day My Prince Will Come"-style. The type of character that has to sacrifice and sacrifice, and will eventually be rewarded. If he does one more photo shoot, one more public appearance, *scrubs one more floor*, his father will finally love him. He'll finally have the happy ending he wants. He just has to stick it out - cause his dad DOES love him, right? (As a possession, if at all.)

Chloé is more of the "Trials"-style. Complete this mission-style. Knit twelve sweaters from nettles, and your brothers will become human again. Find the right goose, and get set free. Defeat the evil witch, and the spell is broken. If Chloé tries hard enough, does and says the right things, her parents will love her, show her affection. She'll finally be worth something. (All of it performative and shallow, until they raise the bar to another impossible height. Always keeping her dependant on them.)

Kagami, weirdly, I see as more endurance, or contract style - like a flipped version of Adrien. She isn’t really trying to "change" her situation the way Chloé or Adrien are, (for value of "trying to change it", ie, playing along with their parents games because that’s all they know to do) she's accepted this is the way it is, and is simply trying to endure it. Go through the motions. Hold up your end of the bargain. Work within the bonds of your deal, to do as little harm as you can, while still fulfilling your end. One day, you'll be out. You'll be free. (As if her mother will ever set her free.)

[omgreally]

I’ve been reading mandos intergalactic taxi service and UGH✨💕 the pining and fluff with the intimacy smut is just chefs kiss your writing style is amazing🤌🏽✨ I’ve been in such a Din mood lately, could your write like a confession drabble where the reader and din are pining for each other and din is dropping hints but the reader is like really not a hint taker lol pretty please with a cherry on top 😭💕 smut or fluff your choice I know you’d write it so well!!

BLESS YOUR HEART @liltangerineart and thank you! Next chapter of Taxi Service should be up tomorrow I hope!

In the meantime I hope you like this? Not a confession as such and more, uh, top!Mando than I intended, but he is bad at dropping hints. I like to think he would be very...straightforward 😎

Din Djarin/F!Reader - E - 1624 words - Oblivious!Reader, Infatuated!Din, frustrated yearning, angst and, of course, smut.

It's getting ridiculous.

He is a Mandalorian, one of the most fabled, the most feared warriors in the galaxy. Rumour and danger follow him as he charts a path through the galaxy that blazes bright, leaving behind myth and legend - people whispering things like 'I heard he killed a whole troop with his hands tied' and 'I heard he was eight feet tall, made of steel'.

He is a Mandalorian, who has never had to rely on anybody but himself - and yet here he is, sweating beneath his cowl whenever you brush too close, trying too hard to inhale the scent of you through his helmet's filters, memorizing the sound of your laugh.

It's like he's a foundling again - uncertain, insecure, nervous. And they’re not butterflies in the pit of his stomach - they’re bullets from an ancient slugthrower weapon, and he can taste metal at the back of his tongue whenever he tries to talk to you.

“Do you have someone, back home?” A clumsy overture, as obvious as it is stupid; Din winces beneath the helm but you don’t seem to notice - you just shake your head and shrug.

“No. Just me. I wouldn’t have left otherwise.” Loyal, he thinks, and the bullets in his stomach sting just that little bit harder.

He tries asking you more about yourself. How you became a bounty hunter. How many weapons you’ve handled. The different kinds of ships you’ve flown. Places you’ve been. But you never give up anything truly personal about yourself - you’re a cypher.

Maybe that’s why the Mandalorian finds himself strangely drawn to you.

He doesn’t know how to navigate this - not really. He has no experience with this kind of thing. It’s always been about the next quarry, the next job, and then it was about the kid, and now…

And now he’s stuck.

He wants to hit something, break something, feel the impact of his fists against flesh and bone. He settles for balling them up whenever you’re around, biting his tongue, and waiting til later to jerk himself off in pathetic, clench-jawed silence in the refresher.

“You slept late,” you point out the next morning as he emerges, stiff in more than one way, from his bunk.

“Couldn’t sleep last night,” he says, and he’s so tired, so frustrated that he adds, gruffly: “Bed was too empty.”

“Probably need more pillows,” you muse as you wander off to the kitchenette. “Cup of caf?”

“Extra strong,” he grunts as he leans a shoulder to the wall, and you’re oblivious to his glower.

“Coming right up.” A minute later, you press a mug into his hand. “I’ll leave you to it. No need to go hide, I’ll go find a bulkhead to look at while you take your helmet off.”

You grin at him, and he stares at you. You’re just about to turn away when he reaches up, and you go still, your smile slackening in shock as he thumbs the release latch under his chin.

The helm’s pneumatic seal hisses as it lifts, just enough so he can get the rim of his mug up and to his lips. He takes a long, slow pull, and while his vision is eclipsed by the rim of the helmet at the moment, he knows you haven’t left.

As he expects, you’re still there - staring at him as he lowers his helm back into place. Your mouth is even slightly open - lips parted - and he watches the dart of your tongue as you wet them before swallowing hard.

“I’m just...I’m just gonna,” you say, abortingly, and start to back away. You jump as your shoulder hits the hatchway. Din watches as you turn, hesitate, then hurry away, your shoulders squared defensively as if you can feel the force of his gaze on your back.

Alone, the taste of caf hot and bitter on his tongue, Din Djarin grins.

After that, he starts to notice. He starts to notice how tense you are when he’s close.

At first he’s not sure - but then, once, he deliberately brushes your waist as he moves past you in the cockpit to take the pilot’s seat, and you’re still standing there, frozen, when he glances back at you. You brush it off, but it happens again when you bump into him coming out of the fresher. When he reaches over your head in the kitchenette to fetch a ration bar from a compartment. When you lean over his shoulder to point out the coordinates to a refueling station. When he catches you yawning, falling asleep in the passenger’s seat.

“I’m going to hit my bunk,” you say, rising to your feet, your arms stretched above your head. Din turns slowly, and he catches the glimpse of a sliver of flesh as your shirt rides up. The words escape him before he’s even conscious of their existence.

“Want some company?”

Dank farrik, he’s been dropping hints and touches for ages - and he knows you’re affected by his presence, he’s sure of it now. They might be closer to butterflies for you, but his bullets are bouncing around in his gut right now.

“What?” you ask, half-laughing - as if it’s all some grand joke. “You gotta stop with the innuendo, Mando. I might get the wrong idea.”

“And if it’s not innuendo?” He’s flicked the ship to auto-pilot - on his feet - looming towards you. You’re caught in the hatchway, unable to step backwards to fall down the ladder, unwilling to turn your back. "If you've got the right idea?"

“What?” you repeat - licking your lips again. Your eyes are flicking back and forth from his visor to his hands. It’s almost like you're expecting a fight.

“I want to fuck you.”

The words are matter-of-fact but delivered in a low baritone, a gravelly rasp that lifts the hairs on the back of your neck. You stop breathing for a second - he can see it - and your leg twitches, just half a step backward - but then you swing it forward again, swaying towards him. Like he has you in his gravitational pull.

It’s all Din needs. He closes the distance between you, his gloved hands closing around your biceps, the leather worn and warm through your shirt.

He says your name, once, in a digital growl that curls your toes in your boots. And then it’s like an explosion - it all happens so quickly; there are hands and clothes everywhere and then on the deck, and in the aftermath you are in the Mandalorian’s arms, naked, your legs around his waist as he presses you up against the bulkhead.

His chestplate hits the deck - his flak jacket lifted above his head when you let him stop touching you long enough. You barely have time to appreciate the feel of his naked hands on your skin, cupping your breasts in his broad, smooth palms, thumbing your nipples all-too-briefly before he’s sliding down the zipper of his flight suit and baring a V of muscled flesh all the way to his groin.

“Mando,” you gasp as he frees his cock, as he maneuvers the throbbing, purpled head to drag through your slit. He finds you open and wet, lips parted for him, and he groans as he nudges against your fluttering hole. He doesn't hesitate.

He pushes in slow, for he’s a lot to take, thick and hard and the stretch is almost too much. You whine, your voice high and tight in your throat, and he soothes you with soft little noises and praise that makes you feel light-headed.

“Shhh, that’s it,” “You’re so fucking tight-” “Made to take my cock, mesh’la" and other words you don’t recognize. Eventually, he’s all the way inside you, his pelvis flush to yours, the scratch of hair at his pubic bone pressing into your mound.

You pant in his arms, eyes squeezed shut, a thin resin of sweat risen on your brow. “Move,” you order through clenched teeth, and finally you open your eyes to meet his visor and demand, “Fuck me, Mando.”

And he does - withdrawing his hips from the welcoming cradle of yours, his cock dragging back through you, and you can feel every ridge and vein before he’s spearing back in, jarring your back against the bulkhead. It’s a shock right through your system, and you can feel adrenaline flooding your veins, your blood pumping faster like you’re fighting for your life. You might as well be, for he does it again, and again, and soon he’s setting a punishing pace that hits against something soft and devastating deep inside you.

Your orgasm hits you like a blow you fail to dodge - winding you, knocking the air from your lungs - and for a moment all that matters is the blinding flash of pleasure through your nerves, the rolling wave that makes your cunt flutter in rippling spasms around the pulsing rod of his cock. He pins your hips with another vicious rut of his hips and then he’s coming, too, releasing into the impossible grip of your body, groaning with every spurt of spend he fills you with.

“Fuck,” Din summarizes, once you both can catch your breath - once your legs start to loosen, jelly-weak as he pulls out gently, lowering your feet back to the ground. He’s suddenly nervous - worried he’s fucked this up, done the wrong thing, lost patience and paid for it with your scorn.

But your smile is brilliant as you beam up at him - your face radiant - flushed and sweaty. You are beautiful.

“Next time, don't waste time dropping hints,” you tell him, and then you reassure him with a laugh, and the wonderful feeling of your arms around his neck.

For a while, he just holds you close. And for a while, the bullets in his stomach are gone.

[telemna-hyelle]

An Apple a Day

So! I figured it was about time that I contribute something to the Legend/Fable ship, so here we are! This ship is one that's really important to me (Alttp Zelink is one of my earliest Zelink ships), so I'm glad to finally start writing content for them!

I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you'll enjoy.

Note: the are most definitely not siblings in this fic. No incest here, thank you.

Link stared down at his shield in his lap. It had been years since Zelda gave it to him, but the years barely showed. Scuffs had been lovingly burnished out, scratched or faded paint had been meticulously touched up, dents had been carefully beat out again.

After all, it had been a gift from Zelda, on that festival morning years ago now.

He could still see her lovely smile as she held it out to him, forever branded in his mind like a pictograph.

He ran a hand down the curve of the shield, feeling a burning in his chest and behind his eyes, and clenched his other fist on his knee.

He wouldn’t let Vaati get away with this! He’d find Zelda, seal the monster again, and then h--

TAP

Zelda jolted, nearly tossing her book up in the air. She glanced about the room, seeking the source of the sound—

Her bedroom was empty. Zelda let out a sigh, letting her shoulders relax again. She settled back in her chair and found her place, happily squirming a little as she prepared to relish the hero’s anguish and concern for his kidnapped love as he vowed to rescue her.

He wouldn’t let Vaati get away with this! He’d find Zelda, seal the monster again, and then he would finally do what he’d been dreaming of for mo--

TAP TAP TAPTAPTAP

“Oh, come on!”

This was supposed to be a quiet evening—she’d taken a bath earlier and was snuggled up in her fluffiest robe in her comfiest chair to read one of her favorite books--—Sword of Fourfold Strength, a historical fiction piece. She’d just gotten to her favorite part, too, so it was understandable that she was rather put out.

With a huff, she replaced the silken bookmark and set the book aside, tightened the sash of her robe, and grabbed the poker on the off chance it wasn’t a very confused bird.

It wasn’t.

When Zelda swung open the window, she was not greeted by a disoriented bird, nor even Sheerow come with a letter.

No, instead there was Link, hanging from his hookshot in front of her window, hand raised to tap once more.

“ ‘Sup.”

“Sup?” Zelda repeatedly, her voice strained.

There was a beat of silence.

“Can I come in? My arm’s starting to hurt.”

Zelda jumped, shaking herself out of her shock, and stepped back to give him room. “Oh! Um. Yes. …Come in?”

It took a fair bit of scrambling to get through the window—scrambling that seemed particularly clumsy, punctuated by several oaths.  Zelda fidgeted nervously with the belt of her robe, hating that she’d be only in the way if she tried to help, but soon enough Link slid through her window and into her room. He staggered as he landed, swore loudly, brushed himself off, and sent Zelda a wide grin. “Here to report, as promised!”

Zelda blinked. “What?”

Link blinked back at her, tilting his head slightly to one side. “The—the thing. The monster thing. Told me to report soon as it’s done. S’done. So I’m reporting.”

The princess stared back at him incredulously, eyebrows climbing towards high heaven. “You—Link, you could have waited until morning!”

Link scowled “Didn’t want to.”

Zelda grit her teeth and counted to ten. This had to be a dream, right?

She pinched herself.

…Nope.

All right.

She sucked in another breath through her teeth and said, striving for calm, “Link, did you just finish killing a bunch of monsters, come straight here and hookshot up to my ROOM at ten-thirty at night?”

Link furrowed his brow, thinking. After a moment, he nodded. “Yep.”

Zelda threw her hands in the air. “Why?”

Link frowned even more, confused. “You told me to?” He paused, thinking. “Also wanna see you, so, two stone birds.”

There were several things Zelda wanted to address in that sentence, namely the ‘wanna see you’ and whatever ‘two stone birds’ was, but she was, alas, distracted by the fact that she’d noticed the rather large damp spot on Link’s shoulder.

She stared at it, feeling her heart skip a beat, and not in a pleasant way. “Link.” She said, tightly, trying to keep calm. “Are you injured?”

Link sucked in a breath, looking off to one side and shifting his weight. “…maybe.”

Zelda was by his side in an instant, pushing him towards her spare armchair, trying to get ahold of the fluttering panic her heart and stomach had just been sent into. “Then sit down, for nayru’s sake, and let me fix you up!”

Link stumbled his way across the room to the armchair, looking just as lost as the woods, and sort of collapsed bonelessly into the seat.  Zelda dashed over to her cupboard, where she kept her emergency medical kit—she was best friends with a hero, and it was wise to always be prepared. She’d never had to be prepared for her injured best friend to hookshot up to her bedroom in the middle of the night, but Zelda supposed there was a first time for everything.

She pulled out the kit and let the doors slam shut, hurrying back across the room and setting the kit on the side table.

“Alright,” She said, turning back to Link and propping her hands on her hips. If she acted business-like and focused on the task at hand, maybe she would be able to stop thinking about how worried she was right now. “I need you to get out of the top half of your tunic.”

It ended up with her taking charge again—he had three false starts trying to simply slip his right arm out of the sleeve—but with a bit of wrestling and muttered cursing from both of them, his tunic was removed down to his waist, and Zelda had access to his wound.

It didn’t look too bad—long but shallow, and the bleeding had mostly stopped. Still, Zelda thought with a tsk, one wondered how much blood he had lost on his run across Hyrule to get here.

With a sigh she grabbed a clean cloth and a flask of alcohol, setting about cleaning the wound.

As she worked, she began to become increasingly aware of several factors. The simpler ones were the cozy light and soothing crackle of the fireplace, the quiet hush of approaching midnight. The… less simpler ones were that not only was Zelda in very close proximity to Link’s chest, but that chest was now shirtless.

Not only was she intensely wear of said shirtless-ness, but she was also intensely aware that, a mere five feet away on her own armchair rested the book she was reading earlier. This would not normally be a problem, but the book in question was Sword of Fourfold Strength, and it happened to be a book that Zelda only brought out and read when she was certain Link was off on a trip and wouldn’t be back for a while.

Or at least shouldn’t be back, if he took the time to properly take care of himself.

Anyway, Zelda bent all her focus on cleaning the gash in Link’s arm, and was very much not thinking about Sword of Fourfold Strength was a historical novel about an ancient hero from before the Downfall, and that one of the major plotlines was his romance with the princess.

She desperately hoped her face didn’t look as hot as it currently felt.

“You smell nice,” Link murmured.

Zelda shrieked in surprise, dropping the rag and jumping back. Link winced away, letting out a groan and covering his ears gingerly.

“What—what” Zelda’s was certain her face looked as hot as it felt now. If she wasn’t mistaken she was rapidly starting to resemble a tomato. “Why would you say something like tha—”

She stopped as she noticed something. Link was staring at her, and if she wasn’t mistaken, one of his pupils looked distinctly larger than the other.

She stepped forward, cradling his face in her hands and peering at his eyes. “Link, do you have a concussion?”

“You have really fluffy sleeves,” Link said admiringly, and Zelda sighed.

“That would be a ‘yes’, then.”

Tonight was beginning to make a bit more sense.

She finished dabbing at the cut and stepped, surveying him with a critical eye. “So, are there any other injuries that you’re hiding, besides the cut and the concussion?”

Link shook his head, winced, and clarified. “Nah, I’m good.”

“Good isn’t the word I’d use,” Zelda muttered, casting a baleful glare at the cut on his shoulder, before turning away and digging in the kit for a red potion. “I swear, Link, sometimes you just don’t seem to think.”

Link made a very offended sound. “ ‘S not true! I think! A lot!”

Zelda glanced back at him to see that he had risen (albeit a bit shakily and was currently swaying slightly where he stood), and was currently glowering her, chest puffed up slightly like an offending rooster.

She sighed and smiled, trying to ignore the warm, fond feeling niggling in her chest. “Yes, Link, I know.” She picked up the red potion and turned back to him, pushing gently on his uninjured shoulder. “Sit down, please, before you trip and smack your head and make the concussion worse.”

Link allowed himself to be gently persuaded to sit again, though he still had a faint scowl on his face. “I solved all those puzzles, y’know. Gotta think for that.”

“Yes, Link,” Zelda bit her lip to hold back a faint laugh. “You’re very intelligent.”

“Oh.” Link’s tone was mollified. “Well, good.”

“I mean,” Zelda held up the potion to the light, mentally estimating how much he’d need to drink. “You don’t seem to think about yourself very often.”

The was a pause as Link mulled this over. “Oh yeah, don’t do that.”

“Honestly, Link.” Zelda poured the amount he needed into a glass. “I’m thankful for everything you do, but you worry me sometimes.”

There was an odd little silence, and Link only spoke when Zelda glanced up to hand him the glass.

“ You’re s’posed to be happy, so…” His head was tilted slightly to one side, his expression solemn. “I’ll try harder. So you don’t worry.”

Her heart leapt like a startled tektite. She could feel the rush of color to her cheeks, so she hastily pushed the glass of potion into his hand. “Thank you, but I’d feel a lot better if you tried harder for you, too.”

Link took the potion and downed it, though Zelda thought she heard him mutter something that sounded like “no promises” as he did so.

Honestly.

He set aside the glass and wiped his mouth with his hand, blinking. He already looked better—his balance was back, and he no longer had a look of vague confusion about him. Zelda stepped closer and glanced over at his arm, nodding in approval when she saw the potion had done it’s job.

“So can I put my tunic back on now?”

Aaaand he’s back to normal. And look, here the blush comes again, too! “Yes, you can.” Zelda stuck her nose in the air, trying not to seem affected. “You should lie down and take a nap, though. You just recovered from a concussion, and I don’t know when the last time you got some sleep was.”

Link finished shrugging himself into his tunic’s sleeve, and stood up, running a hand through his hair as he turned towards the window. “I’m fine. I don’t want to bother you, so I’ll be going. G’night.”

Zelda smoothly stepped in front of him, pointing at her couch and lifting her chin. “Nap.”

The hero’s shoulders slumped and he turned towards the couch. Zelda bustled about the room, getting him a glass of water and a blanket.

By the time she returned to the couch, Link was already fast asleep, cheek smushed against his shoulder.

“I knew it,” Zelda whispered, and set the glass down on the side table, before draping the blanket carefully over him.

Then she paused in indecision for a long moment.

He did just recover from a concussion. She reasoned, sleep is good, but it’d be wise to have someone nearby just in case.

So she went to get her book. She reached for Sword of Fourfold Strength, realized that she’d die of shame and/or embarrassment if she read a love story about the Hero and his Princess while sitting next to Link. So Zelda sighed, gave Sword of Fourfold Strength a regretful look, and grabbed Inn Myrkr Harkastali instead. Her tutors had encouraging her to catch up on her Old Labrynnan, and once she found out Link could speak it the spirit of competitiveness had lit within her.

Besides, while it wasn’t Sword of Fourfold Strength, Lord Raafn (as the text called him) was one of her favorite historical figures.

She sat down slowly, trying not to disturb him. She failed, and he stirred, blinking.

“Zelda?”

“Yes?” Zelda said breathlessly, wondering how he’d react.

“Good,” he breathed out, smiled, and let his head drop against her shoulder. The deep rhythm of his breath told her he was asleep in seconds.

Zelda stared down at the book in her hands, intensely aware of his warmth at her side, of his hair tickling her cheek.

She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to focus on reading Old Labrynnan like this.

Cxxx{]:::::::::::::>

When Zelda blinked awake next morning, she was surprised to find herself tucked into her bed. Last she remembered, she was slogging through a section of Inn Myrkr Harkastali featuring the plotting of Veran and the Twin Witches on the couch next to Link.

She sat up immediately, glancing towards the couch—and her heart sank when she saw it was empty, the blanket folded neatly on the seat.

“He can’t stay still, can he?” She whispered into the echoing loneliness of the room, and smiled sadly.

She slid her feet out from under the blankets and turned—only to see something waiting for her on her bedside table. Inn Myrkr Harkastali, with a piece of paper sticking out of the pages, and a bright red apple.

Her heart sprang up again, and melted for good measure. She reached for the book and opened it, pulling out the folded piece of paper and casting about for a ribbon to replace it with. One her place was duly marked, she unfolded the paper.

Dear Zelda;

Sorry for not staying too long, but I had to go. I didn’t get to report last night, did I?

The monsters were stronger than they should be, and there was a strange magic in the air, so I’m going back to investigate right away. I’ll send a letter if I end up being dragged on another adventure.

Don’t work too hard while I’m gone. Enjoy the apple, it’s one from home, and they’re good for you.

You need to think about yourself too.

Love,

Link.

When Zelda took a bite out of her apple, she could have sworn it was one of the sweetest she’d ever tasted.

Cxxx{]:::::::::::::>

It was a couple (slightly anxious) weeks before she heard from Link again. Word arrived in the form of another letter, this one delivered by the hand of an unfamiliar postman, who didn’t stay long enough for Zelda to question him about Link’s whereabouts.

She ran back up to her room to read it in the comfort of her favorite armchair, and was rather surprised by the contents.

Dear Zelda,

I know it’s been a while, but it’s like I suspected. Off on another adventure, and I think this one might be least-sane one yet. Din’s fire, it’s like the whole mess in Labrynna but on one of Wild’s stamina potions—though I guess you wouldn’t know who Wild is or what stamina potions are.

It’s kind of hard to explain, but I’ve been hopping times and, for nayru’s sake, time-lines with a bunch of other heroes. We’re chasing down the source of the black-blooded monsters—those strong ones you sent me to investigate—and I don’t know for sure when we’ll wind our way back to my time. We’re just lucky the mail system seems to be as messed up as time is right now, or else I don’t know when you’d hear from me.

Keep an eye out for reports of strong monsters in the meantime, and hopefully (though I’m not holding my breath) the goddesses will decide to be less frustrating than usual, and it won’t be too long before I can visit.

Anyway, I said I’ve been traveling with a group of past and future heroes, and we all have the same name (because why make my life easier) so I’m going by Legend now (because again, life hates me)

So I guess I have to sign this off with

Love,

Legend

P.S. One of the heroes I’m traveling with is Four, hero of the four sword. Don’t worry, I’ve told him that you’re a big fan.

Zelda’s face turned red. “Honestly, that--that man!”

She should have known he’d noticed the book, drat him.

Once her momentary rage had passed, she smiled down at the letter, running her thumb over the signature. “Legend, now is it?” Her smile widened. It suits him, even if he’s too humble to think so.

She was about to fold it up, when she noticed a secondary postscript she’d overlooked.

P.P.S. I’ve been taking care of myself, so don’t worry too much, all right? See you soon.

Zelda’s breath slipped out in a shuddering sigh, and she folded the letter back up again, pressing it against her heart.

I want to share the apple with you this time, Legend.

So come home soon.

[bokettochild]

Legendary Cousins

So... I promised @peachy-scars that I would write them this a while back when they posted this, and after consulting y’all (I think it was @attllhak and several anons who helped the most) I finally had enough to just go ham and write this beautiful piece of garbage.

Hope you like it, Peaches!

 They had landed in a new Hyrule, and Legend’s instant reaction was to blink and stare about with a conflicted expression on his face while the others had stared in confusion at their surroundings.

 “Why’s this look so weird?” Wind demanded eloquently as he pulled himself out from beneath a giggling Hyrule, who always laughed nervously when they landed in a new Hyrule and seemed particularly giddy today.

 “Wind, manners.” Time chided softly, pulling himself back up and working with Wild to pull his protégé back up, Twilight looking around dizzily as he leaned on his mentor for balance. “You don’t know whose home this might be.”

 “I do.” Legend hissed softly, hooded eyes staring towards a nearby path while a slight smile touched his lips. “New Hero everyone.”

 Glances were exchanged before shooting to the vet in confusion. “How...”

 “You knew there were more heroes?” Warriors sputtered, staring at the vet in surprise while the hero in question pulled himself to his feet and shook out his limbs, knuckles crackling painfully and making the others wince.

 “Time travel mixed with world hopping and the occasional visit to other countries.” Legend answered in a low voice, stretching towards the sky and standing on the tips of his toes (eyes turned away as the vet’s already short tunic rode higher). “I’ve met plenty of other heroes. Five- maybe six? Not sure.” He shrugged, arms falling back to his sides as he moved further into the forest. “Come along, if we want to check up on things we’d best get headed to the castle. Monsters out here are brutal, even if they are bloody crazy.”

 Glances were exchanged again, Wind’s wide eyes growing wider as he mouthed the words ‘six other heroes’ to his brothers.

 “Who met Legend before all this went down?” The captain hissed, pulling Four up onto his back. “Because it sure as heck wasn’t me.”

 No one answered, and they didn’t have much of a chance to as the Vet’s voice broke through the forest, a harsh hiss for them to hurry. “You stay there all day the ‘blins’ll eat you!”

 Eight heroes pulled themselves along, following after as Legend trailed silently through the forest.

 Each stumble or loud noise earned a glare from the vet, and if it didn’t come from them, it made him freeze, steps stopping immediately as his ears would prick towards the sound. More than once, Twilight or Sky had to muffle a laugh in their respective wraps as the image of a bunny starting to alert entered their minds.

 Maybe it’s the laughter. Maybe it’s just their dang Hero of Courage luck, or maybe it’s just because Hylia thinks it funny, but even with all Legend’s glaring and stopping and sneaking, they are attacked just as they reach the edge of the forest.

 The monsters are... horrifying. Nothing most of them have ever even seen, and the only thing they can do as they fight is to take the vet’s advice. “Aim for the eyes! And if you can’t reach them, the ankles!” The vet shouts as he kicks into a spin attack. The other heroes follow suit, ripping into the beasts as Wild pulls back from the group, setting off volleys of arrows as best he can do by himself, and successfully blinding a few of the monsters.

 They’re thick into the song of battle when an unknown voice rings out. “Good golly! Hang on there, sirs!”

 It’s hard to see past the swarms of monsters (seriously, they’ve never been this thick!) but blonde hair and a swinging sword assure them that whomever it is, is likely the hero Legend had told them about. Enemies fall as bombs explode and various weapons pierce through hearts and heads.  

 Once the dust has cleared, they take careful stock of their injuries and weapons (Wild’s shattered another sword and Four is sighing wearily) before turning their attention to their unexpected help.

 Legend and the other hero stand over a dead bokoblin, shaking hands in a friendly manner while the one chatters to the other, the vet smiling thinly but genuinely as he listens.

 “Vet, who’s this?”

 “Ah! You have friends!” A bright smile is turned their way as the swordsman releases Legend’s hand. “Greetings! I’m Link.”

 “The Hero of Koridai.” Legend adds on, rolling his eyes.

 “Aw, come on, Other-Link!” The newcomer grins, jabbing Legend playfully in the side and effectively stealing his breath. “I’m just Link is all.”

 “That’s all of their names too.” Legend wheezes, glaring up at the other.

 The chain of heroes takes in the newcomer, who, much to the captain’s dismay, seems to share Legend’s opinion of pants, as well as a preference for pegasus boots. Bright brown eyes stare back at them, a dopey grin on the hero’s face, but beneath the welcoming grin there's a glint of something sharp and dangerous that has Warriors shuffling back warily.

 “What adventure is this? Finish meeting up with your lovely cousins?”

 The vet huffs a breath, clearing his throat as he straightens up again. “Thereabouts, this’ll be adventure seven.”

 “Ooh, seven. Ouch.” Bright brown turn towards the vet with a sympathetic wince. “Sorry about that.”

 “You had your own quests.” Legend dismisses, as if his words don’t confuse the others. “How’s Zelly by the way? We haven’t heard from her.”

 Link, for lack of a better current name, smiles cheerily. “Half a minute yet there.” Turning to the others he offers yet another impossibly wide smile, it’s very nearly uncomfortable to look at, and Legend is the only one who seems unaffected by doing so (he has seen far, far worse from this world). “We should skedaddle over to the castle.” A halting motion is made towards the castle just in front of them as the newest hero laughs nervously. “As long as you’re there, you won’t be attacked.”

 And for lack of anything else to do, they agree, following after as Legend and the new Link chat in the front, Legend with an amount of patience that has never in their memory presented itself and the new Link with an almost irritating amount of pep and cheer. “Zelly’s doing great, and we’re hoping to visit all of you soon too! Or, we were, but the monsters started getting real bad an’ Zel figured we’d better stay behind to make sure they didn’t cause too much trouble.”

 “How bad?” The vet’s brows quirk with concern and Warriors nearly stumbles at the gentle expression on Legend’s face.

 “Just a bit stronger.” The new Link shrugs, but smiles brightly up at Legend. “It’s not as bad as last time though, so don’t worry your pink head about it.”

 And Legend... Legend actually laughs, reaching up to tug the cap of the other Link as they cross into the shadow of Hyrule Castle’s walls.  

 “What the-” Warriors is cut off with a blaring ‘Beep!’ from Wind, who looks up at him cheekily when the captain looks down at him.

 “Censoring.” Wind chirrups.

 ”Soooo...” Twilight drawls, a smile pulling at his features as he looks between the duo, the heroes all relaxing as they enter the castle gates. “How do you two know each other?”

 “We’re cousins!” Link chirrups happily, shooting another smile over his shoulder that’s just a bit too wide and a bit too sharp.”

 “Third Cousins or...” Legend waves his hand vaguely. “Somethin’. Their father is my second cousin or some sort of thing, it’s unclear honestly, all we know is that Zelda is my cousin somewhere down the line and with those two dating-” The other Link flushes at the statement, face as dopey as Sky’s gets. “He’s bound to be thrown in there somewhere too.”

 “Wait!” Four looks from one of the cousins to the other (there is a bit of resemblance, uncannily enough, even though Link smiles far more than Legend). “Whose time is this?”

 The two share a look, nodding firmly before turning to the others and speaking together. “Both.”

 “Two heroes? In one time?” Time cocks a brow.

 Legend throws his hands up. “You can talk to Hylia about that!”

 “Oh!” Link’s grin widens further as he bounces in place. “And how is Aunt Hylia? Golly, I haven’t seen her in ages!”

 “Aunt Hylia...” Sky blinks slowly.

 The vet huffs. “Fine. She’s letting Fable back into the fighting ring this weekend, figured since the Master didn’t mess things up that it’d be okay to let Hylians head back out there. Hide the evidence if they send me an invite, yeah?”

 “Will do!” Comes the chipper reply, but the other heroes aren’t done.

 “Wait, wait, wait, how many heroes are there in this time?” Warriors looks from one to the other with panic building in his gaze.

 Link frowns in what seems an over-the-top expression of thought. “Do the colors count?”  

 Four chokes.

 Legend flushes. “They count.” His voice is strained and nearly wheezing as swirling hazel stares a hole in his head.

 “And then there’s the Hytopian wannabe, who might very well actually be one.” Link continues. “And the two of us. Does Great-Grandfather Raven count?”

 “Not in this time, he just traveled here briefly when Nayru became corrupted.” Legend drawls with a head tilt, as if talking about meeting your ancestors and de-corrupting a goddess was normal for this world, and with the way Link just nods along, they are all beginning to worry that that is the norm here.

 “Right, so five heroes.” Link nods slowly. “And then we have great-gramps Raven, and whoever- wait.” The new Link’s eyes fly wide open as he motions to Time. “Isn’t that Great-Gramps?”

 Legend and Time both splutter as the vet hurries to correct the other hero. “No! He’s...” Legend looks from the startled Time to his cousin. “That’s the Hero of Time.” He whispers gravely, and Link’s eyes blow even wider as he looks to Time, who winces. They’ve all heard of what happened to the Hero of Time in this world.

 “Oh!” Link breathes, before another smile stretches over his face. “Great-Great-Gramma Lon’s husband!”

 Legend just facepalms while Time stands with his mouth flapping and fingers twitching, the old man now trying to calculate exactly how many children are now officially his while Warriors proceeded to have all the color drain out of his face.

 “How are there two heroes of Courage here!!!!” The Captain hisses, and Link and Legend both look at each other. “And for the love of Hylia! Stop looking at each other all the time, what, can you read minds?!?!”

 And both stare at the captain with the deadest of dead expressions, which actually makes Link all the more unnerving and Legend all the more intimidating. “Yes.”

 It takes a while, but once they meet Zelda, she takes the time to explain.

 “Our fathers are cousins.” She says, smiling at the heroes as they all sit and have lunch in the courtyard, motioning to Legend as she speaks. The vet is currently pulling his hat back off of his face after having it tugged down in vengeance for earlier. “Once both had married into the royal family, there was contention in the kingdom so Auntie Hylia sent Mapa and Papa out here to take care of this part of the kingdom while she handled things in central Hyrule.

 “Most folks call Papa a king because they forget that it’s one country, but what with the high borders and all, it may as well be its own country.” She shrugs as she pops another piece of food in her mouth. “And there aren’t two Courage Wielders, technically. I mean, there are, but Link isn’t one of them.” She smiles in a sly sort of way, too wide, too knowing, too creepy for many of the heroes to be comfortable. “He just happens to care a lot and does what he can.”

 “Oh yeah,” Hyrule nods knowingly, chewing slowly on his own meal. “My brother is like that too.”

 The others, even Legend and Link, turn to Hyrule in shock. “Your what???”

[twink-between-worlds]

honey whiskey; chapter 4

content warning for Myth's Terrible Terrible Puns

aha hey yall :D its 8:50am and i havent slept one fuckin minute!!!

relationships; Legend & Styla, Legend & Four

ao3 link; x

Legend let out a soft sigh, stretching. He knows Four has been watching him lately. A few days ago, he’d caught void watching him, and the two stared at each other for an uncomfortable length of time. Do you think they figured it out..? I don’t see how— Wait. Violet. Legend shook his head, grinning slightly. The way they all agreed it was Vio…it’s funny. But they could be right. Technically…Legend has only met Violet once, and that was in the palace of the four sword, on his first adventure. But Violet’s a perceptive little fucker. Fae knows all and sees all, apparently. It’s kinda creepy—and Four has admitted that Violet’s one creepy bitch. But…how would fae figure it out? Legend hasn’t lost a feather—not before today, at least. Clutching the feather in his hand, he noticed it seemed to be pink. …he wants to check. He does, he really wants to. But he can’t, not now. The chain would absolutely notice if he snuck off just to check the colour of his wings. …Legend wouldn’t be surprised if Violet found out on faer own. Violet…hylia, fae seems to have a strange ability to always know when someone is magic, or someone uses magic. “Hey, Vet!”Warriors’ voice broke him out of his thoughts, and he looked up. “You’ve got a letter. Shit man—this thing’s got a wax seal on it. Your Zelda?” Legend took the letter, then shook his head upon seeing the crest on the seal. “You’re right that it’s a princess. Wrong one though.”Upon seeing the confused—maybe interested?—looks the chain had, he sighed. “I know three princesses. Princess Zelda—also known as Fable—, Princess Hilda of Lorule, and Princess Styla of Hytopia. This seal has Hytopia’s crest on it.”He explained, using a knife to finally open up the letter. “And orange ink—so it’s not her dad, at least, that’d be weird.”He mumbled quietly, reading the letter quietly. Styla admittedly doesn’t write to him much. They’re busy people, and they don’t really get to see each other outside of royal events anymore. But they still try. Legend hummed gently, eyes skimming over the words. Styla’s handwriting is difficult to read sometimes. “I need to teach her Hylian.”Legend sighed, focusing. Hytopian is worse than Lorulean. Hey, Bee. Legend cracked a smile. She gave up being formal in letters with him…that’s kinda sweet. I know you got dragged away on another adventure, and I hope you’re resting enough and doing well. Zelda’s been missing you like the rest of us. We have some concerns—can you hear her? She says she can’t hear you. If there’s something wrong, Bee, please tell us. At least tell me? Anyways. How are you? Have things changed since we last talked? I know you said something about not trusting your new group, and that they don’t listen to you…does that still stand? Do I need to come and force a group of adults into listening? Legend put a hand over his mouth, trying hard not to laugh. I hope they start being nicer to you. You’ve been through so much…how much do they know? I have to end this letter soon, father wants me to take over the kingdom for a day to get used to it. I’m getting crowned soon. I will continue pushing it back as far as I can—I want you with me. Stay safe, Bee. Signed, Styla Legend let out a breath, staring at the words. Thinking about it…he can’t hear Fable. How long has it been since they could hear each other? …probably too long, if he has to think about it. “What was it about?”Four hummed, walking beside him. “Nothing really important. Styla’s just making sure I haven’t died.”Legend snorted softly. “She’s also making really dumb choices.” “Do you insult every princess behind their backs?”Warriors raised a brow. “It’s not ‘behind their backs’ when I also insult them to their faces, Wars.” “You insult royals to their faces?”Wild stared at Legend. “And they haven’t gotten mad?” “I’m close enough with them to insult them without getting hit. Besides! They know their ideas are dumb.” Four hummed, trying not to laugh. “What’s her dumb idea?” Legend sighed. “She’s supposed to be crowned queen soon, but she’s pushing it off until I can be there with her. I’ll never be

in one place long enough.” “Do you want to be there?”Hyrule tilted his head curiously, sticking close to the Veteran. “Of course I do.”Legend huffed, almost offended that Hyrule had to ask. His wings feel weird. Is he moving them around too much? The binds are made from nothing but thin leather and a few metal clasps, has he worn them out? He hopes not—he doesn’t have a second set. Legend shifted slightly, hoping the movement was enough to tighten the straps. It did the exact opposite, and there was a loud snapping noise. Legend winced as the leather and metal hit his back, and he ran before anyone could question it. that was loud.. Too loud! Oh no, they’ll figure it out— Hate to alarm you, guys, but we are bleeding. A lot. Legend stopped running only when his legs gave out, breathing heavy. His wings are like him. They’re too expressive. He let out a little curse, regretting the way he ran off. Talk about a fight or flight response… Myth, if you keep making wing puns, I swear. Please spare us. i agree with story and lore. Legend shook his head, frowning as he pushed both his tunics down to his waist. His wing binder fell, and Legend stared at it in defeat. “Legend?” He jumped, spinning around and staring at the person who spoke. He gulped audibly. “Four I—” “I knew it.”Four mumbled gently, carefully walking closer. “Vi, you crazy son of a bitch…you were right.” “Vio—Vio knew?”Legend asked, and the question felt dumb. Four nodded, reaching a hand out and taking the wing binds. “These…” “They, um, they were made to hold my wings in place…”Legend’s face is flushed red—he’s embarrassed. “And they broke..”Four mused, looking them over before turning to Legend, eyes burning violet all of a sudden. “I can make you safer ones.” “Really?” “Yes.” “...thank you.” “Of course.”Four’s eyes fixed onto the white, pink and red mess called Legend’s wings and paused, scrunching faer face up before speaking again. “Can you fly?” “No.”Legend mumbled, ashamed to admit it. He can’t even fly.. “I see,”Another long pause. “Do you want to?” “I don’t see the point. You…are one of two people who have ever seen my wings, Four.” “...how long have you been hiding them?” Legend chose not to respond. His response of ‘since almost two decades ago’ may just concern the compassionate smithy further. So he didn’t say it. “Do they hurt?”Four’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper. Legend hates it. He hates worrying people, but…his only options are to tell the truth, or not say anything. He can’t ignore or lie to the smithy. Anyone else, sure. But not Four. Not Four, who has been with him in his darkest moments. Not Four, who has saved his life plenty of times. Not Four, who never stops pushing until Legend is alright. …he can lie to anyone except his best friend. So, he swallowed his pride, and looked at Four with a simple, short response. “Yes.”

[franki-lew-yo]

The Romantic (2009, R, Gothic Fantasy/Horror), aka the most forgotten animated film in the world

What if I told you there was a movie under serious threat of becoming lost media with no clear reason as to WHY it's been lost other than no one has apparently watched it besides me and a few people on Reddit? What if I told you that movie wasn't half bad and would no doubt have some interest peeked if anyone DID know about it?

The name of that movie is The Romantic.

It was released in 2009 and it's Rated R for nudity and sex scenes [insert Robbie Rotten meme here], though none of it too graphic. It was a pet project created by animator Michael P. Heneghan, originally starting as a flash project for his animation class before he expanded it into a feature film. The film was inspired by movies such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, but what I see every time I look at it is a touch of Jhonen Vasquez, Tim Burton, and Roman Dirge- the guy behind Lenore the Cute Little Dead Girl. It's flash animation especially remind me of the puppet-rigged toons of the 2000s (again like Salad Fingers or Lenore). It's not bad, it's just not inherently 'feature film' quality flash, nor is it exceptionally artistic like Sita Sings the Blues in it's simplicity. Like, really, if you happen to find this thing it's not the worst animated project at all it's just amateur for a professional production. I've seen worse flash movies. Heck, if The Romantic were released in separate parts on youtube or Newgrounds as a series (ala Homestuck) I'm sure it would have been really successful and totally in it's element. But it wasn't.

Because next to no one has seen it and I'm lucky to have not only ever seen it when it was available for free but have also found it recently (hush hush, I ain't telling you how) I'm going to actually give you all a plot synopsis under the cut. There will be some details I leave out and I think I've spelled some characters names wrong. It's a bit of a surrealist film as well, so you might need some things explained.

Spoilers ahead:

The Romantic is set in an autumnal, surrealist world inhabited by humans and monsters and ruled by three gods; Po the goddess of love; Pik the god of Hate; and Pjorrc the god of time though Pjorrc was made to live inside a pumpkin moon as everything he touched rabidly aged and died.

((Tapestry art featuring the main three gods of the film.))

A young man (called “Romance” or “The Romantic” by the other characters) performs a bull sacrifice in order to summon Abbledepopa, the unseen creator of the other gods and ‘storyteller’ of the world. The sacrifice does not conjure Abbledepopa but, when Romance spares a monster that was ready to eat him, the monster tells him of a profit named Patience. Patience is a foul-mouthed dwarf living alone with an army of babies who points Romance in the direction of Po.

((Romance outside of Patience's house.))

Romance wants the god’s help because he has fallen out of love with his girlfriend. Po grants him his desire and restores his love only for Romance to return home and find his girlfriend with another man. Blinded by heartache and rage, Romance kills her. He then swears vengeance on the gods for ‘making’ him do it. In the midst of this vow, a corrupt prophet called Fat Daddy kills the queen of Vauxhaul (Romance's home) and her guards, and forges a new body for his newborn son with their bodies. Fat Daddy rallies the townsfolk behind him in supposedly finding the Queen’s murder into follow a new religion called "The Poetic End".

((Romance (right) besides the monster he spared at the beginning of the movie.))

Patience accompanies Romance on his quest and tells him to take Po’s mask, which hides her true face, once he kills her. Romance buys Po’s trust by weaving her a tapestry that tells her story: in the dawn of time Po and Pjorrc were in love. However, Pjorrc gradually became distant and Po became resentful when their daughter, Love, earned Po's original title as the god of romance and love.

In the present day, Romance sleeps with Po for over a year before finally killing her and taking her mask. He and Patience return to his home of Vauxhul only to be chased out by Fat Daddy’s personal army. They flee to Marshallton, the town nearest to the god Pik.

((Romance's hometown of Vauxhul. ))

The king of Marshallton, King Crookie, tells Romance of a prophecy he, Patience, Fat Daddy and all the gods are a part of and that the world is soon to change. Romance then fights and successfully kills Pik when he shows the god of hate his reflection in a mirror King Crookie gave him, but not before losing his hand to Pik.

When Romance comes down the mountain he learns from Patience that nine years have passed since his fight with Pik began. Patience reveals to Romance what Pik saw in the mirror that allowed Romance to take the killing blow; after Love had grown up and married, Po asked Pik to tell her where her husband was always running off to. Pik reluctantly revealed Pjorrc was disguising himself as a human and married a mortal woman. Po found Pjorrc and his pregnant second wife, forcing Pjorrc to leave his human family behind, but not before asking his wife to name their son “Patience”. In retaliation for his treachery, Po proceeded to sleep with fifty men and produce the fifty bastard children in Patience’s house.

((Fat Daddy, the main villain.))

Marshallton and the entire rest of the world has fallen to the rule of Fat Daddy, who captures Romance and Patience. Fat Daddy tortures Patience into telling him how to get to Pjorrc but is unable to convince Romance to take part in his ‘new world’ or give him Po’s mask. Romance and Patience escape and leave the village to be torn apart by the fifty babies Po had, now transformed into veracious monsters after Patience didn’t feed them for the past ten years. Romance confronts Patience when he realizes the latter is Pjorrc’s son. Patience calls Romance out on his mantra of vengeance and points out that all his decisions are his own, not the gods, and instructs him to seek Love herself in Po’s basement. Patience then attempts to confront Pjorrc but is cornered and killed by Fat Daddy before he can do so.

In Po’s basement, Romance finds Love nailed to a wall, her face torn off and half eaten by her deformed husband. Love tells Romance that Po ripped off her daughter’s face in rage over Pjorrc’s infidelity and Pjorrc did not intervene fast enough. Po then threw Love into her basement, turned Love’s husband into a monster, and wore her daughter’s face as a mask - which Romance had broken into pieces moments ago after Patience had shown him his face in King Crookie’s mirror. Romance then finds Pjorrc hanging himself. As he dies, Pjorrc tells Romance to take the hand Fat Daddy had cut off and sew it onto himself, which will in turn help Romance defeat Abbledepopa.

Romance traverses the wasteland and does not find Abbledepopa, but instead a golden loom. Having seen all the destruction he and others had caused, Romance sits upon the loom and accepts his fate as the new ‘storyteller’ of the world, as he begins weaving a new one...

---

I mentioned before the animation quality of the film and why maybe that caused people to overlook it. The only other thing I could complain about on a technical level with The Romantic is it's sound design. Some of the voices and music is a little too quiet and so all these key details I had to go through the film a few times to really piece together. But that leads me to the thing I like about this movie and I'm sure others would to: the lore.

It's very hard to create a new fantasy world w it's own customs, religions, history and rules out of the blue as any YA Harry Potter/Hunger Games ripoff book could tell you. The Romantic is so unique in how it handles the pantheon and culture of these three gods and their kin; really only four or five characters throughout the entire story aren't connected to the gods or prophecy in some way, as there's the main three gods, Abbeldepappa, and the prophets Patience, Love and Fat Daddy, who make up your main cast besides Romance. There's a lot that's intentionally left unexplained and other info that must be explained, like Pjorrc and Po's marriage and Romance's feelings towards the gods, if we want to understand the former. The movie is paced pretty well and knows when to follow up on what, it's just that again some of those animation and editting shortcomings might make it hard to understand...but I don't think THAT hard. Look, if someone can enjoy Starchaser: The Legend of Orin or even better surrealist world-building films ((Fantastic Planet comes to mind)), then I say there's no reason The Romantic wouldn't have a following. There's no other way I can articulate why and what doesn't work about the story except just to recommend you watch it yourselves, but before I get into that I want to talk themes...because I love the themes and tone of The Romantic.

I revisited The Romantic a week before I made myself watch Centaurworld and The Owl House for the first time...and what a week that was~! The Romantic has the vibe of those kinds of shows along with Adventure Time and Infinity Train ((so I hear, I haven't watched the latter)). It's surreal and you'll only marvel at 'woooah wut an acid trip' for so long before you get into the vibe of the universe. It also reminded me substantially of the Broadway musical Hadestown and not just because this movie is also a self-contained, somewhat self aware fable about the relationships between humans and gods - it's very raw in how the characters talk. It's very emotional and blunt in how kind and how cruel they can be, and it doesn't make excuses or really worships any one of them. Romance himself is the world's most likable Incel: he murders a woman he thought he needed to love and blames his emotions on the gods of those passions...except the gods AREN'T the manifestations of love, time, and hate - they simply dictate and oversee it in the lives of men. It's a dynamic I really like in religious works where Gods are powerful but not all knowing or puppet masters to everyone's design- they have morality too and there is only so much you can blame and get from them.

"You made your gods into excuses and your excuses into gods!"

-Patience. This here is a cool quote. I like this quote.

No matter what, The Romantic is not gonna be a film for everyone. We all have our tastes - I think I'm drawn to it and accepting because I've come to love these kind of worlds that used to keep me up at night - these trippy 70s inspired fantasy landscapes given a whole Avatar: The Last Airbender degree of worldbuilding and character worth. It also doesn't feel exploitive in it's violence, it's sexuality, it's grimmness - it doesn't feel like it's trying to hard or going over the top because it happens to be an adult animated film, something that I love in movies like 9 or Hair High but really turns me off in stuff like Sausage Party or Wizards. Whatever go watch The Romantic...

if you can.

-----

When I first saw this film in 2016 it was actually very accessible and was even uploaded to youtube by the creator himself. I don't know WHAT happened to Michael P. Heneghan, but simply put, the man's disappeared...like...REALLY disappeared.

Lookit his IMDB. He has The Romantic and a wapping two other projects to his name. His Twitter isn't very helpful either. He last updated in early 2020 and he says next to nothing about The Romantic. It's so odd that he would one day be happy with the film enough to host it on Vimeo and Youtube but then just cop out.

According to a Reddit user: "On Valentines Day 2011, Heneghan released the film for free online through all kinds of platforms including direct download, bittorrent, Vimeo, and even directly through Archive.org. He even joked about releasing a 300 gig uncompressed version.

I know I watched it on Vimeo probably as recently as 2016. Now I can't find it anywhere. The website is dead, the Vimeo video went private, even the archive.org version has been taken down. It really looks like he wanted to wipe it off the face of the internet. His newer website mentions it, but again, the Vimeo link is dead and even that website is closed for business."

It's weeeird. What happened Michael?

And yes, obviously, other people worked on the movie.

No - I can't find out anything about them either.

I'm betting on three theories at the moment: 1) this film is an SCP or some Candle Cove weirdness with only me and a handful of people ANYWHERE remembering it, 2) something weird is going on w Michael Heneghan and it involves too something about this film. It was a scam or a scheme or a hidden agenda weirdness, 3) Heneghan's doing okay he just doesn't like this film anymore and wants it hidden while he takes a break.

Look, I get it Michael! What was once our life's worth can become cringe as you improve as an artist - you're not the person making the stuff you were ten years ago...but you should still have the film kept alive somehow. Someway.

I'm seriously the only person to have ever made fan art of this movie on the internet. That just doesn't happen, and I don't think I like being in a fandom of one. The Romantic is a testament to the power of design and storytelling > animation quality itself. Too often I see people equate good animation with smooth animation, with a budget with squash and stretch. These animations are good but art is diverse and there's so many kinds of films out there, the value of the medium can't just be in one style/form. There's a lot of honestly wonderful pieces of art out there if you know where to look and you're willing to see where it leads you.

Don't let The Romantic be the most forgotten movie of all time. Reblog this post. Show it to your friends. PM the animation community reviewer people like Saberspark and someone who isn't Saberspark and smuggle them a copy.

Keep telling the story...

[twilightpoison]

It’s been brought up to me that a lot of my content is Isekai based. However I didn’t want this to be a Ieskai HC post. Instead let me tell you all about a stupid thing I came up with as a kid that I’ve been meaning to make into a fic for so long.:

What if the characters you play actually can feel your presence and/or can hear your commentary when playing?

Fair warning I never play Hyrule Warriors and Twilight Princess so let me know if I got things wrong.

Head canons under cut!

General head canons (These are all platonic headcanons btw.):

- Let’s say that the simple reason that you are here was to help the chain. Think of it like you’re the groups companion on this journey. Who better then someone that knows about each hyrule?

- The people who dealt with a lot of magic recognize you at first. The others need a bit of a push to connect the dots but everyone gets there.

- The connection wasn’t as strong at times during their original adventures, so its not like they could always hear you or sense you.

Time:

- You saw him and it was clear he has another sibling now.

- Time knew you where telling the true, that you followed both of his adventures however he wasn’t going to be fully open to you.

- Guess who isn’t scared of Time? You.

- Literally at one point you’ve pointed at Time and with a straight face says “thats a child”.

- This is also how the chain found out that Time actually fought the moon technically.

- “You fought Majora on the moon while it was falling. That’s not the same thing.”

- You meet Malon and it was an awkward first meeting since how do you explain this in the first place.

- Yet the two of you got along amazingly.

- When you and time are alone you instantly ask Time if he knew how she got the cow in his house. He kinda just… stares at you? Like you just met his wife and thats what your asking about?!

- The answer was that he wasn’t sure how she did that but the cow isn’t in his old house anymore. Since different timelines and all.

- It’s honestly weird for him to have someone remember both of his adventures in confidence.

- All be a little awkward hearing someone go, “oh yeah! Time had to do something similar.”

- Early on Time did go over boundaries since he really doesn’t like to talk about his adventures to much.

- So instead you both agree to be as cryptic as possible or at least there is an attempt on your part. Since your the only other person that can confirm or deny his claims.

- And no. You also don’t know his true age. But your guess is the closest.

Twilight:

- Since he is one of the Link’s that is drenched in magic, he recognizes your aura instantly.

- Chaotic sibling energy.

- If he is giving Wild or any of the other Link’s a hard time you are by his side calling Twilight out. Unless if the person in question did something truly idiotic then you let him go off.

- Speaking of, you call this man out as much as you possibly can. Like hell if you’re going to let the others think he isn’t a gremlin.

- He did try to stop you by covering your mouth but you licked his hand. So…. guess what he isn’t trying again unless it’s necessary.

- Somethings are kept a secret though. Since he did live through it and even if it was stupid he still could of gotten really hurt.

- You both play good cop, bad cop to the younger Links all the time.

- Twi is surprisingly very open with you about his adventure, to finally talk to someone about it with out having it sound crazy is nice.

- He also has some questions about you and your life. Since before this adventure started you just disappeared.

- The two of you honestly get along like two best friends who haven’t seen each other in years but still can banter like its the good old days.

- Knowing only small amounts about what they all been through it’s nice to know that you’re looking after the others as well.

- That feeling makes him really push himself to protect the family he has here and luckily you are here can smack him upside the head before lecturing him.

Warriors:

- heeeeey… you know what happen the last time he met someone that was suppose to be watching over the hero’s spirit?

- Yeah, so….War’s isn’t so keen on trusting you like some of these Heroes.

- You seem nice and not obsessively crazy. If anything what makes him decide to give you a chance. It’s seeing you get along with the other Heroes post battle or around the campfire when you think no one is watching.

- The moment that he recognizes you. You were cursing out some monsters and calling Dink every name under the sun. Which he actually remembers hearing your panicked voice briefly when fighting Cia.

- Anyway, you guys are a sass duo and even a trio when you get Leg involved.

- You steal his scarf sometimes with Time and Wind’s help

- He finds you and Wind wrapped inside of it leaning on time and his heart just- clenches, he has more siblings now!

- Then Warriors realizes he has another sibling… another sibling that will prank him…

- You two can be found discussing tactical strategies. Mostly him teaching you though since depending on the person not many people will know how to lead an army. Yet he is a good teacher and you catch on pretty quickly.

- Same with Twi, Warrior’s needs someone to pull him back sometimes it seems. Who better then to remind him then the person that already saw his lowest moment when his ego got the better of him?

- Seriously speaking. He wouldn’t come to you to talk. If anything he will try to avoid you if he wasn’t his best. In his head he has a reputation to uphold. Which will lead to a heart to heart. No sass. No banter. Just you and him sitting down to remind him that he is human.

- He needs a hug. Please give him a hug.

Sky:

- Sky actually didn’t recognize you at first!

- Yes he felt your presence and hear your voice in his adventure, but that was a while ago at this point. Also he isn’t as connected to magic as the others are.

- He does slowly befriend you despite everything.

- It wasn’t until you referred to a certain demon lord as a ‘B*tch A** Clown’ and a flood gate of memories open up for him. Memories of you cursing out Ghirahim, calling the imprisoned an ‘avocado with feet’ and so on.

- Nothing really changes between you two honestly, he just accepts it.

- If anything he becomes more open to you about everything, setting clear boundaries on what he doesn’t want to bring up. He will tell everyone about the curse eventually, but just hasn’t found a good opportunity too. Things like that.

- You do have to argue with Sky that the curse wasn’t his fault since you were also there when it was put on him, also the fact that he didn’t asked to be cursed in the first place.

- Most of the time you two are together its to get away from the chaos that the group of nine heroes could bring.

- Walking or sitting in silence is how you two end up most of the time together. It may not look like you two are bonding. There are some days while Sky is wood carving you would work on your small hobby as well. Then there are days he plays the harp and your reading.

- Despite it all he really enjoys the peace you bring. There is a sense of comfort that you have.

- When you and Sun finally meet. The first thing you ask him is to be invited to the wedding and it may or may not been in front of her too…

Wild:

- The recognition was really slow for him like Sky. Since Wild just got off of his first adventure he didn’t actually notice you were gone.

- It was until he realized that he couldn’t hear your panicked voice or snarky remarks when fighting in his head. That he finally realized you where outside of his head. He was quick to connects the dots after that.

- There was a moment where he didn’t know how to react since he just figured that you were just from his imagination.

- He now has another adventuring buddy with Hyurle! Though luckily you do keep the both of them from harm. Mostly because if something happens to them you will get in trouble with like Twi and Leg and thats never fun.

- Though you have your moments. Shield surfing and paragliding are on top of that list and Wild is all up for teaching you the ropes.

- The topic of the history of hyrule gets brought up a lot with the two of you. Since his era has a lot of connections to the past era’s. He is all up for learning about what came from where. Soon theories start to fly about.

- When You, Him and Flora are finally all together. There is nothing stopping you all from bouncing off theories. With your outside knowledge mixing with what they know. Things start to fall into place.

- The answer to why the timeline is like this doesn’t get answer. But hey! At least you all are having fun!

- If you can’t cook he will teach you that too! If you can! Well buckle up your going to share your knowledge with him whether you want to or not.

- Once you know how or get used to cooking while camping, you help him out a lot and its these moments where you both talk the most.

- It’s comforting to him to know he wasn’t alone this whole time.

Legend:

- As soon as you two locked eyes he felt instant dread. Yes he knew. No he isn’t going to opening up to you.

- Playful Insults to bond? Yeah that’s literally how he talks to everyone so no special treatment.

- He keeps you at a distance but its not actually working.

- You talk about his adventures so casually like it happened a few days ago. You avoid Link’s Awakening though. If you got hurt with the plot twist then you could only imagine the pain Leg went through.

- “I’m still trying to process the fact you married a tree.” “Hey remember that one time with Yuga, you slammed face first into a wall so hard you knocked yourself out?” “God do you not wear pants because of the fish thing?”

- This relationship is literally: Only I can bully this one.

- He fears the moment you meet Ravio and Fable knowing full well you all will bond over teasing him.

- Overall though he knows you got his back no matter what, to the point he finds himself confining in you slowly.

- Guess who is also teaming up with Hyrule to get Legend to sleep. It you.

- Once you probably have forced him to sleep by getting wolfie to lay on him. It was the wolf or yourself. In the end it was both of you and he was trapped.

- A sign that he was becoming soft towards you was when he started sharing his items with you. He trusts that you know how to use them and if you don’t he is actually willing to show you.

- He regrets giving the bee badge to you.

Hyrule:

- Another person that is drenched in magic. It only took one look at you for him to realize who you were.

- The two of you were awkward as anything at first. Since to you he never really spoken in his adventure so you didn’t know how to picture his personality.

- There’s a lot of mystery in your mind about him since again there isn’t much to go off of with what your given in game. It’s weird for him to hear about how you interpret his personality from that perspective.

- Hyrule didn’t honestly expect you to try and befriend him tbh. It mostly him over thinking it.

- You do follow him sometimes when he wants to wander around and explore. Mostly because you claim he finds the coolest things when he does.

- But its just a excuse to actually get to know him.

- The two of you trade stories and questions about each of your lives. There might be things you know that he might not know of about his adventure and his hyrule.

- Of course never going into to much details since there are things you couldn’t tell him.

- Hyrule honestly was dreading the day you all would land in his Era. He loves his home but is also very aware of it not being the most…welcoming place.

- So it’s more then surprising to him that there is even more then the glint of familiarity and excitement on your face. Knowing full well what dangers where a head of you, you still were open to exploring his world to the fullest.

- It’s honestly refreshing to see someone love his era as much as he does.

- Another boy that needs hugs, please give him a hug.

- You both cheer each other on though.

- This relationship is just aggressive support between you two and the others.

Four: (I’m actively mixing the Four Sword game and manga just to be clear.)

- Not sure if he would know exactly who you where since during the second adventure your voice and presence bounce between the four of them.

- Yet I also feel like he took after you because he was a child in his first adventure, which worries you a lot. Since you did have choice words for Vaati.

- The first to realize was Vio then it went Blue, Red and Green. Despite being in the same head it was just a theory they had over all. They all had their own ways of confirming it.

- Vio noticed the small things you do around Four. Like not stepping on their shadow, and covering Four when things got chaotic in their head. Small references here and there. When the two of you are alone he almost quizzes you about things. Just to see how much you know and to see if your telling the true or not.

- Blue recognize your mannerisms being something he picked up on during the first and second adventure. Only vaguely since again he was a child / there was only a small part only with him. Your fighting banter when your in battle made you see where Blue got his colorful language from…

- Your comfort was what clued Red in. He remembers your presence more clearly then the others from the first and second adventure. It was a comforting (yet chaotic) presence in their adventures that he latched on to. More so from his first adventure since as a kid he made an imaginary friend to process the fact he could sense and hear your presence. When you came back in the second time around it felt so natural for Red to have you there and really helped make him go forward through his small journey.

- For Green? It was a lot of things but when he see’s you treating each color differently when they are in charged. It’s a refreshing sight to be honest. He just enjoys hearing and seeing that his brothers had someone to confide in. Even when they switch who is in control you some how could tell and spoke to them accordingly.

- They were all some what surprise that none of the others picked up on your treatment of him swapping so much. Yet their also glad because their not ready to reveal themselves quiet yet.

- As Four or as you nicknamed him ‘Rainbow’ the two of you tend to sick together when the world’s shift around. Since his body needs more time to recover.

- You two are another pair that cheers each other on when the moral is low.

- He introduces you to the Minish! Getting you a jabber nut so you can speak to them too. You can’t shrink down to properly talk to them so this was the next best thing.

- The four of them makes you a dagger to bring home to remember him by, there’s a kin stone imbedded where the blade meets the hilt.

Wind: (hello self projection my dear friend)

- Wind didn’t recognize you ether at first, yet he didn’t even blink when you join everyone. He was fully on board with getting a new member and is easiest the most opened.

- It was when you two are alone together that something clicked in his head. You see during the Wind Waker he was alone most of the time when he was on land. So he had to face a lot by himself.

- Having you was reassuring to him when facing some of the monsters alone, especially with the puppet ganon fight. The two of you both agree that it was creepy.

- CHAOTIC SIBLINGS PART 2… well kinda

- Wind is a lot more mature then you realized but you two still have those moments.

- You, Aryll and Grandma get along too! So he and his family basically sees you and the chain as family.

- Pranking buddies! You’re targets would never know. Mostly because your covering up for him. You two team up with Four and Wild so the pranks can get chaotic at times.

- No matter what age you are compare to him and if your ok with it he does like platonic physical affection. Your going to be trading off with Warriors a lot of the time for cuddles or it’s the three of you together.

- You teaching him our worlds sea shanties and him teaching you his? Heck yeah! Even making up songs with the others is something on the table and in the works which is nice.

- It’s another thing to bring back home thats personalized!

Honestly since I’ve written all of this down I want to write the fic more. Though I’ll probably not only because idk if people would even read it lol. So it will just be a bunch of head canons. Anyway rambling is done.

[zartophski]

Hey, could you cover the Pokémon for each of the Chain’s teams and why you chose them? Also each of the starters for them!

You can keep it to the ones who have had their Pokémon revealed for now as well.

Also, nothing will convince me that the Lord of the Mountain isn’t just Xernas! It just works too well in my brain.

Oooh thank you for the ask!!! Yeah hfgsdh when I was figuring out the worldbuilding, I had thought of Xerneas taking Satori's place. But as I was working out the region, I really wanted to keep some of the Zelda creatures, so Satori became its own Mythical pokemon, a Fairy/Ghost type! But since Mythicals are a level below Legendaries, it does fall under Xerneas's domain. Kinda like Celebi and Dialga both being Time-related.

But teams! I've got them listed below the cut. Most of the teams were chosen by vibes or connections to characters/features/things in the Zelda games, with lots of help from lots of friends fgdsh. Starters are a bit looser in this AU. There are official Professor-given starters, but it's much more common to find a pokemon to be your partner on your own.

Sky: His starter was Rufflet, who's now evolved into Braviary. He has a Honedge nicknamed Fi and an Altaria that's twins with an Altaria that Sun has. He has a few more pokemon, but he'll get his debut soon.

Four: We've met Shadow already, an Umbreon. He also has Red (Flareon), Green (Leafeon), Blue (Vaporeon), and Vio (Espeon). Which one is his starter? There's a fic coming for that one.

Time: His starter was a Cutiefly named Navi, who's since evolved into Ribombee. The only pokemon we've met of his so far is Saria, the Phantump he found in the Lost Woods, but he has a full battle team aside from her.

Legend: His starter was Scorbunny, who's now Cinderace. His Meowstic is twins with Fable's Meowstic, and we've met his Sableye briefly. After The Main Event, he gets a service pokemon, a Musharna named Marin. She doesn't count to his carry limit, but he has a full team that we'll meet in the next chapter.

Hyrule: His starter was Dedenne, and the rest of his team was introduced in Welcome to the League. Ariados, Fennekin, Klefki, Vivillon, and an Eevee egg... I wonder if that will hatch soon...

Wind: His starter was an Oshawott, who's now a Dewott. I posted a little snippet here where he met Piplup early on in his Gym Challenge adventure. That was a few years ago to present-day, so he has a full team now that will be introduced soon.

Twilight: His starter is Epona, a Mudbray that's now evolved into Mudsdale. It will come as no surprise that he has a Gogoat, along with a few other aptly-themed pokemon for his character fgsjkh.

Warriors: His starter was a Ralts, that's now evolved into Gallade. His Pyroar and Corviknight have been introduced in Ups and Downs, but he also has a full team that will show up soon.

Wild: His starter was Rowlet, who's now evolved into Decidueye. She's a shiny, because the color scheme of the shiny reminded me of Wild's cloak (thank you Karo for pointing that out to me!). His Flapple was one of his early catches as an Applin, and the rest of his team is Arcanine, Boltund, Sawsbuck, and Scraggy.

[bang-fantansies]

Yandere! God Profile - Taehyung

Human Amongst Gods [TEASER] - upcoming fic

Warnings: Suicidal! Taehyung, suicide attempt, mentions of anxiety, mentions of emotional numbness, mentions of death, mentions of afterlife, extreme isolation and loneliness, mythical creatures (imps).

I did my best to include any triggering topics mentioned in this post, but if you see any more potentially sensitive topics I may have missed, please let me know!

This does not represent Bangtan as people or a business, nor does it represent anyone/anything associated with them. This is purely fictional and was made for entertainment purposes only; not to slander anyone or any company.

Name: Kim Taehyung Occupation: God of Death

Taehyung had never had a life, so to speak.

On the contrary, he’d only ever known the fringes of it - the last whisper it would emit before being snuffed out. By him.

So was his purpose as he was hailed as the God of Death.

A title that comes with great power, Taehyung would soon discover.

But with such great power comes an even greater loneliness.

After all, most other gods from galaxies over knew of his reputation, and how to stay away from him if they wished to avoid an untimely death at the simple touch of his hands.

The same for mortals, he’d found.

Day in and day out, he’d sit at the sides of thousands of mortals, watching their soul drain from their body and take his arm as he guided them to their destination.

And every time he did so, he’d feel a sense of malice spike in the back of his mind.

He knew that mortals were released from their duty to wander the Universe a lost soul.

So why not him?

Or, at least, a companion to travel without him: to smile at him without fear in their eyes, to touch him without their body trembling.

But such a fantasy had never come to pass.

Not yet, at least.

And after being exiled from most areas of the Universe for all his life, Taehyung had accepted his fate as a dealer of death. The responsibility of cataloguing and distributing death throughout the Universe was a mighty job, after all.

So much so that he’d employed underlings - impish little beings - to bear the brunt of the work for him.

To release and record all the souls they’d freed that day.

And when all was said and done and his office imps went home for the day, he realised something.

He wasn’t going anywhere.

Even his subordinates had families and homes to go to, but he had nothing.

He just existed for the convenience of the Universe - to maintain the balance that allowed it to live on.

And so here he stood - before a window of a wall overlooking an empty planet he inhabited and used for his work.

The land was filled with office buildings identical to his own, stretching as far as the eye could see; a field of concrete.

Each building housed a thousand or so imps, all working to keep up with the ever-increasing demand of death records that required filing and uploading to the System.

And Taehyung looked upon them as he would his own children.

They were the only company he had. And even then his workers had never actually seen him, for he spent his days cooped up in his office or out harvesting lives.

This was for their benefit, of course. Hellish creatures like them were not immune to Taehyung’s touch.

No-one was.

Taehyung’s reflection gazed back at him, the buildings taking a backseat as it came to focus on the stranger before him.

With so little experience and so little identity, would the Universe really collapse without his effort?

Would anything change if he were to...disappear?

Taehyung oftentimes found himself wondering such a concept in the few spare minutes the day held for him, but before a decision could come to fruition, he was called say to a far-off galaxy to harvest the lives of the ready-to-depart.

Taehyung bit his lip and glanced back into the confines of his office.

Red carpet, four walls of sheer darkness, all glass yet revealing nothing but darkness.

There were no achievements to be held on shelves or written in history books.

The only thing to be written in books about Taehyung were the deaths he’d orchestrated and recorded himself.

He literally had nothing to show for his life, despite having existed for many thousands of years.

Taehyung stuck one hand in a pocket of his suit, raising his other before the glass and making a swiping motion before it.

The glass vanished, simply fading from existence, allowing the frozen winds of Taehyung’s planet to invade the office.

Eyes half-lidded, taehyung peered over the edge.

Nothing but a straight drop for miles.

Taehyung knew what death entailed for mortals, but for gods, he had no idea.

No god had ever shown signs of having reached another place after death, which was a good incentive for other gods to avoid Taehyung.

The fear of the unknown bound them to their current existence, making them claw at any chance of survival they could reach when faced with dire circumstances.

With this in mind, Taehyung continued to lean over the ledge, gazing down into the pits of the desolate city.

The promises of the cycle of isolation his life had been urged him further.

He took a step forward, tips of his shoes peaking over the ledge.

He could feel the cold intensely, for it pierced his jacket, almost as if trying to push him back into his office.

“You had your chance. Now I get to decide who lives and who dies.”

His voice was carried by the wind, the high altitude ensuring that the message would reach no-one, to become a mere footnote in the grand scheme of things.

A final word to those that had pushed him away - forced him into his own corner and expected him to survive.

A particularly harsh blast of wind made him wobble, though he made an effort to try and keep his balance.

The numbness that came with his profession was lightly pierced by doubt, a flash of anxiety.

The most primal part of him knew this wasn’t the answer to his problems. With any luck, he’d simply become part of the darkness from which he had been plucked to begin with if he actually went through with this.

But even that had to be better than a lifetime of isolation, right?

On shaky legs, Taehyung inched over the edge, keeping his heels firmly planted in the carpet of his office.

He willed his eyes shut, the combination of the iced winds and the anticipation of falling made them flicker - fight - to stay open.

“It’s all over now,” he promised. “No need to fear.”

His own assurances eased his nerves, giving him the last push he’d need to right the wrongs his existence had brought.

The world slowed, Taehyung forcing a leg forwards to hover over the edge.

The frost nipped at his exposed skin as the leg of his trousers could do little to battle the winds.

His balance loosened, causing him to sway back and forth with the grace of an antique rocking horse.

He was so close to freedom.

He could feel himself lighten as the weight of worlds dropped from his shoulders.

But solice was not meant for him.

Not like this.

Behind him, his phone chimed.

It was not the same sound he’d hear when he was notified of another death.

No, this was the unfamiliar tinkling of a bell: a stark contrast to the melancholy hum he’d installed when he was to be called to work.

His ears pricked, so finely tuned to the sound of a knell that this fresh noise frightened him, almost tipping him over the edge.

A quiet part of him begged him to check what it was - anything to get away from the ledge.

The much larger, number half barked at him to hold his ground, stick to his guns and just get this whole ordeal over with.

He knew who to listen to - he knew when he saw the notification he’d find a reason not to carry out his plan.

And despite knowing nothing of the notification or its nature, Taehyung hesitated.

It would be a shame to die a curious man, he thought.

Besides, it was probably nothing important. Then he could spend an eternity in peace without wondering what this sound could mean.

Taehyung brought his leg back in, stumbling away from the ledge.

The prick of anxiety he’d experienced before quietened yet stayed at his side, an accomplice to his survival.

He left the window open, however.

Sighing, he shuffled over to his desk - a deep and dark mahogany - and died his phone lying dead-centre.

With Taehyung’s presence near, thy e screen aprung to action, displaying a notification.

It was a message. Sent from an unknown number.

Taehyung arched an eyebrow and brought the phone close to his face, unlocking it and opening his messages.

His contact list was barren save for this mystery caller.

Aware of this, he had adopted the presumption that it was a nuisance caller.

Though who dared to play jokes on such a deadly force as himself, Taehyung had no idea who would have the balls to even come up with such an idea.

And he checked.

He wanted to know who had jested him before his demise.

The message was blunt, void of courtesy, yet held a string of salvation for Taehyung.

There is another way.

Taehyung glanced over his shoulder and out to the sea of buildings .

Had someone seen him?

It wouldn’t be a surprise considering some of the imps were bound to still be at work, though Taehyung’s office was so far above the clouds that he’d assumed no-one would have spotted him.

I can only hope that I’m not too late.

I can help you.

Attached to the second message was a picture of a woman, a halo hanging above her head like a target.

Taehyung’s eyes widened, his breath short.

Pale fingers fumbled for his tie, pulling it loose while he observed the picture further.

He knew that halo.

He’d seen only one other like it in his many thousands of years of life, and even then it wasn’t glowing with life.

It had been while he was visiting a museum dedicated to gods past, and such a relic had appeared in a heavily-guarded display case.

Without its owner to wear it, it was neither as vibrant nor as beautiful as it lay on a satin pillow, merely resembling a circle of bone rather than an ethereal object.

But it’s brilliance enraptured him all the same.

He’d believed it a fable - a legend created to keep him tame and willing to do his job.

A legend of a soul who could withstand Taehyung’s killing touch.

And here he was, seeing it for a second time, in action.

Interested?

Taehyung found himself pausing.

This could just be a trick, he told himself.

But...what if it wasn’t fake?

He requested proof that the image was real.

The response was clear cut and blunt.

I can take you to her.

Taehyung glanced over his shoulder again, paranoia projecting shadows in the corners of his vision.

Still, nothing but the open window.

He glanced back down at his phone.

What did he have to lose?

All right.

Take me to her.

I will. The stranger typed.

But first, I need you to do something for me.

I don’t own the pictures used in the moodboard, but I edited the moodboard myself.