#MASKS:: Mimic Mirror

[kattenkvvaad]

new Masks character who dis? It's my Janus, Mimic Mirror (he/him)

[rebecca-lotto]

fighting type mask for ogerpon

StarStriker mask

ogerpon gains the ability flame body when this mask is equipped.

her attack , defense and speed stats are raised to the same ridiculous levels displayed with the StarShocker mask .

well, naturally , Koraidon is the main inspiration for this mask.

the team star emblem will also be sneakily put on the terrasztalized form of the mask .

[mw00nie]

kento absolutely adores the way you take care of yourself.

the way you have a skincare routine so meticulous,it’s practically sacred; double cleanse, toner, serum, moisturizer, sometimes even a face mask if you're feeling indulgent. he watches you sometimes from the doorway, leaning against the frame with soft eyes, mesmerized by the way you take your time with it. by the quiet discipline. the calm focus. how gentle you are with your own face. the same gentleness you extend to others, including him.

he loves how you wake up early on saturday mornings, the sun barely rising, and lay your mat down for yoga before he's even opened his eyes. the quiet sound of your breathing is his favorite way to wake up. peaceful. steady. something about that rhythm inhale, exhale makes him fall in love with you a little more every time.

he even notices the way you almost never reach for greasy foods, no matter how good they smell. how you’ll nibble from his plate but never overdo it, how you’re always trying to stay healthy, in tune with your body. not out of vanity but care.

and god, he loves that. because he knows that for you, wellness isn’t about perfection. it’s about intention.

but lately, you’ve been tired.

he noticed it immediately: in the way your shoulders drooped as you stepped through the door tonight. in how you held him like someone whose bones hurt from just existing. the exhaustion radiating off you in quiet waves.

“hey… rough day?” he asked, already wrapping his arms around your waist, tucking you against his chest like he always does when he knows you're unraveling.

you hummed into his shirt too tired to speak, resting your head above his heart. he held you like that for a while, saying nothing, just gently rubbing circles into your back with his thumbs.

he noticed you hadn’t done your routine the past couple nights. and not because you forgot, but because you didn’t have it in you. and it breaks his heart, quietly, because he knows how much those little things mean to you. he knows how not doing them makes you feel worse.

and more importantly: when you’re upset with yourself, you don’t let him kiss you as easily. you turn away, mumble something about your skin, and that. that’s what hurts the most.

so he came up with a plan. a theory, really.

if he does the routine with you, right beside you, maybe it’ll feel less heavy. more fun. and if your mood lifts, maybe you'll let him kiss you again. win-win.

so when you’re still clinging to him in the dim light of the entryway, he leans down and presses a kiss to your hair.

“how about we do your skincare together tonight?” he murmurs.

you blink up at him. “...together?”

he smiles. “yeah. side by side. me, following your lead. think of it as a little couples activity.”

your eyes narrowed. “you mean you want to use my toner.”

“i mean i want to wash my face beside the love of my life and get kisses after. yes.”

and you’re already laughing, already melting, because you know how stubborn he gets when he’s decided something is the solution.

so you let him pull you to the bathroom, flick the light on, roll up both your sleeves. he puts on one of your spa headbands the one with bunny ears without shame. you grab another one for yourself.

he watches closely as you wet your face. mimics you exactly when you lather up the cleanser.

“gentle circles,” you instruct. “you’re not scrubbing the sink, kento.”

“noted,” he says dryly, but softens his touch.

you rinse together, side by side, making a bit of a mess with the water. he hands you your toner, then pours some into his own palm, copying your dabbing motion.

“is this doing anything?” he asks, and you catch his reflection in the mirror. his usual sharp features a little flushed, damp skin glowing, expression sincere.

“it’s hydrating,” you reply. “and cute. seeing you like this.”

he huffs a soft laugh and bumps your hip with his. “don’t mock me. i’m making an effort.”

you go step by step. serum next, then moisturizer. you guide him through the amounts, the motions, and he listens like it’s the most important meeting of his life.

he’s a little clumsy, a little too focused, but he’s also warm. steady. present. and the bathroom suddenly feels like a sanctuary. not just a space for routine, but for togetherness.

by the time you’re patting the last bit of cream into your skin, your mood has lifted, your body no longer feels so heavy. you turn to him, finally relaxed, and lean in with a smile.

“you did a good job.”

he tilts his head, just slightly. “so... do i get my kiss now?”

you roll your eyes, but your hands are already curling into his shirt pulling him down for a kiss. you kiss him slowly, sweetly, your lips soft and freshly moisturized. he exhales against your mouth, arms circling your waist again, and you feel him smile.

and later that night, tucked into bed with your cheek against his chest and your skin glowing in the soft light, he thinks maybe he’ll start doing skincare with you more often.

not because he needs it, but because you do. and loving you means meeting you in the places where you care for yourself… even if it means wearing bunny ears and dabbing toner like a fool.

he’d do it a thousand times over if it meant you’d smile like that again

[6slux]

ೃ⁀➷ intertwined—eren offers to let you practice braiding his hair.

.ᐟ fluff, drug usage (weed), bf!eren yeager

“rennie, can you please stop fidgeting?”, the bristles of your Hello Kitty brush made yet another pass through his nutmeg strands. a frustrated tug dragging his lazy neck back onto its slot against your pajama pants.

your living room was a cozy mess—pink cushions scattered across the fuzzy carpet and the faint scent of eren’s incense mingling with the lazy drift of smoke from his blunt. the moonlight flickered through the sheer curtains, casting a dimlit iridescence over the room as you both lounged in this safe haven you called home.

the victim in question was your lovely boyfriend eren. he swore his only intention was to pass by and bring you takeout from your favorite restaurant. somehow that led to asking about the video playing in your background. the next moment he was surpassing your doorstep and sitting on a pillow before your tv.

your sore fingertips paused to collect the remote and rewind the tutorial for what felt like the hundredth time. again—the stylist’s annoyingly chirpy introduction blared throughout your entire house.

then they were scrambling back to the side of eren’s slanted head. it’s a pace that seemed almost too impossible to keep up with. you sat crisscrossed behind eren who’s shirtless back leaned against the couch. his legs sprawled out and red eyes low-lidded from tranquility—or maybe the weed. your presence serenaded eren, and this just so happened to be the perfect excuse to be in it.

“ugh! okay…so i section it into three parts…”, you sheepishly whispered, more to yourself than to eren. he was all for being glued at the hip, but not if that meant you being this hard on yourself. “this is so humiliating. what girl doesn’t know how to do a simple braid—and at my big, old age on top of that”.

eren took a slow drag from the burning stick, a sympathetic smile plastered on his plump lips while he exhaled. “hey, you’ve got this,” he soothed you amidst the thick fog, words punctuated by lazy curls of smoke.

you huffed softly, more in self-beguilement than frustration. “thank you for both your cooperation and the kind words,” it was a light tease as you gently parted his hair with your comb, trying to mimic the swift motion on screen without entangling your own worries.

“eh, call it free therapy,” eren nodded stiffly, “plus you get to learn a new skill. it’s a win-win.” his high might’ve slurred every intricate thought that dared to hit his cloudy brain. including the fact that he’d been glued to your floor for nearly two hours. your own patience had thinned like a thread, fraying at the edges with every failed attempt at achieving the same smooth finish as the girl in the video. yet, comfort lingered as you both sported matching face masks. the thin sheet long dehydrated against both of your tired features. when he wasn’t scrolling through his phone, he kept ahold of your nearby knee.

up until that final section, each braid was knitted with the same undying dedication. the split worry of tugging too hard and keeping the pattern intact consuming you whole. your wrist’s rhythm settled into something ritualistic and steady, tying the ends together with a tighter grip. finally you tied off the last one.

an unknown breath you were holding escaped while eren clawed up the side of the couch. poor boy—his jelly limbs nearly collapsed before he stood tall again. a nervousness washed over you as he made his way to the mounted mirror. you make out the backside of his reflection, a look of flattery could be seen as he rotated his neck to check out your artwork. you’re no renowned hairstylist—each braid varied in tightness and thickness. some ends levitated off the nape of his neck while others conjoined the neighboring braid. but, all eren saw was your unmistakable handwork. he saw the countless hours you sacrificed to bunch each strand of hair into its own group.

eren’s pupils gleamed with sincerity, he adored your efforts. “babe, i love them,” he turned to you while swooning over his new hairdo, a rosy hue overtaking his cheeks. “they are absolutely perfect.”

your shoulders slouched as you took in the sight of his wonky, puffy hairline. you’d given this style every fiber your being could muster up, yet it wasn’t nearly as neat as the scene behind him. your heart fluttered at eren’s words, at the simple honesty and appreciation in his gaze. “but ren, they’re nothing like the video. they’re uneven and that one is literally falling apart in the back,” you pointed out, a hint of insecurity lingering in your tone.

“and that’s my favorite part,” he reassured, taking the cushion next to you and slipping a palm into yours. his legs stretched out as he leaned closer to nuzzle his nose into your neck. “this is you. that makes them better than any tutorial.”

for the first time all night a smile crept onto your face. a genuine display of how soft his words had you. you gave eren’s hand one last squeeze before bringing your digits back to his head. one swipe along the top allowed you to feel all the authentic imperfections that were misplaced hairs and lopsided linework. these mismatched braids were every bit of you— delicate, rough, flawed…yet complete.

as eren settled into his spot, your head dipped down to his shoulder. his familiar scent, the mixture of lingering aromatics, and your closeness made everything feel just right. it didn’t need to be a masterpiece; it simply needed to be yours. intertwined in ways beyond braids, these were the kind of memories you cherished forever.

[genieswishes]

gotcha workin’ for it ft. Saxon Ratliff

MDNI 18+

pairing: Saxon Ratliff x Reader

cw: p in v (unprotected), pwp, mentions of breeding kink (no follow through), teasing, “baby” as a pet name, established relationship, random pop culture reference

a/n: this was supposed to be a Saxon and locker room talk, but the more I wrote, the more it divulged from its original plot… maybe I’ll revisit that idea when I can write a clear enough story for it.

“You’re always so whiny and pitchy.” SAXON RATLIFF mutters in your ear. He goes on to mimic your moans, exaggerating the way your breaths are stuttered. You punch at him hard to get him to shut up.

“What?” He grins at your response, taking advantage of the wide mirror in front of you two, lifting your chin so that you’re forced to face yourself. “Look, you’re literally heaving!”

He has your back arched enough that you can see how your chest is moving to his rhythm. Your hands are placed on his bed post as he’s got your hair in one hand and your chin in the other. He’s got his hips pummeling into you, his own body arching over yours so that he can rest his chin on your shoulder.

“You’re like…” He’s chuckling a bit. “Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh!”

Your words were about to form a snarky comeback when he hits a particular thrust that makes you choke on your spit a little.

“Hey,” This asshole has the audacity to snicker at you. “Breathe, baby, breathe.”

Thank god you don’t go into a coughing fit. But you also curse whatever reverence is out there as your boyfriend leans back and straightens himself, stopping when you’re so close to your climax.

“You’ll need air if you’re gonna be moving, right?” His voice raising an inflection towards the end of the question.

“Huh?” And your voice does come out quite pitchy.

“Well, I’m not doing all the work,” He slaps your ass. Hard. “So, come on, back and forth.”

“God, you’re seriously a grade A asshole.” Yet you find your hips are already slapping back to him, your back arching to his pelvis.

His hands find themselves steady on your waist, only there to hold on to some stability and guide you to some sort of pace. Soon, your bedroom is filled with nothing but your wet squelching and a speed comparable to that of Ariana Grande when it comes to switching races.

“Uhh, fuck,” Saxon has long abandoned his motive to stay still, rocking into you as he palms your tits and enjoys how your ass bounces back on him. “Fuck, fuck, you feel real good...”

You’re so close, and you know he is to with how he twitches inside of you. You got him whispering into your shoulder, your name repeated like a prayer.

He’s calling you pet names in between his moans. “Let me cum inside…”

In usual Saxon fashion, he’s not asking with a “please” or a “can I…?” but masking his demand to sound like a request.

“Nooo,” You’re telling him unconvincingly. “Pull out…”

“What? You scared I’m gonna baby trap you?” He’s got a lilt in his voice, still teasing you when you’re both so close to finishing.

“Yes, don’t fuck around!”

“Yeah, maybe I will…” Saxon’s got his arm snaked around your waist now, thrumming into you all harsh. “Have a tiny me go running around…”

You’re yelling “Saxon!” but he feels you clench him at that notion.

“Yeah, and you’re probably gonna be calling for me just like that too.” His fingers are working magic on your clit, circling your bud in quick motions. “You know me… I’m a family man.” And boy, is he.

You can’t even respond, too focused on finding your end of the bargain. Your boyfriend is also stuttering in his movements, rutting faster to get to his arrival.

You reach your release before him, Saxon cumming right after and painting your back in white.

He falls on top of you, warm to the touch. You bask in the comfortable silence, deciding to ignore the mess that’s gonna need to be cleaned. Better to enjoy this quiet before Saxon catches his breath, right?

[rae-writes]

pre/early relationship things + Naruto boys <3

sawft bois, cute bois, sweet bois || 0.9k

Kankuro asking you to wait for him after the war: there's some things he's gotta figure out (including getting all his feelings together) and some things he needs to do, so he asks you to wait with a sheepish smile at the gates of Konoha

Kankuro's really glad he had his face paint over his cheeks because he feels a blush spread across them when you rub your thumb over the paint and smear two purple lines over your own cheeks in acceptance

And Kankuro nearly falls out in the floor when, a few weeks later, he's back in the sand village opening a letter from Temari and a picture falls out: you're standing in front of a mirror, purple eye pencil in hand, as you very clearly mimic a thinner style of his paint markings- with a bright smile plastered over your face as you look at the camera

Kankuro decides he has to go back to the Leaf as soon as possible. He needs you to be his. Really his.

Naruto trying his hardest to keep a clean presentation in front of you at first; neat hair, no sloppy clothes, wiped off face. He's just really nervous because he really likes you and wants to..essentially detach any images you may have of him from all the village gossip (even though you don't think anything but the best of him)

So Naruto was about to have a meltdown when he bumped into you as he ran late for a team meeting: bedhair fluffed out and sticking up the wrong way, clothes askew and barley put on properly, cheeks and mouth covered in crumbs and jam from his on-the-go breakfast that was clutched half eaten in his equally messy hand

But before he could disappear on the spot and go crawl in a hole and die, Naruto found himself with a racing heart and red cheeks when you gave him a sweet little laugh and helped him out. Your fingers in his hair, brushing and smoothing out the stubborn strands, running along his chest as you straightened his undershirt and zipped his jacket, swiping at his cheeks and lips to get rid of the mess (and sticking your thumb in your mouth to clean off the jam was just the nail in the coffin)

Naruto decides right then and there that he's gonna marry you someday (and when he realizes he said that out loud, he'll practically explode in a shade of red before stammering out a loud "Believe it!" before running off to go meet his team)

Watching Kakashi attempt subtlety as he stares at your lips whenever you're talking or simply just lounging around with him. He wants to kiss you so badly but he's not ready to take off his mask just yet but the thought of kissing you is on his mind so much that he thinks he might go insane if he doesn't get to learn how it feels

It's gotten to the point where Kakashi always presses his forehead against your temple, covered nose and mouth brushing over your cheek and jaw as he plays it off as exhaustion; really, though, he's just a little embarrassed (and a bit scared) to ask you to kiss him without removing his mask

Which leaves Kakashi absolutely shell shocked and delighted all at once when, as you're seeing him off before his mission, you press your lips against his through the mask as a parting gift (leaving the scent of your flavored chapstick behind on the fabric, something that keeps his mind just as occupied as before he got a kiss, only now it's because he needs to taste that flavor- mask be damned)

Shikamaru starting to debate the way he acts with you after seeing his friends with their partners, realizing he's never really asked you how you felt about his...lazy habits when hanging out and wonders if you're actually as okay with it as you seem

It's a real drag, honestly, Shikamaru thinks- having to question something he's never had self doubt on before. He makes up his mind that he's just going to ask you straight out and get it over with. His brilliant plan goes out the window and into the trash, though, when you trudge into his house for your date night and curl up beside him, mentioning something about 'been looking forward to our weekly shared nap' (which makes his heart speed up, hindering him from even being able to fall asleep. he wasn't complaining- for once- not after seeing you so at ease with his lazy habits)

Kiba not knowing why Akamaru runs off for around thirty minutes each afternoon after training is over, but not minding too much since his fluffy companion always comes back from wherever with his tail wagging and tongue out happily. He does get curious, though, so he ends up following along one day

And Kiba about dies on the spot when he sees Akamaru bounding up to you, the civilian that he has a giant crush on (who always smiles and waves at him, no matter what, in passing). He watches his tank of a hound sprawl in your lap- almost covering your entire body- and get petted and cooed at. He stumbles over with a dumb grin and heated cheeks, making easy conversation

When he leaves with Akamaru in tow, Kiba formulates a plan to finally ask you out, hopefully using his best furry wing man to help

[intimidating-fettuccine]

Random partner headcanons

Random little things a few creeps do as your partner

EJ likes to memorize your schedule. He just likes to know all of the times he might be able to spend with you and know when and where you'll be throughout the day. if you randomly deviate from your schedule without telling him it throws him off his consistency and can bum him out and make him worried about you, so always make sure to just let him know if you'll be home late, or even early so he can make sure he's prepared for that. It sets his mind more at ease.

Jane likes to dress in your favorite color(s). She's quite the fashionista, and she has an extremely large wardrobe. When the two of you are a couple, whenever you're going out together to hang out or on dates, no matter the season she always makes sure her outfit includes your favorite color(s) in some way or another. It started out subconsciously, but one day you realized it and pointed it out to her, and she now does it intentionally. 

Toby mimics your facial expressions. He's often wearing his own mask to hide how he feels inside so he tends to keep his own face neutral or just in a resting smile, but the more he's around you the more he likes to mirror your expressions. It makes him feel more connected with you, and at some point, he starts doing it without even realizing it, and most of the creeps haven't quite caught onto it yet. Luckily you think it's cute, and that just encourages him and makes him happy. He partially does it to help him memorize all of your expressions so he won't forget them.

Slender always has a drink prepared for you when you get home. When he's settling down to talk to someone, he prefers to have a nice warm glass of coffee or tea, and when the two of you became a couple he started preparing a glass of your preferred drink whenever he'd make something for himself. Now he prepares you both a drink every day when you're nearly home. It's become muscle memory for him to do this and sit down with you for a bit after you get home, asking you about your day and how you're feeling, if there's anything he can do for you. It's your little daily ritual.

Jeff insists on always making you breakfast. He's got one of the best pancake recipes in the mansion, but he can make pretty much any kind of breakfast food you'd want him to, and if he hasn't made it before he'd definitely try to for you. It just sets his mind at ease to be able to wake up every day and do something for you. Whether you accompany him to the kitchen and keep him company, or he surprises you with breakfast in bed, he wants to make sure you start your day off deliciously. It relaxes and unwinds him at the start of the day, putting him in a good mood to be able to cook for and eat with you.

LJ gets really, really into learning your favorite songs. He never really listened to music (only really being familiar with more classical pieces), and so he wants to hear whatever music it is you listen to. He likes just laying in bed with you, walking somewhere, or even listening while you're baking something, so he can be with you when he hears your favorites. He might not like all of them, but some of them he really latches onto and he finds himself humming or singing them throughout the day, causing most of the mansion to become confused at how LJ suddenly knows so much modern music. It just brings him great happiness to share something you love with you, and it really gets him into music.

[applejuicebegood]

Best-friend!Dick Grayson HCs (Hero!Reader)

Fem!Reader

A/N: I haven't written anything for Mr. Grayson yet, I feel ashamed. This is based of the Young Justice Dick Grayson btw Masterlist

You met through the original Young Justice team. Both awkward tweens attempting to mirror the legacy of the Hero's the group was founded upon.

He was the unintentional balance between Kalders unrelenting seriousness and Wally's extreme extrorevtism. He could cancel out the chaos of Conner's fits of anger and Artemis's petty fights with Roy. He became your stability within this extremely unconventional friend group you had found yourself in.

Stripped of his family and a normal childhood, it was rare for Dick to grow confident in the stability of any relationship. Only, stability is what you embodied for him. You were like the serene guiding point in a crowd of uncontrollable teenage angst and anger.

In the early days of the team where Dick assumed the position of 'team-leader' was innately his, he would secretly mimic your intense control of not only your emotions but your abilities and skill to hopefully appear more qualified.

To him, your skill is battle was artful. You moved with a grace that he had never seen replicated in any dancer or gymnast that cycled through Haly's Circus. You were entrancing and almost addicting to watch. His footwork and faints becoming tighter and more effecting the more he watched you train, and eventually training with you.

It was how you initially grew close as teammates. Long sparing sessions where you're combat and skill was so perfectly reflecting off of each other. You both would stay on the training pad for hours, trying until you gave in to knock the other off of their feet. It appeared unless, you both were obviously equally matched in skill and fight IQ. With Wally and Megan taking bets on who would go down first, neither of them ever actually paid up since you both would have to tap out from pure exhaustion.

But it was the rush of understanding that made you train with Dick until you both couldn't feel your arms. It was the exhilarating thrill of knowing someone entirely understood your limits and skill as well as they knew their own.

And when it came time for Dick to have someone covering his blindspots, it was you with your back against his. You had spared and trained and bled so much together that your weaknesses and habits had become a second nature.

You knew Dick had a tendency to keep his kicks wider, putting him at a speed disadvantage to regain stability on his feet. Giving you more opportunity to keep his sides covered as he leapt back to cover your right, where he knew you had trouble keeping track of.

It wasn't just your synchronization that made you such a good pair, it was the tenderness you knew that the other needed afterwards.

After brutal missions where your knuckles would be caked with dried blood and the adrenaline high was making you too dizzy to think, Dick would slink his arm under yours and carry you back into the safety of the hideout. He would guide you to a bed, willing you to shut your eyes and breath deeply. He would lean his forehead against yours, having you match the pace of his breath to level your nerves.

He hated it when other people would treat your injuries and he wasn't there. This scared, paranoid part of him had to be present with you. He needed to have his hand open for your to hold in a vice grip as Megan dug the bullet from your leg. He needed to be sitting by your shoulder as you slept, the oxygen mask fixed over your face, so that when you woke up- it could be Dick smothering you in his arms as he silently sobbed against your shoulder. So happy that you hadn't left him just yet.

And as much as he worried about you and the team, it felt good to worry. It felt good to have so many people he cared for and needed to keep safe.

He helps wrap and clean your hands before and after missions. Smoothing his thumbs over the tightness of your calloused palm. He smiles as you groan in relief as he works out a stubborn knot.

Your his sister in everything but blood. His reminder that he was able to find another family after his was taken.

It's funny in that his last memories with his mother was her asking him if he wanted a sibling. Dick liked to think that she, where-ever her soul rested, pre-determined your presence in his life. That she still managed to give him a sibling.

When you were both still young teenagers, you encouraged him to try for the Gotham High gymnastics team. Thinking that it would be good to separate that part of himself from hero-work. Of course he made the team. And of course you would always be front row to everyone of his competitions. Your voice would hurt from how loud you cheered and screamed as the gold metals were hung around his neck.

He treats birthdays and other holidays very seriously. He's got a list for everyone on the team of things they said they needed or liked. His gifts are so personal and sweet but it's the cards that make you tear up.

Being Hero's from such a young age, both of you struggled with really bad nightmares. It was common when the two of you were 14 for Dick to tap on your bedroom door late at night. His eyes wide and his raven hair tousled across his tight forehead. You didn't have to say anything to each other, at least not until the morning. You would pull back your covers and pat the space beside you, his weight making the mattress dip. You both would lay there, looking up at the ceiling until his weak, hoarse voice would break the silence. 'Can I hold your hand?' You nodded, settling on your side. You poked your open palm out from the covers, waisting for him to lace his fingers over your knuckles. He finally let out a relived sigh, shutting his eyes as he squeezed your hand in a thank you you knew he couldn't say.

He snorts when he laughs, something only you know about since you have been one of the only ones to make him laugh so hard. You find it insanely adorable.

Slightly overprotective. He really hates it when you're out late at night and you haven't texted. A smaller, traumatized part of his assuming the worst. He likes to keep his shoulder close to yours if your walking down a busy street together, or his hand hanging behind your upper back if your making your way through a thick crowd.

You quite literally grew up together. You were there for every embarrassing fumble in conversations and violent breakdown. You were there, side by side, when you got your highschool diplomas and when you immediately had to stop a drug trade right after the ceremony. You were there through everything, and Dick is going to try his absolute hardest to make sure your there for the rest of it.

[letternotekisses]

Ouuurghhhh Ramattra hate sex ourghhhhh 😫😫

He fucks you like he hates you because secretly he doesn’t.

There's little love in the way Ramattra takes you, leaving bruises and scrapes along your soft flesh because of his heavy handedness and the desperate need he has to convince himself that this is just for your mutually assured stress relief.

It's almost pathetic of him really - bending you into all sorts of positions and watching how much it takes for your fleshy body to give in and let him inside - all because of a few feelings he wasn't brave enough to face up to. Yet even after every time you still return for more, truly a glutton for punishment.

Or maybe you were just like him. Two points of time at a devastatingly slow standstill. Mixed up mirrors of one another, tangled in something equally sweet and sickening he'd spent many a night fixated on.

As the days go on he learns to treat you a little differently. You are smaller, delicate - human, putting your life in his hands in a manner of trust he surely wouldn't hand over to anyone else. Ramattra could crumble you beneath the creaking of his fingers but he wouldn't, he couldn't - and it would enrage him to see anyone else even entertain the idea.

It sours him more to think that he belongs to you just as much as you do to him, and Ramattra shows it to you in the only way he knows how - by grabbing the fat of your hip too hard when he brings you down onto the girthy silicone standing deplorably between his gigantic legs, leaving aching bruises to mask the utter shame of his excitability.

And yet you cry for more, meek mewls and sheer rambling nonsense to spur him on as he splits you open, carving a place for himself deep inside you despite what common sense may seem to scream at him.

Whatever it is that he really feels, said gigantic, terrifying omnic isn't quite ready to face it yet. To face you and the cruel mimic of love you'd plagued him with.

Only, there's no mimic and that just might be what scares him the most.

[greenandsorrow]

(slashers x fem reader) hii could u do like a prompt where fem reader absolutely hates horror movies. Where she fears the jumpscare and despises the bloody scenes? how would the slashers react to that?? (first time requesting kinda nervous 😢)

Went a bit overboard with this one, including fictional murderers in general and not just slashers. Also, no need to be nervous, anon! This was so much fun to write! I'd love to get another request from you as soon as my inbox opens again! 🩷

☞ You're watching a horror movie (Saw, The Shining, or Evil Dead —they're all conveniently bloody for your prompt) and you hate it. How do the slashers react?

☞ Featured babes: Art the Clown (I haven't watched the Terrifier movies, only edits & scenes), Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Ghostface, Leatherface, Pennywise (1990 & 2017), the Grabber, William Afton (book, game, movie), Slenderman, the Joker (Heath Ledger's), Henry Creel, Dale Kobble

☞ Pet names, fluff & comfort, harmless & vague descriptions of bloody scenes, some suggestive comments here & there, weirdness

B L O O D .

the slashers x fem!reader

Art the Clown

He is delighted.

You flinching and whining? Hilarious to him. Music to his ears.

He'll mimic your expressions and pretend to scream like you just to mess with your scared ass. Expect him to rewind the nastiest parts and point at the screen like it's peak comedy.

He lives for your suffering, but it's his weird love language. Might hold your hand in mock comfort, but really? He's giggling inside.

Michael Myers

Stone-faced.

Or maybe it's because you can't see his fucking face—

Watching you flinch beside him? He just stares at you sideways like you're far more interesting than the gore on the TV.

Doesn't comfort, doesn't tease either.

If you get too upset, he will silently stand and just... turn off the TV. That's Michael's version of caring.

Jason Voorhees

Surprisingly considerate!

You hide your face in his shoulder during the gross bits and he gently shifts to block your view.

If you really start panicking, he'll straight up carry you out of the room. Doesn't understand why you'd watch it in the first place since you obviously can't stand it, but now he's determined to be your comfort, oddly solid, oversized, teddy bear.

Freddy Krueger

Oh, you're scared of horror? Delicious.

Freddy slouches on the couch next to you, boots kicked up, cackling every time you flinch. He teases the hell out of you, but it is laced with lowkey affection.

He'll whisper predictions before every jumpscare... "Someone's about to lose an eyeball."

"Ohhh, princess can't handle a little eye gouge?"

Later that night, he might mess with your dreams just a little... but he also might take it back if you're genuinely upset. (maybe.)

And when you're trying to calm down in the bathroom? He pops up in the mirror behind you –grinning, hat tipped.

Ghostface (Billy/Stu or any combo you desire)

Stu: He's laughing his ass off. Throws popcorn at you every time you scream. And probably rocks a boner under the iconic costume.

Billy: He's smug and amused, but secretly likes when you bury your face in his shoulder. Loves it.

Either way, they'll tease you relentlessly, but also use it as an excuse to "protect" you.

"Oh no, poor baby's scared, come sit in my lap."

The minute the movie ends, you're already feeling grossed out and tense. You go to do your skincare in the bathroom, trying to decompress...

And then, behind you, in the reflection. Ghostface standing there, black robe blending into the shadows. You shriek, whip around –and he's laughing under the mask.

"Boo" he says, lifting it just enough to flash you a cocky grin. "C'mon, babe. You were asking for it... watching Saw, with me?"

Leatherface

The gentlest giant of our colorful bunch.

He gets super anxious seeing you distressed. Starts fiddling nervously with the remote, unsure if he should pause it. If you look away or cover your ears, he'll do the same in sympathy.

Might try to distract you with snacks or cuddles.

Movies might be banned after that night. Unless it's Walt Disney cartoons.

Pennywise (1990)

He is very amused, but not necessarily in a mean way.

He thinks your disgusted reactions are hilarious and might copy them for laughs –making fake gagging sounds or dramatic screaming, excessively of course.

This Bob Gray watches you the whole damn time, giggling like you are the entertainment. When you shriek at a jumpscare, he claps like it's a live performance.

"Look at you go! That's better than the movie!"

He's lounging upside down from the ceiling by the end of the film, absolutely losing it at your every grimace. You feel like the star of his own private comedy show.

There is affection in it, but you're never sure if he's laughing with you, or at you.

Pennywise (2017)

At the beginning, he's fixated on the screen with childlike curiosity.

But...

Oh well, he loves your fear. He's absorbing it like candy.

Your breathing quickens? Penny's inhaling like he's drinking it in. You flinch? He lets out this soft, guttural purr –like your fear is fine wine.

"Mmm... Sweet little heartbeat."

He gets into your personal space, unblinking, right as someone on screen gets torn in half.

"You taste different when you're terrified. Don't stop now."

You're not sure if he's talking about your fear... or something worse.

But if you seem truly overwhelmed, his expression changes.

He leans in, voice low, "Do you want me to make it all stop?" The TV might flicker and go blank. It's his way of being helpful.

The Grabber/Albert Shaw

He watches your reactions more than the movie.

He's fascinated, to say the least.

He might mock you softly, "Scared already, sweetheart?"

But also takes this weird sort of possessive pride in being the real scary thing in the room.

May offer to blindfold you... but you know it's just another game.

William Afton (book)

Smugly amused.

Probably psychoanalyzing you the whole time. "Fascinating how gore affects your threshold for fear…"

He isn't even trying to comfort you. William/Dave is trying to understand you. And maybe take notes for later.

Creepy in a manipulative professor way.

William Afton (game)

1. Doesn't care about the movie, probably considers it trash, but your reactions make him pay attention.

Will make offhand comments like, "Tch. That's not even realistic. Trust me, sugar, I know."

When you're really freaking out, he'll roll his eyes.

"You have seen worse, darling. You just don't remember it."

Unsettling.

2. You flinch and try to play it off as stretching. He sighs. Not because he's annoyed, but because he knew this would happen.

"This is why I told you not to pick Saw, darling" he mutters in that low, clipped voice.

You're hiding behind a pillow. He reaches over and gently pulls it down, voice like a razor dipped in honey.

"You think I'd let anything truly hurt you? Really now?"

Then he reaches over, pulls you into his lap like it's the most obvious solution. One strong arm around your waist, his hand tracing idle circles on your hip.

"Next time, we're watching something boring. Like Bambi. No screaming. Except Elizabeth's if she joins us and the deer happens to die again."

He kisses the top of your head like he owns you. Which, honestly, he might.

You're he's little whiny thing.

William Afton (movie)

Softer than the other Aftons.

When you start getting dangerously spooked, he pauses the movie and genuinely checks on you.

"Hey, you okay? We don't have to keep watching."

The only version who actually might offer a blanket and hot cocoa after.

Or a hand sliding between your thighs, for soothing purposes of course–

Slenderman

You can't tell if he's reacting or not.

But when you jump at a scare, suddenly the lights flicker. You swear the room feels colder.

When you look at him, you feel watched over.

He doesn't comfort at first, but your fear seems to make him… stronger? The movie never finishes. The screen just glitches out and he's looking even taller now.

Then you feel it –unnaturally long fingers, cool and smooth, brushing against your hand.

It's not a threatening gesture. It's grounding.

You curl closer without even thinking... and he allows it, shadowy limbs forming something like an embrace. The room settles. So does your breathing.

You never hear his voice, but in your mind, something whispers "You are not prey."

(Heath Ledger's) The Joker

1. Laughs at everything. Literally.

The gore? Hilarious.

Your terrified flinching and pillow hugging? Comedy gold.

J will poke at your sides during tense moments to get extra screams. But oddly enough, he loves how soft and human you are in contrast to him.

He might say, "You hate it ‘cause you still care... that is beautiful" and then keep laughing manically.

2. You're squirming on the couch, and he's loving it.

He's shirtless, stretching out beside you like a damn cat, muscles flexing beneath a myriad of scars.

When a bloody scene hits, you hide your face and he grins, wraps an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side like a shield.

"Aww, you're so soft, it's adorable" he rasps. "Want me to break the TV for ya? Or just cover your eyes the old-fashioned way…"

His touch is rough but somehow protective.

"A world like this? You gotta learn to grin at the guts, sugarplum."

Vecna/Henry Creel

As Vecna: Stares at the movie with disdain.

"This is a mockery of true horror."

He'll turn to you when you wince and say something cryptic.

"Fear weakens most. But it awakens you."

He sees your hatred of horror as a window to your weakness –and might dig into that later, mentally or psychically.

But if you ask him to stop it, he does. Silently.

As Henry: The boy before the monster. He doesn't like horror movies either, not because of the gore, but because they feel shallow compared to what's in his own head.

He never watches them for pleasure –he watches to analyze. The gore, the manipulation, the descent into madness?

But when you cover your ears or look away, he places a gentle hand on your knee.

"It's alright" he says. "You don't need to prove anything to me."

Longlegs/Dale Kobble

1. Oh, this man is unwell.

Might even act offended if you try to pause the movie. "Don't look away. You need to understand what you fear."

Dale will speak in riddles about internal suffering and truth while you're just trying not to vomit during Saw II. Very intense and very unsettling.

Or.

You're watching The Shining with him, and from the very start, something feels off. He doesn't blink. Doesn't comment. Just watches. Every time you shift uncomfortably, his eyes flick to you –sharp, unreadable.

He murmurs once, quiet but chilling. "Fear... is a holy thing. And you? You wear it like perfume."

You try to joke, to laugh it off, but it doesn't land. He leans forward, the light from the TV casting weird shadows on his pale face.

"He sees you" he says.

You ask who does.

He smiles –wide and reverent.

"The same one I see."

Needless to say, the movie fades to background static. You don't sleep much either.

2. You cover your eyes and his head turns slowly away from the screen.

But he doesn't mock you.

Instead, he leans closer and whispers, soft and steady,

"You don't have to watch this, y'know, sweet girl. You've already witnessed far worse."

And it sounds like he means it in a deeply personal way.

He gently turns off the TV, then wraps his arms around you.

"I’ll sit with you 'til it stops shaking in your bones."

Thank you for reading!

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my masterlist 🧷

Afton/Penny taglist: @fernglo @sra7riddle-malfoy @satubby @sketchist-art @urdeftonesgrrrl @vampirecrow38 @ohmysoultakemysoul

[pain-in-the-asguardian]

Since his introduction, we've seen that Kid has a strong connection to the overall storyline and other characters. We see his progress post timeskip, even cutting to him during arcs he's not a part of, and he's been in half the total anime openings since his introduction.

As the Supernova who had the highest initial bounty he's set up as a rival to Luffy. While their personalities are opposite, Kid's attacks are shown to mirror Luffy's gear 3 and 4. Based on this it seems likely that he will eventually gain an ability to mirror Gear 5 as well.

He's also got a connection to Vegapunk. It's unclear just what it is currently, but it's important to note that Kid gained his “Punk” naming system and major mechanical creations after we learn about VP. In his childhood art, he's even holding a robot.

His strongest attack, Damned Punk has a very visible 07 on the side, we're shown it several times. When the SH crew reaches Egghead VP explains there are six punks on the island. This seems to indicate there may be more in the world.

The Sea Beast Weapons seem to confirm this, as there are 8 of them. It appears they mirror Vegapunk and his Satellites, but this leaves us with one extra who just happens to look like Kid. It's also worth noting that "Kid's" sea beast is the only one not wearing the eye mask.

With Elbaph unfolding currently, we are seeing a lot of devil imagery. This makes the religious symbolism in Kid's creations all the more fascinating, because they are full of it. The most obvious is the backing of Punk Rotten, which is very clearly matching the cross of Nika.

The skulls of PR and Corna Dio also have spiked halos. For someone who is seen as a monster, Kid certainly uses a lot of heavenly imagery. Will this play a part in the devilish saga currently in play?

Something I just noticed that may or may not be related is that Wire's outfit is different in Elbaph. It reminds me of Renaissance Madonna images. Again, this one may just be coincidence but... It also might not be.

The last point I want to make is that of the Horned God. Punk Corna Dio is based on the heavy metal hand gesture started by artist Dio, but also can be interpreted as Horned God. He could have called it something like Toro Dio, but he didn't.

This isn't the first time we see horned skulls, since both Road and one of the Holy Knights wear them. And then we have Chopper, who turns into a massive horned being. The concept of the Horned God seems to be one we see throughout the series.

Kaido and the Ancient Giants are also horned beings, and now we are seeing horned devils as well. It's interesting to me that the only other Sea Beast weapon to resemble another character just happens to be Chopper, and it's shown next to "Kid".

While Kid's fate is currently unknown, it seems Luffy has taken his fashion decisions from him, going with the belted leather kilt and red feathered coat. Luffy tends to mimic others, so could it be a nod to someone who helped him in Wano?

Additional thoughts: Nika/Joyboy connected to not only liberation but laughter, and now because of Killer's Smile the crew has chosen to laugh along with him. Will they be free of the false happiness forced by the false DFs one day?

Or has Killer found a way to overcome it already? Regardless of circumstance or emotion, he shouldn't be able to *not* smile, as we saw with the people of Wano at Yasui's execution. Yet we see here that he's not. There's a reason we're shown this brief scene.

Finally, we see Demalo Black and co. cosplaying Kid. This means we'll see a confrontation eventually, as in Sabaody. I think Cross Guild may play into freeing the false crew. Funny that Black disparages Joyboy when we see that Kid may be a Nika disciple.

There's a lot of little details about Kid, and individually you might chalk them up to coincidence. But taken together, they really start to add up. His role isn't finished yet, and I believe we'll see him again soon in Elbaph.

Taken from my Twitter thread here!

[kattenkvvaad]

MASKS - Mimic Mirror

just a little doodle of a happy lil superhero Character: Mimic Mirror (he/him)

[theplotmage]

Murder Mystery, Occult, Paranormal & Fantasy Prompt Ideas for Writers

1. The Cursed Amulet - A wealthy collector is found dead after acquiring a cursed amulet. The protagonist must uncover the artifact’s dark history to solve the murder.

2. Blood Moon Ritual - During a blood moon, a prominent figure is sacrificed in a forbidden ritual. The investigator discovers a cult trying to summon an ancient deity.

3. Witch’s Grimoire - A renowned witch is murdered, and her grimoire is stolen. The book contains spells powerful enough to alter reality.

4. Haunted Manor - Guests at a secluded manor start dying mysteriously. It’s said the house is haunted by vengeful spirits from a tragic past.

5. Necromancer’s Revenge - A necromancer brings people back from the dead to seek revenge on those who wronged him, resulting in a string of murders.

6. Sorcerer’s Apprentice - An apprentice sorcerer is killed during a magical experiment gone wrong. The protagonist must navigate a web of magical deceit to find the killer.

7. Alchemical Poison - A series of deaths caused by an untraceable poison leads to an alchemist who’s using forbidden knowledge.

8. The Phantom Assassin - A shadowy figure with supernatural abilities is killing off members of a secret society.

9. Demon Pact - A series of murders mimic those described in an ancient text about summoning a demon. The protagonist suspects a pact with dark forces.

10. Arcane Library - A librarian is found dead in a magical library where books can come to life. The books themselves hold clues to the murder.

11. Midnight Masquerade - At a masquerade ball, a guest is killed, and the murder is linked to an ancient ritual involving the masks.

12. Sacred Relic - A sacred relic is stolen, and those connected to its theft are being murdered by a guardian spirit.

13. Time-Worn Curse - An old curse reawakens, killing the descendants of the original cursed family. The investigator must break the curse to stop the murders.

14. Vampire’s Thrall - Murders in a town coincide with the arrival of a charismatic stranger who may be a vampire seeking revenge.

15. Elemental Fury - A mage controlling elemental forces is killing people who wronged him in the past. Each murder is committed using a different element.

16. Runic Inscription - Victims are found with runic inscriptions burned into their skin, leading the protagonist to an ancient prophecy.

17. Ghost Ship - A ship thought lost at sea reappears, its crew murdered. The investigator discovers the ship’s cursed history.

18. Puppet Master - An enchanted puppet is killing those who mistreated its creator, a deceased toymaker.

19. Celestial Alignment - Murders align with celestial events, suggesting a ritualistic pattern. The protagonist races against time to prevent the next murder.

20. Shadow Realm - Victims are being dragged into a parallel shadow realm, their bodies found drained of life.

21. Enchanted Forest - People who enter a forbidden forest are found dead, their bodies entwined with enchanted vines.

22. Murderous Djinn - A djinn, bound to an artifact, is killing people who come into possession of it.

23. Spellbound Love - A love potion gone wrong leads to obsessive love and murder.

24. Seer’s Vision - A seer predicts their own murder and enlists the protagonist to prevent it, but the future seems immutable.

25. Ritual Dagger - A dagger used in ancient sacrifices is rediscovered, and each person who touches it is killed.

26. Charmed Life - A person with a charm for eternal life starts aging rapidly and dies under mysterious circumstances.

27. Mystic Tattoo - A tattoo artist’s clients are being murdered, their tattoos turning into deadly curses.

28. Dragon’s Curse - A dragon’s curse starts killing those who stole from its hoard.

29. Mirror of Truth - An enchanted mirror reveals the darkest secrets of those who look into it, leading to a series of murders.

30. Ghostly Whisperer - A medium is killed by a spirit they summoned, who continues to haunt and kill.

31. Warding Sigil - A town’s protective sigil is broken, unleashing vengeful spirits on the townspeople.

32. Sorcerer’s Duel - A duel between powerful sorcerers results in one’s death, but the victor’s life is now in danger.

33. Forbidden Love - Star-crossed lovers from rival magical factions lead to a series of revenge killings.

34. Haunted Heirloom - An heirloom brings death to the family that inherits it, linked to an ancestor’s dark pact.

35. Shapeshifter’s Hunt - A shapeshifter is targeting a specific group, blending in seamlessly until the protagonist uncovers their true nature.

36. Arcane Academy - A student at a magical academy is killed during a spell-casting exam, and the murder is linked to a dark secret of the school.

37. Spectral Assassin - An assassin’s ghost seeks revenge on those who betrayed him in life.

38. Illusionist’s Game - An illusionist’s final trick results in real deaths, with magic and deception intertwining.

39. Golem Rampage - A golem goes on a killing spree, and the investigator must find its creator to stop it.

40. Philosopher’s Stone - A hunt for the philosopher’s stone leads to deadly competition and betrayal.

41. Mystic Caravan - A traveling caravan brings death wherever it goes, linked to an ancient curse.

42. Sealed Tomb - An ancient tomb is opened, releasing a vengeful spirit that begins killing those responsible.

43. Moonlit Beast - A werewolf’s attacks coincide with the full moon, but this werewolf is being controlled by someone with dark intentions.

44. Soul Harvest - Victims are found with their souls extracted, leading to a dark sorcerer seeking immortality.

45. Witch Hunt - A series of witch trials results in the wrongful deaths of innocents, whose spirits now seek vengeance.

46. Crystal Prophecy - A prophecy within a crystal ball foretells murders, but the seer is manipulating events to fulfill it.

47. Enchanted Theater - Actors in a theater troupe start dying in ways that mimic their cursed roles.

48. Dark Covenant - A secret society’s members are being killed off one by one, linked to a broken blood pact.

49. Doppelganger’s Curse - Victims are replaced by malevolent doppelgangers who are committing murders in their place.

50. Forgotten Sanctuary - An ancient sanctuary is disturbed, releasing an entity that begins killing those who desecrated it.

[thenightshadowqueen]

Okay I said I had more to say about Victor and Eli and I’m rereading Vicious again so here we go. (This is going to be a long one.)

Okay. I’m going to try and get my thoughts to be coherent but I’m struggling because oh my fucking god I just want to scream about them. That being said, I’m going to try to make sense, but this is mostly just going to be a rambling rant of all my thoughts of them.

The thing is. The thing is. Victor is obsessive by nature. He picks one thing, and he lives for it. For the majority of Vicious, what he lives for is revenge. He never thought about the after. In Vengeful, his obsession is finding a cure. But back at Lockland, his obsession was Eli. He saw this monstrous thing, hidden under this near-perfect façade, and he was fascinated. Eli “stole” Angie (his previous obsession, from the way he talks about her in the few mentions she gets), and Victor couldn’t even find it in himself to be angry, because he was too interested in Eli.

From what we know of Victor, he almost never finds someone he can tolerate, let alone someone he likes. And that must be desperately lonely, living like that, but he wouldn’t have realised that. Not until Eli. So no wonder he can’t let him go, even after everything. And Victor doesn’t keep grudges. He kills people out of necessity, yes, and practicality, but not out of vengeance. He doesn’t hold on to things. Except for Eli. Because when you have that much love for someone, and you base so much of your life around them, and then they betray you (how Victor sees it), you can’t just let that go. You can’t just move on. Victor didn’t just feel betrayed; he lost his best friend (and the man he was in love with). And that’s not something you can forget.

Now, look at it from Eli’s perspective. He’s spent his whole life trying to mimic human emotions, trying to be like everyone else, trying to bury this thing inside him that doesn’t fit in. And then he meets Victor, and he sees himself. And, slowly, he starts to realise that he can open up. He can be himself. I don’t think most of this was conscious for Eli—he’d spent so long masking that I don’t think he even knew he was doing it anymore—but I think it’s a big part of why he was in love with drawn to Victor. Imagine spending your whole life repressing yourself, and then finally finding someone who not only accepts your sharp edges but craves them. That would be so fucking addicting.

And then Victor kills Angie, and it’s like confirmation of everything Eli was afraid of: that this dark thing in you really is evil. After all, its mirror, your best friend, just murdered your girlfriend. (Again, I don’t think this was conscious for Eli, but I do think it played a role in the path he went down.)

But no one has ever understood either of them like the other did, and no one ever will. And because of that, they’re both so deeply, wholeheartedly obsessed with each other. They spend so much of their time planning to murder each other, trying to impress each other, playing these dark games with each other. Victor could have just sent a message to meet up with Eli, but instead, he set up an elaborate riddle game via the police EO database. Entirely unnecessary, but crucial to them and their deepseated obsession with each other. And Eli played along. And in Vengeful, Eli could have told Stell that they were hunting Victor. But he didn’t. He couldn’t, because he needed to be the one to kill Victor. Victor was his, in whatever way you want to interpret that phrase.

And I guess that’s what it boils down to. Victor is Eli’s, and Eli is Victor’s. His to love, and his to hate, and his to kill. And that is the great tragedy of Evervale.

[my-my-my]

Let’s talk about Shunsui’s bankai, Katen Kyokotsu: Karamatsu Shinju!

There are different translations for it, with Viz’s translation being “Flower Crazed Heaven Bone Spirit Withered Pine Love Suicide.” Personally it’s not my favourite translation, I prefer this fan one “bones of heavenly blooming madness: withering pine lovers’ suicide.” Kubo apparently went through different variations for the name of katen kyokotsu: karamatsu shinju. At first it was kuromatsu, which is a specific pine tree (“black pine”), then it was karematsu which is “withered pine,” to what we have now, karamatsu – “withering pine.” Which is a more fitting name imo due to the nature of Shunsui’s bankai causing everyone in its range to “wither” with depression.

I wanted to focus on the anime depiction of his bankai because I personally found it enhanced my understanding of Shunsui and his bankai more than the manga did, but that’s not to say there’s anything wrong with the manga! I’ll also be adding bits of manga panels/sketches too. There are little additions in the anime that really fleshed out the “theatrical” nature of his bankai.

Content warning: this is TEXT and media heavy (images and video) and due to the nature of Shunsui's bankai, discusses suicide.

To preface this, I wrote this because I was so enthralled by the visual and sound design in the episode that I wanted to know more, so I figured I would share what I found and learned! Also, I’m still not too sure what kind of “play” Shunsui bankai performs (as in, is it Noh, kabuki, joruri, etc.), but maybe it’s a little bit of everything? I don’t have the cultural knowledge to make better sense of it, so you’ll see me referencing different theatre styles in my write-up lol. I am by no means an expert, just sharing what I’ve learned and understood!

For reference, noh uses masks and subtle movements where stories are often spiritual. Kabuki is dramatic and incorporates dance, music and elaborate costumes. In ancient times, noh theatre started as rituals for Shinto shrines (the Ise family is a Shinto family as an fyi).

To start – the opening act itself: Shunsui calling his bankai. We are immediately hit by a change in visuals and audio. A tsuzumi drum is heard, which is often used to signal the start of a kabuki or noh play. We also see the scenery change into a gold colour. I think this is to mimic the wooden stage kabuki and noh plays occur on.

Then we have the kakegoe being yelled (the “yooo”). This is a quintessential feature of noh and kabuki theatre and (prior to COVID-19), would be yelled by the audience (typically fans who belong to a kakegoe association). Another fun fact, these would be yelled from the far back, on the highest level of the theatre, to represent the voice of the “great beyond.” Kakegoe is often used to signal the beginning or ending of a section. The kakegoe also dictate the pace, meter and strength of the play in addition to the percussion instruments.

Visually, we only see Shunsui “painting” a black pine tree. All noh plays have a simple panel of a green pine tree. This is referred to as the kagami-ita (“mirror panel”). All noh plays are performed in front of this pine tree. The pine tree represents gods that have descended upon a pine tree at the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine and stood behind the audience, so the pine tree “reflects” on the audience  so actors would give a performance to god.

I think Kubo does a subversion here, as the kagami-ita’s meaning is to represent the stage as a “divine” space. But this is a withering pine tree – it’s black, and is not painted behind Shunsui, but is painted in front and spreads almost in a downward motion. As Lille descends, there is no pine tree behind him, even though he is a “divine” being. While a black pine tree represents “longevity,” “happiness,” and “hope” in Japanese floral language, a withering pine represents the opposite. Shunsui’s bankai reflects his despair over his brother, sister-in-law and Nanao.

Overall, I think it’s deliberate take on using a traditional theatre technique, one that is considered “divine” and twist it to something almost opposite. As if Shunsui is welcoming Lille into his own personal hell.

ACT 1: Tameraikizu no Wakachiai – Sharing the Wounds of Hesitation

"As though to share in his suffering, the wounds upon his partner's body appear upon his own. Yet in a cruel twist of fate, he cannot die from those wounds."

I think the common idea is that Shunsui’s bankai is based off the play “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki,” by Chikamatsu Monzaemon. But I think it’s just Act 1 that represents that play. I think Kubo incorporated different plays and cultural features for each act, and this is the one for Act 1. I think there was a Klub Outside answer where Kubo implies that there are different plays Shunsui's bankai can perform.

Also to note, in the manga when Shunsui brings out his bankai, the chapter sketch are kabuki curtains.

Act 1 is loosely similar to “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki,” where the man stabs both himself and his partner to death, and they die from his wounds. They do this in front of an unusual pine tree and the play ends. The reason leading up to their suicide is entirely different and doesn’t narratively fit into Shunsui and his life imo.

Metaphorically, I interpreted this as Shunsui’s grief over the Ise curse. The Ise curse is the wound, killing Shunsui’s brother (physical pain) leaving him and his sister-in-law (Nanao’s mother) to “share” the wound (in emotional pain).

ACT 2: Zanki no Shitone – The Bed of Shame

“Lamenting that he has caused his partner such wounds, the man collapses upon the floor in shame and is consumed by an incurable ailment.”

This was a short scene in the anime and I think this is referencing an act in Yotsuya Kaidan, one of the “big three ghost stories” of Japan. It’s based on betrayal, murder and revenge. The plot is quite long not entirely relevant to Act 2 lol but in one of the acts, a character is betrayed and becomes poisoned. This may vary by interpretation, but the character looks “diseased.” They become disfigured, die by an accidental self-inflicted wound and begin cursing/haunting those that wronged them.

Aside from that, I couldn’t find much more in terms of references this act might be incorporating.

ACT 3: Dangyo no Fuchi – The Abyss

“Resigning themselves to their fate, the two hurl themselves into the gushing waters until no Reiatsu remains in their bodies.”

“Throwing oneself into icy waters can test one’s resolve. But that’s you being selfish. How can disgraceful can you be? The disgrace of the man she swore herself to. Only pity keeps her with him and bound to this world.”

The above is the full quote said simultaneously by Shunsui and Katen and I think is a reference to Kasane, a kabuki play. It is a story about a woman who unknowingly falls in love with her mother’s affair partner/father’s murderer. The man, Yoemon, leaves a suicide note that Kasane, his lover, finds. She’s distraught and keeps reminding Yoemon that they swore they would die together. They argue between themselves, with Yoemon saying he cannot love Kasane due to their stations in life (she is a lady-in-waiting, he is a servant). They both agree to jump into a river, but the man backs out, which leads to the woman being cursed into a demon.

The reason why she becomes cursed is because Yoemon sees a floating skull floating down the river. Katen Kyokotsu who has skull motifs in her design, is also a reference to the kyokotsu, a vengeful spirit that resides in wells and other bodies of water to scare its victims. It is a skull with tangled hair and tattered clothes. Yoemon, in the play, only sees the skull floating down the river before he tries to break it. As he tries to break it, he simultaneously harms Kasane, leaving her in a demonic state.

Without summarizing the whole play, I see Kubo’s take on this as another twist. Kasane is a story about a woman so in love, she’s blinded to the faults of her lover to her own detriment (she becomes disfigured and killed by her lover). In Act 3 of Shunsui’s bankai, the “woman” in the play (Shunsui in this case to “the man” who is Lille), is ashamed of the man and there is no more love between them – the only thing keeping them together in this act of potential suicide is her pity.

Both parties, in the play and Shunsui’s act 3, are “forced” to watch the other die.

ACT 4: Itokiribasami Chizome no Nodobue – Thread-Cutting Scissors upon a Blood-Streaked Throat

“Few things are as cruel as a woman's mercy. She has no ears for her lover's desperate pleas. At his precious throat, she spies glistening white threads, damp with regret. Thus, she resolves to sever with her own hands those threads of regret that pitifully entwine him.”

I saw some theories that this act may be a reference to kuchisake-onna (“split-mouthed woman”), because she carries scissors with her. I’m not too sure of it, I think this might be a broader reference to the red thread of fate, and Shunsui/the lover “cutting” it to split from their shared fate. In the manga, the little sketch is a pair of Japanese thread cutting scissors.

In this case, it’s interesting that “white thread” is what’s being cut (compared to “red thread” which is more commonly seen in Japanese media). White thread, in Shintoism is often considered a sacred colour of the gods and represents spiritual and physical purity. In Buddhism, white thread is used to protect a person against demons and spirits…  

I’ve always interpreted the sketch to be Nanao’s mother cutting the thread between her and Kyoraku, leaving him alone (in a familial sense). The subsequent sketch is the broken thread being tied together, which I think is Nanao’s presence in Shunsui’s life.

Thanks for reading all of this! I’m still 🫣 over writing all of this lol.

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The Inconspicuous Writing Gem: Daeran’s Look-alike Contest Breakdown

The Dance of Masks brought the long-anticipated last hurrah to the Knight Commander’s story. Although it was announced that the DLC would focus on the companions, I wasn’t holding my breath for substantial content that would actually enrich the characters’ plots. The game is already massive and has a ton of variables, so expecting the writers to continue storylines that can have multiple outcomes would be unreasonable. But one scene far exceeded my expectations and set the bar high for the rest of the expansion, rendering me more critical about some of its elements than I would normally be. The event in question may not appear as much, but the true artistry in writing stories driven by the player’s choice fully reveals itself in what we don’t see on the surface. Daeran’s look-alike contest varies greatly, depending on how his personal quest was resolved, and, therefore, serves as a semi-epilogue to his arc. I wanted to post an analysis of his character’s progression for quite some time, and this send-off is a fitting opportunity to delve into this matter. I’ll break down the differences in the new scene as well as in a few others and share my overall thoughts on what this addition brings to the table. Brace yourself because it’s going to be long.

I'll start with a quick reminder of what Daeran’s questline outcomes are, because I'm going to reference them a lot:

Good, in which he’s openly grateful to the Knight Commander despite having to face the tribunal, and Liotr, noticing their bond, intervenes so the Inquisition doesn't lock him up;

Lobotomy, in which Daeran reluctantly accepts his predicament of having to face the trial, Liotr doesn't support him and after the crusade, the Count is sent to the asylum and lobotomized;

HappyEvil, in which the Commander kills Liotr to secure Daeran’s freedom;

ArchEvil, in which Daeran doesn't have any trust in the Commander, feels deserted and murders Liotr to avoid the trial.

At first glance, there's nothing profound about Daeran’s festival quest — it fits his image to indulge in the vain act of self-celebration by choosing the most accurate imitation of himself. However, this simple setup proves itself clever when we realize that, by observing the contestants, he sees himself in a distorting mirror. Coincidentally, each participant appears to represent a different facet of the Count’s character. Therefore, his reactions to them speak volumes of the self-image and mindset he developed during the crusade in each scenario.

Among the doubles, we have an aasimar who mimics Daeran's arrogance and cruelty, and constantly interrupts other participants' speeches with mocking remarks.

A woman who recreates Daeran's sophisticated bon vivant persona.

A drunkard who paints Daeran as a worthless and utterly unapologetic rake.

And finally, an innocent boy who keeps staring at Daeran with admiration and portrays him as a virtuous hero of the crusade.

After the presentation of the contestants is over, Daeran asks the Commander’s opinion. Again, his responses to their verdict vary in each case (unless they choose the cat), but the difference in how he reacts to being compared to the little boy is the most telling.

No matter what the protagonist suggests, the winner of the contest is fixed for each of the outcomes. If the Commander failed to earn Daeran's trust and he murdered Liotr himself, the conceited aasimar is declared the winner.

If the Commander killed Liotr, the Count awards the lady.

If the quest was resolved peacefully (either Good or Lobotomy), Daeran chooses the boy and has a heartwarming exchange with him.

This variety of possible scenarios and the way they are handled encapsulate why I consider Daeran's story so intricately woven and enjoyable to analyze. He's an incredibly flexible and dynamic character whose potential endings range from becoming a saint to a homicidal maniac. But what makes this duality and everything that comes in between so engaging is that all these vastly contradictory conclusions are equally organic and convincing, given his rich characterization and the player’s choices. The subtle yet significant divergences in the narrative paths maintain the integrity of his personality and prevent his evolution from seeming far-fetched while efficiently showcasing his growth or regression.

Regretfully, this attention to detail is missing from the other new scenes, which don't convey a similar sense of progression and can come off as somewhat disconnected from the rest of the playthrough. The rendezvous, for example, avoids references to how the player concluded Daeran's romance and quest. Given these plotlines' non-linearity, it's an understandable approach, but it prevents the scene from exploring deeper themes and hitting more emotional notes. What's particularly detrimental to the its overall intensity is the absence of exclusive dialogue for the True Love outcome. Ironically, it's the two worst endings that get unique and surprisingly heartfelt lines.

The difference is insignificant, however, because the conversation always plays out the same. All in all, the segment is nice and leaves a lot to the imagination, but only partially exploits its potential. Meanwhile, the festival mini-quest embraces the aforementioned strengths of the storyline's writing, giving every iteration of Daeran distinct dialogues that clearly demonstrate the impact the crusade and acquaintance with the Commander had on him.

I won't examine every dialogue branch in detail but will mainly focus on the Good scenario. As someone who likes this ending the best and even advocates the controversial writing in the final confrontation with Liotr, I always thought the narrative failed to properly sell its implied benefits. Apart from the closing conversation in the quest itself, late-game provides little reactivity to differentiate the outcomes, making it hard for the players to fully grasp the internal shift that Daeran undergoes. Comparison of said dialogue in various scenarios reveals his perspective in Good route as the least egocentric and overall most mature. Unfortunately, in an individual playthrough, these qualities can get overshadowed by the Count's dissatisfaction with the inconveniences he will eventually have to endure.

Aside from that, the effects of each resolution manifest only in Daeran's responses to one question in the romantic route and how he expressed his feelings regarding Galfrey’s death.

Even though they show evident contrast and serve as a much-needed emotional pay-off for the moral dilemma the player faced in the storyline finale, both are relatively minor, with the Queen one completely missable in most playthroughs. When combined with the similar omission of negative repercussions for Daeran’s moral condition and emotional maturity in other outcomes, it's not surprising many players believe he doesn’t ever change or that becoming better fundamentally clashes with his nature.

The discussed competition scene remedies the narrative’s deficiencies, ultimately proving this statement untrue. In the Good outcome, Daeran presents a reasonable dose of self-distance. When confronted with the drunk’s insults, he replies with humor and courtesy, which is a stark contrast to his reactions in the Evil outcomes and his past responses to criticism. Despite being hurt by the harsh judgment, he understands such a low opinion of himself is somewhat justified. The Count's mild response and his sensitivity to the suggestion that he's nothing more than an unfeeling scoundrel may even indicate that he has developed some remorse for his past actions. He also dismisses unwarranted flattery and distances himself from the brash egotism. All without falling into a spiral of gloom and self-deprecation that occurs in the Lobotomy scenario. Introspectiveness and vulnerability showcased here are a seamless continuation of the self-evaluation Daeran does in the High Trust version of his quest upon being supposedly betrayed by the Commander.

It's all the more unfortunate that the other interactions in the DLC don’t acknowledge these differences and instead return to the common denominator of all endings. As a result, the player will go from Daeran, who self-reflects and claims the aasimar presents an unfunny caricature of him, to Daeran in the tavern, who puffs himself up exactly like the guy (using even the same words) and seeks more sycophantic praise. While it's expected for him to put on an airy act and tease others, the absolute lack of self-awareness he previously exhibits in the Good route is quite jarring. Considering the complexity of the storyline as well as all sorts of limitations, such inconsistencies are inevitable (the base game already has a fair share of them) and in the end, one can easily reconcile them through their own interpretations. However, after being spoiled by a reactivity treat like the festival mini-quest, it's disappointing that the remaining dialogues lack similar nuance.

In the Good scenario, Daeran's behavior reinforces what we learn in the epilogue — that in this version, he has the most difficulty navigating through his newfound freedom and redefining himself in it. Choosing the winner of a silly contest shouldn't be hard for him, and it isn't in the Evil outcomes. There, the self-satisfied Count (who in both cases already has the blood of at least one innocent man on his hands) picks what he perceives as an idealized version of himself — be it the aestheticized depiction of his self-centredness or the unbridled and unyielding haughtiness. Noteworthily, in the Happy variant, Daeran openly flirts with the lady and, in both Evil paths, if not romanced, attempts to seduce his favored contestant. It’s peak narcissism, given the implications of the scene. In the peaceful outcomes, especially the Good one, the ordeal is a series of unpleasant self-reflections that even causes him to become overwhelmed by sorrow at one point. In the end, Daeran’s choice stems not from an ulterior motive or a desire to boost his ego but from genuine fondness for the boy. The youngster's belief in the Count’s kindness and heroism reminds him of his own innocence that was prematurely and brutally snatched from him. At his core, Daeran is not a self-sufficient master of his own fate but a helpless child thrown by unfortunate circumstances into otherworldly oppression and a vicious cycle of selfishness. In the Evil routes, he successfully deludes himself into believing he’s the former, but here, he realizes he’s the latter.

We're used to seeing Daeran scoffing at saccharine narratives and lofty ideals, and in the Evil versions, he's indeed annoyed with the boy’s portrayal of him. In one of them, he even anticipates him to be disenchanted, finding the prospect amusing. In the campaign's early stages, the Count voices his dissatisfaction with being enrolled in the crusade and laments the tarnishing of his ill reputation. Any suggestions that he may be secretly vulnerable are met with biting retorts. But now, Daeran doesn't disabuse the child and isn’t even bothered by being seen as a heroic figure. There also isn’t any objection when the Commander points out the similarity between him and the boy. He’s shocked they can see through him but decides to be honest and agrees with their assessment. Daeran’s sensitivity and his tendency to be more emotionally transparent with the protagonist is, at this point, a recurring theme in the peaceful outcomes, so it’s a shame that when they later choose to compliment his vulnerable soul, he's always equally dismissive.

Daeran is perfectly aware of how damaging cruel disillusionment can be to one’s psyche. As a child, he witnessed firsthand the powerlessness of good in the face of evil, the suffering adhering to moral principles can bring, and how those who claim to be righteous can turn out to be as callous and uncaring as hardened villains. These experiences left the young Count with a pessimistic view of the world and human nature, making him adopt coping mechanisms that only deepened his melancholy and loneliness. Knowing this, he wishes to spare the boy a similar fate and plays along to preserve his innocence.

In the non-peaceful outcomes, Daeran gives the signet away as if it was an insignificant bauble. But even though we barely ever see this side of him, some dialogues indicate he’s proud of his heritage and his ancestors' role in Mendev’s history. They were valiant defenders of the kingdom, who, for generations, protected its borders from any threat. This is who the Count, as a scion of the Arendae house, was originally destined to be and who, it so happens, the boy sees in him. Perhaps his take on him makes Daeran reflect on how differently things could have turned out had it not been for his family's demise and the Other’s interference. It undoubtedly revokes memories of his roots and deceased kin, since he not only rewards the child with the ring but also educates him on its meaning and sentimental value, expressing unexpected sincerity and kindness. In the Lobotomy scenario, this gesture is particularly bittersweet — with his impeding childless death, Daeran’s lineage is going to expire, making the memento the only way to keep its memory alive.

Finally, the Good version of the scene carries a deep symbolic significance. Daeran rewards one person who doesn't focus on his superficial traits or recreates the mask he hides behind. The image the boy paints of him may not be accurate, but while the other portrayals embody what the Count turned into under the Other's influence, this one shows what he could have been if he hadn’t lost the childish naivety he now longs for. And who he, despite his own skepticism, still can or perhaps even already started to become, thanks to the good protagonist's compassion and support. Just like the Commander, the boy views him as someone better than what his predicament forced him to be. And Daeran, confronted with sincere faith in him, cannot help but answer the call.