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ayeyolooo · 2 months ago

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slow to anger, and slow to speak.

hiii my babies! so i’m trying something new:) i’m going to put the title then the bible verses that’ll be getting used, meaning im going to have different scenarios and im going to incorporate how to use the bible verses in your everyday life! but with the characters of course :) this is a bit long!

proverbs 15:1 , james 1:19-20 and colossians 3:13

part 1 (this is part 1 ) part 2

you and choso argued with eachother very little. but when the both of you did argue.. it wasn’t nice. you were a bible driven girl and choso was a God fearing man. No that didn’t make the both of you perfect, in fact the two of you fell short of Gods glory on countless times. One of the times being right now.

The two of you were arguing over choso being extremely close to nobora while choso was upset with you for always hanging around megumi. It was just a whole misunderstanding though. Nobora went to choso when she needed advice on her relationship with megumi, while megumi and you were the best of friends.

“NO CHOSO YOU’RE ALWAYS AROUND HER, EVERYTIME IM NOT WITH YOU , YOU’RE WITH HER.” you shouted. choso jerked his head back in offense to that. “yeah like you don’t be up under megumi y/n, man get outta my face.” he sucked his teeth and continued to play 2k.

“That’s not fair choso.. you know good and well i go to him for everything, i go to him for advice and i go to him to ask about things that you like since you’ve known him longer than i’ve known you.” he just looked at you. “honestly y/n this is getting tiring and it’s like you don’t try to hear me out or anything. you just be fast to talk, and you stay yelling, and i’m simply not going to put up with this.” he simply shrugged and turned his game off. “what do you mean?” he shrugged his shoulders. “exactly what you take it as, i don’t want to be with you because i’m unhappy, here with you. You don’t care about other peoples feelings, you don’t care about half of the stuff that i care about.” he bluntly pointed out. which was not true.

you cared for him, and he was speaking out of anger. your heart dropped at his choice of words. you only yelled because you care. him acting careless was painful. choso picked up his keys and walked out of your room. you followed behind him. “wait where are you going are we going to talk it out?” you grabbed his arm and followed him to the door. he just looked at you. “no i don’t want to talk anything out with you, until you learn how to stop talking backwards and out of your butt then you can hang this relationship up, you make me unhappy and i’m tired of it.” he harshly snatched his arm from you as your heart started to beat fast, all of this happened too fast.

he slammed the door in your face , as you allowed warm tears to travel down your face. your throat closed up as you walked passed the living room where yuji, megi, gojo, nobora, inumaki and panda was residing at. yuji and megumi was playing madden together as gojo, inumaki, panda and nobora was playing uno. laughed erupted in the living room as loud chatter filled the room.

since the stairs were connected to the living room everyone seen you run up the stairs with your hand on your mouth. “y/n?” megumi called out. he was about to stand up and follow you but gojo just shook his hand and placed his hand on megumi’s stomach lightly pushing him back. “give her some time, i’ll go up there in a minute.” gojo reassured megumi , megumi clenched his cheek sliding his tongue across his top teeth before nodding and sitting back down.

he didn’t like the fact that his bestfriend was crying. Or sad, and he couldn’t do anything about it. Gojo heard everything, but he stayed quiet , not wanting to be in your business, but it seems like he needed to be a father figure at the moment. he didn’t want his children fighting. although gojo wasn’t your real dad, he acted like one to everyone which is why he cared so deeply about everyone. gojo made his way up the stairs hearing your soft sniffles and hearing the voicemail from your phone. you just sobbed harder.

you weren’t trying to manipulate him or anything, when you feel like you aren’t being heard you had to elevate your voice, which wasn’t something that you were proud of. knock knock knock “y/n?” gojo trailed off. “hm?” he heard shuffling in your room. you opened the door and was met with gojo’s piercing blue eyes. “what happened why are you and pretty boy so upset with one another?” he laid on his side on your bed his shirt lifting up a little in the process. his feet dangled off the end of your bed as he just looked at you.

‘tek it.’ softly played on your tv as you began to explain to him what happened. “so choso and i gotten into an argument because i was trying to explain to him about my feelings and how i felt like him and nobora were getting a bit too close.” gojo nodded. “hmm, understandable but did you try letting him talk?” he tilted his head to the left. you just sighed in defeat and shook your head no.

“that’s your problem there y/n, you don’t allow him to open up, but then when he doesn’t want to talk about his feelings you get upset with him.” you just stood there looking dumb. “i know, and i regret it badly, i just wanted to talk it out.” you played with your fingers. “now im not gonna sit here and just pin you to be the bad person because he also does things, not just you.—“

“—and i’m going to talk to him about it, but as of right now you need to read proverbs 15:1 and james 1:19-20; really study it love.” gojo grabbed your pink bible and flipped to proverbs chapter 15 verse one. “here do you want me to read it to you?” you nodded. “okay.” he nodded before clearing his throat.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (proverbs 15:1) his voice was soothing almost as if your dad was reading you a bedtime story. he handed you your journal and a pen. “now really meditate on this word and see what God is telling you here.” he points to the particular verse. “i heard the front door close, i’ll be back soon.” gojo announced , before slipping out of the door.

A/N

heyyy guyssss!!! i hope you all like the new idea! i just wanted to write these so that i can be transparent with you all about being a christian! and how it isn’t always dandy and rainbows !! we too fall short and i have the bible verses to guide the characters(and you ofc😊!) and lead them how God says in his word.😽

#ayeyolooo #black y/n #black reader #x black fem reader #jjk x reader #jjk x black reader #choso x black!reader #choso x reader #choso kamo

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thekissofaphrodite · 1 year ago

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OMGG!! THIS IS AMAZING!! LUKE AS A GIRL DAD IS MAKING ME FEEL SO HAPPY

Family, Luke

Luke Castellan X Daughter of Aphrodite!Reader

Summary: Giving Luke Castellan a second chance to be a partner and the father he never was.

Warnings: Kissing, Near death experience, mentions of dead bodies and flashbacks of smut and teen pregnancy.

Author's note: This is requested! I do not support teen pregnancy, Please practice safe sex! LUKE IS 23 IN THIS TIMELINE!! and reader is 20! Luke and the reader became flings at age 19 and 18!

The battle scene was horrifying.

dead bodies of demigods who fought bravely had been scattered all around manhattan. Their divine blood staining the road, the hot scorching sun kissing their bodies.

Your breath hitched as you tried not to step on dead bodies, the putrid odour and lifeless eyes staring back at you were enough to make you gag as flies and insects crawled on the cold bodies While mumbling something incoherently, you clutched the gigantic green tumbler you brought filled with ambrosia, Your kaleidoscope eyes searching for someone.

Then, You saw him.

Luke.

His face was still handsome, even from the distance

You saw the blood pooling in his mouth while it dripped down his chin. The knife embedded under his left arm.

Without even thinking, you ran towards Luke, kneeling beside him. He was choking on his own blood,When he saw you, He smiled, His eyes gleaming with tears as he looked up at you. You came, That's what his smiled meant. the hermes boy tried to say something—But failed. His calloused palms reached your cheeks as you scrambled, opening the tumbler Cap.

"I'm here, Luke. Stay with me and hold on"

The time was ticking, and every second that had passed could be Luke's end. But the bottle wasn't cooperating. It seems like the Fates were telling you something. You used your strength to open it, glancing at Luke every second, scared and anxious.

Then, With a strong force, the tumbler opened. You smiled while you sighed in relief. Some of the ambrosia were spilt. But you couldn't care less.

You poured down the ambrosia down unto Luke's throat, not caring if his own blood mixed with the nectar. All you cared about was for him to live.

Your daughter can't grow up without a father.

The ambrosia was drunken by Luke, Despite him choking a little. You prayed to every gods you could think of to save him, He loves you and you love him, That was everything.

As the tumbler's ambrosia began to slowly empty, its contents drained down Luke's throat. The Hermes boy began to regain strength. He didn't know if the Gods still had mercy upon him..Or the Fates just played tricks, because seeing your presence after years was clearly a surprise.

Yet here you are. Caressing his soft brown curls, Waiting for him, Ever so beautiful with your soft frown filled with worry.

"C'mon, Luke..Say something" you ushered, tears threatening to spill from your kaleidoscope eyes.

He groaned, And for the first time, He said something.

"Hey Beauty," that old nickname that he called you when you two were still flings at camp halfblood rolled smoothly off his tongue, It got you tearing up, He smiled weakly as you hugged him, Luke hissed, You noticed that you squished his fresh wound. You chuckled, still sniffling whilst you helped Luke up.

Luke stumbled lightly, grasping your arms for support.

"So...Kronos, Hm?" You joked, Trying to enlighten his mood, Surprisingly, He chuckled. wiping the blood of his chin.

"I haven't seen you in years"

"Things happen, Luke." You looked away, The thought of keeping your daughter away from his still bothers you. It was maddening. So maddening, You wanted to kiss him and tell him that your daughter was waiting for him at home, desperately wanting your daughter to run up to him and whisper 'Dad'

"Hey.." He cupped your cheeks, His eyes meeting yours as you leaned against his touch, "Tell me everything, Why did you leave?" He asked.

"Remember that head counselor party that you hosted years ago? My sister snuck me with her..."

Flashback

The loud booming sound of rock music coming from the hermes cabin was enough make you cringe, let alone the very short party dress that your sister, Tania lend you, It revealed a not so friendly amount of skin on your thighs.

"Tania, can we please go back? I don't wanna go anymore, " you whispered to your older sister while pulling the dress down, She rolled her eyes and slapped your hands away.

"Out of all the hundred siblings we have, you chose me to accompany you to a party hosted by Luke Castellan himself?!" You screamed, earning a few glances from the campers, but you ignored them aside and picked up your pace, trying to keep up with your sister, Tania.

"This party happens once in a lifetime! Mr. D and Chiron are away! that makes it even better" Squeled Tania as you two reached the entrance of Cabin 11.

Suddenly, The door swung open, revealing luke castellan in a button up shirt, cargo pants and a red cup with liquor. The moment he saw you, you could've sworn you saw his eyes brighten.

"Tania! I see you brought Y/n, This is a counselor only party" Luke smirked, But Tania pulled you closer to her, Winking at Luke.

"She's gorgeous, Castellan. Make her an exception. Would you like that I brought Victoria instead—"

"—Gods no—"

"—Then let sweet y/n inside! Don't you think that I don't know about your ungodly teenage thoughts about her—" Luke pushed Tania inside as she cackled and ran towards her friends leaving you alone with Luke.

The cabin was decorated with colorful party strings and fallen confetti on the floor, Along with a wonky banner hung on the middle of the room saying; Head Counselors party! Come and join us (Companions allowed if they have atleast stolen wine from Mr. D's stash)

You chuckled. Thinking that Chris probably made that banner.

In the corner, You saw a small bar with spilled liquor and and messily scattered cups.

You poured yourself a drink, Mindlessly rocking to the booming music behind you, Then, You saw a tall silhouette towering behind you. The familiar curls on the shadows says so that it was none other than luke.

"Hey beauty, are you enjoying?" He asked, Keeping an eye on you while he sipped his drink, You nodded and did the same, Watching your sister tania flirt with a Hephaestus boy.

"Why did you let me in? you specifically said 'No companions allowed' " That question caught him off guard as he chuckled softly.

"Can I not make an exception? Tania said that afterall"

"What about those 'Ungodly thoughts' about me?"

"You mean what I imagine underneath that pretty dress of yours?" He whispered, Loud enough for you to hear.

His hands reached the strap of your red dress, He slipped it and made it fall, Revealing an excessive amount of your shoulders and neck. His long fingers caressing your neck all the way down to your breasts made you shiver. You looked around, Trying to see if anyone was watching before luke pulled you into a searing kiss, Grabbing your hips and wrapping your legs around his waist as he brought you into the bathroom.

It all happened so fast with a simple click of the door's lock.

The dress bunched up your hips, Luke's cargo pants pulled down mid thighs, His lips sucking your neck while he thrusted swiftly inside you, The skin slapping and your moans were muffled by the loud sound of music.

"Luke—"

"I know, Baby, I know just— Hold on—Fuck!" His hips shook, So did your legs as your head fell back in pleasure while his hot seed filled you up, spilling a little.

The sound of heavy panting was broke by you, Wiping the mess he made on your inner thighs.

"So, this is the ungodly thoughts?"

"mhm" He hummed quietly while tucking his shirt in, He looked at you for a moment before kissing your forehead and whispered; "I love you"

Before you could even reply, The bathroom door was shut.

——

It had been weeks since you and Luke snuck out together, It was all a blur.

He was busy tending new campers, Befriending lonely newbies and keeping his cabin on track while you were in the bathroom...Puking...

"This is what I'm telling you! Drinking booze and shit at Castellan's party is the last thing you wanna do!" Your sister Tania had scolded you, she got your hair up in a ponytail while she patted your back aggressively.

"You know what? Fuck it, I'm too busy for this shit" She groaned and left, Leaving you alone.

When the sight was clear, you pulled out a boxed pregnancy test you bought (sneaking out of the border just to buy overpriced pregnancy tests from a cheap pharmacy wasn't cool)

Shutting the bathroom stall shut, You pulled down your underwear and waited for the results.

Those five minutes were the longest of your life.

And when two lines appeared, You exhaled a breath you never knew you held.

You stared at the wall, Rethinking your life choices at the meantime, Luke was your first and Last.

He's the father.

Gathering up courage, you got up and took and took a deep breath before walking out the bathroom, towards the apollo cabin where your siblings awaits.

"Is tania here?" You asked one of your siblings, But they shook their heads, Noticing that you're pale and clammy.

"Y/n? are you sure you're alright?" Asked Gracie, but you smiled weakly and nodded.

"I'll be fine, Just a little stomach ache"

Oh it was more than that...

Your day went on with you laying on your bed, sobbing quietly inside the apollo cabin waiting for your older sister, Tania.

When she entered the cabin, You immediately wiped your tears and composed yourself, walking towards her wobbly.

"I don't have time for whatever shit you've done Y/n, I'm busy—"

"I passed a test" You said.

Her eyes then widened.

"Oh Gods..You mean— THE test for your final semester in high school? I told you you'd pass! We should celebrate! Wait— We should get some balloons and—"

"—Tania—"

"—should we invite Sophie Davies from Cabin 4? She's bitchy but fun to hang out with—"

"—It's a pregnancy test"

There was a deafening silence.

"What."

"It's a pregnancy test—"

"Shut up. I heard you the first time! Who's is it?" She whispered.

"Luke Castellan"

Your sister, Tania stepped away and shook her head.

"You're on your own now, I will not be taking care of those pathetic excuses I call a sibling, Let alone a goddamn baby" Tears spilled from your eyes as Tania slammed the door shut.

The Apollo Cabin was gloomy and dark despite it's residents and campers being offsprings of the sun, You looked around and saw her bags, It wasn't long before you're sneaking out the camp boarder, Thinking about Luke.

"I— We did... God knows what inside the bathroom, and I got—" You inhaled sharply, Your fist curled up into a ball whilst your nails dug into your skin.

"I got pregnant...I didn't know how or what to tell you..and I was a kid..and I was scared so I ran away, I ran to my father's old apartment and got a job as a waitress at this dingy old restaurant owned by married immigrants and I only make seven dollars an hour and at that time May was born and the hospital bills are insane so I gotta borrow some cash from my dad and pay it off�� Gods it makes me wanna cry seeing May without a father— I can't live it up to myself— When she started kindergarten she was crying when I picked her up, And I was refraining myself to burst into tears infront of her since I need to be strong for her"

That immediate break down had Luke frozen.

All these years that you disappeared, You were struggling all alone, with your daughter you just had. He wanted to kiss you and say 'It's alright, I'm here' But isn't it too late for that now?

"You hid her away from me, Why?" His voice barely a whisper.

"I was afraid what you'll do to her the same thing happened to those halfbloods, she deserves more than that. I want to teach her who she is before your family tells her what they want her to be"

"I'm sorry I wasn't there" That's the only thing that Luk could ever say, Guilt washing all over him like pouring rain.

"You're here now. You're the hero of the great Prophecy"

"I want to be the father I never was to May" Tears rolled down his eyes as you hugged him tightly, Your head placed against his chest where you can feel his heartbeat.

"May's with my aunt.." Luke smiled and kissed your forehead.

"I wouldn't mind visiting"

There was a car honking in the distance, When the passenger door opened, It revealed your aunt carrying May.

"Look— HEY! Y/N!" Yelled your aunt as she ran towards you, May squealing as she was bounced around.

"Mommy!" Squeled the little girl as she thrashed around your aunt's arms, Begging for you to carry her.

"Is this the baby daddy?" Your aunt asked, Her brows raised and her hands on her hips looking Luke up and down.

you nudged her on her ribs and gave her a look, She rolled her eyes and got back to her car.

The little girl in your arms looked at her father, titling her head in confusion before grabbing his curls, She giggled and looked at her same curly hair tied in pigtails.

"We're the same, Hm?" Luke smiled at his daughter, The little girl gave the same smile before shyly wrapping her tiny arms around Luke's neck.

The sight of them wanted to make your heart melt.

Everything that Luke has ever done was unforgivable. But all that matters now was your family.

A/N

Hey lovies!! I finally finished a request! sorry for not posting for a long time, Believe me when I say that I snuck my phone away in class so many times just to update, but here I am! I used one of Sally's lines from the series here I hope you guys don't mind 😉

Requested by @rainestorm2556 <33

#percy jackon and the olympians #xy/n #thekissofaphrodite #luke castellan #luke castellan x reader

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thedemoninme141 · 2 months ago

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Her Heartbeat; Chapter 19: Her Idiot

Parings: Wednesday x Fem reader. Wordcount: 3.5k-ish? Theme: Fluff mostly...

Summary: After the final session of the therapy, Wednesday spends the night with you..

Warnings: EmotionalOutOfCharacterWednesday! THE WEIRD THERAPY GANG IS BACK FOR THE FINAL TIME!

Chapter 1 ------- Previous Chapter

Her Heartbeat's Chapterlist.

Worklist

[Author's note: My hand was really itching to write some action in The Maiden Of Death... but Her Heartbeat is my favorite child...]

It had been a week since that evening, since the night she had admitted the truth—to herself and to you.

The week had been unsettling in its own way. Every time she caught your eye, every time you smiled at her, that same warmth bloomed in her chest. It was maddening and wonderful all at once. She wasn’t sure if she would ever get used to it, but she also wasn’t sure she wanted to.

But at least she had finally done it. She had accepted what had always been simmering beneath the surface, coming to terms with feelings she never thought she could have. Love. The word still felt foreign to her, like wearing a cloak too light for her usual shroud of darkness.

Yet, here she was, heading to your dorm, her thoughts filled with the memory of your lips on hers. It was you—your warmth, your laugh, the way your eyes seemed to hold her entire world in them. And now, standing outside your door, Wednesday found herself almost nervous. Almost.

She raised a hand and knocked twice and within moments, the door creaked open. And there you were. Those eyes, that soft smile that always seemed to be meant just for her. She drank in the sight of you, silently committing every detail to memory. It hit her like it always did, a pang of longing, a surge of protectiveness, and the overwhelming need to keep you beside her, forever.

“Ready?” you asked, your voice gentle and warm.

Wednesday nodded, her words caught somewhere in her throat. Instead of speaking, she simply extended her hand, and you took it without hesitation. Her cold fingers intertwined with yours, grounding her as you stepped out together.

As you walked through the campus, Wednesday’s dark eyes scanned the faces of passersby. She saw the curious glances, the occasional whispers, but she didn’t care. Let them look. Let them talk. They would know that you were hers, and hers alone.

Today was significant, though not for the reasons it should have been. It marked the final day of her anger management therapy sessions, a program she had been forced to enter, with every intention of simply enduring it without changing herself in the slightest.

And yet, here she was. Changed.

Not because of the therapy sessions... Because of you.

She glanced at you out of the corner of her eye, her mind drifting back to the beginning. Your absurd request for help, the way you had barged into her carefully constructed solitude—it should have irritated her. It did irritate her.

The thought made her grip your hand a little tighter. What would her life have been like if you hadn’t been there?

“Penny for your thoughts?” you asked, breaking her reverie.

“Inflation has rendered that an insult,” she replied smoothly.

You laughed softly, and the sound sent a ripple of warmth through her. She didn’t respond aloud, but the smallest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

As you stepped inside, David, was there to welcome you, his ever-present smile a little wider today. “Wednesday! Y/N! You made it,” he said, his voice as cheerful as ever.

“Unfortunately,” Wednesday muttered.

Inside, the space was a haphazard mix of balloons, mismatched streamers, and a folding table stacked with snacks. Rick and Ashley were bustling around, setting up the last of the decorations.

“Rick’s in charge of the food,” David said proudly.

“Let’s hope it’s not drugged this time.” you joked.

Rick groaned loudly from across the room. “It was one time! And it was an accident!”

Wednesday glanced around the room. It was a pitiful attempt at a party, but there was an odd warmth to it, something she had never expected to find in this group of misfits. In the beginning, they were nothing more than an obstacle, a nuisance she had to endure. But now... now they were something more. And it was all because of you.

Every moment she had spent here, every ridiculous activity, every absurd assignment—it was bearable because you had been there, beside her.

She thought back to the “kidnapping fiasco”. She had been harsh back then, dismissive, and perhaps rightfully so. If not for the therapy sessions, she probably wouldn’t have helped you at all. And if she hadn’t…

Her gaze shifted to you again, her chest tightening at the thought. If she hadn’t helped you, if things had been different, you wouldn’t be a part of her life. That was a reality she couldn’t bear to consider.

She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of your laughter, a soft giggle in response to something Brooke had said. The sound was like music, a melody she wanted to hear for the rest of her days.

“Alright, everyone!” David’s voice rang out, cutting through the chatter. He clapped his hands to get the group’s attention. “Let’s gather around, take a seat.”

The group slowly settled into chairs arranged in a loose circle, the room falling into a comfortable silence as David stepped into the center.

“So, this is it,” he began, spreading his arms theatrically. “The end of our little anger management journey. I know, I know, you’re all devastated to leave me behind.”

Rick snorted. “Totally heartbroken, David.”

“Don’t interrupt my moment,” David shot back as he continued, “When we started this journey, I’ll admit, I had my doubts. Some of you”, his eyes flicked to Wednesday “were a little... resistant. But over time, I’ve watched this group grow. I’ve seen you support each other, challenge each other, and yes, occasionally drive each other crazy. And I’ve seen progress, not just in how you manage your emotions, but in how you connect with the people around you.”

His gaze swept the room, landing briefly on you and Wednesday. “I won’t name names, but some of you have surprised me in ways I never thought possible.”

“And now,” David said, his smile bittersweet, “it’s time to say goodbye. I could just hand out your progression reports and send you on your way, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, I want each of you to come up here and share a few words about your experience.”

A collective groan rose from the group.

“What is this, a graduation?” Alex muttered, slouching in his chair.

You giggled, and Wednesday’s head turned toward you, catching the sparkle of amusement in your eyes.

“Think of it as closure,” David said, his grin widening. “Alex, you’re up first.”

Alex groaned even louder, dragging himself to his feet. “Why do I have to go first?”

“Because you were the loudest complainer,” David shot back.

Alex muttered something under his breath as he trudged to the front of the room. He turned to face the group, shoving his hands in his pockets and avoiding eye contact like he was being forced to perform in front of a firing squad.

“Okay, uh… so this whole thing has been…” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. “Annoying.”

Wednesday rolled her eyes.

“But…” Alex continued, his tone softening, “it’s also been kinda… good. I mean, it’s been fun sometimes. You guys are all weird as hell, but I guess I needed that. It’s helped me… not punch my way through every problem, which is probably a good thing. And, uh, yeah. I’m grateful. So, thanks, or whatever.” Alex gave a half-hearted shrug before slinking back to his seat, where he immediately resumed slouching.

“Great job, Alex!” David said, clapping enthusiastically. “Next up—Brooke!”

Brooke practically launched herself out of her chair.

“Okay, so, like, first of all, this has been amazing,” Brooke began, her words tumbling out in a rush. “You guys are all, like, super important to me now. Like, I would never set fire to any of you. Ever.”

There was a moment of stunned silence before Brooke quickly added, “Not that I set fire to people before! Just, you know, things. But I don’t do that anymore! No matter who hurts my feelings, I’ve learned to value love and friendship instead!”

Mike leaned over to Alex, “Brooke now burns things in Minecraft.”

Minecraft? Wednesday tilted her head slightly. Was it some kind of ritual? She’d have to investigate later.

Brooke continued her speech, rambling about how much she appreciated everyone and how therapy had taught her the importance of forgiveness. By the time she returned to her seat, she was practically glowing with pride.

“Thank you, Brooke!” David said, his smile as bright as ever. “And now, Rick, you’re up!”

Rick dragged himself to the front of the room, his lanky frame making his movements look almost comically exaggerated.

“So, uh, yeah,” Rick began, his hands gesturing vaguely. “First off, I want to apologize. Again. For, uh, the whole camp... incident. You know, with the coffee and the, uh... you know what, let’s just move past that.”

Everyone except Wednesday giggled, and Rick gave an awkward shrug.

“Anyway, this whole thing—it’s been... weird. But good, I guess. Like, it made me realize some stuff. Like, I need to grow up. Stop selling... certain things I shouldn’t have been selling.” He coughed awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with David. “Because I realized that life’s worth more than a quick buck. I even got a job. Like, a real one. I’m helping out at this shop to support my mom, and it feels… good. No. It feels better, like way better. So, yeah, thanks to everyone here for putting up with me.”

Wednesday’s gaze shifted to you. You were smiling, but there was a hint of tears in your eyes. Idiot.... Her idiot. Always so sentimental.

“Wednesday.” David’s voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her out of her reverie.

She glared at him. “No.”

“Oh, come on, Wednesday,” David chided. “Don’t make me burn your report.”

Brooke’s hand shot up. “I volunteer as tribute!”

Wednesday’s eyes narrowed into a deadly glare, but she rose to her feet with a sigh, her posture as rigid as ever.

She turned to face the group, her dark eyes scanning the room.

“While I do not care for most of you,” she began, her tone as sharp as a knife, “I would be lying if I said this... experience left no impact. Which I hate. But,” she continued, her gaze shifting to you, “it has made my tolerance for absurdity significantly higher. It has reminded me that even the most improbable connections can... change you. For the better. And for that, I suppose I should be… grateful.”

The room was silent for a moment before she added, “I still hate every single one of you.”

The group erupted into laughter and applause, their reactions as absurd and unexpected as ever.

Wednesday smirked faintly. Crazy idiots, she thought. All of them.

As you both stepped off the bus and began walking toward the school, Wednesday held her therapy report in her hand, the edges of the paper slightly crumpled from her tight grip.

“I’m going to miss them,” you said suddenly, your voice soft.

Wednesday glanced at you from the corner of her eye. “I’m not,” she replied flatly.

You smiled, shaking your head. “Of course you’re not.”

But then your smile faded, replaced by a quiet seriousness that made Wednesday’s eyes narrow slightly. She could feel the shift in you, the way your energy dimmed just enough to set her on edge. “What’s bothering you?” she asked.

You hesitated, looking at the ground for a moment before answering. “My dad called me last night,” you said softly. “He told me that my doctors sent my medical files to some heart specialists in Germany. They’re sending a team to check on me.”

Wednesday raised an eyebrow. “That’s good news, isn’t it?”

You gave her a small, sad smile, the kind that never quite reached your eyes. “Yeah, of course it is. It’s just… I’m scared. I don’t know what they’ll say. Tomorrow’s the appointment.”

Wednesday stopped walking for a brief moment, her gaze sharpening as it settled on you. “You don’t have to be scared,” she said firmly. “I’ll be there.”

You turned to her, and this time your smile was real. “I know. Of course you will.” The way your eyes shined, the light in your eyes showing the trust you placed on Wednesday. She hated the idea that someone... something...could take that light away from you. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to keep her emotions in check as you both continued walking.

When you reached Principal Weems’s office, she greeted you both with her usual composed demeanor. “Miss Addams, Miss Y/N,” she said, her gaze flicking to the paper in Wednesday’s hand. “I take it this is your therapy report?”

“Yes,” Wednesday replied flatly, handing it over without ceremony.

Weems smirked as she opened the report, glancing at you knowingly. “I assume you had some influence in this, Miss Y/N?”

You smiled sheepishly, but before you could respond, Weems continued reading. “Well, Wednesday, this is… impressive. It seems you’ve made significant progress, well done.”

Wednesday didn’t reply, her expression unchanging as Weems set the folder aside.

“Is that all?” Wednesday asked, her impatience creeping into her voice.

“For you, yes,” Weems said, her eyes shifting to you. “But I’d like to have a word with Miss Y/L/N. Privately.”

Wednesday stiffened, her dark eyes narrowing. “Whatever you need to say to her, you can say in front of me.”

“It’s alright,” you said softly, placing a hand on her arm. She looked down at your hand, then back at you, her jaw tightening.

“I’ll tell you everything later, I promise.” you whispered, leaning closer.

Reluctantly, Wednesday stepped back, her eyes fixed on Weems as though daring her to say or do something untoward. She left the office but hovered just outside.

The door clicked open a few minutes later, and you stepped out. Wednesday straightened, her gaze immediately locking onto yours. “What did she want?”

You hesitated briefly, then smiled softly. “She offered financial help for my treatments.”

Wednesday froze, her mind reeling. Of course. Your father... The kind of money needed for specialists, for experimental treatments, wasn’t something easily attainable.

“What did you tell her?” she asked, her tone carefully measured.

You shrugged lightly, your smile faint but unconvincing. “I told her I’d let her know if I ever needed help.”

Wednesday studied you closely, her dark eyes narrowing slightly. She knew you too well. That was a lie. You wouldn’t ask for help, not from Weems, not from anyone. You were too selfless, too proud.

Her chest tightened again, but this time, it was with something sharper, something more painful. The thought of you struggling, of your father struggling, while you put on a brave face—it was unbearable.

She didn’t say anything as you began walking toward the dorms, her thoughts churning.

If you wouldn’t ask for help, then Wednesday would find a way to do it for you. She would do whatever it took to make sure you got the care you needed, whether you liked it or not.

“Thanks for walking me back,” you said softly as you reached your room, your voice tinged with exhaustion.

Wednesday simply nodded. She wasn’t sure what to say, so she said nothing.

You hesitated, your hand resting on the doorknob, before turning to look at her. “Hey, um…” you started, your tone light but carrying an undercurrent of nervousness. “Would you… would you like to spend the night with me?”

Wednesday froze. She blinked, her dark eyes widening slightly as her brain attempted to process your words. Her first thought was confusion what exactly were you asking? Then came the flicker of alarm, followed by something else entirely, something that sent a faint warmth crawling up her neck.

“Not like that!” you hurriedly added, waving your hands as if to dispel whatever assumptions she might have made. “I mean, just sleeping. You know, nothing serious. My roommate’s gone tonight, so it’s just me.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, the faintest hint of color rising in her pale cheeks. The idea of staying in your dorm, of sharing such an intimate space with you, the concept was so foreign, so utterly unexpected, that she didn’t even know how to process it.

You mistook her silence for reluctance, letting out a nervous laugh. “I’m just kidding. You don’t have to—”

“I’ll do it,” Wednesday said abruptly, cutting you off. Her voice was sharper than she intended, and she cleared her throat, quickly adding, “I just need to get fresh clothes from my room.”

Your eyes widened slightly in surprise, but then your smile returned, softer this time. “Alright. I’ll wait here.”

Wednesday turned on her heel and walked briskly toward her dorm, her heart pounding in her chest. The logical part of her mind was screaming at her, questioning why she had agreed to this, but the quieter, deeper part. the part she was still coming to terms with, knew the answer. She wanted to be near you. She wanted to make sure you slept soundly tonight, safe tonight, especially with the weight of tomorrow hanging over you.

When Wednesday returned, she was still cringing at the smile Enid had given her after learning that she was spending the night with you. She hesitated in the doorway before finally turning the knob and opening it, her eyes immediately went towards you, sitting at the edge of your bed, you had already changed into a pair of comfortable clothes, your hair slightly damp from a quick shower.

"Come in." you said with a grin, gesturing to the room.

Wednesday hesitated briefly before stepping into your room, her eyes scanning the space. It was small, personal, filled with little touches that spoke to who you were—books stacked haphazardly on the desk, a soft throw blanket draped over the bed, and faintly glowing string lights lining the walls. It felt warm, inviting, just like you.

As the evening wound down, the two of you sat on your bed, talking or mostly you talking. You seemed more relaxed now, your earlier tension fading as you laughed at your own stories and teased Wednesday about her deadpan responses.

When it was time to sleep, you stood and began gathering your things, pulling out your nightclothes. Wednesday turned away quickly, her cheeks flushing as she realized what you were doing.

“You okay over there?” you asked with a laugh, clearly amused by her sudden stiffness.

“Perfectly fine,” Wednesday replied, her voice clipped as she stared at the wall.

Once you were ready, you climbed into bed, patting the space beside you. “Come on, Wednesday. I promise I don't snore.” you teased.

Her lips quirked slightly at the corner, but she said nothing as she slipped off her shoes and carefully lay down beside you, keeping her body rigid and her arms at her sides.

You chuckled softly, turning onto your side to face her. “Relax, I don’t kick in my sleep.”

Wednesday gave you a pointed look, but the tension in her shoulders eased just a fraction. “That remains to be seen,” she muttered.

You laughed softly, the sound settling into the quiet room as the minutes stretched on. Your breathing began to even out, and Wednesday could tell you were falling asleep. She lay still, her dark eyes fixed on the ceiling, her mind racing despite the calm around her.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she felt it—a gentle tug at her arm.

She looked down to find you shifting closer in your sleep, your arm draping over hers as you rested your head against her shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat, her body going rigid as she tried to process what was happening.

You murmured something unintelligible in your sleep, your face peaceful, completely unaware of the chaos you were causing inside her. Your heartbeat was steady against her arm, a soft reminder of your presence, of your life.

Wednesday couldn’t tear her eyes away from you. The way your hair fell across your face, the slight curve of your lips, the way you seemed so completely at ease—it was almost too much. Her chest ached with something she couldn’t quite name, something she didn’t want to examine too closely.

All she knew was that in this moment, with you asleep beside her, holding onto her like she was something precious, she felt an unfamiliar warmth blooming in her chest. She wasn’t sure what to do with it, but for the first time in her life, she didn’t want to push it away.

As she watched you, her mind drifted to thoughts of tomorrow and the uncertainty it would bring. But right now, in this quiet, fragile moment, none of that mattered. All that mattered was you.

Carefully, almost hesitantly, she allowed herself to relax, her free hand brushing a strand of hair away from your face. You shifted slightly, nuzzling closer to her, and she felt her heart stutter again.

“Idiot,” she muttered, though she wasn’t sure if she was speaking about, you or herself.

She probably won't be able to sleep tonight, but she doesn’t mind, staying awake feels worth it.

Next Chapter

@ognenniyvolk @mally-ka @protozoario @machyishere @freakshow2501 @101rizzlrr

[So, no angst this time, just some more fluff! And if you guys were hoping for something more in the sleeping part- 🏏 BONK 🌟, Comment some songs for me to listen while cooking the next chapters down below!]

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brucebocchi · 2 months ago

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Ranking 2024 anime, Pt. 4: #20-11

hey, this post is also available on my ko-fi, so please check it out and consider tipping/donating as i do this for free and am currently between jobs. you can find part 1 of the list here, part 2 here, and part 3 here. thanks!

You know, I'd really planned to keep my re-reviews much shorter but I'm finding it harder to do so when I get into the anime I actually liked. Maybe that's a good thing.

And away we go.

20. Solo Leveling

Portal isekai, sad loser secretly gains crazy powers and instantly becomes a stoic gigachad, menu screens everywhere, entry-level power fantasy. You’ve seen it before. Honestly, Solo Leveling is total slop. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’ve watched a couple isekai, like, ever, you’re not going to find much new here. There’s some interesting enough worldbuilding outside of the dungeon stuff; I did find myself intrigued by the level consideration given to how much this preponderance of portals would influence Korean economics and politics, and even moreso that much of the story so far revolves around how those corrupting powers can lead to hunters using dungeons as their own playgrounds for personal gain at others’ expense. There also seems to be a larger malefactor behind all of the menu screens driving protagonist Sung Jinwoo’s growth and titular leveling, so there’s the hook.

Even putting aside the few interesting parts of the otherwise boilerplate story, Solo Leveling both looks and sounds pretty darn good. The soundtrack is laden with Hiroyuki Sawano’s trademark build-ups and drops, and though the character art and dungeon designs aren’t always the most eye-catching (early on it did look like A-1 Pictures was going to default to “fuck it, we’re making money anyway” mode), the action animation goes absolutely bonkers in its best moments.

The second season is already up and running, and although I can barely remember anyone’s name outside of the protagonist (maybe that’s on me, I consume very little Korean media and am not great at retaining Korean names), I’m in this for the long haul. Great turn-your-brain-off action schlock.

19. Wind Breaker

At this point you could put a sign that says “DELINQUENT WITH A HEART OF GOLD” underneath a box-and-stick trap and I’d walk right in. I am not immune to your Josukes Higashikata, your Ryujis Sakamoto, what have you. The angry and violent type who will nevertheless stick up for what’s right and remain fiercely loyal to those they care about. Wind Breaker is rife with characters who fit that archetype, but it’s not exactly a delinquent anime so much as it’s a Dudes anime. More specifically, a Dudes Rock anime.

Yes, Wind Breaker’s ensemble cast is almost entirely Dudes, and they do indeed Rock. Protagonist Haruka is a self-inflicted outcast, and his tsundere ass does not appreciate all the positive attention he’s receiving after proving himself in street combat prior to his transfer to an all-delinquents high school. Nevertheless, he wants to fight his way to the top of his new environment, and if that means sticking up for the little guy along the way, all the better.

I love that Wind Breaker’s overarching messages of self-improvement and helping the weak without expecting a reward are basically anathema for the base power fantasies that largely come from light novels over the past decade and change, but even moreso that Haruka, loner that he is, keeps having to learn that he’s not going to get anywhere without surrounding himself with the right people and relying on their support. Battle shonen are usually pretty blatant with this stuff, but to see it spelled out so clearly in a series like this just hits right.

Wind Breaker looks terrific at just about every step, too. Every single thing I’ve seen from CloverWorks from the past few years has been a bop, which makes it that much more maddening that this is the studio that bungled the Persona 5 anime and supposedly botched The Promised Neverland in its second season. I get that not everything works out as planned sometimes but I find myself waiting for the other shoe to drop sometimes. I’m glad it’s been smooth so far, at least. Some pacing issues and a weird place to end the show, but I know for a fact I'll be there when this comes back in spring.

18. Laid-Back Camp, season 3

I am not immune to the Cute Girls Doing Cute Things genre, and when all is said and done I think Yuru Camp could very well stand alone at the top. A show this directly responsible for the uptick in camping culture and countryside tourism in Japan clearly holds some sway over pop culture, and it’s clearly deserved.

Returning to the present day after the 2022 film gave us a look at the Outdoor Club in adulthood, Yuru Camp’s third season gives us exactly what we wanted: More of the same. We largely focus on the solo expeditions of Rin, Nadeshiko, and the latter’s hometown friend Ayano as they trek to their collective meetup spot, and as the seasons change we get the entire gang together for some springtime hanami. It’s cute, it’s funny, it’s whimsical, it’s Yuru Camp. You know what you’re getting into at this point.

With studio Eightbit taking over the series in its third season, Yuru Camp still largely looks the same, and wonderfully so, but it can be a bit off at times: CGI vehicles look far more distractingly out-of-place, and for as gorgeous as the background art was in the first two seasons and movie, it can come across as a bit more uncanny this time out. I don’t know whether some of the shots of sakura branches were traced or run through some kind of AI post-processing from archival photos, and I hate to speculate on that, but given that this is the same studio that bafflingly under-animates the money printer that is Blue Lock, I can’t exactly put it past them.

Production quibbles aside, I can’t really complain about more Yuru Camp. It’s a bit lighter on plot than previous seasons, but this is a series that was light on plot to begin with. We get to spend time with these goofs, learn about camping and the Japanese countryside, and then maybe go touch grass ourselves. That’s a good message for a Cute Girls Doing Cute Things series to have: Go do your own cute things.

17. NieR: Automata Ver. 1.1a, part 2

The second half of this adaptation was going to be the metric by which fans of the 2017 action-RPG judged the whole work. The first half in 2023, covering the game’s A and B routes, was a solid if troubled production that did a good job of covering the narrative and action, even implementing surprising easter eggs from NieR Replicant along the way. Sloppy CGI integration in early episodes and a COVID-induced delay hampered things, though, so there were some nerves about the show’s return.

Any fears were quickly allayed once the second half of the series began, covering the real meat of the story in routes C-E. Ver. 1.1a immediately looked exceptional, with expressive character animation and fluid action sequences. Real pathos was instilled into the route’s early tragedies. Most welcome of all was the serious work put into expanding A2’s character and role in the story (as well as her backside). It felt like she’d gotten the short end of the stick narratively in the game, so it felt right to spend more time with her, tie her story in the present back to the past that was hinted at in the Resistance flashbacks, and just get to see her be a tsundere a couple times. I’m gonna have to go back and rewatch the whole series dubbed because I just know Cherami Leigh crushed it.

I’m of two minds about Ver. 1.1a as a whole: On one hand, this is just about as good an adaptation of the game as we probably could have gotten. On the other, a big part of what makes the NieR games’ narratives work so well comes from the fact that they could pretty much only be told through the framework of a video game. While Ver. 1.1a does a perfectly fine job of delivering the game’s narrative and providing its own take on the game’s extremely video-game-y ending, much of what makes NieR’s tragedies so impactful is the player’s agency (and occasional lack thereof) in these matters.

Nothing can replace actually playing NieR: Automata as a means of experiencing its story, but Ver. 1.1a is a darn good companion piece, and one that may even hint at the future of the Drakengard/NieR franchise. Now if only Yoko Taro would focus on something other than gacha games and death game anime for two seconds…

16. Train to the End of the World

The writer/director duo behind Squid Girl came back to give us one of the best and most bizarre original anime this year. Train to the End of the World is overtly and unapologetically weird, and that’s the way I like ‘em.

This weird and wonderful trek across a warped and wildly varied landscape dazzles the eyes and rots the brain in unexpected ways, but it’s a stellar character comedy through and through. Shuumatsu Train’s oddball protagonists are goofy, galaxy-brained, and sometimes flat-out mean in ways that only teenage girls can be. The dialogue is expertly written and some of the punchiest I’ve ever seen in anime. The girls bicker, mess with strangers, and engage in the kinds of inane conversations you only have when you’re the most bored you’ve ever been in your life.

While rarely laugh-out-loud funny, Train to the End of the World is intrinsically hilarious. The sheer absurdity on display is the kind that leaves you just shaking your head in disbelief. One episode they’re playing House of the Dead to get out of a real-life zombie situation, and in another they’re acting out their favorite fictional anime that you, the viewer, are just expected to know about already. It’s a stupid show in the smartest ways; a classical Homerian epic with ruminations on the future, but also one where the girls threaten to wipe out a Lilliputian colony by peeing on it. It’s both eschatological and scatological. With the recent discourse over modern adaptations and interpretations of The Odyssey, this anime might as well be the nuclear option.

Train to the End of the World was a standout in a strong spring season, but it didn’t shake out super high in a long and darn good year of anime. That’s fine and all, but I really hope it ends up attaining the cult hit status it seemed destined for.

15. Mayonaka Punch

This one had been distant on my radar for a couple of weeks after it premiered, but as soon as I found out it was a P.A. Works original, I picked it up immediately. Any original series by the studio that gave us Akiba Maid War’s glorious gut-wrenching insanity (as well as last year’s exceptional Skip and Loafer adaptation) is going to get my attention, and although Mayonaka Punch doesn’t quite reach the same highs as Akiba Maid War, it does try to match the latter’s most madcap moments.

I don’t have a better pitch than “Canceled YouTuber starts up a new channel with a house full of lesbian vampires,” nor do I really need one. Mayonaka Punch’s comedy largely revolves around the personality clash between the disaffected, avoidant Masaki and the pushy, hyperactive Live (who definitely wants Masaki for more than just her blood), but the whole cast is a riot. Throwing in a baby day trader, a taciturn fujoshi, and a big-titty pachinko fiend are just the right spices to make this a particularly tasty stew.

Chaos naturally ensues, and watching these women try to channel it into a successful YouTube channel is an easy recipe for comedy. Everyone has terrific chemistry and I was rapt with attention every time we got to learn more about each of these vampire girls’ history. What came as a huge surprise, though, was how potent some of the emotional hits ended up, even when it involved characters outside of the main pairing. The fact that the biggest one came in just the fourth episode was a masterstroke; I was already on board for the comedy but just like that I was fully invested in a character other than the one who wants to suck the protagonist dry. I’m not rephrasing that.

This one absolutely deserves to be a cult classic, and the door is left open just maddeningly enough at the end that I can only pray for more. Mayonaka Punch is a boatload of fun and deserves way more attention than it’s gotten. You can change that. Right now. Watch this show.

Prior to writing this, Fairouz Ai (Live’s voice actress and a huge presence in a handful of the shows I’ve already discussed) announced that she would be taking a hiatus from VA work following a PTSD diagnosis. I wish her all of the time, recovery, and support she needs.

14. Urusei Yatsura (2022), season 2

The opening salvo in the ongoing Rumiko Takahashi revival (weird thing to say about a mangaka who’s still alive and working, I know) returned this year for the second half of its “all-stars” run, marathoning us through retellings of the classic manga’s greatest hits, the oddest of its many oddballs, and its spectacular, heartfelt conclusion. More Lum is always a good thing.

I’ve written plenty about Urusei Yatsura’s remake following each cour except the first, and I don’t have much more to add at this point. It’s a classic for a reason and it laid the foundations for dozens of jokes, tropes, and standards that are fundamental to comedy in anime to this day. Even when some of the jokes may come off as trite or tropey, it’s easy to see just how and why it made Takahashi so successful. The exaggerated slice-of-life hijinks, outsized slapstick, and time-and-space surrealness are just as much of a treat as the deep, eclectic cast. And to top it all off, here’s Ataru and Lum being a couple of freaks who deserve each other.

Even though the 46-episode run certainly feels truncated compared to the 191 episodes, six films, and ten OVAs that came before it, David Production did a fine job of putting a modern touch on such a classic work and highlighting its strengths. And even though most of the run was an abridged run through the greatest hits, I’m really glad the studio made sure to dedicate the last few episodes to the manga’s final arc, bringing Lum and Ataru together in a beautiful and (briefly) satisfying climax.

And even for as satisfying as that ending was, it was nearly overshadowed by…

13. Ranma ½ (2024)

…the revival of Takahashi’s biggest hit.

Yes, right on the heels of the ending of the remake of her landmark romcom classic, came the announcement that her even BIGGER landmark romcom classic was also getting a remake. Ranma ½ is one of the hallmarks of 90s anime writ large, working late-80s Japan’s fascination with Chinese martial arts (partially due to Dragon Ball’s success) into a romantic-comedy framework that also accidentally served as the genesis of the harem genre. I’d somehow never actually engaged with Ranma prior to the remake, so I was happy to get in on a new ground floor and I was immediately sold.

As the youngest daughter of the Tendo Dojo, Akane Tendo is put in a predicament when her father betrothes her (at her sisters’ urging) to his friend’s son, Ranma Saotome. Though both are skilled fighters and a good match in that regard, Akane is a bit of a hothead and doesn’t much care for boys, so she’s not a fan of this arrangement, but it’s made all the more bizarre by the fact that Ranma is also a girl sometimes. Thanks to a bizarre accident in China, Ranma turns into a girl when soaked with cold water and back into a boy when hit with hot water. Shenanigans ensue as Ranma and Akane’s contentious relationship hits innumerable peaks and valleys, all the while fighting off an ever-growing menagerie of powerful, fight-happy suitors gunning for the hands and lips of Akane and both versions of Ranma.

MAPPA of all studios being the one to re-adapt Ranma came as a surprise, and you probably could’ve convinced me David Production took over this Takahashi adaptation as well. Ranma’s remake adopts several of the same visual flairs you’d see in Urusei Yatsura, including the Ben Day dots, color inversions, and manga-style onscreen onomatopoeias. On the other hand, while most of the moment-to-moment character animation is pretty much what you’d expect from any given anime, several of the action sequences are very well-animated to MAPPA’s typically high standard. I just hope the animators weren’t getting the Chainsaw Man or Jujutsu Kaisen treatment.

Ranma ½ is as hilarious as ever, but it can get a little wonky thematically when it comes to gender politics, boundaries, and expectations, as I’d been made aware before ever engaging with the work. I also knew from the Urusei Yatsura remake that this was basically Takahashi’s wheelhouse, as there are a couple of pretty genderbendy characters in there as well. Several of the male antagonists in Ranma are more than a little pushy when it comes to women who catch their eye, and a lot of the humor around Ranma’s gender swaps revolves around how their male socialization affects the lack of modesty with which they present their female form (more on that later). People who are much better versed in gender matters than myself, both academically and personally, can speak on the positives and negatives of these things much better than I can, and it’s too early in the series for me to really make a judgment call. I do think it’s odd, though, that even with the central romance, Akane doesn’t seem to remotely entertain the thought of getting involved with Ranma’s female side, and unfortunately I don’t really see that ever happening. So far, all of these things just come across as flat-out silly and more of a product of its time than anything nefarious.

The original Ranma ½ adaptation remains a seminal work for a solid generation and a half of anime fans, so of course a remake was going to be met with some criticism. Some didn’t appreciate the more muted color palette compared to the late 80s/early 90s Studio Deen version, and while it’s certainly missing some of the flair of the hand-painted backgrounds and saturated lighting effects the medium has missed since that era, I personally like the softer hues; I find them a lot more reminiscent of Rumiko Takahashi’s own colorations for her art outside of the manga. It’s not as technicolor as the Urusei Yatsura remake, but I think that actually helps set the new Ranma apart rather than riding the former’s coattails.

The main difference people seem to be complaining about, however, has more to do with boobs. Takahashi has never been shy about including nudity in her manga, and in an era where uncensored bazongas were perfectly fine to publish in boys’ manga magazines, she was typically more matter-of-fact about the female form instead of pursuing titillation. As such, a story like Ranma’s, in which its title character is typically blase about presenting their female incarnation modestly, had a lot to work with on that front, and the original anime played along.

Not so with the MAPPA version. Nipples are conspicuously missing in scenes that legitimately do call for nudity, and an ass crack appears to be missing from an early scene as well. Personally, I don’t mind the Barbie doll treatment, and as I’d been reading the manga as the anime’s story progressed, I didn't find all that much missing in the transition from page to screen. Weebs tend to convince themselves they’re the most oppressed people on earth, so of course there were cries of censorship, which is a claim I don’t really care to entertain. These are different times, broadcast regulations in Japan are almost certainly different from what they were 35 years ago, and Netflix and/or MAPPA likely didn’t see the need for it. Could be any of those things. I’m not losing sleep over it.

And with that, I’m done talking about Rumiko Takahashi (for now). I’m grateful for everything related to her work, even tangentially, that came out this year, and my life is richer for it. I’m glad to have gotten into her work in earnest this year, and I can say with all conviction (hot take incoming) that she’s one of the greatest mangaka ever. I look forward to diving further into even more of her work.

12. The Elusive Samurai

I’d have been perfectly happy if Wind Breaker had been CloverWorks’ only beautifully-animated oddball shonen hit this year, and then they went and outdid themselves the very next season with this one.

The Elusive Samurai is a gorgeous, timeless-looking piece of historical fiction beginning at the very end of the Kamakura period, following the last survivor of the Hojo clan, the young Tokiyuki, as he’s urged by an eccentric priest to lead a pack of freedom fighters and take revenge. Despite coming from a prominent family within the shogunate, Tokiyuki was an impertinent kid and preferred to play hide-and-seek instead of attending any combat training. The priest, Yorishige, receives a vision of the future that predicts that Tokiyuki will fell his family’s usurper not by becoming a powerful warrior, but by doing what he’s already best at: Being a squirrelly little shit.

I just gushed about how good this show looks three months ago, and even now I’m thinking back fondly on how well it blends whimsy with brutality. You can have Yorishige and the kids goofing off and cracking jokes one minute and vibrant crimson beheadings the next. Even little Tokiyuki makes a joyful game out of slicing a bandit’s veins to ribbons later in the season. It feels like a callback to anime films and OVAs of the 80s, with the film grain effect to match. Almost every single thing about this show looks and sounds incredible.

Of course, there’s the CGI. I really don’t like complaining about that sort of thing, but it was such a blatant and unnecessary cost-cutting move that it almost cheapens the rest of the show. Look, I get that horses can be a pain to hand-animate after a while, but having characters’s CGI models speaking while riding on horseback is just enough to take me out of the show, especially when they already look as bizarre as, say, Sadamune. How that passed muster with the rest of the show’s standard is beyond me.

So, maybe I did dock it a spot or two for that, but I see that as a wrinkle that can be ironed out. The Elusive Samurai is absurdly promising, and its debut season is a tremendous statement. Can’t wait for more.

11. Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!

As I made clear last year by putting 100 Girlfriends’ debut season in my top ten for 2023, for as much as I love a good straight-up romance story, I have ample room in my heart for trashy dipshit romcoms as well. Makeine shares that affection and forges its own identity from it, establishing its own throne atop a hill of garbage.

This is not a “yeah it’s good if you can look past the tropes” show. Makeine is firmly on its bullshit, and it is firmly about its bullshit. It’s not nearly as off-the-wall as 100 Girlfriends, few shows are, but it’s well aware of your expectations and leaves you guessing whether you’ll have them expertly subverted or just thrown right back in your face. Even the protagonist, the light novel fanatic Nukumizu, is calling out the tropes as they happen, but it’s been a fun time watching him learn that he’s more than just a wet-blanket LN protagonist. He thinks he’s just along for the ride like any other blank-faced self-insert in these stories, as gets roped into the personal lives of these poor girls and learns that, yes, they are real people and that, yes, he is too.

I could go on and on about Too Many Losing Heroines’ idiosyncrasies and offbeat characters and punchy dialogue, but I did that plenty just a few months ago. Instead, I want to call attention once more to just how freakishly well-made this show is. A-1 Pictures had zero reason to go this hard on a goofy, trashy light novel romcom adaptation, and yet here they were, throwing their A-team at the whole project. Character animations are intricate, background art is sumptuous, lighting effects immaculate, and music on point at all times. The OP is an earworm (and one of a surprising number of ska intros and outros I’ve taken in this year), and having each of the main titular heroines perform her own story-appropriate ED was a masterstroke. Even the visual gags are perfect and allowed to land on their own.

I already cannot wait for more of this. If A-1 has given us all we’re going to get of the Kaguya-sama anime, then I’m as all-in on Makeine as they are. Not the best romcom out there, but easily one of the best-made out there.

#anime reviews #solo leveling #wind breaker #yuru camp #train to the end of the world #mayonaka punch #urusei yatsura #ranma 1/2 #the elusive samurai #makeine

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ellitx · 7 months ago

Text

Chapter 19: The Lord's Will

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

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art belongs to: srr_yo

word count: 3.9k

The storm was strong, harsh, and maddening. The tempestuous wind annihilated the entire city— from a strong wind to a ferocious cloudburst. It was similar to how the blue dragon attacked the city and everyone presumed that was the cause, but their assumptions drowned upon discovering it was not the Stormterror causing harm to all but Barbatos the Anemo Archon.

Aether wondered if Jean was aware that it was Venti who was causing all of this. And if she did, did he see him as Venti the Bard or Barbatos the Anemo Archon during his rampage?

Everyone cowered in fear witnessing the strong aura of an enraged unknown being. From the center of the plaza stood a young man clad in green carrying a damsel in his arms.

A pair of large angelic wings sprouted from his back, fluttering as feathers fell off and lifted him off the ground. Had he been the angel destined to calm the tempest storm of Mondstadt, everyone would have cheered. But that was far from Celestial.

His figure loomed. The moon’s radiant glow cast his youthful features yet all was daubed with nothing but fury. No one can approach or stop him. Not even the Knights of Favonius.

Not even Aether.

If one dares to approach him, they’d be thrown away like a measly rag doll. Aether could clearly see how his once bright eyes had turned dark and sinister. All that anger was pointed at him, warning him: “If you take a single step and take her from me, I will slaughter you.”

The crowds cowered, parents holding their children close and shielding them from the sharp gales, while others bowed, kneeling even, to honor and welcome the overwhelming presence of the Anemo Archon.

Aether, with his restricted strength and movement, turned and saw Jean from the distance. Her face was pale, her hands shaking and clutching tightly on her sword grip. He had never seen her so scared before. No, scared was not the right word.

She had mixed feelings of confusion, fear, and uneasiness.

But even as the Acting Grand Master, she’s ready to charge if the archon were to burst into another outrage.

But how ironic was it that she'd attack the nation’s god who protected them for thousands of years?

Everyone was scared, some were shocked. Not a single soul has the courage to speak.

“O winds that sweep o'er Mondstadt's land, hear my words, my fervent command. In the realm where skies and earth collide, a love blooms fierce, none can deride.” The archon’s voice was soft yet thundering, his words echoed and reached the city’s ears.

“This woman in my embrace, through day and night, she's my true lover, my cherished wife. A bond unbreakable, forged for life. So heed this warning: all who dare to cross the threshold of our lair, for should you trespass, face my might. Anemo's wrath shall take its flight.

No mercy shown. No quarter given. By my hand, your fate be driven. For love is fierce, and love is strong. And for her, I shall right all wrongs. Let these words echo through the skies, a proclamation, a love that ties. Respect our realm, and you'll be free. But disturb our love, face destiny."

With these proclamations, Venti's voice rang clear.

A declaration of love and fear. His power as an archon was blinded with love and obsession.

A warning to all who dared to defy.

Pray and obey. That’s the only rule if they wish to be alive.

And with those words, he vanished into the dark night sky, with only a few feathers left behind. The rain continued, pittering and pattering on the muddy floor. All sounds were muffled except Paimon’s cries which were crystal clear. Afraid and petrified by what happened, he mustered the strength to hush her cries. The only protection and safety he can offer from the god’s wrath.

—

“Is there a doctor here? Someone please help my brother!”

“There were so many casualties… Is this still a safe place for us to live?”

"I heard the Anemo Archon's wrath spared no one. The Knights of Favonius are overwhelmed, and there's chaos everywhere."

“Even the Church can’t help us…”

"I never thought I'd see the day when the Archon's protection turned into a storm of destruction.”

In the hallowed halls of the Knights of Favonius' headquarters, poignant cries of pain and resilience played out. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and hushed murmurs, as the knights moved with purpose, tending to the myriad wounds inflicted by the recent upheaval. In makeshift infirmaries, the wounded lay on cots, their faces etched with the agony of recent events.

Amidst the sea of suffering, the children and families sought refuge within the sturdy walls of the headquarters, clinging to one another for solace.

The knights worked tirelessly to mend both the physical and emotional wounds inflicted by the recent chaos.

“How are you doing, Aether?” Jean asked while washing the dressings that needed to be disinfected.

“I’m doing well, but it still hurts like a brick…” he offered a wry smile to her while his fingers caressed his bandaged neck.

“Please don’t push yourself. Rest as much as you can in here, however, the city is not in the best of state and our supplies may not be enough for everyone…” Jean heaved a sigh, putting aside the disinfected dressings. “It seems our headquarters won’t be able to accommodate any more patients. The Knights of Favonius and I are trying our best to find a secured shelter.”

“That bad, huh?” Aether frowned and leaned in, his torso bending forward, while his arms relaxed on his knees.

Jean nodded slowly, staring out at the grim surroundings.

"If we're lucky, perhaps when everything calms down, we'll rebuild the city..." she closed her eyes tightly, willing her thoughts away from despair.

“I’ve already sent the emergency message to Grand Master Varka,” a familiar voice popped into the room. They both turned to see Kaeya emerging from the door holding two cloth bags. “He has decided to send three teams to bring more rations and resources on their way back. He will also come with them on their journey back to Mondstadt.”

“Thank you, Kaeya.” The Acting Grand Master nodded appreciatively, taking the bag that had been placed on the bed next to Aether’s. He sat down, handing a portion of rations to the boy.

As dawn painted the sky in hues of hope, the headquarters stood as nothing but a shelter. Mondstadt was in a complete disaster. Multiple houses were destroyed, the plaza was a mess, and even the villagers living outside the city were affected tremendously.

The blonde traveler’s eyes flashed to the small figure lying on the bed. Recalling the previous night seriously made his head ache. Aether opted to take a good night’s rest.

—

A week has passed and the day is still the same. Rubbles and debris are still within everyone’s sight and it’s far from finished cleaning all the mess. All of the Knights were doing labor— not only that, but they also temporarily banned travelers from stepping within Mondstadt’s borders until further notice.

It’s too dangerous for non-citizens to visit when the catastrophe is still imminent. As much as Aether wants to help, Paimon and Barbara would scold him for his recklessness, urging him to prioritize his own safety over assisting others in such perilous circumstances.

He grouchily grumbled to himself, letting his mind drift somewhere else and possibly hoping an idea would flick the switch for him to do something. Laying on the bed will do no good, and he’s getting tired of nestling on the bed all day.

Although he could always fall asleep if he just stayed put and waited for his eyelids to droop. But he knew deep down inside, that waiting for this catastrophe to be over wasn’t the best way to go about things either.

Letting his mind meander in his headspace, he recalled Jean informing him of an update from the Grand Master. She was told their estimated time of arrival would be a week from now. They have contacted merchants from neighboring nations who will bring more rations to them so the knights can use them to sustain themselves while they wait. Some gave anonymous donations, gifting medicines, herbs, and bandages to aid in recovery efforts.

Since a week had already passed, he was certain more rations should arrive by tomorrow or maybe even today. At least there won’t be any hunger pangs for these people anymore. To witness the Grand Master still aiding the nation despite his lack of presence caught Aether’s interest. If he’s able to live up to those standards, then there’s no doubt he’ll do great things once he comes back. A flash of hope filled his heart, giving him a feeling of motivation. Hopefully, the news about the arrival of the Grand Master will lighten up everyone’s mood.

As much as he wants to join in helping the knights, he can’t neglect what is important to him as well. He knows Barbara nor Paimon wouldn’t approve of his idea. But if no one sees him, then there wouldn't be a problem.

It’s almost night time and everyone’s too preoccupied with healing the wounded.

Aether stirred from his bed, the call of restlessness drawing him. With quiet determination, he quietly left his room, ensuring his steps wouldn’t make a noise. Once he got through the front door, he made his way through the sleeping city streets, guided only by the dim glow of moonlight filtering through the clouds. His destination: the bell tower of the church.

His silhouette moved against the backdrop of the moonlit sky. With practiced ease, he scaled the rough walls of the church, his fingers finding purchase in the worn stone as he ascended higher and higher.

The chill of the night air brushed his skin as he continued climbing, each foothold bringing him closer to his destination. At last, he reached the towering bell tower, its shadow stretching out like a dark sentinel against the starry heavens. With a final push, he pulled himself up onto the narrow ledge, his breath coming in quick, ragged gasps.

Leaning against the pillar to take a breather, he wiped the sweat rolling down his forehead and turned around to admire the night sky. Though the past few days were packed with dread and anguish, the luminous light of the crescent moon almost had him forget his purpose for climbing all the way here to the top.

From his vantage point high above the city streets, he could see the familiar tower in the distance, its ominous presence casting a long shadow over the land. Aether’s golden eyes narrowed, searching for any signs of the god and his “lover” he claimed. The distance between them stretched out so far that his hope for spotting you from where he was was futile, just as he suspected.

Forcing away the uneasy feeling in his stomach, he turned his attention to the watch tower from the Knights’ headquarters. A silhouette moving caught his attention and Aether decided to return to his room lest he’d be caught by the knights lurking in the bell tower in the middle of the night.

—

Two weeks after the catastrophe, there was a small progress within the city. Several are still wounded yet they’re gradually recovering. The Knights utilized the Church for civilians who lost their homes and few kindhearted volunteers assisted the Knights and members of the Church to feed the displaced families.

Aether’s neck had already recovered, the mark was gone but the sensation of his perpetrator’s fingers still haunted him till this day. Caressing his neck brings bitterness within him he wasn’t able to save you from the god.

What if Venti, in a fit of rage or madness, had done something irreversible, something that could have harmed you irreparably? The mere thought sent a shiver down Aether's spine, and he vehemently shook his head, trying to dispel the dark imaginings that threatened to overwhelm him.

"No," he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "Venti wouldn't do that. He couldn’t."

But deep down, beneath the layers of denial and hope, Aether harbored a nagging doubt. Even if Venti wouldn't physically harm you, the emotional toll of his actions could be just as devastating. And that was a truth Aether couldn't bear to face.

With a sigh, he stood up from his bed and began pacing around the room. He spotted some villagers going in and out of the city gate behind the thickly curtained windows. What struck his attention were the carriages loaded with debris, and people carrying some vegetables and fruits. Perhaps to make soup for those who are still recovering.

Somehow it stirred his heart a little to see the citizens still helping each other even after being scarred by disaster. Maybe they know it will bring more danger to move away from their homes right now, but they’re hoping for a miracle where everything will return to normal.

The majority of the food supplies were already eaten during the crisis and a lot of residents are starving. Yet there are still people who have gone through so much more difficult hardships than what he has to go through.

Staying inside will do no good. Aether strode to the door and opened it with determination, but the purpose of venturing crumbled to dust when a deaconess’s familiar blue optics glared at him.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Aether swallowed the lump sitting in his throat, a cold sweat threatening to unveil, as he evaded her skeptical glare. “Just going outside to take a breather,” he answered immediately.

Barbara’s frown wouldn’t expunge and he stood firmly in his place. When she took one big step, he panicked and backed off a little. If she continues walking forward, then there’s no turning back.

Thankfully, she stopped before him. She looked annoyed and then glanced at Paimon standing beside the door, munching on a piece of bread. Was she with Barbara all this time?

“He’s been stuck inside for a week. As long as he doesn’t do anything reckless, Paimon’s sure it’ll be fine.”

Barbara heaved a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose at Paimon’s nonchalant and indifferent behavior. Deciding to give in, she allowed Aether only on the condition he’d be back before it set.

She sure has gone stern with him but the kindness within her still remains pure. It didn’t take long for Aether to prepare. He only needed his sword and his flying companion. Barbara told him to bring some medicines in case he got wounded, but she hoped he’d return unscathed.

As Aether stood at the city gate, Paimon floated next to him, her eyes scanning the lush greenery beyond. The landscape seemed unchanged, yet subtle alterations were evident – barricades now dotted certain sections of the road, blocking any passage beyond the city limits.

The crops at Springvale Village lay sparse and withered, stark evidence of the devastation wrought by recent events. Despite the desolation, however, the villagers toiled tirelessly, their hands calloused and backs bent as they labored to revive the once-lush fields and replenish dwindling supplies. With each passing day, small signs of progress emerged amid the barren earth, a small glimpse of hope amidst the ruins.

Aether’s feet controlled his body, aimlessly wandering the prairie of the nation of the wind. Paimon was silent, quite unusual of her, but he didn’t ask her. She was lost in thought and so was he, but his mind drifted to the abducted maiden.

Paimon followed him along, sometimes leaving a few comments here and there not to go to the forest lest they’d be attacked by hilichurls.

He hadn’t realized they stopped at Stormterror’s lair. Before him was the ever-so-familiar wind barrier. It still kept him from entering further, a warning that the Anemo Archon and his dragon inhabited the empty land.

His body took over before his mind could stop him. He rushed and slammed his hand against the barrier, screaming at an empty space. “Venti, please! You don’t have to do all of these!! I know you’re a good person but if you lock [Name] there, it’s no longer freedom!”

No response. That couldn’t mean anything good. He pounded his fist again, the barrier rippling from the pressure, yet he felt nothing in return. Oddly, he heard something behind the barrier… But what?

Over and over, the traveler kept on banging, crying out for Venti to release you. Paimon watched in silence, her eyes darting to him and the tower as she feared what would happen next. The pain and the stress his actions brought into the fairy's mind might make her stop him at this instant, another unintended consequence that could lead them down a different path.

She closed her eyes, blocking out the reverberation of Aether's yells. He needed to be calm, she knew. All of this chaos and emotion were only building up more anger in Venti and she wouldn't want that.

They were starting to disturb the wind spirits who lived nearby. Eventually, the cry ceased after a long while and the emptiness returned. His palm burned red where it touched the barrier; only moments later did he realize how close he came to harming someone.

If only he wasn't damaged greatly, he'd still have time to save you. No, even if he was wounded, he should have been able to bring you back. How had things turned out like this? He wasn't prepared for anything of this sort. This... is not what you deserve.

"Aether… we should just go. Venti won’t even spare us a glance." Paimon pleaded.

"We can’t just leave [Name] there! What if something happens to her?" He shouted in return, glancing back at the pillar. It almost seemed as though she was holding her breath now, but she finally exhaled, turning to face him once more. "Stepping in again will make it even worse! Paimon will be devastated if Paimon loses you!" Her voice cracked, quivering and wavering betraying the fear and concern she struggled to contain.

She sniffled, averting her gaze as she wiped the tears off her cheeks with her arm. They know Venti has his own reasons for keeping you in there with him, but is that really the right way to treat you? More so, he abandoned his people after the mess he made.

Nothing will change if he stays in the tower and keeps you locked there with him.

Aether's hands slipped, knocking his forehead on the barrier’s surface. It was too much for him, trying to figure out what to do when he should be doing his best to stay alive himself.

There's nothing Venti will gain from it if they did so; perhaps nothing except for their— or worse, your— demise.

“Pardon me, but are you here to offer your prayers to the Anemo Archon as well?” A voice joined in, halting his silent mourns.

An old man who appeared out of nowhere drew near, seemingly unconcerned about their whereabouts. But they did not expect to see behind that man a flock of people holding bouquets of flowers, wines, and baskets of bread. Despite how dangerous the area is, they radiated in contrast to the gloomy atmosphere surrounding them.

"What the...?" Paimon muttered as one of the old men set down his offerings near the barriers. He made eye contact with Paimon and she offered him a wry smile, watching everyone follow along the man's gesture to place down their gifts on the other side of the wall on what seemed to be like a shrine. Was that there all along?

A robed priest walked towards the shrine, chanting and making prayer gestures. It was clearly evident from their actions that these were believers, using the lair as a sacred place of worship that those who visited hoped to receive some form of blessing.

Aether had multiple questions he wanted to ask the old man, but for now, he kept quiet while everyone prayed and whispered their wishes.

It was strange watching the group of believers praying in front of the gates, with little awareness that the person Paimon and Aether were talking about was on the other side, practically begging for the god these believers were praying for to free the girl he took.

It seemed as though the old man sensed their watchful and peering gaze. "Please do not anger the Anemo Archon... for he may be merciful to some but harsh to others..." he said.

"Harsh to others?" Paimon spoke aloud. The man stared back at her for a moment before answering, "Lord Barbatos is a benevolent archon, but witnessing his wrath during the Ludi Harpastum left many an unfortunate soul destroyed and exiled forever from his land."

It sounded familiar, a promise, that would let people make offerings in exchange for good luck. The air was tense between them and Aether was at a loss for words.

“We only wish for peace and harmony. People deserve to live their lives freely with no worries of imminent danger or threat.” The elder answered, tightly holding the cross hanging on his neck to seek guidance. “But if we worship and follow the Lord’s will, he might become merciful. It’s the only way for everyone to be saved.”

“Will?” Paimon echoed.

“Lord Barbatos added a will that will significantly change the scripture and history of Mondstadt,” the robed priest added. He stood up and brushed away the wrinkles of his clothes and took out a thick book from his robe. “We found this book on the altar while sheltering everyone. The Church has yet to read the full scripture but we can discern it’s about his spouse.”

“The night after the festival was already a warning to us,” the old man’s voice trembled. “We dare not to anger him. So please, Honorary Knight, do not accumulate Lord Barbatos’s wrath.”

Numerous times he encountered you, it always didn’t end well and the archon is always there to step in.

He frowned and bit his lips. His fingers dug through his skin. It made him uncomfortable that the church never dared to question the sudden addition of sacred scripture and the will of the Anemo Archon.

Perhaps because he is the archon, they obeyed his orders.

Sighing heavily, he turned back to the barrier and placed his hand upon it.

Under his breath, he whispered his prayers for your safety. The wind may have brought it to Venti, but the wind may have not. And regardless if it angered the archon, he’d still find a way to get you out of there.

taglist: @trust-the-oxygen @so-uncute

sorry for the very long wait for an update >.> this chapter and the next one have been sitting on my drafts for months and I didn't have the time to edit and fix it. but I finally have done it!

the next chapter was supposed to be the chapter 19, however after I reread the story, there was a big plot hole and it'd be very confusing how it got there so I had to add this chapter to fix the plot hole lol

also!! i did major edits on the previous chapters regarding Decarabian. i changed his title from “previous Anemo Archon” to “God of Storms” since he wasn't technically an anemo archon back then

#elliwrites #venti x reader #yandere venti x reader #genshin impact x reader #yandere genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact venti #illusory sense

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hishumanbellestories · 23 days ago

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The Devil's Melody.

Chapters: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10. | 11. | 12. | 13. | 14. | 15. | 16. | 17. | 18. | 19. |

Days blurred into one another as you found yourself caught in the gravity of Alastor’s presence. His words echoed in your mind, taunting and alluring, as if they had been etched into your very soul. His touch lingered on your skin, an invisible brand that you couldn't seem to escape.

You had tried to keep your distance, but every glance, every fleeting moment where you caught his eyes across the hotel, felt like a spark—igniting something deep within you that you couldn’t control. It was maddening.

It started innocently enough. He would seek you out at odd hours, appearing in places where you least expected him: the gardens, the hallways, even the rooftop where you would sometimes retreat to catch a breath of air, away from the madness of the hotel. Each time, there would be a slow, intoxicating conversation, his voice dripping with that unsettling sweetness, the words laced with more meaning than they should have been.

But tonight—tonight was different.

You stood at the edge of the hotel’s grand balcony, staring out into the distance at the swirling chaos of Hell. The wind picked up, tugging at the edges of your dress, and for a moment, you felt at peace. There was something about the way the chaos raged beneath you that mirrored the storm in your chest, the war between wanting to resist Alastor and needing him in ways you couldn’t explain.

It wasn’t until you felt the familiar presence behind you that the calm shattered.

“Isn’t it a beautiful view?”, Alastor’s voice was low, smooth, like the hum of a radio just before the music starts. His figure materialized from the shadows, standing so close that you could feel the heat of his body against yours.

You didn’t turn to face him, not immediately. You had learned not to. His proximity was dangerous, too intoxicating. “I suppose. There’s something chaotic about it”, you replied softly, the words escaping without thought. “It feels… familiar”.

“You’re beginning to understand, aren’t you?”, his tone was laced with something dark, a touch of amusement that seemed to vibrate through the air. “Hell is familiar to everyone, dear. But it’s not the chaos that calls to you, is it? It’s the silence within it. The peace that comes with surrender”.

The tension between you two crackled like a live wire, and you finally turned to meet his gaze. His red eyes burned, glowing like the embers of a fire, promising something both terrifying and thrilling.

“I’m not sure what you mean”, you said, your voice a whisper, but there was a tremor in it—a tremor that betrayed you.

“Oh, but you do”, his grin widened, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer, impossibly close. You could feel his presence filling every corner of your mind, his dark influence pressing in on you. “You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The pull. The way I make you feel things—things you never thought you’d want, but now, they’re all you crave”.

His gloved hand reached up, gently brushing a lock of your hair behind your ear, and for a moment, you could only breathe, your heart racing in your chest.

“Alastor…”, your voice faltered, but you couldn’t stop it. You couldn’t stop the way your body leaned toward him, like a moth to a flame. “This… this isn’t right”, you gasped.

“Is it not?”, his voice was a velvet whisper, soft and dangerous. His fingers trailed down your arm, sending shivers across your skin. “And yet, here you are. Closer than ever. I can see it in your eyes, Deborah. You want this. You want me”.

You shook your head, trying to deny it, but your heart betrayed you. The truth was there, raw and undeniable, pulsing through your veins like a forbidden melody. Every time he was near, you felt as if you were falling into a darkness you weren’t sure you could escape from.

“I… I don’t know if I can handle it”, the words were barely a whisper, but they felt like a confession.

“Handle it?”, he repeated, his lips curling into a smile, though his eyes remained unreadable. “Darling, you’re already handling it. You’ve been handling it every moment you’ve spent with me. You just don’t realize it yet”.

His hands moved to your waist, and without warning, he pulled you closer. The sudden closeness of his body sent a jolt through you, every inch of your skin alive with electricity. His breath was hot against your neck, his lips brushing against your ear as he spoke, his voice barely audible over the pounding of your heart.

“You’re mine, Deborah”, he whispered, his words like a spell, wrapping around you, binding you in ways you didn’t fully understand. “And I will make you see it”.

You gasped, but before you could say anything, he silenced you with a kiss. His lips were cold at first, like ice, but as he deepened the kiss, there was a warmth that radiated from him—dangerous, consuming, intoxicating. You should have pulled away. You should have fought it. But you couldn’t. Not when the feel of him against you was like a drug, pulling you in, making you crave more.

Alastor’s kiss was unlike anything you had ever known. It was both tender and wild, a contrast of power and vulnerability that left you dizzy. When he finally pulled away, you were breathless, your body trembling in his arms.

“I told you, Deborah”, he murmured against your lips, his voice low and taunting. “You belong to me. And soon, you will understand just how far that bond goes”.

You stood there, lost in the haze of his touch, the intoxicating scent of his presence clouding your senses. You wanted to fight it. You wanted to walk away.

But every inch of your body screamed for him. And deep down, you knew—this was only the beginning.

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malachiexists13 · 5 months ago

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CHARACTER/S: Freminet [He/Him] MC/READER INSERT: Y/n [AFAB - She/Her] PROMPT/S + GENRE/S: Kinktober Day 15: Outdoor Sex ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP: Dating REQUESTED BY: N/A DATE WRITTEN: Sept.09.2024 DATE POSTED: Oct.15.2024 WORD COUNT: 607

//TW: - Modern AU, Soft Dom!Freminet, Fingering, Pool Sex, Begging, Light Marking/Biting, Slight OOC Freminet?, Y/n and Freminet are written to be at least college aged so 19+

DISCLAIMER: This is smut written by a minor; someone under the age of 18. If that makes you uncomfortable, then please DNI.

NOTES: I specifically wrote this as like– happening in one of those ground pools, on the steps, so their lower halves are not in the water. Because I don’t think chlorine should go in places where it doesn’t belong.

SUMMARY: The entire situation was far more heated than she’d ever expect from Freminet. Feeling the warm summer air and the pool water lapping at her skin as his cock filled her so good… it was almost maddening. Overwhelming. And here she’d thought her sweet boyfriend was too shy to do something as dirty as this. But he continued to prove her wrong.

AO3 LINK: [Coming Soon]

---------------------------------------------------------

Teasing Freminet was an amusing pastime Y/n often indulged. After all, how could she resist when her boyfriend had such a pretty flustered face? And today was no different– Freminet had the house to himself today, his two older siblings and ‘Father’ being out, so he invited Y/n over to swim in the ground pool. With the privacy and the lesser amount of clothing than usual… she took the opportunity to tease Freminet. Yet his reaction was the last thing she’d expected.

Freminet took her teases as a challenge. And in what felt like the blink of an eye, Freminet had her bent over the steps of the pool. The cool waters lapping at her knees as he pressed himself against her back. Her bikini bottoms slipped to the side and his fingers pumping in and out of her now-soaking cunt. She gasped out and bit her lip, “A-ah… F-Fremi…” she moaned softly.

She could hear a quiet chuckle from the man behind her. And she could feel his fingers speed up a bit as he leaned forward, nuzzling his face into her neck as he hummed, “Yes, love? What is it?” He whispered softly, pressing gentle kisses against her skin. She let out another soft moan, arching her back slightly and leaning back into his touch.

“F-Freminet… please. Mm– please…” she whispered in an almost desperate tone. Freminet wrapped his free hand around her waist, nibbling at her neck as he pulled her back onto his fingers– pressing them deeper into her. “Hm? Please… what, sweetheart? Tell me…” he whispered softly.

“...I want more. More… than your fingers. Freminet, please,” she whispered softly, desperation gradually growing in her tone. She could hear another chuckle from the blond man, before he whispered into her ear once more– “As you wish… Princess.” Before he pulled back, and withdrew his fingers. Y/n bit back a disappointed sigh. But she could feel the anticipation growing as she heard the rustle of his swim trunks… followed by the tip of his cock pressing against her entrance.

“Are you ready?” he asked, and as soon as she gave that final confirmation– Freminet pressed the tip of his cock inside her, grasping her hips as he slowly pushed to the hilt. Quiet moans spilling from both of them. Freminet began to move his hips in slow but deep thrusts, moaning softly at the way her cunt squeezed around him.

The entire situation was far more heated than she’d ever expect from Freminet. Feeling the warm summer air and the pool water lapping at her skin as his cock filled her so good… it was almost maddening. Overwhelming. And here she’d thought her sweet boyfriend was too shy to do something as dirty as this. But he continued to prove her wrong.

As her voice increased in volume, Freminet suddenly leaned forward– pressing his chest against her back as he rested his head against her shoulder. “Shh, baby…” he whispered, pressing light kisses into her skin as he continued his thrusts. “Can’t risk the neighbors hearing your pretty voice… okay? We don’t want to get caught. So quiet for me, okay?” She wanted to listen. She really did. But with his cock pressed so deliciously inside her… she didn’t think she could.

“But– ngh~ Fremi~” she whined. But he only shushed her again– “I know, sweetheart… You feel so good, too… but we can’t be loud.”

Suddenly, Freminet pressed two of his fingers into her mouth– taking her by surprise. “Here, suck on them and keep it down for me… I’ll reward you later if you do good… okay, pretty girl?”

---------------------------------------------------------

Notes: Freminet is one of my favorite characters and I demand that he get more attention /hj. Also I wrote his name so many times during this that I swore I was spelling it wrong at one point.

To: FONTAINE [Masterlist] || Kinktober 2024 Masterlist || Alternative Day 15 || Day 16 || Main Masterlist

This work was written by and belongs to Malachi Exists. It is only posted to Tumblr and Archive of Our Own. Any other reposts to other websites are likely stolen and should be reported as such. Reblogging/sharing this work via links is fine. But permission to repost, even with credit, will never be granted.

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin freminet #genshin x reader #freminet x reader #freminet x you #genshin smut #fem reader #fem y/n #oneshot #kinktober #kinktober 2024

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multidimensionalguidance · 5 months ago

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The Astrology Behind: The 27 Club

We already know the dreadful and looming stories behind this phenomenon that occurs the most within the music and entertainment industry. A great number of deaths and tragic events that seemed to follow gifted individuals as a fated promise.

Although we know that a great majority passed away due to drugs and unhealthy lifestyle choices, there's also some that had unexpected accidents. Now, for those who study astrology and understand that every age activates certain houses/themes this will seem like a very clear pattern.

In terms of house profections, during the age of 27 our 4th house lights up like a lightbulb ready to come through with the lessons and experiences that match the natal planets, lord, sign, ruling nakshatra, and transit planets as well.

When we think of scary and dark periods we tend to associate them with the profections years that match the 8th and 12th house ( 19, 23, 31, 35, and so on) under the assumption that the 4th house is just a cozy corner, yet the overwhelming number of individuals who lose their life around the ages that fall into this house is rather shocking.

The 4th house rules our home, heritage, mother, ancestry, childhood, parents, sense of security, inner life, emotions, happiness, nourishment, etc. These are the topics that come to life during those years, and often times, the ones that leave the strongest mark in our lives.

For most individuals reaching the ages of 15 or 27 arrives with harsh realizations and lessons associated to the lack of emotional and physical security that we might have or feel within ourselves or at home. At 15 we freshly enter the teenage experience of feeling like an outsider at home, as if we don't fit or belong with our family anymore, and as if the innocence of childhood feels long gone. This is where we turn to being a "rebel" and start seeking nourishment outside of what we've been taught within the confinements of home.

By the time we circle back into this house at 27, getting closer to the taste of 30 which is ruled by the 7th house (long term relationships, commitment, others, etc), we start to re-live yet again what "home" and "nourishment" truly feels like for us as adults who are more experienced at life than a 15 year old.

We realize that the perceived freedom of our early 20's was an illusion, and that what has shaped us into who we are by that point was everything we experienced within the privacy of our inner or private world. All the traumas created at home or by our parents. All the overwhelming expectations of what a family of our own might feel like, what long term commitment means to us, and how close or far we are from breaking generational wounds.

All of this can feel maddening and make us isolate from the world into our shells, as if turning into the crustaceans that represent the sign of Cancer. Since the turmoil is associated with our deepest parts, being unable to find a peaceful resolution within our stormy oceans can lead us to drowning within our waters. It makes us forget that right after the storm is when the sun comes out to bring joy, happiness, fun, pleasure, and good fortune (5th house profection). It's a turning point for all of us within our journey.

It comes with no surprise for a lot of celebrities whose private lives and inner world are exposed for everyone to see to be driven towards unhealthy coping mechanisms. A path to self destruction. Now, not all cases are alike and in some scenarios its accidents in their homeland or related to water.

At any case, they are difficult situations which threaten our inner safety and sense of security. It shakes our emotional foundations and forces us to build from scratch a real sense of "I'm safe in my body, mind, and the environment that I cohabit with others". It's all about learning how to regulate ourselves and not allowing our traumas to keep us from the good things life has to offer.

I'll use Amy Winehouse as an example:

Her 4th house was ruled by Leo with her Sun and Mercury in Uttara Phalguni sitting there. She had to relive and experience themes related to her fame, father, talent, children, creative, romance, self expression, and how it all tied to the way she handled her 4th house themes.

Uttara Phalguni in particular usually stands out or feels deeply interested in music, dancing and yoga. Aryaman, the deity of Uttara Phalguni nakshatra, is the god of patronage, union and is considered as the chief amongst the ancestors. They are deeply affected and involved in relationships.

One of the symbols that rules this nakshatra is the back legs of the bed or a platform. I'll focus on the latter simply because most of the time its only people who wield some sort of power or gift who get to stand on a platform of any kind. Additionally, they also tend to deal a lot with the karma of the father, and not always on the positive end of it.

She had battled with addictions to alcohol and other substances her entire life, but it only got progressively worse after she met the man who would eventually become her future husband. It was said that shortly after meeting him her personality changed and she started to indulge in other vices, such as cocaine and crack (which he knowingly admitted to introducing to her).

On top of it, her own father who had a heavy influence on her (as it usually is for 99% of Leo's) wasn't supportive towards her health when she needed it the most. It was the behavior of her parents and their tumultuous marriage that shaped the way she perceived home, safety, and nourishment. This is even more noticeable with the ruler of her 4th house falling sitting in its own house.

It was the lack of support from home and damaging patterns that made her repeat the same generational curses which inevitably lead her to drowning in her own inner world. She clearly used substances as a coping mechanism (like most do). A way to escape reality and attempt to find safety, even if it only led to more pain and disregulation.

By the end, her difficulties on dealing with these themes became even more noticeable after she divorced her husband and went on a downward spiral that didn't even allow her to perform.

Her story, specifically around the last moments, shows us how impactful and difficult 4th house profections can truly be. Alike to other artist or famous individuals, by the end of their lives (27) a lot of those themes appear over and over again until they can no longer bare with them or find a peaceful and healthy resolution.

So, if you're currently going through or about to enter this house profection, just remember to take it slow and practice as much emotional regulation as possible. Go near water bodies to relax. Seek help from individuals who can heal your mind, body, and spirit, be it professionally or not. And finally, remember that you are not your childhood traumas or wounds.

Thanks for reading <3

Check out my services and testimonials for personal readings (plus more).

Xox

Mary from multidimensionalguidance

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shepherds-of-haven · 1 month ago

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Hi Lena! Was going through some old asks and was curious, if Junoth was part of the Shepherds in the game how would he get along with the other characters?

I know he does exist doing his own thing from the short stories but pretending like that isn’t the case lol

Hi anon, this is such a fascinating question! Give me a second to think on it...

...Okay! I'm going to go with the novel version of Junoth, or as best as I could transfer him: a spry, gamboling, youthful Ket (Khehi-Ket from Chicora, specifically, soldier class) with a lanky build, fox-orange hair, tan skin, and pointed, pixie-ish features. Energetic, enthusiastic, exuberant, vigorous, but fairly puppy-like and, unfortunately, a bit dumb. He has his clever moments, but he largely needs most things explained to him... simply, or he'll just stare at you with a blank, well-meaning look of confusion, like, "Okay.................. ...I don't get it." 🤦🏻‍♀️ Raucous, boundlessly optimistic, and full of determination and zeal, he gives off strong "little brother" energy, but not as cute or childlike as Caine. More like your maddening, half-grown 19-year-old brother who casually goes through your stuff even though you keep telling him to stay out and inadvertently (or possibly deliberately) says insensitive stuff about you in front of your crush or pranks you so unceasingly that you just want to strangle him. More on him here for folks who aren't familiar!

Blade: Blade and Junoth were childhood friends in the novels, so it's hard for me to separate that out and say they wouldn't be at least reluctant friends in the game! I'm going to quickly headcanon a scenario where Blade started the Shepherds and his childhood friend/old second-in-command showed up to help out, having handed in his resignation to follow his old friend and commanding officer Blade into the great unknown 🥹 So they'd definitely be friends, even though Blade would act even more annoyed by him than he does with Trouble (but still less so than Chase. ...Or Red.). It'd be a friendship borne of long tolerance and experience and history!

Trouble: they'd be fast friends! I can't imagine what unholy terror they would reign with Chase rounding off the trio. (Well, I suppose I can imagine it, because they did it in the novels.) I think he'd be closer to Junoth out of almost anyone else in the Shepherds, especially because Junoth would remind him of some of the boys he grew up with in his street gang. They'd always be underfoot, smoking charch and giggling together like schoolboys and planning some kind of mischief

Tallys: I think she'd either be indifferent to Junoth or would find him soooo annoying lol, he's pretty loud and reckless and bursting with an energy that would most likely give her a headache. She'd probably do her best to avoid him! She likes calm energy like Shery or Halek or Riel, and with her lifespan, she'd probably look at Junoth and think he's even more of a kid than the rest of the non-Elves 😭

Shery: I think she'd like having him around! Junoth is pretty biddable and approachable, as well as naturally a follower, so she'd find him very easy to talk to and approach! He's the very picture of non-threatening, which made him somewhat of an oddball in Ket society. If she could get him to settle down, she'd probably have a pretty tame assistant who'd be willing to help her out whenever she needed, so she'd enjoy his company a lot!

Riel:

Ohhhhh he would want to die. He could deal with Trouble. But Chase... and then you throw Briony into the mix... Privately he would refer to Junoth in his head as 'The Migraine.' Partially because Junoth is fond of dressing in extremely loud and clashing colors. It would set off Riel's neuroticism just to look at him. He'd also think Junoth is something of a rube. 'What's the rube bleating about today?' Ah, it's something about a drinking contest. Of course. His antipathy wouldn't manifest as cold disdain the way it does with Chase--he just wouldn't really have anything to say to Junoth most days, and if he did, it would be with bland professionalism--but if Junoth were to ever leave, Riel would feel a slight nostalgia for his persistent good-heartedness, at least. So they wouldn't be friends, but Riel also wouldn't hate him!

Chase: Good, goooooooood, Anakin! A third compatriot to round out the Three Chaosmigos! And he'd enjoy Junoth's blunt honesty and unadulterated way of looking at the world, though privately he'd shake his head at the endless optimism. He'd take Junoth under his wing instantly and then corrupt him to unfounded levels. Junoth's somewhat innocent boyishness would be converted to all kinds of misadventures. Junoth would certainly emerge more educated in the ways of the world... but at what cost?

Red: they'd be friends just like Red is friends with pretty much everyone else in the inner circle, but they wouldn't be like hanging out one-on-one, it would mostly be just in a group setting! He'd enjoy Junoth's presence and personality and respect him as a companion, but they don't have enough in common to be really interested in each other!

Ayla: She'd be a big fan of Junoth, honestly. At first she'd act a little annoyed by him because all of the cool kids do, but in actuality she'd find his enthusiasm and non-threatening, honest energy infectious and would really enjoy spending time with him. They'd probably come to be good friends with a sibling relationship; her, the tough, worldly older sister who he'd look to for advice, him the guileless and loyal ingenue she's always wanted to have around. They'd get along very well!

Briony: She'd love Junoth!!! She'd be obsessed with him, honestly. Instant brother to her. They'd be great friends and just pal around all the time, each feeding the other's natural energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Have you ever seen two friends or siblings who are just constantly hyping each other up? That would be them. I actually think Junoth would become her best friend if he were around!

Halek: There would be much groanings and complaints from him whenever Junoth was in the vicinity. The guy is loud and boisterous, both to look and to hear, and he'd be a constant disruption to Halek's attempts to nap! In actuality, they'd get along pretty okay, but they wouldn't really be close friends. They wouldn't have enough in common or be truly compatible enough to be so.

Lavinet: for some reason I feel like Junoth would be stunned by Lavinet! Not exactly on the level of a crush, but he'd get a bit stammery and flummoxed around her, mostly because being around a beautiful noblewoman would be so far outside the scope of his typical experience that he'd default to a kind of meek and worshipful politeness that she'd end up enjoying very much. It would kind of be like a stableboy/footman to princess energy between them, and of course she's going to enjoy that: who wouldn't appreciate such honest and respectful admiration?? He'd probably be devoted to her LOL

Thanks for the fun question!

#Shepherds of Haven #Junoth #Junoth Leoki #hypothetical scenario

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zepuckinghockey · 8 months ago

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NHL Wedding Season 2024

We're back again for another summer of NHL weddings! If you'd like to see last year's, check out this post.

If you see something wrong or someone missing, let me know! I'll continue to update this list until September when the weddings fizzle out. I appreciate the replies, reblogs, and asks with corrections and additions ❤️

6/7/24: Adam Larsson: (private wedding, no idea)

6/19/24: Jake Evans: Brendan Gallagher, Joel Edmundson, Tyler Toffoli, Nick Suzuki, Joel Armia

6/22/24: Max Jones: Trevor Zegras, Jacob Bryson

6/26/24: Adam Fox: (looked to be just family)

Josh Anderson: Nick Suzuki, Max Domi, Nick Foligno, Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, Scott Hartnell

6/29/24: Ryan Pulock: Matt Martin, Noah Dobson, Casey Cizikas, Oliver Wahlstrom, Adam Pelech, JG Pageau, Josh Bailey, Mat Barzal, Anthony Beauvillier, Cal Clutterbuck, Bo Horvat, Simon Holmstrom, Pierre Engvall, Mikey Reilly

Jake Oettinger: Mason Marchment, Tyler Seguin, Ty Dellandrea, Wyatt Johnston

7/3/24: Mason Marchment: Jake Oettinger, Tyler Seguin, Ty Dellandrea, Brandon Montour, Mike Carcone, Owen Tippett, Sam Reinhart

7/6/24: Nic Hague: Cody Glass, Owen Tippett, Zach Whitecloud, Alec Martinez, Shea Theodore, William Karlsson, Keegan Kolesar, Nic Roy

Brendan Gallagher: Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Carey Price, Jeff Petry, Chris Wideman, Tanner Pearson, Nate Thompson, Philip Danault, Christian Dvorak, Jake Evans, Sam Montembeault

7/7/24: Adam Fox 2.0: Ryan Reaves, Kevin Rooney, Will Cuylle, Vincent Trocheck, Jacob Trouba, Barclay Goodrow, Alexis Lafreniere, Blake Wheeler, Jimmy Vesey, Jonathan Quick, Ryan Lindgren, Braden Schneider, Sammy Blais, Ryan Donato, John Marino

7/10/24: Elias Lindstrom: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

7/11/24: Jared McCann: Jordan Eberle, Yanni Gourde, Vince Dunn, Jamie Oleksiak, Jaden Schwartz, Matty Beniers, Will Borgen, Kailer Yamamoto, Justin Schultz, Andre Burakovsky, Ryan Donato, Darnell Nurse, Brandon Tanev

7/13/24: Jack Campbell: Tyler Toffoli, Jake Muzzin, Kyle Clifford, Evander Kane

Alex Carrier: Frederick Gaudreau, Mathieu Joseph, Jimmy Oligny

Pierre Engvall: Simon Holmstrom, Owen Wahlstrom

Andrew Mangiapane: Johnny Gaudreau, Rasmus Andersson, Mikael Backlund, Noah Hanifin, Erik Gudbranson, Mack Weegar, Troy Stecher, Jonathan Huberdeau

Kyle Connor: Zach Werenski, Evgeny Svechnikov, Connor Hellebuyck, Tony Calderone

Eetu Luostarinen: Niko Mikkola, Lundell Anton, Aleksander Barkov

Tyler Madden: Alec Turcotte, Akil Thomas

Zack MacEwen: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

7/18/24: William Carrier: Mathieu Joseph

7/19/24: Kaapo Kahkonen: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

7/20/24: Jamie Benn: Tyler Seguin, Joe Pavelski, Jordie Benn, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Joel Kiviranta, Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lundell, Ben Bishop, Luke Glendenning, Ty Dellandrea, John Klingberg

Alex Killorn: Yanni Gourde, Pat Maroon, Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Zach Bogosian, Anthony Cirelli, Luke Schenn, Ryan McDonagh, Tyler Johnson, Blaine Gabbert, Cam Brate, Andrei Vasilevskiy

Thomas Chabot: Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Mathieu Joseph

Sebastian Aho: Teuvo Teräväinen, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Seth Jarvis, Antti Raanta, Nino Niederreiter, Jesper Fast, Jani Hakanpaa

7/22/24: Michael Bunting: Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Jake Muzzin, Morgan Reilly, Fred Anderson, Wayne Simmons, Alex Kerfoot, TJ Brodie, Kyle Clifford

7/26/24: Jake Lucchini: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

7/27/24: Connor McDavid: Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Cody Ceci, Evan Bouchard, Vinny Desharnais, Brett KUlak, Connor Brown, Ryan Mcleod, Derek Ryan, Stuart Skinner, Philip Broberg, Warren Foegele, Devin Shore, Kyle Turris, Luke Gazdic, Zack Kassian, Patrick Maroon, Sam Gagner

Carter Verhaeghe: Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad, Evan Rodrigues, Stolarz, Ryan Lomberg, Nick Cousins

8/3/24: Travis Sanheim: Travis Konecny, Scott Laughton, Shayne Gostisbehere, Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, Tyson Foerster, James Van Riemsdyk

Connor Ingram: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

Cody Glass: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

8/4/24: David Pastrnak: Taylor Hall, Tukka Rask, Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara, Charlie Coyle, Hampus Lindholm, Jeremy Swayman, Linus Ullmark, Torey Krug, David Krecji

8/9/24: Alex Tuch: Shea Theodore, Zemgus Girgensons, Tage Thompson

8/10/24: Tyler Johnson: Yanni Gourde, Ondrej Palat, Mathieu Joseph, Ryan McDonagh, Alex Killorn, Pat Maroon, Reese Johnson, Adam Gaudette

8/17/24: Cale Makar: Gabe Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Erik Johnson, Bo Byram, Darren Helm, Andrew Cogliano, Josh Manson, Kurtis Macdermid

Zachary Sanford: (haven't seen any NHL guests)

Mike Amadio: Zach Whitecloud, Ben Hutton, Brett Howden, Nic Hague, Nic Roy

Andrew Copp: JT Compher, Tyson Jost

Ryan Johansen: Colton Sissons, Luke Kunin, Roman Josi, Matt Duchene, Dante Fabbro, Cam Atkinson, Ross Colton, Miles Wood

8/23/24:

Roope Hintz: Tyler Seguin, Esa Lundell, Patrik Laine,

#nhl #adam fox #ryan pulock #jack campbell #jared mccann #andrew mangiapane #jake oettinger #wedding #cale makar #connor mcdavid #matthew tkachuk

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