#ally��s idiocy

[bones4thecats]

I'm not sure what fandoms you're riding for but if it's okay could I please ask for

Kianna with the character you choose I'm not sure what else to ask in this request so the rest is up to you

┗ What A Night; MK × Kianna K.! S/O ┛

Characters: Monkie Kid 'MK' (Lego Monkie Kid) A/N: It took me a bit to find a character that suited the scenario I mad up, but I did it! Woo-hoo! Hope you like this @nunezs-stuff! Nice to get a request from you again! ⇘ Summary: When spending a calming day with your found family in China goes sideways because of the visitation of six vampire brothers, it leads to some shenanigans causing everyone to question whether your past was really as 'common as can be'.

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🙉 Furrowed eyebrows surrounded you as sixth familiar figures looked at you from the entrance of the building. One with tan hair and striking blue eyes, another with dark purple hair and red eyes, the third and fourth with matching red hair and green eyes, though one wore a fedora, the fifth with light purple hair and eyes, and the sixth with white hair and mismatched red and pink eyes.

🙉 Pigsy and Wukong, despite being the technical adults of your found-family, had no clue of your past. The person who was able to get the most out of you was the Six-Eared Macaque, or Master Macaque, as you dubbed him after he took you in to teach you years ago. And he hardly had anything there except for the fact that you lost your sister years ago.

🙉 The vampire brothers looked at you with mixed emotions. IN natural fashion, Shu was bored, Reiji was practically trying to stare into your soul, Laito was smirking at you creepily, Ayato was making a pouty-face (as Mei would've dubbed it), Kanato was looking from you to Teddy constantly, the same distant eyes as before, and Subaru was just there.

"Oh, my little plaything! Where have you been all this time?" Laito purred, making you furrowed your eyebrows and narrow your eyes.

"Laito." Reiji voiced, making Laito look back and sigh loudly before walking back to behind his second-eldest brother.

🙉 Reiji looked at you with his same stoic expression, cold eyes piercing yours as you slightly shifted to be closer to the others.

"Y/N Komori. It has been many years since we started searching for you. I see you've found some rather..." He began to search for a word before continuing, "interesting allies. Though, I heavily doubt they'll stop us from taking back what's ours. A punishment is in order."

🙉 Wukong and Macaque looked at one another before jumping down to stand right behind you, acting like guards against the evil men trying to lure you back into their venomous grasps.

"Don't worry, Sugarcube~ I'll make sure you're taken care of afterwards~" Laito's disgusting voice came out again.

"Uh- Your's Truly deserves to take care of the human afterwards! I lost Yui because of her idiocy, why can't I get my replacement?"

"Shut up, Ayato. You're such a damn baby." Subaru said, rolling his eyes as he glanced from you to the sky.

🙉 You looked back at MK, who was watching beside Tang, Mei, and Sandy, and he noticed the fearful glint in your eyes. You were amazing at hiding your true emotions, something you learned from your Master early on, but there was always one thing that shined brighter than ever: your eyes.

🙉 Some say they're the gates to your soul, and MK had to agree with that statement now. Ever time he looked into your eyes, he could see them showing your real emotions. Not the ones you put up front for all to see. No. The REAL ones. The ones he loves dearly.

🙉 Playing dumb as to how dangerous these six were, MK walked up to you and grabbed your wrist, pulling you behind him gently, not hurting you in any way. Showing just how much he cared for you. Unlike the others...

"Hey! Don't touch the sacrifice! You'll probably worsen her blood's taste with your human-germs!" Kanato yelled, his bratty tone shining like never before.

"Uh, who are you guys? And how do you know my girlfriend?" He asked.

"...Girlfriend?" Reiji asked.

"Yeah, girlfriend! They've been a thing for almost five months now!" Mei yelled proudly.

"First you runaway, now you begin to have an affair on us?"

"She was never yours." Macaque said, hands balling into fists. He may not fully understand now, but he's sure whatever you've been hiding certainly wasn't good.

"You're not that much different from your little bitch sister, are you, Y/N?" Laito asked.

"How dare you call Yui that..." You mumbled, anger taking you over as the others readied themselves for a fight.

"What? Little Bitch? But, isn't that her name?" He taunted.

"Sure was every time we pinned her down." Ayato joined in, a laugh coming out as you began to pulsate, energy coming from the ground as the brothers began to look around confusingly.

🙉 Wukong and Macaque looked at the others and nodded, telling them to ready themselves for their fight against these six dangers. Well, perhaps four, depending on how the white-haired one, or Subaru, and the tan-haired one, Shu, reacted to their advances.

🙉 The brothers looked around at the others as they circled around them and a couple laughed while others scoffed or stayed silent.

"Do you think we're some measly humans you can extract like bugs? We're vampires, dumbasses." Ayato said.

"I'm pretty sure they already knew that, Ayato." Subaru said.

🙉 Ayato rolled his eyes as everyone gripped their weapons tightly, though the ones who were the most upset with these comments were Wukong, Macaque, and MK. They were the closest with you, after all.

"Well then. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you're gonna get." Reiji said calmly, motioning for his brothers to join him.

🙉 It lasted longer than they wanted, the brothers were strong. But, when Kanato aimed for you, MK snapped. He was enveloped by a yellow glow, making everyone watch in either fear, shock, or awe. When MK came from the burst of energy, he was far from the MK you knew.

🙉 His dark-brown hair was longer, covering the sides of his face like how the two Mystical Monkeys had theirs, hair covered his arms and everything else like with the others too. The main parts was that he had fangs, he grew a long monkey's tail, and his eyes were glowing yellow in anger.

🙉 Just then, he launched forward, kicking and punching all the brothers who tried coming for anyone he cared for. Especially you. When Laito grabbed your wrist, MK grabbed him by the neck and threw him across the town and into the forest. You could practically hear his bones snapping.

🙉 When the dust settled, almost all of the brothers were gone. MK stood, back to his normal form, and ran towards you, hugging you tightly as he heard another few footsteps from behind. There, in front of you all, was Subaru, the youngest.

"Subaru? What are you still doing here?" You asked.

"I just wanted to give you something I found at the mansion after you left."

🙉 Holding out his balled hand, he tossed something to you. You caught it and opened your hands to look at it. There, in your palms, was a small, pink necklace. It was shaped like a heart, and it opened by splitting it in half. You did so and began to read the words inscribed on the circle inside of the halved-heart.

"To my sister, I love you more than anything. You are my heart. Live a long and peaceful life. Love, Yui..." You began to tear up as you looked up and smiled at the youngest and only remaining Sakamaki brother. "Thank you so much, Subaru."

"No problem. Now, I should probably get home. I gotta find out something to tell Father." He gritted his teeth as he said that role aloud. You knew he hated his father a lot yet loved his mother.

"Well, good luck, Subaru. I hope you have a great future leading your family to greatness once more. Just... don't use sacrificial brides, we both know how that could turn out."

🙉 Subaru chuckled and agreed before walking away, most likely heading back home to Japan. Back to the brand-new Sakamaki Mansion. The one they made after you burned down the first one while running away.

"So, you wanna finish telling all of us what happened back in old Japan?" Macaque asked, looking down at you from his position on top of a pole.

"I will, but I'm kind of tired right now." Just then, MK fell onto your back, a little snore coming out of him as he cuddled into your back. "And so isn't MK. I'll tell you guys everything tomorrow, okay?"

"You promise?" Mei asked, holding her pinkie out for you.

"I promise."

[pyropsychiccollector]

Shiro Harem: Holy Grail War... of Love 2/7

As you guys know, the poll ended up being a 3-way tie... Technically. Although, based off the accidental "first" poll where Artoria had more votes tying her with Sakura... I'm gonna be generous and throw the King of Knights in here as an "unofficial" winner. It's the only poll that changed drastically enough, and I feel bad for flubbing up the first time. XD

... So, uh. Yeah. I'll be writing up 4 posts before posting anything. Be sure to cycle through my posts to find your favorite girl(s)... The official winners are Rin, Sakura, and Luvia. I'll be getting to Mitsuzuri, Illya, and Reines later. XD

The Beginning

Let's just jump into #2 now~... (人◕ω◕) Sakura-chan is... She's an interesting one. I like her supportive dynamic with Shiro, but for my own peace of mind I'm tweaking things... Mostly for Sakura's sake, but a bit for Shiro's sake as well.

But first, the disclaimer:

Fate: Stay Night is all about branching timelines. As such, to cater to all seven members of this harem in a single worldline, we'll be looking at an AU separate from the canon ones, regardless of how similarly events may play out. Just a forewarning.

With that out of the way... I do need to stress this is where we begin to look at the divergences in the timeline. Because even if she didn't show up often in Fate Zero, you could argue she had an important role even back then... The Fourth Holy Grail War is where her life began going down the crapper, and the war's conclusion shattered Shiro as a person. You could argue that the divergences in the Fourth War play into why the Fifth War panned out so differently in this AU. Both wars are intimately connected~... So I'm gonna go ham here. Apologies for those who might prefer a more broken Sakura... But that's too angsty for my palette. I won't allow it. (人◕ω◕)***

Let's start with the big one. Sakura had an Uncle Kariya who meant the world to her. (人◕ω◕) Sakura was born the second daughter of the Tohsaka family, and her father Tokiomi being the brilliant man that he is... He decided to judiciously follow the laws and traditions of magi families - that there can only ever be one heir that inherits the Magical Crest of the Tohsaka's. And instead of letting Sakura choose her own life, her own path, Tokiomi decided because Sakura had so much potential that she should be given away to the Matou's, an ally mage family. So that she could be groomed into their heir, since they didn't have one. Not a proper one; Shinji was too weak to be considered an heir.

Seems "reasonable", yeah? Just give Sakura away to an ally magus family. Give the "unnecessary" child up for adoption... (人◕ω◕)*** Unfortunately, Tokiomi is a fool. It's one thing to want what's best for your kids... It's also one thing to follow traditions zealously because that's always how things have "always" been done, not all cultures encourage reflection and adaptation... (人◕ω◕)** But this guy gave his kid away to a veritable vampire and didn't know it. Of course Zouken hides his longevity pretty well... On top of how he's stayed alive for centuries...

It was a pretty big mistake. But that's what it was: A mistake. Because for all that I can harp on Tokiomi's idiocy all day, he didn't do it maliciously... He did want Sakura to thrive and come into her own as a magus. Even if that meant competing with her sister Rin one day. ... But you know what they say about good intentions, the road they pave... (人◕ω◕)

Still, this is when Kariya enters the picture. Just as the Fourth Holy Grail War is entering the final phases of preparation, he returns to Japan from some trip around the world that took a while. His lifelong friend Aoi Tohsaka, Rin and Sakura's mom, is used to him being away for lengthy periods and is simply happy to see him back. Rin is happy enough to see him, too... But when he opens up the can of worms that is Sakura, mother and daughter grow despondent. He learns about Tokiomi giving Sakura away to the Matou's, the family that he's distanced himself from because he can't stand being around them... Particularly around "grandfather"...

But Kariya can't let things be, no matter how much Aoi begs him. Aoi was the woman he loved, and still loves... And he treasures her daughters just as much. Sakura was especially fond of "Uncle Kariya", and that's why he goes to confront Zouken about the adoption. Because he knows the Matou family magic will break Sakura, it would break anyone. The Matou's really only exist for Zouken's benefit...

... Unfortunately for Kariya, Sakura was already thrown into the worm pit, and has been down there for days... Already broken and traumatized. Kariya is beside himself, and instantly tries to strike a bargain with Zouken: He'll win the Fourth Holy Grail War, and when he does Zouken will release Sakura. Return her to the Tohsaka's. Zouken isn't exactly keen to hedge his bets on Kariya, but it gives the old fossil a chance to torture Kariya and make him suffer... So he tentatively agrees, insisting Sakura will continue her training until Kariya returns with the Grail.

... In one timeline, Kariya dies failing to save Sakura. He dies with Aoi believing that he killed Tokiomi... And he severely wounded her in grief and outrage.

This timeline goes better. ... For the most part. During the war, Kiritsugu's assistant Maiya encounters Kariya. She's about to kill him, threat of Berserker be damned, but he winds up begging her for an alliance. Kariya asserts that his life doesn't matter - he's got an unruly Servant, and his body is rapidly deteriorating... Kariya intends to keep fighting even if he expires in the process, but his ultimate objective is to save Sakura. Maiya and whoever she works for is under no obligation to help him, but he begs them to save Sakura... Kariya's willing to offer them his Servant's power for however long he has it, as long as they follow through on their end of the deal.

Maiya contacts Kiritsugu about Kariya's offer... And while he'd sooner just kill Berserker's Master and be done with it, his wife Iri talks him into the alliance. She points out that Kiritsugu should be able to understand Kariya's pain, wishing to save a child that he cares for dearly... And Kariya is rather bedraggled and barely functioning as it is. What's the harm in helping a dying man?

So Kiritsugu agrees to meet with Kariya. They hash out what makes Zouken so damn near "unkillable", and they agree to go to the Church about the matter. Kirei's father, Risei, knows of ways to deal with corrupt magi such as Zouken, and as the matter is not related to the Grail War directly... he agrees to put the war on hold to deal with Zouken Matou.

Zouken attempts to flee the Matou estate with Sakura, unwilling to lose his best chance in the next Grail War... But gets taken down by Risei, Kirei, and Tokiomi, who is repulsed to learn about the truth of the man he entrusted his daughter with. The "vampire" doesn't die so easily... But he is exterminated. And Sakura's body is purged of all the crest worms that defiled her body.

Kariya is offered the same treatment, but he refuses. He knows that he will die whether they deal with the crest worms or not... He needs what magic they can offer him to keep going in this war. Because even with Sakura saved from his monster of a "grandfather", Tokiomi is adamant about giving Sakura away to a different family once the war is resolved... Kariya simply refuses to allow that to happen. He continues to fight for Sakura's sake... striking a new deal with Tokiomi that should Kariya survive the war, Grail or no, he'll retain custody of Sakura for however long he lives for.

Tokiomi isn't so enthused to accept any "deal" with Kariya, a waste of a magus like him... But he's also a father. And he is well aware that Sakura will need a... grace period to recover from her trauma. He figures that whenever Kariya dies, he can negotiate with Kariya's brother to take Sakura back. With this strategy in mind, Tokiomi "accepts" Kariya's challenge.

... To his own detriment. In the end, Kirei still kills Tokiomi. He loses the chance to torment Kariya, as the Matou representative honors his word and keeps fighting alongside Kiritsugu and Saber... But it's still the same old, same old. Kiritsugu still kills Kayneth. Saber takes on and defeats Iskandar, and Gilgamesh annihilates Lancelot because of his "weak" Master. Kiritsugu fights Kirei to the death, and Saber is forced to "destroy" the Grail... which brings about calamity, anguish, and despair.

But Kariya... He manages to survive those events, similarly to Kiritsugu. It's nightmarish, wading through what would later be known as "the Great Fire", but they manage to find and rescue Shiro. Kariya leaves the boy in Kiritsugu's care, once they get him to a hospital. He returns home to the Matou estate and hashes some things out with his brother, who's leery and uncertain of what the future holds for them now that they don't have Zouken breathing down their necks...

For a few years, Kariya manages to cling on. They're not entirely happy, Sakura can tell her Uncle is seriously ailing and worries over him... But moreover, she just struggles to... accept that "grandfather" is gone. That she doesn't have to be tortured anymore. Deep down, she's bitter that she suffered at all, that her father gave her away like that...

But Kariya helps Sakura to reconnect with Aoi and Rin. He gives Sakura the choice to return to them now that Tokiomi's gone - and yes, that was an ordeal working out what happened to him; Kirei had no one to easily pin his teacher's death on, and so the man denies knowing anything at all, plays the part of the "aggrieved" student who happened to discover the body - and Sakura turns the offer down. She's... conflicted about her mother and sister, who allowed her to be given away. Though Kariya insists that they love her, and want to be with Sakura again... She just can't bring herself to fully believe him. Sakura wants things to go back to the way they were... But her initial year with the Matou's was hell. Even if she starts talking to Rin and her mother again... It's just not the same. It can never be the same. And besides... she's deeply worried about Uncle Kariya, and wants to spend as much time with him as possible. She has a terrible feeling about his deteriorating health...

A few years pass them by, and Sakura slowly goes back to the sweet, kind girl she used to be. She buries her trauma and heartache, managing to reconcile with her mother better, but Rin... It's still a little difficult. If only because Rin keeps asking if Sakura wants to learn magic, and Rin just... she keeps assuming, and... Sakura doesn't like it. After her horrifying experiences with the Matou magecraft, Sakura has grown to... hate magic. Or at least, Sakura herself wants nothing to do with it. She has no opinion if Rin practices it.

Aside from the brittle connection with Rin, Sakura has also established a sibling bond with Shinji. He's not the nicest brother ever... But his father, at Kariya's insistence, tones down Shinji's worst qualities and punishes him when he steps out of line. Shinji does try getting Sakura to be more assertive and less of a wallflower... But to his frustration, Sakura's not keen to change her ways. Especially with Kariya's rapidly failing health...

And then one night, Kariya passed away in his sleep. No warning. For a little bit, it seemed like he might be recovering... Sakura got her hopes up, and then they were dashed. She was... inconsolable for weeks after Uncle Kariya's passing. After the funeral. She spent a lot of time alone, even with Shinji, Rin, and her mother checking in on her...

Around that time, Kirei also... "checked in" with Sakura. Technically, Rin was the only one he was supposed to take on as a student... Tokiomi made no contingency for Sakura. However, with how free-spirited Rin was, she was never going to be easily manipulated. Kirei had plans to raise Rin up only to crush her later, but Sakura was... vulnerable after Kariya's death. It was all too easy to take her on as a second reluctant student. Kirei relished the opportunity to destroy both of Tokiomi's children after molding them to his liking...

Unfortunately for the sadistic priest, not all goes according to plan. A couple of years after Kariya's death, Sakura met Shiro Emiya. (人◕ω◕) They attend the same school, with Shiro being in the same year as Rin, a year above Sakura. Shiro is... He's a lot like Sakura in that he's not very outgoing. Doesn't like to impose. He's a kind, gentle soul that just tries to help everyone... And Sakura really falls hard for the boy.

It doesn't take long for her "training" with Kirei to get severely behind schedule as she spends more time with Shiro before and after school, discovering that Shiro lives by himself with only Taiga-sensei checking in on him. ... Well, to say that Shiro's alone would be a vast... understatement. (人◕ω◕);;;;;;;;; After the Fourth War, Kiritsugu went to rescue Illya from the Einzbern's. Meeting Kariya in that war inspired Kiritsugu to power through his own injuries and rescue his daughter and bring her back to Japan. So... Sakura also meets Illya, who's a year above Shiro in school... And Illya is very protective of her little brother. (人◕ω◕);;; She's grumpy the first while that Sakura visits, but eventually gets over it when Sakura helps with chores around the house. ... Illya hates manual labor. (人◕ω◕)

More than that, however... Sakura discovers that Shiro technically has an adopted mother, named Maiya. But she's rarely home, as she's working all the time. She says it's to help put food on the table, but... Shiro and Illya know there's more to it, and Maiya's just not explaining herself.

The Middle Act

Over the next several years, Sakura grows close to Shiro (... and Illya, to some extent). They settle into a routine of Sakura coming by before and after school, the routine only broken up sometimes by Kirei who grows... impatient... with his second student. (人◕ω◕)

Before they know it, the Fifth Holy Grail War arrives. ... 50 years early. (人◕ω◕) Sakura receives a set of Command Seals, marking her as a Master... And she just doesn't show interest in participating. Not when Rin is definitely going to be fighting, too. Nevertheless, Kirei tempts her with prospects of the Grail, which has the power to bring Kariya back to her. And it's not like Sakura herself has to fight to kill her enemies... Certainly, there will be participants who will take advantage of her naivete, but it's up to her how she conducts herself in battle.

Sakura's not eager to throw herself into any kind of war... But with how the last one ended, she's worried about Senpai getting impacted and wishes to protect him. ... And if she can revive Uncle Kariya, that would just make her so happy... With Sakura onboard with joining as a participant, Kirei arranges for her to receive a relic to summon a spirit - Medusa, who is summoned as Rider Class.

... Shortly after the war starts in earnest, Sakura's devastated to hear about Senpai getting grievously wounded after stumbling on a battle between two Servants. But when she goes to check up on him the morning after that attack... It's a very awkward breakfast. (人◕ω◕) For one: Senpai apparently managed to summon Saber and become a Master. And Saber picks up on Medusa's concealed presence around the home. (人◕ω◕);;;

For two... Illya is also a Master. And she summoned Berserker, of all Classes...!

Sakura-chan is very anxious during breakfast, you understand. She and Saber both are. (人◕ω◕) Illya's not bothered in the slightest. If Sakura makes a stupid move, Berserker will smash. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕) Shiro plays peacemaker as usual, and it's really only his cooking that manages to keep everybody calm. He explains to Sakura that Rin is also a Master, and her Servant is Archer. Shiro doesn't feel good about blabbing about Rin, but Sakura deserves the head's up, especially since they agree to be allies in this war. Sakura's rather... eager... to agree to any alliance with Senpai. ... Even if Illya would rather deal with her now. There can only be one winner, after all... (人◕ω◕);;;

Unfortunately, Sakura and Illya hanging off of Shiro in the early part of the war makes Rin rather... distant. Unwilling to add to their alliance when that's four of the seven Servants right there. Even three of seven is overkill... It makes Sakura, Shiro, and Illya pretty easy targets. None of the other participants want to drag out that alliance... Caster makes a move first, figuring that taking Shiro hostage and attempting to steal Saber from him would tip the balance of the war in her favor...

Sakura and Illya don't let that stand, however. (人◕ω◕);;; Sakura leaves Medusa to take on Assassin at the gate, while Illya and Berserker race right in to wreck Caster's crap. (人◕ω◕);;; Medea wasn't too happy to see Heracles again, and she proves no match for him. Her Master is similarly dispatched when he tries to avenge Medea's defeat... Medusa manages to defeat Assassin.

... This does leave Rin in a regrettable state of affairs. (人◕ω◕);;; With Caster and Assassin dealt with, it's literally just down to her and whoever Lancer's Master is to deal with the... alliance. Archer is particularly determined to kill Shiro Emiya, and willingly agrees to work with Lancer to keep everyone else off of Shiro...

That... could have gone a lot better. (人◕ω◕);;; Lancer's Master reneged on the deal, leaving Rin and Archer alone to tackle the alliance. Rin had absolutely no chance, going up against Sakura, Illya, Rider, Saber, and Berserker. There was just no way. Sure, Archer tried to corner Shiro, but that proved detrimental to him as Rin grew angry about Archer trying to kill Shiro of all people, and using Command Seals to make him go strictly after the Servants.

Archer does try to sever their contract, but it proves inadvisable when he's up against Berserker, Saber, and Rider. As much as he has faith in his Unlimited Blade Works... Going up against all three at once is just too much. Archer gets a severe thrashing, and has a bitter exchange with Shiro before passing on.

That's when Gilgamesh makes his move and takes down Berserker, whimsically leaving Saber and Rider alone when they prove to be resilient. He kidnaps Illya, counting on her to be the Lesser Grail, and so wishing to cross swords with Saber once more as he elaborates on the Grail's true nature.

It comes down to a fight between Shiro, Sakura, Rin, Rider, and Saber up against Lancer, Kirei, and Gilgamesh. Rin finally comes around and helps Shiro able to get enough magic to access his Reality Marble.... Something that Sakura isn't too eager to let happen, as Rin has to be very intimate with Shiro to share her crest... But it's for the sake of rescuing Illya, so she allows it. (人◕ω◕);;; But she'll be having words later...

Medusa gives Lancer a hearty battle, and he loses. Shiro defeats Kirei, with Sakura and Rin for backup. And Saber defeats Gilgamesh. With the Grail just short of completion, they go after the Greater Grail, using Saber's mightiest attack to destroy it.

... And somehow, after all that, Saber and Medusa receive new mortal bodies. How... fun. (人◕ω◕)

The Future

... So how do you suppose this all ends, anyway? (人◕ω◕) I gave a bare-bones synopsis of the Fifth Grail War, and I apologize for devolving into that... But the bottom line is that Sakura was faithful and loyal to Senpai throughout the whole thing. (人◕ω◕) Despite other interested girls popping up, despite battles getting intense... Sakura-chan fought hard to protect her man. (人◕ω◕) For a while, she almost didn't care about resurrecting Kariya... Like, of course she wanted to bring him back... But if it cost her Shiro to do it, then it's not worth it. Trading one soul for another. Much less when the Grail wasn't working as intended, and Sakura-chan was very angry to hear that the tainted Grail was responsible for how her beloved Senpai became so scarred on the inside...

It was touch and go, keeping everyone alive... But even Artoria and Medusa got to stick around, how delightful is that? (人◕ω◕);;;

Sure, by the war's end she's pretty much patched things up with Rin-neechan, getting over her past hesitation and bitterness. They're a family. And families share. (人◕ω◕);;;;;;;;; Yes, share even boys they like... Sakura isn't so coldhearted as to turn Rin away when she and Shiro have a deep, intimate bond now. But Sakura isn't so keen to give up either. She won't let Illya hog Shiro all to herself, either. Or Artoria. (人◕ω◕);;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

But Rin knows Shiro isn't all okay... Archer was a piece of work, and she doesn't want Shiro turning out like that. Sakura agrees with neechan, and grudgingly allows Rin to take Shiro on as an apprentice and study at the Clocktower for a few years. Sakura doesn't like it, and understands Artoria and Illya's objections... But Senpai needs to clear his head. Figure out what he wants to do. And besides, Sakura doesn't have any affection for magic, no desire to study at the Clocktower herself. She'll patiently wait for Senpai's return... Sure, Rin will be in the doghouse after they get back, hogging Senpai for years...

But. It's. Fine. (人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕)(人◕ω◕) Before Senpai departs for London, Sakura gives him a very special gift... Her virginity, to be precise. Is it extreme? Sure. But all these other girls around Senpai, Sakura-chan didn't have a choice. She knew what she wanted and she went for it. Everyone else will just hafta deal. (人◕ω◕)

In the meantime, she, Medusa, Artoria, Mitsuzuri, and Illya will watch over the house... and later explain everything to Maiya when she gets back, flabbergasted at the developments. (人◕ω◕);;; They have a looooooot of splaining to do~...

Shiro's in for a rude awakening when he gets back to Japan. Sakura will be at the forefront of the pack, wanting another round and wanting baby Shiro's... But that's a story for another time. You know that Sakura-chan will have proposed to him within days of his return. Cuz Sakura-chan knows what she wants. (人◕ω◕)

The bottom line with this ship is that they're not perfect. Shiro still lost Kiritsugu, and Sakura still lost Kariya. The latter just got a better childhood, and wasn't a pawn of Zouken. ... Not for very long. (人◕ω◕) Shiro still has his hero complex, wanting to protect and keep Sakura happy... And Sakura's about the same as him. She wants to support and care for Senpai, to bask in his warming presence~ This Sakura's just learned to stand on her own somewhat. ... And there might be some stuff to work through with Rin because of Kirei whispering in Sakura's ear for several years... But by the end of the Grail War, Rin showed herself to be reasonable and nothing like Kirei said.

The crux of my enjoyment of this ship... is that I can understand the criticisms that remark how Shiro throws everything else away, just to be with Sakura... I get that the Heaven's Feel route is... heavy. That's why I decided to entertain a Sakura that's a little less broken. She's still got bitterness and uncertainty about the Tohsaka's, and that's understandable. But she learns to move on with her life, and she's allowed to move on~... She's not at Zouken's mercy. That's just my two cents about the Sakura x Shiro ship. It's pretty cute and wholesome overall... Just don't have Shiro abandon everything else for Sakura. That's just me. XD

Previous post: https://www.tumblr.com/pyropsychiccollector/743914272095092736/shiro-harem-holy-grail-war-of-love-17?source=share

[nosafeharbour]

Tataru’s Grand Endeavour thoughts/reactions (6.4)

I bet you thought you’d seen the last of Werlyt reaction posts. Me too, actually.

So yeah, it was kinda mid, but I’m so focused on the few crumbs I did enjoy that I can attempt to happily ignore everything else... LOL I’m more annoyed this will make people roll their eyes over Werlyt more than being personally disappointed, ya feel. The redemption arc in the eyes of the public did not happen. Oh well.

Albael still real. That’s still my seaside malewife. That’s good.

Giggles and kicks my feet

Oh my god, they were sisters-in-arms. As sad as I am that Tataru herself was not involved, maybe it’s for the best. Mehdjina should continue to live in ignorance

:)

I was wondering if Gaius would talk in such a way that this is the first time you meet him post-Endwalker, I’m glad it wasn’t! He greets you so casually. I don’t have to change anything I’ve been thinking about for them post-EW. This is just a fun weekend visit (they’re not about to have a fun weekend)

Uhhh so I just really hate all the fake Valens stuff, it just cheapened Werlyt and the only actually good Valens scene (the one where he’s killed). Werlyt was already a cringe caricature of MSQ characters, and this felt like a cringe caricature of Werlyt... LOL

MY HOPES... WERE RAISED... I WISH IT HAD CRASHED IN GARLEMALD... all the previous Tataru quests had a walking section with the main NPC(s) in an area seperate to their main one, so I was foolishly hoping for something like the Lochs or even Garlemald. I certainly was a fool

He is either saying this purely sarcastically to Albi, and/or making excuses bc he just really does not want to do it. There is no world where Albi is better than piloting than Gaius, but it’s funny to pretend. He’s being petty

I am immediately soothed by mecha anime cockpit scenes. I’m glad I had my Werlyt pilot glam on a plate from an art party a few weeks ago

I have been waiting, praying, and ultimately gave up on Gaius and Nero reunion scene since 2019. Oh my god. Everybody shut up, this is my everything

Half the reason I wanted to see it/was sad that it had assumedly happened off-screen was because I wanted to know what Nero would call him... in ARR it is just “Lord Baelsar”;

My, how long has it been, Lord Baelsar?

I had to stand up and pace around for 5 mins at this line LMAO

Gaius going “ah, so the rumours were true that you survived” is so funny. The “rumours” are just Cid and Albi mentioning him casually, Gaius just practiced this dramatic moment in the mirror for too long to not still go along with it when they do finally get to talk. Nero built the damn Mark II we’re chasing, did they simply not brush shoulders during Werlyt? This is so funny.

And then Nero just... I merely use my talents to save Cid from his own idiocy. And now, I am here to do the same for you. I love it so much

Nero dryly calling Albi hero or adventurer is still a charm point that I enjoy

Kind of wished I had failed the (cringe-ass) Werlyt rhythm game now just to see what he’d say instead of this... I’m still not convinced Albi is a good pilot, but she is a good marksman at least!

My mecha anime brain cell activated. I don’t care about things such as “quality” or “good writing”, I only care for Sonic vs. Shadow with robots

bbbbbbbbbb really do not care for this scene, but I do appreciate how much Gaius no longer cares for monologues and just attacked this guy.

A shame, really

I just like it when they are on screen

DID YOU... FORGET THE TIME WHEN YOUR LEGION KIDNAPPED TATARU... it was all very much spearheaded by Livia rather than Gaius, but... lmao. You’d best hope you never meet her, bud (shame they did not, would have been funny)

Mister Gaius...

Avilina being compared to Nero multiple times in this quest was cute, I forgot that they worked together. One of the engineers post-quest remarking that since she refuses to wear the Ironworks uniform, maybe she’d be content with a red version like Nero, too... they are two peas in a pod

Allie... cute!! You had to assume Terncliff had an orphanage, but I liked the confirmation/discussion

This is. So funny. He looks so awkward. I guess it is cute that Albi went to ask a favour from Ishgardian portrait friend at least

Cute...

I just cannot get over how awkward Gaius looks. He is so funny to me

:)

This lines up with Cid mentioning in EW that Gaius is terrible with words when he’s trying to be heartfelt. Charm point

When the whole squad don’t know a damn thing

I was wondering what the memento for the main Tataru quest would be... the main reason I like this overall questline is because Albi is a goldsmith who has a lot of sentiment tied up with jewellery. So not only would Albi be so down for helping with Tataru’s necklace, something from Werlyt in there is cute. Rose shells... it’s always roses... ah ah ahhhh (looked up to see if rose shells are a thing, they are not, they picked rose on purpose here)

I gotta let this marinate. Had no idea Werlyt even had beaches since they make such note of the cliffs being too high above the water to have any benefit from the ocean. See, this is where I’m getting my food

Was glad to see Severa and Val back on the overworld post-quest, but man, I’m so disappointed they weren’t even present. I’m just reminded how much my investment in Werlyt was always hinging on Gaius’s MSQ era... I miss Team Shadowhunter, I do wish Nero was here in-person and not just phoned in, etc.

I care deeply about Allie and the Raen, but mainly in scope of them being Raen and relating to Albi, not as much in relation to Gaius, if that makes sense? So this quest being just weird Valens and then only the briefest Raen kids moment was like. Okay.

Was sagely nodding after speaking to everyone else... heading back down to the lookout to see if Gaius was trapped in aimlessly staring at nothing for the rest of his days-- oh my god

Shut the fuck up. This is so cute. Immediately burst out laughing at having a really stupid 4am tweet made canon

THIS IS SO HYPER-SPECIFIC. Albi manspread confirmed just because I liked this new /sit idle they added last patch

And the book... just grabs this from my WIP notes, but post-EW Albi has been doing a lot of book collecting/restoring. I’ve had “Gaius reading the assorted books Albi leaves in his apartment” as a whole thing for like a year now. [shoves the rest of the quest out of the way] They Did This For Me

I’m so glad they gave him such a charming afk spot/animation. I can just sit next to this guy

In closing: Quest was not as good as I hoped (I wanted the same comedy-tint as other Tataru quests, having Nero/Sev/Val sort of there but not really just made me miss their absence more, Gaius still does not even acknowledge what we did on his behalf in Garlemald) to the point I’m pretty :/ about the Valens stuff, but... I’m too Gaiuspilled to let it bother me too much. Just like in EW, he wasn’t personally badly written/out of character, and I got enough little crumbs for my own content, that it’s fine that there wasn’t much actual food. I can cook.

One last thing actually: I assumed Nero was in Werlyt, albeit it behind the scenes, because of the “we found someone who knew enough about Allagan warmachina to build us a second G-Warrior, even if he was overly adamant about it being red” line post-Werlyt when you go look at the Mark II in the hangar. He says he’d hate for the Mark II to be destroyed in this quest + called it scarlet in a very endearing way that confirms that for me, but when you go look at it in the hangar again after this quest, it has some new dialogue. Mentions that it came back safely, albeit it with a few new scrapes, but I think that line replaced the “guy who made it demanded it be red” line which was the real Nero giveaway? I’ll have to go back through old screenshots, hmm

Anyway

I’m done now. I’m sure I will warm up to this quest and it’s weird energy over time. Albi’s booty call turned The Sorrow of Werlyt 2 turned book club

[babyawacs]

#memberships _is_exactly_how_they_get_people #iddiocyoffmyhealth #inconvenience_quell #palletten #pallettes #idiocy #singularity (((@judge))) .@judges @law @all @world @bbc_whys @france24 @haaretzcom @bild .@bild @phoenix_de @dw .@dwnews .@law @deutschland .@deutschland @hamburg @berlin .@berli n .@hamburg @muenchen @stuttgart  #non_singularity_of_damages #default #around_the_wall #until_th ey_couldnt #quickly_nuts_the #state_attorney_kids #villainy #botch_is_vs #itis #CRIMINAL_SECURITYPOLI CY #mercy_really #you_dont_understand #banana_republic_germany_devious_version #blackwars_and_pets  #ueberweisen_auf_aeh_deutsches_konto #ai_luck #aeh_nutsness_then #baby_lives_but_why #woopsie #trust_is_for_the #obvious #satisfaction #stateofmind #notwehr_nothilfe_selbstverteidigung #inert #precond ition #aaaw_had_i_only_known_the_magic_cocacola_think_of_all_the_wonderful_sssexxx_with_germans #control_institutions #pros #rubbertitttts #tothem #hitler #labels #sexuell #actionability #gefahrimverzug # tattippen #labels #batshxitnuts #hideous  #logic_consistency #forcertain #no #commandchain #not #immunised #too #buzzword #decoypingpong #itis #inverted #inferior #safe #were #thegermans #dowhatyouwant #means #please #govt #obvious #medival_freeforall_vogelfrei_in_contrary_to_ta boo #squeakybox #itis #sgermany #sgerman #ai #factually #mischievious_intent #howiexplainmykids #defaulttrick   #the #eclowniomagnifico #howitworks #logic #how #description _precision #decoys #nuclearhedge #default #allexplained #intel_explained_to_mykids # aeh  #‎ jesus #at #pentagon #jesus_at_pentagon #and #harvard_angels #harvard #angels .@harvard .@ harvard_law @harvard .@ussocom #moredaggerthancloak #people: #mercyalways #factuality  #caused #thrownobjets #whostheproblem #quicknow #hooooow #thequell #notsotrivial #witnesses #sympathy #wellsurvivethemfirst #effect #ai #asis #revolutions #participants  #possible_shxitball_twist _s #wisdom_is_precise #realmcontrol #itis #acceptance #interest #layEr #youknowit #it. #is. #how. #them. #rule. #_ #reframed #decoyed #abysmal #this #andnowyouknow #s #intel #map #vibe #criminalgovernance #criminalsecurity policy #mystery #meadows #optionsleft #andthe #proof #by #rubbertitttts #countless #tricks #criminal #inte l #bananarepublic #germany #furiouschina #cause #hooray #impliedparticipation #ambiguity #relay #witnessprotect #interests #blammogame #ordered #rule #palletten #fact #allknew #itis #thenorthkorea #some #bio #messes #listed #always #mercy #in they donot need memberships to rape civillians  civillians they didnotknow and assumed in a spy lawsuit as physic ally another person who didnot join them either ‎ //// not nuts: maps how criminal sleazy dictator proxy ofgermangovt tries sssexxx membership buzzword trick as underhuman. all forc ed to play along to force acceptance trick.

#memberships _is_exactly_how_they_get_people #iddiocyoffmyhealth #inconvenience_quell #palletten #pallettes #idiocy #singularity (((@judge))) .@judges @law @all @world @bbc_whys @france24 @haaretzcom @bild .@bild @phoenix_de @dw .@dwnews .@law @deutschland .@deutschland @hamburg @berlin .@berlin .@hamburg @muenchen @stuttgart #non_singularity_of_damages #default #around_the_wall…

[the-firebird69]

We do know there are a few things happening here and our son is not aware of them and he is just trying to do daily chores

-there's a group that is forming and it's trying to expel Trump and his people from Charlotte county and it's getting pretty big they do daily activities to try and get them out one of them is the closest places down they're going to try and close these sunseeker resort and his terminal at the airport they don't like his Management style his equipment is not safe his people are not safe what they say is not right and their instigating enemies and they need to leave. They're being placed on notice they have said many times

-and they're a couple other things they're going to stop him from doing driving heavy equipment by which is what he's doing now and threatening for stuff from them and they're going after their clan and to take them down it is going on right now and we going into the fourth episode of The watchmen and they are going to start taking him down there he's a miserable jerk and messes up and gets them in trouble and takes her defenses away and doesn't use them it's a huge deal going on right now because they are up in arms and saying it and getting in his face and they're saying you'll never do that and stupid s*** like that and they're pushing them and bring them to the ground and beating them up and it's happening all over Charlotte county and soon Florida and soon everywhere and the trumpsters are small pretty soon and gone we anticipate the watchman movie to her we thinking about a week and that's the end of John reward

-couple of things and Charlotte county they're looking for a new mayor of Port Charlotte and bja says it but he's bigger and push here and has allies and he wants them out I'm tired of his ranting and his idiocy as they're saying it too

-we're going after them ourselves then we'll stop them but a lot of people are going to be doing that now thankfully these people are trash and have been trashed for a long time we're getting news from all of the world and it says that the trucks are under attack. They are aware that we are aware that they're going to trial three cases today is Trump and one of them is New York the other is Georgia is there trying to attack them as well and additionally it's in Michigan and it is regarding the state their petitioning to remove him from the ballot and he has to go to all three we have a lot of companies to purchase and pre-purchase today and we'll have to bring paperwork from other companies and we're going to do that and it's going to be legal and we need to have their signatory people and witnesses and we're going to get moving on it to sign the stuff off before he checks out and we mean it too

-there's a lot of government people and their trumpsters and they're sitting there like a rock it doesn't really do that much good but that's what they're doing and people don't like it anymore and it's a big group that wants them out to shut up shut them off it's going around saying dumb things to everyone and it is going forward today that they're going to be removed from office we're going to publish now

Thor Freya

Olympus

It's pretty tough here but yeah there's proof that they're going to go forwards with that. And they have it in writing and they do have a plan and it says why and they've written down goals and more and it does make a lot of sense. There is proof too that they're going to oust them from social security and that's the trumpsters they're going to push out of the treasury and social security and other offices and yes Trump has been taken out of several roles and his people too but today they're going to push to pull them out of a lot more and it's not just pseudo empire and the empire and foreigners anymore it's his whole group except for them

Hera

[sezja]

In Captivity

Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV

Ship: Background Sanson/Guydelot

Note: The WoL mentioned here is @lesenbyan's Eve (Evelynn Blythe on Goblin)

-

He wakes reluctantly, aware at first only of the pounding in his head and the sound of nearby voices, too indistinct to recognize - but Sanson knows which voices he doesn’t hear, and he forces his eyes open. Though his vision swims at first, gradually the unfamiliar shapes and colors refine themselves into something more recognizable: trees, rocks, grass. The Twelveswood. He has returned to the Shroud.

Where…?

“Awake, are you?” He knows that voice. Queasy from more than his injuries, Sanson looks around: this is a rushed campsite, not meant to last more than a night at most, and hidden, with sentries posted at the perimeter. He appears to be the only captive, with two frowning guards standing over him, armed, despite his bound hands and feet. And standing with the guards…

Nourval.

The treacherous snake kneels, regarding Sanson with that all-too-familiar smile: sinister, now that Sanson knows the danger that smile conceals. “You gave us something of a struggle,” Nourval says, smug and self-satisfied. “But here we are. And how are your bonds, Captain? Tight enough?”

“What became of Evelynn?” He remembers now: the Warrior of Light was summoned to a meeting, and Sanson had encouraged her to go. A trap, he now realizes, just as surely as his own summons; a trap meant to lure them away from the safety of the Castrum. But he does not see Eve here… nor Guydelot. Nor does he know what passed after he left the Castrum - perhaps Guydelot, too, was summoned to a similar trap. Or worse.

“The Warrior of Light did precisely as required of her,” Nourval replies, his smile never wavering. “She survived our ambush, of course. I expect that was your concern?”

It was. Sanson breathes easier; he never doubted Eve’s prowess, certainly, but to have it confirmed… “And Guydelot?”

“What of him?”

“Is he unharmed?”

Nourval sighs. “Of course. Alive and well and already back in Gridania, by our last reports. Had we known you entrusted the journal into his keeping…”

He remembers, abruptly, being thoroughly searched after his defeat - at the time, he’d not thought to wonder what it was they were seeking, only the humiliation of defeat and the fear for his comrades. Gylbarde’s journal. Of course - after so long seeking the tome, small wonder if Nourval had hoped to reclaim it. It was fortunate indeed that Sanson had thought to give it to Guydelot before hastening off to aid Eve; he’d thought it best if there was no chance of it falling into enemy hands… perhaps the only stroke of luck in this whole debacle.

That and Guydelot’s safe return to Gridania. But what now?

There is only one answer, Sanson realizes, chilled. “You mean to ransom me for the journal.”

“For the truth.” Nourval settles himself more comfortably on the ground, as though they are two old friends, chatting about something as inconsequential as the weather. “For justice. You read it, yes? You know what they did to Vainchelon: lured him to a private meeting under a flag of truce, then slew him in cold blood.” His eyes narrow. “They cannot be allowed to hide from this. Ala Mhigo cannot be allowed to rise to power with my ancestor’s blood on their hands.”

“What you want isn’t justice,” Sanson says, trying to sound reasonable instead of terrified. “What you want is vengeance, and it will solve nothing. The man who killed Vainchelon is dead-”

“They share the guilt!” Nourval’s hands curl into fists - not in violence, but passion. “They’re all the same - every one of them would have done as Gylbarde did, given the opportunity, and they all must suffer the consequences. Vainchelon fought for Gridania’s freedom.” He leans forward, peering intently into Sanson’s eyes. “You are Gridanian, Sanson, and proud - I know you are! How can you turn from Vainchelon’s legacy? We would be no better than slaves if not for his courage and determination in the face of Ala Mhigan conquest.”

Clearly a different approach is needed. “Justice for Vainchelon is a worthy goal,” he says, carefully. “But surely Ala Mhigo has suffered enough? Through the efforts of the Alliance and the Warriors of Light, they have finally won free from Garlean rule. You would see them plunged once more into war, when-”

“But that is precisely why we must strike now,” Nourval insists. “They will never be weaker than they are now, and if the truth of their crime is laid bare, they’ll shortly lose their allies in the other nations. They can be crushed easily and quickly.” He smiles, patting Sanson’s knee. “Once the commanders at the Adder’s Nest do as I ask and release the journal’s contents in exchange for your safe release.”

Oh, gods. Closing his eyes, Sanson takes a slow, deep breath.

“They won’t.”

“Not until your foolish friend hands the journal over, at any rate.” Nourval’s smile never wavers, though it grows harder at the edges. “As yet, he is refusing to surrender it, but doubtless in time they’ll pry it from his fingers whether he likes it or not. We’ve not yet sent our demands, but perhaps once we do, they’ll handle his idiocy as it deserves.”

Oh, Guydelot. Clinging to the journal in hopes of using it as leverage, no doubt - foolish indeed, but it makes Sanson’s heart ache with affection all the same. It’s a wonder the bard hasn’t come after him of his own accord… but then, he’d need to know where to search, wouldn’t he? And would he even know Sanson had returned to the Twelveswood? No. Sanson himself has no idea how they successfully crossed Baelsar’s Wall unnoticed. Not that Sanson expects that will stop Guydelot forever. The Adders almost certainly won’t stir to save Sanson, but Guydelot… gods, but Guydelot will, one way or another.

Blinking back the sudden stinging in his eyes, Sanson shakes his head. “Nourval, the Order won’t risk war with Ala Mhigo for the sake of one soldier. We’re already on the brink of open war with the Garlean Empire - to keep the truth of Vainchelon’s death hidden, they won’t hesitate to allow my death.” A horrifying reality sets in. “You’ve only doomed us both.”

Nourval’s eyes are flinty. “And when word gets out that the Adders slew us - and one of their own men! - to keep the truth silent, Gridanians will not stand for it. They will demand the journal’s release: to know what we died for. What was meant to be kept buried. Do you suppose all of those loyal to Vainchelon’s memory are here? There are those who know the truth and will see it brought to light - even should that light be shed only by the shedding of our blood.”

“You-” Sanson steadies his voice once more. “You are prepared to be a martyr for this cause. And to make of me a martyr as well.”

“Vainchelon is my ancestor,” Nourval replies, gazing down at his own hands, uncurling his fists. “I will see to it he is avenged, alive or dead. You should be honored: your death will not be in vain. But perhaps you’re wrong.” He stands, brushing himself off. “Perhaps your friend will turn in the journal, and perhaps the Order of the Twin Adder and the Seedseers will see the righteousness of my cause. Don’t give up hope, Captain Sanson; the truth may yet prevail.”

Sanson watches him walk away, sick at heart.

Guydelot… I pray you think of something quickly.

[shini--chan]

a part 2 on,"Allies with a small country s/o with rare gems and species"well can you do it again,but this time the s/o shows the world why their gems and species are so rare.There all magical.With that being said, they go into straight magical girl mode.Like no shit before the boys can get their or attack,the s/o is already destroying-No demolishing the enemy.And when their done they shine this independent aure that says,"I my be small but I can still kick ass!"Turns out they don't need the boys

Sorry (not sorry) if this you imagined something different, I’m just not into writing somebody just swooping in and reaping a Sailor Moon-style victory. I guess I can’t help but imagine just how complex the situation would actually be.

Yandere Hetalia

Firstly, if you have magical gems and metals, then you can bet your life that there is more of that distributed across the world. You would just happen to have the most or the other countries exhausted all their resources. Even if said magical ores came via asteroid, it would have to be a very large one so that you would have that many resources. And larger asteroids tend to either be chipped away upon entry in the earth’s atmosphere, or splinter upon impact so that they cover a larger are.

Secondly, you would only manage to keep it under the wraps if you were isolationist for all your life and didn’t have any trading partners, which in this case you do. Because ally = trading partner in most cases.

Thirdly, the invader would very likely know about the magical properties and have prepared for them. You beating them back so easily would have just been to deceive you. Or they didn’t know it at first but now they would since you gave them such a wonderful demonstration.

Yandere America

He would emerge at the scene, clapping his hands as if this were just a good Hollywood Blockbuster while letting out a low whistle at all the havoc you created. Once he would reach you, he’d be greet you with a goofy grin all while he congratulated you for your victory and rambled about you being so awesome.

Oh, America would be laying it very thick with the sweet talk, so much so that you wouldn’t notice the calculative grin in your eyes.

Did you really think he wouldn’t know? Did you really think he wouldn’t have concluded that something was off due to the strange energy levels your trade goods emit the first time you sold some of those ores and gems to him? Do you really think he is that stupid?

Oh right, you do. Alfred has become terrific at playing dumb after all.

Nevertheless, bask in your glory as long as you can, it is not as if the whole world knows of your magical abilities due to the television crew that he certainly didn’t bring with him. Besides, Alfred is very keen to find out how you’ll react when you have your own weapons turned against you. Bet you wouldn’t be so chipper then.

Yandere Canada

This would be the point where he would take his glasses off and massage his temples as if that could relief himself of the stress headache that was impending. Not because you reduced his chances of obtaining you, quite the opposite since you would have even enhanced them. No, in his mind he would already be imagining all the paperwork and negotiations that would succeed this.

Just how could you be so tactless? While demolishing the enemy you obliterated half of yourself. Using such powers on enemy territory would have been all fine and dandy. But here on your own turf you inflicted so much damage on yourself.

And this would mean a lot of negotiations with anxious neighbours, dealing with the immediate fallout of your thoughtless actions, whole new regulations on your products whereas before he would have gotten, they without any hassle and for a fair price. Not to mention all the new laws that the UNO would impress upon you.

You thought you didn’t need him? Wrong! You would need him even more than if this was just ordinary warfare. And just because you can’t think your own shit through you clearly need his guidance and protection. Of course, he would ensure that all the pieces would fall in his favour so that you would be dependent on him – forever.  

Yandere China

Yao would be completely unimpressed and would encounter you with a stoic expression as he nonchalantly lighted himself a cigarette with one of the many fires littering the battlefield. Calmly he would congratulate you, remarking on how he had only expected such grand displays of power from you and would say that you really are an eyecatcher.

Unknowest to you, he would actually be insulting you.

Anybody with common sense would know better to teach their art of war to their enemy and show all their tricks to their allies, something you just did. Additionally, you put your one trump card on full display and now you would have no more aces up his sleeve. Not that it was a secret to begin with.

You’re forgetting that during his long life, China would have seen almost everything the world has to offer, so magic would be nothing new to him. Indeed, he’d probably know far, far more about your own capabilities than you.

Magic would require a healthy and capable person to wield it, so what would you do if a strong, potent poison would severely weaken you? You should go to Yao then; he would protect you and take you in.

With your powers, you would represent a potential threat and Chinas reactions to such matters would either be total annihilation or total assimilation.

Yandere England

Arthur would sneer at just how crass you were. You had to flaunt all your powers, in the process being an even bigger show-off than his darling son.

One quick glance in his telescope would tell him that the invader was regrouping for a secondary assault along with a few new toys that would negate your powers. Just how easy are you tricked? Although, he would humour you and let you prance about.

Foolish little child, you won only half the battle.

When the enemy would reappear and you would confidently brag about how you would be able to take care of this yourself, he would let you and watch as despair would overtake you.

Because you’re a stupid little grasshopper that doesn’t have a clue about tactics and strategy, and whose go-to plan would be hit-it-until-it-dies, you would fail miserably. Completely dependant on your magic, you wouldn’t know what to do if it didn’t work suddenly, nor would you consider even trying new moves. Not to mentioned you wouldn’t have even thought about conserving your energy and would have blasted it all away during the first wave of attack.

England wouldn’t storm to your aid if he saw you losing in this scenario. He would make you beg for his help instead. Then he would sweep in total victory and then he would subdue you in your vulnerable state with a subtle magic trick of his own.

Yandere France

Your lack of tact would make him shriek and in a very bad, ear-drum bursting way as well, He would count down your mistakes in a persuasive and tactful way, successfully making you feel as incompetent as you actually would be. You would realise that you actually just made things worse for yourself.

It would take a while for France to calm down and even then, he would still hole you with questions that would guilt-trip you.

Why didn’t you go after them and crush them completely? They would be regrouping now to conduct an even better assault. Where you even thinking about the repercussions that your actions would have? No, you didn’t. Did you even consider that you were hurting yourself more than you were hurting the enemy? No, again! Why didn’t you try a more subtle way of using your magic? If you would say it was easier that way, then Francis would smack you.

You’d be dependant on him to help you with the aftermath and he wouldn’t let you have any say in those matters. You would have already proved yourself to be less than competent, after all.

Yandere Russia

If anything, be would be intrigued. Like America, he would already know either through scientific analysis of your trade goods or spying or both. Russia would have already had his own brands of magic back in the day, but it would have been so long since he saw somebody else display it.

Of course, he would have tried his own hand on the magic that your ores and precious stones generate, always careful, always cautious.

With your unrestricted use of it and lack caution, you would become his experimental guinea pig. Ivan would constantly prod you with questions, prompting you to try new thing. Through that, he would learn the limits of your power and the breaking points in your own character.

He would look forward to see your expression when you would realise that you had choked on your own hubris, when he would have you in his grasp due to a subtle attack that would be akin to a knife in your back.

After all, it would be your own fault if you remained narrow-minded and didn’t expect him to know and didn’t except an indirect attack. Russia would just be there to exploit your idiocy and use it for his own ends

[danger-xylophones]

Allegiance (Darth Maul x reader)

{Masterlist}

Good evening/day, I’m here to present another fic no one asked for but I’m writing anyway. 

Story summary: Underworld’s a small place and word travels quick, especially when there’s talk of a man taking it over singlehandedly

Notes: female pronouns (I’m sorry, but I struggle when I don’t use them)

Warnings: a hasty relationship and a bit of sexual tension because I am unabashedly a Maul fucker

Words: 2209 (wops)

………………………………….

“So, you’re the man that’s causing all the fuss?” Her silky words were light, teasing as they danced over Maul’s ears upon his entrance into the grand hall. Guards stood on either side of him and his brother, stun batons at the ready. She had but to give the word and a fight would break out. Maul’s gaze remained trained on her from where she sat at the head of the long table, advisors and clients were seated as well, all in the middle of dinner and all were focused on Maul, Savage, and the Death Watch. 

“Forgive us, Great Eye, we told him that you were busy but these nuisances would not be swayed.” The blue twi’lek guard on Maul’s left growled, pressing the baton closer to Maul. The zabrak barely even acknowledged the female guard though his brother did growl at her. The guard bared her teeth in response, lekkus twitching in agitation. Her companion, a besalisk male, remained silent. 

The Great Eye said nothing but carefully looked between her two guards, e/c eyes that glittered in the warm lighting of the room focused. “Stand down, Zenay, you are being impolite.” The woman waved her hand dismissively and the besalisk guard backed off, the twi’lek hesitated a moment but eventually complied with her leader’s orders. The Great Eye’s gaze briefly swept over the Death Watch members, and Savage before finally settling on Maul. She met the sith’s gaze evenly and raised one eyebrow as she questioned him, specifically. “Why do you intrude on my meeting?” Her tone was soft in delivery but Maul could hear, no feel the power she wielded. If he were a common man unable to offer a good reason, she could kill him in the blink of an eye with nothing more than a small gesture. Unluckily for her, he was no commoner. 

“Great Eye of the Hidden Gaze coven,” Pre Vizsla began, stepping in front of Maul. The Great Eye was forced to look away from the zabrak but Maul still found himself watching her intently. “I am Pre Vizsla, leader of-”

“I know who you are, Vizsla.” The Great Eye cut the arrogant man off sharply, gentle voice somehow booming around the room which caused her currently seated guests to flinch. An interesting reaction, Maul noted. That tone meant something to them. “And I know what you want from me.” Maul’s eye ridge raised in intrigue. “And I will tell you now that I do not parley with radical idealists such as yourself and the Death Watch. However,” The Great Eye continued, tenting her fingers under her chin as her e/c hued eyes slid over to Maul once more, “I will speak with the Sith.” If at first, the Great Eye had his intrigue then now she had his attention. Ever since his exile, it appeared that no one besides the Jedi and his brother recognized who he was. Pre Vizsla was visibly stunned though he was swift to play it off, casting a curious look at the crimson zabrak who quietly waved him away. As the last Death Watch member disappeared, the Great Eye clapped her hands suddenly which made the advisors and clients flinch as well as some of the servants posted around the room. “You are all dismissed, the rest of your dinners will be delivered to your rooms. Ito, Garth,” having her servants’ attention, she gestured towards Savage and Maul, “fetch them a drink.” The human and togruta men ran off immediately as the advisors filed out. Maul took a seat at the opposite end of the table. Savage took the seat to his right. 

“So, you know who I am?” Maul began sternly, mimicking the Great Eye’s posture by tenting his hands under his chin and propping his elbows up. The male togruta, yellow in color set a drink before him (some kind of red wine going by the scent) while the human man set another in front of Savage who growled at the man when he accidentally brushed his arm. The Great Eye watched them curiously. 

“Indeed. I consider myself a smart woman, Darth Maul, and I find it pays to know who you’re dealing with. Which is why I am very curious about your companion here.” She spoke calmly, lifting a drink of her own to her lips which were stained rich mahogany. Her gaze flickered to Savage. 

The yellow zabrak met it swiftly, crossing his arms. However, Maul was the one to speak. “This is Savage. My apprentice.” 

That caught The Great Eye’s attention for she sat her cup down and dabbed at her lips. “Apprentice? So, Count Dooku is not the second sith?” 

“Count Dooku is a pretender!” Maul snapped, cutting her off and intriguing her further. “We are the true lords of the Sith.” Maul’s voice echoed unnaturally in the large room and the air grew thick enough that if anyone else were to enter, they would likely suffocate. 

She laughed. The Great Eye began to laugh, and it graced his ears like a pleasant bell. Maul loathed admitting that he found it quite pleasant to listen to. “It is good to see that your reputation was not built on falsehoods, Lord Maul.” She smiled wide, canines poking out ever so slightly and her eyes sparkled as if she had been let in on a great secret. “I am Y/n L/n, The Great Eye of the Hidden Gaze.” She stood from her throne, slow and regal and bowed to him, right hand coming up over her bosom as her left came to cover her eyes. When she rose again, with deep blue silk robes fluttering just enough for Maul to spot the outline of her body, she met Maul’s eyes brazenly and tossed her arms out. “And welcome to my home, Lord Maul and Apprentice Savage.” She settled in her seat once more. 

“Thank you, Great Eye.” Maul hummed, chewing over her greeting. “You stated that you knew why I was here, so, I take it you will join us?” 

Y/n’s lip twitched. “Lord Maul, I will confess that we have a slight issue with that. While I recognize the wisdom in joining you, I must ask you a few questions.” This woman was bold, Maul would give her that. 

“And what would they be, Lady L/n?” Maul questioned, carefully sipping the wine that had been brought before him. It was rich and smooth and more on the bitter side than what he was used to but still pleasant to idly sip. For a moment he wondered if the wine was to blame for Y/n’s stained lips. 

“The first is simple, what is to become of my people when you take over?” Y/n’s e/c eyes burned into Maul’s soul, scorching everything as they went. 

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean.” Maul was testing her and he could tell that she knew. 

“Will they serve as they serve me now but work for you instead or will they be put to work elsewhere?” The woman elaborated fluidly, finger running around the rim of her cup absently. Maul couldn’t help but follow the motion, transfixed on her black-painted nails. 

Maul found himself compelled to answer. “They will serve you but you will answer to me, Y/n. So, in a way, the former.” She hummed, mulling the answer over. “You had another question?” 

“Yes, does Pre Vizsla serve you?” Y/n didn’t bother to look at Maul as she spoke before she tossed her head back and downed her wine in one gulp. The togruta male from earlier was immediately ready to refill her cup. 

“We are allies, for now. He controls the Death Watch and the Death Watch alone, the underworld factions are mine.” Another hum was the zabrak’s reply. “Anything else, Great Eye?” 

“What is your goal?” 

“What do you think it is?”

Y/n smiled imperceptibly and Maul was curious to know what had her so keen. “To take over, of course. To achieve the manifesto of the Sith and to control the galaxy by destroying the Republic bit by bit and taking down the Jedi.” Maul’s chin lifted upon hearing the way Y/n spoke of the Jedi and the Republic, such disdain, such malice. He wondered what the history was. “Am I correct, Lord Maul?” 

He chuckled and leaned back in his seat. “More than you realize, Great Eye.” 

She grinned, chin raised, canines poking out just slightly and e/c eyes ablaze. “Then I will gladly bend my knee to your vision. However,” Y/n’s mirth faded as she sobered up, face growing stern so quickly that Maul was rather impressed by how much control she had over the innumerable muscles beneath her supple s/c skin, “My advisors I not so keen. We knew we would be dealing with a powerful force the second word got out that the Black Suns had been taken over and I am afraid they have already reached a decision.” She twitched an eyebrow in emphasis, Maul leaned forward. Before she said anymore, Y/n clapped her hands twice and flourished her left hand. The servants fled the room with bowed heads as the guards marched out in two single-file lines. A deafening slam resounded from the door the all left in which meant that the Great Eye was alone, completely at Maul’s and Savage’s mercy. Before the silence that followed suit could stretch for too long, she resumed speaking. “As you could infer, they have either decided to oppose you or remain neutral.” Maul felt a grimace begin to form on his face. He would hate to kill her now because of her advisors’ idiocy. Especially after Y/n had proven herself to be quite clever and entertaining. “I am afraid that if I were to act, it would be considered treason on my part. I would lose the support of my people instantly for, although we are criminals, they pride themselves on an honest Great Eye.” 

“What are you suggesting, Lady L/n?” Maul questioned impishly, already planning ways to make the people of the Hidden Gaze comply. 

Y/n stood suddenly though she still remained regal and poised as she made her way around the table, steadily approaching the two zabrak men. Savage, who had been quiet the whole time, growled as she grew closer. “You know precisely what I am suggesting, Lord Maul.” Her voice oozed with contradictory honey-like venom. She stopped two feet away from Maul, gracefully leaning against the empty chair to his left. She was so close; Maul had a brief urge to reach out and pull her into his lap. “I’ve been meaning to collect some new advisors anyway, I’m sure if something were to happen to one of my currents, it would not be a big deal.” Y/n was positively villainous and Maul loved it. This woman screamed power, this woman radiated control, yet here she was willingly trying to secede her reign to him. It made him ponder what other ways he could make her submit.  

“What did you have in mind, my dear?” The sith hadn’t meant for the endearment to slip out, but it had and it was evident that the woman before him enjoyed it. Her eyes dilated just enough that Maul was certain it wasn’t caused by the low lighting and the apples of her cheeks were beginning to darken. 

“Ors Pell, the Muun that was seated closest on my left. He has been the most… outspoken in his opposition of your rule.” Y/n straightened and folded her hands placidly in front of her, almost mimicking the pose of an innocent young girl. “I would like you to make an example out of him. Once his voice has been silenced, I’m certain the rest of the Clear Sights will reconsider their positions.” 

Maul rose from his seat and stalked towards Y/n, hands folded behind his back. “You are more wicked than I thought, Lady L/n.” The zabrak smiled down at her and the young woman met his gaze unabashedly. 

“I prefer the term, resourceful. I know when an alliance is necessary and how to pick a good one.” The Great Eye explained in a tone that would have convinced any outsider that she was just a little girl caught up in a game meant for the big kids. But Maul could see through it. And she knew he could as she held out a hand for him to take.  

Smiling smugly, Maul clasped Y/n’s hand carefully and lifted it to his lips. “Ors Pell will be dealt with momentarily, my dear.” He explained calmly as he lowered the woman’s hand and signaled for Savage to rise and go find the aforementioned Muun. 

“Good.” Y/n hummed, watching Savage’s figure retreat further into her home in search of her soon to be ex-advisor. “And the Hidden Gaze coven will be yours, Lord Maul.” Her e/c eyes returned to his own saffron to vermillion ones. He found he rather liked the sound of ‘his’ on her tongue and the coven of assassins wasn’t the only thing Maul wanted to make ‘his’ anymore. 

[fire-emblem-heroes-supports]

Fallen!M!Robin/Fallen!F!Corrin C-S Support

Written by @huinari

C SUPPORT

Grima: Hmm?

[Grima peers into the forest to see Corrin lying under a tree.]

Corrin: Hah… That’s better… [covers eyes with an arm.]

Grima: Do you plan on actually digging into the dirt and becoming a worm?

Corrin: Huh? Oh. It’s you… Hello.

Grima: Spare me your pitiful attempt at niceties. It’s almost as pathetic as your idiocy.

Corrin: My… excuse me?

Grima: You heard me.

Corrin: I did, and I was hoping it was the blood rushing in my ears that distorted my hearing… You shouldn’t be near me… it’s dangerous…

Grima: Hopes and wishes are for fools, of which you seem to be a prime example of. Your puny current self has no hope of harming me.

Corrin: …

[Corrin stares at Grima until he breaks eye contact.]

Grima: …Hmph.

[Grima turns around and leaves.]

Corrin: He really is… something.

[Fallen!M!Robin and Fallen!F!Corrin have reached support rank C.]

B SUPPORT

Grima: Another battle, and yet here you are, still emulating an actual worm.

[Corrin, leaning against the tree with her cape covering her legs, glances towards Grima.]

Corrin: ...Hello, Robin. I see you’re here to insult me again.

Grima: I am the fell dragon Grima, fool. Do not mistake me for that weak tactician.

Corrin: Ahh… How could I forget. Nngh. [Grimaces in pain.]

Grima: !

[Grima reaches out to pull away Corrin’s cape, uncovering gashes to her legs.]

Corrin: ! Hey!

Grima: I thought I smelt blood. It seems you were lesser than a worm, with dreams of being food for maggots instead.

Corrin: It’s just a small wound...

Grima: Would the healers say the same?

Corrin: …

Grima: It seems you know the answer. [raises hand and gathers energy.] I may as well just end your existence now.

Corrin: ! [rolls out of way just as the attack hits where she was.]

Grima: It seems the worm can still squirm.

Corrin: Ngh…! Get away! [dark energy begins to break out across her skin.]

Grima: Heh. That’s more like it. Come, let me see what you’re really capable of.

Corrin: RAHHHHHHH!!!!

[Fallen!M!Robin and Fallen!F!Corrin have reached support rank B.]

A SUPPORT

Grima: A worm with the homing instincts of a pigeon, back in the dirt. If it weren’t for your power, none would ever mistake you for a dragon.

Corrin: …

Grima: …

Corrin: …What do you want, Grima?

Grima: [grins sharply.] So there’s some fight in you, then?

Corrin: More curiosity than fight… I know you’re trying to anger me… trying to pick a fight with me.

Grima: …Don’t presume we are peers on equal footing with each other. It’s all-too clear to me that your heart and will are both too weak and hinders what your blood could give you.

Corrin: … heh heh.

Grima: You laugh? Are you mad or foolish?

Corrin: With my blood and how it boils, probably both… but Grima, you only ever come close to me when I’m having difficulty holding myself together.

Grima: And how would I know when that is? Cease this senseless sentimentality, wailing soul.

Corrin: You only talk to me when I’m here. And… I only come to this place when my blood boils and I’m close to losing control. Because these woods… they slow down my blood somehow.

Grima: …

Corrin: And when I did lose control… you kept my rampage to this area and stopped me from hurting anyone other than yourself… Thank you for that. I wouldn’t have been able to… forgive myself if I’d…

Grima: …You are sorely mistaken if you think I take pity on your pathetic state. I merely wish to see when you finally make the choice to give into what you are truly capable of.

Corrin: Which would be?

Grima: Despair. Destruction. Death. All things of unparalleled beauty you with your weak heart and parroted morals cannot understand the true worth of. And when you finally do, and make the choice to let your blood run free as it was meant to, I will enjoy myself immensely in the carnage you create.

Corrin: …So you think I’ll make the choice?

Grima: Yes. And I will witness the results you chose and relish them.

[Grima leaves.]

Corrin: …I wonder if he knows… that he’s fleeing …

[Corrin covers her eyes with her arm.]

Corrin: …I think I really am going mad… if I find comfort in those words … .

[Fallen!M!Robin and Fallen!F!Corrin have reached support rank A.]

S SUPPORT

Grima: …

[Grima fights a rampaging Corrin.]

Corrin: HAARGH!!!

Grima: Hm!

[Fade to black.]

Grima: [looking down at an unconscious Corrin.] Until you become the agent of havoc and chaos you were born to be, until you make that choice yourself, you will continue to waste your potential.

Corrin: …

Grima: And I have no tolerance for fools, let alone fools who cannot accept the gift they have been given. Until you choose with your own will the might of your power, I shall not permit you to rampage blindly.

Corrin: …

Grima: That is why I stop you from leaving this forest in your rampage.

Corrin: … [coughs]

Grima: …

Corrin: …then …

Grima: ?

[Corrin raises her head to look Grima in the eyes.]

Corrin: Then… I guess we’re going to be seeing each other here… for a very long time…

Grima: Oh?

Corrin: You seem to have some… strange faith in me… that it’ll be my choice that drives me over the edge…

Grima: What of it?

Corrin: That’s a faith… that I didn’t have in myself… and yet you’re adamant that I will choose the path of destruction and madness… and willing to act to keep me from accidentally harming allies.

[Grima and Corrin stare at each other, not breaking eye contact.]

Corrin: You’ll have to wait a very… long time… because… I have no intention… on giving in to the madness in my blood. No matter how much… it burns and boils.

Grima: Heh. [Grins.]

Corrin: I won’t give in… I won’t hurt those I care about with my own hands… That’s my choice. And it won’t change.

Grima: We’ll see about that.

Corrin: We will. Watch me, Grima… And I’ll prove it.

[Fallen!M!Robin and Fallen!F!Corrin have reached support rank S.]

[gumnut-logic]

Thunderbird XL (Part Three)

Title: Thunderbird XL

Sequel to Thunderbird X

Thunderbird X | Thunderbird XL Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Author: Gumnut

Feb – 11 Mar 2020

Fandom: Thunderbirds Are Go 2015/ Thunderbirds TOS

Rating: Teen

Summary: “I’ve got you, son.”

Word count: 1572

Spoilers & warnings: SPOILERS FOR SEASON 3 EPISODE 25 & EPISODE 26

Timeline: Episode Tag, written episode

Author’s note: Sequel to Thunderbird X. so much is asking to be written about the last episode of the series. This one just happened and in a way I didn’t plan. Many thanks to the Thundernerds on Tumblr for all their support and especially @scribbles97​ for the readthrough.

I’m having the strongest feeling that ‘Need’ might be the sequel to this, so it is probably a good idea for me to actually finish it. Also, for some reason, I was drawn to it today. So we have Part Three.

Disclaimer: Mine? You’ve got to be kidding. Money? Don’t have any, don’t bother.

-o-o-o-

 Hate wasn’t really a word for what he felt for Gaat. Pity was closer, but considering Jeff was a man who had been stuck alone for eight years, that was saying something.

When Brains entered and Gaat was flung across the room to be caught by Gordon and Alan, Jeff had a moment to greet his old friend, the man who had managed to save him yet again.

And still be completely socially awkward about it.

He could only love him for it.

Scott grabbed Gaat from Alan, stepping between his little brother and the pest who had hurt them so much, and he and Gordon rough housed the criminal below decks.

That left Jeff with Virgil, Alan and Brains.

“That was some pretty hot shot flying there, Allie.”

His youngest son flushed a little red, his hand going to the back of his neck. “Aww, thanks, Dad.”

An awkward silence fell after that. Virgil shifted to a work station off to the right. His hand hitting his comms. “Thunderbird Five, cockpit is secure, what is our flight status?”

“Eos is running a damage report. The EMP did have some impact and we will need to make some repairs.”

“Point me where you need me.”

“FAB.”

Virgil looked over to his fellow engineer who was on the opposite side of the cockpit, running his own assessments. “Brains?”

“J-John is c-correct. I also want to r-run a s-systems check. T-to m-make sure there is n-no sabotage.”

Jeff’s stomach tightened. Gaat had been alone for who knew how long and when foiled, he could have done anything out of spite.

“Brains, timeframe?”

He was aware of his two boys and Brains both suddenly staring at him.

“I am unsure, M-Mr Tracy.”

“Keep me apprised.”

“FAB.”

“Dad, you should be resting.” Virgil appeared beside him, a gloved hand gently touching his arm.

“I am. There is no gravity in space, Virgil.”

“Dad-“

“Virgil, I need you in the aft computer core. I’m reading a series of faulty processors and I have some concerns about the air circulation system in the secondary life support hub.” John’s voice demanded immediate attention.

Virgil hit his comms. “FAB, John. I’m on it.” He turned to his little brother. “Alan.” An indrawn breath, worried eyes cast over Jeff. “Look after Dad.”

“Sure.” His youngest son propelled himself closer.

Virgil’s fingers brushed across Jeff’s forearm as he pushed himself towards the exit.

Brains muttered to himself absently at his console, but that awkward silence returned.

A glance at Alan and he caught his son’s profile. As the young man turned towards the front of the cockpit, Jeff was struck at the contrast yet again between the child he had left behind and the man who had flown this ship all the way out here.

“Dad, I should probably give you a quick orientation for safety’s sake.”

Jeff nodded once and there followed a very professional systems report. Within five minutes he knew the location of all the main controls, the functions of each of the stations, and he was pretty sure that he could give a good go at piloting the craft himself.

Not that he had any intention of trying.

But it was reassuring to hear familiar terms and watch his son, ever so confident, speak the language of astronaut.

He had been eleven when Jeff left on that rescue. All starry eyed and rocket obsessed. And now…

A competent young man flying rockets into the unknown.

He had so many questions.

But they would have to wait as Scott burst back into the room. His comms were lit up. “Eos, yes, thank you for your assistance, and no, I have no intentions of letting anyone shoot you with an EMP ever again.”

“Good!” That high-pitched voice again. “John is on his way down to the cockpit. We are showing green on all systems except those Virgil is currently attending to. Thunderbird Five is prepared for the jump, deflectors are at one hundred percent. Navigational data is being prepared.”

“Thank you, Eos. Couldn’t do this without you.” The frown on Scott’s brow got just that little bit deeper.

Gordon floated in behind his older brother, a frown equally severe on his face. It looked alien on those features as he turned to Jeff. “The Hood’s stowed in his ‘cabin’. Rope and all.” There was some satisfaction at that announcement. “We will now return to our scheduled inflight entertainment. Due to the lack of a movie, MAX will be providing juggling for your amusement.” The robot on the ceiling squawked. That was MAX?! “Alan will be providing the rollercoaster effects.” A hand up to Gordon’s face as he shifted to a not-quite whisper in an aside to Jeff. “He really has been playing far too many video games.”

“Hey!”

“Yes, Dad, you may have to curb his screen time when we get home.”

The youngest turned back from the helm. “Fine, Gordon. I’m sure Dad will love to hear about Corfu while I’m not playing those games.” The glare in those blue eyes was furious.

“Woah, Allie! Hold on the big guns, it was a joke.” Gordon reacted enough to float backwards.

Jeff held up a hand. “Boys?”

Two pairs of eyes darted at him. Alan pointed at his brother. “He started it.”

Jeff stared at them both and was suddenly struck at the familiarity. His boys were bigger, yes, but they were still his boys.

He opened his arms. “C’mere.”

Neither hesitated and he once again was able to wrap himself around dreams-become-reality. He kissed two golden heads.

Scott floated into his vision, a small smile on his face.

Jeff had to squeeze his eyes shut for just a moment before he let his two youngest go.

His eldest’s voice was gentle. “Alan, we need pre-flight. Gordon, Eos is about to relay navigational data for your approval.”

Chorus of two. “FAB.” And his two boys moved.

Scott approached Jeff. “Dad, we have a seat for you.” He reached down into the centre hub of the cockpit, just behind the two forward seats and unfolded a chair. It clicked solidly into place as if it had always been there.

“S-Scott, I can f-find no trace of sabotage.” Brains’ hands were dancing over his controls. “Eos, have you c-completed the d-data and programming checks?”

“I have, Hiram. There is no sign of interference of any kind. I find it highly doubtful that the criminal would sabotage his only way back to Earth.”

John sailed in through the rear hatch. “Eos, we’ve spoken about human idiocy, particularly regarding the Hood.” His middle boy smiled gently at him as he passed smoothly to his place in the cockpit.

“Oh, I thought you were joking.”

Those turquoise eyes that had kept Jeff company for all those long years, blinked. “What gave you that idea?”

“The illogic of it all. Why would the Hood be so stupid? Also, you swore in six different languages at the time.”

Another blink and a darted glance at his father. “Well, I wasn’t joking. The Hood is an idiot.”

Jeff couldn’t help himself. “Only six?”

John’s eyes widened just a little. “I was distracted trying to keep Thunderbird Two airborne.”

“What?”

Said Thunderbird’s pilot chose that moment to return. “John, processors replaced and the air circulation system is patched. I wouldn’t give it long, but it should survive enough to get us home.” A nudge off the ceiling and Virgil was once again beside him. “We should get you strapped in, Dad. The ride out here was rough.”

Scott’s hand landed on his brother’s shoulder and squeezed as he turned back to the helm where Alan was taking his seat.

That left Jeff to Virgil again, who gently urged him into the chair and buckled him in.

He stared at his boy as he let him do the simple task. It wasn’t as if Jeff was incapable of strapping himself in, it was just…

“Virgil?” He tipped his head down, trying to catch those worried eyes.

His son continued to fiddle with the belt, not acknowledging him at all.

“I’m going to be okay.”

At that Virgil did look up and the love in his son’s eyes pierced his heart. “I know, Dad.”

It was said with such finality, such determination…come whatever, Virgil was going to make sure he was okay.

Jeff opened his mouth to respond, but he didn’t have a chance as Scott began launch preparations and Virgil spun himself away to his station.

Jeff followed him with his eyes, his heart thudding in his chest.

God, it was hard to believe this was all happening.

Lucy, our boys.

Our boys!

“Alright.” Scott’s accent always made itself known when in command. That at least hadn’t changed. “Go / no go for launch.” He turned towards John. “Telemetry?”

“Go.”

To Gordon. “Navigation?”

Again with that serious expression on the aquanaut’s face. “Go.”

To Virgil. “Airframe?”

“Go.”

To Brains. “Propulsion?”

“Go!”

To Alan. “Helm?”

“Go!”

“Then let’s go home!” His eldest turned around to Jeff. “Wanna count us down?” Those blue eyes flashed.

There was no question. “I was hoping you would ask.”

With a heart so tied into his family and the wonders they were capable of, he counted down from five, each number thrown into fate’s face as he took that last step home.

And the ultimate in defiance.

“Thunderbirds are go!”

Alan moved.

The ship blinked.

-o-o-o-

End Part Three.

[warsofasoiaf]

It seems like your being a bit extreme about Sanders "praising" dictators. Maybe I'm not finding the more inflammatory remarks, but it seems like he's doing some necessary pushback on the "leftist equals always bad" cultural touchstone in the US by trying to point to how good ideas are still good ideas even if a bad person or regime had them. "We condemn him for (imprisoning dissidents)" paired with "I like having a literacy program" is a lot different than Trump praising in humane practices.

There isn’t a “leftist equals always bad” cultural touchstone in the United States. Bernie Sanders never would have been able to run as a frontunner in the United States presidential election if there was one. There is lingering antipathy towards socialism and communism, primarily though not exclusively from the Cold War, but that’s not the same thing. Left-wing movements of various different stripes have had varying degrees of popularity within the United States over the course of history. Various schools of Keynes went into and out of popularity over the course of the United States, there were communes even going back to the early history of the country. There have been trade unionist movements, civil rights movements going from abolitionism to the more modern contemporary movements of suffrage. Leftist ideas have been adopted by cultural and counter-cultural icons, they have been mixed, they have had compromises made, they have had both subtle and overt influence on policy.

Now, communism certainly never has been very popular in the United States, the American Communist Party only ever numbered roughly 100,000 strong or so in the 1940′s. Socialism struggled to catch on in the United States in ways that it didn’t within Europe or Latin America; the reasons for which are of no small debate among political historians, leftist writers, and talking heads. Mistaking socialism and communism as all that “leftism” is, in my view, a remarkable reduction of the left-wing movement and the ideas it espouses. I don’t blame people for it, though. I blame it on an overly reductionist binary spectrum, the natural need for simplification of a complex topic, and political movements that either seek to transform the meaning of words for desired political ends. Right-wing elements of the United States have a rather infamous history of terming something they oppose “socialism” in the hopes that it evoked reflexive antipathy to get votes and donations to stop it, left-wing movement have tried to name everything that a government does that’s remotely positive as “socialism” in the hopes of promoting sympathy for their own causes, which translates to votes and donations. End result is the same, more fuel for the political movement, more tribalism, more obscurity, more idiocy.

Getting off topic, so back to Sanders. I don’t believe a word of “he had a literacy movement” to be sincere. Batista also established a literacy program in Cuba; before Castro Cuba had already boasted an impressively high literacy rate compared to the region. Sanders won’t praise Batista for that (to make it plain, I do not expect anyone to praise Batista, the only thing greater than the cruelty of his regime was the corruption). Only left-wing dictators get this sort of treatment for him; it is only these individuals who are capable of having redeeming qualities deserving of praise in their brutal, repressive regimes. Sanders tries to divorce the statements he makes from this crucial piece of context, but political statements don’t work that way. His excuse would be more credible if he hadn’t been consistently denying and minimizing the various illiberal and human rights violations of left-wing dictators; it’s arguably been his most consistent stance on foreign policy dating back to his mayoral days. Sanders’s on-the-record conduct on Ortega alone is sickening, from supporting opposition press censorship in a for real Godwin’s law fallacy to angrily cutting off reporters for bringing up Ortega’s shootings and bombings of indigenous populations, Sanders has had an unfortunate history of praising terrible conduct among his ideological allies and calling it virtue.

Sanders’s treatment of Castro is better explained by the idea that he’s invested so much of himself in opposition to US policy in Latin America during the Cold War that he reflexively praises those who are identified with his movement. It’s a common symptom of tribalism, the need to glorify the tribe and assert their inherent superiority. Tribal movements are built on this idea (it’s one of the chief reasons I despise them), to not feed is to endanger the movement. When members of the tribe are discovered to be monstrous, they must either be outed as not “true members” by highlighting their deviancy as proof that they never really belonged, or by minimizing their actions and emphasizing the positive aspects of the person in areas they were compliant with the movement. This is a twofold tactic, it absolves the movement by placing fault within personal shortcomings of people in question, and it asserts that even flawed members of the tribe are in some ways aspects of this idea of inherent tribal superiority. Castro really can’t be divested from the movement, so Sanders must find ways to praise him to follow the latter technique. Whether this is a sincere belief in the need to glorify an aspect of himself or a cynical understanding to feed the tribal movement backing him I couldn’t say, that’s the pop-pysch diagnosis behind his praise of Castro as I see it. 

To keep with the Cold War analogy, Sanders’s statements on Castro’s literacy program fails in a reverse of the “Nixon goes to China” idea of foreign policy. Coming from anyone else, it might be just a statement, even if it’s politically-motivated, that’s certainly how it seemed coming from Obama when evaluated against the context of his foreign policy goals. Coming from a guy like Sanders though, it sounds dishonest because he has no credibility in this domain, it’s a hollow excuse and should be treated as the drivel it is.

Thanks for the question, Anon.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[yourreddancer]

send this to your pro-Trump friends and relatives

Let’s see, so Trump is so great eh?  Let's check out his accomplishments, shall we?

1. Raped a 13 year old girl at a drug fueled pedophile’s party in the 90′s and has done so with at least 10 other minors at Epstein’s homes And the 13 year old, Katie Holmes, was chosen “because she looked like Ivanka”. And when she cried at her fear of getting pregnant, he pulled money out of his wallet, threw it on her, and told her to "get a fucking abortion" Oh, SOOOOO pro-life, huh?

2. Fucked around on ALL his wives, the last one with a prostitute while she was pregnant with their child. How many women have come forward now with testimony that he sexually assaulted them in various ways?

3. Admitted to being an atheist in “The Art of The Deal” even though the Evangelical Fundie heretic Prots lick his ass and give him a pass on everything. including paying off a porn star to not talk about fucking him while married to Melania.....and his “pussy grabbing”  recorded comments

4. Cheated his contractors constantly by refusing to pay them for services provided. This is “Making America Great Again?”

5. Is a Narcissistic Personality Disorder - mentally ill - always seeks revenge, sees plots everywhere, tweets idiocy daily, acts worse than a 4 year old in the midst of a tantrum. Leading Psychiatrists have concurred and want to remove the APA’s “Goldwater Act” to be able to state this formally.  (35 have done so already) .Obsessed with the size of his inaugural crowd, his hands, his dick..etc.

6. Bankrupted SIX TIMES!!!   Horrible failed  businessman! And owes 4 MILLION to foreign entities, most of which to Russia. And you don't think Putin has him by the nose????

7. Encourages violence in his rallies (which do nothing but feed his ego, see #5

8. Has sided with white supremacists, racists, the KKK and WILL NOT denounce them.

9. Colluded with Russia, who own his ass, and kisses Putin’s ass.  He worships and admires dictators, yet condemns our longtime allies and our own FBI, etc.

10. Has violated the Emoluments Clause from the day of his inauguration, as he refuses to give up his business interests, and has never revealed his tax returns.

11. Has wasted more time golfing than ANY OTHER President in history, and American taxpayers pay for all of this, while he profits having them at HIS OWN PROPERTIES!   Unethical and illegal!  His own kids use their position to promote their own business interests. Unethical and illegal!!

12. Has appointed completely unqualified family members as his staff, which is not only nepotism, but this is exactly what dictators do (Saddam anyone?) And he demands total loyalty, not competency, from White House Staff, and fires people who are actually knowledgeable and good at their jobs.

13. He keeps talking about what great jobs he brings here, while his own crap is manufactured IN CHINA!!  And his tariffs have hurt American farmers, the steel industry, and the solar panel industry.  

14. Cheated hardworking Americans with his fraudulent Trump University, and should have been formally prosecuted instead of being allowed to settle.

15. And when the Evangelicals lost their fucking minds over Michelle’s arms and Obama’s tan suit -  I say: here’s your upstanding moral First Lady…

16. All his Cabinet appointees have NO qualifications for their jobs, and indeed, are there to destroy everything the departments are supposed to protect and foster.

17. Has unravelled and rescinded every law or rule the President Obama enacted, including environmental protections, just to get his petty revenge on President Obama for being smart, respected, intelligent, in other words, everything he (Combover Caligula) is not

18. Completely fucked up national response to the COVID pandemic, resulting in thousands of unnecessary deaths. AND LIED ABOUT IT!!!!!!  He continues to expose hundreds of people to this deadly virus, just to satisfy his own ego.

19. Cadet Bone Spurs is fine with militarizing police and shooting down civilians, even while retreating to his bunker when things got dodgy in DC.  Coward!!!  And called our dead veterans "suckers and losers"

20. Is a constant liar......spends all day tweeting his lies because he has NO skills to actually be a President.  

How’s that?

[babyawacs]

the day the usa falls itis over for .@israel @israel. i re ally really really really believe this. the western system of democracies of civility of specific values not only holl ow bullshit  is why some form of jews able to live safely is possible itis critical to understand governability of we stern nations:  for instance supplies: with supplies itis on ly one lessproblem. but without : itis french revolutions gr ade amplified problems thelonger it takes civillians not pro per share with labour union things enforced things incontrary 19th century conditions : things that generated amiddleclass and thriving societies o thernations copied successfully were b r o k e n d o w n in the 2000s on iti s as if idiocy doesnot understand what makes nations govern able o r s o w h a t swine grade fuckthem with fists any way sowhat aslong as there is gain to who who wonders all fellapart letalone quelled barely with criminal intelmethods

the day the usa falls itis over for .@israel @israel. i really really really really believe this. the western system of democracies of civility of specific values not only hollow bullshit is why some form of jews able to live safely is possible itis critical to understand governability of western nations: for instance supplies: with supplies itis only one lessproblem. but without : itis french…

[skepticraven]

Dear Trump Fans,

I keep hearing you say that Trump has done so much for America but you never elaborate on that, even when I ask you to. So, I’m asking again & my question is simple. What has he done that you think is so great? Aside from insulting people you don’t like, I just don’t see any achievements. This is what I do see:

-Trump didn't end the overseas wars like he promised. Instead, he got us involved in Syria. And he has nearly started a couple new wars with Iran & North Korea

- It seems you don't have your giant, waste-of-money wall. You have a small amount of fencing that anyone could cross should they want to. And Mexico won't EVER pay for it. Now, I’m fine with no wall but you shouldn’t be. 

- Trump is trying to cut the CDC budget by almost 20% amidst a pandemic. 

- Trump fired the pandemic response team last year.

- Trump is already saying he wants everyone back to work by Easter & all of the churches full on Easter- except every doctor & all his medically educated advisors are advising Trump against that. The cases of coronavirus are still increasing rapidly. Sending people back into such close proximity to one another will only inflame the problem, increasing the number of infected & dead tenfold.

-Trump has violated the emoluments clause of the constitution by failing to put his assets in a blind trust & thus is charging foreign leaders & American politicians inflated prices to stay at his hotels to win his favor & get private access to the president since he goes there all the time

- Trump is guilty of blatant nepotism. For example, he appointed Jared Kushner to negotiate peace in the middle east, handle diplomacy with China & Mexico, address the opioid epidemic, manage the wall construction process, etc. Jared isn't qualified for any of that, he only has that job because he bones Trump's daughter. Jared wouldn’t be qualified to manage a Pizza Hut. He was born rich and has done nothing but lose billions when he landed in his father job because his father went to prison for tax evasion, witness tampering, & illegal campaign contributions.

- Trump, who claims to be tough on terrorism, signed a multi-billion dollar weapons deal with Saudi Arabia RIGHT AFTER they murdered & dismembered an American journalist. Not to mention the genocide they were waging in Yemen. There is a reason that 80% of the 9/11 terrorist were from Saudi Arabia.

- Trump has eliminated funding for programs that work to de-radicalize people in extremist groups/organizations & help them escape that life.

- Trump cut his own taxes & that of his rich buddies & corporations BY 40%. Due to all the tax loopholes & shady financial dealings (like equity swapping or offshore tax havens) which the wealthiest Americans & corporations do, they already historically weren't paying anywhere near the marginal tax rate they should be on paper. Trump cut the corporate marginal tax rate from 35% to 21%. So after the loopholes & their shady bullshit, they're very likely paying a lower effective tax rate than you are. Thanks to Trump, many paid no income taxes at all in 2018 like Amazon, Netflix, Chevron, IBM, Delta Airlines, General Motors, Whirlpool, Goodyear Tires, etc.

-Trump promised to reduce the deficit but he has actually raised it by a lot. When you decrease the amount of taxes coming in that drastically & you increase government spending that much, the deficit is going to increase. The Caronavirus situation has only exacerbated that problem but the problem was already there.

-Trump pulled out of the Iran deal, solely because Obama did it. And Mr. Art of the Deal did not even try to negotiate a new deal. 

- This great healthcare Trump promised hasn't happened. Less people have insurance now than when Trump first took office. Drug prices have only gone up. There have be cuts to Medicaid as well.

-Trump appointed a judge who clearly lied to congress & whom likely sexually assaulted someone. Why Trump did not pick a different conservative judge to nominate, I will never understand.

- Trump cut all the social safety net programs that help the poor & disabled: SSI Disability, Food Stamps, Medicaid, HUD, etc.

- Like it or not, Trump was technically impeached. He just wasn’t removed from office by the Senate because there are a bunch of scared Republicans who are too scared to do or say anything against Trump. Tribalism saved him. That’s it. Because he admitted on national television that he talked about Biden & his son on that phone call- you can even see the exact moment when he realizes he shouldn’t have said that. So, he did do what he was accused of.

-His administration is a revolving door of hiring & firing/quitting. Trump said he knew the best people so why would he need to fire so many of them? Think about how many people have come & gone. These are just some of the big names who left the administration but there are WAY MORE than I am listing: Rex Tillerson, Mike Pompeo, Scott Pruitt, Steve Bannon, John Bolton, Jeff Sessions, John Kelly, Anthony Scaramucci, Reince Priebus, Sean Spicer,  Sarah Sanders, James Mattis, Rick Perry, Nikki Haley, Dan Coats, Alexander Acosta, Scott Gottlieb, Bill Shine, Tom Price,  H.R. McMaster, Ryan Zinke, Mick Mulvaney, James Comey,  Sebastian Gorka, Omarosa Newman, Gary Cohn, Don McGahn, Rod Rosenstein, Michael Flynn, Sally Yates, Tom Homan, Ty Cobb, Tom Bossert, K.T. McFarland, Rob Porter, Dina Powell, Rick Dearborn, Matthew Whittaker, Ezra Cohen-Watnick, Hope Hicks, Brenda Firtzgerald, Rob Snyder, Michael Dubke, Sean Doocey, etc.

-This is kind of a minor point but it does illustrate Trump’s hypocrisy.  Trump criticized Obama for golfing so much & then Trump turns around & plays 2.6 times more golf than Obama in his first 2 years and 91 days & has cost the tax payer an estimated $74 million more than Obama. 

- Does it ever embarrass you how little Trump knows about anything? Ever notice how he never goes in depth talking about anything? Its all vague because he doesn’t know enough about healthcare or the Iran Deal or climate change to address it in any kind of depth. You still see that idiocy spill out regardles. During an interview for SiriusXM’s P.O.T.U.S. channel, Trump said that former President Andrew Jackson was angry about the Civil War. The only problem is, Jackson couldn’t have been angry about the war. He died in 1845. The Civil War was in 1861. Another example would be during a call with Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, Trump claimed Canada burned down the White House during the War of 1812. Canada didn’t exist as a country until 1867. That was the British... Trump also claimed General John J. Pershing dealt with Muslim terrorists by shooting them with bullets dipped in pig’s blood. That did not happen. The story began circulating the internet around the September 11 terrorist attacks. Apparently Trump believed it was factual, talking about it during his 2016 presidential campaign & again after a terror attack in Barcelona. Then, speaking to the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump confused the Quds Force, a unit of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, with the Kurds, the minority group battling ISIS in northern Iraq (who he would later abandoned). Maybe that confusion could be forgiven for an average Joe but if you’ president, you need to know stuff like that (especially given the region these two groups are in). Hence why most presidents study political science, law, or economics in college or at least, they bother to read up on this stuff. But Trump doesn’t really read. The only book he claims to have read was a biography about Andrew Jackson whom, he thought was mad about a war that happened 16 years after his death & he also seems to have missed the whole Trail of Tears thing.

-  By pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal & the Paris Climate Accord, Trump has isolated us from our allies. Our word means nothing anymore. And who can blame them for being pissed? Whether Iran has a nuclear weapon effect more than just us. Given the size of our nation, our refusal to take the looming threat of climate change seriously is a detriment to the entire world that can & likely will have devastating consequences for everyone. Furthermore, Trump trash talks our closest allies & has placed tariffs on nearly all of them. For example:

AUSTRALIA: Shortly after taking office, Trump reportedly berated then-Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over an agreement between the U.S. and Australia involving refugee resettlement. 

CANADA: Trump also attacked Canadian President Justin Trudeau as “meek, mild, dishonest, & weak” during a conversation on trade at the G7 summit in 2018. He also threatened to withhold the U.S.’s signature from a joint communique from the meeting over the feud. Trudeau he also found it “insulting” that tariffs were placed on Canada under a rarely invoked law that allows levies to be placed on a country in the interest of national security. Since when is Canada a national security threat? 

DENMARK: Trump also went after Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen after she refused to sell him Greenland. She called the idea “absurd,” & Trump referred to her as “nasty & inappropriate.” The people that live there don’t want to become American. You can’t just buy a country on whim. Greenland belongs to Denmark but its semi-autonomous. 

FRANCE: Trump threatened to slap tariffs on French wine & called French President Emmanuel Macron “foolish” after he signed a digital services tax on tech companies making at least 750 MILLION EUROS annually, a figure which meant U.S.-based tech giants like Apple, Google, Facebook & Amazon would be included. 

GERMANY: Trump has had a particularly tumultuous relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The president has repeatedly threatened Germany with auto tariffs, saying if companies like BMW and Mercedes wanted to sell cars in the U.S., they should build them in the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday criticized President Donald Trump's tweets about four Democratic congresswomen of color telling them to go back to where they came from. She said that the president's tweets contradict "the strength of America." "I distance myself firmly from this & feel solidarity with the women who were attacked," Merkel said. (Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau also criticized Trump for the same thing).

JAPAN: Trump has lamented the U.S.’s responsibility to defend Japan if attacked, saying the alliance between Washington & Tokyo is uneven. Trump has also threatened Japan with auto tariffs, though it announced in May it was delaying any levies for six months. 

MEXICO: President Trump has repeatedly torn into Mexico, slamming it on trade but focusing much of his ire on the country over immigration. Trump has threatened America’s southern neighbor with tariffs over its alleged inaction in working to stem the flow of undocumented migrants in the U.S. And let’s face it, he doesn’t exactly talk about the Mexican people in the nicest way and stroked racial tensions.

SWEDEN: President Trump feuded with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven after American rapper A$AP Rocky was detained in Sweden & charged with assault following a June incident in Stockholm. Apparently Kanye West told Trump about it. 🙄 The rapper was ultimately released in & returned to the U.S AFTER he was convicted & had to pay a fine (plus time served).

UNITED KINGDOM: While Trump has bashed the United Kingdom over trade practices, threatening tariffs on one of the U.S.’s closest allies to rectify what he sees as an imbalance, he has directed much of his criticism toward the country’s handling of Brexit. He also attacked the UK's National Health Service, claiming it is "going broke & not working." That’s not true but its not really his business either way. Trump is so disliked in the UK that at one point, 75,000 protestors gathered in central London’s Trafalgar Square to protest U.S. President Trump’s visit to the U.K

SOUTH KOREA: The Trump administration is reportedly demanding South Korea pay 400% more for U.S. troops in the region- despite the fact that having a base in South Korea is essential as much for us as it is for them. We need a base near North Korea should we ever have to attack. Maybe raising it some is reasonable but raising anything 400% overnight is a little absurd.

I see failure & corruption in Trump. I see a danger to America. Feel free to try to change my mind.

[i-am-not-anon]

Under the eye of an institution

Part 8

Summary: Logan and Patton (both 16), the older students, are expected to look after two groups of freshmen in Watersouth boarding school for boys. Both of them despise the tradition of bullying that is subjected to the newcomers by older students. The two respectively get a student in their groups who is a little different from the ordinary crowd: Roman and Virgil (both 15).

Author’s note: I won't tell any excuses, just simply tell that this is the pace at which you get new updates now. I hope you still want to stick around!

Triggers: Excessive bullying, abuse, slurs, violence and violent punishments, panic attacks, i n s t i t u t i o n 

Masterpost 

...

Virgil eyed his new 'friends' with caution, as they approached him again the next day. Matthew had a grin of a winner plastered on his face, as he patted Virgil on the shoulder. The quieter boy shifted, letting Matthew's hand fall back to his side, but the group leader didn't seem to mind.

"My, my," he continued grinning. "Our little guy got in trouble yesterday for the great nickname, huh? How did you handle it?" His followers peeked at Virgil with curiosity. 

Virgil stared at the football field, seeing Roman getting shouted at again. "I-I-I got it s-s-orted out with my-my group le-lea-leader," he simply stated.

Matthew crossed his arms. "What punishment did you get?" 

Virgil knew he was supposed to tell a lie, say that Patton had made him do something or whatever. But he was afraid the boys could tell he was making it up. He couldn't figure out what to tell anyway, so he just focused on looking away and shrugging.

Matthew shifted his posture impatiently. "Whatever. But what a great prank you created, little guy. We can annoy the Ass with it forever." His helpers giggled obediently at that. 

Matthew seemed to realize that he couldn't get much out of Virgil this time, so he turned to walk away. Virgil's breath got stuck into his throat. He had constructed a plan in his head last night when he couldn't fall asleep, and it had to be acted on now. He coughed. "W-wait," he stuttered, making Matthew turn back to him. The anxious boy coughed again, trying to collect his thoughts. 

"Y-y-you nee-need to stop-stop. Mr-r Br-br-ass is bla-ming it all on me." This time Virgil looked Matthew straight into his eyes, and that made the bossy boy lose his composure for a second. 

"What? Why! It's perfect!" Matthew chimed in, before listening to the end of Virgil's stuttering. "You can't be serious. It's not that bad, all of us get beaten in this dumb building." He tried to stare Virgil down, but he seemed to have made up his mind for good. 

Matthew got impatient, worried about losing his pedestal over his followers. He threw his hands in the air. "Whatever. I knew he was like that," He talked about Virgil as if he wasn't hearing all of this. "We don't need a coward in our gang, do we? This whole Ass-thing is going to be forgotten about by now, as well as it's creator. Those kinds of babies deserve to stay alone." He walked away from Virgil, his gang following and glancing back at Virgil. When the group walked around the corner, the poor boy broke down. He slid to the ground from where he had been leaning to the wall, sitting there and breathing way too fast. He quieted his sobs with his sweater paws, and there was nobody to soothe him.

...

Meanwhile Roman was getting into all kinds of trouble again. He was 'too loud' and 'damn annoying' on the soccer field, one of the only places he truly felt happy at in the whole school. Once again, it was the tutor student Patrick Simons that was breathing down his neck. 

"Are you deaf, little fatty" the older boy shouted at Roman, who still couldn't help shouting at his team members out of excitement.

"No, I've got ADHD," Roman snapped back. 

The words made Patrick stop from running, and he broke to a mischievous grin. "What did you say, little brat?" 

Roman, oblivious to the situation, stood as well. "I've got ADHD. That's why everything is hard for me," he explained. 

Patrick chuckled. " Everybody, did you hear this rodent? We've got a retard amongst ourselves, he admitted it himself!" 

Roman frowned. "I didn't mean.." 

"That's exactly what you meant, little retard," Patrick snapped. "That's what it means. You just don't understand because you were born stupid, unlike us." 

Roman gritted his teeth. That was exactly what Logan had told him not to tell himself. Patrick was wrong. But he was a tutor, and had power over Roman. So he just glared at him. 

"What's wrong, retard? You should be glad we let you play with us normal guys sometimes. Let's continue." 

Roman tried to forget about everything Patrick had just said, but it kept coming back louder, echoing in his head any second he wasn't completely absorbed in the soccer game. On top of that the older boy had found some new favourite names to call Roman any time he got a chance to do so.

….

Patton wandered in the halls of the Watersouth boy school, greeting and having chit-chat with his students and to be honest, with almost anyone who he crossed. He felt a bit tired of having focused so much of his energy into keeping his boys safe in such a broken system, but chatting with people made him feel a bit better. 

"Let me know when you've finished the story, I would love to read it," he called to one creative student before continuing his pace. The starry-eyed tutor noticed Virgil sitting by the wall, heading to him next. 

"Hi quiet one, what's popping?" He crouched next to the boy.

Despite his melancholy, Virgil couldn't help but snort at Patton's choice of words. "Y-y-ou soun-sound like a dad wh-w-who is t-trying-g to be cool," he commented. 

"Isn't that what I kind of am, though?" Patton grinned. "Looking after you just like a father-figure would do." He giggled. "I'm your school father, Virgil! That sounds so funny." 

Virgil smiled. He really didn't want to bother this ray of sunshine with his problems, but,

"But how are you really doing, Virge?"

There it was. It seemed like Patton simply couldn't stop caring about him. 

"Hmm.." Virgil looked away. He didn't have time to actually reply before Patton continued. 

"Are you still worried about the situation with Mr. Brass? We actually came up with a few solutions with Logan, but obviously all of them had some negative outcomes as we-"

"It's not that," Virgil cut his tutor off. "I-I-I actu-ally said ab-ab-about it to Matt-matt-matthew an-and they left me alone."

Patton frowned at that. "Do you mean they stopped annoying you with it or-"

"Both," Virgil shrugged. "May-maybe it-it-it is bett-er like th-this." 

Patton's frown deepened. "Aw, kiddo, everyone deserves friends." He sat next to Virgil to hug the boy sideways. "But maybe they weren't the best of friends if they pressured to do things you didn't like, don't you think?"

Virgil quietly moved a bit further, and Patton took his arm from around him understandingly. "Sorry." 

"S'fine," Virgil muttered. "An-and I-I guess."

Patton looked at the poor boy with a hint of sadness in his eyes. The bell rang, and Patton stood up, patting Virgil's shoulder briefly. "We will get through this, kiddo. I promise."

Maybe we will, Virgil stayed sitting as Patton walked to the hall. But at what cost?

….

"How many times I have to remind you, Pears?" Mr. Wilson rasped, tapping the pointer to his open palm. "I need you to sit straight and focus to your math problems."

Roman moved back to the 'right' position, nodding and trying to focus. Wow, that picture of a math-loving girl on the page looked funny. He quickly scribbled a shameless little sketch on the page of the tiny book she was holding, and turned to show his masterpiece to the boy behind him. The other boy snorted, but quickly looked back at his own book and as Roman turned to face the right direction, Mr. Wilson was standing right before him. 

Roman flashed a quick smile to him, hiding the drawing under his hand. 

"Why are you such a pain in this class, Pears?" Mr. Wilson lectured. "Look at everybody else. They are doing what they're supposed to! And you?!" He tapped Roman's head. "You always cause some tomfoolery. You try to seem smarter than me, hm? To annoy the teachers as much as possible?"

Roman ducked his head down. "No, sir."

Mr. Wilson huffed, gesturing with his pointer dangerously close to the ashamed student. "Then what is all of this? Don't you want to succeed in life?" 

"I do, sir."

"Then why do you keep standing against it, young man? That is idiocy!"

Roman considered revealing the actual cause of his problems, but decided against it. It got such a backlash among the other tutors, why would Mr. Wilson consider it anything but a cause of shame?

"I don't know, sir." 

"Well you better think about it," Wilson demanded. "And go to your tutor after the class. I refuse to let the education of my other students suffer because you decide to throw your opportunity away."

...

[raendown]

Commission for @kaiyaru! Happy April Fool’s!

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Word count: 2356 Rated: M Summary:  After learning about this "Day of Fools" Madara sets out to prank Tobirama in his own unique way. His prank turns out a little too honest, Tobirama's response is far from expected, and at the end of it all he's not sure if he failed or succeeded but he does know he doesn't mind the results.

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KO-FI and commission info in the header!

Mission Status: Failed Successfully 

As loathe as he was to ever say it aloud, deep in the secret places of his mind where he kept his most private thoughts Madara had to admit that maybe Hashirama was on to something with this idea of sharing culture between the clans. He had thought the entire idea stupid at first and made absolutely no secret about his opinions. What benefit was there in knowing all the useless excuses for celebrating each of the allied clans had come up with? Yet now that they’d had their first meeting on the subject he found himself walking away from it almost giddy with a sort of excitement he couldn’t define.

Or wouldn’t. Defining the bubbly feeling in his chest would mean admitting certain things to himself that, until now, he had managed to successfully bury so deep he had almost convinced himself they weren’t even there. Fooling everyone else had been child’s play in comparison.

Tobirama didn’t look all that surprised to have Madara barge in to his office like he owned it. Cool and collected as always, the man didn’t even bother turning away from the scroll he was writing on. Upon being interrupted he merely hummed and pushed a stack of paper forward without looking and then went back to writing as though Madara wasn’t important enough to warrant a response.

“Your notes from the meeting and the budget analysis that I’m sure you’re here for. Now leave.”

“I think we should fuck.”

The brush slipped from Tobirama’s grasp, splashing ink in a half circle and ruining whatever he’d been working on. Rather than look angry he jerked his head up and stared at Madara with wide eyes. Armed with today’s date and his new knowledge of this supposed Day of Fools, Madara returned the stare with his favorite cocky expression, ready to back out as soon as he had satisfied himself with the best reactions possible.

“Would you…repeat that for me?” Tobirama asked slowly.

“I said that I think we should fuck.” Seeing his chance, Madara shut the office door behind himself and prowled across the room, confident in a way he wouldn’t be if there were other witnesses. “Come now, you must have seen the way I watch you. I see the way you watch me too. I’m tired of waiting to see which one of us will work themselves up to confess first.”

“Confess…?”

Stepping around the desk and leaning down in to the other man’s personal space, Madara smiled wickedly. “I think we both know that we want so much more than fucking but it’s a good place to start, wouldn’t you say?”

“You want–? Oh. Thank kami.”

“Wait, thank who now?”

“I mean, yes. You’re right. I, ah, I’m glad you said something first.” Tobirama rubbed at the back of his neck with embarrassment while Madara straightened to give him a bewildered look.

“What?”

This wasn’t going how he’d thought it would. He had expected dismissal, anger, disgust even. All of those he could deal with by laughing it off as the prank he’d intended it to be. Instead he had in front of him a sheepish Tobirama who kept trying and almost failing to meet his eyes with a relieved smile growing at the corners of his mouth. He even had the audacity to look happy! This wasn’t the plan!

“I said that I’m glad you spoke up first. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure you shared my, er, regard.”

“Wait, you like me!?”

Tobirama lifted one eyebrow. “You just said that you’d already noticed how I feel. Wasn’t that the whole reason you came in here?”

Stunned, Madara swayed on the spot and jerked both arms in various directions as he tried to reign in his shock at this turn of events. He hadn’t planned for this part so what the hell was he supposed to say?

“It was just! Well! It’s the Day of Fools!” he blurted.

“Oh. So you don’t actually–? I see. Well, you can leave now.” If he had been blushing before it was nothing compared to now. Tobirama’s entire face was rapidly turning a deep cherry red, a fetching look for him, mortification stamped across his features. Realizing the damage he’d done, Madara backpedaled as hard as he could.

“Wait! No! I didn’t mean it was fake!”

Tobirama glared. “You just said it was all a prank!”

“It was meant to be! I didn’t know you felt the same!” To be honest he hadn’t even been able to admit to himself that he felt that way, let alone detect signs of reciprocation. A day of pranks and simple trickery had seemed like the perfect opportunity to confess without any lasting consequences. Both of them were in the deep end and swimming through uncharted territory the second Tobirama failed to get angry.

Unfortunately his protests only seemed to further confuse the man and he was definitely getting angry now.

“You’ve got five seconds to remove yourself from my office or I will begin removing your body parts. We never speak of this again, Uchiha. I don’t appreciate this…this…whatever idiocy was going through your head when you came up with this stupid, cruel prank!” His hands balled in to fists atop his desk, one of them smearing in the still-wet ink from the scroll he’d been working on. Madara swallowed thickly and desperately backpedaled harder.

“Just listen! It wasn’t a prank!”

“I heard you say it was! Get out!”

“Use your ears right!” he shouted, frustrated that he wasn’t getting his point across.

With no other options left he took his own life in to his hands and lunged down to surprise Tobirama with a kiss, messy and a little off-center but hopefully enough to show what he was actually trying to say. Tobirama froze at his touch and Madara took that as permission to keep going. If it wasn’t permission then he was probably digging his own grave but damn was it worth it just to have this one quick taste.

A startled groan slipped out when he felt Tobirama tentatively kissing back. Hoping he wasn’t going to die for his impertinence – whether by vengeful hands or those of an overprotective older sibling – Madara dared to slide a little closer and cup the back of Tobirama’s neck to pull him in for a better angle. No death occurred. Instead he found fingers twisting in his wide collar as though to hold him in place and, really, he had very little problems with that, not when it was just what he wanted.

Or he thought that was what he wanted until he felt teeth sinking in to his bottom lip and a spike of heat shot right through him, turning his thoughts in a direction he hadn’t even dared to contemplate outside of a few suppressed wet dreams. Well, if that was how Tobirama wanted to play then he certainly wasn’t against it.

When he pulled away again to stand up Tobirama grunted at him like an irritated animal and Madara smiled even as he reinforced one leg with chakra to kick the man’s chair back from the desk. As soon as he had space to do so he was sliding that same leg over the very inviting lap before him and perching there with the same smug grin he’d been wearing earlier. He could feel the heartbeat under his hands quicken as he drew his palms down his new partner’s very tempting chest.

“Am I being clear now?” he asked. Tobirama swallowed twice before nodding without saying anything and Madara chuckled. “Good.”

Since he was conveniently closer now anyway, Madara leaned forward to capture those lips again and groaned appreciatively when he felt fingers burying themselves to tug on his hair. His own fingers busied themselves pulling at both of their clothing until he could shove one hand down his own pants and slide the other inside Tobirama’s, following the trail of hair he was only too happy to find, eager for the treasure buried at the end. As soon as his fingers wrapped around the prize he was looking for Tobirama seemed to exhale all the air in his lungs at once. Barely a few kisses and both of them were already hard as steel.

Eyes slipping closed and head falling back, Tobirama did nothing to stop him as Madara exposed both of them and shuffled forward until he could press their lengths together. His own eyes fluttered as he wrapped a hand around both of their cocks but he forced them to stay open so he could watch the first stroke, feel the body shuddering underneath him, bear witness to the blissful expression on his partner’s face.

Okay, he thought in the privacy of his mind, maybe there was a chance he had been wanting this for some time now. Maybe. The important thing was that he had his greatest desire literally in hand and there was absolutely no need for them to ever talk about any of this. Except for maybe to talk about the possibility of doing this again because they were absolutely going to do this again. Soon. Hopefully later that night after dinner, although he could be generous and put it off until tomorrow if needed.

Tobirama moaned and Madara’s thoughts derailed completely, hand speeding up and tongue darting out to brush against the one currently tracing his lower lip. No matter what lies he had fooled them both with before, he couldn’t deny that Tobirama was a pleasant weight in his hand now, a delectable friction against his cock every time one of them jerked their hips forward helplessly.

Passing his thumb over both their tips on the next upward stroke, Madara was just about to say something when his ears picked up the sound of footsteps in the hallway outside. Tobirama must have heard them too because he disengaged their kiss to snap his head to one side, eyes wide, pulse suddenly hammering in his throat. For a second they were both frozen until Madara resumed stroking them just to see Tobirama’s expression melt back in to pleasure. Something about the idea that someone could walk through that unlocked door at any moment sent fire to his blood and made this whole thing ten times hotter. He quickened the speed of his strokes and tightened his grip as the footsteps faded again, his other hand sliding down to draw circles around his partner’s nipples, unsure if he was chasing his own end or Tobirama’s.

Not that it mattered since they practically came together a few moments later. It was hard to tell through the haze who came first but Madara could not have cared less. All that mattered was the arch of Tobirama’s spine and the sheer abandon on his face, the hot pleasure rushing through him as they both spilled over his fist.

In the minutes of silence afterwards neither of them spoke. Tobirama pulled him down until their foreheads rested against each other and that was enough, quietly grinning at one another as they both slowly got their breath back. Eventually it was the younger man who broke the moment.

“So…you want so much more than fucking, hm?” His own words sent Madara reeling backwards.

“Wha–!? Shut up! So do you!” He jerked his hand up to point accusingly at the man underneath him but then his entire body went rigid when he realized he’d chosen the wrong hand. Droplets of cum sprayed off his fingers at the sudden motion only to land directly on the tip of Tobirama’s nose.

His eyes slowly rolling towards each other, Tobirama stared impassively at the offending liquid now dribbling down his skin. “Madara. If you would kindly hand me a tissue?”

“I didn’t mean to! It was an accident!”

“The tissue, Madara, before I wipe it on your shirt.”

“Understood.” With a soft noise of disgust Madara twisted his upper body and cast about until he spotted a box of tissues on the far corner of the desk. Reaching for it stretched his muscles awkwardly but he got a kiss for his troubles once Tobirama had cleaned off the offending spots.

After wiping themselves clean elsewhere and stuffing themselves back in to their clothing the two of them sat contemplating each other for a while, neither willing to speak first and neither really wanting to move either in case it broke the moment. Madara was fairly comfortable in the seat he’d claimed for himself. He could only hope that Tobirama was as happy to have him there as he was to squirm atop his new perch, shifting around until he found the perfect angle to box Tobirama’s hips with his knees and drape both arms over those deliciously broad shoulders.

Eventually, however, one of them had to speak. As soon as Tobirama opened his mouth Madara was left to regret that he hadn’t sucked it up and done it himself.

“So very kind of you to man up and confess first,” he said. “Embarrassing yourself to save me the trouble, how romantic.”

“IT WAS GOING TO BE A JOKE!”

Apparently they were already passed the stage of being cautious about their awkward start because Tobirama’s only reaction was to peel his lips back in a feral grin. Which, of course, sent Madara in a fit of offended screeching that he would later insist was not at all meant to cover up his own humiliation.

Starting their relationship off with a hand job and a screaming match probably wouldn’t have worked if they were any other couple. For them it was just another Tuesday. Madara shook his finger in Tobirama’s face, told him exactly how much of an asshole he was, and knew that the two of them were going to be just fine. He also knew that he was going to take proper advantage of the Day of Fools next year but he had ages to make plans for that – and no intentions of letting them backfire next time, no matter that this prank had screwed up so perfectly in his favor.