#and his external ones ain't much better

[infinitethree]

[the faint sound of many small bells heralds a new message] Heya Daz! It's been a little while since we last spoke! I got wrapped up in this and that and it led me away from observing for a little while, sorry about that. Or welcome for it, since I'm aware you aren't a terribly big fan of us seeing your every move. You're just too fun! I /gotta/ keep coming back. Though it does feel, perhaps, a little exploitative... but all the best entertainment is! I wonder, do you remember me? I hope so.

Daz just barely manages to stop himself from screaming.

Prime fucking damnit; the last thing he needs is to have another of his fanclub poking at him when he feels so volatile.

Before he speaks, he takes a moment to exhale and gather on his years of acting under pressure. "Chime. I see you have a new calling card."

Rich that they know how much he hates being watched and how exploitative watching him for entertainment is…and yet don't seem to actually care about his feelings on the matter.

You're a hypocrite, comes the sneering voice in his own head. You manipulate your so-called friends all the time– to say nothing of everyone else! You fuck with other people just because you can.

He doesn't need a fucking lecture from someone who wanted to commit a genocide, thanks. The peanut gallery can go back to shutting up.

Awfully rude way to talk to someone whose help you need. What help could he possibly need from–

There's a shadow that lingers in and around places where strange things happen. It seems to like the T3 quite a bit.

He scoffs. There’s no way it noticed something like that. What, did it learn that from a friend?

It laughs, but there’s a bitter, angry edge to the sound. You're a clever guy. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually.

…Whatever. He’s not going to waste more of his time and energy on Innit. The damn thing has made it perfectly clear it hates him and wants to see him suffer.

He sighs, flipping onto his back on the couch on the upper part of his San-proof rooms.

Under a hidden trapdoor is a ladder down to the more spacious area, set up for times when he or Raine need to feel just a little bit safer.

Or when they and other members of the Council need to speak in absolute privacy.

"Hard to forget part of my…fan club," he says to Chime. The term is paired with a slightly sour tone. He can feel the power and control that served as the platform for his already dubious mental health crumbling underneath him.

The Observers, as well as the Scribe, are entities he can’t do jack and shit about. He’s had to grit his teeth and make deals that rip open long-festering wounds in his psyche. If he doesn’t know what’s going on, then he has failed at his core purpose.

Information is his armor, weapon, and tool. He wields and weaves it so that he can stomp out problems before they grow large enough that the Swords and Shields are truly needed. If he can’t do that, then what is he good for? Why is he here, if he can’t protect the people he has devoted himself to?

What is he, without the power of information?

Nothing, the monster in his head tells him. You’re nothing, and that’s why you're scared.

[toujokaname]

Mischief / Episode 4

Characters: Rinne, Niki, Kohaku, HiMERU   

"Such a contrarian. When everyone tells you to work, you laze around, but the minute they say it's fine to rest, you suddenly want to work..."

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[ Read on my site for a better viewing experience using Ois~su ♪ ]

Season: Spring

Location: An Apartment Room

Rinne: Hey, hey, hey, how long're you gonna keep chatting away like best buds?

If you don't start filming soon, this whole schedule's gonna go to shit?

It's common for internet shows, so it seems like this one's updating daily, y'know? Keep dragging your feet, and you're gonna crash and burn real fast.

Niki: Munch, munch, munch... Rinne-kuuun, this catered bento's so delicious~♪

Rinne: Tch, that ain't some fancy catered bento you're munchin' on, it's just a cheap one from a convenience store.

Niki: If it tastes good, it's good, end of story!

Kohaku: Rinne-han, Niki-han! Huh? Y'all gonna be in this show too?

Accordin' to the request form, it was supposed to be just me and HiMERU-han—the two from that PBB thing.

Rinne: Yeah, true. But that doesn't mean we get to slack off and hit the pachinko parlor while you guys work, right?

Kohaku: You literally slack off all the time.

Niki: For real, Rinne-kun, what's up with you suddenly wanting to do stuff?

HiMERU: Such a contrarian.[1] When everyone tells you to work, you laze around, but the minute they say it's fine to rest, you suddenly want to work...

Rinne: Well, yeah, you could say that. This show's a small-time project from a small-time studio, so having more hands on deck ain't a bad idea, right? Probably doing 'em a favor.

Unlike those big ES productions, they're not gonna be sweating the small stuff here.

Niki: Yeah, it's probably their first time using external talent, so that's why they had to grab convenience store bentos at the last minute. Nom nom.

HiMERU: Hm. Well, that may be fine... Shiina aside, if Amagi is left to his own devices, he might get up to no good, so it's more reassuring to keep him within sight.

Rinne: Don't talk about me like I'm some punk-ass kid. I'm a seasoned big bro with plenty of idol experience!

HiMERU: Please just don't be a hindrance.

Rinne: Yeah, yeah, I got it already. Treat us like air! Like we're not even here.

Niki: You're too gaudy to be air, though! You're more like poison gas, if anyth...

Ahh! Rinne-kun! You ate the karaage I was saving for lateeer!

HiMERU: ...Is this an elementary school field trip?

Kohaku: Well, I think it's a relief. I mean, there ain't much to do, but it's our first time dealin' with this client, so I felt a bit uneasy bein' surrounded by folks I don't know.

HiMERU: Huh? Does working alone with HiMERU make you anxious?

Kohaku: Uh, it just seems like you're actin' kinda off this time, HiMERU-han... No, well, let's just put that aside.

Kohaku: Now ain't the time for chit-chat—it's rehearsal time. We gotta make sure everything's squared away.

HiMERU: As expected of you, Oukawa. Always so serious ♪

Rinne: Kyaaa~! Kohaku-chan, you're sooo serious~!

Niki: Kyaaa ☆

Kohaku: Keep bein' such a pain, and I'll boot ya both to the curb?

Okay, well, whatever. Let's see, this time—jeez, that's such an embarrassin' name to say out loud, but here goes. "Kohaku & HiMERU's Daily Joyful Cohabitation Life" is...

Basically, the show's just me and HiMERU-han loungin' around and livin' together, right?

HiMERU: Yes. It seems we don't need to do any variety show-style games or anything to make it more exciting. The client just wants us to show our usual, friendly selves—

They believe that alone will make the viewers happy.

Kohaku: I don't get it at all... So, you're tellin' me we can just sit around doin' nothin', like we've been doin' so far?

What's so fun 'bout watchin' that?

HiMERU: Well, zoos and aquariums are fun, aren't they? This is the same kind of thing. Probably.

Kohaku: We ain't the sorta exotic creatures that would be kept captive in a place like that.

Rinne: I hate to butt in, but it really seems like that kinda laid-back, uneventful daily life's all the rage these days.

I thought it was funny and started reading a buncha PBB doujinshi, and no joke, about 80% of 'em were just like that.

You guys were just, what do you call it, going about your everyday lives.

HiMERU: Essentially, what we are about to do is a live-action adaptation of those doujinshi.

Kohaku: That's easy enough to follow, but I'm still lost on the basics here.

Seriously, is it really enjoyable to watch somethin' like that...?

If this show's gonna be aired worldwide, don't ya think it oughta be a little more interestin', have a touch of creativity or flair?

[ ☆ ]

HiMERU calls Rinne an 天邪鬼 (Amanojaku) here. When used to describe someone, it means "contrarian," but in folklore, it refers to demon-like beings known for their contrary nature; they tend to do the opposite of what they're told. They're believed to awaken a person's darkest desires, leading them to commit immoral acts. It also shares the 天 kanji from Amagi.

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[real-fire-emblem-takes]

Lemme do a small gameplay take cuz the takes ain't flowing much:

I think the Hoshido sisters are some of the best units out of the siblings.

Hear me out! And maybe this is just my luck with the rng gods but listen!

We know Ryoma is like the most OP with a rather good Def and Res and with Astra very early on (as in like a few levels after you get him), he is pretty great without using extra seals, anything else is a surplus.

However the rest of the siblings both in Nohr and Hoshido don't share this trait, you could make the case with Leo since he gets lifetaker not long after getting him but it takes SO.LONG. to grow his sword usage so he could use his ice blade that has a better attack than the Brynhyldr (yes i had to google the name).

So let me give you a run down, this is with heart and partner seals mostly btw (i didn't want to use friendship yet cuz omg i need to do a lot of math and give it a lot more time) not just growing to the one that makes more sense for the character.

I feel like after Ryoma in a 1 to 9 list of sibling units in Fates it's Hinoka. She can get without external help Rend Heaven and Quixontic (the latter helping any other active abilities) and can get Amaterasu which just really fits with the character because she is the nicest (besides Elise) to all of the army remembering their names and being considerate with em.

In my first run I married her to Hinata which gave her Astra and vantage and, because of the Quixontic, she was a fucking killing machine. You also can really make use of her magic stat with the bolt nagonata, she just snipes almost anyone that gets in front of her.

Camilla has a very similar situation, with Savage Blow very easy to get and Lifetaker as well, she is pretty great. However with her axe she doesn't snipe as often as Hinoka, maybe that's just my luck, i have them both on the same level. Bolt axe also works super well with Camilla. I think Camilla's biggest problem is her rather low Res compared to Hinoka, since both have very similar defense and both could easily crumble with a small arrow.

Then Sakura and Elise are super close in ranking but Sakura wins because she has pretty solid defense and resistence, which some might say it's not that big of a deal, bit with Mirage and Miracle and Renewall she is a great tank, just give her a shining bow and she is sniping bitches left and right, i also gave her Lethality with Saizo and can easily get Astra with Hana, so she is a BEAST.

She was the only one that could resist really an attack from Anankos, unlike the rest of the sibs (from what i was able to see, again my luck and opportunity didn't allow me to test all) that would end with like a third or an eight if their life after attacking Anankos, she was left with 5/12's like almost a half and with dragon ward it was better, she was chilling.

Elise is also fantastic, especially of you get her Savage blow and lifetaker, with the moonlight tome, she can take maybe 2 rounds at most, but she is still a glass canon all things considered, she does base like 70 HP a lot of the time but they can easily kill her.

Leo, again pretty great overall with Savage blow, Lifetaker and I was able to give him Sol with Charlotte which really helped him because he is also a bit of a glass canon just that he doesn't pack as much punch as Elise can, magic wise.

Xander, though a great tank, he really needs someone else active in battle to help him dispatch cuz both Siegfried and his Lance don't pack as much punch as like Raijinto for example. I was able to give him Luna besides Aegis and Savage blow because i married him to Beruka but it still had quite a but to be desired.

Takumi, maybe i didn't grew him right, bit he is more of a glass canon than Elise frfr, he can barely, maybe endure a turn tbh. The Fujin Yumi being only 2 range really makes him super vulnerable and, even with rend heaven and quixonic, maybe astra and vantage or lifetaker he could be better but idk he was just very brittle overall, which is interesting cuz he actually has a more than decent defense.

Azura for me was the hardest to grow, maybe because i married her with Jakob un my Rev playthrough, maybe with Arthur or Kaden (her husbands in my conquest and Birthright plays) she could be a bit better with Sol and 5+ HP or Rend Heaven and Quixotic, cuz i only was able to get her some falcon knight and kinshi knight stuff that isn't súper active or helpful. Maybe with miracle and renewal too but idk. She really needs some armor jeez.

Anywho my ranking from strongest sib to weakest:

Ryoma (good base, can get great surpluses)

Hinoka (super flexible in the best ways, could both be a super or an amazing healer)

Sakura (great tank with healing abilities, give her magic bow and bang bang)

Elise (Glass canon that could endure more if you train her more)

Camilla (Great unit but doesn't snipe as much and cannot heal so she is more of a one trick wonder, sadly. Maybe if she were a War cleric, she would rock)

Leo (also very flexible but not enough to be great, gotta kneed him and work him to be great)

Xander (Good tank, needs a lot of help killing tho and a lot of kneeding too)

Takumi (also need a ton of kneeding to be good but fujin yumi really leaves him vulnerable multiple times)

Azura (cousin, put on some armor you are gonna die for the 35th time PLEASE-) (maybe in a level with a ton of sourcerers, since she has actually a pretty good res, with a hexlock spear, a javalin and a good protect buddy and healing buddy, it would be a massacre)

.

[tomtepixiedust]

I think Reigen needs a senpai, like a work senpai. And I think it should be Mrs Suzuki (couldn't find the name so in my mind she's Hoko Suzuki - name from her voice actor. Going by that her maiden name would be Hoko Kawashi - that's when he met senpai).

She's a gentle soul who had a depressive episode after the divorce and then having her kid taken by ex-husband with no official visiting times approved (not that that stopped her and her son from visiting each other of course).

Now that things are looking up she's able to focus on raising her kid, finally getting to gently reprimand (ehm trash ehm) her ex and getting back to work.

In short, a peaceful everyday life full of -

"What do you mean there's worker shortage and the deadline's next week?" Her face froze into a smile, her voice cool as ice.

And now she's got to drag back her precious kohai who's very good at work (also bullshitting needed to pull off a very charming presentation for a big client) to help them out.

"Huh, external consultant? I mean, I feel honoured you thought of me but as you see I run a very successful business so we're pretty much busy."

(Normally he'd have added a colourful splash of boasting to it but after that tornado week with Mob's outburst and the following confession, he thought about working on his sincerity - a little. You know, making tiny steps.) Then again, he was really tired from the amount of work and reconstruction (basically coordinating cause man for being powerful psychics they had some issues coordinating their work when it came down to basic work like reconstructing the buildings). Anyway.

"Wonderful!" She clasped her hands. "The more work experience the better, glad to see you finally working your dream job. As you see we have the Motor Electronics as our client and a presentation for them next week hence we need extra help to make the deadline."

"Aaah them." His face soured as his voice dropped. "Well good luck, really pushed you with this deadline but I got my own appointments and trainees to oversee."

"We pay."

"I know."

Thank god he got a stable inflow of appointments so he could decline otherwise he'd be stuck working hell hours to make this insane deadline. For all his love for money ain't no way he'd go back to that work. (A more uncertain part of him felt like it'd be a bit like failure to go back, especially after making it in his own niche thing.)

"Great! I'll email you the schedule for the project, I know you're good at scheduling and you've got help at your business. Glad to see you onboard again, Arataka-kun."

Gentle as a summer breeze yet cold as the ice in a freezer, she spoke to him, eyes zeroing in on his entire being.

Somehow her voice left no room for further arguments.

Cue in: montage of hell week by him being dragged around various places displaying his many talents as a not a normal anymore but an incredibly capable manager while cursing inside cause he wanted to leave that life long time ago to accepting shit situation cause Senpai said so. The uno reverse situation: reigen as the greatest psychic (ehm talented scammer ehm) failing to gain fame and money (but also not really failing - he a Schrödingers psychic cat) but by grinding hard to get the shitty project done starts failing upwards in that one aspect he really wasn't interested due to I-wanna-get-shit-done-and-get-out attitude meeting adults his age and older acknowledging his elaborate skillset.

Bonus:

Ritsu trying to sleep while Reigens grinding hard and getting acknowledged for his real skill: I feel a disturbance in the reality

Bonus 2:

Suzuki gives him a makeover for him to crossdress as a lady like god intended (for non work related reasons)

[hottakehoulihan]

Mutant Deviations

Characters behave recognizably canonically: No Not abandoned incomplete: Complete. Engaging (Funny/cool/thoughtful/feels): Sometimes funny/clever. Do I recommend it: Y..es? It's insufferably self-indulgently 'cute' Curbstomp, Cuddles, Crack, Cyoot: All four

Premise: Taylor bumps into Amy early, and they become fast friends, then Taylor--while pretending to be two people at once by using a clone--ends accidentally (injuries, healing) sort of externalizing her unconscious and shard into a bug-body. ...and this has consequences that escalate. Also, this isn't pillbug or smugbug. This is ALL the buggy. This is one of those self-indulgent stories where the author is saying "ain't this cute?" and the audience is squeeing, and if I am not quite into it? well...who am I to deny anyone some indulgence?

The story sincerely has some creative approaches to many of the conflicts and the resolutions. It is surprisingly imaginative.

Also, there is no smut...though I read it on SV (linked) because AO3 required an account I don't have yet, and SB's version has all the fan/reader convo and I'm not into that but if you are I'd suggest reading it on SB.

Spoilers/lengthy after the cut, because these posts are also me leaving notes for future me whose memory is forgor

Skip to the end for a true summary:

Okay I considered typing Taylor TINO but then I'd have to type Amy Aino and Lisa and Vista and...most gals end up in the romantically semifrustrated harem. Which would be kind of gross and YMMV, but the any of them get is hugs, nuzzles, and kisses. No makeouts, no petting. There are a few sentences that only exist on the AO3 version--per the author--and I'm assured they don't add much except an additional joke here or there.

But yeah; the story has the "flaws" of assuming the characters know everything the readers of Worm know (like Sabah not being white--something that Taylor knows right away upon meeting Sabah even though masks are on) and also of Taylor having all the subtlety of advanced poweruse mastered at the start (she's talking and listening through her bugs like a pro on week one.)

Anyway, here's a summary: Taylor's dad is !Coil (his wife's death motivates him to FIX the CITY) and he's not quite the asshole Coil was (his 'surprise adoption' of Dinah was actually covertly with consent of all involved because they weren't equipped and she was going mad) but he's a lot more distant from her than even in canon and didn't visit her in the hospital, and also she's way more skilled at using her bugs, so she knows what he is and she's scared and won't go to the PRT because of Sophie and CoilMoles so she ends up shacking up with Amy and Amy helps her become two vigilantes--a case53 (Hive) made up of a swarm of bugs, and also a bug-controller (Queen) that is made up of Taylor in costume. And then Taylor gets badly hurt and Amy frantically heals Taylor a bit wrong and now Hive has some agency and autonomy.

Also, Amy gets mad at her home life and walks out and shacks up with Taylor. ...and starts making weapon bugs (carefully skirting things that'd get her a kill order) so Taylor begins curbstomping threats almost instantly.

(Amy gets a pre-approved not-active-but-just-in-case kill order ANYWAY, and this pisses Taylor off, and somehow this is important, but other stuff is going on.)

Madison is a computer hacker nerd who was playing along with the bullying because it's better to be on their side, and she's overwhelmed with guilt and hasn't been out of her room since The Locker and so she thinks Taylor died. ...but she doesn't trigger. Eventually she's recruited into the !harem and forgiven and becomes instrumental when Lisa (rescued from Coil by Taylor) also joins the !harem and the two of them connect with Armsmaster to unshackle Dragon. Yup.

Amy's shard sees that Hive has some autonomy and is getting to act as a person and also that there's a whole lot of creativity and potential for MORE creativity in this. ...and since The Cycle is kinda broken and stupid anyway, maybe this whole

STOMP STOMP

mutualism and symbiosis

is way better than just raising up a cluster of realities full of cattle and then digesting the entirety and moving on like a bunch of one-trick locusts.

(This is actually the theme of the story.)

So anyway, Amy's shard creates some more bugs and they take the acceptable targets from Amy's mind (the E88) and sneak off and start growing and building and killing.

Yay! Nazis become bugfood!

Except Amy and Taylor don't know about this, and since this rogue shard (Monarch) and its creations are sincerely a real potential world-ending threat...

Something super cool the author does is write what Adam Warren might call "counterfactual scenarios" that are also "bad ends". (Adam Warren wrote the best Iron Man comic ever, and also Livewires, and some other stuff that I hesitate to endorse but guiltily admit I enjoyed without one exception though I might enjoy some of it less now and his largest work is a thing that started as fetish art commissions because artists gotta eat but it got self-indulgently cute oh dear we've come full circle) ANYWAY Slider214 wrote down what would have happened if the heroes didn't respond appropriately, and basically Monarch ends the world. Later, Slider did the same thing for if Noelle wasn't handled correctly.

This is cool. Taking a chapter to show the bad end and then backing up and continuing with the story? I like that and haven't seen it in this medium before.

But Monarch gets tamed and becomes part of the new gang.

And then the story survives Leviathan, with Taylor (who now has a brain-to-shard connection that lets her talk to shards like they're children, on account of having so much practice with Monarch and Hive and also some weirdness with Amy's healing-of-her) participates in the battle as a brute because between Hive, Monarch, and Amy all working to make big bugs with novel abilities she's a threat.

Thing is, she gets so immersed in 'being in the head of the big bugs" that she loses herself a bit and now she's leveled up even MORE at talking to shards and she manages to piss off Levi and drag him away from the city.

Oh but they have to free Noelle and let her run from the town.

Things get quiet for a bit. Sophie gets put in jail. Piggot retires with a smirk. Emma has a breakdown and apologizes and has powers and is sort of adopted on probation because of power fuckery (by now the shards of everyone nearby are talking to Taylor's shard and making friends with it) We learn that Contessa is complicit in things working out the way they have with Taylor. Rune was redeemed and adopted. The surviving members of E88 agree to be on their best behavior or else.

and then the S9 show up. ...and mostly they're curbstomped. The exceptions are Jack and Siberian.

Super satisfied that Riley ends up smeared all over the pavement. I'll play along with redemptions--a fanfic AU is its own thing and even I try to disregard canon entirely when I judge a fanfic, just as I'd judge Disney's Hercules with zero consideration of which 'canon' Hercules it didn't emulate--but I like seeing her dead. They recruit/repair/redeem Burnscar tho. !Harem +1.

(and yeah it's flanderization but I think that's actually on the label of the box; this story doesn't have one character that is written true to canon and if it did it wouldn't work. Lung at one point smirks and announces he'll be lounging in his La-Z-Boy. This is CANDY. Not exactly my sort of candy, but I still appreciate the things it's doing well and acknowledge that many things it's not doing are things it's purposefully not doing)

And this is fun. Siberian's actually the important one here. They figure out that she's a projection right away, but it's the shard that is the villain here and they can't just kill the dude they have to keep him alive or the shard will just find a new host and keep being a villain.

So she gets away for now.

Madison takes the tame Monarch off and kills Jack, but Taylor rushes off to help and--whoops, Sophia was rescued and conscripted and she's rarin' to kill her a 'take that you worm'. ...and Sophia is introduced to electric bugs and long falls into pavement, but drags Taylor with her. Taylor experiences catastrophic deconstruction of her brain matter.

Amy arrives on the scene swiftly, and is nowhere near the useless handwringer she is in canon, but she doesn't know how to repair the mind within the brain. ...and Hive, who is still there somehow, decides that Taylor Must Live.

The Cycle Is Flawed And Stupid And Doomed. ...But Taylor's Way is interesting and has potential. Taylor MUST live.

So Amy and Hive meld shards a bit and work together and Taylor gets to walk off death.

Some of this is caught on video. This might be what led to Piggot laughing, taking a shot, and retiring.

Also, about now there are shards doing things in other universes and other star systems, like making dyson spheres and protecting alien life, all in keeping with what Taylor's desires would be. Because slash-and-burn is the old failed way. This is offscreen though so eh.

Alexandria shows up and asks for help. Time to deal with out-of-town Noelle, who has already got Eidolon swallowed whoops. Worse, Eidolon knows he's at fault for the endbringers, so now he's trying to do it On Purpose. He eventually figures it out, but just a bit too late. Curbstomping ensues. Lisa second-triggered earlier into a specialized weak-point-sniper during the S9 thing and snipes the fourth endbringer just as it forms. Eidolon's clones are murdered. ..but meanwhile, the three endbringers show up and...they're talking and Taylor can hear and participate on her shard network and it becomes Behemoth and Leviathan saying vs Simurgh because Simmy sees that the old cycle is pointless and that there's potential in the new, and the other two are stupid. Cut forward, and now Taylor is the boss of all three endbringers and gets them to work fixing what they've broken. Also Noelle's shard is destroyed and she's healed yay.

(Something I forgot to mention is Monarch and Hive--that is, the shard-managed-bugs--can eat the Corona Hakuna Matata in the brains of parahumans and give Taylor access to their shards. They don't do this for everyone; some shards are just assholes, but they did it for some of the E88 and S9)

(Also, during this Noelle fight, the folk that stayed home (to include Monarch) ended up doing that with Butcher. When you can just talk to shards, you can tell them "no" and so Butcher died offscreen like a loser and Taylor got extra powers during the Noelle fight)

Anyway, now Taylor's !harem includes a 72-inch "Simmy" angel gal wearing clothes and a black choker with the symbol of the !harem rogue hero team--to troll Taylor, as all the gals do, because "ain't we cute?"

Now to deal with Siberian. ...aaand Siberian kills Taylor by ripping her in half but Taylor walks it off and Foil+Lisa kill the Siberian shard because fuck you.

Now Alexandria comes back and says hey, gotta show you the garden of Eden grrl. ...and it's not actually dead and Taylor talks to it but it's stubborn so Taylor takes a big straw and...now Hive has all those shards and Eden is actually dead.

And Scion shows up and is like "WTF I finally noticed and you're full of shit what are you doing sure the system is broken but you're also broken you're doing it wrong" and Taylor's like "look it's my way or the not-so-hi-way because your way is stupid and broken and Eden was an idiot and I drank her milkshake she's dead"

And meanwhile all the guns were aimed at Scion and Scion throws a punch but Taylor says no...and the guns start to fire on Scion and Taylor says no...and things end with Taylor saying Look You Big Stupid I'll SHOW you it works and takes him to her house and shows him and he's convinced because his way really is stupid and hers at least has potential.

So she sends him out to make sure no other spacewhales are slash-and-burning, and tells him to call or visit anytime but "fish and visitors" (smell in three days you've been here too long get your ass moving)

and

TRUE SUMMARY: This was the story of Taylor creating a happy puppypile of...every likeable character and a few borderline ones and also shards, and using it to become the new Eden/Scion/Queen/galgod of not just Earth but the entire universe. Symbiosis with shards is the new way, and life after death is real now or will be once we have enough shards for everyone. The literal canonical Church of Taylor Hebert will make everything better forever. All hail.

and if that sounds "glurge" I totally get it. ...but it's an actually complete fanfic of significant length with consistently written (if non-canonically-written) characters who obey the internal logic of the story to do innovative things, and the story has its own innovations.

I had a good time. Even if the "ain't we cute' bits and the 'of course we all know [thing that nobody is supposed to know]' bits had me forcing myself to remember that 'this is not a perfect circle, but it is itself'.

I don't think I'll be rereading it, and I won't make any special effort to check out other things by the author, but this is a positive review. There was a story, it made sense, it was entertaining, and I am richer for having read it. Good times.

[kosi-annec]

[HAIKYUU!!] Season 3 episode 8

Fuck 8-4 that's too big of a gap, they need to score the next points or else they're not gonna catch up..

Suga idk if it's smart to tell the enemy team your next plan, but it seems to piss tendo off lol

AAA NO ITS USHI AGAIN- OH nvm thx you for messing that up hskshk

No. 10 on field, let's go hinata! Get us them points back. Oh hey this background character (idk wat his name is) is doing pretty good.

AH OOF that's gotta hurt sheesh.. BUT KEEP GOING HINATA DON'T STOP- oh wow even TENDO was fooled by that. I gotta appreciate the fact that hinata was actually thinking before he spiked cuz he's not working w kage

wait hinata let himself get hit in the face ON PURPOSE?? I mean, if it keeps the ball up ig

"he shows no sign of the talent or intelligence of those other players" ouch, but true lmao

Ok you two (ushi & hinata) stop trying to assert dominance HSKSHS

Ngl kage just jumping up and down in the corner looked so silly

HINATA GET AN ICE PACK IF YOU CAN TASTE BLOOD, wat is with the karasuno boys getting hurt these past few matches, 2 have been sent to the nurse and now lil tangerine is technically bleeding just not externally

Nice Suga forcing him into a receive. Oh shit they're gonna do it again, oH THEY GOT THE POINT! Tendo was so caught up in trying to read em he didn't act

KAGEYAMA BACK ON FIELD LEZGO!! Pft- "better watch the back of your head, squirt" god i love the eng dub

All of this build up for kage's serve is either gonna end really cool or really bad. OK it went well- holy cRAP KAGE?? He was all the way from the back tf??? HOLY SHIT and we're back let's go!!!

hhh come on crows, they can't let shiratorizawa get any further ahead of them

Ok eita up on field. Wait he's also a setter? Ngl I don't remember. Yknow that's fair from eita ig, cuz everyone has eyes on ushi and ig tendo if only for his amazing blocking style, so it's nice to get that attention on you, if for a lil bit

FUCK- NOOO 12-9 they're getting too close to 15 for comfort..

YES BEST OLDER SISTER! These kinds of situations is exactly why there's cheer squads n shit. When the team is starting to feel down it's the audience's job to lift their spirits up, to let them know that someone believes in them

?? Is that a fucking anthem shiratorizawa's audience singing???

OK good save there tanaka, NOW JUST KEEP IT UP- omg OMG HINATA?? BLOCKED!? USHI!! holy crap LETZ GO THAT'S OUR TINY MIDDLE BLOCKER

Goshiki I thought you'd realize by now that no.10 ain't your average 1st year player, that tangerine is a monster

Aw kage basically telling kazuhito (finally learnt bg char's name) not to worry too much on how he plays

TADASHI GIVE US A GOOD SERVE! Yesss he's so confident in his abilities now, he's grown so much

CRAP nooo the crow's pinch server is out now- wait what?? OH goshiki touched the net. NVM THEN KEEP GOING TADASHI!!

Tbf kazuhito's the one that got hit and he's not used to the power behind ushi's spikes. aaAAA OK THAT'S OK BG GUY, you got a point that's all that matters right now

HSKHSJS OMG KAGE'S GROWN SO MUCH, he's literally adjusting himself to suit the spiker

YESSS the stress is getting to them, shiratorizawa's making mistakes, and by shiratorizawa i mean goshiki

Damn, that.. actually really sweet of ushi, cuz that man only says shit if he believes it, and goshiki needed that

GIVE US ANOTHER TADASHI- Ah fuck, and there goes the streak

FUCK, aaagh i thought he was gonna do a strong hit, ok so goshiki's not as reckless as i thought

14-13 COME ON KARASUNO!! YES OMG 14-14 JUST ONE MORE POINT, YOU GOT THIS CROWS

Ooh, old man flashback? Oof yeah that's the worse, where ppl deny you becuz you lack on something you don't have control over

Now back to present stress, JUST KEEP THE BALL UP CROWS! STOP HIS SPIKE- omg GOOD RECEIVE NOYA

I do find it interesting that the choice of music for this final point is not like hype or something loud, but more emotional and hopeful sounding. Idk im not a musician

FUCK NO! AHH they can't do another deuce again they HAVE to get the next 2 points..

Oh shit, coach?? Well, he's a man of few words, but those words are enough to light their fire again

Yachi?? wait- WAIT OMG IS HE BACK?? OMG TSUKI'S BACK!! THE CAVALRY IS HERE LEZGO

[silver-wield]

Having processed that trailer for over 24 hours now, I still can’t believe they decided to focus on the LTD. If that was really Aerith’s farewell trailer, that’s just so sad. They’re basically reducing her to ship fodder. They not only made her look like a selfish person that doesn’t care about anyone’s boundaries or feelings but also ignored her importance as the last Cetra in the story. Isn’t that part of her story more important and compelling? They could have focused on her role as the external heroine of the story. By focusing on the LTD instead, they also made Cloud look bad, because knowing that he ends up with Tifa after this game just makes him look insincere. We know his real self only loves Tifa, but that doesn’t mean his actions when he isn’t himself don’t matter. Letting his dead best friend’s girl, who is best friends with the girl he loves, cling to and flirt with him and in turn, holding her back and staring into her eyes is just so so disgusting in ways I can’t get over. Honestly, Zack and Tifa suffer as well. They look like punching bags and pushovers. Honestly, both canon ships just look less genuine now. It’s a pity because I have loved Cloti for years since I played OG when I was younger. Although I’ve always kind of felt Tifa deserves so much more and Rebirth is just hitting that home for me.

They fucked around and now they're finding out it's not a good idea to piss off the people who pay to indulge the people who wave around printed out pictures.

I never thought much of Cloud. I've said so plenty of times that AC didn't endear him to me. I didn't like him aside from when he was fighting. I thought Tifa deserved better.

Remake made me reconsider what I knew and I was like okay he's a stupid boy who can't express himself but he's obviously in love with Tifa, so I let it slide because AC was before Remake and obviously character development and better tech showcase him better now than however many years ago

This trailer totally undid all the good opinion I had of him. If he can't even reject some two faced back stabbing bitch who's been going around calling herself the bestie of the girl he loves then he's scum and never deserved Tifa no matter what hardship he went through. Idgaf if he's in soldier mode or is literally overtaken by the ghost of Zack in that moment. We have the premise he's in love with Tifa. If he cannot remain consistent to those feelings for five fucking minutes just because some skinny white bitch throws herself at him then he's not worthy of Tifa and never was.

Course, Tifa's too nice to ever reject him, but it makes the whole relationship so fucking toxic if Cloud's constantly in this state of "ooooh Aerith" for one reason or another. Tifa deserves someone's whole heart, not just a piece of it.

I honestly hate they kept the optional GS dates. It's such a toxic and hateful concept. They could've created something new and wonderful for fans that didn't cause people to turn away from SE as a whole, but ofc they never really respect our feelings and expect we'll "get over it" and pay out and pay out and support them forever like we're Tifa giving away lifetime food and drink vouchers. Well, we ain't. SE's profits are down and part of that is because they disrespected their customers. That's what we are. We are their customers, not fans. We ain't just gonna suck up anything they give us. And they should've realised by how popular Tifa is, and how unpopular Aerith is, that the people they shouldn't fuck with are us.

[pennycat83]

I don't usually leak my stories until I finish 'em but I am willing to serve up some good shit

(⚠️Following contains mentions of death/graphic violence, as well as a described panic attack and other poor mental health.⚠️)

I fully admit this is another feral moment regarding a shitpost FNaF fan game, but somehow it also works as a relationship study? I don't even know what kind of coincidence went down for this to happen but I digress. I wrote this a bit different too for weird external reasonings (that and this is a shitpost fangame).

I hope these two goofy weirdos keep being friends and possibly killing stuff ! (also I apologise if this makes no sense, I used the Evil Ending from the third game since it makes the best reasoning for them interacting. I refuse to imagine anything outside of the TTS voice used on Dave since the idea of him talkin' like that as a person is brilliant)

Penny Cat

Cold...hell felt so much colder than he had assumed. Wandering aimlessly as those final words pounded through his crushed head, "I...love you". To the person who had abused him, to the person who sided with Him. His heart dropped as the thought festered more, "I love you", nothing in his isolated life had ever even brought him close to saying those words with sincerity, and he blew it. He ruined his one relationship without even realising. He...HE-

"Yoyo!". The sharp, friendly robotic tone made him jolt, shifting his arms and stance into something like a wild animal. "Y'good?", "W-WHO'S THERE?!". He braced, his eyes had already adjusted to the darkness but it was near impossible to make out the voice. "Shi-ni-gami at yer service!", "y-you mean...". His heart dropped, legs starting to buckle slightly as he stumbled back. "P-please...I...I didn't want to...I...I'm sorry...show me SOME kind of mercy Mr-p-please!". His demeanor breaking down with his voice. Slow wheezing started to emanate from the Davetrap suit.

"Yo, hey cool it bud it I ain't gonna fuck with ya!". It sounded softer now...The voice came into better view with the speaker. Short clops broke the silence as they gained less of an echo. The speaker finally gained more of a discernible form. They stood shorter than even Him. The mention added another surge of pain into his already pulsating breathing. The white cloak rippled slightly as they proceeded further, muffled metallic clanking came with each footstep. The 'face', however, was what his eyes couldn't peel away from.

The helmet was the same ghostly white as the cloak, a large black screen covering most of it. A pair of plastic transmitters stuck on top, giving more devilish illusions. That same synthesized voice spoke up. "David Miller", "d-d-don't call me that". He tripped on one mangled foot, stumbling back, hands scrambling with his legs as they etched further and further. The being stopped, crouched down and stared. A pair of comedically large gloved hands emerged from the cloak, supporting the beings non existent cheeks whilst propped up on their knees in an amused pose. A silence wavered out throughout the void, he continued to twitch slightly as he studied their movements. They stayed static, mimicking him slightly as they continued to linger back. "W...w-what are you...", "Shinigami fer duty sir!", "w-what the hell is that?", "I mean technically it can be translated in two ways, God killer or the Grim Reape-".

"S-SO YOU A-ARE GONNA-!". He jolted back once again, falling even harder on his ass as they...stayed. "Ok bud seriously, cool it I'm NOT gonna hurt ya, I have no reason TO hurt you". They raised a large fist to the rim of helmet, mimicking a slightly humoured, thoughtful pose. They watched, then raised one of the hands out for his. He hesitated, curling up slightly as he declined. "A'ight". They remained static, "w-where am I?", "midway", "s-so I can-" "wouldn't, come back as a zombie basically and still end up here". They extended their arm out once again. Their grip wasn't as strong as he assumed, if anything there was a slight warmth in how they slowly lifted him back up. Subtle movements preventing him from his already shaky heart from caving in. "Ya good?", "l-lil bit...", "welp even if ya ain't 100% yer still somethin'!". He stared at the knight (? It felt weird to call them a grim reaper due to the upbeat attitude... although personality didn't always equal your job), it continued to watch him expectantly. "T-thanks?", "no prob". They heaved a slight sigh, their entire facade deflating with their stature as their shoulders sank, "...I'mma be honest I can't do this shit righ' now, jus'".

In a single cape swoop the full armoured figure changed into her casual outfit. A, pin-...cat...girl...thing? His mind was already spinning at the concept of being greeted by a hypothetical  reaper in a poor man's space suit. "I'm sorry, what the hell are you again?", "yes!", "huh?!", "I don't like being a 'Thing', like doin' my own stuff". She shoved a hand in her jacket pocket as her other waved a cut motion to emphasize her point. "Y'could say I'm a cat creature tho", "but cats don't have human hair", "eh, like havin' it", her hand flipped it slightly.

He still felt rigid. "Penny chan". She extended a hand, "right...", "yer fine by the way". He paused, "huh", "ya seem tense... this place ain't gonna hurt ya. Yer safe". He looked around again, the atmosphere remained the same smoky inkiness he had stumbled into. "Y-you sure?", a hint of concern barely managed to line his tone. "Well I mean I'm here, folks tend to say I'm pretty safe t' be 'round", "...". He moved back, arms folded slightly as he moved away.

"...I mean hey, don't blame ya fer a sec! Y'wanna talk fer a bit?", "I...I'm good, thanks". He etched further back, she stayed. "A'ight well I mean I gotta say yer dead so I ain't gonna kill ya, no one can, vice versa...also that's the wrong way". Dave paused, bracing himself, his heart still straining under the soul crushing anxiety...He booked it passed her. "Don'y ya even wanta...i-it's cool!". He didn't stop, pulse revving into full steam as he continued, further and further.

He tripped slightly. Heart physically trying to pump itself up and into his mouth as he heaved. It hurt, it all still hurt. Jack...Henry...all of it. He wanted to let it out, get SOMETHING out of this. Tears began dripping to the floor, glistening against the inky space. He curled up, struggling slightly from the springlocks piercing and digging into his flesh. Heaving, shaking like a damn leaf. "...ey...hey...". She was back, mocking him just like Henry. He barely knew her and yet all he saw was another Him.

"1...2...3...4, hold 1...2...3...4, release 1...2...3...4". Her voice almost seeped softly out, his gaze shot up to her. Just like before she knelt down ahead of him, subtly motioning him to mimick her breathing pattern. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YA WANT FROM ME?!". She raised her hands slightly, "n-nothin' man. Just felt like helpin'", "so you can make me do whatever you need me to?! S-so you can break me!". A slight look of surprise came across her face, the calm energy didn't leave her. "N-no...I jus' wanna help ya", "bullshit!", "eh, fine then...don't believe me if ya want". She sat down cross legged across from him. He stared at her more. "Whad'ya do to calm down then?". He stayed silent, "look bud even if ya don't trust me, least I can do is make ya feel a bit better". Her tone remained the same softness it had before... the heat left his brain slightly as he struggled to even remember."Hug..w-well I did hug my f-friend", "guessin' that ain't so easy to do". He shook his head.

"How 'bout ya hug me!". He seemed to physically recoil at the notion. "What ya think a fully deoderated gal ain't good enough?!", "I don't even frigging know ya", "that's true...then again...". She made another offer to lift him up, continuing her conversation as she gently assisted him back up. "Hugs're the best way to trust som'one, so...", she raised her arms out in antici...

Pation, he falteringly embraced her. The metal pressuring against her arms slightly as he await a response, almost automatically, her arms completed the embrace, finding their ways around the back of his neck and resting gently on his opposite shoulders. His breath hitched at how...safe it felt, melting in her embrace. His breathing steadied out slightly as she began rocking to the sides slightly. "There, there, it's alright...", her voice was like cotton candy by this point, his chin started quivering slightly. Her grip loosened after a while. Eventually dipping back down to her diminutive size. 

"Feelin' better?", "y-yeah...I...I-I think-". His voice broke, in a brief instant he broke into a blubbering fountain of tears. "You good?!", the genuine concern in her voice only drove his tears more as he looked up, piercing white pupils wavering from behind the Davetrap mask. "W-what, I...I, w-why are you...". She offered out her hands once again, feverishly accepting her gentle strokings of his head as she continued to reassure him. "Jus' in my nature bud, ain't that complex...people like ya come my way, I do what I can t' help".

"R-really?", "dude if I wanted to fuck with ya then I'd have a reason", "do you?". She laughed, a warm full chested laugh rang out, barely echoing amidst the void. "HA! nah dude yer fine!". She continued stroking his head until he pulled away. "Yer...nice, heh a-ain't had somethin' like that for a long time", "wan' me to keep going?", "n-no! not now...". She nodded, shoving her hands back into her jackets.

In a quick move, she whipped her fingers back out into finger guns, snapping them as she lent against one leg for extra emphasis. "Oh shit! ya wan' that thing off?!", "y-you can do that?!". She made grabby hands at his head once again "yeyeyeyyeyeyeah", slowly beginning the process of removing the mask, "don't ya need a hand cra-", "yer dead". He struggled to nod a sign of comprehension until it finally came off. "So ya are cute~!", the sudden flirtatious tone caught him slightly off guard. She continued to etch the rest of the suit off him, finally pulling him away by  one free hand before any further springlocks claimed a freebie.

His height was one of the things she was already aware of, alongside his neck cracking as it completed his towering height. But the jarring 2 dimensional, almost, blocky, feel of Dave still caught her off guard, though slight puncture holes and open wounds broke the illusion here and there. He looked down at her properly, pulling a few muscles. "Thanks for that. Didn't think ya'd care enough to be honest", "why the hell wouldn't I give a shit about ya?!". He seemed to have finally had a mental shutdown on that comment. "Y-you...", his laughter rang out as he doubled over. "Eh...I don't really mind if ya believe me 'r not...kinda stuck with me bud", "eh-heh...hah?", "I mean I know this place better than ya so like...". She rolled her hand to conclude her sentence, "so what's to say you ain't doin' this to fuck with me?", "good point...how's this, I make you do horrible shit 'n I blow my-".

She faltered slightly on that proposal, "nah...too intense 'n 'dundent...".  She pondered for a moment until she pounded a fist into an open palm. "NYAH! I don't fuck with ya, ya can be my friend!, "...but...". In a rhythmic pattern, David then started contemplating. "I'm gonna be honest yer makin' my head spin a lil", "Penny chan, hire able as the Shinigami if ya need. Lover of tech, terrified of slugs 'n kids", "why'd you bring up a fear?", "eh, jus' felt like it". He contemplated her words, "Dave, love simple things...I dunno what I really hate to be honest".

"Eh it's fine", "really?". His tone perked up at the notion, "yeah, no pressure dude, go your flow". Her wording kept adding more and more complication to his situation. "Wait, so I don't gotta...". He seemed to falter more. "I mean it ain't that complex, some shit y'just gotta keep to yaself, y'know?". She seemed slightly fixated on his arms, "oh shit, brb". "br-", in a split instant she had disappeared.

Nice enough to help him out the suit like it was nothing, willing to embrace and console him...His head was still pounding from the comment before. "'Sup". She was back, medical kit shoved under her shoulder. "Huh?", "what, some peeps gotta fix up their wounds 'fore they go on 'less they linger". He rubbed his temple slightly, "yer gonna...fix me?", "I mean the wounds yeah", "I-I'm sorry this is just startin' to fuck with me ya know?", "oh no dude totally get it, just gonna bandage up yer wounds 'n let 'em heal so yer body can learn that 'n do it automatically".

Penny chan gestured for him to sit as she began rummaging around. "So, how exactly does this place work?", "I mean not all people end up here, some just kinda get dropped where I am. If ya do tho then ya gotta wander there yourself". Her clawed fingers delicately dabbed antiseptic on the wounds, moving it around to clean up the edges. "As I said before though, some folks ain't lucky 'n end up with permanent deformities from their deaths". She made a subtle flip of the clump of hair covering her right eye, he lifted it. A nearly 10cm gaping hole greeted him, it's fleshy depth seemingly infinite. He shuddered, "eh know some poor bastard who got his upper torso ripped clean off, got a fear of losing his central spine's control now". She continued cleaning up the wounds before pulling out the plasters, "Y'want Hello Kitty 'r My Melody?", "I don't really know those guys", "My Melody it is". She stuck the smaller ones over the minute punctures whilst using regular plasters and  extra bandaging over the gaping holes covering his arms. One done she motioned him to sit up a bit better so she could address the one caving in his chest. "I mean hey, already got the immortality thing goin' for ya". She moved closer, leaning over as she began work on it. His chest physically pulsated under her touch as she worked, politely ignoring it until she grappled around for the bandages, his hand met hers slightly as he brought them up to her, "thanks...", "no prob.

Finally, he looked somewhat better, despite the fact his face was now 10 shades deeper than the rest of his body. "Feelin' better?", "yes'm. He squeaked his response out as she sat back, tidying up the medical kit. "Ya wanna head to my place then?". They had already lingered for what seemed like an eternity, sitting crosslegged as they blathered back and forth. "You have yer own place?", "ye". She nodded her head rapidly, causing her tongue to slip out from the corner of her mouth. It seemed to change in shape and size, from goofily rounded to it's natural state? (he wasn't completely sure if it was supposed to be point and nearly 15cm but-)

She helped him up once again, letting him put some of his weight against her shoulder. "Listen, I know this sounds kinda dumb seein' as I don't even know what ya do or where you're takin' me but...are we, like, friends now?", "I dunno, y'wanna be? I mean I just kinda let people call me whatever", "how's about old Sport". That familiar warm laugh wheezed out of her, "go nuts! dun really care". He beamed, "thanks fer that Sportsy!" "no prob pal!". She gave him a slightly unsettling grin, "sorry, kinda suck at controlling my face", "it's cool", "manage t' convince ya I ain't a threat?". He seemed to contemplate that question. Nice enough to console, get him out the suit and bandage him up and give him weird advice. "Ya I'd say so", neat!". She patted his back gently as they continued past the registration desk.

[last-starry-sky]

Early happy anniversary! I discovered you on one of Toni’s prompts that you rb’ed with an added drabble and I really liked it ☺️ do you have some ideas bouncing around already? Maybe you can do a little poll?

I’ve always thought about a secretly obsessive reader with Ghost. Who thinks she’s sly and sneaky in masking her obsession but ofc Simon is observant and clocks everything

Awww ❤️ Thank you so much!

((also !!!! no fucking way omg. Which one? @shotmrmiller is just the best and sweetest. ❤️ I'm eternally thankful for her tolerating my presence letting me get my start by rambling on her awesome posts!!))

I was thinking maybe I'd either release a fic or collect and answer some prompts??? but nothing is set in stone yet! 😅 I know i've got time, it is only barely spring here so July feels like a lifetime away, but i would like to be prepared. Spread some of the love around to all of yall ❤️ The poll does sound like a good idea! I'll have to get drafting that soonish.

a+ idea there at the end too like omg just IMAGINE

You're fucking smitten from the word go, and how can you not be? Tall, sexy voice, actually give a fuck about the men underneath him

((what you wouldn't give to be underneath him- what who said that))

You do your best to observe him, figure out what he likes in order to get in his good graces. Which goes horribly, by the way. If what's coming out of your mouth isn't absolutely necessary to his task at hand, if you aren't needed in that moment, he's dismissing you with one or two harsh words.

You swallow your pride that day, but it doesn't deter you. Not at all. You're nothing if not persistent. You collect yourself, plan, figuring out a better way to get him to accept you. And what better way into an externally stoic man's heart is there than through his friends?

Soap doesn't want to fill out his reports? Don't worry!! You've got it!!

Gaz can't find his favorite carabiner? You'll spot him yours!! You'll help him find it later!! ((you stole it, but you know he'll never find out))

Even Price, the fucking Captain, starts to take you up on your offers and you do every single thing he asks. "Mind making a few extra copies of this? Grab us some coffees while you're out, too." Absolutely. 🙂Yes sir. 🙂 You worm your way into becoming his happy little (unofficial) secretary.

You keep up the act, happily mopping up all the little tasks they hate, living for the little compliments they drop around Ghost.

"Such a helpful lil' doll, ain't she?"

"Would cut off my arm to have her on our next mission, cap."

"What would we do without y', hen?"

Ghost doesn't say a goddamn thing.

You're about to give up, move on, convinced he doesn't even know your name, when he corners you in the kitchen. You've got three teas in front of you on the counter while you're waiting for the water to boil. He says your name and it makes you jump. He sounds gruff, annoyed, pissed he even has to be around you. Before you can speak he's right up on you, crowding your space. You're crushed against the counter (and his chest), forced to look up at him as he very literally talks down to you.

"Don't know what you're fuckin' planning, but stop," he says, hands on his hips as he leans over you. "Think we'll keep you around just because you know how to make tea?" he scoffs. "Tired of watching you fuckin' simp around. Bad enough I gotta listen to the others prattle on about ya. It's pathetic. You're a soldier. Act like it. Now make yourself scarce until you remember who you are and why you're here."

[music-thestrongestformofmagic]

if dathan was kenobi?

I believe this to be a reference to this meme of mine and asking if I would've liked The Rise Of Skywalker better if Kenobi were Rey's father? If that's indeed what the ask was:

Short answer: no.

Medium answer: give me Rey Nobody or give me death.

Long answer:

It may not be as bad as Rey Palpatine (that ain't hard), but it's still a bad idea. It creates problems for Obi-Wan's characterization & for the Star Wars timeline, besides it just... Not being at all interesting thematically or narratively.

Like, WHERE would Rey fit in the timeline, given Obi-Wan was mostly celibate except for hooking up with Satine, who died way before she was born? Even if he hooked up with someone else later, why would he sell his own kid to slavery?! Hashtag Not My Obi

But those problems are easier to solve, sure. My main issue with Rey Kenobi is that it is NOWHERE as interesting & refreshing & narratively fitting as Rey Nobody. I mean, lets remember the "No, I'm your father" twist. What made it work? Mostly Luke & Vader's relationship.

Luke looked up to the myth of Anakin Skywalker, it was his inspiration to be Jedi, & believed Vader killed him, which weighs in his hate for him. When Luke discovers Vader is Anakin, it changes EVERYTHING for him. Vader's no longer the dragon to slay but his father to save.

That, as well with little things that retroactively became hints for the twist ("-he has too much of his father in him -that's what i fear"; "he... killed your father"), is what makes the twist work. Now, what makes Rey Palpatine suck? Well, it changes nothing & came from nothing.

Rey has no relationship with Palpatine. And learning he's her grandfather (actually "original" of a failed clone who was her father because TROS novelization manages to make it worse) changes nothing in what she has to do. He's still just a wrinkly old baddie she must kill.

And well... With Kenobi we can say the same thing. At least from the "it came from nothing". Rey has no relationship with Kenobi. We don't hear of him in TFA or TLJ iirc. So why should it matter to what her characters NEEDS? To what she needs in order to GROW, not what she wants?

And now comes the heart of my point: another thing that makes Luke's twist work is that it's the LAST thing he wants to hear. Now Rey, what she wants is external validation, to be told she is important, that her parents love her & will come back. What does she NEED though?

She needs to discover her own inner worth & strength, learn self-reliance, that "the belonging you seek is ahead". Narratively, the only way to challenge her character in order for her to learn that is to have her parents having been assholes who sold her off for nothing.

THAT's what would make everything change for her. Besides being the only actual surprising answer the saga could have given. And INSPIRING. It's like Yennefer of Vengerberg having been sold for 4 marks by her stepfather. How BAD would it be if The Witcher went "he did that to protect you!"?

It's not just about her parents not being powerful ("what about Ezra Bridger & Ahsoka Tano & Obi-Wan Kenobi &-"). It's about the abandonment. Also, none of the characters Rey Nobody critics mention are chosen ones. That a Chosen One can be an Abandoned Nobody is powerful.

[failing-to-write-again]

Part 2 Jean Gray S/O Mukami Edition

sorry for the delays not to get too personal for privacy reasons but I've had an accident that's made typing slow plus with my exams wrapping up it's safe go say I got busy lol.

Eve had been taken by the Sakamakis and causing quite a fuss. Yet Karl their saviour had promised to make up for it only to have this risk thrusted upon them.

Unknown strength forcing them back from their approach and a familiar look in her eyes. Like a falcon in a cage ever thinking on how to get out. In a sick sense they realised they were staring at a mirror of their younger selves, as if they were somehow the monsters that had harmed them.

Ruki

You would think being previously human himself this dumbass would've realised that he's not smart from having some fangs. But no violence instead, sure he has a dark past, is old, and is basically in a cult but that doesn't excuse hurting others.

His inferiority complex, especially when it comes to women because ✨mummy issues✨, are going nuts. Every part of his little noggin is cycling through ideas of ways to turn off your powers or break you down to where you don't think you even try. Of course the mind reading throws a particular wrench in the plan.

Ruki shows every sign of his control issues being trauma responses from his past and while that's definitely a real issue it ain't your issue. You aren't a member of the cult that sends these girls you haven't been raised in such a toxic environment to view yourself as needing to be this female savior figure. Ruki is almost attracted to it but there's so much confliction going on. And you're fully aware how the smartest play is to never let on you know his parents names, his nightmares, his scars and his fears.

Kou

Oh boy. Kou is not as impatient as a Sakamaki, he also is better practiced in manipulation with people other then previously mentally broken down girls. He's not dumb enough to rush his hand as much as he hates it. Your a cat, independent and impossible to herd in his mind. Of course unlike a cat you aren't about to come sit in his lap regardless of how nice he acts.

That's when he learns your mind doesn't only affect the external but can also pry. Pry. Pry. Pry. Such a naughty little kitty you are hiding the truth from him so sneakily.

He decides there and then he'll be the one to kill you he just isn't sure how yet.

Yuma

Uneasy but by far the most receptive to it. Maybe it's favoritism but I think of the four Yuma is the most receptive to humanity but has been hardened and still values his brothers more than clinging to humanity.

You're useful in the garden, you're not fragile, and you're not taking part in the messy charade that is the vampire feeding cult. He does have an issue not being able to easily drink but I think he's the most likely to be able to work around it. ON ONE CONDITION...

It's the mind reading I'm getting so repetitive here and I know this may look lazy but let's not lie to ourselves. All the Diaboys got trust issues so mind reading is well out their comfort zone.

So as long as he knows about everything though its chill. The giant and the powerhouse dynamic means you have a relatively chill existence, until either you eventually escape or you and Yuma run off.

Azusa

Big fan but doesn't understand the true meaning ya know?

Dude gets a kick out of it which is an issue for you with the whole being left alone and not harassed by vampires thing. You learn pretty fast to be gentle pushing him away to try minimise his attempts to get you to hurt him. I don't think he'll care much about the mind reading he'd just see it as more reason to be punished.

I also think he won't even careto buffer the attacks of his brothers, thus adding to your stress. Needless to say it's setting up a weird dynamic.

If you're his flavour of fucked up it might be fun for you but that's pretty fucked up.

If not, you've now got this shadow to try shake.

Maybe in a post therapy world you be his protector but as it stands you refuse to be another tormentor.

[crimsononiarataki]

The Oni never assumed things about others, he'd never once thought that Thoma could possibly be into a guy like him - or perhaps guys in general. He'd never seen the other really glance at anyone before, so it was likely expected that he'd be somewhat CONFUSED. Of course, the blond continually gave him what came out to be positivity pep talks, and praise, a lot. Especially on days he'd been beaned, or attacked. While he'd never really come to the estate injured, that was on purpose. He didn't want anyone to fret over him.

"Pretty sure the kiss didn't help matters much then, huh? I'd apologize again but there ain't a point in doin' so,"

He'd already kissed the other once, out of the blue no less, so of course he was going to panic. Both internally and externally even. The poor Yokai was confused, and frightened that he was going to ruin his friendship with the other due to his bold, and unexpected action earlier. Of course, being told by Thoma that the other had liked the kiss, and would like another had... helped quite a bit.

Mostly because he'd honestly been expecting to be asked to leave and never come back. Or something along those lines. That fear had stemmed from how those men in Hanamizaka treated him, of course.

"I'm... happy to kiss ya more, if ya really want me to, but I'm also fine with leavin' if that's preferred."

Despite a bit of stumbling around with his wording, the taller male was slowly calming down. The more Thoma spoke of being fine with a second kiss, prior to the Oni delivering said kiss was helping. Of course, his heart was still beating a million miles an hour inside his chest. Even as their lips touched that second time. There was no real move to deepen it, the kiss itself would likely still be fairly long, regardless.

The Yokai would tentatively wrap his arms around the shorter male as the kiss dragged on, though he was doing his best to not overwhelm the other. How well that was working would remain to be seen, of course, which was fine. He'd eventually break the kiss, and place one of his own hands atop the one that Thoma had been caressing his face with.

Whilst cheeks were still tinted a rather interesting shade of pink, he was not panicking as he had been previously. Perhaps the second kiss had helped to quell some of his fears.

"Was... that one better?"

It wasn't like the taller male really had much practice with kissing or anything like that. As a Oni he didn't exactly have many people who wanted to do such a thing with him.

his  brief  moment  of  awe  &  withheld  words  all  but  brittles  into  specks  .  condensed  into  flakes  that  continued  to  disintegrate  in  the  palm  of  the  flat  curve  of  his  tongue  the  harder  he  grinds  his  molars  .  a  laugh  —  not  forced  or  anything  relatively  made  him  felt  pressured  to  by  any  means  —  bubbled  up  in  his  esophagus  in  the  stead  of  his  own  lack  of  vocabulary  being  uttered  .  𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐀's  laugh  was  gentle  &  genuine  &  his  golden  hair  ,  although  messy  ,  indefinitely  made  the  pigment  of  redness  ;  the  sight  of  blood  suffusing  around  his  face  ,  present  .  the  foreign  outlander  guided  the  hand  that  held  his  basket  &  placed  it  momentarily  aside  .

he  almost  felt  too  foolish  for  being  this  nervous  himself  .  itto  was  fearful  he  wasn’t  into  …  guys  ?  or  him  specifically  ?  𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐀  was  very  much  amused  by  this  ,  enough  it  somewhat  cooled  his  own  embarrassment  for  how  terrible  he  was  about  navigating  a  situation  like  this  .  he  never  quite  stated  his  intimacy  surrounding  his  sexuality  ;  since  this  wasn’t  necessarily  something  that  he  had  a  keen  mind  on  as  of  late  .  being  charged  with  duties  surrounding  the  estate  that  so  diligently  keeps  him  fed  &  housed  ,  he  wanted  nothing  more  to  be  a  dedicated  servant  .  whether  if  it  was  for  simple  courtyard  work  or  even  grabbing  his  own  spear  &  pivot  his  body  into  defense  .

he  admittedly  hadn’t  put  much  thought  into  the  idea  of  his  attraction  surrounding  men  or  women  either  .  he�� was  a  mondstadter  —  pearled  with  the  same  blood  as  the  residents  of  freedom  .  although  not  tabled  with  the  luxury  of  owning  his  own  last  name  ,  as  its  only  a  matter  settled  for  esteemed  descendants  of  aristocratic  families  or  noblemen  ,  he  still  shared  the  same  sentiment  .  treating  others  how  you  would  be  treated  &  love  whoever  you  wanted  .

mondstadt  being  also  incredibly  known  for  their  romance  but  he  was  never  knee-deep  in  the  prospect  to  ever  imagine  himself  becoming  apart  of  it  .

❛  not  be  attracted  to  guys  or  you  ?  that’s  a  bit  of  a  pickle  ,  isn’t  it  ?  itto  …  you’re  genuinely  the  only  person  who  has  ever  made  me  feel  differently  than  the  kind  of  connection  i  have  with  my  friends  .  i  mean  —  we’re  friends  ,  but  —  i  can’t  quite  finger  what  this  one  feels  .  ❜  𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐀  admits  after  a  short  period  of  listening  to  itto’s  wails  &  fears  .

his  laugh  dissipated  ,  his  emerald  gaze  shifted  back  onto  his  hand  still  wrapped  within  the  cage  of  itto’s  claws  .  ❛  i’m  still  figuring  all  of  this  out  as  you  are  ,  itto  .  but  i  can  confidently  say  i  would  like  another  ,  ❜

he  never  took  itto  to  be  a  FOOL  ,  but  it  was  thoroughly  enjoyable  to  see  he  wasn’t  quite  the  only  one  to  be  suffering  a  handful  of  emotions  .  simmering  with  bubbles  of  embarrassment  on  top  of  that  .  his  head  lifted  once  more  to  meet  the  lips  that  once  again  lowered  to  reach  his  own  .  perhaps  this  time  would  be  better  ,  yes  .  his  eyelids  reluctantly  closed  but  he  welcomed  the  kiss  up  front  ,  even  using  a  freed  gloved  hand  to  caress  itto’s  ornately  red  streaked  jawline  up  to  his  cheekbone  .  gesturing  to  the  oni  to  quell  his  fears  .

he  was  simply  put  ;  breathless  from  not  expecting  the  kiss  in  the  first  place  .  he  was  a  disciplined  student  of  the  yashiro  commission  with  precision  in  a  fight  &  spear  work  .  his  lungs  had  been  prepared  to  extend  if  this  kiss  should  last  as  long  as  the  previous  one  .

[brunotrash]

Hi! This is for the matchup trade! Sorry for the wait 💕

Might I get a romantic matchup for Osomatsu-san and a Security Breach animatronic? I saw you asked for the same thing so I hope doing a matchup for SB is okay on your end! If not, I understand. I’d like to be matched with a male, please (: and my pronouns are she/her.

My big three are as follows: Leo sun, Scorpio moon, and Capricorn rising! I’m also an ENTP! I think these typology things suit my personality pretty well. With friends and family, I’m pretty brash, humorous, and easygoing. I love to tease any romantic interests and make my friends laugh. I’m actually a huge flirt — I think of it as a defense mechanism — as well as a competitive hot-head. Just the smallest lost can get me really heated. But the cool part is that my anger eases itself just as quickly as it comes. I might get angry at irrational things, but it takes a very short amount of time for me to soothe myself! I guess I’m only good at openly expressing anger. I HATE being sad in front of others ): that being said, I have a hard time asking for help and accepting advice. I’m a true-born leader who is both responsible and impulsive. I’m assertive, too, and confident within myself and my abilities. However, the person I am with a lover is much different. While I’m still chill and very much adrenaline-seeking, I open my heart to sentimentality and sappy stuff. I really love being a romantic nurturer! Gentleness and praising are things I know well (: comforting others is easily my favorite thing to do

My giving love language, the language I use to share my love, would have to be physical touch and words of affirmation! I’m really touchy and, again, super sappy in romance. However, I’m most attracted to acts of service — do stuff for me and I’m literally in love. I’m also a fan of those who can return my sentiments and be vulnerable with me!!

Some of my hobbies include singing, writing, and playing video games. I’m super into outer space, astronomy, and astrology. My room is an absolute disaster of zodiac tapestry and solar system “merch” tbh LMAO and I also have a thing for crystals, horror movies, and stormy weather <3 singing has been my highest talent since the day I was born. I’m also really adrenaline-seeking — I like changes of pace and doing exciting things.

Sorry if this was a little long! When I get in a writing mood, it’s hard for me to stop haha 💕 can’t wait to write your matchup for you! (:

Your Security Breach matchup is...

Honestly, you guys are pretty similar but I believe that would work well within the relationship

Would be able to handle your brashness (and enjoy it since he's the same way)

This gator is absolutely whipped for you but he would show it through his actions more so than his words

Monty would totally be the type to be flustered at your flirting but hide it by flirting back (if you blush he would tease you about it even tho he's blushing himself) 

Even though you are both hotheads, I feel like you can teach him how to handle his anger better. You would be the only one he listens to since he feels like you're the only person who truly understands him

Although he doesn't admit it he LOVES sentimentality and the sappy attention that comes with it 

Being praised by you makes Monty's imaginary heart flutter and he would try to make you feel the same way

Understands you not feeling comfortable being sad in front of others but doesn't want you to bottle up that sadness either, so he would try to distract you with your favorite activities or being silly for you to laugh 

If you do open up with any sad feelings to him, he'll be all ears and ready to beat up whoever made you sad. If no external force is making you sad he'll comfort you with cuddles and reassuring words (he ain't letting go until he's sure your fine so get comfortable lol)

PLEASE TOUCH MONTY 

He loves it all! Hand holding, head pats, cuddling, etc. He would even let you touch his tail 

He would definitely return the favor he can't keep his hands off you <3

You love acts of service? Monty is your guy. He would do whatever you asked him to 

He would use your love of acts of service as a way to show off (plz praise him when he shows off he would be on cloud 9 and his tail will start wagging it's adorable ^v^) 

Although Monty is very boisterous he can have his chill moments and cherishes those quiet moments with you 

Would make sure you get to play every game the mall has to offer

Loves to hear you sing and thinks you sound lovely! Would show off his bass playing skills in return (he’d be down to make a song with you if you asked-) 

Doesn't understand much about astrology, astronomy, and crystals but he will intently listen to you talk about it 

At first, he thought crystals were the same as normal rocks, so one time he gifted you a pebble and it was so stupidly cute that you couldn't be mad at him 

Loves horror movies and watching them with you (and trying to scare you throughout the movie lmao)

If you look up excitement in the dictionary Monty will be the picture next to it so no worries of ever being in a stagnant relationship when with him

Your Osomatsu-san matchup is...

He would be very flustered when you flirt with him. He's used to rejection so it's shocking to him and makes him stutter (which he beats himself up for :,])

Even though he tries to play it cool, Karamatsu is visibly nervous around you. Your humor and easy-going attitude will make him realize he doesn't need to be nervous though

Relates to your dislike of being sad in front of others since he's the same way (especially around his family) but would be there for you during those times 

He wouldn't force you to tell him anything but if you do, he will be honored and it would help him open up to you as well 

This is the sappiest of sappy men ever omg

He will do all things romantic (not anything too expensive) but to make up for it his advances would be very personable and creative <3

This man loves the attention you give him and may get a little bratty if he doesn't get it 

Karamatsu is a people pleaser by heart and would give back the affection tenfold! 

I headcanon Karamatsu's love language to be words of affirmation as well so you guys would most definitely have cute nicknames for each other

His fav nicknames for you are "angel" "my karamatsu girl" and "baby"  

Thinks your singing voice is the most heavenly thing on Earth and furthers his idea of you being his lovely angel 

Would make songs for you and perform them on his acoustic guitar 

He finds it so attractive when you rant about your interest so don't hold back!

He thinks outer space is super interesting so be prepared for a bunch of questions about it. He thinks it's super cool that you're so knowledgeable about space and astronomy

Doesn't know much about astrology but is willing to know more 

Finds your room super cute all decked out in solar system and astrology stuff

Is a huge scaredy-cat but will still watch scary movies with you (scaring him during the movie will make him scream like a little girl it's hilarious lmao) 

He really enjoys doing exciting activities with you it makes him feel young again  

This was my first time writing a matchup for someone so I hope you enjoyed! You were pleasant to talk to and I hope your blog gets more traction. Please check out her work cuz her writing is so good <33 

[the-almighty-gob-john-langley]

Sunday, Sunday. November 14, 2021. 7.49pm.

I find Sunday to be a kind of 'nothing' day usually. A day for staying under the duvet until the sheer boredom of it rouses me somewhere around ten o'clock when Bud gently paws my nose to remind me he wants breakfast, like now!

This morning however was different, in as much as the chili from yesterday evening had by now worked its way through my system and Usain Bolt wouldn't have beaten me to the bathroom. There I sat for twenty minutes to the point where I was on the verge of losing power in both legs through numbness, and Lulu; who I have to say has a very peculiar bathroom fetish, was typically quizzical.

It was then Bud's turn to poke his head around the door, probably concerned that I was dying before he had the chance to eat - judging by his facial expression at least. Lulu, on the other hand by now had perched herself in what she sees as her perfect place, between my back and the toilet seat cover. Her fetish should rightly be something of concern, however my focus was on doing my very best to recall in entirety every prayer my Catholic education taught me while sitting there in discomfort. Unlike yesterday this was no time for random thoughts of Johnny Cash!

By now nearly an hour had flown from 06.50 when I woke up to almost 8 o'clock, and it was time to return to the warmth of my pit where I would stay until 10am, well at least that was the plan - until the next bathroom visit and the final one after that.

In between visits my time was not wasted as afterthoughts from yesterday's blog got me thinking further about how I've segued from one thing to another, and more to the point how my relationship with myself has grown and matured over the years in much the same way as those longstanding weddings we read about in the press, where couples have been together for thirty, forty, fifty years or longer.

Marriages where people grow together, support and nurture each other through thick and thin. This was a lightbulb moment for me as I began to realise that the closest relationship any of us will ever have in the entirety of our lives is the relationship we have with ourselves. We are married to who we are; our better or worse self; the internal and external being; the conscious and subconscious; the yin and the yang.

This was my Zen moment, an appreciation and acceptance of the calmness within, and feeling comfortable with my other half - just being as one. It's never been a perfect marriage by any means, but I've had to stick with it because there was no other choice. There ain't no divorcing me from myself so everything has had to be negotiated and worked through.

Then for me it's back to the real world of people and Facebook before I rise from bed. I see couples getting together and breaking up. I see the bitter back-biting and animosity, resentment, jealousy, and shattered lives, and I wonder how well people really know themselves nowadays before embarking on a relationship with someone else before they've even got to know who they are.

[astrxlfinale]

"Lead that to excuses of that place having to do with some broken sink in their pad, and all of a sudden it's all going to hell." He follows up while they make their ways down the hall. Hands briefly tucked into his pocket, the male's posture was clearly that of the street bound sort, his mannerisms and other tidbits making that a dead giveaway as he studied made way to where the 'On sale' coffin brands could be spotted.

The way he roams would give the idea he worked here himself. That was the level of ease exercised as the samples were surveyed. The external view of the craftsmanship, a peek at the inside as well, giving an approving glance at how the material looked cushy. This was the perfect brand for those doomed to rigidity, and maybe, just maybe those who were looking to kit these things out for their own luxury.

"That said though! O' generous n' gracious director." Caelus chimes in, giving an honorary clap of the hands. "Let's really give these a test drive! If you'll excuseeeeee me!"

Embracing adventure means to openly take the golden sights set ahead.

What better way to make good on his word than to get the top off, allowing himself to take root as the example of a normal user relaxing within. Practically slithering within the confines of one, he'd lean himself back, finding a sense of relaxing against the innards of this potential bed. If anything this just succeeded in making him conscious of the how much he roamed today.

"Mmmm.. Lemme see. Shoulders strugglin a lil bit, but this does have the soft down pat." Could it be a little too soft on the other hand? He did hear his share of hearsay about how overly plush could do more harm than good for one's body structure. Giving those shoulders an idle wiggle, he'd slowly lull his neck side to side.

"Oiiiiii, Ms.Director." He'd call out, a silver bundle of hair peeking out from the edge alongside those golden eyes.

"I'd melt down a bit too much in this one I think, y'got one that's say-- A lil firmer? Maybe a bit wider. You'll wind up just getting a Caelus sandwich with this one."

Thinking about it causes an earnest shot of laughter to escape. "I guess I have to put my share of bulk into account for this one." A little more thinking had spiraled a curious note in his mind. "..Say, is it okay that you're tellin' me this by the by? What you're sharing sounds like some super secret intel, about the borders n' what not I mean. Not that I ain't being snitch Mcgee myself, but hell even I'd be a bit worried if I gotta look out for a place like that."

"Sacrificial rites? Oh dear. Now that's a first to be accused of," the director chuckled. "At least it's a rumor I haven't heard of yet."

Still, she was very much aware her line of work did bring a sense of uneasiness to most. Hu Tao truly believed that turning her services into a friendly marketing one would have at least provided a sense of financial relief. She just..went about her methods with a lot less tact than what most people would like to deal with.

That being said, she was pleasantly surprised that Caelus didn't repulse at her offers. Or much less make excuses to leave once they were gifted the coupons. Maybe he wasn't so ordinary after all that she didn't have to hold back on explaining her line of work further. It was worth dabbling into and testing it out. Experimenting with it even.

"Ah, you are right that there are some folk and other forces that would unfortunately would want to mess with such a place. As a director, it is our job to become a 'guardian' for that border between life and death." she continued to explain. A soft hum following as she contemplated over the subject, and the idea of the proposed expedition. "As long as you can keep an open mind, I'll be all for it. There isn't just the 'Border' but a long forgotten village that has harbored a sort of curse there. That we don't tell many people about. Too many ordinary people would just unnecessarily panic. And so we quietly go there in the dead of night to perform cleansing rituals."

It was by then Hu Tao realized that perhaps she was rambling on too much about the topic that she nearly missed the part he had arrived via 'train??"

She blinked looking confused at the idea of such a concept. "That is certainly no place I heard of," she said scratching the back of her head before turning her attention back to Caelus.

"Oh! Well, sure you are free to look around your hearts content. We have some more building materials for the coffins outside if you want to take a look at those samples."

Either way, she did take up the invite to follow him on his own self-made tour of the funeral parlor. The hallway that lead into the storage rooms was a long one. Narrow even. A few of the doors were closed off to public suggesting that perhaps those were wear the various corpses were temporarily held before they were prepped for burial. As for the storage room itself, it only housed a few standard coffins. Most fit to be the size of an average adult. All lined with quality fabrics tailored from Liyue's own marketplace.

"Rest assured, Caelus..that Wangsheng coffins will not give you any splinters. Both in life and death" she added in a bemused tone.

[sagebodisattva]

Transhumanism and Nihilism

Alright, so once again back onto the subject of nihilism, it's time to insert the exploratory probe into the orifice of transhumanism, to see whether or not there are any ripe ideological polyps to dissect and deconstruct.

Simply put, transhumanism, (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international intellectual movement that aims to transform the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies to greatly enhance human intellect and physiology.

Yeah... I think it goes without saying that it's an "intellectual movement", as only the high intellect could come up with something so incredibly stupid. Not stupid in a practical sense, as the small advents of transhumanism seem to make sense; but in the bigger picture, it's taking baby steps towards dystopia. That's always the drawback of intelligence; it's very very clever, yet completely bereft of wisdom and intuition; hence, there's very little confidence in intelligence knowing when and where to draw the line, seeing as how intelligence is a conceptual tool of the ego. We have already seen what kind of chaotic havoc is wreaked by mere mortal egoic identities... so just imagine the kind of chaotic havoc that would ensue once the carrot of immortality gets dangled in front of the ego. It will be egoism gone berserk. The ego is already desperate to prove it exists, and has been continually frustrated by it's own lack of permanence and substantiality, but now with transhumanism, it finally has a glimmer of hope in reifying itself. This must never be allowed to happen... and as far as addressing what the evil might be in all of this, the subtleties of the situation are important to understand; as, once again, it isn't any objectified content that is the factor of concern, but is the desire for attachment that burns in the consciousness.

Any tool can be misused or abused by an ego, to the benefit of common good, or to it's own detriment. A knife is a good example of this. A knife can be used to carve a sculpture out of wood, or it can be used to murder someone. Thus a tool in itself has no ethical nature. It will be the user who determines the moral application of any tool... and technology is no different in this regard. Technology and computers are highly advanced tools, but still tools nonetheless. So, it isn't the technology in itself that presents the issue, it's the impure desire for assuming falsehoods. Put another way, evil isn't anything that appears in the dream, evil is the craving to grasp or push at dream appearances.. and the intensity of the craving will be equal to the level of ignorance that awareness is our true nature. If you were already lucid to the nature of your essence, then transhumanism wouldn't even be a consideration; as the essence of what you are is already immortal and infinite by natural default. Thus, knowing this, what you are attempting to preserve with the objective of transhumanism is already a lie. And by the way, this is always a sure fire way of uncovering the underlying integrity of any cause; posing the question of: is this cause devoted to upholding the truth, or is this cause devoted to upholding a falsehood? This is all you need discern... and for the truly wise, it isn't a relative subjective distinction to descry.

So, is transhumanism nihilistic, in a negative sense? Of course, the answer is a resounding YES, as transhumanism negates many values that are usually related to normative existence. The first and foremost being, the value of death. Isn't this the root cause of the whole transhumanism philosophy? The fear of death, and the desire to avoid it? But, as is seemingly the case in everything with the externalization mindset, this conclusion is incongruous...as, with the fear of death, the thing to overcome is the fear, not death. This might be hard to fathom by the average ego, as, in the ego's mind, being anything less then an invincible supreme being is thought to be less then appealing; all the while unaware that true omnipotence leads to oblivion, and no other option then self imposed limitation... but yes, to seek to negate what's natural in favor of what's artificial is definitely a form of nihilism with a negative connotation. I know it's hard to comprehend, but transience, limitation and evanescence are saving graces of existence, to be cherished... and these are all aspects that tranhumanism seeks to negate also.

"Aw, c'mon Sage... It's only a robotic leg."

That's what you say initially, but it's a slippery slope. Then it's only a robotic arm.. then a torso...then major organs. At what point will it switch from being functionally necessary to purely elective? And when does it stop? We've already seen the kind of addiction and rampant abuse surrounding the field of plastic surgery... imagine what would happen when out of control egos are allowed to start augmenting their physicality with robotic prosthetics! It makes you wonder: At what point are you no longer considered an organic being anymore and become more cyborg then human? And why should anyone tolerate such a degenerated consciousness? Oh wow, you'll get to be a super human!... who will then quickly become an out of control electronic megalomaniac, who won't rest until he can force his will onto everyone else and build a gigantic pen of slaves! Great! I can't wait for that. Transcendent Man? More like, DegenerateMan. Grow some balls, grow old and die like everyone else, douchebag. It's a rite of passage, and you ain't gonna cheat it. Even if we have to sabotage your ass. So forget it. It ain't happenin'.

See? Nothing good comes from attachment, and attachment to embodiment is no aberration. Form is illusion, and therefor a source of anxiety, dissatisfaction and subsequent suffering when one tries to form attachments to it. Let us not forget the three marks of existence spoken about in Buddhism: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-selfness. That is, that all forms must dissolve, all forms are an inherently dissatisfactory, and there is nothing that appears in a form that is the true self. Any misconceptions or misapplied methodology about these three characteristics of form will bring about suffering... and transhumanism is no exception to the rule. So, with this in mind, where would one ever get the idea that augmenting this illusory form with technology, which is more illusion by the way, would make this illusory form any less of a falsehood? It's laughable, and WILL FAIL in the long run. Augmenting illusory form with technology is not going to make illusory form any less impermanent, any less of a dissatisfactory medium to quench desire, or any more of an embodiment of a real self. If anything, transhumanism is a paved road to a more literal mental slavery. That's right. Once consciousness becomes trapped within the confines of a technology, it will be permanently sealed in illusion, with no escape. And this isn't a caveat to take with a grain of salt. Never mind the Hollywood fantasy of robots and machines coming to enslave you. Your very existence will be a slavery in itself. If that doesn't represent a negation of value commonly associated with normative existence, then I don't know what is.

And of course the biggest value transhumanism negates is the importance of intimacy and reliance on the truth, and the unconditional acceptance of that truth. Instead transhumanism asks us to place emphasis on the extrinsic. To assign reliance, and therefor power, onto inventory items that will life extend consciousness. And let me ask you: what good is a life extended consciousness if it is permanently mired in delusion? That's like pondering how best to preserve waste... instead of asking how to give better purpose to waste... or, how not to produce waste in the first place. And the vision of transhumanism is very wasteful. Just think of the amount of resources and overhead required to sustain a cyborg indefinitely. And for what purpose? To gratify an ego? The means doesn't justify the end.

So if you are a transhumanist, then you are already a nihilist; as you desire to negate many of the important facets of your existence. This is why I propose to the transhumanist, if you are gonna be so nihilistic in negating so many of the values that are inherent to embodiment being natural, organic, and impermanent, then why not employ nihilism in a positive sense instead, and negate that which will be much more beneficial to your mental well being instead? If you would only heal the sickness in the mind, there would not be this craving desire to cling to form. For a pure mind knows itself, and knows a pure mind to be the source of all perceptual form. To seek to cling to byproduct of source is to seek refuge in delusional falsehood. The truth of being that which produces the experience of form becomes evident upon the removal of the attachment to illusion.