#although i experimented with it and now I think I have a specialty

[killerpancakeburger]

Jealousy headcanons

🧼 & 💀

I also have scenarios partially based on those hcs incoming ☆

Tags: Price'sAssistant!Reader, fluff, protectiveness, possessiveness (but wholesome).

SOAP:

Was actually working on asking you out. Needs it to be perfect. Getting maniac about it.

Outraged when another guy makes a move first. Especially one that mediocre. Although if he was honest, he doesn't think a single dude on base is worthy of you. Yes even himself

So petty. Will hold a grudge forever. You'll have all but forgotten about it, but not him. Oh no. He mentally branded his rival for life. Dude is in his sights. He won't do anything that would put the other's life at risk, but make his life suck? Easy peasy. Will back down when the other back down. ...For now.

Will switch your jacket with his. Yes it's childish, so what? Only when Gaz mentions that if you two are dating in secret, you’re not being very discreet, and once you’re done choking on your drink, you learn that there's MACTAVISH written in big bold letters on your back. (Didnt notice cos you have the same type of jacket as em in the same size since they didnt have one in your own)

Very vocal and agitated about his distaste and resentment. Rants with hand gestures, forever if you don't stop him. Accent and slang getting more and more scottish as he goes.

“Ain't you all sunshines and rainbows today!” you tease him, a bit overwhelmed by his fervor, and by how personally he's taking this. You assume it's a TF141 thing - they've always been protective of you since you're the civilian of the team and the least experimented, even acting as buffer between you and other soldiers. You’re their assistant, their teammate, and no one else's.

Unbeknown to you, your wannabe suitor had boasted about the move he made on you to other soldiers. To make himself look good, and to get some kind of reassurance. The minute Soap heard mention of your name, he couldn’t help but join the group to listen in.

Galvanized by the feedbacks of his mates, the guy gets bolder in his remarks. Johnny will never report to you what he heard - it would only hurt you. When he calls out to the man, the private still doesn't realize his mistake. He replies to the sergeant with enthusiasm, thinking he's here to join the locker talk.

To think that guy dared to think Soap was on his side - would sympathize -, simply because of some implicit bro code. He was boiling until now, but that was what made him snap.

Before he could even think about it, he already had knocked the private on his ass with one punch. The altercation was broken up before he could do more.

He's itching for a fight, but he'll settle for a punching bag. Unless the guy intimidated you, or made you uncomfortable in any way. Then he's already leaving the room after you’re done telling him about it, and if you stop him, he tries to convince you it's for the best. Letting him deal his own brand of justice. It's kind of his specialty, after all.

Either you give in, and you two talk again afterwards, or you resist, despite his arguments turning into supplications. In both cases you end up asking the one burning question: "Why does this bother you so much?"

He suddenly looks like a child caught red-handed with his hand in the cookie jar. Avoiding your gaze. Grumbling to himself. You have to insist for him to make his speech audible again. Replies with another question. "Why wouldn’t it?"

You sigh, cross your arms. "You know what I mean. I never saw you so fired up over something that wasn’t work-related." You eventually manage to extract a confession from him.

"He... he's not your type." More grumbling. You raise your eyebrows in disbelief, before a smirk stretches your lips. "Oh? And what is my type, Sergeant?"

He looks almost pained for a second, and you feel guilty, even though you don't know what for. Then his expression changes, to one that reminds you of a condemned man in front of the gallows - a blend of resignation and resolve. He wraps his arms around you and hides his face in the crook of your neck. "Don't tease me, Bonnie." Before you can comfort him, moved but still confused, he adds: "Or I won't be able to hold back anymore."

You try to remove from his spot, but his embrace prevents you from backing down and his head doesn't budge. "Johnny... look at me. Tell me what's wrong. Let me help. Please?"

He finally meets your gaze, forehead almost touching yours. He looks more vulnerable than you've ever seen. "Go out with me?" Before you can answer, he adds: "I'll be so, so good to ye, swear it. Hell, ye've got me wrapped 'round yer finger already."

GHOST:

In denial about his feelings for you. Doesn't stop him from feeling super possessive though.

Two words: starring problem. Whether it's menacingly at the other guy, or at you, to make his disapproval known, just in case the absurd idea to accept his advances happened to cross your mind.

You're way too good for that bloke who doesn't even have the balls to face you himself (he left a note on your desk). Who the bloody hell does he think he is?

If the guy happened to scare you or coerce you in any way, he's done for. Gone. You'll never know what Ghost did, but you never saw the dude again. And when you ask around, no one seems to understand who you’re refering to...

If he's not starring at you from afar, he's with you, magically appearing at random times of the day.

When you ask him for explainations about his behaviour, he grumbles that he knows about the private's confession, and how that bloody wanker is obviously beneath you, and that you could find so much better.

You never planned to accept the other guy's advances anyway, but you’re terribly intrigued by Ghost's unusual behavior. He brags about his own skill here and there, but doesn't waste time ranting about others' lack thereof.

"I don't know about 'much better'", you argue, only half-serious. The men who've approached you can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and none of them was... adequate. But you don't really want to talk about it with your tall and dark lieutenant, a man that manages to intimate you as much as he charms you.

The sentence barely left your lips that the creaking of his chair makes you look up, and you can read something akin to "you can’t be serious" in his eyes before he stops in front of your desk. "Simon?" you call out, confused, but instead of answering, he cradles your face with one hand, the other lifting his mask halfway.

"Bite me if you don't want this" is the only warning you get before his mouth meets yours. You keep your teeth to yourself. He overwhelms you completely with just one kiss. When he releases you, you need a moment to pull yourself together.

"How's that for much better?"

[fishermanshook]

LOVING YOU IS ALL I NEED!

( batter , first officer & forward relationship h/c's ) + gn!reader

# think of this as a pt. 2 to this fic , grammar and spelling warning

INTRO

How these men show their undying love for their one and only—you.

꒰wc꒱ 1.1k

✦— THE BATTER

Ganji Gupta didn’t dare dream of the day he’d find his one and only, his true love, someone to grow old and tired with until his heart gave out on itself. Unfortunately, his newfound situation halted any progress he could’ve made.

That was until you arrived at the manor with a letter to hell in your hands. That was until he got to know you better. That was until you shared your first kiss on New Year’s Eve. Ever since then, he’s been completely and utterly yours.

Ganji Gupta is the type of man to show his love and devotion to you through meaningful Acts of Service. There’s little to nothing the Batter wouldn’t do for you. He isn’t above taking hits for you in matches when needed, and he will use his last ball to save you from getting sent back to the manor.

Ganji Gupta who, as much as he loves being on his own, gets a bit lonely at times. Therefore, he loves nothing more than to spend some Quality Time with you. He prefers long walks around the perimeter of the manor and also enjoys getting to rest his head in your lap as the two of you lounge about.

Ganji Gupta teaches you the recipes passed down to him by his Mother. It makes for a great way to spend time together whilst making sure he doesn’t forget them in the process. Cooking with you brings back bittersweet memories and reminds him of his Mother all too much.

Ganji Gupta frequently wakes up from relentless night terrors. He’s heard of other Survivors describing their own experiences with them but didn’t think it would happen to him. Now he finds himself waking up in a cold sweat and alone in bed with nobody to calm him down. This leads to him sleeping in your dorm room more often than not in a way to help combat these nightmares. Hopefully, he can get some rest tonight thanks to your help.

✦— FIRST OFFICER

Who doesn’t know the brave young man Jose Baden? The Sea Knight who wields a pocket watch said to have been blessed by Posiden himself, the artifact that always ensures smooth sailing? The First Officer is punctual, humble, and always knows what he wants. He just didn’t expect it to be you.

Nonetheless, the heart can guide a man better than any map can. He may indeed have fallen for you first, but you undeniably fell harder. Although, who wouldn’t with the way he constantly sweeps you off your feet?

Jose Baden is always true to his words when it comes to you, and therefore showers you with Words of Affirmation. It makes communication between the two of you much easier when there’s nothing to hide. And there are only so many words to describe his love for you, so we’ll have to start from the top and work our way down.

Jose Baden, who cannot keep his hands off you. No matter where the two of you are. Physical Affection is this man's specialty and has been embedded into his DNA. It's the simple things like his pinky finger being entwined with yours or his arm around your shoulder, holding you close.

Jose Baden isn’t afraid to show his love for you in front of others and would never shy away from it. It’s truly a gift to be head over heels, so why hide it? Why not show off what he’s got and everything that’s so precious about ‘em?

Jose Baden who can’t help but take a hit for you in games. He doesn’t ever want to see your blood spilled, and would rather have his coat on the map instead. He’s ready to face the stern talking you’ll give him after the match, but you’ll patch him up anyway.

Jose Baden doesn't like admitting the fact that he misses the sea badly. The things Jose would do just for an evening back on the ocean are wild and many. The closest thing he's got is Lakeside Village, but even the calming waves that brush upon the shore can't heal the pain in his heart. The Officer will admit his feelings to you in an act of desperation and comfort. And comfort he receives from you. From cuddling and listening to him rant about the ocean for the 100th time to peppering his face with soft kisses that seemingly never stop.

✦— FORWARD

Said to have been the creator of Rugby himself, you always want William Ellis on your team. He successfully lifts the spirits of all his teammates while headbutting into the Hunter just before they use excitement. It's the thought that counts, right?

To have William in your corner means to have someone who is with you through thick and thin. Someone who will stick by your side until the end of time itself. And until you can finally realize just how much the Rugby Star adores you.

William Ellis who can’t help but hold you close. Physical Affection is this man’s go-to for showing how much he loves you. Like Jose, he will never feel embarrassed or ashamed when showering you with his form of love and affection. He’s either got an arm around your waist or your hand in his—there’s no in-between.

William Ellis loves Giving Gifts just as much as he loves Receiving Them. While the Forward’s not the best at picking out pre-made gifts, he is the best at making ones straight from the heart. Using his clues and fragments, he’ll craft something he finds worthy of gifting you. Whether it be something like a small, red box in the shape of a heart or a bracelet that has your and his initials on it, the gifts are all made with you in mind.

That being said, William Ellis will treasure anything you gift him in return. And that can be anything. Silly little notes passed underneath the table during dinner. A beaded anklet that has left a tan mark because he never takes it off. Or a smaller version of his Ruby ball with every stitch being almost exact.

William Ellis who’s afraid he might not be good enough for you. Who fears that one day he may be forgotten by everyone he’s ever loved. Maybe that’s why he works so damn hard. To prove to himself (and others) that he’s worth remembering. Fortunately, there’s no need to go the extra mile when it comes to you. William’s proven himself more than enough already, hasn’t he?

note: a little gift for all my Ganji, William, and Jose lovers out there. made 4: @rieuvie + @williamkisser + @ch6douin +@jklovu + @5ku11h34rt

(2024) ©️fishermanshook — do not steal, translate, plagiarize, or repost my work on any other platform

[snoopyhq]

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ ARCANE CHARACTERS AND THEIR POKÉMON TEAMS !!!

includes: viktor // jayce // mel // caitlyn // vi // jinx // ekko

a/n: if you guys want a part two with any of the other characters, feel free to lmk which ones :D !!! i had a lot of fun with this, and it kind of went into a whole AU direction with all my ramblings. oops!

tagging @anexcellentshot <3

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ VIKTOR

For his team, I wanted a collection of 'mons that would kill it in a steampunk themed show, so here we are!

GOLURK

Its lore centers around it being an ancient Pokémon built by an ancient civilization, so not much is known about it

To me, this Pokémon would be perfect for Viktor due to its aura of mystery and its creation by human hands

It also fits well with Viktor's arc when he becomes the Arcane Herald (glowing eyes, larger stature, commanding presence, associations with otherwordly abilities)

LUXRAY

I'm a firm believer in the fact that Viktor is a cat person, so of COURSE he gets a feline Pokémon

Luxray is an electric type cat. Need I say more?

Viktor's Luxray hisses at anyone who looks at him wrong. It's very funny. A total lapcat and demands his attention at all times

Everyone else who isn't Viktor can get fucked

KLEFKI

END KLEFKI HATE 2025

Why do people hate Klefki?! Being so serious right now btw... like are they just allergic to fun and whimsy or what. IDGAF if its just a key that became a Pokémon, it's one of my faves forever and always

Anyways. As for its relevance to Viktor, I see it as sort of being a good assistant for him in the lab and such. Carries his keys, yes, but also his tools for him

ALAKAZAM

I'm pretty sure it's the most intelligent Pokémon, and Viktor is a whole genuis

The dots connect!

Alakazam likes watching Viktor work on his various projects, and it oftens plays chess with him. A very intellectually stimulating experience for them both. The score currently is very close, although whose ahead, we'll never know :-)

GALARIAN CORSOLA

OK SO ORIGIN STORY !!!

We know Viktor grew up in the Undercity, and where he was shown had a river with cave systems nearby. I believe him and Corsola found each other the same fateful day he met Rio

They see each other as kindred spirits, having suffered in the environment they were dealt. Viktor is protective of his Corsola, and caring for it makes him feel a sense of accomplishment

Very bittersweet

MAGEARNA

A Pokémon that was also built by human hands, specifically by scientists according to its lore

It also has an ability that makes it a wonderful caretaker of people

That falls in line with Viktor's motivation to use Hextech to improve the lives of the less fortunate, and this Pokémon fits his aesthetic so well. I think Magearna is a wonderful way to end his team with :3

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ JAYCE

His character grew on me. Jayce Talis, you should've been born into a shoujo, not forced to shounen </3

TIMBURR

Very helpful fella to have around a lab! Construction sites! Factories! That's the Talis family specialty!

His first Pokémon, and the two often played with wooden building blocks and LEGOs in his childhood

Specifically choosing the first evolution because I can see Jayce's Timburr growing alongside him in the craft and one day evolving into a Gurdurr, and perhaps even a Conkeldurr

Or maybe it can stay a baby, who knows?

HERDIER

Looks like Heimerdinger. I am GREATLY amused by this

Is the Talis family dog, and followed Jayce when he went off to the Academy

Always sighing like its got bills to pay but that's because it has to watch over Jayce away from home 😭 Get him a martini (dog-friendly) and a long vacation ASAP

Big theme of family and Pokémon with Jayce here hehe

TINKATUFF

Another great Pokémon to help Jayce out with his endeavors!

This one has the most attitude of his team, and only helps with extremely ambitious, daring projects

It wants to improve, and taking up easy shortcuts is an insult

Overall, a diva

He loves it anyways, and always makes sure to express his appreciation because its efforts DO pay off handsomely

DARMANITAN

Jayce works in a forge at some point in the series, so having a Darmanitan with him just fits

It can withstand the high temperatures and has the muscle to help him out

I was debating between this fella and Heatmor but I like Darmanitan's rotund look better, sorry Heatmor

CARBINK

Very mystical Pokémon. Parallels the Mage that saved Jayce and Ximena when he was a child

Also resembles a Hextech crystal lowkey

MELMETAL

I think it's SO funny that it has "Mel" in its name

Also, more continuation of Pokémon that can dabble in craftsmanship

Evolved from a Meltan that snuck into his luggage when he was moving to the Academy district and refused to leave

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ MEL

I wanted a team that serves both cunt AND power, so here is Mel's team! Looking for a transparent BG, full-body picture of her was actually so hard. What the flip. I thought it'd be in her Arcane Fandom Page Gallery, but it wasn't. AUGH

DELPHOX

Fox motif

Also a mystical one too, since its lore states that its burn marks were used in divination long ago

Mel being a mage means she can connect with her Delphox on a deeper level

KOMMO-O

Noxians are people who value raw, physical strength

Ambessa is canonically a warmonger. Mel having a fighting type Pokémon like Kommo-o goes well with that lore

It's powerful, dual-type with DRAGON, and just radiates aura

Also, its scale patterns and her braids can sort of match in style and it also works with Mel's gold accents!

UMBREON

Evolved from her Eevee

It happened around the time Mel left home for Piltover for the first time. Their bond runs deep

Hates being confined to a Pokéball, so it roams out and about at all times

SNEASEL

Devious Troublemaker #1

Smart AND sneaky

It's resourceful with its wits and stealth, like Mel

Tolerates her Fezandipiti

FEZANDIPITI

Devious Troublemaker #2

Abuses its pretty privilege to get away with EVERYTHING (it works)

Best buds with her Sneasel

INDEEDEE

A Pokémon that "never leaves its trainer's side", so it makes sure she stays taken care of and GOD KNOWS she deserves a break

Secretary Pokémon basically

Keeps tracks of her papers, blueprints, speeches, and council talking points

Hovers over her during the duration of those meetings and makes sure she's comfortable

Also really, really good at snooping around and finding out the most incriminating secrets. Memorized everything to the letter

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ CAITLYN

Firm believer that she would be a competitive player in a modern world.

FROSLASS

Cold as hell (figuratively AND metaphorically)

Just like Caitlyn

It's a feminine Pokémon and it's TERRIFYING, I love creepy/non-conventional Pokémon lore

Highkey judgemental. Has purposefully iced out a council membor on more than one occasion. Thinks they're useless

SINISTEA

They're kind of twinning. Tell me you guys see the vision too

Like... same side part and everything !!!

Tea parties and they're both the prettiest princesses. They also talk about the best way to 'get rid of' Salo. It's great

Caitlyn never utilizes her Sinistea in battle. It follows her around instead, offers an off-putting vibe to the function

YUNGOOS

Yes, this is because of the mongoose comment

Also I think it's really funny that you have these elegant and put-together Pokémon on her team, and then there's this guy

Bites ankles

DECIDUEYE

She's a sharpshooter and so is Decidueye

Had it since it was a wee Rowlet, and the runt of its litter (nestmates? flock? i don't know bird terminology)

With her in every shooting competition and practice she attends

Her ace Pokémon. They're so in sync, she doesn't even need to voice moves aloud anymore

GROWLITHE

Enforcer ☹️

CORVISQUIRE

It's intelligent, even compared to other bird Pokémon similar to it

Also has that air of innate curiosity

Caitlyn had her whole detective thing in Season One of the show, so her having a curious corvisquire on her team makes sense to me

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ VI

If Vi has no lovers, I'm DEAD!!! Literally became one of my favorites the second she showed up one screen. I’m also the eldest sibling so maybe I connect to those characters more… Choso from Jujutsu Kaisen is another absolute faves of mine.

URSHIFU (RAPID STRIKE STYLE)

Matches her boxing fighting style

Very focused and disciplined

Her go-to sparring partner

LOKIX

A good kicker is needed to balance out a team of mostly fist-to-fists combat

Makes sure she does not skip leg day

Not that Vi would ever but it's nice to have someone look after her like an elder sibling for once

ALCREMIE

Similar to Caitlyn having Yungoos on her team, I find it funny to have Alcremie be the contrats on Vi's team

Her calling Caitlyn "cupcake" all the time? Please

Vi dotes on her Alcremie

First Pokémon she caught that wasn't in the Undercity, so it's a little bit of a primadonna, but who cares? It's adorable

Head chef of the team because picturing this little 1'00" Pokémon bustle around a kitchen area and whipping up delicacies makes me laugh

RIOLU

The youngest on the team and has the most to prove

Or at least, that's Riolu's mindset

Follows her Urshifu around like a little shadow, eager to learn and become the strongest of 'em all

Will evolve into a Lucario one day

CHARMELEON

Complements her color palette

I firmly believe she would choose a fire-type starter in any game route

Also has an insatiable fighting spirit, which I believe can be properly nurtured with Vi as its trainer and the rest of her team

Pairs up with her Riolu the most during sparring practices

ALOLAN MAROWAK

Both Vi and Marowak lost their mothers at a young age

Both watched their mothers die, even if the circumstances were slightly different

Not having a Cubone that evolved into a Marowak on her team would've been such a missed opportunity

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ JINX

Her team was the first one I finished putting together in my Google Docs. Very happy with how this one turned out.

BOMBIRDIER

The word "bomb" is kinda in the name

AND that fuckass bird is an asshole, according to it's Pokédex entry

I think it's hilarious, and fits Jinx's antics very well, especially with her first scene after the timeskip in season one

PANCHAM

The Pokedex entry for this one says it finds a Pangoro to look up to and trains relentlessly to get stronger like its mentor

Very much a reflection of how Isha looks (looked) up to Jinx, and wanted to be like her :')

NICKIT

Only surviving kit in the litter of Silco's Theivul

Naturally, it became Jinx’s Pokémon

Messes with her Espurr all the time. Gets lightly scolded, pretends to feel bad, and gets right back to it when her back is turned

Brings her scraps of metal and other shiny valuables it nicked (haha!) from unsuspecting citizens

HISUIAN TYPHLOSION

NOT A GOOD YEAR FOR MY BOY TYPHLOSION

Justice for him for REAL.

But anyways. Colorful flames, extravagant, explosions. It basically spells itself out

Keeps her Nickit in check when it gets too rough with her Espurr

INFERNAPE

Her signature calling card is the graffiti monkey

Her monkey bomb/gadgets !!! Motifs...

The most disciplined of her Pokémon

ESPURR

Look at it and tell me it isn't experiencing the horrors(tm) and the voices(tm) at all times

I think Jinx could see herself in it in a way, and having Espurr on her team is kind of a grounding experience for both of them

They save each other

This lil guy is her PRIDE AND JOY ok

˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚ ❀ EKKO

Ekko deserves the entire world and more, I'm being so serious right now. Ekko 4 President.

DRILBUR

Little guy who just enjoys digging. Yeah, put him on the team

Would be very helpful for finding trinkets that Ekko could bring to Benzo's (in a happier timeline, they continue spending their days like this)

When the canon events happen, its role now becomes finding/forming tunnels and escape routes

NOCTOWL

Scout in the air

Goes along with Ekko's owl motif :D

Caitlyn already had Decidueye, and I feel like a tougher, more rugged looking Pokémon like a Noctowl fits the boy savior better

His team is a lot of earthy tones I've realized

Undercity Represent 🗣️🗣️🗣️

CELEBI

Ekko's connection with time, the four seconds, etc. etc.

Celebi is a time traveling Pokémon. It's perfect :3

I think he's the only character with a mythical Pokémon on his team, and you know what? He deserves it. Big Ekko fan! He can have a mythical Pokémon, as a treat

HOUNDOOM

If aura farming was a Pokémon

Looks tough, is an even tougher fighter

The rear-guard of his team. It looks out for the other ones and makes sure they all get to safety whenever it's brought along during one of Ekko's missions

Acts as a heater for the others and Ekko himself

Completely chill with letting Noctowl perch on its back

SKWOVET

Ok hear me out, this is the comedic effect guy

I headcanon that he pulls a Meowth in the anime and taught himself to speak human. NOT for the pursuit of romance this time, but for the pursuit of gossip

One of the tiniest ones recorded, so it sneaks around really easily

Like Mel's Indeedee, it gathers talk and whispers that otherwise would not see the light of day, and relays it all back to Ekko

It keeps him up to date on movements of other political factions and certain people (Jinx)

Has grown spoiled on all the treats it gets fed from being really damn good at its job

KROOKODILE

Found by Ekko during one of his explorations underground with his Drilbur

Battled against his Drilbur, and then his Houndoom when they broke up into the surface

Was eventually caught, and now goes on side quests with Ekko's Drilbur

Gives Ekko some peace of mind knowing that Drilbur has a bigger, more formidable friend watching out for it

Totes the coolest, rivalling Houndoom in levels of chillness

[datrb]

"I really let my hair grow out this year, didn't i?"

I don't usually post about my life, but this one was on my mind for quite some time now, so i hope you guys don't mind me getting a little personal.

Call this my new year's resolutions or whatever.

(No trigger warnings, i just realized that this post is very long...)

Now, that this year is reaching to a close and i was left alone with my thoughts after the college semester ended... I think i actually really enjoyed this year.

As weird as it is to accept, or realize even, it's been a very long time since the last time i actually felt like myself. There was always something standing between me and having... a normal life.

Whether it was lack of time for myself, pain, or people around me, there was always an obstacle.

But, although this year started with the most pain i've ever been in throughout my life, and a ton of stress, after the winter passed and i started my rehabilitation journey, i felt... The best i ever did.

It felt as though i suddenly gained the power to do and be anything i wanted to be. I was finally at peace with my life and myself.

I spent summer doing things i liked and even managed to spent two amazing weeks on a trip with a very dear friend of mine.

And then the semester started and, despite what i was expecting, i fit right in with the new group and managed to not just stay ahead of my studies, but to top all of my grades. I gained the respect of my teachers, found new friends and started to actually explore my specialty and theatre culture as a whole more than i could ever before.

Hell, i already have places where i want to go next year, when the holiday rush at theatres ends!

And trust me when i say this, it's been a very long time since i planned ahead. It been a very long time since i enjoyed studying and talking with people i study with. It's been a very long time since i wanted to actively give presents to people, or even had people to give presents to. It's been a very long time since i could smile at my teachers and even get a little cocky with them in class. Since i wasn't afraid to ask questions regardless of how stupid they might've sounded. Or since i could decide on doing something completely randomly and then end up coming home at midnight with a friend by my side.

A lot of things happened this year. And a lot more will happen in the years. I had, do and will experience so much more in my life. Be it bad, or good. It doesn't really matter, because i'm no longer alone to fend for myself.

But, more than anything, right now i just feel... happy.

And i wish to thank everyone i know and everyone who is in my life right now. Even if i know that this message will probably never reach them. I still want to thank them for just existing in this world. And same goes for whoever ends up coming across this post. I may not know you, but i'm glad that you've made it this far. I'm glad that you're here.

And i hope that someday everyone will be able to be at peace the same way this year allowed me to be.

[specshroom]

Hairdresser Choso!

✂️ Hairdresser Choso! Who's mom would put his hair up in his iconic style when he was little and he just never changed it.

🪮 Who didn't understand when other kids would make fun of his hairstyle cus his mom did it for him and she says it looks nice so that means it's true. They must be jealous that their moms don't take the time to do their hair >:(

✂️ Hairdresser Choso who would do his brother's hair for them as a show of affection like his mom did to him. When Eso says he wants to shave his head? Choso just nods and helps him do just that. When Yuuji says he wants to dye his hair pink? Choso nods and gets out the gloves and brush. (We love a supportive older brother)

🪮 And obviously this show of affection extends to you. Way back when you were little babies and you would braid and brush each others hair and clip it up with sparkly butterfly clips 🥺.

✂️ And growing up you'd let Choso practice and experiment a ton on your own hair despite his objections. (He really doesn't want to mess up your pretty hair and make you hate him) You always convince him it's fine and he always caves to your wishes eventually.

🪮 So when his best friend (You) and his brothers pitch the idea of him doing peoples hair as a career Choso is pretty open from the get go.

✂️ It takes him awhile to figure out the social aspect of the job. Making small talk has never been his specialty but he learns quickly how to navigate it for the job.

🪮 Hairdresser Choso, who insists on doing your hair free of charge and you would be dumb if you said no to letting him run his very nice, attentive, strong yet gentle hands in your hair.

✂️ Hairdresser Choso would let you sit around the shop while you wait for his shift to end.

You lay on the worn couch reading a magazine waiting for Choso to finish up with a regular. They chat as Choso ties freshly dyed bright blue locks into two weird horned bunny ear looking things. They certainly have similar styles, you guess that's why they get along.

You realise you're staring and look down at the fancy models in the magazine again. After the customer leaves you get up and walk over to where Choso is cleaning up his work table. You slump into the spinney chair and gaze at yourself in the huge mirror.

"You think I should cut my hair or grow it out?"

Choso looks over at you and then back to the stuff he's putting away. He answers softly,

"I think it'll look nice either way."

"…That's such a cop out answer, man!"

He chuckles at that. "Maybe, but I think it's true. Although, lots of people seem to be cutting their hair shorter recently."

"Oh, so do you like girls with short or long hair then?" You ask with a menacing grin.When the man doesn't answer you poke his side "Cmoooon what's your type Choso?"

Choso grimaces and grumbles, "You sound like my boss."

You laugh at the face he's making and look around the little shop Choso works in.

"Remember when I'd let you practice on me? And you cut the front all wrong and I had to wear hats for like months"

Choso's frown only deepens with the memory but now there's also added redness to his pale cheeks.

"Oh oh! or when you accidentally waterboarded me when you were learning how to use the shower head?"

Choso cringes at the memory while you laugh.

"Stop laughing. I apologised."

You remember it well and he did apologise profusely while gently patting your face down with a towel frantically asking if you were alright, all while you were having a coughing fit.

He might be embarrassed about it but it only endeared you to him more. The memory still makes you smile and gives you a chance to tease the poor man.

"Let's just go get something to eat please."

Choso sighs, opening the shop door and motioning for you to go first. As you two walk down the street, the sound of you teasing him can still be heard from inside the little corner shop.

[nezumikozo6th]

Pulptober 2024 Day 24-Team of Elites-Lupin III gang

I stumbled across this funny activity that based on Pulp Hero prompts and it seems to allow for anyone participation(hope I didn't misunderstand),so I took the liberty of coming uninvited(And I'm obviously posted late).I think Lupin the Third is one of the most pulp-style long-going anime series that still going now,and one of the most common story templates is how the protagonist and his companions become a team of adaptive anti-hero,so they deserve to be put under this topic.

This adventuring team consists of four capable criminals who are equal and independent,Lupin the third is usually the mastermind and the one leading the action,but he isn't a real leader and the gang isn't named after him or anyone else.All of them can carry out theft or other criminal work alone.Compared with professional criminal groups with clear division of labor,they are more like a family of professional thieves with their own specialties,and it's interesting to see how they work closely together while maintaining their own independence and sometimes conflicting for that.

Daisuke Jigen(次元大介) is the closest one who is literally an assistant of Lupin on the gamg,even though he actually isn't,and he is definitely the member who drives and smokes with Lupin on screen the most.The two interacted so frequently and naturally that some fans jokingly called Jigen the gayest man alive(On the other hand many fans believe they're bisexual).He is the best gunman of them and known for his extraordinary shooting ability and familiarity with various firearms,on the contrary he rarely shows his (not bad) hand-to-hand combat ability.I think sometimes people put too much emphasis on his feuding moments with Fujiko,he was often angry at her betrayal,but most of the time he did not blame her any more than Lupin and Goemon did except verbally.

Goemon Ishikawa XIII(石川五ェ門) is a character who is a symbol of Japanese/East-Asian culture that deliberately placed in this Westernized(for the Japanese at the time) gang,although it's far from a stereotype,he is undoubtedly the member who has the most clearly culture marked,that includes a samurai/ronin costume,a Japanese sword and his Iaidō skills,which makes him the only member who does not use firearms and has a irreplaceable skill(swordsmanship).He is often as a handy member to cut through bullets,obstacles or various things in front of them,and the one most often leaves the team for personal reasons(Except Fujiko when she betrayed them).

Fujiko Mine(峰不二子) is the regular femme fatale in this series,but in my experience,even few of characters of this type could be like her that able to maintain the companionship with a gang she betrayed multiple times,especially considering she isn't the leader.Fujiko is a wind card between Lupin gang and their opponents,she often betrays them,also often betrays their enemies and returns to the gang after considering the situation,or is rescued by them after being betrayed by their enemies,and fairly,working with them in good faith many times.Regardless of her initial decision,finally she always ends up siding with the gang at critical moments since of luck or intentionality. 

Koichi Zenigata(錢形幸一) is the Inspector Ganimard of Lupin the third,he is an Interpol police officer who has traveled around the world for many years to hunt down Lupin III,but they respect each other and have a special friendship with each other.Of course Zenigata can't be a real member of the Lupin gang,but like other empathetic inspector characters,he is often involved in their fights with other criminal forces,and is usually willing to join them in fighting against more evil elements for the sake of morality and justice,whether both are acting independently or actually working together.This happens so often that make Zenigata deserves to be considered a special member of the gang,and becomes the best and worst cop:he is unable to arrest Lupin most of the time,but thanks to this he has achievements in fighting crime that ordinary police officers cannot match.

[tropical-fruit-mx]

Smith family coffee order HCs, courtesy of yours truly, a former barista

@hazelnut-u-out posted a poll yesterday about whether or not Rick Sanchez is an iced coffee drinker (short answer: yes, but nuance to come) and I realized that I never came up with HCs for the family's coffee orders. I love doing this for fandoms I'm in because I barista-ed for A While and low key miss it sometimes. Anyway, headcanons!!

Rick

So in his tough guy-tortured loner-vigilante phase he was obviously an avid black coffee drinker (usually spiked). Being on the run/not having a place to call one's own he develops a taste for practicality and simplicity. Thus, he likes an easy drink you can get anywhere that is impossible to mess up. However, in a post-"Analyze Piss", post-Prime, 'Rick Sanchez is experiencing new levels of DGAF' world we get into the chaotic beverage enjoyer phase. First off, he has 100% tried every single new special drink that Starbucks rolls out. The summer skies boba thing, the oleato, everything. (He's a big fan of the Irish cream flavor when it comes out seasonally and was pissed the first time when he realized it didn't have alcohol in it.) Because Rick is hugely dopamine seeking so fun colored, fun flavored things always catch his eye. I also feel like he would majorly enjoy specialty coffee shops that do elaborate coffee drinks, like this man would fuck up a cereal milk latte. I also will contend that in this phase he has no regular order, he literally gets a different thing every time just to experiment with as many drinks as possible.

Beth

Drinks flat whites because she thinks they're classy and it's easier to have a simple coffee order for the intern at the vet to take down. I also think that she generally likes mixing caffeine and alcohol (huge espresso martini fan) and probably lost her mind on vodka red bulls in college. She also definitely had a red bull addiction to get through vet school but now she only drinks them as a guilty pleasure.

Space Beth

In honor of the fact that she's recreating her dad's 30s I think she has the same taste in coffee as a young Rick, which means she drinks it black and strong. She seems like an avid French press user and most likely has sourced fancy beans from somewhere in space (Venusian coffee probably fucks)

Jerry

Hot caramel macchiato, but he's convinced that this is the traditional way macchiatos are made and despite multiple arguments about the origins of macchiatos he is staunchly of the opinion that the actual drink is an upside down latte with fuck tons of caramel.

Summer

Pink drink purist, maybe gets matcha cold foam on top when she's feeling fancy. Although I could also see her getting vanilla iced lattes when she wants more caffeine. And if she's with Rick I can imagine her joining him in ordering crazy coffees just for fun.

Morty

Morty Smith is a fourteen year old boy, the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frap was basically made for him. It's just a fucking milkshake with caffeine, although I think that when he's with Beth and Jerry they make him get the crème version.

[shotmrmiller]

okay so i've had an idea, and my destiny 2/cayde-6 brain worms are too strong so i'm never personally going to write this BUT. had a thought. about civilian specialist!reader, an ethical hacker that works with agencies of all sorts to nab cyber criminals, with a specialty in trafficking. SO, the idea is that she's been working in a little hacker pod of primarily women and LGBT folks. basically has formed a queer little social bubble where there is nary a cis-man in sight.

enter the 141.

they're after some guy that's difficult to pin down. too tech savvy for their usual intel gathering techniques. so, reader gets called in. referred. price is told, "top of their field, a true professional, won't find anyone better." so, when a tattooed, green haired girl with an attitude and a mouth for back sassing shows up, he's flummoxed.

but soap, dear johnny boy, is smitten. head over fucking heels puppy boy love.

she passes all the tests, proves to be every bit of the professional while on a job that was promised. so she gets added, temporarily, to the team. has to be on site with 'em too, something about needing direct access to a closed network, who knows none of them really understand what she's saying anyway.

so they're on the job, out in the field, and reader has been trapped in testosterone soaked HELL for weeks now. it's getting to her. the belches, Ghost's crass jokes, the Horrible Feet Smell. the bulldoze ahead without consideration attitude of self assured, confident men that haven't really been told 'no' enough in their lives.

and johnny, poor johnny, overhears her say to gaz (cause lets be honest, he's the only one of them that'd have a skin care routine and regularly moisturize so she's bonded with him the most), "i can feel this experience actively turning me into a lesbian" after watching price flick a still lit cigar into the dirt and hock up a smokers lung loogie to finish it off. johnny panics.

from then on he is Desperately trying to get the lads to clean up their act because "no. no, no, no, she cannae be a lesbian i havenae asked her out yet." (─‿‿─)♡

i'm gonna keep it a stack , i think i've seen some like hacker girl who's got a whip for a tongue and attitude for days on here somewhere, alTHOUGH i think she pulled in price, i can't really remember.

she was all tatted up too i think?

it's out there, i just know it.

johnny nagging behind the guys like please god stop being disgusting i need her number is killing me though

[blog-sekai]

Unit Introduction: m4jor*REVERSAL

A group of four friends who take on a persona while they preform. Their music is often dark, tells a story or both...

*real quick: I can't draw for shit, so this is all going to be text and a bit long. Sorry :(

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

About m4jor*REVERSAL:

The asterisk in their unit name represents a pentacle!

Each member is aligned with a tarot card (including the vocaloids) and as characters they tend to play off that card in interesting ways. Their card is also their stage name/alias and sometimes an alternate persona they put on for their music; that alternate persona is often called their "reversed", hence the unit name.

They all preform in costume and while wearing masks - originally as a safety/anonymity thing, now it helps them get into the headspace to preform.

Although they do street performances or take gigs for local venues, most of their work is online. Their MVs take a long time to make, because of all the recording and editing involved.

I don't have a clear genre/style for their music yet🤧in my head its very atmospheric/psychedelic? But I can't think of a clear example atm.

They're my oldest fan unit! I dusted 'em off a few weeks ago when I got back into pjsk and they're much more fleshed out now ^^

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"Even if it's only this once...please, let me be seen!"

Solomon Lucius - The Magician

Birthday: Nov 2

Height: 5'7" / 170cm

Hobbies: Tarot, People-Watching

Specialty: Rhythm Games

Favorite Food: Rose Shortbread Cookies

Least Favorite Food: Omurice

Dislikes: Hide & Seek

Despite his best efforts, Sol struggles with having presence most of the time. When preforming under his stage name, though, drawing attention to himself is effortless. He got into (western) esoterica/mythos/witchcraft in middle school, although it's more a casual hobby than a sincere belief. Secretly likes to be called nicknames, because he sees it as a sign people care.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"One day, I swear, we'll make a happy ending!"

Arthur Charon - The Hanged Man

Birthday: August 1

Height: 5'9" / 175cm

Hobbies: Parkour, Conlangs

Specialty: Brewing Tea

Favorite Food: Soba Noodles

Least Favorite Food: Citrus

Dislikes: Roller Coasters

Arthur likes to tell stories, but all of them seem to accidentally end in tragedy or horror. He and Solomon became friends in elementary school and are quite close, but since he has a one-track mind, Art often focuses more on his other friends without meaning to. His parents are a bit traditional, but they do encourage him in his hobbies & interests. He's arguably the best dancer of the group, likely because of how much he enjoys parkour.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"It's important to stay connected to those around you, you know?"

Rowan Delphi - The Hermit

Birthday: March 20

Height: 6' / 183cm

Hobbies: Hockey, Crafts

Specialty: Identifying Plants

Favorite Food: Flan

Least Favorite Food: Coconut

Dislikes: Thunderstorms

Rowan's involved in a lot of school activities and has a very active social life, however, he's hopeless at doing things on the fly and has to keep a planner on him most of the time. He'd never say it aloud, but Rowan tends to find a lot of people overbearing. He hates being alone because that's when the gay thoughts Horrors catch up to him, but that's also when he makes some of his best work. He's a single child, and finds sibling dynamics really interesting.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"Eh? ...What was that, again? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention..."

Merlin Polaris - The Moon

Birthday: February 4

Height: 5'8" / 173cm

Hobbies: Reading, Stargazing

Specialty: Cold-Reading People

Favorite Food: Dumplings

Least Favorite Food: Tiramisu

Dislikes: Being Put On The Spot

Merlin has had the most prior musical experience, as he was in band for a few years in middle school & junior high. He's very popular with the girls at his school, since if you don't know him very well his aloof, spaced-out nature can be mistaken for mystique. Merlin is incredibly sharp, but he prefers to act otherwise as it takes less energy and effort, and it frees him from others' expectations. No matter the weather, he always wears long sleeves.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────••─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

Unit SEKAI: Maze

Unit Virtual Singers:

Miku - The World

In Maze Sekai, Miku is dressed like a princess. She carries herself with a noble mien that is replaced with bubbly enthusiasm when it comes to telling stories or solving riddles. She's surprisingly very grounded.

Luka - The High Priestess

Luka carries her self as a high-ranking advisor. She likes to playfully tease Miku with nonsensical riddles, and plays soft melodies to help her friends sleep. Luka seems to instinctively know where any possible book can be found in Sekai.

[duraxxor]

Good Morning

This is a story designed to catch all of you up on recent events. And is told from the perspective of the duality that is Duraxxor. Please enjoy!

A phrase that I have not known for some time. There was always this bittersweetness in basking in the rising of the day star. The myriads of hot colors that are often shown through in the atmospheric reflection that is our skies. It’s like… an ozone autumn one may say. It always reminded me of the Sin’dorei homelands. Wait, why does it also remind me of… someone?

“A dragon. It reminds us of that dragon of Azeroth’s blood. Delicious blood as it is, Azalora is a fresh slate. Much like we were. Or should I say… I was. Fate has dealt her a chance, unlike I. “

Hmmmm. A fresh dawn, one might say that one is. That’s right, meeting her was an interesting turn of events to start off with returning to Azeroth. Life always seems to find a way, in the strangest of places. That includes unlife. As logical as her mind is, she still has a lot to learn in her experiences.

“And that isn’t just about how she likes her cut of meat and flavor? Everyone knows there is only one way to eat a steak. Hahahaha… “

Ha! I do hope that we meet again soon. It was a most pleasant experience to have a new face to look at you as helpful and not entirely a threat. Although, that may come back to bite one in the tail. Wait… Why am I talking to myself?

“Really? We have fought against aberrations and had voices in your head so many times and you are surprised to be speaking to yourself of all people? Oh Alphus, you really haven’t been yourself for some time, have you? I suppose that comes with the fact that we haven’t been whole for so long. It reminds me of the current conflict between the Gravekeeper and the Courier. Oh, that was a most painful night, one I won’t soon forget. “

Ah. I take it you are the part of me that is Duraxxor, the name we have gone by for the past what? Decade?

“It’s been a little over fifteen years, old friend. “ 

Old friend? Look, we aren’t exactly separate entities like the two involved. You aren’t a leftover of my past; you are every bit as part of me as much as I may dislike the notion of me being a blood sucking monster. Why do you think you chose to meet with the Courier and hear her story out if she so wishes to share it?

“On the contrary, I have my pessimistic opinions that she won’t fully share. Remember, while Annaliese Handhour is a death knight, she was also a warlock in life. And with warlocks come complicated stories. Complications that they wish to not share. That is how we wound up absolutely getting our shit rocked when we tried to bargain with the Gravekeeper. We overstepped a boundary line, one might say. “

As if you really hoped to care about overstepping boundaries. That’s always been your specialty in these desolate years of conflict. Let us hope she at least forgives us for doing so in the future. Then again, you already plan to tread in waters that could already place her on our bad side by meeting with the Courier.

“Now see here, I have betrayed no one’s trust. If anything, there have already been a few betrayals already. When one doesn’t quite share their details, it is already a sign of bad faith and trust. And after we worked so hard to bring her back from her second death. “

Didn’t we also have a second death? . . . 

“That is highly exaggerated. That was merely a setback, and we are fortunate enough to have had the Lady in Red as a dear friend. An ally who understands the raw potentials of what it is we have tried to accomplish! An evolution that will secure our birthright to no longer be a curse! A monster fraternizing with another monster. “

Is that really what you tell yourself? You and I both know if she had to choose between herself and us, it would always be herself. Even so, I can’t help but feel like I know her from the past. A deep, forgotten memory that goes all the way back to my childhood? Why do you think that is? 

“That is precisely the point I wish to make about your confusion in speaking amongst yourself. Though the name Duraxxor may have come from the Scourge itself, I have always lived within you, Alphus. I am as much Alphus as you are. And yet, I am your shadow within your soul. “ 

. . . The darkest thoughts that were born from our curse. The beast of rage and the chaos that swirls within our heart. You mean to tell me you are exactly what was learned within the Shadowlands? You are that fragment of my soul that is foul and destructive? 

“I suppose if you wish to look at it that way? Yes. Except I am the beast, as you put it, that has kept us ongoing ever since you crumbled into tiny, little shards of a mirror that were once your core memories. Memories that have only returned because we finally. . . “ 

You are trailing off. You realize it too, don’t you? The woman before us at this moment. She was the key, and she has always been that key even before I died. I wish I had known sooner who I originally was in life. I wouldn’t be sitting here, holding her hand with a severed ring finger. My beloved wife. . .

“It’s not entirely your fault, Alphus. What could you do? If anything, it was my fault. It was I who chose to believe in the bitter rumors that were plastered into the minds of even our blood children. Ravlynn and Aiden couldn’t know. The legacy of that foul man was nothing more than a children’s bedtime story in their hearts. Instead of investigating that claim all those years ago, I bitterly snarled and refused to acknowledge the emotion that is love born of understanding and kindness. That is why I made the mistake of trying to wed one of my own kind. A lie in a lie. All this time, I had been chasing pieces of your wife because of old emotions I didn’t quite understand. Because as much as it pains me to admit, I am quite the malevolent thing when it comes to what makes Duraxxor. “ 

We both have our sins, Duraxxor. I have over five hundred years' worth of questionable morality. It’s not about the wrong and right we do. It’s about how we choose to live. To fight. People live and they also die. For what purpose, that is up to them even if another force chooses to intervene. And this lady. This woman. She chose to continue to live even in the worst possible conditions because she chose to hold onto hope. Hope that WE will come for her. 

“Hmph. You mean YOU come for her. This isn’t some fairy tale that w- “

Cutting yourself off again, I see. You know that was always a nasty habit. Tell me, how did the story go again? The one she told the kids. You heard it once from them, right? 

“. . .Once upon a time there was a monster, most feared by all in the land. It was a terribly angry thing, all teeth and claws. Where it walked, death followed close behind. There was also a very sad princess, who lived in the land. They say she cried so much that she put the rains to shame. The king and queen wanted the princess to marry a grand duke, but he was ugly and wicked. Rotten straight to the core. The princess cried all day and all night, because she didn’t love the duke. She could never love a man like him.”

And with good reason. Ostidal Tindervale always was quite the pisspot of a noble.

“Now that I have had the luxury of meeting that excrement, quite so. Anyhow, she told the man that she didn’t want to marry the duke, that her parents were leaving her no choice. The man took her hand, stared deep into her eyes, and told her she -always- had a choice. “

Oh, that sounds vaguely familiar. It almost sounds like something you have said once before. That WE have said before. There is always a freedom of choice.

“Are you going to keep interrupting me? The man told the princess that she could run away. He took her far away… and even though her family sent many men to retrieve her, the man killed them without mercy to protect her. that he would protect her, help her get far away from there so that she could finally be free. He was so brutal in his efforts, that it was only a matter of time before the princess realized that the man who saved her was also the monster that everyone else feared. It didn’t matter to the princess though, because by then she’d realized that she’d fallen for the monstrous man… and he was with her. “

Here comes my favorite part of the whole thing. . .  

 “They ran away together, married, KISSED… and lived happily ever after! ~ Mwah Mwah Mwah Mwah!~ “

It’s a wonder you and I haven’t died more than twice with how insufferable you can be, you know that? Do you understand now what I am getting at?

“Of course I do! Duke the puke was a horrid pisspot that never let things go. History has a tendency to repeat itself and the monster in the story was always. . . Me. “ 

It was you and I both, wasn’t it? That numb feeling even before death where one after another, we killed people that threatened our livelihood. Her livelihood. It didn’t matter who they were, what their status quo was, or even if they were the Regent Lord himself, we fought for what we felt was the right choice to make. We didn’t let others dictate it. The shadow that turned monster because the world labeled us the moment we came out of the womb. 

“And speaking of Arrydhalia, I believe it’s time I let you have the floor completely. I have… certain, internal affairs to take care of. I’m sure you will intermingle really soon. “ 

The timing was always impeccable for us both. But, as usual, he wasn’t a dishonest creature by any means. I looked upon the face of the storyteller that had passed my legacy onto our children through story. Sunken eyes with discolored skin begin to crinkle and stir as the light of the daystar bled through the window. The grasp onto the hand that lacked a wedding finger tightened. Where said finger would interlock like, the tips of chew nubs pressed against one another like some sort of a pact. No other would have this finger, just as she promised in her own, darkest hour. And yet, as the light caressed her dark curls and brought those azure eyes to creep open, I felt this desire to sing an unfamiliar song about the day.

So Good mornin’ Good mornin’ Sunbeams will soon smile through. Good mornin’ Good mornin’ to you and you and you and you.

[ Tagging for direct mentions: @azalora-the-azerite-dragoness , @gravekeeper-anna , @safrona-shadowsun , @sanguinesorceress , and a special thank you to @nyyght not only for Arrydhalia's character but the fairy tale story that started it all. ]

[ Art credits also go to the following: @frrrozi for Azalora, @handhourgalleries for Gravekeeper and Safrona, and @caladhel-iarian for Malakortana and me for the shot of Arrydhalia sound asleep. ]

[shoko-komi]

The Komi Report - Communications 437, 438, & 439

This week in Komi Can't Communicate:

A familiar name...

...a cryptic trial...

...and a triple threat.

Read It: Mangareader Mangakakalot Viz Media (North America Exclusive) Mangadex (Dead, but there’s the backlog; and Spanish language updates)

There is so much going on this week.... much to interest us!!!

It is time for stage two of the university entrance process... and we meet someone new.

Tadano??? 👀👀👀 A cousin? A coincidence? To me this is a fascinating plot twist. She's like boy-Tadano; she introduces herself as ordinary, and on the train she let's an old man have her seat. Everyone does that, sure, but it's very Tadano for it to be specifically shown to us. Who is this mysterious girl???

Tangent - Oda has said in an interview that Komi was originally going to be a boy, but his editor suggested making the character a girl instead (he doesn't elaborate on this). One doesn't imagine that Oda would have made the manga a yaoi (although that would have been awesome); so if Komi had been a boy, that would have made Tadano a girl. This is pertinent in that I am now imagining Maruko as boy-Tadano's alternate reality counterpart.

I wonder if she's ever been to Cairns (Cairns is a popular Australian holiday destination for Japanese tourists. It's in the far north and has many attractions, making it a more affordable and accessible holiday spot than places such as Sydney. Fuck Sydney. No one likes Sydney.)

I love her....... and her specialty is reading the room. hehehehehehe

What do you think is the tastiest condiment for a friend egg? I don't eat fried eggs often because I don't like eggs enough to cook them for myself, so I'm not well-versed in appropriate egg condiments. Sometimes with these complex political topics you just have to say "sorry, I'm not well informed enough to have an opinion".

The question of her connection to boy-Tadano is going to dominate my mind until it's answered.

Egypt.... we don't get much of this girl, so all I can really say is that I like her look.

I like how, before this point, Oda obfuscates that there are three of them.

In these earlier panels

(text removed for ease of viewing) you can see that there are three of them, but one may not notice unless one is paying attention. A nice detail 👍. Also, freaky hive-mind triplets........... very cool!

I bet their psychic triplet connection allows them to share what they taste and experience. Eating with three mouths at the same time... the possibilities.......

King Khufu. I searched 'King Khufu' and think this funky ivory carving of him is cool

Girl it's okay to ask follow-up questions asodnalsdknasd please ask what she means

Komi is so offended by the idea of putting pepper on an egg that she shuns girl-Tadano cruelly 😓

I have a sneaking suspicion that 'soy sauce and wasabi' got exactly three votes. This is blatantly unfair, as a hive-mind like this should only be counted as one person.

AJBKJASWKJASJNAOJS I know the answer to this one - put me in charge. Give ol' Alice the reigns and I'll set everyone straight.

I liked these triplets, but their idea for world peace is so stupid that I feel exactly how Komi did when girl-Tadano suggested putting pepper on an egg.

overthrow capitalism and abolish the state!!!!!

I'm back to liking the triplets. Their smug, controlling attitude is very evil and endearing.

AOISHOAISJOIASJOLAM it's like her brain shut down earlier and only just booted back up. Everyone appears to have forgotten the question of world peace and focused entirely on Komi's egg opinions.

And that's it for this week!!! We are left with a cliffhanger; the group discussion was getting heated and then Komi came in with a total curve ball. I'm pleased to see more of Komi's university entrance process, and so far it's been fun! The new characters are interesting; especially girl-Tadano (for the reason of her name). The triplets are fun, and I'm not sure what to make of Egypt at the moment. I am most curious to see how it continues next week!

Until then, stay safe!! I'll see you soon.

[mainstoryarchive]

Revolution - 50: Equals

Translator: Creampuffs

Makoto: Alright, I’ll play the music, then~ Is the volume okay?

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Location: Dance Room

Makoto: Alright, I’ll play the music, then~ Is the volume okay?

Hokuto: This practice room is soundproof, so you can increase the volume. It won’t bother anyone. This space belongs to us.

Don’t worry about the dance formations. Just dance – with a smile, if you can.

I’ve finally realised the other day, but if you smile while performing, it makes the performance look so much better.

Makoto: Ahaha. Hidaka-kun, your expressions and way of thinking have gotten softer~♪

Hokuto: I’d like to think it was the fruit of my training with the twins. I can’t quite tell myself.

I’d like to say the same to you, as well, Yuuki – you’re more powerful than before. Although, I do think it would be best if you either took off your glasses or used a pair of sports glasses instead.

Makoto: Oh, now that you mention it, I probably should, huh. Your field of vision’s expanded so much, Hidaka-kun~ You’ve started nagging more and it can be a bit annoying, though ♪

Hokuto: Hmph. If you don’t want me to nag, then grow into an excellent idol that I can’t find fault with.

I can’t lose to you guys, either. Especially to Akehoshi and Isara, who basically ditched training last week.

Subaru: Hey~ I didn’t ditch. Anyway…

I think I’ve learnt what it means to "put myself in other people’s shoes" after I spent the last week with the Transfer Student.

You’re making a big mistake if you think I’m still the same old me, okay?

Come over here, Sally~ Let’s dance together! Hurry up or we’ll leave you behind~☆

Mao: Alright, alright. Geez, must be nice – you guys always look like you’re having fun~

I’ve had a bit of a late start, but I’m gonna work hard so that I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you guys.

No, I’m not gonna think about the difficult stuff – I’m just gonna enjoy myself ♪

Watch. This is my specialty… break dancing ♪

Subaru: Wow, that’s so cool~! I’m gonna do that too. Spin, spin ☆

Makoto: How’d you do that!? That’s amazing!

Ugh, it’s so frustrating! I’m the only one who’s dancing awkwardly like a robot. I need to practise more!

Hokuto: (…Hmm. I’d expect no less from Isara. You’d think he spent a lot of time with us – he joined the dance circle so naturally.)

(He must pay a lot of attention to his surroundings. His sense of balance is also out of this world.)

(He’s especially amazing when he pairs up with Akehoshi. As expected of fellow members of the Basketball Club – they’re so in sync.)

(They can also be a bit too wild, so I need to make sure I keep them grounded.)

(Thanks to my training with the twins, I think I now know about the breathing and timing needed for these sorts of things.)

(Yuuki is also doing his best to keep up. Everyone is striving to improve by working hard and encouraging each other.)

(Things are heading in the right direction. You wouldn’t believe it’s just been a week.)

(The training Sakuma-senpai assigned to us was fitting for each person.)

(We can grow stronger. I still don’t know whether or not we can beat the Student Council.)

(But the probablity of our victory isn’t zero. That’s what I believe. So, I’ll do my best.)

(Grandma, maybe there’s a chance I can come to love “idols”, as well.)

Subaru: Hey, Transfer Student, you look like you’re itching to do something. Do you wanna dance with us~?

Come over here! Think about the songs and the difficult stuff later – let’s just have some fun ☆

Together, we can rise higher and higher! We’ll reach the top of the dark starry night, and then we’ll become stars!

We’ll become “Trickstar” – the first star of the night that will revolutionise this school!

Ahaha~☆

[ ☆ ]

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[dausy]

I got a job.

Which is kind of nifty I guess. I feel like it removes some of my stress although I knew I wouldn't have an issue finding a job, its just that the unknown makes us feel like we are continuously poor and homeless when that isn't the case.

An old classmate of mine from nursing school had messaged me some odd days ago saying she was leaving her job because her commute was really long and she wanted to know if I wanted it. She said she loved her job otherwise. I was actually going to wait until we moved to start applying for jobs because a lot of places want you to start ASAP and I don't want to apply too early. But she had already recommended me to her manager and he contacted me with a referral link to fill out. Did a virtual interview and he told me he knew he was already going to offer me the job.

HR already sent me an acceptance package and stated they wanted to pay me a relocation fee. Just an FYI this is for an Interventional Radiology nurse position, which I suppose I do have a bit of experience in with my previous position. IR is considered a cush or "soft" nursing job, but this is with a lvl1 trauma center and I'm not that familiar with the type of high acuity cases that they do. The last time I worked in a lvl1 trauma center it was primarily preop/PhaseII and a smidgeon of pacu. I wasn't in the thick of super acute/sick patients. So I don't really know what to expect in IR. It SOUNDS like they just want somebody who is familiar with and knows how to push meds for conscious sedation. They have techs who scrub in with the doctor. That was primarily what I was nervous about was trying to learn how to scrub for so many different types of procedures (cause they said they do about 40 different types) and I was like "oh lord thats a lot to learn and prove myself on, in a short orientation". But they told me that I would just be doing the conscious sedation and thats it. Which takes a lot of stress off. I don't know how to scrub..so..

anyway, coincidentally at the same time I accepted the position, somebody posted on the nursing reddit saying something like "those of you who want to work in IR because its a soft nursing job, WE DONT WANT YOU" I mean, I work hard and I split myself into 1400 pieces to try and help everybody so I'm not coming in to just sit and play on my phone.

The downsides to this job is that there is on-call and then I'd be making less money than what I was getting paid 5 years ago and rent prices have skyrocketted. Which is really sad. It has pretty much doubled. So less pay and more expensive CoL. We are already expecting to have to pay around 2000-2200/mo on rent alone for nothing super special. Not including pet rent and then utilities.

Me and my spouse were jokingly talking about me joining the service for the benefits. While its been brought up to me before in the past, I didn't think I had it in me to join the military. Now I'm actually kind of taking it seriously. I already talked to a recruiter but they aren't making it easy to get in contact with them which makes me think they're going to tell me they werent interested. But hypothetically, if I joined the military nurse corps, I'd go in as an officer, get officer pay, get BAH, get a retirement, continue the lifestyle of which I've become accustomed and if they have my specialty available, I would just continue doing the job I've become accustomed to. It was actually kind of enlightening.

If I have to work my booty off being full time, on call, making less than my mom as a secretary and I have to continue being a nurse....I mean, I dunno..people say that the military can't compete with civilian hospitals, but I kind of beg to differ. To me, it seems like they're offering a lot more.

But if military says "no, we don't need your specialty", I do have a job waiting for me for when we move.

[twilightmalachite]

2×2 - Children on the Streets 11

Author: Akira

Characters: Yuuta, Hinata, Shinobu, Nagisa

Translator: Mika Enstars

"I, I bet I got a stomach ulcer stemming from the stress of all of Aniki’s bullshit."

[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]

Season: Spring

Location: Back Alley in Downtown

Yuuta: Hm~… What’s the point of saying all this, Aniki?

Hinata: Hehe, just to tell you that you seem to feel inferior to me, Yuuta-kun, and that there’s no need for that. ♪

Apart from that, it’s to leave you wide open! Die, fool!

Yuuta: Ahh, shoot!! So you were talking all deep so you could catch me off guard?! Damnit~, shitty Aniki, how cowardly can you be!?

Hinata: Fuhaha~, howl, howl louder! It’s nothing but the bark of a losing dog!

Yuuta: Just what kind of character is this anyways!?

Hinata: I was thinking I need to look back a lot on my past, reevaluate it, and establish a new character for myself—

And not just as an indicator of how much Yuuta-kun has changed from what “we” were before. I have to establish my own character, too.

Otherwise, we’re just lacking something. As the two-in-one strongest and unbeatable individual, we were missing only the element of Yuuta-kun.

No, not that; we are going to get bigger and stronger!

Let’s show the world that we’re doing just that! My brother!

Yuuta: Right! I don’t get what you’re saying, but I know what you’re doing!

You’re talking about intriguing things like that again, waiting for me to lean in close to listen better, aren’t you!?

And then you’ll shoot me, right~? I’m not going to fall for that!

Hinata: Ahaha, not falling for it this time, huh~? See, Yuuta-kun? You’re learning and getting stronger and stronger! That’s why you’re my lifelong nemesis, fuhahaha! ☆

Yuuta: Seriously, what kind of character is this—

Hm?

Hinata: ? What’s up, Yuuta-kun? Is there trouble?

Yuuta: Urgh~… M-my stomach hurts.

I, I bet I got a stomach ulcer stemming from the stress of all of Aniki’s bullshit.

Hinata: Whaa!? A-Are you okay? I’m coming, Yuuta-kun~! Onii-chan will gently rub where it hurts!

Shinobu: Y-You mustn’t be fooled de gozaru, Hinata-kun! Although I did fall for the same! It’s possible that Yuuta-kun’s pretending to have a stomachache to make you worry and come out—

Yuuta: Oh come on, whose side are you on, Shinobu-kun?

Shinobu: H-Huh? But right now, I’ve turned into a zombie, which makes me Hinata-kun’s ally…!?

Yuuta: Right! But you are naive, did you think I simply would just mimic Aniki?

I’ve passed that point a long time ago, you know!

Shinobu: Huh? Huh? What do you mean by that…?

Yuuta: Ran-senpai! Now!

Nagisa: …Right. As everyone knows, this type of melee is Ran-senpai’s specialty.[1]

Shinobu: This is the first I’ve heard of that de goza-mphh! Uu, I’ve been shot in the face…!

It doesn’t hurt because it’s a water gun, but, my eyes! My eeeeyes~!

Nagisa: …S-Sorry? I’m shooting from a higher vantage point, so I’m at an angle where I can only aim for the head…

Shinobu: Heheh♪ You’ve got me de gozaru, but it is ninjas who are the experts of sophistry in the first place! It is a common practice for us to deceive others, there is no such thing as bushido when it comes to ninjas…☆

Yaay! I’m properly acting like a ninja~! ♪

Hinata: Bakyuu~n! Bakyuu~n!

Nagisa: …Ah, h-he got me. I’ve been shot.

…I see. Shinobu-kun got me to lean out by making me worry.

Shinobu: Because there’s no other way for us to aim at you from our position, with you hidden somewhere so high up! ♪

Nagisa: …Right. Amazing. I’ve been beaten flawlessly.

…All the kids at ES are amazing. They are always learning and growing more and more.

Yuuta: However! We cannot allow justice to be defeated by evil! That would be a huge bummer for the program!

So, I’m gonna shoot and bring down Aniki who went after Ran-senpai!

This is game over, Hinata-kun!

This marks the end of this ridiculous game…!

[ ☆ ]

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Melee in Japanese is 乱戦 (ransen). It’s the same kanji used for Nagisa’s last name, too! (乱)

[mbti-notes]

Anon wrote: Hello. I am INJ 18F. I've been feeling stuck in a collie for quite a while now. Two years ago, after graduating from high school, I entered a specialty that I now hate. Then, wanting to get my father's approval, I convinced myself that it was the right thing to do, despite the fact that I was already thinking about what sphere I wanted to connect my life with. I convinced myself that this was just a temporary hobby and I didn't know where I wanted to go, so it would be better to go where my father wanted me to go.

Now the fact that I made the wrong choice then became too obvious. I am serious about the areas that I was interested in then. I continue to study them and my life is very closely connected with these areas. And, unfortunately, I spend too much time on what I'm interested in. This affects my basic training. And this forces me to make a choice, because I cannot move in two directions. I have to either take my hobbies to the negative, which would be a literal betrayal of myself, for me, and therefore I can't afford to do it, or I have to take my studies to the negative. But this will also have an extremely negative impact, both on my relationship with my parents and on my life in the future. After college, I will have to work in my profession, because they will not be able to provide for me for so long. Thus, I have to choose between my real future and what I am so sincerely devoted to and what I am interested in.

Now I'm stuck in a collectible consisting of escaping from thoughts about my distant future, because I don't see anything positive in it, self-hatred, the specialty in which I study and a feeling of helplessness. I constantly feel sorry for myself and do nothing. At some point I tried to start acting, but I had no real direction and, as a result, I returned to my condition. I do not know what I am striving for when the future that I wanted and that I am dreaming about now seems so inaccessible to me now.

I could combine training in specialization and my hobbies, or first study in specialty, and then study in the field that interests me, but I absolutely do not like this prospect. It seems chaotic and useless to me. And I think I still want to believe that there are other ways, although the facts say otherwise. And now I feel that I hate the reality in which I found myself, because instead of striving for a personal goal, I have to go with the flow and adapt to circumstances. I honestly don't know what to do or think. Do you have any advice?

----------------------

If you don't know your type, you should do a proper type assessment, because it could be very relevant to your struggles. Without knowing your exact type, you limit my ability to explain things to you.

As far as I can tell, the underlying issue here is a lack of independence. Three important aspects to independence are:

reliance: the degree to which you depend on others for regulating yourself, managing your affairs, making good judgments and decisions, or achieving your goals

autonomy: feeling motivated to direct your own life and exercising the right to make your own choices

volition: being able to act in accordance with your own needs, desires, interests, and values

You still rely on your parents for approval? You don't feel free to make your own choices? You don't act in your own best interests? While you are physically an adult, you are far from being an adult in spirit.

Your situation can be broken down into three issues:

(1) It seems your self-concept is inflexible. Self-concept refers to how you perceive and define yourself. Many kids don't really know what they want to be when they grow up, so it's normal for them to look to other people for ideas. It's not something to regret or feel ashamed about.

As you accumulate life experience, you should be learning more and more about yourself, eventually reaching a point where nobody should know better than you about what is best for your future. Becoming more and more self-aware, your self-concept should change and evolve throughout life.

But when you behave in a way that interrupts the evolution into adulthood, it means getting stuck in a childish state of dependence, so how will you grow into a self-reliant adult?

(2) It seems you haven't learned self-advocacy yet. Self-advocacy means being able to: i) communicate your needs/desires/goals, ii) defend your personal boundaries/rights/freedoms, and iii) stand up for your beliefs/values as needed to promote your interests, now and into the future.

Of course, the first step is to know what you need/want, where your personal boundaries lie, what your rights/freedoms are, and what your beliefs/values are. It's very difficult to act in accordance with who you really are when you don't know who you really are.

You seem to have reached a point in life where you know enough about yourself to have strong feelings and opinions about the direction you ought to take, which raises the question of why you haven't properly advocated for yourself. Your parents would not want you to live a life of misery, would they? If your ideas about your life differ from what they have in mind for you, then you need to communicate with them seriously about it rather than just get stuck in helplessness assuming the worst.

You seem to have trapped yourself in a false dichotomy of having to choose between yourself or your parents, but that's not how healthy relationships should work. There is no need for painful sacrifice as long as both parties are being reasonable and open to compromise. I understand that some parents are more stubborn than others, but such a challenge should be treated as an opportunity to learn better communication skills and how to express yourself with greater conviction and persuasiveness.

We all have external pressures to deal with and we all experience outside voices telling us what to do or who we should be. Being independent doesn't mean you stop caring about what other people think, rather, it means you reflect carefully and make informed and objective decisions about what kind of person you ought to be in order to live your life meaningfully in the world.

At the end of your life, it is really only you who must answer for the decisions you've made; you will be the one to feel the pride or regret most acutely. If you were to die in the next hour, would you feel satisfied by the decisions you've made for yourself? If not, stop wasting time and get on with changing how you make decisions.

When you keep withering under the fear of disapproval, it means you don't recognize your autonomy, so when will you be able to face the authorities in your life as an equal and speak up for yourself?

(3) It seems you suffer from low self-confidence. Self-confidence is related to the degree to which you feel in control of things. Different people have different reasons for low self-confidence. It is sometimes related to Ni misuse and imagining that problems are much worse than they really are, then emotions spiral and you lose all sense of control. Without a clear head, it's hard to analyze situations objectively and make good decisions.

At 18, you probably still suffer from some of the negative aspects of adolescence, such as being impractical, naive, or overemotional. I definitely remember my (over-the-top) way of thinking at 18, but despite how things seem at that age, career is not a life-or-death decision. It is quite common for people to change careers, perhaps many times throughout life, sometimes even late into middle age. Many adults I have been acquainted with tell me about "a past life" in this or that career they gave up because they realized it wasn't for them.

Looking at the bigger picture, to realize a career is not for you before you've even finished school is a bloody blessing. It's so much easier to start over at 18 than at 30 or 40. While I understand that finances might present a challenge for you, it's not an impossibility. Plenty of students find a way to pay in part or in full for their own education. You could work part-time and/or take out a loan. Perhaps if you communicated and negotiated properly with your parents, you could come to some kind of compromise with them.

The point is big problems can always be broken down into small steps of progress. Where there's a will, there's a way. The question is: How much hard work and difficulty are you willing to endure to get the life you really want? A meaningful life isn't an easy one. An easy life is usually the path of least resistance, the one that allows you to avoid confronting all the deeper problems that keep plaguing you. So far, you have mostly chosen the easy path, and now you're starting to realize it means forfeiting growth and getting stuck in a rut. Not so easy, after all, right?

When you have a bad habit of blowing problems out of proportion, being challenged by obstacles will always tempt you to give up and yearn for something easier, so how can you maintain enough will power to act in accordance with your needs, desires, interests, and values?

.

It's not my place to tell people how to live life. I can't tell you what the best course of action is; it's something you need to reflect on and decide for yourself. The only thing I can tell you is the way you're looking at the situation is too small and rigid. You're trapped by your own negative beliefs about how things "should" be or "will" end up. It is your choice whether to open up and broaden your perspective.

There is no need to be so pessimistic about the situation, but restoring hope means learning to have more patience, understanding, and self-compassion, i.e., to grant yourself permission to live a life that is different than originally expected.

The relationship with your parents ought to change with each new phase of your life, but it will only change for the better when you're willing to put in the effort to work out your issues with them.

There are always more possibilities for handling a situation as long as you exercise more imagination, but seeing new possibilities requires you to conquer the fears that keep you too fixated on the worst-case scenarios.

[pjstafford]

When Scully decides to become a brain surgeon...

A month after Fox Mulder and Dana Scully moved into their first shared and fully owned home together (although only Scully ‘s name was on the title), Mulder sits outside alone, star gazing.  His mind returns to the year they had been on the run until the time came to meet Skinner at an appointed place for some news. 

“The story we told at the bureau was that Mulder kidnapped Scully after he escaped prison.  That way Scully could always return to the bureau, and they were less likely to shoot to kill if you were discovered.  It was for the best.   Last week, I told the bureau I had been contacted and Scully escaped Mulder.”

They were in Skinner’s car, in the parking lot near a diner so far out of nowhere that it wasn’t on a map. 

“Won’t they want to question me?”  Scully knew, in the planning, she was to be “kidnapped”, but wondered why the decision now to have her “escape.”

“Hell, no.” Skinner said.  “There’s been some changes in the bureau, and no one wants to talk about the agent that was charged and found guilty of murder, despite the lack of a corpse, and then how he escaped and kidnapped another agent.  No one wants to find you, Agent Mulder, and no one wants to talk to Scully.”

“So, we are free?” Mulder asked with caution.

“Scully’s free.  She can go back to DC, see her family, leave you.”  Skinner glanced at Scully to see if she showed any interest in leaving Mulder.  It was clear she did not.   “Or you can keep hiding, Mulder, and Scully, if she is careful, can work and have a life.  We can’t take the risk of some ambitious field agent recognizing you and bringing you in for questioning.  The best thing is for you to settle down somewhere out of the way with lots of space and just stay there.  No one will be looking for you.  All you must do is stay in hiding.”

“House arrest?” Mulder said dryly.

“But not running,” Scully said “Not constantly looking over our shoulders.  I can work, Mulder.  I can call my mother.

Mulder could see the tears forming in Scully’s eyes and the pleading in those eyes behind the tears for him to be ok with it.  Of course he was.  Scully deserved all he had and could ever give. 

So here he sits now in the home of his metaphorical house arrest.  He has space.  Three bedrooms so they could do yours, mine, and our space.  Acres upon acres of land around them.  The type of home he always wanted.  Scully had started to go into town to shop for work clothes, interview for jobs, and soon he would be here alone while she worked.  As if to get him used to this, she has started to spend more time in her own room – her office- reading medical journals and searching the web.  He is glad for her.  He is just having some issues adapting to the new normal. 

Scully comes out now to join him.  The heat of a summer night surrounds them. 

After their time so close for the last year, Mulder reads her moods better than ever.  There is something she wants to say to him and yet is nervous about saying to him.  He lets her speak in her own time. 

“Would we have money enough for us if I didn’t return to work right away?”

Mulder heart leaps at the thought of them spending time together here now for a while, but he could sense there was more to come, so he only nods. 

“Are you sure?  We just bought the house and you paid for it in full.”                           

“Scully, we have money.”  Mulder never went into details about liquidating his parental assets and hiding the money in alias identify accounts.   “But how about the job offer at the private Catholic hospital?  I thought you wanted to return to work.” 

“I applied for a residency program.  It’s very prestigious so I didn’t think I would get in, but its for experienced physicians who wants to change specialties.  Normally, a residency like this would take seven years, but with my experience in autopsies and the number of neural autopsies, I can cut the time in half.”

“A residency in neural science?”  Mulder asked in a puzzled voice.           

“A residency in neurosurgery.” 

“Brain surgery?”

They sat in silence for a moment or two.  So many layers of pain, trauma, and loss they haven’t processed fully.  They were on the run.  They were mourning the loss of career and connections.  They were mourning their son.  They were recovering from the time Mulder was gone, abducted, and even once dead.  It comes to Mulder then. The thing, through all the time together, neither had ever mentioned. 

“Scully, I’m ok.”

“Mulder” she reached up and kisses his forehead.  “Your beautiful brain.”

“I’m ok.  When you cured me of becoming a super soldier, you cured me of all my other diseases.”

“It could come back.”

“Anything could happen.  I could have a heart attack or another type of disease.”

“The rubbing.  It impacted your brain.  Why?  We never really knew.  Then, you had surgery and the surgeons left you for dead.  Then, you had a brain disease you didn’t tell me about.”

“Then, I died and was resurrected, and you made me well and whole again.”

“But, your brain, Mulder.  If it came back, I wouldn’t know how to cure you again.  I need to do this. “

“How many times do you expect to miraculously cure me in one lifetime, Scully?”

Scully smiles a simple smile then.  “As many times as needed.”

Scully’s tone changes.  “It’s not just for you, Mulder.  There is a significant shortage of neurosurgeons and there is a need.  I know I can do this and then, I can do some real good in the world.”

Mulder knows there is no use trying to return to the discussion of her fear of losing him or her sense of betrayal because he didn’t tell her about his disease back when he had it before he was abducted.   Scully has put up her impenetrable shield and is compartmentalizing her motivations. 

“I think you should do what you feel you should, Scully.  If you want to do a residency, I’m sure you will succeed, and you don’t need to worry about money.”

He knows the best way to end the subject is always with a joke.  “Don’t think I don’t know the real reason you want to become a neurosurgeon.”  She looks at him now knowing a joke is on its way.

“So, when someone says, you know it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to…”  Mulder begins. 

Scully interrupts.  Her eyes are sparkling now at the adventures before her.  “I can say – leave me alone then and call me when it does take a brain surgeon.” 

Mulder gently kisses his soon-to-be brain surgeon life partner.