#also well i feel like it should be fairly obvious who the other member is but YEAH ‼️

[jboh-art]

HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO ROLLER COASTER 🎢📸🎂🎉

[penspolin]

Why Sophie won't be genderbent, exploring sexuality in Bridgerton

I've gathered some evidence for why Sophie will not be genderbent in S4. None of these are confirmed, of course, but I think this should help to alleviate concerns.

Probably the most obvious - they've already risked a lot by gender bending one character (Michael), so I don't foresee them doing it again.

Directly tied to reason 1, the show already made a change from Book!Benedict this season by making him canon bisexual. That is already one substantial change, and I personally don't see them giving both Francesca and Benedict gender bent endgames.

Directly tied to Benedict's sexuality, there is one particular scene that stands out a lot: during Benedict's last conversation with Tilley, he explicitly says that gender does not matter to him.

"Paul could be Patricia, or Polly, or Peter, or all three at once."

I'd argue this was included 1) to convey his sexuality directly to the audience through dialogue itself, 2) to highlight his concept of freedom, and 3) to emphasize that this experience is a bisexual (pansexual, potentially) awakening, not a homosexual one. I've noticed a standard in media to give characters an LGBTQ+ experience that confirms to them that they've never really liked the other gender (in this case, women) all along, they were just "playing pretend." But what we know very well by now from Benedict is that he doesn't play by society's game. If he was not attracted to women, he would not have been pursuing them for so long. Benedict having an LGBTQ+ experience this season makes him so happy because he's finally grasping at the freedom he once found in art. There is a lightness to Benedict in the last two episodes of S3 because he's broken through a barrier, admitted to a core part of himself, and lived the way he wants to, away from the watchful eye of society, in direct opposition to what society deems "appropriate."

Contrast Benedict's sexuality to what we've seen of Francesca, who has never expressed such explicit interest in both genders. Up to this point, she is a societal conformant, and we witness her struggle with that. While I do think she harbors deep feelings of love for John, her last scene with Michaela indicates that her love for him isn't romantic. It's also important to note - Benedict has had previous experience with a gay man; as far as we know, Francesca has never interacted with a member of the LGBTQ+ community and thus does not carry that same knowledge. As we've seen with other plots in Bridgerton, women were not often privy to the same knowledge and experiences as men (shielded, so to speak), and so her understanding of sexuality could be understandably limited.

4. Went off on a tangent there, but the final reason why I don't think Sophie will be genderbent: Sophie's identity as a bastard and maid derives conflict from her gender. Men, even illegitimate ones of wealthy families, were typically fairly well-off. I hardly think the bastard son of an Earl would be immediately cast out and turned into a maid or servant. Additionally, Jess Brownell has indicated that she doesn't want to mess with the books "too much," and while she's made some gender and sexuality changes, I do not foresee her changing something so pivotal. For this backstory to present conflict, Sophie must remain a woman.

[riddle-me-ri]

Can I request Lupin iii characters finding themselves in one bed situation with the reader. I am a sucker for this trope :3

a/n: AAAHHHH omg anon, would you believe me if I told you I was literally already in the middle of writing these exact scenarios for each of the characters because the minute it hit my brain it wouldn’t leave, the absolute chaotic fluffy gold of the one bed trope mixed with this gang of characters…like yes, it’s perfect!! I know some would love and some would loathe the idea, and this is also sorta allowing me to get a handle on all five of them. I've taken in a decent amount of Lupin media (not nearly all of it…nowhere even close rip) that I think I got a decent handle on them, but some OOC-ness may still occur and thoughts may change as I watch more of the series and some of the films. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy, especially you too same brain anon  

Content Warning: midly sexually suggestive content but nothing outright explicit, somewhat fluffy in some parts

For context: Lesson learned; don't let Lupin make hotel reservations (or Zenigata for his scenario). Now you're forced to share a bed with a member of the gang…and some seem more receptive to the idea than others. Reader is gender neutral and this is pre-relationship, but it's fairly obvious on both ends there's feelings. (also for Zenigata's part, you're an officer from another department so not quite an inferior to Zenigata plus you have known him for some time, hence why you say his first name) 

Lupin the Third and Gang Sharing the Same Bed Trope with Reader

Lupin The Third:

In all honesty, you should’ve seen this coming a mile away. Lupin was the one who assured everyone he would take care of all the arrangements, and no one had to worry about a thing…you should’ve known that was way too good to be true. Yet as the keys were distributed, you were left without one. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” You lifted your brow suspiciously, eying the lanky thief. 

Lupin winced. “I’m afraid not…” He wraps an arm around your shoulders and brings you closer to his side, some feign attempt at comforting you.

He sighed dramatically. “Oh, whatever will we do? Wherever could you lay your pretty weary head…” 

Soon, his expression of distraught turned into one of mischief. You could tell as the curve of his smug grin reached his cheekbones. 

Lupin leaned his temple against yours as he sweetly offered. “Oh I know…you could share a bed with me!” 

It wasn’t exactly a secret that you were attracted to the gentleman thief, but you didn’t want to come off as easy pickings for him either. Lupin never hid his affections from anyone he was attracted to, making you an easily flustered mess of a human being. 

Which is how you ended up saying yes, despite trying to come off as if you had no other choice. The others didn’t come to your defense either, so you felt stuck anyhow. 

As you walked out of the bathroom in your night clothes, you were greeted with the sight of Lupin sprawled out on the bed, propped up to face you, and his eyebrows wiggling suggestively. 

You didn’t know whether to chuckle at the sight or throw something at his face. You decided on rolling your eyes dismissively as you slowly made your way to the bed. 

“You’re way too excited about this arrangement.” You commented. 

“Maybe…” He drawled out nonchalantly as if he wasn’t softly kicking his feet at the foot of the bed. 

“Well you should maybe scoot over, and no funny business, I’m exhausted.” You sternly stated, pointing an authoritative finger in his face.

Lupin lifted his hands up in mock surrender as he scooted to the other side of the bed, which you noticed faced the front door to the room.

“Okey dokey, nothing funny…” He leaned his head to the side. “...tonight.”

“Lupin! I heard that!” Now you did vouch for hitting him with a pillow, mostly because you didn’t want him to see the blush on your face. 

“Ow. Ow. Okay, okay!” Lupin dodges most of your hits, just barely saving himself from falling off the bed entirely. “

You two eventually settled into your spots, after bickering with Lupin to sleep the other way with your backs facing each other. A part of you wanted to let him touch you, hold you, or even cuddle but knowing Lupin…give that man an inch and he’ll take a mile. You didn’t want to screw up the dynamic you had now…

Yet as you woke up the next morning to Lupin’s soft snoring and a lazy arm wrapped around your waist with him facing you…you can’t help but smile. 

Maybe just maybe you could get used to this. 

Jigen Daisuke

When the problem arises, he can’t help but lower his hat somehow further down than it already was. He knew this was one of Lupin’s stupid schemes, and he wanted nothing more than to just throw you his hotel room key, and he opted for sleeping in the car. Not that he wasn’t entirely against the idea, deep down, of sharing a bed with you. 

Jigen’s woken up to worse things, people, scenarios…to wake up seeing your face would be a nice change of pace for once, but the last thing he wants is to make you uncomfortable. 

Then, when you asked if it was okay for you to share a space with him…he really couldn’t deny you, and if you were fine with it, then he figured he could be too. 

“Jigen…I know this is an awkward predicament, but I can’t let you sleep on the couch.”

“Huh?” He lifted the brim of his hat slightly to glance an eye at you. “Whatcha mean? I’ve always slept on the couch anyway…”

“Exactly! You should sleep on a proper bed once in a while…I know that couch can’t be that comfortable…” 

You felt way too guilty having the large king bed that could likely hold a family of four to yourself while Jigen settled for the couch. 

“There's enough space that we could be in two different city limits…”

Jigen chuckled. You weren’t wrong, and you are way too cute for your own good. 

“If I come over there, will you let me sleep?” 

You nodded. “Yes.” 

Jigen sighed before slowly rising from the couch. You tried not to smile too widely out of excitement, you didn't expect him to give in that quickly. 

But much like before, if you ask something of him, he finds it incredibly difficult to say no.

Jigen discarded his suit jacket, tie, shoes, and socks but stayed in his dress shirt and hat. 

“Scoot over, I should be facing the door.” He waved his hand, motioning you to move under the covers. 

You leaned your head sideways as you watched him try to light one of his bent cigarettes. 

“You're gonna sleep with your hat on?” You inquired with a perked eyebrow. 

Jigen grinned. “The hat always stays on...if I can help it.” 

Fair enough, you found yourself eventually dozing off before Jigen. 

Jigen stayed awake for a while and thought about sneaking back over to the couch, but then he felt pressure on his chest. Your head laid gently over his now rapidly beating heart. Your soft rhythmic breathing fanning softly against his shirt. 

Well, he can't move now, but he couldn't find himself minding the predicament too much. 

Goemon Ishikawa XIII

This man's face is as hot as the rising sun over Japan. Speaking of, was it too late for him to return to Japan for some more training or search for enlightenment? He could use a lot of the latter right now.

Goemon can't say he could blame you for choosing to room with him. 

Lupin was far too eager to volunteer (which made Goemon grit his teeth), Jigen wasn't all that inviting, and Fujiko had already left for her room as soon as she got her key.

Also, he did find the issue…beneficial. Goemon would know where you are and be able to keep you safe, especially at your most vulnerable.

Not that he didn't think you couldn't handle yourself, but he just felt more at ease knowing your condition. 

However, you weren't at ease with him sleeping upright on the floor in the corner next to the door.  

“Goemon…please…I feel bad.” 

He cracked open one of his eyes. “This is the most appropriate solution.” 

��But when was the last time you actually laid down on a bed to sleep? And for a heist doesn't count!” 

“It is none of your concern. I will be fine. Please just rest.” 

“I won't rest unless you sleep with me!” 

Goemon grits his teeth and furrowed his brows as his face reddened. 

“N-Not like that!” You corrected, your own face slightly heating up. “I just…you should get some rest too…properly…please?” 

Goemon closed his eyes with a long sigh as he seemed to straighten his posture. 

You furrowed your brows with a huff as you turned your head to the side to face away from him. 

However, you stayed true to your condition, with crossed arms, you were upright in bed and wide awake. 

Goemon sighed as he stood up slowly. “Why must you be so stubborn..” 

“That's rich coming from you.” You chuckled. 

“I am only doing this so that you may finally go to sleep. Nothing more.” Goemon grabbed some of the spare pillows you weren't currently laying on and promptly formed a small pillow wall between you and the empty spot on the bed. 

You looked up at him incredulously. 

“A pillow wall?” 

He nodded before setting Zantetsuken down directly beside his side of the bed. 

“To refrain from any…indecent accidental touching.” He explained. 

You couldn't help but smile as you shook your head slowly in disbelief. “I can work with that.” 

Goemon hummed in acknowledgment as he got under the covers and faced the ceiling. 

Anything to ignore the fact you were mere inches away from him. 

“Thank you…and good night, Goemon.” You said softly over the makeshift divider before nestling into your pillow. 

Goemon's eyes widened as he realized you were much closer than he thought if he could still hear you. Maybe his senses have truly progressed over time with his training?

“Good night…” He replied softly as if worried he'd already wake you. 

It took him hours before Goemon finally fell asleep to the sound of your soft breathing and the warm idea of you feeling the safest with him out of the gang.

Fujiko Mine 

To say Fujiko literally lunged at your wrist to drag you to her room was an understatement when she saw you didn't get a room key.

Lupin didn't even get a chance to invite himself with the two of you before you made it up to her room. 

Fujiko giggled as she flung you onto the bed. “It's been too long since we had some alone time together, wouldn't you agree?” 

Needless to say, you were both stunned but excited too to finally be alone with her for once. 

“W-What did you have in mind?” You asked. 

Fujiko giggled some more before leaning closer to your face with every other word she spoke next. “Well…I was hoping you could help me choose one of my new night gowns and then-” 

*KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK* 

Lupin whined your and Fujiko's name through the door.

“Don't tell me you two are having fun without meee…” 

Fujiko groaned. “We are Lupin, such a shame…if only you found that secret stash of a hundred million yen like I asked…you could join us.” 

You chuckled. You couldn't help but admire just how much she had Lupin wrapped around her finger. 

After some bickering through the door, Lupin finally let up, and Fujiko turned all her attention back to you. 

Your face was almost as red as one of Fujiko's teddies she tried on. You eventually went for the one that had your favorite color, having a feeling that's why Fujiko bought it in the first place. 

If you were okay with it, Fujiko would definitely sprinkle your face in kisses as you two cuddled in bed. Her soft and playful touch was too much to resist otherwise.  

It depends on you, whether you guys go to the next level or not. 

If it doesn't, as much as Fujiko would like to take it there, she respects your wishes and just enjoys the intimate proximity with you as she wraps her arms around you and does what she can to snuggle closer as you two drift off to sleep. 

Inspector Koichi Zenigata

Zenigata is fumbling with the rim of his fedora as you two stare at the king bed in the middle of the hotel room.

After more than half an hour of arguing with the front desk, Zenigata wasn't able to get you two out of this mess. 

“I-I'm sorry…I can uh…take the desk chair. I'll most likely be up late anyway…”

“Don't be ridiculous, Koichi, it's fine..look at it, it could fit a family of five. Neither of us would know the other is there.” 

You put a comforting hand on the tense man's shoulder. “Besides, you need to rest. How can Interpol’s finest catch the most wanted criminals without a good night's rest, hm?” 

If you were trying to give off the fact you were calm and collected about the situation, it was working. You could almost convince the butterflies in your stomach to calm down or keep the heat in your cheeks down to a minimum. 

“I-err…” Zenigata grumbled, unsure what to say. Mentally combatting between being professional or actually taking the chance to be closer to you. 

“It's fine, I promise. If I had to share a bed with anyone, it'd be you.” You walked over to the bathroom and began your night routine as you let the Inspector think it over. 

Zenigata almost dropped his hat at that claim. His heart swelled at the fact you trusted him that much. He put you at ease despite the hectic life he lived. 

When you were both ready to make the final decision for sleeping arrangements. You went first and pulled back the covers.

You smiled softly across the way as you saw Zenigata follow your lead. 

A dust of red tinted his cheeks. “I figured you'd get upset if I didn't get some rest.”

“And you figured right…” You got settled into the bed with Zenigata close behind. 

“Good night, Koichi.” You turned over to your side and closed your eyes with sleep not far from draping over your body. 

“G-Good night…” he softly said your name at the end, before he too turned over. 

When his face was out of your sight, he was finally able to fully express how surprised he was that this was actually occurring. His teeth chattered, his fingers fumbled with the edge of the blanket. He was only able to doze off by counting the rotations of the ceiling fan…

Zenigata woke up to you mumbling his name. He was immediately alert, whipping his head around the room at what you could be drawing his attention to. 

“Koichi…” You grumbled sleepily. “You're stealing the covers..” 

“Oh!” He looked down and saw he was tangled in the sheets, and you were exposed to the cold room despite the small square of the comforter. 

Zenigata panicked. In his anxious state, he must have been tossing and turning and took most of the covers. He quickly tried to unwrap himself and give back your share of the covers. 

“Wh-Whoa!” You sat up when you heard a solid thud hit the floor. 

You looked over the edge of the bed to see Zenigata somehow more tangled than before. 

You perked an eyebrow as you giggled. “Need help?” 

“Y-yes please…” He mumbled to himself. 

So much for an easy night's rest. 

[problems-exe]

Question for Lu and Prim, how did they become friends?

Hi!! Thank you so much for the question omg, I am always so excited to talk about them, haha. I'm so happy that people are as interested in them as I am!!

Also sorry that this reply is a bit long pfftsgaha

I've hidden it under the cut!! :D

The way they became friends is a bit complicated, but essentially, Prim first came across Lu when they were around 23, and she was 20. One night, Prim had decided to go do some graffiti in a random au, sitting on top of a building. While painting, the Bad Sanses showed up to cause some chaos.

Prim had frozen, feeling conflicted on whether they should step in and do something or not. After all, they likely had more skill in fighting than anyone else in this au did. But, at the same time, they knew the Star Sanses would step in at some point. Their decision was made for them when the Star Sanses appeared whilst Prim was mid thought.

Prim decided that maybe they could stay and watch the fight. Just for a few minutes. It was dark out, and they blended well into their environment. There was no way they would be spotted, right? At this point, it had been 12 years since Prim had seen any of the Star Sanses, so you can't blame them for being atleast a little bit curious.

They were surprised to see that there was seemingly a new member of the Star Sanses, one they had never seen before. And that's where Lu comes in.

Prim was completely shocked. For multiple reasons. But mostly because it was obvious to them that this was another outcode kid. And they hadn't known that there was another one of them within this multiverse. They ended up watching the fight for longer than they had intended. They were pulled out of their shock by a large object hitting the building they were residing on, an attack from one of the Star Sanses. The building started to collapse, and this is when Killer noticed them. Calling out that they had an observer.

This got the Star Sanses attention, including Lu's, who was just as shocked to have seen Prim as Prim was to see her. Lu had heard of Prim, of course. Not much, since the Stars seemed to avoid the topic as much as possible, but she did know about them. She never got to meet them before they seemingly went missing, going to live with Reaper.

Prim disappeared before they got the chance to talk.

Prim starts to be a bit less careful when traveling aus. Traveling to ones they know could be attacked at any point, or ones that the Star Sanses had seemingly full protection of. They weren't going to admit it to themselves, but a part of them did want to see the Star Sanses again. And apart of that, was their curiosity involving Lu.

Weeks later, after the fight, they find Lu alone. Sitting on top of a building in a mostly positive au, one that Dream frequents often. One that Dream had brought them to as a kid.

The two of them talk. Despite having fairly different personalities, they get along well.

It was nice for both of them to have that solidarity of both being outcode kids.

They became, not quite friends, but acquaintances, and Lu promised to not tell Dream that she'd seen them. As long as Prim would visit. It wasn't to blackmail them. If Prim had disagreed, she'd keep their secret anyway. But she wanted to get to know them better. And this seemed like as good of an excuse as any.

And so, they made a schedule. Meeting at the same place every time and talking, eventually becoming actual genuine friends. They keep meeting eachother even after the original deal isn't needed anymore. They find that they enjoy eachother's company quite a lot, and really wouldn't mind having the other stick around.

They love eachother alot :)

Thank you so much again for the question!! I know this has a lot of exposition but I hope it answered it properly!!!

[dearweirdme]

https://www.tumblr.com/dearweirdme/746752429307183104/hi-im-someone-whos-kind-of-like-a-halfway-tkkr?source=share

the truth is that Jk is very affectionate and most members share fond looks, hugs, back rubs and praises. And so are most of us irl. We hug our parents, we cuddle with our siblings, we are affectionate and caring with our friends. And at the same time we do all that with our partners too. With the exception of mouth to mouth kissing and actual sex, all else is the same. So why are anons so confused? Don't try to find the difference in counting the actions, the answer is not there. The difference is in two places:

the energy of the action

the response of the other person

Please tell me you can't feel the difference for example in a hug between Jk and Hobi and Jk and Tae. Jk will hug Hobi in a burst of love and appreciation that screams platonic feelings. Hobi will smile and pat him and will end there. With Tae it is not the same.

In Taekook there is two people. Tae AND Jk. Why you always try to "prove" only Jk? Tae reacts to his touches and responds. He plays with his hair, his ears (the ONLY actual ear kissing we have seen between members was in that Festa), he puts his fingers inside his shirt and caresses his naked skin, he shows lust while looking at his body and lips, their stares are long and charged with sadness/emotions/love and hide silent conversations. Their relationship creates confusion in the fandom and even gp and locals. They hide most of their private trips (remember when Tae took Jk with him when he won that trip in that Japan show?), they hint to something more between them (remember the infamous bv Malta photo of jk that tae took and he has talked about how special it is to him and even made it in the life goes on mv?) and they feel like they must keep eo a secret (remember when tae came live from his bedroom and as soon as we heard jk singing from the other room he panicked and stopped the live. he came back to admit jk was there. why panic?).

Sigh. Its so obvious..

Hi anon! Jepjepjep! It is so difficult to explain (for me anyways) because we talk about differences in levels of intimacy and familiarity... and how do we show those? It's comparing best friend/sibling behavior to that of romantic partners, but all those are actually close bonds that are shown through familiarity and intimacy. Especially when we also take into account that Tae and Jk hide their romantic relationship.. it's so tough. I always think everyone who wants to try and see should just watch multiple (and by that I mean a shit ton) of footage. Because it is all there, and people are able to grasp it... but it just takes looking at a lot of footage. It takes a good understanding of BTS members and their characters in general. And it takes a good understanding of social context as well as BTS specific context.

I don't think I'm always only trying to prove Jk. I think both of them show a lot. Most people ask about Jk though, because to them (especcially this last year) it is only Tae doing the Tkkry. So if I seem to have been using more Jk proof, that's probably why (I honestly can't even remember all my posts on this at this point).

I'm fairly cautious using the words 'it's obvious'.. because I mostly think it's obvious once you've understood everything. But it is there... it's most definitely there.

[lensman-arms-race]

50, 46, 37, 28 (with Poly, I love your theory of them always bantering), 24 and 16 for TTV? Feel free to pick and choose!

Polycephaly questions:

50. A memory they’ve blocked out

I see Tabieeee's comic as canon because it makes so much sense.

If you haven't seen it, go look now; it's only 8 comic pages and has probably <30 lines of dialogue - you can spare the time. It'll chill you, break your heart, and give you such brain worms! All Skibidi fans should read it!

Read it? Okay. Therefore, going by this, Polycephaly was once a normal TV unit before being upgraded to their current form. Since Polycephaly is apparently the only large TV unit, I'm guessing it was an arduous process, because the TV faction didn't repeat it (though it could be simply that there aren't that many TVs to begin with). Poly has probably chosen to 'put away' their memories of who they once were; it's easier for them to think of themselves as having only been Polycephaly.

46. The person they most admire

TV Matriarch, because that's the only entity who can match them for banter.

They also begrudgingly admire Browncoat cam for having the audacity to run after TV Matriarch for a hug like they did. (The Matriarch does dish out hugs fairly liberally but only on their own terms.)

37. What they really think about themselves

Drawing a bit of a blank on this one, because Poly has appeared in so few episodes. I guess they think of themself as a 'no-nonsense' person who gets shit done, since that's largely true.

28. How they feel about [insert character of your choice from the same fandom]

Skibidis: "Ugly-ass bitch" :D

The Secret Agent: How is a human able to teleport?!

Titan TV questions:

24. Most annoying habit

I liked @askthesmoltitans's answer that Titan TV stims when idle, which causes issues when repairing/upgrading. I also remember seeing someone else's headcanon that their back-grabber spikes are ticklish. If both of those are true, it could be very annoying for the mechanics who have to service the spikes!

Also, when playing videos to entertain other Alliance members, they like to drop in silly captions and add sound effects, which is often funny, but can be annoying when you just want to unwind and watch something but the Titan keeps adding comedy trombone noises, Inception BWAMs, etc. You can't really ask them to stop, because they're the bloody Titan.

16. Deepest darkest secret they won’t even admit to themselves

They worry about what they'd do if they encountered a skibidi that challenged their proclamation that 'all toilets will die', i.e. if they encountered a 'good' non-hostile skibidi that doesn't 'deserve' death. (Perhaps one that remembers being a human and wants to go back.) Morally they'd be obliged to spare it, they guess, but it doesn't sit well with them to have to go back on their word. (The obvious answer is to say that a 'good' one doesn't count as a 'toilet' and therefore does not have to die. But is that the answer or is that just playing with words?)

(Original post with list of questions)

[terribletoonietuesday]

The movie is off the walls crazy but you really got to take the whole thing in. It's made really badly but it somehow is made amazingly as well. The film manages to cram in every quotes on quotes Urban stereotype into this film very quickly. However the film isn't 100% sure if it wants to be a soap opera or an action film or something else. The film mainly centers around a character called milk who is a young All-Star gangster leading a gang of thugs but his life turns around when his stepfather gets out of jail and tries to take back the streets in the town. Now I say that's the main character in main story but there are a lot of characters in here which is probably how it sets itself up to be a soap opera. What makes this kind of bad movie interesting is when half your cast can actually act fairly well and the other half can't at all. This makes the interaction with these characters really entertaining for a bad movie Hound like myself. The jumps between the room style over acting to days of our life soap opera acting right back to zero budget non-actors acting is very impressive. This could be because there's maybe just too many damn characters in this film.But it's not just the acting it's also the production. Take the very opening scene where a supposed action scene is happening with milk gang versus an opposing gang we see a very short struggle but done with intense action shots intense music and humorous gun flares added on but all that done in a good looking location and it fools you that as if this was an actual action moment when in reality they were just sort of bumping into each other and falling down. Milking his game come across this issue later on as well when they have to fight cops it's very weird that the cops seem to be in spirit of Halloween cop uniforms while the scene is paste and edited well and has again intense music but this time the camera is moving back a bit and we're just noticing that the cops are just sort of rolling around on the ground with the gang members and nothing's happening. It's the kind of scene in the movie where you imagine if the music wasn't there this would be really sad. But because the film seems to have decent direction at certain points in the film it almost seems like this is a joke. The thing is it might actually be a joke but I can't really tell. There are definitely moments where one or two characters are there for humor purposes including one who shoots a bullet after imagining he could curve the bullet like in The Matrix and then he actually does it. But the character who did it is definitely a silly character. And the person he shoots is wearing an obvious sight gag t-shirt. I really can't do that scene justice in type you really have to see it and when you see it you'll know what I mean. However beside the violent gang storyline my favorite character is milk much older brother who seems to be living a much more upper middle class lifestyle but it is ruining it by his addiction to becoming a gigolo and sort of drug addict. However the older brother is so much charismatic than most of the cast when his life starts to fall apart because of his addictions and man whoring you literally feel like he is the victim here when in fact he is no less evil than any other character in this movie. Maybe that's what this movie is trying to say that there is no good there is no bad in this world it's just the side that you choose and those that betray you should be left in the dust and those who are with you should be treated like kings and be honored all the way throughout their lives. Oh my God what the hell is wrong with me I'm only three films in this pain-athon and I'm already giving a Maverick films production a deep philosophical meaning. Trust me the movie doesn't really have that but it's waving quality from amazing to terrible lets this " trapped in the closet" amped up action soap opera movie play a few games with your head. This review is dedicated to the guys at Perfect Turd Podcast for bringing this film to my attention.

[librarycomic]

Phenomena Book One: The Golden City Of Eyes by Brian Michael Bendis and André Lima Araújo. Abrams ComicArts, 2022. 9781419761690. http://www.powells.com/book/-9781419761690?partnerid=34778&p_bt

Something happened, and now our world is a place filled with strange creatures large and small, plus anthropomorphic animals and alien beings as well as humans. It feels like technology doesn't work anymore, like it's been replaced by living (possibly magical?) vehicles that fly, a place for swords and armor and such, but that's all not quite true and the truth of the world feels both elusive and stranger. (If that sounds like an homage to the work of French artist Moebius, it is, which Araújo makes obvious at times though he also more than makes this book a unique and beautiful thing all its own.) Oh and stories are a form of currency in the book, which is a lot of fun.

After Boldon (a boy) sees the Cyper warrior Spike fight for a meal, Spike's blade is stolen by a thief, Mathilde, who escapes on a jetpack. Boldon tries to help Spike, and the pair end up setting off after blade together, toward The Golden City of Eyes, despite the fact that Spike absolutely hates Boldon's voice. Along they way they run afoul of an otherwordly, villainous posse whose members are also after Matilde, and there's a more powerful enemy or two later in the book as well.

The violence is fairly cartoony, the plot is lighthearted, and characters' banter feels genuine. If you don't know Bendis's work you should check this out, it may make you love superhero comics again -- or look for his Ultimate Spider-Man or Powers, they're also great places to start. Araújo has worked on comics for Marvel, DC, and others, and I enjoyed the series he created with Rick Remender, A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance. His art is spectacular, and never more so than when he's working in black and white like in Phenomena. This graphic novel will particularly appeal to anyone who loves Last Man or Bone, or who has gotten a little old for Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet.

[snowwhirled]

Mortimer headcanons cause I wrote them on SpaceHey and never put them here rip

[Contains cupsona related things as well as discussion of death and cult stuff and undertones of trauma. So there's a keep reading cuz idk if some ppl wanna read some of that.]

Trans and Ace.

Does not like being called Morty or anything similar unless he really likes you and gives you explicit permission. All or nothing.

Cannot go to hot places for long periods of time. Would not be caught alive in IV's desert or Inkwell Hell. Anything below around 80 farenheit is fair game.

Kismeses with Beppi and Moirails with R-XC (Cupsona - I'll go more in depth on R-XC eventually).

The snowflake form is most often used for cult and power reasons but is also a massive comfort for him if he ever has a breakdown or just isn't okay and he prefers it over his normal form cause it feels more like him. He's not very okay but is really good at hiding his own struggles. Most of the time.

Unintentionally became a false god after a mental breakdown. Before this, the snow cultists used to simply be travelers with no aim. When one strayed away from the rest, he encountered simply what it described as "BLUE STAR SCREAM FOR HELP".

Mortimer had calmed down eventually from his breakdown, and was approached by the aimless the next day asking if he too was aware of a blue star. He panicked at first but reassured them that "It was a word from a not so distant god" and then successfully managed to convince everybody to take his side which formed the cult.

He believed that if there was some god-figure, there'd need to be a way to reach him. It's where the buckets come into play. He always had a fondness for them in general and they were just also very useful. You could wear it, you could put an offering in it, it fit the vibe, the ideas were limitless. I could make a homestuck joke here but I won't.

He takes so much pride in being viewed as a powerful, great leader, but also as just a whimsical funny guy who puts a smile on your face. You comment on his silly behavior and he'll be just as ecstatic as if you called him god.

How he handles visitors to his winterlands varies depending on the circumstances at the time, and he is very observant of these circumstances in order to keep his schemes afloat. Wouldn't want word to go out over what's happening in the icy dome that breaks it all apart, would we? It's his everything. He can usually get interactions done and visitors gone without suspicion but there have been... Other times where he's needed to eliminate a few. Sometimes with the help of the cult.

Only once has he actually been trusting enough to invite a new member inside. A certain cuppa' cocoa dissatisfied with his life as a barista ;) cough cough R-XC

As much as he adores his underlings to death he's never felt bad about seeing any of them die. He's seen so much death in his life in general that he's seemingly gotten desensitized to it. Has he really though?

Jupiter and R-XC are his favorites. He adores those two so much. It was genuinely shocking to him for how attached he got to them, and so quickly too?

There's a graveyard nearby the dome where deceased members are put to rest. It's fairly big. Should anyone show up to the winterlands, that's one of the main things he hides from them (aside from obvious, like, cult stuff). Though a portion of this graveyard is people he's needed to silence.

There's also a small cabin quite high above the dome that the steps up to the 3rd phase only go around a third to. R-XC used to get his rest somewhere within the dome but when Mortimer found out about it he became really disappointed in himself for not thinking about that and let R-XC stay in the cabin in a sleeping bag.

He then learned R-XC's shoulders would hunch up and hurt his neck when he woke up from sleeping bags so now they share the bed. Great job Mr Mort.

Funny enough this is what pushed them into becoming moirails. Details are a little fuzzy at the moment but it goes something along the lines of Mortimer joking about "Haha what's next we're mutually pale for each other or smth" and R-XC was like "Wait, we weren't?" and it outed both of them. This headcanon is subject to be worked on and edited though.

Sleeps way too much. There's so many dreams to be had and so little time. Rip.

[apsupmix]

Tales of the first Tales of

Couple days ago I watched the end credits of Tales of Phantasia. Game I’ve started several times, but only now finished. I don’t blame past me or anyone else for not playing the game, it was rough at times, but ultimately there was enough good in there too. Definitely I don’t anyway regret the time I put in it. Even though I played the PS1 version, instead of the original release, I feel it was interesting to see the starting point of long running series that’s still going.

Tales of Phantasia is sadly one of those games where battles feel like they take several times longer as they should. Especially in mid-game enemies felt like they had five times as much hp as they should. Things got better later, but lot of the combat became bit tiresome. Which is sad, because I felt the core was fine, some jank, but manageable. And cumbersome combat feeds into other aspects of the game, mainly dungeons. Dungeons in Phantasia has some thought in them, there were mazes and puzzles and puzzly mazes, neat stuff. But when combat feels like chore, it makes exploring these environments a chore too. And not all the dungeons are great, I don’t think all the puzzles land properly, but I still appreciate even the attempt.

Skits are great.

Thinking back on the story of Phantasia, I like how it’s the story of the main characters, a group of young heroes who stop the evil demon-army leading warlord Dhaos. But there is also more than that, the story and world is larger than just what main characters are up to, but things game focuses on are just the parts with main characters. Biggest aspect of this is the villain Dhaos. Fairly early on character and party member Arche wonders what is Dhaos’ deal, why he does what he does. And everyone else basically goes “shut up kid, he is evil and needs to be stopped, that’s all.” Not that that’s wrong assessment of him, but it’s obvious there’s is a lot more. And some of it is learned, but not much, there is just implication that there is more to this person called Dhaos, traveller from another world than what characters and thus player learns.

I’m not Tales of expert. Haven’t played that many of them. Overall my feelings towards the series has been; they are fine. I don’t have any nostalgia for the series, nor great love of any kind, but the games are good. I generally enjoy the story, like the characters and tolerate the combat. Tales of Phantasia fits the group well. Sure bit weaker side on all aspects, but it’s the first game in the series, makes sense that things get better with time and experience.

[priestessofspiders]

Dead Man's Brains

It was such an incredible party. Genuinely, if I had to pick out the most happy and wonderful moments of my life, that Halloween party would have been one of them. That's why it hurts so much to remember it. It makes me want to break down crying whenever I think about the terrible, awful thing that happened right under our noses, and how none of us even noticed. It feels so obvious, looking back on it now. Hindsight is 20/20 I suppose.

I wouldn't say I'm a particularly unsocial person, I think I get along with people quite well once I've gotten to know them, but something about making that first step of initial contact just always seemed so difficult. I always felt incredibly awkward being introduced to strangers, and while I can mask that discomfort fairly well, it does mean that I tend to adopt a slightly stilted and formal attitude whenever I'm meeting new people.

As a consequence, and also in part due to the pandemic, much of my socializing for the past few years has been online. The awkwardness is still there of course, but it feels so much less uncomfortable when the people I am being introduced to are just text on a screen. However, this does mean that most of my friends tend to live quite far away. A handful of them do live within about an hour's drive of me, so we tend to hang out whenever possible, at least we used to before the party. Nowadays it just feels wrong.

It was on one such meetup with three friends of mine that we discussed the possibility of a throwing a big party of some sort. We all navigated the same general social circles, and we had considered for a while inviting down the myriad online friends we had acquired over the years, at least the ones we trusted. It was I who suggested we host the party on Halloween. From there the discussion swiftly turned to themes, since what kind of Halloween party wouldn't have a theme?

Jessica suggested that we host something inspired by mythology and ancient history. She had always been quite interested in legends, myths, and classical literature of all kinds, and I recall fondly our discussions of Beowulf, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. As much as I would have liked to indulge her, the others pointed out it could be somewhat of a niche topic, and so the discussion continued.

Sadie, Jessica's girlfriend, suggested something themed off of horror films. Sadie had, partially at my encouragement, been on a bit of a horror movie kick as of late, and we had all enjoyed spending time rewatching some of the old classics together. It seemed like a solid theme, and Jessica and I were almost set to agree on it, but it was then that Jake suggested his idea.

In any given queer friend group, there is typically one straight member who has been deemed "safe" by the others. Jake was that friend. We all considered him trustworthy and never really had to worry about him putting his foot in his mouth whenever the conversation veered towards a rainbow hue. I had half-expected Jake to suggest a historical theme, given his degree in military history, but instead he advised that we go for a traditional sort of Halloween party; bobbing for apples, carving pumpkins, that sort of thing.

The rest of us immediately agreed this would be the best course of action. Not only would it mean that none of the attendees would have to adjust their costumes for the occasion, but also none of us had ever actually attended such an event, and the novelty of something simultaneously nostalgic yet alien was the perfect combination. Instantly there was discussion of activities, decorations, and whether or not we should pool together our funds to get a fog machine.

Now, obviously the four of us didn't plan out the entire party in one night. We still had to figure out who we trusted well enough to give Jessica's address to (it was decided early on that her house would be the most suitable for hosting), send out invitations, and even put up a couple of online fundraisers to try and get plane tickets for some of our more distant friends. Over the months that this process took we soon found that what had started out as mere idle discussion was rapidly taking shape into what seemed would be a rather excellent celebration.

Now, each of us were to contribute some sort of activity that we would watch over and purchase the necessary supplies for. Sadie's medical background gave her the rather ghoulish idea of setting up a pumpkin carving table themed after an autopsy, which while strictly speaking wasn't traditional, fit so well with the whole aesthetic of the party that we all found it delightful. Jessica set about acquiring an old style wooden barrel for the purpose of bobbing for apples, putting her artistic skills to good use with paintings of various Halloween spooks on the sides of it. My idea was somewhat silly but still wound up being put to use. I couldn't find if the game had a real name, or if it was just called "The Mirror Game", but I'd heard it alleged that if you stared at your own face in the mirror for long enough your mind would distort the image in a rather frightful manner, so I was going to set up the bathroom with candles and a chair, the lights turned off.

Jake decided he was going to set up a game of Dead Man's Brains.

If you've ever read Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, you've probably heard of this game. You set up a series of boxes with bits of cloth loosely covering the opening, and place within each box some nasty object that feels like the body part of a dead man. Peeled grapes for eyes, a bowl of diluted ketchup for blood, a mushy tomato for the titular brain, etc. There was a sort of pseudo-poem that was supposed to go along with it, but Jake didn't really care to stick too close to the traditional version, he said he would put his own twist on it. We all thought it was a great idea, and that it fit the theme perfectly. Jake even went about making some custom boxes for the affair, each labeled with the "body part" in question, deciding that his version would consist of eyeballs, guts, heart, fingers, and of course, the titular brains.

The months until the party turned into weeks, then days, until finally it was time for the night itself. I arrived early, along with Sadie, so we could set up our activities in advance of the guests, but Jake was nowhere to be found. We texted him, but received no response, which was a bit worrying, but we tried to work around it, assuming that something had come up that was occupying his attention for a bit.

In terms of costumes, Sadie and Jessica had decided to go as Carmilla and Laura from Carmilla. We had recently watched the film Dracula's Daughter which was loosely inspired by the novella, and while the film itself was so-so, it had inspired the two of them to read the source material, which they quite enjoyed. Given Sadie's relative short stature in comparison to Jessica, it was somewhat amusing to observe a Carmilla who would need a step stool in order to successfully suck out her victim's blood.

As for me, I had chosen to dress as the witch Keziah Mason from Lovecraft's tale Dreams in the Witch House. It was a simple matter of getting some puritan-esque clothes, a ragged gray shawl, and a small toy rat with the bearded face of an action figure swapped for the head. All in all I thought the effect was rather good, though I didn't go to the effort of attempting to age myself with makeup.

Jessica's apple bobbing station and Sadie's pumpkin autopsy table were set up quickly, and I went about preparing all the necessary alterations to the bathroom. At this point, the first guests were expected to arrive, and we were all growing increasingly concerned by Jake's continued absence. We tried calling him, but were directed straight to voice mail. Of the four of us, Jake was usually the most punctual, so this was a very strange change of character. We decided we would have to start without him, not that we had much choice in the matter, as soon as we had said this, our first guests began to pour in.

Our first visitors of the evening were Ashley and Dawn, fresh from their honeymoon in British Columbia. Dawn seemed dressed like something out of a World War 2 propaganda poster, with a plaid shirt and open welding mask. Ashley's costume seemed to be a character out of some cartoon or video game which I wasn't familiar with, pink hair in a punk style with large mechanical boxing gloves of some sort. Regardless of my unfamiliarity with the subject matter, the costume did seem to be quite well made, and despite the lack of matching with regards to their costumes, the two of them made quite the cute couple.

We had only just managed to finish introductions when Sock and his boyfriend arrived next. Sock is quite the artist, with talents in more mediums than I can count, one of those people who is less a jack of all trades and more a master of all trades. It seemed he had turned his artistic skills towards papier mache most recently, as the costume he wore seemed primarily made using the technique. It was some sort of monstrous beast, all fangs, claws, and scaly skin, and though it was quite impressive I couldn't quite discern if it was meant to reference something else or if it was an original creation of Sock's. Sock's boyfriend, whose name I can never recall, simply wore a cheap mad scientist outfit, complete with goggles and long black gloves. He was a rather short, anxious gentleman, a mycologist by trade if I recall correctly, and while he did seem to enjoy himself as the evening progressed, he tended to just hover around his boyfriend nervously.

Next came Carlos and Elizabeth, the two of them sharing a ride to save money. Both had just landed after extremely long flights, Carlos from Brazil and Elizabeth from France, and it was clear from their bleary eyes and occasionally spacey looks that they were jet-lagged to Hell and back. Carlos hadn't really had time to get any sort of costume ready, so simply wore some nice tweeds and a sign hanging from his neck reading "I am a human puppet". Elizabeth meanwhile had managed to put on some clown makeup. In spite of their tiredness, the two of them seemed to perk up quite quickly, as this was the first time any of us had the opportunity to meet up in person with them, and our enthusiasm was infectious.

Second to last arrived Astra, clad in the garb of a Napoleonic soldier, and I knew even without asking that every aspect of the uniform was sure to be as accurate as possible. Within minutes of her arrival, Astra, Carlos, and Elizabeth were instantly locked in conversation regarding the intricacies of lightweight tabletop role playing game design, a topic they continued to discuss for much of the party.

Finally, after every other guest had long since made their way to the party, did Jake show up. There was a knock upon Jessica's thick wooden door, and since everyone else was otherwise occupied in conversation, I went to answer it. I found myself standing face to face with a gas-masked infantryman of the Great War, complete with Brodie helmet and a replica Webley revolver which I lent him. Next to him were a series of wooden boxes. I greeted him with a hug, which he responded with silently and stiffly. Something was wrong, but I didn't know what.

He pressed a piece of folded up paper into my hand, which I read immediately. It said, Sorry for being late. Couldn't find the card for the train. I've got a cold and I've lost my voice. I'll probably have to leave early, but I figured I should at least show up as long as I can. Would have told you earlier but my phone stopped working, I think the battery gave out.

I apologized profusely for the hardships he had experienced and ushered him into the house to the cheers of our friends, carrying the boxes he had brought for him. Each box was made of dark stained wood with an opening covered in black cloth, with a label burned above the openings stating which "body part" was contained within each one. It was really quite impressive, and I complimented Jake on his handywork, to which he simply nodded.

I helped him set up the game of Dead Man's Brains on the table we had set aside for it, and the rest of the party continued as planned, though the distinctive absence of Jake's voice was noticeable.

Everything about the party was perfect. Legitimately, I do not think I have ever had a happier occasion in my entire life. There was laughter, jokes, at some point or another Ashley and Dawn broke out some card games, Elizabeth ran a quick session of a horror TTRPG of her own design, it was a truly magical evening. The theme of the classic Halloween party didn't go unobserved either. Plenty of time was spent bobbing for apples, staring into the mirror by candlelight (though it did admittedly devolve into chanting of "Bloody Mary" rather quickly), carving pumpkins, and everyone in the party adored Jake's rendition of Dead Man's Brains. He accepted each compliment with a polite nod and a tip of his helmet.

There were five boxes, labeled "Eyes", "Guts", "Fingers", "Heart" and finally, "Brain". I've always been somewhat squeamish when it came to rotten fruit, raw meat and other such inedible foodstuffs, and what I felt in those boxes quickly triggered that latent disgust. I only managed to get to guts before I had to dip out, laughingly explaining that I would vomit if I had to undergo the whole thing. There were many jokes about me being a pussy, but I wasn't pressured into doing the rest of it.

We had already planned to make the party into a sleepover, since we didn't expect anyone to shell out the money for a hotel. As the evening wound down, out came the air mattresses and pillows. As soon as it was clear that the more active part of the evening was coming to a close, Jake quietly excused himself, handing a note to Jessica thanking her for hosting the party. We all gave our fondest fairwells to him, each of us hugging him in turn, and he left with a final wave and a cheerful salute.

We all slept soundly that night, happy from the company of friends and tired from a night of childlike, innocent fun. It was such a perfect party, and despite what I know now, I still find myself reliving that night over and over in my head, remembering how happy and content I felt.

Everything changed in the morning. I had woken up earlier than usual, nose wrinkling due to an unfamiliar stench. I got up to investigate, more intent on getting rid of it so I could go back to sleep than getting up for the day proper.

The smell came from the boxes, a rotten, sickly odor. The scent of meat just beginning to spoil. I remember mentally kicking myself for not reminding Jake to take them with him when he left. I put on a pair of rubber gloves and reached inside, trying not to gag. I started with the box labeled "Eyes".

I must have woken up the whole neighborhood with my screaming.

The police were there within 15 minutes to take our testimony. They kept asking everyone for a description of the suspect, what he looked like, and we just had to shake our heads and tell them we didn't know. That we couldn't tell who he was underneath the gas mask. Hell, we didn't even know if "he" was a he. We didn't see their face after all.

They took the eyes, the intestines, the severed fingers, the heart, and the severed head with the top of the skull neatly removed as evidence, but I imagine Jake's family were swiftly given custody of the remains shortly afterwards. It's not like forensics would be able to get any usable fingerprints off of them, given how many of us had touched them.

[preston-t-umber]

That's an awful lot of words to spend on the fact that the Democrats are a more ideologically broad coalition than the Republicans. That isn't really something that can change. It is also easier to find yourself breaking promises if you have highly ambitious affirmative policy goals, versus "cut taxes and appoint conservative judges; occasionally take a bit out of the social safety net". The that the Democrats are mistreating you by not being as close to the center as you, but also betraying the Left...that's the problem any ideologically broad political party is going to have. As an side, the Democratic party is also not responsible for the phenomenon of political messianism, does not have any kind of monopoly on the same, and is not somehow unique in disappointing people with revolutionary political goals.

Regarding the issue of bigots: saying "the Democrats talk too much about bigotry" doesn't actually mean bigotry doesn't exist, or won't be important to a political party whose most loyal voter base is black women, and whose other most consistent voter bases are largely members of various minorities. I don't know why you'd see that as some special pointed criticism of you, or really of anyone else. As far as winning goes: you need 50 percent plus 1. You put forth the proposition that Trump's obvious unworthiness means that if Democrats would just stop the speech that shows they hate (somebody), they'd destroy him in a landslide. Do you actually have an affirmative evidence for that theory?

Which specific policies are national Democrats embracing that you think shows they hate white people, or men? I gotta say, sometimes I feel excluded in lots of left-wing spaces as a white dude, but I can't think of any novel innovations from Uncle Sam that make me feel that way - and as you have pointed out in the past, a dude like me was always seen as acceptable to send into the meat grinder of war, as a more acceptable target for carceral and capital punishment; I guess next to those things like, idk, child support laws seem pretty tame.

You mention a bunch of other policies, but in a bunch of them, well, Democrats *have* either done things, or said they would. Can you blame a liberal for looking at the border security rhetoric, then seeing the GOP House choosing not to take any of the compromises on offer and thinking, "huh, they are lying, because if it was really so important they'd be willing to give Joe Biden the win". You again try to immunize yourself by saying that people like me just lie and accuse all our opponents of bigotry, but again, if party A is willing to basically concede to party B's position to get more funding to border security and party B throws a fit, then why should supporters of party A who were skeptical of party B's attitude not start wondering about the sincerity of their opponents?

I'm still just...wondering what the positive vision is here. You feel like Democrats hate white men, even though that's really some online leftists and certain academics who do; you feel like Democrats are overly apocalyptic in their language (the post chain we are commenting on has people implying they think Democrats are totalitarian for depicting a cat eating the snake on a Gadsden flag); you dislike the fact that Democrats point out that the GOP stops them (incidentally...until this reply I don't think I've really brought that subject up? It's just something you started ranting about without any connection I can see other than you being very frustrated by Democrats) - even though the entire reason to do that is so that the voters will know whose fault a thing is, since it is in fact in the voters hands; you hate Hillary Clinton for...being unsuccessful? Doing the super normal politician thing of, yes, playing inside baseball? You compare how Democrats to talk about Project 2025, an update of a plan from a fairly influential think-tank who themselves brag about getting their policies enacted in the Reagan administration...to a bunch of campaign promises from the far-left of the party?

They know they're authoritarian, and they're proud.

[inkedmyths]

Hi Ink, i played on Sunday too i was just too sleepy to write, but now i'm supposed to be working so i'm here instead :"D So uhhh lots of things happened, yea fishy activities from our villains. Would be sooo funny if their ominous leader comrade C would be the chancellor actually. i mean they are so so dedicated to bringing that guy down. :") i have a feeling though that i should know that guy (C i mean) anyway keeping an eye on him. hm i'll probably flood u with asks now bc stupid char limit

Oh this was a delight to wake up to. Congrats anon! You're in deep and there's probably no way out

Laura is indeed absolutely amazing and we all love her. Now her and Fie are unstoppable and could probably take over the world together if they felt like it. We love when girls fight it out in the middle of the night and then become besties

Ahh, yes, the enigmatic C. I won't say much regarding that one for Reasons, but your theorizing is deeply entertaining.

Same with Opera Lady AKA Vita. She's definitely weird but I am not elaborating on how, except that it's probably going to catch you by complete surprise

AND YAAAAY the final two members join the gang!! And yes Crow is great. Now you can be treated to such funny things as the fact that he can be seen dozing off in class scenes. OH and his link victories. I'm begging you his victory bits when linked with the others are so funny, esp Jusis and Millium. AND HIS COOKING please you have to have him fuck up a recipe I love his line when he does that

Ah, Millium... baby child. Spy baby child. Very interesting kiddo, since she vacillates between being Baby and being a competent spy. Her situation is... complicated, for reasons that don't start to become apparent until at least CS2 and is elaborated on in CS3. Anyways yeah now you get to play Baby Leash Holder, have fun

Legram Field Study! This one is so interesting because while Shit Goes Down on every field study, it goes down in a completely different manner and reason than all of the others. It's an outlier, representative of the other side of the plot. It's also one of those that's very interesting in hindsight.

Viscount Arseid is THE coolest guy. I mean if it wasn't already obvious from being called something like The Radiant Blademaster. Genuinely, he is one of the most powerful characters around, and this remains a fact throughout. As far as the nobility goes he's up there with the best. And yeah he's a good dad guy. We love him.

Watching you adore Laura and her dad, there's a character in the later games you are going to LOVE. She doesn't show up for a while so you'll have to wait. But if you love the big sword people, you are going to adore this one.

THE RAILWAY GUNSSS yeah you're coming up on that fast! Exciting. And yes Elliot's dad is there, which is indeed so fun, and I look forward to you meeting him

So, a bit on the bracers, since they're actually a very central group to the series as a whole. In the CS arc you get a better feel for them in the later games, as you meet other members of the guild. Those who came from the Sky and Crossbell games, though, would be more familiar with them. The protagonists of the Sky games are themselves Bracers, and the Crossbell crew works semi-in-tandem, semi-competitively with them. Each arc is fairly good at being played by themselves, but there's your fun background! They're a fun and overall very do-gooder organization. And also a veryyyy colorful bunch lol

And finally, the Chancellor. He's. Well, controversial certainly applies. Politics, child spies... once again, can't say shit, but I will say I want to study this man under a microscope.

[rindough]

Hello!! I see your request are open so dont mind if i do<3, can i request a angst headcanon. Where the reader is gojos big sister, who is a very super cool (possibly more powerful than satoru) retired special grade sorcerer and now the head of the gojo clan. Gojo love his big sister very much, basically she is one of the most important and last person he hold on too, when shibuya happen, the reader is the one who got sealed instead like "i love you satoru, quit bitching and finish this. Ill see you soon kid" and that is gojos breaking point.

if you want to changes it is super okay and if you dont feel like it its totally fine too!! Thank youuu

his reaction to witnessing you being captured

•  character(s).  gojo satoru

•  cw.  gn! reader, angst with fluff, platonic / family relationship with mr satoru, manga spoilers, bad family relationships

•  notes.  phew i have never thought of this aspect so thank u roo so much for requesting this 😭😭 it hurts me to write WAIT like it was okay and gradually it becomes painful to write because angst </3 anyways i hope u enjoyed it! thanks for requesting and waiting!!

•  master list!

—  GOJO SATORU

so we all know that in the gojo household, there’s the brother — gojo mf satoru — and that’s all

no YOU ARE WRONG BECAUSE THERE’S ANOTHER ONE, so here comes YOU

it is fairly obvious that the jujutsu world is a fucked up place, and this applies to his reason as to why he cut ties with his family

as the other family member and the older sibling, you had to endure all of these instructions given by your parents, their expectations and the guilt of all the other stuffs that you have done for the sake of your family name

this is where his issue came in, as a kid he doesn’t have a very clear and proper thinking skill, but he’d always looked up to you for being cool and also because you were always supportive and reasonable to him!!

but later as a teenager, he finally understood those nights where he would overhear you and your parents quarrel, he finally understands why you would return from your meetings with a foul mood, why you would go to training often

“don’t let people tell you otherwise ’toru,” he remembered how in awe he was when you circled the dummy with a small ‘red’ using your finger, “we have something others don’t, since we have the upper hand — we must work hard to become the strongest.”

until one day he drops the bomb to you, saying how he couldn’t bear to be in this conflicting family, which to his surprise, you supported him, thus causing the two of you to cut off your ties with them

later when you were much older alongside with him, except that you’re in your early forties, you decided to retire as a sorcerer and instead become a clan leader instead (just that your clan is feared and respected for being the strongest, but looked down for being ‘unethical’ to the higher ups)

in all honesty, satoru finds that the one that should be sitting up there on the throne for being the strongest — should be him, still with the amount of abilities that you’ve mastered while he hasn’t, he had to give his older sibling the credit butthurt satoru smh

and he LOVES to try to taint your reputation... well, just a little

“i heard y/n-san is very strong in this aspect gojo-san-”

“STRONG? HAH they could barely open a pickle jar—” satoru waves his junior off, a scoff leaving his lips as he does so

“... i would rather talk to them than you.” kento spoke coolly before leaving the lounging area

he basically loves you, satoru would go through hell just to protect you and keep you alive if possible

but someone here can be really... stubborn to admitting their respect and love SIGH

now it was october

with urgent calls and meetings, both you and his schedule became hectic, he couldn’t come back home to rest, as he would stay the night in his own dorm in the jujutsu college; on the other hand you were constantly moving around, always entering the house as late as the crack of dawn

definitely there was something up with your brother on the day you meet him face to face among the large group of sorcerers, his hands were clenched, a frown plastered on his lips and the occasional uneven breaths he’d take in

there definitely was something when you hear his quiet grunt, going along the lines of “... should be around here...” and how he would throw a soft smile at your way when you asked him what was wrong, though this didn’t stop your urge from kicking him to shut his annoying ass up

after minutes of surfing above the crowds, the two of you decided to split ways, that is to make finding the cause of this mess easier

you headed to the subway and over time, the more you searched and fought with curses, the more you began to worry. as you flicked your hands to throw curse techniques at your opponents, your mind was shifting from memories to memories 

and landing to that specific few months of him being on edge

what could it be? why would he be like that? who could it be that’s doing all of this—

“yo, y/n-san!”

you snapped at the direction of the voice, that voice belonging to the owner whom you’ve stopped hearing his name for decades

staring at the man now dressed in his monk attire, you took notice of the sewn line across his forehead, thoughts were rushing in your head and yet you remained calm

“suguru.” you muttered, lips flattening at his crooked smile. “or should i say, kenjaku?”

“hm... you are one very smart sorcerer, experienced too.” kenjaku praises, lifts a finger the moment your mouth opens to speak, “this is not what i came here for, i came here... to torture satoru.”

“don’t you dare-”

“who are you?” you refuse to turn to look at your brother given your situation, but with his broken voice, you knew deep down he was crushed upon finding this — finding him. “what the hell are you doing to his body?!”

“satoru, i want you to stop and think-”

“not- y/n!” you were at loss of words, mind trying to comprehend the situation as you helplessly stare back at your own reflection through the glassy orb of the cube

it was futile, he was fast, you were fast, but with the shock from the revival of his best friend and the cursed spirit possessing the dead body, it only delays your reactions

by the time the white-haired man puts his fingers together to prepare for attack, it was too late, the weird goo had already stretched out and engulfed you in a tight position

“y/n?”

eyes staring intently back at his best friend’s, you called out to him. “satoru, listen.”

“any last words, y/n-san?”

“no!”

“time is ticking!”

“just fucking listen to me, alright? quit bitchin’ around and get a grip!” you scolded, head turning a little just to look at your grimacing brother one last time. “i love you, satoru. finish him off... okay?”

it was like a dream — an awful dream that he couldn’t escape especially he sees how the cube had almost swallowed you whole — he hears the small screech in the back of his head growing louder and louder by the second — seeing nothing but dark goo and only a pair of soft blue eyes staring right at him

“i’ll see you soon ��� kid.”

the cube drops to the ground, his stomach churns and churns and satoru wants to throw up, his head was pulsing to each beat his heart was giving, the tiles on the floor blurred and swirled

he feels it all at once now — now that his one and only family, his hope, his motivation, his support was gone

you were gone

time is nothing in there, he learnt from your lectures; and so was he, he is nothing now he’s failed to save another loved one

satoru stares at the monk before him, his heart drops, he doesn’t care if the monk wields the face of the man he’d once cherished

the band in his head had snapped, and no one can stop his growing rage... no one can stop what he secretly plans to do to that intruder

©  2022 rindough, do not repost or plagiarize.

[cantfightmoonlight]

A sigh broke from Meena's lips as she told the man before her what she had thought to be obvious. "I don't think you're out here carrying a dagger, J.C. I do think that you made that meeting personal when you came at all of us, but I also spoke out of turn to which I apologize to you for. It was out of frustration not resentment. The back and forth was becoming heated and it felt like no matter what counterpoint was offered, there would be no seeing reason. Though, I shouldn't have said it, to which, I'm sorry. I'm typically rather good at remaining unemotional. I try not to let my humanity slip, but what can I say? You happen to be one of the few people over the past few centuries who have managed to get under my skin. My complements on your behalf. It's not an easy task. But, I do hope you will forgive me on that regard," She apologized, having no problem owning up to her mistakes when she was in the wrong.

"I'm well aware I pursued the position of Mayor, Carvalho," She stated. Her tone remaining even as she said simply, "I'm used to the criticisms and I have no problem with people thinking what they want of me. But, while I can technically resign at any time, I made a commitment. It wouldn't be fair to those who entrusted their votes to me not see it through. I chose to be their voice and am more than willing to give up mine in return. It's not a matter of that. Though, I would disagree with that being how this all started. I have no problem with the wolves defending themselves. If a wolf in an act of self defense bite to survive, I would be more than understanding. But, there is a difference between a wolf choosing to do what is necessary to protect themselves in the moment to a leader advising such. The problem is not with the wolves defending themselves. The problem, for me at least, lied with a leader advising what is essentially a death sentence for my kind. I mean let's face it, J.C., you took offense to the comment I made against you. Are you really telling me if you found out that I told all of my Clan members that its okay to drain any wolf they see dry, that it would be unreasonable to feel a certain way about that? So frankly, it doesn't matter if any wolf actually used the bite or not. Just as it doesn't matter for you that Nico was never in any danger of dying when he took vampire blood on Poppy's behalf. It's what it symbolized and, I'm not asking you to comment, so you don't need to defend Nico or speak on the Pack's behalf. I understand where your alpha was coming from. I simply believe it was phrased poorly and hope you can understand where my cause for concern arose from. Well, I didn't ask. You're entitled to your own emotions and tone. Though if others react irrationally to it, you must know that there is a reason for that. I would have just as I am calmly talking to you right now. But, in terms of feelings, all I was pointing out was how you're not the only one whose's exhausted and angry. It might not hurt to empathize with the fact that we all are, for better or worse, facing this together."

"If you have something to say about me, J.C., just say it, because in all honesty, it's fairly tiring to constantly have to reiterate the same thing over and over again. I'm fairly certain that's in part, the definition of insanity actually. But, once again and hopefully for the final time, I have no problem with what the wolves did at the Magnolia. It's not about the wolves as whole. It boiled down to leadership and, a genuine question as to whether in times of crisis, we would try to help each other or should it be every species for themselves. Either answer I was fine with. I just wanted clarity on the situation and, from our conversations, it seemed as though you were inferring the later. Now if we want to talk the Magnolia Inn, both my advisor and I had far more of a problem with the Inn nearly burning down because of someone else. An issue that we both brought up in the Council meeting, but unfortunately it seemed to become overshadowed, and, critique all you want, but I pick my battles," She explained as she moved to take a sip from the glass of wine she had ordered. "I would agree in terms of familial relationships. But, I guessed I didn't have you pegged as someone who couldn't compartmentalize. My mistake," She lifted her gaze up from her glass as she shot him a playful smirk. While, she agreed to a certain extent that outside relationships had made a number of Council deliberations more tedious, she had been intimate with a Council member in the past and that never stopped her from being able to view the Council agenda rationality. It was business. It wasn't personal. Not until, JC's reactions at the last meeting seemed to make it such. A mistake that she wouldn't make again.

"I'm sorry," Meena's brow lifted as she had to fight back the smile tugging at the corner of her lips and the look of disbelief in belief in her eyes. "Are you actually bringing up something that occurred over two years ago under a hostage situation? I'd say that's exactly what you're doing. Not only coming at it personally, but picking out any flaw you possibly can. If the only examples you can think of were during a situation of extreme duress where we were all held hostage by a terrorist years ago, might I add, doesn't that say a lot?" She countered, before clarifying, "But while we're on the subject, we were being held hostage and forced to play a twisted game where body parts were being removed if you stepped out of line, J.C. We had a timer ticking down until a number of residents, who as Mayor I am responsible for, and a number of loved ones would die. The vampire you mention, was, at the time, more than willing to break our kidnappers rules by having multiple people try to save someone at once which would have resulted in your Alpha and the Fae Queen's deaths as well a number of others. Then, despite being fully aware that any time you vetoed the game's question, those who were kidnapped would be severely tortured, he vetoed Aaliyah saving one of my Clan members. Millie was seconds away from burning alive when Aaliyah rescued her. So, yes, to save lives, I put a vampire temporarily to sleep, but it wasn't because he opposed me. It was because he wanted anarchy for the sake of anarchy. After which, he joined the Clan by the way and has become a dear friend of mine. He never resented me for it nor is he afraid of me now and, as for Bexley, once again, I have no problem with someone disagreeing with me. But, you can do so with respect and there is a time and a place for such. If She had pulled me aside or even publicly made her critique after we had saved Millie before the next riddle began, then fine. I would have accepted it. But, when a clan member is about to die, I will not stand back and tolerate someone putting another at risk so that they can bad mouth me to my face. If someone feels threatened by that so be it, as long as everyone stayed alive. That was the main priority. Not some reputation or potentially hurt feelings. Though I could argue that making tough calls is part of being a leader and, while you may understand, why others critique them, it doesn't mean that you have any control over the narrative."

"I'm not living in a goddamn vacuum, nor do I appreciate the implication of such. You have insulted me to my face multiple times now, I hope you know. My tolerance happens to only be so high and I will get up and walk away if you continue to do so, just as an FYI. I am well aware of how my actions can and are perceived. I'm not nor have I denied that fact. I have no problem with being viewed as threatening. People can think what they want and I am cold and distant. But, not acknowledge that there is a double standard present, would be to turn a blind eye to an elephant in the room. Poppy nearly set the Inn on fire. She attacked me and a handful of others just a few weeks ago. You want to ask some of the people Poppy targeted under the spell how they feel? You're looking at one of them. She's threatened a number of individuals recently including myself and, yet, I'm the threatening one? You may be one of the more vocal critics, but you don't regard us equally. No one does and I've even stopped myself. She's not taken as seriously as she should be and I'm held to such a serious regard that I continue to be scrutinized for a few fleeting sentences that left my mouth years prior when I haven't threatened anyone since, besides you for which I have apologized for. So three threats in the span of a hundred years compared to multiple threats over the span of a few weeks. What do you call that if not a double-standard?"

"I never said it wasn't. But, just because you have power, doesn't make you instantly corrupt and, choosing to use money you earned fairly, is not a bribe. I'd never sit here and declare myself a good person. I'm far from one. But I am upfront and will correct slander. Though, please, if the worst people have say about you is that you're the jackass who got kicked out of a Council meeting, you should color yourself lucky. Though," She leaned forwards, propping her elbows up on the table as she rested in her chin in the palm of her hands. A genuine laugh escaping her lips as she tried to imagine what sort of twisted image of herself had he concocted up in that pretty little head of his to form such a ridiculous notion. "Whatever gave you the impression that my concerns lie with something so trivial as being liked?"

Sinking into the chair, JC placed his hands on the tabletop but made no effort to really prepare himself to eat, although that was more from a lack of grace than a deliberate attempt to not participate. He cocked his head to one side. “I was talking about the dagger everyone seems to think I have now.” He sniffed. “You're the one who said it, Meena. You said that me hypothetically transitioning back into the Alpha would be an act of war. Come on. That was directed at me personally, so if it’s not resentment, it’s something.” He answered with a spike in his voice, but JC did not give up any ground. A breath rolled through him, however, and when he spoke up again, it was more even. “Me and the wolves have been on the streets for every single catastrophe this town has had. Pick one."

He maintained eye contact with her, allowing the other to have her say, his own features unmoving. “As I said, the wolves, me included, have returned that favor time after time. And look, I can appreciate that living under a magnifying glass sucks. Sure. But you’re in an elected position. Mayor is one you pursued. It’s a job. And politics come with helluva lot of criticism and bullshit in general. But you know that. You don’t need me to say it. And it’s a hat you can take off right now if you don’t want to wear it.” He sighed, rolling his shoulders. “And again, Meena, everyone in that meeting had a very big problem with the wolves defending themselves. That’s how all this started. With a suggestion that the wolves bite. Which, when we're transformed, is our only means of defense. And not one of us actually used it. Whereas, other people did actually get hurt. And bad.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Whether you asked me to or not, I’m not going to apologize for my emotion. Or my tone. As if anyone would have heard me if I raised my concerns calmly through official paperwork. But, yeah, maybe that would have been easier on everyone's feelings."

JC raised an eyebrow. “Ah, but it does seems like lots of people are capable of speaking on what the wolves did or did not do at the Magnolia.” He shook his head. “I’m not suggesting anyone in the Council is using intimacy against each other, but I do think it’s more than clear that outside relationships are making our work more difficult every day. Mostly familial ones, but hey, I digress."

Placing his hands on the table, JC did not budge. “Do I think you have any say in how people view you, Meena? Didn’t you, like, publicly snap a vampire’s neck? Didn’t you threaten to teach a witch a ‘lesson’ in the same breath? Things like that might play a role. Look, people think I'm coming at them personally, and maybe I am. But sometimes it's like I'm the only person on that Council not living in a goddamn vacuum. I said things that are going to affect how people see me. But I can admit I said them.” His nostrils flared.

“No, I’m not afraid of you. I’m not afraid of anyone in those meetings. And you know what? I at least give you kudos for having a goddamn backbone, which is more than some of them can say. But no, that isn’t what makes me think you threaten others. The threatening does that just fine on its own. And that isn’t what makes me say the clan thinks it runs this town. It’s stuff like you throwing your weight around and declaring that certain pack transitions are not allowed under your watch.” He grit his teeth.

“I don’t know, Meena. Why don’t we ask some of the people Poppy targeted under the spell how they feel about her? I’ve been one of the most vocal critics of the Supreme. I think she’s dangerously erratic. I think she’s reckless. I think she throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way. And sure, if she could focus on anything but herself for more than a few minutes at a time, maybe we would all cower. But just right now when I brought up the fire that was set, we can’t talk about it. So, what do you propose be done about Poppy’s behavior then? I probably can't get Nico onboard, but hey, my mouthy ass may as well make a few more enemies, so why not? Count me in on the motion."

He laughed now, an exasperated noise, leaning back in the chair. "Money is power. It just is." JC closed his eyes, holding them tight for a long moment. "There's no winners here, Meena. Really, every single one of us has made sure of that. You think there's winning for me? I'm forever going to be the jackass who got kicked out of the Council meeting for something as stupid as decorum. Screw decorum. People feel some type of way about the both us. But we both have other things to be that are so much more important than liked, don't we?"

[lubdubsworld]

Blackberry Winters.

PART 1 🌸 PART 2

Namjoon Werewolf Au!! 

Pack Head Alpha Namjoon and mate OC!

Arranged marriage sort of?

Pack dynamics / strangers to lovers. 

Part 3

“You did not think to tell him no? To demand that you had every right to stay there?” Her mother in law looked disappointed ,  eyes trained on her as Jiah carefully pulled the blouse of the tunic down over her tummy, frowning when she realized that it didn’t do a thing for her figure.

She felt self conscious, the grey cotton of the tunic making her feel drab and lifeless. Why did she always choose clothes in colors like this? Why did none of them fit her right? Why did she never make an effort to look at least a little good. Her hair was limp, a mousy brown and while it was thick, it had no luster… Why didn’t she use one of the hundred powdered mixtures the village healer liked to give the younger women?

“Jiah, are you listening to me?” Namjoon’s mother said sharply and Jiah jumped a bit, guilty.

“I didn’t want to be a bother..”  She said nervously, not sure how to handle her mother in law. On the one hand she seemed to be understanding of her many hang ups, but she also looked impatient and upset, anytime Jiah failed to stand up for herself.

Lady Kim drew herself up to her impressive height and Jiah cowered. She’d hung around enough pack bonfires to recognize that stance and that gaze. The woman was about to give her a piece of her mind.

Sure enough, her voice thundered when she addressed her.

“If you keep viewing yourself as a bother, I’m not sure how others will begin seeing you as anything else. You’re the head alpha’s mate. Your place is by his side, helping him with the crown on his head. It’s not a choice. Your duties are not mine and I am tired of doing them for you.” She snapped.

It stung. Guilt churned and Jiah could feel the beginnings of one of her episodes. The ones that always left her shaking and breathless. Much to her surprise, Lady Kim’s gaze softened at that and the next second she was being drawn into a warm embrace.

“Good lord child, why are you so terrified? Has my family not been kind enough to take away this stark terror out of your veins?” She sighed deeply. “You must not let your fears dictate your life. I want you to live your life, pleasing the person you’re bound to .”

Jiah felt her shoulders sag. Please the person she was bound to.  Of course. Namjoon. It all came down to the alpha wolf. And how was she supposed to please him, if he couldn’t bear to be in the same room as her?

“Yourself.” Lady Kim’s voice, laced with amusement made her jump.

Jiah frowned, pulling back to look at the older woman in confusion.

“You’re bound only to yourself , Jiah. You need to please yourself. To do and be the person you want to be. And then everything else will fall into place.”

Jiah watched as the woman went back to the door, calling for and directing a few more workers as they finished setting up the outer courtyard of her living quarters. Still a little chilled, she grabbed a thick coat from the small cupboard by the door, draping it over herself and tying it together with the sash. She moved quickly to the door, watching her mother in law talk to the workers, looking them straight in the eye , firm and clear in her instructions.

It was fascinating.

Lady Kim’s stance fairly vibrated with power and her voice brooked no disobedience. People looked at her and listened. They saw someone who knew what she was talking about and many a time, Jiah had felt it herself, the comfort of someone reliable. Someone who wished no ill on anyone.

Namjoon’s mother had lost her husband at a young age. Namjoon had scarcely been a babe of two when it had happened and the entire pack had expected the young wolf to lose his birthright as the heir. It was unheard of for a mate to take over the head alpha’s duties but Lady Kim had risen to the occasion with an elegance that had stunned everyone. The woman had met pack leaders and settled disputes, had negotiated boundary conflicts and made elaborate plans for new buildings , all while carrying around a babe that was still fed at her breast.

What was more, she had defended her position against the men who had wanted to usurp it. Mnhyuk and Jaejoon were two of her husband’s cousins, eager to sink their fangs into the woman to mate her, just to be able to get their hands on the pack. They were terrible men , even worse wolves. Their ideas on how the pack ought to be run dripping with archaic ideals and oppression of women.

But Lady Kim had humiliated them, told the whole pack in no uncertain terms that the next pack alpha would be Kim Namjoon. Her son would be raised to rule the pack with kindness and understanding and she would make sure of it.

The tales were told with hushed tones of disbelief and admiration and Jiah had listened to them with hunger and aching. Had felt such a huge surge of affection for the matron , had wanted to hug her and tell her she had done a great job.

And standing here as her daughter in law, she realized that she would be a fool not to listen to her. Not to learn from her. Especially when it was obvious that in the entire pack, the only one who didn’t seem to hold Kim Namjoon on a pedestal, was ironically his own mother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“ They’re going to challenge you again. I can feel it.” Taehyung said gruffly, dropping the bundle of scrolls on the table and Namjoon flinched, head throbbing.

“That bad?” He asked hesitantly and Taehyung nodded.

“They want you to re-negotiate that treaty about courtesans owning property. Think it would make them quit the profession… if you let them own stuff” Seokjin said quietly and Namjoon bristled.

“They are no different from any of us. They work for their pay too. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to do what they wish with money that they’ve earned?” He demanded angrily.

“You’re a good man Namjoon. A fair one. And you’re striving to build a pack that treats all it members as equals . Obviously people who thrive on abusing their power aren’t going to like that. Especially Minhyuk and Jaejoon’s pups. Those two are terrible.”

“You should accept their challenge and just rip their throats out someday.” Taehyung said firmly AND Namjoon gave him a glare.

“I’m not going to shed blood without cause, Taehyung. Don’t suggest that. Even in passing.” He said firmly and the younger beta bowed politely in apology.

“Where is Jiah?” Seokjin asked casually.

Namjoon glanced at him, brows raised.

“Since when are you so familiar with my mate, hyung?”

Seokjin rolled his eyes.

“She used to come sit with me, when I watched over the herds on the outer pastures. Sweet little thing really. Very funny too.”

That made Namjoon pause.

“Funny?” He asked, completely confused.

“Witty. She would make these clever little riddles and jokes that would always leave me in stitches. We made a game of it. I would give her one of my funny jokes and she would give me a riddle. Is she feeling better now?”

Namjoon who was still kind of struck dumb by the idea of his cowering, reticent mate doing something as…. Normal and friendly as laughing and being witty….. could only stare at Seokjin in confusion.

“I…. Yes. She’s well. We’re expecting a pup.” He said softly.

Both Taehyung and Seokjin went still.

“What?!!! Why didn’t you say that first?!!” Taehyung exclaimed, offended.

“It’s not that important…” Namjoon waved it off, reaching for the scrolls , “ what about the treaties, then? You did tell Jungkook we aren’t changing anything right?”  

Seokjin scoffed.

“ Only you would say that these treaties are more important than your own pup.” He snapped.

Namjoon sighed a bit at that.

“I don’t mean that. I’m just saying, what she needs now is to rest and take care of herself and the baby. I’m not what she needs . I’ve arranged for her to stay in some private quarters with the other women.”

Seokjin sighed deeply. After years of being one of Namjoon’s trusted friends, he could feel his heart ache for the younger and all that he hid from the people around him. He reached out and gently placed a palm on Namjoon’s shoulder.

“ Namjoon, you don’t have to do all of this by yourself. Tae and I , we can take over duties a couple of days a week… You can relax… Maybe spend some time with your new wife….”

“She hates me.” Namjoon said softly. “ I spent a whole month trying to talk to her, all she did was tremble and shake. Even when we…” Namjoon exhaled sharply, “ Even in bed , she made me feel like I was some kind of…. Predator.”

Taehyung bit his lips, looking worried.

“You’re not… You’re not going to break the bond are you?” He asked nervously.

Namjoon sighed.

“I’m not. I may have considered it, before . But now… She’s with pup. I can’t do that to her. I don’t want to either.”

“Why did you pick her?”

Namjoon stayed quiet.

“Because you wanted a wife who wouldn’t ask or demand or complain.” Taehyung said distastefully.

“That’s not… You make it sound so terrible. I’m supposed to be taking over pack duties, supposed to renegotiate every single treaty we’ve drawn in the past twenty years, not to mention get the entire pack ready for the winter…. Of course I wanted a wife who would adjust. Have you seen the omegas in our clan? The ones I could court ? They want to leave on trips… They want to visit the neighbouring packs…. They want me to arrange festivities and feasts for every damn thing…. You think I can marry someone like that??” Namjoon snapped angrily. “none of them understand a damn thing about helping me out. They’re shallow and vain. Jiah… I chose her because she didn’t seem like one of them. She seemed like she could understand what it means to be my wife. But I was wrong. I thought she understood my responsibilities and was giving me my space…. Turns out she just thinks I’m some kind of monster she needs to run and hide from.”

Seokjin reached out, patting his back soothingly.

“Namjoon I understand… It’s been hard on you, and you’ve been doing all of it by yourself. Its bound to take a toll. And that’s why I think you should take a few days off, a week. Give us all the instructions. We’ll carry it all out. You can relax.”

“That’s exactly what my uncles want. For me to slack off. They’ll summon the council and want to challenge me again. I can’t afford it. “ Namjoon shook his head.” Not until the babe is born and my position as pack alpha is solidified. I can’t let them use this against me.”

Seokjin and Taehyung exchanged looks.

“Joon-ah….”

Namjoon gave both of them a tired smile.

“I’ll be fine hyung. It’s going to be okay.”  He said reassuringly. “ The council’s meeting tomorrow right? I’ll try to go over these tonight.”

“Its already past sundown.” Taehyung said worriedly.

“Then I better ask the maids to keep enough oil for the lamp to last.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What are you doing here?” Namjoon blinked, staring at her like she was out of her mind and Jiah flinched. Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. But the sight of him made something curl in the pit of her stomach. He looked exhausted. Like he had been up all night. She wondered if perhaps she ought to retreat. Go back to the private quarters he’d arranged for her.

No. No , you will not chicken out of this.

“ You have a council meeting, this evening. Could I come with you?.” She said softly, watching his face carefully. She tried to read his emotions, tried to look for traces of irritation or anger but all she found was a sort of hopeless resignment. Like he had stopped trying to fight whatever was bringing him down.

“Come with me….?? ” Namjoon stared at her like he wasn’t quite sure what she was talking about.

She inhaled sharply.

“Your mother told me I could go. As your mate, I’m allowed to sit in on council meetings. She told me it’s a new provision. That you were the one who had it written in. So perhaps, you should… let me come with you.”

“My mother-“ He paused, sighing. “ You don’t have to do everything my mother asks you to.”

She blinked, the words throwing her off. The truth was, she had been the one, tailing the older woman all day, trying to see what she did and how she did it. Lady Kim had merely offered to help her do her duties. She had mentioned in passing, that for centuries , mates hadn’t been granted many rights of their own. Namjoon had spent the past couple of years making a lot of amendments to pack laws and the council hadn’t taken to kindly to all of them.

“ Of course. I just thought that, as I am your mate , perhaps I should accompany you. ” It was a miracle, the way her voice came out, steady . Not at all betraying the nervousness coursing through her veins.

“Jiah…. I’m not sure.” His voice dripped with hesitation and she flinched. Oh, well, no one could blame her for not trying.

“If you don’t want me there, that’s fine.” She said quickly.” I’ll go…”

She turned around, feeling her face burn red as she quickly descended the stairs to the courtyard.

“Jiah wait!!” His voice made her still.

She turned around swiftly.

“I didn’t mean to imply that I did not want you there. I just….Council meetings aren’t short. They tend to go on for hours. Will you be alright?” He asked gently, gaze dropping surreptitiously to her middle.  

It took her a minute to understand what he was even talking about.

“I… Oh.” She quickly pressed her palms to her stomach, confused. “ I mean… I may have to be excused a couple of times to relieve myself. I’ve been doing that way more often than usual.” She laughed.

Namjoon’s lips quirked in a hint of a smile and she flushed. Surely, her stern mate didn’t want to hear about her body functions? What was she even doing…

“But, yes. I wouldn’t mind sitting with you. Truly.” She said quickly.

Namjoon nodded.

“Well, then. You can come with me. It’s an hour before sundown… I’ll come fetch you myself.”

“Yes , alpha.” She said brightly, curtsying lightly and immediately feeling like a fool.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“They’re called red feathers …” The healer, a middle aged woman called Selma,  opened a small earthenware jar to show her the contents. Jiah peered into the jar, catching sight of a bundle of dried flowers and roots.

“These can help me…?” She asked dubiously and Selma gave a quiet chuckle.

“They help you sleep better and also help you relax. They’re good for you. You won’t feel this anxious if you take them regularly.” She said calmly.

“Oh… alright.” Jiah nodded, glancing carefully at her mother in law who was standing elsewhere, looking through an assortment of salves and tinctures. “ Can I…. is this safe for Namjoon?”

Lady Kim stilled, turning around to glance at her sharply and Jiah stiffened. God, her impulsive mouth. She wasn’t even sure why she said it. Just the whole , helps sleep better , had immediately reminded her of how tired Namjoon had looked.

“I’ve already tried to get him to drink some of it. He refuses.” Lady Kim said tiredly. “ He feels that it may affect his mental faculties”

“Auntie Selma?” A high, soft voice rang through the hut and Jiah glanced up. She went still, catching sight of Jisoo, dressed in red velvet and all of her ornate jewelry.

“Ah… Jisoo…you’re back.” Selma said cheerfully. “ How can I help you child?”

Jisoo stared at her, eyes steady and unreadable.

“I need some wild carrot seeds and ginger roots.” She said softly and Lady Kim scoffed.

“I hope the man you’re taking into your bed is not who I think it is , Jisoo.” She growled. The younger woman merely bowed.

“I’m but a courtesan, my lady. I go where I am asked to.” She said softly.

Lady Kim sighed.

“Then perhaps you should go back home. Now.” She said sharply and jisoo flushed and ugly red.

“Your son wants me to visit him for tea , this evening. I was hoping to meet my lovely lady there…but I hear you no longer stay in his hut.” Jisoo turned to her, tone dripping with acid and Jiah swallowed nervously.

“I… I’m…” She couldn’t quite talk, much less think of something to say.

“Because she is with child.” Lady Kim said sharply, a hint of triumph in her tone. “ Namjoon’s child.”

Jisoo had gone paper white, her face pale and bloodless.

“What?” She whispered.

“It’s true. She carries my son’s heir. You know what that means, Jisoo. It means they are bound, for life. I like you. I respect your courage and admire your talents. You are beautiful and you deserve a mate of your own. Do not pursue my son.” Lady Kim said firmly.

Jisoo didn’t respond for a few seconds.  

And then she bowed again .

“Like I said, my lady. I only go where I am called.” She said quietly.

She turned on her heels, stalking away and Jiah could only stare after her, heart pounding a bit at what had just happened. She wasn’t sure why she felt so much disquiet. She’d never had high hopes of fidelity from Namjoon. The entire village knew that Jisoo had been his paramour. But now that she had seen how dismissive the younger girl was of her, she felt the unaccountable urge to fight back. To stake her claim.

“You look pretty upset. Don’t let her bother you. Namjoon will not break his vows.” Lady Kim said quietly and Jiah gave her a soft smile, although her heart still raced. She remembered how pretty the girl had looked in all her brocades and velvets. She stared down at her own murky yellow dress. She couldn’t go to the council meeting, dressed worse than a courtesan. Couldn’t embarrass Namjoon like that.

“ My Lady….” She turned to her mother in law. The older woman hummed, returning to examining the shelves.

“What is it, child?”

“Can we stop at the seamstress’ hut on our way back?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whatever Namjoon had been expecting, as he knocked on his wife’s private quarters, it hadn’t been this.

He stared , or to be more accurate, gaped at his wife, completely thrown by her appearance.

She looked…. Cheerful.

That was the only word he could think of, taking in the warm yellow and green fabric of her gown, all with an abundance of ribbons and lace. She had also clearly made some effort to tame her hair.

Not a very successfully attempt, considering the dozen strands sticking out of her bun and curling over her bare neck and shoulders …..but an attempt nonetheless.

Which reminded him.

Why was her neck bare?

“I…. have you forgotten… part of your dress…?” He asked awkwardly, gaze trained on the pale, blemish less expanse of skin in front of him. Too much of it was on display he felt.

“Oh?” Jiah twirled about for a second, glancing at herself. “ Not at all, my alpha. This is how it is.”

Namjoon blinked.

“Right… the night is getting colder. Perhaps a shawl?” He suggested tactfully.

Jiah frowned, sticking a hand out of the door as though to the gauge the night air.

“Really? Feels quite warm to me.” She said thoughtfully.  

“It may be cold for the baby.” He said quickly and that made her pause. She glanced back down at her tummy and he wondered what she expected to see, every time she did that.

“Perhaps you’re right alpha….let me be back.” She floated back into the hut and he sighed in relief when she reappeared with a white fleece shawl over her shoulders.

“Shall we go ?” She asked quietly and he hesitated before slowly offering her his arm. She gripped it lightly, and they began the short walk to the main village square where the council usually convened.

“You… You’re better adjusted to this place now?” He asked carefully, trying to find the girl he had taken to his bed. The terrified, nervous , trembling young girl.

Jiah didn’t respond at once.

“I… I’ve been drinking some of Selma’s potions. They help.” She said quietly and he frowned.

“Potions? Potions for what?”

“They help with my nerves. I get scared easily…imagine things ….” She trailed off nervously.” I’m very anxious by nature and it gets worse in a new place. With new people.”

Namjoon considered that carefully. That made sense. Perhaps, that was why she had been so odd.

“The potions help?” He asked carefully and she nodded.

“Yes…that and your mother.”

“My mother?”

“She’s very kind to me.”

Namjoon laughed a bit at that. In all the years he has had people talking to him about his mother, the word ‘kind ‘ had never come up.

“ I’m being honest….she has helped me adapt to this place. To see how things are run. I… I don’t want to be a bother. I want to pull my weight. In the pack. To help in any way I can…”

Namjoon felt a sudden unaccountable fondness bloom in his chest at the innocent words.

“ That’s very virtuous of you.” He said seriously and she flushed.

They didn’t say anything else, continuing the rest of the path in companionable silence Namjoon spotted the seven council members gathered around a blazing fire and lightly stepped closer to her.

“You can stay close to me. You don’t have to answer them.  If they try to draw you into any controversial topic, just ignore them. I’ll handle it.” He said quickly.

Jiah gave him a wide eyed, nervous look but nodded quickly, fingers moving from his forearm to his palm , linking with his own and gripping tight.

“I’m here. You’re not alone.” She said quickly and it was ridiculous, how the words actually helped him relax just a little.

Taking a deep breath, he led her on to the meeting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note : i thinks its about time i accepted that this is a full blown fic and not just a drabble. fuck my life. 

Note : Red feathers are actually herbal medicines used as anti depressants. So this is just werewolf au equivalent of therapy.