#and it doesn't matter how annoying Phoenix is

[21st-century-minutiae]

In the early twenty-first century, Magic the Gathering is a popular trading card game. The game has multiple official formats which define which cards are legal to play, to create different experiences. Pioneer is one of the newer formats, which generally allows cards that were created after 2012 to be included, with some bans.

Ancestral Recall is a card from the original 1993 release of Magic the Gathering. It allows a player to draw three cards at instant speed at the cost of "1 mana." "Instant speed" means that you can play it on your opponent's turn. This is contrasted with "Sorcery Speed" which means you can only play it on your own turn. This is generally a powerful option since you could wait for your opponent to take their turn before deciding what to do, and because it doesn't allow your opponent to react. "Mana" is a resource in the game. Generally speaking, more expensive cards are harder to cast and need to be played late in the game. "1 mana" cards are VERY easy to cast and can be used as early as the first turn. Because drawing cards is VERY useful in Magic, and because Ancestral Recall is very very very easy to cast, it is considered one of the most powerful cards in all of Magic's history and is banned in most formats, including Pioneer.

Treasure Cruise is a card from the 2014 release of Magic the Gathering. It allows a player to draw three cards at the cost of 8 mana, but it also has an ability to make it cheaper at the cost of doing some setup, to a minimum of 1 cost. If you build a deck in the right way, it is pretty easy to make Treasure Cruise a 1 mana spell that draws three cards, which makes it often seen as comparable to Ancestral Recall. However, there are a few key differences:

First, it does require setup to use. Even if it is relatively easy, this setup cannot happen on the first turn of the game (except in VERY weird circumstances). Second, using one copy of Treasure Cruise undoes your setup for the next one. Ancestral Recall can draw another Ancestral Recall which can be used immediately, as early as turn 1 or 2. But it will be somewhat later in the game before you have enough setup that you can play multiple Treasure Cruises in a row. Third, while pretty much every single deck can play Ancestral Recall (indeed, it is almost mandatory to play the card whenever it is legal), only some decks can properly setup Treasure Cruise to make best use of it. Finally, Treasure Cruise is NOT at instant speed. You have to commit to playing it on your turn. Even in the best case it is not as strong as Ancestral Recall for that reason alone. Treasure Cruise is a very powerful card, but it is not as ludicrous as Ancestral Recall. It is also LEGAL in Pioneer.

"Splinter Twin" was a powerful and popular combo from the "Modern" format in magic circa the year 2013. Modern as a format which permits most cards that were printed after 2003. The year 2013, where there were about 10 years worth of magic cards, was considered something like the height of the format, and is often compared to the current Pioneer, which also has about 10 years worth of magic cards.

The Splinter Twin combo made use of two cards. The first was the titular "Splinter Twin" a '4 mana' 'sorcery speed' card which permanently gave a creature the ability to make temporary copies of itself once per turn. The second was any creature that could let a creature use their 'once per turn' effect again. With those two cards together, you could make a copy, have the copy refresh the copier, make another copy, have the new copy refresh the copier, and keep going infinitely. This let you do infinite damage as early as turn 4 of the game, assuming your opponent couldn't disrupt you. Waiting until a later turn allowed players to prevent disruption pretty consistently. This combo was banned in 2016 from Modern, because it was very popular at the cost of other decks. Many people felt this banning was a mistake, especially in retrospect as the format only got more powerful. Splinter Twin was never legal in Pioneer.

The asker in the post above is inquiring as to why Treasure Cruise is legal in Pioneer, but Splinter Twin is not. Calling Treasure Cruise "Ancestral Recall" is a provocative effort to hyperbolize the card, and calling "Splinter Twin" a "turn 4 combo that dies to removal" (removal being a term for getting rid of a creature which would disrupt the combo) is an attempt to minimize the power of Splinter Twin and ignore the fact that it was printed before 2012, meaning it is not currently eligible for Pioneer. The implication is that if a card as powerful as Ancestral Recall is legal, than something that is weaker like Splinter Twin should NOT be legal.

Mark Rosewater, an individual who designed a lot of Magic the Gathering, denied the premise that Treasure Cruise is Ancestral Recall, implicitly stating that the probing question was made based on a flawed premise.

In the early twenty-first century, Magic the Gathering players familiar with the Modern format of 2013 (of which many older players would be) would likely know that both Treasure Cruise and Splinter Twin are being mentioned here, despite neither card being mentioned by name. They would understand the description, know about the formats, and know what Ancestral Recall does. They would know who Mark Rosewater is, and likely have an opinion about Splinter Twin (and Treasure Cruise).

People NOT in the space of Magic the Gathering, of which the majority of the early twenty-first century would be categorized (as, while popular, the card game is not universal) would have zero idea as to what is being discussed in this exchange.

Why is ancestral recall fine for pioneer but sorcerery speed infinite damage, turn 4 combo that dies to remove, isn't?

Ancestral Recall is not legal in Pioneer.

[supacutiepie]

SPEAKING ABOUT THE RANDOM TOP GUN PHASE I JUST GOT OUT OF: My on going theory about Rooster and Hangman's beef is that there is no secret third party involved it is entirely personal. Hangman, trying to make a tease at what happened that day-- falls flat on his ass because uh oh, Rooster is still red hot about it--

Rooster claps back with full vitriol, Hangman still trying to defuse the moment, everyone around them who knows what happened is looking hella uncomfortable: Coyote and Phoenix especially cringing back because "Seriously? One minute into seeing each other again and their at it AGAIN--" I think, full send: Hangman shot Rooster out of the sky LMAO. Whatever happened on that hop? Whatever scuffle they got into, it ended up with Rooster hesitating, and Hangman going in too hot. He takes out the enemy and gets that "first air kill" of his generation...and promptly shoots Rooster out of the gods damn air. OBVIOUSLY Rooster would be pissed?? I wonder if that's where the scars come from, him having to GTFO of his jet after his best friend fucking shot him down-- Hangman feels like shit for it, and it gets him his callsign which sucks ass to constantly be reminded of the time he almost killed his best friend. Rooster feels like shit because he's grateful Hangman saved his ass at all, but he shot Rooster out of the sky !! So his pride is so damn bruised. He knows he fucked up by hesitating, he got into his head and missed his chance and it ended up with him getting in the way of Hangman's shot. His own dman fault he got shot down right but.. But then he's free falling. He's become his Dad, he's terrified of the canopy opening and he's terrified because Mav was right and it's terrifying-- But he makes it out, scarred up for it, and he's so damn angry and traumatized by it he can't tolerate Hangman's attempts to apologize. And pride begets pride, so Hangman, so literally hung up on his guilt for almost killing his best friend, shoots off the hip with his own anger and bruised pride and trauma (watching Rooster go down, jet smoking from HIS bullets and he already knows he killed one man today don't make it two don't make it HIM--) Two damn prideful to apologize, or accept one. No matter how fucking bad they both want one. So Hangman picks a song he knows will tease Rooster the moment he walks into the bar, and Rooster says he's "You look good, Hangman" because he knows exactly what nerve that's gonna hit (guilt guilt guilt) and Hangman instinctively lashes back with that snarky ass "I am good, Rooster. I'm very good." and its just downhill from there... But it's Hangman himself who backs down. It doesn't come off that way, but what he says isn't as scathing as Rooster calling him by that damn name: he just calls him out for being to slow, but implies he could still be better. And dammit, Rooster clocks that shit?? Like we know by now Hangman goes for the throat when he wants to, but he let that shit slide and joked about the song - (he has songs picked out for Rooster, he still has songs for them what the fuck) So, Rooster backs down and annoys him back by playing the piano instead, which for Hangman isn't?? A fucking loss?? He gets to hear Rooster playing and singing how is he losing LMAO. (And even while literally toe to toe, the first thing Bradley does it glance down at this man's lips???) (( Hangman literally pulling pigtails because he can't be brave enough to just fucking apologize because he feels bad enough he almost killed the guy he's in fucking love with LMAOOOO))

[nectardaddy]

full throttle | sakusa kiyoomi

chapter eight | no faith | 🏎️

masterlist

Neither party could find much to say in the morning, even after getting coffee. A thick, almost tangible, tension in the air that was hard to miss and neither could really work themselves around.

A tension to him that was suffocating, riddled with anxiety of the upcoming tandem mixed with never knowing exactly what to say. For her, completely deafening, determined to only look out the window. Both telling themselves, I'll talk if they do, being the complete collapse of conversation all together. Tension that remained for the entire trip, 30 minutes of dreadful silence completely overshadowing any meaningful conversation that was had the day before.

Shifting his car into neutral and pulling the parking break, he let out a breath before looking over to her. "Sorry," mumbling an apology before continuing, "I'm pretty nervous today, actually."

Even still she flashed him a small, nervous smile, "you'll do great, I know it."

"The whole reason I did well yesterday was because you said I was the best driver you'd ever seen and I couldn't get it out of my head." Blurting out the words before quickly closing his mouth, mind reeling as he didn't register what he wanted to say. The words just came out. "Fuck, I'm sorry, that was weird," desperately trying to back track the conversation. Cheeks flushing as he saw her eyes widen from his out burst.

"No," she corrected. "Not weird at all," letting a nervous chuckle pass her lips as a pause entered once again. "It's sweet, I didn't know it would mean that much to you."

Finally, the man felt as if he could breath again. Listening to, only part, of what Komori had suggested he say paid off. "Thanks for coming today, I'm happy you're here."

"Of course," the nerves leaving her smile as it turned pure. "I'm happy I came with you. Plus, I can't wait to see you kick everybody else's ass."

jfc the first message from "baby got track" was atsumu saying if you think we wouldn't notice you blushing getting outta that car you're WRONG (technology actually hates my very existence today)

double feature again bc I didn't feel great about that last chapter

omi was thinking of telling yn that the entire way there but pawned it off as being nervous for tandems

as much as they get on his nerves, those 3 ARE his friends and it was only a matter of time before he told them how he felt

he just had to mentally prepare himself

suna just lives to annoy yn

but other than noya, he's probably the most ride or die friend

he's also the best at running from cops

if omi doesn't win now he will die of embarrassment, he's taking "kick everyone's ass" to heart

taglist under cut

@wyrcan @hilichurl-lover @neuviloved @mayariviolet @wqnsho

@chosugarplum @dontmindtheevie @ilyless @phoenix-eclipses @kitnootkat

@azuremyst99 @wolffmaiden

[junkgatorswritings]

The Order of the Phoenix

Hello friends, fiends, and everything in between I started reading the Harry Potter books specifically to prove that part of the reason it's such a mess is that JKR never sat down and actually figured out her timeline, also I don't like being a liar so I will eventually be using all these notes I make to do other things not just yelling about how many plot holes there are. I was really busy and very annoyed by Harry so it took me a while to finish this book but I'm done now and that's what matters. So this is everything we learn about the Marauder's area during this book.

Also, I do not support JKR, I got all the books second hand.

I'm using the version printed by Arthur A. Levine Books.

Lily Evans:

James told Lily about dementors somewhere where Petunia could overhear them speaking (pg. 32 ch. 2).

She was in the picture that Moody has of the old Order (pg. 174 ch. 9).

She was decent (according to Hagrid pg. 564 ch. 25).

She told James and Sirius to leave Snape alone (pg. 647 ch. 28).

She had thick dark red hair and startlingly green almond shaped eyes (pg. 647 ch. 28).

She calls James an arrogant, bullying toerag. And tells him to leave Snape alone again (pg. 647 ch. 28).

She says she would rather go out with the giant squid than james (pg. 647 ch. 28).

She tries not to laugh when Snape is turned upside down, and demanded that he be put down (pg. 648 ch. 28).

She pulls her wand on James and Sirius and again demands that they leave Snape alone (pg. 648 ch. 28).

Lily seems somewhat surprised (?) by being called a mudblood, but recovers quickly and says she won't help Snape again and calls him Snivellus (pg. 648 ch. 28).

She says she doesn't want James to make Snape apologize because he's just as bad as him (pg. 648 ch. 28).

James makes her sick (pg. 648 ch. 28).

She started going out with James in 7th year (pg. 670 ch. 29).

She didn't hate James at Hogwarts (Sirius pg. 671 ch. 29).

She didn't know much about James jinxing Snape after he stopped jinxing random people (pg. 671 ch. 29).

She narrowly escaped Voldemort three times by the time the prophecy was given (pg. 842 ch. 37).

James Potter:

Sirius ran away to his house when they were ABOUT 16 (pg. 111 ch. 6).

His parents treated Sirius like a second son (pg. 111 ch. 6).

James spent too much time in detention to become a prefect (pg. 170 ch. 9).

He was in the picture Moody had of the old order (pg. 174 ch. 9).

Risk is what made things fun for James (Sirius pg. 305 ch. 14).

He wouldn't have taken orders from Umbridge or someone like her (Sirius pg. 371 ch. 17).

He was so arrogant that criticism bounced off of him (Snape pg. 520 ch. 24).

He was decent (Hagrid pg. 564 ch. 25).

His eyes were hazel, his nose was longer than Harry's, he had the same thin face, mouth, eyebrows, his hair stood up in the back the same way, his hands could have been Harry's hands, at 15 he would be within an inch of Harry's 15-year-old height (pg. 641 ch. 28).

He purposefully messes up his hair (mentioned several times pg. 641, 647, 648).

He doodled on spare parchment and wrote down Lily's initials (pg. 642 ch. 28).

He embellished Lily's initials but also crossed them out (pg. 643 ch. 28).

He waited for Sirius to join him before walking out of the room (pg. 643 ch. 28).

He wasn't patient with Wormtail or quiet while talking about spending full moons with Remus (pg. 643 ch. 28).

He thought the paper portion of the DADA O.W.L. was easy (pg. 644 ch. 28).

He stole a snitch so that he could play with letting it go and catching it again in order to show off (pg. 644 ch. 28).

He put away the snitch after Sirius asked him to (pg. 645 ch. 28).

He points out that Snape is sitting nearby as a way to entertain Sirius (pg. 645 ch. 28).

Sirius and James got up while Remus and Peter stayed sitting. James is the one who called out to Snape (pg. 645 ch. 28).

James is able to use expelliarmus as well as impedimenta, he uses both of them on Snape (pg. 646 ch. 28).

He checks to see if Lily is watching him act like a jackass (pg. 646 ch. 28).

He scourgifies Snape's mouth (pg. 646 ch. 28).

He deepens his voice when he talks to Lily (pg. 647 ch. 28).

Says he's bullying Snape because he exists despite the fact that Snape shows later that there are plenty of reasons to bully him (pg. 647 ch. 28).

He's an arrogant, bullying toerag (Lily pg. 647 ch. 28).

Says he won't raise a wand at "Snivelly" again if Lily will go out with him (pg. 647 ch. 28).

After Snape cuts him James pulls him into the air by his legs (pg. 647 ch. 28).

He threatens to hex Lily once she draws her wand (pg. 648 ch. 28).

He takes the locomotor mortis curse off of Snape when Lily told him to (pg. 648 ch. 28).

He gets mad when Snape calls Lily a mudblood, much angrier than when Snape cut him (pg. 648 ch. 28).

He says he would never call Lily a mudblood (pg. 648 ch. 28).

He hexed anyone who annoyed him because he could, he was big-headed (Lily pg. 648 ch. 28).

He did care what Lily thought of him, but he also used his hurt feelings as a reason to further torment Snape (pg. 649 ch. 28).

He and Sirius were described as the forerunners of the Weasley twins (pg. 653 ch. 29).

James and Snape hated each other from the moment they set eyes on each other (pg. 670 ch. 29).

James always hated the dark arts (pg. 670 ch. 29).

James and Sirius were the best in school at whatever they did, everyone thought they were the height of cool and they could get swept up in that feeling (pg. 670 ch. 29).

He always made a fool of himself when Lily was around, he couldn't stop himself from showing off (pg. 671 ch. 29).

In seventh year James was less arrogant and had stopped hexing people for the fun of it (pg. 671 ch. 29).

Snape never passed up an opportunity to curse James, and he didn't take it lying down (pg. 671 ch. 29).

James was an idiot at 15 but like most people he grew out of it (pg. 671 ch. 29).

He narrowly escaped Voldemort three times by the time the prophecy was given (pg. 842 ch. 37).

James and Sirius used to use the two-way Mirror he gave to Harry to talk when they were in different detentions (pg. 859 ch. 38).

Sirius Black:

He was a nasty ungrateful swine who broke his mother's heart (Kreacher pg. 108 ch. 6).

Sirius' mother hated and was disapointed in him (pg. 109 ch. 6).

He was burned off the family tapestry when he ran away at about 16 (pg. 111 ch. 6).

He ran to the Potter's house, where James' parents sort of adopted him as a second son (pg. 111 ch. 6).

He stayed there over school breaks and when he turned 17 he used the money left for him by his Uncle Alphard to buy a place for himself (pg. 111 ch. 6).

He was always welcome back to the Potter's house for Sunday Lunch (pg. 111 ch. 6).

He left because he hated his parents and brother. He was sick of his parent's pureblood mania, who were convinced that being a Black made them practically royalty, and of his brother who believed them (pg. 111 ch. 6).

Sirius spent too much time in detention to become a prefect (pg. 170 ch. 9).

Sirius had short hair while in the Order, at least when the picture Moody has was taken (pg. 174 ch. 9).

He looks at least a little bit like Stubby Board the lead singer of the Hobgoblins (pg. 192 ch. 10).

He wouldn't have taken orders from Umbridge or someone like her (Sirius pg. 371 ch. 17).

He was very good-looking at Hogwarts, and the girl sitting behind him in the O.W.L.s exam had a crush on him. But he didn't seem to notice (pg. 642 ch. 28).

He's not afraid to tease Remus about being a werewolf, it's not mean spirited (pg. 643 ch. 28).

He says that he found the DADA O.W.L.s paper easy, and that he'd be surprised if he didn't get an outstanding (pg. 644 ch. 28).

He's not impressed with Wormtail being a suck up to James (pg. 645 ch. 28).

He says he wished it was a full moon because he's bored, completely disregarding what that means for Remus (pg. 645 ch. 28).

He says he doesn't need to study for transfiguration because he already knows it all (pg. 645 ch. 28),

He takes a lot of joy out of bothering Snape, he's described like a dog that just scented a rabbit (pg. 645 ch. 28).

He and James were described as the forerunners of the Weasley twins (pg. 653 ch. 29).

Sirius and James were the best in school at whatever they did, everyone thought they were the height of cool and they could get swept up in that feeling (pg. 670 ch. 29).

He wanted to die in battle (Hagrid pg. 855 ch. 38).

Sirius and James used to use the two-way Mirror he gave to Harry to talk when they were in different detentions (pg. 859 ch. 38).

Remus Lupin:

Remus was a Prefect while he was at Hogwarts, he thinks it's because Dumbledore hoped he would be able to control his friends (pg. 170 ch. 9).

He seemed to be okay with joking about being a werewolf with his friends (pg. 643 ch. 28).

He rather reasonably wants them to be quiet while they talk about it (pg. 643 ch. 28).

He was good about studying (pg. 644, 645 ch. 28).

He didn't join James and Sirius when they went to bother Snape, he seemed uncomfortable with it (pg. 645 ch. 28).

Remus didn't laugh with everyone else when James was insulting Snape (pg. 647 ch. 28).

He never told his friends off for what they were doing (pg. 671 ch. 28).

He did make them feel ashamed of themselves sometimes (pg. 671 ch. 28).

Peter Pettigrew:

He was sitting between James and Lily in the photo that was taken of the order (pg. 174 ch. 9).

He tried to look at his neighbors' papers during the O.W.L.s and seemed generally concerned (pg. 642 ch. 28).

He watched James catch the snitch over and over getting progressively more excited and vocal about his awe (pg. 645 ch. 28).

He didn't get up with James and Sirius to bully Snape, but he did watch the interaction between the three with anticipation (pg. 645 ch. 28).

He jumped to his feet and watched hungrily when they actually start using spells on Snape (pg. 646 ch. 28).

Voldemort:

He tricks, blackmails, and jinxes people rather than showing up at their front door. He's well practiced at opperating in secrecy (pg. 96 ch. 5).

He didn't know the full contents of the prophecy when he tried to kill Harry (pg. 839 ch. 37).

Death Eaters:

Snape (Petunia just says "that horrible boy", Harry assumes she's talking about his father, but I think that it makes more sense for Petunia to be talking about Snape) told Lily about Dementors somewhere that Petunia could hear it (pg. 32 ch. 2).

Regulus Black was an idiot who was soft enough to belive his parent's pure blood mania (Sirius pg. 111 ch. 6).

Regulus died about 15 years before the events at the begining of the Order of the Pheonix (pg. 112 ch. 6).

Regulus was younger and much better than Sirius as the elder was constatly reminded. He joined the Death Eaters (pg. 112 ch. 6).

Bellatrix and her husband Rodolphus, his brother Rabastian, and Barty Crouch Jr all went to Azkaban at the same time (pg. 114 ch. 6).

Bellatrix got sent to Azkban for using the cruciatus curse on Neville's parents until they went insane (pg. 515 ch. 23).

Antonin Dolohov was convicted for the brutal murders of Gideon and Fabian Prewett (pg. 543 ch. 25).

Augustus Rookwood was convicted of leaking Ministry of Magic Secrets to Voldemort (pg. 544 ch. 25).

The crimes of the Death Eaters who were released from Azkaban during the first wizarding war were legendary (pg. 549 ch. 25).

Snape's parents argued a lot. He killed flies as a teenager (pg. 592 ch. 26).

Snape wrote at least a foot more on the essay portion on the O.W.L.S. than his closest neighbors (pg. 641 ch. 28).

Snape cuts James' face open with a spell that is implied to be Sectumsempra but could have been any kind of cutting curse/jinx/spell in response to their bullying (pg. 647 ch. 28).

Snape called Lily a mudblood after the DADA O.W.L.S. in fifth year (pg. 647 ch, 28).

The Death Eaters seem to not know that Voldemort is a half blood, or Bellatrix at the very least is horribly offended by the idea (pg. 784 ch. 35).

Snape only heard the first part of the prophecy and left to report it to Voldemort (pg. 843 ch. 37).

General Information:

Tonks' father Ted is muggle born and a slob (pg. 50 ch. 3).

In the current era there are at least 20 people in the order but we never really get an accurate headcount for in the Marauder's era so I'll assume that it's around this (pg. 67 ch. 4).

Walburga was heavily against any and all blood status that wasn't pure blood. she calls Sirius the shame of her flesh (pg. 78 ch. 4).

Back when Voldemort was in power there were a lot of strange deaths (pg. 91 ch. 5).

In the Marauder's era Voldemort had huge numbers in his army, people he'd bullied and bewitched, blood purists, and a variety of dark creatures (pg. 93 ch. 5).

A lot of people wanted Dumbledore to take over the Minsiter's job when Bagnold retired but he never wanted it (pg. 93 ch. 5).

Tonks is to young to be in the previous order, and having Aurors on their side is a massive advatage (pg. 95 ch. 5).

The Order ONLY comprises of over age wizards who have left school (pg. 97 ch. 5).

Sirius broke his mother's heart (Kreacher). Walburga didn't have a heart (Sirius). Walburga would have haed that Kreacher was serving Sirius because she hated him (Kreacher pg. 109 ch. 6).

Walburga loved the family tapestry it'd been in the family for seven centuries (pg. 110 ch. 6).

Sirius' parents were blood purist maniacs and were conviced that being a Black made you practically royalty (pg. 111 ch. 6).

Andromeda was Sirius' favorite cousin, she married a muggle born Ted Tonks and was blasted off the family tree (pg. 113 ch. 6).

There were severaly highly dangerous or at least very painful artifacts in Grimmauld Manor (pg. 116 ch. 6).

Moody, Dedalus Diggle, and Marlene McKinnon were all part of the Original order. Marlene and her entire family were murdered two weeks after the picture was taken (pg. 173 ch. 9).

Fank and Alice Long bottom were also part of the original Order, Neville has Alice's round and friendly face (pg. 173 ch. 9).

Emmaline Vance was part of the original Order as was Lupin (pg. 174 ch.9).

Benjy Fenwickwas a member of the Order he died as well, they only ever found pieces of him (pg. 174 ch.9).

Edgar Bones was a member of the Order and the brother of Amelia Bones. He died and so did the rest of their family except for Amelia (pg. 174 ch.9).

Sturgis Podmore was part of the original Order (pg. 174 ch.9).

Caradoc Dearborn was a memeber of the original Order and he disapeared and was never found six months after the photo was taken (pg. 174 ch.9).

Hagrid and Elphias Doge were part of the original Order and Elphias used to wear a stupid hat (pg. 174 ch.9).

It took five Death Eaters to kill Gideon and Fabian Prewett, they fought like heroes (pg. 174 ch.9).

Aberforth was at least in the Order's picture but Moody says that was the only time he saw him so who knows how involved he was (pg. 174 ch.9).

Dorcas Meadows was killed by Voldemort Personally (pg. 174 ch.9).

During the first wizarding war they weren't prepared and they didn't know what Voldemort was up to (Remus pg. 177 ch. 9).

Stubby Boardman was born around the same time Sirius Black was and probably looked something like him (pg. 192 ch. 10).

The sorting hat gives warning whenever it feels that the school is in great danger, theoretically it gave at least one during the first wizarding war (pg. 209 ch. 11).

Frank Longbottom was more talented than his son (Neville's grandmother pg. 513 ch. 23).

Frank and Alice were tourtured to insanity by Death Eaters (pg. 514 ch. 23).

Alice and Frank Longbottom were aurors and well respected in the wizarding comunity. they were highly gifted (Neville's Grandmother pg. 514 ch. 23).

Fabian and Gideon Prewett were brutally murdered by Antonin Dolohov (pg. 543 ch. 25).

Being an Auror is a difficult career path that seems to go years without new recruits (pg. 662 ch. 29).

Dumbledore placed a charm on Harry using Lily's sacrifice and that's what's been keeping him safe (pg. 837 ch. 37).

Dumbledore wanted to get rid of divination as a subject and realized that Proffessor Trelawney didn't have any talent when he went to interview her as a courtesy (pg. 840-841 ch. 37).

Trelawney gave the prophecy, changing Dumbledore's mind (pg. 841 ch. 37).

A lot of stuff is mentioned in the prophecy but I think the most important part is "Born to those who have thrice defied him" (pg. 841 ch. 37).

The prophecy fit two couples and two boys to be born at the end of July. The Potters and the Longbottoms. Both couples had narrowly escaped Voldemort three times when the prophecy was given (pg. 842 ch. 37).

Questions:

Why did the Order exist during the first wizarding war? The majority of the members were Aurors who were already searching out Death Eaters for the Ministry and even though there were a few people spying for Voldemort none of them were in a high enough position to actually imperio the Minster of Magic. In fact as far as we're aware the Order didn't do jack shit to help in a way that the Ministry wasn't. Also for a secret society their members were very well known, of course Peter was spying and feeding information but they really didn't have a spy within the Death Eater's in return?

Why aren't Lily's friends even named? We see her hanging out with them at the lake but we don't get anything else about them.

Why was James Head Boy? He was magcially powerful but it was also common knowledge that he was breaking rules all the time, he was in detention a LOT.

Also how many actually Death Eaters were there? It's supposed to be an inner circle but we know there were at least 25 members who lived through the war, plus other's who died like Regulus and Evan Rosier... for such an elite group it seemed to be pretty large.

[heckcareoxytwit]

As the remaining Quiet Council are discussing family matters and their plans on going home, Kafka the winged mutant boy overhears the conversation and starts to have doubts. Kafka eventually talks to Exodus about his doubt about how the rest of the mutants may have to stay behind in White Hot Krakoa while some of the mutants are selected to go home (and fight Orchis). The Quiet Council and the chosen mutants prepare for a ritual which Mister Sinister empties a vial of Cypher's genes into the pool so that Krakoa could help them in teleporting the mutants back home. The Krakoan vines wrap around Mister Sinister & the mutants and turns them into buds. Hope Summers remains behind on White Hot Krakoa as she reminds herself that she has to bring Phoenix Force back and she has some Messiah shit to do. Back on Earth, Apocalypse is dragging Krakoa-Treant back to Krakoa island when the chosen mutants pop right out of the flowers.

Much later, Hope Summers is having much difficulty in dealing with the Phoenix Force and Jean Grey. In order to save all of mutantkind and resurrect both the Phoenix and Jean Grey, Hope alongside the help of Legion (as the talking Hope Gun) shot the Phoenix with the consequence being her sacrificing herself in the process. Jean and the Phoenix have come back but Hope is gone. Meanwhile, the mutants are fighting the Stark Sentinels on the ruins of Krakoa island when Exodus, Destiny and Mystique teleport in. The Hope Sword is back in Nightcrawler's hands. Even though Destiny hugs Nightcrawler after some getting her motherly memories back from Xavier, she gives the bad news - Hope Summers is dead. Exodus at first doesn't believe it then announces that Hope has returned to whence she came. "The word made flesh, the flesh made immortal. She is with Krakoa in exile in spirit." Nightcrawler says the Krakoan mutants are trapped in the White Hot Room, lost forever. But Exodus, returning to the fight and attacking a Sentinel, says the people of Krakoa will return, that the Krakoan age will come again. Nightcrawler asks Destiny if they can win but she still sees no victory.

The Krakoan mutants including the Five minus Hope and Jumbo Carnation are stuck in the White Hot Krakoan Room arguing around a table trying to figure out how they will function, who will do what, etc. Little Kafka gets annoyed and tells everyone to shut up. He tells the room that they have to be better than this, that they have no rulers, no leaders, no heroes. That they have to be the Quiet Council and that means they have to listen. He takes charge and starts working to assign tasks such as food supply, tutoring, teaching. It's a bittersweet last page as that little hero is determined to make Krakoa, despite being lost in the White Hot Room.

X-Men: Forever #2, 2024 (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th pics)

Rise of the Powers of X #4, 2024 (7th and 8th pics)

X-Men: Forever #4, 2024 (10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th pics)

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

The trapped Krakoan mutants in the White Hot Room reminds me of the ending of Drifting Classroom manga when the elementary school students in the bad future dimension cannot go home after several tries. So the trapped students decide to stay and work together in the ruined future to build a new civilization.

[worldbeyondtheworld]

AU in which the Voices accidentally get separated from the Long Quiet. He and the Princess escape into the larger than canon construct, which here is a living place.

The Narrator sends them into the woods where the two are hiding and tells them the story that "the Hero was cursed into a beast, and you are here to guide him out and save him". The Long Quiet is still the same as canon and was never human, but that's difficult to sell in a location where everybody else is human and has bias.

The Voices also look like or similar to him, so the Narrator disguises and hides their appearance by shaping them with cloaks, helmets, armor, clothes, etc.

Original post plus reblog with more information here:

https://www.tumblr.com/worldbeyondtheworld/770387804645621760

I don't even have a name yet, or many ideas how the mechanics of the AU would work, or if it's a offshot from canon / something else, or the story, or the narrative structure.

I already have several scenarios and scenes haunting my mind:

--

Spectre makes an appearance to misdirect the adventurers / Voices. She looks alive to them, sticks her tongue out, runs behind a tree, and vanishes. As they look for her to no avail, a ghostly hand emerges from the tree and removes some of their blades from their belts. (Short blades just feel right, you know?)

The Voices only notice when they come upon a barrier of brambles between them and their goal, and find they have less blades to cut through than they thought.

--

Voice of the Hero loses his shit entirely at some point and tries to kill the other Voices in a panicking frenzy. He's scarily strong like this, stronger than even Smitten or Stubborn.

--

Voice of the Cheated leaps into the air from the excitement of getting wings. He doesn't have experience in using them yet. Before he can crash into anything, TLQ catches him in his palms. He shows him how to glide down, and Cheated lands safely.

--

(Version of the) Princess encounters all of the Voices without their disguises. She has a crisis because they all look like TLQ.

What's she supposed to do, surrounded by 12 of such attractive beings??? She gets so, so flustered, which flusters some of them in return.

--

TLQ for some reason is the one standing on the Princess' shoulders instead of the other way round to reach some fruit. And no, it's not Adversary/Adversary-adjacent. Both are puzzled when questioned why they are doing it like this.

(Warning for canon-typical topics under the cut. It's also long.)

--

Nobody can ever agree on what creature TLQ is supposed to be.

Things people have thought he is include: A giant bird (opinions differ on which bird, too), a black phoenix, an omen made manifest, a winged bear, a harpy, a gryphon, a dragon...

The Narrator: (Lie, because TLQ isn't cursed, but also genuinely annoyed) "What does it matter what he was cursed into?"

--

The Princess, craving comfort for herself and him, watches for wagons going through (but close to the edge of) or close by the woods. Whenever she can, she sneaks close and takes some food and drink.

Sometimes, people going through gift her things, perceiving her only to be a young woman living a difficult life. Which is true. After some bad experiences, she hides herself in a tattered cloak so people won't connect her to the idea of a princess or recognize her face from the Wanted Posters.

The woods are big, but still finite. She acts all over at different places, close to where bandits sometimes hide, to hide her traces. Nobody is supposed to find their shelters.

The next set of wagons is more heavily guarded. She's been miserable, no matter how much TLQ has been trying to comfort her, so she risks it. If only for the the thrill and distraction it provides. Usually in the routes, she's discovered and always flees without being seen properly.

At the start of a set of specific routes, some of the Voices are present. Hunted notices her and alerts the guards who circle her. She leaps and jumps across them, back into the safety between the trees, but losing her cloak - it was grabbed - and revealing her appearance as well as that she has some kind of supernatural agility. Hunted uses the scent from her cloak to track her down.

--

"Um."

He now understood what his companion meant. He stared up, and up, and UP at the Hero. His shoulders tucked in under his unwavering stare. It was so dark he couldn't see his face - only the white of his eyes - to gauge his reactions.

"You're taller than I imagined." That was what came out of his mouth??

"Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment."

????? Why did the Hero's voice sound like that of his companion???

--

All of the Voices feel drawn to the Princess, although they might not notice depending on her shape and the circumstances.

All of the Voices also feel drawn to the TLQ, in a different way, although they might not notice.

--

Several scenarios have outside groups interferring because of their own agenda and beliefs, but always because of something the Voices did.

In one, several people agitated by fearmongering, set trees and shrubbery on fire at various edges of the woods. Soon, the entire forest is burning. Depending on their actions, the Voices die alone, together, with the Princess and TLQ, in fear or in peace, or TLQ somehow throws them + Princess over the fire to safety.

In another, specific Voices can betray the location of the Princess and TLQ to some shady mercenaries to get some help. They might believe that he's under her thrall and needs to be escorted out. Or it's for power and safety. Or they want an escort for her safety.

The mercenaries lie in ambush - but not to do any of these things. No. While their exact motivations might differ, they capture TLQ for his powers, and abuse him because they don't care about him. They'd have done the same to the her if she didn't escape. No matter what choices they made before, or what they believe, the Voices as well as the Narrator feel horrible about what they've done, and what could've happened to the Princess on top of everything else.

Every iteration, the Den appears in rage before anybody can step out of the woods. She DOES not appreciate the betrayal and the abuse of her first and closest friend and companion.

--

At least one route is there where all Voices appear and they watch in horror at what is happening to TLQ because of them / because they couldn't stop what was happening. It could be in the above scenario.

It could be another capture scenario, only with the context that the Voices intended to capture TLQ to 'heal' him or make sure he cannot hurt anybody. He's simply too powerful. People murmur around them. They're sitting down to eat, morose, after his cries and bellows quiet, and they get handed soup with a strange flavor. Voice of the Cheated finds a black feather in his bowl after some bites and has an impending feeling of dread. Upon demand where the meat comes from, the cook laughs and says that they butchered the bird. Did you know that you can gain this bird's immense powers if you consume part of its flesh?

Scrambling, the Voices run for the cage, only to find it empty. There's blood everywhere- and there. At the edge of the camp is a stake. And on top of that stake sits a head.

Or a mob descends onto TLQ, and when they try to defend him, they get knocked down and tied up. They watch as he, miserable, is treated as nothing more than a beast as weapons are raised. They kill him. The same weapons get turned on them because they dared to defend this creature and the Princess, and they're monsters under their cloaks, too.

--

The Princess strangles the Voice of the Opportunist. She got almost killed and TLQ is in a cage being tortured, and Is This What You Wanted?? He was so kind to you, so considerate, and this is how you repay him??? For what, power, when everybody else will know what a backstabber you are, and do their best to topple you?

Opportunist is unable to even raise his hands to try save himself. He knows that he fucked up. He knows this is his fault. He cannot pretend that TLQ or the Princess deserve this. He didn't want this, but his wants don't matter in the face of the consequences.

And she's right. Nobody is in power forever. He can feel the ire and envy directed at him by others. He's witnessed others like him. They outnumber him, because none of the Voices will help him.

[thedrarrylibrarian]

hello! bit of a specific request but would you know of any fics that feature draco & harry exchanging snarky letters (for whatever purpose- their jobs or teddy or anything really) that get progressively less snarky and more exasperatedly affectionate? fic doesn't have to be only featuring their letters, but like initially at least the exchanges between draco & harry are solely via post

Is there anything more romantic than taking the time to write a letter? Even if it is sent out of annoyance, you had to take time to find pen and paper, sit and write your thoughts, sign off and sign your name, then find postage and send it.

I hope you enjoy these epistolary (one of my favorite words) fics. And if you feel up to it, send a friend a letter for the joy of it.

Epistolary

Mislaid Owl Post by (801 words, rated G) by @thelionessroyal

A trainee owl keeps bringing letters to Hogwarts Potions Master Draco Malfoy instead of their intended recipients, leading to a rather annoyed Malfoy and amused Potter sending letters back and forth. Maybe they should thank the poor owl for his efforts...

Yours, Draco by @drarrytrash (3,505 words, not rated)

All that's left are 15 letters, and then those are gone too.

I Just Want You to Know by @crazybutgood and @sugareey-makes-stuff (3,949 words, rated T)

After a Potions accident leaves Harry and Draco without a verbal filter, they have no choice but to communicate with each other through letters. Forced to work together to catch up and complete their Potions project on time, secrets they have both been withholding eventually spill out along the way.

Famous Last Words by drarrymadhatter and @ladderofyears (6,298 words, rated M)

When unsigned love letters addressed to him begin spontaneously appearing around the castle, Draco is not amused. In an effort to make them stop - or at least to make them stop appearing in public places with permanent sticking charms - he writes back.

Handling Snakes by @potter-loves-malfoy (7,074 words, rated T)

Draco Malfoy is content with his life as a psychologist in the Muggle world. Sure, the tube is a nightmare, and it would be nice to use magic without worrying about being discreet, but it's good for the most part. When he starts treating a client for their fear of snakes, he realizes that his safe, comfortable, Muggle life won't be that way for long. It really doesn't help that he might have a slight aversion to snakes. There's no avoiding it now; he needs Harry Potter. Only for his snakes, of course.

To Auld Acquaintance by @cavendishbutterfly, @corvuscrowned, @sorrybutblog, @fictional (8,326 words, rated T)

After Draco returns from a stint in Paris, neither Harry nor Draco seem to know how to talk to each other. As usual, they make it literally everyone else's problem.

Featuring: texts, letters, emails, and further shenanigans.

Per my last letter (I hope you choke on it) by @fluxweeed and @lastontheboat (10,258 words, rated T)

Dear Mr Potter, The answer is, and will remain, a no.

Sincerely, Draco Malfoy Accounts Manager, Phoenix Press

How to Fool Your Friends (And Get a Boyfriend in the Process ) by @famoustruth and @orpheous87 (10,332 words, rated T)

Fed up with their friends trying to set them up, Harry and Draco decide to pretend to be a couple in public. They plan their every move through their letters, but what they didn't plan for were the very real feelings that make themselves known.

Yours Truly by @skeptiquewrites (14,848 words, rated M)

Every single one of Harry’s exes has gone on to marry the next person they date, and with the upcoming nuptials of numbers six and seven to each other, Harry’s feeling exhausted by it all. It doesn’t really matter if he lets people assume Draco Malfoy is his boyfriend for a moment of peace. In any case, Draco’s been away for five years and there’s no way he would find out, right?

There are many benefits to being a marine biologist by @tedahfromtayla (19,088 words, rated T)

There is something about Harry that constantly calls Draco back to Britain. No matter how far he tries to run, he can't outrun his stubborn heart, or the history of his family.

Bonne Foi, Draco Malfoy by @badwolfblues (19,399 words, rated E)

At twenty-five, Draco Malfoy has to return to England to do something about the Manor, and Harry Potter won’t leave him alone. His years-old crush on Potter is reignited over repairs, mermaid lemonades, and pocket owl messages.

Butterflies in Winter by Justlikewriting (19,725 words, rated M)

Of course Harry had known that Malfoy’d been sent to Azkaban, but, to be honest, since the trials Harry hadn’t really thought of the git at all anymore. A random visit to Slug and Jiggers was about to drastically change that, though.

And whose exactly were those letters that Harry found there?

Dear Stranger by @iero0 (22,751 words, rated T)

The one thing more pointless than falling in love with an anonymous wizard over a correspondence is falling in love with Harry Potter when you’re Draco Malfoy.

*Check out the Happy Hour rec of this fic by @ladderofyears

All Things Go by @sorrybutblog (32,826 words, rated E)

Draco’s back at Hogwarts by court order. Harry’s back for no particular reason at all. Some things change, some stay the same. Neither expects to spend eighth-year living in close quarters, playing rugby (poorly), staying up late, sneaking around, and finally figuring it all out.

The Art of Thank You Notes by fictionclaw (82,232 words, rated E)

A few years after the war, Harry receives a ministry notice that Draco Malfoy’s house arrest will soon be lifted and that the wand he has kept may be sent to the ministry. He doesn’t think much of it when he sends the wand directly to Malfoy Manor with a note.

But one letter swiftly follows another and Malfoy sneaks his way into Harry's every day life without either of them minding.

Or; Harry and Draco find reasons to write letters to each other and Black heirlooms and family histories are uncovered while they figure out why that is. Lunch dates, careful friendship, confusing feelings and Draco's art included.

Save the Date by @mallstars (122,954 words, rated E)

In the twelve years after the war, Harry attends sixteen weddings. As friends and acquaintances vow their lives to one another, he watches quietly from the sidelines. Step by step, Harry pieces himself back together, builds a life from the wreckage of his past and falls, slowly and thoroughly, for Draco Malfoy.

A story told in sixteen parts, of patient and transformative love, of queerness, of reaching out and holding on. Featuring plenty of pining, Gilderoy Lockhart getting married in a fever dream of glitter and product placement, and Rita Skeeter spitting a steady stream of venom at Harry and Draco's every move.

❤️ As always, if you find a fic you enjoy, please remember to leave the author a kudos or a comment! ❤️

[cyten0]

A Symphony in Crimson

Act 2: A Movement in White

Chapter 4-A

𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞𝄞

Entry ----- Date------

The recently named Starchild, Fa, has finally cleared the observation period, and fully stabilized. (Dad has been over the moon from that name. Mom however, is mixed. She did everything to keep you from getting named that, yet here you all are.)

Regardless, since they're safe for periodic exits from containment, you’ve been able to take closer notes on their Craft energy, and took a trip to talk to the Empress. Cleared out a few more monsters around there. That virus might be well off in Fa, but it’s baseline form sure is annoying. Least the mountains cold climate makes them chill out. And since it’s based on Arcana energy, you’re immune!

One of these days you’ll figure out how the blinding universe that dimensional portal works and make your own, so you don’t have to trudge back up here any time you want a conversation longer then two sentences. But there’s a distinct lack of alien spaceships to use as reference, and you can’t afford to break this one, so for now it’s fine!

Still, the trip was worth it. After sharing your results, The Empress seems pleased. You assured her it was child’s play… She didn’t get the joke, but as a reward, she shared some more knowledge on how primordial beings like herself, Chaos, and Fa are created. So you’ll take it!

Since wishcraft is not a universal field of study, ambient craft that would normally be used by it tends to coagulate and eventually begins to take form into a primordial. Or maybe just act as a shell to enter this reality? Sort of? The wording was unclear, so you suspect there’s more to it. Given the way they bend reality itself, it could literally be all of the above and more! But the energy is a critical part of it, and affects their nature upon completion.

Given your own results, You suspect that Fa was formed, and subsequently ripped apart by, the excess wishcraft energy Astravia was pulling toward itself. Literally made manifest by the people’s faith, and then torn asunder by it. Never got the chance to fully form, left half dead in a crater.

It would explain why their original state resembled much of Astravian mythos. Their eyes are that of the Empress Arcana, the seared off stumps of their Phoenix wings, the dark body of the night sky, their heart glowing like the north star your royal family is named after. The virus overtook some of those physical details, but it’s still present. You wonder is it had some effect on their personality? Astravia is a fairly cruel country, but they’ve been nothing but friendly.

...Astravia doesn't deserve them. The strong lording their power over the weak, punishing any that dare step out of line. And the people will stand by and just let them BLINDING DO IT. Because they’re scared of retribution from your family. Scared of tyrants that aren’t there! No matter what how hard your family and you try and give them chances, this blinding nation never tries to be better!

You almost wish you hadn’t saved it. But then. Your family wouldn’t be around. Fa wouldn’t be around. So it doesn’t matter. You’ll get to go to Vaugarde again later, once everything has caught up. Meet with your old family again. See how this new world treated them.

Fa kind of reminds you of yourself, back in that world. Lost. Alone. Their only anchor being their family. But so often abandoned by everyone else. Only getting the chance to live by luck alone. You don’t want them to suffer that. You want to make it so they can be happy! Blind it, they deserve it! Not this cruelty! Not this hatred!!!

...It’s fine. You can fix this. You can make it work. There MUST be a solution. You don’t think you can fix the kingdom. Dad, Mom and the others have been struggling enough with that as is. More importantly, the people will never accept Fa as they are now. Not with that constant hazard they pose.

… Maybe that’s an angle? They’re literally the embodiment of the faith. If they could be fully restored, instead of kept alive, made into a full primordial instead of a halfway biohazard… Well you have faith that would work. Wishcraft is your specialty! I mean, it can’t be harder then turning back time or rewriting a country into existence?

You’ll keep this idea quiet for now. No need to worry them over it, let them focus on more traditional methods. Pass it off as research into Arcana restoration, as there’s plenty of overlap. Stars, maybe they can help each other! Ones stuck in reality, one’s stuck outside it! Wouldn’t that be a pleasant surprise!

Yes. There is ALWAYS a solution. And you can find this one!

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

As you enjoy your breakfast, you contemplate what you read. These references to an entirely different world have been a surprise to you. And a worrying one.

From what little you can glean, apparently this isn’t the first time Astravia had a cataclysmic event occur to it! You have no idea what it was, but Siffrin apparently fixed it, somehow.

People had theorized Timecraft could do some interesting things, but apparently Siffrin took it to a whole new level! Even more then Fantasia did.

...Speaking of Fantasia.

...Literally born from faith. Was almost like Change or Expressions… No wonder Change took such interest in them. It’d be like watching a baby get kicked to the curb.

But one thing worries you. From what you gather, Astravia was a very unpleasant place to live for most. Brutal to a fault. If Fantasia was born from it… How did that affect them?

You remember how they acted that day in Dormont. Before they fought the king. How they changed to something cruel and callous on a dime. How they seemed scared after the fact. You remember Equinox, and how far they were willing to go to prove a point. How they nearly gouged out Bonnie’s eye for it….

Is there something under the surface they are hiding? Even now?

...Gems alive, you need to stop this.

You hate being scared of them. But you just can’t get those shattering worries out. But it's hard NOT to, given the whole 'eating people' and 'destroyed an island' things. Even if you know they would never willingly hurt you, you had partners in the day like that. Gems, YOU were like that...

But you also KNOW they’ve been hiding something. The others have been ignoring it, trying to keep themselves from worrying, but you haven’t.

How they sneak away every night, without fail. How when you fought a sadness day before yesterday, and they looked at you with this wild look in their eyes even after it was dead. How they've seemed weaker every day. How they put on a fake smile the second you or anyone looks at them. How they haven't sang a single song since Dormont.

Some of that could just be trauma, but the moment anyone notices, they pretend like nothing is happening. They are a terrible liar.

You wished for this shattering book so you could try and get some fears off your back. Figured being better informed would help. Make it so you’re more assured. Be ready for any troubles that might come up. Or at least give you SOMETHING to discard these theories! But it doesn’t! It hasn’t helped at all!

Hm. But you do know what MIGHT be useful. Or more accurately, who.

You turn towards Fa, enjoying their own breakfast nearby. They went hunting yesterday afternoon, but are enjoying Bonniface’s cooking none-the-less. Regardless, you should ask for a favor.

◆ “Fa, mind if I borrow that console a bit? I want to try out that ‘messaging’ they mentioned, and to see to see if the others have any advice on anything.”

✦ “Oh! um. Yes. Alright!”

Gems, this new Fantasia is a lot more shy then Siffrin was. Sure, the old Siffrin was quiet, but they had this air of confidence and lightheartedness that Fantasia simply does not. Fair enough, but still.

Fantasia hands you the device. You’ve seen them use it a bit before, so it’s not TOO hard to figure it out. Especially since your wish lets you read Astravian rather easily. You find the messaging software, and find an option called ‘Scale chat’, which you presume must be them.

It’s supposedly like sending a letter, yes? Best treat it as such.

◆ {Greetings. This is Odile. I’m messaging to look for any pertinent advice and knowledge about Fa, or Fantasia as they have chosen. They are, as one would expect, uninformed about themselves. And given they only revealed their actual nature a few days ago, we have little and less to go off of. In addition, they have been acting as ‘Siffrin’ the entire time we’ve known them, further complicating knowledge. Any information about them, physical or personality wise, would be recommended.}

There. You believe you’ve gotten the message across. You wonder when- hm?

♯ {Hi Odile! Wow, how the stars do you know Astravian?!

♫ {Oh Fantasia’s such a neat name!}

𝄢 {My father would be proud. Also, how much you know?}

Oh. So, this is far more quick then you were expecting. Hm. Well, that works out well.

◆ {Fantasia taught us the Favor tree ritual, and I wished to know more about them. Got a copy of Siffrin’s lab notes and the ability to comprehend Astravian.}

◆ {Aside from that, only that their diet consists primarily of sadnesses and wildlife, that they can replicate entire organs (such as a stomach for normal food), and a rough idea of their capabilities.}

𝄢 {I presume that wish came with the ability to parse my brothers terrible handwriting. I've not read them myself, as he used them a bit as his own private journal.}

𝄢 {That said, how far are you? Approximately.}

◆ {Not very far. I've just learned how their star half was created. Only had it for a few days.}

♫ {Well, I can help with the food stuff! I’ll make a list of everything I know!}

Bonnie will be pleased with that. You’d best let them know.

◆ “Bonnie, Letting you know, you actually might be able to help Fa with food. They’re prepping notes now.”

✿ “CRAB YEAH!!!! Oh! Ask them if they got some cool recipes, I wanna know all of them! Especially ones Tay likes!”

✦ “Tay?”

✿ “Yeah, Fan-Tay-za!”

◉ “Gasp! The first nickname!”

▲ “Oh, nice one!”

You chuckle, and nod at Bonnie, and relay their request.

♫ {Of course! I’ll get Ti to throw in a few as well!}

♪ {Nille wants to know more about Bonnie cooking.}

◆ {Yes, they are quite the skilled chef. Don’t worry, we make sure they are responsible with cookware, though we hardly need to.}

𝄡 {I look forwards to sharing knowledge. Returning to the main question. There’s not much I can think of on the psychological front. Especially that would stick after so long.}

Right. The one thing you are most worried about. You need SOMETHING.

◆ {Anything is appreciated.}

𝄢 {Hm. Well, you mentioned their otherworldly nature. There is ONE thing about that which may still be present.}

◆ {Yes, I had theorized as much. I'd like details, if possible.}

𝄢 {While for the most part they are a fairly normal person for their circumstances, they do have some additional psyche’s that have formed from Astravian culture.}

Perfect, exactly what you need!

𝄢 {Have you seen their horn light up a particular shade before?}

Ah. Right, yesterday morning, where they were in that oddly simple minded state… That’s… NOT what you were expecting.

◆ {Yes. Darkless. How the gems is that based on culture?}

♪ {Oh that must have been fun. Hope you gave them pets.}

♫ {It’s based on the more benevolent parts of the kingdom! The Loyalty of the people, the blessings of the stars, and so on! There are some additional cultural implications as well, but that would be an entire essay.}

♪ {Yes, some symbolisim to it. White was synonymous with the best of Astravia. It’s unfortunately fitting that Commonfolk were not allowed to wear white.}

Hm. Well that’s good to know at least. Also, you noticed you instantly understood White is the same as Darkless, but with an extra connotation? Worth remembering.

You also remember their outfits, with that bit of cultural context. Mi was mostly lightless or dark clothing, but you noticed Aurola and Regulus had pure white armor over dark clothing. Further, Song and Titania’s outfits were mostly White. As is Fantasia’s now that you think on it.

What a strange class system. Though it does remind you of Ka Bue in a way.

𝄡 {There are two more Psyche’s like that one, but you might not see them. Regardless, They are all still Fa, and they can enter or leave said mentalities fairly easy, if needed and prompted. But they might not be aware of them otherwise. Worth noting ahead of time.}

◆ {Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.}

♪ {Just in case, Keep an eye out for Black. That one can get messy. Not as bad as it seems at first, but certainty messy.}

Ominous. Black means lightless, right? Maybe that is what occurred back then? You’d best keep an eye out.

You wait for Mi to send that list, then hand it to Boniface, who starts memorizing it instantly.

✿ “Woah! Oh that’s so crabbing cool! I gotta try that!”

Bonnie starts grabbing their cookware and trying some stuff out. Including using some craft? How odd.

Well, with that all handled, it’s best to start resuming travel. You help the others start to pack up, so you all can get back to the road.

>>>

Your cart begins to close into the next town. Réfroir, if you remember its name right? A frankly beautiful town. Known for its crafted glass, you remember when you visited it last time that you’d gotten to see it during night. The way light refracts throughout the entire town, only a handful of lanterns are needed, barely any on a full moon. You hope to see it again tonight.

Fantasia is a bit nervous going into a town how they are. Mirabelle makes a suggestion to use a hairband to pass off the horn as an accessory, to put them at ease. Fa does, however, change their eyes back to normal human eyes. You’d grown somewhat accustomed to their odd cat-like eyes, but it is nice to see they can do that.

After getting into town, you have Isabeau and Mirabelle see about finding you all a place to stay, taking Bonnie with them, while you and Fantasia see about getting the cart and Bayard taken care of. You find a place willing to hold your cart, and when you meet up with Fa, they are followed by… by...

A wolf. An unusual. Dark furred. Wolf.

◆ “...I have a few questions.”

✦ “Bayard didn’t want to stay in the stables, and asked if I could do something. I’d hunted some wolves earlier so…”

◆ “You changed a horse into a wolf?”

✦ “I had a few options, but they wanted wolf. Was curious how it felt.”

...Absolutely astounding. The surprises simply never cease.

◆ “The horse learned he could shapeshift and instantly indulged?...How Vaugardian of them.”

Si- Fantasia lets out a chuckle at that. The wolf lets out a light bark. They do seem to be enjoying the body, at least. They’re running around quite a bit, sidestepping, circling, jumping. Very excitable.

✦ “Yeah, wolves are really agile aren’t they?… Well they don’t have as much endurance, so it’s overall fair… Oh Bonnie would love that! Absolutely!”

Well, you suppose that is a nice bonus? Get to show Bayard the sights. They can even stay at the inn with you all, though they are still rather big. Wolf, not dog, after all. You scratch behind the ears, and they lean into it.

Bayard lets out a pleased rumble. Well, best to head to the others!

>>>

The lodge you all got was rather nice. Mirabelle had to talk UP the price a good bit, as the person was planning to just give them the place for free, but you managed to pay mostly fair. You don't want to exploit your savior status too much.

You’ll likely have to do some odd jobs for cash like usual, but given the state of Vaugarde right now, there’s plenty to work with, even after the king.

Sadness hunting would work well, but Fantasia typically does that in towns. Quite a few about still, even if they’ve been slowly returning to normal levels. With winter coming in, distributing emergency supplies is probably useful. And some people are probably desperate, so the defenders might need some help.

Heh. Working with defenders, that one amuses you. Would be QUITE the change of pace from back in Ka Bue! Well, at least defenders don’t kill you for breaking the law. And it’s not like you have for a while. Not since…

You hold the gem hanging off the left side of your head. Couldn’t keep going, not after worrying your father so much.

▲ “What’s up M’dame?”

Ah, time to leave that train of thought.

◆ “Considering what we should do to gather funds while in town. I might help the local defenders.”

✦ “Can I come with?”

Hm? That’s a little unexpected.

◉ “Really? I would have thought you’d go for sadness hunting like usual?”

✦ “Just. Felt like a change of pace!”

More of that fake smile… Well, you certainly wouldn’t mind, and you can keep an eye out for any other behavioral changes.

◆ “I’m not opposed to company. Anyone else?”

✿ “I’ma help hand out supplies! I can cook some meals for people, and I wanna try some of these new cooking crafts Mi and Ti sent!”

▲ “I’ll go with you! Many hands make light work!”

Bayard barks, clearly eager about something. Si-Fantasia turns towards Bonnie and smiles.

✦ “Bayard has volunteered to be Bonnie's noble steed!”

✿ “Oh CRAB YEAH! Aw that’s so crabbing cool!”

Given the wolf’s excited response, they seem to think the same!

◉ “I think I’ll go sadness hunting then! It um. Would let me have some space. To think.”

◆ “Very well! Meet you all back here then.”

A plan in mind, you all set out.

As you head out the door, and towards the defender’s building, you swear you saw something, out of the corner of your eye?… Nevermind. You are sure it’s fine.

>>>>

The defenders gave you the task of patrolling the streets, double checking for any disruptions. They trust you to take care of it should anything happen, given the whole ‘saviors’ thing. Even the rumor you both are assisting them will help a lot in keeping trouble down.

Fantasia is just taking the day easy. There isn’t much to worry about, for the most part. Had to settle a disagreement or two, but a stern word was all it took. They caught one pickpocket, but let them off easy with a firm talking to and sending them over to Bonnie and Isa. No worrying tendencies from them.

However, one thing has been worrying you... You SWEAR you are being followed. Two people, showing up every now and then. Watching you specifically, before vanishing. They have weapons, and by their stance, skill to use them.

And they’re Ka Buan.

It’s been years. Your bounty should be out of the picture. So what is their interest in you?

You see one of them try and hide off in an alleyway up ahead. Good, You need to address this NOW, before things get tricky and the others get involved. You wordlessly follow them in, Fantasia following behind you, somewhat confused.

You become equally confused, when they aren’t here. Gems. A Craft Mirage. It’s a trap.

㊊ “Well well well. Thought that would be harder.”

㊐ “Lost your touch with age, Madame Odile?”

Fa looks at the two, confused. But the moment the two men unsheathe their blades, it becomes very clear what’s happening.

◆ “You both are far from home. Mind telling me why you’re drawing swords on an old woman?”

㊐ “Lord Fuhai sends his regards. He’s paying handsomely for your head.”

Of course. That man would hold a grudge. Guess he finally got his council seat.

Fantasia puts themselves between the men and you. You ready your book, craft beginning to sizzle in the palm of your hand.

✦ “Look, I’d rather we don’t fight. Don’t hurt my friend, and go away. You get one war-”

Fa barely has a moment before they are cut in half in a single swing, straight from their shoulder to the hip!! Gems!!

As Fa falls to the floor, the two step over their body, pointing their blades at you.

㊊ “Any last words?”

◆ “Go shatter yourself.”

You fire off a powerful blast of craft at their face, only to find they sidestepped, and-

!!!!!

GEMS!!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! You! They just- Your arm! One stroke, and they’ve cut off your arm, and then-

HNG! A... blade through your heart. Gems… it HURTS!! You can feel the stiff blade against your flesh, before it’s ripped out.

Warm blood starts to pour from the wounds, as the air fills with a metallic scent. You… You can’t think…. Loosing blood fast… You can feel yourself…. fading…

But then….

You… Feel… something shift…. And… you smell…. Sugar?

《《《

㊊ “Any las- what!?!”

You take a deep gasp of air, as you suddenly feel your body refill with life, unharmed, the phantom pain barely letting you breathe.

What. What just…

Timecraft?

But you… You remember what happened? So do the men too apparently! But. How did?-

Fa.

Gets up.

There is a wicked smile across their face. Uncannily wide and cheerful. Their eyes glow that visceral shade. The remainder of their body twists and tears like fabric under strain, ripping apart in seconds. And from under their skin emerges a cacophony of fangs, limbs and tendrils. A strange laugh fills the air.

And their horn. Glows Black.

[samioli]

sorry if this is a weird ask but what kinks do you personally think phoenix and edgeworth are into?

I really enjoy the stuff u make so I was just curious! Hope u enjoy the rest of ur day:))

me reading this ask:

its not weird at all anon, considering i write them fucking nasty all the time!! don't feel weird asking!!!

but MAN i almost have no clue where to start. I'm bound to forget some lmao

Let's start with the basics, shall we?

Phoenix's "tamer" kinks:

Praise kink. He DEFINITELY has one, and i could see him having one with any partner of his.

He likes being degraded as well, and mannnn if you hit the combo of like, praise AND degradation, that is SUCH a sweet spot for him. like, for example, "wonderful. such a lovely, beautiful slut for me." something like that.

when he's in the mood for it, loves miles being a bit rougher with him, like face fucking or just leaving marks and bruises on his skin.

LOVES when miles is possessive of him, he adoressss it

likes being tied up, not as much as miles tho i think

BREEDING KINK!!!!! this man wants to be BRED BY MILES EDGEWORTH!!!

i use this a lot in my fics but i def think phoenix is a big user of dirty talk. it definitely does it for miles but i think it helps him along too lmao

Miles's "tamer" kinks:

Praise kink as well, BUT. i think it would be SOOOOO funny if miles only really has it with phoenix??? like maybe he has a one night stand and they try to praise him and miles is like

he's like. you dont know me like that....

similarly to phoenix, also has a degradation kink, more like being objectified and being compared to an object tho.

ALSO similarly, loves that killer praise/objectification combo.

breeding kink up the wazoo. literally wants to have phoenix's kids, wants to be pregnant all the damn time. literally just wants to be pampered and fucked by him while he's stuffed. who said that.

i think he also likes being facefucked, maybe less so than phoenix?? or like, he has to be in the mood. he LOVES being manhandled tho, its a turn on for him. he loves seeing how just strong phoenix is

LOVES BEING TIED UP. he needs to be tied up and blindfolded to give himself a system reboot!!! he needs to forget who he is for a bit!!! its healing for him!!!

also likes being edged. he's a gooner, even. @sapphire-wine that was for you (but i agree with you, to be clear)

okay now im gonna get into the more??? kinky kinks??? don't take the separation too seriously, wasn't sure how to sort it, plus I'm p sure its very subjective. the kinks i think are "tamer" are prob someones like. particularly kinky kink.

Phoenix's spicer kinks:

pet play. doesn't matter if hes the pet or owner, he is INTO it. i think what role he plays depends on his mood.

teacher/student roleplay. i think he would LOVE being the delinquent student seducing a teacher. hed love to annoy edgeworth with that lmao

im gonna move on to edgeworth bc i def think he has more of the spicer kinks BUT i think for 99% of them, phoenix likes it too and is SO DOWN to play. so I'm just not gonna repeat myself lmao

Miles's Spicer Kinks:

pet play, mainly likes being the pet

tentacles!!!!!!

literally loves cum. wants to be covered and smothered. especially by phoenix

monsterfucker. he is a monsterfucker and often fantasizes about phoenix being a scary monster who captures him and is his prisoner.......oh no......what ever will he do to appease this beast....😳😳

hypno kink. literally get him OUT OF HIS HEAD!!!

oh i feel silly remembering this now but he def has an underwear kink. patty/boxer thief and sniffer miles edgeworth REAL

loves to fantasize about micro/macro. again, wants to be at scary giant phoenix's every whim....

i def think he's into CNC. to me he reads those bodice ripper novels LMAO

oviposition

literally this man just wants to be stuffed full

piss kink, probably. likes the humiliation of it

this would get me cancelled on twt but he has a daddy kink. sorry but its the truth

but whats even more true and even MORE present is his mommy kink. phoenix is his mommy and no i will NOT elaborate

somno for sure. i think with this and hypno play there would be discussed boundaries and rules, but yea

i cannot think of anything else and this is getting to be A LONGGGGGGGG post but also with miles i think like. okay this is me projecting 100000% but i hc him as demi but once he starts realizing he's sexually attracted to phoenix, the kinks come out of the floodgates. so i can see him just chilling with phoenix once they're together and like a random thought comes over him and he's like WHERE DID THAT COME FROM

anyways one time phoenix is laying down on the couch and he's barefoot and miles looks over and his immediate thought is "i need to suck his toes" and he's so taken aback he trips. i don't even think he has a huge foot fetish, i think phoenix just makes him Like That

anyways. DEFINITELY forgetting a bunch. it took me a while to write this, and I'm sorry for the wait in answering this! was having some health issues but thankfully i seem to be getting better.

i hope u enjoyed this very detailed list, lmao, and i hope i didnt scare u off. thank you for the question and have a great day!!!

[thegamingcatmom]

In the middle of watching Maleficent 2 after not seeing it for years and I'm already back to being obsessed.

Seeing her so (painfully) awkward around humans has me melting every time. Like-

When King John asks her whether she had any trouble finding the castle? And her answer is a very annoyed, very hissy-

"Are u stupid or smt?"

???

...That's what she meant, at least.

C'mon.

I MEAN-

Her not knowing what small talk is and, as a result because baby doesn't deal well with being confusion, immediately resorting to thinly veiled death threats and almost violence so Diaval has to step in to prevent disaster from striking like-

BABY IS CONFUSION DON'T JUDGE HER. 😭

ALSO-

Y'all know how Maleficent is the last of the fey with the blood of The Phoenix running through her veins? So that means her offspring will continue that bloodline? So that means offspring? So that means- 🫠

ALSO-

Y'know, when I first watched this back in 2019, there was a very brief moment where I thought this movie was gonna go dark. Like, killing off every last human in that castle except Aurora dark. And I was damn ready for it, lemme tell ya. Like-

I was so damn ready for Maleficent tearing down a whole ass castle in motherly rage, not giving a damn about who got caught in the crossfire because all that mattered was getting to Queen Ingrith - the one who stole her child. And what mattered even more was getting to her child and bringing her home - where she belonged.

I mean, the ongoing conflict between the fey and the humans was the driving force behind the attack, yes. Especially after they killed Conall. But, for Maleficent, it was much more personal than that, wasn't it? She went there seeking revenge for the "loss" of her daughter, too. That was the driving force for her.

Also-

The way Maleficent threatens to go in for an instant kill here but ends up swooping over Ingrith to take out everyone else first because she wants to save the Queen for last?? She doesn't want interruptions. She wants to be able to enjoy every.damn.second. She wants to squeeze every last bit of triumph out of that moment.

And I have zero doubt that Maleficent intended Ingrith's death to be as slow and painful as possible, judging by the way she literally swaggers over to her before Aurora (sadly) interrupts proceedings:

I MEAN-

Just look at that smug face. 🫠

BUT ALSO-

Pls look at how PROUD she is here. She's like "ye, that's my daughter and ye, she needs me rn cause, guess what, I'm her MOTHER and she's MY daughter-"

But also-

Aurora, asking to be walked down the aisle: "Would you give me away?"

Maleficent, instant panic mode cause our confused baby isn't familiar with human traditions or speech so she thinks Aurora means literally: "WHA BABY I'D NEVER WHAT ARE U EVEN ON ABOUT MY PRECIOUS BABY-"

Aurora: "Down the aisle, mom."

Maleficent: "..."

Aurora: "..."

Maleficent: 😅

Aurora: 🙈

Okay but also-

If we don't get a baby-lifting scene à la The Lion King in the next movie where Maleficent proudly presents her very first grandchild to the fey folk (who go absolutely wild in response) Imma riot.

SPEAKING OF-

We know next to nothing about Maleficent 3 yet, so we don't know if Maleficent's gonna have a love interest this time around, BUT-

Listen-

While I love the dynamic between Maleficent and Diaval, I just can't see them ever becoming romantically involved with each other. They might bicker like a married couple pretty much 24/7, but they don't give me couple vibes. At all. It's more like...being each other's wingman and wingwoman (apart from being co-parents and the best of buddies ofc). Quite literally, lol.

SPEAKING OF-

I might or might not have opened a Word doc and started typing. So we'll see. ✌️

[samynnad102687]

Don't Lie To Me

@struttingstag April 2nd Prompt: Don't lie to me. | 2161 words

It was the fourth day this week that James received a text from Regulus, letting him know that he would be out when James got home from work. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but he had been secretive lately. Regulus had been hiding his phone when he got a text or quickly got off of it when James walked into the room.

James didn't know what to think anymore. It felt like Regulus was pulling away from him and James couldn't help but think that he was doing something wrong or Regulus didn't love him anymore and didn't know how to tell him. James figured if anybody knew what Regulus was up to, it would be Pandora.

"Hello, James," Pandora said sweetly when she answered on the second ring.

"Hey."

"What's up? You sound stressed."

Great! One word and she already knew he wasn't in his usually happy mood.

"Nothing. I was just wondering if you wanted to grab a coffee or something," James lied.

"Sure. Do you want to meet now?" Pandora asked with a hint that she didn't believe him in her tone.

"Yeah. Meet at The Phoenix?"

"Sounds good. I'll meet you there in ten."

"Okay."

James hung up the phone and put it in his pocket before he grabbed his coat and put on his trainers. The Phoenix was only a couple of streets over, so he figured that he would walk. Maybe that would clear his head some before he got there. Right as he went to open the door, it opened from the other side and Regulus was walking in as if he wasn't causing James to doubt everything Regulus ever felt for him.

"Oh, hey, baby," Regulus said with a smile before he leaned up to kiss James on the lips. "Are you heading out?"

"Yeah. I'm going to grab coffee with Pandora," James replied without thinking about it.

"Okay. Have fun," Regulus replied nonchalantly before he took off his coat and boots and put them on their respective racks. "Did you want to cook tonight or should we order takeaway?"

"It doesn't matter to me," James shrugged as he tried not to snap at him. His nonchalance was not helping James' anxiety. "Did you have fun with..." James just now realised that he didn't know who Regulus had been with.

"Barty, and not really. He's being annoying but it's Barty so that's to be expected," Regulus replied with a shrug of his own as he grabbed his book off of the table and plopped down on the couch, pulling one leg up under the other.

"Oh. Okay." James tried to sound unbothered but the raised eyebrow he received from Regulus told him that he missed the mark tremendously.

"Are you okay, Jamie?" Regulus asked, putting his book back on the table.

James nodded quickly before Regulus could fully get off the couch. "Yeah, I'm fine, just have to go meet Dora. It's been a while since I hung out with her."

James had a hand on the handle practically ready to bolt from the house instead of confronting Regulus about what had been going on. He wasn't ready to deal with it. Not until he had all of the facts or at least was able to talk out what was bothering him with someone that wasn't Regulus. Yes, James knew that was counterproductive but he didn't want to hear Regulus confirm that he didn't love him anymore.

"Okay," Regulus said sceptically but settled back down on the couch with his book anyway. "I'll see you later. Tell Dora hi for me."

"Will do."

James opened the door before the words were even out of his mouth and he ran down the street to The Phoenix. He had to take a few deep breaths to slow down his breathing before he walked in otherwise Pandora would really know that something was wrong and with how James was feeling, he would probably burst into tears as soon as he opened his mouth.

Once he had calmed down, he opened the door and spotted Pandora at a table with two drinks in front of her already. She waved him over when she noticed him enter the building, considering the bell announced his arrival. James took another deep breath and walked over to her. She slid one of the drinks to him and he nodded his thanks before sitting across from her.

"What's going on, James?" Pandora asked as soon as he was settled.

"I don't know," James replied honestly.

He hated that he didn't know what was going on and his feelings and mind were running rampant inside his body. He couldn't make heads or tails of it. James sighed and took a sip of his coffee. It was his usual order. He tried to figure out what to say but before he could, Pandora spoke again.

"Are you worried about Reggie?"

James didn't know what to say to that. Yes, no, maybe? He was worried but not about Regulus specifically. He was worried that he wasn't good enough for him anymore but how does he tell her that? James knew that he wanted to talk things out but he didn't know how to start.

"No, I- yes, I-" James started but he kept cutting himself off and that was stressing him out even more. "Maybe. I don't know."

"I wouldn't worry about him," Pandora replied sweetly before she took a sip of her drink.

"It's not... I'm not... I'm not necessarily worried about him... just. I don't know." James took a breath. "I just feel like he's pulling away from me and I don't know why. Am I not good enough for him anymore?"

"Reg loves you very much, James and you two are perfect for each other," Pandora said firmly as she stared him in the eye. It was as if she was trying to look into his soul.

"Then why has he been so secretive lately?" James whined.

Pandora told him that she didn't know why but it wasn't anything he needed to worry about. Regulus would go through phases when he was younger when he was too far in his own head to realise that there was a world around him. James knew that. He had seen it multiple times in the past but he thought Regulus knew he could talk to him about anything. So why was he being so secretive now?

James left the coffee shop a little while later but didn't feel any better than he did when he arrived. He took the long way home and didn't even notice if Regulus was still on the couch when he walked into the house. James took off his trainers and coat before he walked to the bedroom and shut the door. He needed to be alone and hopefully, he could figure out what the hell had been going on.

There was a knock at the door before Regulus' soft voice came from the other side. "Jamie? Are you in there?"

James didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say so he just sat on the bed and stared at the wall for who knows how long. Eventually, the door opened and James was sure that Regulus had come in but he couldn't see anything through the tears that had started to blur his vision even though none of them had fallen.

"James?" Regulus put his hand on James' shoulder and James flinched back without realising that he was there. "I'm sorry, baby."

"It's fine. I'm fine." James choked out past the lump in his throat.

"No, you're not," Regulus said gently and James snapped his head up to look at him. He was about to tell him that he was fine again but Regulus kept speaking. "You've been in here for an hour. You didn't even notice me when you came home."

James didn't want to have this talk right now. He could feel himself unravelling and he didn't want to do something to make Regulus leave any sooner than he was already planning to, if that was what he was planning. Regulus kept looking at him like he didn't know how to approach him anymore. James was not a wild animal that you needed to be cautious around. James could see the wheels turning in Regulus' mind. He knew something was wrong but James was not ready. His anger started to boil over, so when Regulus opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, James snapped.

"I said, I'm fine."

James scooted off the bed and started to pace beside it. Regulus was watching him. James could feel it. He could feel his confusion and he wondered if Regulus could feel James' confusion about everything as well. James didn't know how long he paced back and forth in front of their shared bed but it was apparently long enough for his anger to get the better of him.

"You're stressing and spiralling. What is going on?" Regulus asked calmly but it didn't matter how he said it, James was too wound up to respond accordingly.

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" James shouted and he could see the slight flinch from Regulus from where he still sat on the bed.

"I don't know, James. You're not talking to me." Regulus raised his voice slightly as he stood up but he didn't come any closer to James.

"When am I supposed to talk to you? You're never home. You're always out fucking around with Barty. If you wanted to dump me, just do it already."

Regulus' face fell in shock and confusion. "I- what? Why would I want to dump you? James, I love you."

"Don't lie to me! You've been pulling away from me for weeks, too busy hanging out with Barty," James spat his name out as if it burned him to even have the name on his tongue. "You've been keeping secrets and hiding your phone anytime I walk into the room. I get it, okay. I'm too much and you finally realised it but could you just do us both the courtesy of not dragging this out? It's draining and I can't take it anymore."

Regulus stepped into James' space with determination. He grabbed onto James' arms to turn him towards him before he spoke again. James could see the hurt swimming in his stormy grey eyes. James wanted to step back but there was something else in his eyes that held James in place.

"James, I need you to listen to me. You are not too much. You have never been too much for me. I love you with everything that I am and I'm sorry that I made you think I was keeping something from you. I thought I was doing a better job of it but it's not what you think. I swear. There is nothing going on with Barty. He is being more annoying lately because he misses Evan and we have been helping each other out." James scoffed but didn't say anything. "I swear I- look at me, Jamie." James did instantly. It was a habit by now. "I have been hiding something and I had hoped that I could keep it a surprise until it was time but clearly I couldn't."

Regulus let go of James and walked into their closet. James stood frozen where Regulus left him. He was confused and didn't know what to think anymore. He was just about to get his legs to start working again when Regulus walked back into their bedroom. He was holding something but James couldn't make out what it was. Regulus took James' hand and led him back to the bed, sitting him down before Regulus placed himself in between James' legs.

"Jamie, I love you. You can be a handful sometimes but it is one of the many things that I love about you. You keep me on my toes and I would never change a single thing about you. Yes, I have been hanging out with Barty recently but that's because he was helping me plan."

James gave him a confused look but Regulus started to leave soft kisses all over his face. "Jamie, there is nothing in this world or the next that I would rather do than be with you."

James looked into his eyes to see if there was any form of deceit, but nothing except honesty was swimming in the stormy irises. James got lost in them and would have missed the question entirely if Regulus' gentle laugh hadn't drawn him back into himself.

"Will you marry me?" Regulus asked and James realised that he was down on one knee in front of him with a black velvet ring box opened in his hands with a hopeful look on his face.

James nodded dumbly and whispered, "Yes."

James learned not to doubt his fiance's love for him ever again after that. 

*Also on Ao3: What's In A Secret?

[alasse-earfalas]

Updated Fierce Deity Links Playlist!

I swapped a couple tracks and added a couple Links with their own songs to the list, so I figured it was high time for me to make an update to the original playlist post. This time around I'm going to go into a little more detail as to why I chose each song for each FD Link, rather than just copy/pasting some lyrics like I did last time.

As a reminder: this is following the theory / headcanon that the OG Fierce Deity Mask is a mask of ascended Sky. Thus, this is not a collection of songs describing what each Link would be like under the influence of the OG FD mask; rather, these are songs for what each Link's ascended, FD forms would be like. (Not that it matters all that much, really.)

Track list under the cut. :)

First: Holy Ghost (feat. Andrea Storm Kaden) by Fabvl (Clean Version) This song was written about Adam from the anime Record of Ragnarok (which I still need to watch). Right off the bat there's the obvious correlation between the First Hero & the First Human, but there's also the desperate fight between a mere mortal and a god. The erratic nature of the music and lyrics, and the screaming, lends itself to the desperation First must've felt during that fight. Considering how he died, I thought that his desperate determination would carry over to his FD form after death.

Time: In The Air Tonight by State of Mine Time just wants to rest in piece. I love the observation in LU that he is done with combat. It would take a lot to convince him to go into battle after training Twilight as the Hero's Shade. However, as a Link, he is still very much a force to be reckoned with. Underestimating him would be a death sentence, and heaven help the poor soul of anyone who stupidly incurs his wrath. With all that in mind, I wanted to go with a song that was a little more subdued than the others, but still intimidating and intense. After listening through the previous playlist a few times, I kept feeling like Time's original song just wasn't quite on par with the others. I swapped it with this one both for the up in intensity, and because it really sells the, "I don't want to be here... but you done screwed up, so now I have no choice but to put an end to your miserable life" vibe.

Twilight: POWER by Divide Music The lyrics of this one fit Twilight like a freaking glove. However, I think I may have shied away from using it originally because the type of music doesn't quite fit the edgy goth cowboy we all know and love. But after listening to it again a few times, it occurred to me that FD Twilight would be ascended Twilight; postmortem Twilight; BotW Wolf Link amiibo Twilight. And that annoying little fleabag (affectionate) is a lot more bold and "Have at thee, pathetic monster!" than he was in Twilight Princess—which is exactly the vibe of this song.

Warriors: The Resistance by Skillet Come on. "I am a nation"? "I am a soldier"? Tell me that's not Wars. The lyrics are just too perfect. Even "Love is the answer" makes me think of how he views his Zelda versus how Cia started a whole war over her obsession with him (additionally, "Used to be a slave, but now you are a conquer" makes me think of my personal headcanon of how the Temple of Souls would have realistically gone if Hyrule Warriors wasn't made for kids). Even the guitar solo at the end is reminiscent of the HW soundtrack!

Four: The War Inside (Spotlight Remix) by Switchfoot Mainly it's just the lyrics for this one. This is only remix I could find that was intense enough, and even then, I'd prefer something with a little more oomph to it.

Wind: Ruthlessness from EPIC: The Musical Do I even need to comment on this? It's freaking ticked off Poseidon. Heck, this was actually the song that inspired the whole playlist!

Wild: The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy Oh man. Where to start? The rapid strings, the chaotic yet poetic lyrics, the relentless pace... Yeah, this is FD Wild. I can just see him, lurking in the shadows, going full guerrilla warfare, setting fire to everything while manipulating Sheikah and Zonai tech like frikkin' Emmet from the Lego Movie. If anything, like Four's song, I'd love to see a remix or cover with a touch more oomph to it. But this will do.

Age (AoC Link): You're Going Down (Radio Edit) by Sick Puppies Age strikes me as the kind of guy who never backs down from a fight or a challenge, no matter how petty (see: eating gravel on a dare). He is heck-a confident in his abilities, masterfully using super reckless tactics (health-burning claymore mechanic, anyone?) and unwieldy prototype weapons to great effect. So, yeah. This is absolutely FD Age.

Legend: Legendary by Skillet It's in. The freaking. Name. Grandiose, confident bordering on cocky, a taunt and an anthem rolled into one. Some of the best-fitting lyrics on this dang list. Overall, just, epic.

Hyrule: Feel Invincible by Skillet This has "I've survived the freaking post-apocalypse, witch" vibes to it, plus some somber contemplative moments that I think would fit older Hyrule very well. I can see Hyrule being another Link who, like Time, just wants to be done when he dies. He'll still fight when he's called upon, and he'll be frighteningly effective in combat, but don't expect him to be enthused about it—just impatient to get back to his well-earned afterlife.

Sky: Say My Name by Divide Music This is the OG Fierce Deity. This is Sky ready to roll some heads. He forged the LoZ equivalent of Excalibur so he could kill a god at seventeen/eighteen, he married the powerful protector goddess who's revered and worshiped by his people, and he is done with your crap. This is the jacked-as-fetch protective dad towering over the schoolyard bully. Your only hope of survival is to not be the bully.

[fushichoumomo-arch]

tagged by:  @biskael tagging:  @inmensapotentia, @opscurus, @hirak0s [shinji && ayame.]  EMOTIONS / FEELINGS:

001. restless anger.

002. unfathomable guilt.

003. the drive to protect.

004. loyalty.

005. passionate.

VOICE / GREETINGS / SPEECH PATTERNS :

001. momo sounds quite young and soft-spoken; she feels like she needs to raise her voice to be taken seriously, which is especially annoying for her as a lieutenant.

002. seeing that she's mostly on her guard these days, she often doesn't speak first unless it feels safe to do so or the situation is dire.

003. she mostly talks like a normal person would — except when she's angry. that's when all those poetry lessons by aizen come in handy: her language becomes flowery and somewhat formal, yet she still manages to come across as the attack dog she is.

COLOURS:

001. any variation of pink . has always been her favourite colour, always will be. [even though her reiatsu is red, let that sink in.]

002. scarlet red . the colour that signifies the departure of the “momo hinamori” everyone knew, and her vow to bring purgatory to her enemies. the colour of her evolved form [bankai etc.]

003. dark purple . her hair.

004. black . her uniform.

005. gold . her hairpin and bracelets. associated with fudo myo'o, or acala, one of the wisdom kings in buddhist mythology.

SCENTS:

001. peaches , her namesake.

002. vanilla , a woman's signature scent.

003. bright citrus , in memento of the ‘self’ that was lost in the war.

004. burning wood , in the heat of battle and its aftermath. a side-effect of using tobiume.

005. wisteria , signifying the fact she had to grow up quickly.

CLOTHING:

001. momo modified her standard shinigami uniform to include frills [a skirt instead of the hakama pants she wore in the past, and detached sleeves.]. she's taking care of her appearance when she didn't before — because before, she didn't take herself seriously nor think of herself as someone important.

002. furthermore, her new outfit closely resembles a traditional tengu ensemble; rmoderately-heeled geta, pompoms, you name it. [fitting, because when in bankai, she might as well be a tengu — she has wings.] 

003. a set of plum flowers on the side of her head. 

OBJECTS:

001. TOBIUME, her most precious zanpakutō. they may not see eye to eye sometimes, but they got each other's back.

002. a pair of golden bracelets and a feather-shaped hairpin. fudo myo'o is often depicted with a lotus on his head, and since momo is a phoenix… it is feathers spread out akin to a peacock's.

003. an agate talisman that her beloved granny gifted her after the war; consecrated to fudo myo'o himself, it represents protection from evil.

VICES / BAD HABITS: 

001. deep-seated anger issues . you see, momo is both brave and overwhelmed in times of adversity; when confronted with something that she doesn't necessarily have an answer to? she lashes out. when her cherished comrades [understandably] don't understand her decisions? she lashes out. her enemies will get under her skin, no matter how much she tries to conceal it. 

002. prone to overthinking . it's no secret to everyone around her that momo still thinks about those that have died in the war against the quincy; she did nothing, and yet she was among the living when her squad fought till their last and were less capable than her. and no matter how much she's reassured that it wasn't her fault — she doesn't believe it.

003. fear of failure . above all else, momo fears a situation that will leave her just as powerless as the war had left her. worse, that this time, tōshirō or granny might be dead because of her. the latter, at least, will have respite — tōshirō will go to HELL.

004. she's fucked up . she talks about the most morbid of things with an airy voice and a languid smile, and will even go as far as to say that aizen's betrayal [and stabbing] have made her stronger — that he is far more interesting now than when he was her captain.

BODY LANGUAGE:

001. very straight and upright when leading her subordinates into battle. momo, despite her small stature and meek voice, is still a gotei 13 lieutenant. 

002. though she does not realise it, her hands have a slight tremor, and the way she carries herself appears… tense. like she's always on alert. 

003. she's not much of a gesture person. when her hand is not on tobiume, she keeps her hands folded. 

004. cold, lifeless eyes [like aizen] and a languid smile when she is in the zone [read: when she is in the heat of battle.]

AESTHETICS:

001. the phoenix . momo hinamori is a woman that has died a total of three (3) times — metaphorically, of course, but still. one, when aizen shattered her whole world by revealing to her who he really is. two, the deaths of her comrades. and finally… when she became a deceiver herself. each of these deaths gave rise to the person that she is today.

002. a crimson bird's mask . both figuratively and literally [her hollow mask; verse-dependent].

003. a rope of kidō . it is said that the gods feared fudo myo'o because he could bind their transgressions and hurl them at them.

004. higanbana . known as lycoris radiata, this flower blooms at eternal partings, and guides to HELL.

SONGS:

001. angreifer // unlucky morpheus .

002. heavy is the crown // linkin park.

003. city of delusion // muse .

004. the walls // THE SIXTH LIE .

005. genshindou // autodidactic studios.

006. honkai world diva // mika kobayashi

[gravesung-moving]

BIO » keon derege ( the scion )

life's not knights on horseback. it's a number on a piece of paper. it's a fight for a knife in the mud.

NAME — keon derege (kee-on duh-rej) NICKNAME(S) — golden boy, arrogant bastard

GENDER — cis man

AGE — mid 20s -> mid 100s (dragon, yk.)

ORIENTATION — closeted homosexual

RACE — gold dragon

OCCUPATION — scion/heir/C.O.O.

RESIDENCE — varies

ABOUT.

Keon DeRege carries himself with cold, haughty confidence. It’s clear he believes himself to be the most important person in the universe and expects to be treated as such. He’s irritable, smug, and shamelessly vain, regarding his surroundings as if everyone in his vicinity burdens him by way of breathing air. Underneath that hard, annoying shell, though, you'll find someone constantly striving to be good enough — while knowing deep down that he never will be.

It's simply easier to become what's expected of you. Isn't it? Even to his own opinion, Keon is a pompous brat with no regard for others or their feelings, rich as God and twice as arrogant. He knows exactly who he is. Steadfast in his commitment to following in his father's footsteps, living up to impossibly cruel expectations, Keon DeRege fights to uphold a a legacy that benefits few and tramples many. It is what he was born for. It is his reason for existing. Why pretend to be anything else, anything more, than what you're destined to be?

PRESENT.

The circumstances of Keon's present life are largely dependent on the world he's placed in. By default, he is currently in early adulthood and working at his father's corporation (as well as within the crime family, underground). Keon keeps others at arm's length by being unpleasant to interact with. They don't look deeper; he doesn't look deeper; life is fine. Because of this, he has a great degree of natural charisma that goes largely unused.

It takes a long time for Keon to realize that he's attracted to anyone, let alone men. Some part of him knew when he was young, but his father is so deeply homophobic that Keon internalized that bias hard. The rest of Korin's bigotry was easy enough to correct throughout school (note from the writer: I know this isn't super realistic for his upbringing, I just really didn't want to write a bigoted character. Internalized self-targeted homophobia is as far as I'll go for a main OC.) Additionally, he is expected to marry and have a biological child when it comes time to do so, and he plans, however reluctantly, to carry out this expectation.

ABILITIES.

As a phoenix sorcerer, Keon's bloodline manifests in his ability to create flame and repair as well as destroy life. He has within him a wellspring of innate healing magic, but his father trains him to use it as an energy source for his destructive fire magic instead.

DRACONIC ORIGIN.

In all respects but for a few, Keon and his father seem quite human. Their eyes are an unnatural, foil-esque and sometimes glowing gold, and Korin DeRege certainly should not have lived as long as has, but his father is also an extremely powerful mage. If a druid can do it, so can he. As for the eyes, given that they mostly glow when their magic flares, it is easy to attribute to their phoenix sorcery.

BIOGRAPHY.

THIS IS A FAMILY RAISED ON THE OLD WAYS.

EARLY LIFE.

To the DeRege patriarchs, the world is still dog-eat-dog, still fueled by primal instincts, no matter how convenient things become for people in the modern age. Strength, valor, and intellect are just as important as political power and wealth; you don't deserve to have an empire if you can't defend it, and you don't deserve luxury if you haven't suffered hardship to obtain it. Thus, Korin Fulgentius Viator DeRege — the current patriarch and President of the Midas Trading Company, which he built by himself from the ground up — had no issue killing his seven-year-old daughter when her unnatural intelligence made her a potential threat.

At first, he was going to make her the heiress to his family's fortune and power. Kimber was unexpected for him and Charlie; they'd struggled with fertility, as Korin's family line always had, so it was surprising that they managed to have one child — let alone two. He'd initially brushed Kimber off as a pet for his wife to raise once Keon was born. Her being a daughter was suboptimal, but useful for marrying off later down the line.

Then, she began to display signs of intelligence beyond what is normal for a child. Kimber was masterful with numbers, calculations and gadgets. She was able to take apart and put pieces of arcane technology back together while her age was still in single digits. Though she showed promise for being molded into the perfect heir, she was a lot harder to tame than Keon; her moral grounding was already solid, and she already had reservations about what her family did. Korin tried to bring her into the fold too early. Being as unnaturally old as he was, he had forgotten the logistics of early age progression and believed her to be able to understand the complexities of his business already. She did not. All she heard from what he told her was that her father killed lots of people and made many more suffer. Kimber swore against him as seriously as a seven-year-old could, blind to the dangers of such open rebellion. Leaving alive someone who knew so much, and had the potential to be dangerous down the line, was simply impractical. So he didn't.

Her death shook young Keon to his core. He and Kimber were extremely close as children, rarely leaving each other's sides. Those early days were everything. Keon played the piano with Charlie while Kimber sprawled on the floor filling notebooks with gadget ideas. Korin took him sailing, showed him the company ledgers, taught him how to play chess. He took it upon himself to train Keon in their bloodline’s fire magic and Charlie taught him the healing he had inherited from her. Back then, they were a real family.

Then Kimber died. Charlie had a mental break, and now she wandered the house like a silent ghost. Korin killed the motes of softness his wife and children had bloomed in him, and now that they only had each other, he focused on cutting facets out of Keon to sculpt him into what he needed to become. There would be no more children. Korin had played his hand too early with Kimber and paid for it — he would not let his boy be another mistake.

While he wasn't a genius like Kimber, Keon was still extremely sharp. He had a knack for business and good diplomatic instincts. The latter would go unused, however, as Korin had no patience for kindness or compromise. He was brute force all the way: start friendly to lure them in, then find leverage and bear down on them from all sides. Be a man. Corner them until they agree.

ADOLESCENCE & TRAINING.

This conflict between Keon's good heart and Korin's ruthlessness would prove a continual issue as Keon grew up. Toxic masculinity runs deep in the DeRege household and family culture. Korin had always had a temper, but he became much more abusive to Keon both physically and psychologically after Kimber's death. The ritual of beatings with the whip Korin had once used in battle became as much a part of life as weekly meetings with trade partners. Nephilim regenerative abilities prevented severe nerve damage from the frequent lashings, but beyond that, Keon was expected to treat the wounds on his own without healing magic. So he did. Additionally, the regeneration could only do so much. During seasonal air-pressure changes and other circumstances, he suffers chronic aches in his back from nerves that never healed quite right, and much of the area is partially numb due to a buildup of scar tissue.

Unfortunately, Keon is a crier. He is soft-hearted, emotional, and sometimes it simply spills out through tears. It's simply the way he works; it happens too often and he hates it, but boys don't cry, so he learned to smother his feelings lest his father see the weakness and pounce on it. Additionally, Korin is very homophobic. It comes both from a twisted sense of practicality — our family already struggles with fertility, you'd better find a woman to have an heir with or so help me — and from heavy religious faith in the gods and strictures the DeReges worship.

Though Keon inherited most of his phoenix heart traits from his mother, Korin is a long-lived archmage, which caused his son to age slower than most of his species. He sent Keon to prestigious private schools and socialized him with the younger members of the royal family as well as the oldest noble houses. There were suitors; he turned them all down. He never made steadfast friendships outside of his sports buddies and study partners at school. Mostly, the relationships were superficial. He kissed a boy once, a stolen moment on a rooftop during a party. Afterwards, he knelt at his father's feet and begged forgiveness. The boy moved schools, and his family left Aditya Court.

This was not the only "toughening up" he was subject to, growing up. His father had him hunt animals in the woods and mountains, blackmail and hurt people in the cities, and learn how to thwart pirate raids on their trade ships. For a long time, Keon was unsure why Korin needed him to become so ruthless. His father just owned a trading company in the royal city alongside running events for the Emerald Wilds, like their family had always done. As it turned out, there was much more hidden beneath the surface. Korin was rooted much deeper in global politics than he appeared. The Society was not what it seemed to be. His trading company, and the goods they dealt in, included weapons.

He only learned these things after Korin deemed him satisfactory enough to bring fully into the business circuit. Keon was 50 — still a teenager, but out of school — when he was officially brought in as C.O.O. of their trading company and a higher-up position on the board for the Emerald Wilds. During the day, he spent time with the legitimate trade partners as well as Aditya Court's nobility and royals as he'd always done. At night, he met the criminal executives, syndicate leaders, and high-level political spies his father had off-book business with.

Keon was not allowed into political meetings, however. Whatever his father had going on with other lands' governments, he was not yet trusted enough to be let in. However, he attended royal galas in Aditya and mafia weddings in Meridian, eventually switching between legitimate and illegitimate as fluidly as Korin did. It finally earned him some approval. His life didn't get any better, but he became blinder. His faith grew stronger. He became more the spitting image of his father.

He did, however, hold some things sacred apart from Korin: though his father believed music to be a weak man's hobby, Keon never stopped playing the piano in secret. He kept it to school music rooms after hours, mostly, but if there was a piano in a building he was visiting, it was hard to ignore the itch to sneak out and play.

This was also around the time Keon began his serious combat training. The DeRege bloodline had always been a magical one, with their strong affinity for fire magic setting them apart from others around them. Keon loved using fire. It ignited his spirit; it came easily to him. Korin saw this and focused his son's training on the arcane side, bolstering his strengths and pointing out his weaknesses. However, he also taught Keon how to use guns. Just in case.

By the time he was a late teenager, he'd alienated all of his friends and focused entirely on the business, shoving his dreams and his personhood to the side. Be enough. Be a proper heir. Be a good son. He loves you, he does. He does.

Despite his efforts, Korin could never quite kill the goodness in his son. Instead, Keon learned repression. He learned to fear the repercussions of his sins, both from his father and from the gods. Outside the house, he grew bitter, stuck-up, and standoffish. He was a bully to those who weren't useful, and superficially friendly to those who were. It was much easier to put on the pompous mask of an old-money noble who boasts closeness with royalty and sneers down at all others. He began to drink and smoke, socially at first, and then to dull the yawning aches within him.

On the inside, though, Keon has always yearned to be loved. The memories he still holds of himself, Kimber, Korin and Charlie when he was young are the only thing keeping him hopeful that he can be good enough to earn his father's affection again one day. Korin cared for him once. He was kind once. If Keon could just be good enough, he believes with all of his heart that he can get back there.

[phoenix-and-found-family]

Unconditional Love 2 (Phoenix's Perspective)

(I just can't stop I'm sorry)

Trevor adjusted their tie in the mirror.

Light blue. Her favorite color.

They hated how it looked with their braids. They would probably have to dye them blue.

Red is our color. It's always been our color. We got mad at our previous handler for trying to make us wear blue- what are you doing?

"Whatever she wants."

They snapped out loud at the voice in their head, causing Right Robot to jump a little (which made a very loud noise and nearly made them flinch.)

"Uh, Agent Phoenix? Are you sure you're okay?"

They sighed and tried to smile at Right.

"Yes. I'm fine. Just pre-date jitters, I guess."

Even they didn't buy it.

Robulter came over with their regular tie.

"Hey, uh... Good news! Dr. P said she's got something else going on right now that she totally forgot about but is really important, soooo she's canceling dinner! You can put this back on now."

They tilted their head.

"I thought you two would be happy I was dating your creator."

They looked at each other with what looked like concern.

Concern? For them?

Clearly, they were seeing things.

"It's just... You're acting weird. Usually, you're really fun! You laugh and give us pats, and teach us swear words in other languages Dr. Prism doesn't know so we don't get in trouble."

Right nodded.

"Yeah, but now you're not doing... anything. Unless Dr. P asks you to."

"Which is what we're supposed to do!"

"Not very well, but still."

"I said supposed to do, not what we actually do."

They didn't respond as the two talked.

Of course they weren't doing anything. If they did something, they could do something wrong. And she could leave them for it.

This is Prism we're talking about. You think she would do that to you?

"Shut up."

Both of them stopped talking and stared at them.

"Sorry, I didn't mean..."

They trailed off, noticing something out of the corner of their eye.

In the kitchen, Prism was talking to someone they couldn't see. She was pacing around, exasperated.

"I don't know, I feel like it would hurt them more if I suddenly cancelled our plans-"

"ROXANA."

Oh.

It was Reggie.

That made sense. If it was a hostile person, she would have said something by now.

... He followed them.

They felt their legs moving forward without them, as they recalled that conversation from earlier.

"Agent, are you... okay?"

They nodded, not looking up from some paperwork. It didn't really matter how they felt anymore. They had a girlfriend now.

"Phoenix, you never do paperwork unless you're upset. Tell me what's wrong."

They glanced over at him.

Nothing was wrong. That was the point. Doing something wrong gets you no love.

They grabbed a notebook with their tk and gave it to him.

I'm fine, Crane.

"Crane?"

He looked down at them, a little annoyed.

"You call me 'Reggie', or 'Reginald'. But never 'Crane'."

They didn't understand why he cared, but they took the notepad back and wrote "Sorry."

He shook his head at them.

"Agent, don't apologize. Just tell me why you're acting like this. I'm worried."

Worried?

Worried for who? Prism? Himself? He knew they wouldn't - couldn't - do anything to hurt her. And if they did, they would deal with the punishment themselves. Like a boyfriend should.

He couldn't be concerned for them.

... Right?

They realized what time it was and stood up, writing a final message as they walked out of the room.

Got to go. Date. Don't follow me, Reginald.

He followed them. He followed them. Why did he do that?!

They walked into the room as Roxana sighed.

"I'll go... talk with them."

"Talk to me about what?"

Both of them jumped a little. Apparently, they were being stealthy without realizing.

They saw him look them up and down, his face growing more concerned.

"Roxana, um, wanted to talk with you, about something important."

He gestured towards them.

She sighed again.

"I..."

She trailed off, so they tried to finish her thought.

"Is this about dinner? If you'd like, I could just cook. I've heard that's also romantic."

They turned back to look at their handler.

Why are you here?

"I thought I asked you not to follow me."

His eye twitched a little.

"Phoenix, this is unhealthy and self-destructive. I know how you feel about love, and I'm not letting you do this to yourself."

They felt their fist clenching.

Self-destructive? Self-destructive?! Of course it's self-destructive!!!

"You can say no."

No I can't.

"This is unhealthy when she says it's unhealthy."

They snapped at him so hard he took a step back, which immediately made them feel like shit. But they had more to say.

"This is whatever she says it is, Crane. If it's normal, it's normal. If it's not, then it's not. If I'm not giving enough, then I'm not being a good boyfriend."

The last phrase was said with every ounce of conviction they had.

"And I would have to fix that immediately."

Roxana put a hand on their arm, which caused them to look over at her.

"Phoenix, could you... come outside, please."

... Right. I forgot she was in the room. I'm not being that good.

"Of course, Roxana."

When they got out into the hall, she smiled at them weakly.

"...You... changed your tie."

"I figured it would match your outfit better."

"I didn't tell you what I was wearing for the date yet?"

"...I figured it would match you better."

Her face fell.

I said something wrong.

"I- I could get a different color! Or a bowtie! Or just not wear one! What do you want? I'll do it. Just tell me."

She looked even more upset. They almost slapped themselves.

"Phoenix... What do you want?"

"Whatever you do!"

They answered with no hesitation.

"I want whatever you want me to want, do whatever you want me to do, be whoever you want me to be. That's what a boyfriend does. You're in charge! Tell me what to do!"

They felt tears they didn't know were there start to fall down their cheeks.

"Tell me who I am."

She looked like she was about to cry as well. She reached for their hand. It took so much willpower not to flinch at her touch.

"You're not a boy, Phoenix..."

"I am if you say I am."

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"... Should I change my tie, mi amor?"

She shook her head.

"No, Phoenix. You shouldn't."

"Then I won't."

They kissed her cheek.

"Because I love you."

Because I'm yours.

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

@the-one-and-only-043 @wyvchard Guess what :3

If you guessed more angst, you win a cookie 🍪

[karizard-ao3]

My reactions to Evangelion episode 17: Fourth Child

I regret ever doubting Misato. It was not her who was sus, it was NERV.

Actually, I did wonder if the Angel was trying to communicate with him.

The need for "heart" to operate the Evas is stirring some things in my head.

Toji is a good brother.

ope, my kid is home. I'll save this as a draft and try to resume later.

Okay, it's later. My kid is asleep and I'm squeezing in an episode before I also go to bed. I'm just going to start from the beginning. I think I could probably actually watch this with him because the content doesn't seem too mature for him, however he would not be able to restrain himself from talking through the thing and I would annoy him by pausing the show if I have long notes to make, so he'll just have to wait to see if I feel I must do a second watch after the first one.

I like that Misato is protecting Shinji from this interrogation.

The Angels are EVOLVING?

So I've been thinking about how Adam appeared to be a fetus in a suitcase when Kaji brought him to Gendo and how he was called the first Angel when Kaji showed him to Misato fully grown, so I wonder if instead of dying they just do a little Steven Universe thing and revert back to an embryo? Or actually maybe comparing them to a phoenix is more apt. Also, I did find it weird when the lava Angel pupae looked so similar to fetus Adam but I also take it for granted that all embryos/ early stage fetuses look the same no matter what species they are, so I didn't think too deeply about it. That should have been my first clue that Adam was an Angel and not a person.

What is the S2 drive?

So the base or whatever vanished. It disappeared into the Dirac Sea. Was it the S2 drive and human error that caused this vaporization of sorts or was it an Angel attack?

The dummy plug is very interesting to me. The Eva needs to feel like there is a pilot to sync with. Is it because the implanted personalities long to have a soul again? Or am I just thinking weird things because I'm tired? lol

Is that actually Rei in the tube? I guess it is.

Ritsuko, why so creepy?

Asuka being mean again. Oh, young lady.

Does class rep like Toji??

Rei's got medication she takes.

Rei's reaction to Shinji cleaning up after her was so cute.

She's never said thank you before?

Here we go with some Garden of Eden talk. Is Tokyo-3 the Eden? Maybe it's a space station for when they destroy the Earth.

The Marduk Institute doesn't exist? And Shinji's school seems to be involved. Maybe all the kids there potential pilots.

"But I'm not a girl" Shinji, I love you.

Kaji is a watermelon farmer.

I wonder what traits they select for when choosing pilots.

Kensuke is so nosy,

The birth rate has been falling. Hmmm.

She's offering to make you a lunch, dumbass.

I'm changing Asuka's name to Karen.

In Conclusion

I feel like things are starting to come together but I'm still no closer to figuring out exactly what the secrets here are. Soon, soon.

Toji being the Fourth Children is tugging on my brain because I feel like if I could figure out what about him makes him the candidate they've been looking for then I would have a much better idea of what's going on with the Evas. I had thought there may be some kind of psychic element to this but I haven't seen any signs that they are being evaluated for psychic skills. It seems the "heart" is the most important part, but what determines that there is enough heart? All the pilots are so different, except for that they all do have some kind of trauma. Is that the trick? I don't seem to recall any mention of Toji's parents being killed but he just mentioned that there's no one at home to make a lunchbox for him anymore, so maybe he has lost them. Shinji lost his mother and his dad's a deadbeat, Asuka mentioned she has no one left to care about (if I remember right), and Rei is also alone from what I can tell and may have lost her loved ones horrifically. We know she has no one to make her feel connected to the world with all the suicidal sounding stuff she was saying that upset Shinji. Maybe she was the one who said she had no one left? Could have been both girls. So, I guess now I'm wondering if Toji's sister has died. Anyway, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

I have a feeling the dummy plug is going to be a disaster.

That's about all I'm coming up with right now. I have to get to bed or I will regret it in the morning and all day tomorrow, so I will try to watch another episode tomorrow night, but maybe earlier in the evening so I can fit in a couple. We'll see. It all depends on a certain dependent of mine and how fast he goes to bed.