#and also quite literally being why shadow was made in the first place? like did ppl forget he was supposed to cure her orrrrr

[wereh0gz]

The way some ppl talk abt game!maria vs movie!maria is so weird to me bc like ppl go on abt how the movie shows her "being a kid" as if game canon hasn't been doing that (especially in recent media)

Like they just do it differently. Movie!maria does fun things like rollerskating and doodiling funny pictures on shadow's test tube and building blanket forts to watch movies in. Meanwhile game!maria is mostly shown going to school being excited abt her classes and geeking out over the aurora borealis and being so excited to show shadow that she overexerts herself running to take him there. They're basically just being shown as different types of kids

Also. Saying the (apparently) not-chronically-ill version of the character gets to "actually be a kid" more than the original chronically ill version is. A bit strange. Y'know. Smells a bit like ableism in here

[im-so-normal-iswear]

Hey! Saw your requests are open. If you havent been overwhelmed eith asks I have one for Yandere Shadow if you're interested, if not you're fine!!

What about a Yandere Shadow and Sonic with an S/O who's extremely affectionate and overprotective? BUT, as a twist, They're this way with everyone they care about. They just have a lot of love to give❤️

(Bonus headcanon that Eggman targets them first in fights because his robots literally cant get anywhere near anyone else due to how protective they can be of others. They focus on others so much they forget they might also be targetted)

A/n: idk how long this was in my inbox for

Yandere Shadow/Sonic x Overprotective, Affectionate Reader

Shadow:

Shadow isn't used to the kind of affection you give, not from anyone. He wasnt quite used to affection to mych at all. Not after Maria at least.

You're the type to wrap your arms around people in your life without a second thought, ruffle their hair, or reassure them with kind words whenever they’re feeling down.

At first, he thought this affection was only for him. The way you’d stand beside him in fights, ready to shield him from harm despite your lack of superhuman abilities, left him both confused and, strangely, touched.

But then, Shadow began to notice a pattern.

You weren't just protective of him. You were protective of everyone you cared about. Whether it was Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or even strangers in trouble, you'd throw yourself into the way to ensure no one got hurt.

Your willingness to put others first was respectable, but it also infuriated Shadow.

Didn’t you realize how reckless it was? Did you think anyone else deserved your warmth and care the way he did?

Shadow tried to reason with himself. He knew your affection was genuine and that your overprotective tendencies came from a place of love.

Still, that jealousy in his chest clawed at him every time he watched you worry and fuss over someone else.

His thoughts turned darker as he began to wonder if maybe he needed to teach you to focus that energy solely on him...

It wasn’t unusual for Eggman to target the people Shadow cared about, but this time, Eggman targeted you first.

Shadow’s blood boiled when he realized why. Your protective nature made you an obstacle to Eggman’s plans, your sheer determination to shield others from harm meant that his robots couldn’t get anywhere near his intended targets. And worse, your focus on others left you vulnerable.

Shadow was livid. Not at you, but at the world. How dare anyone put you in danger?

You were so busy worrying about others that you forgot to worry about yourself. He decided right then and there that he'd do whatever it took to keep you safe, even if that meant keeping you away from everyone else.

In the days that followed, Shadow became even more possessive. He started hovering closer during battles, stepping in before you had the chance to protect someone else. If you tried to shield Sonic or Tails, Shadow would pull you back with a firm grip, glaring at whoever dared to draw your attention.

"You can't keep doing this," he’d say in a stern voice. "You're going to get yourself hurt. Let me handle it."

At home, Shadow became even clingier. He didn't like how much energy you gave to others, so he made it his mission to monopolize your time.

Every moment spent with him was another moment you couldn’t be out there, being with someone else.

Still, he couldn't completely suppress his jealousy. The way you’d light up when hugging someone else made his fists clench.

Your constant reassurances that you had enough love to go around only made him more determined to make you see that he deserved all of it.

"Why do you waste your time on people who can’t protect themselves? They donct deserve what you give them. I'm the one who'll keep you safe, not them"

Sonic:

Sonic's usually not the biggest fan on being the receiving end of affection, but when it comes to you, he loves it. In fact, he thrives on it.

You're always ready with a hug, a playful nudge, or words of encouragement that make his heart race faster than his feet.

At first, he thought you were just that way with him, and he basked in the attention.

But Sonic quickly realized that you didn’t just have love for him. You had love for everyone.

You'd throw yourself in front of Tails to block an incoming attack, fuss over Amy if she got a scratch, or rush to Knuckles aid whenever he bit off more than he could chew.

Your boundless compassion for others left Sonic respecting you even more, but it also left him feeling insecure.

As confident as Sonic was in his abilities, he couldn’t shake the fear that someone else might steal your affection.

He wanted to be the one you turned to, the one you prioritized above all else. But your overprotective tendencies meant that you focused on everyone equally, leaving Sonic craving more of your attention.

Then came the day Eggman decided to target you.

It wasn’t hard to see why. You were a force of nature in your own way, your determination to protect others made you a threat to Eggman’s plans. Sonic’s heart dropped when he realized that Eggman saw you as a liability.

The first time one of Eggman’s robots aimed directly for you, Sonic barely managed to stop the attack in time.

"Hey, what were you thinking?!" he scolded, his voice tinged with panic. "You can't keep throwing yourself in the line of fire like that!"

You brushed off his concerns, he did that stuff all the time, why was it any different?

Sonic wanted to argue, but he couldn't bring himself to. Still, he made a silent vow to protect you, even if it meant protecting you from yourself.

Sonic's jealousy is more subtle than Shadow’s, have to keep up the 'perfect hero' act. He'd crack jokes whenever you doted on someone else, masking his unease with humor. But if someone started to take over your time, Sonic wouldn’t hesitate to intervene, dragging you away with some flimsy excuse.

Despite his possessiveness, Sonic would never stop loving your affectionate nature. It's part of what makes you, you. But he’d do everything in his power to ensure that your love didn’t come at the cost of your safety, even if it meant keeping you closer than you’d like.

[epwritten]

T a s t e ~ l.f

"Just look at me baby, day and night"

Description: You want what you're afraid of getting. You both play this game of want and desires, temptations, and limitations, secrecy, and need.

Word count: 8K. Hehehe. 😬

Author's note: I got into Stray Kids late summer last year, so there's a lot of performances I'm still getting into. But a week ago I saw Taste for the first time and...wow. When I first watched the Taste performance, everything was running through my mind at once. It was the perfect showcasing of temptation, where me -a usually by-the-rules person - had thoughts that were uncontrollable. I've never seen anything quite like that before, where in the moment I was so captivated. This concept came immediately after watching the video late hours into the night.

Additional notes: AU kind of...even though they're Danceracha, they're not members of Stray Kids. They're three college friends trying to make it by, making music.

Another note! This can be a little toxic, but the whole gist of this one shot is to showcase what temptations between people really look like, especially if you have one who grew up under strict conditions and now goes through inner conflict of whether or not they should throw away their restrictions for a chance. I don't want there to be anything that upsets anyone as they read this. It wasn't my intention honestly!

AND MOST IMPORTANT!

There's no smut in this. I'm not comfortable writing it. I know this one shot more ofc focuses on temptation and what that feels like, but I'm just not comfortable so please don't expect it and then get mad when you've reached the ending and there's nothing aha <3

Okay that's it! Happy reading! Hope you will enjoy <3

To lay it out in simple terms, you were drowning.

No, not literally. But it felt so much like it.The place had a way of heightening all of your five senses in one setting. You always found yourself playing the senses game with your dad when you were young. He may have forgotten about it, but you carried the habit with you, even if it was subconsciously. You always observed the five senses in a place and how that made you feel. Sometimes it was for safety measures, identifying what in an unknown room could be your shelter. Other times it was a reflection of happiness, if you were at the beach or somewhere that you could not count all your senses aligning in the best way.

But sometimes, on a night like tonight for instance, it was out of nerves.

Smell: The scent of expensive perfumes from those in the room lingering in the air.

Hear: The noises of conversations in and out of your ear through everybody else who was in the room.

Touch: Your pulse, right under your neck, a signal of nervousness when things got too overwhelming.

See: The lights dimmed in perfect blue, everything dark and rich in color that you may as well have been drowning with the wave of shade plastered and flashing shadows where the lights loomed.

Everything about this atmosphere was tempting, inviting, alluring. You could feel the vibration of the bass, on the floor right where your foot was planted, but also buzzing in your chest. You knew needed to breathe. But nothing was working with your senses anymore, almost as if they were too far gone, lost in this place of entrapment.

Why did you decide to come?

You were definitely out of place, you considered, as you craned your neck trying to look for something and nothing at the same time. People were chatting and laughing and you wondered if being social was a game of pretend that everyone aced at, or an actual skill. Nobody even looked bored before an event would start. It amazed you so. You on the other hand, always hated to be so early to places where you had no other choice but to socialize before the main events arrived. Yet for this specific night, you didn't dare arrive late. You didn't want to admit it out loud, but you didn't want to miss...him.

Great. Your mind was doing it again. Thinking about what you vowed not to think of. But there it was, a delicate subject you didn't want to tempt with thought and imagery, but it pulling you in.

Him, with his dark eyes, a stare that captivated you, and seemed to control all of you- your mind, your body, your soul. He was dangerous to what you thought held your convictions for so long, the definition of what you couldn't cross and somehow you did. Though not really. But still. The whole thing was rather...complicated.

Because it started with you, that night, three months ago. You didn't even know why you were there. Life was tough and you needed somewhere to escape to. Your friends always suggested a high scene that could make your feelings go numb for the evening, how the dopamine release would maybe even be good for you. You never considered it those days of your youth, but a few months back, you found yourself at a high scene of a nightclub under blaring lights.

~ 3 months ago ~

Even though you were in your early 20s, it was your first time, so of course you felt out of place. Did people actually enjoy this?

That night was a night of many firsts. A stranger sauntered over to you and asked to buy you a drink. You didn't realize that what happened in the movies you saw could actually take place in real life. People were making out in the back corner- full on, not caring if anyone else was looking, and not getting a room anytime soon. The music was loud. There were so many people, so many stories. But, you all were strangers to each other, and that was the pep talk you told yourself.

You were a stranger. Whether you were actually shy and timid or confident and sexy, no one would know the difference. It was one night in this nightclub. You could be anyone you wanted to.

You could also meet anyone you wanted. And that's what you did.

He was on the top floor when you first saw him, manspread on the purple lounge couch. There were two other guys with him, one with brown hair and the other with blue hair but you barely noticed. Even when they stopped talking to each other and eyed you as you got to the top of the staircase, searching for a place to sit, your eyes only zeroed in on one.

See: Jet black hair, dark eyes, pale skin, wearing all black. He was the most beautiful person you could ever see. His features were pretty, but his stance was dominant and you couldn't help but let your mind run with thoughts that normally didn't cloud your vision. But this night was meant to be different anyway, at least, that's what you were trying to tell yourself.

You swallowed before you spoke out. "Am I allowed to sit here?" You asked, because for some strange reason no one else was up in the balcony seats, just those three men.

The man in the middle of the couch smiled before he shifted in his seat, moving to the other side of the couch.

"Of course you are. Come sit."

Hear: His voice was lower than expected, a velvety tone with a certain accent, though he didn't say enough words for you to realize which one it was. Your heart churned deep in your chest as you slowly walked towards them. You sat down right where the middle man patted and immediately you were hit with the scent of his cologne.

Smell: A hint of springtime but spice of power.

When you sat by him, the two other guys that were there wandered off, leaving you and the middle man alone. They made no excuses and walked out like it was no big deal. You didn't want to disturb any of them, but they were out of your hair by the time you sat.

You couldn't help but sneak a glance at who was sitting right by you on the couch. The music was blaring, lights were dimmed but luminescent enough so you could see the sparkles around his eyeliner and the color tint on his lips. He looked incredibly unreal, just sitting there.

And then he looked at you.

It was strange. You would be the person who would look away instantly, blush constantly and find something to fidget with, causing so much of a distraction to reduce the heat on your cheeks and color on your face. But right there in that moment, you didn't look away, you stared right back.

You didn't know anything about him, but you remembered how when you first walked into the club you said to yourself that you wanted a change. That you could be whoever you wanted, and no one would know anything different. He wouldn't know anything of your shy nature, the innocent image that so many mocked you about, he wouldn't know.

"Can I get you a drink?" The man asked finally, his pupils looking so intensely at your soul you thought he was genuinely lost in them. He was attentive, that was noted.

You shook your head. You've never drank before. Even though tonight would be the night of promises to live young and not overthink everything, you were still nervous for the substances.

"I'm good. Thank you though." You answered.

He nodded understandably as he sat up straighter. "Ah, that's okay." He said.

"I've never seen you here before. Are you new to the city?" He continued.

It was when he said that your heart started beating a bit more. Australian, that's what it was. He was definitely Australian.

He angled his body on the couch so he could face you properly. Though you were shy among his gaze, and had trouble fully looking at him.

"I've been here, I just..." You paused. You didn't want to seem like such a fool if you were to say that you've never been in a nightclub before. The man looked around your age and it would be somewhat embarrassing.

So you lifted your eyes and looked at him.

"I just never got to actually talk to you before." You said.

The man blinked before he leaned forward, a hand brought his chin as he gazed at you. "You've seen me here, but you never talked to me?"

You swallowed but wanting to keep going with the act. You told yourself in your mind not to care. So what if you flirted a little bit? Anything that would comment for this man would be truthful anyway.

So you scanned him with your eyes, taking everything in before you spoke out.

"Well...you're the sexiest person I've ever laid eyes on, so it'd be difficult..." Your voice trailed off.

Oh goodness. Did you really just say that out loud?

The man raised an eyebrow, but his smirk said otherwise. "Sexy, yeah? That's what you think of me as?"

When he repeated your words back, it made you suddenly shy, looking away. How did people at clubs do this? Were they always that forward?

He looked like he was okay with it, but you couldn't keep this front and confident act much longer. But you wanted to. You so wanted to just forget about your worries and let the night take its course.

"Hey," He chuckled warmly. "Don't go shy on me now." He said, eyes never leaving your face.

So you didn't. You took a deep breath and looked back at him. "Yes, that's what I think of you. You're sexy."

Being forward left a weird taste in your mouth, but the way he looked at you said so much at the same time. It fed you, fed your emotions. Because you could see that your words were the ones to cause him to smile, despite the shyness wanting to creep up on you.

"Thank you." His voice was a low decibel of temptation. He let his eyes travel down past your eyes for a split second before centering back on your face again.

You blinked and took a shallow breath, trying to ease the thundering beat in your chest.

The man then smiled genuinely and you swore you never saw anything more unreal. He looked kissable. You wondered what kissing him would feel like.

Where did that thought come from?

"You're a little shy, aren't you?" He guessed, reading your like a book.

Touch: You crossed one leg over the other, accidentally brushing his leg with yours and you quickly drew it back. You were failing your confidence but the way he looked at you...there was really no chance.

He chuckled when you didn't respond. "Don't be, get comfortable. What's your name?" He asked.

You said it and he repeated your name to himself before he nodded. "It compliments you. You're just as beautiful if not more."

And there came the butterflies once more.

You turned to him, trying to come back to look into his brown eyes. "What's your name?" You threw the question back to him.

"Felix." He answered, giving you his hand to shake.

It wasn't the most unexpected name for this midnight prince of a man. If anything, it was pretty attractive.

Around you both the music still blared and you started to feel your mind drifting back to the scene around you with your senses. But you wanted to be present and looked back at Felix with a question in mind.

"So...why are you here tonight?" You asked, trying to attempt conversation.

Felix looked up at the ceiling and then around. "Honestly...I'm performing on that stage in a minute." He said, looking behind him.

You did a double take when you saw the stage. "On...the pole?"

Felix shook his head and laughed. "No, no. A couple of friends and I we dance and make music, and then we perform at clubs."

Your face flushed. "Oh."

That was it. You were done. Embarrassed. You would try to take a cab and leave and never return. Possibly leave the country. Never be seen again. Burried in a hole. Whatever worked.

You didn't realize you were actually spacing out and planning a disappearing act until you felt a strong but soft touch on your arm. You averted your gaze and saw Felix shooting a soft smile.

"Why are you here tonight?" He asked.

It was very much of a good question. You wanted to know yourself. Life was being a lot. You needed a change of scene. You wanted to check out the club. You wanted to not let your worries cloud your mind. You were a rigid person and you imagined what it would be like to, for one moment, live more freely.

But you weren't about to go into the details of it all. You still were assigned one task, and that was let go.

"Because...I want to see you perform." You answered softly.

Felix blinked in surprise before he smirked, his hand patting your leg.

"Good girl." He muttered.

Hear: The words "good girl", over and over in your head from now until morning. You didn't know what to do with yourself.

Felix suddenly stood up and you looked at him, your heart beat picking up in haste."Wait, where are you going?" You asked, confused.

Felix glanced at the stage and then back at you, his eyes daring. "Going to be the reason why you came here tonight, of course. You should watch the stage." He winked and then walked away, going down the stairs, not looking back once.

He was so mysteriously sexy, so captivating, that you didn't know if your mind was held straight. You were thinking a million thoughts, imagining instances that past you would never do. On and on were piles of debating in your head between the two. The familiar innocence you vowed to protect, or the risking image that didn't care who you were, allowing you to dive deep into someone else. Maybe someone you were all along.

You couldn't think much because soon the music died down and you walked to the rail of the balcony, looking down. You technically could've gone down, but there were so many people. You liked having the space to yourself. It made you observe.

And when Felix and his two friends were finally on stage and danced, you were absolutely stunned. The other two were passionate, of course. The one with the blue hair was like blazing fire and then other with brown hair like sharp ice. Yet Felix had a power to him, an aura that was unshaken. He moved effectively and gracefully at the same time.

Their small set ended, only a couple of songs before the three went back upstairs and joined you as the stage was getting ready for exotic dancers. You stood up, wanting to pull Felix aside. When Felix saw you, he smiled, sauntering over to you.

"What did you think?" He asked in a low tone, reaching you.

You looked at him, truly. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and his hair was slightly messier from the dancing. He was breathing hard, staring at you. It made you feel vulnerable of the true thoughts in your mind. You wondered just this once, how he would react if you were direct.

"I think you're a dangerous temptation." You finally answered bluntly, stepping into his space.

Felix raised an eyebrow. "Really? I'm a dangerous temptation, how so?" He asked, though his voice was smug.

He was taller than you but he crouched down, leaning forward so he could be at eye level with you.

You took a deep breath. "Because..." Your voice trailed off as you noticed a strand of hair covering his eye. You wanted to see his eyes. Without thinking you moved his escaping strand away, brushing it behind his ear. But it wasn't until you felt your fingertips reach the side of his face and saw him staring at you, not backing away either, gave you a weird longing.

What if tonight nothing mattered?

What if you could just be?

Felix stepped closer to your space, looking down at you. When he watched your hand slowly run through his hair, you caught him biting his lip subtly, but to you it was so hot.

He said your name then, eyes on you. When you looked at him, as the blue lights shone on his face, you could see a dark look in his eyes, it was calling you.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" You asked lowly.

A night of first experiences. It started with the drink offering, it continued with the flirtatious comments, and now it came to this point. You may have imagined the possibility of 'what if', but now it was your reality.

You just asked the hottest man in this whole club if he wanted to leave with you. That was something you never imagined yourself to do.

You looked to the side for a second, but the moment that you would want to second guess, a gaze of his would send darts to your heatt, causing it to beat rapidly in response to how he was looking at you. A wave of intensity and suddenly fear of regret if the night didn't happen, rushed through your soul.

"My place or yours?" Felix asked. His voice was even deeper if that made sense, filled with need.

"Yours." You said immediately.

~Present Day ~

You glanced on the watch on your arm, and then looked back to the stage. It was empty, the smoke machine clouding your vision. The playlist in the background was loud, the stero basically right in front of you. But what did you expect, you were front row.

You wondered where he was, maybe backstage with Hyunjin and Lee Know. You recalled when you first formally met the two, a few days after the first night you met Felix. It was a hang out, he called it, where a bunch of his friends and him were grabbing drinks and he wanted to see you again. He also wanted to talk to you. You didn't know why you said yes. He was supposed to be a stranger you'd know for one night, and then you both would leave each other and never see each other again. But of course, knowing your luck, it could never happen.

That night, the first one where after his set, you both left the venue not looking back, nothing actually happened. You were a virgin, you were raised strictly under rigid parental rules, you never drank or did drugs, you haven't had a first real kiss, you've never had any guy talk to you let alone bring you to their place, and you were scared regardless. But you wanted him. You didn't know why, but you wanted Felix so much.

~3 months ago~

Your foreheads pressed against each other. You felt his hands grab your face but you let your head stay around his. You could feel him all around, inhaling his scent. You were in his room, in his bed and yet...nothing. Sure there were touches here and there, kisses peppered down your neck, but you were so nervous. In the heat of the moment, being in the club with the blaring lights, electrifying music and sensual atmosphere it was easy to not think and let go. But right there in Felix's house, things were more difficult to navigate.

"I...don't know." You admitted softly.

Felix sighed, planting a kiss on your forehead once more. When he departed, he looked at you, and then ran his hands down your arm.

"If you don't want to do this, we don't have to." He said.

You glanced at the bed. It was soft, inviting, right there. And that was Felix was well. He was right there.

You looked down at your lap. "I want to, but...i- I don't know."

Felix remained quiet, nodding. When you saw his understanding you rested your arms around his neck, giving him some physical consolement. He breathed in deeply, eyes closed for a second before he leaned in once more and kissed the side of your chin. You hitched out a gasp.

"You want to but you don't know." Felix repeated your words against your skin.

He had a tendency of doing that, of throwing back the words you said so that you could hear echo in his voice. It was a shot of questioning if you were really sure. But it was so attractive coming from him.

Without even realizing it, you slightly tilted your head to the side, allowing him the access. His hands traveled down to your waist and as the kisses went deeper he found grip in your hips. A slow hand creeped, under your shirt to touch your bare skin. But as you felt his touch your eyes opened and you moved in your seat.

"Felix...I..."

You didn't want Felix to get annoyed. Every time you initiated something, he would respond to it, then you chickened out. You were sure that back in the club there were a lot of people who would want to spend the night with Felix.

You were the one that asked him, and now that it was happening you're nervous and indecisive?

You shook your head, feeling stressed out. It shouldn't be this stressful. Either you wanted it or not.

"I'm sorry." You apologized in a whisper.

Felix stared at you a little more. "What do you want from me, baby? What do you want me to do for you?"

~Present Day~

Two months and 13 days. It had been two months and 13 days since you've seen him. You were nervous as you craned your neck trying to look for something. You eyed the exit sign. You felt ridiculous. Surely you wanted to see this performance, but you were right up front, meaning Felix would see you.

He sent you an invitation, letting you know that he was going to be performing at an event. It wasn't even a bar or a club, it was an arts venue where people got the chance to display their talents and get scouted if they had the chance. You were proud of Felix, and Hyunjin and Lee Know. You knew that they were talented and worked hard.

You were curious for their song choice. Felix didn't say much when you asked him, just that it was written by the three of them inspired by true events. Then he told you it'd be special if you could make it, since it was inspired by you.

You never had a song inspired by you before.

You were going to go regardless. It wouldn't matter if they sang about bowling, whatever it was, you knew they would put on a show. But the fact that it was inspired by you...what part of you?

Would it be very direct and knowing? Did it include your name? Or was it slightly subtle, using certain words and symbolism that only made sense from the person that wrote it, and the muse.

Your heart beat at the thought. There was an anticipation growing in the air as the smoke machine from the stage traveled just about where you were. You breathed in deeply and closed your eyes. You were ready for whatever was to come.

~3 months ago~

It became on and off, like a tennis match.

Another night the guys performed at a bar. When their set was done, a lady with long brown hair and a sparkly black dress walked over to Felix and was talking to him across the room. She was smiling, using wild gestures and you're stomach flipped when you saw her hold on to his arm while laughing. Felix gave a smile and talked with her for a bit, nodding along to what she was saying.

You felt pathetic. Why did you think that you and Felix had something? There were rules and natures to the club scene. People weren't to be in contact with each other after a nightly exchange. So if you were the one Felix talked to that first night, that meant someone else would be the one the next time.

You got up from your seat abruptly, and Felix's eyes averted to you but you turned, picking up your purse, and then weaved your way through the crowd. You were done with the night. You needed to go back to your place and relax.

You left the bar and stood by the crossroad, waiting for the light to turn green so you could walk. As you looked up into the night sky, your eyes trying to adjust to the orange street lights in comparison to the darker theme shades in the bar, you heard footsteps behind you.

"She just wanted to say she liked our set. She works in the music industry."

It was Felix no doubt.

You shook your head and then shrugged. "Okay...? That's great."

"You don't have to be jealous about it, I'm not interested in her."

You weren't facing Felix, but you could hear the undertones of his voice and recognized the smug. He was enjoying this.

"I'm not jealous." You said.

Felix hummed. "You're not jealous, huh?" You could feel him walking closer to you.

"You must think so lowly of me." Felix's hand snaked around your waist and then pulled you closer with no effort.

"You left a whole bar, took all your stuff, just because I was talking to someone of the opposite sex. You don't think I know what's going through your brain right now, do you?"

You breathed in deeply, inhaling his scent once more. The close contact was driving you crazy but you kept your eyes to the signs, waiting for the signal for you to walk.

And then a kiss planted on the back of your neck. And another. And another.

"The way you look mirrors how I look at you. The way you think of me is what I think of you. How your body yearns for me is how my body yearns for you. You don't think I would know?" Felix's voiced out in a low purr in your ears, his breath fanning your skin.

Slow kisses peppered lightly on your neck and then traveled down to your shoulder.

"You're sexy when you get jealous. So innocent yet so possessive? It turns me on." Felix narrated, holding you up as you could feel tingles throughout the course of your body.

It should have been weird thinking that you were in the position outside for all the public to see as you waited at the crossroads, but you didn't mind. In a weird way it was almost thrilling? You wished that you could go home with him then and there.

But you couldn't. And just as Felix's left hand slid down your thigh, you took a step forwards moving away.

"Felix," You took a deep breath, and then faced him. "You know I can't." You said.

For the first time, he got quiet. There was a slight look on his face, a flash of something you couldn't depict before he looked at you.

"What do you want from me then?" Felix asked, once more, saying your name calmly.

"You undress me with your eyes but get all shy whenever I touch you. What are you leaving me with?" He asked.

You looked down. You figured you owed Felix the truth.

"I've never done...anything with anyone before." You admitted.

Felix nodded. "That's fine, I have no intention of taking something away from you if that's not what you want. But you've told me you wanted it. And you seduce me. You ask me to take you to my apartment. I can't think straight when I'm with you. And yet the moment we try, you're gone." Felix said, running fingers through his hair.

"You're confused." He added.

I blinked and then shook my head. "You're the one confusing me. I don't know what I want to do with you. I don't know what I want you to do to me. I imagine things and I want to experience it with you..." You let your voice trail off.

Felix brushed hair out of your eyes. "I want to do everything to you. But you're not helping me. And this innocent self of yours isn't innocent at all. You're a temptress." Felix kissed you once more right by your jaw, just where you felt your knees went weak.

But he left go before anything escalated. His eyes looked over your head and then he pointed. "If you really want to go, it's your walk now."

You turned and looked seeing that there was indeed the countdown for the street. Cars waited for you to cross, their gazes impatient. You looked back at Felix and then the light once more.

You may have been a 'temptress' but Felix was nothing more than a 'tempter' himself.

~Present Time ~

They were last. Of course they were last.

The event night had gone on, with amazing debuting artists and groups. You liked the music and enjoyed the varied dances. There were traditional styles, ballads sung, hip-hop numbers, rock...etc. It was a little bit of everything.

You almost forgot the main reason why you were here. You were enjoying the night way more than you had initially expected, but as the MC came on stage thanking everyone for coming, it was then you realized they were the showstoppers.

"We have one more group for you guys, they're performing an original never performed before, ladies and gentleman! You're the first to hear this so let's make sure it's extra special to them. Give it up for Danceracha!"

The audience cheered and your heart thundered as the room went dark, lights out for a second. You sat up straighter, your eyes never leaving the stage as you prepared for anything though you weren't sure for what to expect.

See: Blue lights. It was a deep hue, and with the visuals of bubbles on the screens surrounded the room as though the place was underwater. Three spotlights in light blue lines centered towards the three that move as soon as the song starts. Hyunjin to the left, Lee Know in the middle, and Felix on the right side. There were dancers around the stage in black, in a startup runners position but not moving.

Hear: The music started. F# minor. It sounded mysterious, alluring, matching the colors of the lights around. It's own kind of sexy but captivating in a way that would make anyone wonder what was to come.

The three danced with grace and flow, synchronizing with the beat. The intro played, your eyes looking to where he was.

And how could you not? He looked incredible in a deep indigo unbuttoned silk blazer atop a black tank top over black dress pants, accessorized in silver index rings for both his right and left hand, and a lock necklace over his chest. His black hair slightly growing a bit longer in the back, and fluffy front covering the sides of his face. He moved seriously, passionately, elegantly, and dangerously.

The backup dancers with them got up and the three starting walking to the center of the stage. Just as they started their formation, you heard the voice you unknowingly missed, the voice you craved.

Fake eyes open

또 속아버린 아픔

이참에 날 또

가지고 놀아줘

You took a deep breath. Even within the first lines you knew. You knew exactly what he was saying.

Lee know started singing next and you heard the softness of his tone.

Fake eyes open

또 속아버린 아픔

이참에 날 더

망가지게 놀아줘

Hyunjin came in third with the power of the song building up.

It's like bad red roses

향기에 미쳐 호흡이 가빠짐

아름다움에 가려진 짙고 두꺼운 가시

Don't care about it 알고 있잖아

베일에 싸인 눈동자

헷갈린다면 지금 이 순간을

Lee Know sang once more in a falsetto.

즐겨 baby baby don't test me oh no

Baby baby don't get me wrong

The next sequence had Lee Know and the dancers lower themselves, immediately drawing the spotlight now to Felix as he sang the next part. People around you cheered.

거짓은 안 해 감히

의미 부여한 이 밤의

정답은 you can get me

오로지 you can get me

The music played then, no words excepted Lee Know vocalizing and the smoothness of their dance. Almost like they were swimming. Almost like you were drowning.

They all got up, Felix singing once more.

Yeah make you feel my love la la la

지금 너 come and taste me now

Yeah you better watch out

You're gonna like ah

그래 난 속삭여 la la la la

Hyunjin came back to the center, carrying the last of the pre-chorus as the beat was building.

너와 나 둘 사이의 거릴 좁혀

잠깐의 호흡과 맞닿아 true up

이 스윗한 공간에 빨라진 ah

이 스윗한 공간에 달궈진

The music came to a sudden stop, only the faint sound of a chimy instrument playing as Felix graced the center of the stage, eyes turning to you as he pointed.

Just look....at...me

The beat of the chorus came back strong as the room erupted with cheers. The dance had intensified, filled with electrifying motion that made your heart soar. They were so in sync with each other and yet knowing that what they were saying was inspired by you...it made you sit up straighter and clear your throat.

And then your breath was held when you saw them in hypnotic rhythm going down to the floor.

Just look at me baby, day and night

A single touch. Even though part of the choreography, you weren't ready for Felix's hand that drifted up his leg as his back arched slightly, head rolled back as he sang that line.

What on earth was he doing to you and why was it working so much?

Lee Know started singing the next part again as the ground work was now on their knees.

Don't make me bad make me bad

I'm addicted to you

Hyunjin sang the next part in a beautiful falsetto.

이미 길들여진 내 맘을 자극해

They spun, getting out of the position and were now standing along with the dancers as Lee Know sang the same line again, the beat dropping.

Don't make me bad

Bad

Addicted to you

In synchronized movement, all the guys on stage leaned to the side. It was when looking at Felix and seeing his hand go up to his face did you realize it was him singing the same way Hyunjin just did in a heavenly falsetto, as if he wasn't the one with a low sultry voice for the duration of the song.

시작해 버린 이상 내 게 아님 안 돼

The music started to quiet down, back to the soft purr of seduction like the intro of the song. All of the guys' movements flowed like water, breathing heavily but graceful and poised in a swimming-like manner. It was just the keyboard pad and the chimed-like instrument playing as each person took a step back, and then another. And as the dancers dispersed to the sides of the stage, Felix, Lee Know and Hyunjin held their ending pose as the music came to an end, centered on the stage.

The lights went to black and everyone throughout the room cheered. You could see people around you giving standing ovations yet you stayed unmoved trying to still your beating heart and finding a way to process everything that just happened in the span of two minutes.

Desire. Need. Yearning. Passion. Sensual images and thoughts running in your head. Throughout the performance, though still professional, Felix managed to make a way of giving you his personal show. No one in the building would ever think anything of it, but the words, the dance, the eye contact, everything was what you understood.

It was something the two of you danced with yourselves. Wanting to give in, but being afraid. Yet so separately wanting to find out what would happen...if...

You sat back for a long time, an aftermath of conversations were playing as your background music even though the song was still in your head. Felix was engraved there. The way he looked, the way he sounded, the way he moved...it was everything to you.

The MC came back saying that the night was still young and there would be the chance for everyone to start partying and dancing the night away. The groups that would be scouted would be announced the following few days, but to throw all the worries aside the MC invited people go the dance floor.

You stayed for a little bit, and then got up. You needed to wash your face. You didn't know necessarily what that would do but you needed something to help you feel loose? You were feeling courageously needy, but for the first time, you didn't want the feeling to shoot down once activated.

When you took a minute to yourself- even though it didn't help much- rinsing cold water on your face, you looked at your reflection in the bathroom window. Replays of the performance ran once more through your head. You couldn't help but feel a bit of pride, considering the fact that there were many young and pretty people who had eyes and could definitely see Felix as attractive, and yet...you were the one he was singing to.

You had to find him.

You stayed in the bathroom for about a minute more and wiped at the cold droplets on the sides of your face before you took a deep breath and walked out, going back to the main room. You stopped right at the entrance of the door, scanning the crowd. Felix could be anywhere. Perhaps backstage, maybe talking to people, or maybe....

Wait.

It was timely how you recognized him. Insane, really, because all down the far side he was basically a shadow. But you saw him. You saw at the far corner someone sitting by the back corner. Drink in hand, manspread on the wooden chair. His blazer was off, revealing his black tank top.

He was ruining you without even doing anything.

Surrounding him was a couple of other guys. They had black T-shirts on so you figured it was the some of the backup dancers.

You took a deep breath and then started walking. You awkwardly weaved your way through the dancing train of people before you got to the back of the room. When you reached the table, everyone turned. You felt nervous seeing that you were looking right at Felix after all this time of no contact.

"Um...we're gonna go to the floor. I'm sure you two have some catching up to do." One of the dancers said. He gave a knowing look at you and you wondered if he knew who you were.

Felix shot a smile, giving him a crisp dap and then a salut. "Okay, have fun." He wished.

His voice. How you missed the sound of his voice.

Felix waited a few extra seconds to see each of them leave you both before he averted his eyes to you. There was a story twisted with an airing confidence in his eyes.

"Didn't think you'd show." He said, now planting his elbow on the table. He leaned back, shamelessly staring down your low v-neck shirt. But you were shamelessly staring at his arms, playing at this game as well.

You shrugged. "I had to. I know how much this night is important to you."

Felix nodded, taking a sip of his drink before setting the glass down. "So..." He pushed his hair back, combing his fingers through it before he leaned forward.

"Did you like what you saw?" He asked.

You didn't want to sugarcoat it. You couldn't anyway.

"You were incredible. And the song...it was...it made me think of things..." You answered shyly.

Felix didn't say anything for a few seconds but you saw the corner of his lip lift in a small smirk.

"Yeah? What kind of things?"

You looked down, feeling the heat on your cheeks as your mind went wild. Imagining having Felix touch you, to whisper sweet nothings in your ear with his deep voice, to be the one you could experiment with. He sold that image during the performance, and you wanted nothing more than for him to carry that persona with you, behind closed doors, no one watching.

"Talk to me, baby. What's on your mind? I wanna know." Felix said, his eyes looking up at you in a strange innocent doe way, as if he wasn't the one in charge for setting your soul on passionate fire.

You breathed deeply, taking slow steps towards him. He was right in front of you now, though he didn't stand up and you didn't sit. You were looking down at him and Felix was looking up at you.

"It made me think of...you doing whatever you want to me..." You said.

Felix didn't make any quick movements but somehow he sat closer. He reached forward and hooked his finger to your belt loops, slowly reeling you closer.

"Is that so?" He asked, looking up at you.

You took a sharp intake of air, trying to hold it together. It wasn't even much but this gesture made you feel in need, like a glimpse of what could happen tonight with his control.

But suddenly Felix let go of his grip, his hands in the air in a surrendering position.

You looked at him confusingly. Why would he stop right there? Right when you began to feel once more like pottery clay molding into his hands.

Felix looked at you dead in the eye. "I'm not going to touch you at all, if you don't want this. Okay?"

You nodded.

"No, love, I need words. You got it?" His voice was firm and clear. It seemed to you he was done with mixed signals. And you understood him, because you were done too.

"Yes." You answered in a small voice.

Felix nodded once, licking his lips as he took in all of you. But just as he said, he stuck to the rules, folding his arms instead. You knew in this moment you had to be the one to take the first leap.

So you did something you've seen in movies a couple of times. You stepped closest to Felix and then brought your hand down to his chest, slowly. Felix took in a sharp breath, but still looked at you, challenging a continuation by your command. When you felt confident in doing so, you withdrew your hand from his chest slowly. Locking eyes with his, you nodded.

"I do want this. I'm not going to be like a light switch and annoy you, I truly want this more than ever. I want you." You said.

Felix looked at you and then looked around the room, and back at you. "You're sure?"

"Yes." You repeated, your voice louder.

Felix flashed a smile as he stood up, towering over you. He wrapped an arm around your waist and just when you were right in front of him you could feel his kisses finding their way across your neck, a familiar feeling you didn't know how much you missed.

But you didn't want your first time to be in a crowd as loud as this, barely hearing as the pop and EDM fill your eardrums.

As though sensing that, Felix pulled away, but lifted your chin so you were at eye level with him.

"I'm going to take you to my place, okay? Do you have your stuff?" He asked lowly.

You were so caught up staring at him, so close to your face, that you almost forgot what he asked. But you nodded, looking down at your purse. "Yeah, it's all here."

Felix nodded and then smiled at you in such an endearing way you could almost kiss him first at the sight.

You were breathing heavily, heart beating. The moment would soon be yours and you wanted to savor everything, remembering the exact feelings you had to look back on.

Felix didn't waste time placing a hand on your knee as he drove, caressing you ever so softly but enough to make you shiver in your seat. It was a reminder that you very much so were in his car and was going back to the place you hadn't been in months. Only, there would be a different ending with this time.

And when you arrived, you let out a small noise when he didn't even bother warning you, didn't even bother opening the lights, but he led you through the dark, entering his room. You faced the bed, knowing that tonight would be when it all would happen.

"You haven't changed your mind, no?" Felix asked, leaning against the drawer as he eyed you.

Why was he so effortlessly hot?

You shook your head and looked at Felix. "No." You said.

When you thought back to the performance, the words Felix said, how he sang, the daunting look in his eyes, you would be a fool to not take this opportunity and truly let go for the first time. And you wanted it to be Felix who would have his way with you, however he wanted it. You couldn't see it any other way.

"You're shaking."

"Oh am I? I didn't notice." You replied sarcastically, which made Felix chuckle.

"I missed you." He admitted, which made your heart flip.

"I missed you too." You repeated.

Felix slowly walked over, wrapping his arms around your waist from behind.

"Close your eyes and relax for me?" He whispered in your ear.

Hear: His low voice penetrated your being. Sultry and soothing but charming and the very thing that made you at his service and obey.

You closed your eyes immediately and felt his lips nuzzle your ear. But you let out a small giggle, squirming a little. You could hear Felix laugh behind you.

"It tickles?"

You just giggled in reply. You still keep your eyes closed. For a few seconds there's nothing, but right after you felt his arms wrap around your chest, holding you tightly as he presses his sweet kisses on the back of your neck once again.

Smell: The scent of his cologne was intoxicating, beckoning and surrounded you at the same time. You wanted to bathe in it.

You sighed deeply.

"Remember to breathe, yeah?" Felix advised, his lips moving on your skin.

"Yeah." Your heart fluttered and you exhaled.

Felix hummed, his hand grazing down your chest. "You're so..." His voice trailed off.

You waited, hesitant but curious as to what Felix thought of you. But after long seconds of nothing as Felix started to kiss down your shoulder, you turned your neck slightly, opening your eyes.

"I'm so...? What? What am I?" You asked.

Felix took your waist, and gently moved you so that you were now turned around and facing him. Strands of hair fell in your face in the process of sudden movement, and Felix smiled, pushing the strands back behind your ear.

"When there's a better word than tempting I'll use it, but until then, that's all I'll say." He whispered.

"You're tempting me." You let out in a small voice.

"I'm tempting you." Felix repeated. You now concluded that when he repeated your words, it was the hottest thing ever.

Felix tilted his head upwards, looking at you with daring eyes. "Do something about it?" He dared.

Oh. My. Soul.

You took a deep breath, looking down. You were still scared, even though there was something that enveloped you. A feeling of want and need mixted together, as though the aftermath wouldn't even matter as long as Felix was right in front of you, staring with the same look of desire.

Touch: Your hands slowly grazed his chest, slowly and tentatively pulling the hem of his tank top.

Felix eyed you as he licked his lips, as though blinking would make him miss something.

Your heart beat continuously, mind pressing with thoughts as you, once more, noticed the scene heighten your five senses.

See: No other eyes but his, looking at no one else but you. The glow after dancing on stage, the beauty that was present with his dark features. The intoxicating look of thirst in his gaze.

Hear: Breathing. Faint but heavy. You couldn't even tell if it was coming from you or him, but you could hear the tension.

Smell: His cologne. The scent of springtime with a spice of power.

Touch: The fabric of the tank top. Cotton, perhaps? You didn't know. You didn't care. You suddenly wanted it off.

There was once more sense, but the intensity of the moment was making you experience a sort of amnesia. It made you frustrated, those leading up moments where they were careful and with care, but also dropped with tension that would wanted to cut. It was like a dam just moments before it would burst. But now this was driving you crazy because....

What was that last sense?

Felix's beautiful lips parted when you felt his abs through the shirt. He held your head with his hands, his eyes solely fixated on your lips.

"Kiss me or leave me." He whispered, the words powerful enough to send a wave through your core.

And that was when it clicked. His song. The last sense.

Taste.

The taste of his lips on yours, crashing, furiously enough let your head fall back. He groaned against your mouth, holding the back of your hair with the palm of his hand. He tasted like cinnamon but also a hint of peppermint as well. He fueled you in a way that was better than any of your imaginations.

So like tonight, and 3 months ago when you both first met, you were drowning in alluring waters under the surface of where you temptations washed over you. But unlike the game of tug-of-war to your body and heart where you would win, tonight you let the rope go with no regrets. You knew that this night was where finally, all of your senses aligned gloriously, and that there was no other person who could give it all to you but Felix.

[cyborg-squid]

A Kazdelian Rescue and Furnace-side Fables aren't out on Global yet, so I don't know quite how it continues and ends, but there's something really fascinating about how the actions of Dublinn and the Military Commission, Nezzsalem specifically, parallel each other.

Before getting into the themes, it's first just spectacular, the visuals of it and of a lot of the fighting around Silverrock Bluffs, between Dublinn and the Nachrezer you have like these two 'Evil' (visually, if (debatably) not morally) armies squaring off against each other, you've got super flame necromancy and shadow operatives versus floating sword wielding regenerating mummies commanded by the King on his Deadwood Throne, and then zoom the camera back some, across the entire Victorian front, you've got artillery bombardments and tank brigades squaring off against things like mobile witchcraft altars and death devouring immortal 'devils', while in the sky above, a massive reanimated flying dead-whale-skeleton performs boarding actions against a state of the art but-also-ghost-controlled combat airship. Chapter 14 very much makes the point that 'war is hell' (understatement) but. god. if it doesn't look cool as hell too.

But anyway! The Duke of Wellington! and Nezzsalem! Both rather equally meeting their match in each other, both quite literally described as feeding off of death, the end of Chapter 13 describing the Iron Duke as already having an Ursus Tsar, Herkunftshorn 'the Witch King', and Fantasy Napoleon in his 'belly'. And meanwhile you have Nezzsalem literally feeding off death, powering his soldiers, powering his witchcraft, healing his wounds, as he also has raised and tutored some of the strongest warriors Kazdel has ever known, the likes of Patriot, Theresa, and Theresis. Wellington vs Nezzsalem, very much a match made in Hell.

But Nezzsalem actually ends up being a little off base in his assessment of Wellington, thinking that he desires war for war's own sake. "The Victorians zealously chase after the phantom of victory while never understanding why we crave war in the first place." Because while Wellington is very much into that, war and conflict itself, Eblana herself sees the fire burning in his eyes, Wellington does also know when to pull back, which is also what Nezzsalem does at the end. Wellington lets the other ducal forces go into the meat grinder, then points his guns at the other Dukes as he unfurls the banner of Tara. They have to listen to him, and the upcoming nation of Tara, now.

Which is also what Nezzsalem says at the end. "From death comes new life" (fitting with him and the Nachrezer's tree and plant theming). Like Wellington and Dublinn, this war will also serve to bring new life to the Sarkaz and Kazdel. It very much did not end in a decisive Sarkaz victory or the like, but the long oppressed and scorned Sarkaz managed to bloody the nose of one of Terra's most powerful empires, and return home, not with their tails between their legs, but in a tactical retreat, and now in possession of hypothetical Weapons of Mass Destruction. The military victory that Theresis has wrought (while Theresa delivers a 'spiritual' victory for the Sarkaz over 'fate') is to ensure that there will never again be an omni-nation crusade against the Sarkaz race, never again will Kazdel fall, because now all nations will have witnessed the power of a unified Kazdel, and no nation should be willing to take that risk of going up against the Sarkaz again, with what Kazdel is now capable of. This is why Nezzsalem also says that, at the end, that he is 'sated' (paralleling the belly and hunger speak also used about Wellington), this war against Victoria had a purpose, and that purpose has been seemingly achieved, both in the strengthening of the Sarkaz's geopolitical position and in Theresa's victory over 'fate' and the release of the myriad souls.

You can very much see here that both Wellington+Tara, and Theresis+Kazdel, are practicing very similar forms of gunboat diplomacy, leveraging their partial military successes in order to exert power over the other nations of Terra and strengthen their long-oppressed yet budding nations.

This ties in with something really interesting that Hoederer said in Chapter 13, that this Londinium Crisis can't end simply end with Theresis' death, as W plainly wants, because that would just show to the world something along the lines of: "Sarkaz rabble banded together to attack Victoria but killed their own leader and fell to internal conflict, as the Sarkaz always do", and this weakness would invite retribution not only against the nation-city of Kazdel, but against Sarkaz populations across the globe. As much as Hoederer, and even W, want this war to end, it can't end on those terms, and it actually needs to end in a Sarkaz victory in order for Kazdel to survive; even Manfred, high ranking Military Commission man that he is, views the Lifebone project he (basically) helmed as a tool for the Sarkaz to return home, rather than merely a weapon of war.

(I haven't fully parsed out what exactly is going on now between Reed and Eblana, but I can't help but think it might be something similar, that neither could (even if they wanted to) dispose of the other because in doing so, it would invite other powers to weaken or fully discredit the Taran cause as a whole, if their just seen as another rebel force fighting among themselves.)

Anyway, Theresis might be one of the most talented military minds of our generation.

[pansy-picnics]

hi:3

im veryyyyy much a lurker i do not put myslef "out there" alot(most of my asks r to my mutuals but im TRYING to het out of mh shell so...)

ANYWYAS HAI:3 uhhh one of ur uknighted dream/new dream kids looks reallh pretyy(i think its the oldest one idk hlp), BTW I LOVE emery but i wanna know more about the ukd kids, so like if u have the past posts u made about them or like... IDK HELP i just wanna know more aboutvtjem bcuz ive seen them a couple times and theyre really cutie☹️

also like i scream whenever you use she/her on hugo because YOU LITERALLY GET IT LIEK OMG🙏🙏🙏 i apologize this is very rambly but liek ur art is so sosososoososo pretty & ur hcs and aus and AUGH iys so GRASHSH, so like ya byebhue:33

AHHH THANK YOU FOR THE ASK IM SOSO HAPPY 🥹🥹💕💕💕 I LOVE ALL MY LURKERS BUT I LOVE IT SM WHEN YOU GUYS COMMENT OR ASK ME STUFF TEEHEE

All three of the ukd kids are GORGEOUS ngl so i assume you’re thinking of ilmari but i can’t rule out the twins either…..Eugene and raps have some good ass genes I’ll tell you that.

Also i’m glad people appreciate my feminization of hugo. I just she/her him by default atp i refuse to hide it any longer this is what the WOKE LEFT WANTS!!!!! He’s so androgynous it’s like if a man and a woman had a baby. I need to kick that f slur into the sun

Anyways…Ough….I HAVE been neglecting the ukd kids a lot lately though i hate to admit it. i love them just as much and i know what’s going on with them too… but the truth is their characters just didn’t “click” into place quite as well emery’s did i think

To be quite honest emery came to me in a vision. Like. “Eccentric cutesy teenage girl who reads bad smut and practices dubiously ethical medicine”. And that is the perfect archetype to me. Literally no notes. Ilmari and the twins on the other hand have….Taken a little longer to perfect. and ive had a LOT of people tell me they want to know more about them but i just haven’t gotten to it yet. Sometimes i wonder why emery is the fan favorite but then i remember i Barely talk about anyone else so. Oops

I have a pretty good idea of them now though i THINK? so i for SURE need to infodump AHSJSJDJFFG Ill put the rest of my more detailed thoughts below the cut uhhhh

Uhhh. Basically. Ryder is the golden child whos really expressive and energetic like raps but very anxious and neurotic. He’s honestly kind of the straight man of yhe group. Most people think it’s ilmari but this is Wrong. Eldest child syndrome despite being the middle child. Workaholic but he fucking hates his job. Stressed out 24/7 and hasn’t slept in 2 weeks. needs to be liked by EVERYONE or he will DIE.

Alina is the baby she’s kinda varian and cass core. Always in the shadow of ryder or ilmari, but shes had support where it matters, so she’s never really cared. She was the shy quiet kid growing up but now he is full of Rage. very clingy, headstrong and stubborn. Strong leader and always tries to take control but his older siblings dont rlly take him seriously. Kind of a smartass and a drama queen but specifically in an old hollywood detective kind of way

ilmari……quiet, blunt, dry and emotionally unavailable. Horse girl and the king of not giving a fuck. they’re a free spirit, and since they were the first to leave the nest theyre always just kinda Wandering. Doesn’t speak unless spoken to. They typically come off as very weird and unsettling, but they are very gentle and compassionate when it comes down to it, they’re just Bad at feelings. They’re silly i promise but they have that like dry ass adira ttpe humor.

I think one of the main reasons the twins are so hard for me to describe is bc i’ve failed to disclose their Main Gimmick, which is that they’re meant to start out as the the typical boy/girl twin trope— where ones shy, anxious and kinda nerdy, and the other one is charismatic, eccentric and extroverted— but by their teenage years, they’ve pretty much completely swapped in every regard: fashion sense and presentation, personality, mannerisms, etc.

they both have some core traits that are stuck to them for their entire lives, and are obviously still undeniably the same characters, but their overall archetypes kind of swap entirely.

as little kids, alina is the timid, reserved, kind of fluttershy-esque type, and is a bit more of the observant, logical “by-the-books” one. meanwhile ryder is the bouncy, outspoken wild child, to the point of being kind of ditzy and careless at times, but hes very emotional and has no trouble making his voice heard.

as they get older, though, alina, with a strong support system, is eventually able to find his voice and speak up for himself, and after years of being silent, he becomes kind of the rebel of the family. he’s intelligent, calculated, and very stubborn about what he believes in. plus, shes spent most of her life observing, so she has a very good understanding of whats going on around her- and a passion for leadership that’s reminiscent of cassandra’s. alina ends up being a very hardheaded, outspoken and emotional individual who’s eager to take a stand and is deeply afraid of being a burden on her loved ones, or worse, never accomplishing anything at all. She is also Soooo fucking angry like all the time and she NEEDS constant validation SO BAD or she will DIE. #Teenagerthings.

Meanwhile ryder, as coronas Golden Child, has the most pressure on him out of all the kids, and slowly becomes more anxious and closed off as he gets older. at his core he’s compassionate, creative, and kind of weird and snarky, but he gets lost in his own head very easily. he cares WAYYYYY too much what other people think of him and is 100% willing to just. Change and/or destroy himself to meet other peoples expectations. this is why he is a horrible choice for coronas heir and unfortunately, because hes REALLY good at masking, it takes everyone WAY TOO LONG to realize this. Even when he learns some decent coping mechanisms ryder always remains kind of a workaholic, neurotic and anxious person. Massive perfectionist also. he has ISSUES. 😭😭😭

the court: We’ve made the perfect heir for corona

rapunzel, gesturing to ryder: You fucked up my perfectly good kid is what you did!!!! Look at him!!!! He’s got anxiety!!!!!!

ILMARI!! ILMARI MY BABYGIRL!!!!!! Ilmaris honestly so so SO bad at feelings they are so distant but i swear they TRY THEIR BEST they just have AUTISM 😭🙏Unlike the twins ilmari doesn’t really have a huge change in character LOL…But i need to talk more about the trios dynamic, cuz they’re all VERY close especially when they were little. Once ilmaris traveling on their own, though, their relationship is a little more strained……..like i said ilmari is very much a wanderer, and they don’t write much either. Obviously they send like monthly letters to ukd out of obligation (cass and eugene especially get CRAZY paranoid otherwise…..) as well as some gifts to the family whenever they can but. Their letters highkey read like business emails LOL.

Ilmaris in a weird place where they do truly care about their family but like….They still feel a big disconnect from their identity and relationships in general. The emotional neglect from their birth mother and the autism have mixed together in the worst way possible and emotions are just never something they really Get.

I think especially in early adulthood they dont really have anywhere where they truly feel like they belong- So they kinda just fuck off to do whatever. They don’t see much of a need to communicate with anyone, mostly cuz i dont think it clicks in their head that people might Want to know about that stuff GAHAHAHAAHA

this is hard on ukd and the twins who end up feeling like mari just…. slips in and out of their lives so easily 💔 DO NOT FRET THOUGH!!!!! They do visit and they improve at communicating over time….their letters are still Corporate email core but they’re more frequent at least. And they eventually come back to corona for good to take over the library when var and hugo retire

Uhhhh I think thats it for rn this is kind of just me screaming incoherently but this ask has made me start working on a new art post abt the ukd kids FOR THE MASSES. 🤞🤞🤞🤞 i need you guys to understand my autistic brainwaves. Heres some incorrect quotes i did with them also cuz they’re sillyyyyyy

[icearts]

A couple things about Sonic Prime that disappointed me

1. Shadow was in almost the entire trailer, but showed up for 3 out of the 7 episodes

2. An action scene that lasted for three episodes. It got redundant

3. There was an entire plot point where Sonic was dying from the prism energy being taken from him. This took 3 minutes of screen time and the risk felt minimal if it was there at all

4. No consequences = no stakes (literally there was no issue or "sacrifice" that came out of repairing the prism. Idk what i was hoping for, but the fact that everything was so easily fixed kinda hurt my feelings because it made the entirety of season 2 seem completely pointless and dumb)

5. Shadow was super protective of Sonic in the first episode, but never showed that same "Would kill and die for you in a seconds notice" energy he had in that first episode

6. The chaos emerald is mentioned again but never used as a plot point. Chekov's Gun is fake, apparently

7. It's said that Sonic can't exist in the Shatterspace without prism energy, but Shadow never had it in the first place. There is no provided explanation as to why this makes sense. The closest thing was "shadow wasn't there during the blast" but that only explains why he doesn't have the energy, not why he doesn't need it to live like Sonic does (I assume the others have at least a signature of it too which is why they cloned and Shadow didn't. Again this is unexplained in Prime. What does the prism energy even do for/to the supporting cast)

8. Why are there only 7 episodes? Why do they take up so much time in one place?

9. Rouge and Shadow only had one line of dialogue (this isn't a genuine critique I just wanted to see my favorite duo be a duo)

10. Sonic's Prism "Super Form" doesn't come back. Shadow doesn't get anything like that either. Another dud Chekov Gun. Why is this dumb little anecdotal metaphorical firearm never firing

I really loved the new season, and it was great and super fun, but those critiques really ruined some things because those were all things I thought would be a guarantee because of the trailer and because of how the other seasons were.

Why would they even bother to mention the chaos emerald, and this weird void thing if it wasn't going to be essential to the plot other than being an excuse to sideline Shadow. They could have just as easily said that chaos energy is neutralized in cyberspace because it's not connected to the world/chaos/master emerald. That works too!

Plus, why was Shadow sidelined so much? What's the reason? Why wasn't he allowed to use chaos energy and go apeshit? Why couldn't he take off his inhibitor rings in a desperate situation to protect Sonic and be able to teleport into shatterspaces even at the expense of his health?

I know it's a TV-Y7 show. It honestly did not need to be, but I'm sure it was a Netflix mandate to make sure their animation is all meant for kids and only kids, but they really ended up nerfing themselves by alienating their more passionate audience which would be teenagers and adults. Just make it TV PG that would've allowed you to work with higher stakes and a higher budget (oh wait that's what Netflix's intention was nevermind).

If you wanna see me make a list of things I genuinely liked, feel free to ask or comment that. I might do so anyway. I feel like the internet is too negative and critiques of shows tend to do too much of that, so sorry for contributing to that culture, but I really needed to get that disappointment out because it bothered me quite a bit. Feel free to disagree too, or say "bro it's a kids show. It's not that deep. Stop having passion and emotions for your special interests you dumb fuck" I get it. Anyways, good show, good season, highly recommend, it's very fun and enjoyable especially if you're a fan of Sonic

Last minute edit: I only saw the season once and my sense of media literacy isn't by any means perfect, and also, to clarify, most of my concern isn't quite "these plot points are 1000% absent and terrible" and more "I thought the distribution between the action scene in episodes 4-7 and the rest of the season's story was very poor and made the content I was more excited for seem watered down/unplanned/super easily resolved". Again the part of the show where Sonic almost dies because of the prism energy withdrawal was about 3 minutes long. Why did it feel so low-stakes?? I love action scenes. They're great, but when you dedicate over 30 minutes to one long fight scene, it becomes less interesting and there's still MORE OF THE SHOW TO GET THROUGH so those parts got super rushed

[henrysglock]

Amongst all the changes: one thing they didn't change, and why I like the altered way it's supported in Broadway.

They didn't change the fact that Brenner is the only character who's unafraid of Henry simply because they believe in him as a person.

Brenner's unafraid of Henry simply because Henry doesn't scare him, plain and simply. In the new Broadway edition of TFS, there's a bit of passive suicidality in Brenner (case in point: Brenner now instructing Henry to kill him in the scene with the inmate rather than before, where he instructed Henry not to do it), but it doesn't change the fact that Brenner was banking on Henry not being able to kill him—even after the gurney scene and the "stupid girl" scene, which are scenes that have always contributed to Henry fearing for Patty's safety/embittering him towards Brenner.

Even earlier on in the Act 2 opener with the rat, when Brenner is keeping the most distance between himself and Henry because it seems to be their first time meeting, he still asserts that Henry/the Shadow can't scare him. It seems to be because Brenner genuinely doesn't think Henry's actually a psychopath, and is instead baiting whatever's lurking under the surface to show itself (see: the parallels between that scene and Jim+Dmitri in Russia). That kind of risky bet in favor of Henry's morality and strength seems to be a first for Henry, given the way he quite literally leaps into Brenner's arms about 30 seconds later, and it persists through the rest of the show as Brenner continues to insist that Henry is not psychologically maladjusted but instead dealing with a parasite.

To prove my point about Brenner being the only one in this type of role, we can look at other characters who fail with Henry because they don't believe in him, specifically:

Virginia fears Henry because doesn't truly know Henry, and that's been made apparent in both shows. Her lack of knowledge is the basis for her lack of trust, and through that the source of her fear. She doesn't know that whatever's going on isn't Henry's fault. She fears Henry as much as she fears the monster because she doesn't know to differentiate the two...and that's why she fails.

Patty also falls in this camp because she's unafraid for the "wrong" reasons. She's not scared of the Shadow not because she knows and trusts Henry's morals and internal strength, but because she has her own personal emotional fortitude—derived from the love of her mother backing her (<- completely divorced from any signals Henry's given her about himself)—which is, of course, far and away more powerful than her trying to appeal to Henry's soft side using tears like she did in the West End version. I enjoy seeing that strength in Patty, especially because it defines her as an individual whose story isn’t quite so reliant on Henry's.

However, when it comes down to it on the catwalk, Patty is still afraid of Henry. She still pushes him down after learning about the Creel murders, she still asks him "what are you, Henry Creel?" while doing so. At this point, her already shaky trust in Henry's strength is shattered, and she fears him once more just as she did at the end of the attic scene in Act 1. When she doesn't fear Henry, it has nothing to do with Henry. When she does fear Henry, it has everything to do with Henry.

Even Alice doesn't quite know how to feel about her brother, given that she questions Virginia's love for him and openly expresses that she wishes things could go back to normal. She is, at the very least, uncomfortable.

Brenner's the only one who banks on Henry's strength as a person, his ability to reel himself back from the edge even after he's crossed a line. There's a staggering amount of self-assured trust being placed in Henry's predictability. Brenner's the one who's there to collect him with open arms in the aftermath of both the Creel murders and the catwalk incident (despite the insanity he's just been witness to), whether that be for better or for worse. He may not be a psychiatrist, but he sure seems to believe that he can read Henry—and through that, he places trust in him, which in turn makes him unafraid simply because he does not fear Henry.

It also adds more weight to the "I can't force him to kill, he has to choose it" line, which remained unchanged between West End and Broadway. West End Brenner doesn't trust Henry implicitly, and as such instructs him not to kill him. Broadway Brenner trusts Henry enough to gamble on him. He tells Henry to kill him—in other words, he bets his life on Henry's reluctance to do material harm—and the gamble is good. Henry refuses to kill him, and then Henry refuses to kill any of the guards, either. That tells me that Brenner has been banking on Henry's goodness, strength, and self-restraint this whole time (see: what I said about Brenner baiting the Shadow rather than aiming to hurt Henry). Henry can't be forced to kill, at least not while actively fighting the instinct, and Brenner knows that. It's a source of trust, and I think that's really, well...special is the best word, I guess. It really supports the base of the hot-and-cold rapport that Brenner and Henry have for most of the show: Henry trusts Brenner to be unafraid of him, thus a) allowing him to act out rather than repress everything and b) making the Mindflayer more manageable (see: Henry to Patty, "Don't let it know you're afraid") because he doesn't have to worry about it feeding on a fearful situation. In return, Brenner trusts Henry's ability to self-govern.

Even when Henry "strays" and ends up killing his mother and sister, even when Brenner seems to be worried that Henry may be lost to the Shadow, he still banks on Henry's internal strength and perseverance. It's honestly kind of wild, and it speaks to the intimacy (I use that word lightly) in Brenner and Henry's relationship—which Louis himself labeled as love.

In a surface level reading, you can see that same trust pop back up in the epilogue, when Brenner tells Henry that he thinks it's time that he be allowed to rejoin HNL's little "society". None of the guards or techs trust it, but it remains unchanged that Brenner is the one telling them to stand down, trusting Henry to be good with El.

It makes me think of the bit in 4.08, where Brenner seems genuinely distraught over what happened with Henry and the children—especially his failure to predict Henry's behavior and the losses that resulted from that failure. The more times I see TFS, the more plausible it is to me that there's some underlying truth in his pained reaction (even if we decidedly aren't being given the full story). It does seem like there was a degree of trust, at least from Brenner towards Henry, that things would be okay.

It really does make me wonder what, exactly, the purpose of Soteria was (especially re: suppressing the Shadow/avoiding losing Henry to the Shadow), and whether or not Brenner was banking on it never being removed.

[why-do-i-like-the-bad-guys]

A point no one ever touches on about Flint:

The fact that he was raised by his grandfather.

Now, maybe it was common back then, but from personal experience; losing your parents at such a young age makes a huge impact on a person.

People argue that “Flint” was created because of the loss of Thomas Hamilton. But I’d like to think it was when he lost his parents. The only difference being, Miranda and Thomas allowed him to come out of the shadows, out of hiding. He had that rage inside him before he lost Thomas, his boss in the Navy said so himself after he beat up a guy in the bar. He had a darkness in him that not even he understood the depths of.

I can definitely relate to that statement and mindset, I think as a kid instead of acting out on his aggression; Flint used books and stories to try and escape his reality, so he wouldn’t be alone with his own thoughts. I do the same with TV shows and stories I write.

But then he found Thomas and Miranda and he didn’t need the books to crawl into, he was accepted by them, welcomed. And as someone who was adopted themselves, it’s extremely hard and sometimes it feels impossible to believe that someone could love you as you are or for who you are. Not only that, I think he found family within them, something sometimes hard for someone who loses their parents.

Flint tried to fit in by becoming an officer, upholding the standards of the law and whatnot, to be like everyone else. But deep inside, I think he felt very out of place and alone. He saw the world as it was, the cruelty within the people, and he ended up showing that to Thomas who was quite oblivious to it. But Flint knew the world was cruel at an early age.

They come from different backgrounds, but together they get to see the world through each other’s eyes, and that is a world that they can see being happy in.

Now, I know a lot of people like to think it’s purely queer rage that drove Flint, but I like to think it was something much deeper than that. Yes, he loved Thomas, inside and out, but I think Thomas was the first person who he didn’t have to pretend with. He was the first person who made him feel as if he wasn’t alone: that he was worthy of being loved. Then he was taken away and James became Flint and took Miranda away with him out of England.

Her ghost even says that first to him, she was a mother, and that’s why he was so ruined over her. He lost his mother again. I think it just shows that his reasons are a lot deeper than just being ostracized for being queer in that time. I think his rage goes beyond that, it goes all the way to his core of who he believes he is because of the loss of his parents. He came up from nothing, his grandfather wasn’t well off, he didn’t have a mother figure, that can be extremely damaging to a child growing up.

And sure, he had his grandfather, but growing up without parents also makes it extremely hard to figure out who you are. And it doesn’t specifically say how he lost his parents, but personally I like to believe that he lost his mother in childbirth, maybe his father died before he was born. It does mention that his father was a carpenter’s mate (worked on a ship) and that James himself had no schooling growing up. Which means, he learned everything himself because his grandfather was a fisherman and probably wasn’t well educated either. So he came from literally nothing and made something of himself, yet I don’t think he was content. I think he kept climbing the ranks, hoping it would give him a sense of meaning or purpose within his life, give him the peace he wanted, fill the hole within that losing his parents left.

An additional to that would be that James McGraw was a personality he put on, much like he did with Flint.

I also think he saw Gates as a father figure, a mentor, someone he trusted and respected more than any one else. So I think when Gates betrayed him, it broke something inside of him and he felt alone again.

He also says that England took his home; and I don’t think he meant the physical place, I think he meant Thomas. But I also think he meant his final security within himself. With Thomas and Miranda he found family, he found love and trust.

When Miranda was murdered it was the absolute last straw for him. It was like his mother dying all over again; except this time she was murdered, and now no one was safe from his vengeance. And people might think he went overboard, but think about it: someone insinuated that she was a slut and he almost beat the man to death. I think it was well within his rage now he burned the entire place down after she was murdered. Hell, those people got off easy.

He also talks about where the name Flint came from. A man that was never seen again. I think he chose it because in his mind, identity was something you could change, something you could toss away when done with. But closer to the end, he realized, he was Flint, Flint was him, and there was no throwing it away and starting over.

He tells Silver that he shouldn’t be afraid that he (Silver) will be his end because I think he already realizes that he’s already his own end. That there is no other way other than to die, in order to get rid of Flint. I think he knew at some point, that Silver would have to kill him and he was oky with it, but as long as the war was won or Silver carried on with the efforts of the war, so Flint would no longer be needed. Or Flint would just off himself when the time came. It was like passing on the torch, only Silver blew it out in front of him.

And for the offing himself part, we all know he would do it because at the end of the first season he tried to drown himself, he gave up hope. So he does have it in him to do that. (Not so fun fact: adoptees are 4x more likely to attempt suicide)

And I think it’s another reason Flint allowed himself to trust Silver in the first place. On some level, he knew that Silver understood what it was to have no solid identity, to have a background that made something inside of you missing. Silver had no problems shifting his position on the ship in order to stay relevant, which is why they made such good partners, because they understood one another in a way that Gates never could. But the thing with Silver was that he couldn’t see the ultimate bigger picture like Flint could, he didn’t have the loss Flint had, the sacrifices that Flint made, all he saw in the end was the destruction, not the new beginning coming out of the ashes.

Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.

[taruth3mighty]

Okay, I wanted to talk about this a little bit since I found it super interesting since this is the second time that Player's been or will be an honorary citizen of a town. There was Graphite Lodge and now Icyridge. But for Graphite Lodge, it was to piss off Craig and to allow access through the place and to the mines. That's kinda why Cassidy and her dad made Player an honorary citizen of Graphite Lodge. But also due to the amount they've done for the people there. Like they helped Alice deal with Carson, then they beat the shit out of Craig and prevented Maelzuri from being forcibly captured. Along with get the people of Graphite Lodge to open up to outsiders more. But for Icyridge, there isn't really a lore reason why Anna would make Player an honorary citizen of Icyridge in the future. (Y'know maybe that's a marriage proposal /j) Most people are welcome to Icyridge as long as they don't cause any ruckus, and Player is already welcome to come by any time. Like yeah, I get that Player quite literally saved her life and put a stop to the Shadow Clan. They've done as much help if not more with Icyridge than Graphite Lodge. But I guess Anna likes Player enough to want them to drop by any time.

Like she specifically wants to make Player an honorary citizen. Even though being an honorary citizen doesn't technically do anything, it's more so saying that people like em enough to allow them to be there like a citizen. ... Seriously though why did Anna first think to put Player as an honorary citizen when she takes the leadership role of Icyridge.

[period-of-nocturne]

Give Me Your Night

I wish I had the source, but I heard Hinata Satou (Mizuki's VA), thought of the song as Mizuki speaking to Rui as they were recording. And. I can't not scream about the song seen through that lense.

I'll use Amiaryllis' lyrics to talk about the song. It means I might see a meaning that wasn't initially intended by the original writers, because it's an English cover translation, but the more literal translation can be very cryptic and I love Alia's covers so idc bear with me. Also go check her cover she cooks

"I've longed, to speak the truth to you

Of the night I had lost that I could never undo.

There's no regrets but still I admit, I miss them quite a bit, but still. Still I'll live."

To make things make sense : The night, here, represents the lows of your life.

More specifically in the song context : it's about The Rooftop Era, as I like to call it.

"On nights where my mind cannot seem to find peace [...] I find my comfort in coffee that's been swiftly growing cold"

It's a stretch I made, but I think the coffee is something like, Mizuki's memories. Growing cold because the more time pass, the more the memories are distant. But even if it's not warm anymore, it's still a source of comfort.

"So long, so long, I've been wanting to see the dawning of a new day, the sun that won't go away"

To parallel the night, the day here is the highs of your life. Mizuki hoped, wanted things to get better, or course. The Sun that won't go away... Unlike coffee's, the Sun warmth never leaves it. Mizuki want to find her people. People she'll stick with.

Niigo.

"The city shining bright bathes those shadows in the light"

That line puts a very clear picture in my mind I wish I could describe. In short, Mizuki and Rui's shadow extended on the ground, surrounded by lights. It comes once again from me stretching a bit to grasp a meaning. But Rui and Mizuki being the shadows. Standing in the dark. The night. Stuck in those lows. While everything around them is so bright.

"When was it they had grown so soft, shining gentler than I once remembered ?"

Seeing so much light when you're stuck in the dark can be blinding. It can hurt the eye, actually. It can repulse you. Take a long time until you get used to it even a little.

It's such a slow, step by step, process that it's only when you turn back than you'll notice how far you got from that dark place. How you bathe in the light yourself now.

"So long, so long, I've been wanting to hear the dawning of a new day, a laughter sure not to fade.

Even here today, this night will at last depart, like the one in the past."

I don't know what Amia did here and why the first line sounds so hopeful and the second so sad but it kills me. Yeah you need to listen to it to know what I'm talking about.

But the end of the last line sounds so sad. Like, like, like. Mizuki, geniunely wanting things to get better. But still missing those moments up on that rooftop. There's too much mixed feelings and bittersweetness for my poor heart--

"[...] While being consoled by finding my comfort in coffee that has long grown to be cold

I lay the needle down on the record stained by the tears that I swore not to cry.

And welcome the laughs at the fool within this dark, lonely night."

The lyrics afterwards sounds even sadder. Just a little bit more than during the first verse. The coffee being completely cold, now. Coming to terms with the fact it's over. The night she calls dark and lonely, because she's alone through it that one time, ultimately.

"And so tonight I lay, basking in the warmth that you gave" but even so, clinging to the good old times. Because even if it's gone, it was still there. It still means something.

"I ask that you give me your night"

If someday you find yourself in one of those lows again. Come to see me. Like in the good old times

Is how I'd read that line.

[destiny-in-the-universe]

More RC9GN Headcanons

Fair warning! This is going to get long!

I’m flat out renaming Flute Girl because- no. Also I would not be able to take myself seriously if I had to use “Flute Girl” as a name in my writing. Her name is Claire now because I said so. Why? It just fits- it felt like her name if that makes sense

Claire is vaguely friends with Theresa, but she’s always been a little closer to Bucky and Stevens- even though they sort of get on her nerves too. (Also she doesn’t spit as much when she talks- even with the fact she has braces)

She hopes to be part of the marching band in college and considers joining a professional group someday

She used to have a small crush on Randy when she was younger, before high school- but always finds him and Howard reckless; hence why she’s almost always calling them idiots. Claire is a little perceptive, and has noticed when Randy mysteriously disappears during the attacks on the high school but hasn’t quite pieced together why (nor does she particularly care- of course there’s also the fact she gets stanked a bit)

Now comes the matter of “Plop Plop” because again, I’m not using that name in my fanfictions- absolutely not lmao

For the purpose of continuing the Japanese history that Norrisville has- (did Norrisville just sort of ‘yeet’ itself into a new location and that’s how it ended up in America of all places?), “Plop Plop” is going to be named Hinata- his surname remains undecided for the time being because, well, I need to have this make a little sense

“Finja” (I’m still deciding his name-) and Hinata met when they were adults- they sort of parallel Randy and Howard, but to make sense of how I believe they met, Hinata was either a servant to the Norisu 9 (though i’m not as sold with this idea-), or there was the other side: Finja and Hinata did meet at the Norisu clan home, only Hinata was a scribe and apprenticed to someone there. Eventually he and Finja got closer, the details of this still remain vague- trust me, I will write more- and well, a mutual friendship began from that

Hinata is literally immortal- at least that’s what got implied by the canon, if he was in present times and guarding the chaos pearl. He remembers when Finja was sealed into the Nomicon, it had pained him dearly but he continued his promise to the ancient Ninja

How Finja got sealed into the Nomicon? Well- this is spoilers, but I do think something happened in his later years where a sacrifice had to be made and that‘a all I’m saying on the matter. We'll have to see what else is there in the past for our beloved First Ninja!

I'm sure you've all realized by now I consider Hinata to be an ancestor of Howard- (also apparently yes, Howard is also a girl's name-); I like to think Hinata only had a couple women in his life, as he's vaguely implied to be a monk- he married one of them, having a daughter he did name Howard. As the years came to pass, 'Howard' became a bit of a traditional name in Hinata's family history (somewhere down the line, when Norrisville ended up in Oklahoma, tradition broke and Howard was passed down to the 'last' in Hinata's bloodline - Howard Weinerman)

So, now we get to Howard- because boy, do I have headcanons heh-

First of all, Howard is known to be somewhat of a toxic friend, but that doesn't mean he's bad. These kids are literally fourteen year olds fighting a literal sorcerer, not to mention the likes of McFist and Viceroy- but something to keep in mind: Howard does care for Randy

(If he didn't- we would have seen that)

Howard is a loyal friend at the end of the day! He's not entirely my favorite, but that might just be because the writers were cowards when it came to character development- like, he did protect Randy more than once; I forget the episode name but it was in the one where the Sorceress comes back, and Randy throws himself into the portal to the Land of the Shadows, but Howard was genuinely scared for Randy- or the episode where Randy was supposedly moving away and Howard didn't want him to leave

Or or or the episode where Randy's acting like a possessive prick over Howard, and Howard point blank states Randy is his biffer- like sure, they're a bit unhealthy to each other and painfully codependent but the duo are best friends. I'm sure they'll grow out of their nonsense toward one another

I need to reiterate this as many times as I can, but Howard does have some degree of social anxiety! (or he hates being alone for some unexplained reason as this is literally canon) I do like to think since Howard has a somewhat bigger family than Randy's- he has always been surrounded by people and the idea of having to be alone is a little nerve-wracking; there's also just the possibility that Howard and Randy don't really have anyone else-? Randy is practically Howard's only friend, and even though Howard's sister Heid does exist, she's not exactly close to him- which leaves Randy and Howard simply cant't fathom the idea of not having him around

(if it were me though, I'd genuinely expand on this more- and yes I know I did breach about this before but Howard's a genuinely interesting character)

Also yes, Howard is mean and more brash than Randy can be at times but let me say this again- he's young and stupid. Also, I feel he was just left constantly unsupervised and while yes, Mort's in the picture- I feel that Howard gets away with a lot since his mom is never seen in the show at all and that also needs to be addressed

I might honestly make an entire meta-analysis on Randy and Howard's relationship in a different post- I ship Fowlham as much as the next person, but Weinerham is an equally great ship and I swear I will talk about it you can't stop me

Circling back to Finja because this is important- I don't consider him to be the eldest child from the Norisu 9; I think he was on the younger side and was left with the mantle of successor after the final battle with the Sorcerer. I think he was forced to witness his brothers and sisters meeting their demise- (hence my other headcanon where he has survivor's guilt and ptsd because no one gets out of that unscathed-)

which speaking of- his debut episode makes me so mad and I love it at the same time like, I do understand why he gave up so quickly but honestly he should have had more time to shine when fighting against the Sorcerer. Maybe it's also my self indulgent ass wanting Finja and Randy to have more screentime together (even if the show did end- one can dream!)

I honestly would like to see something where Finja or even Randy end up in the future over the past; this could be very interesting- especially if they were forced to defeat an even bigger threat that the future timeline's Ninja couldn't deal with

I'm sure some of you are curious to see if the Nomicon could've been part of the Norisu clan, and the answer is that's for me to know and you to find out later- because I decided to be mean today hahaha, let's just leave it at that for now

This is not as much headcanon anymore- as it is me wanting something to be part of the lore, but with Nomi-Randy, I feel the Nomicon created him with the intention of showing Randy he needs balance which is canon but at the same time- it's more or less an interpretation of the type of person he could've become had he not been chosen as the Ninja. Nomi-Randy is part of the Nomicon, and was allowed out but I do think he might be able to live in the real world (provided someone watches over him-)

Headcanon time again, and this is something I will be breaching more in a certain analysis for Weinerham and their relationship overall (even without shipping) but I do think there's a reason for Randy's possessiveness. I am in no way saying the actions he took in that episode, where Howard begins befriending- was it Bucky? I can't remember, it was him and a few others, were justified but if I'm right- Randy is constantly left alone by his parents. He doesn't have a big support system, if any- apart from Howard- and his jealousy is more than likely a product of that

Although Randy does learn his lesson- and let's be so fucking for real here, he's just an idiot; like this kid is brash, impulsive, and altogether a disaster waiting to happen but he understands in the end what he did wrong. This is not a page to slander Randy or Howard because oh my god, the content we could've gotten if they were given proper character development

Randy is not an abusive little fucker who has it out for Howard, but we can't deny he still isn't great to him a lot of the time- and Howard has his faults because he also has a temper, he doesn't always seem to understand his own misdoings sometimes though that is the whole point- they're freshmen and are literally so dumb in the series (like seriously Randy did not need as much of a prick in season two, that was so unnecessary- but I digress, we'll get to that later)

I will write that meta-analysis of sorts focusing on Weinerham and just Randy and Howard overall at some point between the next couple days- I'll either queue it, or just send it in one go but honestly, they're my blorbos at the moment oops; what we got and what we should have gotten makes me want to go insane.

Anyway, that's it! That's my headcanon dump! I'll be back soon because the rot of the brain on this dumb (/aff) series does not stop apparently-

[deuterium51614]

Fairy Ranmaru Rewatch Part 1

Onto Fairy Ranmaru! I binged the first three episodes yesterday, and now I'm watching the fourth.

Episode One

This is the "latest team" that the Queen requested. Hm...

I want to keep track of what the sloth's doing during this rewatch. This episode, it's eating mint ice cream.

The fairy forms are all shown on screens of some sort in the OP, except Ranmaru's which is when our screen shatters. He broke the fourth wall, showing he has more awareness that he lets on.

Why is Ranmaru the only transfer student? Did they alter everyone's memories to place everyone in established roles in the school, but just gave him the role of transfer student?

My mom asked "was that a suggestive carrot?" when Jyuka bit down on it lol

There was one message on the laptop that said "why do we even have a transfer student?"

Wish there was more explanation for the sparkles. Is it traces of attachment? Is it non-diegetic?

Wonder if the darkened parts hiding the fairy forms were brightened in the Bluray? (Actually checked after the fact, and they aren't. But it's interesting they changed the Twitter parody's logo! Made it look more like a bird shadow puppet out of hands. Really makes me wish that I had downloaded the broadcast raws for better comparison... Maybe I'll look into a VPN again for the sake of torrenting them. My personal FBI agent, please keep in mind I bought the Blurays and therefore already supported the official release.)

So the world was symbolic of being watched (eyes and cameras) and the guys the bullied girl was supposedly pulling (the limbs and mannequins - no girls, all guys)

Why did the cyberbullies suddenly change their target to the main bully? It's always felt so sudden to me.

They're really bloody in the end of the ED. Wish we got a battle like that in the show. (Final episode doesn't count)

Episode Two

Is Homura's necklace from his dad? "Carry on the heart of the Ignis clan" -> could be literal and metaphorical...

I like how we can kinda tell how old the fairies are in relation to each other based off minor details. I know someone's done an analysis on it before.

What is attachment??

Ranmaru's like an AI robot or something, the way he's repeating the law. (Heh. Ai Ranmaru.)

"Water is quite fond of fire" told us right from the beginning his feelings, huh?

The sloth has a parody of the Nintendo Switch this episode.

Boueibu has GUNP (in the second season at least, I think the first season had something else maybe?) and FRan has DUMP.

The editor is reading "My Girlfriend is the Student Council President."

As we know, there are two keyholes. The fairy from Bar F defends their client as monsters try to attack. That makes me wonder, is Chiruka making contact with the opponent to set up that keyhole? (And I'm calling him Chiruka now based off of how he came up with his name later in the series.) Like, there are so many unanswered questions! In Boueibu, there was never the question of "how do these monsters work?" because we were shown they were created by the villains of the season. Are these weird worlds being enabled by Chiruka, or the fairy with the client, or are they just the natural order of things?

The editor is Mr. N, according to the article Takara's holding. (I'm trying to pause to read all the text for this rewatch. There's a lot that I've missed!)

Episode Three

What's the deal with this girl? She claims she's Souji's girlfriend (to his face, right?) but he doesn't deny it or anything? She's just blinded by her love for him?

And that's enabling him to string her along so she'll buy everything to improve his ratings? Never really caught her saying "I'll handle it" about the photo books before. Also never caught the fact "Henmi" was handwritten under "Hokari" for the apartment door. (The guy's name is Henmi Souji, it's on the photo books, but I never paused and saw it...)

The sloth's eating strawberry ice cream this time around, and has a different hat.

So is the girl this girl spots him with another fan he's dragging along to improve his image? Like Souji doesn't want the main girl to be his public girlfriend cause she's too intense, so he found another girl who's more relaxed (from what we see)? (Cause we all know what happens at the end.)

I noticed recently that Uruu's broadcast transformation has a sphere for a nipple, but they fixed it in the Bluray. The spherical nipple looks very weird, and once you see it you can't unsee it lol

The traditional style of waves is definitely influenced by the tea show and Uruu being told to be traditional as a kid.

"Where's the main one?" So it's clear that the fairy with the client is supposed to be looking for something (some sort of feature that's hiding the keyhole) but is there ever any indication aside from the keyhole of what they're looking for?

And the villains seem to be getting more and more aware of being in the keyholes?

So far all three attachments collected were in the heart.

It's the first time the villain was with someone during the battle. The girl he was on a date with witnessed him blacking out, but before that everything seemed normal. So the weird world is definitely some sort of shared mind palace between the client, villain, and fairy.

Uruu's punished for what he did, but it's like he did the right thing? Both the villain and the client wound up happy, as opposed to only the client. Makes me think that's what they should be doing, but the Queen is limiting them...

Episode Four

Something I forgot that I noticed in the OP a while ago is the sloth's hat comes off the first time he's jumping around, and he frantically pulls it back on. He's got a choppy bowl cut lol

Bakkun cuddling Jyuka, only to get thrown. My ship </3

It's funny to see how Ranmaru's reacting to all the idol stuff after knowing what we know. To some extent, I feel he's showing the most character so far in this episode. Like the most individuality aside from his mission to collect attachment and follow the ten laws.

But then he asks questions about the idol industry in the bath, as though he doesn't know anything about it.

Once again, the sloth is eating ice cream (banana(?) with Pocky) and has a third hat.

Kei's agent's character design reminds me of something, but I can't put my finger on it...

The fact that Chiruka is on the railing behind Eru right after she glows with the aura really adds to the idea that he's contacting these people with corrupted attachment.

So this episode takes place on a Wednesday and Thursday (the phone has Thursday in the messages).

That fairy that Jyuka's supposed parents are healing... Do you think that's the one in that one Andgy art?

What's with the sudden flash of Jyuka thinking back to Ranmaru calling him cute after he called Kei cute? Self-reflection?

Anyway, has anyone noticed most of the songs have the respective fairy's name snuck into the lyrics? "Ran ran ran" "Homura no hana" "Urunda me yo" The only one I don't know is Jyuka's. I'm thinking his name could either be in a different verse, or a different reading of one of the kanji with furigana?

The sunflowers are definitely Jyuka's influence. And like I said with the previous episode, Eru is aware of the weird world, and the fact her keyhole is on the butterfly.

This attachment was also taken from her throat instead of the heart.

The fact that Kei's falling into Eru's habits of flirting with fans also gives me the vibe that the client's attachment should also be collected. Unless maybe the Queen's goal is for the client's attachment to go back into the world, and become wicked at a later time? Creating a cycle similar to the witches' familiars growing into witches in Madoka?

[watchtheleavesfall]

UmiNari and something with wings?

(I hope it's okay that I've gone for metaphorical wings. This is also the first thing I've written in years, so please be kind.) He can feel the burning presence behind him. These days it's not as often and it's not as strong, but occasionally he can still feel the weight of dark eyes on him. The feeling of being watched by someone whose gaze he once blushed under. When they were something other than enemies - colleagues, partners, friends, whatever that strange attraction was when they were teaming together - he'd always relish in drawing that man's attention to him. Only him. Even now, Shota can feel the hum under his skin whenever Ren Narita is near. And he is.

"Does EVIL know you're stalking me again?" he asks calmly. It hangs in the air. Initially it seems like Ren will disappear without a word, as he so often does, but eventually he hears the other man walk up to him. He turns his head casually. "EVIL encourages it, actually," Ren responds. "Though he'd rather I did it for a different reason." Shota keeps looking at him. "And what reason do you have for always showing up here, exactly?" He doesn't get a response, just Ren looking at his back. They're in a random dressing room of a random venue in god knows where and Shota had been changing, so the other man's eyes land on his naked skin. This isn't new for them - Ren often shows up when Shota is finally alone - but it still causes Shota to heat up. When they were something all those months ago, he'd been naked under Ren's gaze all too often too, but it has been a while since it has been quite this literal. "What," he grouses as Ren keeps staring. He feels fingers reach out and he shivers as their tips dance across his shoulder blades. It's intimate in a way they hadn't really been back then. Everything had been new and exciting and kind of scary, so they'd just dived in and it had all been so overpowering that Shota barely has any memories of it all. They had been too much back then too. Now, though, those fingers touch him like they're curious. Reverent. As he looks back at Ren, he sees a quiet contemplation that he's not used to. House of Torture's Ren Narita hasn't shown the outside world more than the talented, mean trickster side of him for quite a while and though Shota has been looking, this is new. "I always thought there'd be wings here." Shota isn't sure what he means. He must have made a sound in his confusion, because Ren looks up. Their eyes meet. "Golden boy Shota Umino, so good and so perfect, rising above everyone else." Fingers keep sloping down his shoulder blades and eventually dip even lower. A hand slots around his waist and Shota has to look away to compose himself. Ren moves ever closer, hovering behind him. His breath fans out across Shota's neck as he continues. "Maybe the shadow I always felt I was stuck in was cast by those wings." Shota scoffs. "You're being silly. I don't have any wings." It's ludicrous. Ren is ludicrous. Somewhere deep down he knows that Ren also makes sense a lot of the time, though, and he doesn't want to think about what that might mean. He doesn't want him to be right, because he's already buckling under the pressure and all of this would add so much more. Shota gasps as an arm circles around him and he's pushed flush against the solid mass behind him. He can feel the other man's forehead on his neck. "You should have. You're so good," gets pressed into his skin. "Why does that sound like an insult when you say it that way." A chortle of a laugh. It doesn't sound like anything close to joy. More like sadness. "You're too good. For me. For this place. For yourself. You want to be too good. I don't want that for you. Angels fall." Like you, Shota wants to say, but he's distracted by lips pressing where his wings would be. Again and again, while the arm tightens around him and almost feels too tight. He groans softly when Ren straightens and moves to his neck instead, still feather light. A chuckle runs through him and Ren stops him from moving. Shota wants to move. "What does that make you," he gasps as kisses turn to anxious presses of a mouth against skin. Heat and teeth and more. By the time Ren finally answers, Shota has forgotten all about his question. He's flushed and a little heady, ready to fight Ren into letting him go so he can turn around and turn this teasing into something more. It's a shock when Ren actually does. He looks way too serious when he answers and it turns Shota cold. "Maybe I am the devil waiting to catch you," Ren says, "if they take your wings from you." Shota is still standing there long after Ren has snuck out the room. His shoulder blades itch.

[heroictoonz]

Febuwhump 2022 Day 9: Kidnapped

Ships: Shadow & Vio

Warnings: N/A

AO3 L!nk in the Comments!

The bag smelled like dirt. That was the first thing Vio noted when he came to. He realized his head was covered by a bag pretty easily. The burlap fabric against his cheeks mixed with the feeling of rope along his neck from where it tied were both dead giveaways.

The next thing he took note of was the rope around his wrists which were currently bound to his back. He gave the bounds a test tug only to confirm his suspicions. They were too tight to move and the rope too thick to snap.

His final observation was that his ankles seemed to be in a similar situation. These three facts along with the feeling of being carried over someone’s shoulder was all Vio needed to make his final assumption.

He was being kidnapped.

Most would probably be distraught in such a situation. However, Vio was not most. Even in his own head he tended to be the odd one out. The running joke being that he was the singular ‘brain cell’. He wouldn’t necessarily disagree with that. Nevertheless, his calm demeanor in the moment despite his current predicament was very on brand for him. Though, he did, of course, take the moment to question why he was being taken in the first place.

His first, and best guess being that he was mistaken for one of the other heroes.

It wasn’t long before the movement of his captor slowed to a stop. He was unceremoniously lifted from the shoulder and all but dropped to the ground. He quickly recognised it as grass under him. He also noticed both the heat and popping sound of a campfire.

All of his assumptions and suspicions were proved correct as the burlap sack was yanked from his head, returning his vision.

Admittedly, he had expected his captors to be monsters of some kind. It wouldn’t be surprising for a group of beasts to go after a hero. Instead, before him around the campfire stood three hylian men.

Vio raised a brow at them. He kept silent, only staring at the men.

“You grabbed a kid?” one of them hissed out angrily.

‘Kid?’ Vio thought to himself. He knew Four was always perceived to be much younger than they actually were due to their height, but still. It was pretty annoying.

“They didn’t have anythin’ I saw to take!” another hissed back. “‘Sides, there was too many of ‘em ‘round. This one I caught off guard.”

Vio supposed that made some sense. They were just average thieves. Looking for something of value. Though he still wasn’t sure why-

“And his family looked rich.”

‘Family?’

“Yeah, they had on all these rings and lots ‘a weapons! I thought we could hold the kid for ransom.”

Vio gave a harsh roll of his eyes. Great. Just great. Not only did his kidnappers think he was twelve, but they also apparently decided he was worth enough money to go through with this ridiculous plot. And, even if he was, he highly doubted the others were going to give anything up so easily. This only meant that the whole ordeal was a waste of quite literally everyone’s time.

Vio looked down to the ground below him where his shadow flickered against the grass. As if willing the companion to show himself, white eyes flicked open in the dark form. A cheeky smile following suit.

Vio frowned. ‘I don’t know what you think is so damn funny down there,’ he angrily thought. Unfortunately, split apart the way they were, even Shadow was deaf to Vio’s inner voice. Instead, he jerked his head back, signaling the other to help.

Shadow moved from his normal position and soon enough, Vio felt cold, wisped hands dancing across his own wrists. Shadow made short work of the knot, placing the rope in Vio’s still hands. He then quickly moved to the hero’s ankles to do the same.

Once Vio was free he stood up and brushed the grass off his pants with a huff. Honestly, this whole ordeal was so trivial.

Before he could move to leave, the men around the camp gave calls of surprise and upset at his escape.

“Whadda ya think you’re doin’, brat!” one hissed out as he grabbed his dagger from his belt in what was probably supposed to be a threatening manner.

“Leaving,” Vio responded flatly. “And if you attempt to stop me I will fight back.��

His words were ignored as the other two men also pulled out their own weapons. The men stepped forward but were unaware of the dark figure slowly rising from the ground behind them. One of the men did catch the movement from the corner of his eye and turned just in time to see Shadow. However, the moment was short lived as the black-donned hero slammed a large tree branch against the side of the man’s skull.

A fight quickly broke out. The first man fell to the ground as the other two snapped to attention. One went for Shadow as the other turned back to Vio.

Vio swerved and moved about to dodge each attack. He knew he was at a slight disadvantage being without his own weapon. Instead, Vio moved to disarm the man by ramming his elbow into his chest. The impact caused the man to cry in pain as Vio grabbed his wrist and bent it back with a snap. He took the dagger from the man’s, now limp, grip and chucked it downward, towards his foot. Vio knew his aim was on the mark by the howl of pain and how the man crumpled to the floor of the forest.

Vio looked back to Shadow, who was currently standing above two knocked out bodies holding his large branch. “Shadow!” Vio called out to him. “Hurry up and let’s go before any of them come to.”

Shadow nodded and threw the branch to the side, following Vio as the two started a sprint into the forest and back towards their own camp.

“A branch?” Vio finally piped up as they ran. “Really?”

Shadow only gave a shrug. “You left your sword at camp. Had to make do.” He then gave a devious grin. “Though, you were definitely fighting pretty dirty back there, yourself.”

Vio only let out a huff. He ignored the comment under the guise of having to focus on where he was running.

Shadow let out a loud, sharp laugh full of humor and mirth. He jumped up and grabbed Vio’s hands, pulling them both down mid-run into the shadows below so as to whisk them both back to the others.

[lunarsilkscreen]

If you're confused about the situation...

Ok. The final piece has fallen into place in my mind for the whole thing. And this particular post is for a certain core group of followers that may be a little flustered still.

There's a few pieces of information that happened approximately 8 years ago; I cannot reveal the finer details to this because of sensitive information concerning... Things. And/or Stuff.

Use your imagination, you might be able to fill in that blank.

Anyways... My records at that time show contact with certain agencies. Which... Well ...

Despite that; I don't remember it. Which probably means it didn't happen; probably.

When the agencies contacted me at the end of my enlistment and afterwards; they had an expectation that I understood certain policy, protocols, and procedures that I was not privy to.

They were also wondering why I didn't return contact as well; they figured it out tho I think.

Approximately 8 years ago is the first time I saw the movie [Baby Driver] With Kevin Spacy.

They had an expectation that I had 1-2 years of training in those three-letter protocols when I had definitely not. I can't tell if that was because some procedure was overlooked at the beginning of my enlistment.

It's likely that *I* was Classified. Like; my existence was classified. That's where my understanding ends; because the only reason I can think of is that some Intelligence Score was fudged to not be higher than basically every other person who ever took the ASVAB (Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery) test; and routinely ... Every now and again... Certain "Agents" would inject statements so that I could hear them whenever I brought certain statements that were definitely altered in the name of National Security.

*Deep Breaths Melin*

This shit is wild yo .

Basically; they had an expectation that I would have already been trained on certain things... But... Certain things were lost to the Aether without accountability.

I think they later noticed the mishap... Made a report... And then; Figured that I would be able to figure things out *eventually*.

I think they also thought it was more beneficial for national security that they reduce the exact amount of information and procedural training that made it into my purview; because they had a worry I could use certain things to my advantage.

That's fine with me; I'm lazy; that's far too much effort for so minimal of reward.

Some of you had tried to contact me during my year of Twitch and YouTube streaming; and your employers probably denied the request and you couldn't figure out why that was; or you couldn't otherwise contact me directly due to what seemed like random interference.

So I just learned what that was, that's why I brought it up. Literally 1984... Yeah, Gubment's fault.

Some of you have been Inducted in a similar fashion to the way I am; So, yeah, that's just what it looks like; It's incredibly stressful and potentially life-threatening.

You should be fine though; there's usually a [Shadow] somewhere. They were quite amused at my ability to sniff out my shadows and start arguments with them.

Gotta have an outlet for that Anxiety you know.

Just find something worth doing while you're stuck in Limbo; it REALLY sucks. And you're just waiting and sitting with the anxiety of whatever the situation is.

Like Navy Seals int training sent nude into freezing cold waters in the coldest part of the year. But, not quite that bad maybe.

A few celebrities have said "You literally appeared from nowhere and sucked us all into your orbit. Where did we come from? Where did *you* come from? Nobody does that."

Uhh... My only answer to that is because I had developed my celebrity during a period of time I was being trained to keep my personal and military secrets secret.

So most of my Celebrity is tied to Melin Shoot; who didn't exist IRL until recently.

When I started streaming; I pulled from my fan base; which created a thing in the *normal* celebrity worlds who weren't privy to me or my uhh "friends ..?"

What do you call a friend who is your friend by virtue of celebrity? Cohort? Comrade? Who the fuck is this rando?

And on top of that, due to me filling in a niche that was missing in Twitch and YouTube; and referencing all the *really good* internet celebrities and a little help from... Comrades..?

Welcome to whatever agency that enrolled you during that [event] Don't thank me; You earned your spot or you wouldn't be there.

Raiders. We did it. We cleared the Floor.

Ready for the next one?

[mercars-musings]

A Very Overdue Break

Fandom: Dragon Age - The Veilguard

Pairing- None, this is a boi chilling out alone mini fic.

TW- literally nothing for once, just silly lil fluff shit where Rook gets a BREAK.

Description-

Rook {Az} runs away for a bit of alone time in Arlathan. This is probably the least stressful thing I'll ever post in my whole fanfic career tbh lmfao. Done as part of a Rook Story Time Ask Game!: "Rook Visiting a Place They Love".

Original Ask Here // Ask Game Here

Word count- 796

Read on AO3: Here!

~ ♡ ~

The crisp crunch of autumn leaves & the snapping of twigs sound out into the empty grove as a lone Qunari slowly treks his way into the area. The man pauses for a moment as he glances around expectantly, until, his eyes finally land on a particular arrangement of familiar trees.

It never quite made sense to Az why he felt so at peace in this specific part of the forest, around these certain trees. Surely, all trees looked & functioned similarly enough that no particular set would leave a lasting impression on someone who hadn't grown up in nature. Yet, Az could somehow always tell this specific grouping apart from all the others.

They did look an awful lot like the ones his mother cultivated when he was a boy, but he was sure that the environment in Arlathan was way too different from Minrathous' for that to be remotely possible…

Rook's thoughts were cut short by another loud crunch of leaves as he absentmindedly dropped the bag he was carrying. Suddenly remembering why he was there, Az knelt in front of the bag and tugged it open, revealing an an assortment of food, literature & blankets.

Staring at the contents momentarily, he considered his options before deciding to grab a red knitted throw. Standing up, Az turned to scan the patch of grass & leaves in front of him, settling on his usual spot right up against the grouping of trees he was just thinking about.

In a quick, almost practised movement, Az whipped the blanket forward, forcing it out of it's wrapped state & into a more loosened condition that allowed it to flutter gently onto a pile of leaves.

Taking a few moments to admire the talented needle work & impressive stitching that made up the Shadow Dragons symbolic serpent, Rook was reminded of the events that lead up to his procural of what was probably one of the comfiest blankets he had owned to date.

It was shortly after Lucanis & Neve had made their relationship official: Lucanis had confided in Az that he wasn't sure how to actually navigate the relationship very well due to, well for lack of a better phrase, complete lack of experience. Much to his dismay, however, the crow soon realised that Az was almost as helpless as him in the realm of romance, having only had one meaningful relationship prior to that conversation. Though, the pair of men did push through and attempt to brainstorm some ideas on intimate yet meaningful presents that Neve wouldn't expect coming.

After much discussion, and Lucanis {quite hypocritically} being upset at finding out that his new beau really did just sleep on the bare couch in her office, the two men settled on something that seemed like the perfect gift. Not only would it make use of the assassin's affinity for acts of service but it was also: something nobody would expect from a seasoned assassin AND something that would probably award Neve a few extra hours of sleep a night: a knitted blanket.

Fortunately for Lucanis, after spending most of his sleepless evenings knitting away at the throw {and lying about it to anyone that asked} he was able to do the impossible & actually surprise Neve with the gift! Unfortunately for Neve, after her first night of sleeping under her new gift, she was greeted by a weeks long rash. Turned out, she was allergic to the type of yarn Lucanis used & simply hadn't realised prior as she had never really come into contact with that particular variant before.

Naturally, as one of Neve's best friends & the only other Shadow Dragon on the team Rook selflessly offered his assistance in removing the offending material for Neve… by snagging it for himself. Much to the behest of Emmrich who had been nagging Az to get more comfy bedding after finding out about the Qunari's own sleeping arrangements which were, honestly, equally as awful as his fellow Shadow's.

Shaking the memory from his head with a chuckle, Az turned his attention to the bag again and began pulling out more & more of his possessions.

Soon enough, the blanket was joined by: a grouping of fluffy cushions stolen from Emmrich's room; a pot of still steaming lavender tea; a bowl of day old Saheron Fish Pockets; & the latest raunchy romance that he & Bellara had picked up while on their last mission in Treviso.

Az promptly joined his possessions as he fell back onto the expertly crafted nest that he had fashioned moments prior. After a few seconds of stretching & contorting into the most comfortable position he could, the man inhaled deeply, letting his eyelids flutter closed & his senses be flooded by the chirping of birds & the scent of herbs & early morning dew.

Finally, some peace and fucking quiet.