#I wanted to get to this specific moment so I could back track their progression

[bunsandstuff]

I finally got her to my happy place, now I can do those gposes ♡

But allow me to gush first. This is of course spoilers for Shadowbringers if you've never played it

Like omg Iove how confident he sound here. Like "Yeah please, you know I'm gorgeous." Like sir please! He's changed so much in those two years and I love seeing that right out the gate. He's right at you in appearance but also personality. The writers were like yeah we could tell you his time with mischievous pixies for two years has changed him, but let us SHOW you. I know what's to come later, but this moment is one of my favorites. That's why I love him, he's so well written.

[queenimmadolla]

Summary: After making a scene and storming out of Eddie's trailer, you're left to wonder if you even have a boyfriend anymore, since he hasn't spoken to you in three days.

a/n: congratulations. you bitches wore me down. you all know how much i HATE angst with no happy endings so enjoy me fixing it.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞

word count: 3.3k

  It’d been days since the fight in Eddie’s trailer. Days.

  You were mad as hell when you’d left, so mad you almost appeared calm. You’d angrily cried on the drive back home, hot tears leaking steadily past your lashes as you scowled and you were sure they left a trail of mascara behind.

  You’d dodged your mother when you got home, unwilling to face the barrage of questions she’d  send your way that would no doubt trigger a breakdown. The last thing you needed was anyone asking if you were okay.

  Besides, you thought you’d be fine. Eddie would get the point, come to his senses and be at your front door a little past dinner to apologize for hurting your feelings.

  You’d composed yourself to the best of your ability while you ate, forking the food on your plate down with the excuse of having not had lunch when your mother started questioning you and then hurried back upstairs to your room.

  Your landline was plucked from its place on your nightstand drawer and set on your bed in front of you. When half an hour passed, you assumed Eddie was still wrestling with his pride. When half an hour turned into an hour and a half, you started wondering if maybe he was still cooling down from the argument. He’d call.

  By 2 a.m., the tears were back and speeding effortlessly from the corners of your eyes, down the bridge of your nose to meet your pillowcase as you realized he wasn’t going to call.

  He didn’t call the next day, either. Or the day after that. 

  The two of you weren’t in school anymore, so you couldn’t track him down in the halls but you didn’t want to go find him. You wanted him to come find you, you wanted him to chase after you when you left his trailer, you wanted him to call you and tell you he loved you and you wanted him to not bring girls who wanted him the way you did over to his trailer. 

  You wanted Eddie. But you wouldn’t go crawling back, your heart may have been wailing in agony but your pride was howling at you, wounded and bleeding.

  Were you broken up? You hadn’t intended for your exit to be the end, but by day three, you were starting to get the feeling it was over.

  And despite how badly you wanted to, you couldn’t rot in bed. You had responsibilities, a job. You’d called into the arcade the first two days but you couldn’t put it off forever, couldn’t avoid leaving your house because you feared running into Eddie.

  Yes, you were desperate to see him, but under your specific conditions. What if you ran into him and he confirmed the two of you were over? What if he was with that girl you’d seen leaving the trailer? He said he’d given her a deal for flirting with him, had it progressed? Was he rebounding?

  The more you thought about it, the more sad you got. Samantha Stone, your former lab partner and current co-worker had stepped in to awkwardly comfort you when you kept dipping into the back room to cry and eventually sent you home with the promise she could handle the riveting crowd of three plaguing the arcade.

  You’d kicked off your shoes and thrown your bag onto the floor the moment you got into your room, but you hadn’t changed, just fell face first onto your bed as your tears mingled with your comforter.

  And that’s how you found yourself thinking about how long it had been since that damn fight. Maybe you were overreacting. Sure, Eddie had been a little intimidating in high school, but he’d also had no trouble in the romance department. He’d told you he’d been cynical about it, since it never went beyond sex, but he’d also said that had been before you had looked twice at him. 

  Unfortunately for you, the stupid ass curse that comes with having a boyfriend struck you. Now that Eddie had a girlfriend, all of a sudden he was a wanted man, even more so than he had been in the past.

  You’d seen girls overstep, had been waiting for him in the van during a deal while you watched one reach a hand out to caress his arm and it had taken everything in you to not storm out of the van to tear the offending appendage off and beat her silly with it.

  Maybe you really were just blowing things out of proportion because of your jealousy. Maybe you owed Eddie the apology. Would he even accept your apology? It had been days, after all. Maybe he’d take you back if you groveled. Tears were a no brainer, you were pretty emotional and aware you were in a somewhat manic state, so they’d come the moment you caught sight of him again. Your feelings, your love for him, and this stupid mess would overwhelm you.

  You glanced at your phone, still poised on your bed and taunting you without a single ring. Your mother would have mentioned it if he called. He hadn’t.

  You wanted Eddie.

  That singular sentence plagued you, wrapping around your heart over and over again, constricting like a boa until you felt like you couldn’t breathe, like you were about to have a heart attack. You could hear the loud and insistent banging that was your heartbeat, beating in time with your much too fast breaths.

  Eddie was the last thing you thought of before you shut down, body allowing exhaustion to overcome you to stop your impending panic attack.

  You hadn’t even realized you’d fallen asleep, eyes prying open to your room shrouded in darkness. A lazy glance at the window confirmed night had fallen and you sagged further into your bedding, sighing when you remembered you’d fallen asleep in your work uniform which meant you couldn’t slip back under the veil of rest and peace until you’d gotten out of it.

  You sat up, fingers gripping onto the hem of your shirt to lift it. 

  A flash of movement at the foot of your bed caught your attention just before you raised your shirt over your head and you nearly had a heart attack as you fell back, quickly reaching for your lamp.

  The warm glow of it illuminated the room and revealed Eddie standing near the foot of your bed, hands up to show he meant no harm.

  “Sorry,” he gave a brief huff of laughter, mouth pulled into a nervous smile, “didn’t mean to scare you. Your mom let me in.”

  Your heart calmed instantly at the sight of him, but your anxiety made its presence known, sinking into your belly.

  He’s here to break up with you, it whispered.

  You pulled your shirt back down, smoothing it out to give you something to do. Suddenly, you were incapable of words, nonverbal as your mouth refused to part. Your heart had won the battle with your pride and was desperate to beg him to forgive you for overreacting, would say anything to get him to hold you but you were paralyzed.

  Eddie cleared his throat, a hand reaching up to scratch his head before he sat down on the edge of your bed and you took him in.

  The most apparent difference in his appearance was the dullness of his eyes and the bags under them. Eddie was usually so full of life, an eccentric being buzzing with a sort of energy at all times, even when he was pretending to be the cool, collected bad boy. Now, he looked tired. And he had a light dusting of scruff on his jaw and cheeks.

  Eddie never had facial hair. Hated it. He’d tried it out once, he wasn’t fond of not being able to feel your kisses directly against his skin, and it made him itchy so it didn't last long.

  He shaved everyday to make sure he could feel your lips on him and the reminder made tears pool at your waterline once more.

  “Look, I─”

  “I’m sorry!” You rushed out, cutting him off as emotion muddled your voice and made your throat thick with it. The tears followed, just as you’d predicted they would when confronted by Eddie, “I’m so sorry, you were right, I was overreacting! I was just jealous, you can bring whoever you want to your trailer, I know it’s just business. I was just stupid and jealous and upset, you were right to not call me, and I’m sorry!”

  Eddie’s mouth parted, eyebrows rising in bewilderment.

  Then he was kicking off his shoes and climbing onto your bed, softly hushing you as he pulled you into his arms and you sobbed against his shirt, relieved to finally have Eddie back.

  You hadn’t thought he’d ever hold you again so you clung to him like a lifeline.

  Eddie held you tight, hand rubbing comfortingly over your back as he pressed kiss after kiss to your head and nuzzled his face there, trying to make sense of what was happening.

  After you’d left, he’d trashed his room. Well, more so than its usual state. He’d wanted you to come right back after you stormed out, was hoping you would—but like an idiot, Eddie just stared at the door as his mind replayed the entire conversation, emphasizing the moment he’d crossed the line. By the time he finally snapped out of his stupor and ran out after you, you were gone.

  Eddie was frustrated with himself, so he took it out on his room. When that was done, he’d grabbed a beer from the fridge, a joint from his stash and got crossed on the couch out front as he thought about the fight.

  He had no interest in anyone who wasn’t you. None. And for some reason, you didn’t understand just how much he loved you, how not a singular fucking person on this giant rock could compare to you. Not Cindy Crawford, not Pam Grier, not Irene Cara, not a single member of Metallica, no one.

  You were Eddie’s favorite person. You were his person.

  And he made you feel like shit. The longer he thought about it, the guiltier he felt. It was easy to write off your behavior as jealousy, but your jealousy hadn’t been unwarranted.

  He couldn’t see the big deal about having her pick up weed from his place since she’d phoned to let him know she was already in the area, but when he imagined some random guy coming out of your home, you walking him out?

  Eddie saw red. The thought alone knocked the air out of him and it was a feeling he was keen to not experience.

  But you had. And instead of just owning up to his slip of the mind, he’d stuck to his guns and had promptly shot himself in the metaphorical foot, not before hurting you. You were upset, and you lashed out when you got like that. Eddie had realized a long time ago that you only made digs like that because you wanted him to tell you you were wrong without having to ask him.

  Only, Eddie hadn’t told you that no, he didn’t give her a deal for being ‘pretty and flirty’ as you’d accused. She had been flirty—yes, he felt even more guilty when he thought about it—but he’d been blunt and brief, exchanging the bag of nugs for cash before he was sending her back the way she came. You’d just been on the other side of the door when he’d opened it for her to leave.

  It looked fucking terrible. How the hell was he supposed to make this up to you??? He’d spent the remainder of the night lingering near the phone, picking it up and then putting it back on the receiver. Nothing he could think of was a worthy enough apology for you, and he assumed you didn’t even want to see him. Fuck, you’d been so upset.

  He ended up passing out on the couch.

  The next few days went the same, he tried to figure out what to say, how to to explain himself and dove for the phone anytime it rang. It was never you, but of course it was when Eddie was desperate to hear your voice on the other end of the line that all his usual customers had run out of weed and other things.

  And she had called. 

  Eddie wasn’t stupid, she’d smoked with him and a group of friends at a party once, she hacked up her lungs and coughed herself into delirium after one pull; there was no way she’d finished what Eddie had supplied to her that quickly. It certainly didn’t help that she knew Eddie had you, and she still kept up the flirting. You were right, Eddie knew what she was trying to do and he was a shit boyfriend for not turning her down outright. Eddie had nipped that problem in the bud over the phone.

  In his desperation, he’d done multiple drives by the arcade, too. You were never behind the counter, only that gothic chick that liked to curse people was.

  He got anxious fast, hoping like hell that you hadn’t broken up with him. When it became too much for Eddie, who missed seeing your beautiful face, he caved in and drove to your house, despite the fact that you might not want to see him. When your mom let him in instead of throwing pots and pans at him like he’d imagined she would, Eddie figured you hadn’t told her about the fight which gave him hope.

  Maybe you did still want him.

  There was no light under your bedroom door and when he knocked you hadn’t answered but Eddie walked in anyways, heart clenching at the sight of you sprawled on your bed asleep.

  God, how he’d missed you.

  Eddie found himself blinking back tears as he stared down at you. It was selfish of him, but he really wanted to wake you up, touch you, hold you, kiss you.

  And then he realized he was at your house uninvited, in your room, watching you while you slept. Could he get any fucking creepier? Jesus…

  Eddie had been in the middle of pacing a circle in your carpet, trying to play out how this conversation would go when you stirred and he froze.

  Then you sat up and he got a little excited when you started taking your shirt off, but Eddie was aware of how bad this could go if he didn’t announce his presence.

  You hadn’t started yelling at him like he expected, no. What you did was worse. You were apologizing. 

  He’d been inconsiderate, he’d put himself in a situation that would look bad to literally anyone who saw him knowing he was in a relationship, had hurt your feelings—even more so because you’d apparently been waiting for him, wanting him this whole time and he’d just been holed up in the trailer, phone in hand but never dialing. 

  “Baby,” he mumbled against your head, leaning back and moving his hands to frame your face, thumbs wiping your tears away as he angled your head up at him so you could see the sincerity on his face, in his eyes, “you have nothing to be sorry for.”

  You hiccuped and started, “But I─”

  “Shh, no. Let me say this okay?” Eddie waited for you to nod and when you did, he leaned in to press a kiss to your forehead and another to the tip of your nose.

  “You didn't overreact or do anything wrong, sweetheart. You were right. I knew exactly how she felt, and while I promise you I had no intentions of letting anything happen, I still shouldn’t have had her over. If the roles were reversed, I would’ve been jealous, mad, and really hurt. She called, tried to come over again and I told her I’m in love with you and I’m not interested in her. If she needs to replenish her supply, she’ll have to get it from Rick from now on. And I’ve never given her a deal. The only person who gets free weed is you, pretty girl.”

  You sniffled and his thumb stroked over your cheek once more. He added, “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings and I’m sorry I didn’t call. I wanted to, so badly, but I didn’t know what to say or if you even wanted me to. I've been dying to see you, drove past the arcade a ton of times just to see if I could get a glimpse of you—your coworker, the scary one, flipped me the bird whenever she saw me, by the way.”

  That got a laugh out of you and Eddie grinned victoriously, leaning in to nudge his nose against yours, “I love you. I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.” Your gaze dropped from his eyes, the brown in them now swirling with warmth, to his lips, “Can I kiss you?”

  “Oh, baby. You don’t ever have to ask.” Eddie didn’t wait for you to make the first move, closing the small distance to press a deep, chaste kiss to your lips. Once you were returning his kiss, he got a little more insistent, you realized this was Eddie’s way of asking for reassurance and you were more than willing to give it to him, parting your lips so your tongues could meet again.

  The two of you made out on your bed at a leisurely pace as you reaffirmed your love for each other. When things got heated, and you soon found yourself on your back with Eddie on top of you and between your legs, he pulled away from your mouth with a smack, and winced.

  “I really want to have makeup sex, baby, but I’m about to pass out. I haven’t been sleeping well.” Rarely has Eddie slept without you, add in you being upset with him and he could barely sleep at all. The last thing he wanted to do was pass out while he was inside you and leave you unsatisfied. 

  You laughed, pulling him down for another kiss, “That's okay. We can fuck in the morning.”

  Eddie let out the most pornographic moan at the mental image and you laughed again as you shushed him, “Eddie! My mom will hear you!”

  Reluctantly he rolled off you to undress, yanking off his pants while you shimmied out of yours, pulled your shirt off and discarded your bra. When Eddie yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it towards the ground, you’d intercepted it and pulled it over your own head.

  Eddie gave you a very appreciative onceover before he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to will his hard-on away, “Down, boy.”

  You snuggled up to his side, and he pulled you into his arms, throwing your blanket over the both of you and letting out a sigh of content as you nuzzled your face into his neck, “Fuck, I missed this. Missed you.”

  “Missed you, too, Eds.”

  “Next time you get mad at me, I’m sitting on the hood of your car so you can’t leave.”

  “That’s fine with me.”

  “Or maybe you can just kick my ass instead of leaving.”

  “No, I like it too much.”

  Eddie’s chest shook with quiet laughter and you smiled, eyes fluttering shut. 

  This time, when sleep finally overcame you, your heart wasn’t in pain or beating loudly in your ears. It was nestled against you, and snoring into your hair. 

[shifting-empress]

𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐀 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞

𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝟏

Welcome to your reading! I personally keep a shifting journal, and I’ve found this to be super useful.

𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬

Reflect on moments in your shifting journey where you might have overlooked signs, techniques, or shifts in energy. What opportunities for progress might you have dismissed, and why?

How have your current feelings (e.g., frustration, doubt, or lack of motivation) impacted your ability to stay consistent with your shifting efforts? What emotions do you need to process or release to move forward?

Are there techniques or methods you’ve dismissed in the past because they didn’t immediately work or seemed too different from your usual approach? Could revisiting them with a fresh perspective provide new insight or progress?

What aspects of your shifting journey have you been taking for granted? How can you shift your focus to appreciate the progress you’ve already made, even if it feels small?

Has your vision for your Desired Reality evolved since you began this journey? Are you still aligned with what you originally wanted, or is it time to redefine what shifting means to you?

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

You need a new start, a new approach to shifting. Forget about the past, and your past (failed or successful) shitting attempts. You need to practice gratitude, mindfulness, and maybe try manifestation. Reignite your curiosity! Feeling stuck might signal that you're overworking yourself or holding too tightly to expectations. Take a step back, take a rest day, and engage in self-care to reset your chergy shifting is as much about personal gropth and reflection as it is about reaching your DR! Be patient with yourself and trust the process!

𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝟐

𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬

Reflect on the techniques, habits, and routines you’ve used so far in your shifting journey. Which ones have brought you closer to your Desired Reality? Which ones might need tweaking or letting go?

What progress, no matter how small, have you made in your shifting journey? How can you celebrate and acknowledge this progress to maintain motivation?

Shifting often requires patience. How do you currently feel about the timing of your journey? Are you putting pressure on yourself to achieve your goal by a certain date? How can you embrace the idea that growth happens in its own time?

What areas of your shifting journey might benefit from renewed focus or energy? Are there specific practices or tools you’ve neglected that you could revisit or refine?

When you think about your Desired Reality, does it still align with your long-term goals and values? If so, what steps can you take to remain committed? If not, how might you adjust your DR vision to better suit your evolving desires?

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

It seems at this time that your shifting journey may be or feel as though it’s being tested. Shifting is not a race. Trust that the work you’ve been putting in is planting seeds, even if the results aren’t immediately visible. Use this time to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Consider keeping a journal to track your methods, experiences, and feelings so you can better understand where to direct your energy. Take time to acknowledge every sign, lucid dream, or moment of progress that suggests you’re getting closer to your DR. This will help you stay motivated and inspired. Reflect on why you began this journey and what excites you about your Desired Reality. Let this reminder reignite your dedication and inspire you to keep going.

𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝟑

𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬

When you think about your Desired Reality, what excites you the most? How do you envision your life changing once you’ve shifted, and how does that align with the goals you’ve set for yourself?

Are there multiple techniques or approaches you’ve considered for shifting? How can you weigh their potential effectiveness and choose the path that feels most aligned with you?

What aspects of your Current Reality are motivating you to shift? How can you use these feelings as fuel while still appreciating the lessons and experiences of your present life?

What steps have you taken—or still need to take—to fully prepare yourself for shifting? Are there mental, emotional, or energetic blocks that you need to address before moving forward?

What fears or uncertainties might be holding you back from fully committing to your shifting journey? How can you confront those doubts and take a bold step toward your goals?

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

Surrender! Your doubts and fears might just be holding you back. Take some time to step back, contemplate and mediate. Take time to plan and reflect on your shifting methods, affirmations, and routines. Having a clear vision and structure can bring more confidence to your journey. Don’t be afraid to try new methods or adjust your approach based on what feels right. Growth often comes from experimentation. Step out of your comfort zone, move beyond what feels safe or familiar. Trust in your ability to shift, and take bold action when it feels aligned. Shifting is as much about the process as it is about the result. Allow yourself to savor the excitement of preparing for your Desired Reality, knowing each step brings you closer. Stay focused on your DR and remember why you started this journey. Use visualization techniques and affirmations to keep your Desired Reality vivid and inspiring.

That’s all! I wanted to try my hand at a pick a card for my first Tumblr post to test it out. I aligned the spacing for the app, (at least on my phone), so I’m sorry if it looks weird! I’m just trying things out.

[blissfullyecho]

Using the Power of Habit Stacking in 2025

Join my 3-hour live workshop on Zoom, where we will create a tailored luxe glow-up plan personalized for you for 2025. Seats are limited and are first come, first served. Click here for more info.

When it comes to personal development, one of the most powerful strategies for creating lasting change is habit stacking. It’s something I’ve been testing out in 2024 that I’m bringing with me into 2025. This method is simple yet incredibly effective, allowing you to seamlessly add new habits to your routine without overwhelming yourself. Whether you’re aiming to boost productivity, improve health, or cultivate a more luxe lifestyle, habit stacking can be the shortcut to sustainable growth.

Habit stacking is the practice of attaching a new habit to an existing one. You take a habit that you already do automatically—something that’s ingrained in your daily routine—and pair it with a new behavior that you want to establish. This creates a “stack” of habits that flow together, making the new habit feel natural rather than forced.

The beauty of habit stacking lies in its simplicity. Humans are creatures of habit, and the more you can align new behaviors with your existing routines, the more likely you are to stick with them. Your brain already associates certain actions with specific times of the day, so why not take advantage of that structure? Instead of trying to create an entirely new habit from scratch, you leverage the momentum of your established habits.

1. Identify Your Anchor Habit

The first step in habit stacking is identifying your “anchor habit”—a behavior you already do without thinking. For example, maybe you always have a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, or you walk your dog after dinner. Your anchor habit is the base that you will attach your new habit to.

2. Choose a Small, Achievable Habit

Next, choose a small habit that aligns with your goals. It should be something so simple that you can’t fail at it—this increases your chances of following through. For instance, if you want to read more, you might stack a 5-minute reading session immediately after your morning coffee. Or, if you’re looking to practice gratitude, you could write down one thing you’re thankful for after brushing your teeth.

3. Make It Specific and Clear

The more specific and clear your stack is, the better. Don’t just say, “I’ll workout later today.” Instead, say, “I’ll stretch for 5 minutes right after I take my vitamins, then I’ll get ready for the gym” The more precise your action and timing, the easier it is to follow through.

4. Start Small, Then Build

Don’t go overboard by trying to stack too many habits at once. Start with one or two simple habits and see how they fit into your routine. Once you’ve mastered those, you can gradually add more habits to your stack. The key is to avoid overwhelm and build slowly over time.

5. Make It Enjoyable

You’ll be more likely to stick with your stacked habits if they bring you joy or fulfillment. For example, if you’re stacking a habit of reading, make sure it’s something that feels easy and enjoyable, like reading something you’ve been wanting to read or something that you know will help you. The more positive your habit feels, the more likely you are to continue.

6. Use Visual Cues

Sometimes, even the best habits can slip through the cracks if you’re not reminded of them. Use visual cues like sticky notes or apps that help track your progress. For example, if you’ve stacked a habit of doing 5 push-ups after brushing your teeth (I hate push-ups but this is just an example), you can leave a reminder on your bathroom mirror or set a reminder on your phone.

7. Celebrate Your Wins

Celebrating small wins is crucial to reinforcing your habits. Every time you complete your stacked habit, take a moment to acknowledge your success. This could be as simple as giving yourself a mental pat on the back or marking it off on a habit tracker.

Here are a few examples of habit stacks to get you started:

Anchor habit: Brushing my teeth

Stacked habit: After brushing my teeth, I’ll exfoliate with a lip scrub.

****

Anchor habit: Finishing a workout

Stacked habit: Immediately after finishing my workout, I’ll drink a glass of water and stretch for 5 minutes.

****

Anchor habit: Cooking dinner

Stacked habit: After cooking dinner, I’ll clean up my apartment for 10 minutes.

****

Anchor habit: Starting work

Stacked habit: As soon as I sit at my desk, I’ll write down three priorities for the day.

Join my 3-hour live workshop on Zoom, where we will create a tailored luxe glow-up plan personalized for you for 2025. Seats are limited and are first come, first served. Click here for more info.

[batshotcrazy]

arranged marriage - bruce wayne

authors note : italics and in blue is readers thoughts btw

summary : a marriage for show

pairing : bruce wayne x gn!reader

part one here, part two here, part four here (in progress)

previously :

bruce noticed your nervous behavior, the way you picked at your fingers and bit your lip. he wasn't oblivious to what that meant. raising an eyebrow as you shook your head, your body language betrayed you. "bullshit," he said bluntly. "you're hiding something. i can tell."

you take a deep breath, and the more you think about this whole arranged marriage, the more you feel like you can't go through with it. "i can't do this," you say.

bruce's expression grew more serious as he saw you take a deep breath. he could tell something was off. sitting up straighter in his chair, he fixed his gaze on you. "can't do what?" he asked sharply. "be more specific."

you take a deep breath and fold your arms as you walk away, feeling his blue eyes piercing into your soul, making you even more anxious. "this whole situation bruce, everything."

bruce's eyes tracked you as you walked away, his face growing more stern. he noticed the anxiety on your face, and it frustrated him that you wouldn't come out with what was on your mind. rising from his chair, he loomed over you. "this whole thing ?" he echoed, is voice icy. "you'll need to be clearer. i'm fed up with your evasiveness."

"this arranged marriage bruce," you say firmly, turning to face him with your arms still crossed. he looks surprised and takes a moment to think before crossing his own arms and leaning back. the longer you look at him, the stronger these feelings, or whatever they are, become. you have to turn away to maintain your composure.

the room was filled with tension as your words lingered. bruce seemed surprised by your sudden revelation, instinctively crossing his arms as he took in what you said. he stood silently for a moment, his thoughts racing. he hadn't anticipated you mentioning the arranged marriage so bluntly and was unsure of how to react. he noticed your reaction too, seeing you look away, trying to stay "together".

he examined your face, trying to figure out what you were thinking. "why are you bringing this up now ?"he asked, his voice tinged with frustration and curiosity. "we agreed to this a long time ago. it's too late to back out now."

you scoff and shake your head. "that's all you care about, that damn deal bruce," you say, clearly annoyed. taking another deep breath, you move to sit in the chair he was just in, unable to look at him any longer.

bruce's irritation grew as you scoffed and shook your head. it wasn't just the deal that concerned him, but wasn't ready to share his true thoughts. he watched you sit in the chair he had just vacated, feeling a part of him wanting to stop you but deciding against it. he stayed standing, arms crossed, his annoyance intensifying. "you still didn't answer me," he said firmly. "why are you bringing this up now ?"

he could see the frustration on your face, matching his own feelings at the moment. he wanted an answer and wasn't going to let you avoid the question. "are you unhappy with the arrangement ?" he asked, his voice still firm. "is that what this is about ?"

"because feelings are in the way," you say quietly, just loud enough for him to hear. you turn the chair away from him, unable to look at him for another second.

bruce's eyes narrowed as you turned the chair away. feelings ? what did you mean by that ? he stepped closer, driven by curiosity and frustration. "what kind of feelings ?" he asked, his tone almost demanding.

"what do you think bruce ? this whole argument is because of it," you say as you get up and walk out of the study, heading back to your room and passing alfred on the way.

bruce watched you leave, feeling more conflicted than ever because of your words. your outburst caught him off guard, making him realize that perhaps he had been too harsh before. frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair, regretting not noticing how his words affected you. as he leaned back against his desk, he heard alfred's concerned voice from the door. "is everything alright, master wayne ?" alfred asked, clearly worried.

bruce sighed in defeat, his shoulders drooping as he glanced at alfred. "it's just a disagreement, alfred," he said tiredly. "nothing for you to worry about." he moved away from the desk and wandered over to the bookshelf, pretending to examine the leather-bound books, though his mind was clearly elsewhere.

alfred gave bruce a knowing look, not convinced by his excuse. "master wayne," he said softly, "i've known you for a long time, and i can always tell when something is bothering you." alfred stepped further into the study, stopping a few feet away. "what's really troubling you about this disagreement ?"

bruce looked at alfred, his eyes showing a touch of vulnerability. he knew alfred was perceptive and that there was no use in trying to deceive him. he sighed deeply, leaning back against the bookshelf. "it's this whole marriage arrangement," he confessed, running a hand through his hair. "things are ... more complicated than i expected."

alfred raised an eyebrow, noting the unusual vulnerability in bruce's tone. "complicated how, sir ?" he asked, crossing his arms.

bruce sighed again in frustration, his thoughts still spinning. "it's ... her," he said, his voice tinged with what sounded like confusion. "she's getting under my skin, alfred. i can't control my emotions around her, and it's driving me crazy."

alfred listened silently, his face expressionless. he had watched Bruce navigate many relationships, but none seemed to impact him like this one. "can i ask what exactly about her is causing such a strong reaction, sir ?" he inquired. "is she saying or doing something specific that's making this so difficult for you ?"

bruce frowned, his jaw tightening as he thought it over. "she's stubborn, and she won't just accept things the way i want her to," he said, his voice tinged with irritation. "she's always defying me and questioning my actions, and it's like she has this unique ability to get under my skin." he ran a hand through his hair again, feeling the tension rise within him. "and then, on top of all that ... there's this strange, almost magnetic pull i feel towards her," he admitted reluctantly.

bruce shook his head, attempting to dismiss those thoughts. "but it doesn't matter," he said firmly, his voice regaining its usual hardness. "this is just a business arrangement, and there's no room for feelings in it."

alfred raised an eyebrow at bruce's response, clearly unconvinced. "is it possible that in your effort to convince yourself this is purely a business arrangement, you've blinded yourself to the possibility of something more ?" he asked gently.

bruce bristled at the suggestion, his jaw tightening. "no, alfred," he said firmly, leaving no room for debate. "i know what this is. it's a business deal. nothing more." he turned away from alfred, walked over to the desk, and resumed his usual stoic demeanor. he didn't want to discuss it any further.

alfred studied bruce's face, noting the determination etched in his features. he realized there was no point in pressing the matter further at the moment. "very well, master wayne," he said neutrally. "just remember, sometimes it's worth stepping back and re-evaluating things from a different perspective." with that, alfred turned and left the room, leaving bruce alone with his brooding thoughts once again.

bruce watched alfred leave the room, feeling his frustration build. he knew alfred meant well, but he wasn't in the mood for philosophical advice. leaning back in his chair, he stared at the ceiling. maybe alfred was right, and he had been so focused on seeing this arrangement as purely business that he had shut down any other possibilities. but that didn't matter, he told himself. feelings had no place in this arrangement. end of story.

time skip to later that night

you toss and turn in bed not able to get comfortable, the fight you and bruce had today keeps running through your mind, it's the only thing you can think abt did he really just think of this whole thing as a business deal ? nothing more? am i just a piece of eye candy for him and the public ? you make your way downstairs and into the kitchen to get a drink and sit in the backyard in hopes to get your mind off of the whole situation.

bruce, still stewing from the argument earlier, didn't notice you walking into the kitchen and heading outside at first. he had been pacing the halls, unable to shake off the uneasy feeling that had settled over him. his mind kept replaying the conversation over and over. as he walked past the window, he happened to glance outside and saw you sitting on the back porch.

you sit in the lawn chair and close your eyes and try thinking abt anything but the argument but even still it's all you can think abt, the silence and cool air does help a little bit to help you relax but your mind is still racing a mile a minute.

bruce kept watching you through the window. seeing you sitting there with your eyes closed, trying to relax, tugged at something deep inside him. he couldn't explain it, but he felt an almost overwhelming urge to come out and comfort you, to apologize for his harsh words. but he held back, letting his logical side win over his emotions. instead, he kept watching me from inside, his eyes fixed on your tense form.

finding it hard to unwind, you start to get annoyed. you open your eyes and stare blankly into the distance, your eyes welling up. his words keep replaying in your mind: "this is all business, there's no place for feelings or intimacy. i just need you to act like a happy wife in public, that's all. nothing more." if it's just business and no emotions, maybe he should find a different 'wife’ ? you begin to sniffle even more.

unknowingly, bruce's face softened when he noticed the tears forming in your eyes. he could see the hurt and frustration written all over your face, clearly showing the impact of his harsh words. he muttered a curse under his breath, his heart tightening at the sight of your sorrow. even though he tried to remain distant, he couldn't ignore the growing guilt and concern inside him.

he inhaled deeply, and before he knew it, he was heading out of the house and into the backyard. as he got closer, he saw your shoulders trembling with silent sobs. seeing you so broken and alone pulled even harder at his heart.

he halted a few feet from you, unsure of what to say. he wanted to comfort you, but his pride and stubbornness kept him from doing so. he just stood there in silence, watching you and battling with his conflicting emotions.

you sensed someone behind you and wiped your nose. "i'm okay, alfred, you can go," you said without turning around, unable to face him considering your current state.

bruce sighed and stepped closer, the grass crunching under his feet. "it's not alfred," he said softly, his voice a mix of gentleness and roughness. "it's me."

you froze, your body stiffening as you recognized his voice. slowly, you turned your head to face him, your tear-streaked face revealing the intense emotions within you. bruce's eyes locked onto yours, and for a moment, he was captivated. seeing your tear-filled eyes pulled at his heart in a way he hadn't expected.

"what do you want ?" you ask, attempting to appear somewhat composed in front of him.

bruce inhaled deeply, his face showing signs of inner turmoil. witnessing your vulnerability and distress affected him, making it difficult to keep up his usual indifferent facade. "i just ..." he started, his voice wavering slightly. "i saw you out here and ... i wanted to check if you're okay."

"i'm fine." you don't even look at him as you say it. you turn to stand up and head back inside, knowing that if you talk to him any longer tonight, you’ll break down even more.

as you stood up to head inside, bruce instinctively reached out and grabbed your arm, halting you. "no, you're not," he said firmly, though his voice carried a note of concern. "you've been out here crying, and you look like you're about to fall apart. please, don't lie to me."

"i'm not in the mood right now, bruce." you pull your arm back and walk inside.

bruce followed you inside, quickening his pace to keep up with you. "you can't just keep avoiding me every time we disagree," he said, frustration evident in his voice. "this is childish."

you stop dead in your tracks and turn to him. "childish ? i'm being childish ?" the anger and hurt in your voice are clear, and you start tearing up even more.

bruce flinched at the hurt and anger in your voice, but he pressed on. "yes, it's childish. this constant running away and avoiding me whenever you can. it's childish and solves nothing. we need to talk about this."

you scoff at his words. "no, this whole 'arranged marriage' is what's childish, bruce." we stand in silence for a moment.

bruce's jaw tightened at your words, his frustration growing. he hated that you kept bringing up that this was an arrangement. "you knew the circumstances before we started this," he said, his voice strained. "it was never meant to be a love story or a fairytale. it's just a business deal, nothing more."

"nothing more" those two words repeat in your head once more "right, this is all business, there's no room for feelings or intimacy and you just need me to play the part of a happy wife in public, that's all. nothing more." a slight pause "maybe this whole arranged marriage, oh wait sorry this whole business transaction wasn't a good idea." you go to walk away but stop, "maybe you should find a different wife that can do it better bc i'm done." you say as you walk away back to your room.

bruce's heart ached as you repeated his words, his guilt and regret intensifying. seeing the hurt and anger in your eyes was tearing him apart. "wait ! (they don’t love you like i love you)" he called out, taking a step forward, desperate to stop you from walking away. "please, just hear me out for a moment."

"no, bruce, i'm done. done," you say as the tears well up again and your voice starts to tremble. "i can't do it anymore."

bruce's heart hurts as he saw the tears streaming down your face again, the sound of your voice breaking like a knife twisting in his chest. he stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do. this wasn't how he wanted things to turn out. after a few moments of silence, he spoke, his voice rough but with a touch of vulnerability. "just ... stop. stop for a minute and let me talk. please."

you shake your head and sigh. "talk about what, bruce ? how this is just a business deal with no feelings involved and how i should've known what i was getting into ? thanks, but i've heard that enough times from you today. save it."

with a growl of frustration, bruce stepped closer. "that's not what i want to say, damn it. just listen !" he snapped, his emotions starting to boil over. he moved even closer, standing so near that he had to look down to meet your eyes. "you think this is easy for me ? you think i don't feel conflicted about all of this ? that i don't have feelings too ?"

[tokiro07]

Ichi the Witch ch.17 thoughts

[Lemme Get That Neck]

(Topics: character analysis - World Hater, speculation - narrative progression)

Hoo boy, this was a good chapter for both of our guys!

I was really worried about how Ichi was going to deal with the backlash of using Ultra Amplification since he hasn't had an opportunity for resistance training, but to think he'd find a way to use it to his advantage!

Playing Possum

By making of a show of passing out from exhaustion, Ichi deliberately gave World Hater an opening to get in close, which in reality created an opening for Ichi to strike. An extremely risky move, since not only did Ichi have to fall out of the air for it, he also had to rely on a) stabbing himself in the leg to actually keep him conscious, and b) for World Hater to care enough to check on him afterwards

Fortunately, Ichi's read was spot on: even World Hater has a sense of pride, and having his Lancemen stopped in their tracks was enough of a slight on him that he had to make a point of telling Ichi his efforts were wasted. Ironically, in trying to chastise Ichi for his hubris, World Hater showed his own, believing himself to be so far above Ichi that he didn't even consider the possibility that Ichi was luring him into a trap

But being overconfident comes with the territory of being a villain with godly powers. The part that really interests me is what comes after Ichi stabs him

A Crack in the Facade

I've spent the last two reviews going over how dispassionate World Hater looks to be, his complete lack of expression or interest in what anyone says or does, but this chapter adds a whole new dimension to it!

After Ichi gets a good hit on World Hater, he passes out for real, and misses World Hater's face finally showing an expression: he smiles. Not a huge toothy grin or a sinister smirk, but his lips undeniably curl and, though subtle, his eyes flash, not unlike the sparkle we frequently see in Ichi's eyes

For the first time, there's passion on World Hater's face, intrigue even, like he's finally found something he's been looking for

But it doesn't stop there, or rather, it does stop there - the smile doesn't simply fade once the moment passes, World Hater covers it up. He brings his hand to his mouth, like he's either trying to hide his feelings from the world or like he's trying to suppress them from himself. He either doesn't want anyone to see him feeling, or he doesn't want to feel at all

The next panel focuses on the return of his scowl, his lips once again turning downward as he returns to business. Whether he's taken a liking to Ichi or sees potential in him, World Hater ignores his feelings and proceeds to dole out Ichi's punishment: by specifically warping him out first

But again, World Hater is taken by surprise! Whether he was distracted by Ichi or simply not concerned with the possibility of a sneak attack, World Hater is stabbed through the back and subsequently blown up by none other than Desscaras!

Ceiling Battle

I don't know about the rest of you, but this is the moment I've been waiting for! I've said before that Desscaras vs. Uroro was a ceiling battle because it was billed as the strongest Witch vs. the strongest Magik, but it didn't really accomplish what a ceiling battle should because we didn't actually get to see the extent of what either of them could actually do

This time though, there doesn't seem to be any restrictions like "only men can hurt me," so while there is almost certainly some hidden mechanic to this fight, both parties should be lobbying a good portion of their best moves at each other. Even if World Hater barely breaks a sweat, all that matters is that we get to see what it really means for Desscaras to be the strongest Witch and get an idea of how she earned that title

My guess is that we'll get some narration from Shirabedonna and Monegold about how many Magiks she's acquired and some discussion about one of her most impressive feats, similar to what we saw for Togeice a few chapters back, culminating in her using her strongest ability to force World Hater back in a way that even Ichi couldn't manage

We'll also likely hear about Desscaras' backstory with World Hater, though it's hard to say how much detail we'll get right now. It could be an entire chapter dedicated to the full event from her perspective, or it could just be a vague description with some inconsistencies to be elaborated on later. Either way, Desscaras is undoubtedly about to get a lot more interesting

Now that we have an established antagonist, I expect we can say the same for the plot as well

The Aftermath

Once Desscaras saves the town from World Hater (though possibly not without some casualties), the question of what to do about Ichi will remain. His actions will ultimately be what allowed Desscaras the time to break into the dome and fight World Hater, but technically World Hater's point stands - Ichi could have guaranteed saving some lives if he'd focused on doing so, but instead he focused on his own gratification and went for an attack that, by all logic, was destined to fail. He prioritized his own bloodlust over helping people, and thus put more people at risk than he needed to, so even if things turned out "for the best," his decision-making is still highly questionable

The introduction of Togeice and her concern for Ichi's personality always struck me as kind of oddly timed. Not only was Ichi's reveal being proposed after one mission, but an ice-themed Witch was being introduced immediately after Ichi acquired an ice-themed Magik. It felt kind of...redundant, in a way, to pit Ichi's most recent acquisition against someone who specialized in that very field without doing anything to draw comparison between them. I thought maybe Togeice was just mad that he beat her to Uruwashi, but no, it was never brought up

I think with this week's chapter, though, my question has been answered, and all the pieces are falling into place. The world doesn't know about Ichi, but you know who they do know about?

The Silver Snow Witch

The townsfolk didn't see Ichi squaring off against World Hater, they saw an army of giant monsters approaching them only to suddenly be encased in ice. Moreover, those same townsfolk already know that Togeice is present, and saw her summoning an ice dragon to destroy the giant mushrooms that were previously threatening their town. For all they know, Togeice is doing all the work

Ichi's acquisition of Uruwashi was merely a convenient setup for Nishi to cover up his battle with World Hater, allowing Ichi to fight his hardest without revealing himself to the world as a whole and undermining Togeice's concerns and challenge

If I'm right, then I'm pleasantly surprised how elegantly this allows Nishi to transition into the training arc phase without compromising the logical progression of the story. Ichi's nature is still a worthwhile concern while also being more nuanced than Togeice anticipated, Ichi has the opportunity to see and accept how he needs to grow, and the fight that facilitates both is executed in a way that neither point is invalidated! My assertion from early on that Ichi the Witch is a masterclass in story structure seems to once again be relevant!

Assuming I'm right, of course

Until next time, let's enjoy life!

[musekicker]

A quick little Werewolf! Stan and Vampire! Fiddleford related drabble.

It was a slow afternoon for "Paws for Applause" pet supplies store. Then a figure from town stepped inside the store. A rarely seen figure. But even so, the sales woman recognized him enough to have a last name.

"Oh Mr. Pines. I've never seen you in here before. How may I help you?"

Stan startled just a bit. Still getting use to the fact that he was pretending to be his brother and that as much as Ford had been a shut in, folks here had met Ford. He moved on from that surprise and got right to what he needed.

"I'm looking for some dog shampoo." Stan said.

"And we have plenty of dog shampoos to choose from. The shelves to your left."

Stan found the shelves, a whole walls worth of shelves. Each of them with many bottles of products.

"Where on the shelf am I supposed to be looking-" Stan asked.

"That would be the entire wall sir." the sales woman said.

Stan's eyes went wide. He was feeling very much like a prey animal caught in a cars head lights in that moment. The sales women must had seen the look because she was quick to start helping him with questions.

She had always found that a few, easy questions were helpful in breaking customers out of their indecision and actually helping them find what they wanted.

"There are a lot of shampoo products I know. Is this your first dog?" the sale women asked.

As expected the question seemed to break Stan out of that shoppers panic.

"Um, yeah. Pretty much." Stan said.

"Aw, that's nice. What's their name?" the sales lady asked.

"It's um... Spot." Stan said.

The name had been made up right then and there but the sales woman bought it. She was too busy thinking of what questions she needed to ask next to help this customer.

"Here's good question. What would you not like from any shampoo you buy. Problems with specific companies, specific ingredients, fragrances-" the sales lady said.

Stan perked up slightly at the mention of fragrances. He knew what he did and didn't want in that department.

"No scents. I- my dog is very sensitive to scents." Stan said.

Last thing Stan needed was someone smell him in werewolf form and that scent sticking to him in human form. It could easily connect him with the wolf. Not to mention heavy scents were very annoying to a wolf's sense of smell.

The sales woman took this note and was looking elsewhere on the shelf.

"That does take out a good number of shampoos. So making progress already. What is your dogs fur like? Fluffy, curly, short-" she asked.

"Kind of course." Stan said. "And shorter."

"So no scent to the shampoo and needs to be good for course, shorter fur? I have a few different products in mind. Hold on."

It took less then five minutes for the sales woman to find what she was looking for. Explaining the pros and cons of each. Stan ended up going for the cheaper of the shampoos.

Now that a shampoo was picked out Stan was ready to cash out. As he handed over the cash for the shampoo he smelled a familiar scent. It took everything to not visibly sniff the air. He was able to track down where this scent was coming from quickly. A small jar of dog treats next to the register.

The sales woman must had noticed Stan looking at the treat jar.

"Why don't you take one?" the sales woman asked.

Stan looked startled again.

"What?"

"For your dog. All dogs love treats." the sales woman said.

"Oh! Oh right. Of course. Ol' Fido will love a treat." Stan said.

As Stan picked up his bagged purchase with one hand and grabbed a couple of the dog treats from the jar, the sales woman frowned slightly.

"Didn't you say before that your dogs name was Spot?" the sales woman asked.

Stan was already leaving.

"Doot doot doot, just walking away now." Stan said loudly as he left with his purchases.

Arriving back to the shack with the bag of purchases, Stan closed the front door to the shack with his foot. The floor looked much cleaner then it had this morning. His fault after a full moon run last night.

No one really thought about the fact that running through the woods at night and hunting deer would be a messy activity. But it was. And Fiddleford had put his foot down. Muddy giant paw prints were fine, easy enough to mop up. But wolf form Stan did not exactly smell the best.

Which is why Stan had been sent to buy the shampoo.

"Fidds, I bought the dog shampoo." Stan called out.

Fiddleford knew that Stan was back long before the werewolf had even entered the doorway. Vampire hearing was just that good. It was even to Stan's werewolf sense of smell.

"Good. That'll make cleaning animal blood and mud out of your fur after full moon runs much easier." Fiddleford said.

Fiddleford was leaning in for a kiss. Something that Stan was happily returning. But before their lips touched Fiddleford drew back.

"Whew! That smell on your breath! Why does your breath smell like you've eaten old jerky?" Fiddleford asked.

Stan might had been insulted if he had not remembered the treat he had had in the car.

"Umm.. well I might have had a dog treat." Stan admitted.

Fiddleford raised a eye brow.

"Stanley. We talked about this." Fiddleford said.

Stan huffed.

"She offered it to me. It was free! You want me to turn down free stuff?" Stan asked.

Fiddleford crossed his arms.

"And I'm starting to think that you just like dog treats."

"I can stop when I want to!" Stan cried.

Fiddleford was not convinced. And Stan knew it.

"I'm not kissing you until you brush the dog treats out of your teeth." Fiddleford insisted.

"Fineeee!"

[mister-qi]

Mr. Qi Friendship and Romance Mod: 4/19 Progress Update

It's a working title, I'm trying to come up with something less wordy that still will pop up in Nexus searches.

I wanted to be able to track my progress, mainly for myself, but if you're curious, this is the state of the mod right now:

Writing:

Heart Events - the 2 heart event is fully written (with blocking directions), and the 6, 8, and 10 heart events are outlined. The 4 heart cutscene currently has me a bit stumped; I have ideas, but nothing concrete yet. I definitely now understand why Sam's 4 heart cutscene is him dropping an egg. 14 hearts is on the back-burner as a little treat to myself once I get further into things.

Generic Daily Dialogues - about 1/3 done, probably the highest priority for writing. I'm leaving his vanilla casino dialogue as the two heart dialogue, and the vanilla Walnut Room dialogue as his four heart dialogue, with a few small changes. And, since it's me, I have more marriage dialogue written than anything else...

Day-Specific Dialogues - very few written, lower priority. Hoping to have a lot of these made eventually, and I have plenty of ideas, but they aren't necessary for the core of the mod so they're on the back-burner for now.

Gift Dialogues - all 5 generic gift response dialogues are written, with an additional 22 dialogue lines for specific items/groups of items. I'm also up to around item 530 in figuring out what item corresponds to which dialogue/whether or not he likes it. Certain item groups, like cooked food, still need more lines, however. This is definitely something that should be low priority, but also something I'm really enjoying working on. Some personal favorites so far are-

[if given a fish (hated)]: "Eugh, it's all slimy..."

[if given a legendary fish (disliked)]: "If you must give me one of the rarest fish in the valley, can you at least wrap it so I don't have to touch it with my bare hands?"

And I think that's pretty funny.

Art

Portraits - 3 new portraits finished: "deep frown" "glint" and "glasses-less". I'll probably be messing with "glasses-less" for a looong while; it's first shown at a dramatic moment so it needs to look good. Blushing portraits are next on the docket.

Here's "glint" btw, with a background thrown on so I can have a custom icon. You know I gotta make him do the anime glasses thing a few times.

Sprites - no progress yet. Walk cycle is up next after I finish the blushing portraits. Did you know he doesn't have a walk cycle at all? [1.6 spoilers] in the cheated Summit cutscene where he attacks(?) you, he literally just slides at you very fast. Anyways, I may also change his map sprite a bit as well, since it was drawn to match his old portrait and doesn't actually have the same color scheme as his sprites. Note to self: is it possible to make the sparkles on his outfit prismatic?

Maps - no progress yet. The 6 heart and 10 heart cutscenes both require custom maps, with the 6 heart one being a fully custom asset. 10 heart recycles some existing assets but will still need some custom stuff done as well.

Misc Sprites - in my head, there's a dream version of the 8 heart cutscene that has so, so many unique sprites. Like an incredible amount of stuff. I think it'll kick ass, but also that sequence could be done with a few lines of text. So, for now, it's low priority. But maybe in a few months I'll put out a request for help.

Implementation

Not totally sure how to split this into sections yet, as I'm very much still in the preliminary stages so far. To say that I'm feeling overwhelmed is an understatement; documentation on the wiki swings wildly between "an asset is a file in a video game" and "this is an advanced tutorial. Read these 4 other pages first before continuing."

I've started using Ms. Coriel's NPC Creator which has been good for setting up the basic file structure, but ultimately doesn't cover some of the more complex stuff I want to do. EDIT: Turns out it's completely outdated for 1.6! Had to throw out a bit of work, but I still learned from it so it's fiiine.

I think setting up his "schedule" will be a challenge, in that I don't actually want him to have a real schedule like most NPCs. Not to pull back the curtain too much here, but I want him to "exist" in both the Casino and the Walnut Room simultaneously, which is to say, he does not exist in two places at once in the narrative, just in the code. This will change after marriage, however.

My next goal is to set up placeholder cutscenes for each of the heart events, and then to implement the generic daily dialogues once those are finished.

Final Notes

God, this will be a work in progress for a while, but I'm enjoying it! Definitely enjoying the writing more than anything else, but hey, that's how it be. I've got around 70 lines of dialogue written, a bit of art done, and I've started learning how to actually get stuff in game. I've always been more of a designer than a coder, but it's getting there!

ADDITIONALLY I've decided that if I abandon this project for more than 8 months, anyone is welcome to request my work so far and use it for their own mod. If this blog hasn't posted in a long while, feel free to send me an ask or message! I may say no, however.

Ultimately, I want this mod to exist in some fashion. While there is an existing one, I have a pretty different take on the character and I want to share it with you all! Every line of dialogue, every heart event, every little detail needs to share something interesting about a character and their world. Yet, Mr. Qi is a mysterious guy, and I think some things should be left up to player interpretation. And I think it's crucial to be able to match his tone and voice to the vanilla game, while also expanding on his characterization. It's a fun challenge to write, and I hope the finished product, uh, well I hope it gets finished mostly, but I think it'll be pretty good.

Thanks for reading all this. This is largely just a stream of consciousness for myself, but I hope it's...interesting, or something?

[fluffswashere]

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⭑ ‧₊˚ ⋅ જ⁀➴๋࣭ ⭑๋࣭ ⭑

Shota Aizawa | Eraserhead ᯓᡣ𐭩

⩇⩇:⩇⩇ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Hello?

Shota × fem!Reader (You!)

Genre: Fluff, Romance, Lighthearted, Gentle

↪Warnings: Mild swearing

Summary: The normally distant and known to be grumpy, tall older male softens up towards a pretty cute individual. Finding himself to be rather drawn to you.

✏A/N: Long fanfic in coming, get comfortable and as always enjoy!! <3 Further descriptive writing involved.If you're reading this while going to bed,I wish you goodnight.Have nice dreams yeah?^o^

ִֶָ࣪☾•I think I can love you.ᡣ𐭩

Pt.1 When Flowers Meets The Rain

Raindrops poured down the pavement, creating little freckles along the rough textured concrete. Dark clouds continued to gather, drenching the city and creating a earthy mist aroma in the air. Watering the thirsty grazing grass and trees below, rustling with the cooling winds that'd occasionally blow.

It was the perfect weather to just stay inside and lay in that cozy, plush, and oh so warm to snuggle into that is the best to take multiple naps in during work hours.

His yellow sleeping bag.

Presently the weekend, with luck on Shota's side for once it was specifically an off day. That meaning the drained man could lounge all he wants without a peep from his problem children who'd go off on each other with bickering or getting along. God those two always gave him the worst headaches. Aside on making remarkable progress compared to the first year he had them throw a ball.

They're so getting punished when he gets back to teaching.

Pondering mindlessly in his thoughts, soon to be interrupted by a low rumble below his chest that demanded substance. Oh that's right, he hasn't eaten quite yet. Having a bad habit on skipping meals and living on nothing but celery or salted crackers as a snack. Standing upon both two feet off his office chair, merely fumbling in each step due to lack in a proper sleep schedule and diet.

Exiting the UA building, making way towards the route he frequently takes through the sidewalks. Ordering himself the usual once making his destination. Feeling each drop fall and patter around him, dampening his already unkempt hair. Not paying mind to where he's going on the way back, that followed with a collide to another but smaller form.

Shota instinctively paused in his tracks, looking around before his bored tired black eyes drifted downward. That's when his dark line a sight met with yours. It felt as if time had stopped.

His hands remained stuffed into his pockets, lacking the facial expression. Even so the one thing that came to mind was that you smelt nice, like a freshly batch bouquet or what it feels like to awaken on a peaceful calming morning.

"Ahh sorry- I'm so sorry!!" You uttered an apology, bowing lowly to the ground. Feeling more than embarrassed to have stumbled into the taller, quite handsome– Wait what were you thinking?!! You just met the man, you've never seen him before. He looked so worn out, unknown on the media. Coming across the underground hero, Eraserhead.

All hell broke loose the mere second he had opened his mouth.

"It's fine.." The dryly spoke, a hand behind his nape as if timid. His voice alone sent a light shiver to travel through your spine. You could have sworn you saw a sparkling mirth and gleaming interest in his eyes just now. "And you are..?" Shota's words trailed off, raising an eyebrow. Expecting you to answer his question.

It wasn't like the normally aloof man to wanna get to know a person the moment he meets them, especially when it comes to that lovey dovey shit. Even so, he couldn't help but feel..

Drawn to you. ּ ֶָ֢.

"I'm l/n.." You introduced, a gentle bright smile making it's way across your facial features. Feeling his heart swell with warmth that Shota has never dealt until recently, but he shoved those thoughts aside. He had better things to do then fawn over some adorable face.

"Ah- Here," You manage to say, stopping yourself from staring for a extended period. "You're all soaked." You offered sweetly, tilting your umbrella towards the male. Which was found to be difficult when he was taller in height, the corner of his lips nearly twitched watching you struggle. "You need help?" Shota mused, his eyes never leaving yours.

"Uhh...." Your eyebrows knitted together, rising onto your tip toes in order to properly hover the umbrella above his head. Eyes shone with a sudden determination, only to fail. "Okay yes..." You sulk, making sure to drag your syllables in coax exaggeration. Earning you a throaty chuckle the minute you accepted defeat.

"Soo... what do I suppose I call you?" You asked curiously, finding yourself to be walking alongside him while he held the umbrella.

"Aizawa," He began with a breath, "Call me Aizawa."

Long forgetting just why he's outside away from his desk. Finding for the first time something far more interesting than paperwork or going to get a quick strong black coffee.

It wasn't till a few months later in the evening when he came to a realization. Shota found himself smiling without reason, fuck.. He was so screwed. And it was all your fault.

♥︎

fin.

Chérie ‹𝟹

[smaragdine-snz]

Streamer AU D/ick Gr/ay/son Sickfic

I am not bothering to // the rest of the fic. If it escapes snzblr, fine. I am too lazy for this shit. Anyway, here is Dick with a cold + OC Amelia because for me mentally doing character design if fun and using an OC means I get to make my own canon for her. Woo!

Prompt based on a combination of a prompt from @ Lyritha and a snzario from @mew31

CW: Mess, Cold Sneezes, Sneezed On, Coughing

If you need something else tagged/listed, please let me know. I am new to this! Anyway, have fun.

For more of Richard or for more DCU characters, tags for future writing will be Sick Grayson or DCU Flu (even if not specifically illness, just for my own organizing purposes).

Everyone loved Dick Grayson. Almost.

He bore all the qualities of a natural leader with his charismatic and friendly nature, boundless optimism, and infuriatingly good looks. Those on his team would say he was the only valid choice for raid leader in the party. A skilled tank player, a respected member of the community, a successful streamer. Perfect. Popular. Beloved by all.

All except one. One teammate who met him with disdain and hostility at every turn. One teammate who disregarded every olive branch extended to her. Nothing he said, nothing he did, made a difference. It reached the point of tension where his viewers started to ship them with one another, to the infuriation of his teammate. Her viewers merely seemed to think of him as a pest.

A lesser man would have let it be. Maybe he should have let it be. But Dick Grayson was not a quitter. And something about today felt different. He had been on a roll since he woke up, the day as smooth as silk from the moment his eyes opened to see the morning sun shining through his window.

NIGHTWING: Hey. Wanna do dailies? Just us. You can keep the loot.

His eyes followed the letters as he typed, watching his screen with a small flutter of trepidation.

He had no reason to be nervous, none at all. No sensible explanation for being so invested in just getting a response, any response. Most days, his DMs were ignored.

SUNKILLER: Busy tonight. Tomorrow?

NIGHTWING: “I have a 24hr charity livestream tomorrow. Offering to join me?”

SUNKILLER: Fine. What time?

His jaw nearly dropped as the words appeared on his screen. She agreed, readily? No sarcasm, no snark? Was she sick? Did she need money? Was the end of the world approaching and he just missed all the warning signs?

NIGHTWING: Starts at 2pm. Try not to be late!

It seemed better not to question it. If he asked if she was certain, it gave her the opportunity to change her mind or quip back with something like ‘of course not, dumbass, did you really think I’d join you?’ or some other hope shattering statement. Excitement had his heart racing. Perhaps he could trust his gut feeling. Perhaps this meant progress. Could he finally be winning her over?

Luck abandoned him the next morning.

The alarm clock roused him from his sleep. Blinking away the haze as he sat up, Dick groaned. His body ached, muscles heavy and unresponsive. A dull ache throbbed in the back of his throat with every swallow and mumbled complaint as he pushed himself out of his bed. He could feel congestion in the back of his nose, faint but present.

He had no time to be sick, not today. The twenty-four-hour charity livestream happened to be a big deal. After promoting it as much as he had to try and get as much interest as possible, wanting to blow the set donation goal out of the water, the last thing he wanted to do was call it off. Not only would it let his audience down, it would let the charity down. Plus, he’d finally gotten his raid teammate to agree to join him one on one for some game time.

He just had to not be sick.

So, he stuck to the plan and figured he could just ignore it. Banners and graphics galore decorated his setup, the timer to start the twenty-four-hour countdown in the corner just beneath his camera feed. A meter to track donations decorated a separate monitor. Chat started buzzing with excitement before he turned the camera on, watching his “Starting Soon!” screen with anticipation.

His post last night before bed about getting Sunkiller to join him broke his chat. The messages flooding the screen seemed torn between optimism and teasing.

REDRIDINHOOD [MOD]: Dude, are you sure she’s not just screwing with you?

LIGHTSHOW: This is awesome, Sun’s finally giving you the time of day! Shoot your shot, man!

SHARKNADO72: Nightwing is a masochist, confirmed? 24 hour enemies to lovers speedrun.

CYPHERPYSCHO: Romantic relations with one bearing the word ‘Killer’ in her name is ill-advised, Richard.

IC33POP: She’s so pretty! Ship it!

He turned his camera feed on with an eye roll at the comments section, just in time for Amelia to join the call. Clearing his throat in an attempt to sound normal and not like he spent the morning intermittently sniffling; Dick plastered his signature grin on his face.

“Ready to get started, Sun?” his voice came through a bit raspier than he would have liked, but his smile did not waver. “I was going to do a bunch of solo story games but since you’re here, I changed the line-up to some co-op games. Starting with It Takes Two.”

He could see her on the camera, her eyes shifting to the side to look at his video for a moment before returning to look at her primary screen. He watched her lip curl, getting a flash of teeth and the subtle sound of her clicking her tongue. She knew the game in question. A pointed choice of co-op game considering how his audience felt about his involvement with her.

“Let’s get going then. Try not to slow me down,” a teasing tone crept into her voice as she spoke. “You know how I feel about losing.”

Despite the way his nose felt plugged, and his throat ached, his excitement reigned supreme. It overshadowed the feeling of illness creeping through him, at first. As hours ticked by, he could no longer manage to hide it when he cleared his sore throat to try ridding himself of the hoarse, congested tone from his voice. His sniffles, increasingly pronounced, started garnering attention from the chat as thin streams of mucus dripped from his pink nose and glistened in the light. His nostrils flared, breath hitching as he turned his attention back to Amelia.

“Cad you – snrff. I need you to go to the other side of the gap and stay on the pressure plate, I think. Please?” he flashes a charming smile toward the camera, hoping to distract from how awful that sniffle sounded.

“Sure. Are you feeling okay, Nightwing?”

“Huh? Yeah, of course. I’b fide…Hh-hH–! NGKssHHHhuhw!!”

He lost control of the sneeze he wanted so badly to contain, his head diving into his elbow as he covered it. The crook of his elbow, now covered in a wet spray, stayed well below the view of the camera as he repositioned himself, a faint flush to his cheeks as he looked at his screens to gauge the reaction of both Amelia and his chat.

REDRIDINHOOD [MOD]: Get a tissue, dickwad, gross!

BLUDPR1NC355: Aww, bby, are you getting sick??

Apart from his brother, kind comments were flooding in, thousands of viewers blessing him or expressing concern for his wellbeing. Pointing out how pale he looked, how red his nose had gotten, or the constant sniffling he thought he had been subtle about.

Sheepishly glancing at Amelia’s video, he silently pleaded she would not be disgusted by him. Her in-game character jumped the gap and stood on the pressure plate just as he requested, but he noticed that she kept glancing at him. The way she stared, eyes narrowing every time he sniffled or fought back a sneeze. Though she made no comment on his health, her responses to him seemed a little softer.

After a few more hours of her ignoring his suffering and his chat fussing over his health, Dick could no longer breathe through his nose. His sneezes had only worsened, becoming wetter and more frequent. His body lurched towards the camera as a pathetic attempt at rubbing his nose only served to make everything ten times worse, causing his sneezes to tear through him.

“Hh…Heh'KSHht! —kSHh! H-hihh! Hih'KTCHh! Ugh…hh! HT’TSCHh! t’CHSHh!-’itschh!–ihHK’TSCh’uh!”

He ignored the chat for a moment, trying to catch his breath. He covered most of them, but there were still droplets of spray on the camera lens. Wiping them off with the hem of his sleeve, he reached for the tissue box he grabbed during their last bathroom break, only for his fingers to touch the cardboard bottom. Empty.

Through the haze of congestion in his head, and as he sniffled in a futile attempt to contain the flood of mucus dripping from his nose, he heard a little ping! Someone sent him a DM. Pinching his nose while he read it, he couldn’t stop the look of surprise from flashing across his face.

SUNKILLER: DM me your address and I’ll order you some soup. You are not okay.

NIGHTWING: I’m fine, really! Don’t worry about it.

The congested laugh of shock turned into a wet cough, betraying the lie instantly.

SUNKILLER: Liar. Hurry up.

NIGHTWING: Fine, fine. Here you go.

He sent her his address, smiling as he watched her on the camera. With nine hours out of the twenty-four-hour stream already out of the way, and there had been no hostility. One on one, it felt like the person on the other end of the call was a completely different person. He had her perspective of the stream up on another monitor, his eyes scanning her chat.

SP00KYGALZ [MOD]: Mel, what are you writing? I can hear your pen.

K1LLERQUEEN: He’s so pathetic looking today, it’s hot.

GOTHIKAT [MOD]: You’re plotting something. It never ends well when you do that.

SUNNY2881: The NightSun shippers are having a field day in his chat, girl.

LUCIFURR: Lol why wouldn’t they? Queen Mel is hot, he’s hot.

MAGNIFIQUE: You’re being so nice to him today! What happened? Pity party or do we like him now?

He nearly laughed, but a choked cough came out instead, prompting a fit of them as he covered his mouth and nose with his shirt. Watery eyes squeezed shut, shoulders trembling, and throat on fire, he continued to be distracted by his coughing until he heard the familiar ping of his DMs again.

SUNKILLER: You should just cancel. You sound awful.

NIGHTWING: The donations are going to help a lot of people. I can last fifteen more hours!

SUNKILLER: Then change of plans. You have an extra controller at your place?

NIGHTWING: Yeah, why? Coming over?

SUNKILLER: Yes. You won’t cancel the stream? Fine. We can keep playing this game on your couch. Deal?

NIGHTWING: Sure. Come by whenever.

The words he typed came out so casually, but his heartbeat almost stalled. Her chat was right. She was being a lot nicer to him. He barely registered her voice on the stream again, Amelia announcing that the stream would be switching gears and that they were going to continue the game on his couch after she picked up some things for him. Both chats exploded into a frenzy of activity, but Dick was too busy trying to be discreet about wiping his nose on his sleeve to notice.

“Hh… h'ngtchh! Eberyode, I’b deed a few to mbove by setup,” he set his stream to the break screen as he glanced blearily back at Amelia’s stream on the monitor, standing up to start moving the lights and the cameras over to his couch and TV before prepping the game on the console.

The scenery around Amelia kept moving and the video quality changed, showing glimpses of her actions. Snippets of her apartment. A streak of black as she tugged on some shoes. The sound of an engine starting up. Her viewers must be looking through her helmet camera, for the motorcycle videos she sometimes made. The camera only showed her dashboard and a snippet of road as she drove. Luckily for him, she kept the commentary going on his behalf until she walked into… a grocery store?

“Abelia, whadt are you doing?” he unmuted the microphone, leaning in as his voice came out as little more than a congested croak.

“Picking you up some things, like I said. What do you need, Richard? More tissues, cough drops? Soup?”

“Uhhg, mbore tissues. Mbedicide. I’ll take adythihgg,” he must have missed it when she told the stream she was going to get things at the store for him, but at this point he certainly couldn’t say no. 

Picking up various products off the shelves, Amelia took the time to show Dick each item and let him choose what he wanted. As the number of things in her grocery basket grew, so did the number of comments on the stream about their situation. Things like ‘how domestic!’ or ‘I feel like I’m intruding lol’ peppered the chat. Not wanting her to get annoyed by how intent the viewers had become on trying to label their relationship, not after he only just got her to drop some of her walls around him, Dick hurried to finish moving his streaming setup.

It took her twenty minutes to get to his house. He knew they lived in the same city, but never expected anything would come of it. Until now, with Amelia standing in his living room as he hunkered down on the couch. Blowing his nose with a fresh tissue from the box she purchased, he could not tear his eyes away as she flitted around his apartment like some sort of fairy godmother. She put a thermos of soup on the coffee table for him along with a bottle of DayQuil and some tea, oranges for snacking on, several boxes of tissues, a bag of cough drops, and even some extra blankets.

“Alright. Let’s do this,” she picked up his spare controller, settling in on the couch right beside him.

Part of him expected her to sit further away. She needed to be close enough to stay within frame of the camera, but their shoulders were touching. Closer than necessary. The warmth of her arm against him, seeping through the fabric of his shirt, was tantalizing. He could only offer a nod, picking up his own controller and resuming the game.

The DayQuil helped… marginally. Not as much as Dick hoped it would.

“Ih'shiuhh! Ih’TSHh! ItcSHsSHew!” The sneezes filled his tissue, a grimace on his face as he threw it away only to realize it had leaked through onto his hand.

Groaning and wiping his hand clean with another tissue, he leaned further back against the couch. His body slumped to the side slightly, seeking the warm presence of the woman beside him. He felt her shift, inching closer to him as if understanding what he needed.

“Hey, Richard? Can I hijack your stream for a little while?” her tone lacked all of the sarcasm it usually held, with her carefully taking the controller out of his hands and setting it down on the coffee table. “Maybe we can do a Q&A.”

“Huh? Sure, I’bm dowd. Ng'TCHht!”

An attempt was made to stifle his sneeze against her shoulder without Dick realizing what he had done. More followed suit.

“Heh'ESHHuh! Heh'KSHihh! Ugh…”

Afterward, sniffling and blowing his nose into a tissue after he pulled away from her, he noticed the prominent smear of his mucus that remained wet against the fabric of her jacket.

“I'b sorry Abelia, I didd't mbead to. Hold od,” he mumbles, getting up without giving her any time to protest.

He disappeared down the hallway into his room, rummaging in his dresser. Harsh coughs left him breathless and unsteady as he made his way back toward the couch, holding one of his hoodies in his hand. Setting it down in Amelia’s lap, he offered what he hoped looked like a confident smile.

“You should borrow this, sidce I god yours dirty.”

“Thank you, Ri—Dick,” she corrected herself while taking off her soiled jacket, using his nickname for the first time since they met.

Tugging the hoodie over her head, she folded her jacket and set it down on the floor before shifting closer to him yet again. She invited the viewers to start submitting questions for the Q&A portion of the stream while tugging a blanket over the two of them, her arm wrapping around his waist underneath it. A startled look flashed across his face, but he felt too awful to question it. He pressed himself into her side, resting his head against her shoulder.

“Questiod twedty. Why were the two of you always arguigg?” Dick read aloud, after blowing his nose for the umpteenth time, only to stare at Amelia expectantly.

“Oh. That. That was my fault. He just seemed too enthusiastic all the time, I thought he was faking it. It made me feel guilty for not always being in a good mood. Wondering why I couldn’t just be more like him, why did I have to let things get to me? So, I got frustrated. But he really is just that kind of person, and it is hard to stay mad when he’s just trying to be friendly. Besides… now I know he isn’t flawless all the time. He really is human,” she laughed, but it sounded somewhat forced and her tone was… apologetic. “I’m sorry, Dick. For being difficult.”

“You dod't have to aAhh- hahh…Heh'ESHHuh! Apologize,” he buried his face against her side, a soft moan escaping him as his sniffling did nothing to staunch the flow of mucus. “I already forgave you.”

The viewer’s questions felt endless as he leaned firmly against Amelia, her arms wrapped around him almost protectively. The heat of her body against him felt warm and comforting, soothing the chill that plagued him. The stream would be over soon. He only needed to make it for a few more minutes. His body, however, had other plans.

“Hhht’khschh! Hh…Heh'KSHht! Ngh…” the sneezes refused to abate as Dick shuddered in Amelia’s arms, her hand coming to hold a tissue against his nose for him.

She held him a bit tighter, one hand firmly grasping the tissue and the other rubbing his back. His own hands gripped the blanket as if hanging on for dear life, his entire body shaking against hers with each wet sneeze. The chat, the cameras, the stream… it faded into the background, Amelia focused solely on him. When he caught his breath, she tilted his chin up to get a good look at him.

Dick gazed back at her through watery eyes, tears smeared across his cheeks. He felt her thumb brush over his skin, wiping away a few. Her palm cupped his face, and he leaned into the soft touch, bringing his own up to tuck a loose section of hair behind her ear.

“Are you alright?” came the hushed whisper as Amelia leaned in closer to him, resting her forehead against his and feeling the warmth radiating off of him.

“Doh, but it’s fide.”

She studied him, watching his chest rise and fall with each congested breath. His lips stayed parted; Dick unable to breathe through his nose at all. A smile still played upon them, but his eyes seemed unfocused, roaming around her face and yet always settling back on her mouth.

“Do you… want me to kiss you?” she murmured, letting a finger trace his lips.

“God, yes,” he breathed, eyes fluttering closed when she moved closer to him.

A quiet groan rumbled from his throat the moment he felt her soft lips press against his, leaning into it as one hand tangled in her hair. The world around him melted away, letting him forget for just a moment how awful he truly felt.

Until chat exploded.

Banners and sound effects created a cacophony in the room, snapping the two out of the moment they so nearly lost themselves in. Comments flooded in at breakneck speeds, the text moving up the screen too quickly for Dick to process a single word said. But Amelia just pulled him closer, kissing him again while her fingers pressed the power button on the camera.

Stream Disconnected. Twenty-four-hours complete. 

~ Bonus ~

The door opened near silently, Jason’s steps filled with the intent not to disturb. He missed the end of the stream due to work matters, leaving a different sibling to take over moderator duties (thanks, Tim). Now, he merely wanted to confirm his older brother didn’t collapse on the floor or miraculously die in the night. 

But he heard about what happened. Anyone who followed Dick or Amelia’s socials knew what happened. 

Unable to help the smirk stuck to his face, even with no one around to see it, Jason made his way to the living room. The cameras were off, but had not been put away. Blankets lay strewn over the back of the couch, and there was a small trash next to a tied off bag of used tissues. Someone had emptied it but not taken the bag down to the dumpsters yet. Nonetheless, the fact Dick was not passed out on the living room floor or asleep on the couch seemed to be a good sign. 

He made his way down the hall, the sounds of congested snoring growing louder as he approached Dick’s bedroom. The door, left open, did nothing to muffle the sound. Pressing onward out of a mixture of curiosity and the desire to be able to tease his brother, Jason peered into the bedroom. 

Out cold on his back with his limbs splayed like some undignified starfish, Dick’s head lolled sideways, his face partially buried in the curtain of Amelia’s dark hair. His mouth hung open, drooling in the depth of his sleep. His nose, redder than the night before, pressed against the top of Amelia’s head as it oozed, coating the strands of her hair. 

Gross. 

Her face stayed buried in the crook of his neck, her arm draped over chest. She wore the hoodie Dick let her borrow during the stream, along with… ah, yes – Dick’s boxers. 

It took a great deal of self-control for Jason not to laugh at the absurdity of it. Instead, he chose to preserve this moment… and give him something to harass Dick about when his brother woke up. Silently, he snapped a photo of the two of them together and left, texting the image to Dick without another word. 

[alterchaos]

RESCUE MISSION

Sonic, Tails, and Amy track down their kidnapped friend in the far reaches of Mazuri...

PREVIOUS CHAPTER: ANXIETY'S TUNE

NEXT CHAPTER: THE SEVEN SPIRITS

It was only a short flight for the team of heroes to make it to their current destination, maybe an hour or two, though Sonic didn’t care. Why should he? After all, what difference would it make? It’s not like he could delay the inevitable, day in and day out…

“Sonic?”

Crap! He may have been hidden from his little brother’s sight as they neared the fortress before them, but that didn’t stop the tall, dry grass from rustling quite a bit due to his trembling figure. He couldn’t let them see him like this, not when he was the one leading the charge to rescue their captured friend. He had to pull it together! He had to be strong! Fearless! Like a true hero! He knew that!

So why couldn’t he just act like it!?

“I-I’m fine, Tails…Just getting used to moving around in this new form is all heh heh…heh…”

Tails sighed, rubbing his arm a bit as he looked to his transformed brother ahead of him, who blended in almost seamlessly with the darkness of the night. 

“Sonic…I-I’m sorry…a-about the scan a-and the flight to Spagonia…”

Sonic paused, not turning to face him, “That isn’t your fault, Lil’ Bro. And don’t worry about me, okay? I-I’m…”

Again…the trembling…why…why couldn’t he just reassure him he was fine and get over it?

“Sonic…if you need to talk-”

“I’m fine, Tails…”

BA-BUMP

“Look, I know what happened back in the professor’s study was really intense and I-”

“I SAID I’M FINE TAILS, OKAY!? JUST DROP IT!!”

He wished he hadn’t yelled at him, but what good would talking about it do? It wasn’t like he could just halt the movement of the sun and have all the time in the world to process everything he’d just been through. No. He had to look ahead and focus on bringing their gravely injured friend home safely. There was no other option. This wasn’t about him and he wasn’t about to make it be.

Sonic picked up on a small sigh escaping the young fox and turned his head slightly, catching sight of pinned back ears and a downcast, guilt-ridden expression with his glowing emerald eyes. He sighed and turned back to look at the base ahead of him. 

“I’m sorry for yelling, Tails. Just…not right now, okay? We have to focus on saving Eve first. We can always talk later if you need to.”

“I know you didn’t mean to, Sonic. Anyone would break under the stress you’ve been through. I just want you to know that I’m here for you…whenever you’re ready.”

Like he would ever be ready for what awaited him each night, but he nodded in response anyway, wanting to reassure his little brother he loved so dearly.

There was a slight rustle to Sonic’s right as their other friend came into obstructed view with a scary grin. 

A yellow aura surrounded her as she summoned her giant hammer, ready for action. She tapped it into her open hand almost like a fist preparing to strike.

“So, you ready to smash some badniks?”

“Heh…With you, Amy? I’m always ready to smash that egg!”

“You two are really scary together, you know that?”

The pair of hedgehogs turned around a bit flustered, having forgotten all about Tails in the moment. 

They spoke in perfect unison, “W-WHAT!!? T-TOGETHER!?!? N-NO WAY!! W-WE WERE JUST-” They paused, blinking at each other a couple times before Sonic cleared his throat, “A-Anyway…We have to get moving and stay low. Eggman probably expects us so we’ll have to be extra careful to not alert him as we break in and look for her. Got that?”

Amy and Tails nodded, “Roger.”

“Good. Then let’s do it to it.”

After the sun had set in Spagonia, the group immediately went to work determining the location of Eggman’s base. Given his target being this specific planet, there was a high possibility he built one to monitor the progress of his success. A quick news search on Tails’s Miles Electric yielded exactly what they were looking for: sightings of a strange fortress in the savannahs of Mazuri just south of their position. They wasted no time closing in on their target, even if it meant Sonic had to fight in a form he hadn’t adjusted to yet. Every second spent was a second closer to whatever twisted fate awaited their weak and injured friend. If Eggman had wanted her so badly in the first place, who knew what kinds of horrifying experiments he could be running on her, if she was even okay. There was no time to waste!

The trio closed in on the pristine, white wall that stuck out against the sea of tall and wild grass they waded through. Above them by about 100 feet was an emergency door with a small ledge and a ladder that could be pushed down towards the ground in case of escape. 

That wouldn’t be necessary.

The three friends nodded at each other before Tails grabbed a hand each from Sonic and Amy. With a few flicks of his Tails he began to propel himself off the ground with Amy in tow. Sonic on the other hand…

“Hrrrrngh!!!”

“Come on, Tails! We’ve gotta hurry or we’ll be spotted!”

“I’m trying Sonic! huff huff You’re just huff really heavy!”

Well that was embarrassing…

“Hrrrngh! Come on, tails! Work with me!”

His Tails spun faster, yet the transformed hedgehog remained firmly on the ground, offering his second hand in aid.

“Ow! Tails you’re gonna pull my arms off! Just come back down and we’ll find another-!”

MUSIC END

SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP

The fox suddenly skyrocketed upward with Amy in tow, stopping and hovering about fifty feet in the air. Everyone’s eyes flew wide in shock as they all took in the surprising sight before them. Sonic was still holding Tails’s hand in his and the rest of him…was still on the ground…

And in between the two of them was a solid 50 feet of stretched arms.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Sonic went to scream but quickly stopped himself before he could be heard by the bots behind them. Unfortunately though, his instinctual reaction to cover his mouth with his hands resulted in letting go of Tails as well as pulling in his arms with excessive force. In less than a moment, his muzzle met the full force of his massive hands, knocking him flat on his back in an instant. The rest of his loose arms followed soon after, piling on top of him like rope. He laid there in stillness as his two friends joined him back on the ground to make sure he was okay.

A gruff sigh could be heard beneath the mass of limbs and fur, followed by his muffled voice.

“I hate this form…”

It took a few minutes to untangle him from…himself, but Amy and Tails managed by using her hammer’s hilt as a way to help loosen any knots. How he had knotted his arms in certain places, Tails had no idea. By all of his calculations, it defied all logic. When the untangling was said and done, Sonic was left lying on his back with his somewhat stretched arms still hanging loosely by his sides. He had a completely incredulous look on his face, which blushed a bright green in total embarrassment.

He was already so done with this shit.

“Sonic? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Of course I am. I just found out my arms can stretch for miles. How long you may ask? I don’t even know. It’s just another mystery of my body I have to deal with now on top of everything else. Other than that and my pride, I’m just peachy. Thanks for asking.”

Yep. Still the same old Sonic.

Amy decided to change the subject, “Okay so what about now? Do you think you can get your arms back to normal?”

“Which normal again?” Sonic pointed a finger in the air, “Ooooooooh you mean the normal I now have to turn INTO every night!” He growled slightly under his breath, “Yeah! NOW I remember!”

Amy sighed, kneeling down near his head, “Look, clearly you have some overwhelming emotions surrounding this whole situation. Anyone would in your shoes. It’s okay to have them and it doesn’t make you any less, but it isn’t healthy to repress those emotions and try to shut out the pain.”

“snrk Yeah, as if I even have a choice in that last part.”

“The point is, you have to let those emotions out. Release them. We’re here for you, so while it may not solve everything right now, why don’t we take a minute to just sit and talk-”

“And what about Eve, huh? She’s the reason we came here. So what? We’re just going to leave here in there with Eggman over my stupid feelings?” He clenched his fists in frustration.

“That’s not what I’m saying. I just don’t think rushing in without a clear head will help anyone, especially you.”

“...”

“Tails and I came not just to help you save Eve. We’re also worried about you. You’re our friend. You matter to us just as much as she does and we’re not leaving you or your needs behind. We would never save her at your expense. This doesn’t work like that.”

“...”

“So be honest to yourself. Do you need to talk?”

Sonic’s ears pinned back against his sprawled quills. He felt exposed, especially flat on his back with his friends surrounding him. He hated it. He just wanted to curl up and shut everything out, all the noise, all the pressure, the pain, everything that happened last night and today…

But most of all, he hated how selfish he was being. What right did he have, after everything he had put her through…and through her, to just sit and talk about his feelings like this was some kind of vacation all while she suffered whatever tests Eggman had in mind for that energy within. It was wrong. It was all so wrong it made him feel sick. 

The Hero of Mobius? What a complete joke.

He had to force every muscle in his face to give off his famous, confident smile followed by a thumbs up from one of his distant hands, “I’m okay, Ames! Guess I just lost my cool for a sec! Heh heh I appreciate you thinking of me though! It means a lot!”

Amy sighed sadly, knowing better than to push the issue, “Alright, I understand…” She stood up, “So now that it’s settled…” She put her hands on her hips in an annoyed manner, “Get your sassy, sarcastic butt off that ground and let’s find a way in!”

Sonic sweated a bit, “Uuuh that’s great and all but how about fixing my arms first? I can’t exactly walk or move fast with them dragging behind me and I don’t think I can really move them well in this state, at least not well enough to get myself up heh heh heh…”

Tails thought for a second, “Hmm yeah…with how long they are still, I guess you can’t exactly get enough leverage or bend to prop yourself up, huh? They seem to work more like some sort of rubber or rope…”

“Tails. Focus.”

“Right! Right…hmm…” He pulled out his Miles Electric and conducted another bioscan. A frustrated look crossed his face, however. As the scan came back the screen started to glitch, rendering the information unreadable, “What the-ugh Are you serious!? This again!?” He smacked the side of the tablet in frustration and began running the debug program, “Great! Now I’ll have to hack back into the system again to perform another reboot using the university’s mainframe again.” He grumbled in frustration.

“Again?” Amy looked to Sonic.

“Yeah, Tails’s new portable computer keeps glitching out.”

“Well, it is only the alpha build and I didn’t have enough time to test it properly before we came here to rescue you two.” He put the tablet away in his pack, “I’ll just have to keep working on improving its UI while we stay at the university. They have extra resources I can use while the rest of you get some rest.”

“Great! But for now, got any bright ideas, Lil’ Bro?”

“Hmm…well when I fly with my tails, I picture them moving like a helicopter and consciously move them in that motion until I hit a rhythm. Maybe try imagining pulling your arms in like a sort of slingshot? Shrugging your shoulders a little may help too.”

“Cool, let me try…” Sonic closed his eyes, doing as Tails suggested. After a moment of struggle, his arms began to move inwards towards his body and gradually shrunk back to their regular size. Sonic, having felt the weird sensation cease, opened his eyes only to see he could now move them freely again. He propped himself up and back to his feet, stumbling a bit on his new legs before regaining his balance. He smiled a bit, his bushy tail wagging slightly in response.

“Sonic, you did it!”

“Good job, Sonic!”

Amy and Tails offered as much encouragement as they could, including a couple of well-deserved high-fives. Sonic even rubbed Tails’s head playfully in a genuine moment of joy, though the accidental force caused his brother’s hair to stick out in wild directions. He didn’t care though. He was just happy to see Sonic happy. That was enough. 

“Alright, Sonic! Ready to try again?” He offered his hand with a determined smile.

Sonic looked to his brother’s hand before his gaze shifted upward to the platform above. He smirked, a chaotic glint entering his eye. Tails began to sweat nervously.

“Heh heh heh…I think I have a better idea…”

“No. No. Sonic I know what you’re thinking-”

Too late. Sonic scooped up Amy and Tails in one of his arms and readied himself, taking aim at the platform above. 

“Sonic…”

“Relax! I’ve got this!” He popped a thumbs up, “After all, you’ve got The Hero of Mobius here to protect you!”

“Yeah but still this is a bad ideaaaaaAAAA-”

With one swift motion, he reeled his free arm back behind him and shot it up to the platform, grabbing it tightly with his claws. He then used the ground as a springboard and launched the three of them together into the air. He shut his eyes for a moment, imagining the sensation of running as the wind brushed gently against his fur. 

For the first time in what felt like forever, he really felt like his old self. 

“Whoo hoo!”

“Of course you’re enjoying this…” Though Tails couldn’t help but smile at his brother’s dorkiness.

“Why am I not surprised…” Amy couldn’t help herself either.

As Sonic pulled in his arm close enough to the ledge, he made sure to help Tails and Amy to the safety of the platform before joining them quickly after. The emergency door was easy. Though Sonic didn’t like it, he wasted no time digging his claws into the metal and ripping it apart as silently as possible, making an opening for them into the base.

Once inside, the trio was met with a circular room with various branching corridors, all decorated in perfect, pristine white like the outside. It almost reminded Sonic of the laboratory Chris aided them in back aboard the Blue Typhoon, except for one crucial detail: the air of cold, calculative malice surrounding him. This base wasn’t meant for healing injured friends or finding ways to help slow the enemy. This was a death trap, and Sonic was standing exposed in the center of it.

Just…like…

“Sonic?”

He flinched at the sound of his little brother’s voice, not even realizing he’d been growling with his fists clenched tight. 

“I-I’m okay…Come on…l-let’s go…”

He tried to force down the memory of last night’s mishap into the furthest pits of his psyche. Now was not the time to think about this! Not about how he’d nearly failed to save his friend! Not about how he’d managed to hit that machine at the exact worst possible moment…Or how it felt to have his body ripped apart and remolded from the inside…out…

“Sonic? Are you coming?”

He couldn’t respond to Tails’s question. He could only manage to stare ahead blankly and tremble as his heart began to race. He tried to take a step forward and join them but…

BA-BUMP

Why…

BA-BUMP

He’d beaten Eggman dozens of times so why did he feel so…

BA-BUMP

So…scared…

BA-BUMP

His rampant emotions were quickly interrupted by the sensation of his hands being held. Sonic looked down with shaky eyes to see Amy looking up at him with concern. Before he even had the chance to feel ashamed, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, prompting him to follow suit. They did this a few times together until Sonic could feel his heart slow and some of the tension leave his body. Their eyes met once more.

“Better?”

Sonic nodded, ears still pinned back.

“Good. I’m not letting go of you, okay? Just follow my lead and we’ll take these next steps together. Just one foot after another. Focus on that.”

The fear didn’t leave him, but having Amy with him in that moment gave him all the bravery he needed to continue. 

He took a step.

Then another.

It soon seemed almost effortless, just as it had been outside the base. Amy never once let go of his hands, leading him slowly down the corridor behind Tails, who was attempting to make out a scan of the area on his Miles Electric. It took a bit, but he soon found an area of note: a circular room with only one entrance deep within the maze of halls. 

“I bet he’s keeping her there. The rest of these look like the usual layout for his badnik manufacturing. Still, we should remain on our guard. I don’t see any alternate entrances so no doubt it’s a trap. He knows we’re coming and we should be ready for a fight when we reach her.”

“Right.” Sonic took another deep breath, finally letting go of Amy’s hands as a wave of determination washed over him, “I’ll take the lead and act as the defense with Eve safe in my arms. Amy, you take the offensive and smash any bots that get too close to us. Tails, you stick behind us and focus on long-range support as well as getting us out of here. Sound good to everyone?”

They both nodded.

“Then let’s do it to it.”

—----------------------------------------------------------

bzzzzzt

“Come ooon….aaaalmost-”

click

“Got it!”

Amy and Sonic stood guard, hammer and claws at the ready, as their genius friend finished hacking into the door’s lock system to disarm any alarms or traps. It was significantly more difficult and time-consuming thanks to the corrupted UI on his Miles Electric, but he managed. The odd part in all of this was the lack of noise and badniks throughout the base. It was quiet, too quiet, and that could only mean one thing.

Eggman knew of their presence. 

There was no doubt in Sonic’s mind. Still, he didn’t want to take any chances, not with Eve’s life on the line and Eggman’s surprise attack last night. He didn’t trust that there wouldn’t be more resistance or secret plans. That was one mistake he would NOT make again.

“Okay. I’m opening the doors now.” Tails placed a gentle hand on his brother’s and smiled, “You ready to see her again?”

“I just hope she’s okay…”

Amy put a reassuring hand on his opposite arm, “She will be. Whatever state she’s in now, we’ll make sure of it. We won’t let you face this alone, Sonic.”

“Yeah. We’re here for you, whatever comes next.”

“Thanks, guys.” Sonic took a deep breath, “Okay…Eve, here we come…”

The pristine door slid open in near silence, revealing a small, circular room beyond. The trio’s eyes widened in shock as they fell on a glass chamber in its center. Inside was their friend, asleep and submerged in water. She donned an oxygen mask, which released a few tiny bubbles with each exhale. Sticking out of her arms and legs were vials connected to large tubes, which contained a thick, crimson liquid similar to the blood bag hung outside the tank. Crowning her head was a strange device that seemed to be scanning her vitals, such as energy levels and heart rate, which communicated these findings to a computer outside the pod. A simple, white gown covered her torso, thighs, and shoulders, hanging loose enough however to allow for easy prodding. Her golden hair flowed gracefully behind her somewhat less-gaunt figure, similar to the locket sitting neatly upon her folded pajamas on the nearby operating table. 

The sight nearly made Sonic sick. 

“H-He’s…He’s helping her heal just enough so he can run experiments on her without her…” The young fox trembled, not daring to finish that thought.

“What a sicko!” Amy reared her hammer back, ready to strike, “Come on! What are we waiting for!? Let’s get her out of here!”

“WAIT AMY!!!” Tails jumped between her hammer and the glass, “You might only hurt her even more!” Amy lowered her hammer, “I need to run a bio scan and make sure there aren’t any special considerations we need to make to ensure…”

Sonic wasn’t listening. He simply stared at the sleeping girl floating helplessly in the tank. She looked so weak…so frail…

He looked down at his claws. They were the opposite: strong…capable of great destruction…

With just one strike…he could…

He…could…

…

One strike…

It’d be so easy…to…just…

He heard it.

A low rumble…

A silent laugh…

And then…

“Release her.”

Sonic took a step forward. 

Then anoth-

“Sonic?”

“!!?” With a few blinks, his slitted eyes rounded back out to their normal shape and met Amy’s beneath him. What had just happened? What was that…that feeling?

But before he had a chance to answer, the moment faded from his mind as quickly as it had come.

Sonic rubbed his head sheepishly, “Sorry, Ames. Guess I zoned out a bit is all heh heh heh.”

“WOAH!!!”

“What!? What is it, Tails!?”

The young fox had to squint slightly against the bright, blue glow coming from his Miles Electric. When the glow subsided, he looked closer at his readings and his eyes widened in shock.

“The UI! It fixed itself!”

“Wait what!? How is that possible!?”

“I don’t know!” He tapped on the screen and pressed a few buttons before continuing, “Whatever that was, it not only debugged the whole system but enhanced it! Her readings are perfectly clear and even yield a plethora of supporting details. I-I don’t understand-!”

Sonic’s ear flicked with a slight twinge of jealousy, but ultimately his relief won him over.

“Worry about your crazy, suped-up system later, Lil’ Bro! What does it say?”

“Hmmm…Well, there are the injuries we know of like her stomach and the energy now flowing through her. As far as this scan shows, she’s only sustained one additional injury.”

“What kind of injury, Tails?”

“It looks like she sustained a serious blow to the side of her head, resulting in a concussion as well as some whiplash down through her neck.”

No…

Amy prepped her hammer, “So you mean to tell me Eggman hurt her just so he could throw her in this crazy lab without a fight!?”

“No.” Everyone turned to look at the transformed hero, who now looked at his trembling hands in horror, “I-I…I didn’t have time to think a-and…and I had to get her away from that machine and-” He teared up, taking a shaky breath, “I-I wasn’t thinking about anything else in that moment and I-I…I didn’t hold back my strength I-I just…”

Amy put a hand on his arm, “Sonic…you did what you could. She’s alive because of you, injury or not. She’ll heal. We’ll make sure of it.”

“But like you said, I practically handed her over to Eggman without her ever having a chance to fight back! I-I didn’t mean to-”

“We know you didn’t. I’m sorry for making you think that. I’m only angry with Eggman, NOT you. Okay?”

Sonic nodded.

“Good. Then let’s figure out how to get her out of here and all of us back to Spagonia in one piece-”

MUSIC END

“I don’t believe that will be necessary.”

The trio jolted at the sudden loudspeaker announcement, turning to find a hoard of robots outside, blocking their only exit. Sonic growled, extending a protective arm in front of the tank as Amy readied her hammer for attack. 

“Now, we can either all step away from the lab unharmed or your weakened friend can get caught in all the excitement. Your choice.” 

Sonic growled again, baring his fangs in a threatening gesture. As much as he hated to admit it, Eggman had a point. With all of his raw, destructive power, could he really ensure her safety in his arms? What if he only hurt her more or worse…what if he accidentally ki-

“SONIC!!! NOW!!!”

With one click of a button, the Miles Electric beeped, hacking into the Eggnet and overriding the lock mechanisms on the tank. Without the water ever having the chance to properly drain, the hatch opened, releasing a small flood that short-circuited the robots at the door and left their unconscious friend hanging limp from her cords. Sonic quickly turned and ripped each cord from the machine to prevent the weight of her body from tearing open her veins. She then fell softly into his chest fur as his arms wrapped protectively around her sides. He fit her head into the palm of his hand and secured her close, wrapping each finger gently around the sides as a sort of brace. 

Safe…at last…

The flood of relief was enough to make him drop to his knees a moment and hold her in silence. Tails took this opportunity to jump in and quickly remove each vial, careful not to hurt her further. Amy grabbed her pajamas and locket from the operating table, handing the latter to Sonic.

“Here, you can put it on for her.”

Eyes watery, Sonic took the locket with his free hand and gently slid it over her head, back to where it belonged. He remembered her words at the party a few weeks back.

“I’ll never take it off for as long as I live!”

Here she was, safe, alive, just as Sonic had hoped. He couldn’t stop neither the tears nor the small wag of his tail as he hugged her tight once more.

He would never let go of her again. 

More badniks appeared in the doorway, ready to strike. Sonic peered at them over his shoulder, growling with malice. No. He would not let him have her again. He refused to give up now.

“Quick, you two! Climb on my back!”

Tails and Amy didn’t argue as they gripped the fur on his back tightly. He didn’t have time to worry about feeling self-conscious as he took position on all fours, or threes as he maintained a tight, protective, grip on their injured friend against his torso. Thankfully, his large chest provided a decent level of cover for her from any frontal attacks and his massive yet malleable arms provided her a soft yet sturdy cradle to remain safely tucked away beneath, braced for any impact. 

Baring his fangs at the threat ahead of him, Sonic released a piercing, animalistic roar and raced on, charging through the barricade of robots as if they were simply plastic. He skidded to the side a bit before pressing on as fast as he could, looking frantically for a quick and easy escape.

“RRRRRGGHHHH!!!! GET THAT BEASTLY HEDGEHOG AT ALL COSTS!!!! EGGBATTALION 8, GOOOOO!!!!”

But they were no use.

Sonic was simply too strong. 

With a few charges and slashes from his free hand, the badniks were no more than scrap metal.

The transformed hero raced on, unstoppable by any and all forces in his way. 

“Tails!! Which way to that escape door!?”

The young fox glanced to the Miles Electric on his hip, being careful to not lose his grip on his brother’s back.

“Tails!!! Running out of time here!!!”

“I’m trying Sonic!!!” His eyes widened in confusion as the system began eratically fighting between its glitched and enhanced states, the screen itself flashing a wild dance of red and blue, rendering all information unreadable, “It’s no use, Sonic!!! The UI is all screwed up!!! I can’t get any readings with it in this state!!!”

Great. Now how were they supposed to escape? To make matters worse, the trio was now completely surrounded, backed against a large window at least a couple hundred feet high. 

“There is no escape. Give up, hedgehog, and I’ll make your deaths quick and painless…”

Sonic quickly grabbed Tails and Amy from his back and hugged them against his chest alongside Eve.

“Hang on!!!”

Using the full force of his stance, Sonic barreled into the window, shattering it entirely. He tucked himself into as much of a protective ball around his friends as possible as they quickly descended into the night below.

Unseen by Eggman and his forces, Sonic managed to shoot out his free arm and take hold of the building’s side, using his massive claws to slow their descent until, at last, they managed to safely land in the cover of the savannah grass, hiding from any badniks in sight before making their way back to the Tornado in the distance. 

Back on the base, Eggman smiled menacingly, clapping his hands slowly.

“Well played, hedgehog…While I may no longer possess the most direct means of data…” He pulled up footage of their escape on his screen, zooming in on the girl tucked against Sonic’s chest, “I have other means of getting the information I desire…hehehehehehHAHAHAHAHAHOHOHOHOHOHOOOO!!!!”

CHAPTER END

[elliestation]

ALYXCAT'S PAWSOME PLAYLIST - MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY OWN ALBUM

I WANNA…i love the stereo space in this track. it just feels so wide to me and im being hugged by my guitars. im just so proud of myself to making this so quickly as proof of concept that i could make something really good if i just chose to have fun.

ANYTHING….the first and last verse of the song was written by my girlfriend. she wrote a song for our first anniversary that turned me into a SOPPING WET CRYING MESS and i had to reference it in some way. i ended up making this song for this years anniversary with a bunch of cute art i doodled with the lyrics on it…she cried and i was so glad.

TRACK THREE. this one encapsulates what writing this album felt like to me. everything was in perfect alignment. i feel like i really cracked the code. like i finally crossed (krossed haha) a hurdle that i'd been stuck on for many years of my life. its so corny and full of things i love about the songs i love, but thats the point. this is the song that taught me to embrace the rough and scrappy drafts and ideas and throw my feelings of inadequacy to the side. Polyana's verse really cemented this for me too because she just freestyles at the end and it just felt right to keep it in. TLDR: this song taught me to trust my gut. i love it so much.

HEADSPACE. i wrote this song after having a "regular" conversation with someone in my family and i was realizing i was dissociating as a defense mechanism whenever a specific sort of interaction would occur. i've always wanted to write a song that gets really intense and is really grand, rough, and intense, and this song really did it for me. its the first time i really appreciate my singing and screaming voice in its natural range, so im glad it was the first one on the album to feature it.

RECHARGED. i wrote this on a bad day but originally as a joke to make myself feel better. the starting sample is actually a stupid deku meme put through many layers of botanica ass sound design to hide it. i got a bunch of funny reactions from my friends after showing them. i actually did feel pretty refreshed after making this. enough to keep moving forward for the day <3

HOLD ME (sunglare from the sun). aside from the weird title shit thats going on with this track, this song is about a conversation i had with myself. my weeks kept feeling like moments of drowning mixed with the most euphoric times of my life on repeat. as much as i wanted to give up on everything i held dear to me, some part of me couldn't let go and encouraged me to keep going. despite all my self-sabotage, a part of me still had some fight left. the way that this song progresses is something that i never thought i could ever accomplish, and im glad that fighting side of me won because i would have never made this song without it.

CANT LET YOU KNOW. the person that this song is about changed my life. i know that the chorus and all that sounds like they sucked, but really i can't help but hope they're doing okay. though i may be afraid to tell them to their face, i hope they find this song and know that im glad they were apart of my life. i just love how corny this song is and I LOVE POLYANA'S VOICE SO MUCH. okay anwya yeah I ALSO LOVE THIS FUCKINNN OUTRO ITS SOOOO PRETTY TO MEEA AAA

SENTIMENTAL ALIBI. kros… FUCKING. KROS. THIS GUY IS MY FUCKING GOAT. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. THIS SONG WASN'T EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE ALBUM!!! i made a little sketch one day and sent it to him just to hear his thoughts and HE CAME BACK WITH A WHOLE VERSE THAT MATCHED THE VIBES PERFECTLY WITHOUT ANY CONTEXT! and it ended up becoming the WHOLE SONG and one of the biggest projects i've ever worked on. for this entire album being the first times i've ever started working with people, im SO GLAD that my first experiences have results like this. these people have become such important pillars of my life and im so glad we were not only able to communicate that into a song together and work so well together doing it. my fav part of this song is the final climax…this is the first time i really sang my heart out on a chorus,,,,,and I LOVE HOW IT SOUNDS!!! THAT USUALLY NEVER HAPPENS!!!

TAKE A STEP. this song pushed me with the sound design a little and im really happy about it. when i hear this song i always feel a bit of me choosing to be a little hater and cringe at the conry ass message i have in this, but strangely i feel such comfort knowing i can look at those feelings, accept them, and move on despite them. i may think its stupid, corny, cringe, whatever. but i'll keep following those feelings because they have only led me to create this entire project. i will keep taking a step towards the realest parts of me no matter how fucking stupid i sound because its the only way to grow. im really glad this is the last song on the album for this reason.

the entire album means so much to me because this (and hopefully future projects too) will continue to serve as reminders of the lessons, memories, and joy i experienced when creating this project. dare i say, i would need a Sentimental Alibi to free myself from the nostalgia of this project.

i really hope these messages resonated with you <3 thank you so much for reading.

love you, stay safe.

[popawritter12]

Can I send a request of yandere Kenshi specifically masked kenshi.

Author's Notes: By “masked Kenshi” I imagine when he already has the bandana, right? I'm kind of bad at English, I'm sorry if this one-shot isn't as you expected.

BTW Im sorry for taking me so much time to make this :c

Yandere! Kenshi Takahashi x Fem! Reader

Yandere Character: Kenshi Takahashi

From the video game/manga/anime/movie/series: Mortal Kombat 1

Case: kidnapping, mention of escape, Stockholm syndrome.

Warnings: No.

Finished: Yes

≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦

I always found his behavior strange.

Maybe that was why I initially wanted to get closer to him. It was mostly my cheap curiosity, though, he took it personally; thinking that I really was in love with him and was looking to have a life with him, even when that wasn't really the case. He locked me away and forced me to live this life, one I never sought, nor desired, but it was also not something I could face or counteract.

I still remember very well the night he took me away from everyone. It was cold and a little cloudy, but never cloudy enough for it to rain, it seemed that he had been waiting for this moment, a moment in which it was at any moment it could rain and thus clear his tracks, but at the same time be was going to give me enough time to take me away from everyone, to get away from this life that I always had.

The first nights in which he kidnapped me, I didn't have a very good time, so to speak, in the sense that he was quite strict and almost every time I responded badly or did something in a way that he didn't consider correct, he responded by screaming or trying to hurt me, condescending manner. And it was totally the opposite if it was “good.”

To tell the truth, I would never have suspected that this could happen, since the few conversations I had with him were focused on quests or with other people, and I found it surprising that it all ended this way.

But hey, at least I don't have chains on my hands 24 hours a day —Do I have them on my feet at night? Yes—, but it is necessary, important, just as I couldn't control the rest of the things and much less could I know what moment would be the right one to get out of here.

And although most of the time he was at home —or at least the time I was awake since I slept in the afternoon— and he was not very talkative so to speak…, in fact for the most part he always remained serious and without saying almost anything. no words.

I often get depressed thinking about the days before this, where I was happy, where I knew everyone and where I had friends everywhere, but now that was purely taken away from me. And although I understand his reasons fairly well, I consider them unfair, selfish and aberrant.

But at least his family came to visit me from time to time, even Cage came to visit me and gave me certain things like clothes or books.

In fact, I find it surprising that someone like him is the only one allowed to talk to me. And although when I asked him if he could try to convince Kenshi of the decisions he was making, but he just shook his head saying that it is a hopeless case, and that the best thing I could do was get used to it, even if it was an attempt.

Pathetic, was what I thought; It seemed quite strange to me that the only person who even had the possibility of helping me decided to simply turn his back on me and give me minimal things so that I could at least try to "get used to" this life that I have now.

But hey, nothing is worse.

Honestly, I kept thinking that maybe it would just be a passing feeling, something that he would temporarily feel that would last until a certain period, and that he would progressively let me go, letting me go…, but I would never be more wrong.

As the days went by he seemed to be gaining more confidence, which was the complete opposite of what I expected. Sometimes he brought me gifts, during the nights he asked me if I wanted to sleep with him, if he could stand next to me so he could protect me while I rested, and although sometimes I refused, eventually I had to give in and know that I would never have a normal life again.

I still remember one time I tried to escape, I tried to try and see how far he could go, to where he was going to chase me. I tried to go to several cities or even go many towns away, seeking even the support of someone like Liu Kang or any of his warriors to think about even going with the Ling Kuei, but I quickly ruled it out since I was at war with their “other half” of the family.

However, each attempt was worse than the last, since he always found me, sometimes faster, sometimes he took a few days, etc. It was strange to think how he knew where I was because he would even have found me even faster than I could think.

Even if he have sometimes raised his voice to me, i understand it in some point, maybe be because my attempts to escape being almost daily at one point.

He would constantly increase the number of chains on my body or simply add more security to the window or doors, but I always found some way to escape from those four walls.

However, those events were a couple of months ago; I would say about six. And in fact, thinking recently I realized that I was quite skilled at one point, being that I could go through entire towns and get tired only when I had just arrived, and only when I knew I was safe could I give myself a rest and a well-deserved lie down on a bed.

And now I knew there was no way to escape, that somehow I would always know where I was, that no matter where I went, I would always know when and how to find myself at the right moment, I knew that my life was condemned to remain by his side. , chained and locked in a place that almost no one knew.

And that's why today was a special day.

I barely managed to become aware of the time and time I was in; I got out of bed, gave the room a little order and approached the door at the entrance to my room, but before I could take the doorknob, he opened the door, a soft squeak of wood was heard. , silent.

—Hello, Kenshi, —I greeted, my voice softer than usual —, how did you wake up?

He didn't answer, he just took one of my hands.

I smiled, knowing the habit he had picked up for a couple of months. He would check my palms, caress my skin and notice if it was more damaged, or rougher than my skin normally is, and if it was, then he didn't treat me very well during the day.

—Then I guess the noises were from the animals —he mentioned, his fingers now running over the tips of mine —. I'm glad to know you haven't hurt yourself trying to run away yet.

A soft laugh escapes my lips, letting him take and caress my palm to his liking.

—Yeah, digging in the dirt wasn't such a good idea for my hands, you know? I learned it months ago —I joked, before separating his hands from mine. —. By the way, are there wild animals at night?

He remained imperturbably calm, and only nodded in response.

—Two nights ago I noticed them —he admitted, —but I thought you were you trying to escape.

I laughed at this, before taking one of his hands, my fingers settling into the gaps between his half-open ones. My gaze stayed on our hold, as I only panted softly.

—Well, then I guess you would have to get used to dealing with those animals.

He looked confused, and was even more so when he saw the grip he had with my fingers wrapped around each of his knuckles.

—Just because you said so?

—Because I don't plan any escape.

—You always say the same thing, —he emphasizes—, and then you run away from me.

—This time is different —I clarify, before looking at him again for a second, I gently pressed my fingers against his knuckles again —, I seriously don't plan anything."

Just by noticing the gesture of his lips and eyebrows I noticed that he was hesitant; He had learned the different expressions he had, and each one was more intriguing than the last.

—Fine. —he whispered, not very convinced.

He let go of my hand, and without telling me anything he just left the hallway, going to what I assumed was his room.

Since he never let me into his room; It was a strange thing, the obsession he had with me not touching his room under any circumstances.

In part, I was a little hurt by his indifference to my revelation, since I very rarely lied to him, but it didn't take me long to go look for him.

His steps were not hurried, but he could tell that he just wanted to be alone for a moment. When I tried to call him, he ignored me, and only advanced to the door of his room, where he took out the padlock that secured it and entered it.

Denying what I was trying to tell him, I just headed to the kitchen, ready to finally replenish my energy with anything that would serve as fuel for my body. And while I was taking some time to prepare it, I was just thinking about a couple of things.

Since when had I accepted my destiny? I guess I've been thinking about it for a month now.

How long will this last? Until the end of my life, I guess.

Do I have any way to escape? Nah, most likely not.

It was a little painful to think that I was no longer going to try to regain my long-awaited freedom, limited to being between six rooms and a hallway.

The more I think about it, the more my mind focuses on random points in my vision, and in the end, I just longed to stop overthinking this situation.

Suddenly, I notice that a hand took mine, giving gentle caresses and stopping my movements.

—Oh, Kenshi, what would you like…?

—How sure are you that you're not going to escape?

I gasped softly, trying not to lose my bearings at that moment.

—I already told you that I'm not going to escape.

—You said the same thing 6 months ago, and then you ran away.

—What way do you have to prove that I am trying to escape?

—You're too calm these days.

I sighed, stopping cooking.

—You are too paranoid.

He frowned, before letting go of my hand.

—I'm not, I just don't trust you.

I tried again and again to reason with him, but I found little use in conversing with him. I felt stressed thinking that this was useless, coincidentally I got tired but I couldn't get out of that situation, I wanted to stay there for as long as possible.

But it only exhausted me more mentally the thought of him that I was about to escape, or that I was planning to do something bad to him.

It was then that, out of my own coherent line of thought, I limited myself to taking a sharp step towards him, placing myself right next to his body and my face facing his cheek.

Gently but quickly my lips landed on his cheek, placing a soft kiss on his undamaged skin.

The sensation of kissing his skin wasn't very different from other things, in fact it was almost like giving a kiss to my wayward pet.

However, when I moved away from the sudden display of affection, a hand on the back of my neck stopped me, forcing our lips to connect with each other with a gentle but forceful push.

With my pupils dilated, I was surprised, knowing that I couldn't escape his grasp, I limited myself to just letting him follow his path with the contact, unless until he wanted to stop.

—I guess that's a sign of trust, —He playfully separated from me —, tell me, will you give me more signs of trust in the future?

Playful and idiotic, I guess I discovered a new side of him.

≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦≧◉◡◉≦

[rin-and-jade]

Oops.. I’ve Lost Track.. : A Post about Unintended Time Traveling

Have you ever mistook that today’s thursday and not a wednesday even if you’re so sure? Have you ever wondered why time flies so fast while nothing’s done for the day? Or maybe when those “five more minutes” promises turned into hours until its too late?

Then you might have problems with keeping track, managing, and predicting how long it takes to do something,, this is called time blindness. Which is common among neurodivergent folks.

So it was time travel..?

Surely, but not as fun as how movies convey them. Time blindness can affect people in different ways, such as:

Losing track of days, hours, or to minutes; not being aware how long it has been.

Have a faster/slower sense of internal clock. Meaning, minutes can feel like hours or vice versa.

Problems being on time to appointments, events, and etc; due to faulty predictions on how long it takes for something, such as dressing up or driving to the location.

Trouble remember when was the last time you ate a meal and drank water.

Over-focusing on a specific task/ interest and miss a huge chunk of your routine (compensating or catching up).

And more..

It often affects people with ADHD; but not always limited to autism, depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, bipolar, CDD, and even a byproduct of constant stress itself!

For the plurals out there:

There’s it’s own set of experiences + the addition of the general ones before, such as:

Time looks disoriented due to switching and lost sense of chronological anchor (can’t remember the previous moments to make sense how long time has gone by).

What happened long ago e.g. 1 month, felt like it happened last week. Vice versa.

Alters perceiving sense of time in different, varying speeds.

And, with the addition of CDD’s high comorbidity with other conditions that may worsen time blindness.

Systems can have a harder time due to the existing amnesia barriers that fragments memories, and sometimes this can be super stressful to deal with--but fret not! For whoever needs some tips, i gotchu.

What should i do??

Let's get straight to the point, here's the steps:

Create a routine. If you're prone to missing work or leisure due to it, or need to get things done on time,, having a planned schedule or routine will be the most important part. You can do this in any way preferred, for example, sticking to a 7-day plan that has your school/work/breaks in it already,, or if you're sporadic, you can pre-plan what to do for the day and jot them down as the goal.

Make use of accommodations. Set designated alarms,, maybe for your meals, or hydration reminders, or if you don't want to overshoot that gaming session. Putting clocks that can be visible in your vision also can help keeping you on track. Create checklists to keep track of your chores or whatnot. Maybe write down notes on today's progress, anything with your own creativity!

Break work into smaller steps to ease up. Sometimes procrastination can accompany time blindness, leaving us to do 0 work until its near deadline or the day is almost over, separating the tasks to smaller bits and do them in pieces on your own pace. And sometimes your focus is prone to wander to places if the task is too long or tedious/boring, so this also helps.

Be aware of which activities you're prone to forget time. List or remember them so whenever you wanted to hop back in a special interest, actively remind yourself beforehand and you may make use of number 2.

Lastly, commit to it. This is where all the magic is at, and there will still be days where it tumbles apart and you miss a couple of things.. don't worry, we all are never perfect, there'll always be a day or two where everything's messy and miss that deadline or other stuffs. You haven't failed, keep going.

I hope this could serve you hope that your time blindness is 100% manageable, this post is for every neuro-spicy folks (and systems) out there who's struggling with it,, and i hear your struggles! Feel free to add on your experience or engage with the post if you have any further questions.

(This post is applicable to everyone in need)

- j

[bigsoftmarshmallow]

This is for the SO hiding after an argument ask: I like to think that they keep hiding, but also leave little notes for him to update him on their mental state. Because they know he's worried even if he’d never admit it. Until, one says that they aren't angry anymore, maybe still a bit frustrated, but not angry. Now that they've taken the time to really think about it & see things from his perspective, they… understand to a degree. It doesn't stop them from being frustrated, but it's taken the edge out of things. They are just taking a bit of time to piece together what all they want to say, now, & they'll be out to talk to him in an hour's time, maximum. Most likely less, though. Also assuring them that this isn't an attempt at avoiding him or the conversation, but merely them trying to get to a place where they are ready to listen as anger tends to make one temporarily hardheaded. “Sometimes, you need to take a step back before you can progress. Cooler heads prevail, provided that they are allowed to cool in the first place.”

And then they can talk it out, but just a warning, they'll likely be pretty direct & cut down to what they think to be the core issues that ignited the argument. Issues that might be difficult to address or acknowledge… For both of them. But they were willing to face it head on once they thought that they’d gotten to a point where they had a better hold on their emotions.

I say this mostly due to that being my personal style of handling anger & arguments. I very much don't like holding onto anger & hatred as it takes up much too much headspace & energy that I could be using for more interesting things. Someone has to have done something very very bad on a fundamental level for me to hold onto those sorts of feelings for more than a day.

As such, I try to look at things from the other person’s perspective, which makes it easier to patch things up later.

However, because of this, arguments don't generally last even a full day for me so long as the other half of the argument is also willing to pay me the same respect.

As such, I'd like to see an SO who was very much appreciative of TP's approach & might leave him little thank you notes for letting them take their time & for leaving them sustenance. That the fact that he was being so supportive was making it much easier to resolve things inside their head & they'd likely be back out to talk in an hour at most.

They might be a tiny bit annoyed that Wake was searching, but they might also notice that he wasn't doing so in an angry way. And, when he comes to sit beside where they're hiding, but not forcing them to talk or come out, just waiting. THAT they'd appreciate. So, they might make sure to reach out to give him notes to thank him for waiting & not pushing. To assure him that they were okay & just taking time to calm down so that they would be less likely to fly off the handle at him, when they can avoid that. Because they don’t want to do that, but when you're angry, you make really stupid decisions & say really hurtful things that you don’t mean & they don’t wanna do that to him. But, again, they should be out soon. Not even a full day.

For OoT, I might get frustrated with him & most of the others who go out of their way to track me down. But, specifically with OoT, I think SO would question him on how taking a moment to think & calm down, in any way, challenges his authority? Not everything is a personal slight & the fact that he takes such common, borderline mundane, signs of independent personhood as such is deeply troubling!

Warning him that the more he pursues them, the angrier they’ll get & the longer this will take before they can sort it out. They want to face it head on, but they also want to resolve the issue & the angrier they BOTH were, the more likely they’ll BOTH be to continue to snip at each other & they don’t want that. They plan to come out by the end of the day, but be warned, they plan to address the core issues rather than the snippy stuff. And that might be uncomfortable for them both.

For HW, I think Darling would appreciate that he doesn't actively pursue them, which would give them time to sort things out, but would also be miffed at the fact that he seems to take the situation so lightly. So, they might make that fact clear.

For TotK, I think they’d probably leave little notes assuring him that they were only hiding until their temper had cooled as they wouldn't want to get into another fight & that they were only hiding until they could sort out their thoughts. Once they’d found a cooler head, they would be ready to sort things out.

For Demise… Oh, his particular method would just make me, personally, angrier. Like, I might legitimately get fed up & come out of hiding to chew him out about it.

Though, I think this would be the best time to introduce another oc of mine from the DP phandom because she’d be one of the only ones who’d be able to actually do this specific scene.

Dina: “The whole point of this was to take time to myself to get my temper under control & think so that we could sort this out more quickly later, but I see now that I can't even have that! What do you gain out of my being perpetually pissed off at you?!?! Why is it that you get to storm off in a huff whenever you get too pissy & sulk for weeks on end, then even after coming back, you refuse to resolve things, but I can't even take half a damn day to calm myself down without you constantly on my heels???”

The petite, raven-haired beauty’s oceanic eyes flashing with anger.

What are his thoughts, feelings, & how does he react?

Though, no matter how he does so, even if he attempts to harm her, it won’t matter. It was only a moment before something seemed to switch on in her head. As though she realized something. Her expression was now carved from ice.

“Fine… Perhaps you'll respond to your own methods.”

In an instant, the world around him went utterly pitch black & though she stood before him in stark contrast to the abyss surrounding them, he could not tear his gaze away from her irises, once a clear, crystalline blue, now glowing an eerie, ethereal green that brought to mind the color of seafoam, encased in voids of blackest pitch rather than the typical white of her sclera. Like twin green moons in a starless sky. An unnatural chill blanketed the proud Māra, freezing his normally hot breath inside his own lungs.

Thoughts, feelings?

Then, he felt it… The sheer, unfiltered potency of the… not even power; presence that radiated off of her in waves. It crashed into him with a force the likes of which he'd only ever felt once before. Over & over, like the tides, trying to knock him over & pull him out to sea.

Thoughts, feelings?

And it was… utterly silent all around them. Oppressively so. To such a degree that when she began to walk toward him, her steps echoed loudly in his ears. (Think that stare-thing that the Lich does in Adventure Time.)

Thoughts, feelings?

He watched in morbid fascination how the once tiny ravenette seemed to… Change… with every step she took. Her features became more alien, ears pulling into points. Smile, teeth, & nails sharpening unnaturally. Pupils slitting before righting when he blinked as though they'd never changed. Hair drifting as though upon some unseen current (mermaid Ariel hair), paling with a pearlescent sheen gliding upon the strands before fading away to black once more. Skin bronzing & an afterimage of a crown of pearl & iridescent shell flashing upon her head with a veil as dark as the sea at night, drifting behind her, before disappearing in a blink.

Thoughts, feelings?

She was… resplendent… but she was also terrifying… in a way that was difficult to put into words…

Thoughts, feelings?

Demise could not move. Though he was unsure if it was due to some… magic that she was using or… Because he was quite simply ‘a-f-r-a-i-d…’ The hiss-like whispered thought almost seemed to slither across his mind, sending an icy chill up his spine that felt as though it caused the wrinkles on his brain to shiver & wriggle inside his skull grotesquely. Every cell inside his body was telling him to R-U-N.

His thoughts & feelings? Where is his mind headed?

Upon her standing face-to-face with him, though he towered over her many times over, she showed no fear. Then, she lifted her perfectly manicured, dainty little hand, reached forward, almost carelessly, & placed her hand upon his chest. And all he could do, every bit as frozen as his breath, was look down shakily to watch how the deceptively small little digits sank without resistance into his chest.

Thoughts, feelings, & reaction?

He felt it, glacial in its ways, slide through his skin, through his muscle & bone. Not through in a gorey display, but through it as though his body, which he'd always prided himself on, were as insubstantial as air or water. No wound, no blood. Just… There. As though his power was nothing. As though, he… was nothing.

Thoughts, feelings, & reaction?

His breath hitched when he felt something frigid coil around his heart, an unnatural chill seeping into the vital, even to him, organ like frost crawling along a plant’s stem or leaves. He shook, finding it uncomfortably difficult to breathe, suddenly huffing.

Thoughts, feelings, & reaction?

“I am the Queen of the Spectral Tides. I monitor the ebb & flow of the Realms of the Infinite. That which interconnects each & every timeline, every world, every universe, every existence in this reality through one of the few things that all worlds share: d-e-a-t-h.” Her breath whispered out from between her now wolf-like teeth as a frosty mist.

Thoughts, feelings?

“I am one of the two life-bound spirits of Amity. Co-head of my world's death deities. One of the twin guardians of the tear between infinity. Pariah's Bane.” Something about that final declaration seemed to incite an unexplainable dread within his very soul. As though he'd heard that name before long ago. Too long to fully remember. But if he had, then the one thing he did remember was that whoever or whatever this “Pariah” was… It was… It was very, very bad…

Thoughts, feelings?

There was this… feeling in the air… like a massive, frigid pressure. Like he had the weight of the northern oceans pressing down on him. And there was something unimaginably large & powerful beyond understanding out there, circling him just out of sight. S-t-a-r-i-n-g at him…

Thoughts, feelings?

He'd always seen mortals as insignificant insects. Made to either serve him until they failed to have any other use or be crushed beneath his heel. But as she leaned in to look at him, Demise realized that it’d never occurred to him that someone else might see him the same way.

Thoughts, feelings?

“Do you honestly think that an overinflated little Akuma with a hate boner like you could ever hope to control me?”

He listened to how she giggled sweetly at the notion. The sound like a bell echoing as though within an amphitheater accented by the bubbling of the sea, undertoned by something like the moment before lightning struck. (Static.)

Thoughts, feelings?

“I could pluck the still beating heart from your very chest & show it to you, the arteries still pumping rapidly as I hold it in my hand & make you watch me c-r-u-s-h i-t…”

The hand around his heart seemed to squeeze ever so slightly, & he suddenly felt slightly dizzy with how his blighted ichor pounded frantically inside his ears as she pulled him down by the heart, causing him to give a choked, strangled gasp, towards her so that his face was only a half-foot from his. And… he felt something that he hadn’t since he awoke as a Māra (effectively, an Akuma).

Fear… Pure. Unadulterated. T-E-R-R-O-R…

… *his life flashed before his eyes*

Thoughts, feelings?

“It might not kill you, benefits of being an Akuma. But I can guarantee that it would be e-x-c-r-u-c-i-a-t-i-n-g, that it would be infinitely easier to kill you afterwards, & that's even if I chose not to, you would be left in a near constant state of unadulterated agony as your body screams out at you, scrambling to regenerate your lost organ & struggling to pump your malice-infested ichor through your veins.”

This… Woman… Was no mere mortal… Though she looked & even smelled like one who'd been struck recently by a bolt of lightning, & like the ocean breeze in the far north, he now knew it to be a facade.

She also was not like any deity or demon that he'd ever seen, let alone heard of.

From the moment that she appeared before him, he could sense something different about her, though he'd been unable to place what exactly.

Which is what'd initially been the thing that caught his attention about her. He never liked not knowing something.

Thoughts, feelings?

“Or I could instead…”

The cold hand released his heart… but then it moved to curl around something lower in his torso & more to the side. It set a bone-chilling coldness that was so intense & uncomfortable that it was painful, radiating through him, that shook him to his core. In a different, yet no less horrid way than when she clutched his heart. (Like that feeling you get in your teeth when they're sensitive & you bite into something cold, but it's the size of a hand & worse enough that it would even cause a behemoth like this jerk to notice.)

Thoughts, feelings, & reaction?

“Slowly remove each & every bone in your body. One…” There was a threatening pull, something being nudged, moving with ease. “by one…” Another, just a bit further. “by one…” One more & he could see, to his own, slightly numb, grim curiosity, a bit of pointed white peeking out of his chest & it was difficult to breathe. His body no longer seemed to… fit him correctly. Like when his lungi (that long sarong he wears) was askew. Except that it was his whole body, which was far & above much more uncomfortable & elicited something akin to existential horror. Everything felt w-r-o-n-g. “Until you are left as little more than a sad, pathetic, & useless little puddle of flesh & skin. Impotent in your rage & affliction.”

The very thought of becoming something so utterly repulsive reviled him beyond words.

Thoughts, feelings?

“So… Are you going to give me the space that I require in order to calm down…”

Her voice had suddenly returned to how it normally sounded, “Or… are you going to keep pushing so that I can show you e-x-a-c-t-l-y what I am capable of?” The “exactly” accented by the oddly deep, chilling echo from before. A threat. No, a promise.

How would he respond? What is he feeling & thinking?

(I kinda wanna see him suddenly break eye contact in an unintentional sign of submission.)

With that, it all vanished. Light & sound returned. Her appearance back to how he’d always known it. Raven hair, styled & cascading down her back. Skin the color of pale cream & eyes the color of the sky. Her hands shifting his bones back into place, then extracting themselves from his body, causing him to release a sigh of relief, now much more comfortable in his skin. Yet still… A trembling phantom chill remained.

Thoughts, feelings?

Her… presence now furled back inside her. Now that he knew it was there, he could feel it. Like a snake hibernating in winter. Just under the skin & incredibly well camouflaged, but there all-the-same. And on her porcelain visage was now that familiar, cheery smile. As though nothing had happened.

Thoughts, feelings?

“Good. I’ll take a day or 2 to let go of that anger, then I’ll be back & we can talk this out like mature adults.” She promptly spun on her heels & began to stroll away, clicking away. As though she hadn’t just casually threatened the single most powerful, evil being in his world.

(I like to think that some deeply buried masochistic part of him… actually found that extremely attractive & erogenous in a twisted way. Not her threats. The sheer power & easy dominance. That part was utterly intoxicating to him.)

But before she left the room, she paused, turning her head just enough for him to see her eye.

“You may be a big fish in this cute little pond of yours, but the ocean is far more vast & there are fish larger than you could even comprehend… lurking far out into the abyss.” For a moment, her irises glowed that bright seafoam green once more. “No matter how far up in the food chain you are. There will always be someone farther up. No one, not even I, know who or what awaits at the top.”

Her eye returned to blue a second before she turned away, walking out with an ominous, “Remember that.”

Thoughts, feelings, & reactions, please? If you please? (I’m somewhat hoping for a panic attack accented by confused arousal because I refuse to believe that he isn’t a freak.)

And just so you know how she looks:

There is alot here, so it's taken some time to actually get it all set up. Please hold...

************************************************************************

Your style of handling anger—taking time to calm down and thoughtfully reflect before engaging again—is really healthy and insightful. I can imagine each of the Ganondorfs and Demise responding in different ways to this approach, especially with your SO leaving notes as updates on their progress toward calming down. Here’s how they might react in more depth, based on the style you described:

Twilight Princess Ganondorf

Reaction: Respectful and Thoughtful

Twilight Princess Ganondorf would appreciate and respect his SO’s approach to conflict resolution. He values strength, but also wisdom and patience, so he’d see their strategy of taking time to cool down and process as admirable. When he sees the first note thanking him for his patience and leaving food, he would feel reassured that his approach of giving them space was appreciated. He might even feel a sense of pride in his SO for handling the situation so maturely.

Response: He wouldn’t push them to come out before they were ready. Instead, he might leave a few words of his own: “Take your time. I will wait until you are ready.” When the conversation does happen, he would be prepared to listen. He might even express a rare sentiment of gratitude for their patience with him, knowing he can be difficult. Their promise to address core issues directly would resonate with him, as he values strength in emotional as well as physical battles.

Wind Waker Ganondorf

Reaction: Conflicted but Open

Wind Waker Ganondorf might be a bit conflicted about the situation, initially feeling like his SO disappearing could signal distrust, but their notes would ease his worries. When he receives a note thanking him for sitting nearby and not pushing them to talk before they’re ready, he would reflect on how his patience in this instance paid off.

Response: He would be relieved that his SO wasn’t angry anymore and appreciated the time to calm down. He might say something like, “You need not thank me for waiting. I would do so again if needed.” He’d be prepared for a frank conversation when they come out, understanding that it would likely address deeper issues. Though not a fan of direct emotional confrontation, he’d listen and try to make amends. He might even admit he doesn’t like arguments that drag out but respects their need for space.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf

Reaction: Frustrated but Reflective

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf would be the most resistant to this approach at first, especially since he initially saw their hiding as a challenge to his authority. However, when he reads a note explaining how this was not a personal slight but rather a necessary step to resolve things without anger clouding their judgment, he’d pause. He might still be frustrated, but the clarity and maturity of their reasoning would force him to reflect.

Response: He wouldn’t fully drop his guard, but he’d stop trying to hunt them down. Instead, he might grudgingly admit that they have a point. He’d likely grumble something like, “You’ve made your point. Do what you must, but we will settle this.” When they finally come out, he’d brace himself for the direct confrontation but would also recognize that their desire to address core issues shows strength. This would make him more willing to hear them out, though it would be difficult for him to acknowledge any personal failings.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf

Reaction: Amused but Intrigued

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf’s initial amusement at their hiding would likely shift when he starts receiving their notes. The fact that they’re handling things in such a deliberate and thoughtful manner might pique his interest. He’d still see the whole situation as a game of sorts, but he’d respect that his SO was doing what they needed to cool off.

Response: He’d take it more seriously after reading their notes and might even admit, “You are more strategic than I gave you credit for.” He wouldn’t rush them, but he would be looking forward to the final conversation. When it’s time to talk, he’d be intrigued by their directness, perhaps thinking it would be a challenge to resolve the deeper issues. He’d be engaged and might even enjoy the confrontation, feeling that only someone as strong-willed as them could keep him interested.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf

Reaction: Concerned and Understanding

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf would be concerned, especially after an argument, but once he starts receiving notes explaining their need for time to process, he’d calm down. He might still be frustrated by their absence, but he’d appreciate the fact that they are keeping him informed and that they’re working through their emotions thoughtfully.

Response: He’d likely pace around at first, but as he read their updates, he’d become more patient. He might leave a note in return, saying something like, “I do not wish to fight again. I will wait for you.” The reassurance that they plan to come out and talk things through directly would comfort him. When they finally sit down to talk, he’d be prepared for the tough conversation and would take it seriously, knowing they are as committed to resolving things as he is. He might even apologize, though in his own reserved way, for letting things get so heated.

Demise

Reaction: Conflicted and Brooding

Demise would be the most conflicted. His initial anger and possessiveness would fuel his desire to find them immediately, but when he begins receiving their notes, explaining how this isn’t about defiance but rather about finding clarity, it would catch him off guard. His initial reaction might be to dismiss their reasoning as weakness, but the more notes he receives, the more he’d brood over it.

Response: Eventually, Demise would stop trying to find them and grudgingly admit that maybe they were right to take time. He might not show outward gratitude, but he’d be silently impressed by their courage and patience. When they finally come out to talk, he’d be ready for a difficult conversation. He wouldn’t necessarily apologize, but he’d respect their strength in confronting the core issues and might even soften slightly, acknowledging that they showed more wisdom than he initially thought.

Summary:

Each Demon King responds in a way that matches their personality, from Wind Waker Ganondorf’s patient but conflicted approach to Ocarina of Time Ganondorf’s initial resistance. Your SO’s method of leaving notes to update them and thoughtfully processing emotions would eventually win over each of them, leading to a more mature resolution. Though the conversations may be tough, the respect they have for their SO’s strength and emotional intelligence would help lead to meaningful breakthroughs in their relationships.

************************************************************************

Just Demise:

Demise, the embodiment of hatred and destruction, had never experienced anything like this before. For eons, he’d crushed everything in his path with sheer, overwhelming force. His very essence thrived on dominance, and those who defied him were either obliterated or bent to his will. But this—this woman standing before him—was beyond his understanding, and her power was far beyond what he'd ever anticipated.

As Dina lashed out at him with her words, his initial reaction was indignation. The nerve of this mortal to speak to him in such a way! His rage surged, fiery as ever, but it felt misplaced in the face of her raw anger. Yet before he could retort or strike, her transformation began.

His mind, once clear in its purpose of wrath and conquest, became muddled with confusion. That confusion quickly morphed into something far more alien to him—apprehension. Her eyes, no longer human but something otherworldly, bored into his very soul. As her presence surrounded him, an oppressive silence weighed down on him. The cold seeped into his bones, choking the fire that had always defined him. For the first time, Demise realized he could not move. Not because of her magic, but because he was… afraid.

Every step she took toward him felt like an eternity. Her shifting form, dancing between mortal and divine, filled him with dread. He had never seen power like this, power that didn't just seek to dominate physically, but to consume and drown its enemies in an inescapable abyss.

Demise’s thoughts raced, faster than they ever had. What… is she? How…? The question gnawed at his mind, but there were no answers. His instinct, honed by millennia of conquest, told him to strike, to retaliate—but his body betrayed him, frozen in fear.

When Dina reached for him, and her hand passed through his chest, he could only watch in stunned horror. His chest—where his indomitable will and strength were centered—felt like air in her grasp. No wounds, no pain, but the sheer wrongness of it all sent a shiver down his spine. For the first time, Demise felt his own vulnerability. His heart—this symbolic source of his malevolent power—was nothing in her hands. His thoughts screamed at him to fight, to run, but the cold grip on his heart squeezed away any courage he might have had left.

Her voice, cold and commanding, resonated in his mind like an ancient truth he had long tried to deny. She was no mortal. No mere spirit. She was something else, something connected to a force far beyond his understanding of power, death, and the cycles of hatred he was so entrenched in.

The name Pariah echoed in his mind, stirring something deep within the forgotten recesses of his soul, something he could not remember clearly but that filled him with profound dread. Whatever this "Pariah" was, its connection to Dina filled him with an instinctive sense of terror. Could there be beings stronger than me?

For the first time, the thought of his place in the grand cosmos of power truly shook him. He had always seen himself at the top, the pinnacle of wrath and destruction. But her words, laced with a sweet, dangerous giggle, challenged that deeply held belief. Her threats were not idle—they were promises of a pain and suffering beyond what he could endure, and the sheer nonchalance with which she spoke them only made them more terrifying.

When her cold grip released his heart and shifted lower, the sensation was worse. The discomfort of feeling his very bones being manipulated like insignificant twigs, ready to be plucked from his body, was almost worse than any pain. The existential horror of it all—his body not fitting right, his form feeling wrong in every way—filled him with an overwhelming revulsion. The thought of being reduced to a powerless heap of flesh sent a wave of nausea through him, something he had never experienced before.

Is this what it feels like to be insignificant? To be… powerless?

Her words cut deeper than any blade could, and his towering ego, the very core of his being, crumbled under her relentless pressure. Her final question was a formality—he already knew his answer. He couldn’t keep pushing. He had to relent, to give her the space she demanded, because to do otherwise would be to invite a fate worse than death itself.

In a moment of primal instinct, Demise did what he had never done before—he broke eye contact. The gesture, subtle and almost unconscious, was an admission of defeat, of submission. His breath hitched, and though he tried to regain control of his pride, it was clear to both of them that the dynamic had irrevocably shifted.

As the darkness lifted and her appearance returned to its human guise, Demise’s body slowly relaxed, though a trembling phantom chill remained. He was back to himself physically, but something had irrevocably changed inside him. He now knew what lay beneath her mortal skin, and the terror of that knowledge lingered, gnawing at his thoughts.

Her cheery smile, as though nothing had happened, only deepened the sense of unease inside him. It was as if the entire exchange had been a casual formality for her, while it had shaken him to his core. He watched, still too stunned to speak, as she turned to leave, her heels clicking as though the world had returned to normal.

But her parting words, the reminder that there were always larger fish in the ocean, cut through the remnants of his pride. For all his power, for all his dominion, he was not invincible. There were things, beings, out there in the infinite cosmos that could reduce even him to nothing.

And yet… some small, deeply buried part of him—the part that craved power and domination—found her sheer dominance intoxicating. There was something about her easy command over him, her effortless display of power, that struck a chord in his twisted psyche. It wasn't just fear—it was an attraction to that overwhelming force, the way she made him feel insignificant in a way that no one else ever had.

As she disappeared from sight, her warning echoing in his mind, Demise stood in the silence, breathing heavily. His chest still felt cold where she had touched him, and the phantom sensation of her presence lingered. For the first time in his existence, Demise knew what it meant to feel small.

And deep within, amidst the fear and shock, something darker stirred—a fascination with the one who had shown him just how vast the ocean of power truly was.

[milfygerard]

Question about your opinion- do you think Taylor is being earnest when she writes songs like stay stay stay, or do you think she understood at the time that’s not something she would actually want? I get the same vibe from paper rings and Mary’s song - I know these are “love songs “ but for me it’s not something I would aspire to want in a relationship. I don’t think this question is making sense lol

im of a few minds on this.

For one there are reasons for taylor to want to get married. It is a social validation of a relationship, a literal legal contract that says forever. Its a big and melodramatic Moment of Romance and the ultimate self mythology, but its also the thing that like...normal people do to show their natural life progression as a person in a conforming society and taylor is nothing if not in a constant state of trying to be a Person.

But she is also 35 and happily unmarried with no kids, and marriage for the taylor swift within her music falls somewhere between a fantasy and a boxed in expectation that she resents the idea of filling.for every marys song theres a fifteen, for paper rings lavender haze, for stay stay stay a high infidelity. Pretty much all of evermore is about the failures and dissolution of connections and relationships and TTPD is an absolute beast that I dont even know where to start with....hm okay im gonna branch off a bit bear with me.

So when I was watching black sails with mirella and was talking abt flint, I called him "the taylor swift of the show". I am not going to dive into 4 seasons of a plotty and heavily political and complicated prestige pirate tv show but in essence flint is the most powerful captain in nassau, which he becomes for a few reasons. He is a hyper-competent leader whose overwhelmingly clever and quick, and within a large group when commanding the attention he is a force of charisma, but more than either of those things is his ability to absolutely and earnest believe in and buy anything that he is trying to sell. it could be a hunt for a crashed spanish ship filled with gold that may or may not exist, or complete anti imperialist revolution, he will be able to not just rouse others and get them completely invested in it body and soul, but he himself will also dedicate all he has to it, build a universe in which its the solution to all problems and if he just pursues it relentlessly he will find the peace he needs. These desires can be contradictory or even completely opposed, but if flint chooses to believe it, he believes it entirely and you believe that he believes it.

This, in my mind, is pretty much how taylor approaches her life and career, with complete and utter earned belief in whatever she is doing in that moment. Circling back to ttpd this most obviously in the sort of running plot of her and mattys disastership. Reading through the lyrics, especially the ones written after they got together, she clearly isnt really enjoying the relationship. The title track is the best example of this, opening with four lines that immediately pose he relationship in this kind of pretentious and irritated light, he is pretentious and unlikable, constantly stoned and prone to massive mood swings and ghosting. She seems to find him more pathetic than anything, but in this moment what this taylor needs is to be in love and in love with this guy specifically.

She remolds the world and the past to fit him in somewhere that he wasn't, placing him on a newly built pedestal of the one that got away that she can endlessly pine over and circle around in her mind to avoid the reality that he was a guy she hooked up with a few times and then stopped seeing because they make no sense as a couple that could last more than 3 months. He becomes a symbol of wasted youth and a lost rebellion (agaisnt the media, against her team, against her parents, against us, against herself) that she never really had. He becomes a tool of self reinterpertation, and to have that tool she NEEDS to be in love. And so she was in love, buying her own bullshit as much as his, and being absolutely destroyed when it ends. And the love was real, regardless of the pragmatism of the affair or the obvious reboundness written all over it. She felt the need to be in love, and threw herself into that love headfirst as a survival tactic/form of self harm and she felt all of the blistering highs of wrapping everything you are up with another person and the brutal lows when the inevitable and obvious implosion that you were willfully ignoring hits full force and that feeling of love and that heartbreak is real regardless of the bullshitting that is required to build the relationships in the first place.

This analysis feels kind of incomplete...i could flesh out more but I think I need to make myself some tea and maybe a salad urgh my body is unhappy w me. I hope this answered...something? Certainly not the question you sent.