#It's giving when men say “I was manipulated into cheating on my wife”

[tamaruaart]

Shout out to Scylla. my girl deserved everything but punk ass Circe decided to be a bitch. All the power to you sister

[hecates-corner]

When I first heard There Are Other Ways, I was a little disappointed by the fact that Circe didn’t successfully seduce Odysseus, considering the huge Greek Mythology nerd I am.

Bear with me.

Then, I played the saga, and that song, for my wonderful mother tonight. About halfway through, I gasped.

The story is accurate to the Homeric version: he confronts her (clandestinely at first), she fights back, he pulls the sword.

But she’s not afraid. Of course she isn’t.

Why would an immortal being, with the rage and power of commanding a million different beasts if her Plan A goes down, be afraid of a measly man with a flimsy toothpick to her throat, just because he ate a flower and said “Be afraid!”?

That’s right! She wouldn’t.

Because Jay didn’t submit to the blatant misogyny of the tale.

Read this article for incredible information, if you please. It changed the way I saw Circe’s story.

If Circe cowered, simply because a man held a sword to her throat, only then would she have seduced him (if we’re going ultra-canon with the storyline, which Jay isn’t), which would have, yet again, thrown off the balance of power.

Circe could give less of a shit about the sword, in the song. She thinks he’s pretty hot, and maybe she’s manipulating him into coming to bed with her so she can trick him, so she offers a tryst or two. Here, if you read the article, she is throwing off the nature of men and women by being the active sexual partner.

He refuses, too enamored with Penelope, and shuns his curiosity in her. You can hear how it pains him, it’s a struggle to say no. But he does. He’s strong, he’s no god, cheating on his wife for the sake of sex appeal. He’s just a man.

He begs. That’s the thing that got me. Not her, him.

“So I beg you, Circe, grant us mercy, and let us puppets leave~”

Then, Circe offers to help him — not because she’s restoring the nature of being submissive — but because she has empathy and compassion for the man. She helps him because he’s proved himself, to be weary, and faithful, and human. She knows the feeling of love.

So, yes. So many layers. Like an onion, worthy of making you cry.

1. Jay is spitting in the face of misogyny and gender roles, and having her help him because she empathizes. Because she’s in power.

2. It’s sort of a jab, if interpreted a certain way, at sexual assault. He says no, and he holds true to it. Even though everything is telling him to give in, to let it happen, he refuses, and remains as sure as he can be.

3. It shows how very human Odysseus is. Athena forgot it, and somehow held him to it. Even the men forget it. But he never does. There is only so much he can do.

This is my favorite saga so far.

[calisources]

𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒���𝐄𝐒, 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒.

All sentences have been taking from different media and literature, movies and more regarding the topic of mistresses and favorites, mostly in the setting of royal court but can also be adjusted to other time periods. Change names, pronouns, locations as you see fit. Some of these include foul language, so beware. Implications of cheating are also in these.

You are my king, Niko, and I need you.

Everything I say is obeyed; everything I want is given to me.

You are such hard work to seduce, Niko.

She wanted to sit ON him, not next to him.

Never underestimate the power of a woman's intuition.

Behind every great king, there is a great queen. And behind them, there is a mistress.

The King is allowed to have as many favorite as he pleases.

A queen is never without her secrets.

A woman's beauty is her greatest weapon, use it wisely.

Rules are meant to be broken, especially by queens.

Queens do not beg for love, they command it.

Have as many bedwarmers as you wish, but I am your wife and you will not humiliate me.

A queen's grace can disarm her enemies.

He will grow tire of you, as he does with the others.

Having an ugly mistress is therefore a fatal mistake.

When a man takes a mistress, he doesn't turn around and divorce his wife.

Finding out that you are not your lover’s only lover hurts.

But a mistress can do interesting thing with food. Shall I describe them?

You will come back to the castle with me.

I-I'm not your responsibility.

You are mine. They gave you to me, remember? And I want to keep you. 

Your Grace---I am a virgin.

I realize that, and it pleases me. You do not doubt that I can be gentle with you?

They say you grow tire after the first night. No mistress last longer than a night with the king.

I know what you are trying to do, but do not think to take the King away from me. Let him play with you.

Done being sore yet, by chance?

From a mistresses’s perspective, taken men are low maintenance. All they want is sex, sex, sex. 

Do not take it harshly. It’s only flesh. And a body wants what it wants.

Kings have mistresses, Queens have secrets and they die with them.

To be the mistress of a married man is to have the better role.

The role of a mistress if make a man’s mood change and send him happy to his wife.

Don't be mad at a hoe for doing what she does best, besides it's not her that owes you that loyalty.

It was not a request. I will take you to bed and make you mine.

My wife has no interest in my bed, butb I assure you, my bed has interest in you.

 Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses. 

I don't want her to know the truth about us.

They know about us and they do not care. My wife does not mind to share.

As long as I do my duty, I am allowed to do who I please.

This absurd jealousy.

A mistress should be like a little oasis, refreshing and exciting, away from the mundane realities of life

The bedchamber is where political alliances are sealed, and where empires are born.

A king may rule a nation, but a woman's allure can conquer the king.

Behind every great king, there are the whispers of his mistresses.

The allure of a mistress lies not only in her beauty, but in her ability to manipulate.

A mistress must be both lover and confidante, juggling passion and secrecy.

In the court of kings, a mistress can become more powerful than a queen.

He is one of his favorites, and everyone knows it. You must become his favorite too.

In the arms of a mistress, a king can escape the weight of his crown.

I want more than this. You cannot offer me more than secret meetings and a warm bed. People whisper.

You can be my wife here. 

If I desire to marry someone else, would I be allowed or you would not let me?

I'll take you as my only mistress. I won't have a thought or an affection for anyone else.

I call Mary my English mare, because I ride her so often.

He cannot give you his true heart... for *I* have that in my keeping.

You can't have 3 people in a marriage!

Seduce me. Write letters to me. And poems, I love poems. Ravish me with your words. Seduce me.

You've taken her honor!

I swear to your grace, someone else was there before me.

They say all his liaisons are soon over. He blows hot, he blows cold.

Sometimes I believe you will grow tire of me. But then I find you here in my bed.

If I cannot please the King, will he kill me?

You must not touch me, for Caesar’s I am.

Everyone knew she was his queen and wife in anything but name.

You will have this orgasm if it’s the last thing I do.

What happened to the art of seduction? A woman enjoys being seduced.

I will not be the laughing stock of the realm. A woman who can only be a lover, never a wife.

I found her a very beautiful young woman with a very sweet and yielding disposition, She confessed to great admiration for Your Majesty. Should I, arrange ...?

If you put the Queen aside for this affair, the kingdom will fall apart.

If you seek Your Grace, you know where to find him.

I trust his mistress more than I trust any man on this table.

My husband is extremely jealous. Wants me sent to a nunnery.

I am with child. It is His Majesty's child.

Slow down so I can see how you do it.

Think of this as training. For your future husband’s pleasure. And mine.

should like to be your wife in every way.

I was wondering if you'd like to become my mistress.

You like to board other men's boats.

You know perfectly well what the King desires and what he shall have.

I saw with my own eyes how attentive he is to you.

My only satisfaction is that in frustrating you, I hasten your fall from the King's good graces.

Any man is weak against a maiden’s magic. Alluring and sweet. Like spring.

I make you this promise. When we are married, I will deliver you a son.

I have yet to decide whether to make your bedmate a head shorter.

So you can have your lovers and I have my own, but at the end, we return to one another. 

If you are not careful and a bastard is conceived, you will be ruined.

Everything will change for her. That kiss is her destiny and fortune.

So, what about this girl, this putain, the king's whore? Why doesn't somebody just get rid of her?

Have any of the women you've bedded with lied about their virginity?

Pretty, witty Nell, don’t forget you are mine until I say so.

Do you seriously expect me to be the first Prince of Wales in history not to have a mistress?

I will teach you many things, how to please a man and in turn, you will be my eyes and ears in court.

I thought you wished for us to be over.

How can I when you plague my mind at every turn.

Let me have you, at least once. Many women would consider it an honor.

[totallyjustabunchofhocuspocus]

i'm amazed by the energy that antibucktommy people bring to this show like one of the most beloved characters and one of the biggest storylines in the very first season wasn't bobby and the fact that he murdered 148 people including his wife and children and is trying to rebuild his life. it's almost like this show has been saying since the beginning that people can grow and be better and maybe we should give them the space to do that.

anyway buck and tommy were really cute this episode. and there's something so teenage giddiness about them hiding behind a couch for a fake surprise party and flirting that just makes me so happy for the sheer queerness of the experience for buck

This is honestly why I stopped interacting with a lot of segments of fandom over the summer and started curating my fyp and tumblr follows a little more intensely. All of the characters have done horrible things (some more recently than others), things that are usually regarded as unforgivable. Bobby's story is the big one, but Hen's cheating storyline, Athena's many and varied abuses of power as a cop, Chim's really pretty sus relationship with Tatiana, Eddie's fight club era and his treatment of the women he gets into relationships with, Buck manipulating Taylor (like, kind of a lot)...like they've all done terrible things and we have watched them come back from it and learn and grow and change, and love them for it.

I think a lot of it stems from the fact that the horrible things they did were not done to our faves (I'd argue the fandom didn't know Karen well enough during the cheating storyline to not feel inclined to forgive Hen for it) and the fact that the racism and sexism displayed by Tommy at first are such lightning rod issues anyway (as well they should be). And, yes, let's be real, the majority of it is what I'll kindly call disappointment that we got Bi!Buck after all this time, but not Buddie. And that's fair (to an extent...there's NO excuse for the kind of harrassment we saw over the last few months).

But the vitriol displayed towards BuckTommy and the people that ship them is just really outsized in my opinion. The show is going out of their way to show us that Tommy is good to Buck (and friends with Eddie), and that they are enjoying each other. Whether or not it leads to Buddie, don't we WANT Buck to have a good relationship for his first as a queer man? Everyone talks about representation being SO important--we have an extremely masculine characater (who has canonically been presented as a playboy/heartthrob type) discovering a new facet of his sexuality when he's nearly in his mid-thirties, and exploring that facet with a love interest that is EQUALLY as masculine. This storyline is important! It's breaking a lot of new ground and doing it in a really nicely done way.

And in regards to Tommy...I dunno, maybe it's because I've grown up in an environment that pretty much BREEDS men like BeginsEra!Tommy. Yes, they have a choice not to be the way they are--but unless you live in it, it's hard to understand how hard making that choice, or even recognizing that you DO have a choice, really is. I think it's also important to show a character who didn't remain a piece of trash human, and was able to accept that they were wrong and CHANGE. If the only way you can ever be defined is by what you were at your very worst, what is even the fucking point of changing? No one owes you forgiveness, even after you do the work to change...but nor do you deserve to be punished forever.

I dunno, I just wanna enjoy my weewoo show and I'm tired of people harshing my buzz (heh, see what I did there?) I still ship Buddie. I ship BuckTommy. Most of all I ship Buck/Happiness and I am eager to see if he finally gets some that lasts.

[justrainandcoffee]

Never is too late (Tommy Shelby x male!oc) + (Alfie Solomons) part 3

Masterlist - Previous Part

Summary: Jared goes to London before it's too late to repair the damage his brother James can cause. Alfie Solomons hears the word he never expected to hear from his wife: Divorce. And for the first time in over two years he realises, he really realises, the pain he caused in Rose. || Tommy denies his new feelings.

Warnings: Angst. Lot of angst. || Internalised homophobia, mentions of cheating. Tommy is in denial in the saddest way possible 😔.

Words: 2.3k

"I'm going to London. You're welcome to come with me," Jared said to Tommy while they were walking through the dirty streets of Birmingham.

Tommy's heart stopped when he heard that. Unaware of the war that was about to startt in the heart of Camden Town, last thing was Alfie hearing from him. And especially not Rose.

"My brother," Jared said looking at him "is doing an innapropiate use of his dick. This fucking idiot."

"I'm sure your brother is a big boy that knows what he's doing."

"Not always. I'm not forbidden him doing anything, I'm just trying to make him understand that some pussies are not worth of a bullet."

"Is he fucking the queen consort?"

Jared smirked "something like that. So, for a few days I'm not going to be here. Are you going to miss having me around?"

"No."

"Keep sayin' that, Thomas Shelby. Say it until you believe your own lies."

.

Things in Camden Town were going from bad to very bad.

Few people didn't enter in the category of "no one bother Alfie Solomons when he orders it" and one of them was Samuel, Rose's brother. And his personal lawyer.

The last few days, after Rose kissing James, Alfie's mood was worse than ever before. Now, not even Ollie talked to him. Alfie's days start going straight to his office in the mornings, the one that didn't leave until the sunset. No one knew what was happening and didn't dare to ask either. But Samuel was there because he needed answers.

Far away in time was than thin kid that used to mock the young couple when they were still teenagers. The Samuel entering Alfie's was a 30 year-old man and he was furious. Before Alfie could known what was happening, Samuel's fist found his brother-in-law jaw and the blow resounded inside the office.

"What the fuck did you do to my sister. Give me a reason, Alfie, give me a fucking reason to not destroy your fucking face! What did you do to her!!"

Alfie looked at him angrily. Touching his sore face, just let out a grunt.

"Fuck off, Samuel."

"I'm not going to fuck off a shit, Alfie! I'm not one of your men! I'm your family!"

"What do you want, hmm? What do ya want me to tell ya?"

"Tell me why Rose called me this morning asking how much time it'd take a divorce. I thought it was for a friend, one of the women she hosts in Pebblebrock, but no… I couldn't believe my ears. Not she and you. So answer to me, fucker. What the hell did you do to Rosie?"

Alfie let himself fell in his chair. Whoever the bastard was, he was brainwashing Rose because there was no way that she was ready to leave him, if it wasn't for her new love. No, Alfie shook his head, Rose wasn't easy to manipulate and let alone by a man. His Rosie had found comfort in someone else and the one to blame was him and that was what made him angry.

"She gave you everything, son of the bitch. If I didn't bring the papers it's because I'm giving you the chance to fix your fucking mistakes before it's too late. Don't doubt for a second that I'm going to do whatever it's the best for her, even if that means divorcing you. Of all people in universe, you decided to hurt her. If what I think it's true, then I wish you the worst, Solomons. Your Rosie, of all people…- you decided to hurt her. You don't deserve her, prick."

Samuel left his place slamming the door behind him.

Rose was in her own office, in Pebblebrock when the phone rang.

"Rose Coldwell speaking, good afternoon."

"Rosie, Rosie listen to me."

"Alfie."

"Yes. Sweetheart, luv, fuckin' hell, pet. I know I hurt ya, but please… your brother just left, he spoke about divorce, papers… Rosie, please. I can't live without you. Without you, I don't exist!"

"Don't manipulate me, Alfie."

"I'm not!!"

"You're repeating a song I heard here on daily basis: 'I'm going to change, Mrs. Solomons, please allow my wife to see me. Mrs. Solomons I promise it won't happen again, I love her.' So, Alfie, you're not being original. Why do you suddenly care? And you can live without me, you certainly can because you've been living with a woman that wasn't me at all for the last two years."

"I know. But I love you."

"You keep saying that but I don't see it. I don't feel your love although I know it exists. There was a time where I was everything to you. I knew an Alfie once that could give his right arm for me. The Alfie I fell in love with, could never let me cry to sleep. My first love, the Alfie who was a teen working in a bakery and who promised me the sun and the moon could be disgusted by you. And you have the toupee to call me and say you love me? Why do you care about me now? Sign the papers, Alfie."

"Samuel refused to fill the papers."

"Then I'm going to hire a better lawyer."

"You don't want to divorce me."

"No. But for the first time in over two years I opened the eyes."

"Someone else made you open the eyes," Alfie couldn't help but let his jealousy and resentment talk. "Who's that fucker? I saw you."

Rose remained in silence for few seconds before answering "his name is James. And he helped me to understand that you're not the only man in the world capable of feeling something nice for me. Maybe we started our relationship too soon, Alfie. We were kids playing to be young adults in love. Maybe I didn't give you the chance to explore your real desires. Maybe I didn't have the chance to prove myself that I'm worth to be loved."

"My real desires? Rosie, I'm not homosexual. I love you and I desire you same as ever. And you are more than worthy to be loved."

"Then, why did you put him before me? Since when Thomas Shelby was the only one in your mind? Every time you look at me and you say you love me your eyes are empty. There's no love in your eyes. Without me, you're free because me, unlike you, I always looked forward your happiness before mine."

Rose ended the call before she was betrayed by her own trembling voice.

Alfie was right. She didn't want to divorce him, but she was also tired.

.

James was waiting for his brother in the lobby of the hotel with Oscarwilde next to him. It was about time that Jared was taking back his pet, but James knew too well that despite how much he loved the white borzoi, Jared's real reasons to be there were far from being related to the dog.

Once Oscarwilde recognised the man in front of him, the guests, and people working, there were witnesses of the most genuine happiness they'll probably see the whole day when the animal began to jump around his real master, wagging his tail and whimpering at his feet.

"It's okay, baby! Papa is back. He's back!" Jared kneeled in front of him and let his dog kiss his face. Even sophisticated dogs as Oscarwilde was, missed the most beloved person in their world.

Two glasses of whiskey were in front of them not longer after both brothers finally entered the bar that the hotel had and when finally Oscarwilde calmed enough to let them talk.

"I know why you are here and I know it's not because of the dog." James spoke first looking at Jared.

"Then you know me," he said.

"Of course I fucking know you. You're here to tell me that I need to leave Rose alone."

"Not exactly. I'm here to warn you that she's a vulnerable woman who is hurt because her stupid husband didn't take care of her, but that if he opens his eyes then you have no chance."

"And you are here to be the saviour."

"God, James…" Jared sighed "I'm not Cupid, but I know love make us do stupid things. Tommy didn't spoke so nuch, almost nothing really, but for what I know the Solomons have a long story together. And even if not, she has her own business here, she's not going to go to Dublin because of you and I can't imagine you living here without losing your head in few months. It's new, you like her I understand… but I- James, I know you're smarter than this and it's not going to work. Not in this universe at least."

"But you are ready to have a chance with Thomas Shelby. Only you can't do it if Solomons is in between and that means putting Rose again in his life."

"Tom is a single man, I told you. He doesn't have any spouse and business are perfectly fine with him and me. It's different. You're going to end hurt and honestly James, I can't fix everyone's life. I just want to be in bed with the man I like, Oscarwilde, some drinks and food. I'm not asking for so many things."

James grunted. Jared didn't understand it was easy to say that when he was looking the situation from the opposite side of the street.

"Do you want to fuck her?" Jared continued, "go and do it. I'm not putting a chastity belt around you or her, I'm just trying you to understand how things are going to end. Married couples hardly ever divorced, believe me I know what I'm saying. Remember Fred? I fucking loved Fred and he loved me, but he was married. It was a miserable marriage and yet, he didn't leave her. Well, you don't want to wait for centuries until the divorce, that never is going to happen, happens. You don't and it's a fact."

"She mentioned a divorce…"

"I bet she did. And not because she's a shitty person but because she was never in such situation. It's the hardest decision: a bit of happiness or the hope that he's going to change."

James didn't say a word and his brother put a hand in his arm "go back to Dublin until it's too late. It's going to hurt for a few days but it's going to pass quickly."

---

Tommy was in London as well. He left Arrow House nit longer after Jared left Birmingham despite he, Tommy promised himself that he wasn't going after Jared.

It was in his sister's house now and while Ada was playing on the floor with little Karl, she was talking to him as well.

"Polly told me you're busy with the Irish these days. I thought you said you didn't want nothing to do with them."

"Times change, Ada. They have access to the Americans in Boston. It's good for business."

"Fine. I just asked." Ada, same as Polly, was suspicious about Tommy's desires but she never mentioned it. Ada didn't know if Polly knew, but she was sure that his business with Alfie Solomons were more than rum and bread. But who was she to judge them?

"I need fresh air," he said suddenly walking to the door "see you later, Ada."

"See you, Tom."

No, he couldn't do that again. Not with a man, no matter how nice and warm he was.

He had sex with women, he tried to fall in love with more than once but it didn't work. And always he tried to convince himself that it was because he was too young or too busy to pay attention to them. But then, in France, the touch of a soldier showed him how different it was a man from a woman and how much he enjoyed it. But then horrors came and him, Freddie and Dan had to dig out to survive and behind him, underground, was left the soldier that showed him a new world.

For years after the war, he visited whores to have sex because he convinced himself that she liked women like Arthur and John. If his brothers were normal, he was too.

And then Alfie appeared. Alfie and all his mannerisms and way to talk. Alfie and his loud voice and laugh. Tommy couldn't say that was love at first sight but definitely it was something like that. Married as he was, in love with his wife as he was, Alfie made room in his heart for him. And even when those two years were awful because their relationship meant the sadness of Rose, Alfie gave him something that no one else before him gave to him: love.

And yet, the Jewish man chose his wife over him.

So, why he was there in London after a new man? What would be different for him if he never was lucky? Jared Walsh was a handsome man who seemed to be comfortable with who he was, and probably was flirty with dozens of men besides him.

And it was this thing, Tommy thought as he kept walking through the noisy streets. The fact that he enjoyed male lovers didn't mean he was homosexual. He wasn't, he couldn't be! If Arthur and John liked women, then he liked women too.

Tommy went to a whorehouse and paid for a girl, but they didn't do anything because he never had an erection, no matter how much he tried.

"It happens all the time," the girl said patting his shoulder "don't worry."

Tommy hid his face between his hands. He wasn't homosexual.

"I'm not!" he yelled, furious , full of anger. But no one heard him because not even the prostitute was there to accompany him.

He left the building not looking at anyone. His mind was spinning around the same thought over and over again.

"I'm not homosexual. I'm normal."

[cinamun]

I had to send an ask because the comment(s) would’ve been too long *cracks knuckles*

I’m apart of the late crew today…but first things first, Life swings us all by our ponytails. This is not the big comfy couch. IRL & pixelated life can get it. ..BUT I’ve been peeping how JayJay moves and let’s take it back a bit when Hope was in her “I wanna fuck Kenji” stage…Do you see how that man handled that situation!? 😩 Like, he literally opened up the conversation (if my memory serves me correctly) then reassured our girl as he conversed/reassured her WHILE HE WAS IN HER GUTS. Slow strokes. Reassuring voice. Baby girl shed a tear. That hit MY soul. (Nonny, i get it if you don’t understand grown folks business…and THAT moment right there was DEFINITELY grown folks business OKAY! Sheeeesh) But, I personally don’t feel someone like/that can do THAT will risk it all for a student that so happens to know tHe CoLtRaNe CyClE. I said before, I know things be falling apart a helluva lot but I want us to be released from the shackles of not being able to trust someone that has pure intentions & a good heart because we’re used to seeing/experiencing the fuck shit. Shit, not to bring up our fallen homie El *pours one out for him* but see how Jay tackled THAT situation!? He’s not playing about our baby girl Hope Diamond.

he’s one of the good ones. You see the bullshit his mama puts herself in and he most definitely sees that too. Jay wants a happy home & a happy life. He’s had enough trauma & he’s not trying to invite that bullshit into his life. We gotta give him credit for that. That’s grown man shit right there. He had an active/loving father. He grew up in a loving household until his father passed. It’s all he talks about…the reason the man loves Coltrane is because of his father. He remembers that love his mom and dad shared. So when he’s staring at the back of Ubrite girls head at those keys, that man is zoning out to the sounds of Coltrane. And I’m pretty sure when he gets home he will run home like a lil school girl and tell his wife that he has a student that has talent & knows her Coltrane. He’s a professor, it’s his job to invest in his students.

There’s definitely piss in the pool when it comes to men but there are trustworthy men out here. Jay is one of those men. Not a gas light or manipulation in sight, Jay loves his wife and family. He is literally the happiest man…misery cheats. Also…also I feel that if it crossed his mind that’s a conversation that he would have with his wife, Jay communicates. He’s not impulsive. That man is a damn good man/husband.

So I’ve said all that to say, what makes you think that they aren’t living and experiencing their happily ever after right now and that he is doing his job to make sure he invests in his students because he wants them to succeed. Home girl popped up and turned in one late paper & all of a sudden black women can’t have nice things. LIKE!? I’m confusion. 😩 But also, every single good show leaves on a “cliff hanger” just to get the mind going. That’s good writing. That makes you want to come back to see what’s gonna happen and it always doesn’t have to be the extreme. Life is about navigating those situations…and that translates to this story *chefs kiss-ly*

Listeeennnnn, Imma ride for JayJay. Literally put on my ski mask and drive the black bus for anyone else who wants to hop on because I don’t play about that one. He’s proven thus far that he’s one of the good ones & I don’t believe his flesh or his mind is weak. THATS A DAMN GOOD MAN SAVANNAH!

but also My eyes perked up when I read “Would you like your plate to go” 👀? Because yes, I would like one also 😂…Girl (you know I’m not the anon because I say it with my full chest, always)…but lemme get a wing plate and TWO ghetosas to go! It’s been a loooong week. 😂😂😂

Y'ALL COME READ THIS RIGHT DAMN NOW!!

That's all I got, I'm fucking speechless!! This is so important and I.....

[fangirleaconmigo]

book vs netflix question! I was thinking last night and wanted to ask what are your thoughts in regards of the different ways Calanthe defies destiny in each story?

I was just having rambly thoughts yesterday, we know Calanthe is jsut as strong willed in both canons, but the approach (and results) are very different in both universe, in the Netflix canon she's basically a lady of war and ready to throw hands with destiny if it dares take what's hers, directly opposing and denying Geralt a chance to so much as see Ciri; however in the books Calanthe seemed more… cautious, for the lack of the better word, more passive aggressive, if you know what I mean. She mostly just seemed to try to make as difficult as possible for Geralt to get to ciri in a more "well, if it's REALLY destined, then he should be able to figure it out his own" (ex: in N! calanthe puts a decoy in front of Geralt and jails him when he tries to come for Ciri, in the books she does show him Ciri, among a gaggle of other childrens, hoping he'll get the wrong one, and when Geralt says he won't take her she believes him)

Hello dear!

Thanks for asking about Queen Calanthe! I absolutely adored her immediately in the books, in a...WOW this is such a charismatic, complex, fuckin cool female character way, and her conversations with Geralt were amazing.

YMMV, but for me, the way TWN!Calanthe is portrayed is a by-product of two trends in book to tv adaptations:

In tv adaptations, (especially ones like TWN that focuses much more on the action than the char dev), the characters personalities are made sort of more broad and obvious, to get the message across quickly.

So for example, in the books, they mention in passing that she drinks beer 'like a man' and so TWN has her come in yelling 'beer!' and swigging it. I have seen some people complain it's over the top, but it *is* very clearly taken from a detail in the books.

It also says that she leads her men into battle herself (Queen Meve does this too, I LOVE that the witcher books make their queens so fuckn cool) and TWN shows this.

She legitimately loves Eist, and I think TWN shows that.

She also does try to manipulate and bully Geralt into killing Duny and grow angry when he resists her.

However, she is much more strategic and subtle.

I think my favorite line about her in the books is this:

"Geralt was amazed by her arsenal of smiles."

Preceding that line, here are the kinds of smiles she gives various people

"Calanthe smiled faintly" (at Cookoodak when he tried to express interest in pavetta)

"Calanthe's smile grew wider" (when she was slyly shading Cookoodak subtly for cheating on his wife)

then she was "a little flushed" with Eist, the only man who could make her do that, then

"Calanthe smile, but her eyes were narrowed and angry" (when Geralt is defying her)

Then she has a "venomous green glance", then "the semblance of a pleasant smile on her lips", then an "enigmatic" smile. Geralt concludes at a certain point that:

"The queen's smile could have meant anything."

She pushes him and is very much a queen, with all of the expectation of submission that this entails. But she is pragmatic, subtle, and she is not cruel.

Unlike in the show, she does not rub Geralt's mother's abandonment in his face. She does not yell at Pavetta to suck it up and marry someone she hates. (though she is ready to kill Duny all the same)

And when Geralt comes to get Ciri, she is far too proud to back out. But she does set things up where he has to choose which one the child is. It is very fairy tale esque. He ends up taking full responsibility by demuring, and deciding not to take the child at all. (I expound on this in "five differences between Netflix Geralt and Book Geralt)

The 'flattening' of her character for TWN makes her quite striking right away, and she is entertaining and I loved watching her. (I watched the show before I read the books, so I had no preference)

But at the same time, the fact that she is so loud and brash makes you wonder at her ability to strategize. Pissing off Nilfgaard by humiliating the suitor, partying while Nilfgaard advances, jailing Geralt, those kinds of things kind of make you go...lady, what are you doing? (though Calanthe does briefly consider assassinating Geralt in the books, she is not a saint whatsoever, but she changes her mind and thinks better of it)

But the biggest change (in my opinion) has to do with her relationship with the elves.

For 'secondary' characters, adaptations OFTEN change them however they wish to fit the narrative or story they are telling. In tv adaptations in general, these changes are usually made to create tension and conflict. Novels can go ages and ages without conflict.

For TWN Calanthe, they make her racist against elves. I think they have focused very much on that theme and wanted to set Ciri up with a legacy she had to grapple with.

So, unlike the other qualities which are more of an exaggeration, or flattening of her character, this one I think is a full on change.

I know that normally I pull a lot more book quotes to illustrate things like this, but that can take me days or weeks, and to be honest, someone else on tumblr has already done all of that work comparing/contrasting the two.

So I will leave you with this post by a fan of book!Calanthe, which puts the two right next to each other to show the differences.

Whether you prefer TWN or the books, or just enjoy them as two different things, there are some major differences there, and that post does a good job of showing them.

Thanks again for the ask my dear!

[slickbackdani]

Favorite Villain defeats?

Okay, this is gonna be quite a long list…

Thanos and his forces getting snapped out of existence by an Infinity Gem-wielding Tony Stark in Avengers Endgame; karmic considering that's exactly what Thanos did to half the universe's population in the original timeline

Two from Dragon Ball Z: first was Freeza’s invasion of earth ending with him getting chopped to bits and blasted away by Future Trunks, second was Cell being vaporized after his prolonged Kamehameha duel with Gohan. Granted, there were a lot of great villain defeats in that anime, but those two are the most noteworthy due to these two all-powerful, sadistic mass murderers being annihilated by foes they arrogantly underestimated

Theo Galavan suffering brutal revenge at the hands of James Gordon and The Penguin in Gotham. Up to that point, Theo had been a smug, high-and-mighty manipulator who got away with any number of horrible things with the public lauding him as a hero, so seeing him reduced to fruitlessly begging for mercy while the two men whose lives he ruined the most put aside their differences to put him down for good was immensely satisfying

From The Princess Bride — Inigo Montoya bouncing back from certain defeat during his sword fight with Count Rugen, overpowering the man who tormented him throughout his life before slashing him through his black heart with one last sword stroke preceded with ten words: "I want my father back, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

Dr. Facilier being dragged into the underworld by his "Friends on the Other Side" in The Princess and the Frog. Suffice it to say, he wasn't ready.

Adolf Hitler getting blown up by American suicide bombers while the rest of the Nazi high command are trapped in a burning movie theater in Inglorious Basterds

The abusive orphanage guy getting run over by Dopinder in Deadpool 2

Miles Bron's mansion getting burned down with the Mona Lisa in it in Glass Onion

Many examples from Saints Row:

The Boss beating Maero's monster truck ambush before capping Maero personally when the latter is pinned beneath the flaming wreckage of his rig

The Boss and Johnny Gat burying Shogo Akuji alive after Shogo had Gat's wife killed and crashed her funeral

The Boss seemingly losing to Shogo's yakuza father Kazuo in a sword fight before "cheating" by shooting him, running him through with his own sword, and leaving him pinned to the deck of an exploding boat

The Boss shooting corrupt CEO Dane Vogel out the window of the top floor of his skyscraper

The Boss donning power armor to challenge the alien overlord Zinyak to a one-on-one fight, concluding with The Boss dethroning the all-powerful extraterrestrial invader by ripping his head off

A lot of examples from James Bond:

Bond tricking Auric Goldfinger into shooting out an airplane window, causing him to get sucked out to his doom in Goldfinger ("Where's Goldfinger?" "Playing his golden harp")

Bond making Dr. Kananga inflate like a balloon until he exploded in Live and Let Die ("He always did have an inflated opinion of himself")

Bond using Scaramanga's own tricks against him during their pistol duel in the funhouse in The Man with the Golden Gun

Bond shooting Karl Stromberg twice below the belt in The Spy Who Loved Me

Bond shunting Hugo Drax out an airlock and launching him into space in Moonraker ("Where's Drax?" "Oh, he had to fly")

Max Zorin plummeting to his doom from atop the Golden Gate Bridge, laughing all the while, in A View to a Kill

Bond setting drug lord Franz Sanchez on fire with the lighter Felix gave him in License to Kill

Bond dropping his evil former partner Alec Trevelyn to the bottom of a ravine where he's left barely clinging to life before the entire satellite building collapses on top of him in GoldenEye ("For England, James?" "No, for me!")

Bond turning Elliot Carver's drill machine against him in Tomorrow Never Dies ("YOU FORGOT THE FIRST RULE OF MASS MEDIA, ELLIOT! GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!")

Bond ending Silva's rampage with a stab to the back in SkyFall ("Last rat standing")

So many examples from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure:

Kars getting launched into space after becoming immortal

Polnareff avenging his sister's death by turning her killer, J. Geil, into a human pincushion

The brutal beatdown Jotaro gave smug bully Steely Dan after putting up with his tricks for too long

Jotaro beating Daniel D'arby in poker by bluffing so brazenly that Dan had a mental breakdown

The shorter but still impactful beatdown Jotaro gave Terence D'arby after the latter cheated in a game to take their souls

Jotaro finally putting a stop to DIO's reign of terror by exploding his head after a massive battle across Egypt

Josuke forcibly fusing serial killer Angelo Katagiri into a rock for all eternity

Rohan tricking the obnoxious Cheap Trick into looking back at the Haunted Alley, causing the ghosts to drag him into oblivion (with Rohan even writing "I will go to Hell" on Cheap Trick just to make sure he wouldn't escape punishment)

Yoshikage Kira getting run over by an ambulance before his soul is ripped to pieces by the vengeful spirits of his many victims

Giorno giving the mass-murdering Cioccolata the longest and most brutal beating in the history of the show

Unhinged mafia don Diavolo being cursed to die over and over again in increasingly horrific ways for all eternity

There are many more, but these are all the ones I could think of at the moment

[minetteskvareninova]

Minette watches Medici, part 10 (Standing Alone)

- I know it’s unbelievable, but I skipped the intro. Yeah. The whole “Renassaince, but not quite” thing pisses me off so much I skipped the fucking intro to Medici.

- I only noticed it now, but Lucrezia de’ Medici dresses so much worse than all the other women in the show, it’s kind of amazing how shitty her dresses are. They won’t get better, apparently, at least if awkward-sultana’s gifs are anything to go by.

- Her subplot continues to be boring, and I call bullshit on her slapping Lorenzo for arranging her marriage to that uncharismatic rando (although honestly the guy she’s in love with has just as much charisma, if not somehow less). She’s a wealthy unmarried woman from 15th century Italy, still under custody of her father and older brother. She certainly wouldn’t get her hopes up about marrying whomever she wants, much less a guy whose family is feuding with hers, and even if she would get mad at Lorenzo for arranging a marriage for her, she wouldn’t slap him!

- Now, Clarice having the option to join the convent despite the wishes of her family I can see - it’s much more likely that a girl from noble family would be just forced to marry regardless of what she wants, but if the match isn’t absolutely crucial, it’s not out of the question her family would allow it. I suspect that cardinal Orsini can’t be that invested in the alliance with the Medici if he isn’t trying to persuade her himself and leaves it to Lucrezia Tornabuoni and Carlo de’ Medici.

- Damn, this season has too many Lucrezias. Anyway, I’m gonna call them Lucrezia T (mama Medici), Lucrezia M (her daughter) and Lucrezia D (Lorenzo’s girlfriend, we’ll get to her) from now on.

- Anyway, speaking of Carlo! Rejoice, people, Maddalena’s kid is back! And he is still in touch with his family, how nice! His friendship with Clarice is pretty wholesome, I hope we see more of them, even if he did manipulate her into marrying his nephew who doesn’t mean a good match to her and already has a girlfriend. Also, Lorenzo’s flirting skills are hilariously bad, like, in general, the guy seems to lose about fifty IQ points when he’s talking to a hot chick. “I like everything” had me in stitches.

- Is it wrong that I am super invested in this love triangle? I mean, I like Lorenzo, and both of his options are actually pretty compelling. Lucrezia D is charismatic as hell, and Clarice pretty damn likeable - honestly too likeable to have her heart broken by Lorenzo cheating, but that’s renassaince men for ya. Also, Lucrezia D’s worries that he’ll fall in love with his wife, or possibly her not wanting to sleep with a married man... Either way, she’s so real for that. At the same time, I can’t wait for the Clarice x Lorenzo, arranged marriage to lovers, 30k, slow burn etc. My only worry is that Lorenzo will act like a complete fuckboy throughout this arch, like Cosimo was pretty douchey in this regard too.

- I call absolute bullshit on Carlo’s Medici exceptionalism, let alone Clarice believing it. I did let Lorenzo being the smartest, prettiest, nicest, specialest little boy of this show slide for way too long, it really took me Carlo’s speech to see the absolute Gary Stu vibes this guy is giving off. Still, I like Lorenzo enough to let it slide, but you’re on thin fucking ice, show.

- That said, his conflict with old Piero was just as compelling this episode as I expected. At the same time, the fact that his death hit at the end of this episode’s triumphant finish (in the immortal words of Geoff from Mother’s Basement) like a loss.jpeg in the middle of a webcomic binge, made me Not Amused again.

- I would say I don’t care about Sandro, Giuliano and whatever bullshit the show has in store for them and Simonetta Vespucci, but honestly, I am way too bi for that. The guys are simping for her from the moment they see her, and for once I get it. My sole investment in this nonsense comes from wanting to see Mathilda Lutz and her angelic face (also possibly tits).

- The tourney was sooo much lamer than I expected. Pazzi’s murder plan wasn’t the worst, but the fact that the Medici learned of it AND Lorenzo then won the tourney... Yeah, this whole thing left me cold. Error 404 narrative tension not found. And just when did Francesco get morals??? The only good part was Giuliano’s 1-800-Bitch-You-Thought moment with the boring Pazzi brother. Because I am messy bitch that lives for drama like that.

- The best part of this episode was Lucrezia T being awesome. Mama Medici is my favourite character, I love this bitch so much you can’t even imagine. In fact, all female characters in this show so far rule, except for Lucrezia M.

- I haven’t read the books, but if the impression I get from the Darkling appologist fam is correct, Matteo Martari, a.k.a. Francesco de’ Pazzi has serious book!Darkling energy.

[black-lungs-pale-skin]

July 5 -24

As a woman in her late twenties you get some ideas of what the world is and what it isn’t. And the longer you stay in your feelings and look around you will quickly discover that most of what people tell you to be true is false.

What I’ve learned this week to be false is that if you are good. People will treat you accordingly.

I have my whole life tried to be good. I don’t lie. I don’t spread false information. I stick up for people I love. Give people chances because we are all human. I try to be compassionate, caring and loving to everyone that comes into my life. And I would hope that would bring some good karma back to me. But I was wrong.

I have never lied in my adult life to gain anything. I have lied to protect others out of love but that’s all. But somehow I always get treated like I’m not thrust worthy. Even though my “lies” as they say won’t make me gain anything. Why would I lie about my health? Why would I want people to feel bad for me? I have tried my whole life not to get attention from others. So why would I want it in the form of pitty? Im scared for my life and then I would lie? If I lied I wouldn’t have been terrified. If I lied I wouldn’t have bit my cheek and hit my head. But I guess all I could ever want is for people to feel bad for me? Yeah sure.

But in the same breath you, a stranger. A man that works in saving people. Put your hands under my shirt. Did you want my validation? Or did you want to feel powerful over a woman in a health crisis? You couldn’t respect me as an adult but could touch me under my clothes? Disgusting. But then you probably did believe me. You probably thought that after hitting my head I wouldn’t remember you touching me under my shirt. But I do. And my fiance saw it as well. Call if you need help or a life might be in danger. But if you are a young woman. You are probably better off doing it yourself.

Another lesson I learned this week is: just because your parents are supposed to care. Doesn’t mean they will.

My father is as fathers most. Ignorant to his place in where it went wrong with he’s children. Blaming everything and everyone for his own actions. He’s also in the older generation so I’m not even sure if women have more to life than being a wife and a mother in he’s eyes. And of course. Women can’t be angry either. Then they are hysterical.

My father shows love in the form of paying for things. But it’s not to show love to me, but so I will have to say thank you and show gratitude. Stroke his ego so he can feel good about himself. He’s so full of self importance. It’s sickening.

My mother is also probably like most mothers. Adores her son but critical of her daughters. Body shames her daughters. In competition with her daughters. Manipulative, cold and reserved. Unless it can make her look good. Also keeps contact with men that has hurt her children. Because male validation it key. No matter how awful of people they are.

I remember one time when I was young my father yelled at me at how it was my fault my mother was sick. And whist 14 year old me was crying my mother sat there watching. She threw me under the buss. But that has shown to be quite typical of her.

Oh my mother and father are so happy together. If you just look away from my mother cheating on him and him being violent. And me being the one to keep these secrets.

But as with them and friends of mine they trust me with deep dark secrets. Life destroying ones. You would think that they at least would treat me kindly because of it. But no. So there is no reason to keep any of their secrets. I won’t give respect to people that treat me like dirt.

[throne-for-queens]

I am so grossed out. My friend is dating a married man who claims that his wife and him are only together for the kids. I am getting sick of hearing about her sexapades with him. Her dog dragging his underwear away or whatever. Today she is two hours away with him and I know she will probably try to come to my house tonight and I don't want to hear it. She's bitching about being poor but then drives with him for two hours? Like girl shut the fuck up. You are doing this on yourself, there's a reason why you couldn't pay your damn cell phone bill but I can. I'm single and I cannot afford to mentally or physically be with a man. I'm lonely as a fucking bitch at night and cry myself to sleep half the time. She tells me she's lonely? Like no you have an issue. Get the fuck off this horse shit you are trying to spread around.

I truly would like your opinion and anyone else's here. I can't bitch no more, I'm about to truly be a mean ass bitch and tell the gossip of the town in an anon (funny shit) way that this is happening so it can be done with cause I can't do it anymore. Is that betrayl or something bad of me?

Okay, I'm just going to keep it 💯 with you. There is 99% chance the man youre friend is seeing is not separated from his wife. That's just crap married men say when they want to decieve women. He is not going to leave his wife for her, if anything he'll just lie and manipulate your friend to believe that he's going to leave, but he never will.

If youre friend hasn't realized this game, then chances are she's never going to hear what you're saying to her. It is in your best interest right now to cut ties if hearing about this man bothers you. I know that sounds harsh, but the saga will never end. It's just going to keep going on and on and you will get frustrated. Keep in mind that if you do decide to stay friends with her, you're going to have to put some strict boundaries out and stand firm in them.

As for telling the wife, know that when you do, you lose the friend. 99% of the time there is no going back, and once you open that can that doesn't mean the wife will leave her husband. She is probably very aware that her husband cheats on her and accepts it. Your friend is probably the only one who will be kicked to the curb.

And I'm sorry that this season in your life makes you feel lonely. Do not be discouraged, your time will come and you will find someone amazing and deserving of your love and respect. I hope this helped you in some way and please to anyone who reads this you are free to comment and give further advice to anon.

[stimulatimg]

my mom had so many boyfriends. a memorable amount. but also an amount to which you remembered one and thought “oh yeah! forgot about that one”

is this why I only wanted to get married and settle down so quickly? i don’t want that many boyfriends. i don’t want to rotate relationships. im scared of that. i’m scared ill keep having babies with people who don’t want me. why don’t they want my mom? babies are not a form of commitment. just because you have a child with someone it doesn’t mean they want you. or the baby.

why did i get married so young? why did i want to start a family? because i never had a family and i never had a consistent man in my life. revolving door boyfriends led by revolving front doors. i lived in 12 different homes by the time i graduated high school. i had zero roots. now that’s all i want for my life but now my roots feel like a trap. how fucking ironic that i feel stuck in the place i always wanted to be? i always believed in true love and till death do us part but now i never want to be with a man again. i hate men so fucking much and they’re so useless and liars and fake and nothing they do is for the greater good it’s all GREED.

i just got want my children to myself i don’t want to share them with someone who doesn’t love me when they are half of me. i hate that i have to share my kids with the man i chose. the man who basically fucking groomed me at 19. what is a 26 year old doing with a 19 year old anyways? being 23 now it makes me sick. physically i get nauseous and resentful. got me pregnant on purpose and manipulated me into marrying you

you got arrested two weeks before you proposed to me for opioids. i didn’t tell anyone. i was 8 weeks pregnant and horrified that i had turned into my mom. having a baby with a fucking loser

drugs to fix the drug problems, you were on suboxone the night we got engaged so everything was good and dandy. proposing to me in public and in front of my dad and step mom was a trick. if it wasn’t in public and in front of everyone i would’ve said no. but nobody knew you were just in jail. i was barely pregnant. as far as anyone was concerned we were okay…so why would i say no? exposing your drug issue isn’t my place. i’m pregnant and happy! why would i say no!

you’re probably cheating on me. i know it and i don’t care. i literally do not give a fuck. i was used anyways so i don’t fucking care. i need a good reason to walk anyway anyways, that’s the only “good” reason to leave someone anyways. not the fact that i was 20 and you were 27, and now that im 23 i can see the immaturity and the manipulation.

i’m just too old for you now. im too much of a mom for you now. im too much of a wife for you now. i’m not fun or exciting or sexy or anything i once was. who would want that? you don’t want a shrew. a responsible woman who takes care of HER children.

it’s funny i thought i was doing the right thing. the responsible thing. but i ruined my youth and let some man take advantage of my stupidity because he was ready to settle down and convinced me i was ready too.

maybe i’ll regret these words in the future but for now i’m just a mom doing a good job for my kids and i’ll always do that because i want to. i’m a good mom. that’s all i want to be.

[xoteajays]

Obviously.. That's why I assumed that you kept him alive. Besides being boyfriends with Niragi in many of your stories. Aguni helps Karube in the tag game, doesn't take the walkie talkie either, and even asked Arisu about him when him and Usagi showed up at the Beach. So he definitely have some favoritism to Karube ever since he met him. If I am being honest, it annoyed me that Aguni basically telling Arisu that it was his fault that his closest friends died. And the weaklings like Arisu and Usagi should not be alive.

Well.. If anyone does keep Karube alive in any story, he could have some type of relationship with any of the militants. And maybe gathers information for all his friends too, similar how Arisu and Chishiya do.

I did like his blond hair... Sometimes that makes me think of Noboru with blond hair. Similar to Cobra's. I don't blame the wife (or was she more girlfriend) for cheating on her man with Karube. I know.. Cheating is bad. Never cheat. She's a slut for doing that too.

And that's how I felt? Since Kento is attractive in his own way. But I've barely felt an attraction to Arisu in character form. He could be cute? But not hot, sexy or any other vulgar word for attractive. I can't see it.

I don't have much an attraction to him in that way.

Yes! That made me uncomfortable. Apparently that girl Shibuki. Her character was completely different in the manga? So this woman has so much loathing towards herself that she'll sleep with men to survive in her life. Ew. I'd rather die than be like that. And... I am judging her for it. I won't lie. I am. There are a lot of people who may say that women can't be rapists. But that's technically what she did. I know... Chota's consenting to it. But she manipulates him into even doing that. And! To make the situation more bizarre too. Chota and his mother were brainwashed into a cult their whole lives, the women were very sexually abused by the leader of that cult too. That's so sad.

Yes. The Dodo character was actually close friends with Arisu, Heiya and maybe even Aguni. But that's so confusing to me.. Why remove a major character like that? I'd understand minor characters, but not a major character. That annoys me when they do this.

I see Heiya compared more to the Hare than Mouse a lot, both characters but one more than the other - mainly because of her name sounding similar to the word hare. But her story is apparently similar to this dourmouse character. Well.. To an extent anyway.

And yeah. I do think it would make sense that some more dangerous characters based off all characters that are dangerous. Niragi, Bando, Last Boss, Yaba.. Being sadistic people and even serial killers actually makes sense that they're dangerous the creatures.

If Aguni is actually Knave Of Hearts in the manga.. I don't know why you could actually give a minor role to one of the more major characters in the story. So I'm confused by that, if details are actually accurate about that. That's so bizarre to me. Don't know why.

I noticed that whenever someone does make a AIB character, they are always making their character a dourmouse character. So I just have mixed feelings about that when it comes to my original characters. I know, I know.. There's limitation of characters that you can creat based on the Wonderland characters. And dourmouse is a major character in the story for obvious reasons, also connected to the other major characters too (like Hatter and Aguni). So that does make sense why people would have the dourmouse character. I'll have to look through characters again.

One thing that disappoints me with Ann's character though... I wished she kept the long hair the manga, but she has short hair in the show. But maybe I can have a character with that hairstyle? I don't know.

Obviously most of their characters sexualities have never been mentioned. We know Niragi's a rapist in the story. We know Arisu and Usagi are the involved romantic ship through the series. So excluding their characters, no sexualities are ever mentioned at all.

Oh! And I know Aguni was apparently really sexually attracted to Usagi based on his comment. And then Heiya tried having sex with Arisu when she met him in the forrest. But not many other characters either.

And Shibuki who's a slut having sex with everyone.

So if all of my AIB characters are female, there may be some who queer. I don't know how many original characters I'll have for the fandom. But there can be a character I can ship with either Ann or Kuina too.

~

That's why I'd rarely imagine him being affectionate in public. Not the public sex. But the holding hands, hugging, kissing. Rocky can be expressive toward a lot people he cares about (in his own way), but then that makes emotions make you weak in the eyes of your enemy. Mainly Doubt. Because those SWORD gangs protect their family, friends and allies. So I'm sure they wouldn't care. But Doubt, Warriors, Kuryu are completely so different than the SWORD gangs.

Especially since Doubt sell women and girls on that whole blackmarket situation.. As slaves and even as prostitutes too. Depending on their appearances.

So if Rocky's ever publicly affectionate with women - like his girlfriend, then I can only see him being so affectionate around people he trusts. Like people in White Rascals, maybe Club Heaven employees too, but only around certain people though. If he's really affectionate toward her in public. That's what I have thought of. So his public affectionate is so minimal.

And if there is ever a rare chance that Kizzy actually walks in on Rocky and girlfriend, in a compromising positions. That is definitely when she'll be asking so many vulgar questions, especially toward girlfriend, about their sex life. Which is awkward for them too.

Kizzy has a lot of blackmail material against Rocky.

And the reason why I keep saying that Rocky's only exhibition kink is mirrors.. Is because Rocky being a romantic, he seems like the type to want a lot of the eye contact between him and his partner. So if they are in a position facing away from them, I could see them having sex in front of mirrors. He would really want to watch their reactions on their faces when it happens, and watch their bodies too. Body worship is definitely another kink of his for obvious reasons.

Exactly. Cobra and Rocky are the most private ones of the leaders, Hyuga and Murayama never seem to have shame. And Smoky and Takeshi could actually be middle ground. They will do things openly, but in a private way at the same time. So there's that too.

I've been rewatching an anime that I like.. But that's a series that will be removed from Netflix in about a week. Anyway. Now that I'm rewatching the series... Some of these characters remind me of High&Low, or High&Low characters remind me of think is more like it. Maybe that is why I'm attracted to H&L casts when I'm overthinking details to these stories. And I have to say it gives me ideas for some characters in a way too. I don't know. It's hard to explain. But still.

~

Gangsters are definitely greedy people. So they get some money, want more money, create businesses that launder even more money. The greedy pricks.

- 💋

actually the karube lives au started because i thought he’d be the one to kick niragi’s ass, since he already had an established background as a guy who fights back against bullies. and niragi needed someone to knock him on his ass. then it turned into …… what it is. then i was like. karube’s ….. hot actually.

god. gonna be so sad when the sjow doesn’t play out like my au and karube just dies in the next episode. like wdym he only survived in my head? ahsjdkdl

aguni was rough towards arisu; but it doesn’t really surprise me. he’s no exactly the warmest person and he really only liked hatter before heiya came along. and to be fair, arisu is kinda pathetic sometimes. like i get it. but also. get it together, boy.

i landed karube in with the militants in my au, also he and chishiya don’t get along. anyone who messes with arisu is obviously on karube’s shitlist. he and kuina are friends tho.

he looks damn good blond!! like okay, he looked good in gifsets i’ve seen of teppachi. but the blond hits different. i think the girl he was cheating with was his boss’ gf. i mean. i don’t think he makes the best decisions himself. he is a little bit of a dick (ie the way he treated shibuki, punching arisu, wanting to kill shibuki in the 7hearts).

the whole shibuki and chota thing is just uncomfortable to watch, especially in the second episode. i’ll have to see about the 3rd, but the second is especially bad. the manipulation of it all is just icky. which is a shame because shibuki’s actress is pretty, but the character gives me ick.

i have such a bias for banda because i like hayato isomura and murderer characters. he’s just a really good actor and so fun to watch. he was in the live action version of tokyorev and looked so cute as akkun. and iirc they wrote in a character for him for xxxholic - which he was just so pretty in. yes he was blond in this movie. and nobody is surprised that makes me think he looked hotter!! but he was also wearing slutty gothy outfits so! there’s that too!!! i should send you some gifsets from that movie.

the dormouse is just an easy one to pick. it’s a big enough character that hasn’t really been confirmed in aib, so it’s up for grabs pretty much. tho ive seen a few that were the gryphon or the turtle. idk why the talking flowers aren’t more popular tho. like cmon. flower theme!

it’s a shame that people usually overlook the sleeping part of the dormouse tho. like it’s a major part of the original character. i gave the first iteration of my dormouse character hypersomnia, but the revamped version now has chronic fatigue syndrome.

i like ann’s short hair! i liked the braid crown from the manga, but i like her short hair better.

~

yea, i can see him being especially worried about doubt and ranmaru, because their so awful towards women and don’t like rocky specifically. so he probably worries about a girl he’s in a relationship with getting dragged into his business with ranmaru/doubt. he’s probably more comfortable around the rest of sword (after the alliance is formed) and the other rascals tho.

kizzy’s flouncing in and asking questions while rocky and his girl have hardly had the chance to fully redress. no chill. kaito has to come drag her out.

hyuga and murayama dont have the shame part of their brains. just look at the way they act. yea like, if anyone’s having rooftop sex it’s any of the rude boys or murayama at oya.

i have so many new shows and movies i should be watching but instead i went back to aib. it’s just 16 episodes tho and they’re all good.

~

well. can’t blame them. i would also like more money please. enough to be able to quit my retail job.

[catnherthoughts]

5:33 am

i think i make romance a sort of religion. the constant thoughts about him. the way i obsess. honestly i think it’s a bit concerning. the playlists. the tweets. the posts that are just ambiguous enough to not be too obvious but just enough to make you think. think about me. do you ever think about me? you love to keep me wondering. i always wonder. what do you see in me. am i just some girl you can fuck when you’re drunk? maybe. but then what was break all about. i swear i saw you falling for me. you don’t give that sort of attention to just anyone. i would know. reference to calling all my lovelies but all of the men that want me? i can’t even give them the thought of day now. the man who made me realize i could love again. the one who started this stupid cycle. he wants me. it’s so desperate it’s pitiful. that does make me think a bit. would i still want you if you were at my feet like i pray for? like i manifest. like i cry for. is this what i want? do i keep up this self fulfilling prophecy to keep myself the victim. keep myself stuck in the same cycle i spite god for putting me in? i mean i could go to him but i don’t want him. i want you. i want you so bad my heart goes numb whenever you text me. my legs spread for you… daddy. whatever you want for me to do i’ll do. i cut my flesh for you. scars that won’t ever fade. do you love me when i’m like this baby? at your disposal. willing to do anything? or is it too much? i’m sorry i’ll hide out for a while. you won’t hear from me. i’ll make you think that i’ve moved on. then maybe in my absence you’ll think. love me more? and then you can become one of the men that stay in my messages as i fall madly in love with another man who won’t give me the time of day. i liked my time with you. you showed me just enough love for me to get attached and obsessed. ***** there is not a consecutive 5 minutes in the day where you don’t cross my mind. i hate it. and i love you. but i don’t love you. i love thé idea of you. the version of you i made to hold me at night. the version that kisses my cheek and tells me i’m beautiful without needing to undress. the version that can watch a movie with me. god forbid even maybe take me out on a date or make things official. text back? brags to his friends about how perfect i am. but that’s not you. and i’m not expecting you to be that man because it would be wrong of me to make you into perfection when you are just you. and still i’d love the version of you that inhibits your being with every single ounce of life force in me. id kiss every atom that makes you up. swaddle you in my arms. make sure you’d never walk through another day lonely. but alas you don’t want that. you don’t want me. you want sex from me sometimes. you make it feel like you’re doing me some kind of service when you do show up. you’re not god. not the all knowing. and if you’re trying to show me how detrimental desire is i’d love to show you how my desire of my blood flowing down my arms plays out. i know you don’t have any other women. or maybe you do. i know it’s your ex. christina? that name came to me but it fits so well. i bet you thought our initials could go together just like how you and hers did. i wonder how you felt when she cheated. manipulated you. i wonder how bad that hurt. i wonder if you’d use that pain to make me feel the same way. at least we are together in suffering. i wonder if we’ve had our last kiss. or maybe if it’s coming? maybe next time i get drunk i’ll text you in a rage saying how much i hate how you hate me or how you have my heart in your hands and instead of nurturing it you’re letting it spoil. you’re letting me spoil. the lack care makes me putrid, stale, something you don’t eat anymore. but you caused this! that’s the funny thing. the cat you loved is the cat that was perfect. i felt like it was worth being perfect for you. because you cared. now i feel like a neglected wife. always angry. resentful. thinking about how i could be with a good man who’d love me better. but no i can’t be because i’m enamored with the idea of you.

no man could ever turn my eye. yes i joke about how hot and sexy other men are. about how “yo estoy come un pérra en calor”. sex sex sex. yep. wrong. you are the one i can’t breath without. you occupy the deepest parts of my psyche. i don’t think i would want to exist if you didn’t come in and sweep me up that night. god that night. makes me weep just thinking about it. did you think on november 11th that you’d meet a girl who would be writing about you like this? who would cut herself, kill herself, hey maybe even hurt another just for you. the woman who begs and begs for you. no. probably not. but you found me. and you had me right where u wanted me. i bet you’d flinch at the fact that i only kissed you to get away from another. you were a replacement i’m sorry baby. you were someone to be with when another loveless man decided i wasn’t good enough. so i filled myself with you to make up for the pain. and believe me i filled myself to the brim. where’s the man who kissed me for two hours straight. talked with me for 6 hours? i bet you couldn’t even respond to one of my messages in 6 hours. bullshit. you’re a little bitch. i lead myself into delusion every day thinking one day you’ll come in and say you love me. that you’re nothing without my love. that i am essential to your life. but that won’t happen. that’s not you i’m afraid baby. i really wish you were the one though. now i think you’re a wasted body. only bad things come in 3’s.

can i even say that. the sex we had was phenomenal. i can’t even cum on my own the same anymore. it doesn’t feel the same. i sucked your dick. that in itself is insanity. do you know how i used to preach about how revolting that seemed. but i wanted to do it for you. i didn’t feel révoltes by the idea because it was you. it was always you. guess who’s name i scream when i’m all alone with mr wingbot. yours. your kisses, touch, hands, d-. you’re so perfect. that’s saying a lot from me because i’m very particular. I CAN EVEN LOOK PAST THE FACT THAT UR PETITE. because i care that much. but i don’t think you and i have the same definition of care. do you really care if i’m okay? do you really value me for things other than sex. i don’t know what you want from me at this point. id love for you to just be honest. i don’t want any sugar coated bs. i don’t want you to give me hope so i think maybe you’ll come in and love me. no. tell me i’m too much. tell me it’s me. that i’m not good enough and you hate me. then i can move on. i don’t want to move on. WHY CANT YOU BE BETTER. just be better for me. no. that’s not who you are. maybe one day you’ll see this. maybe you stalk me like i stalk you. or maybe i’ll show you when we’re dating just so i can see that all of this was for nothing. maybe i’ll print it and send it to your mother to show her just how great of a son she raised. cancer moon. ugh. it might be the gemini rising tbh. you’d think w a 8th house venus he’d be obsessed w me but i still need to look over his chart for the 37th time to see where i went wrong. capricorn venus. i need to do my research. if i take notes on how you love and like to be loved based on the stars in the sky. maybe then you’ll love me. i can teach you. i can be you’re dream girl and i’ll show you how to love me. all you have to do is be there **. just show up. id make you food. id kiss you whenever where ever. id be at your disposal 24/7. anything. id do it for you. you just need to show up.

for fucks sake i hate you. I WROTE AN ENTIRE CONCLUSION AND IT DELETED. i wouldn’t have to write until my arms were sore if you just loved me. have you ever thought about that babe? do you think about the harm you cause me. the marks you’ve left on me that will never ever leave me. did you know i sliced myself open for you 9 times on your 19th birthday in a heartbroken drunk rage. no. because you will never know how much you seeped into my heart. my soul!!! my soul *****!!! i just wish i didn’t have to say that i’m getting over you. that i’m moving on. that i’m in a healing era. you’re love could have been healing you know? but no. instead i get to wonder where i went wrong and ‘focus on myself’. i want to keep the focus on you. on us. I WANT YOU. i want you to want me enough to keep us afloat. i want you to run over and tell me how much i mean to you and how sorry you are. how you want to be mine and how i’m already yours. god i’m sick of this. in all hopes this isn’t a goodbye. my tarot readings said you’ll come back. delusion is I. for now just know i’m detached. but i did love you. you were loved *****. i don’t know what made my love unable for you to take in but i’m sorry. you should be more sorry. at least we had some time together? you got to rot my brain a bit while i was blind to it all. please don’t see me as some random college hookup. but as someone who you meant the world to. save a space for me in your soul miamor. maybe i’ll be able to take it someday. goodnight at 6:52

[nom-nom-bitch]

Can't Get Enough

//––//

Warnings: 18+!! MEN + MINORS DNI!! Stepcest, cheating, fingering, soft sex, manipulation, blackmail, praise kink, degrading kink, mommy kink, edging, overstimulation, choking, Wanda being sweet at the end and helping reader.

Summary: After a recently failed important exam, your step mother threatens to tell your father if you don't do as she says...

Words: 1.6K

DISCLAIMER: Reader is 21 in this!

//––//

The smell of chicken with mashed potatoes and peas and carrots filled the air in the house as you setted up the table for three. You, your dad and your stepmom. It was the last night that you were going to see your dad for the last time before he went on a long business trip for six months. So you and your stepmom decided to cook his favourite meal before he leaves the next morning, chicken roast!

"Dinner is served!" Wanda cheered as she placed the food on the dining table. Your father pulled a chair out for the red haired woman to sit on. "This looks lovely, my dear." He complimented before leaning to place a kiss on Wanda's lips which made you physically choke on your food.

"Can you not do that when I am trying to eat? It's disgusting." You complained as you took another bite of your food. "Oh calm your horses down Y/n, it's natural." Your dad chuckled before looking back at his wife and smiling at her. "So uh, Y/n," You looked up at your father as he called your name, "did you get your exam results back?" He asks. Oh no, you have been dreading this question since yesterday. You had two options, option A- tell the truth and say you failed with a 45%. Option B- lie and tell him you haven't gotten your results back.

"I uh- the teacher hasn't marked the exams yet." You lied, you knew lying was wrong but he should just be grateful that you aren't doing drugs. "What a surprise," he rolled his eyes, "teachers these days, they are so lazy." You chuckled nervously. "Yeah ahah."

——

When it was near the end of dinner you felt a foot slowly slide up your calf. A shiver of coldness washed over your body as you looked over at your stepmom who was just finishing up eating her vegetables. It could not have been your father because he had gone upstairs to finish packing plus he is your father, he wouldn't even dare. So that means... no. 'It can't be... Can it?' You shook off the thought of your stepmom trying to seduce you and just told yourself you were imagining things and you were going crazy, but when her foot made its way up further to the edge of your dress you couldn't ignore it. She looked at you with innocent eyes but the smirk on her face said it all.

You abruptly stood up from your seat and grabbed your plate and placed it on the side before trying to make your way to your room before she could make any further moves that would be considered inappropriate and frowned upon. Before you could even make your way out of the doorway Wanda stopped you in your tracks.

"I need to have a talk with you," Wanda said, eyeing you up and down, "Now." Her tone was demanding. You rolled your eyes as she dragged you into the dining room and shut the door behind her. "Don't give me that attitude, princess." She warned as she pushed you up against the table. "Why would you lie to my husband about the exam?" Wanda asked.

"So what if I did? What has that got to do with you?" The attitude in your voice was showing and Wanda did not like it. "It has nothing to do with me but there has to be a punishment put in place for lying." Your eyes shot up at her, you were panic-stricken. What if she told your dad? He would send you back home. "Now Y/n, I want you to do as I say. If you don't then I will tell your father the truth. Do you want that?" Your face had turned pale, you were dumbfounded as you shook your head slowly in disbelief. A part of you wanted to tell her to leave you alone but you couldn't find the words to say anything.

She leaned in close to your ear and whispered, "Go to room. Take off your clothes but leave your panties on for me. Spread yourself out for me. I'll be upstairs in a few." You could feel a pool of wetness form between your legs already as the images of your stepmother fucking you senseless filled your head.

"Yes Wanda." You nodded as you left the room. As you made your way up to your room you could hear your fathers loud snoring in which you assumed he went to sleep afetr packing.

——

A few minutes had gone by and by now you were partly naked with just your panties on with your legs spread out on the mattress as you watched the door and waited for Wanda to enter. The door handle slowly turned and you saw another the woman's slim figure, whoalso happened to have no clothes on either. "Look at you," Wanda started as she swayed her hips towards you in a seductive way, "Nice and spread out... all for me." Wanda straddled you and placed her leg between yours. She placed soft kiss on your lips before pulling away. You let out a whine as she pulled away, "Wandaaaa." You whined as you tried to grind down on her leg, already so needy for her touch.

"Nuh uh sweetheart. From now on you call me mommy, got that princess?" Her deamening voice made you feel submissive almost like you would be ready to absolutely anything for her. You nodded in response with lust and neediness in your eyes. "Use your words baby." She demanded. You swore you could feel your breath stuck at the back of your throat. "Yes, mommy." Wanda smiled at the name she asked you to call her.

"Good girl." Wanda praised as she leaned in to kiss you again, her lips tasted like strawberries and her scent smelt like roses. The two scents that you loved most. You knew this was wrong, you wnated to push her off you but your body wouldn't let you.

One of her hands slowly made its way up to thigh and ghosted over your clit. In the needy state you were in, you started to grind down on her palm causing you to moan into the kiss. She slowly pulled away and started to kiss down your neck, leaving love bites as she made her way down to your bra. Her slim fingers made their way to the waist band of you panties and slowly pulled them down as she made eye contact with you. Your chest was heaving up and down, anticipation filled you as Wanda teased.

Her finger pressed down on your clit harshly making you let out a moan. Wanda smacked her hand down to cover your mouth. "Shhh, you have to be quiet. Can you do that for mommy?" Wanda asked as she pinched your clit harshly which caused you to let out another harsh moan as you grinded down on her two fingers that were now circling your clit. "Answer me slut." Her tone was now harsh. You nodded in response and Wanda released her hand from your mouth and wrapped it around your throat. "Good girl. You're such a good girl for mommy, eh? I know that you have just been waiting for this day to come," Wanda whispered in your ear, "It feels good to hear you moan." Wanda inserted a finger slowly inside of you as bit down on your lip to muffle you moans. Your back arched as she slowly moved her finger in and out of you slowly.

"You're already such a pathetic whore, you're so needy and desperate for me and this is just the beginning." She chuckled sinfully as she inserted another finger, this time going deeper. She curled them, hitting your g-spot everytime she thrusted them in. Your heavy breathing and the sound of your juices was music to her ears.

She squeezed your throat harder as her movements became slower. You were close, your muffled cries of pleasure were enough to give Wanda the signal that you were close. "Hold on for a little longer for mommy. Come on baby you can do this." Wanda ordered in a soft tone as she released her hold on your throat. A tear fell down your cheek. "I- I can't take anymore mommy. It's too much. Please let me cum." You cried. Wanda however was having fun with this. "No, you're my toy so I get to make the commands." Wanda smirked as she began to imprint more hickeys into your neck.

In what felt like ages of Wanda edging and teasing you, you couldn't hold back any longer, you felt like you were about pass out. Your hair stuck to your face as you sweated so much, you breathing was erotic and the louder you moans and whines became, the harder it became to hold them back. Wanda could tell you were becoming more and more tired at the second, she could tell you couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Come on baby, cum. Cum for mommy like the pathetic dumb whore you are." Wanda demanded, the order and the names you came undone with a loud cry of her name and a silent gasp. Wanda helped you ride out your high as she stared down at the beautiful sight in front of her.

"Good little slut. Mommy loves you so much." She said as she removed her fingers from your pussy and placed them in her mouth. She hummed at the taste of you. Your eyes fell heavy as you let out a silent yawn. "No sleep yet, we have to get you cleaned up sweetheart. I'll go and run a nice warm bath. We can both get it. Yeah?" You nodded at the thought of Wanda taking care of you, washing your hair for you and being so gentle and caring with you.

[strangermarvelss]

Really liked the latest chapter and the space it gave to let the previous chapter’s events percolate. But I’m going to go with an unpopular opinion (lol I think). I like Steve, he is obviously sweet, but I actually don’t want him to be the one she ends up with. For one, he’s a friend of the couple and it just seems too easy and a little cliché maybe. That this hot dude’s waiting in the background to swoop in and fix everything. Two, this is a me issue but I might have read things wrong and assumed this would ultimately be an Eddie x reader fic (not Steve x reader) and while I like Steve and I’m okay with them hooking up, I hope the action goes back to Eddie and that Steve remains a secondary character. But that is just my hope and what I assumed, obviously if that’s not how it’s going to go that’s absolutely fine, I’m just thinking ahead of how to prepare myself if it ends with pure angst with Eddie instead of fluff with him bc that’s not what I expected and I don’t want to be bummed out. I know that sounds dumb, it’s just a work of fiction, but it stays in my mind.

Third, people fuck up all the time. Constantly. We fuck up and it hurts people we love. I think the first instinct is to walk away and never forgive but irl that’s not always how it goes. Sometimes the person you love does something stupid that hurts but they are truly sorry and change and put in the work and you find it in your heart to forgive and not lose that love because it’s stronger than all the other stuff, and there’s history and time and growth together. I’m not talking about abuse or repeat manipulation. But I do think men making stupid immature decisions is common, even if they are ’“nice” guys who mean well. I think if they can turn it around and make it up to the person they hurt, it can move forward. I mean, personally it would take A LOT for me to try to work things out with Eddie. I would need grand gestures and groveling at my feet, sobbing, pleading, signing up for marriage counseling for as long as I decide and putting in the work, really showing up and being the best dad and husband he can be, you would need to see the effort every fucking day. I would need to hear and feel that I’m the only person he loves and wants every day, because I’d be insecure and would need to repair that. I’d need all of that in writing with an ultimatum that if he falls off the wagon, I’m out and seeking custody of our kid. And if he really loved me and wanted us back above all, he’d do all of that and more happily. If I loved someone deeply and thought we were soulmates and really felt their remorse and intent to make things better, I might leave that door open and see if they could make it up to me and our family. Anyways that’s my pov, that while he did something terrible and stupid, he might have a chance to save things if she’s willing to give it.

i think the way you worded this was quite nice and kind of summarizes my feelings on the series as a whole. i don't think you're in the minority when it comes to people not wanting steve and reader to get together, i think its maybe 50/50 but i'm also not counting lol.

i agree that men do stupid shit all the time and sometimes it works out in their favor and they get back together and have stuff happen. my cousin cheated on his wife a while ago, and today they're still together and seem very happy with one another, so things can change if the effort is put in. not saying i condone cheating or anything, thats just fucked. but you get what i mean.

eddie would have to put in a lot of effort to be able to bounce back from his actions, seeing as reader is still emotionally scarred from the confession and their child is...well, you'll see in the next chapter what christopher is up to. i know how it's all going to play out, so i'm not going to give spoilers, so i'll just leave it here: we will just have to see what happens. reader could end up with no one too, just deciding to chose herself and happiness. who knows :)