#I'm still uncertain over the whole ordeal

[wayfaringminstrel]

Ah, so, yeah. Promotion is official.

[disaster-daydreams]

See You Later pt. 9

Mammon (Obey Me! Shall We Date?) x GN!reader

See You Later Masterlist

A/N - Okay so this isn't going to end sad I swear. It won't end with a pretty gold ribbon but I won't end sad. Anyways, I know I literally dropped off the face of the planet. Uh,,, I can't go into detail about what happened but basically I got my entire life yanked out from under me wHOO! But I also started college and uh,,, 15 hours with 9 of them being writing intensive? Not a good choice. But I'm an English major now!! And next semester will be easier.

CW! Trauma, and MC collapses. Also, crying, bc MC was laying on the FLOOR for WAY too long.

See You Later Masterlist

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“It’s not bad, I promise. It’s just… problematic.” Barbatos sighed, pulling back to sit on the balls of his feet. “And I suppose I’m not being entirely truthful. That has happened before, just…” He hesitates, and glances at Diavolo.

“It’s nothing. Just know, for now, do not use your pacts. They will not work correctly, and you may end up hurting the brothers if you try.” Barbatos stands up and sighs, squeezing his eyes shut. “I will have to work on a solution. Lucifer,” he looks over, and suddenly Barbatos seems much older than anyone else in this room. “I will be out of commission for the time. Keep things under control.”

Lucifer nods, and Diavolo glances between them. “Do I… get any context for this?”

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t be able to comprehend it now. Go to sleep. Your distressingly overdue paperwork can wait.”

Diavolo cringed, nodding and choosing to take this small mercy over questioning the butler. Barbatos, satisfied with this, turns to leave. Just as he makes it to the door, he turns. “Listen. The magic that was required to change you… it is incredibly powerful. You will find its equal in no books or legends. Do not attempt to alter it.”

The door slams as he leaves, and Diavolo lets out a shaky breath. 

“That was… concerning, to say the least,” Diavolo laughs, and Mammon decides that he has definitely been crying. Part of him wants to comfort the prince, but he also doesn’t know if he can get up yet. 

“What is he going to do? Being out of commission… and he didn’t ask, or even wonder if there could have been another way.” Lucifer murmurs, still looking at the doors. “There has to be some other way. He shifts, rolling his shoulders as he stands and pulls Diavolo to his feet. “In any case, I can’t carry them together. I’ll get Mammon; he’ll be the strongest. And heaviest.” Diavolo nods, uncertain. “Just to a bedroom, for now. We all need sleep.”

The shuffle down the hallway was slow and painful and tense. So many questions, and soreness, and exhaustion. Apparently Mammon had been out for only a day, and Diavolo had been inconsolable. Lucifer had barely slept since the beginning of this ordeal, he just didn’t show it as much. Barbatos had been by his side the whole time, and Satan had been running around doing his best to research the magic required to pull the human out of their trance. 

Mammon, halfway to the bedroom they would stay in, was able to stand on his own. Lucifer was going to help Diavolo, but by the time he even thought about it, Mammon had glued himself to the human’s free side. They were both breathing heavily, and the human’s hand had begun to spasm, even in the clasp of Mammon’s. 

“I feel like Barbatos knows something and won’t tell me.” Diavolo sounded crushed, like all the air had been taken from his lungs. The group kept walking.

“We are going to talk later about your impulsiveness, Mammon,” Lucifer’s voice was low and quiet, no trace of the threat the words conveyed. “You could have never come back.” The group kept walking.

“I feel like there’s somethin’ wrong with my head.” Mammon blinked rapidly, wavering dangerously. Lucifer grabbed his arm and righted him. The group kept walking.

“I hurt.” A squeak, barely audible, sounded before the human completely collapsed. Diavolo caught them, and he carried them bridal style the rest of the way to the room.

It was comfortable and cool, with a thick comforter on each of two wide beds. Curtains billowed in the breeze the doors created, shifting across the carpeted floors. Diavolo gently placed the human in the nearest bed, pulling the covers up to their chin. They smiled at him and made a small noise in the back of their throat, but the effort seemed too much and they gave up. Diavolo smiled and turned towards Mammon.

“You have the choice to stay in the second bed, but,” Diavolo blinked slowly, rubbing his eyes. “I think they would appreciate it more if you stayed with them. Go easy on yourselves, and sleep as long as you need.” His smile fell, and his gaze shifted past Mammon and Lucifer, focused on some distant point. “I think Barbatos may take a while.”

Mammon nodded, muttering a ragged “Thanks,” before pulling himself in with his human. Their hand twitched against his chest, and they nestled into him, pulling into his warmth. They were cold, unnaturally so, and shaking even more.

The sniffling started soon after the door creaked shut, their tears dripping onto his neck and hands gripping his shirt. Mammon pulled them closer, interlocking their legs and wrapping his arms around their waist. It clicked for him that this wasn’t over; they were in pain, of course they would be, they were in that horrible place for much longer than he was. There was so much he wanted to ask them; how many times they had lived through those memories, how much they had thought of him, what they were feeling right now.

He buried his face in their neck, breathing them in and wishing that this could have been under better circumstances, that one day they could be together without pain, or sadness, or some threat hanging over their heads. 

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed that on ya so suddenly,” he started, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I should’ve given ya time. I should’ve thought about all this before. I just-” 

“Mams.”

“Right.”

He sighed, pulling them in. The drift off to sleep was slow and often interrupted; One of them would shift, or jerk awake, or have a nightmare, and the other would be there to comfort them. Time held no meaning - the door stayed closed, the view from the window never changed, and the only noise in the room was fabric shifting and steady breathing. For the first time since the exchange program began, the two were allowed to find solace in each other without fear or hesitation.

For the first time since they had met, they allowed themselves to love each other.

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See You Later Masterlist

[catboyebooks]

yes of course there's an epilogue.

i think the narration here is actually from naegi's perspective; it's definitely not hinata, and the melodramatic phrasing is pretty distinctive. anyway, the narration says this absurd nonsense incident is about to wrap up, and remarks on how small this entire incident has been compared to the worst most despair-inducing event in the history of mankind. there isn't even a name for this incident (uh yes there is, it's called super danganronpa 2 goodbye despair academy 🙄) and the world at large isn't even going to know that this happened. at least, not as long as the group remains here.

the dr1 trio is standing on the docks on the real jabberwock island, looking out at the ship they're about to board. the preparations for their departure are finished and kirigiri and naegi both seem ready to head out. but togami has more questions. he asks if the sdr2 survivors are really going to be okay. didn't they just turn back into shsl despair? naegi seems a little uncertain when replying, but he says he doesn't think so. if they had, why would they have elected to stay on the island? both kirigiri and naegi figure that they want to remain behind to help their friends, the "dead" people, who i guess are still in a VR-induced "sleep" with their fates uncertain. kirigiri points out that just wanting to help is proof that they've changed, but says the reality is that the odds of everybody waking up are close to zero. naegi says that's not a problem because no matter how bad the odds are, they're still trying. togami says it'd take a miracle, and naegi says he thinks they'll be able to achieve it anyway. they've accepted both hope and despair and resolved not to give up. for people like that, maybe miracles are inevitable. (and also there's a guy here whose luck basically guarantees that if an outcome is extremely unlikely, it'll happen to him. no one brings that up but i'm gonna.) both togami and kirigiri are like Dude you are so naïve and you are like a little baby (affectionate). happy to see the throuple is doing well.

they talk about how they are going to be in big huge trouble if the rest of the future foundation finds out about this. since the other two let naegi take the lead on all this, they ask him what his plan is. he doesn't have one. kirigiri's like "ok good luck coming up with something bc i'm not going to help you that much." naegi protests but togami tells him he should be glad they let him take charge here and he's like "ok... fine." these three are extremely fucking married. i'm delighted.

the three of them head to their ship. they've got more work to do, the whole despair apocalypse thing isn't fully over yet. naegi says they have to create their own futures, too.

we cut to black and now hinata is narrating again. he says the ordeal is over, and their daily lives have begun. "lives that are much more absurd, nonsensical, and irrational than before... things are... probably going to be a lot more difficult now." this isn't a mystery with a tidy ending, and it's doubtful the ending will even be good. visuals and background noise fade back in; we're looking out across a vast expanse of ocean, hearing the waves. hinata says the future's not a path, it's like an endless sea; you can try to go anywhere, but that doesn't mean you'll get there. even so, he's going to keep on living as himself. as hajime hinata.

and then we roll the credits! once again the end theme is written and performed by megumi ogata and as always it slaps and it did not make me feel normal at all. i was sort of planning on talking about the lyrics but that feels like it should be a separate post, and might also involve me doing some amateur translation work.

there isn't a post-credits stinger this time, but when the spike chunsoft logo appears at the end, monokuma falls down and lands on top of it. he says — and this isn't subtitled so apologies if my translation is a little rough, i only heard this the one time after all — something along the lines of "until next time, thanks, everybody! i love you bastards!" (yeah, he used omaera and aishiteru in the same sentence) and then he lets go of the logo and falls offscreen. And that's it! that's the actual end of the game. we did it. we fucking did it. it only took me a year and eight months. Holy fuck

[poetry-protest-pornography]

I'm on a KinnPorsche Big Lives (and gets nice things) kick. So I'm thinking of writing a fic that's basically this:

***

Big survived the warehouse, and was squirrelled away by Vegas for some plot against Kinn or another, and has been in a private hospital this whole time.

With all the drama, Vegas has pretty much forgotten about him.

Porsche is doing his best as the head of the minor family, going through the ledgers, and finds invoices for Big's room and the nurses in charge of his care and obviously gets curious why they're paying for private health care for an unnamed person-- after the ordeal with his mother, he's actually terrified that he's going to discover some other traumatic figure from his family's past -- but he can't just not know. What if he can help this person? What if they are like his mother; a prisoner, held by fear and obligation and lack of power?

So he takes a trusted guard (they only have trusted guards left, everyone else has been rooted out or run or was lost in Gun's uprising, but Porsche can't think about that too much), and they go to the private hospital, and finds Big, hooked up to a bunch of machines, drugged just enough to not fight, but mostly healed. There are burns, but he's in one piece.

Porsche loses it a little, quietly demands that anything not necessary to keep Big comfortable be immediately stopped, and finds the presence of mind to call Kinn and to arrange for Big to be moved to the medical wing at the major family compound.

When Kinn arrives, Porsche is sitting next to Big's bed, holding his hand, and apologizing over and over into the blankets at Big's hip, where he's pressing his head. Big is starting to come out of the fog of drugs, and looking at Porsche with clear confusion on his face.

Kinn wasn't as prepared as he thought he was to see Big again, and between seeing his friend (he's come to terms with the truth of that, recently, that some of his men are more than just bodyguards, and that the careful distance he's curated doesn't make it easier to lose them, so it's pointless to pretend otherwise) alive after months thinking him dead, and seeing his lover crying at his side, he can barely decipher his own feelings. But he takes a seat beside Porsche, siding an arm around him, offering comfort, pressing a kiss to his temple, and adds his hand to the tangle of Porsche and Big's, squeezing their fingers together.

When Big's eyes meet his, Kinn finds himself crying, overwhelmed with too many feelings.

Big cuts the silence with a croaky "Hey, Boss," and Kinn laughs, startled. Porsche sits up at the sound of Big's voice, his mouth open in surprise, and his loose grip on Big --and now Kinn's -- hands tightening.

"Porsche," Big adds with a slight, sleepy nod and a semi-pointed look at their hands.

Porsche grins, wide and genuine, and tells Big "Hey, we're taking you home," sounding excited and guilty all at once, and Kinn loves him so deeply that he can hardly contain it.

Big looks uncertain for a brief moment, but then he grins back, still a little wobbly with whatever they've been giving him, but relieved and honest, and most importantly there to see at all.

There's a lot to coordinate, a lot to come, but Kinn and Porsche are more than happy to put in the work for this, to have one less unsaid goodbye haunting them, one less unoffered apology. One more friend at their side.

***

That was a lot more than I intended to actually write at the moment, oops 🤷🏼‍♀️

Anywho, if y'all like this, please let me know, and I'll hopefully get the real thing written.

Also, I'm not sure if this is heading in a poly-shippy direction, so I guess give me your thoughts on that, too, please! (Big deserves nice things, y'all)

[lovelytarou]

how to make someone smile — todoroki shoto

pairing: todoroki shoto x reader

tags: shoto being no thoughts, head empty for you, cringe jokes agshd

word count: 1.5k

genre: fluff

a/n: i'm sorry for the cringiness 😭 but these puns really did get a chuckle out of me sksks thank you all for joining me on this event this is the last part and i'm off to finish my other fics! ily all <33

shoto noticed that something was off with you the minute you entered the room. you don't have that usual light that you seem to carry with you whenever you go even if you don't notice it. the beaming face he has grown to love pulled down in a frown as your head was ducked low. 

he followed your figure with a watchful gaze as you settled on the seat beside him. even then, you didn't greet him like you usually do and only stared straight ahead with a faraway look in your eyes. 

“good morning, y/n.” his calm voice spoke, making you turn to him. 

he was shocked and slightly pained when you only managed a nod and a meek smile in his direction before focusing back to the front. he paid no mind to it and chalked it up to you not feeling well, or that you might have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. 

that was until you were both partnered for a presentation together. you didn't even react, just scooting closer to his chair to talk about what you wanted to do for the presentation. all the while, shoto kept his undivided attention to you – eyes watching you like a hawk, every move under scrutiny. 

“why are you staring at me like that, sho?” he didn't realize you had paused from explaining the plans and instead was looking back at him. he felt himself get flustered by the fact that you caught him staring at you without meaning to. 

“you just seemed...off today.” was his simple reply, watching you for any violent reactions.

“off? i'm totally fine, sho. i always act like this!” you assured, chuckling nervously as you diverted the topic to the task at hand.

“anyways, where do you wanna get this started?” he doesn't wanna inconvenience you so he took the opportunity that will allow him to spend more time with you.

“let's do it in my room instead.” he offered.

“alright, i'll meet you there by 8.” you agreed, and before he could speak any further you had turned on your heel – losing yourself into the sea of people as they all filed away for lunch. 

during lunch hour, shoto couldn't keep his mind off you and might be troubling you to keep you in such a gloomy mood. you even refused to eat with him like you usually do, which he suddenly thought that he may have something to do with it, but he can't recall anything he may have done to cause you to be this sad. 

“hey, todoroki bro!” comes kaminari's greeting matched with an arm wrapped around his shoulders. 

“kaminari,” he greeted back as they edged closer while waiting in line for food. 

“a penny for your thoughts? wait let me guess…it's y/n, isn't it?” kaminari had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he said this and todoroki can only hope for the worst. or maybe best, out of this. 

“they seem kinda gloomy today, huh? did you upset them or anything?” 

surprised by kaminari's words, shoto shook his head no. he was just thinking about that but he was sure he didn't do anything to do such a thing to you.

“well, it must be something that's why they're like that,” kaminari moved closer to the counter, picking his food and shoto did the same. his attention has been piqued by the blonde and now following close behind. 

“kaminari, do you…” he felt silly asking this but he was kinda running out of options here and he wanted to see your beautiful smile or maybe ease the weight off your shoulders for you.

“do you know how to make someone smile?” just hearing the words leave his mouth made him blush as red as his hair. 

but nevertheless, kaminari smiled wide. “you asked the right guy!” 

and, naturally, if you knew kaminari denki, you'd know that's where things started to go south for shoto. 

the blonde had pushed him in your direction before you began training where he found you all by yourself, stretching and doing warmups. 

shoto felt uncertain during the whole ordeal, preparing himself for any reaction you'd give him. 

“hey, y/n.” he called out, making you pause your warmups as you stared up at him expectantly. 

“where do you find giant snails?” he waited for a second, and then two. 

“umm...i don't think there are snails around he–”

“–on the ends of giants fingers.” he finished the joke. how did he manage to say that with such a serious expression was beyond you. you could only stare at him in confusion. before you can reply however, everyone was called to start training. 

the next time he attempted it was when all of the class was having dinner while you two are sitting by each other. everyone has fallen into a casual chatter, asking about how everyone's day went, their plans for tomorrow and the days after that �� the usual. 

shoto met kaminari's eyes across the table, the latter giving him a thumbs up. he cleared his throat as he inched closer to you.

“y/n?” shoto asked after tapping your shoulder to get your attention, “can i ask you something?” 

dropping your fork, you faced him, expecting something serious and staving off your own feelings for a moment. 

“what do you call a cheese that's not yours?” 

“let me guess–”

“nacho cheese,” he said it so proudly and clearly that everyone in the table had fallen silent. the only sound you can hear was kaminari's laugh as he doubled over the table, slapping it with his palm. all eyes turned on him.

“wha-? it's funny!” he reasoned but they just shook their heads and rolled their eyes on him. 

dinner continued on awkwardly after that. 

inside his room, shoto stared up at the ceiling in thought. he doesn't get why you can't appreciate the jokes that kaminari said will make you smile. was he doing it wrong? maybe you don't like jokes?

he remembered today will be the day that you'll come over to his room for the presentation. he immediately got off his bed and started to tidy up his room. not five minutes later and you're already knocking on the door. 

“y/n, come in.” he opened the door wider for you to come in, he found himself following your figure with his eyes once again. no matter what clothes, or state you're in, you still look gorgeous in his eyes.

you got comfortable by yourself as shoto sat beside you, getting out his own materials as you started to talk and explain what you wanted to do for the presentation. all the while, shoto listened to you attentively, paying close attention to every word that comes out of your mouth. 

oh, how kissable your lips are. do you use lip gloss? or maybe a flavored lip balm? 

“sho!” he snapped out of his thoughts when you called his name. he stammered, feeling his whole face and neck heat up from embarrassment. 

“sorry, w-what were you saying?” he tried to avoid your eyes and pretended to arrange his things. 

“i said, are you cool with my plan?” you think shoto looking all bashful and embarrassed is cute that it even brought a small smile to your face. 

he nodded, “yeah, i'm cool with whatever as long as it's with you.” 

he didn't even notice the weight of his words as you felt your own face heat up but this time it's because of the feelings it invoked within you. shoto can really be clueless to the effect he has on you.

“wait, you're smiling!” shoto exclaimed in surprise, eyes widening as he stared at your toothy grin longer. deep within him, he felt like an accomplished man.

this is it, this is what happiness feels like. fuck everything else, you're the only thing that matters. 

“you're so cute, shoto.” you muttered fondly, before leaning closer to peck his cheeks, silently thanking him for making you happy for several days to come.

general taglist: @chibishae34 @heyheysey @bukojuiice

[dvoxah]

This post contains my rules, a tad of info about myself and my D'Vorah's About page. This post should make it easier for those that do not go to the blog fully/friendly for mobile users

Name’s Ash, I’m 24, I've been writing for over 10+ years, and I am mostly here to have fun!! I dropped writing for a while due to life and the like, but I'm tossing my hat back into the ring since I do adore my dear bug lady.. my lovely,,,

{ RULES + ABOUT }

1. While this is a Mortal Kombat blog, do not attack my muse unless it is a prompt or we plot it out. After all, plotted out Kombat is far better than not, wouldn’t you agree?

2. Do NOT take control of my muse, not unless you are guiding her somewhere but that is about it. There are few things I will allow with such things, but to be near written off with how my character reacts to things until it’s my turn just doesn’t sit well.

3. This blog is multiship, meaning I will ship with multiple characters. However, it is going to take quite some time before crossing into such territory when it comes to D'Vorah. Chemistry is a MUST/we discuss things HEAVILY beforehand

4. On that note, I will NOT write smut with anyone below the age of 18, characters or mun. I could get in serious trouble. If you’re an adult and are uncomfortable with NSFW, then we do not have to write such things.

5. Speaking of NSFW, everything regarding something of the sort WILL be put under a read more {from Gore to sex}. While I won’t write much of such in terms of sexual things, considering the facts when it comes to D'Vorah, it’s still a note to be put.

6. Being semi-selective simply means I pick who I interact with is all. I am not mutual exclusive, so feel free to interact

7. I am OC and crossover friendly! I find it fun to throw D'Vorah into new situations, especially where she is uncertain of her surroundings. And interacting with OCs is always a treat but do be sure to have some information about your OC!

My D'Vorah is Canon Divergent/Based on the MKX comic - meaning her story AND how she acts is a bit different compared to the canon counterpart in the games mainly. Under is her background/history, at the bottom there is a TL;DR so you can skim and get an idea of how I play her story/how she acts. I do also play along the canon D'Vorah, but that is an 'ask first' type ordeal if anything

Arnyek is a massive island realm, lush in terms of forest, plants and diverse wildlife, surrounded by a cold sea and smaller islands around it. The Kytinn, a race of insect-like humanoid beings, live in the dead-center of the largest island, having underground tunnels that they carved and made their home, with some choosing to live within massive trees as well. Different types of them live together within the Hive, working together and being diligent in their duties picked for them. They lived such a life for centuries, content with their numbers and their way of life. Not caring for other realm problems, for they only cared for their own. There had been stories of some Kytinn journeying to another realm for a short time before returning, actual history of that, however, is but whispers among the insectoids. Myths that they shared that never were sought to be correct... but never thought to be untrue. D'Vorah, the current Kytinn Queen after the death of the previous, watches over all. She consults the Elder Kytinn when large choices are to be made for they have been around for longer than she or even some previous Queens. Some decisions she makes on her own terms if it benefits the whole Hive in her eyes. Caring not for the bitter looks she gains from the elder insect humanoid beings, for it was for the better of the Hive in the end.

It was a solitary life, they enjoyed it for that in itself. Until Shao Kahn invaded their home. D'Vorah was quick to try and preserve her people after he slaughtered the Elders who had been in a heated discussion over many things out of the Hive and on the shores of Arnyek, D'Vorah dared to not care to join in the arguments of how to defend themselves for it was far too late. Vowing her service to him which only led to Arnyek being near absorbed into Outworld. The Kytinn moved their Hive to the outskirts of Outworld to try and rebuild their life under this new rule, making them restless in a matter of the word. Still trying to adapt to this new life, as that was something they knew well to do. It still made many talk and chitter within the darkness of the new home...

With the idea whispered around the ranks that the Kytinn would attempt to fight back and infest the realm all over if allowed to grow too much, Shao Kahn took to burning the Hive they had created. Taking torches to different openings found to ensure the most effective eradication of their numbers. Smoke and flame devoured the Hive, many panicking and making it difficult on themselves when it came to escape.

D'Vorah could save only few Kytinn, many being lost in the process as she tried to guide them through the flames. She had to make Shao Kahn believe her to be the last of her kind, that she had been away from the Hive when he had burned it. Taking to their swarm forms to try and hide away where they were able was what the Kytinn chose to do in order to survive. To lay in wait, while D'Vorah tried to think of a way to return her people home, or at the very least find a safer place as to grow the numbers once more without others knowing as to not have such a horrific event happen again. She would protect the Hive at all costs, no matter what it would take.

For the safety of her own kind and herself, D'Vorah could only follow the commands given to her by Shao Kahn, who seemed more than pleased at her sorrow for the people that were lost due to the purge he had done. She despised him, as any would, but kept such feelings under wraps… she needed to keep up her role, to work her way up. A feign of pure loyalty, as if she had nothing else to concern herself about - not having anymore people to think about, at least Shao Kahn believed she didn't.

With Shao Kahn's rule coming to an end, and Mileena's began, D'Vorah could have cared less. She couldn't return to her own kind, and it especially became tougher when Mileena would choose to trouble her with her little games. D'Vorah's patience with her grew thin quite quickly, and when Kotal came to talk to her and the others, she was highly skeptical of him, but offered what she could.

D'Vorah didn't know what to expect when it came to this Osh-Tekk, and when he became Kahn, she became highly wary of him. Even when he appointed her as his advisory, her instincts were not to trust him. For who knew how he would truly rule now that he was Emperor. And yet, seeing how he treated her, and the people, it quickly broke down the walls that prevented the Kytinn from trusting him to her full extent. It was a surprise to even herself in the end.

And due to such, she would do anything for Kotal Kahn. Follow him to the ends of Outworld and toss herself into danger for him should she need to, and she has. As much as Kytinn despised humanoid creatures, D'Vorah couldn't help but put her trust and loyalty into the new Kahn, only wishing to serve him and see his reign prosper. It all went awry when another Kytinn - one D'Vorah thought to be trusting enough to allow close - joined Shinnok's side and betrayed D'Vorah and those she sent them to work alongside...

MK11 {{short... for now}}

With D'Vorah staying beside Kotal instead of betraying him, she comes from an alternate timeline when it comes to the past and future. It was by accident she arrived in such a timeline, and to see what was possible made her angered at her other self. How could she betray Kotal as if he was nothing? He had done plenty to aid her and her people, at least when it came to her experience. But, apparently, not in this timeline. This timeline was different. Very different.

With tensions high due to how her other timeline self had ruined any and all trust in a Kytinn, D'Vorah finds herself lost and only wishes to try to aid those around her if possible - not that any wish for her help in thought she would easily betray them as well due to how her other self has acted and showed. Who knew if she was lying or not?

She can only try to gain trust, to try and show she is not as much of a threat as her counterpart. But for now... she simply keeps to herself. Trying to figure everything out as she goes.

TL;DR:

Shao Kahn invades Arnyek and easily takes it over. Kytinn try to make new home. Hive gets burned by Shao Kahn. D'Vorah saves few Kytinn, but plays it off like she is the last remaining one. Suffers the work put onto her. Shao Kahn is dealt with, ushering in Mileena. Mileena loves to pick on D'Vorah in particular. Kotal comes to her and the rest of the group to talk them into aiding him in taking the throne. D'Vorah becomes his advisory/first minister and slowly comes to put all her loyalty right into him and would follow him to the end. It is another Kytinn that D'Vorah thought to be loyal that betrays everyone and follows after Shinnok, to somewhat challenge which of the two would be better suited for leading the Kytinn and which side would prevail....

[protagcnists]

the song hadn't left her since the whole chaotic ordeal. the handful of lyrics she had picked up before bolting from the stage now played on a loop in her head. kendall had not only publicly shamed her but managed to give her the absolute worst soundtrack to underscore the rest of her evening. "yeah, well..." shiv turned, a twist in her gut as she remembered walking into her brother's office. the knife was still fresh in her back, her own blood leaving a trail on the carpet. "he better not try to fucking expense those."

there was a lingering hostility inside of her that she didn't know what to do with. she had nowhere to put it. in some ways, it would have been easier to be accompanied by anyone else. someone more well suited for a punching bag or a quick game of bitey. not that she couldn't deliver a blow to karolina. she was more than capable. but it wasn't quite as satisfying when someone didn't deserve it. with a sideways glance, shiv looked over karolina's face, searching for the underlying intention. the hidden motive. "i'm not..." she pressed her lips together. "i mean, if you're looking for somewhere to put your pity, i don't want it."

shiv had to attribute it to something. being nice. how the fuck was she so...normal? as karolina's phone buzzed, head turned down toward the screen, shiv couldn't help but steal a glance. subtly, if that was even possible, she watched karolina. the way the breeze lifted strands of hair from her neatly kept bob. no one else had come for her up here. not the brothers she was still on speaking terms with, not her husband who had been consistently absent through this whole thing. just one. her head turned down as delicate fingers found her wrist. her chest rose with a slow, steady inhale. "th-thanks..." she muttered, like she was uncertain if she was pronouncing the word correctly. after a moment of contact, shiv turned back to the skyline, unable to let a moment linger too long. she cleared her throat. "uh, if you were, uh...going to come up here uninvited, you could've at least had the foresight to bring a light." shiv tapped the cigarette with her finger. "or at least a drink."

everything had always been a concern. if karolina didn't have concern there wouldn't be much of a reason for her to be present. life wasn't without concern, and certainly not this company, and not this family. " kurt cobain being blasted wasn't scribbled in any of my briefing notes." the frustration was grit between her teeth, she remained still on the topic. stoic, even though she felt rather pissed internally. there was only a flaw, and it was succinctly scrunched in her auburn brows. that's where the concern rested uneasily, brushed in the small fibered hairs that furrowed. " JBL speakers got a rise of notice in product from it." where they suffered. seeing the brands boxes piled in kendall's office wasn't any breathtaking image. working to increase the image of the company, and logan surrounded by positive uplifting angles beside his children had plummeted.

" just being here if you need it." karolina deflected the masochist comment. replaced the smoke of it with geniune care. she did care. a crude comment would only be one of many. the woman knew how to adjust. how to just soak it all in like a sponge without any defensive fury. her head turned, just enough to catch the side of shiv's profile looking outward. she wondered what was unspoken. what filled her freckled, and strawberry colored head. it must have always been troublesome being a woman in the roy family. it didn't go without blows, and hits, surely. " it's a lot." karolina noted the obvious. sometimes it was necessary to speak upon. good for the other ear to hear.

phone buzzing in karolina's pocket, she lifted one hand to rub the pads of her fingers to her forehead - already assuming it was something in regards to the many blazing fires. other hand pulled her phone from the blazer pocket quickly glancing at the notification before placing it back into it's hidden fold. for a moment karolina allowed the silence to embrace them both. karolina had spent the night at waystar tucked away in a conference room with her mental fire extinguisher at this shit show circus. every now and then she'd sneak a moment with gerri to have a pastry that was nearly stale, and an espresso to reignite her body from it's tiring state. " you didn't come out here to talk. you came out here to escape what's foaming inside. right ? " her voice softened. the accent still clicked on the tip of her tongue. so much of her mother was there. " so. we can stand here. we don't need to talk. you get a moment. im just. " a breath. " here." it fell sincere, sealed by a light squeeze to shiv's wrist that held karolina's burning habit.

[night-filled-mountain]

Re: Yeza's lack of trauma, I think a lot of it might have to do with the timescale of it? Luc is FIVE, and Nott/Veth has been gone for about THREE years. She's 24, iirc? That would mean she left Yeza's life when she was 21. They got married and had a kid at 19. Two years of being married and having a family versus three whole years to grieve? I'm not saying that it would be unreasonable for him to still be grieving, but it also isn't that he wouldn't.

I meant more the trauma of being kidnapped, imprisoned, and interrogated/tortured–it seemed like the effects of that whole ordeal were glossed over pretty quickly. In addition to all the other things pointed out in that post (his total lack of anger or frustration at being left alone or single-parenting Luc for long stretches of time, lack of personal ambitions, lack of independent relationships with any M9 members other than Nott, etc.), I just don’t feel like his character’s been developed to a degree that I can take a strong interest in him. I like him, I think he’s sweet and amiable, but I don’t feel a strong investment in his story or his relationship with Nott, you know? Especially as Nott’s own character development becomes more complex every week.

I do think it would be valid for Yeza to have moved on after Nott’s “death.” In fact, I think that would make for a more interesting story! If he felt awkward and uncertain about her return, or her long absence, or her new form; if he’d found someone else, romantically; if he was overjoyed and loving, but to the point of clinginess, and couldn’t bear to be apart from her or not hear from her; any of those “flawed” responses would have been more interesting to me than his bland acceptance of everything she does, says, and is. Moving on would be totally fine, but it doesn’t feel like he’s moved on–it feels like he’s 100% ready and willing to meet her wherever she is without question, and while that’s definitely lovely in a fairy-tale sort of way, it doesn’t make him feel like a real or intriguing character to me.

[notebooks-and-laptops]

@gehayi thank you so goddamn much for asking ahakshsgshss Assana is so fucking important to me and she makes me cry on a daily basis. I'm putting this under the cut because fuck it got long.

You can find her backstory here in full, but I think the thing that best sums up her origins is that she wears her almost-husbands almost-wedding ring on her finger until the day she dies. That's not because she loved him; she didn't know him after all. But it's because it represents the life that almost-was. A life where she was content, if not always happy, and lived out her years in relative peace.

So from there she heads to Ostagar with Duncan. She has inherited from her ordeal; a deep distrust of Shem and their "justice", and the distinct feeling that she has 'died' in some way, that she is just a walking ghost now. She drinks the Darkspawn blood in the ritual because...why not? She is happy to fight in the battle because...why not? She's already, in some real sense, dead.

She is, at first, distrustful and annoyed by Alistair. She has a margin more respect for Morrigan who has lived her life outside of Shem society, but is still uncertain. Alistairs reluctance to take charge is a burden, but again, she feels she is living only a half-life anyway, and she might as well make these decisions. The likihood of them succeeding is very small, and no doubt Alistair would make bad calls. Is it this reason she goes against his wishes to head straight to Redcliffe? Perhaps.

When they reach Lothering, they meet Leliana and Sten. Sten, she immediately connects with. He is locked in a cage for a crime, yes, but who is she to trust a shems account of what happened? She could have easily been locked up and left for dead too if it weren't for Duncan happening to conscript her. Leliana she is distrustful at, angry at almost. Leliana represents a part of Shem society she wants no part in.

On the way to Orzamar she meets an elven assassin. He is the first elf she has come across who wishes to join her, and she accepts him whole heartedly, if wearily, into the group.

When they get to the deep roads, she takes Zevran, Morrigan and Ogrhen into their depths. It is her first true taste of what a true blight would mean, and it terrifies her. They are down there for over a month, battling Darkspawn, searching. She sees the archdemon and realises how fucking important their mission is and how terrified she is deep down. It is on this trip that her weariness for Zevran disapates, and her strong friendship with Morrigan and Sten is solidified.

It is also when she gets back from this trip that she first starts to see Alistair as a friend. When she gets back to the camp where Alistair has been, she hugs him. He's shocked, but eventually hugs her back and she clings to him the last surviving grey warden. The fate of Ferelden is on their shoulders. She understands that now.

At the circle, she meets Wynne who she immediately dislikes. But she also gets a sense that mages are just as trampled on as alienage elves. She also discovers more of Sten and Zevrans backstories, and feels even more bonded with them both. When Zevran disappears after she frees him from his nightmare, she cries out for him and for the first time since...everything, she weeps on her knees. She isn't sure if he's dead. She can't lose anyone else. She's already lost herself after all.

They head to Denerim next, because it's on their way and because she needs to see if her father and cousin are okay. Except...the doors to the alienage are locked. They won't let her in. She tries a dozen ways before her companions convince her she is going to get noticed and get them all killed. It is on their way out of Denerim that she first sleeps with Zevran. She needs...something. And she really feels so close to Zev...so it's kind of an incredibly hard blow when Zev sort of brushes off their encounter.

I've taken up a lot of space describing this so far so I'll keep the next bits short. At the Dalish camp, she meets Witherfang. She hears what happened. And she sides with Zathrian. What happened to Zathrian and his clan is just a little too close to what happened with her cousin and her wedding and she has vengeance and anger running in her veins.

She lets Jowan do the blood ritual to free Connor, because it seems the best course of action, and Isolde is willing. She then goes to the temple of sacred ashes, and she just. She wants to take something real from the Shem like they took away her life. So she desicrates the ashes and then kills the dragon cult. When she gets back from this, Wynne leaves the group. Assana doesn't really care.

The landsmeet preparations begin. Alistair doesn't want it, but Assana is beginning to suspect her may have elven blood and regardless, she doesn't want Loghain or Anora on the throne after what she sees in the alienage. In fact, she'd be happier if everyone from that bastard family was dead.

And the fucking nobles, and everyone trying to get her to treat Loghain with mercy as if he still had claim to being a hero! He sold elves into slavery. The fact that nobody seems to care about that makes her so fucking pissed...so she puts Alistair on the throne. Fuck whether or not he wants it. He needs it. She's not sure anyone else will give a damn about the elves or anything but their own gain.

She's been continuing her relationship with Zevran, throughout. And it's deepened. He is her one shining light throughout all of this. When they're alone or fighting it's like she doesn't have to be...this big image she can just be herself. It's the only time she feels normal, the only time she starts to feel not dead, not a walking living corpse. They actually can laugh together and share stories and she loves him. She will always love him.

I've not played the next part out but I know how it's going to go down. Assana will not try and get Alistair to do the dark ritual. She has plenty of reasons, but mostly it doesn't even really cross her mind to tell him about it (and oh boio is that gonna create a misunderstanding between Morrigan and Alistair when Morrigan thinks that Alistair let his friend die because...because what? He didn't want to sleep with Morrigan one time. Morrigan is going to want to kill him. Assana is her best friend, her only friend).

But Assana won't tell anyone. She's not putting Morrigan and Alistair in that position, she doesn't know what will happen and besides...she can feel it in her bones. She's going to die regardless. She was dead from the very beginning after all.

She spends her final night with Zev and promises she will always love him. And they plan their life together, after. In the after.

There is no after. Assana dies killing the archdemon. She is the Hero of Ferelden. And it killed her.

My Assana and Zevran song is Heaven, Iowa by Fall out Boy

My full Assana playlist is here.

If anyone does have any questions about her I am always up for answering them because she is my girl the light of my life my tragic hero my baby my sweetheart my darling

Assana Tabris Finally Gets To Kick The Shit out of the Shem Who Tried to Make Excuses For Selling Her Father into Slavery (and also some important Ferelden politics were decided I guess)

[misspoetree]

#pete went on that date with wounds still bleeding (via @dramarec)

They manage to order their drinks and it's a small miracle they do. The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Or with one of the daggers Vegas and Kinn keep looking at each other.

But it seems like Porsche is still not dispirited by this whole ordeal. He recommends beverages to everyone and he is smiling and laughing and chatting away and pointing out things on the menu. Pete appreciates Porsche's efforts, he really does, but the tension is still getting to him. Vegas sits next to him, motionless. It's like all his suppressed anger has petrified him, turned him into a statue, glaring out at humanity until the end of days. It's unsettling. And distracting.

A pearl of sweat is working down its path behind Pete's left ear. All the heavy curtains and vibrant carpets and overstuffed cushions are smothering him. It’s too hot and too stuffy. And oh God, the scented candles. He already feels the headache building.

It's getting harder to follow the conversation. Pete knows he hasn't said or done anything helpful yet. It's bothering him. His shirt clings uncomfortably to a tender spot on his back. He probably should take off his jacket but - oh, right. He abandons this thought. What is taking them so long? He could really use that drink right now. Even though he doesn't remember what he ordered.

"Pete, are you okay? Is everything alright?"

Pete raises his head to see Porsche looking at him, to see everyone looking at him. He forces a smile. He must have zoned out there for a moment.

"Are you okay? We can go if you want. We can go right now."

Vegas is already pushing his chair back, ready to leave immediately, his face a contradicting mixture of unease and relief.

The forced smile on Pete's face grows wider. This is their one chance to cool things down a little. They can't just leave like that. Vegas and Kinn would never agree to a meeting like this again. Note even for him and Porsche.

"I'm fine. Really, I'm fine."

He puts a hand on Vegas' leg and squeezes once. A reassurance. An apology. He turns his attention back to Porsche, ignoring the accusing look Vegas throws at him for their thwarted escape.

"I'm sorry. Did you ask me something?"

"Yeah, I did. What do you want to order?"

"Oh. I...I don't know yet."

Pete stares at the open menu in front of him. When did that get there? He picks the card up and moves it closer to the candle, an attempt to decipher the tiny font in the dim light.

And yet, he can't. It's like the letters are shaking on the paper - or is it his hand that's shaking? There really must be something wrong with this place. Too hot. Too stuffy. Everything making it harder to breathe.

He needs fresh air. Fresh air, and a quiet, peaceful cigarette, and he will be fine. He is fine but after that he will be even more fine. And Vegas will also be fine. For five minutes. Alone with Kinn and Porsche. Surely, he will.

"I...I need five minutes. I'll be right back."

He pushes himself to his feet and feels the others watching him. Is it just his imagination or are they awfully quiet? Haven't they been awfully quiet for some time now? Again, he forces a smile and takes a step. Or at least he tries to before the world leans to its right. Before his legs start to fold under him. Before he tries to steady himself but only grabs empty air. Before a rapidly growing blackness takes over everything.

[...]

He wakes up to Vegas leaning over him. A familiar sight. A déjà-vu. But this time around, his emotions are easy to read. Concern. Fear. A smidge of anger. Relief.

He can't have been out for long because he's still on the floor of this godforsaken restaurant. And Kinn and Porsche are still here. Hovering behind Vegas, uncertain, their demeanour laced with worry.

Dammit. It isn't sweat that's sticking the shirt to his back. So the cut must be deeper than he thought. That stupid machete. What kind of 21st century assassin shows up with a machete?! And with such horrible timing at that. Vegas would have cancelled their plans without a second thought if he knew about their unwelcome visitor, so he obviously couldn't tell him. At least not until later. Because they'd have a corpse and a lot of security issues to take care of.

But in all honesty, getting ambushed and successfully slashed by a machete-swinging buffoon like that - Pete is glad Chan is no longer forced to bear witness to such an embarrassment. He would have started hurling knives at him to "sharpen his reflexes".

Man, he really does miss Chan.

He must have zoned out again because now, there is a hand on his shoulder and Porsche's head is floating next to Vegas', looking dispirited after all.

Pete smiles, and this time he doesn't have to force it. Their endeavour was doomed from the beginning, assassin, or no assassin. But at least they gave it a shot. Chuckling, he looks up at their puzzled faces.

"So, do you guys think they forgot about our drinks?"

[Tell me what happened in the tags because I'm curious]