#No idea why this meme is so popular again

[athenianblessings]

CaMilo dynamic in Soul of Gold in a nutshell

[tinyfantasminha]

👍

[sundial-bee-scribbles]

Yeah like what’s the point of even having anon features if they can’t use your website?????? Like on certain blogs I can’t even view them without being blocked????? I don’t understand????

And I can’t talk to people if they don’t have a submission box which is awkward because not many people have a submission box that I can see! -🌟

══════════════════ 

well the blog thing is most likely that some people have set it to not be visible outside the tumblr dashboard; some people just don’t want their blog viewable to anyone outside of tumblr and there’s a number of reasons why that could be, it’s their own personal decision

the submission/ask box thing can sometimes be a case i know of new users forgetting to turn it on, but sometimes too its deliberately turned off (or limited, like anons being turned off and only other users can ask qs) for, again, a number of different reasons (︶︿︶)

[dandylovesturtles]

explaining the train of thought that got me to this would take way too much backstory but basically I had an idea and then I wrote it. I rewatched Scream recently so maybe that helps lol

cw: death (not of a canon character), mentions of blood and vomit

-----

The call comes in at a little after 2 AM, and he almost doesn’t answer because he’s busy.

But Leo almost never calls him, and it’s a singular enough occurrence that he picks up the phone and hits the button.

“Hello, you are conversing with Donatello,” he greets. “Make it quick, Nardo, I’m elbow deep in the tank’s engine.”

On the other end of the line, Leo is silent. Or, mostly silent; Donnie can hear him breathing, a little too loud, a little too fast.

Suddenly, he’s on high alert. He sits back from the tank, speaking more urgently into the phone, “Leo?”

There’s another second of breathing, and then, finally, in a voice that is too high and panicked to be his normal joking tone, he says, “Hey, remember when I sent you that meme about siblings who will beat the crap out of each other one minute and hide a body for each other the next, and I said, “us,” and you gave it a heart?”

Donnie blinks. Processes that string of words.

“I think I recall it,” he says.

“Well,” says Leo. “I need to know if that’s really us.”

Donnie stands up and keys in the command to swap battleshells to the jetpack.

“Stay where you are,” he says. “I’m on my way.”

-----

The body is male. Early twenties. About six two or six three. Caucasian. Wearing some ghoulish mask like the serial killer in a bad teen slasher.

Actually, now that Donnie thinks about it, there’s been stuff on the news lately. About a guy who likes to knife up co-eds. And Leo’s wearing his biggest, baggiest hoodie, and jeans, and in a dark alley like this it would be easy to mistake him for a normal, non-mutated human teen.

The puzzle pieces are all laid out for Donnie, but the picture it paints is pretty unbelievable.

Then again, he’s a mutant turtle who grew up in a sewer and recently fended off an alien invasion. His bar for believable is pretty low.

He takes in the body, slashed across the chest, ridiculous getup soaked in blood. Then he turns to look at Leo, curled around his knees against the wall. There’s blood all over him, too, but Donnie feels pretty confident that most of it is not his own. There’s a puddle of vomit nearby, and a dagger, and a katana, cast aside.

Leo raises his eyes to meet Donnie’s. “I didn’t know he was human.”

Donnie looks back at the body, and at the mask. Connects it to the dagger, which definitely isn’t Leo’s.

“Seems like he was a great guy,” Donnie says. 

“He stabbed my arm.”

“I meant it sarcastically.”

Leo laughs, high and reedy. Then he leans over and vomits again.

Donnie can’t help but curl his snout at that one. He looks away and waits for Leo to finish.

There’s a spit, then a sniff, then Leo says, “He stabbed my arm and I turned around and saw the mask.”

Ah yes, that. It’s pink and has a serrated smile. Little rubbery bits of slime and ooze. These things got popular after the invasion - they aren’t anywhere near the real thing, but in a dark alley, under attack, alone, when Leo had…

The puzzle pieces are there. Donnie doesn’t really need an explanation to put it together.

Actually, scratch that: he does need an explanation for one thing.

“Why are you so upset about this?” He looks back at Leo. “You took out a serial killer. Or a wannabe serial killer. At the very least a stabber.”

“I didn’t mean to kill him,” says Leo immediately. A little pleading. “I didn’t think that would… I didn’t know he was human.”

“He attacked you.”

“I could have disarmed him. I could have trapped him and let the police deal with him.”

“He came up behind you in this creepy mask and stabbed your arm.”

“He didn’t stand a chance against me,” says Leo, and it’s not swaggering and not boastful, but horrified. “It was like tearing paper, Dee. It was so easy.”

Donnie leaves the body to kneel in front of his brother. He puts his hands on his shoulders, looking him straight in the eye to make sure he listens.

“He attacked you, Nardo. He wanted to kill you. He made the wrong choice. Not you.”

Leo looks down, at the blood on his hoodie, and Donnie squeezes his shoulders until they lock eyes again. 

“He made the wrong choice,” Donnie repeats emphatically. 

Leo sighs, like he’s giving in, and a rueful smile grows on his face. “Thanks, hermano. But I don’t think the EPF is gonna see it that way.”

Ah yes, the good old United States government, and their hilariously poorly titled Earth Protection Force. Since the invasion, their existence had become known to the EPF, and they’ve been in an unspoken truce ever since. A “live and let live” holding pattern.

Unfortunately, Donnie has to admit Leo is right on this one: that this man is likely and most probably a serial killer won’t matter to the EPF. Killing any human crosses a line they won’t tolerate.

And so, there is only one solution here. The one Leo proposed when he first called.

Donnie is going to help him hide a body.

…Which means he is going to have to touch it.

Leo frowns at him. “Uh, Dee, what’s the yarf-face for?”

“I just realized how gross this is going to be.”

Leo laughs again, more than a little hysterical, and lets his head fall against Donnie’s plastron, the giggles shaking his shoulders under Donnie’s hands.

“That wasn’t a joke,” Donnie insists. Leo just laughs even harder.

Donnie scowls, even as he pulls Leo closer. “That meme really is us. I want to beat the crap out of you right now.���

Leo howls with laughter. Except it sounds a little more like sobbing now. Donnie gathers him up and holds him until he’s better again.

-----

Across the Hudson, the sky is turning pink. Donnie stands with Leo, watching the water that the body disappeared under.

They’ve already scrubbed the alley clean of any blood traces - his and Leo’s. He also had his drones bring gloves with the cleaning supplies, so they didn’t leave any fingerprints. At least Leo had the sense not to touch anything. And it’s not like the government has their prints on file, anyway. Donnie’s checked.

There wasn’t anything they could really do to hide the massive laceration that led to the body’s death. Short of melting it in acid, but both of them had dismissed that idea as soon as Donnie raised it. Despite what Donnie thinks of himself, he isn’t actually a stone cold disposer of bodies. The idea of melting it was too gross to think about.

Besides, it doesn’t matter if the body gets found, as long as it doesn’t get traced back to them. And Donnie doesn’t see any reason it should.

He’s already hacked any security cameras near the scene and made sure Leo doesn’t show up on any of them. Leo’s a good enough ninja to avoid that sort of thing, anyway, not that Donnie will admit it out loud. The crabs and fish will take care of the flesh and the katana’s mark. Leo destroyed the weapon itself in a bright blue explosion of ninpo.

“It’s kind of a bummer,” says Leo after a minute, “that the murders will go unsolved.”

“No, they won’t.” Donnie pulls out a phone, holding it carefully with his gloves. “He helpfully took trophy photos.”

Leo’s eyes go wide. “Dude, did you fish around in his pockets?”

Donnie can’t help but curl his lips. “Ugh, don’t remind me. It was a very unpleasant experience and I don’t want to repeat it.”

“What are you going to do with it?”

“Find where he lived and leave it there.” Donnie shrugs. “His body will turn up, or he’ll get reported missing. The cops will find it and everything will be wrapped up in a neat little bow.”

“Huh. Guess that takes care of that.” A pause. Leo shuffles a bit next to him. “You’re… really calm about this.”

Is he? Since the moment he got that phone call, he entered Fix It mode. He hasn’t really thought of anything else since.

“I don’t know if I will be later,” he admits.

“I’ll be there, if you’re not.”

Donnie hums an acknowledgement. There’s a weight against his arm, Leo leaning into him.

“Thanks, Dee,” he says.

“You’d do the same for me,” Donnie replies.

“Yeah,” Leo agrees. Simple as that.

[petriwriting]

Bad Boyfriends - Theodore Nott X Reader

Summary: your boyfriend treats you terribly and Theodore comforts you when you finally break up. Then you realize you love him.

A/N: based on a tiktok meme I saw. Reader is a slytherin. Once again proofreading is for the weak and I wrote this on like no sleep. Contains Cheating & Protective Theo. Friends to lovers. Rupi Kaur poetry.

Your boyfriend, Silas was the stereotypical gryffindor guy. He had decent grades, was relatively social, popular. He played quidditch too. From afar the relationship was the perfect ‘enemies to lovers’ trope. You were a slytherin, and he was a gryffindor but despite being in different houses you were in love, or so it seemed to the average person. it was picturesque.

The halls flooded with students preparing for the weekend, some housemates of yours had invited you to a slytherin after party that would undoubedtly take place after your house won the quidditch game that evening. You had a killer winning streak, and tonight slytherin was playing against gryffindor. Silas wasn’t too excited for you to go, so he said you could come to the gryffindor after party instead, which would be “wayyy more fun” he had said. You were torn, but also tired. Silas grabbed your arm out of the busy hall, and pulled you into a slightly more private hall in the corridors. “Heyy,” he cooed. “Excited for my game tonight?” He said in a cocky tone. “We’ll definitely kick slytherin’s ass tonight I can feel it,” he exclaims. You sigh. “Well slytherin has a winning streak right now, so maybe not.” You say jokingly, you truthfully didn’t care who won, you just wanted to relax at a party with your friends afterwards. “Don’t say that.” His tone is blatant, rude. “I want you to wear my jersey tonight as always.” He winked, grabbing your hand and brushing his thumb over it in attempts to be affectionate. “I was going to wear gear from my house.” You uttered.

There is a slight pause, and Silas looks angry, part of you is genuinely scared. but you know that he won’t do anything too drastic if you’re both in public. You silently thank Merlin that the hallway has some students shuffling through every now and then. Not that Silas would get physical, or hurt you. “Absolutely not.” He says flatly. “You can’t control what I wear,” you retort getting frustrated at his attitude. “Come on you can’t support me this once? After all I do for you?” He pleads. ‘After all I do for you’ refers to holding doors open for you, pulling out your chair, giving you compliments, and holding your hand in public. All which are things that are in fact the bare minimum. You exhale loudly. “I’m not doing this with you right now.” You say quietly, retreating somewhat.

“Come on, you hang out with lowlife bratty snobby kids who think they are way better than everyone else. Didn’t think it would rub off on you this much.” He snaps back. You’re angered, hurt and ready to spill tears but you hold your composure. “Silas I’m not doing this!” You repeat yourself, more stern despite the break in your voice. “Why can’t you just do what I ask?” He mumbles. “There’s girls lining up to be with me but I chose to be with you instead and you always treat me like I’m some bad guy whose out to get you.” He exclaims. His narcism is shining bright at you.

“Silas I’m unhappy.” You uttered, somewhat scared of the consequences. “Really?” He says, in a condescending tone. “Shocker.” He rolls his eyes. “Did your bitchy friends put that idea In your head?” He snapped again. He’s projecting, and it hurts. You did love him at first, but with the arguements of recently, and his attitude being less and less loving and caring you knew something was up. There was even a rumor that he had been seen getting more than friendly with a ravenclaw girl. Everything just bubbled up in that moment. You had stayed because the relationship looked good but now it was doing nothing but hurting you and you were starting to realize it. All the lake night talks, dates at hogsmeade, passing notes in class, it all suddenly meant nothing. Tears welled in your eyes, you wanted to shake him.

“No they didn’t, and my friends are loyal and look out for each other.” You stated through the tears, anger seeping out. “Unlike yours who blow shit up for fun and barely pass their classes.” You snapped back. “We’re done.” You said, the words came out sharp and cold. “Figures as much.” Silas retorted before storming off. He muttered something about you being an evil snake on his way off.

You stood there for a moment, tears falling from your cheeks your face was red and you were exasperated. Your instinct was to rush back to your room, taking the long way to the dungeons to avoid being seen. You walked fast. Faster. Rushing through the castle. You rushed right past your friends who greeted you, and went to your dorm to cry alone. The door heavily shut.

. . . . . . . .

Later that evening, your friends had convinced you to go to the quidditch game that evening, and as suspected slytherin won with a pretty high lead. You were decked out in your slytherin gear, showing your house pride with your face painted. Deep down you were hurting and upset, but you didn’t let anyone see it. The game was cold, as you stood on the stands cheering and clapping. Your scarf was wrapped around your neck tightly, and you wore a bulky sweater over top a quidditch jersey.

Soon enough the after party rolled around. It felt great to not have Silas dragging you down…

By the time you arrive to the party in the common room it is already starting to become full of students who drink and smoke and laugh. The music is loud, some trendy band everyone’s been listening to with a catchy beat and carefree lyrics. Alcohol won’t make you feel better but at least you are with friends. While Blaise and Draco are off dancing with pansy and Astoria. Eventually the chatter and music is becoming loud so you venture to the corridor just beyond common room for some clarity. You wanted to cry again but you promised yourself you would be okay just for a little while longer.

Outside the common room, you follow the scent of smoke and are quickly lead to Mattheo and Theodore. Theodore has a cigarette lit, he’s been drinking and so has Mattheo. Mattheo was in the middle of explaining some grandiose plan he had to impress a transfer student, while entertaining his friend Theodore, who intently listened. He had always had a dark demeanor, quiet but thoughtful. The two were in your friend group but you certainly weren’t close. You knew Mattheo liked to party and was quite rebellious and that Theodore and yourself shared a potions class together. They both nodded and acknowledged your presence. You awkwardly stood, not wanting to be rude but not wanting to seem desperate either. “Y/N, I could hear you cheering us on from the stands.” Mattheo exclaims. You lean against the wall next to Theodore. “Yeah I’ve been excited for the game all week,” you admit. Theodore was very reserved, he offered you a cigarette, which you accepted. You didn’t typically smoke, though you had before. You took a few long drags and thanked him. “No problem.” He said with a smirk. “Mattie!” Someone called. It was a slightly drunken girl. “If you’ll excuse me…” Mattheo ran off after her. He always liked his mischievous antics.

“So,” Theodore began. “How are you holding up?” He asked. You sighed. Did he know? Did everyone know already? You tried to be discrete and keep it private, but words travel fast. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you knew.” You said, hugging yourself in the chilly air. “Well I don’t, but whatever it was I saw you were pretty upset about it.” He states, referring to the moment he saw you rush past everyone playing cards in the common room to your dorm earlier in the day. Theodore had always been the quiet observer, he saw things but didn’t speak much in comparison to his friends. He was still relatively social despite his mysterious demeanor. For the past year and a half, you always saw Theodore as a friend, but never relied on him much except for notes from class and gossip on occasion. You’d spoken with him a few times here and there. It wasn’t a huge issue that he knew you were dating Silas, the school always clung to the gossip and paid attention to the it couples. Especially Pansy and Draco who were both influential. You had been so wrapped up in trying to maintain your relationship with your now ex boyfriend that you hadn’t seen the signs of Theodore pining over you. He doodled you in class, and always romanticized the thought of asking you out despite never doing so out of circumstance. By the time he had decided to act on his feelings for you, you were together with your ex. So it felt pointless. Nonetheless he still cared for you quite immensely.

“Oh yeah, sorry,” you say slightly embarrassed. “I was um..” you stop yourself. “Silas and I broke up. It’s been a rough day.” You admit looking at the ground. “Sorry to hear that.” He says, taking another long drag of his cigarette before putting it out. “It’s okay.” You say. It’s quiet, almost too quiet. The chatter is very muffled and the music is faint from the common room. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asks. You sigh, and think for a moment. You want to say no and forget about this whole thing and move on, but you also know how good it will feel to get it out, and since Theo was the first person to ask you gave in to his offer. “I just,” you began quietly. “I heard a rumor that he was seeing someone else.” You admitted with a shrug. “And at first I didn’t want to believe it until I saw them in the library one day, this was maybe 2 weeks ago. They weren’t just studying but flirting. I was in denial about it, and today I just finally snapped and broke it off.” You continue. “I loved him but it wasn’t worth staying with someone who won’t treat me the way I deserve to be treated, someone who cheats and lies and hurts me over and over again without a care. Someone that genuinely made me so insecure and sad.” You finalized, sternly wiping your tears. As if convincing yourself the words were true the tears welled up in your eyes again as the wound re-opened. “I don’t want to ruin your night it seems like you were having fun.” You say as your voice softens.

Theodore has now turned towards you with his hands in his pockets. “No no,” Theodore reassures. “My night is definitely not ruined.” He states. “I enjoy hearing you talk. We don’t get to do that very often.” He confesses slightly. He’s right. You barely speak, but his presence and his shoulder to cry on is appreciated and you sniffle and wipe your face. “I’m glad to hear you open up.” He replies.

You sigh and shake away some anxiety from your body. “Thank you for listening to me.” You say. “It means a lot.” “Anytime.” He says quietly. “You deserve to spend your time with people who respect your feelings and your thoughts and time, not someone who hurts you that much.” Theodore says. He’s nervous now, he wants to tell you he’s been looking out for you since you first met and that he’s only just come to the realization that he might be in love with you, but he’s silent in that regard. “It’s good to talk about things sometimes,” he says. You were not prepared for him to be vulnerable with you in reciprocation. “When my mom passed,” he says tenderly. “I didn’t talk for 3 years. I was nearly mute. And when I finally told someone how I felt, it felt so good. Amazing. I know it’s not the same as what you’re going through at all, but hey, we’re here for you.” He says kindly. We, as on his friend group. Your friend group too. You want to turn to thank him, right the but instead you don’t. You wrap your arms around him tightly. It feels strange to do so at first but then you both melt into each others embrace. It’s a sweet moment. “Thanks.” You whisper.

. . . . . . . .

The next few months are spent blissfully happy in your new found singleness. Although it can be lonely you have amazing friends to support you through. And since that evening you had grown much closer to Theodore. He sort of becomes one of your best friends. You had pulled away from that friend group for obvious reasons, although it felt good to have your old life back finally. You could be yourself without judgement. You hadn’t seen Silas nearly at all, avoiding his usual hangout spots and ignoring his buddies in the halls. You were finally over him. The cold air was harsh, and a light dust of snow covered the ground outside the castle and soon enough everything around. You found comfort in the quiet of the common room, and warmth by the fire place. A book was in your lap, a lovely poetry novel. You wore a heavy sweater, and cozy socks as you were curled up reading on the couch by your friend. Theodore had become the perfect person to be around. He had a quiet understanding of your pain, and he shared his own with you and opened himself up which you thought was special. Not even the other slytherins had known about some of the things the two of you talked about. He’s sat beside you on the couch, silently doodling in his notebook between the pages of notes. You yawned, and leaned closer to Theodore. “This one reminds me of you.” You said softly before resting your head on his shoulder to read, it was an affectionate gesture that made your heart race.

The world

gives you

so much pain

and here you are

making gold out of it.

As you read aloud the words come out like milk and honey. “That’s pretty,” Theo says quietly. “I like that.” He admitted. Your head stayed on his shoulder and eventually he had snaked an arm around you. You were both sleepy, as it was getting relatively late. The crackle of the fireplace was just soo soothing. “Thank you.” You said quietly, tempting sleep to take you. “For what?” Theodore asks. “Being here for me.” You explain. “It feels nice to have someone who understands me as much as you.” He smiles softly, you couldn’t see his face flush slightly. He hesitates and says this a bit too late, thinking you’d fallen fast asleep, since you chest rise and fell softly and you had let your book relax in your hand. And sighs a bit, “I love you.” He uttered softly, without a response, you were nearly asleep. It wasn’t long before sleep griped the both of you.

The next morning, you’re met with Mattheo smiling in your faces. “Well then good morning love birds.” He chuckled. “Did you sleep well?” He mused. It’s early enough not everyone is awake yet, aside from Mattheo. You were surprised to not see Draco or Blaise wandering about yet, as the common room was still mostly empty. You yawned and stretched. You had been cuddled up to Theo and when you realized you blushed a bit unconsciously. “Breakfast will start soon if you’d like to accompany me.” Mattheo says. “Yeah, sure.” Theodore says rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “We’ll meet you there, yeah?” He says. Matt nods and wanders off. The two of you share one extra moment practically in an embrace on the couch before you lean in closely and utter a whisper that changed the boys world forever. “I love you too.”

[savagewildnerness]

Let’s breakdown this scene…

Lestat, playing piano: bent over, lost in the world of the music - out of this world entirely. Louis sees a broken thing playing a plank of wood. A far cry from the proud, splendid creature he once knew.

(From Interview with the Vampire) "My eyes widened as I studied this stooped and shivering vampire whose rich blonde hair hung down in loose waves covering his face.”

Side note from me, as I love to talk about things that make The Vampire Chronicles appealing to me. Some people seem to be of the view that they wouldn’t desire immortality, only to be these sad, lonely, melancholic creatures… but I have always felt this way myself - even when I was a tiny child, long before I read The Vampire Chronicles. There has always been an innate loneliness and isolation to me deep inside. I don’t think you’d necessarily know it to meet me, mind! I am a smiley person! I like to do childlike, fun things. I try to bring happiness, not gloom to the world.

However, my instinct has always been to retreat into my own, wordless, unbound imagination, and to feel entirely alone, in truth. And still, I am. As a child, I felt more the weight of the world as if I were already 1000 years old. Now, loss of hope that comes with time is both sadder, scarier and, in its way, more freeing.

Anyway - imagine having infinite time and so being able to truly drift out of existence for decades. It’s such an appealing concept to me. I know Lestat is very sad here, but the idea of this kind of true escape… oh how I yearn for it. To let the world crumble around me. To step out of existence for some decades, with the possibility of return, not the reality as it is in mortal life that that is you falling through cracks you’ll never crawl out of ever again…

Lestat names Louis, reflexively when asked who said “hello”. He hasn’t turned to see Louis yet. To Lestat, Louis died 50 years ago. He is a ghost, surely? Lestat’s voice has a flat affect here. He isn’t thinking. He is merely reacting.

When Lestat first looks at Louis, I see fear:

- Does Louis really exist?

- What will Louis do?

- Must Lestat be drawn back into the world here? To acknowledge reality?

(From IWTV) “`I've dreamed of your coming . . . coming. . ' he said.”

Lestat asks Louis if he’d like a rat, as if he were a hallucination still, more than real-Louis. I think Lestat knows Louis is real when he speaks, but he’s still only half in reality himself.

Louis says “I’ve come to see you”, but Lestat is still half in his own constructed world with his music and Argerich… I love how Lestat hugs and caresses his plank-piano, drawing it into himself, as if drawing music in to himself. Me too, Lestat. Me too. I adore how Rolin and all added music to this scene. It isn’t there in the books. Of course it makes a through-line for rock star Lestat, but it is a deep love of Lestat’s and I am SO HAPPY with this addition!

I know a lot of people find “Siri, pause…” funny, but I must be a weird human, as I just find it oddly poignant. Like did people watch and laugh at this moment? This feels like when I go to see a play and people all laugh at something and I don’t laugh, then some other thing I laugh out loud at, but nobody else is laughing. And this is why I can’t do memes or any popular thing. SIGH. ANYWAY!!!

The way Lestat puts the keyboard up on front of himself, like a shield as Louis moves closer, his breathing growing ragged. Lestat genuinely scared… as though Louis’ mere presence might obliterate him if he gets too close. And of course, he does not know why Louis is there. Is he there to kill him? Does it matter if he is? He should kill him. He could too, right now. The emotional support piano becomes a protective plank.

But what Lestat is not expecting is Louis’ kindness, care, worry and empathy.

“Did you save my life in Paris?”

And now we get the first glimmer of the old Lestat as Lestat lifts his chin, shakes his head, tries to be nonchalant and to muster up his old pride, maintain any pride he still possesses. He immediately dismisses Louis’ niceness with a self-criticism as he truly perceives that he put Louis in danger by not protecting him from Armand. Responsibility in Nicolas’ death, and, he thinks, in Louis’.

Lestat is defensive. His unspoken mantra, “Don’t see me. Don’t see the real me, Louis. I cannot take it. Not right now.” Lestat is almost begging Louis to tell him he hates him, as he’s imagined Louis’ hate all these years… I fear halluci-Louis may not have been the kind, loving vision for Lestat that DreamStat was for Louis…?

A side note again: Lestat’s “All hail me” gave me a full-on spontaneous existential crisis. Folks, does Lestat say “All hail me” in the books? I hope not! Because for as long as I remember, in appropriate circumstances, I say “All hail me” and obviously it’s a turn of phrase, but I had a sudden heart stopping moment where, with a chill, I thought *Did I get that from Lestat?!* Am I entirely even my self at all?! Am I merely a manifestation of all the art I have ever consumed? Am… I… Armand!?!?!??!! Oh MY! I don’t think Lestat says this in the books though, right? Right!?!?

Well, Lestat puts his piano-plank down, terrified Louis might show him love. Craving it. Fearing it.

“Been enduring here?” Lestat is truly proud now. He will not admit his pain. As if not speaking it could make it invisible when it’s plain all about - from within him and without. It is *very* Lestat when questioned on the pain in his soul or shown that it has been seen to be like “I am FINE” & to think that’s how he comes across to others, when really of COURSE they see how broken he is. And then he bemoans that nobody will let him be broken, when he himself struggles to be broken other than when alone or on the page.

“I didn’t know it was a gift.” - Lestat is still wary. Still expecting hate from Louis here… unable yet to fully accept and understand…

Then Louis begins to say the only things Lestat has ever wanted to hear and know from Louis - thanking Lestat for the gift of vampiric immortality, showing he understands the beauty of it and intends to value that and use it… & Lestat is done for; broken open from here. He still, for a moment tries to fight back with “Shall we list all the ways we have wronged each other…” etc. But really, Lestat can now no longer maintain ay facade. Louis has opened him up.

And now we are open to Lestat’s thoughts for the last half-century. Armand erases Louis’ suicide attempt from his mind, but it is the first thing Lestat asks about. In his mind he has replayed for 5 decades how Louis is dead and it is his fault.

Sam and Jacob are so brilliant and beautiful as they open to each other in this scene. Claudia. Grief. Pain. Then, love. Broken-Lestat is particularly too much - holding on to responsibility over Claudia’s fate and how she looked at him at the end and he did nothing… and Louis, trying to take away and share the burden. Louis - so empathetic… and as they move through grief to love, words fall away (or become too personal to matter) and the storm outside echoes the storm of their hearts and their love.

(From IWTV) ““…And as I looked down at him, as I saw his yellow hair pressed against my coat, I had a vision of him from long ago, that tall, stately gentleman in the swirling black cape, with his head thrown back, his rich, flawless voice singing the lilting air of the opera from which we'd only just come, his walking stick tapping the cobblestones in time with the music, his large, sparkling eye catching the young woman who stood by, enrapt, so that a smile spread over his face as the song died on his lips; and for one moment, that one moment when his eye met hers, all evil seemed obliterated in that flush of pleasure, that passion for merely being alive.

" Was this the price of that involvement? A sensibility shocked by change, shrivelling from fear? I thought quietly of all the things I might say to him, how I might remind him that he was immortal, that nothing condemned him to this retreat save himself, and that he was surrounded with the unmistakable signs of inevitable death. But I did not say these things, and I knew that I would not.

" It seemed the silence of the room rushed back around us, like a dark sea…””

Bonus: misprint in my TVL copy!

(From TVL) “Louis had come finally to this very place and seen me through the windows. I tried to imagine it. Louis alive. Louis here, so close, and I had not even know it. I think I laughed a little. I couldn’t keep it clear in my mind that Louis wasn’t burnt up. But it was really wonderful that Louis still lived. It was wonderful that there existed still that handsome face, that poignant expression, that tender and faintly imploring voice. My beautiful Louis surviving, instead of dead and gone with Claudia and Nick.

But then maybe he was dead. Why should I believe Armand?”

[yuri-is-online]

Hi Yuri! Have you ever considered the idea of there being an alternate version of the twst boys in Yuu’s world? Since we have no clue if it’s just another planet or an entirely separate universe, it’s theoretically possible. Poor Yuu would think they are going crazy seeing a familiar face or hearing a familiar voice in another world. Perhaps it is even painful to the point Yuu tries to avoid interacting with the boy in question. - 🦐

(Also, I am well aware of how often I’ve been sharing these thoughts. If they’re annoying you or you don’t feel up to it, I don’t want you to feel pressured to respond or anything. I’m just spitballing and posting before I forget. 👉👈)

OH BOY DO I HAVE SOME THOUGHTS ON THIS!!!!! (first and foremost being that you are very much not annoying <3)

An alt version of a twst boy in Yuu's world is just so yummy. There's so much angst potential depending on what the relationship is/was. Did their boy die in some horrible accident? Is he waiting for them, anxious and terrified about where Yuu went? Does this imply that twst also has a version of Yuu somewhere out there in the world? Questions questions. I did sort of write about this idea in the tags of this yan version of the soulbound au, wherein a cursed Yuu driven insane by their curse kills their soulmate before being isekaid to Twisted Wonderland and finding a different version of him, horrified with the realization that they could kill him again... but I want to cook up some dynamics for what the dorm leaders/overblot boys could be up to in Yuu's world first sooo...

I had a hard time thinking about Riddle until I remembered he's a horse girl and cast Yuu in the role of bad boy ranch hand whose dad's got a job at the barn so they're forced to help take care of the horses and warn all the would be YA protags about the "special horse" who doesn't take orders from just anyone. Not that Riddle is the protagonist... he's more the well established rich petty bitch who looks down on the new girls and especially on you because you're never taking care of his horse in accordance with all his stupid rules. And in stereotypical horse movie fashion Riddle has a massive not so secret crush on bad boy ranch hand Yuu who just doesn't get why he keeps trying to talk to them.

There isn't much royalty left in the world, but imagine Leona as the son of some rich business magnate whose older brother got the company and left him with "nothing." Maybe Yuu works at a liquor store part time and Leona comes in to pick stuff up every once in a while. You wouldn't call him a friend, but you guys shoot the shit enough that you have a general feel for each other to the point he joins you on your breaks to keep up the talk and play chess.

I love the idea of student president council Azul. He's made for that trope. Born for it, he'd be such a terror with Jade as his VP and Floyd as well. Floyd. I can't see him really being a part of the student council but I had this idea the other day based off this instagram post I saw about this mom who sews right? Her daughter was running for class president and she made these bracelets with little shrimp on them and attached them to cards that said "Keep it shrimple! Vote for (kid's name)!" And I was struck with this vision of Yuu doing that so like. Yuu running against Azul with that campaign slogan and he's tearing his hair out over it being so popular because people like memes (the original idea had Floyd running as Yuu's vp but they both dropped out at the last minute because neither him or Yuu wanted to do the actual work lol.) I also like student council president Azul and delinquent Yuu... but that's because of Tsuredure Children ha

Kalim and Jamil are hard... but I think the same set up of rich businessman's kid and his bodyguard in training still fits. How Yuu meets them is beyond me, but if you were friends with either of them could you imagine how painful seeing the same tragedy play out in this new world would be? Jamil doomed to always be a servant and Kalim doomed to be betrayed by his best friend... that would be so painful for someone who cared deeply about either of them I could see it motivating Yuu to try and resolve things for twst Jamil and Kalim that much harder.

Ok so hear me out... Vil still wants to be an actor in your world but he doesn't have the connections to his dad and is working as a pharm tech with Yuu at your local drugstore while going to school and hunting for gigs. He mentions being interested in cosmetics and magical pharmacology in game... and he also mentions knowing nothing about his mom so like. Your world Vil ended up with his mom instead of his dad and you get to see him on the cusp of his big break as one of his number one supporters from the very start, only to get isekaid to a world where you get to see what things could have looked like. It's strange how similar and yet not both versions of Vil are...

Idia is the guy who comes in to buy snacks at your convenience store during the night shift who you start talking to when you notice him buying a game time card for something you also play. You're stupid awkward around each other at first, but it's nice to finally have someone to talk about your niche interest with once you've passed each other's sniff tests. You don't actually know him know him though... so getting sent to another world where there's another version of him makes you worried the more you learn about his backstory that maybe you should have been there for your Idia more. Is he doing ok back home? Did he think of you as a friend? You hope he isn't blaming himself for any of this...

Malleus is an old money trust fund baby whose family was absolutely royalty at some point and is still overly attached to it. He likes old buildings, cemeteries, long walks in the fog, you know all those good goth things. He's tall and socially awkward and so grateful for you, his first and best friend who he met one moonlight night he swore was a dream in his favorite abandoned building who spoke at length with him about all sorts of things he liked. So you know. More or less the same. Just without the world ending powers... I think this is another one that would be quite sad. Which version of Malleus needs Yuu more? Which one is the real one? I'd hate the idea of him being destined to always be lonely and lose the ones he loves.

As for Yuu avoiding them... I could see that. It would feel weird seeing someone you love so much only for it not to be them at all. I know that the Lovebrush Chronicles kiiiiind of deals with this??? I wish I had the patience to play through it has an appealing glasses wearing ro but it's a mobile otome :/ but still. It's a concept I promise I am totally normal about.

[yermes]

You must not look externally for validation in magic when you just simply are the magic 🪄

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Pick a meme

123

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Disclaimer: please take what I say with a grain of salt and not as the gospel. I just want to share some ideas of practicing and giving advice using the medium as often as I can with school, work, and my own personal studies and practice. But I am working on sharing my notes soon so that will be exciting! Liking and sharing does a lot 🥰

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The void

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The cards

Justice ⚖️ 

I hate to be there are “fake profits” type of mf but you should know pookie: people lie about their magical and spiritual prowess. The people who talk to much have nothing to show and they string along the feeble minded enough to profit. To actually be aware of these thing you cannot get your knowledge and practice from external places for your internal ecosystem is a reflection of divinity and your interpretation is going to be the way which works for you. Theres nothing wrong with inspiration and pretty things but don’t let you get in the way of the divine vengeance that will take down these fake mf for you.

II of swords ⚔️ 

I think you aren’t very solid in yourself and your version of yourself. So finding a place to start to claim a magical stand point is difficult. I think you are putting off deep thought on this topic bc tbfh its very daunting and it is hard to know where to start. But the answer pookie? The basics you will not be summoning sezy demons day one you have to work into it. Plus the study of self and evidently the study of magic is precisely that: a study. It takes time and patience, just start small and grow you don’t have to be grand.

IX of wands 🖌️

Babe I think you are tired of the weird ass: we are the witches you cannot burn aesthetic and the mainstream popularity. I think you want a group or community of some kind which has a similar perspective and personality to you. While again, a practice is a lifestyle not an aesthetic I think we are all collectively tired of the one kind of aesthetic, one kind of thought process, and only one kind of mainstream. Why can’t more creative more niche practices be popular? I think we need to understand that creativity and beauty extends to all spaces and inspiration of the world around us is limitless

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Extras: ☕️

Story/vent:

My tests went so well stressed over nothing will take bubble bath today

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[jyakkopotto-saddo-gaaru]

PJSK WISHLIST

okay so like. ive wanted to make one of these for a while but ive been too lazy to so now i will COMMIT and i will SHARE MY GOOD IDEAS

songs will be in a Song ~ Vocalists format.

annnnd lets get into it!!!

under the cut, this is a long post :3

VIRTUAL SINGER

Ohedo Julia Night

i put it in vs because im scared a cover would fuck up the tuning </3 otherwise this would be a nice emurui cover. maybe toyahane

Pyrite Girl

love this song lotss!!!! half of it is in english tho so no cover

Death Should Not Have Taken Thee

would have given this to wxs but actually i really like the tuning in this song so lets give it some attention instead of letting covers take the spotlight. also too many wxs songs </3

Butcher's Vanity

the slaughters mine darling just get under the knife

The Real Disappearance Of Hatsune Miku

favorite cosmo song. :3

Hyperventilation Dance

pleaseee please pleasee pleasssee

Oeoeo

PLEASEEE PLEASE PLEASEE PLEASSSEE

Rabbit Hole

i wouldnt be surprised if they did add this one; iirc its pretty popular

Coin Locker Baby

oh you know this would be a boss song. itd have a really fun chart at that

Leo/Need

I'm Done

the choir parts would be so fun to play i think!!

Last Night, Good Night ~ Full group, Luka

no notes, luka would sound nice i think

Ayano's Theory of Happiness ~ Ichika, Saki, Miku

i would make it sakihona but that is not realistic at all

Doubleganger ~ Ichika, Shiho, Miku, Rin

WHY DOES NO ONE EVER TALK ABOUT THIS SONG it would be such a good cover

Knife Knife Knife (🔪🔪🔪) ~ Ichika, Honami, Len

pleassseeeeee colorful pallette if im nice will you let us have this

Lost Umbrella ~ Full Group, Meiko

i literally just want this because the alts would be good

Abstract Nonsense ~ Ichika, Rin

keep the og tuning and give us an ichika alt and im good tbh. it would be such a powerful cover methinks

The Taste Of A Cockroach ~ Full group

trust me. trust me it would be so good

OGRE ~ Full group, Kaito, Meiko

give leoni a few metal songs please

Shokishodo ~ Full group, Miku

i dont want this added if they dont sound angry/generally upset. ik it probably has no chance anyway but shut please and thank you

MORE MORE JUMP!

Age Age Again ~ Full group, Miku

obligatory age age again. if this happens i want an airi alt

Fake Meme ~ Minori, Haruka, maybe Rin??? idk only if they try to match the tuning style

it would just sound nice methinks

Idol ~ Full group, Rin, Miku

colopale you cant ignore this song anymore. other yoasobi songs are in the game. fucking GIVE US AN IDOL COVER. you could even give us an oshi no ko crossover like garupa got

Otsukimi Recital ~ Full group, Meiko

go ahead momojan make me cry

Dear Suns ~ Haruka, Shizuku, Kaito

okay hear me out. i want to give them ONE creepy song at least. also this is one of my favorite songs ever

Darling ~ Minori, Shizuku, Rin

HEAR ME OUT.

Neverland ~ Minori, Airi, Luka

luka to balance out the vocaloids. sorry luka i love you but so far nothing fit you.....

Zero Talking ~ Airi, Shizuku, Meiko

head in hands. im dead consider me dead

Vivid BAD SQUAD

Highway Love ~ Minori, Haruka, Luka

they better keep the og tuning

Nounai Disco ~ Kohane, An, Rin

this would be heavenly skdjjsbdk also i would obsess over the implications of anhane singing this song

Unfriendly Hater ~ An, Akito

its been said a million times but clpl pleaaseeeeeee

Wind Over The Flower ~ Full group

im going to be honest with you i would have given this to niigo if niigo didnt already have enough. but i do think they could all pull it off! bad dogs did well w ame to petra and the vivids could definitely pull off the intense sound of balloons stuff

Just Wanna xxxx With You ~ Kohane, An, Meiko, Miku

make them spoopy. not a vocaloid song but shhhhh

CH4NGE ~ Akito, Kohane, Luka

i was tempted to give this to the vivids but they already had too many </3 akihane would kill this tho and luka would deliver the final blow methinks

WILDCARD ~ An, Toya, Miku

its an english song fully so its probably a no-go :(

GETCHA ~ Full group, Miku, Luka

antoya does miku, akihane does gumi (but luka instead). that would be fun i think

Before I Was Born ~ Full group, Miku

HEAR ME OUT PLEASE

I'm A Ghost Type ~ Kohane, Toya, Miku

look. i love this song. and i think that more syudou songs deserve to be in the game. also they better announce some project voltage songs soon or i will quit istg

Wonderlands x Showtime

Jitterbug ~ Nene, Tsukasa, Meiko, Luka

clpl add this and my life is YOURS. and give us nene and tsukasa alts so we can do a vs-removed mix :)

Mental Chainsaw ~ Full group, Rin

dont ask me why please i just saw it once and now it keeps me up in the middle of the night. its so unrealistic never happening probably wouldnt even be good

Liar Dancer ~ Rui, Nene, Len

i just think it would fit their voices tbh. something something middle school something something...

Skeleton Orchestra and Lilia ~ Emu, Tsukasa, any vs honestly idc

(i. forgot the translation for this song lol. hope i got it right) colopale. colopale. im begging you. colopale. colopale please

Apple Dot Com ~ Full Group, Miku

ik some people want niigo for this but. do you seriously think this song fits niigos style. no it doesnt so COME HERE WANDASHO

Judas ~ Full group

certified wandasho song. please add at least one abuse-ken song to the game clpl im begging you

Role-playing Game ~ Full Group, Rin, Len

i think weve all been too annoying about this and now they wont add it in order to spite us

White Happy ~ Full group

look at the lyrics,,,,,, plus it would just be super cool,,,,,,,,,,,, give them more fucked up songs,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Nightcord at 25:00

My R ~ Ena, Mizuki

im not sorry

Abnormality Dancing Girl ~ Mafuyu, Ena, Kaito

THE PEOPLE PLEASER SIBLINGS 🔥🔥🔥 but fr make kaitos tuning sort of like this netsu ijou cover

I'm Glad You're Evil Too ~ Full group

AT THIS POINT I DONT CARE WHO JUST FJUCKING ADD THIS SONG TO THE GAME

Jigsaw ~ Ena, Mafuyu, Len

how long has it been since niigo got a mafumafu song??? too long imo. favorite be upon ye

Android Girl ~ Mafuyu, Mizuki, Meiko

ikik its more a leoni song but IMAGINE MAFUYUS VOCALS AAAAAA (also i added meiko because i havent been giving her enough songs and she would eat on this)

I loved you before ~ Full Group, Miku

everyone gets alts. Everyone.

dogdog ~ Kanade, Mizuki, Len

kanades soft voice would mix well with the mizooks during the chorus, and lets be honest. we need like all the abuseken songs in the game

Kareshi no Jude ~ Mafuyu, Mizuki, Miku

to go with cute no kanojo

Day by Days ~ Full group

to finish off the series

The Girl Who Sells Misfortune ~ Kanade, Ena, Rin

kanaena would kill this imo. plus it fits thematically, at least for kanade. rin would sound nice if nade to match mikus tuning in the og

thanks for reading!!!! this will get updated often so if you want check the og post after things get added or i have an epiphany and go insane on main

(note: a lot of this comes from other people i asked for help making like. a tangible real life comprehensible list with various producers and lots of songs. thank you everyone for the ideas !!!! :D)

[superkooku]

Dionysus' iceberg

This post is what remains of an initially very long rant idea. That means there will probably be a part 2 😏.

Here's the reason for my title :

In theory, you can stop there since my meme pretty much summarizes my complaints. But since I like ranting, I'll continue 😈

The tip of the iceberg

When you think "Dionysus", which words come in mind first ?

Probably "wine", "party", "alcohol" "fun god".

These words are what most people remember about Dionysus. And yes, I'm not going to deny, they fit.

Unfortunately, my problem comes with the fact that 9.5 times out of 10, Dionysus' personality will exclusively revolve around these aspects.

Since the issue is about modern adaptations and perceptions, I'll use a modern term.

I'm sure most of you are familiar with flanderization, right ? If not, the link to TV Tropes' article on the subject is available.

Many adaptations fell into that trap for, I think, every single Olympian.

Hades, god of the dead, lord of the Underworld = Satan, evil death god, darkness and sorrow

Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty = Superficial bimbo who only cares about her pretty face

Zeus, king of the gods, lord of the sky and thunder = 100% pure God OR more recently : evil king god who constantly abuses women.

The gods are stripped of their complexity to fit simpler and more "digestible" characterizations. It doesn't help that the cultural context surrounding them is also taken away...

But this is about grape boi, right? Well, Dionysus is no exception to that rule. In fact, he might be one of the worst cases.

So far, he was never really portrayed in an "insulting" light, like Apollo in Lore Olympus or Hades in the Percy Jackson movie. Fortunately.

But, from all the popular adaptations I've seen, none of them manage to portray Dionysus ! None ! Does that make them automatically bad ? No, of course. It's just something I noticed.

God of war ? Doesn't appear, only mentioned

Disney ? Don't even try 🤣. Just a drunk goofball. Yes, that includes the fantasia segment and Hercules.

Lore Olympus? Well, he's a baby for 99.99999% of the time, so it doesn't count. But he's still a quiet little Gucci bag for Persephone.

Hades I ? Just a nice guy. But hey ! He can give us useful boons ! And I like his sass.

Maybe he'll do more in Hades II. They're usually more accurate than most, right ? Though that's not a very high bar. And they know about Zagreus ! Surely that's a good sign, right ?

Nevermind...

Here's what all these adaptations tell us :

Dionysus is the god of wine, feasts and parties

He's an Olympian

He likes to get drunk and party 🥳

And that's it.

Again, I'm not blaming anyone, but if the myths stopped with those three points, wouldn't everyone wonder why he's even an Olympian ? I sure did when I was a kid.

We have the god of thunder, the goddess of wisdom and war strategy, god of music/arts/medicine/100 other things, the god of the oceans ! Many cool gods !

And some drunk dude. He's not given any particular power, except the power to stay super passive no matter the stakes ! If the story revolves about epic godly fights (which is often the case), he's absolutely useless.

Heck, Hades II even actively depicts him as a pacifist who can't handle war. While he's not physically a weakling, he sure psychologically is.

Why is this a problem ?

I am not going to beat around the bush: this gives us a very incomplete and incorrect perception of the god.

Even the things that aren't forgotten about him (like his link to wine) aren't explored.

The thing with Hades II (that's the last time I'll mention it) is that it tries to deepen the flanderized version of Dionysus. He's not stupid, but afraid. He drinks to forget his issues.

While this characterization can be very interesting taken separately, we must remember that this isn't an OC, but an interpretation of a cultural figure.

It must be accurate ! While I can accept some liberties, I think that those should mostly be an extension of the original material, not a total deviation.

Dionysus isn't a scared little boi or a stupid drunkard you can manipulate. In fact, that's quite the opposite. And he's not afraid to get his hands dirty.

(even if the "dirt" in question is the blood of his enemies).

Under the surface

Though it's rather "stuff you can find on Wikipedia". Or by reading the myths.

More about it in part 2 of the rant...

It'll be about theater, madness, travels, link between mortality and immortality and... pirates turning into dolphins.

The actual interesting stuff about Dionysus.

Edits :

1. Thanks to @st4riel-the-w1tchling for clarifying the situation about Percy Jackson. I made my own research about BoZ. My opinion is basically still the same. Again, nothing terribly offensive, but nothing that interesting for Dionysus either.

2. I made part 2 a while ago, might as well add it here :

[mochinek0]

3 Steps Back (meme)

Marinette stood awkwardly as she was confessed to, yet again. Before she could say anything, she saw someone rushing towards them in the distance.

"Um, can you take three giant steps backwards?" Marinette asked.

Confused, the person stepped back. In the blink of an eye, they found a dagger tip at their throat.

'What the fuck?'

They looked up to see Marinette with her arms around some guy's waist.

"Who is this guy?" he questioned, out loud.

"This is my very overprotective boyfriend." Marinette smiled.

The guy paled and took another step backwards.

"Got it." he announced and rushed away.

Marinette sighed as she let go of Damian.

"Habibiti, I could have handled him." he declared.

Marinette leaned up and kissed him.

"I don't want to call your dad and tell him your in jail for maiming." she replied.

Damian rolled his eyes, putting the blade away, "He can afford to bail me out."

"Like all the other times?" she questioned with a smile, "You're cute when you're jealous."

"People should stop asking you out." Damian huffed.

"I have an idea." Marinette announced, "You have to wait until tomorrow. I don't think you have anything to worry about after that."

Marinette walked into school with a shirt that read: Property of Damian Wayne. Damian blushed at the familiar writing style. He had seen it on cheerleaders at forced functions. She had chosen a dark blue shirt and yellow colors. It was reminiscent of when he went to Gotham Academy.

"Is this helpful, Dami?" Marinette asked.

The people around them stopped what they were doing to stare at the pair. Damian said nothing, but grabbed her hand and pulled her further into the school. Marinette smiled at his approval. Damian tried not to flush red at the warning sign on his girlfriend. It was a giant keep away sign.

'Why hadn't I thought about this sooner?'

Lila couldn't believe what she was seeing. Marinette was wearing a shirt that flaunted Damian Wayne as hers. There was no way that was going to happen; not while she was around.

"Damian, " Lila voiced in fake concern, "did you lose a bet?"

Damian merely glared at her. Marinette smiled from her place on his arm.

"It's okay, Habibi." Mari spoke, "It must be strange for her to see people like this; so happy."

Damian smirked and looked down at her. Lila couldn't believe that not only had Marinette talked back to her, but Damian Wayne had smiled at the goody-goody's snarky comment.

"You're one to talk." Lila lashed out, "Everyone hates you! Who wouldn't hate a bully?"

"You mean the pathetic rumors you spread around?" Marinette asked, "Only that one class believes you. The rest of the school laughs when your back is turned."

Lila heard people giggle behind them. It wasn't just one person, either. It was multiple people.

"Marinette is my property." Damian declared, "The shirt doesn't lie. She's my girlfriend and has been for two years."

Marinette smiled, "Damian got a little possessive when someone tried to ask me out again, yesterday."

"That is twenty people, who have asked you out in the past five months." Damian hissed.

"People?" Lila questioned.

Marinette blushed, "I've had girls confess to me, too. I don't mind wearing the shirt. Hopefully, after today, I won't have to stop Damian from attempting murder."

Damian and Marinette walked passed Lila. Lila moved to the sidelines as other people started to speak up.

"Damn, Damian made sure to scoop up the 'Queen of the School'."

"The Queen?"

"Do you expect anything else from a Wayne?"

Lila walked to class in silence. As she got closer, she could hear new whispers.

"Did you see Marinette?"

"Yeah, she was all over the Wayne kid!"

"I heard they're dating!"

"No they're not!"

"Everyone is talking about it! They have been toegther for two years!"

"Damian was the one to announce it."

"I never knew that Marinette was so popular."

"I feel bad for all those people she turned down, but she was already taken."

"What about her bullying Lila? I thought we all agreed it was because she was jealous of Lila getting close to Adrien."

"I don't think that's the case and it sounds like it hasn't been for awhile."

Lila decided to wait until after the bell to walk into class. From her spot, she noticed Damian walk Marinette to class.

"I will see you at lunch." Damian spoke.

She hated seeing Marinette smile.

"Habibiti, I must ask you one question." he spoke.

"What is it?" she asked.

"What am I to do if your shirt fails and people still try to claim what is mine?" he questioned.

Marinette stayed silent for a moment.

"I can wear this at least every two weeks, but I'm sure everyone will know by the end of the day." she began.

"And if they persist?" he growled.

"I'm sure they'll learn how possessive you are over the coming days." Marinette declared, "I think Bruce will be even more surprised he's not bailing you out of jail and paying for hospital fees."

"Father can afford it." Damian sighed.

Damian leaned down and kissed her.

"My statement stands; I will see you at lunch." he announced, before leaving.

Lila stayed flushed against the lockers, as Damian walked passed her. She sighed and sank to the floor.

'Jail? He hurt people for her? His father just bailed him out?'

She suddenly spotted a pair of shoes by her own feet. Lila quickly looked up and saw Damian Wayne glaring at her.

"I suggest you leave Marinette alone from now on." Damian declared, "My mother taught me that woman are manipulative. She taught me how to fight. I don't care if you are a girl; if you continue to spread rumors and I find out you started it, you will be injured beyond repair."

"You would be expelled." Lila spoke, softly, "You can't let Marinette manipulate you like this."

Damian quickly punched the locker next to her head. Lila slowly looked at his hand and saw the locker had been dented around his hand. He slowly pulled away, revealing the imprint of his hand.

He leaned in close and whispered, "Now imagine that being your jaw. You would never speak again. No more lies. I didn't move to Paris to be with Marinette; Father sent me because I was too violent away from her. It wouldn't be my first or last time breaking bones."

Damian turned and walked away. Lila snapped her eyes away from the locker as the bell rang. She quickly ran to class. As she sat down, she decided she was never going to ever say Marinette's name again.

TAG LIST: @animeweebgirl @a-star-with-a-human-name @meme991001 @vixen-uchiha @abrx2002 @alysrose-starchild @fandom-trapped-03 @dood-space @moonlightstar64 @saltymiraculer @marveldcedits20 @09shell-sea09 @icerosecrystal @animegirlweeb @insane-fangirl-of-everything @blueblossombliss @nickristus-dreamer @megawhitleycalderonpaganus

[audible-smiles]

pet peeve time

it's ghoulish that we turn making fun of unusual baby names into some kind of sport. why is this the one area of culture where pedantic, hypercritical conservatism is fine and cool? there used to be an epidemic of so-called comedians in the US making fun of black names (because they thought black people were stupid!) and then when blatant racism became a faux pas in certain circles of white society they were all just like "we meant women are stupid, actually, as well as all white people in different social classes than us" and so far we've all gone "oh, that's fine!" and passed around memes of pregnant women naming their kids "Arson" or "Kayleieiigh" or whatever the fuck is supposed to be funny at the time.

I just looked at the top ten baby names in the US by binary gender and guess what, most of them date back to at least the 14th century if not much further, because again, naming conventions are astonishingly conservative. the exceptions? "Lily", because flower names for girls weren't popularized until the 1800s, and possibly "Mia" and "Aiden", which are, respectively, a diminutive version of a much older name, and an anglicized spelling of a much older name. your cousin who named their kid something weird is not necessarily indicative of a widespread societal collapse that must by guarded against by those wise preservers of our culture, internet trolls.

you are not being oppressed because somewhere a baby has a name that's spelled weird or sounds weird. in fact, that baby's name affects you in no way whatsoever, and fixating on it is deranged, "fall of civilization" behavior that makes you sound like you spent the 90s forwarding chain e-mails about ghetto kids named Oranjello and Lemonjello, because you're a tool. that's my hot take today!

adults can in fact change their names if they hate them. kids who dislike their names often end up going by nicknames. it is not child abuse to give your kid an unusual name! sometimes kids hate their traditional names, even, because names are super personal. sometimes kids are trans! The Public Universal Friend was born in 1752, you literally cannot stop people given traditional names from renaming themselves something weirder as an adult, and you still have to treat them with respect if they choose to do so!

naming a kid a nearly unpronounceable string of characters may in fact be the only remotely cool thing Elon Musk has ever done in his life, but it was almost certainly Grimes' idea

[misylssparrow]

there's this one thing i keep encountering where i'm always like "no c'mon, i can't get bothered by this, it's literally the stupidest thing ever," but the more i think about it the more i think it's geninuely a good example of how fandom overwrites actual characterization for the sake of popular fanon or a dumb joke or a dumb popular fanon joke

so fine, here it is: why do some people seem to be afraid of the idea of Falin showing the bare mimimum of politeness to Shuro lmao. every time i see a shitpost where Falin ignores Shuro in some over-the-top way, or is even outright callous to him, it feels so weird. what character is this. that's not how Falin acts at all. that's pretty much the exact opposite of how Falin acts!! it's arguably what her entire character arc is about, the fact that she's nice to Shuro (and everyone else), so nice to Shuro (and everyone else) that she'll ignore her own needs and desires for the sake of other people- the inciting incident of the entire story hinges on her being self-sacrificing to a fault!!! the conclusion of her character arc is gently rejecting Shuro's proposal in order for her to live the life she wants to live, because that's a huge deal for her! i should be fine accepting it as the whole normal exaggeration of traits for a joke, but this is literally Falin's big Thing!!!

putting aside my thoughts on the continued loserfication of Shuro, i think the explanation is non-malicious if really dumb- people want to make memes lmao. not just the "slapping the name of characters on the same text post you've seen on every other incorrect-iwtv-blog" variety of memes (there's a lot of those though), but people just want to make funnies in general, and "Falin is polite towards Shuro, though she also displays the same faint distant, melancholy air she displays with everyone else" probably seems harder to squeeze into the same jokes that go big than "Falin dunks on Shuro because she's in love with Marcille". and i truly don't want to police people's jokey-jokes- but again i have to stress, this is arguably the crux of Falin's character. what's the point of trying to do these jokes with Falin when they're so unfitting? if you have to make Falin so different, is it really a joke with Falin? anyways, if you want to make jokes about Shuro getting dunked on by a girl, Marcille is literally right there lol

[g0nta-g0kuhara]

why do u think people r so ashamed of loving danron??

I mean, honestly, there's a lot of reasons, which makes it kind of complicated to tackle. I can list out a few from the top of my head, based on personal experience Feeling the shame and observation of other fans

•The problematic content in the games themselves. People feel embarrassed to like the other parts of the game because of the amount of bigoted moments (and sometimes whole characters) within these games. They don't want people to think they like those parts too, so they couch their appreciation in embarrassment.

•The reputation of the fanbase. On tumblr at least, things have normalized significantly and I find this fandom a very chill place to be. But the danganronpa fandom at its peak (2012-2016ish) was RABID. Like any major tumblr fandom, there was tons of drama, discourse, and toxic fan behaviour, but DR was genuinely on another level. This is especially true because of the young average age of members of the fandom at the time. Even though thats not generally true anymore on tumblr, this fandom still has that reputation to non-fans, and so people don't want to be associated with it.

•Cringe culture. At its peak, the DR fandom on tumblr was made mostly of teens, especially younger teens. I think the earnest way young teens participate in fandom led to it being seen as cringe, just like many other fandoms. Also, even outside of its problematic content, DR's plot can be weird and, frankly, even completely ridiculous. Similar to hom/estuck, I think this esotericness adds to people's kneejerk reaction to it when hearing about it second hand.

•The tendency of tumblr to turn on popular media when the magic is gone. This is something I've noticed with a lot of tumblr's number 1 big fandoms. Once a lot of people's interest in it starts wearing off, for some reason people will pivot to hating it. It happened with T/MA a little, it happened with Und/ertale, it happened with S/U, and so many other fandoms that tumblr went crazy over initially. Maybe its because these fandoms became so vocal they started to annoy those not participating, so they started to meme and make fun of it and its fans. Then, when people start to leave as their interests change, they join in on the teasing to displace the shame they might've felt from being teased. Eventually, people usually turn around and come to appreciate the piece of media casually again. That didn't really happen with DR... probably because of the other three reasons.

DR gained this reputation of being "irredeemable, problematic, cringe media" with a toxic fanbase and never shook it off. Before I played DR, I knew nothing about it except that tumblr hated it, for some reason. I had learned literally nothing else through fandom osmosis! And I think that general feeling, that Good People who like Unproblematic Things* (*requirement of being a good person) would never touch DR with a 10 foot pole outside of to make fun of it, sticks with people.

So when people finally check it out, usually through irony-poisoned letsplays of it, and end up actually liking it, they don't know what to do with themselves. How do you balance genuinely liking this piece of media with the site-wide perception youve grown so used to? With the idea that everyone will hate you if they know you like it, that you are a bad person for even posting about it? And thats how you get everyone's first DR post having a caption essentially communicating "im so sorry for posting about dr- I know its terrible and associating myself with this game makes me look disgusting- people who've followed me up until now, please dont hate me!"

[shygirl4991]

The break up

Summary: After so much failure SMG3 is done being in his boyfriends shadow and decides to find his own path.

Tag: Angst, establish relationship, takes place during smg4 trash friends, vent fic

SMG3 was stressed, his business was failing. No matter what he did, people just rolled their eyes at him and walked away from his cafe. Sure he was popular on twitch but that wasn't what he wanted, twitch was another reason to follow in his boyfriends footsteps to be famous like him.His cafe was his own dream something he wanted in life, yet again he chases something he wants only to end in the shadow of his partner.  He sighs, putting his phone down as his boyfriend kicks the door down “Babe! You won't believe what just happened. I got a sponsor from Micheal Jordan. This will be such a boost for my channel!” 

SMG4's voice faded to the background as he stared at the USB in the man's hand, suddenly the words his partner were saying changed “Now with this I can show how much better I am then you, it's okay nothing wrong with being a trophy boyfriend.”  Three growled as he got up smacking the USB out of Fours hand, surprised he took a step back looking at his love “The hell was that Three?” Three was shaking as the voice in his head reminded him of their past. How SMG4 acted so smug in school with his high grades, how he ruined everything for him when he was close to reaching fame and love. He glares at the man wondering why he even thought dating was the smart idea, for all he knows this was another trick, some kind of secret plan that Four had to hurt him just like he has after all these years. “Im…done,” he whispers, confusing Four “What?” Three looks up with tears in his eyes “I'M DONE WITH YOU! LEAVE MY LIFE AND NEVER RETURN! I DON'T LOVE YOU I NEVER DID!” SMG4 stared at Three in shock, his own eyes watering “Wha…why are you saying this…after everything we have been through?”  Three lets out a bitter chuckle “You mean how you always been better at things then me…leaving me in your dust as the world forgets me heh..why would i want to date someone like that.” Four shakes his head as he reaches for Three. He brushes Four away, staring at his phone that showed a picture of them kissing, crying, he turns away from SMG4. He won't let himself be tricked and hurt again. He snaps his fingers then grabs Eggdog leaving for the internet graveyard, a place where forgotten dead memes go to live and funny enough his home. Maybe he was always destined to be forgotten  and abandoned. Weeks passed since the break up, no one has seen or heard from SMG3 leaving Four alone to protect his home from gods and other creatures trying to kill them all. SMG1 and two attempted to bring the other guardian back only to learn the internet graveyard woods was protecting the man, changing the path to make it impossible to find him. Over time they gave up and everyone just accepted they would never see the man again, Four kept busy never stopping his work so he can never think about the cold he felt in his heart the day SMG3 disappeared. 

[zalrin]

Regrets (BG3 Imagine)

Title: Regrets

Pairing: Ascended Astarion x good!Dark Urge (OC!Zurge)

Warnings: Spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3

Part: 1

Word Count: 1,721

Summary: Several centuries have passed since the party's fight against the Absolute. After saving the world, they each went their separate ways. Some tried to stay in touch, but they all eventually drifted apart, especially due to the merciless passage of time. Astarion wanted nothing more than to reunite with Zurge, but after the mistake he’s made, he couldn't bring himself to interfere with her life. Now that the 700th year since their separation was approaching, he couldn't help but wonder what happened to that elven mortal - the only one he has ever truly loved.

Note From Author: This fanfic is largely inspired by the popular "You came, You called" meme I'd often see on almost all social media platforms. I only recently learned it was from a series called, "The Sandman" and ended up watching an extended clip of the scene (episode 11, for those of you wondering). That's when this idea came to me, so please enjoy! The title may change (it's a work-in-progress).

Part 1 - Regrets

Why?

No matter how tightly the windows were shut, the noises always seemed to filter through. The bustling streets, the people going about their day, the animals chattering, and the wheels of all the carriages and carts squeaking incessantly. He could hear even the faintest of whispers in the furthest reaches of the city, the meaningless gossip of all those beneath him.

Why?

The rustle of clothes. The shuffling of feet. His servants rushing to-and-fro, making sure to stay clear of his room. The latest spawn resisting their hunger, abiding by the rules he set forth. The guests sluggishly making their way out of his palace as yet another banquet had successfully concluded.

Why?

A cup shattered, decorating the wall with blood and glass. The one who threw it held his head, cursing at the fact that he couldn’t get drunk, as the servants outside scurried further away from the room in fear.

“Shut up!”

Astarion yelled, gripping his head as if he were in pain.

“Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!”

But the voice didn’t obey. It was one of the few presences that always disregarded his commands.

Why?

He slumped deeper into his bed, the silk sheets doing nothing to alleviate his frustrations. No amount of outside noise seemed to be able to silence the one ringing in his head. Always just one word. One question. Over and over again. It was to the point that it was driving him mad.

Why?

He was beginning to hate the sound of his own voice. It was the one asking the question, after all. Like a broken record, repeating the same thing with no end in sight. As if his former self that he had long since abandoned was constantly questioning him. Nagging him. Pestering him.

Why?

It never seemed to rest, but there were moments it would amplify. Anything she wouldn’t approve of. Anything she would find saddening. Anything she would advocate against. Every single time, his former self never failed to ask that same question, forcing him to recall the one that had abandoned him. The one he both wished he could forget but also hoped he never would.

“Shut up…” He muttered, covering his face with his hands. “I did what I had to do.”

Why?

“To be free! To be happy! To have everything I ever wanted!” He replied, standing up from his bed and glaring at the mirror he once adored. Never had he imagined a day would come when he would despise his own reflection.

Why?

It was as if the man in the mirror was not himself. It seemed to move by itself, completely independent from him. It was clear as day who this man was. It was him, but different. Dressed in clothes that were mended repeatedly, rather than his perfectly tailored suit. His past self. The version of him he threw away.

“You know damn well why I did it,” he laughed, hysteria taking control as his vision blurred from the rage that seethed inside.

His reflection did not respond.

“Now look at me! I’ve played host to every kind of banquet, soiree, and masquerade imaginable. My influence over this city has nearly reached its peak, having authority over those who matter.”

Still, his former self did not reply.

“I have all the time in the world to spin my web, and now all this power is mine. There’s still an entire world out there, ready for the taking.”

Astarion peered back into the mirror, waiting for that annoying question to speak up once more. But his reflection was strangely… Quiet. It stared back at him, but something was different. As if it was waiting for something.

“Truly a life worth living, right?”

Then why do you regret it?

That startled him. The question his past self would ask, it was only ever why. It had never changed, nearly driving him insane. Since the day it began to speak… Since the day his spawn reported Zurge’s… His former self never said a different word. Not even to elaborate on its question.

Why do you regret the choice you made that day?

“What-”

Ever since you found out-

“Don’t. Don’t say it.”

It was bound to happen eventually. She’s not like us. She won’t live forever. Wouldn’t it have just been better to turn her?

“Silence! Go back to your one-worded-”

Why do you not regret being unable to turn her into a spawn, but you regret your ascen-

“SHUT UP!”

In a fit of rage, his hand went through the fragile mirror. It shattered on impact, but his hand remained free of any wounds. Not a drop of blood was shed. But even with the mirror broken beyond repair, the voice didn’t stop.

If you regretted it so much, it sneered, why didn’t you go to her when she was still-

“I couldn’t!”

It was the first time he had been truly honest with the illusion, but he couldn’t sit still. He didn’t want to come to terms with what it was about to say next. He couldn’t bear to think about it, so how could he let it say it out loud?

“There, are you happy now?” He chuckled, stepping on the broken glass as he made his way to his desk. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t go to her. Not with how things ended. Not after what I’ve done.”

Are you content that she may have gone on hating you until the day she-

“Yes.” He interrupted again, settling into his chair and resting his arms on his desk with his head hung low. “I am content simply knowing that she is… Was happy.”

Is that why you’re searching?

“What?”

Is that why you’re searching for it, after all this time?

Astarion knew what his former self was referring to, but he couldn’t bring himself to answer. If he did, it would become too real. And once it became real… How could he bear the pain that would follow? The emptiness?

Before he could formulate a response, a hurried knock came at the door.

If given the chance, would you like to see her again?

A foolish question. One that didn’t need an answer. It had never changed since the day she left him. Why would it be any different now?

“Enter.”

He ignored the voice, focusing on the real world, not the voice that festered in his mind.

Do you still love her, even when you chose power over her all those years ago?

Another foolish question. Why would his former self feel the need to ask when it was the very embodiment of the regret he had for choosing to ascend? If he could turn back time, he would have listened to her. He wouldn’t have betrayed her. And she never would’ve left his side.

He tried to delude himself into thinking that all this power made him happy. He amassed so much of it to continue the charade. But his former self knew how miserable he truly was, so why did it still bother to ask?

The door swung open, waking him from his thoughts, and he heard footsteps rush towards him. In a fluid motion, the steps halted and he heard the familiar sound of someone kneeling. Such a greeting was common amongst his children. It was one of his commands, after all. Now, what could be so important that a mere spawn would come all the way to his room to report?

“Speak.”

Believing it to be unimportant, like all of the other reports he periodically received from his spawn, Astarion glanced up from his desk towards the kneeling servant. But the moment he laid eyes on the figure, he knew exactly who this was. The realization made his cold heart flinch for the first time in a long while. He… He wasn’t ready. Not yet. Perhaps not ever.

“We’ve found-”

“Stop.”

He interrupted the spawn. Astarion immediately understood why they were here before they could even say the words. This was one of the many spawns he had commanded to search for… To find Zurge’s grave. But, regardless of how desperate he had been when giving the command… He just wasn’t ready to hear the results. He wasn’t ready to confirm what he knew would eventually come.

“Report the location to me later,” he sighed, suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion as he reached out to pour himself another glass. “You are excused.”

“But Master-”

“I don’t want to hear another word about her grave,” he warned, a crack running up the cup in his hand before even a drop of blood could be poured.

It was a testament to how much he was restraining himself. A threat to make sure his child didn’t say another unnecessary word.

“If you have nothing else to report, leave. That’s an order.”

Would you go to her if she called for you?

The strange question made him freeze in his tracks, unable to reach for another cup. What did the voice mean, if she called for him? It knew better than he did of the news his spawn was bringing. They had even tried to say it several times, but he had interrupted the impudent child. Was his former self trying to give him false hope? Was the voice trying to break his sanity through cruelty now?

“Master.”

His spawn’s voice brought him back from the self-loathing spiral he was about to drown in and he quickly recollected his thoughts. Before he could become annoyed that the spawn was still here, despite his command, they continued.

“There is no grave.”

The words he was about to say quickly got stuck in his throat. Silence filled the room. Why did it seem like he couldn’t understand anything? First his former self. Now his spawn. Why didn’t any of them seem to make any sense today?

“... What did you say?”

Perhaps he misheard. He was delusional from the hope his inner voice tried to ignite. Yes, that was the only logical answer. How could it possibly be anything else? Too many years had passed to allow for such a hope in his eternal life.

But reality seemed to still have miracles left for him.

“Zurge… She’s alive.”

Or karma had finally caught up to his wretched self.

“She’s alive as a spawn.”

[Next]