#I'm sorry if someone else has pointed this out

[dunmeshistash]

I note Laios had no interest in cannibalizing Kabru's party despite having multiple opportunities. Did he take a bite out of someone else when no one was looking?

LMAO hello,

I assume you mean what I said here

Sorry, I guess it does sound like I mean he just eats people, I meant he doesn't seem to have anything against eating people? And that's something that shows up as early as chapter 2 where one of the monster he considers eating is a demihuman

And shows up again in the merman chapter where he doesn't understand why eating something that acts human is strange, he even argues with Chilchuck that mermen aren't demihumans to convince him to eat them

He thinks people's issue with cannibalism is how biologically related to us they are, which as a specific definition he isn't wrong, but biology is not why we're squeamish about the idea of cannibalism is it?

And that's not even mentioning the point where the anime left off, he has 0 qualms about eating Falin everyone else is horrified but Laios is just a little shocked, he does wonder a little about cannibalism on chapter 1 but when Senshi says eating the dragon part will save Falin he only worries about the logistics of it

That's what I meant with "cannibalism" it was half a joke half serious, you can argue eating demihumans isn't cannibalism cause they're another species and even when it's about eating Falin you can argue it's not actually cannibalism cause they're eating the dragon half and not the human half but you gotta admit that side of him is his freakier side right?

I personally have nothing against it, I think Laios correct and normal, but I am aware that's not how most people would see it lmao

Edit: Ah just to be extra clear cause I remembered the website I'm in: I don't think Laios would just eat a person, that is really not what I mean by all this, Laios wouldn't just randomly eat anything, he's not THAT freaky. I mean cannibalism as a concept doesn't seem to put him off that much but that's true for a lot of people who would not just bite someone, that's a completely different subject, that includes harming someone, he wouldn't just do that

[morgana-larkin]

okok, hear me out. Melissa Schemmenti x androgynous teacher reader. reader is always wearing feminine outfits to school, BUTTTT when she's outside like going out and stuff she dresses more masculine (she's like wearing jorts or baggy pants with oversized metal band t-shirts or something tight and fitted and some piercings that she hides when teaching. like snakebites and a tounge piercing). AND THENNN, when the whole crew goes out they don't recognize reader, cause they always thought she was the more feminine type and Melissa has very naughty thoughts about reader. oh, and make reader a lil' bit taller than Mel so it adds more to the plottt

it's up to you if it has smut or not but I just needed someone to write this and YOUUU are the best writer I know!!

Hey Anon! Thank you so much for choosing me for this prompt and thank you so much for the compliment! It's not directly mentioned but it's implied that reader is slightly taller than Melissa. Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

On another note: I'm sorry to everyone who sent prompts to me months ago, like in the summer. I'm getting to them slowly but surely. I have close to 40 prompts right now but yours will get done at some point.

Dirty Thoughts

Warnings: Smut, seductive dancing, switch reader and Mel

Words: 3.4k

“Hello everyone!” You say with a smile as you walk in the breakroom.

“Hey Y/n!” Janine says. “Are we still doing that combined class on Monday?” She asks you and you nod.

“What combined class?” Melissa asks you both.

“We’re doing a combined lesson with our second grade classes.” Janine says.

“I already asked if you wanted to join in with your class but you said no.” You remind her.

“Well maybe I wouldn’t mind doing it now.” She says.

“Behind on your work?” You ask her and she sighs and nods. “Alright, we’re doing it in the library, first period after lunch.” You tell her and she nods. You then go to the coffee maker and you miss Melissa checking out your legs in the dress you’re wearing.

“New dress?” She asks you and you look at her and nod.

“Ya, I got it last week. Do you like it?” You ask her and she nods.

“You look cute.” She says and you look back to the coffee maker to hide your blush. 

“Y/n, do you want to come out with us tonight?” Jacob asks.

“Depends, who else is going?” You ask him.

“All of us, so the three of us as well as Barb and Melissa.” He explains and as soon as he said Melissa you already knew your answer.

“Sure, what time?” You ask them.

“We’re meeting at the bar at about 8.” Janine tells you and you nod. 

“Sounds good, same bar as last time?” You ask them and they nod. “Melissa, Barb, I’m surprised you’re joining this time.” You tell them.

“Need a night out.” Melissa says before taking a sip from her mug.

“Fair enough.” You say and you go to take a seat with the trio but Melissa stops you.

“Hey Y/n, why don’t you come sit over here for a change.” She suggests.

“At your table?” You ask her and she nods. You look at her confused before sitting down at Barb and Melissa’s table.

“We were just discussing whether Melissa should go out with this girl tomorrow.” Barb tells you and Melissa looks at her before showing you a picture of the girl in question.

“Her name is Stacy and she’s a few years younger than me.” Melissa tells you.

“I always knew you were interested in both.” You say and then look at the girl. “I don’t know, I don’t know your type but she doesn’t seem like she fits.” You say and hand the phone back to her. “But if you’re questioning whether you should or not then it doesn’t seem like you’re interested in her.” You add and she shrugs.

“Ya, but dating at my age is hard. Sometimes you have to go out with someone who’s kinda interesting cause there ain’t many options left.” She tells you.

“Melissa, have you seen yourself? You could do better than someone who’s kinda interesting, so much better.” You tell her and you see a blush creep onto her cheeks. “Also a lot of people my age or a bit older want someone who’s older, around your age, you just have to know where to look.” You add.

“And a lot of people my age don’t want some youngling.” She tells you and you just shrug and go on your phone.

*After School*

You get home and you finish grading the last few tests before you go have supper. After dinner you go have a shower and pick out your outfit. You put on a tank top with AC/DC on it, fitted skinny jeans and put on your pair of converse. You also put in your nose ring, tongue ring and then apply some lip balm. You look at the time and see it’s 7:30 so you head out the door. You arrive at the bar 15 minutes later and you look around and don’t see anyone from Abbott so you sit at an empty table and get your phone out. 

“No, I'm telling you it’s true.” You hear Janine say and you look up and see them all entering.

“Hey guys!” You shout out to them and they look at you and you see Janine step forward and stare at you for a couple seconds.

“Y/n?” She asks you.

“Last time I checked ya.” You jokingly say and you see everyone else looking at you weirdly. “What?” You ask them all.

“You’re wearing a band t-shirt and pants, and you have a nose ring and a tattoo on your shoulder?” Jacob says and you nod.

“Forgive us dear but you always wear skirts and dresses at school, so this is new information for us.” Barb tells you. 

“Well ya. At school I like to dress more feminine but when I go out I like to dress more masculine or look really gay.” You explain to them and you look to see Melissa staring at you with her mouth open. “See something you like Melissa?” You ask her and put her on the spot.

“Just, um, didn’t know that you’d wear something other than those cute skirts and dresses.” She says, stuttering a bit and then takes a seat beside you.

“You like it when I wear those really short ones?” You ask her and she looks at you. “What would you say if I told you I got shorter ones when you started staring at my legs?” You ask her and she tilts her head.

“I’d say you’re insane and definitely not school appropriate.” She says and you chuckle.

“Neither are those low cut tops you like to wear.” You counter.

“I’ll get the first round.” Janine announces and gets everyone’s order. 

“I think you like my low cut tops.” Melissa counters and you look at her.

“What makes you say that?” You ask.

“Because you like staring at my chest, that’s why.” Melissa says very confidently.

“Well I’m very gay and boobs are something that I like, so obviously I like to stare at a girls chest, and you have a nice rack.” You say to her and she quirks an eyebrow at you.

“So it’s not the fact that it’s my chest, just that it’s a chest with great boobs?” She pushes.

“Here’s your drinks!” Janine exclaims and puts the drinks down on the table and you reach for yours and take a sip. 

You’re able to avoid Melissa’s question as Janine starts a conversation with the entire group but you see Melissa glancing at you every once in a while.

“I’ll get the next round.” Jacob offers and you all give your order to him before he leaves.

“So about my question from earlier…?” Melissa asks and you turn to look at her.

“What question?”

“When you stare at my chest is it because it’s my chest or just a chest with a great rack?” She asks and you freeze and scramble to come up with an answer.

“Both…?” You tell her and she tilts her head. “You have a great rack which is why I like to stare at it.” You stumble out and she turns away from you to hide her smirk.

Jacob comes back from the bar with the drinks and Melissa glances at you taking a sip before taking a sip of her own drink. She can’t help but imagine what it would be like if she can run her hands under that loose fitting shirt of yours. Or under one of your dresses or skirts.

“What are you staring at?” Melissa hears and realises you’re looking at her and she was lost in thought. 

“Nothing, just lost in thought.” Melissa says and then sees something in your mouth that she didn’t notice before. “Do you have a tongue ring?” She asks and you nod before sticking out your tongue.

“Drives the girls crazy.” You tell her with a lower voice and she shivers a bit. 

You turn around to contribute to the conversation that’s happening and Melissa can’t help but get lost in her naughty thoughts about you…again. She thinks about that tongue ring of yours and what it would be like if you ate her out with it on. You happen to look over when she’s lost in thought again and you look down to see her rub her thighs together and you smirk. 

“I’ll get the next round!” You announce and you startle Melissa a bit. “I might need some help though, Melissa do you mind helping me?” You ask her and she nods before getting up. You get everyone’s order and then you go up to the bar and order all of them. “So what were you thinking about?” You ask her and she looks at you.

“What?” 

“I know you were having some dirty thoughts, you were rubbing your thighs together. Your beautifully thick thighs.” You tell her and step closer to her.

“What I was thinking about is none of your business.” She says and you look down slightly into her eyes and she stares up to look into yours. 

“Can I kiss you?” You suddenly ask and you see her breath hitch before she nods. You lean forward until you feel her lips on yours and you kiss her. She immediately kisses you back and she even takes it a step further and slips her tongue in. She runs her hands through your hair and pulls you closer to her and begins kissing you roughly.

“Your drinks are ready.” You hear and immediately pull back and look to see the bartender looking at you both. 

“Thank you.” You tell him and hand him the money before you both take the drinks. 

“I was thinking about what it would be like if you ate me out with that tongue ring of yours.” Melissa tells you and you look at her with a smirk before walking back to the table and give everyone their drinks before you lean over to Melissa. 

“Some girls have said that it gives more stimulation. I could be licking the entrance and the ring can be teasing the clit.” You tell her with a wink.

“Good to know.” She says, more breathy than normal. You both stay and have your drinks and engage in the conversation before a song comes on that you like and you turn to Melissa.

“Want to dance?” You ask her and she looks at you before nodding. You both put your drinks down and then go to the dance floor. 

“So does anyone think those two will end up together by the end of the night?” Jacob asks the table.

“I thought they were together.” Gregory says and they all look at Barb.

“Melissa hasn’t told me anything, but if they aren’t already together then they will be very soon.” Barb tells them.

You bring Melissa onto the dance floor and you bring her close to you before you start dancing. You both were already quite close as there’s multiple people dancing around you both, now Melissa is pressed up against you and you can’t help but look down and see her boobs from this angle. You then trail your eyes up until they land on hers and she knows what you were staring at as there’s mischief in her eyes. She leans forward near your ear and her breath on it causes you to slightly shiver. 

“Would you like to touch them?” She asks you and she pulls back. 

“Touch what?” You ask, yelling a bit over the music and she quirks an eyebrow. She then turns around so her back is pressed up against your front and she grabs both of your hands. She places one on her stomach and the other over her boobs and you widen your eyes. “What are you doing?” You ask her as you lean down to her ear and she turns her head towards you. 

“It’s called making a move.” She tells you.

“Well I know what it’s called but… wait a minute, are you hitting on me?” You ask her and she winks at you and nods. “Why are you hitting on me?” 

“Because I like you.” She tells you so simply.

“Wait, you like me like me, as in a crush?” You ask her and she nods. “I like you too.” You tell her and she smiles. 

“I know, all your awkward flirting at school gave it away, but you wanting to kiss me definitely confirmed it.” She tells you. “So, why don’t you show this girl a good time on the dance floor and then a good time in bed?” She asks you and you freeze. “Did I make you short circuit?” She asks you with a smirk.

“Well you placed one of my hands on your boobs and then you just told me that you want to have sex.” You say to her. “So yes, I guess my brain is trying to catch up after crashing.” You say and she starts moving her hips seductively. “Melissa, if you keep going how you are, then I won’t be able to show you a good time on the dance floor.” You tell her and and she takes the hand off that was on her boobs and she sticks one of your fingers in her mouth. She hears you moan before she takes your finger out and turns around.

“Maybe you could just skip right to the bedroom.” She says and you look at her. 

“Oh I won’t last that long.” You say and bring her to the bathroom. 

You bring her to one of the stalls and lock it before you kiss her. She immediately puts her hands in your hair while she kisses you back. You pick her up and she wraps her legs around you while she deepens the kiss. You lift her shirt up and kiss all over chest. You then quickly unclip her bra and pull it up and dive down to one of her nipples. You hear her moan out when you give it a hard suck and she squeezes your hair. You give the nipple a loving kiss before you go to the other one and give it the same treatment. 

“Y/n, Y/n.” She tells you as she pulls you away from her chest. “My chest is not where I need your tongue.” She tells you and you smirk before you drop her legs and get on your knees. 

You pull her leather pants down and you see her underwear with a damp patch on it before you smirk. You peel her undies off and you see her very wet centre. You lick a strip up her centre and she feels your wet tongue and tongue piercing on her and she can’t help but feel really good by the sensations. You then flatten your tongue on her centre and start licking up and down, your tongue piercing is rubbing her clit at the same time. You put one of her legs hanging over your shoulder before you insert a finger inside of her. 

Melissa is trying very hard not to make any noise as there’s other people coming in and out. She ends up covering her mouth with one of her hands as a few gasps and moans fell out of her mouth. She’s leaning against the stall door and you switch to sucking and licking her clit while you add a second finger inside of her. Melissa keeps your head in place with her free hand and you don’t mind as you’re enjoying the view. 

You’re between her beautiful thick thighs that you’d love to kiss all over. You look up and you place your free hand on her nice wide hips before trailing it to her soft stomach. You trail your hand up and cup one of her big full boobs. You look further up and see her face is down slightly and you can see it on her face all the pleasure she’s feeling. You start sucking and fingering her faster and a loud gasp slips out of her. You then feel her legs shaking, her hand in your hair tightens and she’s clenching around your fingers. Then she comes with a gasp and you pull your fingers out but you lick up all her juices.

“Mm, you taste sweeter after you come.” You tell her as you take her leg off of you and stand up. She looks at you as she’s trying to catch her breath. She then pulls you in for a passionate kiss and you happily kiss her back. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for the past year now.” You tell her after you pull away. 

“Then why didn’t you?” She asks and you shrug.

“Didn’t know if you felt the same and didn’t want to ruin the friendship.” You say and she smiles softly and tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. “Have you wanted to kiss me before?” You ask her and she nods while smiling. “Why didn’t you say something before?” 

“Same reason as you.” She says and then kisses you. “Now come to my place, you haven’t come yet and I want to hear all your noises.” She says as she pulls her underwear and leather pants back up and you nod. “Can you clip my bra please?” She asks and you nod before she turns around.

“Considering I unclipped it, I guess it’s fair I clip it back.” You tell her and she snorts as you clip it back and then she puts her shirt back in place.

“Let’s go say goodbye to everyone and then leave.” She says.

“Don’t you live with Jacob?” You ask her and she thinks about it before she brings you out of the bathroom and back to the table with everyone and grabs her purse. 

“Y/n and I are leaving so I’ll see youse on Monday.” She tells them and then looks at Jacob. “I wouldn’t come home for an hour.” She tells him and he looks between you both.

“Actually make that 2.” You say and she looks at you.’

“2? Now I’m curious.” She says and then leaves the bar while holding your hand.

“Weren’t they on the dance floor, which is the opposite way from where they came from?” Gregory asks and everyone thinks about it.

“I think I saw them enter the bathroom but it can’t be right as it was like 10 minutes ago.” Jacob says and then it hits everyone. “Oh.” Jacob says and then everyone changes conversation.

On Monday morning, everyone comes in and sees you in the process of covering your hickeys on the couch while Melissa is getting coffee. 

“Good morning to you both.” Barb says and Melissa smiles at her.

“Morning Barb.” She says and then grabs the two mugs full of coffee and brings it over to the couch. While bringing the two mugs, everyone tries to hold in their laughter as they see Melissa walking a little strangely.

“Melissa, did you get an injury? You seem to be walking differently.” Jacob asks her and she looks at everyone after she hands you the mug.

“Ya, I pulled something on Friday night.” She tells everyone and then you groan before glaring at Melissa as everyone takes a seat on the couch.

“You know if you’re going to leave hickeys then next time put them in less obvious places or not as dark so I can actually cover them up.” You tell Melissa and she shrugs and then you see everyone passing $20 bills around. “Were you guys betting on something?” You ask them and they nod.

“Betting on when Melissa would do something about her feelings for you.” Barb says and you look at Melissa who’s rolling her eyes.

“I thought I was told that the bets were off after I figured it out.” She says to all of them.

“We kept the bets, we just lied to you.” Janine tells her.

Melissa shakes her head before she takes your concealer and foundation and starts helping you cover them up. Ava walks in and sees the scene and she smiles before she goes to Mr. Johnson for $20.

Taglist: @esposadejoyhuerta 

@imaginesmultifandoms 

@idonothingalldays-blog 

@sexysapphicshopowner 

@dvrkhcld 

@lilfartbox1

@ricejucie 

@unicorniusfallapatorius

@a-queen-and-her-throne

@sleep-deprived-athlete

@og-kxsh-420

@sasheemo

@midnight-lestrange

@dashbag-art

@morgananyx

@schmentisgf

@cblanchetts

@that-october-night

@schemmentigfs

@italianaidiota

@ambessas-doll

@ankhsta

@olderwomenenthusiast

@ackleybloodybridge

@angelcorner

@creaturesaphique

@cupldscntrl

@calliopetworld

Let me know if you want to be added!

[concretejunglefm]

listen, I can't get this out of my head

Noah is your ex, but you're working with BO on this tour as a photographer; you two never really got over each other, but it was never the right time to actually get back together, but when he finds out that you are actually falling in love with someone else? pfffff homeboy is fucking LOSING IT

plsplspls what else would you put in this?

(I'M losing it at this point)

I love this idea because it's promising for sooooo much angst and *rubs gay little hands together* I love angst if that isn't obvious by now.

To start with is the obvious when it comes to you about Noah, you're not necessarily over Noah, but you've chosen to accept the fact that it wasn't your time and moved on, you've found someone new, surely he would've too? No matter what, he'll always hold a special place in your heart.

The most important thing is that this tour is a huuuuge opportunity for you and your growing portfolio, and you will not allow yourself to be distracted by the fact you're working with your ex. You're going to prove to Bryan, who has given you this opportunity, that you can be professional.

Naturally it starts out maybe a little awkward before you're both breaking the ice and find yourself slipping back into the familiar territory, because even before and after getting together, maybe you were good at the friend thing too. You liked one another's company, you could always have a laugh together, you shared similar interests and had enlightening conversations. You had to admit it, but with him it was easy.

Cut to Bryan letting you take photos from their practice as prep for the actual show and that's when you get this big beaming smile from Noah.

Doesn't it just make your heart melt?

Everything feels so great, nothing could go wrong right?

You and your ex especially are handling this better than ever, except what you don't know is Noah has been talking to the guys about you and potentially asking about getting back together. It was perhaps his initial thought too when he knew you were joining them on tour, but Nicholas was his voice of reason and convinced him maybe don't. however now, after watching you together for this past week, his thoughts on this have changed a little.

And this would be such a great plan if it's not for Noah catching wind of the fact you're moving on.

How this happens could play out different ways:

Noah overhears you on the phone to someone else.

Noah overhears you telling someone else on tour, maybe Bryan since you're both getting close with working together and him helping you learn more things.

Maybe one of the guys overhears you and tells Noah or tells you that you need to, since they're already aware of his feelings and it's just unfair on him.

For extra drama the guy could actually be someone attached to Noah, but prepare for this to end badly for you because bros over ho*s.

Either way the result will come out the same and you end up with these photos and Noah being a grumpy baby.

Cue the blow up, or at least the lead up to it, because now you're either going to have a cute style confession scene, or something more dramatic that only drives the wedge further apart.

For extra angst you can always add in a surprise kiss at this point which is walked in on by your special someone 🫣

Is this too much? Did I get a little carried away? I'm sorry anon, my brain decided to run with this and I'm losing my mind as much as Noah clearly would be.

I didn't even get to mention how pathetic or desperate he would get after knowing you're falling for someone else, like other than being grumpy this man is going to do EVERYTHING he can to get your attention, to get you to focus on him, and make you forget all about what's-his-face. Maybe steal your phone when you're together just to have you to himself. Maybe a send a text pretending to be you and asking for some 'space'.

Honestly, depending on the type of narrative you want, not only from Noah but in general, you could have sooo much fun.

And let's not forget about you during all of this because how are you feeling? Are you frustrated by him doing these things? Do you secretly like it and encourage it on purpose? Are you oblivious? All of that just plays into how everything unfolds.

[wolfertinger]

I find it kind've strange that Salem feels the need to define grooming but not even give context as to why. He didn't even give like a full, solid definition. Grooming doesn't have to start out solely sexual. It can gradually get to that point by first gaining trust in non-sexual ways. I'm not accusing Salem of grooming, but why did he feel the need to bring up that 16 year old? Who by the way, is Twitter user MuhNamesGreen (CallMeGreen) who Salem allowed to follow his Twitter account when he was still drawing over-sexualized furries and allowed this 16 year old to dm him off-site on Discord to ask for advice on how to get away with posting NSFW online. Which here in this screenshot, he admits to venting to that teenager? I didn't even know about that, that's weird to vent to a vulnerable teen who looked up to you as a 19 year old. They even made callout posts in eachother and agreed to follow eachother again right after it blew over. This is after Salem's gotten called out MULTIPLE times for taking 18+ out of his bio and not blocking minors after he changed his account for all ages to 18+. He kept taking it out of his bio, interacting with minors, following them, and retweeting fanart from them despite the sexual content he made.

Is this grooming? Maybe not, but what he repeatedly did was wrong. Interacting with people under 18 on an account not meant for them, encouraging it, being told over and over again by DIFFERENT USERS to cut it out, apologizing, rinse and repeat. He didn't learn, and is now trying to use that to his advantage that he "didn't technically" groom someone else, yet he got groomed...at 19 years old? Am I resfing this correctly, or does he mean a past experience? If I read this correctly, how were you, at an adult age, being groomed? Manipulated would make more sense maybe, but groomed?

He brings up that situation to deflect that he was grooming someone, but then turns it into how he's a victim instead. That's so fucking strange.

If we want to get technical, I think showing minors sexual art and allowing them on your privates/vent accounts and opening your NSFW to them isn't exactly grooming but it is VERY MUCH SO crossing boundaries you shouldn't cross.

I don't care that you age regress, that's not an excuse. Age regression has nothing to do with this.

So yes Salem, you were an adult. I'm sorry you can't accept that but that's nobody's problem but yours. It sucks that you can no longer get away with things you could as a teen, but okay? We all have to grow up.

Old phone screenshots I was too lazy to crop under the first picture of his "apology" for the situation, moreso to cover his own ass than anything else. He doesn't care about anyone but himself.

.

[kfan04]

I'm so, so glad I caught you. That's a ton of lore, and believe me, I tried my hardest to find out at least half of this information and didn't manage to. You kinda brought me a bag of candies with this one <3

Actually, I think you've suggested the answer to my initial question (the one I had in my head) about what's Romeo's problem. I was trying to find a reason behind his decisions, and "I won't lose anything else" seems the most convincing out of all I could've thought of.

It explains his persistence with Kaito while not contradicting (as far as I know) any plot points. There are some questions left, like: How did they first meet? What happened with Romeo's family? What has changed with the Clash? What is it about Kaito's pendant? What is it about Kaito's family? In what particular way is Kaito's presence valuable/advantageous for Romeo? Or the one I'm very curious about: Is there a way out for Kaito? I just feel sorry for the dude. I study business and constantly feel the urge to get inside the story and help him figure his debts out (possibly by also making him pinky promise me he won't gamble again). Although my beliefs would clash hard with the reality of the absence of law and basically prison of the environment... But for now I'm satisfied.

Just a couple of things I wanted to adress:

- there's definitely some tension, or maybe, competition between Taiga and Jin

That scene in the assembly was so nerve-wracking! With MC's help, Jin just straight up forced Taiga, who is very unstable and self-righteous, to sit still. Taiga's reaction made me think it wasn't the first time it happened? Was Jin using this power on the regular basis before? Taiga's "Jin" could mean he actually respects him, though who knows.

Frostheim and Sinostra, political power and wealth and danger and money, they go well together, but work on the different principles. The relationship between these two has to be very special. That's why Romeo's grudge for Frostheim and Taiga's... how would you call that look he gave Jin? There's more to it, I would say.

- Luca's time in Darkwick

I haven't even considered Luca to be eventually leaving! You know how in anime transfer students usually stay until the very end? I thought it would be the case. Plus, Darkwick is the kind of place nobody can leave — I remember realising that and thinking, "Luca is now cooked."

But now that you mention it, yes, Luca might transfer back after all... Again, given the genre of the game, unlikely, but it's not like the characters know they are in the game. Luca for now seems to be the most clueless about Darkwick character. He's doing what he thinks is right... but generally playing by the rules of others. I found it interesting when he was shown to be kinda bloodlusted in chapter 1, slicing that anomalies again and again after they've already died. He is also quite reckless, jumping into action immediately. This is almost the opposite from Kaito, who overthinks everything.

It makes sense Kaito knows a whole lot about Darkwick, having spent a year there already. Even as someone who tries to actively avoid trouble and danger, he seems to know important information. Between Luca and Kaito, Luca is more skilled, but Kaito is more involved. He is more of a player, in every sense, while Luca is interested in outside words, or particularly his goal, demons, than in politics. But it could change! In the case of Vagastrom, Leo was chosen to be vice because of his marks, I think? If Luca doesn't leave, he has a better chance in this case.

- what Kaito is capable of

You've mentioned how Darkwick might know more about Kaito than Kaito does himself, and I lean to this as well! Kaito's stigma has to do with auras — in chapter 13, he saw the mirror's aura without saying any incantation first. Does his stigma work all the time, like Subaru's? Kaito doesn't want to use MC's powers, which makes it very intriguing how they would work. If his stigma allows him to discover more about the person, would strengthening stigma allow him to know even more about the insides of the person? Or maybe influence them somehow?

Kaito's stigma may have to do with his interests. He knows astronomy, and someone mentioned he was shown with Taro cards in the chibi images. In the prologue, he was addressing some higher powers to escape from Romeo, which could be for comic relief, of course, or not. Do you happen to know anything else about it?

- Romeo & Hyde

Hyde is sketchy, period. He also holds a lot of power and participates in the academy's decision-making. But is he on Romeo's side, really?

Romeo mentioned he worked a lot to get the position he has now. It probably refers to what he has gone through after his family's crash. Hyde mentions it is Romeo who is more active in their relationship. This suggests Romeo was the one who approached Hyde first, possibly wanting something from, but if we look at their dynamics now, Hyde is constantly calling Romeo — almost as if he's the one establishing their objectives. Hyde definitely holds power over Romeo in many ways, manipulating him, while also doing stuff behind his back.

I think Hyde is using Romeo to destabilise Darkwick's environment, in return covering for him and Sinostra, and giving him an illusion of advantage over other houses and over everyone else. And Romeo either genuinely believes it will benefit him, or is afraid of Hyde and is too deep... I think. He certainly gives Hyde more respect than he does regarding anyone else.

Linking it back to Kaito, I'm only curious if Hyde had some say in this situation. Did he somehow hinted Kaito would be of use? Or maybe it's just Romeo's individual investment.

Thank you so much for sharing all of this! You're very kind. I hope your computer gets better.

What do you think is going on with Kaito and Romeo?

I've posted this on Reddit and now I'm posting it here so I more people see it and talk to me!

Particularly I'm interested in why Romeo seems to be so clingy with Kaito. I know that there are already some explanations — Kaito's debt and Kaito's pendant — but don't you think Romeo is putting too much effort into this?

Regarding **debt**: does Romeo chase around everyone with debt on the regular basis? Also, the academy is clearly full on well-off students, it would make much more sense to concentrate on them. Kaito doesn't have money and he won't somehow get them out of nowhere (Luca is another discussion).

Regarding **pendant**: have you noticed that Romeo is trying to convince Kaito to give him the pendant, instead of taking it away by force? Throughout the chapters he hasn't really tried to take the pendant away, although I think Romeo's more than capable of it. He is stronger than Kaito and the latter didn't have any protectors before Luca (Tohma and Jin are also not shown to be close enough to Kaito to defend him in the past). Otherwise, there must have been tons of opportunities for Romeo to hurt or kill Kaito and take away the pendant, everyone dies left and right, even when they were on the mission — little accident, minus one ghoul, nobody would've probably suspected anything. Why hasn't Romeo taken the pendant away already?

Regarding **Romeo's time and effort**: despite being the busy man Romeo claims he is, he still finds time to regularly look around for Kaito, calling his name, and with a gun. He asks MC for Kaito's schedule — twice. He spams Kaito with messages. He locks Kaito in the cage in his private office very few people know about — this is just another level, because why. He also takes Kaito on a mission with him, when being told that was his chance to assemble the best possible team — notably, he goes for Kaito before contacting his actual friends, and also has to threaten Kaito to go with him in first place. On the mission, it's Romeo's decision to split, and both times he takes Kaito with him, also physically dragging him and just casually intimidating him along the way.

Who would go that far for the indebted guy? Or even for a pendant? It's more like Romeo's interested in Kaito being constantly around, but also, why?

Regarding **Romeo's attitude**: he's the mix of tenderness and frustration when it comes to Kaito. The phrase he use to call him is *Doko itta no, dete oide?* which translates kinda like *Where have you gone? Come on, come out!* and is often used to talk to animals and kids. He also uses *Fuji-kun*, emphasising on either Kaito being his kouhai, or being on friendly terms with him. He's very touchy when it comes to Kaito — grabbing his hand, his collar, his ear, shaking his shoulders, clamping a hand over his mouth. It's not necessarily tender, but it seems that Romeo finds it absolutely natural to act towards Kaito in such way. Romeo's also often implying Kaito acts unreasonable towards him when not willing to comply, like when Kaito is hiding or running away from him, or when he doesn't want to go on the mission. One time he says something along the lines "there's more on the map than that, so just shut up and do as I say", implying it's in Kaito's interest to listen to him.

**Why does Romeo seem to be convinced that Kaito should be doing as he says without asking questions?**

Regarding **Kaito's attitude**: Kaito isn't shown to be super intimidated by Romeo. Yes, he runs away away from him, and in one voiceline he mentions he started getting chills when someone calls his name because of Romeo — so it's not like Kaito doesn't recognise Romeo as a threat. However, Kaito is constantly talking back and resisting. When talking to Romeo, Kaito openly questions his decisions, mocks him, swears at him, uses *omae*, simply disagrees and Romeo has to put *a lot of* effort to actually get Kaito to do something — and half of the time, Kaito doesn't do what is expected of him anyway. He talks to Romeo almost freely, definitely less scared than with Jin or with Tohma, or even with Ren or Jiro. Interestingly, Kaito uses *Romeo-san*, instead of *-senpai*, like with Tohma and Jin. Kaito also doesn't seem to have a clue about why Romeo is following him, but he's not interesting in figuring it out either, just "weird guy, ugh how annoying, does he ever stop".

Unlike Romeo who perceives his own actions as natural, justified as "Well I'm just collecting debt", Kaito openly talks about how strange Romeo acts towards him. Locked in the cage, he says "shut up, kidnapping creep" and "do you even realise how unhinged you sound" when Romeo says no one would save him from there... When MC says "he has certainly taken a liking to you", Kaito corrects "liking, more like stalking".

For now, no one except Luca and to some degree MC hasn't commented on Romeo's and Kaito's connection — do they know? Or do they don't care? Or both.

Regarding **timeline**: Kaito mentions Romeo has been on his tail for half of the year. Before that, he wasn't even in the gambling den. This lines up with the estimated time of the Clash. Does Romeo's interested in Kaito has something to do with the Clash? Did it just happen in the same time? Kaito says he has somehow avoided the Clash — he himself doesn't connect the Clash with Romeo's interest in him. Kaito doesn't seem to connect Romeo's interest with anything, implying it was sudden. It could be that the determining point of the Romeo's interest was the moment Romeo was looking at Kaito from a distance, if Kaito cannot remember any special confrontation. What doesn't line up is the warding card of Romeo standing above Kaito and looking at his pendant — judging by his expression, for the first time. Who wouldn't have remembered this situation? Another thing, Kaito mentions that he hasn't seen Romeo much before, and he wasn't even in the gambling den. So although Romeo justifies his hobby by collecting debt, he possibly wasn't that interested in collecting this debt initially, before that special point six month ago.

Regarding **paperwork**: Luca repays Kaito's debt in the prologue, another simple solution to Kaito repaying his debt and Romeo not having to go after him ever again. Yet Romeo claims "he still owes rate of interest, so it's not enough to buy his freedom". To which Luca replies "I'd like to see the paperwork then", and Romeo's muttering he "hates men with brain". Other than Kaito commenting on how he didn't know about the rate of interest (which could be written off as ignorance, and not necessarily as Romeo deceiving him), Romeo's comment suggests there might be something unclear with the documentation. Another important paper is the one Romeo threatens to show the MC when telling Kaito to join him on the mission. It is not the debt-related issue — MC already knows about it. It is something that Kaito feels to be embarrassed about, and something that allows Romeo to say "you really think you can say no?". In the prologue, when Romeo demands pendant, Kaito also replies with "this is one thing you will never get from me" — one thing? Does that mean Kaito agrees in some way Romeo can demand anything else? The paper which Romeo threatens to show the MC — which conditions are written there?

Let's assume that Kaito does owe Romeo more than money. What exactly is Romeo gaining in this situation? Why would he need specifically Kaito's compliance in the first place? Why Kaito of all people, of all ghouls. Okay, maybe Romeo thinks it's handy to get a guy who he can threaten to do anything. Why would he put so much energy into keeping Kaito close to him — especially on the occasions that could've used more catered to the situations ghouls, like the mission. Judging by how he addresses Kaito as "plebeian", he doesn't think Kaito's pendant connects him with the powerful family, plus he comments how Kaito doesn't know its true value. So Romeo is not after Kaito's potential prestige.

Romeo's behaviour doesn't make sense. It especially doesn't make sense considering he *is acting rationally* when it comes to missions, or his income, or dealing with others, which means there *is* an explanation for how he acts with Kaito — my guess, it directly or indirectly includes money, or another physical value.

What is notable, is that *Romeo is deliberately keeping Kaito close* and *monitors his actions*.

What are your thoughts? Have I missed something? I'd die to discuss, really. I see all these signs, but I can't really understand what it means. I know we are quite early in the story, but for the 13 chapters the story has been very consistent with the relationship between Romeo and Kaito, and Kaito's pendant. I'm super interested to know what others think!

[writeraid]

Rewatching Moon Knight tonight because comfort show + icky gross cold brain and mentally preparing for Thanksgiving socialization, and I'm relatively confident the clothes Steven wears to the steakhouse is the same outfit Marc had on for his mother's Shiva???

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Look what we've become.

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[egophiliac]

do skully have pokemon?

Pumpkaboo is the obvious one, but y'know, sometimes the obvious one is the right one! (we'll say SUPER SIZE Pumpkaboo, just for fun. big pumpkin for big skeleton boy.) and another person actually also suggested Greavard, which I somehow hadn't considered, but feels so perfect that I feel like I should have. dangit.

(they can also have little Nightmare Suit costumes :D)

[brummiereader]

@mischievouslittlecreature yes Lucy 👏🏼!

Ahhhh, I loved this chapter! I could scream with happiness how Lucy said everything i've wanted her to say to Lizzie for so long now! You have no idea how satisfying it was to see Lucy laying it all brutally out, for Lizzie to see 😈.

Ruby...what a little sweetie. I love her relationship with Lucy. I like to think that maybe Lucy's kindness has rubbed off on her 🥰.

This line though....Lily 😭! “Noooo! I’m never gonna get old!” Ruby laughed. Wow the foreshadowing has given me chills. Poor little darling doesn't know how true these words will be 😞.

It did not take long for her to hear the sounds of Lizzie and Charlie singing Happy Birthday to Ruby in the other room. This was such an upsetting little part. Lizzie making Lucy feel secluded enough she was worried to join in, will never help the situation. If anything it just pushes Tommy further away to see his girl not sharing in any of these family moments.

“I didn’t have a nicer time.” 👈🏼 see. Tommy's a pouty mess when he's not with her.

Lucy stared at him, eyes wide, mouth half agape. Lizzie thought that Tommy was going to die. She thought that he was on the precipice of death, that he was suicidal, and all she cared about was fucking money!? And she told him that!? This!! This is absolutely not what someone who's in love with someone would think! This is the polar opposite to Lucy's reaction everytime she thinks about Tommy dying. This always ALWAYS rubbed me the wrong way when Lizzie said this. And you could see the hurt in Tommy's face after. I knew it would take a moment like this for Lucy to finally fly of the handle when it comes to Lizzie. Tommys life always comes first to her. The mere thought of him dying is enough for Lucy to lose it.

And the next scene only further proves this. With Tommy trying to calm the situation between Aberama and Johnny, Lucy had eyes on Tommy. Even more so when Lizzie comes out guns blazing 🙄. Lizzie is really getting on my last nerve, and the next part was so epic I was kicking my feet cheering Lucy on!

“Enough of this. Alright? Enough.” She was so angry she was nearly shaking, but thankfully no tremor found its way into her voice. “Enough with the crying. And complaining. And the fucking temper tantrums every other bloody week.” She shook her head back and forth. “What are you doing? Do you really think that being hateful to me and using your daughter to hurt him is going to endear him towards you? Really? That’s your great master plan to make him fall in love with you?” I would quote this entire part, but this passage in particular sums up all our frustrations with Lizzie.

I didn't think Lizzie would intentionally stoop that low. But using Ruby against Tommy was a step way, way too far. We've seen glimpses of her subtly using Charlie against Tommy, but this was point blank obvious. Saying she's scared of her own dad, is frankly, awful.

Lizzie at least had the decency to look a little guilty. “I’m sorry–” - “Oh please. No you’re not!” Lucy laughed humorlessly. “You always fucking do this, Lizzie. You throw some big, grand temper tantrum and then you act all apologetic after the fact. Yep! We've seen her immaturity countless times at this point. Nobody's gonna fool for it anymore.

Lizzie looked down at her hands, ringing them together. “I love him, Lucy,” she finally said helplessly. This pissed me off as much as it pissed Lucy off. She loves her version of him she's created in her head. Not the real Tommy, else she wouldn't have made the remark about taking over if he died, or the amount of money that would be left to her 😤.

Woah, what an intense scene. But where does this leave them? Lizzie may be scared of Lucy and the threat of getting hurt if she dares to overstep the line again, BUT...why is it I see a possibility of Lizzie having another major tantrum again 😬?

Excellent chapter, Lily! All this build up makes me think something about to snap though 😬. I'm on the edge of my seat!

Part 26: Do You Love Me

Summary: Celebrations for Ruby's birthday are interrupted when Aberama arrives with claims of betrayal and a desire for vengeance.

Word Count: 5,478

Warnings: Violence, suicidal thoughts, and references to minor character death.

Previous Chapter • Series • Fic • Next Chapter

Chapter 7: Endless Night

When they got home, Tommy touched her gently by the arm. Eyes lowering, his tongue darted out to wet his lips. 

“I need to go talk to Lizzie about her letter.”

She frowned, wondering if now, on his daughter’s birthday of all days, was a good time to pick a potential fight with her mother. But she supposed that there was no point really in trying to put it off. 

“Okay. I’ll make myself scarce.”

He frowned at the wording, entwining their fingers and raising her hand to press a kiss to the back of it. “I don’t expect we’ll be long.”

She gave him a peck on the lips. “Good luck.”

He gave her an agonized look that she was pretty sure was meant to be a smile, but came out as more of a grimace. Her fingers fiddled at her rings as she watched him head towards his office. Turning, she made her way towards the sitting room, hoping to seek out the kids or maybe one of the animals to keep her company. 

“Lucy!”

She started at the sound of Ruby’s voice, smiling when she spotted the little girl racing down the stairs towards her. 

“Hey, birthday girl!” She bent down to scoop her up, groaning overdramatically as she lifted her. “You’re getting so big, sweetheart! I won’t be able to carry you around for much longer.”

“Noooooo!” Ruby cried, but she was giggling toothily. Trailing behind her, Lizzie descended the stairs, heels clicking delicately against the floor.

“Tommy wants to see you in his office,” Lucy told her in a gentle voice. Lizzie just nodded, but her eyes darted to Ruby. “I got her.”

Lizzie reached out to stroke a lock of Ruby’s hair back. “You stay with Lucy, alright sweetheart? I’ll be just a few minutes.”

“And then we can have cake?”

Lizzie stifled a laugh. Lucy smiled. “Yes, sweet one.”

Ruby wriggled happily, watching with Lucy as her mother wandered away in the direction of Tommy’s office. Hitching her up higher on her hip, Lucy carried her from the stairway and into one of the nearby sitting rooms. Strategically far enough away from the office that, if any yelling started, Ruby hopefully wouldn’t be able to hear. With a huff, she collapsed back onto one of the couches, setting Ruby down on the cushion next to her.

“So. What did you get up to today, little miss? Hm?”

“Well…” Ruby giggled. “Mummy took me and Charlie to afternoon tea at the Midland.”

“Did she now? Did you have fun?”

Ruby nodded vigorously. 

“Did you get to open any of your presents yet?”

She pouted a little, dark doe eyes widening. “No. Mummy said not until after you and Daddy came home.”

“Ah. Well that was very thoughtful of her. I’m sure that your dad will want to see you open them.”

“Yeah,” Ruby shifted to snuggle into her side, picking at a loose thread on her dress. Lucy wrapped an arm around her, head cocking as she examined the little girl. Outwardly, she seemed her usual cheerful self. But there was something in the slight lowering of her eyes that made Lucy frown. 

“You okay, sweetie?”

“Uh huh. I just think that Mummy’s sad, is all.”

Your mummy is always sad, sweet one, Lucy thought, throat turning to sandpaper as she swallowed around the words. 

“It’s been…a bit of a difficult time at Daddy’s work lately, love. And it’s been affecting all of us. Including your mum.” She hoped that would be a good enough explanation about what was happening. Ruby frowned. “But hey,” she quickly moved to reassure the child, “your daddy will take care of it, eh? He always does.”

Ruby nodded. “Daddy takes care of everyone.”

“Yes, he does.”

A crease formed between her brows, those dark eyes darting to Lucy’s, wide with worry. “But who will take care of Daddy, Lucy?”

She felt her heart squeeze a little at the girl’s sweetness. Always a daddy’s girl. From the very moment she’d been born.

“I will, Ruby. That’s what I’m here for. You don’t need to worry.”

“You promise?” Ruby’s eyes were beseeching. Lucy smiled down at her. 

“Yes, honey, I promise.”

Seemingly satisfied, Ruby wrapped her little arms around her and nestled her head against her shoulder. Lucy stroked a hand over her hair.

“We can make it part of your birthday present, hm? What do you think?” she asked, hoping to lighten the mood. It seemed to work, Ruby grinning brightly. 

“Yeah! Okay!”

“Happy birthday, kiddo.” She kissed the top of her head. “Just you wait. Soon you’ll be old like me.”

“Noooo! I’m never gonna get old!” Ruby laughed. Lucy chuckled. “Can we play cards?” 

Lucy pressed her smiling lips together. Young as Ruby still may have been, it was her philosophy that you were never too young to start learning how to swindle at poker. She’d been teaching both the kids various card games since they were practically still in nappies. 

“Of course. I’m sure we can find a deck around here somewhere.”

It only took a little searching for them to find one, and they were just wrapping up their first game when Frances came in. 

“Miss. Winters, Mrs. Shelby asked that I take the children to the drawing room at seven for cake.”

At the mention of cake, Ruby bolted up from her seat and went racing for the door. Lucy smiled a little to herself, reaching across the table to gather up the cards and arrange them in a neat little stack. 

“Are you not coming, Miss?”

She looked up to find Frances still hovering in the doorway. She offered the housekeeper a weak smile. She had not been expressly invited to the celebrations going on in the next room. Nor did she feel bold enough to try to force her way into being included. Lizzie didn’t want her there, so she would respect her wishes. 

You are so fucking selfish.

The words had cut her deeper than she’d initially thought. Cycling in her head. Tormenting her. Leaving her to lie awake at night, staring up at the canopy, and wondering, for perhaps the thousandth time, if her presence truly was as massively damaging as Lizzie made it out to be. 

“They don’t want me there.”

“That’s not true, Miss.”

“Well, I’d rather not have to deal with Lizzie’s temper, today.” 

“Mrs. Shelby…she sometimes lets her jealousy get the best of her, but deep down, I don’t think she dislikes you nearly as much as you think.”

“Yeah,” Lucy whispered. She had thought that too, once. But as time went on it got harder and harder to believe. “Thank you, Frances.”

“Of course, Miss. I’ll leave you be.”

She nodded gratefully, curling her legs under her on the couch, plucking up a book sitting on the end table. The room was dimly lit, not the best for reading, but it fit the mood she was in. As she flipped through it idly, Trouble crept out from wherever it was she had been hiding, and curled into her lap. 

It did not take long for her to hear the sounds of Lizzie and Charlie singing Happy Birthday to Ruby in the other room. Her throat tightened, chest suddenly aching sharply with the feeling of exclusion and loneliness. Snapping the book shut, she stood, scooping Trouble up into her arms. With quick steps she headed for Tommy’s office, where she was unlikely to hear the sounds of the family singing and celebrating. 

Setting Trouble down on a nearby armchair, Lucy picked up a few stacks of papers on Tommy’s desk, sitting down and beginning to look them over. Trouble found her way into her lap again, meowing in complaint everytime Lucy ceased petting her even for a moment. She wondered if the cat could sense her distress. It would explain why she was suddenly insistent on remaining so close to her.  

The door opened perhaps fifteen or twenty minutes later. Tommy’s heavy footfalls approached her slowly, coming to a stop right beside her. 

“I was looking for you.”

Lucy swallowed harshly, the action burning a little. She cleared her throat. “Sorry.”

“Why didn’t you come for cake?”

“Didn’t want to spoil things.”

“You could never spoil things.”

“Lizzie would disagree. I’m sure that she had a much nicer time without me there to pop her happy little bubble.”

“I didn’t have a nicer time.”

She finally looked up from the papers she had been pointedly keeping her gaze fixed on. He was standing over her, a plate containing a slice of chocolate cake with a silver fork balanced on the edge clutched in one hand. His eyes were tired and hurt.

Another sharp pang of guilt twisted like a knife in her heart. “I’m sorry.”

He examined her for a moment more, then looked away. “It’s alright.” It clearly wasn’t, but she didn’t really want to discuss it further. At least not right then. He held out the plate to her. “I brought you this.”

Setting aside her papers, she took it. “Thank you.” Watching him walk around the desk to sit behind it, she frowned at the continued look of open distress on his features. Trouble hopped off of her lap to follow him, brushing her little body against his ankles. “Did Ruby have a good time?”

“She loves her presents.” He shot her a knowing look which Lucy shied away from. They both were well aware that most of the gifts with his name on them had actually been purchased by her. 

“Good. That’s good.” Taking up her fork, she gathered up a small bite of the cake. It was dense and rich. Sweet on her tongue, with just the right edge of bitterness to keep the sweetness from being too overpowering. As she chewed, she eyed Tommy, worry growing by the minute. “Are you alright?”

He cleared his throat, looking away from her to some far off, distant point. “I got a call.” He didn’t need to specify from whom. “I asked them some questions about Michael, but they didn’t have anything of much use for us.”

“Okay…” That wasn’t really all that surprising, all things considered. Disappointing, maybe. But it didn’t seem like reason enough for him to appear so upset. “How did your talk with Lizzie go?”

He didn’t respond, still staring at a nondescript place on the far wall. Setting her fork down, she put the plate on the desk in front of her and leaned forward to try to get in his line of sight. 

“Tommy?”

He came to with a jerk, eyes snapping to hers. “Hm?”

“What did Lizzie say?”

The way that his face fell told her that she’d found the source of his sullen mood. Lucy tensed, preparing herself for whatever new venom Lizzie had chosen to throw at him. Tommy drew in a deep, painful breath. 

“She said that she took Ruby to Arthur’s because she’s scared of me.”

Lucy’s brows drew in. Already that made no sense. Ruby adored Tommy. Not once had she shown fear towards him. If anything it was the opposite. He was always the one that she wanted whenever she had nightmares or was frightened of the monster under her bed. 

But Tommy wasn’t done yet. “Lizzie says that when she knows I’m not coming home that she’s…different.”

Rage, hot and trembling, began to course through her. Her fingers balled into fists, little crescents digging into her skin as she fought to leash her temper.

How fucking dare Lizzie try to use that sweet girl to hurt him. She knew how much Tommy loved Ruby; how important she was; how cherished the relationship that they had was to his heart. 

One look at Tommy’s face, and she realized that was not all. There was something more. “What else?” she asked, working hard to keep most of the anger coursing through her out of her voice. 

Tommy smacked his lips together. His thumb was moving back and forth anxiously, she could see, where it was resting on his thigh. 

“She’s concerned that if I get killed, or end up offing myself, that there won’t be anything left for her.” He choked out a humorless laugh. “She thinks that if I’m gone, she’d take my place in everything.”

Lucy stared at him, eyes wide, mouth half agape. Lizzie thought that Tommy was going to die. She thought that he was on the precipice of death, that he was suicidal, and all she cared about was fucking money!? And she told him that!?

She opened her mouth to speak. Or maybe to just let out a scream of rage before flying out of her chair to go find Lizzie and throttle her, when the growl of an engine quickly approaching the house sounded from outside. 

Her brows knit. Tommy frowned, standing and going to peek out the window. A bark sounded from near the front door. Shadow. 

“Tell Lizzie to get the kids upstairs,” Tommy said, springing into motion. Lucy nodded, rage momentarily forgotten as she hurried out of the office and to the drawing room. Lizzie was seated with Charlie and Ruby, playing with some of Ruby’s new toys. Lizzie looked up, saw her expression, heard the approaching engine, and shot out of her seat, taking both children by the hand and rushing them towards the stairs. Lucy gave her a quick nod in approval. At the very least, she could always depend on Lizzie to keep the kids safe.

Barreling from the drawing room, she met Tommy at the cupboard loaded with weapons. Her fingers flexed around the rifle he pressed into her hands, bringing the stock to rest against her shoulder. Together, they headed for the front entryway. 

Shadow was still barking and growling by the door. “Stay, boy,” Lucy ordered. He quieted and sat down on his haunches immediately, though his brown eyes followed them as they went outside. Tommy plastered himself against the wall of the archway that curled over the front door, a hand signaling for Lucy to take position behind him, her side also pressed to the cold wall that was serving as their cover.

They remained completely still, just listening with hands gripping tight to their weapons. The car engine jutted to a halt, then shut off entirely in the driveway. One of the car doors opened, followed by a thud, and sharp groans of pain. 

Lucy frowned when she recognized the voice that started calling out Tommy’s name. “Is that Johnny?”

With fluid movements that greatly resembled that of a big cat, Tommy sprang into motion. Lifting his gun to level with the car as he stepped out onto the drive, he began shouting orders to the person still inside behind the wheel. Lucy followed behind, rifle raised to cover him. Her eyes squinted at the driver’s seat, trying to make out in the shadows who was seated behind the wheel. Johnny Dogs had been dumped out onto the ground, writhing and clutching at his side. 

When Aberama stepped out of the car, Lucy felt her breathing hitch in horror. He was bloodied, tears shining in his eyes. There was something half mad in them that made her skin prickle with alarm. She kept her rifle raised, just in case. Despite Aberama not holding any weapons in his hands.  

Her blood chilled as Aberama started to speak in a voice laced with tears. Telling them of how Bonnie had been strung up on a cross and shot while they were camping out in the wilderness. At Tommy’s question as to who had attacked them, he reached into his pocket, and threw a crumpled ball of paper to them. Lucy kept her rifle trained on Aberama as Tommy stepped forward to pick it up and unfurled it. She glanced over Tommy’s shoulder at the words scrawled in black, the paper stained red with blood. 

BY ORDER OF THE BILLY BOYS.

Her eyes snapped back to Aberama as he explained that only Johnny Dogs had known where they were camped. Johnny immediately started to try to insist on his innocence. That sent Aberama into a rage, lunging at him where he was still curled on the ground.

 Tommy put down his weapon and jumped between them, trying to wrestle Aberama off of Johnny. Lucy kept a careful distance away from them, rifle still raised in case she needed to use it. She couldn’t fire as long as they were all tussling together like that, though. She wouldn’t risk hitting Tommy, and she didn’t want to outright kill Aberama or Johnny either. At least not before they had a clearer understanding of what had happened. She could always shoot Aberama in the leg to incapacitate him. She didn’t want to, but she would if she had to. 

Tommy managed to pull the two men apart, and Lucy took a cautious step closer to Johnny, lowering her rifle a little. Taking hold of Aberama, Tommy started to try to calm him down and talk sense into him. As Tommy continued to speak, Aberama suddenly went still, his gaze turning cold. 

“They crucified my son…for you,” his voice had lowered considerably into a malicious murmur. 

Lucy brought her finger to rest on the trigger of her rifle at the same moment that Aberama lunged for the gun Tommy had left lying on the ground. He had just coiled his fingers around it, half raising it to level with Tommy’s chest, when two gunshots rang out sharply. 

But the bullets came not from Lucy’s gun, nor from Aberama’s. 

They came from Lizzie’s.

They all jerked with surprise, the thundering echoes of the gunshots reverberating all around them. Lucy felt her muscles lock with the preparation for a fight before she realized what was happening. Aberama drew back, hunching over himself as if expecting to be shot. Johnny cringed. Tommy’s eyes snapped to where the shots had come from, wide with shock and fury.  

Lizzie came barreling down the steps leading to the front door. The gun she’d just fired into the sky waved wildly at all of them. Her eyes were bulging and she was screaming, demanding that they all get away. 

“This is my house! And I don’t want you back. I don’t want you back!” She looked half out of her mind, the gun aimed squarely at Tommy’s chest. Lucy stared at her in shock. Fear locked around her throat when for one terrible moment, she actually thought that Lizzie might pull the trigger. 

Tommy recovered first from the silence and stillness that the outburst had stunned them all into. With quick footsteps, he walked his way over to Lizzie. Lucy tensed, half rising her rifle towards Lizzie when she didn’t lower the gun, panicking that Tommy’s approach would trigger her to fire.

But she didn’t, and he ripped the gun from her hand with ease, opening the chamber and dumping all the remaining golden bullets out onto the drive. Lizzie smiled spitefully, rabidness still gleaming in her eyes. 

Tommy stuffed the emptied gun into the front of his trousers, then stalked over to Aberama to snatch away the rifle still held limply in his hand. It seemed that the shock of Lizzie’s intervention had drained all his remaining will and strength, leaving him swaying dangerously on his feet. His face was pale, left arm limp at his side.

“You wanna take on the Billy Boys? You need me alive,” Tommy said to him, then turned to fix his gaze pointedly at Lizzie, voice raising. “Everyone fucking needs me,” he said, no small amount of bitterness enveloping the words. Lizzie sneered at him, hate shining bright in her eyes. Lucy wondered if she actually would have had it in her to shoot him. If maybe she even had wanted to. 

But her interruption had allowed Tommy to seize back control over the situation. Aberama slumped against a nearby stone bench with a soft groan, while Tommy ordered Lizzie back inside to call an ambulance for him. She gave each of them individually a look of deep contempt, but did as she was told, turning to stalk back into the house. 

“Stay with him,” Tommy said to Lucy while he moved to haul Johnny inside. She nodded, shouldering her rifle and going to sit beside Aberama. They sat in silence, watching as Tommy helped a sobbing Johnny through the front door. Aberama’s breathing was wheezing and labored. 

It was quiet inside the house for a while, likely as Tommy got Johnny settled in one of the rooms. But then there was muffled shouting, both Tommy and Lizzie’s voices distinctive in their raised volumes. 

“Do they always argue like that?” Aberama asked softly after a few minutes passed and the yelling didn’t cease.

“Yes,” Lucy mumbled, staring down at her hands. Tommy finally came outside at the sound of the ambulance approaching, speaking to the driver in a low voice before helping them to load Aberama into the back. 

“What about Johnny?” she asked, standing beside Tommy and watching as the ambulance pulled away.

“Maisie, Clara, and Sandra are taking care of him.”

She nodded. Their maids were no stranger to setting bones and sewing up wounds.

“That letter the Billy Boys left that Aberama threw at me,” Tommy began, “it was written in the same style and handwriting as the one that was on the scarecrow in the field with the landmines.”

Lucy’s eyes widened. In her mind, she could see Bonnie, strung up on a cross not unlike the scarecrow out in the field. “Oh…” she swallowed, throat suddenly dry. “At least we know who left us them, then.”

Tommy hummed. She looked over at him worriedly and reached out to rub his shoulder. “Johnny’s not a traitor.” There was a list–albeit a very short one–of the few people whom she knew in her bones would never betray them. Johnny Dogs was on that list. 

“Agreed.”

“So how did the Billy Boys find them?”

“I don’t know,” he shook his head. Lucy looked out across the grounds, towards where the thick smattering of trees began on the property. Her lip caught between her teeth.

“Maybe it was just bad luck.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“No,” she sighed, reaching up a hand to run over her hair. “Not really.”

“Come on,” he brushed a hand across her shoulder. “Let’s get inside.”

She followed him back into the house. While he went to go check up on Johnny, she returned her rifle to the armory. Just as she was closing it up, she heard heels clicking against the floor. Protectiveness flared fiercely inside her at the memory of Lizzie brandishing the revolver in Tommy’s face.

She told him she doesn’t care if he dies.

The wrath that had briefly been extinguished by Aberama’s arrival returned in full force.

Slamming the cupboard closed, she turned sharply, walking with rapid steps towards where Lizzie was standing in the doorway. Grabbing her firmly by one wrist, she started to half drag her into one of the adjoining sitting rooms. 

“Lucy!? Ow! What the fuck!?” Lizzie cried, and Lucy yanked her through the door, closing it behind them hard enough to nearly rattle the frame. The moment that she let Lizzie go, Lizzie took a step back from her, rubbing at the wrist she’d been gripping. 

“You and I need to talk,” Lucy said, eyes blazing.

Lizzie’s throat worked, drawing herself up to her full, towering height. But there was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

Lucy took a step forward, and when she spoke, her voice was icy calm. “You will never point a gun at him like that again. Ever. Do you understand me?”

Lizzie’s jaw worked, but she didn’t reply, instead just fixing Lucy with a defiant, stubborn expression. Lucy scoffed. 

“Enough of this. Alright? Enough.” She was so angry she was nearly shaking, but thankfully no tremor found its way into her voice. “Enough with the crying. And complaining. And the fucking temper tantrums every other bloody week.” She shook her head back and forth. “What are you doing? Do you really think that being hateful to me and using your daughter to hurt him is going to endear him towards you? Really? That’s your great master plan to make him fall in love with you?”

Lizzie let out a hiss and turned away, cheeks reddening.

“You fucking idiot.” Now that the words were pouring out, she couldn’t stop them. “If you’re going to leave, fine. Fucking leave. But don’t just sit around here, crying and complaining and dragging the rest of us down with you.”

“I do not–”

“Yes, you fucking do, Lizzie! God! It’s like living with a fucking see-saw! Do you understand? Do you realize how exhausting it is? And now on top of every other fucking thing I have to do, I have to worry about you pointing fucking guns at him, and telling him that your daughter’s scared of him.”

Lizzie shrank in on herself a little.  

“You know, I see two possibilities here: either you’re a terrible mother, who has willingly brought your child back into an environment where you know she’s uncomfortable and frightened. Or, you were just saying that because you wanted to hurt him as deeply as you know how.”

Lizzie’s eyes met hers sheepishly, and she had the answer that she already knew. 

“Despite everything, I know you’re not a terrible mother. You’d never have brought her back here if you genuinely thought she was scared of him.”

Lizzie still said nothing, eyes staring back into Lucy’s, defiance slowly ebbing from them at being caught in her lie. 

“You know how much he loves her,” Lucy shook her head. “You know that he would do anything for her. How could you do that to him?”

Lizzie at least had the decency to look a little guilty. “I’m sorry–”

“Oh please. No you’re not!” Lucy laughed humorlessly. “You always fucking do this, Lizzie. You throw some big, grand temper tantrum and then you act all apologetic after the fact. As if that immediately absolves you of everything. It doesn’t. My guilt can’t absolve me of the crime of fucking your husband, and your apologies cannot erase the hurt that you’ve caused. Especially when you keep doing it over and over again.”

She drew in a deep, harsh breath at the end of her rant, taking a step away from Lizzie. Stalking to the windows, she looked out at the dark grounds, fingers toying with each other. In the reflection in the glass, she could see Lizzie still standing motionless in the same spot she’d been in while Lucy yelled at her. Staring at the wall as she processed her words. Lucy wrapped her arms around herself, returning her gaze to outside. Even as she felt Lizzie finally look over at her. 

“You’re scaring me, Lucy,” she said finally in a quiet voice. 

Lucy took no pleasure in the statement, tongue darting out to wet her lips. Looking down, she nodded once to herself. 

“Good.” She turned to face Lizzie. “I think that you’ve forgotten who exactly it is you’re dealing with, here.”

Lizzie stared at her with wide, wounded eyes, and Lucy felt a stab of guilt for how harsh she’d been. But she shoved it away. Because when it came to protecting Tommy, nothing else mattered. 

“Pull yourself together,” she commanded, raising her chin. “Or I will put an end to the entire fucking thing. You know I can. All I have to do is ask him to leave you, and he will. Like that,” she snapped her fingers. The crack seemed to echo throughout the room. “I’m almost fucking there, Lizzie. Because you can hurt me and take jabs at me and say as much hateful shit about me behind my back as you want. But you’re hurting him now. And I won’t allow that.”

The look Lizzie fixed her with was wounded and angry, but also contemplating. Lucy wondered if, just maybe, she had gotten through to her a little.

“We’re friends, Lucy,” Lizzie said, after another moment of silence. For some reason, Lucy found the idea hilarious, bursting into a round of helpless, quiet giggles and shaking her head. 

“No. No; we’re not. That was just a pipe dream.”

Lizzie shuffled a step closer to her. “That’s not true.”

“You’re just saying that to manipulate me. Like you always have. You’ve never actually given a shit about me. It’s all just been about trying to get closer to him.”

“No…it hasn’t…”

“Do you really not see how I may have started to think that every time you’re nice to me, it’s only because you want something?”

Lizzie looked down at her hands, ringing them together. “I love him, Lucy,” she finally said helplessly. 

“No,” Lucy whispered, shaking her head furiously. “Tell me, how exactly did you phrase it, Lizzie? When you were talking about your concerns regarding his potential death? How did you say it?” Her voice had dropped so low it was a miracle Lizzie could hear her. When Lizzie didn’t immediately respond, she raised an eyebrow. “Tell me,” she coaxed. Lizzie shifted from foot to foot uncomfortably. 

“I said, I’ll need to know there will be something left.”

Lucy blinked slowly, letting the words sink in and digest. “I need to know there will be something left,” she repeated back at her. Lizzie let out a shaky breath. Lucy shook her head. Her voice remained soft. “No. I don’t know what the fuck this is, but it isn’t love. Someone who loves someone wouldn’t be so focused on making sure that there will be things left for them when faced with the idea of their love’s death.”

Lizzie looked down at her hands. Lucy examined her face, watching the way that her expression fell to one of confliction and exhaustion. She raised a hand to wipe at her eyes, breaths turning shaky.

Lucy inhaled sharply, pulling away before she could allow herself to feel too terrible for making her cry, heading for the door without another word. 

She found Tommy in one of the upstairs bedrooms with Johnny, standing by the window and smoking as the maids finished bandaging Johnny’s ribs. 

“You alright?” she asked Johnny, coming to stand by the bed. He gave her a weak smile. 

“Hurts like a bitch to breathe, but I’ll live.” He looked at the maids tending to him. “Especially with these lovely beauties to look after me, eh?”

Sandra blushed and looked down at her hands. Maisie and Clara–both more seasoned and familiar with Johnny’s antics–chuckled and fondly rolled their eyes. 

“Good,” Lucy gave him a light pat on the shoulder before going over to Tommy. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders with a heavy sigh, reaching over to stub his cigarette out in a nearby ashtray. 

“Right, Johnny. If you’re alright, we’re going to go to bed.”

Johnny nodded, waving them away. Tommy took her hand, and they began the walk to their room. 

“He have anything significant to say?” Lucy asked.

“Nothing useful.”

“Mm.” That wasn’t that surprising. “I don’t like the connection to the Billy Boys. Especially after that whole business between them and Michael. It reeks of…something.”

“Yes, it does.”

“I talked with Lizzie.”

“Oh?”

“Yelled at her, is probably the more appropriate description,” she paused as he opened the door to their room, holding it wide for her to duck inside first. Trouble was curled up on the bed, asleep, though she stirred and meowed at them after Lucy flicked on the lights. Tommy closed the door behind them. “I feel a little bad about it, now.” 

“Don’t be. She’s needed a good talking to for awhile, now.”

“You don’t even know what I said to her.” She moved to sit at her vanity to take off her earrings. They settled in the little dish she kept them in with a clink. 

Tommy kissed her on top of the head, undoing the buttons on his waistcoat. “I trust you.”

Lucy smiled, grabbing a cloth to start wiping away her makeup. The smile faded quickly. “Things between you and her are getting worse.”

“Now what gave you that idea?” He flashed her a humorless smile that came out as more of a grimace, then sighed. “I’ll deal with it.”

“She pointed a gun at you.”

“She did.” 

She parted her lips to speak, then paused, considering her words before finally deciding to utter them. “If she had shot you, I would have killed her.”

Tommy glanced over at her, and smiled sadly. He reached out, resting a hand at the base of her neck, drawing her close so he could press a kiss to her lips. “I know, love.”

Previous Chapter • Series • Fic • Next Chapter

Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[artfulacrostic]

moment of silence for anybody cosplaying rorschach from watchmen at a con this summer who gets mistaken as the spot 😔✌️

[crystalkitty1220]

Man I wonder where the leader of the fear realm could've gone, it's alMOST LIKE NEVIN HAS AN

[melit0n]

What does Sleep, as in the deity, look like to you guys? Because as someone who's been around in the Sleep Token fandom for a while, I've seen a lot of different interpretations.

To me, Sleep doesn't really have a set, physical body outside of a person's (perhaps Vessel's) dreamscape. Afterall, why should something that dictates all the odd, horrifying, joyful and (sometimes) meaningful things that happen in your dreams be one thing? Sleep could be the shadow in the corner of your dark room you swear is moving, the tapping of rain as you're about to fall asleep, the creaking of the pipes inside your house/apartment as you slowly dose off at your desk, etc. Outside of a dreamscape; Sleep is only what you need it to be. Hence Its need for Vessel as Its mouthpiece.

However, in the dreamscape, I can see Sleep as a fish. Not a particularly alive looking one, per say, but the scattered remains of one. All bones, empty eye sockets (but are they truly empty?), rotting flesh and scales peeling off bit by bit etc. Specifically, a kind of deep-sea fish; like an angler fish, a sixgill shark or a Greenland shark. But! Along with its bones, Sleep has bioluminescent innards. Viceral that ebbs and flows in multi-colour fashion with each flick of Its tail.

The deep sea fish imagery mainly comes from the fact that the deep sea is almost completely unknown; many of the creatures down there are completely alien to us, like Sleep has supposedly become over the hundreds of thousands of years that It's existed. The deep sea, for the most part, is completely silent. Calm; the perfect place for a nap (if you can breath underwater of course).

It's the perfect habitat for the Unknown, odd and horrifying.

[btsbs]

.

[iridescentoracle]

Hello! I am here to ask about your Dior headcanons re: the political cohesion of Doriath. 👀

Oh man, I didn't expect anyone to actually take me up on that!

(Okay so I got partway into writing this and then realized I should probably note up front that I tend to stick to the Silm (& LOTR/the Hobbit where applicable, but they... aren't, here) as the most authoritative version of canon, and I can get into why and where the nuances/exceptions are there (I do say tend to stick, it's not hard and fast!), but that's mostly a side note here: the point is simply that I don't really factor other drafts or the poetic Leithian into my take on Doriath, Thingol, Dior, etc, just what we're told in the actual Silm. I also read the Silm as an in-universe history text compiled by in-universe scholars, who, being people, are going to have their own biases and blind spots, even when they're doing their best to be accurate!)

So, this is a two-part thing: #1, there's the political cohesion of Doriath before & at the time of Thingol's death, which i talked about in the tags of the post that prompted this ask but is kind of necessary as context for the Dior part to make sense, and #2, there's the actual Dior headcanons. Both of these parts are very long because I've never really seen anyone else suggest any of this stuff and I want to explain where I'm coming from thoroughly enough that it actually makes sense to people who aren't me, but the TL;DRs:

TL;DR 1: I think Doriath was probably a hot mess politically after Thingol died, with tensions between various groups of Sindar and Laiquendi in the leadup to Thingol's death & Melian's departure, and more political tensions afterwards between those who wanted Beren & Lúthien to come be the new rulers, and those who thought they should stay gone, with someone still in Doriath taking over.

TL;DR 2: I think Dior became Eluchil, potentially at the request of some portion of the Iathrim, hoping to help prevent Doriath from devolving into civil war, and saw dealing with the Silmaril-Fëanorioni situation as a lower priority than stabilizing Doriath's internal political situation until it was too late.

1. The political cohesion (or rather, lack thereof) in Doriath prior to Thingol's death

So, okay, the thing about Doriath is that we don't actually have any real idea of like... how much the Iathrim liked being the Iathrim? We're never told about any intra-Iathrim conflict, but a) the Silm was probably compiled mostly by surviving Gondolindrim or their descendants, so they wouldn't know about anything liike that unless surviving Iathrim told them, and after the Second Kinslaying I don't imagine many Iathrim would've been eager to talk about how things had actually been tense/messy/etc when they could remember everything as having been perfect until it was ruined by the Fëanorionrim, and doubly so after the Third Kinslaying, so why would anything like that make it into the Silm?

and b) what we do know about Doriath is that it wasn't really Doriath as we know it until Morgoth came back to Middle-earth, and everything went to hell.

At the start of the first age, you suddenly get Doriath (the fenced land!) being the one protected area of a continent that used to be totally free and open. How many Sindar actually didn't particularly care for Thingol's style of leadership, or simply preferred to live nomadic lives, going basically wherever they pleased, until suddenly that wasn't safe anymore, and you were only guaranteed survival if you were close enough to Menegroth to be within the Girdle when it went up? ditto how many Laiquendi had no interest in swearing loyalty to Thingol right after their own king had just been killed, but again, made it to safety and stayed there over taking their chances on their own in the outside world? (None of this is meant as any insult to Thingol himself, by the way; he can have been a good king who did his best for his people and still rubbed some of his new subjects-by-necessity the wrong way, through no fault of his own or theirs.)

I think it's entirely possible that there were always potential political tensions under the surface in Doriath that just... never got written about, because they never boiled over into actual political conflict, and so it was never the sort of tension that had any bearing on the historical record.

Except then Beren & Lúthien happen to the world, and a few years later the Narn, and in the blink of an eye suddenly the only king Doriath has ever had is dead, and the only queen Doriath has ever had is gone and the Girdle with her—and more than that, the only rulers the Sindar had ever had for three thousand years before Doriath existed.

And where a few years earlier I think the Iathrim would probably have turned pretty universally to Lúthien, now she's abandoned them for her human husband—and while she's my favorite character in the entire legendarium hands-down and I don't blame her, I think that's another place there might have actually been some very mixed feelings among the Iathrim that nobody wanted to admit to later because how could anyone have been upset with Lúthien—and on top of her abandoning them for him, I think it's extremely probable most of Doriath did not actually get over their xenophobia about humans in general or Beren in specific when Thingol did (we know for sure at least some of Doriath didn't, cf. Saeros insulting Túrin's mother & sister to his face), but again, who's going to admit to having had a grudge against the holy couple of Middle-earth after the fact, you know?

Conversely, there could've been a sizeable faction of Sindar who had been totally loyal to Thingol until everything happened with Beren & Lúthien, but who found his actions towards them and/or Finrod to be where they drew the line, and while (unlike B&L themselves) that faction stayed in Doriath, there could've been a new, additional tension on that front.

Finally, for all we know there were multiple factions within the Laiquendi of Doriath, with political tensions stretching back to before their king died, rooted in who-even-knows!

2. Dior

All of that, of course, sets up a very, very messy political situation for Dior to walk into.

The Doriath stuff is arguably more speculation than actual headcanon, but here's where the unambiguous headcanons come in: I don't think "Dior Eluchil set himself to raise anew the glory of the kingdom of Doriath." Obviously that's how it got written down, but bluntly, I can't see Beren and Lúthien having a kid that stupid or, like, power-hungry and arrogant?

What I can see is a situation where the messenger that brought word of Thingol's death and Melian's departure asked Beren & Lúthien to come take over as the new king and queen, we promise we're not mad about you leaving and we won't be xenophobic to your husband anymore we swear it's fine now pretty please, Beren & Lúthien said no, and the messenger either asked Dior as a second choice, or said "okay fine none of that was actually true but Doriath is falling apart and we need a leader ASAP and there's about eight different contenders* (mostly kinsmen of Thingol or Laiquendi) being backed by various factions and it's going to devolve into civil war any minute so if you care at all—" and Dior said "would I do?"

(* Ask me about my Galadriel headcanon)

I don't think Dior necessarily wanted to be king of Doriath, and I don't think he saw the throne as his birthright or anything like that; I don't think anyone involved, from Thingol to Lúthien to Dior himself, ever considered the possibility of Thingol dying and needing an heir! I think it's possible he was asked, or at most that he offered, and either way, I think he saw becoming king as taking on a responsibility for the sake of others.

(Which, like, "well here's a potentially impossible task that I'm going to take up even though probably no one thinks I'm actually capable of it, but it's my duty to help others as best I can" sure does sound to me like an attitude one might develop when raised by Lúthien "I kicked Sauron's ass cast a sleep spell on Morgoth and persuaded the Valar to find a loophole in the fabric of reality" Tinuviel and Beren "I stayed by my father's side as an outlaw to give my mother time to lead the rest of our people away hopefully to safety knowing I would never see her or any of them again (and then spent several years being a giant thorn in Morgoth's side for good measure)" Barahirion, where "apparently my grandpa I may or may not have ever met died, guess that makes me the king of a place i may or may not have ever been" does... not.)

I also think he either took on the epithet Eluchil, or was given it by whichever factions of the Iathrim accepted him as king, when he actually became king. Obviously he's going to be referred to as Dior Eluchil even before that in retrospect because that's how he's thought of later, but that doesn't mean it was actually a name he always had, you know?

The final thing is, I think if Dior essentially walked into a political situation five seconds from devolving into civil war, it makes his inaction regarding the Silmaril prior to the Second Kinslaying make more sense: the Fëanorioni have been sitting around doing nothing about the Silmaril in Doriath / with Beren & Lúthien this whole time, the letter saying "hey that's our Silmaril give it back now" is probably just a formality, and Dior's only been ruling for a couple years, there's still plenty of people dubious about whether he should be king at all, he might well be subject to at least some of whatever xenophobia remains about humans in Doriath, and in general all the work he's done on stabilizing the kingdom will absolutely come undone again if he screws up; he's trying to keep a kingdom from falling apart, the Silmaril thing can wait.

Of course, it wasn't a formality, and it couldn't wait, but why would Dior have known that?

[musical-chick-13]

It is because these people are stupid. Hope this helps.

[transxfiles]

the funny thing about having read the spider punk comics is going through the atsv tag noticing people saying things about hobie and then being like "it's canon from the comics!!" to justify things they literally just made up. girl i did the reading and i don't know how to tell you this but nothing you just said is true... you fell for the edited panels from twitter didn't you.