#although this ch doesn't have anything to do with that art

[gristol-liker]

Chapters: 2/6 Fandom: Psychonauts (Video Games) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gristol Malik | Nick Johnsmith/Truman Zanotto Characters: Truman Zanotto, Gristol Malik | Nick Johnsmith Additional Tags: forget Enemies to Lovers, this is enemies and lovers, they hate each other so much Summary:

Truman and Gristol have a few encounters after work.

[jimblejamblewritings]

Marauders Fanon vs Canon??? (I don't have a good title but hear me out)

So I'm writing a fic but I wanted to make it more in line with canon for some parts and was looking up some stuff and realized a lot of stuff we think is common knowledge is fanon mixed with canon or something wasn't stated in canon when it was. This isn't about Team Snape or Team Marauders. I went to pick up my copies of the books since I owned them and noticed these things:

Keep in mind, anything anyone says is biased. On both sides. Especially when they're talking to Harry or showing him something. They want to make themselves look the best. So there might be contradictions by characters

(Sidenote: James says "you-know-what" when telling Lily he can't be as bad as Snape because he'd never call her a mudblood like he just did. So, yes, that very much shows mudblood is meant to be a slur like the n-word. we can put that argument to rest)

Snape Invented Levicorpus:

There's a lot of maybe he did maybe he didn't on every side but in Half-Blood Prince Ch. 28 (pg.603-604) it states:

“Sectum— !” Snape flicked his wand and the curse was repelled yet again; but Harry was mere feet away now and he could see Snape’s face clearly at last [...] Mustering all his powers of concentration, Harry thought, Levi— “No, Potter!” screamed Snape. [...] You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them — I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you’d turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you? I don’t think so."

Snape reacts only after Harry is about to use Levicorpus. So it's confirmed on page that when Snape says spells, he means both Sectumsempra and Levicorpus. And we know from his worst memory that the only spell James uses on Severus that isn't taught in school is Levicorpus. So that could be the only witnessed spell of Severus' James would have turned on him.

Also in the Worst Memory, he definitely uses a form of sectumsempra on James:

“SECTUMSEMPRA!” bellowed Harry from the floor, waving his wand wildly. Blood spurted from Malfoy’s face and chest as though he had been slashed with an invisible sword. (Half-Blood Prince Ch. 24, p. 522)

Snape had directed his wand straight at James; there was a flash of light and a gash appeared on the side of James’s face, spattering his robes with blood. (Order of the Phoenix Ch. 28, p. 647)

They both cause gashes although James' hex is obviously a lot less intense than Draco's hex. I don't know if this would imply Snape wasn't advanced enough yet in the spell but he seems very proficient even at the end of 5th year where this scene takes place. So maybe he used a different form of it? Either way the spells match up in the look of them, it's just the severity is different.

~~

Lily was NOT a bad friend to Severus. I've seen people say oh she didn't use her wand during Snape's Worst Memory therefore making her a bad friend and not that invested in him. She literally pulls out her wand and threatens James and Sirius if they don't let him go. Just because they listened to her threat so she didn't get to fire a hex doesn't mean she wasn't going to. She wanted to talk first and try to reason before resorting to violence. She was a good friend to Severus. Period.

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Lily shouted. She had her own wand out now. James and Sirius eyed it warily. (Order of the Phoenix Ch. 28, p. 648)

~~

Sirius claims that James always hated Dark Arts. This could definitely be a skewed perspective but so far I've treated every quote as truth of the person who said it so I'll do the same here for now. If this is true, then James never hated Snape out of nowhere and happened to be proven right that he's a Death Eater. They knew.

James and Snape hated each other from the moment they set eyes on each other, it was just one of those things, you can understand that, can’t you? I think James was everything Snape wanted to be — he was popular, he was good at Quidditch, good at pretty much everything. And Snape was just this little oddball who was up to his eyes in the Dark Arts and James — whatever else he may have appeared to you, Harry — always hated the Dark Arts. (Order of the Phoenix Ch. 29, p. 670)

The war started in 1970. The Marauders and Snape's first year at Hogwarts was 1971. So Death Eaters, Voldemort, and the war in general was their entire school career. Severus wasn't hanging out with pre-Death Eaters. They were always preparing to join the Death Eaters. They were called Death Eaters at the school. So whether that's his actual motivation or not, James and literally everyone else would know from first year if their fellow students were on Voldemort's side or believed in his cause or not.

You and your precious little Death Eater friends—you see, you don’t even deny it! You don’t even deny that’s what you’re all aiming to be! You can’t wait to join You-Know-Who, can you? (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 676)

To me that makes the use of mudblood constantly even worse. From the beginning students knew the implication of that and would call and honestly torment their fellow muggleborn students that slur anyway. Everyone at school was well aware of the war and their actions, even the first years.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” she said in a constricted voice. “Why not?” “Tuney h–hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore.” “So what?” She threw him a look of deep dislike. “So she’s my sister!” “She’s only a— ” He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy trying to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him. “But we’re going!” he said, unable to suppress the exhilaration in his voice. “This is it! We’re off to Hogwarts!” She nodded, mopping her eyes, but in spite of herself, she half smiled. (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 670 - 671)

~~

James and Severus were at each other's throats. It wasn't one-sided bullying on either side. They both attacked each other. Literally starting on the train they both made petty enemies out of each other and it escalated each year. Now we never get to see on page who started the physical but whoever did the other side returned it just as much as they dished it.

“You’d better be in Slytherin." “Slytherin?” One of the boys sharing the compartment, who had shown no interest at all in Lily or Snape until that point, looked around at the word, and Harry [...] saw his father. [...] “Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?” James asked [Sirius]. “My whole family have been in Slytherin,” he said. “Blimey,” said James, “and I thought you seemed all right!” Sirius grinned. “Maybe I’ll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?” "Gryffindor." Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him. “Got a problem with that?” “No,” said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy— ” “Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?” interjected Sirius. James roared with laughter. Lily sat up, rather flushed, and looked from James to Sirius in dislike. “Come on, Severus, let’s find another compartment.” “Oooooo . . . ” James and Sirius imitated her lofty voice; James tried to trip Snape as he passed. “See ya, Snivellus!” (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 671-672)

“She started going out with him in seventh year,” said Lupin. “Once James had deflated his head a bit,” said Sirius. “And stopped hexing people just for the fun of it,” said Lupin. “Even Snape?” said Harry. “Well,” said Lupin slowly, “Snape was a special case. I mean, he never lost an opportunity to curse James, so you couldn’t really expect James to take that lying down, could you?” (Order of the Phoenix Ch. 29, p. 670)

I'm also sure of this because of what Severus does to Petunia who has no magic. More than likely this was a back and forth but not one-sided bullying from the marauders or from Snape.

Then a small rustling noise behind Harry made him turn: Petunia, hiding behind a tree, had lost her footing. “Tuney!” said Lily, surprise and welcome in her voice, but Snape had jumped to his feet. “Who’s spying now?” he shouted. “What d’you want?” Petunia was breathless, alarmed at being caught. Harry could see her struggling for something hurtful to say. “What is that you’re wearing, anyway?” she said, pointing at Snape’s chest. “Your mum’s blouse?” There was a crack. A branch over Petunia’s head had fallen. Lily screamed. The branch caught Petunia on the shoulder, and she staggered backward and burst into tears. (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 668)

Like this is an overkill response and could have genuinely hurt Petunia just for her being a little shithead. So the notion that Severus dished it and took it probably isn't a lie from the characters but true. And I don't feel bad for adult Petunia. She was a horrible woman and abused Harry and should have been held accountable more for that.

But we have to be honest that child Petunia deserved better. She thought at strange neighbor was spying on her and her sister and then after he becomes friends with her baby sister, he either harms Petunia or convinces Lily to invade Petunia's privacy. And then she finds out she can't go be with her sister who is disappearing for months out of the year at what sounds like the best school ever. I mean baby Petunia didn't deserve this shit.

“You didn’t think it was such a freak’s school when you wrote to the headmaster and begged him to take you.” Petunia turned scarlet. “Beg? I didn’t beg!” “I saw his reply. It was very kind.” “You shouldn’t have read— ” whispered Petunia, “that was my private—how could you—?” Lily gave herself away by half-glancing toward where Snape stood nearby. Petunia gasped. “That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking in my room!” “No—not sneaking— ” Now Lily was on the defensive. “Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn’t believe a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that’s all! (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 669-670)

The two wouldn't have known Dumbledore's reply was kind if they just saw the letter. They went into her room and then opened her mail. Also, me, I would have freaked out more if some boy I didn't really know or liked was just in my room. This point doesn't really matter in relation to canon or anything, I just thought I'd mention that child Petunia deserves a mention every now and then.

~~

The Marauders' pranks seem to all be hexes. Everyone considers them harmless and sometimes funny or annoying or pranks. So hexes even if not legal are seen as just pranking and stupid. This also kind of implies that James and Sirius did most of the pranks not really Peter or Remus but I don't think that was intentional and is just a book contradictory.

walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can — I’m surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. (Order of the Phoenix Ch. 28, p. 648)

“And stopped hexing people just for the fun of it,” said Lupin. (Order of the Phoenix Ch. 29, p. 670)

He pulled out a card from one of the topmost boxes with a flourish and read, “ ‘James Potter and Sirius Black. Apprehended using an illegal hex upon Bertram Aubrey. Aubrey’s head twice normal size. Double detention.’ ” Snape sneered. “It must be such a comfort to think that, though they are gone, a record of their great achievements remains [...] It was, as Harry had anticipated, useless, boring work, punctuated (as Snape had clearly planned) with the regular jolt in the stomach that meant he had just read his father or Sirius’s names, usually coupled together in various petty misdeeds, occasionally accompanied by those of Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. (Half-Blood Prince Ch. 24, p. 532)

~~

I don't think Snape was a loner. Even in his own memories, he doesn't present them as if he had no one once he got to Hogwarts. The text itself makes it seem like obviously Lily was his best friend but he hung out with the Death Eaters on a level of actually liking them.

"thought we were supposed to be friends?” Snape was saying, “Best friends?” “We are, Sev, but I don’t like some of the people you’re hanging round with! I’m sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber! Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev, he’s creepy! D’you know what he tried to do to Mary MacDonald the other day?” Lily had reached a pillar and leaned against it, looking up into the thin, sallow face. “That was nothing,” said Snape. “It was a laugh, that’s all— ” “It was Dark Magic, and if you think that’s funny— ” [...] "Mulciber's and Avery's idea of humor is just evil. Evil, Sev. I don't understand how you can be friends with them." (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 673 - 674)

Also we never find out what Mulciber does but in Goblet of Fire it's revealed that he's really good at the Imperius Curse. Now, he probably wasn't doing Unforgivables at school (although all the Crucio's thrown around even during Harry's time might prove otherwise). But it might have been something along the lines of that curse.

~~

People change and grow which is good but Hermione and Ron definitely had a prejudice of werewolves and threw that in Lupin's face during the Shrieking Shack. Like it wasn't about him helping Sirius, they were also appalled at the werewolf bit seperately. Also it was wrong of Snape to teach that and make a whole essay hoping students would pick up on the symptoms matching Remus' symptoms.

~~

Canon does confirm that Severus suspected Remus of being a werewolf before The Prank™. He wanted to know where Remus went every month. Severus had worked out the schedule exactly and knew it was once a month.

"Severus was very interested in where I went every month [...] We were in the same year, you know, and we — er — didn’t like each other very much. He especially disliked James. Jealous, I think, of James’s talent on the Quidditch field . . . anyway Snape had seen me crossing the grounds with Madam Pomfrey one evening as she led me toward the Whomping Willow to transform. Sirius thought it would be — er — amusing, to tell Snape all he had to do was prod the knot on the tree trunk with a long stick, and he’d be able to get in after me. Well, of course, Snape tried it — if he’d got as far as this house, he’d have met a fully grown werewolf — but your father, who’d heard what Sirius had done, went after Snape and pulled him back, at great risk to his life . . . Snape glimpsed me, though, at the end of the tunnel. He was forbidden by Dumbledore to tell anybody, but from that time on he knew what I was." (Prisoner of Azkaban Ch. 18, p. 356 - 357)

Also I think this shows that The Prank™ happened in 5th year a little before Snape's Worst Memory but it wasn't what made Severus drop hints to Lily about Remus being a werewolf. His suspicions were confirmed that night of the Shrieking Shack but they formed well beforehand. We don't know if this is what Severus actually saw that led him to start being suspicious because it doesn't seem likely that he and Remus ever talked about it but this is really the only in depth detail we ever get so it's what we've got to go off of.

The one thing that never gets explained is how Severus approached Sirius or what happened that would lead to them having any sort of conversation where Sirius would say if you want to go after Remus, here's how you get past the Whomping Willow. Which is a missed opportunity in my opinion. Clearly Sirius was aware that Snape wanted to go after Lupin and they both understand that. So what did Snape do or say to lead up to that. Because based on how his character is written in the rest of the books, unless Severus alluded to knowing Remus was a werewolf, it's out of character for him to risk his friend like that. We get this scene showing Sirius' character in the exact same scene after Remus tells the story:

“Two more for Azkaban tonight,” said Snape, his eyes now gleaming fanatically. “I shall be interested to see how Dumbledore takes this. . . . He was quite convinced you were harmless, you know, Lupin . . . a tame werewolf —” “You fool,” said Lupin softly. “Is a schoolboy grudge worth putting an innocent man back inside Azkaban?” BANG! Thin, snakelike cords burst from the end of Snape’s wand and twisted themselves around Lupin’s mouth, wrists, and ankles; he overbalanced and fell to the floor, unable to move. With a roar of rage, Black started toward Snape, but Snape pointed his wand straight between Black’s eyes. (Prisoner of Azkaban Ch. 18, p. 357)

If Snape had just said something like he was going to tell they were breaking curfew, I doubt Sirius would have just blurted that our so I wish it had been given a scene.

But this does show that even though Sirius was wrong to tell him how to get into the Whomping Willow, Severus suspected something was up and proceeded to go on a full moon anyway. If you suspected he's a werewolf, why take the chance?

Even though it makes no sense for fanfic purposes (or canon really but different convo) the timeline is: Snape is suspicious —> The Prank —> Snape's Worst Memory. And all in a matter of days or weeks in 5th year. Feel free to switch it up though because that's a lot crammed into a short time.

And personal opinion, but Dumbledore wasn't wrong in this moment. Remus can't control what he is and potentially getting expelled would make him a victim as well. We don't know if Sirius was punished by some made up excuse but I don't think forbidding Snape to tell was wrong when it doesn't affect Sirius but Remus.

Lily also knew about his theory. Even though this conversation is after the prank, this isn't new information. It's Severus reiterating what he suspected before, just with the added context that he has confirmation of Remus being a werewolf.

“He’s ill,” said Lily. “They say he’s ill— ” “Every month at the full moon?” said Snape. “I know your theory,” said Lily, and she sounded cold. “Why are you so obsessed with them anyway? Why do you care what they’re doing at night?” “I’m just trying to show you they’re not as wonderful as everyone seems to think they are.” The intensity of his gaze made her blush. (Deathly Hallow Ch. 33, p. 674)

Unfortunately, I think people were right that Severus was jealous of James over... Quidditch. It sounds like a cover up and so foolishly silly. There's definitely more things but being jealous over quidditch was true. It comes out of Snape's mouth in his own memories.

The words seemed wrenched from him against his will. “And he’s not . . . everyone thinks . . . big Quidditch hero— ” Snape’s bitterness and dislike were rendering him incoherent, and Lily’s eyebrows were traveling farther and farther up her forehead. (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 674)

~~

This is more speculation than overt in text but I don't think James did take off Snape's underwear during the second Levicorpus in Snape's Worst Memory. The Deathly Hallows is a YA book not middle grade so it would be acceptable to put that in the book. The book has worse stuff in it. But the first time the memory appears, Harry is pulled out by Snape returning to his office before he can find out. The second time, it skips it. If the scene had finished playing out with Severus having his underwear forcibly removed, I think it would have been on page by this point in the last book. That doesn't make it right by any means, I'm not saying that. But I think it's not concrete that James ever did that.

Now what else isn't concrete is that "Snape never used Levicorpus the way the Marauders did". It lifts people up by their ankles. It's a spell Snape confirms was invented. It's a spell that became a popular jinx around Hogwarts. The Hogwarts uniforms are black robes and point hats. Those things are confirmed and canon by text. So if Snape or any other student was using Levicorpus, unless they were wearing something underneath their robes, they all would have been exposed like Severus was in his Worst Memory. That makes literally everyone look bad and is actually problematic of all the characters. And means Snape invented the spell knowing it would do this and did it to people. And then all the other students did. They'd all be shitty.

Of course this can be remedied by just stating that people wear clothes under their robes and Snape just happened to be in only underwear that day but the books seem to be wishy washy on if people are wearing clothes under the robes or not or even wearing the robes at all sometimes. This also does lend some credibility to people saying Snape's Worst Memory was the part where he called Lily a mudblood not the part about being Levicorpused. Because if everyone in school was doing that to each other and it's just seen as stupid jinxes then the Levicorpus wouldn't be the most horrifying thing. I used to not believe in this thought but seeing the text again, it's possible.

~~

This specific scene tackles a lot of what was said before but I want to address it as a whole instead of breaking the dialogue up:

“I only came out because Mary told me you were threatening to sleep here.” “I was. I would have done. I never meant to call you Mudblood, it just— ” “Slipped out?” There was no pity in Lily’s voice. “It’s too late. I’ve made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends—you see, you don’t even deny it! You don’t even deny that’s what you’re all aiming to be! You can’t wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?” He opened his mouth, but closed it without speaking. “I can’t pretend anymore. You’ve chosen your way, I’ve chosen mine.” “No—listen, I didn’t mean— ” “— to call me Mudblood? But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?” (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 675 - 676)

There's something pretty traumatizing that Mary was the one around to hear Snape threaten to sleep in front of the Gryffindor Common Room. Like his friends assaulted you with Dark Magic and then he's there and threatening to sleep there. Mary dealt with a lot of trauma that we never talk about.

Severus never meant to call Lily a mudblood, once again confirming it is viewed as a slur in this world. It doesn't just slip out. He's comfortable using it. For years, he's been friends with people who want Lily and people like her harmed or dead. It's not just convenient to hang out with these people because he has to see them since they're all in Slytherin. It is Severus' ideology and belief.

And not to harp on her too much but Lily actively hung out with someone constantly calling people a slur and only gave up on him after he said it to her specifically. Like babes, stand up, please. She also says she made excuses for him for years implies he did in fact dish it out like he took it.

Snape calling every muggleborn a mudblood, hangs out with known Death Eaters, aims to be one officially, and wants to join You-Know-Who. All around the end of 5th year into early 6th year. The war had been raging and they all knew it so Severus wasn't a troubled teen who joined a bad cause. He actively participated in it. Troubled teens don't always join neo-Nazis simply because they're troubled. That claim robs Severus of the agency his character has. He made these decisions and has to contend with them. That's a more powerful character.

Even when he was alone though, Snape still used that word. Even when there was no part to play. He never changed his ideology. He only joined the right side because the woman he loved was killed by the other side.

And now Snape stood again in the headmaster’s study as Phineas Nigellus came hurrying into his portrait. “Headmaster! They are camping in the Forest of Dean! The Mudblood— ” “Do not use that word!” “— the Granger girl, then, mentioned the place as she opened her bag and I heard her!” “Good. Very good!” cried the portrait of Dumbledore behind the headmaster’s chair. (Deathly Hallows Ch. 33, p. 689)

He's still calling muggleborns a slur. Unprompted and Unprovoked.

(Side Note: Why does this feel like a retcon of Phineas Nigellus? He's not mentioned much but I think maybe fanon has me remembering him as being more awful but he's not that bad here or really does much in the series)

~~

No one from the marauders era saw Harry as a real person. There's way too many quotes to show it but I think we all know. Every last one of them saw Harry as James 2.0 or James reincarnate but they never saw him as just Harry.

Final Thoughts:

The look-back into actual canon was very helpful. A lot of unanswered questions are actually explained in other spots, we just tend to forget when they are never explicit or lingered on and the book series is as huge as it is.

I do have to say though that the re-read actually made me not like Snape more. Like, I don't remember half the quotes being like this but they were actually worse than I thought. Particularly the point where he's in Sirius' bedroom, takes a letter not addressed to him and then rips a photo in half to only keep the part of Lily and throw the rest of her photo that has her husband and CHILD on the floor. I hate to say it but canon actually made me not like this character, the opposite effect I was expecting.

It also did make me sympathetic to child Petunia and remember that they were two very different people. Shame she became awful.

[uchihakeimei]

Yes, thank you, I hate it. I'm just gonna pretend I didn't read any of that, lmao.

So, what are your thoughts abt the Kaiser flashback? I mean, we obviously already knew something bad had gone down in his past, but this is a whole another level of evil from Kaneshiro's part. It's really interesting how every little thing that's part of his character now clicks in place. I like the direction the series is taking with him! Although I'm not really a big fan of the little-lost-puppy treatment he's now getting from the fandom. Abused people can still be shitty people, and no, he's not suddenly becoming a pure angel. If anything, the abuse he got explains his actions, but doesn't excuse them (did everybody forget the way he treats Ness and Isagi?). Just another day of wishing people could understand Kaiser a bit more than just on the surface level… Btw, I absolutely loved him rocking the shit out of his father and the cops. And the reference to the bruised ball that we got in that official art? The roses? Now everything makes sense, and I'm living for it!

Heyyy!! I am sorry for replying so late, I had exams on thursday and saturday, sorry sorry :<

Ahh, Ch 260.

Ngl, it hit me like truck-kun does (and I didn't even get isekai'd into a fantasy world with cute boys to make up for it :<<)

Yes, we all knew Kaiser didn't have the best past, the hints were all there after all, but I believe none of us were prepared for how graphic it would be.

A lot of things about his character that I found charming (and still do) are now also heartbreaking, though. The theatre metaphors (that come from abusive parents), the rose tattoo, the dramatics, the milk (god, I thought he was being dramatic and it was just a cute quirk, I was not prepared for the actual reason).

A thing that I noticed though, is that Kaiser is not the type to give up either.

A lot of people in the fandom seem to think that Kaiser intending to avoid fighting Noa for the throne of BM is a sign that he avoids conflict, but I disagree (and always have).

It's not that simple, imo. For BM, Noa is the tried and tested strategy. They know it works. BM wants a successor, not an usurper. Isagi has such an high offer from BM right now precisely because he's being evaluated as a Midfielder who can also play Striker in a pinch. It was mentioned outright that they want him to be the Ness to Noa's Kaiser.

If Kaiser chooses to take on Noa in an already established set up that's biased for Noa, well, the logical conclusion is that he will fail. Everything, from the team, to the coach, to the management, he will not have any support.

(Before, someone mentions it, it is, in fact, a different situation from Isagi's. Isagi is not playing on senior level. Isagi also has other blue lockers who will support him. He also has Noa on his side.)

So, Kaiser choosing to switch teams doesn't actually prove anything to me, except the fact that Kaiser is simply changing the mode and method of engagement. After all, even in another team, he will still have to contend with (and win against) Noa as an opponent.

But anyway, I digress. The point I was trying to make is that Kaiser does not give up either.

"I'll... start over again..."

The sheer grit and mental strength it takes to even consider starting over again after having your chance of escaping an abusive situation being taken away is enormous.

That Kaiser could even react like that, that he could keep himself, even a little bit, from losing hope... it's anything but a sign of him being mentally weak. He's damaged, and cracked, but he's still held together, even if it's with tape.

.

.

.

Please do not get not get me started on the 180 the fandom has done on Kaiser. Like, I knew it was gonna happen (See: Itachi, Madara, Obito) but it's annoying anyway.

His past explains his actions, it does not excuse them.

(Though personally, I was in the camp of, "He's a piece of work and I love him for it, not despite it". There are few things I would not let a fictional character get away with (especially if I like them), and Kaiser has not crossed those lines yet.)

What really grinds my gears about the fandom reaction is the thinking that, "oh he had a shitty childhood, so it's okay".

Ugh. No.

He's still damaged, he's still traumatized, and he's still harming Ness with this codependent toxic situationship they have got going on.

(I wonder though, what was it that ruined them?? Was it Kaiser emulating the only thing he has known? It can't be. Kaiser hasn't been treated well by anyone before Ness, from what we can tell so far. And he does treat Ness well in his own way. So... is that what he assumes kindness is? A servant who's treated well? Is that what he sees, when he imagines an alternate reality where his father is not what he became in this universe?

Others have also made the connection, when they noticed that Ness is the soccer ball. It is the highest regard Kaiser can hold for someone and the most kindness Kaiser can offer. He will cherish it in the only way he knows, and protect it with what power he has, the way he fought his father for the ball.)

.

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I truly adored the last few scenes of the chapter; idgaf over however 'unrealistic' it is. Who the fuck cares?

The scenes conveyed what they were meant to convey, they made their point. Kaiser's rage and heartbreak were potent and well drawn. No one needed the translations to even understand exactly what Kaiser was feeling, simply seeing was enough.

I don't care what anyone else says, the backstory was well done, and I cannot wait for the next chapter to drop.

(And yes. I loved the fact that Kaiser beat up his dad and the cops too. They were all assholes and deserved it. Kaiser rocked their shit and I am living for it.)

Ps: Sorry, It's longer than I thought would be 😅

[unwhitewashthebadbatch]

Hello, really appreciate the work you're doing to bring awareness! I was wondering if you have thoughts/resources/suggestions etc. for fic writers who want to portray the clones well. I'm genuinely thinking that adding an author's note might be a good idea, but I'd love to have thoughts on respectfully mentioning the clones' appearance within fic itself. Thank you so much for all you do!

Hi, and thanks!

When it comes to writing, it's sometimes easier to come up with a list of "Dont's" than "Dos". This guide from NaNoWriMo is pretty straight forward!

Of course, there are some caveats: unless this is a modern AU, you can't directly say the clones are Māori because that term doesn't exist in Star Wars. However, this doesn't mean that their features don't! From another character's PoV, you could say they have even brown skin, dark eyes, and dark curly (not coily) hair with broad noses. You can tweak these for your level of prose, such as saying "warm" brown skin or coal-dark eyes/hair--but do NOT use food descriptions, as this is objectifying and dehumanizing. So no "chocolatey" (I have seen this) or anything like that.

Some authors like to code their characters as being from a certain culture, race, or ethnic background. Think of how Temuera Morrison portrayed Boba in The Book of Boba Fett and the Mandalorian, where he proudly put his Māori culture at the forefront of his fight in the latter show. I'm much less versed on the basics of Māori culture and ways of life than I am other cultures, so I personally don't know how to code the clones in the GAR as such. This is where research is important, both in terms of doing your own reading and reaching out to Māori cultural experts if they are willing to explain something.

One thing that I've seen that's quite popular in fics/art is Tā moko, which are the tattoos you may see some Māori with, like this:

However, Tā moko is sacred and, from what I understand, relates specifically to one's ancestors, whakapapa (genealogy, loosely), and rank within society. Non-Māori can use kirituhi. @/tu_edmonds on TikTok/Instagram is a Māori bassist for Alien Weaponry who has Tā moko and also has a video explaining the difference between that and kirituhi. He's also got loads of other good explainers for Māori culture and language.

Physically, don't be scared to make the clones short! Temuera Morrison himself is only 5'7". I don't know why they made the clones six feet. Morrison also has a stockier build, the way a lot of Māori do, so don't be afraid to describe them being bigger and less cut/lean than the 180 lbs they supposedly are in canon (although I refuse to believe that's true because that is incredibly thin).

This might be more than you bargained for, whoops! But these are the basic things I could come up with for describing clones in fics!

There are other ways to support #UnwhitewashTBB, if you like. I've been looking at and supporting @end-otw-racism (highly recommend you support them too!) and people will change the title of their fics or tag there works with #EndOTWRacism, as well as bookmark them/add them to collections? I'm not sure how exactly it works.

But if you or anyone else understands how this works, and your work is explicitly non-racist in nature (and focuses on the clones) I don't see why you can't also tag your work or write an AN that says #UnwhitewashTBB.

Hope this helps!

~ Mod CH

[armpirate]

UNDER YOUR SKIN || JJK || Ch. 30

Pairings: tattoist!jk x fem!reader

Genre: smut, angst, friends to lovers, tattoo au, virgin reader.

Summary: You were awful on anything related to flirting, guys and sex. He was the perfect ladies man. You wanted to get rid of your virginity. And he was there to help you with everything you needed. You didn't have the best start, but that didn't mean you wouldn't have the best of the endings.

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

I know Tammy is close to losing her shit. It's in the way she keeps huffing and shaking her head, and how she takes a big breath every time she comes to the counter to pick up the drinks I've prepared.

Both of us being in a bad mood, Tammy because she got rejected for a role again and me for obvious reasons, isn't of help considering the environment in the bar is awful. Drunk assholes are a daily thing in our job, but especially today they're being worse than usual. Although it's still under control, I don't want it to be one of those nights that ends up with the police paying a visit.

—They're making me so violent —she drops the plate, making the clients sitting on the counter jump because of the thunderous unexpected sound—. They'd be surprised with the thousand ways to torture someone with a straw I'm coming up with.

—Stay here, and I'll do the tables —I try to convince her—. I don't really mind, even if it's my Monday.

Whoever is having their Monday, stays behind the counter and just prepares drinks and only deals with the customers sitting here. That's what we do. The start of the week is hard enough, to add dealing with dumb asses to it. We both agreed on it a long time ago, and we've worked like that for quite a long while. But I get how she must be feeling today, I've been there, so I don't see a problem with switching places.

—But it's your Monday —she shakes her head right after saying that—. It's alright.

—Tam, I don't care. You've been with the tables for two hours already, stay back here.

—You sure?

—Yup —I walk next to her—. I'll deal with it.

Tammy doesn't hide the smile on her face as she moves to the back of the counter, running in tiny before she pays attention to some of the customers.

The next hour goes by a little more fluidly, at least it passes by faster than the past two hours. I'm so busy picking up empty glasses, and cleaning up messy tables, that I'm not aware of who's coming or leaving. I have way too much to do to actually be worrying about that.

—Look who finally dares to show up —a male voice gets my attention.

When I lift my eyes from the table, I see those plumped lips smirking at my direction. So he actually came.

—SeokJin —I say his full name playfully—. What can I get you?

—A Martini should be okay. Also, just Jin is alright.

I nod, picking the two empty glasses left on the table just to head towards the counter. And when I walk back to him with his drink, he offers me a seat. I look around, just to make sure nobody is waiting to be attended, and I take a quick look at Tammy, who nods fast at me and encourages me to sit.

—So, did a bird tell you about my offer?

—You mean that bird over there? —I point to Tammy— Yes.

—My previous art dealer moved to Europe —he starts explaining—, and I'm in a rush to find someone at his level. Next week my gallery will be holding one of the biggest expositions, and I need someone that could give good advice to clients. Melanie told me you did Fine arts, but you're struggling to find a job.

—Hence why I'm here —I shrug.

—I want to arrange an interview —he goes straight to the point—. I'm warning you, I'm not easy to impress.

—Yet you're the one trying to arrange an interview, not the other way around.

I'm surprised by the flirty tone I use while saying that, because it was more intended to sound funny. Jin smiles at my comment, nodding and giving in.

—Come to the gallery tomorrow at eleven —he hands me his business card—, and bring an updated resume.

I nod, looking at all the information related to the gallery displayed on the golden card. Jin gets my attention before I'm able to finish reading.

—Will your boyfriend be okay with it?

—My boyf...?

When I lift my gaze to look at him, he instantly points at some point in the bar behind me. Jungkook is looking in our direction, despite being with Jimin and some other person I'm unable to recognize.

—He's not my boyfriend —I look back at Jin—. Just an overprotective friend.

—That's even worse —he adds with a smirk.

He doesn't really need to say much. Jin drinks the whole liquid of the glass with one sip, and hands me twenty dollars.

—Keep the change —Jin gets up, and fixes his shirt—. I'll see you tomorrow.

—See you tomorrow.

He moves faster than me, and takes the empty glass so he can hand it to Tammy himself. I wish all customers did that, honestly.

All my excitement seems suddenly gone as soon as I realize that there's one table I should be heading to right now. Honestly, last time we argued it took us one week to get back to each other, so I didn't expect him to come around this soon. I'm not ready for the look he's giving me as he sees me walking to their table, eyes fixed on me although the people he's with are trying to engage him in a conversation.

—Hey, Y/n —Jimin greets me—. How's everything going?

—Fine —I sigh.

—Y/n? This is Y/n? —the boy with messy brown hair asks— I finally meet you. You have no idea how much Jungkook has talked about you.

The table moves under them, and he complains, rubbing his leg while throwing Jungkook a withering stare.

—Tae, why don't you just say what you want to drink? —Jimin calls him out.

—Hey, beauty. Come here —another man says, from one of the tables in the corner of the bar.

—I'll be with you in just one second —I glare back at Jungkook and his friends.

—By the way, I received your email. Wednesday 25th is okay for you? —Jimin asks.

—Um. About that, I think it won't be necessary. I'll try to work with someone else.

When you're desperate and need help, you jump at the first person that's available. And although Jimin is a good therapist, having him work on my issues when he's best friends with one of those issues isn't a good idea.

—Why?

—I met someone who's specialized on that —I lie.

—Well, that's great —he nods, giving me a genuine smile—. But I'll save the appointment for the 25th at four. Just in case you change your mind.

I'm almost going to thank him, but the same masculine voice interrupts me, trying to get my attention again.

—She said she'd be with you in a fucking minute —Jungkook speaks for the first time—. Calm your ass down, unless you want me to do it for you.

—What are you doing? —I scold him.

—Are you serious? He...

—I'm serious —I stop him—. He's drunk and just being an asshole. Last thing I want tonight is someone getting in a fight —after that, my attention goes back to Tae and Jimin—. Guys, what do you want?

—Three beers —Jimin rushes to answer.

Jungkook is clearly pissed at what I said. But I know what could happen if I don't cut it. Those assholes just go to places dying to pick up a fight, they don't care who it is or what's the cause. They just want chaos. And I'm not in the mood to deal with that tonight.

As time goes by, I feel more and more nervous. The craziness in the bar today, adding Jungkook's stare following every single step I take isn't of help. At all.

—Do you want to switch? —Tammy asks me as I ask her a few more drinks for a new table.

—No, it's okay —I sigh—. A lot of them are already leaving anyway.

—I'm getting an off vibe from those at table five.

—Same. But let's hope it's just a bad vibe, and they leave without making a fuss.

Last time we had a similar group to that one, they ended up breaking two chairs and five glasses. Leaving aside the injuries to one of our usual customers and having to be stuck here for one hour more to deal with the police and cleaning up the mess.

Being too hopeful is free. And being the poorest alive, that's the only comfort I can find. Actually, the only comfort I seem to need right now.

—I'm so fucking stressed. Can they leave already? —Tammy complains.

—I heard them saying they'd leave after those drinks, so let's just wait.

—Do you want some water?

—Please.

Tammy turns to the small fridge behind her, where we save things like food we bring for our breaks, or our water. She hands to me my, already opened, water bottle. But before I'm able to take it, someone grabs it first. One of those dudes looks at me with a mocking smile while he opens it and takes a drink from it.

This is disgusting.

—Cutie, can you charge us? —he asks, not even looking at Tammy.

—Sure. That water bottle will be included —she says, pissed off.

—I don't care. As long as that means your friend will come along.

He's so close, I can smell the distillery stink coming from him. One of his hands try to get catch of my waist, but I move faster, stepping back. He mutters something I don't understand, tilting his head while trying to calm me down. At the second attempt, I push him away, making him take some steps back.

—Sorry, sorry —he lifts his hands.

—Here —Tammy slaps the ticket over the counter, his eyes move away from me with the sound—. Pay.

He lands his credit card, throwing it as if it were nothing before his attention is back to me. can Tammy hurry up and just make him leave?

Obviously two attempts aren't enough, because I feel his hand landing on the lower part of my back, his fingers almost meeting the ass, when I push him away again.

—What the fuck is wrong with you?

It all happens so fast. The man is about to answer with that disgusting mocking smile on his face, but someone grabs him by the collar before making him fall to the ground with just one punch.

The situation gets out of hand when his other two friends join to hold Jungkook, and obviously Tae nor Jimin take long to get up from their places and help their friend. I'm so busy trying to separate them, while Tammy is trying to get in contact with the police, that I don't know at what moment the man lying on the ground stood up to hit Jungkook back and make both of them fall to the ground.

As I try to separate the both of them, I get pushed away and fall on my back. Although I'm not aware I supported my hand over the floor, filled with broken glasses, until later. Actually, it takes the police showing up and Tammy screaming scared for me to realize the deep cut in the palm of my hand. Under Jimin commands, she rolls a clean rag around my hand.

—Are you taking her on the motorbike? —Tae asks, when Jungkook guides me to the street with his hand wrapped around my wrist after picking up my things.

—If we have to wait for a cab, it'll take forever —he doesn't even turn.

I try to hold my grip on his t-shirt while he's driving, but every time I close my fist tight, a stabbing pain goes over my whole arm, which makes me instinctively drop the fabric. But Jungkook makes sure both of my arms are around him either way, even if his left hand has to let go of the handlebar to hold my wrist tight against his stomach.

We don't exchange a word while we wait in the hospital, nor while we're heading out. I just let him take me home. And when he stops in front of my building, we don't talk either. I hop off the motorbike thinking he'd let me go, but he doesn't.

—Won't you talk to me now? You won't even say goodbye?

I turn to him, finding how the smirk on his face vanishes as my eyes land on his.

—I told you those assholes only wanted to fight. I told you to let it go and ignore them —I confront him.

—That dickhead was crossing the line.

—He was about to leave —I cut him off—. Something that would have lasted two minutes, turned into twenty because of you. Because you always have to do whatever the fuck you want.

—Are you still talking about the fight or about something else? —he squints his eyes.

—About everything —I see him moving his tongue across his cheek inside his mouth, the bulge tracing a line while he looks away—. Does my opinion mean nothing to you or what?

—It does. Fuck, y/n, that asshole was making you uncomfortable —he hops off the motorbike—. Not only once, or twice. He tried it three fucking times, and you were just expecting me to sit back and look? —he scoffs, shaking his head before his eyes fix on mine— I'm sorry, but I can't just sit back and look when it comes to you. And I'd have broken each one of his teeth if I had had the chance.

I look at him, finally realizing the state he's in with his bruised cheek, that little cut on his eyebrow, and the stain of blood I left while I was trying to hold onto him. I want to be so mad at him, I want to kick his motorbike so bad right now. But I can't.

I feel I'm so wrong about this whole thing, about being so weak with just one look from him... But I can't stand being on bad terms with him. Last time we went a week without talking nor seeing each other, I felt like I was going crazy. Always turning on the phone to call him or send him a text, but regretting it soon after.

We both argue, but are so drawn to each other, that he always ends up reaching up to him and I always end up giving in.

Like right now.

—Let's go to my place so I can clean you up.

Complete silence.

That's what we're surrounded with when we first get in. None of us dares to talk first, we just head towards the bathroom. I point at the toilet, so he sits there and waits while I'm preparing everything to treat his wounds.

—I know you're mad about yesterday —Jungkook looks down at me—. But you'll thank me in the long run.

—Sure, I will. Because it's so normal to encourage someone you like to fuck others. And it's completely okay to expect her to be okay with it.

—I don't want you to rush into things —I hear him sigh—. You barely lived your life because of what happened. I don't think I'd be able to be the second reason why you haven't lived. Now it's your time to do everything you couldn't, and choose whenever you feel sure to choose.

—Even if you tell me to do it, you're aware I won't —I look at him fast—. So what's the point?

I scan his face, while I cover his wounds with the gauze drenched in alcohol.

—You're choosing because you're scared I'll sleep with other girls, and dump you —he gives me a tiny smile—. Cocktease —his tattooed hand covers my wrist, his voice sounding soft while calling me by my nickname—, just trust me —I see him smile again—. New rule: I won't see anyone else, just you.

—That's not fair —I pick another gauze—. You're getting nothing out of that rule.

—You —he stops for one second—. It was always about you, remember? —he scoffs— Besides, after fucking you, it'll be so difficult to fuck with someone else. You were out of this worl... Ouch!

He complains when I press a bit harder than I should on the wound of his eyebrow. I throw the used gauzes into the bin that's right next to the toilet, and try to get up. But Jungkook holds me until I'm sitting on his lap.

—I can't stand it when you're mad at me.

—Really? Because you don't stop giving me reasons to be mad at you.

His lips curve up in such a particular and funny way, I can't help but smile back at him. I hate him for being like this. And all of this is the exact same reason why I can't understand why he wants me to see other people. I can't understand why he'd want to risk all of this.

—What's going on with that dude, by the way? I saw you talking with him again.

—Jin?

—I guess —he shrugs.

—He wanted me to apply for a vacancy in his gallery. I have a job interview tomorrow.

—With him? —he can't hide the disgust on his face.

—Yes.

Although that expression disappears soon, being replaced by a smile when he notices the way I'm looking at him.

—I'm so happy for you. You deserve it.

—Yeah, sure you are happy —I roll my eyes.

—I am. Nobody deserves this more than you —he places a hand on my leg—. Why don't we celebrate it? —he lowers the tone of his voice.

When he leans in to kiss me, I move back. And I do that every time he tries to stick our lips together, making him groan out of frustration. I rub my lips against his, while my fingers caress gently each one of his tattoos, especially that snake that hangs at the beginning of his wrist, as if I were drawing them with my fingertips. I go up his sleeve, moving my hand at the same time my lips move down his lips and over his jaw.

His fingers try to go further up my thigh, but every attempt gets blocked by my hand on his.

—Y/n —he whines my name.

I smile against his skin, still moving my lips on his skin, filling my nostrils with his fresh scent. I put one of his locks behind his ear, and I lean forward. Just like my right hand ventures down the collar of his t-shirt, to get a touch of his collarbone and chest, my tongue starts a route from his jaw to his earlobe. He breathes heavily when I finally reach there, the hand on my thigh grabbing the flesh tighter when my teeth take the piece of skin between my teeth.

—You want me to date and fuck other guys, then I will choose when you can fuck me just the same way —I whisper in his ear.

If he doesn't change his mind about this whole thing by talking, I'll make him change his mind in another way.

—Babe...

—Nope —I get up—. You want this, perfect. But if you want to fuck me, work for it.

—Fine. We'll see how much it takes you to give in —he stands up, being taller than me again.

—I've gone twenty six years without sex, I'm sure I'll be able to wait a bit for the next time.

I leave my bathroom and head toward my room, with Jungkook following me up close. As I see him getting ready to take off his shirt to lie on his usual side of the bed, I stop him.

—I don't think so —he looks at me—. It's either my couch or your house.

—You really gonna make me sleep somewhere else?

I don't answer, I just shrug.

I think he might leave, but instead, he just takes off his t-shirt and walks to me. Placing his hand on my nape, he leans over me to plant a kiss on my forehead.

—Sleep well, cocktease.

—You, too.

As I see him walking out of my room, paying attention to each one of the lines that the muscles in his back form, I know this will be the hardest challenge I've ever had to go through. And the worst part is that I brought this on myself.

[clairelsonao3]

Happy STS, Claire! I’m thinking about our guy today, and how he is a man of many, many talents. Are there any other skills/talents that have remained hidden from the plot so far, or that you just haven’t had a chance to work into the story? Or is there (gasp) a limit to how damn awesome he can be?

Same q for Louisa! Anything she’s great at we just haven’t seen her do yet? (Other than improv, of course 😉)

Happy STS and thanks so much for the ask, Kate!

Yes, he certainly is, isn't he? I'd like to think we've seen most of his talents, but he still surprises even me sometimes. 😂

Also, I will take this opportunity to note that, gifted as he is, many of the skills he's cultivated -- science, engineering/mechanics, music, chess, computer hacking, even psychological manipulation -- come just as much from hard work as natural talent. Hard work he put in, initially, simply to fight for whatever basic crumbs of respect it could get him. I think back to this line from Ch. 24:

[Free people] didn’t have to spend every spare moment racking their brains to exhaustion, figuring out ways to be smarter and better than everybody around them, for the mere privilege of not being kicked in the teeth.

So what else? (I’ll try to speak as hypothetically as possible and NOT turn any of these into spoilers!) It's been stated that he never bothered to put much effort into learning about finance or economics. But besides unabashedly loving money as only someone could who's never had any, he actually has some business acumen and could be capable of being a good entrepreneur, business leader, and investor, were he ever to get the opportunity. Particularly because he has a unique understanding of the dangers of unchecked capitalism and thus understands how it can and must be used as a force for good instead of evil.

He has good hand-eye coordination, and with his appreciation for the fine arts, he's decent at drawing and even painting, although I suspect his skills would fall more along the lines of art forgery than creating anything of his own. 😂 And although he doesn't have much experience, I feel like he would be good at handling weapons and have good aim with a gun (though I haven't decided whether we'll get a chance to find out before all is said and done...) And there are a couple of other less-deadly pastimes involving similar skills which he may eventually prove surprisingly decent at. I can't say much more than that, so feel free to speculate!

That said, he will NEVER be good at cooking, ever. And though Louisa may well improve her skills in that area someday with practice (she might even yet learn how to work an espresso machine 😂), I’m afraid there's no hope for him.

She, meanwhile, was okay at sports and physical stuff growing up; she just didn't really enjoy competition that much. She's totally untrained in self-defense, but we've seen that she is surprisingly bold when it comes to defending herself. She might eventually take up some type of martial art, simply to improve her confidence levels and to make sure she won't ever feel helpless again. (Neither one of them like that feeling very much). Also, she can write! She's definitely written poetry in the past (which of course she would die before showing to anyone), and although it was typical angsty teen girl material, I can say it was at least slightly above average.🤣 But I think her main writing talents lie in nonfiction, and I could see her turn to conducting research and writing and publishing persuasive essays or op-eds to advocate for the causes and principles she believes in.

[another-sonic-blog]

The Fanfictioner Ch.6: Drunk Confessions

For a better reading experience: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23815324/chapters/57221092

Thanks @/redsunlight for the art cover!

The Fanfictioner Ch.6: Drunk Confessions

TW: Drinking (Idk but just in case lol)

.

.

.

A DRAMATIC TURN OF EVENTS: SHADOW AND AMY ARE STILL SECRETLY DATING? AND SONIC FINDS OUT?!!

Stupid Tabloids.

Sonic was right. They were watching.

The paparazzi had taken pictures of her and Shadow on the cruise. People still think that they were dating even when Shadow confirmed on his Bitter account that they were just co-workers.

But of course, the people still had their speculations.

"It's not the first time they make tabloids. They used to write about us all the time before too, remember?"

Sonic is as excited as he could be to finally touch the ground again. He wants to run and start exploring again on an island he has yet to explore completely. He was on Acorn Island once, for a war. Now he is here for peace.

"Don't worry too much about it."

Amy smiles at the blue hedgehog and he smiles back as they slowly walk down the ramp of the cruise to the port.

They expected people to be there but not to this extent. There were posters of their faces, cameras, and flowers thrown at them.

"Sonic marry me!"

"Amy have my kids!"

"Sticks step on me!"

"Tails come check my plane!"

"Knuckles carry me!"

They are surprised by the amount of security there is, the people and the cameras, and the amount of support that they were receiving. And one question raises ...

"All of this support ... and we are still getting paid minimum wage?"

They better start reading the contracts for next time. Regardless, as they walk down the ramp and greet the fans, a black limousine is waiting for them. As they almost reach the limousine, the entire crowd goes silent. Of course, this gets the attention of the Sonic Team.

It's Shadow the Hedgehog, wearing a black leather jacket and shades which made all the girls and some guys fangirl and scream in excitement.

Quickly enough, a black van pulls behind the limousine. The door opens and Mia, Shadow's manager, comes out of it.

"We have your hotel reserved and your bike will be waiting there for you as well," Mia says as she guides Shadow to the car as quickly as possible. The crowd could break the metal barriers any second.

"Did anyone ride my bike here?" Shadow asks as he passes by Sonic Team, pretending they don't exist.

"Of course not," Mia responds.

"Good, I don't want anyone touching my bike."

Shadow lets his manager go first into the van and then he goes in. Probably the first time showing his gentlemanly side to the public.

After that, they drove off.

.

.

.

They were all given individual rooms in the castle. Yet, they have not met the Queen. Something about 'making it formal' because 'royal protocol'

It is exciting, except for Sonic, no one has ever met the Queen before.

Amy wonders what to wear for tomorrow. Her usual fighting clothes? Or something more formal? Maybe she should ask Sticks what she will be wearing tomorrow. But knowing her, Sticks doesn't really care and will wear whatever she feels comfortable with.

Maybe she will ask one of the Queen's many maids for assistance on this one.

She has a large bed, with beautiful golden frames. A few paintings decorated the wall and there is a vanity mirror in front of her bed. A window with a long curtain. Her room was located in a small tower of the castle and if she wanted, she could jump and enjoy the castle's beautiful garden.

Beep Beep

It's her phone.

She jumps into her king-size bed. Amy could not even consider this a bed, if anything they were just bed sheets, and underneath its just fluffy clouds. The pink hedgie feels she could fall asleep any moment as the bed is too comfortable to resist. Yet, she tries her best to keep her eyes open. Just to text him back.

TheFanfictioner#0619: This might sound annoying but ... Do you have any chapter updates? I am in this new place right now and I can't sleep at all.

Although many authors may find comments and messages of 'update soon' to be annoying, Amy did not mind. She is more grateful that people take the time to comment. 'Update soon', 'Please update' she did not mind. A comment is a comment and she appreciates all of them. She prefers to take it positively. As if people can't wait to read more of her stories and just beg her for more.

Of course, she loves and prefers very detailed comments from people analyzing her story arcs and characters. But all of them are.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Oh, business trip? And I can send you some drafts I wrote.

TheFanfictioner#0619: Something like that. I am meeting with an old friend ... And PLEASE send those drafts ASAP"

The pink one giggles a bit as she sends a word doc to her friend. It's good that he asked, she's been wanting to get feedback.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Don't leak them tho.

TheFanfictioner#0619: As if. I can't afford a lawsuit.

Talking about the lawsuit reminds her of the situation she has back at home. She still doesn't know how to go about being sued if she doesn't accept being a writer for Sonic Boom.

But ... she kinda wants to do it.

Of course, if she's allowed to send scripts anonymously and never have to show her face.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Yeah me either. Talking about lawsuits, I may be getting sued by the Sonic Boom team.

TheFanfictioner#0619:Uh? Why?

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Well, so I got asked to be the main writer of the Sonic Boom show. And I can't even deny the offer because they will sue me if I do.

The Sonic Boom Show Team had contacted her via the email she used to create an account on fanxfiction.com. In the email, there was a pdf contract and a deadline to sign before they take legal action. Two weeks from now.

TheFanfictioner#0619: About that ... If you don't want to do it, I think I can help.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Uh?

TheFanfictioner#0619: It's hard to explain over text and you won't probably believe me even if I told you so ... I was wondering if you would like to meet me?

You probably won't believe me? One thing he is not going to believe is she is actually the actress Amy Rose who just likes to write fanfiction out of the show she acts in.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Meet you?

TheFanfictioner#0619: I promise you I am not a creep. We will meet at a public place.

How can she explain that she also carries a really big hammer that could break anyone's bones?

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: I can take care of myself, that's not what worries me. Which Island are you from?

TheFanfictioner#0619: Right now I am in Acorn Island ... and you?

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Omg, what a coincidence! Me too! But I am not sure ... uh ... I kinda ... I am a shy person.

And by 'shy' she meant 'famous' ... Just a little bit.

TheFanfictioner#0619: "Me too but I really want to help you. It's unfair what they are doing to you."

She doesn't know why but ... she got this sparkly sensation in her stomach. They have been talking for a couple of months, and she is excited to meet her number one reader.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Well, right now I am in Acorn city and I don't know if I'll have time to travel to another city.

TheFanfictioner#0619: Oh, I am in Acorn City too! We could meet at Momo's cafe on Saturday at 9 pm?

Amy didn't know where Momo's cafe is but she knew that she could just Xoogle it and find it. Saturday is supposed to be the date of the royal ball but she could ask for a break.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: 9 pm? I think I can make it.

TheFanfictioner#0619: Alright, I'll see you.

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Everything is extremely formal. Amy expected it to be like this but her friends seem to have not gotten the memo, except for Tails who was wearing a suit.

The guards step aside as they walk across the corridor until they finally reached an enormous door that slowly opens by itself. There, were no guards there. Maybe because they were heroes but she was not expecting this level of trust.

"Welcome heroes of Ancient Island, it is my pleasure to have you here."

She definitely was not the newspaper and media made her be. Not fancy dresses, no crown but instead a blue vest, white shirt, jeans, and boots. Princess Sally Acorn looks like a normal Mobian but there is still an elegant aura radiating from her. She's stunning.

"My Princess."

Everyone bows and bends the knee, except for Sonic who just smiled at his old friend.

"Oh please don't do that, it's awkward and old fashioned," the princess moves her hand from side to side, signaling everyone to stand up. They really weren't expecting this.

"Princess Sally, we-" Tails wanted to thank her for inviting them but he is quickly interrupted

"Just call me Sally."

"Oh ok Sally, thank you for having us over," Tails says. "If there is anything we can help with, please let us know."

"Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you all about," the Princess walks down from her throne and slowly makes her way towards the heroes. "There is really nothing to protect here. I didn't want to you come as bodyguards. I just want you to be here as guests of the crown, support the crown."

Sonic steps forward from the team. This is not usual for him. It's not like he is in a fighting stance, but Amy knew him better than anyone. Although he is in a room with friends, Sonic does not seem too friendly around Sally. He is wary and his taking a step closer to the Princess is a slight way to protect them.

"And by supporting the crown you mean?"

"It just means talking good about us."

"Yeah, we can do that!" Sticks say and Knuckles nods to that, soon Tails agrees as well.

But Amy looks at Sonic and he doesn't look good. The blue blur does a small turn and he smiles at his team.

"Hey guys, can you give me and Sally a few minutes to talk? We haven't seen each other in such a long time, we need to catch up."

There are a few seconds of silence and everyone looks at each other. All four had different ideas as to what they might talk about

"Yes, of course," Amy is the one to speak up. Faking a smile while she tries to push everyone out of the room. The sooner they get out, the sooner she can be depressed.

"Feel free to explore the city, our chauffeur can take you anywhere," Sally waves at them goodbye as the large doors start to open for them. "I recommend buying something fitting for the ball tomorrow."

"Cool! Thank you so much!" Everyone says except Amy.

She keeps making eye contact with Sonic and as the doors began to close again, he gives her a small sincere smile.

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"Come on Amy, lighten up!" Knuckles says. "Just because Sonic and Princess Sally are alone in a room does not mean that they might remember their time together during a war and fall in love."

Was she being so obvious? Amy is aware that she's being too insecure but how couldn't she? Sally is the perfect choice for Sonic ... Not like she is most of a choice anyways.

"I think what Knuckles are trying to say is that you should have fun. You always wanted to come to Acorn City after all."

The chauffeur had dropped them off at Emerald Central. A section of the city full of shops, movie theaters, museums, shopping centers, and many other things. It is a big city and there is much exploring to do but all of Amy's motivation went away.

"It's not about Sonic," she lies. "I am worried about being followed."

"Followed?" Tails asks as he giggles a bit. "Come on Amy, why would anyone follow us-"

"OH MY CHAOS! IS THAT TAILS MILES PROWER?!!!"

"IS THAT THE CAST OF SONIC BOOM!"

They look at each other in disbelief. People start to run towards them. Panic kicks in their bodies as the screams get louder.

"Alright, let's separate, and once we lose them we can regroup!" the fox starts to fly as the rest of the team nods and after a small exchange of looks, they run in different directions.

The pink hedgehog runs as fast as she could. But everywhere she goes someone would recognize her. A cafe? There is a fan. A movie theater? A fan. A convenience store? A fan.

Now she is hiding at a museum. Thinking that maybe people will respect being quiet and not scream her name.

Amy rests a bit. Taking a big breath, she decides to take a quick look at the museum. She is here already anyways. There were great paintings indeed. Some of people, flowers and landscapes. There is one painting in particular that caught her attention. It's of a human lady, which is strange as it is. It's on a few occasions humans from Earth come visit their world. And most of the time is for politics. There are a few humans in Mobius but Amy is sure that there are less than ten.

The lady in the painting is sitting under a tree. Long brown hair, brown eyes, and a dress. All around her was a field of lavender flowers. Amy feels relaxed and safe the moment she sees her.

"The lady in waiting ... One of my favorite paintings."

Amy hears a male voice and a figure approaches her. Said figure wore a black hoodie that covered his head, he wore a facemask, shades, and a cap. Jeans and black combat boots.

"At first you can't see it. But the painting tells a story," the mysterious figure points at a small part of the painting. In the background, there is another figure approaching the lady without her knowledge.

"This lady wears human customary clothes of someone married. However, there is no ring on her finger, no jewelry that indicates that she's married," he then points at the flowers. "The lavender flowers symbolize love and devotion. Her face is not quite sad, or happy ... she is just there. Waiting for something ... or someone."

Amy starts to connect the pieces, the story already planned in her head.

"She is waiting for her lover ... and unknown to her, he is making his way up the hill to finally reunite with her."

The guy next to her nods in approval, still appreciating the artwork.

"I like how this painting makes the viewer think of possible stories after they meet up."

"Stories?"

"Yes ... I wonder so many things. Why did they part? How long did it take for them to reunite? What happened after? Were they happy? ... Or maybe that figure in the background is coming to tell her the sad news that her lover is not coming back?"

Amy did not want to jump to conclusions. But that voice is almost immediately recognizable. Even when he is whispering, he had that distinctive voice.

Which is kinda sad. With such a detailed analysis of the painting, Amy hoped this guy could be The Fanfictioner.

But of course, it was just Shadow. Or at least Amy thinks he is. He was all covered up and she couldn't see his face properly.

"Her lover is dead? I think that's really sad ... I don't know if I like that."

"Yes but I think it fits. I think that even after knowing her lover is dead, she will still climb up that hill every day and wait under that tree ... making this painting timeless. She will always be waiting ... and he will always be looking."

This made Amy's brain spark an idea. Her writing side taking over, but she suppressed those thoughts for later

"That's bittersweet."

"Yes, my favorite type of ending."

After a few seconds of silence, Amy hears a few whispers, and she notices that a few people are pointing at her.

She is starting to miss Ancient Island. People were used to seeing it there. Amy is not used to being this popular whatsoever. She is pretty sure the reason they are starting to become more popular is because of Shadow-

"You know, maybe if you didn't dress the same as you do in the show, you wouldn't be recognized."

"Am I supposed to dress ridiculously like that?"

Instead of insulting Amy, Shadow just raises his shades, revealing his red eyes.

"If you don't want to get followed then yeah."

"IS THAT AMY ROSE?!"

Amy looks at Shadow with begging eyes and immediately Shadow sighs.

"My bike is parked outside."

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"What is the point of your bike being outside if we ain't gonna ride it?"

Amy and Shadow are now running through the streets of Emerald Central. Hiding behind a few buildings on an alley. They see as a few Mobians pass by them, still trying to find her.

"Everyone knows my bike ... If people see you and me riding it, they will definitely think we are dating," Shadow says as he peaks his head a little to see if anyone is around. "Besides I don't like anyone riding my bike but me, I'll just go pick it up later."

"You let me ride your motorcycle before," Amy says, thinking just how her friends are doing.

"Well, yeah cause that was a borrowed motorcycle," Shadow took off his black cap and put it on Amy's head. "I paid to borrow it until my bike gets shipped. But I am back home and I want to ride it until it gets sent to Ancient Island."

Amy didn't like wearing the cap, but she assumed that Shadow gave it to her so her face wouldn't be too noticeable.

"Anyways, this is where we part ways," Shadow makes a half turn and starts to walk away, thinking he already did his good action of the day.

"Wait! I need your help! If I get out of here those people will follow me again!"

Shadow keeps walking, the last thing he wants is for people to see them together and start thinking the worse.

"Sorry but I have an image to keep. My manager already got angry at me. I can't be seen with you again."

"Please! If you help me I'll ..."

It is a desperate time. She could still hear the people nearby and the more time she passes, the more she is at risk. It's not because she didn't like meeting fans, but because she is scared. In Ancient Island, people just know she is an actress and a hero. But here it's different. She is expected to be more, to not make mistakes. To be a famous person and she is not ready for that yet. Amy is not ready to go to the world and embarrass herself in front of everyone.

"I'll get you an invitation to go to Princess Sally's ball tomorrow!"

Shadow stops midway.

"You don't have an invitation right? And ... You like her don't you? I am still not sure what kind of relationship you had with her but-"

"Fine. Let's go."

Oh, he must really like her. That's what Amy thought since there is no hesitation coming from Shadow.

"I'll help you get a few clothes and then you give me that invitation," Shadow stretches his right hand. "Deal?"

Without hesitation, Amy accepts.

"Deal!"

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"Deor?

"Valenchiaga?

"Guchi?"

When Shadow told Amy that he was going to take her out shopping, she thought she will be going to a thrift store. After all, she just needs a simple change of clothes.

"Amy, come on. I can't help you if you aren't listening," Shadow breaks her trance as he snaps his fingers in front of her. "Tell me what's your favorite brand so I can buy clothes accordingly."

"Um ... Torget?"

Shadow facepalms and just turns to look at the salesperson. "Just bring me an all Deor-black outfit."

"Yes, Mr. Hedgehog," the saleslady leaves elegantly.

It is an extremely luxurious shop. The ceiling has chandeliers, the floor is crystal. Everything shines and sparkles and Amy knew one thing for certain.

"Shadow, I can't afford this," she whispers to him as she follows him. He is looking at some pair of shoes from an illuminated stand. "Sonic Boom doesn't make that much money and you know that!"

"Calm down, I'll pay."

"Can we just go to a cheaper place? Like I don't know ... Walmort?"

"No, those places are filled with people. We will be spotted there," Shadow puts the pair of shoes down and picks another. "I brought you here because it's safe, only elite people know of this place and people get paid here to keep quiet on who comes in and out."

"Did you read the new First Impressions chapter?!"

Amy could feel her cheeks burn as she hears the name of her fanfic. It was one thing that people knew about it. But it is completely different when the actor who is the main love interest of your fanfic is aware of your writing.

Was Shadow aware? Of all of those fanfics, people would write about them? That she is probably one of the most popular ShadAmy fanfics out there?

"Stupid fanfiction," Shadow whispers but Amy is close enough for her to hear him. "If it wasn't because of that fanfiction, we wouldn't have to hide like this. Now everyone wants us to be dating and see romance where there is none."

Amy wonders how the same thing. She could not see what people see in them. Is it because they were opposites? Because Shadow gives off the 'bad boy' aesthetic and she is a 'good girl'?

What exactly did everyone see that makes them 'ship' them?

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He is wearing an Alezander Mckeen suit. Shannel Cologne and some shoes that he didn't even recognize the brand of. It's definitely not his type of attire but he could get sued if he is seen wearing other brands that are not part of his contract. Or so his manager says. One of Mia's priorities is to keep his image safe and Shadow did not want her work to go to waste.

He parked his bike a few meters away from the castle. It's quiet here although from afar he can still hear the screams of fans and camera flashes. The only thing keeping them away is the enormous gate surrounding the lands of the castle and the guards who are there to protect it. It was easy to come inside however, as soon as Shadow showed his invitation, he was allowed to come inside the lands.

It's been 30 minutes and he is still not able to get off his bike.

His heartbeat is increasing and his hands are sweating.

Shadow is nervous ... but he has to act like he is not.

How many years has it been since he has seen her? Will she remember him? Absolutely. What a stupid question. The real question is whether she feels the same as him or not.

The famous actor feels a buzz inside the pocket of his suit, he immediately knew it was his phone. He takes it out and looks at the screen, it's a message from his best friend.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Still down for tonight?

Shadow smiles and types right away as he makes a small detour into the royal garden. He could hear some music being played from the inside but he focused on texting first.

TheFanfictioner#0619: Absolutely. I just need to finish some work and I'll be heading my way.

By work, Shadow meant talking to Sally and re-opening past relationships. Nothing too serious, he just wants to clear some things up.

ARoseWithoutTorns#0923: Great. I'll let you know when I get there.

TheFanfictioner#0619: Can't wait to see you.

For a short second, Shadow thought that maybe that sounded a bit too romantic. But he completely disregarded the idea as it's more than clear that they are both friends.

He has to admit, that he is a bit scared. Mostly because he is a famous actor obsessed with fanfiction. Would she judge him? Probably not. After all, she is a fanfic writer. That alone made Shadow feel more relaxed.

He finally has someone he can talk about his favorite fanfics without being judged.

Suddenly, he hears talking. Jumping to the nearest bush, he hides away from the two walking figures.

Shadow recognizes that voice.

It's Sally ... and that blue hedgehog.

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TheFanfictioner#0619: Can't wait to see you.

Amy puts her phone into her dress' hidden pocket. She is thinking of ways she can get to Momo's cafe without being followed by fans. It's possible but she is going to have to wear an all-black outfit and cover every single part of her body. Nonetheless, she is excited to meet the Fanfictioner. Finally, someone, she can talk to about fanfiction without being judged.

He said he wanted to help with her current situation. She still didn't know how exactly he will help but she didn't have too many options regardless.

What if he is a lawyer?

Whoever he was, Amy knew they will have a fun time.

She hears laughter coming from outside her window. Amy wouldn't have minded too much if it wasn't because she could recognize that laugh anywhere.

The pink hedgehog walks towards her balcony and looks down at the royal garden.

There she finds them.

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They had spent the whole day yesterday together. After his team left him to talk to Sally, Sonic and she went to explore Acorn City and remember the old days. At first, he didn't want to say a word about what is on his mind. Sonic appreciated Sally deeply, but he also didn't want to get involved in Royal affairs.

He took her to the Royal Garden, known for its beautiful red roses and variety of flowers. More than a diplomatic conference, this ball gives off a different kind of conference. More of a social gathering than old people trying to discuss political matters.

Slowly walking through a path of grass, Sonic looks up at the sky. The stars are not as visible and he remembers how beautiful the night sky looks on Ancient Island.

"I want to be clear," Sonic clears his voice and then looks at the Princess. "My team and I follow no one. I don't know what kinda conflicts your nation may have gotten into, but we don't pick sides."

Sally sighs, this complicated things so much for her. She expected some preference coming from Sonic.

"I have to admit that tensions between other nations have been rising."

"Is there a possibility of a war starting?"

"No, I don't think so," she says, looking at Sonic's green eyes. "As long as we have the Hero of the Seven Island on my side ... I am sure the other Island won't intervene."

Sonic sighs heavily. He stops and looks at Sally, now he has a more serious aura around him. After all, he is right. A Princess will be a Princess and she has to protect her kingdom no matter what. Nonetheless, it is a bit disappointing to him that she contacted him just for her benefit.

"I am not against your Island, I am not against the others either. So don't think you will be using us as your 'weapon' for whatever political strategy you are thinking."

Sally just smiles and Sonic finds comfort in this. He never knew what she was thinking. And he does not think he ever will.

"That's fine with me. I know that if it ever comes down to it, you will choose me."

There are some flirtatious mannerisms in her voice and movements. Sonic only took this as teasing and he only takes it as that. With confidence in his voice, he replies.

"No promises."

They laugh a little without noticing how in the bushes a dark hedgehog is on the verge of vomiting due to the interactions between the two.

After a few seconds of silence, Sonic is about to leave but Sally stops him by grabbing him by the arm.

"Before you go, I have one question," the Princess slowly lets him go and Sonic noticed a seriousness in her face that was not there before.

"What's up?"

"Do you still want to marry me?"

On a few occasions, Sonic blushes and this is one of these moments. He quickly looks away and scratches his nose. Sally is too close to him for his comfort but it didn't bother him either.

"Oh, come on Sally! We were kids when I asked you that," Sonic puts his hands behind his head, or at least tried to. The black suit that he is wearing made it hard for him to move freely.

"Besides the whole royal thing is not my thing. I don't like staying in one place for too long."

"I know. I have a duty to my kingdom and you have a duty to the people," Sally completely lets go of him, and now she has a sad face. More than anything, nostalgic. "We would have never worked out."

He is genuinely worried mostly because he is not used to seeing Sally like this. Not seeing her being her usual self is heart-wrenching to Sonic.

"Why bring that up?"

"I am in an arranged marriage," she says. "My father gave me the option to marry any royal from any Island I wanted ... Or you."

He is not stupid. Sonic is aware of the position that he holds. Having the title of the Hero of the Seven Island has some power. People follow him. Sally marrying him will only give her more political leverage. But he is not one to take sides and he is not one to be tied down. Especially by someone he does not longer have romantic feelings for.

"I thought that if I had to choose between people I don't know and you ... I would choose you."

"Sally ... I am sorry, I-"

"No, it's alright.," she raises her hand and stops him from talking. She does not want his pity. " I knew this day will come. Like I've said, I have a duty to my kingdom and this is what I must do to protect them."

Sonic starts walking again, looking at the red roses that remind him of a certain pink hedgehog. He doesn't know if he is going crazy but he could feel a malignant stare coming from the bushes.

"So this dance ball ... is just to meet your suitors? Inst it?"

Princess Sally nods, knowing that they are going to have to go back to the castle soon. Tonight she has to meet many people and she is looking forward to seeing Shadow. She found it strange that Amy had asked for an invitation for Shadow but she immediately said yes. It's been years since they last talked and they also have many things to clear out.

"If there is anything else I can do to help-"

"You being here is enough," she interrputs him and instead gets closer to him. He couldn't deny how beautiful she is even when that sad face of her is still present. "Thank you, Sonic."

"For what?" Sonic asks as he begins to wonder many things. What if after the war they had chosen different paths? What if he had stayed with Sally in Acorn City? What if she had chosen to run away with him and live a life full of adventures?

He didn't know. The only certain thing is that it could never work out. It will be selfish of him to ask Sally to leave her kingdom behind. And Sally would never ask him to leave the adventurous life he loves so much.

"For being my first love."

Unconsciously, they get closer. It's no longer awkward or uncomfortable. There is soft music coming inside the castle, the wind caresses their faces, and the smell of roses made the scene out of fanfiction.

Sally closes her eyes, waiting for Sonic to kiss her. But that never happens. Instead, he kisses her forehead, making it all clear to her.

This is not a love story ... and if it is, then it is a tragedy.

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Everyone is expecting her to be downstairs. But instead, she is on the tallest tower of the castle. On the outside balcony with bottles of alcohol on her table. Her laptop is open and she is typing.

Writing fanfiction.

She is supposed to be having fun, dancing, and maybe meeting some nice man to talk to. Of course only if that man is Sonic the Hedgehog.

Yes, it hurts her. Although she didn't know what they were talking about, their closeness is something she could never have with Sonic.

Although she has said multiple times to Sonic that her romantic feelings were non-romantic, it's all a lie.

"She saw him kiss her. So delicate and loving. As if he is afraid to hurt her, treating her like a treasure. Like a sweet song, a melody he could touch on his fingertips. Savoring each note, knowing the perfect rhythm of her lips."

"Shouldn't you be downstairs?"

Amy closes her laptop at the sound of his voice. She feels her cheeks getting warm and she didn't know if its due to the alcohol or the embarrassment of Shadow almost noticing her writing.

He is sitting on the marble deck railing. Amy didn't know how long he has been in there.

"How did you get here?!!?"

Shadow raises an eyebrow and raises one of his legs.

"I got air shoes."

Amy looks at him with disbelief as she stands up from her seat. She stumbles a little as the alcohol starts to kick.

Shadow immediately rushes to her side, holding her by the waist to make her regain balance. They were a bit too close for Amy's liking and she pushes him away delicately because even when she doesn't like being too close to him, she still appreciates him helping him out.

"I think I meant to ask ... Why did you come here?"

Seeing her discomfort, Shadow moves away slowly. There is not much to hide.

After the cruise trip and everything he told Amy, it will be easy to conclude that he has some type of feelings towards the Princess. Nonetheless, having that conversation didn't mean he is ready to talk about his actual feelings.

"You said that if I ever needed a friend to 'hit' you up."

The pink hedgehog didn't know how to react, she doesn't know what to say. But she feels an immense need to console Shadow. He is not himself. His back is curved, his eyes sorrowful and his ears are down. She didn't need to know. Amy could only assume what he went through. Probably something along the same thing she saw.

Most importantly, she couldn't believe Shadow in his own way and very deep down, sees her as a 'friend' ... whatever that means to him.

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"I just don't know what's wrong with me!? Am I not pretty enough?!'

"I know that I haven't talked to her in years but she didn't even consider me for marriage?!!

They were drunk. Four empty bottles and they were going for the fifth one, not planning to stop. Not caring about how bad their headache will be like tomorrow. They were both heartbroken and alcohol can fix that momentarily.

They were sitting next to each other, the table full of bottles and their glasses. The stars and moon above them, and the wind is soft and refreshing.

"Anyways, ... what were you writing?"

Shadow points at Amy's laptop that's on top of the table. He hiccups as he waits for an answer. "I saw you typing furiously."

The alcohol has completely taken over and it's making all the decisions for Amy.

"Oh? I was writing fanfiction- Oh Chaos I forgot!

She starts looking for her phone, stumbling a little, and her vision is blurry. Amy finally finds it and almost drops it, she is struggling to open the app properly but manages properly.

"Wait! You write fanfiction?"

There is a certain glow in Shadow's eyes as soon as Amy said 'fanfiction.'

"Yes, but I forgot to I was supposed to meet with someone today!" Amy hiccups and quickly text her online friend even if her words don't make a lot of sense. "I need to text them."

After clicking 'send' she hears another phone go 'beep'

Shadow then pulls out his phone from his suit's pocket and looks at the screen.

It's a text message from ARoseWithoutTorns.

He looks at Amy and slowly points at the pink hedgehog.

"You are ... ARoseWithoutThorns?"

Amy gulps and takes a few seconds to respond.

"And you are the Fanfictioner?"

Shadow stays silent. He doesn't know if what he is going to say is the right thing to do but the alcohol made him speak the truth.

He nods.

Amy's eyes shine with delight as she holds Shadow's hands. She squeezes them so hard Shadow knows his hands are going to have bruises the next morning. But he didn't think about that. His only thought is the fact that he has his favorite fanfic writer is right in front of him.

"AHHH!"

"AHHH!"

They squeal in excitement as they jump off their seats and start to make circles around them.

It's at this moment that Shadow realizes that Amy won't judge him. With her smile and laughter, she lets him know that she accepts him. He didn't have to pretend. With her, he could be Shadow The Hedgehog, the guy who loves fanfiction and is cringy at times.

"Oh, my chaos I love your fanfiction!" Shadow says very loudly, feeling a sense of freedom rush through his body. "I always read them before going to sleep."

His words really hit her in the feelings. It's probably the alcohol that its enhancing her emotions nonetheless, they were very much real.

"I appreciate you so much for always commenting on my stuff, you don't know how much that means to me, I-" Amy hiccups and looks at Shadow. She feels relieved to have him, to meet him. To be able to see the real him.

To know that someone out there genuinely enjoys her writing. It's a feeling that can bring anyone to tears.

"If it wasn't because of you, I would have stopped writing a very long time ago."

"No, don't say that!" Shadow grabs Amy's hands as they come to a stop. He holds them dearly. Amy feels her cheeks heat up at the contact.

"The world deserves to read your writing!"

"I don't deserve you," Amy says as tears began to roll down her face.

"No, I don't deserve you! You are so cool!" Shadow didn't know why but he feels a sense of security around her. It's the alcohol, it must be. Otherwise, he wouldn't feel this many emotions at once. But he didn't care. Right now it's just them.

"You are the best writer and you helped me through a very rough time. Your writing has brought me so much comfort and I can't thank you enough."

His voice is so genuine that Amy's heart aches at feeling such happiness. Her tail begins to wiggle in excitement and her ears perk up. Their hands are still touching but Amy decides to break that and instead launch herself into Shadow to hug him. A hug that he fully embraces.

"I love you Shadow!"

She means this in the most platonic way possible. A type of love that close friends have. But she couldn't deny that may be that feeling could turn into something else.

"And I love you Amy!"

They stop for a second to look at each other. Their hearts are beating fast due to all the excitement.

And their faces were unconsciously getting closer and closer to each other.

So close.

Their lips were just centimeters away ...

And ...

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News: I created a Twitter. If you want sneak peeks of the latests chapters you can follow me @/shadamywriter 

For some reason, I can’t copy and paste italics in tumblr?!!! If anyone knows how to fix this please let know. It’s annoying to have to check and go back in the story to see what is in italics or not. That’s why I prefer Ao3/Wattpad. Anyways...

The last chapter of the year. I hope you all enjoyed it. Also, sorry if I haven't replied to yalls comments. I'll get into it ASAP. And thank you so much for commenting on this fic, it means the world to me and it helps me to stay motivated to write. This story was left unfinished due that I did not have a strong motivation to finish, but years later, I received lots of encouragement and comments from everyone to continue ... and here it is.

I want to apologize for all the grammar, spelling mistakes, etc for this story. I really got no time to edit :(

I want to thank each and everyone one of you for reading so far. I am thinking that this story maybe is separated into 2 'seasons.' Each season is made up of 15 chapters. There are many scenarios I can do with this premise and I just want to explore all of them properly. But I shall see. Please see this as some type of random shoujo anime in which plot consistencies don't matter much and you are just here to see the ship dynamics. Certainly, that's what keeps me writing lol.

Also, my story, 'Again and Again' will continue and have a full rewrite.

I need to finish writing the next chapter of my Levi fanfiction and after that, I'll continue writing this story. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed this.

Thank you for an amazing year. I hope to see everyone in the next year to come to.

Atte: Peaches

[birlwrites]

You mention mind magics sometimes, and how some family specialties are mind magics, but how well known/practiced are things like Occlumency or Legilimency practiced by the general public?

I don't know if Dumbledore being a Legilimense is well known, but even if it isn't, Occlumency is very useful for keeping secrets, especially ones as important as a Dark Arts study group at Hogwarts. Does every member have to learn at least the basics before they can really start studying anything? Or how does that work?

okay i was JUST talking about this so i'm going to copy-paste something from the comments of ch 58 of ttdl, then elaborate a little

(this originated as responding to a question about how much mind magic barty knows, the post shall get long so putting in a cut!):

he knows the basics, although he's no master - with the kind of dark arts that he's interested in (see nonsense abstruse) regulus figured it was a good idea to make sure he knew what he was doing on at least an intermediate level (if you think of it like. beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert)

how much mind magic someone knows in the dark network really depends on what sort of magic they're doing - obviously there are the mind magic families who are experts, but other than that it tends to be on an as-needed basis. the blacks learn it Very aggressively as a proactive defense measure against their specialty, but most families aren't like that, because most families have nice specialties that don't kill them oopsies

there is one thing mind magic is always great for, though, and that is lying to law enforcement! so barty was definitely going to learn it anyway - the fact that he went 'hm, i think i'm interested in brain-altering dark rituals' just doubled the importance (and meant that regulus held him to a much higher standard re: the skills he did learn, lmao)

but barty only really knows a very internally-focused occlumency - like, he's not prepared for a mental attack the way regulus or theophania nott are, but that's not out of the ordinary. occlumency takes a lot of work to learn and to be good at, so people generally learn it in a targeted way - focusing on exactly what they need to know and getting good at that. and barty's focused on keeping his mind in order, so it's a good thing he had regulus around to teach him, because that's also what regulus learned to do (just to a much more intense and flexible degree)

outside of the dark network, mind magic is significantly less common, because most people just have no reason to learn it (or at least, not one that's good enough to merit the boredom of it aghjslfkshdj). legilimency isn't a common tool for the DMLE, because it relies a lot on interpretation on both sides, and memories can be altered - even if they're altered poorly (like slughorn re: horcruxes), such that it's obvious that changes were made, that doesn't mean you know the truth about what happened

so crouch sr has no reason to know anything about mind magic, really, beyond the fact that it exists and it's annoying

in general anyone studying dark arts will pick up bits and pieces of occlumency as they go - being able to clear your mind is very important if you're doing any sort of elemental casting, for example, because otherwise you're gonna fuck some shit up the second you get emotional. but most dark arts don't fuck with you yourself on that level, so most people don't devote a lot of time to learning occlumency/mind magic for the sake of learning mind magic. it's definitely not unheard of, and it's not even all that unusual, but it's just more common for people to focus their time on something else since mind magic is a time-consuming skill and clearing your mind alone takes a lot of boredom and frustration and practice

OKAY END COPY PASTE. NOW MORE THOUGHTS

occlumency is good for keeping secrets *when confronted with a mental attack,* which is a very rare experience - mind magic in general just doesn't seem that common in canon, and it's difficult on top of being obscure

mind magic is VERY well-known in the dark network and generally considered to be basic best practice when you're fucking around with dark magic, but outside of the dark network it's very uncommon - note that there's no mind magic class offered at hogwarts (and, in general, no really self-focused magic is taught there)

so i'd say, sure, knowing occlumency definitely doesn't *hurt* your ability to keep secrets, but most people aren't in the sort of situation where they'd need it. legilimency isn't admissible evidence in court, and most people never make eye contact with albus dumbledore or even stand particularly close to him ajflsghljksdfd

so the focus within the dark network with mind magic is on how it protects you from the dangerous magic you're messing with, as opposed to law enforcement (unless you're barty who lives with crouch sr and must become a Flawless liar)

the general public doesn't really know much about mind magic (which has one foot on the side of 'illegal' already), and dumbledore being a legilimens is not well-known - IMO it's something he learned in his grindelwald days, and then kept honing when he realized how common it was for dark arts practitioners to learn occlumency

TL;DR:

people normally learn occlumency as needed to protect their minds from whatever magic they're practicing, as opposed to needing to learn occlumency before they can start practicing dark arts at all. outside of the dark network, it's not a well-known branch of magic

[theauthor0]

Protector!Kris

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GENERAL INFO

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The Fusions of Rebound!Papyrus, Radiant!Sans, and Drawing!Frisk

Protector!Kris, Guardian of multiverse and the creation of Backup!Sans

Was created by Backup to help protect the multiverse with him

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BACKSTORY

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Kris was created by Backup!Sans by using the code of a papyrus, Frisk, and Sans

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PHYSICAL INFO

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Art made by @enri-ch

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PERSONALITY

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Kris does not have a soul but can still feel some emotions due to Backup coding emotions into them

Kris has two personalities

Pacifist: is a sweet, social, energetic, curious, cheerful, outgoing, and kind person, however they can be a bit quite blunt and ruthless unintentionally with their statements as they doesn't hold back on what they have to say sometimes.

Kris enjoys interacting with the AU's residents, talking with them, and creating all kinds of things for them just to make them happy.

Kris enjoys adventures and loves to travel to different worlds.

Kris usually thinks carefully before acting, allowing her to think more clearly in difficult situations.

Kris cannot feel sympathy or sorrow and some other emotions, so they have no problem with returning residents back to their Au even if it’s a bad one

Genocide: Kris can enter a state called genocide when told certain commands by Backup or chooses to enter the state themselves. In this state they are semi-conscious as they can remember the events that transpired although they do have some amount of control over their self.

In this state they kill without remorse and lose all of their emotions acting like a living weapon, ignoring pain to some degree

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COMBAT INFO

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(Statistics)

LV: Editable

HP: Editable

ATK: Editable

DEF: Editable

(Traits)

Speed/Stamina: His speed and stamina is similar to the fastest dog and the dog with the highest stamina

Durability: Kris can last through a fight up to a few weeks, before passing out from exhaustion.

Flexibility: They are water, not literally as they cannot fit through extremely small spaces

Strength: They can lift up boulders 4x his size, but kinda struggles

Immunity to soul manipulation: due to the lack of a soul, it cannot be controlled.

High Tier Regeneration: Their body regenerates at a fast rate, making them survive almost anything however the bigger the injury or damage taken the slower it is

HM Forms: Can transform between their human and skeleton monster form

(Abilities/Attacks)

Soul reading: They can see the soul of a human or monster, and can see if the soul is good or bad.

Art Bag: it has the power to suck objects into itself even objects bigger than the bag, which can later be taken out.

Code Editing: Can Edit ONLY their own code and is limited on what they can change due to lack of knowledge and Backup preventions

Item/Matter creation: They can create almost anything as long as they have some material they can use to manipulate

Dragon summoning: can summon full body gaster blasters that take the form of a dragon however Kris can only summon 3 at a time

Teleportation: self explanatory (with bubbles)

Telekinesis: can move small or medium sized objects/beings

Bubbles: Is capable of summoning bubbles of all kinds of size and depending on the size consumes a bunch of stamina, Kris can use those bubbles to transport and teleport things around. Kris can alter the size and density of the said bubbles, which allows him to potentially be able to create a shield or dome of some sort.

Blue Bones and Bone summoning: self explanatory

(Weaknesses)

Is very curious which can lead to distractions

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CREDITS

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Rebound!Papyrus by NikkoNijime07

Radiant!Sans by SplatForce

Drawing!Frisk by @kyynas

[mlynar-nearl]

heya so sorry i havent asked anything in a long while lifes been really hectic haha and i only rmb'd that i said id ask more after i saw ur latest mytol fic (oops....)

anyways it was a really beautiful fic !! i really like the way you write about uncle nearls grief and the way he and toland just go through it, one step at a time, but only when uncle is ready to move on and all. i just think its really neat man....

also on another thought i would love to hear more about ur oc (as always!) how do you think hed fare as a deployed operator tbh ? like putting him into ingame contexts such as uh trials of navigators/is2/sss settings, how do you think hed react? since technically such enemies are pretty... uhm, lets just say the power lvl in ak is cracked. yeah, so how do you think shealtiel would do ? im just curious to know more ww and i think putting them into ingame contexts are cool and fun (hehe) ps trials of navigators is.... i hate the ultimate trial and i hate mandragora i havent started ch 9 out of laziness but i hate her so much alr also wow this is a very long ask im very sorry haha i hope ur well <3

LMAO no please don't worry and take care of yourself! glad you liked the fic, i think grief is such an integral part of who mlynar is and how he interfaces with the world right now. think i made a post about that last night. he grieves for his brother and SIL so, so deeply, and you can see the through-line to why he's so against what his nieces are doing. he doesn't want to lose them, too.

as for my oc! shealtiel! i love him!

i think in terms of gameplay he would unfortunately be pretty niche, but niche in a way that i specifically enjoy, haha. i've said in response to another anon (unless that was you? dunno) that he would be my personal favorite archetype, the deadeye sniper, with a focus on debuffs/crowd control. fartooth is one of my favorite units (eternally glad i built her) and i think she doesn't get nearly enough credit for what she can do if set up correctly. i think shealtiel would need a functionality similar to fartooth's dodge ignore to see stronger use in things like IS and TFN, but in my experience, snipers fall off so hard in SSS that i see basically no way to legitimize any but the strongest of snipers (chalter, pozy.) i think that the funniest/ideal thing for his lore would be that he works very well as a counter to enemies and bosses like andoain, who rely on not being blocked and high dodge when he sets down the dodge field. since andoain is his mortal enemy (?) (questionable at best) it makes sense for him to be a concerted counter to these things. plus, the grappling rope arts i gave him just applies well to crowd control, and that would probably see the most effect on enemies that are unblocked/cannot be blocked.

i'm so sorry about mandra. she's suuuch an annoying boss sometimes. my pro tip is that in her second phase you can bait her into dropping the pillars on herself with a FRD or similar and the pillars deal her true damage. you can also bait her laser beam by dropping two ops on her. eg surtr + nearlter s2 where surtr baits the laser beam and nearlter does the real damage. or use ranged damage to keep her from having anything to attack (gg, pozy typewriter, my beloved fartooth although the last section of ultimate trial has very few fartooth lanes). hope this helps !

[scullymurphy]

SCULLY!!! After reading ch. 26, Harry popped in my mind and I was wondering what had been going on with our boy—it was such a delight to get to see him in ch. 27! It honestly just made me wonder about how even more! Can we get some more info on what the year has been like for Harry off-screen and (if not too spoilery) what could be coming for him?

Ooooh, Harry James! We miss you and wish you were here, but we're so glad you're off in London Living Your Life™ and (hopefully) healing from what you just went through.

I see Harry this last year just letting things ride. Like, he has work that he's passionate about, but other than that he's not getting too spun up about anything. He's giving himself a break. So he's been seeing Oliver Wood and probably "seeing" a few other people too, but he's not getting serious about anyone. Partly he feels like he if he's in a relationship it should be with Ginny, but mostly it's just that he doesn't want the emotional obligation. He's just so burnt out, you know? Blvnk art's drawings of Harry from just post-battle, when he's skinny and his head is almost shaved, are to my mind such a perfect representation of him during this time period. Although he is coming back, but slowly and at his own pace (for once).

And I think he's enjoying himself most of the time. He's living at Grimmauld with Ron and Annika (whom he really likes), playing in a ministry Quidditch league, getting regular--erm--physical attention from his various hookups. Things are good! Low key. Although he really does miss Hermione and worry about her. He knows exactly what she went through during the war and wants her to attain the happiness or at least equilibrium he and Ron have. He's annoyed at Theo and Draco for the way she's been all over the place this year. He'll have words with each of them the next time he sees them, which will mortify both of them, because they both agree and feel guilt over this too.

His biggest concern/dark spot is Ginny. He feels a huge sense of failure over their relationship, even though he continues to think he's done the right thing for right now. He knows he wouldn't be good for her in his current state, but he's not joking when he tells Hermione he's worried he's screwed something up that's not fixable. I'm a pretty die-hard Hinny shipper most days, (once in a blue moon I have a Harmony or Drarry hankering and CERTAIN PEOPLE cough provocative envy cough can make me ship Hansy) so I do see them working it out somewhere down the line. Although, Ginny mos def needs to go out and sample the world as a professional Quidditch player before she settles down with anyone.

So yeah, that's where he is. And now we have another long-ass Falling Dark character study, when I meant to just jot a few things lol. But thank you for this ask, my dear. I love talking about character backstories and Harry's is always so interesting.

[sasodei-is-real]

Good afternoon💙 Well, or just Hello if you have a different time of day 😅💙

Thank you for your answers!)

And I still can’t reply to comments (I don’t know what is wrong), so I’ll answer like this)

@justanotherblonde thank you very much, it's so nice 🥺💙 And I'm glad that it will be interesting for you) Because the topic is actual and worth discussing.

@movethisalong Thanks for the answer!) I will soon work on the text in drafts, I will publish it today)💗

@bodoquehenko Weeell ... it's not directly related. But indirectly, yes. After all, even though Deidara is an adult, he has a big age difference with Sasori. So, for us - Sasodei fandom, this topic is not completely alien. Anyway, in any fandom, this is a very controversial and interesting topic that is worth discussing. As a sasodei shipper, I was asked questions about this topic. I think it would be nice to say my opinion on this issue and put all the points above and. I will talk not only about the general phenomenon, but also about sasodei separately in this topic.

But of course I will continue the analysis💛. This is not even discussed, because it is for this analysis that my blog was invented. But the point is, right now I only have time for one post. And analysis consists of many parts. And if I had written today about Onoki and Gaara (that is, I would have continued the analysis), I would have been able to move on to the next part of the analysis only in two weeks (this is how long my studies at the university will last). And that's not very good. Because although the analysis consists of different parts, the thing is integral. And it is best to read it without long breaks. I already postponed the analysis for a long time because of the uni , and then I did not want to continue again and stop the two weeks between the next part. I thought, since there is only time for one post, why not write about an actual topic that I would still raise and which would fit into one post. And then continue writing the analysis during the holidays and without long delays between continuation in order to maintain integrity.

Well, then the question was whether it would be interesting for you to discuss the topic of the age difference))

As for the ships, I think to talk after a specific stage in the analysis - when we analyze the characters of Sasori and Deidara. That is, the storage of posts turns out to be something like this - 1 question about the age difference 2 analysis where we left off - Onoki and Gaara (Iva and Suna) 3 The next stage of the analysis is Sasori and Deidara's relationship with the rest of the characters 4 Sasori and Deidarf characters 5 Short conversation about crack ships (which is not part of the analysis of sasodei, but what is worth discussing) 6 Philosophy of Sasori and Deidara, the symbolism of their characters 7 FINALLY 😂 Analysis of the relationship between Sasori and Deidara - Sasodei

Thank you for answer ^w^🧡

@deidaraakasuna Yes, I myself really want to move on to their relationship as soon as possible 🤧❤ Yes, they were created for each other. It is obvious.💫💗

And yes. I agree, everyone has the right to ship whatever they want. I am not against any crackships, or ships with questionable context ... well, any. A person's taste is formed on the basis of his lived life and emotions, and this is too personal to criticize.

But. I'm not talking about WHAT they ship, but HOW they raise their ship, for example, how, by substituting facts, they justify their ships.

I will try to explain what I think about this. The bottom line is that Naruto is a very elaborate and fragile story, the essence of which is her philosophy. Naruto has a very interesting build scheme. Recently I talked with my friend, and she noticed that in its structure Naruto is similar to the Russian classic novel "The Master and Margarita" by Bulgakov. And this is so. The bottom line is that there are a lot of characters in Naruto. Each character has its own story, its own psychology, motivation and internal conflict, the solution of which manifests one thought. The character has a conflict, the opposite or controversial side of his conflict is put in front of him, most often with the help of another character and ultimately, thanks to the contradiction, the truth is found - that is, we get a ready-made thought about any aspect of life. And so on. Everything is connected together, and each such thought, which is formed with the help of the character's life - by doing it with the rest, creates the philosophy of the work.

For instance. Sasori and Deidara degenerate their vision of the world in their art. They were a contradiction, in the end they found harmony, Deidara accepted eternity, and Sasori the truth of transience. Thanks to the fact that Sasori took instant and soul - Kankuro managed to dissuade him and Sasori decided to find eternity in the continuation of generations. During Edo Tensei, we see Sasori no longer hide his concern for Deidara with excuses and aggression - he has evolved. Therefore, Kankuro deals with the question of the soul. Sasori dies while Deidara screams and he pretends to embrace his parents. During the conversation, Edo Tensei, with the help of Kankuro and Sasori, reveal to us the theme of the soul. What is the soul? A haven of pain that poisons the heart, but without which you become a weak-willed marilnet. And Sasori's conflict is directly related to Obito. After discussing the soul issue, we see Obito pointing at the hole in his chest and saying that he doesn't feel anything. This is great preparation for Obito. These two characters are somewhat similar. Both wanted to escape their pain and forget themselves in illusions. Sasori replaced people with puppets, and love with universal contempt and control. Obito wanted to forget himself in the eternal Tsukuemi. Sasori accepted his feelings for Deidara. Obito realized that he shouldn't forget Rin. Sasori died in such a pose like hugging his parents. Obito died again while saving his friend Kakashi. Both died in the same situations that doomed them to suffering and pushed them into the dark. Simbolic 👀.(By the way, did you notice that Sasori's main OST is playing in the background? "Despair"). I mean, in Naruto, everything is very closely related to each other. Sasori and Deidara's relationship is their development. And when, for example, I see the sasosaku shippers dismantle the battle scene and say that Sakura influenced Sasori, proving her validity, it's not very pleasant. Primarily as a Naruto fan. Let's imagine for a minute If Sakura really influenced Sasori.

Sasori would not be able to achieve what he most desired - true eternal art. The role of Kankuro would not be needed and he would not have developed as a character and would not have received future Puppets . Since Kankuro is not needed, then his conversation with Chiyo and her acceptance will not take place. Since Sakura has already influenced him, there is no need to talk about the soul - there is no full disclosure of Sasori and the prologue to Obito's conflict. Complete disregard for Sasori's feelings for Deidara and for finding harmony.

And the most important thing. Sasori is a complex and deep character with his own feelings and motives. Each of his actions is based on his state of mind and thoughts. And when they explain Sasori's decision by the fact that he was influenced by a 15-year-old girl who then shouted that she wanted to get rid of her parents and who was unable to understand Sasori continued to scream, and not his character - this is a spit towards Sasori. As a Sasori stan, I am not pleased.

And so with everyone. I love Deidara. Obito is my heart. But in the pairing, Obiday Deidara is presented not as a deep character with his own conflict, but as a cliché "I behave aggressively, but I like you." Rin and Obito's wonderful story...?? No?😅😂

And yes, of course it is clear that in canon these are all crackships.

And I don't mind when people ship characters for themselves, draw art, write fanfiction and have fun. no, that's cool. BUT when they try to prove the canonicity of such an absurdity ... I'm Here 🌚👍

And after all, philosophy really changes. I was talking to my friend last week and he said, "It would be cool if in the Kazekage arc it turned out that Gaara is Uzuma. It would turn out that Naruto Uzumaki saved Uzumaki." Umm ... no. It wouldn't be.

The fact that Gaara was none for Natuto was done for a reason. From the very beginning, Gaara's history and development prepared us for 1 Pain's Philosophy. 2 To resolve the conflict between Suna and Iva. Two old villages.

Remember the first season? As after the fight Naruto said "I understand your pain, I went through the same." Gaara was not Naruto's relative, his friend from the start, he was from another village and was his enemy because

1. This resolved the conflict between Chie and the conservative villages. Chie asked, "Why does he care so much about Gaara? They are from different villages." Chie of the old school has broken the world into structures, forgetting that, first of all, they are all people and not representatives of countries. Kakashi replies, "He doesn't care what village he is from. They went through the same pain and are the best at each other." Chie dies realizing the old mistakes imposed by generations "You will change this world invented by old and stupid people."

2. Gaara was preparing us for a meeting with Pain. Pain's philosophy was that people who were completely alien to each other could understand each other by knowing the same pain. If Gaara was Naruto's relative, it would destroy the entire structure of philosophy.

3 The example of Naruto and Gaara is Jiraiya's true teaching. "We know what pain is and try to be merciful to others." The idea seems to be the same as that of Pain, but at the same time it is completely different. Pain used pain ( ahh sorry 😂) as a weapon. Against the background of Gaara's example, this looks even more obvious.

4 In the future, just like Naruto changed Chiyo, Gaara will change Onoki.

I want to say that in Naruto everything is very fragilely interconnected. This is the order and the relationship of the characters of the link. So why when the same shippers Sasosaku, Tobidei and Itadei prove their "canonicity" by

1 Sakura influenced sasori

2 Tobi called Deidara his favorite senpai

3 Deidara hates sharingan and talks about Itachi

Well, on the one hand, I don't care as the sasodei shipper , because as many canonical proofs and justifications as Sasodey has, not a single ship has

but on the other hand, as a fan of Naruto philosophy, I hate to see how people are ready to distort the idea of ​​anime and the characters of in order to prove their canon.

So,

In a word, I want to talk about this first of all as

1 A fan of the naruto philosophy that becomes meaningless due to the substitution of facts for some ship

2 A fan of all these characters who are distorted trying to prove their "canonicity"

3 Sasodei shipper

In general, I do not mind "I like this ship and I ship it. Ok"

I do not like "I will ignore the facts and at the same time do not care that I made the philosophy of the anime useless, distort the characters of the persona only in order to prove their some crackship's canonicity 🌚👍"

I hope I could explain why I want to talk about it😶

And this one is so sweet🥺💗Yes, I also know people with a huge difference in age who are beautiful and happy together for a long time. And although I agree that a lot is not visible from the outside, but age really does not matter. It's all about people.

And I'm sorry that it turned out so long 😅

This was a good chance to explain why I decided to talk about other ships (/> <)/

So, thanks again for the answers ^=^ ❤💛

I’ll go and write a post about the age difference in the drafts, edit it a little and post 🐥🦂

[d-noona]

BARTERED BRIDE - Chapter 4

Ch 04 - Lunch Meeting

Kim Namjoon is a ruthless financier used to buying and selling stocks, shares and priceless artifacts. But now Namjoon has his eye on a very different acquisition - Park Han Byeol. Left destitute by her father's recent death, Han Byeol walks into Namjoon's bank looking to extend her overdraft. As Han Byeol needs money and Namjoon needs a wife, he proposes the perfect deal: he'll rescue her financially if she agrees to marry him. But in this marriage of convenience can Han Byeol ever be anything more than just a bartered bride?

Masterlist

"I nearly kept you waiting," said Namjoon. "I came back from the bank at eleven to go run in the park. As I was coming home I saw an old man on a bench who was obviously in need of medical attention. That held me up."

"Do you run everyday?" Han Byeol asks.

"I try to. Are you a runner?"

Han Byeol shook her head. "I play tennis and ski. I don't do work-outs."

He slanted an appraising glance at her figure. Today, in place of a black suit, she was wearing a designer outfit bought on a holiday in Italy. It consisted f a fine jersey-knit top in lilac, a waistcoat in violet, and swirling chevron-striped skirt combining those colors with pink and pale pistachio-green. The audacious color combination was perfect with Han Byeol's dark hair and brown eyes. "You look in great shape," he remarked. "But people in desk jobs like mine need some kind of fitness regime to stave off the bad effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Come and sit down. What would you like to drink before lunch?"

She remembered his remark about the wine she had been drinking when he forced his way in the previous evening. Was he one of those people who drank only mineral water and made everyone who didn't feel on a lower plane? Han Byeol had no intention of allowing him to intimidate her. "A Campari and soda, please," she said firmly.

Namjoon said to the butler, who had been following them at a discreet distance, "A Campari for Miss Park and my usual, please, Curtis." With a silent inclination of the head, the butler withdrew.

"Let's sit over here, shall we?" Namjoon steered her towards a group of comfortable chairs near one of the windows. "Have you finished your packing?"

"Almost"

Knowing that she wouldn't be able to sleep, she had worked on it till long past midnight. At half past nine this morning a dealer whom she had ought a lot of furnishings had come round to buy them back. Luckily Han Byeol had paid for them out of her bank account. Although the money in it had come from her father, technically they were her property, not his. As soon as his business had been forced into receivership, everything her father had owned, including the family home belonged to his business creditors. But the cash the dealer had handed her could go in her pocket. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing if, when Namjoon spelt out the terms of his trade off marriage, she found that she couldn't accept them. Looking up at the elegant cornice around the ceiling and the two crystal chandeliers, their chains swathed with coral tassels at the tops of the heavy cream curtains.

"Are you interested in architecture?" He sounded faintly surprised.

"Sometimes."

The butler came back with their drinks, hers a slight more vivid red than the coral linen slipcovers on some of the sofas, Namjoon's colorless except for a twist of lemon floating among the ice cubes. It could be in or vodka, or it could straight mineral water. Namjoon said, "This was my grandparents' house. My paternal grandmother still lives here when she's not staying with her daughters". I moved here when my father died. We had been living in Ilsan. I have an apartment near Gangnam but I thought you would feel more comfortable being entertained in the main house," he added with a gleam of amusement. After a slight pause, he added "I shall move out when I marry. The province is better for children, if their parents can choose where to live. Most people can't of course."

"Where are you thinking of moving to?" Han Byeol asked.

"I haven't decided." His expression was enigmatic. "Where would you choose to live, given a free choice?"

Han Byeol considered the question. Once the answer would have been "Wherever Yoongi wants to live." She said, "Ideally I'd like more sun than we get in this city. I wouldn't mind living by the sea, getting some fresh air...or a lake would do as long as it has mountains round it. I'd like to look out on mountains...big ones with snow on top."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Sounds as if New Zealand would suit you."

She shook her head. "I'm sure it's a beautiful country but it's too far away from Korea. Have you been there?"

Namjoon nodded. "The scenery's magnificent...when it's not raining. Unreliable weather. I went with old friends, you might know them since they run in the same circles you do. Where have your travels taken you?"

"Mostly to holiday places...the Caribbean in winter...resorts round the Med in summer. My mother's a passionate gardener. She doesn't like travelling alone, even in a group. I've been on some garden tours with her...the south of France, Ireland, California. Where do you for holidays?" Han Byeol takes a sip of her Campari.

"I used to go with my father who also liked someone with him. We went to Japan together and other Pacific Rim countries. I travel a lot for the bank. For pleasure I usually go to France, Greece or Spain. Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?"

The question, tacked on to innocuous small talk, took her by surprise. "I haven't agreed to marry you," she said coldly.

"If you found the idea unthinkable, you wouldn't be here," he said dryly. "Let's be straight with each other Han Byeol. I need you...you need me. It's a sensible, practical arrangement."

She knew that at least the first part of what he said was true, but she wasn't about to admit it. Was it pride that made her reluctant to fall in with his plan too readily? She said, "I'm not clear why you've selected me."

"You're very attractive...as I am sure you're aware." he smiles at her gently.

"Is that all you want from a woman? An acceptable face and figure? Don't you care what I'm like inside?" Han Byeol scoffed.

'I can make some intelligent guesses. People can't hide their characters," he told her casually. "Even in repose a face gives a lot of clues to its owner's temperament. Apart from yesterday's evidence that you have a short fuse, I haven't detected any characteristics I wouldn't like to live with."

His arrogance took her breath away. In that moment of shock, she was struck by the thought it would be both a challenge and public service to bring this man down from his lofty pinnacle and convert him into an acceptably unassuming person. But perhaps it was already too late . One of gran's favorite sayings was, "What's bred in the bone must come out in flesh." Namjoon with his long-boned thoroughbred physique and his handsome features, looked a descendant of generations of men who had felt themselves to be superior beings and never experienced the doubts felt by ordinary people.

In a different, more rough-hewn way, her father had been the same. Probably somewhere far back in Namjoon's ancestry, there had been a man like her father: a rough-diamond unscrupulous go-getter who had founded the Park Fortune. Perhaps if Mr. Park had married someone better equipped to handle him than her quiet and easily cowed mother, her father might have been saved from becoming an overbearing braggart. Whether, at thirty four, Namjoon's essential nature could be modified was problematical. But it could be interesting to try.

She said, "I don't find you as transparent as you seem to find me. It takes me longer to make up my mind about people;"

"You haven't had as much experience of summing up people as I have."

The butler reappeared. "Luncheon is ready when you are, sir."

They ate in a smaller room with a view of a large garden, an oasis of well kept greenery in the heart of the city. The surface of the round Regency breakfast table had a gleaming patina resulting from years of regular polishing' It reflected the colors and shapes of the red-streaked white tulips arranged in a what Han Byeol recognized as an antique tulip pot, its many spouts designed to support the stems of flowers which had once been costly status symbols. The meal began with potted shrimps served with crisp Melba toast, tiny green gherkins and white wine, which they continued to drink with the main course, chicken with minty yogurt dressing.

While they ate Namjoon talked about plays and art shows he had been to recently. It was the kind of conversation made by strangers at formal lunch parties and although his comments were interesting Han Byeol thought his choice of subject was irrelevant to this particular situation. When the butler had withdrawn, leaving them to help themselves to a fruit salad with fromage frais, or to selection of more substantial cheeses, she said, "Why do you want a wife when you could go on having girlfriends and a change them when you get bored?"

Offering her elegant Waterford compote, its apparent fragility emphasizing the powerful but equally elegant form of the hands in which it was cradled, he looked at her with unexpected sternness. "I have a responsibility to my line. I need sons to carry on the traditions established by my predecessors."

She found this solemnly irritating. "Are you expecting me to provide proof of my fertility?" Before she could add that, if he was, he could forget it, Namjoon said, "No, I'm prepared to chance that."

"Big deal!" Han Byeol said sarcastically.

She had a feeling that Namjoon wouldn't hesitate to divorce her if she failed to live up to his expectations in some way. But although he struck her as a monster of cold-hearted self-centeredness, she couldn't deny that he was extraordinarily attractive. Every movement he had made since they sat down had heightened her awareness of the lean and muscular physique inside the well-cut suit and the long legs under the table. His hair was dry now but still had a sheen of health. There was nothing about him suggestive of stress or tension. He seemed entirely relaxed. Yet why did he need to arrange a businesslike marriage instead of falling in love the way people usually did?

Wondering, suddenly, if he might be in the same situation as herself, heartbroken, although it didn't seem likely, she said, "When did you dream up this scheme?"

"It's an idea I've had for some time...probably since my contemporaries started divorcing. I have about a dozen god-children, most whom now have step parents, some official, some not. I don't want that for my children."

"Did you parents stay married?" she asked.

It seemed to her that his face underwent a change. His lips didn't tighten. His eyebrows didn't draw together. But there was a subtle hardening and chilling, reminding her of the impression she had received that morning when they sat on opposite sides of his imposing desk/ Now they were at a table designed for a more intimate and relaxed conversation. But she sensed a change in the atmosphere and knew she had trespassed in an area of his where she was an unwelcome intruder.

"They separated. They were never divorced," he answered.

Han Byeol wanted to ask hold he had been when the separation happened, but something made her hold her tongue. Later, going back to the flat in the taxi he had laid on for her, she regretted her curiousity.

When-in-two people were going to marry, there shouldn't be any "No go" areas between them...or at least none of that nature. His past girlfriends were not her business, but his family life certainly was. She shouldn't have allowed herself to be put off. From now on she wouldn't be, she told herself firmly.

[qu1nby]

Second last bullet for dazai and chuuya! (Shippy please)

Sentence: “Life is a god damn ocean and I have no idea how to swim.” 

Thank you for asking! Let’s hope I didn’t make too many mistakes. 

“Your martial arts skills are below average for the Port Mafia,” The smaller man taunted, “It doesn't even matter that I can’t use my ability against you.” 

Dazai and Chuuya had fought several times while Dazai was in the Mafia, both in practice and outside it. This was different. There was a certain anger behind the smaller man’s attacks, one that almost made Dazai feel bad for provoking him. Clearly, he was still hurt. 

A part of Dazai, the same part that almost felt bad for taunting Akutagawa earlier, wanted to apologize. To tell his former partner why he left, and just how much leaving hurt him. Dazai shoved it away. 

“Get up, the party’s only getting just started.” 

Dazai didn’t have to fake a groan as he stood - although he was able to block it, the kick had actually hurt. He stretched, watching his former partner’s expression as he replied, “I thought my arm would get destroyed there.” 

The subtle frown on the smaller man’s face was worth it. “I’m familiar with your moves, pacing, and behavior.” Dazai continued with a smile, “That's what made me a great partner, right?” 

As Chuuya lunged forward, Dazai had a moment to reflect on how he even got in this situation in the first place. Getting kidnapped was a necessary step to finding out who exactly put the bounty on Atsushi. Being reminded of the shaky relationship between Dazai and his former partner was not. 

As much as Dazai hated to admit it, he had missed Chuuya. Working closely with someone for a few years, no matter how annoying, had its consequences. Really, everything Dazai had done led him to this exact moment. Now, trapped in a damp and bloody basement while his former partner held a knife to his throat, he wasn’t entirely sure what to say. Chuuya was talking, but Dazai was having trouble focusing on anything more than the face so close to his own. 

That, and the knife against his throat. 

“It just so happened I caught you on the very day I returned from putting out fires in the West.” 

“How convenient,” Dazai’s reply was cold, but his heart - unfortunately - was anything but. So that’s where the hatrack was.

“I’ve been real busy since you left,” Chuuya continued, “The Mafia has been doing just fine without you.” 

The knife moved, but Chuuya’s hand remained on Dazai’s throat. As angry as the smaller man was, he still seemed careful not to crush Dazai’s windpipe. 

“Why did you let yourself get captured?”

Was it just his imagination, or did Chuuya's voice sound softer? 

“It was for Atsushi,” For once, Dazai decided to tell the truth, “The were-tiger you all are so obsessed with. I wanted to see who put a bounty on his head.” 

Chuuya frowned, “You put your life on the line just for that?” 

Of course he did. Dazai’s life was worth less than Atsushi’s - less than everyone’s lives, really. But that was besides the point. 

“What, did you think I wanted to see you?” Dazai retorted. It was a low blow, but the hurt in Chuuya’s eyes surprised him. 

“Of course not.” The hand finally left Dazai’s throat. Chuuya gave him one last glare before walking towards the stairs. “I’m done here,” He said, kicking a piece of the broken chain. For a moment, it looked like he would actually leave. Dazai’s traitorous heart sank. 

Don’t go. 

He had to keep Chuuya here. No, he wanted to keep Chuuya here. Who knew when he would get the chance to see him again?

“Aw, did Chuuya miss me? How touching!”

That got the hatrack’s attention. He turned quickly, “I didn’t miss you, you bastard!”

Dazai couldn’t hide his smile. There was the Chuuya he remembered, the one that never knew when it was time to quit. 

“Are you sure? I missed you!” It wasn’t a lie, but the way Dazai said it made it seem like one. This was just banter, just like all their conversations. Nothing said here mattered. 

There was a pause. Chuuya’s eyes scanned the taller man’s face before asking, “Then why did you leave?” 

It was, by all means, a fair question. It was also a question Dazai wasn’t prepared to answer. He shook his head, “Now now, I can’t tell you that.” 

“Why the fuck not? Don't you owe me that?” 

“I don’t owe you anything.” 

Chuuya stepped forward, and Dazai steeled himself for another punch. Instead, the smaller man shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you know what it was like?” Chuuya asked bitterly, “Everyone suspected me. They thought I helped you! Every day, I had to prove myself.” 

“So?” Dazai stepped forward, “It seems like you did fine.” 

Chuuya glared up at him, “That’s not the point. I trusted you!” 

“Well, that was your first mistake-” 

“Life-” Chuuya took a breath, “Life is a god-damn ocean and, without you, I didn’t know how to swim anymore.”

-----

Again, thank you! I’ve been a fan of open endings lately. 

Give me character(s) and a sentence and I will try and write about it!

[otakween]

I'm Standing on a Million Lives - Volume 1

Hurray! Moving on from 100% Pascal Sensei, this is the next series on MAL alphabetically due to its Japanese title (100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru). I'm excited to be catching up on something so recent as season 2 for the anime is actually coming out this month! I'm going in 100% blind so, I guess we'll just see where this goes. Chapter breakdown after the "read more."

Ch. 1

-Well, this was really awkwardly paced and written, not a promising start if I'm honest. I hate it when people are isekai'd and barely react, it's so jarring.

-Protag-kun is an edgelord who "hates Tokyo and all the people in it," has no friends, and just wants to play video games. Of course his video game skills are rewarded in isekai-land. Typical cliché BS so far. At least he had a self-aware "oh wait, I'm being a self-centered prick" moment.

-The art isn't hideous, but I don't sense any creativity here. Everyone looks very generic, including the monsters. At least the two-page spreads look nice on my new e-reader

-I feel like this would read as batshit to people who aren't familiar with the isekai genre. They just assume that people are so used to these tropes that they don't need to explain anything. I would have liked it if they showed us more of the "normal" world so that the isekai moment would be more of a shock and we could get a better feel for the characters/setting.

-Game master dude is really annoying. I hope they explain why he speaks in partial sentences. None of the characters even acknowledged it which was really weird.

-Kinda dumb how Kusue saying "I want to be useful to people!" just completely blew Protag-kun's mind and changed his whole world view. First of all: can we save epiphanies like that for at least the end of volume 1?? Second: how easily swayed is this man!? He felt like he went through the entire A Silent Voice MC's character arc in 2 seconds.

-I feel like the level of gore doesn't fit the tone they're going for. It just feels out of place and gratuitous. Like, this isn't Attack on Titan, this is more of an adventure series (I think)

Ch. 2

-The characterization in this is really annoying. So far the characters don't feel like real people, they're just assigned archetypes. Yuka is an otaku, Kusue is the "frail girl," etc. I think one thing that's lacking is the girls barely get a chance to speak and we're stuck with Yotsuya's incel monologues. Hopefully this improves.

-Real convenient that all the chosen party members are girls so far. The setting/make up of the party reminds me of Konosuba a lot.

-Why are bullying scenes in manga always so over the top? I'm pretty sure bullies don't typically go the sexual assault route. Similar to the gore feeling out of place, that felt unnecessarily dark. The character's also reacted to it as if it wasn't a big deal (???)

-Today in "fancy words used in manga": polyandric. Apparently it means an animal that mates with multiple males.

-I was honestly triggered by the centipede monsters. I have house centipedes in my apartment and they're horrifying. The thought of one wrapping around my head...-shudder-

-The bullying rescue scene was interesting. I feel like normally it would be a big, heroic moment, but instead they chose to show how all the girls (bullies and victim) were afraid of Yotsuya for suddenly showing up and acting like a maniac. It was kinda nice to see his "you love me now, right?" rejected lol.

-The self-aware anime stuff is obnoxious. MC being like "woah this is a harem situation" and the girls being like "gap moe!?" at the end of the chapter. It's jarring when characters that aren't supposed to be otaku bring up otaku things.

-Game Master showing up on Yotsuya's phone was pretty funny lol. I liked his selfie.

Ch. 3

-Shindo's backstory was so weirdly written and awkward: she was a bad kid, made friends with an older girl who taught her to be good, and then that older girl killed herself. She then overheard her family members being like "lol that dead girl was ugly" so...she vowed to protect the weak...or something? I dunno it was confusing. Also, more needlessly grimdark content with Shindo's parents basically saying that girl deserved to die because she was ugly.

-I don't think this mangaka understands anatomy, the abs on the male characters look...off

-Interesting rule where they lose EXP for fighting humans. Although, that does make me wonder about the cover art for this volume. Are the "million lives" supposed to represent all the times the characters die and are revived or...?

-Yuka being like "I don't think Shindo's a good person because she's got pretty privilege." Rubbed me the wrong way. She reeks of the "not like other girls" trope

-When Yotsuya said he's "not like other boys" because he'll listen to your tragic backstory and Shindo reacts "are you gay or something?" That felt like a mix of casual homophobia and toxic masculinity, not cute.

Ch. 4

-We get a new harem addition and her stupid quirk is that she likes cutting people up. I dunno, something about the way she robotically announced that while fighting felt so unnatural and forced. This manga is anything but subtle.

-Only now realizing that the artist and the author are two separate people. Honestly, I was surprised to find out that this is just a manga and it doesn't have a corresponding light novel. It really feels like it's being adapted from something, but maybe that has to do with the writer and artist being separate?

-Every time they mention a new fantasy name it kinda seems like the author just threw scrabble letters at the wall.

-The design of the bipedal steeds wheel attachment looked like it wouldn't work. Like, how do those things walk with a big giant wheel right in front of their feet? I guess I'll find out in the anime lol

-Very, very confused about Yotsuya's "career." When he became a chef he dressed as a chef, but now that he's a wizard he's back to dressing like a farmer and using a hoe? That seems like a continuity error. Either that or they didn't explain how things work very well. Can you switch between your past careers?

-They reveal that they only feel 1/36 of normal pain in this world, which would have been nice to know in chapter 1 when people were being torn apart, but okay.

-One of Yotsuya's new skills is "the ability to raise or lower the persuasiveness of your words." Immediately I was like, "wtf? In what situation would you want to lower your persuasiveness?" Maybe if you're using reverse psychology? -shrug-

-I enjoyed the author's mini essay at the end about stories standing the test of time. I guess this is their first serialization so now I kinda feel bad for trashing it so much lol. Oh well, gotta be honest in my reactions...