#I'm figuring that fulfilling it partially is better than not at all. not like I'm getting paid

[mrnnki-img]

Request from dA. I liked how it came out so I wanted to put it here too.

[pochx]

✌️

[flyawaybooks]

trying to explain my demisexuality to the guy I've been seeing might kill me

Trying to explain it to myself is also very difficult

so I'm just gonna ramble for a bit under the readmore and try and figure it out

the weird thing about things like physical affection is like. The way society has socialized us, there's either None (friendship) or All Including Kissing and Sex (dating/partners/whatever)

I feel like an awkward teenager because I Don't like the all or nothing toggle. Everyone I've ever grown to have a crush on has started as a friend, even if that friendship was started partially as wanting to get to know someone I aesthetically appreciate.

Honestly, I could see most of my close friendships turning into romantic relationships (sorry lol) if any of them were interested, which I don't think any of them are. But like. Knowing someone, spending time together, going through struggles together, supporting each other... that's the sort of stuff I feel like I need before I can even think about wanting a physical or romantic relationship. I don't think I could ever do a hookup or want to kiss someone, even if I found them aesthetically attractive, until we're more incorporated into each other's lives

Or like on another level, the kinds of friendships that I like to have probably look a lot like dating to other people. I like to treat my friends to nice things, spend hours at each other's houses, go to fun events together. I mean, friends do that too? I truly can't parse the difference if the functions of friendship vs romantic relationships other than social expectations and the assumption that physical intimacy are involved.

The main difference is that society has decided that you can pick someone to be your romantic partner to do those things with all the time, or they can be a friend where you maybe sometimes do a few of those things. I can't do everything all the time with one person, that would drive me crazy. I need interdependence, where I can go off and do my own thing, and the people I love (people!!! I need to circle back around to that eventually) can go off and do their own things too. It doesn't change the way we care for each other that we don't spend all our time together. I need variety AND I also need time to myself.

I'm not trying to say I'm an independent woman who doesn't need anyone, because I very much do need people. What I know is that my brain processes relationships in a way that is queer compared to societal norms. And I'm stuck in this place where I'm trying to figure out the difference between "I think we'd be really good friends but I have no interest in romance or sex" and "I think we'd be really good friends and also I think romance and sex could be cool part of that if everyone's onboard but also I'm chill if that's not it"

I don't want to lead people on. All I can say is that I've only ever been in one relationship where I even felt the compulsion to want to get more physically intimate, and that was not reciprocated in a way that I think confused both of us. I would have been happy with the relationship we had if he had asserted his boundaries better. But he knew I was interested in more physicality and (I think?) didn't want to disappoint me, so he crossed his own boundaries, or at least what I perceived of his boundaries.

And that's it! Do I just lack experience and that's the problem? maybe. Am I a lesbian in denial? I don't think so, given aforementioned relationship, but maybe? There's the part where like.... I truly don't care enough to spend time figuring it out that granularly, which leads me back to the demisexuality. I don't need a romantic or sexual relationship to feel fulfilled, but I'm not opposed to the idea of having one.

It's fucking complicated man!!!!! Have I talked in enough circles yet??

[realtalk-princeton]

I know function is somewhat similar, but how similar/different are eating clubs and srats?

Response from Ocean:

(1) When you join: Sororities typically recruit sophs in the fall, eating clubs recruit them in the spring. As a result, certain sororities function as paths to certain eating clubs -- although I wouldn't be able to tell you which ones.

(2) Gender: Obviously, eating clubs are gender-neutral and sororities are woman/sisterhood centered spaces. (There are some nonbinary sorority members as well.)

(3) Size: Eating clubs have hundreds of members, I don't know exact sorority sizes but they are typically much smaller (probably less than 100 but idk for sure).

(4) Recruitment: Both do recruitment, but some eating clubs are sign-in (ie anyone can join) and others are bicker. All sororities have a 'competitive' recruitment process where you have to be accepted (sorry to anyone in a sorority, I don't know all the specific terms). I put competitive in quotes because it varies sorority-to-sorority and year-to-year, and I'm led to believe it is actually quite relaxed and open.

(5) Purpose: The purpose of the eating clubs (primarily) is as an upperclassman meal plan/social space. Sororities are purely social. Some sorority members end up living together on or off campus, but they don't have dedicated sorority houses at Princeton like they do at other universities. There are some historical reasons for that but I won't get into all that here, if you join a sorority they'll tell you all about it I'm sure.

(6) Visibility: Eating clubs are huge in terms of the social scene at Princeton. Everyone can go to a party on the Street. Meanwhile I don't know anyone who participates in sorority social events unless they are in the sorority or being recruited to join the sorority. I went to a couple my freshman year when I was still figuring out my social niche at the school and haven't heard a single thing about them since.

(7) Cost: I'm not sure how much sorority dues are but you are expected to pay them from your own money (or parents, if they would pay for that). Eating club dues can be partially or mostly covered by financial aid from the University and/or from the club.

A sorority person would encourage you to participate in recruitment in the fall if you are curious, you can ask them whatever questions you want and get to know them better without committing to joining. All the girls I know in sororities here and elsewhere (which is in the single digits lol) are very nice and friendly people. I will just say do what you want and don't feel pressured to join either of these, you can still have a fulfilling social life without the eating clubs and without Greek life.

[trashcankharla128]

What fun! Also as I see it a lot of these issues have some origin in the whole 'Hermione as a self-insert/ avatar/ wish fulfillment' thing; which isn't bad at all in and of itself, but comes with it's pitfalls. Please know I am NOT saying any of these reasons mean the authors are 'bad' for doing it.

Draco always causing the break up / being overly apologetic: Agree! BOTH characters are canonically prideful, think they know best, and can be a bit spiteful. I think this stems from the "Reformed Draco" thing where people have him over-correct. IMO this is either pure self-insert wish fulfillment OR people feeling that Draco is soooo in the hole for years of overt prejudice & bullying he would've needed to do a full character 180 to ever work out with Hermione.

More than 1 conflict about the same thing: Agree! It could be done well if it's a 'characters are showing realistic growth & change' thing ex: backsliding, but very irritating when it's not addressed as such.

AGREE

AGREE

AGREE

Hermione limited parent grief: Agree. I think this might come from people not having experience with loss of parents/ a symptom of the ever present 'orphan MC' trope. If I try to picture what my life would be without my parents I come up blank. It seems like it might be one of those things that's too big to conceptualize until it actually happens.

Molly vs Narcissa as matriarch: Disagree (partially). I want to differentiate between matriarch & mother figure here. I think this tends to happen because Narcissa is canonically blood prejudiced & not just in a 'woe is me I'm a poor powerless woman caught up in my family's/ husband's actions.' Even in fics that paint her as doing self-reflection & reconnecting with Andromeda etc., I have a VERY hard time imagining a case where Hermione sees her as any kind of mother figure. I DO see her as expecting to be recognized as some kind of authority figure, aka matriarch. For Molly, even though Harry is the one who reported Molly's semi-adoption of him, that action establishes precedent for her as an 'adopter of orphans' which Hermione has become with the loss of her parents. I don't know that Hermione would latch on in the same way especially has Molly is likely quite different from her own mother, but I can 100% see Molly making 'mother figure' overtures.

Ron & Harry being too opinionated: Agree with the 'should' of it all, but alas there is precedent & as far as characterization goes it seems pretty in line. The boys tend to think alike & therefore are frequently SHOCKED and DISMAYED when Hermione does things they would never consider. This might be a Narrator Harry problem, but it often feels like the boys think of Hermione as 'just another dude' with different set dressing. I like to think that as they grow up they get a bit better about this, especially Harry via his relationship with Ginny.

Hermione's lack of outside friends: Agree! Especially as she gets into jobs and fields where she might find more people like her, and crucially gets some distance from the boys.

Bad breakups with exes: AGREE! Plus there's canonical precedent with Lavender, Cho, Viktor, etc. Plus It doesn't make practical sense. The wizarding world is small & insular. There are major class divides, but within these classes no one is burning bridges like that. You have to interact with them forever & everyone is only 1-3 Kevin Bacons away from each other. I think people tend to make Draco have bad breakups with Daphne/ Pansy as part of the "Reformed Draco" over-correction thing.

Hermione's lack of style: Agree! Plus canonical precedent. Hermione went through a lot of effort to look good for the Yule Ball, she shrinks her teeth & is shown to be upset by insults to her appearance (hair, teeth, etc.). I think this is an offshoot of Hermione as self-insert.

Brightest Witch of her Age: Wow! This has become so fanon I straight up forgot it was canon. But yes, definitely Agree!! I feel like the minister of magic thing might partially come from a lack of described & applicable background characters to fill the role?

"Unemployed" Draco: Alas, this is actually a thing. RICH rich people's money makes money for them & they often aren't directly involved in the process. The banks/ money managers basically handle all their investing for them. Thus with infinite income that requires no effort, people either fuck around & do what they want or pick up a career for fun. The only reason this might not be the case is if the govt. seized the Malfoy assets. However, the Malfoys were brought up on criminal charges unrelated to their wealth. Even if their assets were seized briefly during some kind of investigation, they would need to be returned. The assets might be temporarily inaccessible if everything was in Lucius's name & he was refusing to share/ disowned Draco or something like that.

Hermione virgin: Agree! Plus canonical precedent.

Obsessed Draco: Semi-agree. This is sort of situational for me. On the one hand, it often does seem very wish fulfillment-esque. However, in stories where Draco has full on left his old life, family, prior connections etc. behind it generally makes sense. Ya boy needs a life raft. In other cases it might be an offshoot of the 'excessive reforming' thing where people are thinking Draco would NEED to be obsessed with her in order to leave his prejudice behind.

Luna made fun of: Agree! Her friends should not be making fun of her! Affectionate comments on her oddity is acceptable, but mocking is a no-go & OOC for all characters I can think of that have a personal relationship with her. One potential exception coming to mind is Ron, but that's because (as I recall) he doesn't really have a personal relationship with her. They're more acquaintances/ friend-of-a-friend than anything. Of course, even with that said I can 100% see Ron saying something mocking about Luna to one of her friends, then turning around and aggressively defending her honor if someone OUTSIDE their extended friend group said something.

Can we talk about fic pet peeves?

I want to make it clear that this is not about a specific fic or author, but just some things I've seen in this fandom over the years. I've been reading Dramione for almost 15 years now and there are so many things that authors include that have become a pet peeve of mine.

This is not just exclusive to Dramione though, I have dabbled in other HP pairs before (e.g., Hansy, Theomione) and other fandoms (Gossip Girl, Elementary), and I have seen the same things there. I also have definitely come across some of these in published romance novels.

But this is a Dramione blog, so I will talk about them in context to this pairing.

Men being the cause of the breakup. So many times it's always Draco who messes up or says something horrible or doesn't "do enough". He is the one who has to repent and beg for forgiveness. Very rarely do you see a fic where Hermione is the one who is wrong and needs to apologize. And even when she does, it's always Draco who cuts her off and spins it around and makes him the bad guy who caused Hermione to be that way, and she doesn't actually have to work hard for forgiveness. Just a simple "I'm sorry" and he then says "no no, it's me....".

Having more than one conflict in a fic. Halfway through a story, the pair will have a major fight, which causes them to part. You then have a few chapters of them reflecting and then talking and making up. Then towards the last quarter of the fic, something comes up again and the characters react in the same way as before. You would think that they would have learned from the previous argument and not jump to conclusions and actually communicate. It feels like we are taking one step forward and 5 steps back. Why was this necessary? Why show your characters acting this way and show that they did not grow as people?

Focusing on so many other characters. I get that ensemble fics are a thing, but you need to say that in the beginning. You cannot just tag Draco and Hermione as the pairing, and then 5 chapters in, half the page is Harry and Ginny dialogue with no mention of the main pair. Let people know these things.

Speaking of other pairs, you need to tell your readers if you are gonna include scenes of Draco or Hermione having sex with other people. You need to tag these side pairings and say that we will read explicit scenes with Ron or Astoria or someone. We came for Draco and Hermione smut, not Ron or Pansy or Astoria or Viktor.

Since we are on the topic of tags. TAG ALL YOUR WARNINGS! So many times authors don't tag Rape/Non-Con!! Tag pregnancy difficulties, tag character deaths, tag the non-Dramione endings, tag violence, tag blood and gore, and tag any and all kink. Just tag things, it doesn't spoil the fic for people. Letting people know about things that may trigger them is not spoiling, it's human decency to let us know what your fic will entail.

Hermione's parents not being in the fic. Now I know Hermione sent her parents away before the war, but so many times you read about her not going back for them, not being able to retrieve their memory, then not wanting to be part of her life because of what she did. I understand it if this is a part of the fic, Hermione essentially grieving the loss of her parents. But what I have noticed is that most times author just have a throwaway line that her parents are not in her life, and it seems like it's not a big deal. Like oh well Hermione's mother is non-existent, but hey she has Molly now! Hermione's parents are not important in the HP canon, and it seems like authors feel the same, which is sad.

Molly being the matriarch of the trio. In canon, she kind of is because the stories are from Harry's perspective and he encounters the Weasleys and ingrains himself with their family, but she is always portrayed this way in fanfiction as well. As I mentioned in the previous comment, Hermione's mother isn't there so authors make Molly the mother figure for her, which is fine but authors make their relationship closer than what canon implies. But Draco also has a mother and most times we see Molly in the story more than Narcissa. I would assume that Narcissa would be the matriarch of that fic rather than Molly in a Dramione.

Harry and Ron being too involved in Hermione's life. Again this is fine, but it does get annoying to see fic after fic of them butting too much into her life and getting angry when she makes her own decisions. Friends should not try to control you, but guide and offer advice and be there if you fail.

Hermione not having friends outside of Harry and the Weasleys. I would assume that as they got older and got into the real world, they would meet new people and make new friends, not only stick to the same people they knew since they were 11. The Wizarding World is small, but we do have so many other characters in canon that you can use, it's okay to have Hermione become best friends with Padma, Luna, or Dean. You can have Draco even becoming bffs with Neville. He too is always stuck with Blaise or Theo and Pansy. Sometimes he doesn't have any friends and the fic only shows Hermione's friends.

If a fic starts off with Draco and Hermione having a relationship with another person, the breakup is always a bad one. People in real life have amicable breakups with their partners, it doesn't always have screaming and yelling and hatred. Most times this is used as a catalyst for the drama in a fic, but I would like to read a fic where Ron stays friends with Hermione and listens to her when she is talking about Draco, him offering advice or teasing her about a crush. It would be nice to see Astoria and Draco doing the same. And I say this as a huge "Ron Weasley Bashing" fan.

Hermione not knowing about fashion and makeup and having to rely on Ginny for help to get read for a date. Nowhere in canon does it claim that Hermione is like this, so how is this a common trope? I think this feeds into the "Hermione is not like other girls trope".

Hermione being the Brightest Witch of Her Age. In canon this is not a real thing, it is not an honorific that was bestowed on her by some sort of higher authority. It was something Harry and Remus said, it was their opinion. So having multiple people in a fic say this as though it is a proper title given to her annoys me honestly. Because when this happens, the fic always tends to have her being the only one who can solve the problem. So many people came before her and weren't able to do this particular thing, but Hermione somehow accomplished it without much help, with just a few books and at the ripe age of 24! These types of fics tend to have their characters fresh out of Hogwarts, so they are young but are able to become Heads of Departments! Can you imagine the 30/40-something-year-old who has been working for over 10/15 years in the ministry thinking it's only a matter of time before they get promoted to senior status, then suddenly this 20-year-old who just finished school walks in and gets the highest position without any experience or further education? I'd riot!

Draco not having a job. Many times fics have Hermione working hard in her career, but Draco is "in the family business" or "does investments". What does this mean???

Hermione being a virgin while Draco is the sex god. This trope feels sexist.

Hermione not doing anything muggle. This is similar to Harry in canon. It feels like Hermione forgot where she came from, and she doesn't care to go into the muggle world, or take Draco there.

Draco being obsessed with Hermione. Sometimes fics make his whole life revolve around her.

Luna being seen as weird. After all she has done and all she has shown to people that she is a smart, brave, very important friend to the trio, we still have scenes where Hermione and her friends make fun of Luna and her creatures. That is just rude.

This is all I can think of at the moment. I know this is a lot, but I kind of stopped reading fics for a while and as I managed Dramioneasks during this time, I would see new fics and just add them to my bookmarks. So I am now catching up on those fics and I feel like I am reading the same stuff over and over. Same tropes, same themes, same personalities, which is not a bad thing but it does give rise to pet peeves and thinking about older fics and how things haven't really changed over the last 15 years or so of my dramione life.

Again this is not from one fic or one author, but multiple fics and authors I have read over the years. Some of the fics I think are 5 stars have these pet peeves in them.

Do you guys agree with these? Do you have more to add? Leave them in the comments or send us a message. I would love to discuss and rant with you!

-Lisa

[imagines-to-quench-thirst]

No nut November

Imagine: in the glory of No Nut November, you make a bet with your lover saying if they fail you cuff them and use them to your liking but if you lose they get to fulfill one of their fantasies. And you are keen on it to make them lose, by any means.

Victor Creed

Accepting the challenge that is No Nut November, it's a walk in the park, after all, he did have a wager with you. So you were prepared to make him lose.

Walking into your living room dressed in a maid outfit so small enough that the skirt perfectly (barely) covers your ass when you bend over. And you use it wisely, in front of him.

-Excuse me, Mr. Creed. Just a second.

He watches your form in front of him seeing the black thong between your cheeks that peaked between getting the sensation he started to miss already.

-You want me to lose, dove?

He asks as he grins feeling his palm on his hard length trying to massage the hard-on away.

-Me, no. I'm just wearing this costume since I didn't go to the Halloween party. So this is my chance. It's not my fault you have a dirty mind.

-It's not that hard with a beautiful girl like you.

Damn!

He knew how to rile you up.

-So you forfeit? You do remember your punishment.

Victor stands up walking to you slapping your check roughly as he smirks down at you.

-Being handcuffed while you ride me isn't that much as a punishment.

Steve Rogers

For Steve, it's somewhat easy. He is always on a mission kilometers away from you. That also means when he comes back to you he is a beast... Until he accepted the bet. After a day passed since he came home he wanted to devour you.

-Ready to relinquish, captain?

You asked as you sat next to him on the couch dressed in your pajamas. You knew you didn't have to do much, he will crumble himself eventually.

-No...

He trailed off but you saw how hard he was, partially begging to take you.

-When you think about it if you lose it isn't that bad. Sure you would be handcuffed and you don't like to be submissive...

With that Steve grabs your hand yanking you to him so you sit comfortably on his dick.

-Who said I don't like to be submissive?

You kiss happily knowing that there is indeed something like a 'Submissive Captian'.

Bucky Barnes

-Doll, I have been known in my days as 'James the Champ', which meant I NEVER lost.

You turn your gaze to him watching him through the glass as you applied your red lipstick as he leaned in the door frame.

-Well, of course, but you never went head to head with me.

Bucky rolls his eyes at your testimony as you walked towards him letting your steps be slow and seductive as your hands land on his shoulders.

-That means I'll just have to go to the girl's night out without my departure gift.

Bucky licks his lips finding it hard not to fuck you before you go, your usual tradition before you or him went. Always marking each other up to know how just lucky you are that the rest of the population.

-Looks like it.

He said slowly as he felt your fingers dance along his neck waiting for your kisses just below his ears. He closes his eyes focusing his hands trying to control his animalistic behavior from jumping out and losing the bet.

-I'll be home in a few hours.

You kissed his cheek and left your shared home for the first time ever since he came back from the mission. Closing the door Bucky jumps onto the bed discarding his pants and mixer and quickly getting to work.

Ding

Bucky stops for a second as he looks at his phone a new text message form you.

A photo.

Opening the photo it's a picture of him jerking off with the title being

'When I come home you prepare for your self for the punishment.'

Loki Laufeyson

After spending almost an hour explaining Loki the No Nut November he was rather excited to try his limits. And the bet was just as sweet. He did always say that his mind is the strongest of anyone but you knew how to crack him. And now was the time.

Cooking.

Loki loved to help you cook especially when you bake a cake just for the fun of it. Taking the freshly whipped cream covered cake you dip your finger onto your slice of the cake totally forgetting the fork beside you and putting the whipped cream covered finger into your mouth letting the delicious moans be loud for Loki to hear.

Loki watched you torture him as he felt drool exiting from his open mouth.

The bet.

He needed to be strong, he is royalty they never give their power to others. Especially if they are his amazing and sexy lover.

-Delicious.

You moaned as you looked at Loki as he shakes his groaned approval.

-Yes... You are.

Giggling at his blurb you walk to him pressing your body on his.

-Ready to forfeit, my King?

Loki sighs and for a split second he nods.

-Yes. I'm yours, my love.

Thor Odinson

He loved challenges, he loved the pressure to succeed and prevail amongst other mortals that failed. And he was furthermore ready for the challenge. You were in it to make him beg for you. And you knew just about how.

-My darling, how about a kiss?

Thor asked as held you by your waist.

-I'm sorry, Thor. The bet is limited only to hugs other than that it's losing.

Thor sighs as he watched you walk away hoping that this will end soon.

-Y/n, my light, my moon... Can you bestow me kiss onto my aching lips?

Looking down at your kneeling boyfriend you laugh as you watch Tony enter.

-For fucks sakes. Thor just forfeit and get a room!

Tony screamed clearly irritated at the muscular God.

-But fellow Tony much is at stake.

-Just kiss her and get it over with. I'm tired of hearing your pending across the HQ.

-Forfeit Thor and I'm all yours.

Thor looks back at you and he nods to your words as he lands his lips on yours softly.

-Please, do go get a room!

Thor continued to kiss you as he carried you out of the living room leaving Tony to wash his eyes with soap.

Bruce Wayne

He is the man, the detective, the toughest of tough. He can endure every pain and still make it on time to a date with you. But when a wager is in he is 10 times tougher. He is in it for the end line. But you were also stubborn as him, even more. This will be fun.

-Come on, Bruce. You possibly can't endure a whole month without feeling me. And my body.

Bruce looked at you as you swayed in your dress next to him watching the crowd of shallow rich species.

-Believe me, It's hard. But knowing I beat you in a bet is all the worthwhile. Plus, I have spent years in isolation so this will be easy.

Rolling your eyes at his ruling you walk away grabbing Olivers Queen and going to the center of the ballroom, in the perfect position in front of paparazzi, rich folk and Bruce.

-Ready to waltz, Oliver?

-Yeah, let's make some magic.

The dance was magical. You and Oliver moved in unions even better with Bruce but your eyes never left Bruce's figure. As the dance ended you pull out your leg from your high slit dress placing on Oliver's hip and giving a kiss on the cheek.

-Thank you.

-Always, temptress.

Walking back to Bruce you see his eyes locking onto your body and stoic expression he wastes no time in yanking you out of the room.

-Get ready to be punished, baby girl.

-Yes, sir.

Clark Kent

Clark is a cinnamon roll, you can't deny that, but he is rough when he wants to so pulling an invisible brake on his libido is pure torture.

-You know that you can always forfeit.

You say softly hoping from him to give up since you are feeling frisky.

-I don't know. I want to but I also want to win this bet.

Kissing his cheek, almost near his lips you see the twitch in his neck as he tries to kiss you on the lips. You know just what he needs. Fuel this small fire.

-If you want to complete this bet you can do that. I'm not gonna stop you. I can always ask Bruce for some meaningless fun.

Clark sharply runs to you on his face shock.

-Or maybe Arthur, or maybe even Diana. I am feeling very much frisky.

Clark shakes his head as his hands grip your waist and pulling you on his lap as his hands roughly grip your boobs.

-You are going to regret saying Bruce's name. I'll make you forget it.

-Prove it.

Arthur Curry

Arthur is filled with happiness and he very much finds joy in making you feel amazing. So proposing the bet he was against it. He himself knew that he won't last even 3 days without touching you.

-Maybe I'll accept the bet if you add something more.

-What do you propose?

-You being in a sexy costume of my choosing for 2 days.

Arthur grins at the idea.

-Fine. But if you lose. You'll fulfill my fantasy of choosing.

Arthur nods feeling excited as he shakes your hand, starting the challenge. A days pass and you knew how much he wanted to win even going so far to sleeping on the couch. He wanted to win so bad but seeing you exit the shower as he entered he just could not look away from your marvelous body, wanting to pinch your booty and massage your tense muscles.

He started to lose his cool. It was apparent. You saw it and somehow enjoyed seeing him squirm.

-You alright, Art?

He looked at you like a hurry and horny wolf (mostly horny)

-No. Want. To. Touch. So. Bad.

He slurped like a zombie as he watched your lips wind up in a smile. So kissable.

-You can. But there are consequences.

You walk to him at an arm's length not touching him just torturing him by the small insignificance distance.

-Come on, Arthur. You can't go on like this.

He huffs like a bear as he steps closer kissing your lips with so much need you almost fell on the floor he wasn't holding you tightly.

-Fine, you win but now I get my way.

-Deal.

Orm Marius

Orm wanted to touch you it was a fact but having a challenge for him as a prince was tantalizing. He wanted to try it and he was wrong he didn't understand the power you had on him and made his task a nightmare in his words at least.

-Y/n can you not be so sensual, beloved? I'm trying my hardest.

He pleaded hoping for you to change out of his shirt into your pajamas.

-I don't see the problem. I always wear it and you love it.

-I do! That's the issue. You are enticing me.

Snickering at him you walk to him standing in front of him as he sat on his chair.

-Well, then how about you get on your knees and worship me.

Orm gulps feeling his dick hardening at your command. He loved it when you took control and he lived when he submitted to you. It was like a drug. He doesn't answer as he drops to his knees in front of you looking up hopeless.

-Yes, my goddess.

Joker

-You want to chain me?! Chain the sex machine?! Are you crazy?

-It's not an order. Just a bet. You can decline it. It thought it would be fun.

-It's on.

After that J was focused and loaded as he focused on his 'gangster' work. After countless tries of seducing him in his office in his favorite lingerie. You took a break. To gather yourself and think of a new plan.

Got it.

As the night enrolled you walked into J's club dressed in a small red dress and walking past J's private club section. Only winking at him as he discussed business with another gangster. Going straight to the bar and sitting pretty it doesn't take long from the moths to come to the flame.

-Can I buy you a drink?

Many men ask as you lean on the bar table and seeing the bartender behind you butting in.

-Gentlemen, Y/n is...

-Its okay Mark. Let them be.

Mark nods obediently handing you your drink. After a while, you see Joker walking to you pushing away the men from you.

-Scarm before I kill you here.

The men run away and you smile at your man.

-You are very clever, luring me in with other men so I get jealous and fuck you hard.

-Did it work?

-Yes, princess. Prepare for the punishment of your life.

-And you too.

Duncan Vizla

-Y/n you should know that I am trained to be tougher than the average person. This puny bet won't affect me in the slightest.

Smiling at Duncan you counter his statement.

-I know but when people are told something they tend to the opposite. Something like the apple in the Garden.

-Are you pulling Biblical reference to get me on board with the bet?

-Maybe?

-Deal.

After that deal, you made sure he saw you every second. If he was in the kitchen you were there to help, if he was in the bathroom you needed an 'urgent bath'. When he sat in his leather chair you purposefully bend down to pick up anything that fell, accidentally. Even when sleeping. You were purposefully sleep talking small words that he wanted to hear.

-More Duncan... Faster... I'm yours... Mark me...

He was a tough nut to crack but it will be worthwhile. Just a little more. A few days passed being completely impressed by Duncan's steel will. As you walked into the house you see Duncan cooking his eyes looking solely one the scrambled eggs.

-You good, Duncan?

You ask as you watch Duncan turn to you pulling himself to you like on a string.

-In a way. A HARD way.

Moving your gaze down you see Duncan hard-on poking out of his pants.

-Need help with that?

You ask hoping for Duncan to nod and fuck you right here in the kitchen. Of course, as you tried to seduce Duncan and being left empty-handed was also hard on you leaving you wet and wanting more of his distant touch.

-Time is passing Mr. Vizla and your problem is still here. You know how it can be solved.

Duncan smiles viciously as he pushes you against the fridge. His rough lips smacking against yours as your ears pick up the calling of his belt.

-You are in a ride, prepare yourself Y/n.

[st4rs1lver]

my fault, not yours. || bakugou katsuki

pairing : bakugou katsuki x f!werewolf!eventual villain!reader

genre : angst

words : about 1.3k.

tw : i tried to refrain from bad language as much as possible because i had to type this up on a school computer, so it might be slightly ooc. also hints of a dark past, suicide, supernatural being(s)?

please don't read if you're uncomfortable with anything listed above. other than that, i hope uou enjoy :)

their story began like this.

bakugou katsuki is one of, if not the most, noticeable students of ua's class 1-a. known for his explosive quirk and personality to match, it is no surprise that he has thrown some harsh words around that has hurt his peers.

(l/n) (y/n) was one of them.

as harsh as it may sound, she's considered fairly average for being in the top class of first years. (h/c) hair, (e/c) eyes, and a fit physique as is required of hero school students. her quirk, sound manipuation... a little overpowered in use. this was one of the reasons why bakugou picked on her. how heavily she relies on her quirk, how she tires easily during sparring. heck, even her chest size - everything was under the boy's scrutiny.

he's smart, sure. but there's a lot of things he didn't know.

he didn't know how she used over half of her energy, trying to contain her immense power to avoid injuring eveyrone around her. he didn't know what she was, who she was and he picked on her nonetheless. he didn't know what happened to her in the past, what her parents did to her. but above all, he didn't know that she loved him.

if he had, then perhaps all of this would have been prevented.

i'm so sorry.

a car swung through the air, nearly crashing into deku. seeing this, shouto quickly froze the vehicle seconds before it found its target. the green-haired pro-hero thanked his heterochromatic counterpart, the latter responding with a nod.

"we need to get this sorted out. siren is getting stronger by the minute, we have no time to lose."

"exactly, you idiots! get the pedestrians! i'm going after her!

"wait, but how do you know that siren's a female--"

before deku could finish his question, the male was already off with a bang - literally.

soaring overhead, ground zero could see above the cloud of smoke, making out the telltale rings of destruction and familar red waves radiating from a crater in the concrete below.

red, huh?

ceasing his explosions once he got close enough, bakugou sailed in through the gray clouds of debris and landed right behind the female figure in the center. he stood up, dusted his hands off, and stood still. everything was silent around them.

through the shadows, bakugou could see the furry ears on top of the female's head twitch. without turning around, she muttered a single word. no, name.

"katsuki."

with this one sound, the deceptive peace shattered around them, and immediately the two clashed in an explosion of red.

they were evenly matched; each blow would be countered with another from the opposing party. so the fight continued, as the world around them fell away, each person caught in their own chaos, fighting their own battle. the dark night skies glittered with bloodlust, flavored with smog, seasoned with uplifted earth. it was a dangerous kind of beauty. nostalgia.

regret.

she could remember those days, when she would be quietly pining after hiom, admiring his strength, ambition, looks. the days when, even if he were cruel to her, she would still remain by his side and love him through his scars. she remembered that day, when she had been planning to leave ua, but got caught by bakugou. terrified of the possibility of having her plans be revealed to the population of the school, she had shut him up with a kiss, and fled.

he remembered those days when he would not notice her except to shove her out of the way, intent on reaching his goal. but now that he did, he felt empty. as if something was missing. he had thrown away the one that thing he had been wanting all along. she had become so scarred that she could not love him anymore.

oh, how the tables have turned.

with another nitroglycerin explosion, bakugou managed to blast the villain onto the rooftop of the tallest building in the city. once he had also made his way onto the skycraper, he sized her up, feeling her do so to him as well. both were covered in cuts and bruises, clothes matted with blood and grime. neither budged from their spot, neither in a defensive stance. they were simply standing still, relaxed as if trusting that the other would not harm them. the irony was enough to make one laugh, if only this weren't such an unbefitting situation.

"katsuki."

"don't call me that."

he immediately snapped back, just like the old days.

like the old days.

siren chuckled. the hero could hear the melancholy fatigue in her voice. her laugh, once bright and happy, now dulled to a blank slate. and yet, her voice remained as beautiful as ever.

“bakugou.”

he kept his silence. taking this as a sign to continue, the girl sighed and took off her mask.

"it's been a while."

"so it has."

(l/n) smiled - it was a small, genuine smile, but it was weary.

"i'll get to the point, i suppose. i know that you know that i loved you."

this sentence took his breath away.

i didn't then... but i do now.

"i know you probably hate me."

shut up. i don't.

"so... i wanted to apologize."

"idiot, what are you apologizing for?!"

her smile dropped. "for loving you. for caring when you didn't want me to. for what i'm about to do - what i've wanted to do for years now, frankly. you told midoriya to take a swan dive off the roof... and while i'm not midoriya, i think you want me to fulfill that request just as badly--"

"i don't hate you! i never did, and i still don't."

the smile was back. "i'm glad."

"so don't do this!"

she shook her head. "katsuki..." she took a deep breath. "katsuki... i love you. and i know that it took a long time for you to come around and all but... trust me, if i could, i would come back. i would pretend like nothing happened and be myself again. i would come back... to be with you. but... things have changed. and maybe-- maybe if society were willing, i could prove how much i want that - to be normal - but it's not possible now, is it? once a villain, always a villain. the same couldn't be said for a wannabe hero, especially after all i've done. all that's happened to me and made me... do things i regret. i've done to much. i never really wanted this... i regret it all."

he swallowed, and seeing that he was going to interrupt, she shook her head and silenced him again.

"i don't want you to regret anything like i do. i know that you're going to say that my parents did this and i'm not at fault, but in all reality, i was the one who chose to solve my problems in this terrible way and i couldn't find someone to give me the help that i needed. above all, please never blame yourself for this. you wanted to be a hero, not to have a relationship with some girl with issues. and i respect that. there are much better people out there that are stronger than me, more beautiful and aren't burdened by things that could easily make them go insane and lash out... like me. because i don't want you to be in danger because of me. hurting you genuinely is the last thing i would ever wish to do. love someone that isn't a monster, like me. please. love someone... that isn't me."

"but i only want you! you can make it right again! it'll be okay! if you let them know, if you told them what happened... if you believed in yourself like i believe in you..." he sobbed.

"please, katsuki. if not for yourself... than for me."

the werewolf female watched as he crumbled, her heart aching with his. he could form no coherent words as he cried into his calloused palms.

the great ground zero, at the peak of his career with a right future, was slowly breaking down for a lowly, hybrid, villain.

"hey, katsuki." her calm voice was quiet, commanding almost. he felt compelled to look. sniffing, he raised his head.

with some difficulty, (y/n) mustered her brightest, happiest smile, reminding him of when she was still an innocent classmate of his. then, he remembered the day that she ran away, eventually proclaimed allegedly dead. that day, she had given him this same smile. he had to keep this secret for years, the knowledge of her departure tormenting him, knowing it was partially his fault that he didn't prevent her from leaving. and today, she gave him this beautiful, terrible smile once more.

he clambered to his feet, horror painting his face and his heart.

"i'm sorry."

"no, no, no, no--"

he was too late, she was already gone.

bakugou katsuki, one of if not the most, powerful of heroes. he's known for his easily distinguishable quirk, with a personality and looks to match.

(l/n) (y/n), a misfortunate soul, losing her life to the light of her life.

their story ended like this.

[shimmerleaf]

lool...STELLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~! 1-26 BECAUSE I'M AWFUUUUUUL~! Also, 27, which I've decided will be "what do you think of the Kebiishi?" [[you can take your time answering this ofc.]]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯Man, you have no chill Nima .-. but fine, we’ll do it your way. This gonna get long obviously, so under the cut so other ppl won’t have to scroll through my shit xD #7 was a mistake

1. What is your name and which server is your citadel on?

Stella in the Higo Province~ Pretty sure I just randomly picked a server at the start lulz

2. When did you start serving as a Saniwa? Please display your battle records.

September 28, 2017 8D Here, look at my shame lol 

3. Which starter sword did you pick? What is he doing now?

Yamanbagiri Kunihiro! I liked him a lot from what little screen time he had in Katsugeki and then what I saw of him in Hanamaru (+ dat Maeno voice is A++) so I went with him C: He’s a proud member of Unit 1 (tho those members get rotated around so they’re around the same levels) and helps me beat up the enemy ^^

4. Who is the first among your swords to reach the maximum level? What do you think of him.

No one has reached the max level yet LOL Hotarumaru will probably be the first one? Since he always gets MVP x’D fajkfsjdf I love him so much?? He’s so smol and precious?? MY SON! I can always count on him to take out the enemy for me without taking much damage and he’s just the most adorable thing?? I love him

5. Who do you have in each of your squads, and how do you use them? If you haven’t unlocked all four teams yet, briefly describe how you plan to organize them.

Got all four unlocked and uh, I just put in swords around the same level so I can train them up. Unit 1 is usually my strongest swords/main team (Yamanbagiri, Ichigo, Hotarumaru, Izuminokami, Hasebe, and Namazuo), while the other units are whoever I’m training up and use them for expeditions sometimes.

6. Without considering the performance of the swords, which type of sword do you prefer?

Tantou Tachi! Idk when it started but I just really like swords?? I see a character in a game/anime with a sword -> “I like that guy, he’s cool!” And I guess the swords typically used are tachis?? I actually have wanted to buy a sword lol, every year at the night market there’s a stand selling prop swords (like for cosplay and stuff) and I always joke about buying one but $$$ feelsbadman 

7. List the swords that you like and your thoughts on them.

I have a list here LOL No thoughts there tho :you should know all this, Nima

Yagen: My man, the bae, my everything. I love him the most （*’∀’人）♥ I love how caring he is towards his brothers and takes care of them when Ichigo isn’t there. It was so touching seeing him trying his best to summon Ichi-nii for his smol bros and I just jakfsjkf I cri every time. As serious as he can get sometimes, it’s also super cute seeing him playing with his brothers and messing around(?) sometimes, like in that beach episode

Ichigo: The husband because how can you not （〃・ω・〃）Putting aside the fact that he is beautiful and handsome and -swoon-  His laugh is precious?? I also love how caring he is and worries about his smol bros and takes care of them. Best onii-chan. He seems so gentle and kind. I find it super precious how it seems like he gets jealous over all the swords you have it’s k bby you’ll always be special to me  and -dreamy sigh- I love him?

Namazuo: I love his personality! φ(ﾟ ωﾟ//）♡ His cheerfulness and outgoing attitude is so precious and always makes me super happy in return. I love hearing his voice and I would want to be bffs with him. His quirk of throwing horse poop at people is so wtf but at the same time, it’s cute?? Even after kiwame, I still love him (tho I prefer his low ponytail than his high one o v o ). His tickle wars with the saniwa are really cute~ His genki attitude is like a breath of fresh air tbh and I love him. Please let me love you

Kashuu: I kinda wished I picked him as my starter because omfg, he is so precious and I want to smother him with my love, especially after watching Hanamaru. He has his own baggage and problems to deal with but instead of drowning in them, he still tries his best to help out Yamatonokami in Hanamaru, and fulfill the saniwa’s orders. He doesn’t let his insecurities get the better of him and I just jfkalsjdfkf ‘cause tbh I feel him? I’m scared of dying but I’m more scared of being abandoned and having no one?? So even if Kashuu is quick to latch onto a new master, I wouldn’t blame him at all and just give him all my love (((( ;°Д°)))) I want him to know he’s special and that I’d never abandon him ever

8. Are there any pairings that you like? If there is, please list them.

Nope~ I read a few Ichigo/Tsurumaru oneshots that were kinda cute but eh, I’m not really into shipping for TKRB.

9. Is your Citadel an employee-friendly Citadel or a black-hearted Citadel that works your swords to the bones?

I like to think it’s pretty employee-friendly ^^;; If they’re fatigued, I take them off the team and let them rest, or if most of the team is fatigued, then I let them chill. If they’re missing HP then I stick them in repairs (if I have a vacant room OTL) unless it’s just like, 1-2HP then I wait until after one more battle. Always quick to use help tokens though ‘cause I don’t want to wait 10hours LOL

10. Have you ever done anything weird to your swords?

Nooooo?? I can’t think of anything? Though I guess, with the current event (VoT6) Namazuo keeps getting owned and having to retreat so I guess the smart thing would be to put someone else on the team instead of him but I’m just like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ since the damage isn’t permanent and keep on trucking since the exp is still pretty good. That’s not really weird and more of me being a bad Saniwa towards him tho?? lol orz

11. Have you ever broken a sword? What happened, and who did you break?

NOPE NOBDOY and hopefully it’ll stay like that ; u ; Man, I’d probably cry if someone broke ‘cause their lines are all so sad, especially my precious tantous ;o;

12. Who looses troops the most in your Citadel? And who is the most skilled at making troops?

Yamatonokami and Nikkari, for whatever reason :

13. Have you ever done something with all your might in order to get a particular sword? Please describe what you did and the results.

I pray to RNGesus and hope for the best?? xD What else can you do besides use an ofuda? Maybe I’ll try what I do in SIF next time and repeatedly click on the attendant lol

14. Are you superstitious? (wwww)

Sure? What is this question referring to o u o

15. What made you join the TKRB fandom in the beginning? How about now?

Hot guys LMAO K well, that’s what made me want to get into the game/fandom but all that stuff about needing a proxy/VPN looked too complicated for my dumb ass so I didn’t bother. But uh, I guess I first became aware of it because of cosplayers somehow?? Like I’d see super pretty pics of cosplayers and somehow knew it was from TKRB but that was it. Then the Hanamaru anime came out and I decided to watch it a few seasons afterwards, but there were too many characters and I kinda got bored? So I dropped it after three episodes =3= Then Katsugeki happened and my sis watched it first and spazzed to me how hot Izuminokami is (esp dat Ryohei Kimura voice) and I picked it up 6epis in? That’s it, I’m sold. I’m a goner. Then when the anime ended, I was super thirsty for more swordbois and spent like two hours fighting Flash trying to get the game to work, and here we are now C: I’m still in it for the hot guys LMAO c’mon now. 

16. What do you think of the current maps? Which map is good for training/grinding, which maps do you get lost in the most, which map do you want to burn?

Can I just fight all of World 7? Tho it’s probably my fault for my swords not being level90+ or something but e-e I’m getting destroyed so yeah, that just feelsbadman :

17. Are there any game systems or improvements that you hope DMM will implement?

Eh, probably but nothing comes to mind right now. Haven’t been playing this game for that long and everything seems fine to me~ 

18. If DMM cooperates on an event with another game/anime/etc., what would you like to see?

LOVE LIVE or any other idol show (Tsukipro/UtaPri~) ‘cause the bois as idols is just (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡ I’m going to scream and then die happily. Like, AWT48 was super adorable and the guys singing the EDs in Hanamaru was super cute too?? So why not take it a step further and just have them be idols : PP

Also, any sports anime will be great too! Obviously, I’m partial to Haikyuu rn xD We had a beach episode, sooo, beach volleyball could totally work!! 

But like, if it’s asking about stuff like that GBFxKatsugeki thing then uh, no answer because the only games I play are rhythm games LOL But, it would be cool if there was a FEH collab? o:

19. Have you ever spent money playing TKRB? Is so, how much? If not, do you plan to?

Not yet, but I probably will xD I want the other repair room and I definitely will need more space for swords. There are still a lot that I don’t have and with more new swords, I def need the space x3 better spending money on this than on gacha and disappointment lol

20. Is there any merchandise that you would like to buy or see?

Namazuo and Honebami nendoroid please! I know Namazuo has a figure but I like nendos way more :I’m getting Ichigo for Christmas and I already have Yagen so, making progress 8D

21. Have you done any fanwork? If so, what?

Not yet? I want to write fanfics but I’m super lazy and dead rn so maybe at the end of the semester and I’m not drowning in matchups that I need to do LOL

22. What do you think you are like as a Saniwa?

Definitely not like how I appear in my own fantasies LOL I’m hate people bad with people and am super shy and socially awkward, so getting friendly with the swords will take 5ever and uh, yeah? I’ll just be super awkward around them lmao and not know how to react and probably appear like I don’t like them or something?? While I’m internally stressing about how to befriend them and driving myself up a wall lol... 

23. If the government asked you to choose a sword to kill yourself with in terms of emergency, who would you pick?

I don’t want to make any of them do something like this ((o(;△;)o))  I don’t know… ( ≧Д≦) My first thought was Sayo but like, he doesn’t need a burden like this?? Considering how he already is, >_

24. The government has asked you to write a report: how would you describe the situation in your Citadel?

Resources are running low, smithing just results in an annoyed saniwa so take caution. The saniwa also gets angry when troops keep dying and needing to be replaced = RIP resources some more, so more caution is required. JK It’s a pretty chill place? Idk how to describe it, so I’ll prob make Hasebe do it for me : P Papers are annoying af to write omg

25. What do you think of the Retrograding Army?

I don’t understand the point of what they’re doing and how they’d benefit from changing history but given how shallow the plot is, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  It was cool seeing them in Katsugeki tho, especially the shit they did in uh, Edo? Like it seems they actually had a plan and stuff xD

26. Lastly, please say something about the TKRB from the bottom of your heart!

Idk what I’ll be doing with my life now if I hadn’t started this game and I’m completely obsessed. This might wane in the future probably, but in the meantime, I’m here to have a good time and enjoy everything TKRB has to offer and I’m loving it so far

ありがとうございます！

Bonus: What do you think of the KBC?

They don’t show up when I want them to! D

[meowsaidmayaanime]

What I'm Watching August 2016 as of 8/31

Natsume's Book of Friends 8/31 partial watch

This is an adorable anime, I started watching italmost right after Durarara, and if school hadnt just started this week, I would have been fully caught up. As of this post I have only watched seasons 1 and 2 fully, and a little bit of season 3. So in technicality I will write my opinion of it after I am all caught up on the September monthly watches, but because I got halfway through the series while still in August I decided to put this little note here, haha.

So yes, I have been watching this super cute, heartwarming, feel good anime. It's about a boy named Natsume who can see yokai. Often times I get very weary about plots (whether anime, tv show, movie, ect) where the main character can see something no one else can. However this anime does a good job focusing more on the stories rather than simply torturing the main character through ostracization. Well, I will pick this first impression review that I usually do in September when I finish the four season that have been released. So look forward to it!

Durarara 8/27 Addendum (see original post below Time of Eve)

I talked about this anime a little further down in this post after I finished the first season (so read that first if you haven't yet). I finished the entirety of the show last night and wow. It's an incredible story, so intricate and everything is woven together. It's one of those shows where because they switch between multiple characters and plot lines within the show, and because it is a mystery with new information and twists happening all the time, that you forget your own emotions about the characters sometimes.

Tons of things happen that make you feel for the characters and suddenly exclaim in reaction to something, but because your so constantly wrapped up in the story line, trying to figure out how this relates to that, and what this persons motives are, and whats going to happen next that you focus so much more on that than anything else. It constantly has you thinking, which I love about the show. A show that doesn't rely on pure emotion and shock to keep the audience in, but sheer curiosity. It's a good mystery, a really, really good one.

Though I can see why some people may not like it because it makes you think too much, or because there's less pure emotion, or because it's so intricate and you can't keep up, or even because the pacing is somewhat relatively slow. But I assure you, if you can get past all that, this is an amazing show. It's not one that I will gush over, and try to force you to watch, because that's not the kind of show it is. It's just well put together, as I assume the light novel is.

I've just starting reading the light novel, and there is so much more to it. I'm on chapter two and while the anime's first episode did a wonderful job capturing the events and feel of the light novel, the light novel has the intricate detail and thought of the characters that is impossible to convey through any other medium. I am really excited to be reading the source material, and I hope that it will be able to expand and close up some of the holes from the anime that the studio could not fill. When I finish, I'll definitely talk about it (when is the question since not all the novels have been translated...), so look forward to that, because I know I will.

Great show, good to watch if you like intricate, multi-character, multi-story, mystery, action, somewhat supernatural, 'semi-natural' anime. (p.s the dub is pretty dang good.)

Time of Eve 8/21

Yes, yes, I'm well aware that in this giant span of time I've only managed to watch one short 6 episode-er anime. I was on vacation and then fell down the rabbit hole which was the Lego Harry Potter years 5-7 game.

Anyway, I had seen this anime in passing a few times, but finally decided to give it a chance when one of my co-workers recommended it to me. It was definitely worth the watch. Time of Eve is a sci-fi anime taking place in the not quite as distant as you might think future, where androids are commonplace within the average family home. We follow Rikuo who, after reading the location log of his family andriod, discovers that the andriod visited a cafe of her own free will. Confused and concerned, he visits the cafe to find that its only rule is to treat humans and androids equally without discrimination. From here on he, and the audience discover that there is more to androids than just being a robot, and that they are, or have been steadily developing their own individuality.

Right off the bat I was immediately reminded of both Ghost in the Shell and Chobits. Mostly Ghost in the Shell for the political-socio topics the anime discuses. Its actually quite fascinating, not just the topics and themes, but the personalities of the characters as well whether or not they are human. Its a very realistic/natural anime, with a surprising amount of character development for being only six episodes long.

My only critiques would be about the animation itself. Its generally rather smooth, the art style included, however there are many moments where the movement of the camera and characters is very choppy and shaky. This happens mainly when there isn't much movement happening during the scene. Whereas scenes where characters are doing a large amount of movement are very smooth and well animated. I'm not sure how intentional the 'choppiness' of the animation was, but I can tell that the studio chose to focus its animation budget on certain areas more than others.

Regardless, the animation is easy to brush off considering how well the show drew me into the story, mentally and emotionally. I would recommend this to anyone interested in sci-fi, robots/androids, and those who like to question what it is to be 'human'. (It's also a good commentary on 21st century culture and what kinds of things our technology could lead to).

Durarara (season 1) 8/8

Its about a boy named Mikado who decides to go to a highschool in Ikebukuro to fulfill his longing for the excitement of city life in contrast to living in the country where nothing every happens. Here he hears about and witnesses strange rumors about the headless rider, gangs, and other odd phenomenon that are happening in the city. That's how it begins, but we learn very quickly that Mikado is not the only main character, and that there is a lot more going on in the city than just Mikado would know.

I actually decided to start watching this because of this shirt I got with my Akibento back in May featuring Celty the headless motercylcist from Durarara and Haruhi from the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. (btw not my own image)

Yes this was back in May, and yes I did start watching it a few months ago only to now finish the first season. Its a very slow paced anime, like a slow burn, which is why it took so long for me to get through. Don't get me wrong its a good anime, and I did want to watch which is why I periodically came back to it after i finished binge watching a bunch of other anime. It's just slow paced, and not one that will hook you and chain you down to your seat for the next 6+ hours. Hell, I've binge watched anime that I've liked much less than this one.

That being said, its not just slow paced but it also has numerous stories happening at once. Which makes it hard to give a good synospis on. We immediately learn about or at least meet almost all the characters, and are introduced with a number of plots, topics and questions. All which seemingly have nothing to do with each other, but end up intertwining to create a complex and fascinating story. by the time I finally managed to get halfway through, I consistently watched the remaining episodes back to back. The fact that it was available in English dub on crunchyroll also really helped, that way I could do my packing for my vacation while watching it.

Its a great low key supernatural mystery anime. I say low key, because the supernatural aspect is sort of laid back? It's not an in your face over the top kind of supernatural, and it being supernatural is not even the main point of the show. Which is very nice. It's like a semi-natural action/mystery/supernatural anime. Further the characters and story lines are well put together.

All in all, I really like it and I'm going to keep watching. I don't know if it's something that I would necessarily be able to recommend, because that relies heavily on what kind of anime you would like. If you like semi-natural, complex, slow paced, laid back action/mystery/supernatural then you'll like this. But if you cant handle the slow pacing, or prefer more out of the above genres this is not one for you.

Dance in the Vampire Bund 8/6

I actually remember watching this anime, or at least i remember watching the first episode, back in middle school? Possibly? we either way, I loved the first episode, even re watching it now I still really enjoyed it, which was disappointing when the rest of the anime turned out to be so different.

In the show, vampires have just come out of hiding and declared their presence to the world. The princess of the vampires, and current ruler Mina, pays Japans debt and intends to use her political hold over the government to purchase an Island and have it become its own separate country designated only for vampires. Meanwhile Akira a highschooler who recently lost his memory finds out he and Mina have an important past that he cannot remember.

The problem that I have with this anime is that they try to mix a very 'young' or immature story line with a significantly more mature one. They try to mix a highschool vampire warewolf memory loss, basically everything that is the epitome of a bad pre-teen romance with mature themes such as the VERY heavy political aspect that takes up a good 50% of the anime. And not just government politics, but socio-historical political relations between different species and cultures. Don't get me wrong, its still a better love story than twilight, but the fact that it is a highschool love story pretty much ruins it for me.

I wouldn't recommend this, hell i didn't even have the will to finish the last few episodes. The political parts were great and fascinating, but the immaturity of how conflicts are resolved between the main characters is very disappointing. The show either tries too hard to appeal to an older audience, or tries too hard to appeal to a younger audience. Either way I didn't really like it.

Hyouka 8/2 TOP PICK FOR THIS MONTH!!

So the first thing i need to mention is that this show is first and foremost a slcie of life that happens to include a lot of mystery. Not a mystery that happens to be a slice of life. I originally thought it was the latter which was why I was disappointed that it didn't end the series with a mystery arc, but instead the way a slice of life would.When you acknowledge the show for what it really is, a natural slice of life, it is amazing. For numerous reasons.

First the artwork is so incredibly detailed and beautiful. Second the visuals are distinctly different for each thing ti tries to convey, and completely succeeds in doing so. The audio is amazing, the music is beautiful, the animation is so smooth and they even animate things that aren't necessary to the plot but are animated anyway to make it all feel so REAL. Not to mention the episodes and mysteries are so well written!

look at the incredible amount of detail they put into EVERY SINGLE SCENE.

even when the background is blurred!

even people who we never learn about or see again have details in their clothes, faces, and expressions. I checked, we NEVER see these people below actually interact with the main OR minor cast.

I almost forgot, this show is about Houtarou a high schooler that sees the world in 'gray'and whose motto is "If I don't have to do it, I won't. If I have to do it, I'll make it quick." Convinced by his already graduated sister, he joins the classics club which was endangered to be disbanded because there were no more members. He meets a girl named Eru who also joins the club and discovers that he has a knack for solving mysteries. That is, only when Eru earnestly goes to him and yearns for him to solve the mystery because her curiosity cannot be contained. From there they quickly discover that the classics club has a past shrouded in mystery.

Its incredibly well done, I love slow the pacing myself, because it fits the flow and nature of the anime. However I do have a number of issues with it myself (some reveal content spoilers so I won't state those here).  I admit that the way they ordered large mystery arch and single episode mysteries was not handled well at the very end. Don't get me wrong the ending fit the characters incredibly well and was very good and realistic, however considering the quality of the larger mysteries that were prevalent through the rest of the anime, I feel that they should have ended the series with a multi-episode arc and then one final single episode arc, rather than many single episode arcs strung together.  The anime was an adaptation of a light novel, which covered 4 out of the 5 published novels. I've taken a look at the titles of the chapters and it seems that the 5th book is quite the elaborate story. One I would have liked to have seen in the anime, though would clearly have gone over the 22 episodes the anime ended at. Perhaps since this write up for the episode is already so long, I will create a post just about this anime. It definitely deserves more talking about!

Anyway, I do recommend it to veteran-ed anime watchers. It has a wonderful pace that does not push by quickly, great character development and insight, and fascinating mysteries and dialogue regarding such. Its perfect for anyone who loves natural slice of life. Those who enjoy mysteries would also enjoy this, as long as they understand that it is mostly a slice of life, and thus will follow the format of slice of life and not the format of a mystery anime. Its a stunning anime.