#also i did mostly watch red so you can correct me on my takes on the others if i'm wrong!

[fireheartwraith]

Red winning a second day in a row proves that they've made a comeback from day 1 and that day 2 wasn't fluke, so I hope green goes after blood 🩷

[suzukiblu]

excerpt from in-progress Superfam fic (aka the one where Clark panic-adopts his teenage clones, yes including the supervillain one):

Match hears a heartbeat in the air, high overhead. He doesn't look towards it. 

He recognizes it. 

He doubts its owner would recognize his, though. 

"Superboy?" Superman asks as he drifts down into Match's peripheral vision. "Are you alright, kid?" 

Match thinks about lying. He sat through the briefing this morning, after all. He knows the Agenda's plan. He knows what he's supposed to do for it. 

"Superboy's in France," he says instead. 

". . . what?" Superman says. Match doesn't look at him. Watches the lab burn down a little more in front of them, but nothing else. 

"Superboy's in France," he repeats. "Outside Lyon, probably. That's where the new lab is." 

"You're–ah," Superman realizes. "Match?" 

"Yes." Match keeps watching the lab burn. He's honestly surprised Superman remembers his name. Or even remembers him at all. 

Well, eidetic memory and all. 

"If Superboy's in Lyon, then what happened here?" Superman asks, glancing towards the flames. Match thinks about lying again, but there's just not really a point. 

"I did it," he says. 

"Why?" Superman asks. 

"They want me to kill Robin," Match says, and Superman . . . pauses. "And Wonder Girl, if I get a shot. But mostly Robin. He's the priority target." 

"Why?" Superman asks again, very carefully. Some burning debris falls down. Match watches it go. 

"To destabilize Batman," he says, because there's still no point in lying. It doesn't matter. When has it ever, really? Lying has never gotten him anything he wanted. "So the Justice League will be weakened." 

"But you're not supposed to kill Superboy?" Superman says. 

"There's no point in killing Superboy," Match says reasonably. "It's not like you'd care if he died." 

"The Agenda thinks I wouldn't care if Superboy died?" Superman asks incredulously, just staring at him. "Why, because he's a clone?" 

"Because I reported back my interactions with you when I was pretending to be him," Match corrects, puzzled by the vehemence of the response. "And also the lack thereof." 

"What?" Superman says, still just staring. 

"Batman loves Robin," Match reminds him, really not understanding the look on the man's face–like he's surprised or something, somehow? Like he somehow doesn't know how he interacts with Thirteen? "You don't even like Superboy. So killing him isn’t currently productive to the Agenda's goals. He's more useful as a live sample." 

"You're telling me that Superboy is only alive right now because the Agenda doesn't think that someone murdering him would bother me," Superman says, his voice very careful again. 

"Yes," Match confirms. More burning debris falls down. 

Match watches it go. 

"Take me to the lab in Lyon," Superman says. Match looks over at him, mostly because his voice sounds very odd all of a sudden, and frowns. Superman's eyes are burning red. 

Heat vision. Okay. 

"No," Match says. Superman's eyes burn visibly hotter, but he doesn't actually activate his heat vision. It's not an attack. 

Then Superman exhales, and it's an icy fog. 

But it's still not an attack. 

"Why not?" Superman asks. 

"Why would I bother?" Match says. "You can destroy it after Superboy escapes." 

Thirteen will escape, Match knows. He can't escape, but Thirteen always does. 

"I'm going to go get him, Match," Superman says, and Match frowns in confusion at the statement. "I don't care about the lab or the Agenda. I just want to get Superboy." 

"That isn't consistent with your previous behavior," Match notes, his frown deepening. He'd be suspicious, maybe, but . . . well, Superman does save people. 

Just not usually Thirteen, in Match's experience of him. 

Or . . . any clone, really. 

In Match's experience of him. 

Not that he ever expected Superman to bother with . . . 

Thirteen called them brothers, the first time they met. Meanwhile, Match is pretty sure that this is at best the second time that Superman's ever even spoken to him without thinking he was Thirteen, and technically he still started off the conversation on that assumption. 

It's just very obvious that he doesn't care about any shared DNA they have or . . . anything like that. 

"Please take me to the lab in Lyon, Match," Superman says. 

"So you can go get Superboy," Match says. 

"Yes," Superman says. 

You never came to get ME, Match doesn't say. 

"Alright," he says instead, and gets to his feet.

[lilac--sugar]

But then... whatever in the world could you be?

Summary: Astarion wakes from a nightmare with something he can only explain as hunger. He thinks he knows what he needs and goes to the one person that can give him just that. (Late act 2 I'd say) Pairing: Astarion/Tav!Reader (gn!Tav) Though, I did write it with my Tav, Kieran, in mind (pictured above). If there are any mentions that contradict this please point it out and I will gladly adjust it! 💜 Rating: M (Mostly because my blog is rated M and I'm not ok with minors interacting with it. But this is a fluff piece really.) Content Warnings: Mentions of Cazador. Astarion curses once. Word Count: 2k Author's Note: Not betaed. I did my best to comb it over. If you see any mistakes please feel free to point it out! 💜 I really wanted to write this, though. I really wanted at least one scene for Astarion that showed him getting more comfortable/familiar with intimacy that wasn't sexual while also opening up a little more. So, I wrote this to satisfy that need for myself.

Darkness grasps at his mind. Ice cold claws digging in at the nape of his neck, piercing the warm numbness of his meditative sleep. He gasps, suddenly plunged into a state of paralysis.

The claws pull his head back, make him look up into a face he’d rather not see.

“You think you can escape me?” There’s a flame spitting anger through the words. Eyes like red embers flicker, bear down into his own. He trembles in the grasp.

“Just you wait, boy,” claws dig deeper, pain intensifying as it spreads down his neck and through his whole body. He’s powerless. He tries not to weep, can’t do it for his pride, “I’ll show you pain like you’ve never known.”

His eyes widen as Cazador grins, delight dancing in the embers at Astarion’s fear.

“N-“ his tongue is stuck on the syllable, wants to scream it out, ‘no! I won’t let you! No! You can’t get me here!’

Here? Wait… That’s right. This is just-

He gasps awake, pushing himself up.

“Gods,” he whispers to himself, presses his head into his hands, “it was just a dream,” he takes in a shaky breath, “a nightmare,” he corrects himself.

None the less his body continues to tremble, goose fleshed skin broken out into a cold sweat. The fire kept alive by those on watch does nothing to warm him.

It takes him a moment, a few deep breaths and finally he’s able to pull his hands away from his face. Fear mildly subsides as a new feeling settles in. A strong… craving? It radiates from the pit of his chest. A new kind of hunger he’s not felt before.

Hunger but he can’t even fathom walking away from the safety of camp. The safety of you.

His eyes roam the area before landing on your form.

You look so delicate cuddled down into your pile of pillows. An odd request he’d noticed. You weren’t shy of asking for compensation for your help. Gold and a pillow. Every time. A pillow.

A small huff of a laugh escapes his lips.

He’d remembered the bundle on your back. How it dwarfed you as you tried to carry them all during your travels. Astarion refused to help you then only to have Halsin step in like the big knight in shining armor he is. Astarion had gotten annoyed at the time. Blamed it on Halsin having spoiled his fun of watching you struggle. Truth was he felt a pang of something. He couldn’t place it. Just hated how you’d stared at Halsin all bright eyed, smile wide on your face. He wanted that look for himself. He’d felt the sun for the first time in centuries. But he wanted to know what it felt like to be warmed to the bone. Thought he’d find it there in that look.

Of course, he’d caught a glimpse of it. The night he finally admitted his whole scheme. Worried sick he’d messed everything up. Only you flipped it around with a simple embrace. Sun be damned. That was what true warmth felt like. He’d felt guilty for being rewarded with comfort and understanding for deceiving you. Didn’t understand you one bit for it but eternally grateful you had.

He wondered. You had told him earlier in the day he could feed on you. Day after day you offer and night after night he obliges. He’s grateful for your generosity.

It’s almost like clockwork now. How he crawls over to you. Each time he feels himself get more comfortable in the act. He used to hover over you like you were a bomb that’d set off any second. He used to barely touch you. Now he has no issue. He presses a hand to your shoulder, pushes you flat on your back. He watches with amusement as your body almost instinctively bares your neck for him, highlighted by the dancing fire beside you.

He slides a knee between your legs, getting himself as close as he can. He lowers his head down next to your neck, cool lips taking pleasure against warm skin. He breathes in. For a man that so claims to detest flowers he’d never admit it, but he thinks of you as one. His favorite one. A bouquet of wildflowers. Joyous and bright. Unpredictable. He’d come across you when he had nothing in return. An empty field of dirt. One touch from you and now he’s overgrown.

He can’t explain it, why he does what he does next. He doesn’t bite. Instead, he nuzzles into you. Nose pressing under your ear, tickled by the hair there. He takes in another breath that is you. Eases in a bit more, his arms sliding behind your back. If he had any less pride, he might have flung one of your arms over him.

A tremble passes through his body, a small sob catching in his throat.

You stir under him, a groan escaping from your own. He’s quick to pull away, thinks about dashing off. You never need know he was even there.

“Star,” sleep thick your voice comes out as a croak. He freezes, keeps himself hovering over you.

“What?” He blinks back tears. He’s not sure if the word is meant for him. You’d never called him such before.

“You think your parents named you Astarion because your hair is like starlight?” your speech is sleep slurred.

“Wh- I,” a man that has something to say about everything and you’ve rendered him speechless.

You raise a hand, fingertips brushing over his soft delicate curls that frame his face. Moonbeams are caught in his hair, causes it to glow like a gentle halo around him. Your hand drifts down, settles on his cheek. Fingertips brush just under his eye and you know.

You also know that if you point it out or make a big deal he’ll just fuss and huff off. So, you do the one thing you know he’ll accept. You roll yourself over, use all your strength and flip him onto his back over the nest of pillows you’d painstakingly created. Mischief. He has a soft spot for your displays of it.

“What are you-!?” He doesn’t get the words out before you’re flopping over him, mouth pressing to his neck, you playfully bite down.

“Get off me you fowl fiend!” he cries out.

A chorus of ‘shh’ raises up from the party around them.

“Oh, fuck off!” Astarion snaps back.

A small giggle escapes you as you nuzzle yourself down into him. An arm wrapping over his chest, leg curling around one of his. You know if he had truly been upset, he wouldn't have even let you get this far in the first place. Wouldn't have let you push him. Would have chided you and stormed off by now. Instead, you feel him melt into the pillows, arms slowly wrapping around you.

“You really want me off?” you mumble into his neck, needing to check anyway for good measure. He shakes his head.

“No,” He admits, voice a little watery. You go to pull back, worried you were perhaps wrong. Only, he wraps his arms tighter around your form, pulls you back into him.

“I uh,” He lifts a hand, it coming to cup your face, palm to jaw, fingertips over your lips, he settles your head back where it had perfectly fit just a moment ago, “I had a nightmare with Cazador, again,” He says and you nod.

“I won’t let him get you,” you mumble. A ‘tch’ of a laugh escapes him.

“Optimistic,” He chides.

“One of us has to be.”

“Naive.”

“Hopeful,” you correct.

He hums.

“I promise you,” you whisper, kissing over his fingertips.

Cricket song and the pop and fizz of fire fills the space around you. The need for distraction is clear.

A kiss turns to a bite and he pulls his hand away from your face.

“Will you stop that!?” He hisses and you grin.

“Taste of your own medicine.”

“Oh please,” He places his hand over your neck now, “When I bite it’s with a lot more care and finesse! You hardly ever wake up anymore and I’m at your throat every night.”

You grin, lips curling up at the corners and he thinks you look like a cat who’d just caught a mouse. He lifts his head to get a better look at you, can see the glint in your eyes.

“You hardly ever wake up anymore, right?” He asks. In response you bury your nose into the crook of his neck.

“You smell nice,” You mumble.

Exasperated, he drops back onto the plush pillows.

“You do keep changing the subject,” A faux agonized sigh leaves him, he’d never admit this was an all too welcomed distraction, “You are infuriating, you know?”

“What is it?” You ask, ignoring his complaints. You sniff at his neck, the small puffs of air causing his skin to tingle. He closes his eyes and focuses on not laughing.

“Hmm,” Your nose slips behind his ear, nuzzles into the soft curls there, “rosemary,” hesitant, you sniff again and this time you can feel him twinge with a bit of a laugh, “brandy for sure,” You pull back, hand pressed to his chest as you hover over him.

There’s a softness in his eyes, a smile delicately placed across his lips. His hair is glowing again in the moonlight.

“Go on then,” He says, smile turning to a grin, “what else?”

You shake your head, “Can’t pin the last one.”

“Bergamot.”

“Ahh,” You roll your eyes, “Bergamot,” you carry out the first and last syllable of the word, try to flourish it with his accent, “Fancy.”

“You know me, darling,” He raises a hand and presses it to your cheek, “understated with a dash of extravagant and exceptional.”

You can’t help the laugh that bubbles up at his words. It startles him and another chorus of ‘shh’ breaks out.

“Sorry!” You whisper-shout. You duck your head into his neck, muffling the giggling as best as you can.

“I hardly think what I said was funny,” he’s trying to sound serious, but you can hear the hint of a pout to his words.

“Star, you’re about as understated as a beacon,” You pull back, a simmer of giggles still gently rolling from your chest, “Wait- Can I call you Star?”

“Uh-“

“It’s just that, your hair really does look like starlight and right now-“ well, right now you think if his body could, he’d be flushed all over, “While, yes, you are gorgeous. Sometimes I feel like when I’m with you, there’s this- light. Something,” The hand on his chest moves over his heart, “In there. It’s warm and beautiful, comforting. Like the north star, it guides me,” You’re talking a million miles a minute. Your sleep addled mind has no filter for your mouth. He stares at you, eyebrows raised, anticipating what you’ll say next even though he never knows and doesn’t know why he bothers to try, “to you.” You swallow hard, realizing you’d probably let yourself go a bit too far. His face hasn’t changed and so you try to dig yourself out, “And well- it is in your name, so-“

“Do shut up,” he says, leaning up and pressing a kiss to your lips. It’s different, chaste. Something new entirely and you kiss back, hoping not to break such a delicate thing.

“That would be fine,” He says as he pulls away, “But all this talking has made me rather tired, my love,” he flops back onto the pillows, “and I’d really rather not make the trek back to my bedroll,” he nestles himself back against your pillows, “Far too much hassle.”

“Right,” You nod, “completely.”

“Just don’t go thinking I’m doing this every night.”

“Mmhmm.”

“And it’s really all your fault since you pinned me here. So, if anyone comments in the morning you should admit as such.”

“Yes, dear,” you settle yourself into him, curling around him. He might sleep as stiff as a plank but you were going to make it work.

When you’ve fallen asleep he realizes he’s- happy. He feels satiated somehow without a drop of your blood. Don’t get him wrong, he’d probably partake in the next few hours. But for now, right now, the pit in his chest felt full.

“Gods, where were you?” he whispers, his breath ghosting over your forehead. A sleepy groan leaves you as you stir, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt over his heart.

Perhaps. Perhaps you were there the whole time. The seed of his hopes. Every damned prayer he said to every God. Someone listened, someone took that tiny seed and from it grew you. And here you were, though not to ruin him. No. But to help him.

“Took you long enough,” He mutters, a small laugh escaping him. He takes your hand in his own, lets your warmth sink into his fingers. He couldn’t just yet bring himself to thank whatever God made it possible. He thought maybe one day. Right now he didn’t care much for anything beyond the two of you right here.

For the first time in a long time he dreams of life in the sunlight. You there next to him, as he basks in the warmth of your bright eyes and wide smile.

My masterlist

[echantedtoon]

A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch10 A Scarred Heart P3

(Warnings for mentioning of harassment from last chapter, and Sanemi roughing Jake up. 

I dunno anything about health classes really do I'm just making something up for Y/n's interactions with Giyuu so bare with me on that part....Also yes. Giyuu's next to be romanced.

Also important to note that I'm mostly basing how everyone falls for Y/n based on the old post I made here.

Taglist: @shadyd3ar @jcrml @tengensangel

@miniverse-zen @mysteri0uz @jjamsbangtan

@the-unknown-fandom @lavenderdropp

@mimisweetz. @purplesoulsapphire

@kksmush @denkpanda18 @whomisi

@lessthanimperfect

Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know

Your day was officially ruined.

You weren't covered in mud, food, makeup, and rain this time but the memories and actions of Jake made you angry and shell shocked. All you could do was go outside and angry cry. But you weren't alone this time. Kanae was gently rubbing your back and seemed to be frazzled herself. Not that you blamed her. Gyomei had been informed about what happened by her. The usual gentle giant went from shocked to a rare angry you've never seen before.

At the moment said boyfriend was inside apologizing to the owner for what happened and paying for the food. It was Sanemi who was standing by you both acting like a bodyguard and giving worried looks to you both. 

"We're going to be alright," she assured you as you wiped your face. "Just take some deep breaths and try to calm yourself."

Eventually Gyomei did come out, lightly ducking his head to avoid hitting his head and immediately made his way over to you three. "Im sorry for taking so long. The owner was very understanding of the situation. Apparently he was not the first person who caused a fight at the bar." 

You continued to finish up wiping at your eyes face still red from crying and anger. Blinking before turning to toss the napkin in a nearby trashcan. This day was a disaster. It started out great but ended up being just a mess. You scowled at nothing but blinked when two large hands suddenly cupped your cheeks and tilted you up to the concerned look of Gyomei.

"Are you alright?"

You blinked before nodding. "Y-Yes. I'm ok. *sniff*" Although you did sigh and lean into the comforting touch of his hands.

"I'm sorry. I should've been there. This is the second time I wasn't there when he was around."

"I-It wasn't your fault."

"No. I should've been there. I have no excuses."

"Listen to her, Mei." A hand plopping onto his side had Gyomei turning towards Sanemi. "You were talking to your MOM. Sides you think a bastard like that cares about anyone else but himself? It's no one's dam fault but his and if he has at least one working braincell-" SMACK! He quickly smacked a fist into his palm. A strained smile on his face. "-he'll stay away. If not I have no problem knocking some more sense into 'em."

"I-I appreciate that."

"Tch. No one touches my girls and gets away with it."

... Gyomei turned his head with a brow raised to him. "'My girls'?"

"OUR girls!," Sanemi quickly corrected looking at him. "Kanae shouldn't have gone through that neither did your girlfriend! I'm not wrong!"

Gyomei raised a brow higher with a hum as Sanemi sweated under him. 

"Hey. The day's almost over so why don't we just settle down." Kanae quickly redirected the topic away from them. "My house isn't too far from here. Would you two like to come over and watch a movie? We can get pizza or something."

"T-That's really nice of you to offer, but I think I just want to go home." You politely declined to Kanae who understood. 

"Then I'll walk you home. I'm so sorry our night had to turn out like this."

"N-No. Sanemi's right. It's no one's fault but Jake's. Let's just get back." You took a few steps towards the way back home before stopping and suddenly turning back to Sanemi. "Oh I almost forgot. Sanemi."

"Hm?" Said man froze as two hands grabbed him by the face and a second later a smooch was pressed into his cheek very quickly.

You instantly let go giving him a grateful smile. "Thanks for saving me. I really appreciate it. I owe you one I swear. See you tomorrow at campus. Bye, Kanae. It was nice seeing you again too."

"Bye, Y/n. See you tomorrow, Mei!" Kanae waved at them both as Gyomei wrapped an arm protectively around your shoulders and began walking you home. When they were both down the street, she turned to her frozen boyfriend and giggled at his expression. "Are you ok, Honey? You seem to be blushing."

"I'M NOT BLUSHING!!" 

The walk home was only silent with you leaning again your boyfriend who still placed a protective hold on your shoulders and every so often still uttered  apologies but you told him it was alright. For now you just found comfort in the presence of your large boyfriend. By the time you both DID get home it was getting a little late.

"Do you want to stay for dinner? You really didn't get to finish lunch and I don't mind cooking ?"

"I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything for me after today..but we could order something if that works for you?"

"Sure. I was going to cook something for someone tomorrow anyways! Come on in and I'll put in a movie."

A pair of legs quickly walked through the crowds and pushed past people in his way. A loud giggling came from the toddler resting on his shoulders and clinging to his big brother's head. There was an urgency as he walked in order to get to the daycare before his classes started and he'd be late. He pushed on further and further into the crowds of people not caring if they gave him dirty looks. He just kept a firm grip on his giggling brother who giggled out and made full speed ahead towards the building in front of him. Making it as he threw the door open and meeting a familiar sight.

"Hi, Sanemi!," you greeted him as he walked up to the counter. "Good morning!"

"Hey. How are ya? Gotta go!," he quickly spoke out lifting his giggling brother off his shoulders, over his head, and into your awaiting arms as you placed him on your hip. He then slung the extra bag off his shoulders. "Here's his clothes and stuff. I gotta go."

"Oh. Before you go I did get you something." He paused briefly blinking as you reached under the counter and pulled out a small box about as big as a small coffee cake. "It's some more ohagi!" You smiled brightly at him. "I made you some as thanks for yesterday. I hope you like it."

Said scarred man opened his mouth-.. Before his face turned a bright pink and he snatched it from your hands sputtering. "Yeahthanksgottagobye-" He quickly threw out at you before swiftly leaving as you waved.

Hm. He seemed in a hurry. Must've been late for his classes. Speaking of which you'd better also get ready for your health class. You still had to turn in the paper from your last project and then take notes for today. But first you'd better drop off Koto with Gyomei and grab your things.

*********************************************

"Class, turn to page one hundred and thirty two. Today we'll be reviewing the lesson from last week you based your projects on before-"

The sounds of many pages turning in the large room as at least fifty students turned to the appropriate places in their textbooks. Others took out note books lined with lots of notes from previous lessons with room for future ones. Pencils and erasers at the ready for the task ahead of taking down important information. Highlighters in bright yellow ready to highlight any very important details hidden in the professor's speeches. Lights dim as the first slides showed in time with the words the professor spoke.

"Now this here is the example of a former student I showed you of. Your task was to pick a famous medical discovery or sickly disaster from history and write a report on how that discovery or disaster affects modern health experts and research today-"

The current slide showed up a picture of an old painting taken at the city's local museum. It's old pain chipping away but still held together enough to show the picture of a man in his late fifties in an old hospital uniform. The professor looked up at the slide before adjusting his glasses and looking back at the younger crowd. 

"Who here can tell me who this man was?" Murmurs and coughs were circulated around until one hand raised up in the very back row. He pointed at it after a moment of straining his eyes to see around the dimly lit room. "Yes. You, Y/n!"

"The reigning monarchy during that time was lead by King Cedric Roland Jackson Snider the Forth and his wife Queen Stacia Emily Snider." Your hand slowly lowered after your answer and the professor nodded in approval.

"Excellent! Yes! Both King and Queen during that time funded their exhibition out to the area where our town would first be established. Who can tell me what the original purpose of the exhibition was?" Again unsure looks were given around until once more your hand raised in answer. "Miss Y/n?"

"John MacVicar!"

"Right you are! Yes! He was part of a research team of doctors, engineers, and designers who helped to create the first medical ultrasound. The student who did the project on this man included references to some of those people in their paper. Now can anyone tell me one way we use medical ultrasounds today?" You waited to see if someone else would raise their hand and someone else did. A boy in the very front row. "Yes, Charlie!"

You didn't bother interrupting and only listened to the professor continue his lesson and turn to the next slide which was a picture of some old relics from the same time as the founding of the town. You busied yourself by writing down words in the notebook you always took with you during these classes. The words forever being inscribed upon the surface of the paper with ink- Something poked your arm making you pause.

"Psst. Hey, Bud. I gotta tell you something."

Your  f/c eyes deadpanned looked at the dark eyes of the man sitting next to you as he again poked your upper arm.

"What, Murata?," you whisper hissed back to him voice low to avoid drawing attention. "I'm trying to take notes here. You should be taking notes too! You have no idea if this'll be on the finals!"

Murata didn't seemed phased by your words in the slightest and only whispered back. "We need to talk. It's important!"

"I'm taking notes. Wait til after class."

"WHAT?! BUT THAT'S STILL HOURS AWAY-"

"Mr. Murata." The professor gave a look of silent disapproval as the lesson paused. A good few heads also turned to stare at the seemingly frozen man next to you suddenly in the spotlight. "Is there something so important that you have to disrupt my lesson? If so please share it with the class."

In an instant Murata's face went an embarrassed red and he shook his head no. "N-NO! I was just-...Uh. A-Asking to borrow a pencil! Yeah!"

The professor narrowed his heads. "Well then next time ask quietly or better. Next time actually come prepared and not disrupt the class. Now then. " He turned back to the board. "As I was saying, notice how they didn't list their sources on where they got the information? Don't do this. Whether it's from a book, website, or interview with a professional. ALWAYS list reliable resources for where you got your information."

Murata gave a sigh of relief as the faces of their classmates turned away from them and focused back onto the lesson the professor was giving.

"I told you. Just wait until all our classes are finished and we'll talk after. Ok?" You looked back to the notebook after giving Murata a quick reassuring pat on the hand.

His huffed annoyed before he pulled his hands back and looked away. "Fine. But don't take too long."

You wondered briefly about what he wanted that was so important to interrupt class but brushed it off to refocus on the lesson before you. Your paper had been about smallpox and how the man who invented the vaccine was able to make a cure for the epidemic of it. You just hoped the professor liked it enough. The professor continued sighting mistakes to avoid in the future when writing a report before looking back to the class. 

"Now then. Your assignments will be graded and be given back to you this Friday. Until then you'll be doing another project with a partner. It'll be the last major project before winter break so be sure to work hard on it." The professor clicked a button and the projector. On the slide it had two different pictures. One of a brain and one of a silhouette of a man running. "Your project is going to be based on mental and physical health. You and your partner will chose one of the topics and base your project on how one thing can impact either, either in a negative or positive way. Again that topic is up to you to decide but you must take notes and have proof of your results. You may now chose your partner but just know whoever you pick will be your partner for the duration of the project."

The lights turned back on above everyone and the mumbling started up again as the professor switched off the projector. Blinking at the sudden change in lightage, you shook your head before turning to Murata and stopped as you realized he was gone. F/c eyes blinked before your head swiveled around but you still didn't see him. You even stood up for a better peek but still didn't see him through the crowds. Where did he go? He was right here just a second ago..He must've moved and you didn't notice too busy paying attention to the professor. Rats. You were gonna ask him to be your partner. 

Already some people were getting up and moving around at towards their desired partners and not one of them was your friend. Rats again. Outside of Murata you didn't really know anyone else in the class.

Or at least that's what you thought at first.

You had settled yourself into just picking a random person and asking them, however when you looked up towards the very back you caught sight of a familiar face. There up in the top row of seats sitting all by himself was a man. A man with long dark black hair tied in a ponytail, and a large baggy hoodie. Blue eyes didn't look up from the notebook he was still writing in. Just continuing to work away on whatever he was doing. All alone with empty seats all around him.

So maybe that's why when a lady smiled at him from rows below and gathered up her backpack,he didn't notice. Nor did he notice when she bounded up the stairs towards him until a shadow fell over him. Those dark blue eyes blinked confused before looking up and jumping lightly at the sight of your pretty face smiling at him.

"Hi, Giyuu! You remember me right?"

Wait. DID he know her? He furrowed his brows in thought looking at her up and down wracking his brain. Oh wait. This was the lady Gyomei was seeing now wasn't it? Yes. He saw her twice but he remembered who she was now.

So he nodded at her. "Yes. How are you?"

"I'm great thanks! I remembered that we took the same health class." She spoke so excitedly it reminded him a bit of Mitsuri- "Do you wanna be my partner?"

A record scratch sound went off.

...Giyuu blinked. Staring at her wide eyed before turning around to look around him really quick just to be sure there wasn't another Giyuu she was asking before slowly looking back to her and pointing at himself. "Me?"

"Of course! You're like the only person here who I remotely know."

His eyes widened more. "You w-w-want to be my partner?" You nodded. "Do the project with me?"

"Of course! I'd love to! Do you wanna be my partner?" He slowly nodded as if not entirely sure this was happening himself. "Great! Class is almost over. We can get some food at the cafeteria and discuss what you want to do for the project if you'd like." Still bewildered he nodded and was even more surprised when you flopped down next to him with a smile and leaned towards him. "So how have you been? I haven't seen you since the onsen incident. I'm really sorry btw."

"I-I.." He swallowed thickly. "I've been fine. And it's fine."

"I'm glad you're not angry with me. Gyomei was right about you."

"Huh?" He rose a brow at you once more confused. Gyomei mentioned him? When? What did he say?

You smiled largely at him. "You're very understanding and kind."

"EH?!"  You still smiled as his face went a confused pink. However you just opened your notebook.

"I think we should do a physical health project. With your studies in wanting to be a p.e. teacher it might make it easier for us to work with the subject with your smarts."

"You..think I'm smart?"

"Obviously. Do you want to do the physical health subject?"

He didn't answer at first still staring in awe at you before his face returned to his normal stoic expression and his face slowly slipped back to its normal color. "*ahem* ...Yes. Let's do that. We can discuss what we both want to do for the project later when we get dinner." 

You nodded in enthusiasm. "Great! There's a cafe on campus if you want to go there and talk. I'll just call Gyomei after class and let him know where I am."

"That's fine."

You smiled at him and continued to try and make small talk until the bell rang signalling the end of class. Giyuu stood up first politely waiting for you to gather your things before filing out the door with him and down the halls amongst the throngs of people. You pulled out your phone to call Gyomei but stopped as you say a familiar sight. Murata was coming down the hall towards you as you waved to him but your friend stopped seeing Giyuu giving you a gaze... before he frowned, turned, and disappeared into the crowd again. ..Huh. That was weird. What was that all about? Oh well. You shrugged it off before continuing to call Gyomei.

Your boyfriend was surprised to hear you were hanging out with Giyuu but was very understanding of your project and wished you both luck on coming up with a way to tackle said project. With that out of the way you happily turned back to Giyuu who again blink as you happily grabbed him by the hand and tugged him out of the building and towards the on campus cafe. 

He stared wide eyed in awe at where she grabbed a hold of hand then slowly back to her as she smiled and slowly took the man all the way back to the cafe. As the door chimes on the door above you, another familiar face lit up as she spotted you both.

"GIYUU!! Y/N!!," Mitsuri called before giving a full armed wave at you both from behind the cash register.

"Hi, Mitsuri! Can I get two of those really delicious milkshakes and a couple fruit sandwiches please?" You turned back to Giyuu who was still mesmerized with where you had grabbed his hand and was staring at you. "Do you like milkshakes and fruit sandwiches?" He slowly nodded at you. "Ok. Then we'll have some my treat!" You then turned back to Mitsuri who was still smiling and blinking. "Hey..Are you wearing a new eyeshadow?"

"YES! Obi got it for me! Isn't he the sweetest?", she gushed out.

"Absolutely! You look beautiful in green!"

"KYYAAA!!~" She gushed a bright pink as you complimented her. "Oh my gosh! You're so sweet! I could kiss you right now-"

"Oi! Quits making a racket out there and send us the orders!," another female voice called out from the back.

"Oh right! You guys go sit down and I'll bring it to you when it's done!"

You smiled wider at the blushing woman. "Thanks, Mitsuri. C'mon, Giyuu."

Giyuu continued to stare at you before you walked towards a nearby empty table. He watched you before looking at Mitsuri who only smiled back wider at one of her partners holding her own cheeks.

"I know! Perfect isn't she?!"

He opened his mouth-.. before deciding to just close it and quickly follow you to the table. You were already sat down and opening your notebook to today's lesson. He slowly sat down across from you and you spoke.

"So I know we chose physical health but what are we doing? The professor said that we have to chose an aspect that either affects a person negatively or positively and gather evidence on it. Any ideas?" You looked at him.

His eyes gazed over to the side.. before nodding. "I came up with something while writing."

"I'd love to hear it!"

Again he looked surprised by your words. "You.. actually want to hear what I have to say?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I usually do projects alone. I'm not really a person that most people choose to be around."

"Well that's just mean." He again blinked as you pointed at him. "I think they just don't bother to try and talk to you but that's their loss. They just won't know how much of a unique person you really are." His eyes widened as you gestured to him. "So what was the idea for the project?"

"..Huh?"

"The project idea, Giyuu."

"O-Oh." He cleared his throat. "They say that moving around continuesly for at least one hour a day can be very good for your health. I was planning on measuring my strength and muscle mass and then proceeding to record myself exercising for one hour a day. It's mid October now and the project isn't due until the last day of November so the day before I turn it in, I'd measure my muscle build again and see if there was any change in strength or stamina."

Your eyes were wide in awe. "Giyuu, that's ingenious!" You smiled brightly! "Also that's a great idea! Let's do it!"

"Really?! You really think it's good?" You nodded. "In that case,  would you be alright with doing the project with me? I think two people doing the project might make make it more credible if there's more than one person with the result."

"Good idea! I'm busy with work and classes though so we'll have to do our hour exercises at noon except on the weekends. I'll give you my number and address. Tomorrow we can start after work. Sounds good?"

Again he nodded looking off to the side and rubbing at his neck. "S-Sure. Sounds..pretty....P-Pretty good." He added quickly at the end with his still blunt tone. "I-I'll talk to Shinobu about it tonight."

"I'll be sure to let Gyomei know too. For now let's get some food in us before we become skeletons."

[auroreliis]

Introduction!!!

Hiii :D I'm Aurora, but most people call me Rorii!! I use she/her pronouns!!!

First of all, I recommend staying away from my page if you're under 16. Perhaps not all of my posts include 18+ topics, but some do and I really, REALLY don't want anyone under 16 interracting with my content (I'm also quitte iffy about people under 18 viewing my content, but I suppose I can't really stop you if you think that you can handle it...).

I need to clarify that English is not my mother tongue, so please forgive any errors :')

I mainly use this blog to share my thoughts and ideas!!! BUT I am veryyyy insistent on making sure that my posts are correct (okayyyy I may not always succeed, but still), so I might take a bit longer to post simply because I'm making sure that everything makes sense ;D

Other times, I will be offline for weeks at a time, because I have no inspiration :'(

That being said, I try my best, but my schedule is all over the place...sorry <3

Some more info about me!! My favourite band ever are Arctic Monkeys <3 Also, I am a bit of a yapper, so hopefully I will be forgiven if I ever go on and on about something <3 Also also, purple and red are my favourite colours!!!

I easily hyperfixate on things (and I bet you can't guess what it is now...)

I often play video games when I am free and my favourite ones EVER are Little Nightmares and Hitman!! Though Fields of Mistria and Stardew Valley might as well be on the list too.

When I am not playing video games, then I am watching hour-long video essays <3

I often read books before going to bed, mostly classics, but not exclusively <3

Oh also! Sleeping is my favourite way to pass time :)

My Ask-Box is always open!!! (And I swear, I try my best to answer everything :')...)

If you did send an ask and haven't recieved a reply yet, it's likely because I have not enough inspiration to make a good post about your ask. However, as soon as inspiration strikes me, I will write and write and write!!!

Frequently asked Questions!!!!

Q: What fandoms do you write for? A: Any fandom that I am currently interested in, so feel free to request and recommend me various media that you would like to see from me...however, DC has had a lot of power over me lately...

Q: Is there any topic you won't write about? A: A few come to mind, like extreme kinks and fetishes (age play, scat/pee/vomit play, non-con, etc.). However, if it is anything super niche or specific, feel free to ask me!

Q: Do you have any side blogs or other socials? A: For now, I have no side blogs, however, I have a secret AO3 account!! Let me know if you think you've found it ;D

Masterlist!!!

Yes, I finally have a masterlist. I've tried to compile EVERYTHING on here and will try to update regularly:

Masterlist

That would be all for now :)

Thanks for reading this <3

[pluto01doesart]

5 Reasons Why Tsukasa Doumyoji is Twisted To Begin With... (Sorta)

HIS UPBRINGING:

This crazy dude grew up in a lonely environment, despite having everything he ever wanted handed to him on a silver platter most of his life. he felt neglected, abandoned, from a young age. Even if he had his sister around, his parents hardly ever talk to him unless it's BUSINESS RELATED.

At least he has the F4, but even so he developed all types of issues growing up...because of Tsubaki's beating and lack of right experience in disciplines and authority, (manga mainly.)

He was mostly influenced by the high and mighty people of the rich society, given that he comes from a billionaire family. He used the power of his own wealth and money, even wrongly methods to achieve his somewhat toxic goals. He's abusive most of the time only because he was judged by his intimidating looks and being also part of the F4.

HIS MOTHER:

He's like another clone of her but compared to him she's way worse and bitchier. Her ways sometimes could've also had the possibility of influencing him growing up. But that wasn't it, his case turned out much more different thanks to this gal.

A Boy With A Wounded Heart Who Wants Nothing But To Be Loved.

He came to learn eventually that not everything can be bought or obtained the way you wanted it to, his character development is STILL INSANE TO ME!

HIS SIMPLE MINDEDNESS:

In a way, it was the case when it came to his actions. He was rather pushy and forceful because he was so desperate for love and care from those around him, he just didn't express himself quite well because he was so closed off as a child which is a reason he became inhumane at times, he needed someone that could tolerate his personality and yet correct the error of his ways no matter how far they went.

Since he thought that he could always get what he wanted with power, money and shit...he had to learn the hard way that humans from middle-class families aren't tools just because you act above them and ya always gotta be on top.

HIS SELF PRIDE AND ARROGANCE:

A person like him doesn't take a no for an answer or something he inherited from his old hag, however that's part of his personality as long as it's friendly and amusing- but when it's used for reasons like revenge and paybacks In a despicable way then it's super toxic. He's too blind to actually take action of his responsibilities and everything and needs someone to rebuke him like 24/7 because he's that naive, innocent and ignorant

His character was ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE FLAWED AND A TOTAL RED FLAG!! That's how character development happened. Without this shit the story would not have any starting points, however that does not excuse how abusive he was! In both the anime and manga that's why I personally tended to avoid watching the anime.

Still as a person who usually doesn't prefer live action over anime j or k even c dramas, I would personally still choose the homeland of this Shojo which is Japan.

Hating his guts at first I wanted to see the outcome of his evolution throughout their crazy journey together from enemies to friends then lovers. But for the past two years my obsessions with all the versions haven't really died down.

Their variety of personality in the F4 group is ceaseless. My personal fav is Akira the same one who holds the group together, to me he's way more underrated than the other two.

Also Jun actually portrayed the character beautifully I don't think anyone else could've done it like he did!!

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

dawg, lemme tell you somethin, I LOVE your writing style so far and I want more SO BAD !! I’ve been stuck by myself in the “I’ve been an arcana fan since release but now it’s like dead” hole, so I’ve been absolutely starving for content. Your headcanons are such a great length and so descriptive, each one feels like I’m reading a whole fanfiction, and it’s a real treat. I cant wait for more !! 🥺🥺 If I ever get around to scribbling some stories based on your thoughts, I am tagged u on SIGHT.

I’ve never requested headcanons before but what about m6 with an mc who walks with a cane?

The Arcana HCs: M6 with an MC who walks with a cane

~ thank you for the positive feedback @taduki ! I'm so happy when I find out my ramblings bring people joy. I have a few friends who use canes regularly, but I don't have any personal experience. I'm basing this off of the little bit of research I did and the experiences I've heard about, so if I make any mistakes please let me know so I can correct them ~

Julian

He thinks it's hot

He's a doctor, he's familiar with mobility aids and the many reasons someone may need/want to use one

Dude literally had three years of experience as an apprentice under Nazali in active warzones amputating limbs

He's the type of guy who loves learning new things, so once you're comfortable going into detail about your condition to him he will have so many questions

And then he's going to go do research about it

And then he's going to come back with even more questions

But mostly he just thinks it's hot, canes just have so much dramatic potential

Can you keep a sword in it? Can you use it like a club? You would make such a good pirate with him

Once you explain that it's actually easier to use if it's lightweight and easy to store he'll stop suggesting modifications

But if you have it with you while you're out and you don't feel like using it he'll keep it hooked over his arm or clenched in his fist because deep down he's a theatre kid

Asra

However much they knew about mobility aids before the Red Plague, they learned everything they could after you woke up

He's so tuned in to you he can tell at a glance what kind of day you're having and will act accordingly

When they were reteaching you magic some of the first spells they taught you were what they remembered you using to help with your disability

He has definitely enchanted your cane before, mostly with your permission

One of the useful ones was a shrinking/growing rune so you could keep it in your pocket

Less useful was when one of your customers made a rude comment about you not moving as fast as they wanted you to around the shop

So they enchanted it to trip them on sight

He forgot to tell you, you didn't find out until the rude customer came back on a day you weren't using it and you watched your cane fly across the room to thwack them across the shins

They're not allowed to touch your cane without your permission anymore

Nadia

The evening she first arrived in your shop you weren't using it so she didn't notice it until you arrived at the palace the next evening

When she realized she had been getting annoyed at you for being late, only to see you walk in with a mobility aid, she felt awful

It was also a wake up call realizing how many stairs you had to climb just to get to the front doors of the palace

She doesn't want to pry or burden you, but she's also deeply committed to providing for your every need, and there's a day or two of her waffling back and forth between pumping you for information and pretending there's nothing unusual afoot

Once you open up about it she's very invested

Every outfit she gifts you comes with a high quality cane, beautifully painted to match

After everything's done with the Devil and she's reworking Vesuvia's infrastructure she is definitely taking accessibility into account

She's not going to burden you with her education or assume you're an archetype, but she makes sure you know that your input is more than welcome on any and all of her plans

Muriel

That trip with Morga was hell on your body

You spent weeks riding and walking for hours with minimal rest, trying to learn physical self-defense tactics at the same time

He may be gruff but he's not cruel, he was offering to carry your bags (or you) by the third day in

Seeing how patient you were with both Morga and yourself was one of the things that convinced him to open up to you and trust you

He prefers speaking with actions more than words

One of the first gifts he gave you was a beautifully crafted cane, lightweight and incredibly durable, with the story of your journey together carved into it

He also customized it to work with you perfectly, because he knows better than anyone what a body in discomfort moves like and he's memorized all of your tells

When you move into his hut with him he makes trails through the woods for you so you don't have to worry about uneven ground or roots or loose stones

He is also very happy to carry you around if you ask him to (he will blush the whole time though)

Portia

It's cannon that the first time you meet she out walks you across Vesuvia

It takes her a little while to adjust her assumptions

Not because she thinks badly of anyone who uses a mobility aid, but because it's her job to be on her feet all day long and the concept of having difficulty doing that is totally new to her

There are definitely a few moments when she bounds up the stairs two at a time, only to wait awkwardly at the top silently berating herself for not paying closer attention

The first time she matches her pace to yours on a slower day for you her whole worldview shifts

Being the type to power-walk everywhere, this is the first time she's been able to notice all these beautiful details around her

Was that painting always there? The fabric on those curtains is gorgeous!

Now it's one of her favorite things about who she becomes around you

She will (and does) throw hands with anyone who makes a disparaging comment about you moving too slowly

Pepi tried to jump up onto your cane once when it was propped up against a table and made the biggest crash when she fell

Lucio

Ooh, nice accessory, he's got one too!

It should be shinier though. Don't worry, he'll fix that for you as soon as he's no longer an incorporeal goatman

He has no filter between his brain and his mouth, he is bombarding you with questions. Why do you use it? Were you in a particularly nasty fight?

For once he's not being remotely judgemental (except about the fashion sense involved), dude has an entire missing limb

Sometimes he'll reminisce about what it was like before he got the alchemical prosthetic he has now, and will ask you if you have any ideas for your cane

He is very happy to carry things for you and often suggests you use his golden arm to lean on instead

He says it's more fashionable this way, but really it's a point of common ground for him and he likes having you close and being dependable

If you let him he will absolutely buy a pair of matching canes for the two of you, yours to help you move around and his to make grand sweeping gestures with

[angelasscribbles]

Single Again

Series: None, this is a one-shot and you can find those here.

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Riley x Liam (end game)

Rating: G

Warnings for this chapter: Lots of divorces.

Word Count: 2,171

A/N: Had a song rewrite idea and decided to whip it up even though the event is officially over. @choicesprompts

My other stuff: Master List.

The loud clack-clack of a pair of nine hundred dollar Louis Vuitton red bottom heels echoed through The Crown Room, the formal dining area of the Ocean Side Polo Club.

Heads swung up to watch the sensuous sway of the woman’s hips as she followed the maître d’. Head up, chin out, Riley ignored the men’s salacious looks and the women’s glances and whispers.

Kiara leaned across the table to hiss at her luncheon companions, “What is she doing here? I thought the Beaumonts declined the invitation to watch this year’s charity match.”

“They did!” Penelope replied. “Bertrand is out of the country on business and Max said he had a personal matter to attend to.”

“So what?” Olivia chimed in. “A woman can’t attend an event without her husband?”

“She can,” Kiara shook her head, “But she rarely does.”

“Because they know they have to guard her!” Penelope let an uncharacteristic amount of venom lace her words. “She seduces men everywhere she goes!”

Oliva laughed as she pushed the rice pilaf around her plate. “You’re just mad she snatched Max right out from under you.”

Penelope stiffened, and then an insincere smile crossed her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Zeke and I are very happy together.”

“Sure… now.” Olivia rolled her eyes.

“She certainly doesn’t understand boundaries,” Kiara interjected. “Drake and I had two perfectly good dates. I was expecting a call to schedule the third and the next thing I knew, he was eloping with that Jezebel to Bora Bora!”

Oliva smirked. “Well, Drake has been back on the market for a while, and from the looks of it, Maxwell is about to be as well.”  

“What?” Penelope jerked her head back around to see what was going on.

Riley had just been joined by Rashad Faheem.

“So?” Penelope wasn’t following. “He’s her first ex-husband, right?”

“Yes,” Olivia affirmed. “And also, her lawyer.”

Penelope’s eyes widened. “She could just be catching up with an ex.”

“Non!” Kiara bounced in her seat excitedly. “He handled her divorce from Drake.”

“Oh! Penelope’s hands flew up to cover her mouth. Not that she cared if Max was single. “How many husbands has she divorced now? Four? Five?”

Kiara lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I heard she was secretly married to the king’s older brother!”

Olivia’s eyes cut sharply to Kiara. “If she was, it was an ill-advised mistake that was quickly corrected!”

“Oh!” Kiara grinned at the redhead. “You know something. Spill!”

“Like I would tell you if I did.” Olivia glanced back across the room to see Riley flipping through a sheaf of papers. Rashad leaned in close to her as he pointed out things on the pages. He leaned even closer and whispered something into her ear.

Riley touched his arm as her laugh rang out across the room.

“Oh yeah.” Olivia shook her head, “She’s about to be single again. Better hold onto to Zeke.”

“What?” Penelope’s eyes went wide with panic.

Kiara patted her arm. “Olivia is just teasing you. Zeke loves you.”

“Sure he does,” Olivia said dismissively as she rose. She could care less who Riley set her sights on next. She was secure in her relationship. “Let me impart a little wisdom to you harpies. If another woman can take your man from you, he was never yours.”

Olivia walked away before either of the other women could respond. She gave a polite nod to Riley as she passed her table.

Riley nodded back with a genuine smile. She liked Olivia. Mostly she liked that Olivia never seemed to judge her like the rest of the women at court.

It wasn’t her fault that she’d had more than her fair share of men. Very few people at court knew the truth about any of her marriages or bothered to give her a benefit of a doubt. No, it was much easier to villainize and look down on her.

The maître d’ approached the table and handed her a folded note. She read it quickly and then tucked it into her bag with a smile.

She reached across the table and took Rashad’s hand with a little squeeze. “Thank you for always being there for me.”

“Of course, Ya Amara.”

She blushed slightly at the old term of endearment.

He helped her to her feet and brushed his lips lightly across her cheek when it was time for them to part. Riley would always have a special place in his heart, but he had a date to get to.

Riley was greeted by a guard at the door to the restaurant. “Right this way, Your Grace.”

“Thank you, Marco.” She took his arm and let him lead her out to the polo fields. “How have you been?”

“Can’t complain.” He grinned at her. “I’ve missed seeing your face around the palace.”

“You might be seeing me a little bit more now.”

“I hope so.” He stopped outside the king’s private box. “You’re good for him, you know. He’s happier when you’re around.”

“I’m happier when I’m around him.” She giggled before waving goodbye to the guard and ducking into the box.

The king of Cordonia was on his feet immediately. “Riley, you came!”

“Of course, I came, my king!”

They embraced but separated quickly. Experience had taught them that a camera could be anywhere.

Liam gestured toward a chair as he told her, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.”

“You met with Rashad?”

“I did.” Her divorce from Max was finalized.

His eyes traced her face. “I’ll always be indebted to him for bringing you into my life, you know.”

Riley threw her head back and laughed. It was a velvety, rich sound and it came from deep down inside. When she was done, she tilted her head back down and shook it side to side. “Even though when I met you, I was married to him?”

“Even so.” Liam nodded happily. “It was an arranged marriage. You weren’t in love with him.”

“No. Nor him, I.” What they had formed was a deep affection for each other and a friendship. So, when she had fallen in love with another, he had graciously let her go.

With a hefty settlement.

That was when the rumors of her gold-digging started. She had tried to decline taking anything since she was the one asking to break their marriage contract, but Rashad had insisted that she should be compensated for putting up with his late hours, and his inability to fully commit to the marriage or her.

But the council had refused to green-light a royal marriage to a divorcée.

Liam leaned close to her with a wicked grin. “If your marriage to my brother didn’t dissuade me in my pursuit of you, nothing will my lady.”

Riley laughed again with another shake of her head. “Oh, no, that…that was….”

She had found Leo drunk in a Cordonian nightclub days after being thrown over by some woman on a cruise ship. His drunken heartbreak had matched her own that night.

One thing had led to another with Leo, and they had woken up in Monaco the next day, married.

They had realized it was a horrible mistake the moment they were both sober. Liam had made the matter disappear.

“That marriage barely counted,” she reminded him, “You had it annulled within hours.”

“Of course I did.” He would move heaven and earth for her. His face fell serious as the mention of her day-long marriage to Leo reminded them both of her marriage to Drake. She had only been in that bar that night because she’d had her own sorrows to drown, her divorce from Drake having been finalized earlier that day.

That one had hurt.

The only husband she had actually loved. But they both knew why that marriage had failed.

Liam reached discreetly for her hand. “Riley, I’m sorry.”

“Stop. It wasn’t your fault. I’ve told you a million times.”

Liam had married Madeleine and not wanting to be someone’s mistress, Riley had forced herself to move on, but her feelings for Drake had never been fake or secondary to her feelings for Liam. She had counted herself lucky to have found love again. But Drake’s insecurities and jealousy eventually soured the relationship.

“I feel like I didn’t hide my feelings for you well enough.”

“It shouldn’t have mattered. I was never anything but faithful to him. He should have trusted me.”

Her marriage to Drake should have quashed the rumors that she was a gold digger, but everyone had assumed she was using him to stay close to Liam.

Unfortunately, Drake himself had chosen to believe that. And though she hadn’t cared about money, he had constantly compared himself to both Rashad and Liam and found himself lacking.

It hadn’t helped that Liam had made her a duchess and given her Valtoria right after the divorce from Drake. He had done it to give her a place of her own to go to. She hadn’t wanted to run back to the palace and give any weight to the rumors that she and the king were still romantically entwined.

Giving her a duchy, however, had ramped the rumors up to a fever pitch and convinced Drake that he had been right all along.

“How is Max doing?” Liam asked, mostly to change the subject.

The mention of her best friend put the smile back on her face. “Oh, he’s great! He’s on a ski weekend in Aspen with Carson.”

Riley’s marriage to Max had been undertaken to satisfy some weird codicil in his father’s will that he be married to inherit.

Last month, his father’s estate had finally been settled. Max had taken possession of the money left to him along with a lavish townhouse in Dunwich.

The day after the estate had been finalized, they had initiated divorce proceedings.

“I’m glad Max is happy. Can I ask a favor of you, Riley?”

“What is it?”

“Stop getting married to other people.”

A surprised laugh burbled out of her. “What?”

“You heard me. Give a guy a chance.”

“Liam! You’re married! You know how I feel about—"

“Yes, I do. I have something for you. Stay right here!” Liam looked like a kid on Christmas morning as he stepped to the door of the box and murmured something to his head of security. The guard handed him a large manilla envelope and Liam quickly returned to his seat and with the closest thing to a gloat Riley had ever seen on his face, thrust it into her hands.

“What’s this?” She looked curiously from him to the envelope.

“Open it!” He encouraged.

“Okay…” she laughed as she flipped the top open and then pulled the document out. Her eyes widened with a gasp when she realized what she was holding in her hands. “Liam! Is this real?”

“Yes, my love, it’s real. You’re the first person, outside the lawyers, of course, to know about the dissolution of the marriage of the king and queen.”

She glanced back and forth from him to the divorce decree in her hands, unsure what it meant for them. “How is this possible? The council—”

“The council answers to me. Not the other way around.” Liam’s jaw clenched. He had been young and uncrowned when he and Riley had first met. Still under his father’s thumb and more easily influenced by the rules, protocols, and traditions. He had grown over the years into a true king. He had learned how to rule, and his father was now nothing more than a memory. He would no longer be bound by arbitrary and pointless regulations. He could rule Cordonia and still be happy.

His expression softened as his eyes roamed her face. He angled his body toward her, completely oblivious to whatever was going on out on the polo field. Taking her hands in his, he asked, “You know what this means, right?”

“What?” She held her breath. Afraid to hope for what she was hoping for.

“It means we’re finally single at the same time. And this time, I will not be swayed from your side. Not ever again. Come here.” He stood and helped her out of her seat, pulling her across the room to a corner not visible from the outside. “I wanted to do this somewhere romantic. Somewhere meaningful, but I can’t wait.”

“What are you doing, Liam?”

“What I should have done four years ago.” He dropped down to one knee and held a ring up to her. “Lady Riley Brooks, queen of my heart, I have yearned to say these four words for a very, very long time……..will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She didn’t even have to pause to think about it. “Yes! A million times yes!”

He slid the ring on her finger and then jumped to his feet. “Finally!” He cried as he swept her into his arms and spun her around.

She was single again. But not for long.

[acaplaya-musings]

Voiceplay Visuals - Thriller (part 1 of 2)

(The video isn't a two-parter, but this analysis is! You can find part two HERE, but there'll also be a link at the bottom of this post!) VoicePlay's cover of Michael Jackson's Thriller was released to YouTube on the 12th of October, 2024 (and/or on the 11th - you know how it works), and features the one and only J None, back again with the group! Actually, in case you haven't fully realised it yet, of the 4 Halloween videos that VP has done since he stopped being a permanent member, J has returned for 3 out of 4 of them! (The exception being 2022's Hide And Seek/Ding Dong, ft. Lauren Paley). Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this might be the first time Voiceplay has covered two songs by the same artist in the same year? The first obviously being The Way You Make Me Feel (which has been submitted for consideration to be maybe nominated for a Grammy in two categories!?!) But anyway, I don't wanna get off-topic, and of course I'm not actually here to talk about the music/vocals/arrangement (I did that in a separate post which you can find HERE); I'm here to talk about everything happening on screen! And boy is there a lot to talk about, such that I very quickly realised I would absolutely have to make two posts in order to mention everything (like what I did for Classical Chaos). So enough of my introductory yapping, Let's Get Into This!

Introductory shot! Actually this was the video thumbnail that Patrons got for early access (though I hit play without even looking at it anyway), so we went in way more blind than the rest of y'all did!

The moon lamp once again making an appearance in the background! Geoff first got it for his Jack's Lament video, and then VoicePlay used it for Classical Chaos earlier this year. Also I wouldn't be surprised if some of those gravestones were reused from Jack's Lament as well tbh. (And trees possibly from Be Prepared and/or Classical Chaos?)

Oh yeah and maybe you might see something on the floor behind Cesar's legs? Don't worry about it, it's probably nothing! 😉 😝

(More below the cut!)

J sings "under the moonlight...", and Cesar turns to look back at the moon! (And Layne turns his head as well)

Also the beam of light coming from the top left area shining down to the centre of the floor reminds me of the similar lighting effect from Song Of Durin ngl (as always, Eli was credited with lighting for this one - shocker to no one, and he always kills it every time!)

Also quick comment on the clothing, I like how they're all wearing black and red, but with each with their own take on it. Layne has red shoes (so does J), Cesar has red plaid pants, and J, Eli, and Geoff all have red shirts (and J has red and black trousers (or whatever they are), and Geoff has ripped jeans with red showing through underneath). And of course it's always nice when Geoff is wearing an actual proper colour other than blue! 😁😝

Not fully a visuals thing but I forgot to put it in my musical thoughts/commentary post - I like how Eli sings "you're paralysed!" and then the background vocals sing "you're para-!" but they din't finish the word, as if they've been stopped, or rather paralysed midway through singing! And this is highlighted in the video by Cesar here, so it is still kinda a visual thing as well!

Hey I think that person figure thing on the ground behind Cesar and Layne has gotten closer! It's still probably nothing though, it's fine /j

Actually nevermind, it's not fine - watch out Layne!!!

On my first watch-through of this video on Patreon, I mostly just watched it start to finish without stopping. The only two times I paused were right at the start to take in the starting shot and kind of "psych myself up" to get through the rest of it (again, not knowing anything about the video), and then I rewound a few seconds and paused to try and get a better look at who this zombie person was. And then I stayed paused for like a hot minute while I absolutely died laughing because omg KATHY!!!!! 😂🤣🤣

*YEET*

(Oh the genuine delights of frame-by-frame scrubbing 😂)

So here's some BTS info for you: Geoff was in charge of the production and direction of this video (and song arrangement) (though Tony also helped out with direction too), and apparently his initial idea was for Zombie!Kathy to "bite" Layne's leg, and then just make a face or something as if he tasted bad, and then crawl away or whatever. It was Kathy who had the idea of what actually happens in the video! Geoff wasn't sure at first, but she told Layne the idea and he loved it, and yeah it was absolutely hilarious - definitely VoicePlay Brand Of Dumb (affectionate).

Also you don't really see anything of the ""body double"" that Layne kicks away, but VoicePlay (Geoff specifically I'm presuming) decided to credit 'her' in the description: "Flying Stunt Zombie - Greta The Gruesome" 😂 (Kathy meanwhile is credited as "Production Manager and Floor Zombie")

And also despite being hardly seen, VoicePlay and crew put effort into making Kathy and the doll "Greta" (bought from a Spirit Halloween store inside the same mall as Pattycake Studios) look like each other! Kathy has since posted a couple pics from the videoshoot with her and "Greta" in full makeup and costuming on her Instagram - Here's a link!

Cesar is Concerned (and/or confused, lol)

And so yeah, Kathy was on the floor at the back right from the start! (Though I didn't notice her there at first till the second time around.) Kinda like Geoff's Monster Mash video in that regard! (someone on the Discord server (I believe it was Huldra?) made a joke about this being the result of Narrator/Scientist!Geoff's creation going horribly wrong, lol)

You doing alright there Layne?

*AAAAAAHHHH...*

*...CHOOOO!*

(Oof, rip Cesar!)

Also kinda neat how the lights change back to red right on Layne's sneeze (momentarily going purple in between as well!)

So not only did Eli maybe get some in his eye, or at least almost do so, but Cesar's wiping his sneezed-on hands on him!

Eli: Cesar dude what the heck? Cesar: Hey don't blame me! Layne was the one that sneezed in the first place!

Not exactly an air guitar, but Geoff does kinda look like he's playing some sort of invisible instrument here and it's low-key intriguing to me

A very quick sideways head/neck jerk from Cesar - the first warning sign that the zombie-ness has spread to him as well!

Yep, now it's Cesar's turn!

Shoutout to Cesar's gold painted nails! Very pretty!

And also shoutout to Layne's acting/movements in this video! In most VoicePlay videos you'll likely notice that he has "self-conducting" movements in a similar way to what Geoff does, and you might even notice similar hand movements across multiple videos. But in this video, from the moment he starts looking a bit more sickly/"zombie-like", his movements change a little as well - looking a bit more jerky and stuff, and he seems to mostly be keeping his hands open and flat like in this picture here - less bending of fingers or any sort of fluid "drumming" motions (maybe meant to represent a bit of growing rigor mortis?)

I only just thought of the rigor mortius idea/"theory" just before, and then we get this ~2 second group shot at the start of the bridge section, and Layne barely moves, despite there still being audible percussion - it definitely seems like a deliberate choice! (He's still beatboxing, or at least lip-syncing to it, but it's rare that he keeps his body so still in a video while he's still doing percussion)

Watch out Eli - I think you're next!

*Pfft* rip he's gone

(Cesar in the BTS video: "Can I go for his head?" Geoff: "If he consents to it")

"Well that's not good"

"They're out to get you..."

Geoff isn't the only person to look directly at the camera/viewer in the video, but the verse he does here definitely feels the most like an actual warning, especially with the way he conveys it on screen here, and I guess it lines up nicely with him doing the monologue later. (Also low-key "close all the windows, lock the doors, unless you're careful he'll get yours" vibes ngl)

(Oh and necklace spotted!)

Also this bit low-key reminds me of the end of VoicePlay's Running Up That Hill video, after Ashley levitates and everyone else is just practically frozen, moving only their eyes (and mouths)

Oh no Geoff watch out!!!

(But also goddamn why does he look so good here? Like even with the hands and everything, almost looks like a freaking painting!)

Honestly I find Geoff's bit here really interesting - he's concerned/worried, but he doesn't actually look massively terrified, and he doesn't look like he's ready to run or fight. Like maybe he's almost already accepted the fact that he's next, and it's just a matter of how and when?

(That'd kinda sorta line up with the This Is Halloween video actually, in that everyone is slowly turning into creepy monsters, and Geoff appears to be the one least resistant to it (yes this video can be connected to a lot of other VoicePlay/Geoff videos, and I love it))

(Oh and I gotta give my love to his grey-white parts of Geoff's hair - truly this man ages like fine wine <3)

Not the hair!!!

And down he goes!

(And literally, he was in fact pulled straight downwards! Bent the legs, and Cesar and Layne helped support his weight so he didn't topple straight down - it was kinda amusing to see it happen in the BTS video ngl)

One last thing I will point out is that the jump across to J following this bit is actually not a cut or some fancy transition edit - Geoff's section to J's section is one continuous shot. But with that being said, this is still where I'm cutting this post off, because it's the halfway point (not counting the credits), and I've hit image limit! (I had to remove two images here to make it work but otherwise I managed!) Go find part 2 HERE!

[farolero-posting]

Different

Words: 2,313

Summary: Prototype and Rue talk during the night, and watch the city from a window.

As time between rest cycles increases, the chances of running into issues in data organization go up as well. It was fortunate that robots do not need to do it as often as organic beings do, and that this body was still fresh and working as intended, but it wasn’t advisable to extend it beyond a certain time frame.

And Prototype was not looking for that moment to come, despite his programming’s insistence. 

Going through the data was mostly an unremarkable chore. It involved going through the episodic data in chronological order, searching for important information to convert into permanent data, and freeing space for the next cycle. There were books comparing this process to sleep, stating that living beings behave similarly, but were unaware of it, meaning this was most likely a theory rather than empirical information.

They also dreamed, and he didn’t.

“I thought you would have noticed me sooner.” Rue stepped into the room, leaping to take one of the seats, while Proto’s gaze was still glued to the bookshelf. “Are you busy?”

“No. Just taking a look at this room.” He turned to face the fox, who waved her tail in a slow motion, eyes staring back at the robot. “What about you?”

Rue’s ear twitched once, and she frowned. “I’m not doing much. I woke up a few moments ago and then heard you in here.” She tilted her head, a smile forming on her. “Did I ever tell you you’re louder when you think?”

He quickly found matching information. “You did, at one point around a month after I was tamed. What prompted it this time?”

“I know you’re not sleeping.” Rue narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t sleep—”

“You still rest. You can call it sleep, you know?” Rue changed her position, tensing herself up. “I don’t think you’ve done it once since we moved here.”

His hands tensed.

“Correct,” Prototype admitted.

Rue sighed, and kept pressing: “You don’t even turn the lights on while you’re here. I’ve been watching you.”

“I think my own light is enough for that, so I don’t do it, I can change that if you wish” he replied, moving to flip the switch on one of the lamps, casting a dim light.  

They were in a study room inside of the apartment the siblings shared in the Refuge. The place had a bookshelf full of books on different topics, and a simple desk with paper, a cup with watercolor brushes, and a box of supplies. A blueprint of a flying machine was pasted on the wall, with sticky notes all over it. A dusty backup powercell sat by the corner; it wasn’t on, however, as the Refuge generators already provided the necessary energy to function.

“That is much better, thank you” Rue smiled, waving her tail happily for a moment.

She didn’t say anything for the moment, and Proto was unsure what to expect of her. Despite how well he knew her and her habits, her thoughts were a mystery most of the time. Rue sighed then, her ears moving down. Perhaps this was sadness, or something else.   

“I want to talk, but… I think I want to go outside. This room feels a little small.”

“Lead the way.”

Rue leaped to the floor, trailing between the furniture, towards the living room. Prototype closed the door behind her, and then walked towards the apartment’s exit. They caught a glimpse of Cedric sleeping in his room, with a tight grip on his covers. They were careful not to wake him as they closed the door. Rue didn’t take the route towards the catwalks, and instead found a place to sit on by the stairs, where the windows were the biggest, giving them the best view of the buildings around them. It was still dark, but the red phosphor river and the street lamps illuminated the landscape. The tower couldn’t be seen from this angle, and for a moment, the picture in front of them almost matched the one Proto remembered from the real world.

Well… at least, according to the data he was provided with. Perhaps he considered the image important enough to preserve it as clear as possible, back in the day. 

He looked at Rue, who seemed to be looking at it as if it was her first time doing so. Or not, it was equally as likely she had a different reason. This train of thought prompted a question.

“Do you recognize this view?” He reopened the conversation. “You are very focused on it.”

“I… think I do. I know some of the signs from the old world are still there. I can even see some of the obsolete signs from old businesses.”

Proto looked to the right, making a mental map of where the tower would be, out of their view. A yellow ring stared back at him from the crystal.

“The buildings are also arranged in the same way, probably even in the same locations. I think he wanted to make this as similar as we know it,” he commented. “I have… a clear image of it. It’s a perfect match.”

Rue nodded, but remained silent for over forty seconds. Her tail was stiff by her side. Proto assumed she was likely to be pensive.

“I… don’t think I can recall most of that,” was her final response. “It’s… hard sometimes. To think about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…” Rue turned to face the robot, which he didn’t notice, still looking out the window.. “Do you know why I answered the robot question?”

“I assume it is because under the current circumstances, we exist as code running within the World Machine.”

“That is true. But… sometimes I don’t like thinking about this and realizing that I don’t see myself as… I was intended to be? I’m sorry, this might sound offensive, now that I think about it.”

“I don’t see the offensive component,” Proto reassured her. “That is a common conflict,” he added, sitting down to be closer to Rue’s height. “The notion of personhood and the deterministic nature of programming are not immediately compatible. I assume this is what you’re thinking about?”

“I… don’t think that is the case.” Rue lowered her head.

“What is the case, then?”

“You know that the real world our memories are based on, and the world we see here are not the same. I don’t know how much you were able to explore in it, but for me it’s always felt off because I know that it is just memories, and not the real thing.”

“Well… it’s as accurate as it could be.”

“I wish I could tell the difference.” Rue huffed, letting her frustration show. “All I have is anything my real world counterpart could give me, and what you and others said about what I was like. It’s all words, and not a single image.” Rue looked away. “What is it like to be able to record everything and trust that it is true?”

"Hmm..." The robot considered his next words, trying to measure what sort of response his sister was looking for. "It depends. If it's something that brings you happiness, you will want to revisit it and it will feel nice. Otherwise... There is a lot of junk data, and other things that can be unpleasant but important to remember."

"Ah, that makes sense." Rue moved closer to him, eyes still on the window. "I... should apologize. This is a depressing conversation, isn't it? I know it doesn't change anything. The old world is gone. The real Rue..."

"It changes something in you." Proto insisted, moving a hand to point in her direction. "You can feel sad about this conflict, or differently. But that is something that is happening to you, and makes you real. I believe this is something you would agree with."

Rue nodded, closing her eyes in thought, before making another question.

"Do you mourn the old Rue? Or the old Cedric? We're different. We even have to change how we act around others, because we know things about their world that change our situation, and because our iterations are living different lives that the real ones didn’t get to live. We’re here but… the real Rue is not."

"I think you are the Rue and Cedric I am meant to be with," Prototype answered, Rue's ears perked up. "By this I mean... if we try to be more meticulous with what we consider constitutes the same "being", then every single one of us is different to whoever we were in the real world. Some information is always lost, and... our consciousness starts with the simulation being executed, even if we know we have other things in our code, so to speak."

"That is a sad way of looking at it. I'll admit..." Rue shivered for a moment, barely perceptible to her brother. "I guess you do understand my plight. You have thought about this before, haven't you?"

Prototype did not reply, and chose to close his eye instead, in a gesture resembling agreement.

"I am avoiding resting cycles," he confessed, after catching the glimpse of some of the apartment lights switching on, likely to be the first people to wake up for that day. “I have not done it since before leaving the mines.”

"Ha, I knew it." Rue's tail wiggled, as if she had solved a riddle without putting in the effort to make him admit it. "Want to talk about it?"

Would it be helpful to do it? Would it serve a purpose at all? There was no way to know for certain. 

But it seemed highly probable that she was the best candidate for that conversation.

"...Sure." Proto looked down, his antennas moving to point slightly to the back. "When I run those cycles, one of the things I have to do is go through every new information I have stored, and sort through it, compressing it, deleting junk data, summarizing it, and free space. This is not a concern most of the time."

"Oh." Rue's tail stopped moving in mid air, as a realization hit her. "You're scared of going through them."

"I can't say. Maybe." He shrugged. "I know it is unavoidable, but I am not looking forward to it."

"You almost died."

"I'm not alive."

"You know what I mean, Proto." Rue shook her head. "Give yourself the right to give it that name."

"Rue, it's fine," he insisted. "I always knew it was a possibility."

"How do you feel about it?," she pressed on. 

Prototype didn't know what to answer. How did he feel about the experience of losing his body? Not good. The squares themselves on his code were not something he wanted to remember, either. What about the circumstances it took place in? Disappointed, for not predicting it more accurately, and preventing the damage caused. Regretful, then. The knowledge that it was a possibility was simply factual, like many other things are. If something is possible to occur, he cannot ignore it.

“Not well. I did not mean for it to happen. Or the problems it brought on everyone else…”  

“I know you didn’t mean it.”

“I suppose.” He looked away from her again. “I believe it is just worse when there are things that are under your control. When it is your responsibility to achieve something.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just as it was a possibility to cause the conditions to worsen, there was a possibility for it not to happen, and the determinant factors were in big part my own actions.” Proto was still, but the soft rumble in the room indicated he was still in thought. “The one thing I waited for so long was a chance to… fulfill a purpose, but in doing so, put others in danger. That should not happen.”

“It is not something to blame yourself for. There was still a lot out of your control, and you did your best under those conditions.”

“Well, what should I feel, then? It was at least easier to accept that I couldn’t do anything when the outcome was certain to happen. My passiveness or any action would not change the results, and I could detach myself from it… This, instead—”

“Do you mourn yourself?” Rue blurted out, stopping him.

“No.” He shook his head, and after a moment added:  “Yes? I have mixed signals”

“I grieve for myself too. I can… honor her memory, and I want to do that, but it saddens me that this isn’t the way she thought her life would be like. I’m only a second chance she got.”

“That makes sense,” Prototype nodded. “I see myself as a copy. Functional, but fully aware of the gaps between the original, and this.” He pointed to himself, noticing the way his new joints moved without any issue. “This is not something you can change, and ignorance is not helpful.”

“Maybe being different is not so bad. You’re still you to me. I don’t need to suspend my disbelief to think that. You are the sibling I am meant to be with.” 

“Ah, I see what you did there.” 

Rue moved closer, resting her body next to her brother, and looking down at the city. The light on her forehead reflected itself on the glass, faintly. She felt a hand on the back of her head, and she leaned into it. When the first rays of the Sun shone their light on their side of the world, Rue looked up to him. 

“You still need to sleep.”

“I’m still not calling it that,” he huffed, amused. “But I think I am more prepared to handle it.”

“I feel better too.” Rue stood up, and Proto followed after her. “This world is beautiful, different as it may be, and I’m glad to be here.”

“So am I.”

[littleapocalypsekitten]

Okay, I just felt myself getting irrationally angry at something (or perhaps rationally, well within my rights, but it just hit me like a wave). I was watching something called "Apologetics Roadshow" on Youtube. I'd seen a couple of episodes of the guy. Rather wary of him, but I'd liked something I saw in counter of the "hurp-de-durp, theists r dumb!" arguments that so many ill-informed, self-important anti-theists (mostly anti-Christians, actually, since most don't research other religions at all, or even most forms of Christianity much). He seemed somewhat progressive (although I avoided his videos regarding Islam entirely), or at least not-fundie. Just a guy talking about Christianity in a rational manner and I could take or leave what I wanted. I still identify as a Progressive Christian, although I veer into unconventional spiritual territory and am not entirely sure what I am anymore. This stuff is still an interest of mine, though. Anyway, I got interested in a video he posted about the loss of his son. Specifically, he addressed horrible comments he got about it. His son was disabled with a genetic muscle disorder and while he got a lot of support, he apparently got a few comments going "Your son is dirt now!" and being angry at him for bringing a disabled child into the world or not letting him die at birth, I guess. (It's not like he and his wife knew, the kid surprised them). Predictably, the Youtuber brought up Real Things That The Nazis Did to humble people who make such horrible, abelist comments. He also did a sermon about the Abraham sacrificing Isaac story and the Angel of the Lord coming to the rescue and concluded it to be basically God, himself, reversing the old Pagan system of sacrificing to Gods into God sacrificing for us. (His take). However, he then went onto going on about how when society rejects God in Christ / this idea, people revert into child-sacrifice. He gave some example of sex trafficking that went on in England and then... ugh... he said the thing that made me click away from the video: "And here in America, parents are putting their children on operating tables subjecting them to Mengele-like mutilation..." I immediately recognised that as an anti-trans red flag and was "Um, buddy, DOESN'T HAPPEN!" If he'd done a modicum of research, he'd know that... top and bottom surgeries do not happen on underage kids? At least I do not think so? Like, at all? I'm pretty sure you have to be at least 16 for a top surgery (correct me if I'm wrong) and it has to have parental consent as well as be desired by the patient (and this is a thing done with cisgendered people as well, as breast reduction surgery is a thing and cancer is a thing). And I'm fairly certain that bottom means you have to be fully-adult, joinin' the Army age at least and well-vetted by psych docs. Like, the most even a teenager can do with gender-stuff is some hormone therapy (which, again, applies to cigendered people with medical conditions, too). And the way he said it, that "parents are subjecting their kids" - um, no they ain't! I don't think there's even such a thing as parents who are forcing their kids to change genders! (Exception being the intersex community? As babies)? And here I thought the lament against modern "child sacrifice" was going to be the old saw of abortion-politics. Um... congratulations transgender persons? You've officially supplanted abortion as the society boogeyman? I guess? I don't even have a dog in this fight, really. I'm a cisgendered old bat who used to be conservative and is repentant of that time in my life and I don't have anyone in my family who is openly trans, so it's more like.... "dammit, I hate it when people don't do the research and get the facts wrong!" And when they say obvious wrong things! He said it like he thinks it's some kind of fad for parents to force their kids to get gender reassignment surgeries against their will and that annoys me.

[rose-lizzzy]

Fwhip had been collecting some wood in the forest, and bucketing some salmon from the river, when he heard something crash.

He was near Mythland, so it could be anything knowing Sausage.

Just in case, he wandered over to see what it was, only to find a gnome laying there.

He draws his sword, eyes narrowing, and then notices the increasing amount of red spilling out. Blood covered her clothes, and had started pooling around her.

She also didn't look okay. Her eyes were...mostly closed, but vacant. She was pale, shaking slightly.

He went up to her "...Shrub?" He asks cautiously, not trusting it.

She didn't respond, didn't even react.

He bent close and poked her slightly, just gently.

She didn't react much, but a whimper escaped, and he realized just how fragile she looked.

He didn't know how to heal. He only knew how to get hurt. The one who knew how to handle this stuff was....

His communicator was ringing in an instant, trying to call Gem. She would know what to do.

He hears her pick up with an annoyed sigh. "What do you need now, Fwhip?"

"So....I found Shrub...." He starts, before hearing her confusion to the news.

"Why...do you need me? Are you hurt? Did she hurt you? You know I'm not the fighter. Get Pearl." The wizard suggests, not realizing what he was saying.

"No. Well...she's hurt. Like. Bad. And I don't know how to heal. Like I would rather plunge my sword into her right now." He debates that option, while hearing Gem immediately rustle around.

"No! Don't do that. Whatever you do. Don't. Touch her. I got it. I'll take care of her. Give me the coordinates and I'll take her in. I'm grabbing some potions."

He hears the urgency in her voice and sighs. "Alright. Fine. I won't hurt her further." He moves her slightly though, knowing that it would probably hurt her a bit. She ruined his kingdom and hurt Gem. She deserved that.

There's a sigh of relief and Gem finishes. "Alright. I'm on the way. Send me your coords and I'll be there in a minute."

He texts her the numbers and then turns away from the gnome. "Alright. I'm going back to the Grimlands before she can do any more harm. Maybe I can actually finish rebuilding before she destroys it again."

She groans on the other side. "Fwhip...."

"Alright. Bye. Take care of her I guess." He hangs up, and then takes one more look at the helpless gnome and sighs before leaving.

Gem arrives, having texted Katherine the coords with the words "Hurry!!!!"

She arrives at the scene and understands why her brother called her. The gnome was laying in a growing pool of blood, and she looked ghost white.

She almost looked like a corpse, if not for the blood, and the very, very faint rising and falling of her chest, but even that was almost non-existent.

"Shrub? Can you hear me?" She asks softly, kneeling beside her.

The gnome didn't even react at all, just as she'd done with Fwhip. There was no acknowledgement that she could even hear the wizard

"Alright Shrub. Just...hang in there." Gem checked her boxes, trying to find the potions she'd need, when Katherine approached with a yelp at the sight.

"Oh my! Shrub! What on Earth happened?!" She lands next to Gem, who looked up from her potions for a moment to see her.

"I'm not sure. Fwhip found her like this. I can't imagine what could've happened to cause this."

Katherine kneels beside her, watching the gnome breathe, watching to make sure she continues to breathe.

Gem also watches her, but more in an investigative way, without touching her just yet.

"She has definitely been heavily influenced by magic. Not just the corruption part. Someone must've done something to her, as well as hurt her physically." Gem notes, but Katherine frowns

"But who would do this? Well .. rather..." She corrects herself, because who wouldn't do this to Shrub at this point. "Who would be able to do this? She was so strong before...none of us could get close to even giving her the tiniest scratch."

Gem shrugs "Well ....we can find out later. We need to move her, but it'll probably only hurt her worse to even touch her at this point. I should have a potion of sleeping.. " she pulls one out "There!" She pulls Katherine away, getting far from Shrubs trembling body, and tosses the potion at her.

Instantly, her shaking stops, and she relaxes some, although she didn't look any better.

"I have some healing potions too, but I'll just give her one and then fix her up more at my apocathary." Gem mumbles more to herself and pops the lid of a healing potion, opening Shrubs mouth and letting the liquid slide down into her system.

At the very least, the potion helped start to slow the bleeding, which they'll take.

"Alright. Katherine do you want to carry her? I'll fly ahead and get some potions and spells brewing."

The fairy snaps out from her daze of just watching Shrub breathe, and looks up "Huh? Yeah I can do that. Your hospital?"

Gem nods "Yeah, meet me at my apocathary." She says as she flies off.

Katherine reaches down and slowly, carefully lifts the gnome into her arms, watching her sleep peacefully.

Who would've thought this girl could be so dangerous? So deadly. But she's not. Not deep down.

She saw the flash of sadness in her eyes, that little bit of guilt she had after destroying her whole kingdom.

Right. She needed to get her back to Gem's. She took off and landed at the door, which Gem opened.

"You alright? Took you a little while." The wizard asks with concern, leading her to a bed.

"Oh, yeah it's a bit...hard to carry her." The fairy lies, making up an excuse for the extra time.

Gems eyes widen "That's right! You have little fairy wings. I'm so sorry I didn't realize it'd be a problem." She apologizes while pulling out some potions from the brewing stand

Katherines eyes also go wide. "No! No it's fine it's fine! It was just getting into the air. Harder to pull a rocket when you're carrying someone. What are you giving her?" She asks, changing the subject.

"Well, normally I'd do health, regen, and strength...but I'm not sure giving her strength is the best idea...given what she's done. So I think I'm just going to go for the first two, and maybe it'll be enough." She slides the two drinks into Shrubs system, before turning to work on something else.

"How long until she comes to?" Katherine asks with concern, watching Gem work.

"A few hours still. But we need a place to hold her. We don't know what'll be waiting for us when she wakes." She explains, tone very wary. She did believe Shrub had good in her, but she didn't believe it would be easy to let that side out.

The two get to work making a basement for the apocathary, made with obsidian walls and floor, layered in carpet, with a bed and other assorted decorations. A mushroom in a flower pot by the bedside, Katherine's idea. To try to remind her of home.

She didn't know much of the home, but she knew there was a reason she was fond of mushrooms, so she figured that was why.

Gem had also placed a spell over the room, preventing her from escaping. She almost did one to calm her, as she'd done before, but she wasn't sure she would even have the strength to be upset.

After that all happened, the few hours was up, and the two sat anxiously, watching the gnome. Waiting for her eyes to open.

Until they finally did.

[stinkyhyena9000]

Literally me today

[everything here is hc btw]

So basically on my walk home today, I had a very vivid idea of Clay and Boudreaux's band. Three Day's Grace's "I Hate Everything About You" perfectly shows off my voice HC for how young Clay sounded, as well as their band's overall sound.

Other bands that also work are the Foo Fighters, Taking Back Sundays, and Sleeping With Sirens. (Yes these are all popular emo/rock bands ik)

At the time, Clay was also dyeing his mane and tail black, or atleast the small bit of hair he could call his mane. He was already a good ~5years on testerone, but his mane was taking a long while to grow in, which is why he takes such good care of it and takes a lot of pride in it now. Also he no longer dyes his mane black now, but he still does dye his tail, as a fun little memory of the past.

Oh yeah did I also mention I'm putting my trans Clay headcanon in this? Yeah.

Anyways his band "Crimson Car Fire" advertised themselves a bit as a couple of hotties. Clay was into the idea too, even though he's definitely demi. He even went far enough to wear a fishnet tank with nothing under it to most of their shows.

He was terrified at first to try this though, since had much more recently gotten top surgery. Yes, we're back to that headcanon. Anyways, he was worried because his scars would show through his fishnet tank. Luckily (mostly) everyone was supportive, so he kept sporting it!

What else he would wear is some black cargo pants, with some chains. He also had some black leather fingerless gloves of course, black leather boots, and for necklaces he had a cross necklace and a necklace of his first guitar pic from his (late) father. He still wears these to do this day.

If he's not wearing only his fishnet tank, he's always wearing some tshirt from bands he went to concerts for. He also wears these to this day, and Ash and Johnny likes to refer to them as vintage. Although correct, Clay always insists that they're not vintage! (they definitely are).

Oh yeah back to the band. Clay is the main singer and playing some bass, with Boudreux (peacock) being the main guitarist, ane Julie (finch) fronting the drums and sometimes vocals. They're actually from the Sing equivalent of New Orleans (They did move to Calatonia and play most of their shows there, though).

As you can imagine, Clay was definitely shocked to see Calatonia again when he finally went to live their again with the Moon Crew. And to think they didn't keep a single drive-in movie theatre! (Will get back that with Clay and Ruby dates.)

Speaking of Ruby, she actually met Clay through the band. Was she a fan? No, actually, she though their music was too cheesy. She was just dragged there to one of Clay's bands shows by her friend. Clay may have winked at her and Ruby may have felt that.

The real crushing began outside of the show, though. They bumped into each other and Ruby recognized him from the show. I'll go more into this later, but yeah.

Now I did mention to other band mates, Boudreux and Julie. Boudreux was a hot shot peacock who played guitar, and him and Clay met at the end of highschool. There was a lot of unresolved romantic tension between the two, although it's gone now after they split up. He was definitely jealous when Clay and Ruby started hanging out, but what reason would he have to stop them? Him and Clay were never actually a thing, just a few in-the-moment instances.

(Oh yeah incase it needed to be stated, Clay is demiromantic, demisexual, and bi. Boudreux is a demiboy and flaming homosexual, and Julie liked girl in red. She also had a partner too who always supported her and came to her shows. They were definitely a colorful cast).

Anyways eventually the band split it. Julie had to move out of state to stay with her partner, and there was a little drama between Boudreux and Clay about Ruby.

Cut back to present-day, with Clay living with Rosita back in Calatonia, Clay likes to watch Ash's concerts, since it makes him nostalgic for his band days. (Picture Clay wearing an Ash concert t-shirt btw).

At one of her concert's his eyes actually catch someone familiar among the sea of heads. The impossible, unforgettable plumage of the one and only Boudreux.

Clay catches him after the show. Boudreux is surprised to see him again and gives the big lion an even bigger hug. Despite everything, they're still best friends, and they had a lot of catching up to do. I need you to realize, this is like 30-40 years later.

Boudreaux comments on how they both seemed to have grayed, and Clay can't help but give of a hearty laugh. They apologize for the rough ending back then, and some tears are shed. Boudreux asks about Ruby. "That girl was always at your side, where she at?" Clay is stuck, unable to speak. Lion's caught his tongue.

That's when Ash finally makes it ouside to meet back up with Clay. She notices that familiar grimace, and swiftenes to ask him what's wrong, "and who's this?"

Clay, seeing her daughter, that bright shining star, he gets back together again. He introduces him as an old friend. And then he continues "Boudreux, she's gone now. I'm so sorry."

Boudreux's usual snarky front immediately softens, and he quicky replies "No, no, why are you apologing. Stop crying this isn't your fault" and he begins to tear up, too.

Also yes, Ash is just standing their confused.

After a couple of minutes of silent sobbing, conversation starts back up again.

"Y'know, did you hear about Julie?" Boudreux begins.

"Oh my god, Julie. What happened" Clay responds in a hushed, weak tone, still recovering from the news he just gave.

"She, uhm. She was found somewhere in the upper states. Sam rushed her to the hospital. She uh, passed from a heart attack, I think."

Clay begins to smile a bit, despite the news. "That Sam of her was always there for, wasn't they?" He word out through his waterworks.

"Damn right they were. Perfect couple I'd say," the peacock answers.

Another silence passes.

Ash is on the side of them furiously texting her phone. Clay and Boudreaux forgot about her, actually. Ash is texting Buster and Rosita, saying they're gonna be a while, before putting back down her phone, out of courtesy.

[inkedmyths]

S2: E4 "Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things"

Brought to you by I FINISHED THE QUARTER I'M ALIVE THANK GOD

This episode featuring: Don't cry and drive, interrogating the grieving, stupid men making bad decisions, and lessons that I'm SURE will be taken to heart

Ohhh this chick having a breakup or a death or something and this guy gets her alcohol and chocolate and emo rock. Thats so nice

Whshsgsg did she climb out the window

DONT TEXT AND DRIVE

Or call and drive and yeaaaah thats what I thought

[ Kayla inquires about this, and I amend it to being a sobbing mess while at the wheel. Kayla then goes on a continuous tangent about how much she's cried while driving. Friends, if you're reading this, please be aware that Kayla is not a model for any behavior you should be exhibiting. ]

Oh their dad's necklace on their mom's grave. Ah :(

Ohhh its a dead tree so spooky. What are you looking at Dean

Ooookay the dead grass circle is actually spooky. Uh?

Sam neither you or Dean are doing any kind of coping

[ Kayla says that if they were, we wouldn't have a show. ]

NOOOO GOD NOT THE HARASSING PEOPLE WHO JUST HAD SOMEBODY DIE

I get its for the job but :(

GOD THIS POOR DUDE IS LIKE. HES SO SO SAD BC HIS DAUGHTER DIED and then Dean's like "Yeah yeah so do you ever feel like she's still ~present~ orrrr" and Sam's clearly glaring at him to STFU

Traumedy at its finest

[ Theres some discussion now on Dean and how he handles things, due to how he was raised and his position as the Older Brother. Basically, he handles things badly, for a variety of fucked up reasons. This isn't news. ]

Sam is, in this case, right. But Dean is going to continue repressing!

Oh hey is this the best friend guy?

Or the bf?

OH THAT PLANT JUST DIED

Boi you're so dead

Ohhh spooky reflection

Oh he deeaaaad shooocker

Dean. What are you doing.

IDIOT

Dean has now ended up with a sad crying girl and he's sitting there with the clear expression of someone SO not equipped with what's happening

This is why you don't break and enter. You end up being faced with emotions.

Dean being such a brat but when is he not

COLLEGE EMPLOYED GRIEF COUNCILORS

Every new thing they impersonate is funnier than the last

Except maybe the priests. Idk if anything will top that

[ Kayla says it will. I am delighted by this. ]

Ok I was right the guy was her bf and was cheating

Grave digging. Of course. I get it but also Why

[ Kayla says something in spoiler text, and Aspen says to stop posting easy to click spoilers. Kayla says to stop clicking the spoilers. How do you think I feel? You people will have paragraphs of spoiler discussion. Right in front of my salad. ]

EMPTY COFFIN??

Oh shit there she is

Wh

I mean. Ok. Make out with a dead girl. Yeah. I mean I guess I would assume I'm dreaming but also man doesn't that raise any red flags my dude.

Also Sam yelling at Dean so true

Zombie??

Dude? Red flags?

OHHH

OHHHHHH THIS MOTHERFUCKER

I seeeeeeeee I seeeeeeee

He resurrected her bc he wanted her back

[ Kayla and Melon discuss the existence of zombies in SPN. I mostly ignore it. ]

Ohhhh oh the roommate

Uh oh girl!!

UH OH GIIIIRL

Ohhh thats scary as shit but epic

"Damn that dead chick can run"

[ Melon asks if I'm going to watch another episode, even though I'm in the middle of this one. Heathen. ]

[ Mom then interrupts to try and get me to try some foundation. I protest. Kayla says the phrase "dolled up for Dean", and Melon follows it up with "dressed up for daddy", and I immediately begin planning on ways to send them both to an early grave. Why am I friends with these people. ]

WHATS IN THE BAG BITCH

Ooooh bitch you did this you resurrected her

Ohhh you're so dead you're so stupid

OHHH SHE JUST STRAIGHT UP SNAPPED HIS NECK

Luring her in I see

Not a vengeful spirit but something turned angry and dangerous because someone decided to fuck around and find out

WHSHSHS something a little funny about Sam running from some chick in a nightgown

What's dead should stay dead! Correct Dean! Hope you all take that to heart

Don't tell me anything bc I'm already so sure they don't

There's 15 seasons and these guys love to fuck around and find out. What's a little necromancy

Pulling over? Whatcha doing. Getting out to yell at the void

Oh shit is Dean Winchester APOLOGIZING? (gasp)

[ Kayla says he actually does that quite frequently, due to generally being apologetic for committing the crime of existing. This is a fair assessment. ]

Its not your fault buddy... you couldn't have controlled what your dad did. You never could.

Oh my god men crying

---

Dean continues to do bad at feelings. Sam is only marginally better because at least he's addressing that there are feeling being had. Anyways, don't resurrect people, they come back Wrong, and I'm suuuure this is so totally a lesson that the Winchesters are taking to heart and therefore will definitely not be attempting any necromancy at all in the future.

[c4l4mityv4in]

The cute Witch boy flying outside my window (A Haikyuu fanfic)

Chapter 3: "Oh, won't you kiss me on the mouth and love me like a sailor?"

Notes:

This is a short Chapter to let the story breathe a little, Chapter 4 and 5 will definitely be the most difficult for me to write so please bear with me a little it'll just take a bit longer than a week each (maybe)

I showered before him, I was super nervous to face him after he kissed me. It's not even like he kissed my lips but I literally couldn't stop playing it back in my head.

Would Shoyo think I'm not cool if he found me freaking out like that? I was completely red and flustered, my face was hot buried inside my pillow and I was fighting my every instinct to kick my feet in the air and scream in my pillow. I failed at that but he didn't

see me nor ask about the scream so I think I'm in the clear. My sister made dinner and made me wash the dishes since she had to do it earlier that day, Shoyo "helped" me.

The word "helped" is in quotes cause he mostly just flirted, played with the bubbles and made me wonder, "How does this boy survive on his own?"

We set up a mattress on the floor of my room for him, My asshole of a sister literally threw condoms at my face to embarrass me and I hate that I had it coming cause I did the same when a guy slept over in her room, turns out they're both gay but that's not what we're suppose to focus on right now.

We talked, I explained a few strategies me and the team thought of in case we ever face Ushiwaka in a game. I don't think he payed attention, I'm saying that cause he kept staring at me the same way I look at him whenever I'm lost in thought thinking about him. Not that that happens a lot just like, twice...an hour. "Coin for your thoughts?"*, I asked him

"Just mesmerized by you", he said with a huge smile on his face, he knew what he was doing and goddammit was it working. My face was red and I was left speechless, he was blushing to, his face is adorable but in that moment I could only think of one thing when I looked at him.

* (Do people say that outside of Italy?)

"Can I kiss you?" I actually can't believe I said that

out loud.

Shoyo's face was now just as red as mine, his smile turned to surprise and then to a weird grin like when you're super happy but trying to hide it and act cool.

"I don't know, can you?", It was disappointing to hear him say that but expected.

"May I kiss you?" I corrected myself.

"Please do", he answered, he looked at me in a way that made my heart jump out of my chest.

It was just a peck really, a mere instant but it felt like much longer. It was a weird feeling that I don't know how to describe. (the Author doesn't help by not having had a single romantic interaction ever in his life but whatever ig) It felt like I was in a place where problems don't exist, it was just me and him in the whole universe for just a few seconds.

I smiled like an idiot and covered my face so he wouldn't think I wasn't cool. He giggled like there was no tomorrow. We were both completely flustered. "Don't cover your face, moron!", he said in between giggles "I want to see your face, don't make me feel like the only dork here.", he moved my hands from my face, he was basically completely laying on my chest, our faces were probably two centimeters apart. "You can be my dork..if you want", I figured he wouldn't judge me for being cheesy, I don't think he ever judged me actually. "I would like that" , his eyes were almost hypnotizing.

He kissed me again, and again, I lost count after a while, we didn't want to stop. At one point I lent him some pijamas and he fell asleep while we were spooning watching a movie. As I'm writing all this he's asleep next to me. And he's gonna be there when I wake up too."

"Dear Diary,

As 1 expected, I did wake up before him. I also found out that he's a VERY heavy sleeper. And he snores...he snores a lot and very loudly. But having him next to me actually helps me sleep. Whether he's talking until I fall asleep or he falls asleep in my arms basically. Him existing next to me just puts my mind at ease honestly. I did feel him wake up a few times, and I felt a few kisses being pressed on my forehead or my cheeks in the middle to f the night. At 11am I figured I should wake him up. I kissed him on the cheek and gently tried stirring him awake but I was unsuccessful. I then decided to put the

"Mamma Mia!" Soundtrack on and put on his favorite song, in less than 30 seconds he was awake and singing along to "Lay All Your Love On Me".

Ever since we saw that little girl and her mother Shoyo hasn't been the same. Every time he was left alone with his own thoughts he lost that "glow" he always had. It's like he was constantly thinking about what could have been if he never got lost that day. I wish he didn't have to think about it, but maybe we wouldn't have met if that didn't happen."

"Dear Diary,

It's been a while since I wrote in here. I'm in my second year of High school now. I was frustrated when we didn't get to nationals but Shoyo was there for me, he always makes me feel better in shit situations. I've been trying to find a good way to tell him I love him but I keep chickening out. I mean we've done "stuff" before, and I felt safe with him, Imwas a nervous wreck and scared to do the wrong thing or hurt him some way but that didn't happen. We still see each other pretty much every day or evening but Shoyo still has that thing where he's sad the moment he's left alone with his own thoughts. I'm worried about him."

Notes:

THE FIC IS FINALLY ON AO3!!!!

I'm in class right now but whatever I know this stuff anyway.

I was watching S2 ep while writing the first part of the chapter and it really reminded me how much comfort this show actually brings me and I hope everyone gets to experience this feeling at least once in their lives

[cherrari]

imo charles hasn't had as many impressive overtakes because he hasn't really needed to overtake? a lot of his strategies this year have relied on going long, or being otherwise out of sync with everyone. he's made some excellent moves, including getting past george today, or alonso in singapore. in 2022 ferrari was neck-in-neck with red bull, so there were more opportunities for those big flashy overtakes for p1, p2, etc. idk, i've seen charles make a lot of excellent moves this year, but maybe that's because i have his onboard open. i think he can still pull off those vegas-style overtakes, he just hasn't had a chance to do it this year.

(also if this is about baku, there was no overtaking oscar with that rear wing)

idk if i'd agree getting past george today was impressive? merc and george in particular were horrible. george was over half a second slower than charles, i don't really see what's impressive about passing that much slower of a car. and i fully believe if he'd been smarter he could've easily been p2 (that is, pushing harder at the start so carlos never passed him and then he would be the one taking advantage of lando locking up at the end)

maybe that's because i have his onboard open

i also watch his onboard every race and while i think there's many areas he's excelled in this/last year, i don't think overtaking is one of them

a lot of his strategies this year have relied on going long, or being otherwise out of sync with everyone

i don't like rating things that haven't happened and so far this year, you are correct he's rarely been in a position to overtake, which means he has not done many overtakes, which means i'm not going to definitively say he can since they haven't happened. there's way more impressive things he has done this year IRT tire management, defending, and so on that should be praised rather than his mostly non-existent overtakes

if this is about baku, there was no overtaking oscar with that rear wing

my point about baku is about how he stayed out for one lap longer (returning to what i said about ferrari fixating on going long), nothing to do with him not overtaking oscar after. he lost a crazy amount of time on his in/outlaps bcs of the dying/cold tires that was just unnecessary. the entire situation of oscar passing him could've been avoided if he'd pit one lap earlier. the sf-24 and charles are both great on tires but those mediums were falling off a cliff

i also don't understand the logic of "if we let oscar pass we can pass him later" when 1. the mcl38 is notoriously good in clean air, 2. it's baku. like of course they couldn't have predicted the mclaren illegal wing so i don't fault charles himself for not passing back, i just don't get why it was even something they considered vs. the safer option of doing his outlap at the same time as oscar, therefore lessening the chance of oscar catching him on cold tires. i blame ferrari more for this than charles though, i only brought it up as an example of them not being proactive enough

ferrari's strategy has improved a lot this year though so i'm not too bothered by these kinds of failures. like i think it did lose charles the race but it was ultimately a small error with huge consequences, and i'd like to think they learned from it

and again i'll be happily proved wrong tmrw if charles decides to unleash the beast or whatever, i just don't think he's shown anything this year that points to him being one of the best overtakers on the grid atm. he's not bad or anything but he's not sending it down the inside either

i hope none of this sounds mean btw. i truly don't mind if anyone disagrees w me in the end we're debating bcs we all love charles and i think that's what's important 😁