#Maybe something connected to his obsession with power because by doing this he's stating he isn't affected even by his own death?

[demacianpuppet]

Some more thoughts/observation regarding Viktor and whatever he had going on his cult because I'm obsessed.

First of all, what exactly was Salo doing there? He went to the power source of the Hex Gates to get some (raw) Hextech crystals I assume but this leave me with more questions than answers.

For what exactly did Viktor need the crystals?

I would assume stealing from the source, which is locked behind a specific key (which seem to only open with Hextech) makes it easier do than from higher up of the Hex Gates. Considering Viktor's followers are just an extension from Viktor himself, they have the easiest option to sneak into it.

Also, Salo wears no protection gear, something that the people who maintain the Hextech Gate clearly do as seen in Season 1.

One detail I didn't catch while watching the first time is that the discussion between Jayce and Viktor happens in the Wild Rune and also seems to be Viktor who frees Jayce from it.

(Maybe Viktor knew something about Jayce being trapped in the Wild Rune which would explain why only Jayce materialized when Salo appeared and Heimerdinger and Ekko are still missing.)

So more interesting details - first of all Salo wasn't breathing the whole dialogue. You can see how Jayce breath condensed in the Hex Gates while Salo's never did. It also lines up that Jayce saw some empty husk creature whenever he looked at Viktor's followers.

Not consider how creepy the whole scene was because we see Salo is absolutely not acting like Salo, constantly switching to being possessed by Viktor.

Also, when Jayce dispose of the empty husk that once Salo was, the blood is not just red but also prismatic. His body has been also fundamentally changed from the inside.

Also Viktor doesn't seen to really care that Jayce just killed someone? Like sure, he is worried for Jayce and mentioned that someone is in his head but she shows no pity for Salo who just got killed?

I continue that none of the Viktor's followers actually acted like normal human being. Like Huck showed no sign of fear when the Noxian appear with their weapon, nor do any other people reacted with fear when Jayce appears with his weapon in his hand and clearly not best mental state.

As someone else already pointed out, you don't see anyone doing anything but to work. No children playing, no people talking with each other. Again, not human, not normal.

Whenever Viktor touched someone and tries to heal them, you can see how he left his fingerprints on them. (Vander/Warwick has them as well.)

Interesting Viktor could spot Jayce mental state without touching him, makes me wonder how close he needs to be to a person. Maybe Jayce is a special case because they both are touched by the Arcane?

When Singed talked with Viktor, Singed touched Vikor's hand and he instantly glimpsed into Singed mind. It seems to be not even an active thing he does.

(Does it mean back then Jayce hugged him after he just woke up from his metamorphosis did he already had seen the weapons Jayce had crafted during that time in his mind?)

Interesting that Singed mentioned that Viktor grows weaker, you would assume whatever the Hexcore does should be like a virus, so more people would make it stronger and not weaker.

Was this the reason why Viktor wanted the Hextech Crystals? To make a new Hexcore to replace his failing energy source? So many question, no answers.

Also what exactly was Viktor doing when he was levitating while being connected via strings to something? Did the writers just need a reason why Viktor would not try fight back when Jayce appeared? Did he was ready to face the possibility that Jayce could actually do harm to him?

Jayce goes into the room, does the shot and refusing to even look when he was firing it. There is one frame there you can see mirror version of Jayce reading the shot, it makes me wonder how often he went to Viktor and tried to change the outcome.

Jayce also left immediately once the deed was done. While Jayce was clearly tearing up, he ran way instantly.

Viktor just watched Jayce do the shot, fear in his eyes and he couldn't stop staring at him until his last breath was leaving him. The cog (which is not the same one during Hextech breakthrough) rolled away from his hand.

We know that Viktor ends the episode with his monologue how emotions are problem but I wonder if he knew that would happened and a part of him (or the Hexcore) becked Jayce to do the shot so he finally could get rid of his heart and/or influence of the Hexcore for good.

Because in Viktor's mindscape Viktor behaved like he always did while in reality he is very emotionalless despite everything.

Also going back to the hive mind thing - their life energy was clearly connected to the Hexcore which was the reason why they all started dying when the Hexcore was destroyed.

Despite Jayce ruining everything according the fans, I don't think Viktor would have stayed alive much longer anyway with Ambessa and Singed near. I wonder if this was the best-case scenario so that they would not get the Hexcore in their hands or if Jayce basically did a self-fulfilling prophecy with this action.

[pocchi-poket]

You know, I feel like we're not talking enough about the fact that Alastor has in his room a full reproduction (?) of a swamp-forest that's highly likely very similar to the one where he was killed. Talk about being morbid.

Edit: someone pointed out in the comments that the swamp-forest is called bayou. It's a kind of ecosystem in Louisiana.

[allisondraste]

I’ve seen various different posts on the website formerly known as Twitter and this one right here, discussing Gale’s behavior in romance as obsessive, possessive, and possibly codependent. And while I support everyone having their own interpretations and opinions, I do disagree, so I want to talk about it!

First— it’s so important to acknowledge that Gale is strictly monogamous. He is not someone who is comfortable with a partner having other partners. This is fine, and not inherently indicative of any unhealthy attachment styles. Wyll, Karlach, and Lae’Zel are also monogamous in a relationship.

Gale does struggle with some insecurity that at times bleeds it’s way into his romantic relationship, but isn’t a product of the relationship itself. His biggest insecurity is feeling like he isn’t enough (in general, not just for a romantic partner). Mystra had a way of making him feel like nothing he did was ever enough, he always needed to do more, to be more, and when he tried, when he made mistakes, she abandoned him.

Those are wounds that do not heal quickly, and so he needs quite a bit of reassurance from both friend and lover PCs that he’s fine just the way he is and that he doesn’t have to try so hard or pretend to be fine when he’s not.

He’s lonely. Due to his condition, Gale, who is an incredibly social person, had to hermit himself away from his friends and colleagues for over a year. Mystra was no longer interacting with him, and he was afraid to be around his mother because he didn’t want her to worry. His only company was Tara, and as much as he loves her, shes not a replacement for human or humanoid connection. Usually with folks who struggle with codependency and insecure attachment, there are long patterns of each of those things in all of their other relationships, but Gale seems to have had pretty healthy relationships, the Mystra situation being the exception, not the rule.

It excites him when he gets to travel with a group, have friends. It’s even more exciting to him when he finds someone who makes him forget the hurt Mystra has caused. Yet he still has to withdraw from even that because he does not want to put their life in danger. It is not until act 2 after Elminster has cast the incantation to calm the orb that Gale feels comfortable enough to give in to his feelings. And yeah! He comes in strong because he’s been holding it in. He’s been pining away, sad that he can’t let himself so much as kiss Tav or else he quite literally explode.

When you talk to Gale after his romance scene in act 2, you’re able to confront him about his feelings for Mystra, and he is very direct, stating that he does still have complicated feelings for her. Which makes SENSE. The game and Gale himself try to minimize Mystra as just his ex, but she is more than that. She is his groomer and abuser. Gale is traumatized, and it will likely take him the rest of his life to get over that. It’s not something that more time alone is going to heal. He needs a support system to help him. He needs his mom, his friends, and maybe even his new partner.

You can also ask him if he meant it when he said he loved you, and his answer is “I am many things to many people, but I am never one to throw the l-word around lightly.” He didn’t just say it on a whim. He thought about it, probably extensively. Judging from the dialogue we get, he’s aware that he is rushing to say it, and admits that it’s because he’s scared that he’s going to literally die tomorrow. It’s not a love bomb. It’s an “I need you to know this, just in case something happens to me.”

Once he doesn’t die in act 2, he simmers down. He becomes more concerned with curing his condition, he faces Mystra, he accepts that he doesn’t need to have godly power to be worthy of love and respect.

At the end of the game, he asks you if you’ll come back to Waterdeep with him, which is his way of proposing more or less, but its more that he wants to be home and he wants the person who has become so important to him to come with him, to meet his mom, to see his hometown. He wants them to want that too.

He’s a grown man, mid to late 30s, not a naive young person. He knows what he wants. He’s thought about it, extensively.

In my opinion, there’s nothing possessive, obsessive, codependent, or unhealthy about any of that.

[thequietkid-moonie]

Darling reminds them the past

[ PLATONIC YANDERE HEADCANONS ] [ Leon, Haruka, Boothill ]

[ Kaleido Star ] [ Sailor Moon ] [ Honkai Star Rail ]

⚠️ Yandere, I don't support nor try to romanticize this toxic behaivor, is just for entretaiment

⚠️ This contain heavy spoilers from the character's backstory

I had this idea because Boothill backstory broke me, like broooo 😭😭😭 and when i was thinking on who else wrote I just remember how what happen messed with Leon's whole life or how the other senshi had to see the kingdom of their beloved princess being destoyed in a war while they could do absolutely nothing but watch in the distance

So, yeah, this is like in an attempt to comfort their broken hearts, but in a platonic way, please enjoy 🩷

Leon Oswald

Leon's life have changed completely ever since he lost Sophie, she was practically her only family and what made him keep going, trying more and more in hopes to create the scenario she wanted at her side, but after losing her his whole world just bresk

Even when he have become a internationally renowned acrobat the grief and sorrow have company him each step of the way, not being able to even smile again, just focusing on perfect his performance and he even being really rude towards any partner he had in the shows due the anger he still feels

Getting to meet you is quite dificult, despite traveling a lot he normally doesn't look at others, so you have to leave an impact to him by the moment you two met for the first time for him to actually stop and look at you, however that impact it was the start of his feelings and obsession

Leon is not exactly easily to impress and the impact you leave on him definetly caught him off guard, it was the reason why he started to pay more and more attention to you, his eyes constantly watching your every step in an attempt to find out why he can't stop thinking of you. At the end he will find out that, somehow, you remind him of her, maybe is just your positivity and gentle smile, or maybe the same wish of everyone enjoy and connect their hearts in the scenario, or maybe at the end it was just that weird feeling of comfort and familiarity, but no matter what it is it will make him snap and completely change

After finding out how similar you are to his deceased sister he will imediatly approach you, despite being in a desperate state he is not an idiot, so he will trying his best to at least befriend you, and he is surprisingly gentle and caring when it comes to you, he lets his cold and indiferent attitude aside and treats you as if you were his own family, it can be quite endearing and even make it easier for him to make you stay at his side and don't leave again

Even when the main reason why he got close to you was because you remind her of Sophie he put a lot of efforts on getting to know you, mainly by observing you since he got used to watch you carefuly all the time (even developing a stalker habits that can easily be cover up by his care for you), but as you got closer it becomes easier for Leon to open up to you and just start asking about you, or just talk about things that could make him notice more things about you, wich at the end he will end up using against you to force you to dont leave his side again

It happens slowly but Leon takes control ove your life by blinding you with trust, he is incredibly possesive and protective due his fear of losing you too, he reproches himself not being able to protect his sister so he will do everything in his power to protect you, wich lead him to be overprotective without even noticing since he just take it as something normal, and its not like he thinks is something bad

Leon keeps being cold and indiferent for the rest of the world, but to you is the most gentle and caring person ever, even willing to do everything to reduce the chances of you getting hurt, he doesn't want to take away your freedom but limits it, always making sure to stay at your side and shield you with his body at the minimum threaten, too anxious to letting you alone, feeling like if he looks away just for a second something bad could happen to you

Haruka Tenoh

Sailor Uranus, just like the other senshi used to be all alone at her castle, protecting the peace and doing all what she could from the distance in the name of her queen and princess, despite being quite lonely she was happy to fulfill her role, or that it was until the fateful day when the Moon Kingdom was destroyed

Once she was reborn at the earth it was to fulfill her role again, fight against a threaten and protect her princess. Since she, along with Michiru, were going to a school to find clues it wouldn't be too difficult to get to meet you, specially with how popular she and Michiru are around the school

At first Haruka was so focused on her duty and the inminent threat that she didn't pay much attention to you, even if you were friends she didn't spend much time with you, politely excusing herself to have time to make what she has to do, still, she can't deny that there is something about you that have catched her attention from the start

It would take her a long time before letting herself get her guard down and actually look at you, finally finding out what have being so attracting of you, it could be that she can see her own past loneliness she once suffered or maybe your smile is like the one that used to iluminate her days from the distance but she couldn't protect, either way whatever she have seen on you make her look at you more and more, suddenly she is constantly worried about you, suddenly she wants to make sure you are alright, that you aren't feeling lonely and are taking good care of yourself

Since Haruka is so busy her feelings will grow too slow, she is too worried about the inminent threat that she almost forget about you (despite having you constantly in her mind) that it won't be until you either leave her and go out with other people instead (since she normally says that has not time or is too busy) or that you were directly a target of the enemy, no matter what was what made her almost lose you is what will make her snap, suddently her feelings grow to be of utmost importance instead of a vague worry in the back of her mind

Haruka wants to make it up for it and will do it, even if you dont see anything bad on it or don't even understand why she blame herself, she will slowly involve you in her life, introduce you to her friends and keeping you as close as posible (and, somehow, still away from danger) and she will make sure you never have to face danger again or think on leaving her

Honeslty, Haruka take you in her life to have you all for herself, so slowly and naturaly that it was almost imperceptible, she and her friends were so welcoming that you couldn't even notice the moment they have become your whole life, no friends outside of them or how every plan you have is related to Haruka's schedule, everyone have welcome you as part of their group but now you can't leave, and Haruka is making sure of that

It isn't that she had malicious intent, she just doesn't want her nor you to be all lonely again, she wants to be able to protect you, she wants to make you happy and make sure you dont lack of anything, her princess is destinsted to become the princess of Neo Tokyo of Crystal so why dont you become part of the big family all of them are? why dont stay where she can protect you and make you happy?

Haruka can be incredibly manipulating and charming, making you trust her blindly because she knows what is the best for you, even if you eventually realice how possesive she can be it would be too late to leave

Boothill

As a Galaxy Ranger Boothill have just become used to travel all alone across the universe, helping people who he come across and making pay those who just seak to harm other, just like he used to do when he was a human cowboy

Boothill has grow to enjoy his life while doing his duty, but that doesn't mean he doesn't mean he miss the old times, the more peaceful old times when he had a home to return and someone waiting for him, after all this years he still hold a great sorrow and grief for what have happened and he is even determinated to take revenge at all costs

Boothill have meet a lot of people while traveling across the universe, but this meetings is always just a brief moment in both's life, just as he does his duty before going away to keep with his journey, so you two end up meeting each other was just another casuality, it was suppoused to be just a brief moment that will be lost on his memory, but something about you make him stop, maybe it was your innocent eyes or the way you smiled at him, the way you were kind towards him even without knowing him, or maybe you were so young that he could help but feel somewhat protective over you

At the end he didn't understand what make you so interesting and special but Boothill couldn't bring himself to just leave yet, even if he already finished his job there he just can't leave, it wouldn't feel right!

Boothill spend quite a long time at your side, being kind and helping you in all what you need, even if you dont accept at first he would insist until you just give up, and the more time it pass at your side the more he doesn't want to leave you, somehow being with you quickly grow to feel like home, its like if you were that warm home to return he have missed so much for a long time

Boothill's feeling for you grow slowly but they grow really stronge, he is just so focused on you that he just doesn't pay attention to anyone or anything else anymore, suddenly you become everything for him, clinging as if his life depends on the comfortable feeling you give him, without noticing you become his family, that family for what he would do anything, the family that he will manage to save at all costs

Boothill doesn't notices his feelings until is too late, until he reached the point where he gets in a desperate and even paniced state whenever you are away from him for too long, even having nightmares seeing you in that day where he lost everything, even sometimes he dreams about losing you along with his child. After reaching this point there is no way he will leave without you, if he has to go away to keep his journey he will somehow take you with him, he can't risk not seeing you ever again

Boothill becomes so clingy and overprotective of you that he just doesn't leave your side and has to know where you are always, he doesn't want to take away your freedom but he will slowly isolate you because he wants to protect you, he is so caring and carismatic but is also desperate, he will manipulate you on following him if he needs, after all he treats you as his own child and he will make sure you are never in danger or lack anything

[spooklies]

# Invincible - Yandere Mark Grayson (PROFILE)

Type of Yandere: Mark would be overprotective as well as delusional when it comes to his darling. He'll convince himself that you need him for survival since in comparison to him, you're fragile. Of course there's obsession. He'll learn everything he can about you and more, maybe even some things you weren't aware of. When it came to his controlling side that played more into how delusional he can get. He'll convince himself that he's not controlling and that the only reason he's coming off that way is because of what he sees himself needing to do for your own good.

Love Language: Mark's love language would be touch as well as words of affirmation. He's someone that'll need constant reassurance or else his thoughts will spiral and for you that means he'll become more controlling than he already was. It's not hard for his darling to calm him when he's like this. All it would take is for darling to talk him out of it as calmly as possible and then he's back to a more manageable state. The same would be done the other way around. For example; if his darling was freaking out over something he had done, then he'd do everything in his power to reassure his darling in ways that worked in the past.

Their Biggest Fear: Like most yandere's, Mark's biggest fear is losing you completely. He doesn't care if that means making you resent him, as long as you're with him then he'll be okay.

Kidnapping: He would. But he wouldn't call it that. If a situation came where you were leaving him or your life was threatened by someone that could take your life then he would "bring you somewhere safe" where he could ensure your whereabouts 24/7.

How Easy is it to Escape?: Nearly impossible. Mark not only has superpowers but pretty overpowered ones to make things worse for you. I also see this depending on which version of Mark we're playing off. But in every version I'd say he's impossible to escape because even if you somehow manage to leave him then he'd just get someone else to find you with the many connections he has.

Punishment(s): It takes a lot for Mark to punish his darling but if he's ever pushed far enough his punishments will increase in intensity. All of his punishments would be physical. He'd slap you if you talked back to him enough which would be a part of his “lighter” punishments. If you kept leaving him then he'd incapacitate you in whichever way he sees fit. That could mean breaking your legs, locking you in the house, and even completely getting rid of your legs if he's well past his breaking point.

Difference to Other Yanderes: A lot of yandere's wouldn't want to purposely harm their darling but in Mark's case he'd go out of his way to which classifies him as a more extreme yandere (abusive in all forms). There's this certain disconnect with Mark and empathy so what hurts you won't affect him nearly as much as it should.

Additional Notes: Mark Grayson is a naturally caring person which in turn makes him gentle. If his darling were to give in and love Mark unconditionally then this side of him would be drawn out and more. He does, after all, love you. It’s only when he’s pushed beyond his limits where the dangerous side he tends to hide comes out. If his darling did what he wanted (even if his requests can get extreme) then Mark would closely resemble how he is in the show.

[charliewhaw]

What would vox reaction be if he knew about Lilith and all.

(Good question! I'm going to assume we're talking about if Lilith abused the fuck outta Al.)

Vox would drop his 'Fuck Alastor' mug. He wouldn't even glance down at it as it shattered at his feet. He would be in absolute shock.

"Alastor sold his soul?" He would say, dubious at first. But as the dots started to connect, he would begin to grin. "He's being tortured? By the queen of Hell?" His grin would turn to a laugh. "Oh-ho-ha-ha! This is rich!"

He would put on a fucking show about how hilarious he found it. But as the reality would begin to sink in, his amusement would slowly change and distort into something more disturbed.

Lilith wasn't just a demon. She was the first demon. She was powerful. She was strong. She was... torturing Alastor.

"Oh fuck," Vox would say, as it finally dawned on him just how bad this was. How brutal was the abuse? "Shit," he would say, as he realized how fucked Alastor’s situation probably was. How fucked Alastor was… She owned his soul. "Dammit!" He would yell, knowing there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. For once, Vox would feel powerless. Lilith was a whole different ballgame than the overlord he was used to facing.

Alastor was his enemy. His arch-rival. The villain of Vox's story. But he used to be so much more than that. He still was.

Vox would then spend more time rigorously analyzing the videos he managed to capture of Alastor. Instead of obsessing over them, hate and anger in the forefront of his mind, his focus would become checking on Alastor's condition. He'd give himself headaches with how much he would squint, trying to see through Alastor's video distortions. Was Alastor limping? Did he just hold his side for a second? Was his smile strained? Was he okay today?!

He’d probably rope Velvette into it, using her social media platforms to keep track of any mention that someone spotted Alastor not looking at full health.

Vox has always been obsessed with Alastor, and we'd definitely see that here. He would set up alerts on his video feeds to detect Alastor's video anomalies. It would be to keep an eye on where Alastor went, how long he was there, and if he came back hurt. Vox would prepare himself for if he ever saw Alastor return from a meeting with Lilith and he was too injured to make it back to the hotel. This plan would include causing a distraction on the other side of town-- probably blowing some shit up or something-- so no one would see Alastor in a vulnerable state, then booking it to the Radio Demon's location. He'd be aware that Alastor would be stubbornly unreceptive to any assistance Vox offered, of course. He would expect nothing less from the Radio Demon. But, he still wouldn’t hesitate to try and help him, as pathetic and unhelpful as his attempts would end up being. Vox would cross that bridge when he came to it.

Outwardly, Vox would use Alastor’s situation against him, flawlessly pretending he wasn’t alarmed, but inwardly falling apart about it. He would debate blackmailing Alastor, probably even threatening the Radio Demon with it from time to time. He couldn’t let Alastor think he cared, because he totally didn’t! This knowledge was just too good to pass on using it to his advantage. He even had some ideas on what to make Alastor do if he did blackmail him.

His first idea would be to make Alastor join the Vees, naturally. Forcing Alastor’s surrender after years of fighting and resisting would be so invigorating! He could make Alastor do whatever he wanted. He would make him start a podcast. It would fit with his style but force him to catch up with the times. He could even make him get a new wardrobe. Something that fit with the Vee’s theme– he could make Alastor even change his name! Valastor— Vastor— Vala— okay, maybe not. But he would have the option to make him do it regardless! The endless possibilities!

His second idea would be much more childish, but satisfying nonetheless. He could make Alastor say “Vox is superior to me in every way. Much more powerful! Much more influential! Much more handsome!” Even better, he could make Alastor say it on his radio show! Though… it would occur to Vox that Alastor might be more willing to let Hell know he was owned by its queen than to ever say any of that.

His third idea would be more… private. Less extravagant, though much more impactful. He could make Alastor– oh, hey look! Is that your obligatory RadioStatic merch?!

In the end, Vox would have a field day with this information. He’d use it for his own selfish gain, probably leaving Alastor in several humiliating and precarious predicaments. At the same time, his stomach would churn whenever he got an alert on his video feeds that Alastor had left the hotel. Was he going to meet Lilith? If he was, Vox would end up biting his nails as he waited, and waited, and waited for Alastor to return from the meetings. And then would endure headaches as he did his best to compulsively examine Alastor’s status through the glitching mess that covered him.

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Do you maybe have any thoughts about the Faithful in Númenór, esp. in the last, darkest years... their motivations and ways of going about the hellish reality they found themselves in? Do you think the later remnant that formed the kingdoms in exile has a martyrological tradition?

(feel absolutely free to ignore this if I'm being presumptuous by asking — I don't think Númenor is your "specialty" as far as I'm aware, but I really like your philosophical approach to the Silm in general and I kind of yearn to hear the opinions of other religious people on the Akallabeth... since I think one cannot ignore that facet of the story, as interwined with the subject as it is)

I love these kinds of asks and I’m delighted you sent it! I hadn’t comsidered it before – thank you for setting me off thinking about it, because it is fascinating!

I think you’re right, that the Faithful would certainly have matrys and hold strongly to the memory of them as inspiration to hold fast in dark times. It must have bern horrific to them, seeing their entiee culture that they loved twisted and turned to the service of evil, and their friends dragged off as human sacrifices on Sauron’s altars. Remembering borth their own martyrs, and heroes of the First Age who defied the darkness, like Beren and Lúthien and Finrod and Húrin, could be inspiration in that time. I can even see them developing traditions around parts of the First Age they hadn’t thought much about until that time; for example, Fëanoreans followers who turned against the Fëanoreans during Sirion could be an image of rejecting allegiance to your nation-state when it has turned to evil. Or around Bór and his people, who fought against Morgoth; which could also become a symbol of solidarity with the Men of Middle-earth whom Númenor was victimizing. You would see Faithful risking their lives to save Men of Middle-earth from being made sacrifices, and being killed themselves (which would probably also draw parallels with Finrod in Tol-in-Gaurhoth), and memorialized by the Faithful. Martyrdom would be further elevated by being a symbolic contrast to the obsessions of Ar-Pharazôn and his followers: willingly giving up your life in service of what is right, set against the all-consuming obsession with avoiding death.

I think one thing that would become pressing to the Faithful in the time of Ar-Pharazôn and Sauron (and even well before that) would be the question of how to avoid being complicit in an empire that is bring your country such wealth and power. Because of this, I could see a strong ascetic tradition developing among some of the Faithful, living with minimal possessions and on simple food to avoid partaking of the spoils of empire; the love of craft and beauty is rooted to deeply to disappear, I think, but for some it would change to a determination that the only objects of art/beauty you would have would be ones made by yourself and your loved ones – a sort of return to the roots of what makes art meaningful, in human connection not vain display.

In times of such despair, I can also see these things taking a darker turn in some cases. People deliberately seeking out a martyr’s death for its own sake, seeing it again as a defiance of the King’s Men’s obsession with extending life, and because they had lost hope of things ever being better. Ascetics deliberately starving themselves to death.

In the kingdoms in exile, Arnor and Gondor, it becomes complicated in a different way. When the Faithful left Númenor, I think they knew in their hearts something dreadful was going to happen; but I don’t think they necessarily expected it to encompass the destruction of the entire island and everyone on it. While the martyriologucal tradition may have endured until the end of the Second Age, while they were fighting Sauron, as a memorial of what he had done to them and why it was necessary to fight, I think that things would have changed fairly rapidly in the Third Age. When we look at how Gondor remembers Númenor – the ritual of looking west before dinner as an equivalent to saying grace, and the way it’s talked about throughout The Lord of the Rings – it feels remembered primarily as a glorious lost past, not as a cautionary tale. I think the memory of Ar-Pharazôn’s era would have faded quickly, and the earlier history of Númenor would have been valorized – at first the time of Elros and the years when things were uncomplicatedly good, but after a while even the pre-Sauron time of empire and the years of Tar-Ciryatan and Tar-Atanamir might also be remembered as glory days, and the Downfall seen as the tragic consequence of corruption brought about by Sauron, rather than a progressive moral decline that long preceded Sauron and of which he was only the culmination. I think that it’s natural to idealize a thing once you’ve lost it; even a political refugee who left their country because it was tyrannical and oppressive – even one who had vigorously opposed their country’s actions as immoral – would feel grief, nostalgia, sentiment, if while in exile they saw that country destroyed. So I think that in the Third Age, Gondorian memory of Númenor as a whole becomes rather hagiographic, and the period under Ar-Pharazôn and Sauron is sidelined as an anomaly.

[demialwrites]

Butterfly in a Jar Ch 3

AO3 Link

He may have been trying to distract you from sneaking back into the forbidden room. He goes in the direction of his room but when you go to check on him, he's not there. And the forbidden room has to, understandably, be unlocked at some point for others to use.

Rufus left the door open, maybe another example of his obsession giving him tunnel vision. You decide to take a peek. Rufus' room is large and rectangular-shaped. Even while under house arrest, he gets a bigger room than you will probably ever have. It contains a bed on one end and a dresser across from it. The other end of the room has various workout equipment. In the middle, to one side, is a wide floor-length mirror, for vanity reasons, to check his workout form, or maybe both. An ajar door in the corner reveals an ensuite bathroom, judging by the sink vanity within. There's more furniture placed neatly around the room, including a sofa and desk with a chair. A rug in front of the sofa ties the room together and a single cordless telephone with a landline connection lies on the desk.

By the time Tseng comes by the dining room to ask for a report of sorts–as if you know how to give one of those–you’re feeling useless and lost. While not warm or kind, you find the VP to have the qualities suitable for his title. Even you can see that. You keep returning to what a terrible, terrible father the president must be and how being trapped here must be slowly eroding his son's health. That's how you would fair in his shoes. You don't remember what the news stated last about his age, but you recall several years ago hearing about his 25th birthday.

“If the problem is the environment, then I can't help,” you tell Tseng.

“We just expect you to do your best,” says Tseng.

You groan, head in your hands. “But what if the president changes his mind?” Thinking back again to the contract, it feels like an iron cage. It would be easy for a person to crush someone that's trapped in a cage.

“Let me worry about that.”

There's a tiny, mischievous smile on Tseng's lips. You would miss it if it wasn't unusual for him to smile in the first place. It takes some guesswork on your part but you start to understand that what goes on down here isn't the picture that Tseng paints for Rufus' father. How devious. You like it.

You have no choice; you have to work with what you have. And that's control over Rufus. How does that make you better than his father? your conscience asks. You discard that thought. You wouldn't intimidate someone into trapping themselves in a contract. You decide, fine , you'll bring in your gear to tame this man. And President Shinra did you a small favour in that regard. You have the feeling of a cornered animal to motivate you in the face of someone more powerful.

You look at Tseng with budding determination.

“I'm trusting you,” you say pointedly.

“And I, you,” he replies.

Standing here, staring at Tseng standing upright, yet naturally so, reminds you about something. You look away, embarrassed. “Uh, one more thing.”

He waits for you to continue.

“I forgot to use Rufus' title when addressing him. How come no one told me off?” you ask cautiously.

Tseng leans back barely perceptively, considering his answer. “We don’t expect you to understand the power structure at Shinra, let alone among the Turks.”

“The VP isn’t a Turk.” Even calling him ‘the VP’ feels weird in your mouth.

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Tseng says smoothly, indicating the matter is settled. “If he wanted you to use his title, he would have indicated so.”

“Ah.” You nod. Perhaps they also don't expect you to hang around long enough for it to matter.

The next morning, you come with a small bag. You had also slipped a new novel in there, in case you needed something to fill the time. The time for taking mental notes is over. Perhaps Tseng picks up on your determination because he only glances once at your bag, and then gestures politely to the elevator. He also shows you a new room with lockers where you can store the bag. Even though it's plain, it's exciting to see more of the floor. You consider it a side effect of being confined to two rooms.

You gratefully eat Rude's breakfast then volunteer to do the dishes yourself. You find some elbow-length rubber gloves in one of the cabinets and busy yourself because you want to give the absent Rufus a chance to come to the kitchen to eat. If he doesn't, he will be partially to blame for your actions.

Time stretches like that red carpet that stretched towards President Shinra's desk on that terrifying day. At least this doesn't feel nearly as bad. You also have the novel to read.

Tseng enters the kitchen.

“How long has he been in there?” you ask him, putting a bookmark between the pages.

Understanding what you mean, he mulls it over, checking his watch.

“When was the last time he ate?” is your follow-up question.

His severe features deepen uncomfortably, indicating that it's been a while. You feel for the man. But you're also getting annoyed.

After waiting a second to cool off, you ask, “Can you pull him out, please?”

Tseng nods and leaves the room immediately, presumably to obey your order. You're surprised that he is, but he must be willing to go this far. A few moments later, you put the novel on the table and follow, intending to wait in the hallway.

It's Reno and Rude that pull him out of the room. Rufus doesn't have the strength to stop them. Tseng closes the door to make sure you can't peep.

“Can you take him to his room, please?” you ask.

“You got it, Boss,” Reno replies.

Rude throws Rufus over his shoulder and proceeds down the hallway. You can see it blazing in his eyes, he's struggling with the indignity of being carried like a white sack of potatoes.

“How dare you,” he snaps coldly, spotting you, the source of this inconvenience, behind Rude.

This is an outright denial of what he views as a lifeline and strangely, he still hasn't raised his voice. His rage could fuel a cold snap but it's strangely comforting. You hate being yelled at. He could glare at you all day but as long as he's got an indoor voice, you could manage.

“Put him on the bed, please.”

It's possible that you've delayed earning his trust but you're not sure what else to do. Rufus has stubbornly continued his bad habits. Rude places him gently on the bed, then Reno takes the initiative to cuff one of his hands to the bedpost. Rufus turns his glare to him but says nothing. Reno brushes it off like it's nothing and hands you the key. He's quite happy to be ‘helping.’ You wonder if this is a regular thing Reno does while working. As long as you’re not on the receiving end, you can dismiss it as a humorous tendency. It's customary for Slum-dwellers to ignore and avoid Turks, anyway.

You thank both gentlemen and they leave.

You examine how Rufus looks cuffed to the bed, indignantly stewing. He's a pretty crown prince, suffering the indignity of being punished by the common folk. Until he can shape up, this is exactly how he belongs. You know what you need.

“You don't need those cuffs,” you say, voicing your thoughts out loud.

“But?” he asks, perking up but already tensed to think of a counter move.

Curse this man for his ability to plan ahead. Still, you leave to go grab your bag. You return to finding Rufus jamming a wire-shaped object in the cuffs’ keyhole. You can't believe it. Actually, you can. He hides the object in his suit jacket’s pocket when he catches you looking. Maybe if he wasn't in rough shape, he could have hidden his actions properly.

You sit down on the bed next to him. He waits for your next move. You reach around him on both sides to put the key in the cuffs. He doesn't stiffen up from the close proximity, which is a great sign. He smells like something cool and musky, like subdued mint. And generic soap. That must be what's available on this floor. At least you can confirm he doesn't neglect his hygiene. When the cuffs come off, he stands up.

“I see you've-”

Before he can finish what he's about to say, you're up on your tiptoes and slipping a collar around his neck. He still has slow reflexes so you're able to tighten and buckle it before he can stop you. You tug on it from the side, tilting him off-balance. While he's teetering, you push him back and he falls butt-first back onto the bed.

He can't see what's around his neck so he feels it with his fingers. It's new, plain black, and soft on the inside, so it can’t be uncomfortable. It looks downright cheap in comparison to his clothes but it should do for now. His eyebrows rise, sighing wearily. Then his gaze slides to you.

“What do you want?”

He stares expectantly like you will state your terms for his release, which you ignore. He is not going to talk his way out of this.

“I want you to sleep. You need sleep.”

He wrinkles his nose. “Is that so? So you can go report to my father?”

That takes you by surprise. Not just because he's wrong but because you haven't heard a thing from the president, not even through Tseng. It's like you were thrown down here and forgotten about. I don't think he cares , is on the tip of your tongue but you keep your mouth shut. You're here to ultimately make him feel better, not upset him.

Instead, you answer, “No. I don't talk to him. I don't like him.”

“That makes two of us, doesn't it?” he responds. Despite agreeing with you, his expression is no less weary.

“You can go to sleep or just lie here,” you say. “Either way, you’re staying. I can probably have the others drag you back to bed if you like.”

“They’re not here twenty-four hours a day,” he says, tilting his head thoughtfully as if he's speaking to an idiot.

He’s got you there. So without much thought, you counter with, “The longer you keep this up, the longer I have to be here.”

The implication is that either or both of you want you gone. Is that true? You might have played yourself with that counter. Like you dug your own hole and promptly fell into it. You don’t actually want to leave yet. You want to save your neck but you've gotten used to Rude's good cooking, Tseng's stable presence, and Reno's wicked energy. Not to mention you've gotten used to the clean air up here on the Plate. You can’t say that to him while he’s in this state. He’ll probably use it against you to get more time in that damned room. But if he says he does want you gone and shuts you out-

“Let me give you some advice,” Rufus says, interrupting your thoughts. “Be careful around Tseng.”

“What?”

“Consider this. He got you to put a dog collar on me. What else is he capable of?” He shrugs.

You tilt your head, unsure where he's going with this. “I…don't think he's the type to enjoy this. He…he doesn't even know.”

“You think so?”

“I think…you're just trying to talk your way out of this. Again.” You throw your hands up defensively. “Take it off, if you want.” Collaring someone won't work if it's against their will, anyway.

He smirks, hearing that, like he won himself a little victory. He rises to stand in front of the mirror. He tugs a few times at the collar with his thumb hooked underneath. Then he turns the buckle around to the front.

Ultimately, his hands drop.

“You can leave. I want to rest.”

“O-oh, okay, Your Highness,” you splutter.

Rufus is taking off his suit jacket as you close the door behind you. Your eyes meet just before it clicks shut. You wonder what he's thinking.

[rhaegang]

I have a question about Enter Night, how did you come up with the imagery in the dream sequences? What inspired you to write them the way you did and did you hide some meaning inside them? Also do you have a favorite one? You're a wonderful writer and I wanna see inside your brain!!

HI HELLO I love dream sequences and I love symbolism so you absolutely caught me that there are hidden meanings in many things that happen or are seen in the dreams of Enter Night.

There are a lot of dreams in the story so I’m not sure which one to focus on…

Chapter 2: The nightmare / bathtub dream —This first dream is sort of a wedding. Felix was scared but still chose to let Oliver into his dream (Oliver needed to be admitted, because he was much less powerful at that point than later on). This choice was sort of like saying I do.

Early in the dream I made mention of winter slithering over the land & Felix as Persephone having tasted something forbidden. In the bath itself, I chose to describe the steam as like a veil. This is all because Felix, like Persephone, is a bride.

There’s some significance to the candles that hasn’t been fully revealed so I won’t spoil.

In this dream I also did a lot of playing with Incubollie’s ability to change his form in terms of like, size and shape and even state of matter. He’s a liquid, a solid, a gas. A shadow, a creature, a fantasy. He’s small enough to crouch on top of Felix and big enough to manhandle him. I wanted to establish that he really can be and do basically anything in the dream realm.

“How can I dream of something I’ve never even imagined could exist?” — this serves 2 purposes. One, it tells us that Oliver can bring his own knowledge and ideas into Felix’s dreams and two, it reinforces the separation Felix sees between dreams and something that could exist — you might want things you believe are impossible and so you have never allowed yourself to really imagine what they’d be like, because that would make their absence more painful.

Felix asking for Incubollie to bite him in this dream is just blatant phallic symbolism and essentially the consummation of their “marriage.”

Chapter 3: The Iambic Pentameter dream —

The symbolism really kicks off in this dream when we switch from the pond to the sea. The pond at Saltburn is familiar territory for Felix, it’s small and has known boundaries, isn’t all that deep even if its waters are murky. But the sea is massive, miles deep, and powerful. It has riptides and raging storms. This switch represents the way Felix’s feelings are much bigger and more tumultuous than he realized.

He’s not just fumbling with another boy he has a little school crush on. He’s captivated, swept up in a building obsession with an unfamiliar, unknowable being (even if Felix hasn’t put two and two together that the creature in his last dream is Oliver).

We also switch from day to night, blistering summer heat to icy moonlight, because Felix is out of his element. But it was him and not Oliver that caused the switch. He wants to explore the dark, even though he’s afraid of it.

The sand being black is just to make it feel more otherworldly. (Also, Felix mentioned the storm from Ch 2 being blown down from Iceland and the beaches of Iceland are black, so his subconscious is maybe beginning to connect things.)

Felix’s hand full of stars - it’s his tattoo, but also sort of a reference to his privilege, like, here’s a boy who could reach up and steal stars from the sky if he wanted to have them, but what he wants is to touch this other boy. Lastly, stars being associated with night, I use them a lot for Oliver. So, Felix’s hand full of stars is many things lol

Oliver’s voice sounding like the sea — it’s that he is the great, powerful, unknowable thing. Also referencing his serpentine form and how he hisses / how words spoken with his serpent tongue sound.

…and the idea of a ‘first time’ became impossible to contemplate, because that implied there was a beginning and therefore also an end, when that couldn’t possibly be true. All of these were the first time, and they had all already happened, were happening, had yet to come—

Oh here’s Felix’s subconscious acknowledging, again, that they’re already too bound to each other. It also foreshadows something that will happen in the final chapter.

…Oliver leaned down over him, the bone bright moon a halo behind his dark hair within the frame of his arcing horns. The black sand clung to Felix’s skin. Farleigh turned a page. 

The description here is intended to throw focus on the somewhat horrific aspect of Oliver’s nature. What is the opposite of a dream?

Chapter 5: This one is a doozy of a chapter, particularly the Minotaollie dream.

Lots of descriptions of stars and allusions to stars. Corona Borealis is visible from March to July, and is associated with Ariadne, the Minotaur’s sister who fell for Theseus. Asterion, the Minotaur’s given name, means something like “starry one.”

There’s a lot in this dream where, unlike the end of Ch 3 when Oliver is resolute that he can master his own nature, he’s very much resigned to embody it. He was a beast. He was not human. Why should he try to hold himself within the narrow confines of what made a man? He was more, and he could give Felix more than any man ever could.

Notably it’s a tame beast (the ring through his nose). Oliver doesn’t really examine the implications of that.

Also of note is how easy it is for Oliver to take control of and reshape this dream, where in Ch 2 and Ch 3 he has less ability to do that. But those dreams happened before he started feeding on Felix, and after the party, Oliver has gotten a lot stronger…

The temple Oliver creates for them as a setting is mostly because, again, I want to evoke a sense of this being ceremonial, like a wedding as much as it is like a sacrifice.

Again, like in the dream of Ch2 there’s reference to lightning, and Oliver issues a command that makes the very light around him tremble 👀

Then later in the dream with Olivia —

Felix’s eyes popped open. His ceiling above was wallpapered with the pages of a book turned by an unseen hand. He sat up again.

This is a few things. One, it’s fun wild dream imagery. Two, is it possible he’s seeing something in his dream that’s actually through Oliver’s eyes…? (Three, it is also a shameless reference to Felix’s christmas present for Oliver in BOT, which is an unrelated universe but I indulged myself.)

This is so long already, oops. I’ll try to remember to do a part 2 once EN is finished to talk about the dreams for ch6-12.

[darlingdivasworld]

HAISY: AN ANALYSIS

You guys are well aware of how obsessed I am with this ship. Them not being canon sometimes haunts me at night. I don't think I'll ever be ready to let them go. They were the only thing I took away from Season 8b besides from Clude and Kenzie.

After rewatching their scenes for the umpteenth time and feelings of revulsion towards the off screen and only like 3 on screen "romantic" scenes between Pascale and Heath, I felt the need to disect their feelings towards each other.

"Ew. Respectfully." - Daisy, Season 8 Episode 15

From those 2 words alone, I'm already intruiged in their dynamic, although very hostile from Daisy, but this only elevates them. Heath does everything in his power to come across as likeable to Daisy, which is ultimately (and temporarily) useless as Daisy believes Heath is still the mole. Heath's humble nature heavily contrasts with Daisy's pride and stubborness. Anyway, they work through their troubles and are made the Nationals duet partners which guarantees more screentime (as much as you can get when you're still sharing screentime with ex A-Troupe members). They both noticeably wear green in their outfits, highlighting their predetermined connection.

"I've done a lot of duets and I really like this one." - Heath, Season 8 Episode 18

Kingston comes in to help with duet, and both Daisy and Heath feel the pressure of being critiqued. The duet partners, after some time, decide to confide in each other about their feelings of doubt. If it wasn't obvious in Episode 15, it's crystal clear that these two are going to fall for each other. Even the TNS writers were onto this, evidently shown through their "moment" before Kingston interrupted them. He even states in his talking head, "I feel like maybe I'm interrupting something. I don't know what, but... something."

"As much as you think you're the one who's hurting right now, you hurt me a lot worse." - Heath, Season 8 Episode 21

I personally believe that this episode showcases Daisy's crush on Heath. I would also like to bring in the trope - A fell first, but B fell harder. Daisy IS B. Do you not see her using the excuse of more rehearsal time just to spend more time with Heath and her several questions about whoever Heath is meeting up with? Anyway, Daisy catches Heath meeting up with Lucien and Grace, and *angsty miscommunication* ensues. Now, I'm a hater for the miscommunication trope, BUT it is used so effectively here that I can't complain. Daisy does damage control on her feelings by reverting back to her former self and antagonising Heath. This obviously breaks Heath's heart because Daisy no longer trusts, temporarily breaking their connection.

"When we dance together, I know you won't let me down, and I need you to know that I won't let you down either." - Daisy, Season 8 Episode 25

It's the day of the Nationals duet, and Daisy and Heath are on bad terms. To rekindle their relationship, Daisy "kidnaps" Heath and forces him to clean mirrors with her while they talk about their feelings. Ignoring the logistics of time, their shenanigans are endearing and entertaining. Ships have different factors that help elevate them, and Haisy's banter, which is filled with humour, makes them all the more loveable. Daisy gives Heath a heartfelt apology, allowing them to make up and perform well in the duet round. ALSO, when it's announced that TNS have won Nationals, Daisy and Heath hug each other instinctively. Just thought that should be mentioned.

"Now it's just because I think you're really great Daisy and I want you to know that." - Heath Season 9 Episode 1

They're back and better than ever! Their chemistry and banter are off the charts alongside their newly established colour scheme of green and purple. Daisy wants to give Heath a present, but Heath inexplicably refuses it, causing Daisy to walk off. Ethan suggests to Heath that he should just get her a present so the two of them can exchange. Unfortunately, tickets to Daisy's favourite band are too expensive, so they can't go together, but Heath still buys Daisy a ticket regardless just because he knows it'll make her happy. THEY'RE SO IN LOVE I CAN'T CONTAIN MYSELF.

"I'll never have another duet partner like you." - Heath, Season 9 Episode 4

Ariana and Grace steal Daisy's bowstaff, preventing her from making A-Troupe, but as karma (and the power Daisy holds), Grace is unable to make it onto A-Troupe Daisy and Heath walk into a darkly lit Studio A as Heath rambles on about taking Grace down. However, Daisy has accepted her fate and reminds him that she wasn't prepared. Heath disagrees, claiming, "Daisy, I don't know if I can move on from this." This equating to everything they have together, duh! They have an emotional goodbye duet and hug for an eternity before finally letting go. The second that Daisy walks out the door, the remaining lights turn off, symbolising how lost Heath feels now: "I don't know what I'm going to do without Daisy." I bawled my eyes out when I first watched this, and a little bit of my heart aches every time I rewatch it.

In conclusion, Haisy remains an un-canon ship, which is baffling to some extent but also a relief as the writers couldn't break them up in a ridiculous fashion and have them never talk to each other again following the break up. Regardless, they were the highlight of Season 8 and showcased the writers' ability of character dynamics and drama relating to those characters which strengthens the relationship instead of being its detriment. (Thank you Kenzie for pairing them together, your service as dance captain is truly appreciated.)

[entropicquilibriumofchaos]

Take a Walk

Saga Anderson & Alex Casey

Agents Anderson and Casey are on a particularly challenging case. Casey supports his partner by opening up about his own struggles.

Read it on ao3

“Do you even blink?”

Casey was pulled out of his thoughts by Saga’s voice, who had just popped into his peripheral vision. She held out a paper coffee cup and he grabbed it without redirecting his gaze at her. 

“What makes you say that?” he mused, not taking his eyes off of the evidence board in front of him. There was something he was missing; some connection that was just outside of his grasp. He sipped from the cup, grateful for the burn of the hot coffee down his throat. 

Saga sidled up next to him and crossed her arms, setting her cup in the crook of her elbow. “Because you’ve been staring at this board for three hours now and I’m surprised your eyes haven’t shriveled up and fallen out of your head.”

Casey grimaced. “Seen that. Not a pretty sight,” he said gruffly. 

His partner’s face screwed up in disgust. “Really?”

Finally, he pried his eyes from the board and gave her a serious look before snorting. “No, I’m pulling your chain.”

With a groan, she hit him lightly in the shoulder as they both turned from the board. Casey went over to his desk to set the coffee down before cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders back to relieve the tension in them. Saga pulled a file out of the drawer of another desk and let it flop down onto Casey’s. They sat down on opposite sides of his desk as he began to pull the contents of the file out and spread them across the table (knocking some empty coffee cups into the garbage at the same time). 

“Let’s go back over what we know,” Casey suggested, pulling out a pocket notebook and flipping through a few pages before setting it down. 

“We’ve got three separate homicides along the Wisconsin - Michigan border in a two week period,” Anderson recited, “All three victims were white females in their early twenties that had been reported missing from Northern Wisconsin in the past two months by family.”

Casey nodded, pulling out the pictures of three deceased subjects and laying them side-by-side. “What else?”

Anderson continued. “Bruising around the wrists and ankles suggests that the victims were bound for a time before their deaths. Two of the victims had defensive marks on their wrists and forearms. All three victims had cracked and bruised ribs that occurred antemortem and water found in their lungs. Cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the forehead.” She placed the autopsy reports for all the victims next to their pictures. 

“So they were repeatedly drowned and brought back to life before being shot,” Casey summarized, scratching at his forehead absent-mindedly. “Our killer has a god-complex.”

“He’s obsessed with his power over their lives.” Saga added, “He drowns them and then brings them back over and over again until he gets bored of them.” 

The agents sat back and both took drinks of their coffees. 

“There has to be some sort of connection between the victims,” Saga mumbled, standing up and going back to the evidence board. Hung up there was a map of Wisconsin and Northern Michigan with multiple locations marked in red. Casey followed and took his place at her side. 

“We should be getting some results on the water found in their lungs back from the lab soon,” Casey stated, “Maybe that’ll connect some of the pieces.”

Saga sighed and shook her head. “God, I hope so. The thought that this guy is still out there is really getting on my nerves.”

Casey turned to look at his partner and gave her a once over. She seemed fine from a distance, but up close he could see the slight movement from her clenching and unclenching her teeth, he could see the beginning of dark circles under her eyes and cracking lips. He thought back to the last time he had seen her eat or drink something other than coffee and found that he couldn’t recall. They had been on this case in Wisconsin for a week now, but before this they had been in Pennsylvania investigating a case of serial arson. It had been two and a half weeks since they had been home.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he suggested, turning and grabbing his jacket from off of the back of his office chair. 

She stood there for a second before comprehending what he said. She gave him a confused look. “Why?”

Casey shook his head while slinging his jacket over his shoulders and grabbing hers from her desk. “Just humor me, Anderson.”

Saga just shrugged and took her coat from him before following him through the bullpen and out of the office. They walked in silence through the building and out into the courtyard. The sun was shining, but it was deceptively cold and Saga zipped her jacket up as they exited the building. They strolled along the sidewalk until they came upon a concrete bench that overlooked a small yard of green grass. Casey sat down and nodded to Saga to follow suit. Neither said a word for a while, both of them enjoying the quiet buzz of the town around them compared to the chaos of the office. It wasn’t until the concrete started to feel cold that Saga spoke. 

“Any particular reason you wanted to come out here?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. 

He scoffed. “I was getting sick of looking at dead kids.” A moment went by before he continued. “And I wanted to make sure you’re still doing okay.”

Saga wasn’t able to hide her surprise. She had never known Casey to be a particularly touchy-feely person and this was definitely out of character for him. “What?”

“We’ve been away from home for a while and these cases haven’t exactly been cakewalks,” he explained, “I just wanted to make sure that you’re not letting it get to you too much. I know you have your profiling thing to get into the minds of these guys, but I’m worried that you’re losing yourself a bit, Anderson.”

And for a moment, the world fell away. Saga let out a deep sigh as she felt a heavy weight settle onto her shoulders and she stooped under the weight ever-so-slightly. 

He was right, and she knew it. 

“I miss Logan. And David,” she admitted, “And I can’t stop thinking that somewhere out there there is a mom who just lost her baby girl and I can’t help but internalize that.”

In an uncharacteristic move, Casey put an arm around his partner’s shoulder and pulled her a little closer. He didn’t say anything; he just let her breathe in the comfort that he provided and she found herself leaning into him slightly. 

“I keep having these nightmares that Logan is going through what these girls did and there’s nothing I can do to save her,” Saga said quietly. 

Casey turned to face her fully. “I understand,” he confessed. “When I first started, I would have these nightmares where people around me would be dying and I’d just be there, frozen; unable to do anything to help them.”

They made eye contact before he continued.

“But that’s all they are. Nightmares,” he assured. “And trust me, anyone who would want to get to Logan or David would have a hell of a time getting past one of the best agents this bureau’s ever seen. Oh, and I’d be there too.”

Saga laughed quietly, wiping a bit of wetness from her eyes. “Thanks, Casey. I guess I’ve been internalizing this more than I realized.”

“Happens to the best of us, kid,” he said, standing up and offering his hand to help her up as well. “But you’ve got people to talk to. No more lone ranger stories for either of us.”

“That’s my line,” she huffed, hitting him lightly on the shoulder. 

Casey laughed. “Come on,” he replied, “I’m freezing my ass off out here and I’m out of coffee.”

[gothlute]

DR SUNSHINE LORE

MY OC LORE!!

His "name" is Dr Sunshine, at least that's how people call him. No one knows his real name, we're not even sure he remembers it either.

He looks like this :

(I'm planning on drawing more of this silly guy)

He's a boy, estimated to be in his 30s, pretty tall. He has an extravagant style, very colorful except for his striped jacket, and is always wearing space-themed things.

He is based off Dr Sunshine is Dead by Will wood and the tapeworms!! One of my fav bands :D

He's english, but also speaks french fluently along with some other languages

+ : He is very social, smart and funny, it's hard for anyone not to like him. Fun fact : he always wears red smoky eyeliner!

- : He's very secretive, maybe even a liar, and NOTHING is natural about him : he's literally just a persona he created

The thing he loves the most in the whole entire world is space. You will NEVER see him not wearing space-themed clothes and/or jewelery. And what he hates the most is anything that reminds him of his past self/that implies that he is something else than his persona.

Also, something VERY important : his biggest fear is to be forgotten, he wants people to remember him if he had to die.

Now let's get into his story!!!!

As stated before, he LOVES space, and especially the sun. He has this weird obsession about it. His absolute biggest dream is to go to space someday and touch the sun with his bare hand, so he will feel fully connected to it.

So he made a plan.

He started his own personal show, giving people lectures about space, and occasionally making good jokes. He's naturally good at talking and at being liked, so he gained a big public pretty fast.

Now something I haven't mentionned yet is that he has powers. He can manipulate people, trick their minds and force them to do anything he asks. No one knows about it : they all think he's just super eloquent. He activates it by spinning his sun-shaped monocle :D

(Have a drawing of it except it sucks ass because I made it when I was 14, Im gonna redraw it)

Soon enough he had a nice little army ready to obey him.

He asked them to go steal tools from big companies to build a super resistant spaceship that would be able to touch the sun. They started doing it, his army was getting bigger and bigger and soon enough he had enough tools.

BUT meanwhile : of course the police was getting involved though Sunshine had no idea. They were intrigued by all of these random people stealing from companies (because some got caught ofc) and they started investigating.

While they were searching for clues, Sunshine and his army were working hard and building the spaceship : it took months, maybe even a year, but they finally did it. The ship was huge, fast and resistant, and Sunshine was sure it would be enough.

And so one day, they launched it. Sunshine was inside the spaceship, alone except for the driver. Except while they were working the police got more and more clues and ended up suspecting him : one of the officers snuck into the ship before the launch with a loaded gun.

He waited a bit, and when they were pretty high, he got out of his hiding spot and threatened Sunshine with a gun. He told him to give up and ask the driver to go back on earth so he can be judged along with his "army".

Sunshine seemed pretty calm, gently asking the officer to put down his weapon and telling him it was too late, he was about to be the first man to ever touch the sun. To which the officer replied "it's crazy, YOU are crazy, do you genuinely think this ship will be able to do that?? It's gonna melt before reaching the sun, obviously."

That statement made Sunshine lose his smile. He walked back, slowly, still threatened by the gun, and opened a big window. He looked back at the confused officer, gave him a big smile, spread out his arms and he let himself fall off the window, back first. They werent in space already, but the fall killed him.

Now there's two things left to know.

1) The whole scene with the officer aired live. About half of the world was watching. Dr Sunshine is now known in the whole entire world as a crazy criminal and his case is now a classic among true crime fans. He fulfilled one of his goals : he's never going to be forgotten.

2) Neither him nor the officer knew, but the spaceship was actually good enough : if that officer didnt sneak into it, Dr Sunshine would have touched the sun. :)

[ninjasmart]

Hey ninja! I wonder why hugh announced his wedding date before one year. It's not so him. He is super private guy. Was he forced to to do it?? Is he happy marrying Olivia? I ve also read gossips about involvement of witchcraft. Has someone done that to him. Because I ve seen victims of witchcraft? Even inside my family. A girl witchcrafted my cousin. He broke an engagement for her. Also he was married to a great girl. He left his wife few months just after his marriage. Victims of witchcraf loose common sense. They become unaware of what's wrong and right. The only thing that will matter to them is the person who has witchcrafted them. They will get attracted/obsessed to that person. Doesn't matter if they will be in love with them or not. Any suggestions from you??

It is not the best idea to look at the cards on an eclipse but let's see. Keep in mind that because of the eclipse the answers will not reveal the whole truth.

Is he under a spell: 6 of cups reversed says no. Past life connection is at present but is it with O or with someone else. That is a question that the eclipse is veiling.

I asked: Did O make some form of witchcraft I got the Death card in reverse. So - She, herself, didn't. This card is asking me to not ask any further questions about this. So my eclipse intake on this is that - someone else may have done something unholy to him.

My personal view is that your question is incorrectly stated. It is possible that someone is working with demon energy in order to gain access to his light. And put a damp on it while gaining power. That's not whichcraft. That's a trade - a promise of fame and fortune in exchange of one's soul.

Compared to witchcraft - this is a completely different game. In witchcraft the pdactitioner tries to restore the balance or to gurt someone without consequences.

In demon posessions - someone is so much in despair and want to control life, gain from life, someone is so angry at life or hungry to get or keep something that they are ready to work with a demon. Not knowing that the effect of ehat they want is not guaranteed and definitely not everlasting BUT the demon will collect their soul anyway.

Now - if you repent not all of your soul will be lost. A chunk of it will but some will stay. If you don't repent - that's what I am questioning. Maybe life becomes very harsh very quickly.

To have the lost part of you return to you from other centuries or other dimensions you need to experience exactly thr hardships you wished on someone else and repent and suffer through.

Anyway - if someone sends a demon to someone who is with Christ (I'm not trying to preach here) the energy sent to you will bounce back. I have seen this in person. Not only the karma will turn sour on the sender but the demon will bow down to the person whom they were sent to harm and will obey them. Usually in this interaction the obey part is - do the demon leave them or not.

What is exactly the situation with "the witchcraft" - we will not know at least for a while. This eclipse is going to last at least a few months - until the lessons from whe last such eclipse are resolved.

I have to check - by memory: whatever started last year in September or October / or - whatever started 4 years ago in January to March. And it must be relationship or conflict oriented. Something that started at that time will now have to grow and be transmuted or to be lrt go.

[system-of-alya-story-blog]

Having a strong fixation on Zenos right about now so we absolutely need to write out our vauge ass headcanond of WoLs we've never made (yet? Maybe, we dislike the idea of doing ARR all over again) so we can actually be normal and have normal thoughts for the time being. This won't be tagged as it's not anything in specific, just said WoL being obsessed with Zenos in a way the other scions either see as increadibly unhealthy or downright terrifying.

Am I doing this right? Is this how you make "below the cut" posts? Maybe

Concept 1 (inspired by a comic we saw where the WoL takes Zenos' eye. Seemingly for differijg reasons), the WoL sees Zenos fuse with a dragon for their "final" fight, and being an Au Ra who is constantly compared to the wyrms and often being criticized as "weaker" and not cut out to be the hero of this world, our WoL seeks to do the same. This sheer fury the WoL harbors causes them to completely ignore her fellow scions, she keeps Zenos from taking his own life, and then fights him, again. Due to his weakened state it only lasts mere seconds, several of the Scions are more than confused. Why would WoL do this? They've never been one to kill for the sake of killing? Was it a prusuit of revenge? Was she proving a point to him? Does he have some influence over them? They do not know.

Shortly after the WoL begins barking orders, telling her fellow Scions to leave her be and that she has "Business to attent to". When they hesistate the WoL in their hazed state threatens them right there, with no thought for what will come after. She *needs* this power he has, she pines for it, obsesses over it. In what felt like an eternity staring down at Zenos' corpse she succumbs to her deepest desires.

The WoL, using a method she thinks will work, this needs to work, and relieves him of one of his eyes. If Nidhogg's was the eye of hate, anger, and revenge, then Zenos' was the eye of obsession, yearning, and most of all... power. She needed this power all for herself, but was not in such a trance as to take both lest she simply become a vessel for Zenos. She also was not enough of a fool to leave any evidence behind of the tampering. She drank of the blood that seeped from his socket before placing her now discarded eye into his head. Using glamour, both eyes were made to look like they were there the whole time.

The WoL, silently showed herself amoung her comrades once more, but without a word, had teleported elsewhere. Where she chose to go off to is a mystery.

(And for the sake of storytelling let's say that it is now at a time where Zenos is back alive and seen near the WoL, or relatively near considering they aren't actively fighting, by the scions.)

Something seems off about the two, something oh so present to all else in the area. They have what seems like a connection, as if both parties are wordlessly speaking a thousand tales that they're absolutely enamoured by.

Later in combat with unrelated foes, it was as if the WoL was bending to the will of an unseen force. From Fandaniel's prespective, Zenos did not seem entirely himself, this obsession with the Warrior, it was not one born of hate or even a yearning for battle. It was one born of seeking, seeking as if she had taken something from him, but also seeking for other, unrelated reasons. Both Zenos and the Au Ra knew what she had done to him, and both knew why.

Zenos was utterly fascinated with this revelation. He could see into the Warrior's intents, see into her very soul, she could keep no secrets from him. Though.. the same can be said both ways. It's as if they can speak to eachother at any time, through their very thoughts. As if they resided in eachother's heads. That is because in reality thanks to the WoL's impulsive actions, they did.

Zenos sought to use this to find out what truly made the Warrior tick, what could without a doubt grasp her attention, what could get her crawling back to him and willing to bend to his will. Did he wish to have his eye returned? No he wished for her to keep it actually. For how else would he have such valueble insight into the ever elusive Warrior. No carefully selected words, no barriors behind one's own mind, nothing could keep him from finding out what he wanted, and being able to feel the WoL's emotions, being able to read her soul so intimately would make this next bsttle all the more interesting. No, he would get her whatever her heart desired at the small cost of one more battle... one to blot out even the brightest of stars in the flames of their passion. One where even those on the opposite sides of reality could feel their entire lives being poured into this very battle. This wasn't too costly was it? After all she has done so much to achieve true dragonhood, her greed almost causing the fall of an entire nation in it's wake. Such a simple solution and all she had to do was rid the world of Zenos once more, then the Warrior could finally become a dragon as she wished to be, could finally ascend to what the world she had once sought to protect wished of her.

Though he wouldn't be one to admit it, he saw this as a weakness. Just another distraction in the coming battle, would she really be giving it her all and more if she wasn't only thinking about him, and destroying him? If the thought of finally getting what she wanted stirred ever present in the depths of her being? Could he settle for such a thing? No, he could not.

He needed to battle in the deepest pits of their souls, he needed to battle the wyrm within the warrior. He needed to have this dragon on a short leash. But just how would he do that? Blackmail? Threatening? Bribery? No... no... he would give her the very thing she sought before the battle even began, he would transform her into the wyrm of her dreams, ever mighty, without equal, and unkillable. All she would need to do is ask, ask, listen, and OBEY.

[plush-rabbit]

Poly!Yandere! Big Three in a Relationship

Request: Maybe poly!yandere! Big Three x reader? Maybe sfw and nsfw hcs? 👉👈

A/N: I really like the big three. I think they’re really interesting characters and i hope we get more of them

-

SFW:

Being in a relationship with the Big Three would be anyone’s dream. They’re all attractive, high-ranking heroes, and seem to get along great with each other. It’s the dream to be in their relationship. They’re fawned over and most people would gladly trade places with you. To date the Big Three is truly something to be proud of. They might be obsessive, but that only adds to their charm. Who can blame them? When you’re heroes, you make enough enemies eventually. They only want to protect you and if that means using their connections and resources to figure where you are and with you, then it might be a bit extensive, but it’s only because they care for you so much.

While polyamorous relationships aren't unusual in hero society, it is still a bit of a rarity- especially when they seem perfect like the Big Three. You have the childhood best friends, the beauty queen, and then you, the sweet, little naïve partner who is coddled and cared for. You’re the talk of the news- magazines, headlines, interviews and whatever else there could be, it’s about you and your relationship. While you would have preferred to be kept on the sidelines- the less that know, the better- they can’t help but be thrilled. Now people will know who you belong to without having to say a word. It’s a nice relationship, where they each hold a different part of power over you, keeping you nice and submissive, letting you fall onto their lap as they tell you that you can’t go anywhere now. You can’t start a new life when everyone knows who you are and who you are dating.

Tamaki still holds a bit of his more introverted nature, and when he isn’t out protecting society, he’s at home with you. He has you in his strong grip, sitting beside him as he bulks up for his next day on the job. He loves to touch you, to have you on his lap as his face is buried in your chest, his nails pressing into your skin, dragging down when you try to move away from him. When Tamai is in charge of you, he hardly ever lets you go out. He much rather have you to himself, where no one can witness you nor him. There really is no escape in the home that you share. He knows all the hiding places, and has made sure- along with Mirio- to place cameras where he thinks that you would hide. If you ever seem to entertain the idea of leaving, he’d fall into such a depressive state that the rest of the household would be angry towards you and you can’t have that.

Nejire is sweet. She holds a bit of motherly tendencies, cooking for you, bathing you, and even dressing you up as if you were her little doll. She loves to keep you in such a cute state, to make sure that you look the best that you can be- after all, you are dating the Big Three. Her curious nature makes it perfect- she’s so calming to talk to that you often forget just how powerful she is, just how much control she has over you. All your worries and insecurities are questioned, counter-attacked, and in turn, when he brushes just a bit too harshly on your hair, she reminds you that you can’t really break-up with them if you wanted to. It wouldn’t work out. You don’t have friends. You’ve cut off your family. Who would ever take you in? Especially if they learned just how heartbroken they were if it were your fault.

Mirio is the one who treats you with the most care, he hardly ever gets angry at you. He really is like the sun- bright and all consuming. If you’ve ever gotten into a spat with another, he’s always the first to help you mend things. He’ll do anything to make you smile and will gift you whatever you need in order for that. In turn, all that he asks for is that you stay around him for the longest. Just latch onto him and let him worry about everything that has to do with the household. If you need to go out, he’s sure that Nejire can make time and in turn, he’ll let you take his card- seeing as you don’t have one. He’s so happy, so cheerful, that when he does get angry, it’s terrifying. Tamaki was right. There really is nowhere to hide in the home, because he always seems to find you. His grip is firm, digging and bruising your skin as he tells you to never disobey and run off again. Once done, he flips the switch and he’s wiping your tears and telling you another joke as he pulls you to his arms.

NSFW:

While having a train or a foursome isn’t all that uncommon, they also like to take turns. Tamaki will fill you with his quirk, tentacles inside of you as his cock is buried deep inside of your aching hole. In the sidelines, Nejire will have her hand wrapped around Mirio, and you’re sure if there weren’t tears in your eyes, you’d see her spirals flickering in and out. Mirio’s fingers will be buried knuckle deep as they watch Tamaki rail you. Nejire will have her tongue lap at your sex, her quirk in effect, your body tense and on pins and needles as she keep you close to her, suckling on your sweet arousal. Mirio and Tamaki will have their hands on each other’s cocks, Tamaki’s face red as he watches you orgasm while Mirio pumps his cock, even if semen has spilled. Mirio will be relentless, pushing your face into the mattress, his hands gripping and teasing at your pebbled nipples. Nejire will be perched above on Tamaki's cock, both trying to watch as Mirio fucks you senseless.

If you did fail to listen to either of them, then they’re less than kind to you. They’ll spread your legs, tease at your waiting hole and press soft kisses against your slit, as they tie your ankles and wrists. A vibrator is pushed inside of you, your body shaking and teased at by either their mouths or hands. They edge you until you’re crying. Tears streaming down your face and wetting the bed sheet under you, your hands in tight fists as you beg and cry to not misbehave again. You have to promise to do better. To smile more and hold their hand, to listen when they say that they’re tired from work. You have to be a good little house pet, and know them. They care for you of course, but it’s hard to believe that when they keep rejecting your orgasm just to see you cry.

They all really just like to see your face contort into something less than innocent. They want to see you cry, to see you shake and beg for them to slow down or to give you a break, but they won’t. You have to please three different people who all have amazing stamina and at the end of it, you’re left overstimulated. Your body shakes throughout the night and any type of touch is jolts of electricity shot through you. And even then, when you’re crying and gripping onto scarred skin, your pleas of rest are shushed with a kiss as you’re lowered onto a cock to sit on. If it isn’t cockwarming, then you're meant to kiss at Nejire’s cunt until she lets you up, but there’s also a part of her that just wants to please you. She’ll kiss at your sex and suckle on your arousal until you’re patting at the top of her head to let you rest, that’s it all too much.

This is more of Nejire’s thing, but she loves to have you suck on her breasts. It’s one of the few times she isn’t trying to fight for your attention or get jealous at how the others make you cream all over their cocks. She gets to have you for herself. To feel your mouth latch onto her nipple and tease the hard bud with the tip of your tongue. It’s the few times you ever get to have her so nurturing. To pet your hair and have her other hand teasing with your sex. All you have to do is suckle on her breast, to hollow your cheeks and beg for her to make you orgasm while her fingers are deep inside of you massaging at your gummy walls that clench around her. It’s one of the few times that she’ll ever be sweet during sex- petting your hair, allowing you to cream, and rest. All you have to do is nurse on her and thank her.

In the earlier parts of the relationship, you still wanted your freedom, you wanted to go out and live a life separate from them, but they were able to snuff that flame out. Even now, you hold onto your stubbornness and they can’t help but coo at how silly you’ve gotten. They'll wrap a collar around your neck and force you to walk around on your hands as you don puppy ears with a tail placed inside of you. You aren’t allowed to walk on all fours, or speak and if you want something, you’ll have to nudge at a leg and point at what you want. It’s humiliating but you can see just how much it arouses them- the tent in their pants, the hands that pull on your nipples, the way the toy is moved around inside of you. You’ll learn our place soon enough and when you have, they’ll treat you to something nice as a reward.

[alchemistys]

reflecting on yuzu’s retirement

I know this is a little late but it took me time to get my shit together, I'm emotional, so sue me. this is gonna get pretty sappy and really cheesy at some points, so idk, bear with me I guess. (under the cut)

I discovered Hanyu Yuzuru during February 2022. I saw ten to chi to live, and that was the only engagement I had with his competitive career in real time. later that night I watched his seimei olympic performance and cried happy tears for the first time in years. at that point, I was obsessed. I went on a yuzu YouTube binge. I watched his performances in chronological order. I read his entire wikipedia page. when I emerged from my figure skating-induced fugue state I felt...better. a little more balanced. just happier overall. for that, I can’t thank yuzu enough.

you see, yuzu changed my life, and he might have even saved it. this man doesn’t even know I exist, but for a short while he meant everything to me. a few months ago I was in a really bad place. I was...empty inside, and I felt like nothing in the world, especially not me, had any purpose or meaning anymore. I was contemplating suicide. and then I saw this dude in a blue outfit skate, and I was transfixed. that was the first bit of interest I'd shown in something for months. I grabbed onto that and didn’t let go. when I cried for seimei, that was the first time I'd cried for something that wasn't sadness in years. it was amazing. after so long of feeling nothing, I felt awed, amazed, humbled, and enlightened. his skating was the most beautiful thing I'd seen. 

as I learned more and more about yuzu, i got more and more out of my depressive funk. I saw his passion for skating, how he was, like, giving his life for it, and I thought ‘wouldn’t it be nice to love something that much?’ I thought that, well, shit, there must be true beauty in this world if he can get on the ice and do that. I thought about how he worked so hard for his dream. I thought about him working, even through pain, even through emotional turmoil. I thought about him loving it all the time, but maybe not liking it, or enjoying it, maybe sometimes even hating it. I thought about him saying he wanted to jump the quad axel, like if he said it enough it would come true. I thought about yuzu falling on the triple axel he had done a hundred, a thousand times with perfection, then getting up and trying again. I thought about how his skating moved people. I thought about him skating to haru yo koi with grace and poignance, to seimei with the command of a predator, to Romeo and Juliet with raw teenage passion, to hope and legacy with the elegance and inscrutability of an old god. I thought about the feeling he displayed, the feeling he provoked, and I thought I want to feel like that more often. that feeling could be found again. that there is beauty and art and I shouldn’t go just yet, because what if I had followed through? what if I had missed seeing a random guy in a blue shirt? I knew what I had nearly missed out on. and now I knew that I didn’t want to die, but more than that I wanted to /live/, because I had seen what living could be, and yuzu reminded me. he reminded me what kind of happiness and feeling and beauty could be found in the world. and for that, I thank him.

yuzu will always have a special place in my heart. he put some meaning back into my life. he helped me through a hard time, and for that I thank him. the beauty, grace, and power to move that he brings to his skating is unparalleled. he is truly a one of a kind talent, a phenom that transcends art and sport, both connecting and eclipsing them. he is amazing, and an inspiration. he is hope. so thank you, yuzu, for just being you. 

I'm going to miss yuzu. I am sad I didn’t get into figure skating earlier, because yuzu aside it’s cool as fuck and I'll still follow competitive skating even now that he’s gone. but I’m glad he made the best choice for himself, to be healthy and happy. I'd like to see him land that quad axel clean one day. I hope he does whatever the fuck he wants now. he’s fantastic, I think he’s super funky, and I want to see whatever antics he he gets up to now that he’s free from jsf and the absolute clownery of the bag of dicks that is isu. I’m a little sad about it, but I'm more excited for his new career as a professional athlete. so one last time, thank you, yuzu, for just being you. that’s enough, is and will always be. take a well-deserved rest, and be happy.