#and she was Revenge Oriented all the time. She said she’d come back and kill everyone of you. im not 100% she wouldn’t include Louis in that

[rivercule]

I know it isn’t the case but it would be kind of fun and epic if actually neither Lestat nor Armand saved Louis they just both took credit for it at separate times under the assumption that the other did it.

Of course the only alternatives I can think of are Claudia (probably too messed up to do it at the time and I can’t see her saving Louis over Madeleine in that moment unless she really meant for it to be a punishment worse than death for putting her in the situation in the first place), or Sam Barclay Beckett, great and powerful member of Daft Punk who may have beef with other coven members and somehow managed to escape his fated end with the rest of them

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

Smugglers and Killers (Favored Ones, Part 18.)

Series description: Many things were surely fucked up in the year 2038, but no-one ever told anyone how all of it went down. What happened before a group of people left for Seattle to handle personal matters? Why did one girl refuse to leave all of it be? And why there were so many dead in the end?

Quote for the chapter: “I'm just a poor, wayfaring stranger... Traveling through this world below.” - Johnny Cash

Part summary: As the whole incident slowly settled down, new problems started to arise. 

A/N:.So, we soon be on a family trip to Seattle, guys, how are we feeling about that?

Warnings: Angst, some more angst and a bit of fluff. 

Word count: 4.8 K

Tagging:   @nemodoren @xxgoldenhour @missdictatorme​​ @peakymarvels​​ @davnwillcome​ @pickleriiick​ @jodiereedus22​ @gladiosamicitias​ @tamkashi​ @eternallyvenus​ @avengerssstuff​ @fangirl-inthe-us​ @avery-miller​ @mikah-writes​ @mad-hatter-98​ @sadiaafrin99​ @flavorishy

Series master list: H E R E

Joel Miller’s playlist for the bonfire occasions: H E R E

Youtube playlists: JACKSON DAYS | SEATTLE DAYS

Early spring of 2038, twenty days from departure to Seattle:

When you'd woken up for the first time, Ellie and everyone else forgot about the hatred inside for a small while. You were drugged and high as a living fuck, talking complete nonsense. Sure, Ellie desired to talk to you about the strangers, but at the moment, she was just laughing happily at your expressions and monotone voice, just like Dina, Diego and Jesse did. Joel wasn't in town to see you awake, but everyone was sure you'll have plenty of time to talk things out later.

Surprisingly enough, Ellie was standing at his doorstep, accompanied by Dina when he got back from the hunt. It made him grin to know that his baby girl had healed enough to talk to him once again - only if he'd know how downhill will the conversation go. But just like the man he was, he invited both ladies in and made them a cup of coffee and tea.

"So, you two hit it off, huh?" - Joel rose his eyebrows teasingly, having Dina chuckle at what he'd said. But both the girls nodded. Ellie was nervous about the whole matter - it was stressing her out enough to sit with Dina as her partner in front of Joel, but the matter she came to talk about was making her even more nervous. - "I'm proud of you, kiddo. You know I am." - Joel smiled at his daughter of sorts heartwarmingly and Ellie felt as her girlfriend's palm held hers a bit tighter.

"We'll put all the politeness aside, for now, Joel. I came to talk about the patrol." - Ellie licked her lips, lifting her look to look at the old man. At this statement, Joel leaned his back into the chair, letting out a long sigh. Sure, he should've seen this coming. While he knew when to stay put and calm, Ellie saw the world from a different perspective. She saw and felt different about the situation, and it was fair to hear what she had to say. So, with that, Joel nodded to let Ellie know he's listening. - "I want to go after them. Dina and I, we are going as soon as Y/N tells us who they were." - And with that, Joel closed his eyes, shaking his head with clear disagreement.

"You think I'll let this slide, Joel? I know you're pissed too, you know I just want the revenge she and Tommy deserve and you want it as well." - Ellie spoke out frantically. - "And you'd do the same fucking thing as soon as something happened to me. You wouldn't stay put and waited for things to play out, come on." - The girl looked into the man's face. His expression was unreadable and stoic. He was just called out because he didn't pack his damn stuff and went after them immediately, as Ellie thought she should've done. This wasn't about fear or about staying put. This was about making sure you were doing good in the first place.

"Kiddo, I think you should calm down in the first place, 'kay?" - The man spoke out after a moment of digesting the information. - "I am not waitin' here, sittin' around to see how it plays out. I get what you're goin' through rite now, trust me, I've been there. But..." - Joel tried to speak with the girl confidently, but she just sprang up on her feet. Dina was just sitting there in silence, afraid of what's yet to come. She told Ellie Joel won't agree to this short-fire plan she came up with, and there is was.

"Calm down? Are you fucking serious? I thought that the fact you've been fucking her for the last few months might make you do something for avenging," - "Ellie, sit down. We can solve this without bein' rude." - Joel answered rather calmly, but it could be heard that he's about to lose his nerve soon as well.

"No, you don't get to tell me when to sit down and shut up, Miller. I'm doing this for her." - "And you think she'd want that? Kiddo, she's a good person, she wouldn't jump straight to violence." - Joel defended you while looking the girl in the eyes. He was playing around with his tongue and teeth, biting on his bottom lip and trying to stay concentrated on the conversation. - "And how can you know, hm?"

"Oh, good Lord, that's what bitin' your ass? I know that girl for quite some time now and her moral compass is oriented differently than mine or yours." - Well, this was getting heated up fast. Dina would swear she hadn't felt this uncomfortable for some time and let her say, she and Jesse had the most awkward conversation ever when they were breaking up. - "Oh, great. You're talking shit about morals, given the fact you've started fucking my best friend? You did it even when you knew what she means to me? She is like my sister, Joel, but you just had to come around and fuck the shit up as you always do." - Ellie threw her hands in the air, staring at the man in silence for a while just like he was staring back at her.

"I am sorry to break it down for you, kiddo, but I have a family to protect 'ere now. And somethin' to get a hold on. All your great plan is goin' to do is make you both killed, mark my words. But I ain't be stoppin' you since I'm just that old fucker who had practically took advantage of your best goddamn friend." - Joel chuckled ironically, leaving to open the door for them. At that moment, Ellie stopped and winked a few times, realizing what she'd just said. These things were just nasty to say out loud, even with the given context. Sure, you were her best friend, but you and Joel had every right to date... If you liked each other and felt something for the other one. Which you surely did.

Sure, Ellie had the right to be angry about the matter, but she in no way had the right to blame Joel or to tell either of you to cut the things off for good. It was a weird situation to be in, but when she looked down on Dina, Ellie knew that no-one had the right to judge someone else's romantic choices. And as long as you two were happy, there was nothing left to say. And the redhaired girl knew that... Yet with the things she already told the man, it was too late to tell him. Dina smoothed her palm and caught it to hers, standing up.

"Listen, I'm sorry," - "Leave my goddamn house." - Joel mumbled when Ellie wanted to apologize as he was leaning into the open door, one of his thumbs was slipped behind his belt. So, she wasn't talking to him for years and now, when she and Joel made up in a way, she pulled a complete 180° stunt. That was just fucking great. Although she knew that Joel isn't her and he'll calm down as the time will pass, she couldn't help but feel bad for the words. She just smiled sadly and nodded, walking out of the house with her head held down.

"I'm sorry, Joel." - Dina told the man quietly, offering him a quick comforting hug before running after Ellie. She bit Joel's ass for a long time after she and Dina left. Did the girl think he wasn't grieving and in pain? Did she think that he's living in this small fortress of comfort that didn't allow him to see the things around? You were a person he deeply cared for, so, of course, he was shaken when Bobby allowed him to see you for the first time after the incident. There were a few days when Joel was forbidden to see you because Maria didn't know what his reaction will be. It was on the wild range of basic randomness. It could be everything from being outraged to saddened. When Joel begged to see you for the tenth time, Maria finally agreed. Even if you got better than when Dina had driven you into the hospital, you were still looking as if the people have beaten the fucking shit out of you. The man reminisced over everything as he concentrated on making a craving of the hind you've seen last year since he thought you may like it.

And ever since he sat down to hold your hand, he couldn't but think it all had something to do with him. He wasn't sure how could any of that involve him, but because of a habit, he was sure that it was somehow connected to him. Joel visited both you and Tommy when he found the courage to, yet he always sat by your side way longer. It was making him calm seeing you slowly getting better, seeing as your skin tone slowly started to resemble the one he remembered. Sometimes, he came overnight to sit by your side the whole night, just watching over you.

Ellie was right. If the things weren't as they were at the moment, he'd go after these fuckers immediately. He had the habit of getting into a rage too quickly - but this time, you needed him there more than he needed to avenge you. Sure, you needed him there just metaphorically, but he needed to be there for you. There was no way around it - he was, indeed, in love. For the first time in the last twenty-four years. And he'd do anything just to keep you safe.

Naturally, people were sure that he'll take you to his house once you'll be able to leave the hospital. Sure, there were the weirded-out stares when he came for you, but honestly? Just like you've said, the people could go themselves. What did they know about you or him, about what you had going on? Maria seemed to be on board with the fact that you were a serious couple, slowly accepting you as a new addition to the family just the way she was adjusting to Dina. You two were always close friends she had in Jackson, but this was a whole new level.

"And here he comes. Howdy, you handsome cowboy." - Was the first thing Joel had heard you say after a few weeks and holy moly, the man was almost on the verge of tears at that moment. You weren't looking healthy, but at least you weren't looking like someone whos dying either. You put down a lot of weight thanks to your prolonged coma, you were sitting in a wheelchair and it could be seen that you're fucking tired. Yet as long as you were sitting there and smiling at the man, none of these mattered to him. - "Youre ready to sing the whole songbook for me, huh?" - You asked and grinned when he leaned down to steal a kiss from you.

"When exactly I said I'll be singin' for you, girl? My memory doesn't seem to be workin' as it used to." - Joel grinned back, looking over to Maria who came to the room to greet her brother-in-law. They shared a short hug before Maria took him aside.

"Listen. You need to be careful with her now, 'kay? She ain't one of the girls to break down under the gentlest blow of the wind, sure, I mean... Her head is probably more fucked up than her body. She had some wild nightmares last night, and she was mumbling some name from her sleep, but I didn't catch it." - Maria told Joel seriously, watching you make some small talk with the nurses, laughing through it. - "Also, you should know that she and Dina are on thin ice... I heard them screaming at each other because of something involving both you and Ellie yesterday and listen..." - The woman caught Joel's shoulder when the man almost turned away from her annoyedly. - "I don't know what it was about, but take the things slow for now, you promise?" - Maria sighed and in the end, she had Joel nodding.

Great. Not only that he and Ellie had some bad blood between them, but now you and Dina started to argue as well... Those were some great fucking news. - "How's my baby brother doin'? Heard he woke up yesterday." - Joel changed the topic and at that, he saw Maria tearing up. First, it was hard to tell if she's happy or sad, but she nodded and smiled in the end.

"It's still your brother my husband inside of that head. His bones are fine now, so give him two weeks and he'll be standing on his feet again." - The blonde woman whispered happily, feeling the stress washing off of her slowly. At that, Joel smiled and nodded, freaking out when your head suddenly appeared next to his palm as you tugged his shirt.  

"Are we going or what?" - You asked, looking at both him and Maria. - "Dude, I haven't smelled the fresh air in weeks and you don't know how eager am I to take a motherfucking bath." - A hum left your mouth as you thought about pouring yourself some water. Joel sure as hell was surprised with your cussing - you didn't cuss as much before the incident, at least not around him.

"I shouldn't leave the girl hanging. See you around Joel, and... Look after her." - Maria teased you with a smile, wiping the tears away. At that, you chuckled with a dry tone, giving her a daring smile back. - "I am not a baby, Maria. And you sure as hell ain't my mother." - You bumped her thigh with a faked drama, having the woman laugh lighthearted.

"But you can't even walk for now. So you're a baby. Jesus, Joel, tame her down." - Maria joked, leaving you two alone for Joel to take you home already. The man gladly pushed the wheelchair to your house to pick some clothes from there while you made him talk about the weeks he spent without you. He was glad to have you poking fun of him again, making jokes, and speculate about things, no matter how much you were swearing.

"Which ones should I take?" - Joel asked while you sat in the doorframe, watching the man packing your stuff. - "The ones you find the sexiest, of course. That makes sense." - You answered him almost immediately, having the man shaking his head. You were impossible at times and it caught him off guard every time. - "You keep on dreamin', girl. I'll take the most comfortable ones for starters." - Joel dismissed the innuendo. With a loud sigh, you rolled your eyes.

"You, Miller, are not fun. I can't wait to get my hands on you." - You mumbled with a dreamy smile on your face. That made Joel sit on the edge of your bed, looking you into the eyes. - "I told you to keep on dreamin' and there's no way you can go around that, young blood. Not until you feel better." - He told you, seeing your expression to soften a bit.

Even if you weren't in a state to acknowledge that, you've missed him dearly. This man was something out of the world. And you almost didn't remember that you two were an official thing in Jackson until Maria had told you what happened that night when he and Seth argued about Ellie. That was probably the wildest realization you had ever since you've woken up. - "Heard you have some trouble with Dina, wanna tell me 'bout that?" - Joel asked you suddenly, having you sigh.

Dina came to ask you about the whole incident thing and God, it pissed you out. The audacity to ask people rude stuff Dina sometimes had was quite unbelievable. You had just woken up, disoriented and with the drugs still wearing off and she was already there, asking you stuff. This matter was the kind you had to solve inside your head first before talking about it with the others. You remembered some pieces from the time you were in limbo - like Abby's face. Not her entire face, but you knew that you'd recognize her eyes anywhere, on any given material. The whole Abby issue was something you weren't ready to talk about with anyone just yet - especially with Joel when he was the one you've endured so much pain for.

"She wanted to ask me things about the cottage, so I told her to fuck off for now. And she took it way more personal than I anticipated her to, given it's Dina who I was talking to. On the other hand, I've heard you had a beef with Ellie too. What was that about?" - You asked back to make him uncomfortable as well. The man looked away for a second, fiddling around with his fingers to figure out some answer. - "The girls wanted to talk about the whole thing with me as well, but... I don't think it's my turn to decide who's goin' to die or not. But if you'd like to visit 'em and you know at least somethin' 'bout these people, baby girl, you can count on me." - Joel whispered, declaring his loyalty in this fucked up situation.

It felt like the safest moment to tell him that Abby was there to look for Joel. She was purposely searching for the man, and given what kind of a person Joel used to be before Jackson, you were willing to believe that he has done some fucked up shit to a person she knew. And she wanted to avenge them... But... Would you be any better if you'd go after them because of what they've done? Would that solve something at all? Or would there be just more blood? So you've just smiled at Joel, looking back to the wardrobe.

"Don't forget to take my granny panties too, I know they're turning you on." - A joke left you, but it didn't come across as funny at all. All it was was a desperate escape from the situation inside your head. Yet your man hummed in agreement, packing some more of your stuff. As soon as you were at home, you've decided to take a bath like the big girl you were - determined that you'll climb the staircase on your own. Joel was doing some stuff around the house, so once you felt like you're ready, you caught the railing and swung yourself standing, just to scream out in pain.

Joel ran after you immediately, checking on the situation - and it was quite funny how quickly his eyes widened in horror as soon as he saw what you were up to. His palm slipped on your waist and he put your arm over his shoulders to make sure you'll be standing on the a-ok foot. - "I was just about to prepare us some bath, you're ruining the surprise." - You chuckled to hide the pain. It was anything overwhelming, yet it didn't feel right to stand up on your own just yet.

Nurses told you to take things slowly because it was kind of expected of them to be the adult ones out of you two, but you were a hotshot at the end of the day. You wanted to feel empowered and independent, but the things didn't quite play out the way you anticipated. - "Jesus, I thought you've hurt yourself. You want to open up the wound again, or what you're after?" - Joel huffed angrily, helping you to climb the stairs up. It didn't feel as bad when you had someone to help you out with walking up. The discomfort was way lesser. So, making sure you're contained, Joel got you a bath of hot water.

The man sat by your side for a fairly long time and chatted with you until it came to undressing. Even with that, he helped, acting like the most polite gentleman around with it. Slowly, you gathered yourself to take the bandages off your thigh, checking on the scab. The skin around it was now pretty weird, but it was more or less turning into a scar. Bobby promised you that you'll be soon enough allowed to walk on your own. Joel was weirded out when you limbed to him, unbuttoning his shirt with a gentle smile.

"Hey there, Texas. How ya doin'?" - You asked with the most overly dramatic Texas accent ever. Joel furrowed when your hands slowly got to his belt, unbuckling it skillfully. - "No sex, I swear. Just a bath." - You made a scout promise before rolling the t-shirt from his torso. When you took in the view of his chest covered in gentle hair, you nuzzled in, taking a deep breath in. You were both alive and safe. What could be better in this awful world?

A subconscious smile appeared on your lips when you felt as he leaned his chin into the top of your head, exhaling slowly as he smoothed your back, entwining his fingers at its small. When you made him step out of the jeans, you both somehow puzzled into the bathtub so closely that there wasn't an inch where you could move around. But that was what made it even better. Soon enough after you both laid down, you heard the man snoring lightly. So you just laid there until the water got really cold, and when it did, you woke him by gently soaping his calves.

"Damn, I've fallen asleep?" - Joel asked you with the typical sleepy-raspy voice. With a chuckle, you nodded, soaping your shoulders and upper arms. - "'s okay. You're an old man." - A tease left your lips when you felt him shifting behind you as he leaned in to kiss the nape of your neck. After a while, when you let the man smoothing the skin on your back and soap your hair, you turned your head at him.

"What?" - Joel chuckled, kissing one of your temples. - "Nothing, you're handsome," - You smiled and kissed him. Once you both put on some clothes, you agreed that you won't the bandage on for the night.

"You up for a movie?" - Joel asked with anticipation, but he knew that answer as soon as you stretched and yawned. Your look traveled to a book in his nightstand, which made you smile as you took it into your hands.

"What is this about? Space for Idiots?" - You asked, putting the book on its place before you sat into the blankets. Joel nodded, walking up to you. - "Ellie likes space, so... I wanted to make her happy with knowing some stuff. Doesn't look like Imma about to use it, though." - The man sighed, watching you laying down. So he just closed the door, tugged you in, and left to his carpentry workshop to work on a few pieces. When he was sneaking into the bed again, you were already dead asleep, yet he couldn't help himself and leaned in to smooth your hair. - "You up?" - Joel asked and kneeled beside the edge of your side, smiling at you.

"Not anymore, you couldn't help yourself, could you?" - You whispered, sending him a crooked, sleepy smile. It didn't take the man too much time to lay down next to you, making sure he has you curled up to his side carefully enough to protect your thigh from any possible impact that would hurt you. - "You still up?" - Joel smoothed your back. Was he about to say it out loud? Oh, dear Lord, he was. Was he ready to say it out loud? No, he fucking wasn't. But things were the way they were. - "What are you after, Miller?" - You hummed into his chest, being half asleep already.

"Uh, just a little somethin' to tell you, baby girl." - The man got out tenderly. There was so much emotion that it made your head sprang up so you were looking at him as your fingers smoothly caressed the small spot under his collarbone. He closed his eyes, exhaling once more. Jesus, you've never seen Joel so nervous about anything in the whole fucking world. - "I love you." - The man licked his lips and continued staring into the ceiling. He was so nervous he could barely look at you - you felt his heart jumping under your fingers as if it was about to have a stroke. At that, you chuckled and kissed his clothed chest, putting your head back there. It was cute that this was officially the first time when his palms got sweaty, and if it would be light in the room, you'd see that he's blushing.

"And I know that. You don't have to tell me... All it takes is to show me you mean it, Miller." - You whispered, hugging his side with your palm carefully, bringing the man even closer. He was petrified of the idea of not hearing it back. You told him just before you encountered the strangers, and now, when he was somehow sure it's safe to put his heart out there, you won't tell him back? - "You know I love you too, stop holding your breath, will you?" - You chuckled and felt as his chest lowered suddenly as he breathed out.

The other night, there was a surprise party for you and Tommy. That 'we're pretty glad you're alive, shitheads' type of party which greatly resembled one of the winter dances. You and Tommy with your partners were sharing one table as the people came in to congratulate you, even if survival was barely considered a thing to congratulate for. While Jesse came to your wheelchair and pushed his body on yours, making you laugh, Ellie has been torn apart between talking to you and not talking. Dina was mad at you and Joel was mad her, no matter how unimportant it seemed to be. Ellie saw your confused gaze flying over to the two girls and she could tell that you're confused why you're not there.

So when ten p.m. came, she walked directly to you, ignoring both Dina and Joel, pushing your wheelchair to the dancefloor. It was funny when she sat on your lap and you both felt the wheelchair practically tearing apart under you. But you just hugged her waist and laughed with her. The girl wasn't the one to cry, but when she looked at you being all happy and healthy, she teared up as she put her forehead onto yours and closed her eyes. Other couples were dancing while you two just sat in the wheelchair, sharing a moment of friendly emotions.

"You scared me back there." - Ellie whispered, looking around and winking in a fast pace to shush the tears away.

"No fucking way. I told Dina they've come late to the party." - A nasty grin assured her that you're taking her interest seriously.

"Do you remember something from the..." - "I remember pretty much everything, thank you for bringing that up." - You shut the girl off. Ellie's eyes widened and her breath hitched. You remembered everything. You remembered the people, you could have a clue about who they were. You could... - "Whatever you're thinking about now, Williams, drop it. At least for today. Can we be just happy I've survived that shit for one evening?" - A sigh left you. You knew the look Ellie was giving you. And you almost didn't trust that shell drop it. - "Dina already told me what you're after. And I need a few days to think about all the shit. Tommy and I agreed that we won't be talking about it with anyone until we feel the right time has come."

"So you wanna go after them?" - Ellie asked mesmerized. You didn't give her a clear answer, but there was a little light of rage and hatred inside your eyes. She didn't know the reason yet, but she already knew that you were pretty much ready to hunt these sons of bitches down one by one.

[jadedragoness]

Review: Peace Talks

First Read Through Reaction

Now staring off, knowing that the book was essentially part one of two did mean that I went in expecting that there would be plot lines that wouldn’t be resolved. I did NOT expect that nearly zero of the plot lines would be resolved, at all. Yikes. Now, I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it. I did. But it felt like there were 50 to 60 pages missing that should have been in the story to at least wrap up minor plot lines before heading into ‘Battle Ground’.

Warning: Full of Spoilers

Such the arrival of the Outsiders those Cornerhounds. Um… Outsiders and at no point that Harry wonder why in the hell they were called to Chicago? Or why they were targeting him and Ebenezer. Seriously, unless the author totally forgot we know that Outsiders can only be called by mortals. So human wizards brought them. So was it someone in the ‘Black Council’ or was it the Formor, since we know from previous stories that they grab humans and mind-whammy them and also modify them. And we know that they’ve been pretty focused on grabbing minor practioners for a couple of years now.

Hell, even just knowing why Thomas attacked the svartalf King would have been good to know in the book even if we don’t find out who it was yet.

That being said lets start of with things I didn’t like.

Thing Which I Wasn’t All that Pleased About:

1. Butters in that threesome relationship.

Now, let me explain, it’s not because its a poly relationship. I don’t even twitch over how Justine and Thomas include others in the sexual part of their relationship. It’s because I kept wondering if Marci was even into dudes. As far as I knew she was only into girls. And now she’s suddenly bi?

What the hell?

I think my reaction has a lot to do with how skewed the sexual orientation gradient in shown among Named characters. You have straight men. Straight women. Bi women who are shown to be blatantly into men and women…and that’s it, now.

No lesbian women with zero interest in men. No bi men. No gay men. No asexual characters. No trans characters. No gender fluid people.

I know that this due to the author’s eye and while it hasn’t irritated me much in the past as we keep getting more and more books with more newly introduced characters the lack is becoming more and more glaring to me. Especially, as I have drifted into reading other series that manage to be way more inclusive about this sort of thing in great and amazing ways *sighs happily over Rivers of London series*. And I don’t just mean in passing with random nameless scenery people that never talk which have popped up in the Dresden Files but with actual characters that have names, dialogue and contribute to the series.

So it really, really annoys me that Marci went from being the only lesbian who is a named character to joining the horde of bi women in the DF verse.

Okay, so its not really a Butters issue to much as a grumble about the spectrum of gender and sexually needing better representation.

*grumbles* Step up your game, Butcher.

I will add that I’m head-canoning that actually the relationship here is Butters with Andi, Andi with Butter and Marci, and Marci with Andi. That pretty much with Butters running around being the new Knight Andi didn’t like how her boyfriend wasn’t paying attention and gave Butters the ultimatum of letting Marci in as Andi’s girlfriend or they broke up.

… yeah, I’m totally liking that spin way, way better.

2. That Marcone took forever to show up! ARGH! I love him ok.

Considering how early he was name dropped in the story the amount of time it took him to show up… Jim Butcher is a damn Marcone-tease. *glares hotly in author’s direction*

3. I don’t like it that Murphy is so hurt. I don’t hate it. I think I’m just uneasy about the future implications.

Having reread the entire series before reading ‘Peace Talks’ I fully expected some lingering injury but not to that level. I’m actually worried about her chances of surviving any upcoming battle, and not just in Battle Ground. There’s even more danger coming down the pipeline in future books and she won’t let herself stay ‘safe’ when she could be watching Harry’s back… so its a worrying problem.

Now if she died I have no doubt that her being recruited to be a Valkerie is an option. But then I remembered how those warrior women go out into the world with ‘clients’ and of the two we’ve seen they’ve been attached to ‘monsters’ aka Lara and Marcone.

Unless, the payment isn’t cash and she can be attached to Harry. *hums in thought*

But then I have to wonder how much Murphy would accept that role. She’s also a pretty devout Catholic as this book reminded us so that is also something that would make her say no to the offer.

4. That the younger Wardens who had so looked up to Harry being so damned suspicious… ow. That hurt. I may have teared up and sniffled into a tissue thinking about it. And then sobbed because so much of it came from Carlos… Carlos! The man went into the Deeps with Harry! Ouch.

5. Rudolph… that roach.

Ugh, I’ve had the disturbing thought that now that magic and the supernatural on the path to being exposed to all of humanity, scared humanity too, that will end up with a resurgence of a new Inquisition and the killing of anything eldritch. And you know that Rudolph would definitely be in it. *shudders in disgust* Creep.

BTW I totally don’t believe that Rudolph answers to Marcone. It doesn’t make sense as to why he was so pushy go get Harry during ‘Changes’. I had thought he was answering to the Red Court but with them being taken out of the picture… now I wonder if he isn’t answerable to the Black Council.

Things I Did Not Expect:

1. Damn… when Ebenezer sent that spell through Harry and ‘killing’ I was so shocked even though I was pretty sure there was a twist coming. Mostly because of what it says about Ebenezer.

Ebenezer actions killed Harry.

Sure it was a fake body that brought no harm to the real Harry. But if Harry hadn’t thought ahead? If he hadn’t used his brain to ask Molly to create a fake? Eb would have killed his own grandson.

Sure it was an accident but it could so easy have resulted in a dead Harry. I was crying so hard I wondered if my eyeballs were loosening in their sockets. Argh.

2. Bonea…. Harry your naming skills are simply weird. I’m so glad that Susan named Maggie.

Although Bonnie is a pretty great nickname.

Thinks I Found Utterly Hilarious

1. The line about the best offense being a T-Rex? Gold. Pure gold.

2. When Harry figured out there are angels in the hilt of the Swords of the Cross and Butter’s immediate reaction of horror because he’d accidentally laundered the hilt, giving it a ride in a washing machine.

OMG! I had the instant image of a miniature angel screaming and growing dizzy when going through the spin cycle.

I know that makes no sense but that’s where my mind went, okay.

3. The conjuritis. Omg, it’s so gross with all the ectoplasm leaking from Harry’s nose but it’s sooooo funny. Also the way he kept getting the ‘aren’t you too old for this’ from Ebenezer and then Lara made me giggle even harder.

Then I thought: dude, it’s like chicken pox, something you got as a kid but if you never had it you get it when exposed later in life. So one of his kids has it. Probably Maggie too.

4. When Sanya pretended to have his hand lopped off. I straightened up and was so worried Sanya had lost a hand. Then when I realized he was pretending to freak out Butters and Harry I admit to laughing way too hard. Got me too.’

Also there’s no way that Sanya was actually defeated there. He’s younger and better trained then Butters, I don’t care how light (Heh) the new sword is. He definitely threw that fight to test his hunch.

5. Murphy’s inability to handle being flirted on with a red-headed warrior woman. Sooooo funny. I mean, Murphy could have said a number of things such as ‘I’m exclusive.’ or ‘I’m not interested in women.’ But she just floundered. Heh heh.

6. I continue to find it completely hilarious that Lara, a couple of centuries old vampire, seems to keep learning a lot of power moves from Marcone.

Such as: having trained fighters that are NOT food, well… mostly. Having those mines installed in the walls. And now hiring a Valkerie of her very own.

I keep thinking, yeah, there’s no way she’d win in a fight against Marcone because there’ s no way that Marcone has let slip all of his tricks.

Things I Really, Really Liked:

1. Marcone. Everything Marcone. *heart-eyes*

And then he proves why he’s so damned scary by standing up to the Titan. Then to the ghouls. Then after proving his bad-ass quotient if off the charts he gets everyone organized to fight.

Yeeessss… It proves to me that when it comes to protecting Chicago he is actually the best person after Harry. Hell, in some ways he’s better than Harry. Now, I’m not saying he’s a white knight or anything like that. Just that he has the intelligence, the ruthlessness, the will, the power and the men to provide the most protection to the city’s mortal denizens. At least when there’s a war raging with multiple enemies who will be attacking at various points.

And oh, I can’t wait to see how he’s going to get revenge for the death of his people. Omg, he’s going to kill the Formor so hard. *goes starry eyed thinking about more Marcone*

But why did he have to appear so late in the book?! *wails in a heart-rending fashion*

There better be a ton more Marcone in the next book! *makes desperate gimme gimme hands*

No, I don’t have a Marcone addiction… I can stop anytime I want to. *sneaks off to mainline some “Even Hand” straight into the brain*

2. The return of Goodman Grey! Oh, I hope he’s around a lot! I’ve really grown to like him.

<b>Things Which Blew My Mind or Were Just Freaking Awesome: </b>

1. Dad!Harry is actually the most amazing Harry. Forget the magic flinging and the fire storms… this is the best Harry.

Just the way he takes care of his kids…. *turns to mush like ectoplasm*

2. Murphy and Harry are finally together! Yay! Yay! Hip hip hooray!

Now, I’m a rather shameless Marcone/Dresden fic writer, but as I never ever expect this to be canon I’m content to write it as fanfic for my own sense of delight. However when it comes to canon I’m full on board with the Karrin and Harry relationship. Be it friendship or romantic, I think its great.

3. Marcone… that is all.

Random Speculation

1. I find myself wondering about Ebenezer’s rage against vampires. And my brain muttered this theory: Maybe Harry’s grandmother was killed by White Court vampires.

Whoa.

It would explain the vitrolic rage.

And if Lara was involved it would also explain her flash of shame.

We don’t know anything about Harry’s grandmother, not even her name. So… that’s a thought.

2. River Shoulders teaching Harry.

Oh man, oh man, I hope Harry learns shape-shifting.

And thinking about it I had to wonder if the animal-shifting had anything to do with knowing the animal in question which of course made me think…

Harry should learn to shape-shift into a T-Rex.

He already knows how one is put together and the mind of one. And he knows that it’s possible to add extra mass to a shift from the Nevernever in the form of ectoplasm… so

Harrysarous Rex, baby…. I may have to write a fic with this premise.

3. Oh, if it’s possible to make a ectoplasmic body can Harry learn to make one for Bonea? After all Maggie would probably really enjoy getting to play with her little sister that way. Even if Harry can’t do it all the time and it wouldn’t last longer than a day. That would be delightful.

4. Okay, not this is more head-canon than speculation but… considering how hard Harry has been made to be analogous to Merlin I can’t help but wonder if Marcone is suppose to be Arthur’s analogue. So wielding Amorrachius *coughs*Excalibur*coughs* would make sense.

…it’s not just my Marcone-love talking dammit.

Speaking of Merlin, I’m convinced that he’s behind this whole ‘starborn’ thing. Seriously, otherwise its way too convenient that a wizard with that power is born every 666 years. It smacks of a spell.

And if that’s the case it also feeds into my pet theory that the whole reason we have Outsides at the Gates is because Merlin was the schmuck who drew them to our reality in the first place. And everything surrounding the war with the Outsiders are his attempts to try to fix what he broke.

*lost in pondering thoughts*

Things I Have Questions About

1. Did Harry forget he has The Ways Map from his mother? I would have thought he would have figured out a way (heh) to get to the island somehow. He was on it for so long I thought for sure he’d spend time exploring it. Also we knew from ‘Skin Game’ that even tiny factors can change where the Way goes in the Nevernever. I doubt the ENTIRE island has Ways that lead to a bad place. Especially for Harry now that he’s the Warden.

2. Also why didn’t Harry get Lea to help him? After all unless she’s moved it since ‘Changes’ her garden is still on the other side of the sub-basement.

3. What did Lara use that first favor from Mab on? *eyes her suspiciously*

4. Where are the Za Lord’s Guard? *wondering about what been happening with Lacuna and Toot-toot*

5. If Harry gets kicked out of the White Council (good riddance, since they haven’t exactly been all that helpful lately) can he get enough signatures to be added as a member of the Accords in his own right? After all being Warden of Demonreach has got to mean a lot to the older members.

Then he wouldn’t be reliant on Mab’s protection.

I can’t help but hope this proves to be the case, especially if in ‘Battle Ground’ Harry ends up taking down that Titan. Because he needs as much protection and influence he can gather if he’s no longer White Council to protect himself, his people and his kids. Especially if he eventually gets rid of that Winter Knight mantle like I hope he does.

6. How in the hell (pardon the pun) did evil demon Sasquatch survive being turned to mush by Hade’s Ice Gate? Or the shades that were part of the security system that almost got Harry?

*frowns* The only reason I can think of would be the coin of Ursiel being the factor. I doubt a Fallen Angel is allowed to stick around in the Greek realm of the afterlife.

7. WHERE IS BOB?! Seriously, if Butters doesn’t give him back...

[vmheadquarters]

We’re still playing our game of written hot potato! Dozens of your favorite authors are taking turns to tell a Veronica Mars mystery story. Each writer crafts their chapter and then “tosses” the story to the next person to continue the tale. No one knows what will happen, so expect the unexpected!

Follow the “vmhq presents” and “murder we wrote” tags for all the installments, or read the story as it develops on AO3. --Chapter Twenty-Three of MURDER, WE WROTE is written by @disdainfullady​. And stayed tuned next week for Ch.24 from @artoftalent07​ - tag, you’re it!

_____________________________________________________________

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE by @disdainfullady​

Veronica turned the page, fascinated despite herself. When Ruby had come stomping into Mars Investigations that morning, Veronica had had to try three of the breathing techniques Logan swore kept him from washing out of OCS before she dared to even acknowledge the girl.  Either she wasn’t fighter pilot material, or Ruby was worse than the drill sergeants – MTIs corrected the little Logan voice in her brain – because she could never be sure if those techniques actually helped, or just gave her time to fine tune her sarcasm.

In the year since Carrie’s death, Ruby had found half a dozen excuses to hire Veronica, mostly background checks for potential dates – so far none of them had been kicked out by a pop star’s security for hiding in a closet, but they were keeping hope alive – and one case where she was convinced the couple across the street were running drugs out of their basement.  She’d actually been right about that, although Ruby had based her theory on the idea that the couple had far more lawn ornaments than anyone not pushing meth had a right to, and still insisted that that was the big give away.

Veronica never had the heart to turn her away. Sure, she didn’t, they didn’t, strictly need the money, but there was something so earnest about Ruby, despite her off-the-wall conspiracy theories and what seemed like a new obsession every week.  It was sometimes hard to remember that Ruby was only a year younger than her - Veronica doubted she'd had half Ruby's enthusiasm and energy even in her all too distant pep squad days. Of course, she probably should aim for a degree or two below manic.

After leaving Veronica three voicemails of escalating urgency about a case she absolutely needed Veronica’s help on, Ruby had shown up at Mars Investigations that morning in full pensive-artist mode complete with glasses that were either fake or a prescription so minor that they might as well be, pages clutched to her chest, announcing that the case in question was that which took place in the novel she had written.

Veronica knew she should have politely declined. Maybe gotten Wallace to have one of his colleagues in the English department give it a read, if her conscience was really bugging her.  But it had been a slow week, and she wouldn’t have gone back to being a PI if she’d been able to resist the pull of her curiosity.  Nor would Logan forgive her if she wasn’t able to give him a full summary of the entire thing.

And the work was fascinating.

She wasn't sure what impressed her more, the depth of Ruby's research, or her completely scattershot method of applying it. Sure, she'd pulled in most of the obvious players, but there were some deep cuts in here.  Lenny?  Cole? She was pretty sure Cole's own parents forgot he existed when he wasn't in the room, yet here he was parading all over this mysterious snow ridden island within easy access of Southern California.  Actually, she mused, Cole would make a great killer in the traditional way of things. Veronica was always suspicious of named minor characters with no apparent motive.  

Unfortunately, it didn't seem like Ruby was a fan of narrative efficiency, so he'd probably just been tossed into the manuscript along with the kitchen sink that she only hoped would be getting its big scene in the next chapter or two.

A chair scraped and she looked up, remembering just in time to wipe the incredulous glee off her face.  Ruby Jetson, formerly Della Pugh, literary alias Mistress X, had scooted her seat even closer to Veronica's desk, and was staring at her with an eager intensity.  Veronica cleared her throat and the - fortunately wigless - Ruby inched forward even closer, her knee actually bumping the desk.  

"Did you get to the part where they discover the island's tragic past?" asked Ruby.  The question burst out of her like she’d been holding it in for the past hour.

"Not yet - it has a tragic past?"

"Every mysterious island has a tragic past, Veronica." Ruby's scornful tone was undercut by the restless tapping of her leg.

"Oh of course," Veronica nodded with what she hoped was an appropriately serious expression.  "Well, that's something to look forward to, then." And she sort of was.  The way Ruby phrased it she rather hoped the island had had a passionate romance with a nearby peninsula only to lose it to  - how did you kill a peninsula, soil erosion maybe?

"But as I said earlier, it's going to take me a while to go through all this.  You really," really, really, really she thought, "don't need to sit here and watch me read it."

Ruby’s face scrunched in disapproval.  “You said that you’d prioritize my case, Veronica Mars.”

Veronica sighed.  She steepled her hands as she tried to gently let the girl down.  “That was when I thought you had a case.  I’m not a literary critic, Ruby.”

Ruby snorted.

“No, but you are a detective, and if I can stump you then I know my story’s good.”

Veronica carefully did not point out the flaws in that particular assertion.  “You don’t want it to be too baffling, Ruby.  Readers like the satisfaction of clues coming together.”

Ruby, beamed, apparently delighted by this rather commonplace observation.  “I knew you wouldn’t figure it out,” she crowed. “I bet you haven’t even grasped the significance of the chocolate.”

Veronica shook her head, even as one corner of her brain started following the trail begun by that breadcrumb.  The significance of the chocolate?  The number of chocolate martinis that had supposedly been consumed by the party were massive – but she’d been to plenty of 09er events that had better liquor stores than most bars.  Was there something to read into that?  Oh, that one was going to bother her.

She shook her head.  “Ruby, you already revealed your character as the bad guy. There’s nothing to figure out.”

Ruby’s mouth dropped open and she blinked at Veronica in surprise.

“Me?  I’m not the bad guy.”

“You’re not?”  She’s wasn’t?  Oh god, was Ruby supposed to be the heroine?  Was Veronica supposed to be rooting for her own comeuppance in this magnum opus of Ruby’s?

“You’re barely halfway through.  Do you honestly think that I would give away the real villain that soon?”

Ah.  Veronica looked down again at the depressingly large stack of papers in front of her.  It hadn’t seemed like this much when she’d started.  

Ruby smirked.  “Ruby Jetson is merely a red herring.”

“Ah, like communism,” Veronica murmured.

Though she had to point out, “Of course, you are killing people.”

“Madison Sinclair,” Ruby scoffed.

Veronica gave an equivocal head nod, not quite acknowledging the semi-validity of that point.

“And Leo.  Should I wonder why you even know Leo?”

Leo had been in San Diego for nearly a decade at this point, and occasional appearances at high school dances in Miami Vice regalia aside, she wouldn’t have thought he’d have had much occasion to cross paths with Ruby.

“I do my research, Veronica.” Ruby gave another one of her smug, knowing expressions.  Veronica, no stranger to being smug or knowing herself, sighed inwardly.

“And you didn’t actually see what happened to Leo did you?” Ruby continued.  “I mean, sure Lenny took credit, but then he would.”

With neither wealth, nor wit nor charisma, Lenny Sofer had been one of Neptune High’s more determined bullies, a nonentity so frustrated by his lack of status he spent all his time searching for those below him on the ladder, trying to push them down further.  Veronica had pretty much forgotten he’d existed the second she’d graduated, as she’d imagined, had most of their class, his chosen victims excluded.  Now if Ruby had written some sort of Murder on the Orient Express situation with Lenny as victim, she could probably get behind that.

“Is Lenny Sofer actually your cousin by the way?”

Ruby looked offended by the question.  Did she think Veronica had memorized her background the way she, Ruby, had apparently memorized Veronica’s?  Ruby did have a flare for investigation, if one could get past the whole bit where she was mildly bonkers.

“Lenny Sofer is a sociopath,” Ruby said, flatly.

That didn’t actually answer the question, Veronica noted.

“He bullied me for two years straight.  I had to spend my lunches hiding in that gross bathroom near the physics lab because someone kept putting out of order signs on the good one.”

Veronica’s eyebrows rose.  “So, you brought him in as your partner in crime?”

Ruby rolled her eyes.  “Again, not actually the bad guy.  And his character gets what’s coming to him a little further on.” She smiled, probably going for sinister but ending up on goofy.  “Let’s just say that was fun to write.”

Veronica supposed she could understand that.  She had always been more about enacting her revenge, but it wasn’t like that didn’t come with its own set of problems.  Maybe Ruby’s method was healthier, if a little odd.

She gave a little shrug and settled back to read some more.

[pleasedontleaveihavenofriends]

Revenge and Lust

This took me 7 hours. I wrote a whole fucking fanfic in 7 hours because I’m a simp for Bakugou and I’m a whore for Shigaraki. Kyrie is my OC, if anyone wants I’ll give more details on her another time!! I hope you guys like this

THIS IS ANGSTY AF JUST SAYING It’s also mostly smut. 

I had fun being horny on main~

Warnings: Very rough, borderline abusive sex, blood kink, slapping kink, Katsuki does a cheat (with Ochako), General angst, abuse mention

Kinks: Breeding, Adoptive Incest, Slapping, Breeding, Pregnancy, Blood, Three-way, Voyeurism (shiggy peeping~), Double Penetration (Vaginal only)

Summary: Shigaraki Kyrie was used to the overly friendly attention of her big brother, having grown up with only him to love and protect her, so she never questioned his overly touchy affection until she escaped One For All and went to UA. She started dating Bakugou Katsuki to try and live a normal life, but things came crashing down when she caught him with her best friend, Ochako. So she decided to break him down and get her revenge.

Word Count:  11309 

Ships: Shigaraki x Kyrie (OC), Bakugou x Kyrie (OC)

When Kyrie came to UA, trying to get away from All For One and his horrid experiments and demands involving her quirk, she thought she’d found her home. They’d taken her in, helped her get stable and find a new goal. A less… Family oriented and obsessive goal, even if she’d never mentioned her obsession with her own adoptive brother. She’d fallen for Bakugou Katsuki due to their similarly explosive and borderline abusive behavior, honestly. Her big brother had been the only person to keep her safe, her whole life, so it made sense that the person she’d settled on romantically would be him.However when she came home early from a study session with Midoriya and Kirishima, happily setting down her bags as she shuffled through the door, only to see Ochako and Katsuki’s shoes by the door, she felt her heart drop. Katsuki was supposed to be out on some hero intern trip for the weekend, why was he here? Better yet, why was Ochako at her apartment, with her boyfriend, at almost 2 AM? The short black haired girl froze in place when she heard very feminine moaning, followed by her best friend's name coming out of her boyfriend's mouth. She teared up right away and felt her heart shatter, she wanted to storm in and scream, cut him to pieces and steal his quirk, but she couldn’t. The broken shards filling her chest ached at the idea of hurting him directly… However, as she quietly closed the door and ran away from the apartment, towards the all too familiar bar in the more run down part of the city, towards the one person she knew would never break her like this, Tomura. Kyrie slammed open the bar door, her quiet sobs now broken as she screamed his name, her beloved brother quickly coming into view as she ran at him, hugging him tight. The pale, lanky male was in sweatpants, his hair messy and eyes wide with fear. “W-what the hell, Kyrie? Why are you back here!? If Mast-” She cut him off by looking him straight in the eye, her own round blue orbs steely and full of broken angst and rage. “I want to make them burn. I want them to suffer because they couldn’t stay loyal…” The tall male was shocked at the vindictive words coming out of the sweet, gentle baby sister he’d essentially raised.  “Are you sure you want to do that? I thought they were your friends?” Her brother understood that she couldn’t just accept her father’s abusive treatment and morals because he made her, he knew all too well, since he’d been the one to hold her as she sobbed in pain from getting vivisected, from getting experimented on in the name of finding out her quirk limits… She’d been no older than 6 when they made him watch the experiments… When he’d known what her organs looked like because All For One thought that seeing what could happen if he fell out of line was a good idea, instead it fueled the young villain to hurry his plan, just so he could make it clear she was his to protect and cared for.But then she came to him, scared and sobbing after a particular ‘mission’ gone bad, and he’d helped her escape their caretaker. He’d taken her to UA and she’d enrolled, he did everything to make her happy, to make life better for her. And now she was back in his arms. He didn’t know who hurt her, but he was almost thankful for it, with the way she was clinging to him. The way her arms and hands shook with rage as she spoke. She was always too sweet and loving to stand up for herself.“Stupid little sister… Did the heroes break your trust now, too?” She narrowed her eyes before tearing up again, burying her face into her brother’s chest, she took a deep breath and sighed at his scent, a mix of sweat, rose and something she’d gotten used to smelling on her big brother when he was holding her, though she didn’t ever know what it was. “Clinging to me like this… I thought you wanted a normal life, with that stupid Pomeranian of yours.” She’d told him that, a year into staying at UA, with Bakugou… “2 years you made me wait, and now I’m just supposed to trust you’re not going to betray us?” The small girl snorted and clung to him even more. “Tenko, he cheated on me.” There she went, using his real name… the one that made him soft and sweet for her, the name that would bend him to her will and made him willing to kill the whole city just to see her smile. “I’ll make him suffer, then. Who was stupid enough to take him from you? Who thought taking the one thing that kept you sane was a good idea?” He stroked her cheeks softly with his thumbs, tilting her head to look up at him. “Ochako… My best friend.” He let out an angry growl. “I’ll kill them both…” She sighed and closed her eyes, nuzzling against his hand.“Thank you, Tenko… I love you, big brother!” She jumped up and kissed him softly on the nose, wrapping her legs around his waist as she hugged him tight. Tomura growled and caught her, his hands on her outer thighs as she clung to him, and for once she was thankful for her quirk making her basically immune to his touch. They’d realized it when he started training her to fight, when she’d withstood his hands with only small spots of decaying flesh, which rapidly healed over and closed. As she got older it dulled down to a small sting, no blood, though.She still felt horrible, like the boy she loved ripped her heart out and took a sledge hammer to her glass heart, but Tomura soothed the pain, made her mind numb and her heart fluttered. Childhood crushed turned to obsessions did that, though. He hummed and carried her to bed, he carried her up to his bed, tossing her onto it as he tossed off his sweatpants… He’d always hated sleeping in anything but boxers, even as a kid. It’d been completely innocent and platonic at first, clinging to the one person who showed him affection in barely anything during puberty though… It made his ‘brotherly’ affection a bit more… adult. That was part of why he’d been so fine with her leaving. He was almost 22 now, and she was barely 18. Not even in her senior year of high school yet. And yet he’d love nothing more than to pin his baby sister down and fuck her raw into the bed until she couldn’t think of anything but him. But Tomura was nothing if not patient with Kyrie, so he decided until she came to him for that kind of thing, he’d just play the loving, doting brother a bit more. So here they were, stripping out of her UA uniform into just her boy shorts and camisole from the day, laying on her big brother's bed as he stood there and watched her, in only his boxers. She didn’t feel awkward or shy, Tomura had spent hours cleaning her wounds before when she was fresh out of a new test, so it was nothing he hadn’t seen.“Tenko… Come cuddle me… I’ve missed you…” The small ravenette yawned and reached for him, taking his hand and pulling softly. He sighed and rolled his eyes before crawling on top of her, caging her body with his as he held her close, tight. Her soft skin pressed right against him, though he tried not to think about it, ignoring the throb of his cock as his little sister snored under him.And like that, a year of her infiltrating deeper into hero society began, she got her heroes licence, graduated UA and became one of the top 100 in the country, with only a healing quirk to help her. It was unfortunate that Kyrie had to pretend everything was fine as she went to UA, watching her friends all ‘protect’ her from the fact that Katsuki was cheating on her. She found out that both of their friend groups knew, they let her get engaged to Katsuki, pretending everything was fine if she didn’t know. She understood why they were afraid to tell her, she was so clearly close to breaking, mentally. Years of emotional and physical torture coming from your only parent tend to make you broken, unpredictable. She didn’t blame Midoriya or Kirishima, who were so torn up over letting her stay that they’d stopped hanging out with her, feeling so guilty. Ochako kept on hanging around her like nothing was wrong, smiling and laughing with the small chubby girl. Kyrie felt sick every time she saw her now, happiness on her face but disgust filled her to the core. Katsuki almost never asked for sex anymore, which she was grateful for, but that also meant she saw him less, she knew he wasn’t on patrol as much as he said, but she also didn’t want attention on her, at least not right now. So when he did, she was forced to let the man she quite literally was planning to make miserable touch her, to make love to her. He always said he still loved her, smiling and hugging her close. Kyrie was convinced he just loved how stupid and naive she seemed to him.He pulled out of her, rolling off the condom and tossing it into the trash before holding her close. He took in a deep breath, only to freeze. She knew she smelled like Tomura, who smelled nothing like Katsuki. Katsuki smelled sweet, thanks to his quirk, almost like candy. She smelled musky and masculine, with the slight hint of rose. He sat up and looked at her, his eyes cautious. “You smell different…” She hummed and stood up, tossing on her clothes before standing and walking towards the bedroom door. Katsuki caught her wrist and looked her in the eyes, his own worried and alarmed. “Kyrie, we need to talk about this! That’s not your smell, that’s someone-” She pulled her arm away from him, walking towards the apartment door. The same one she’d caught him in a year ago.“I’m trying to use less perfume and stuff.” She shrugged and started putting on her shoes and double checking her utility belt. “You’re gonna be home tomorrow, right? I mean, it’s our anniversary so I was gonna make you some dinner.” Katsuki scratched his neck and smiled shyly at her. He was always like this, pretending to care and acting sweet. “I have more patrol assigned tomorrow. You’d know that if you listened to me. I told you all week. But you were busy with your own hero work, so it’s fine!” She smiled and kissed his cheek, ignoring the bile in her throat as he hugged her.She was intentionally making him feel guilty, since he knew he’d been with Ochako during his free time. “You’ve been pulling so many extra shifts I figured I’d take more too, I honestly forgot that was tomorrow. I can’t just call in sick now, they’re depending on me…” He sighed and let her go, fluffing her hair. “Fine, I’ll just… Find something to do…” Kyrie smiled and closed the apartment door, leaving the complex as she made her way towards the bar, casually of course, she really was supposed to be on patrol, but a sneaky visit to her beloved brother wasn’t so bad… Not compared to trading integral secrets of hero society for cuddles and not so brotherly affection. She stopped in front of the bar door and stepped in, smiling as Toga launched up and hugged her tightly. “I’ll go tell the hand pervert you’re here, Kyrie.” Dabi stood up and walked upstairs, only to come right back down. “I can hear him moaning from the other end of the hall, nope.” Kyrie blushed and laughed. “He’s busy, not a good time then, huh?” Dabi laughed and rolled his eyes. “Toga what was that about how she acts around Shigaraki?” Toga smirked at the other female and her hips a bit. “She wants her big brother to plow her into the bed~” Kyrie turned bright red and playfully punched Toga. “Shut up! I don’t- Ugh. Whatever. I was just stopping by on patrol, figured I’d tell you guys that there’s nothing new in person. Just those two idiots acting like I haven’t caught on. Especially Bakugou. He was planning a cute dinner date for our anniversary, y’know.” The blonde girl sighed and sat on the bar stool next to them, spinning a bit.“Shame, I bet he’s amazing in bed… Too bad he’s a liar.” Toga growled out before smiling at Kyrie. “Shigaraki says he’s a moron for hurting you, let alone letting you go.” The black haired girl hummed and sat too, rolling her eyes. “Oh he thinks I’m still his stupid little sweetheart, pliable and compliant for him.” Kyrie blushed a bit. “And before touching him made me want to vomit, yeah he was amazing in bed…” She growled and stood up. “Gotta get on patrol before the idiots notice, tell big brother not to sleep in his mess for me Toga, he gets weird when he does that~” And with that the healer hero was back into her guise of a sweet, loving hero.Patrol was quick, no problems coming up in her sector, though they never did, the villains seemed to avoid her area, thanks to Shigaraki’s threat on their lives. Kyrie stepped into the apartment and smelled peach candles, only she hated peach. Of course she knew that’s all Katsuki had, since he was always buying them for Ochako. Trying to make a cute date with his fiancee using the candles his lover likes, she felt sick. It almost immediately put her in a bad mood. “Katsuki… What’s this?” She tried not to glare at him.The explosive blonde jumped and turned to face her, setting his phone face down. Texting Ochako as he was trying to gain her favor, what the hell? He smiled and hugged her. “You said you’re gonna be busy tomorrow, so I figured if you had no problems I’d just make our date tonight.” She laughed cutely, hugging him. How badly she wanted to enjoy his hugs and kisses again. She could crush his whole world right now, just tell him she knew…That she knew and had betrayed them all, that she’d been sleeping almost naked next to her big brother, who’d kidnapped and tried to kill Katsuki multiple times… That she’d asked him to since she’d found out he cheated on her, and that’s why his sector was so chaos filled and required so many heroes patrolling, while she ‘took care’ of Shigaraki’s hideout sector, hiding her brother from the heroes as the Shigaraki siblings planned to take them down. It was a sick satisfaction, knowing when he came home beaten and almost dead that she’d caused that, having told Tomura that he’d be on patrol and exactly when Katsuki had left just so she could play the loving fiancee and make him feel guilty for cheating and breaking her heart.Even if he thought she didn’t know, she could see the guilt in his eyes when she helped heal him, or did something sweet and amazingly thoughtful. He thought she was being the loving soon to be wife, while she took the chances to distract him from the coup she was planning with her big brother and his organization. She decided, she’d waited long enough. She’d ruin his life in a week, with the easy part coming in the morning.Right now, she needed to seduce him and get him to pass out, before anything. She bit her lip and looked up at Katsuki, pressing against his chest. “As much as I love your cooking,” She had loved his cooking, once. Now she just ate cup ramen and food from cans. “I’d rather have you~” Another lie, she’d loved it when he touched her before, it made her feel loved and safe. But now it made her want to vomit and sob with still fresh heartbreak. She knew it wouldn’t go away until he’d suffered like she had. He’d ruined her trust in heroes so easily, so now she’d break his world just like he did to her.“I love you, Kyrie… So much.” He picked her up and walked to the bedroom, the amazing meal he’d made long forgotten few hours later, Kyrie walked into the kitchen and picked up his phone, taking screenshots of his conversations with Uraraka before sending them to Shigaraki via some program he’d written just for her to use. -Baked-Bean: Here, send these to my phone, I’ll take care of the rest~ Definitely play up the ‘didn’t want to get involved in your new life but I’m such a loving brother’ act, so I can dismiss you interfering. I can ruin his reputation that way~ Chapstick-Gremlin: Ugh. Fine. Go fuck yourself… Chapstick-Gremlin: I love you, Kyrie. Baby-Baked-Bean: I love you too, Tenko~ In the morning, Kyrie made it a point to start sobbing and crying, waking up Katsuki with a start as he came running, in just his underwear. “Babe! What’s wrong!?” She threw her phone at him, it missed and hit the wall, shattering. Good. “Okay, you’re upset. What happened?” He perked up. “Did they finally catch that damn villain?” Shigaraki and he had developed a rivalry with ease, considering Katsuki claimed to love her and Shigaraki really did.“You cheated on me! With Ochako!” She sobbed and hid her face, playing up the betrayed act. Now that she was established as an amazing and loving person in hero society, she’d have no problem breaking his reputation, while a year ago no one would have believed her and called her a liar and a villain. She’d saved so many lives, just for this moment, to see the look of broken shock cross his face. He knew exactly what she meant, and he knew if she was bringing it up, she’d seen enough evidence to damn him. “Kyrie-” She sobbed again and covered her ears. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for it to happen! We just… I didn’t want to pressure you into sex, not after everything you went through! Especially with how you talked about your creepy brother!” She glared at him, snarling. “You cheated on me because of my brother!? Because you didn’t want to pressure me into sex!? Then why are they RECENT, Katsuki!? Tell me that!” She sobbed and threw a pillow at him, she was standing and pacing now. “Just get out! You can’t justify leading me on for years, Katsuki! I loved you, and you just… Betrayed me like this!” She let out a broken sob as she crumpled to the floor. Katsuki picked her up, setting her on the bed as she smacked at his hands, at least until he got on his knees and rested his face on her leg, sobbing. “Please don’t leave me! God. I fucking love you. Kyrie I’ve never said this honestly but... I fucked up, and I kept fucking up but I don’t love her!” She let out a small sob and looked away from him. “You don’t love me either, Bakugou. If you did, it would have just happened once! Not for a whole year!” She glared at him. “You think I didn’t notice? The little smirks at your phone, coming home late, missing dates for sudden jobs, and worse when I called your agency they told me you had the day off! I’ve known Katsuki! That’s not my fucking problem!” She shoved him back, standing up and walking past him as she got dressed. “Now someone else who has the motive to ruin you does… You were reckless, and now if I want to keep my rank… Someone needs to be the bad guy in this… Neither of our fans will just let this go… It’ll either be my fault as the fucked up trauma case or you’re going to get blamed for being a horny pig… And I’ve worked too damn hard to go out like this!” She slapped him as he got up. Hard enough to make his head snap to the side, what made her feel the slightest pang of regret, was his next move. He didn’t yell, or get upset like she’d expected…He *smiled* at her, tears running down his face as he sobbed. “I know… I don’t blame you for it, either… It’s a dark business we’re in, huh?” She glared at him, now he’d taken her right to feel angry. She wanted him to try and make her the bad guy, not make her feel pity for him. She wanted to coo at him. Tell him it was fine and she still loved him, but she’d told him when they got together, if he ever loved anyone else, it’d ruin her… And she didn’t know what that would do. That’s how she was justifying this… She’d warned him.“I never thought I’d have to make good on my promise, Katsuki… I expected more from you… I wanted a family with you… I love you. And now I need to do this…” She let out a small hiccup, only to glare at him. “It’s your fault!” She shoved him again, this time towards the door. “Get out!!” She screamed and he took his clothes, dressing quickly before leaving. She only let it all out when she heard the door close.She sobbed for a good while, finally letting it out. Letting out the hurt she felt. There was no satisfaction in revenge, she realized. Just a kind of sick amusement at hurting someone else like they hurt you. She finally stopped crying and called up Midoriya, yet again playing up the broken fiancee act. Once again her rage built up as Midoriya made a fool of himself, apologizing and begging her to forgive him, as if she was mad at him of all people. “I’m not upset with you Izuku… You’re the person I’m the least upset with…” She sighed and rubbed her face. “I need to make a statement before the press gets ahold of this…” Midoriya sighed on the other end. “The fans are *not* going to be happy…” Kyrie was eating breakfast, her voice conveyed hurt and betrayal, and yet she was just carrying on with life like nothing happened as she picked out an outfit for the sudden interview. ***News Report*** This morning fans of Pro Hero on the rise Healer Hero: Nephilim were shocked to find her accounts on social media had been hacked and the notorious villain ring leader, Shigaraki Tomura had posted screenshots of Ground Zero’s scandalous affair with Uravity! Exclusive Interview to be live streamed in two hours with the three heroes themselves, done separately of course… Wouldn’t want a fight to break out in the studio!” ***News Report*** Shigaraki felt nauseous as he watched his baby sister sit there, her cute pink sweater and adorably styled hair making her seem sweet and innocent, while her long bright pink skirt was wrenched around in her hands, a tell tale sign of anxiety. Her face was red, she hadn’t even bothered with makeup to hide the tear stains nor did she try to hide the pain on her face. She’d just been cheated on, why should she hide it?Kyrie looked up at the reporter and gave them a weak smile. “It’s our anniversary today… 3 years… God I’m stupid huh, a whole year, he’s been cheating on me!” She smiled through the tears, the live chat blowing up with words of  support, so different from the interview done just minutes ago with Bakugou. He’d intentionally spun his story into her favor, making himself sound bad… Just for her. And she was here making him look worse.The reporter gave her a sympathetic smile and patted her arm before handing her a box of tissues. “I didn’t think I could cry anymore… I want to blame Tomura… But I know this is just his way of looking out for me… I’m his baby sister after all… And he can’t stand ‘Suki… Ah, Bakugou, I mean.” The live chat blew up again, saying that she was stupid for believing a villain, while the majority supported her. She read the chat and glared at the camera. “I believe him with ease because he’s the one who saved me from my father’s abuse. He got me out of that life and I love my brother for it! He would never lie and hurt me like this.” Kyrie smiled and sighed, knowing it was true made her feel at ease. A question came up on chat. Do you still love him? The question was anonymous, but she almost immediately broke down into sobs, and they weren’t even fake. “I won’t lie… I love him so much It hurts… Katsuki was my everything, and he hurt me like this… For what? Because I didn’t want to have sex after getting out of a majorly abusive situation? After-” Kyrie paled a bit… “I can’t believe I’m about to admit this… A week before the sports festival, when I made my debut at UA… I was attacked, almost killed. My brother decided to get me out after that, and I met Katsuki, he told me he understood… And he loved me anyways… But now I know the truth… It doesn’t make it hurt less.” The reporter sat up and began the interview, the timer for questions and interactions running out. They asked basic questions, what she planned to do now, who she was staying with, what she was going to do about the hate she’d received. And she answered with ease as she lied and made herself sound so sweet and dedicated to her job as a hero. And while she wasn’t lying when she said she wanted to save people… She didn’t believe in heroes anymore, but saying that to her fans wasn’t wise. Before the interview wrapped up, Kyrie was debating something once again. “I wanted to kill myself, you know… But my quirk would have just fixed any damage I did… So I just decided to throw myself into work, y’know.” The reporter hugged her as she left, apologizing in person, saying she shouldn’t have to deal with such a horrid betrayal. Kyrie left and went to the apartment, finding Bakugou packing his things. “Bakugou…” Katsuki perked up and looked at her, seeing her tear stained face made him feel less upset about his own. “Hey… So it’s all in the open now, huh?” She sighed and fluffed her hair. “Yeah… It is, Katsuki.” He let out a sad whimper when she said his name. He stepped towards her, holding her face as he kissed her goodbye. “I’ve got all my stuff out… I really do still love you, you know… I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone again… Not after having someone as amazing as you…” She smiled sadly at him, pressing a hand to his cheek.“And I’m glad a lying cheater like you is finally out of my life.” She stepped away from him and went to the fridge, grabbing a canned tea. He froze and looked at her in shock. “You know, making you feel so horrible and guilty was easy, after I heard you two fucking on our last anniversary I decided to make you as miserable as you’ve made me… To tear down any good reputation you had and make the world know what kind of person you are…” She smiled at him, her eyes dark and dangerous. “I guess years of abuse really did fuck up my head after all~”Katsuki narrowed his eyes, confused and hurt as he crossed his arms. “W-what?” She laughed and sipped her tea. “Katsuki. I ruined everything you’ve worked towards, everything you live for is ruined, just like you shattered my dreams with you.” She sat on the stool by the counter. “Only… No one will believe you if you say that now~ You’re an established liar and pig.” Katsuki was in shock, there was no way his sweet loving girlfriend would just… Ruin him like that. But then he realized he'd been her last lifeline, along with Ochako. And he’d cheated on her, with her only other friend who really knew anything about her life with All For One. She’d gone deep into her revenge plan, and she’d won. She’d been planning this since she’d found out, and now that he knew, he couldn’t do anything. Kyrie perked up and smirked at him. “It’s okay though~ Tomura has been taking *real* good care of me, making sure I feel loved and everything. Giving me everything I need~” She glared at him. “Now get out.” She was in contact with Shigaraki? Wait-“What are you planning?” Kyrie stood and grabbed him by the shirt. “I am going to ruin your life, make you feel as broken and helpless as I felt. Then maybe we can talk~” She shoved him out the door, along with the last few boxes he’d had before slamming the door in his face.Patrol was easy, yet again. And now that no one was waiting for her, who’d notice her failure to return, she decided to go visit her brother. She walked into the bar, seeing it empty, she shrugged and went up to Tomura’s room. Loud moans and mumbling were audible from the stairs as she walked up, she realized he was dirty talking himself.“Fuck, I’m so damn hard for her… God I want to fuck that cute little mouth of hers… Cum in her… I bet he’s never fucked her right… Nothing worth fighting for, at least… I want her so damn bad… Fuck I’m cumming! Kyrie-” She moaned and quickly knocked on the door, her face bright red as she heard him fall off his bed and stumble to put on clothes. “Who the hell- oh… Oh!” Tomura went to slam the door in Kyrie’s face, but she stepped into his room and ignored his protests. “So, how was it? Jerking off while thinking of your little sister?” She bit her lip and sat on his bed, her eyes drifting to the shirt she’d noticed had gone missing in the last few months. “Hey… That’s my favorite shirt, y’know.” He groaned and glared at her as she picked it up, noticing the lack of cum.“Did you not cum yet, Tenko?” The male groaned and bucked his hips a bit. “You didn’t… Hm~” She blushed and started taking off her shirt and pants. “W-what are you doing?!” She relaxed onto his bed, now in her underwear as she gently patted her belly. “Come cuddle!” He growled and looked away from her. “Tenko~ Please?”She spread her legs, her panties had ridden up and were giving him a nice view, even if he couldn’t see her core yet, he saw the rapidly growing damp spot in between her legs. “You’re going to kill me if you keep being so sexy, Kyrie…” She hummed and smirked as he took back off his sweatpants, his hard, thick, huge uncut cock throbbing as he blushed and buried his face in her chest. His hard length rubbing against her clit through the thin material of her panties.“Ah, you’re so fucking wet for me… I bet he couldn’t make you feel this good just like this, hm? You’re such a horny slut, wanting your brother’s cock like this… Nasty little slutty sister… I bet you’d cum on his cock by imagining me…” Kyrie blushed and nodded, biting her lip and he played with her large chest. “I want you to ride my thigh. Cum  like a good slutty sister” Kyrie blushed even more, as if it was possible and looked away from his prying vermilion eyes. “Yes sir…” He groaned and fell onto his back, letting his thick, heavy dick slap against his stomach as he pumped it a few times, watching her like a predator stalking its prey. Kyrie settled her chubby thighs over his own, straddling him as she bucked lightly, moaning at the sudden friction. “Tenko… It feels nice…” Her clit was jumping in anticipation as she lightly humped her big brother’s leg, making him pump his cock a bit faster. “I told you to cum, not play around. Ride my thigh and earn the right to take my dick.” 

The chubby girl whined and rode faster against his leg, bucking and moving as she watched him jerk off to the show she was giving him.“You ever do something like this with that damn Pomeranian? You ride him like this, slut?” Her small frame shuddered in pleasure when he slapped her chest, making her heavy breasts jump and bounce as he slapped them around. “He always treated you like a cute doll, didn’t he? Never fucked you nice and rough like you need?” Kyrie moaned and rode his thigh faster, her hand smacking his away as she stroked his cock quickly, trying to get him to cum with her. Her big brother growled and smacked her, hard. Right in the face, before he shoved her onto the bed and ripped her bra off, followed by ripping her underwear away. “Slut. You only get my cum if it’s inside. You want your big brother’s cock? You want to take my cum and breed my heir? You naughty little whore��� I bet you’re almost cumming just from imagining me fucking a baby into you, hm? Want to breed with your big brother and give him a baby?” Her soft face was full of lust, her eyes glazed over in pleasure as she nodded.“Say it, bitch!” She cried out as he slapped her a few more times. “Say you want me to fuck a baby into you. Tell me you’re my little slut, my cum dumpster, you’re my filthy little sister and no one else's!” He grabbed her throat, both hands wrapped tight as he slammed his cock deep into her tight cunt, ramming it in deep as he growled and choked her, ignoring her grasps at his hands. “Cum on my dick, slut. Make me cum in this tight little pussy. Earn the right to have my baby.” Kyrie squeaked and came hard, her tight cunt gripping and milking his huge cock as he rammed deep into her, her sweet voice full of lust and desire. 

He growled and let go of her throat, just as she started passing out, he slapped her as hard as he could. “Stay the fuck awake, I’m not done with you yet… I’ve wanted this slutty pussy for *years* and I’m not stopping now!” He snarled and picked up her lower half, making her sit there, her legs up on his shoulders as he sat on his knees, teasing her clit as he rammed harder into her. “Fuck yes, that’s it baby. Take my cock nice and deep, just like that. God you’re so fucking *tight* and wet for me!” He laughed loudly, his eyes wide as he rubbed her clit, his hips still slamming her against her as he made her scream.“Fuck Tenko I’m gonna cum again!” He let out a loud growl and slapped her hard again, making her lip bust a bit, a small trail of blood staining her pretty pale skin. “Fuck you look so good in red… I want to see more of you~” She squeaked and dug her nails into his back as she came, making him cry out as he came into her tight cunt, his cum jetting deep into her as his tip kissed the entrance or her womb, the thick, heavy head of his cock plugging her up as she took his thick load. She relaxed against the bed as he pulled out, licking the blood from her lip. 

“Tenko… That’s definitely something I didn’t know you’d like…” She blushed and covered her face a bit. “You came in me…” He smirked and picked her up, flipping her over, her ass high in the air as he made her stand with her elbows on the bed, his semi-soft cock ramming deep into her dripping slit as he fucked her hard, his heavy sac slapping against her clit as he fucked her all over again.“I’m going to fucking ruin you with this cock, you’ll never be able to cum unless it’s on my cock… You want that little sister? To cum on your big brother’s cock and breed his heir? You want it so fucking bad, don’t you? Fuck it feels like you’re already milking me.” 

He suddenly pulled out, making Kyrie let out a small sob. “I was so close!” Tomura growled and yanked her hair, making her face him, his cock covered in cum and a mix of their passion. “Suck while I get something for you~” She hummed and took the hair tie from her wrist, sucking on the head at first before she took more into her mouth, eventually bobbing as he growled and dug around in the closet by his bed.“Here. Ass up, Kyrie. Now.” She blushed and bit her lip, smirking. She wanted to challenge him, at least a little bit. Another hard slap sent her into the bed, crying out in pain as he forced her onto her knees, his huge throbbing cock quickly pumping in and out of her again. “Good slut. Take that cock…” 

Tomura growled and grabbed her hair, making her moan before his other hand went between her legs, and just as something cold brushed her clit, it jumped to life, vibrating roughly as it forced her to cum then and there.“W-wait! No, I can’t take that and your cock at once! I can’t- ahhh~” She moaned and fell to the bed, her ass still up and ready for him to dominate. She was overstimulated and the constant vibrating was making her go crazy with pleasure.“Come on slut, I know you’ve got more in you!” His hand released her hair just to slap her in the face. “Fucking cum you filthy whore! Did you ever let your precious hero cum in you like this? Or did he not want to? God your womb’s milking me so much it’s like you’ve never had a creampie… Fuck you’re too much of a breeding slut for that, huh? You definitely need more of your Master’s cum…” He snarled as she came again, slapping her hard as he picked her up by her throat, fucking into her as he choked her again, this time with one hand. “God you’re such a damned slut… Just for me though! This pussy is all mine to breed and fuck however I see fit, huh?” 

She moaned and nodded as the constant assault on her throbbing core ripped another orgasm out of her, making her scream as she thrashed. Tomura laughed and fucked her harder, making her ass bounce from the force of his hips as he let her drop back onto the bed. “Good slut. Cum more. Milk me, fucking take it bitch!” He came deep and hard yet again, more of his thick white cum filling up her shivering hole as she moaned and thrashed under him, multiple orgasms taking over as she just kept cumming around him. “Fuck you’re gonna make me cum again already! God, you’re too damned good.” 

Tomura’s heavy balls were all he could think of, emptying them deep into his baby sister as she played hero.“Fuck I want to make you so fucking swollen with my babies, just so I can see that damned hero beat himself up over letting you go! You’d like that, wouldn’t you. Slut? You’d love to take my cock just like this with him watching wouldn’t you?” He moaned, sinful and needy as he kept thrusting, a light sheen on his body as he fucked her deep and hard, cum was dripping out of her, and yet here she was, more than willing to take more of his cum. “I’m gonna take the vibrator off, and you’re gonna cum from just my cock, got it slut?” She thrashed and tried to pull off of his cock. “Fuck- Tenko I can’t take anymore! Please stop!” She was sobbing from the mix of over stimulation and pleasure. 

Her big brother growled and slapped her hard, when she didn’t stop he slapped her again and again, not stopping his rough thrusts for a split second, every time she screamed or sobbed, taking his cock and abuse, he swore he almost came then and there, watching her come undone and drop the stupid hero act was amazing for him.Seeing his sweet, loving baby sister become an overwhelmed cock crazy slut just for him was addictive, it sent shivers down his spine that had him cumming in seconds, however he didn’t stop, he kept thrusting through his orgasm, working past his own pleasure as his baby sister thrashed against his cock. 

“Cum slut. I know you’re close! Do it!” He growled and reeled back a few times, slaps sending her head from side to side in quick succession, it seemed the pain was all she needed to cum again, more orgasms ripping through her small chubby body, causing her to babble incoherently and buck against him. “Fuck- Nng I’m coming again! God, I need you to cum with me. I want you to squirt for me. Come on bitch!” He snarled and kept his brutal pace as he fucked into her. “Shigaraki! Please- I can’t take it anymore!” He growled and grabbed her by the throat with one hand as he kissed her, choking her as she took his cock. “Cum bitch. Come on your big brothers dick as he fucks you raw, you want me to breed you? Beg for my fucking cum, slut.” She groaned and rolled a bit, hiding her face as she let out such lewd noises and cries. 

He snarled into her ear as he sunk his teeth into multiple points on her neck, making her moan.“Fuck! God, Tenko please cum in me! Fill me up and breed my slutty womb, knock me up and make me yours!” She screamed, bloodcurdling, loud and full of desire. Even well after he’d cum and pulled out, her eyes were rolled back and thighs were still shaking as she came, her tight cunt being kept full by his cum and cock, which was sudden and made Kyrie thrash against him. “Fuck! No more Tenko! Really, god. I can’t take any-” She cut off as he kissed her, soft and sweet. Full of love and passion.“That was amazing… I really do want you to have my kid, by the way… I’ve thought of it for years, Kyrie…” She hummed and nuzzled his neck, wrapping her arms around it as she kissed him softly. “I love you, you silly little sister…” She hummed and kissed him more.“I love you too, Tenko… I feel so damn full right now~” She laughed and squealed as he flipped them over. “Jeez, easy big brother, I’m delicate~” Tomura looked over the bruise on her cheek and the bites he’d left on her neck in the passion of his own orgasm. “God damn… Look at you, ah shit. I really did bust your lip… Let me-” She cut him off with a kiss. “Just sleep for now, okay?” She yawned and held him tighter, her legs wrapped tight around his waist.“Fine, just because I know you’ll be completely healed in the morning, though… Fuck that was so good… I came so damn hard.” The small woman leaned up and kissed him, effectively shutting up her brother.“Sleep, Shigaraki.”

Kyrie woke up first the next morning, quickly realizing that her brother was in fact, still deep inside of her, and was also still equally hard. “Fuck… He’s going to be horny…” As if on cue, her brother rose from his own sleep. Clinging to her like a desperate child in need for its mother. “Don’t get up yet… I don’t want you to leave.” She hummed and rocked her hips. “Not a chance I’m leaving just yet~” He laughed and sat up, smirking at her as he groped her chest. “I’m barely awake, slut. You already want my cum that bad?” Kyrie laughed and wrapped her legs tighter around his waist. “Yep, I do~” She moaned as he started to thrust, burying his face right back into her chest, only now he was sucking her nipple as he fucked her. Tomura was much more gentle this time, still pleasing her, but now he was being more caring, more attentive. “You want to cum first, or do you want to watch me cum in you?” 

He spoke around her nipple, caught between his teeth. “I want your cum Master~”Shigaraki groaned and sat up, lifting her hips a bit so he could rest her on his lap before he started fucking her deep and hard, despite his sweet and gentle pace, his thumb caressing the swollen bud of nerves between her legs as he fucked her raw, sore cunt. He looked so soft and needy right now, brows furrowed and worried as he closed his eyes, moaning as he enjoyed her tight walls on his giant dick. “F-fuck… I love sucking your tits, I didn’t even think I was this into breasts…” She hummed and sat up, biting his neck as he made her cum on his cock. “Fucking cum for me Tenko, cum in me and breed me like a good slut~”They stayed there for a moment, that is, until his door flung open, Toga and Dabi standing there on the other side. 

Dabi looked a bit disturbed and ready to leave while Toga looked excited. “Dabi! You owe me 200 dollars! Kyrie got that crusty hand pervert dick after all!!” She squealed and slammed the door, running away in glee over her friends getting laid, despite them being siblings. Toga always made the point of *adoptive* siblings. They’re not blood so it’s fine! At least that’s what she said.“Whelp. We could either go deal with that or- Oh fuck!” Kyrie let out a cry of pleasure as he started fucking her again. “I’ll stay here and make my slutty baby sister cum on my cock, thanks~”

The week went by fast, thanks to the two Shigaraki siblings fucking their time away. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that Tomura had gotten her pregnant, and he’d come up with an amazingly horrid way to get back at Katsuki. Agree to take him back, only for her to announce that she’d been betraying them the whole time and shattering him all over again. Kyrie knew this was for her brother’s satisfaction, not hers, but she wasn’t about to refuse Tomura’s wishes.She was currently taking his cock, rough and deep as she typed out the message to Katsuki, telling him that she missed him, and wanted to make it work if he did. 

That she’d thought it over and just couldn’t hate him. He’d completely isolated himself, taken a vacation from the agency, stopped seeing anyone, friends and family included. He’d gone into a deep depression from losing her, and even people who hated him now could tell how much losing Kyrie shattered his heart.“God, you must really hate him, taking your own brother’s cock as you tell him you still love him? Do you?” Kyrie whimpered and came hard as he fucked her, his own release filling her up and making her walls stretch a bit. “Fuck- Maybe! I don’t know- I can’t think with your cock inside of me!!” She sobbed in pleasure and came hard again before Tomura pulled out, cum slopping out of her packed pussy in rivers, making a puddle on the bed under them.“You gonna let him fuck you right away? Mmm… You should… Let me watch, too. I bet he won’t make you cum~” 

Kyrie paled and shook her head. “I can’t let him see me like this!” She whimpered as he smacked her raw ass, her brother had taken to using knives to draw blood, and though he cut deep and she should be much more broken than she was, she was fine. Her quirk healed any immediate damage and the scars were gone by morning. “He won’t see you until tonight, just set up your webcam. I want to watch my baby sister get fucked, is that so bad? I need to see if you’re such a slut that you’ll cum on his cock too~”She glared at him. “You need to get him to creampie you anyways~” She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Fine! Ugh, you are such a pervert!” She smiled and kissed Tomura happily, despite what they were planning, she still loved her brother, and she would die for him.

But when Katsuki answered, he sent a video, he sounded so happy and hopeful, so utterly blissed out that she was even considering taking him back, he was crying. And she felt nothing but guilt.Later that night she sat on the bed, in a cute orange and black lingerie set, Tomura had insisted. To sell the bit, he’d said. The thin velvet corset fit her short chubby frame beautifully, and the sexy matching lace panties made her thick chubby thighs look flawless, the thigh-high stockings making her legs look wonderful, the big chunky heels, bright orange and tall, made her a true sight, ready to fuck and take anything thrown at her. Katsuki was expecting a long, drawn out talk. To talk things over and settle their issues, so when his not-so-ex ex opened the door, in the premium lingerie his agency had custom made for her before their anniversary, a gift, they’d said, his cock immediately jumped to life. 

He’d been more than ready to go his whole life without sex again, if it meant being with the woman he loved. And yet here she was, almost naked, in his set. Looking up at him like he meant the world to her… Kyrie growled and grabbed him by the collar, dragging him down into a rough, needy kiss. “We’re going to get everything out of the way… I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re not going to be able to think of any other woman but me…” She growled and bit his neck hard, drawing blood before dragging him to the bedroom and shoving him onto the mattress.“K-Kyrie! Fuck wait- Oh holy shit~” 

He was trying to calm her down, to tell her she was the one he’d think of when he and Ochako had sex, that he’d always used protection and never even thought of her sexually. She’d been a glorified sex toy to him, he only ever had eyes for Kyrie, she didn’t give him a chance though, his pants and shirt were already off, and now he was in nothing but his shoes, with his pants around his ankles, she was rubbing his cock through the thin fabric.“T-take it easy! Do you even have any-” She growled and stood, shoving him onto his back as she straddled his waist, ripping his boxers just to get to his cock. He wasn’t as big or thick as Tomura, she noted, and she didn’t think she’d be able to enjoy it like she did her big brother’s huge member. But she’d at least put on a good act. 

“You’re going to fuck me raw, understand? You’re done being a whore, because you’re mine, and if you’re not going to be with me, you’re going to feel like shit for it for the rest of your life, you got that?!” She slammed her hips hard down into his own, taking his cock deep, and without missing a beat she started riding him like a mad bitch in heat. “Tch, you’re not even that big~ It’s not like many other women would want you when they find out you’re only average size…” She growled and took out the vibrator Tomura had given her, pressing it to her clit, making her moan. “Better, I might actually cum now… You know I’ve always faked orgasms with you, Katsuki. Maybe if you’re really sorry you’ll finally make me have one now, hm?” 

Katsuki felt his world shatter.She’d seemed so happy with him, but he’d never even been able to make her cum. Any pleasure he was feeling went out the window, the orgasm she quickly made him close to drying up, even as she rode him. “I really didn’t? Fuck- I figured you faked a few, but I never made you cum?” She was lying through her teeth, she’d cum so many times at the start she couldn’t imagine having sex with anyone else, but then she caught him and her touch repulsed her. “Not one~” She moaned and slid off of him, cumming hard as the vibrator made her squirt a bit. Tomura had really made her into a sloppy whore, she’d squirt any time she came now, but Katsuki didn’t know that, he watched her cum and assumed this was the first he’d ever witnessed. “You’re a squirter? I really never made you cum at all, did I?” He let out a needy whimper, ignoring his throbbing cock he got on the bed, his head settled between her legs as he greedily licked and sucked on her clit, he had no clue that she’d been taking another man’s cum that morning, let alone that she’d probably gotten pregnant from him fucking her. 

“Oh? What 's going to make me cum with your mouth?” She laughed and pulled at his hair. “That’s it, work that clit. Mn-” Katsuki let out a small noise and slipped a few fingers into her, working her clit and g-spot at once, making her quickly cum. “Sh-shit! Cumming~” She came hard into his mouth. Her body arched and bucked as she rode out her high, once she’d come down she glared at him. “Fucker… That was… Really good. Actually. I mean, not the best…” A lie, she glanced at the webcam, a small smirk on her face. Tomura could make her cum 4 more times in that short time that it took Katsuki to make her cum once. She sat up and flipped Katsuki over, she started riding him, moaning a bit as she bucked into him, only to hear a small sob. 

She looked at Katsuki and froze in shock. He was crying, and she had no clue why.“I really am the worst, huh? Why do you even want me back?” He looked so broken and hurt, Kyrie felt her heart clench as she leaned down and kissed him, it was soft, sweet and full of love. She sighed and shook her head.“I don’t know… I just miss you too much, I guess.” She rolled her eyes and started riding him all over again. “Well? Come on, make it up to me, I said I’d work you overtime, didn’t I?” Katsuki looked up at her, and without a word he was in control, slamming into her so roughly she thought she’d pass out. “If this is how I earn you back, I’m going to fuck you so much you can’t move!” 

He growled and trapped her under his body, fucking into her desperately. He was still trying to be gentle, even as he fucked her like this.“Fuck I’m gonna cum, Kyrie.” She moaned and rocked against him, biting her lip. She closed her eyes and covered her face, imagining Tomura’s huge cock deep inside of her, filling her up and breeding her as he cut and slapped her around, abusing her just because he could, and she came hard, multiple times in a row as she squirted everywhere. Katsuki came after her first orgasm, keeping his cock deep inside of her as he came.He groaned and rested on her chest, huffing. “Fuck… You’re so fucking perfect. I love you so damn much!” Katsuki groaned and started moving all over again, trying his best to make her cum, little did he know she was imagining her brother, his cock and cum inside of her instead of his.

The next few months were amazingly sweet. Katsuki made it public that they were back together, and she explained in an interview that she really did love him, despite his betrayal, which was true. Even Shigaraki knew the blonde still held a place in his baby sister’s heart. Right next to the hold he’d dug for himself throughout their childhood.The two heroes went on patrol together whenever the other was scheduled, went on dates and just generally had fun… And for a while, Kyrie forgot that she was in another scheme. That is until her morning sickness took over. Making her spend her mornings in the bathroom instead of in bed with Katsuki. 

A quick trip to the OB told her she was 4 months pregnant, and that they should be happy to hear it was a healthy set of quadruplets. Katsuki was ecstatic when they got home, Kyrie had messaged Tomura to tell him the news, though she wasn’t as excited. 

Baby-Baked- Bean: I know we had a plan… But Tenko I still fucking love him, I can’t shatter his heart like that again! He really does love me, and it’s not okay! What we’re doing isn’t… It’s not right!

Chapstick-Gremlin: You’re kidding? You were the one who wanted this!

BabyBaked-Bean: I know what I said, Tenko! But it’s not okay that I’m just fucking with his whole life like this! What we’re about to do is trauma Tenko!! He just cheated on me!!

Chapstick-Gremlin: JUST!? WAS HE THE ONE THERE TO PICK YOU UP WHEN YOUR HEART WAS SHATTERED AND BROKEN BECAUSE OF HIM!? NO I FUCKING DID!!! AND NOW YOU JUST WANT TO TAKE MY FUCKING FAMILY AND LEAVE FOR HIS SAKE!?

Baby-Baked-Bean: Leave?

Baby-Baked-Bean: Who said I was leaving, Tenko?”

Chapstick-Gremlin: W-what??

Chapstick-Gremlin: What the hell are you talking about?

Baby-Baked-Bean: Don’t worry… He’s so desperate to keep me, I think he might just agree to be a villain… If you promise not to kill him?

Chapstick-Gremlin: I get to let Dabi beat his ass *once*, right?

Baby-Baked-Bean: We’ll be home by tonight, Tenko~

Kyrie let out a soft sigh and got out of the car, smiling at Katsuki. “We need to talk, ok? I swear, it’s not… Bad. Well. Not that bad.”Katsuki froze and looked at her, the door only just having closed behind her. “Oh god, you’re leaving me. I’m  not enough and you’re leaving.” He looked terrified and heart broken, ready to cry. “W-what did I do wrong? I promise I’m tr- MMF” She cut him off in a passionate kiss, pulling his hair roughly before shoving him to the bed. “No, I’m not leaving you. Okay?”He let out a relieved sigh and gave her a wry smile. “Okay…”She bit her lip and decided to just blurt it out, the worst case is he tells the world and she has a real reason to hate him, at least. 

“They’re not yours…” His face fell, but he didn’t look as upset as when he thought she was going to leave.“They’re not mine?” He looked a bit confused.“They’re Te-Tomura’s.” Katsuki looked at her, shocked and disgusted now. “You’re fucking your brother, and he got you pregnant? Wait-” He glared at her, crossing his arms. “You’ve been getting your revenge on me this whole time, haven’t you!? Was this some fucked up plan of his? Make me think everything is fine just so it hu-MM” She cut him off with another kiss. “No, I haven’t seen or really talked to him since I came back here. I was staying with him and the others for that week I took off… But Katsuki, I’ve never lied to you, not since we got back together.” She blushed. “And… Before I caught you and Uraraka… You made me cum all the time… I just wanted to hurt you back a bit…” 

She was ashamed of herself, not for being in love with her brother, but for leading Katsuki on.“You were the one leaking information to the bastard, our last year of school, weren’t  you?” She nodded and he sighed. “Right after you found out?” Another nod. “You really did mean that threat, huh? That you’d ruin any other relationships for me? If I hurt you?” Kyrie blushed and sighed. “What do you want me to do?” Katsuki looked at her cautiously.“Just what I’m doing, giving them information, helping with strategies and such… They won’t make you hurt people, that’s your choice.” Katsuki sighed and held his head in his hands. “Well… Don’t have much of a choice, you’re my fucking breath now, if I lost you… I’d go insane, I think.” 

Kyrie walked into the bar, Katsuki’s hand in hers as she walked right by the other villains, who were glaring at Katsuki. “Oh stop, he’s with us now! Tomura’s orders.” She spoke curtly and led him to the stairs, quickly running up to them she slammed open Tomura’s door and squealed, jumping onto his lap, interrupting the game he was playing. “Oh look, my slutty sister is back in my lap~” She huffed and flipped him off. 

“Fuck me? All you had to do was ask, though you want to let me take you with him watching?” She blushed and bit her lip, snark answers gone as she quickly became submissive just for him. “Maybe I do want Katsuki to watch…” She eyed up her former fiancee and moaned as she saw the imprint of his cock through his pants. “Hm? Oh you like letting him fuck you? I can make you cum better though~” Kyrie moaned and big Tomura’s lip. “Please Master, fuck this slutty pussy, even though you’ve already bred my womb.” He growled and picked her up, turning off his game console before he threw her onto the bed. “Strip. You’re not getting nice treatment, making me fucking worry. Sluts don’t deserve to be treated nicely.” Her brother slapped her, hard, knocking her off the bed a bit as she held her cheek. “On your knees bitch. *now*.” She let out a small whimper and did as he said, waiting patiently as he disintegrated his own clothes, not wanting to bother with them. Tomura slammed his hips hard into her own, burying his huge, thick and veiny cock deep into her cunt, right against her womb. 

“Fuck… You’re such a filthy slut… You’re craving cock even though you’re filled up and pregnant.” Katsuki let out a growl and stepped towards the two, only for Tomura to wrap his hand around the other man’s throat, a single finger off of it, keeping him alive. “Keep your mouth shut and watch. I don’t want you here, she does. Fucking test me and I won’t hesitate to kill you.” Tomura shoved him away and roughly slapped his baby sister’s ass, grabbing her hair as he pressed her into the bed. “Filthy slut, you like getting this slutty hole pounded while your little boyfriend watches, don’t you. Naughty bitch. God you are such a horny little bitch!” He growled as he fucked her harder.“Take my fucking cum, bitch. You’re not cumming just yet.” Tomura growled in her ear and came hard, his cum spilling out, not having anywhere to go. “Fuck- you’re spilling~ Can’t take your master’s cum now? Because this little cunt is full of his offspring?” 

She nodded and squeaked as he flipped her over, slapping her hard in the face as he started fucking into her again. “Filthy slut… God you’re so fucking horny, you’re soaking my thighs, you’re gushing every time i thrust into you’re horny little cunt…” He hummed and smirked. “Why don’t you let your little boy toy fuck you too? You’re always saying you want more…” He flipped them over and made her arch her back, her ass in the air as he fucked her silly. “Beg him, slut.” Kyrie squeaked as he slapped her hard in the face, busting her lip. “I didn’t fucking stutter, bitch.” She moaned and held her thighs, looking at Katsuki over her shoulder. “Fuck! ‘Suki! I need more… Please come stuff my pussy more! I need another cock in me~” She pouted and bounced her ass as she rode her brother, letting out lewd naughty sounds as she came hard on his cock. “Fuck Master! I didn’t ask to cum! I’m sorry~” Tomura growled and yanked her hair, ignoring her apology.

“Fuck, he’s jerking off. Just hurry the hell up, damn hero impostor.” Katsuki let out a small hiss and stepped towards them, pressing his cock hard against her tight pussy, surprisingly, her tight hole accepted him with ease. “Damn, he slid right in, you fucking wanted this, huh slut? How often do you make yourself cum by imagining us fucking you?” Tomura growled into her ear and slapped her as he fucked her more, rubbing her clit roughly.“Fuck- Katsuki! You’re so gentle~ Be rougher!” She pouted and pulled his hair a bit, making the blonde moan. “God dammit, Kyrie I’m trying not to lose it-” She moaned and leaned up to kiss him, rubbing her breasts as she did so, her swollen nipples sensitive and perky as she pulled on them. 

“Use your quirk on me! Burn me, fuck me! Just fucking use me like I’m a cock sleeve! I’m so fucking wet for you both right now, god please!” Shigaraki growled again and fucked her harder, continuing to slap his baby sister around as she came hard on his cock. Katsuki let out a desperate sound and smacked her ass, his quirk lighting up on contact, leaving an angry red burn, making her scream and cum all over again, multiple orgasms ripping any coherent thought she had to shreds. The two men were a mess as she came, so close to cumming themselves. “Fuck- Cumming! Kyrie you’re so fucking beautiful and perfect!” Katsuki was the first to cum, burying himself in as deep as he could as he came, only for Tomura’s huge cock to gush out tons of cum and flush the blonde’s own cum out as Kyrie just kept cumming.

Kyrie moaned and sat up once she’d recovered a bit. She hummed and smiled at the two. “That was amazing~” The two boys looked at each other and smirked. “Was?” Katsuki fell onto his back as Tomura picked up his sister and forced both of their cocks back into her tight pussy.

“We’re not done yet, slut.”“We’re not going to be done with you for hours, princess~”

[miruka-cioccolata]

What about La Squadra with a female s/o with a stand that can bring out the deadly seven sins in someone? Like, it goes with whichever sin comes natural to whoever she’s using it on so you can know what their deepest darkest temptation is. What sin would be more prevalent in what La Squadra member??

(YES!! the seven deadly sins have fascinated me ever since I saw the movie “Seven” as a kid! I even drew something with La Squadra and the 7 sins once many, many months ago:

my absolute favourite ask up until now, thank you!!)

Risotto Nero: Greed (If it wasn't limited to seven, I'd have assigned Greed to Sorbet & Gelato, it would have fit them much better than Risotto imo, but weeeell. Greed isn't limited to money, it also expresses a hunger for high status. Since Risotto wanted more territory and wealth for his team and in turn also more power, I think this sin is pretty fitting for him. Also his later motif of revenge and overthrowing the boss falls nicely under Greed.)

Prosciutto: Pride (This was a little tough since Pride is said to be the original sin and initially I had thought it would most likely suit Risotto as the leader, but honestly, Prosciutto just seems more prideful too me than the others: His neat and tidy appearance could indicate that he's prone to vanity and his self-confident and strong-willed attitude also points to his sin being Pride.

a little note on the side: I personally like to headcanon that Prosciutto's somewhat of a brat and the only one of the group who can be eye to eye with Squadra's leader (think of hubris, which is another represent of sinful Pride).

Pesci: Sloth (Actually a tie with Gluttony here, but I think Sloth fits him better: Pesci is quite hesitant and not self-confident at first during the GD arc and he only truly steps into action after Prosciutto's death. While Sloth is more about laziness and apathy, it could also be seen as passiveness and lack of willpower, two things you could use to describe Pesci before he finds his determination.)

Formaggio: Gluttony (So, Gluttony is more about eating a lot and while (mostly) all of them are named after food, I went with the cheese man for this one. It's a bit of a stretch here since he isn't ever shown eating or such, but I guess we can assume he likes drinking, judging from the bottle he uses in the fight(?). Gluttony not only represents over-indulgence and overconsumption, but also selfishness. As I said before it's a little far-fetched, but he just seems like a laid-back guy to me, someone who enjoys life and would easily give in to temptation such as good food.)

Illuso: Envy (For him I was reminded of the Evil Stepmother and her mirror from Snow White lol. Envy is expressed in the desire to deprive others off their traits, possessions, status, etc and being jealous because someone is supposedly better or has more than oneself. Illuso doesn't show any obvious signs of envy or jealousy during his arc, but his ability just strikes me as fitting for the sin: He operates from the shadows, cunningly robbing (!) his victims from their Stands when they enter the mirror world. Could also be argued that his ability isn't necessarily good for melee and that he too – similar to Formaggio – is jealous of other more combat-oriented Stands, but that's just a loose thought.)

Melone: Lust (This was the most obvious one together with Ghia. I mean...everything about this dude screams “Lust”, starting with his weird Stand computer thing that impregnates random women, him always being on the hunt for potential new mothers and his trademark tongue actions. His design also gives off that particular vibe, I see pink/lavender as very fitting colors for Lust. )

Ghiaccio: Wrath (Pretty clear, isn't it? He is by far the most aggressive of the bunch, constantly shouting and behaving impulsively. Wrath is about anger, rage, destruction and impatience and I think nobody of La Squadra represents those sentiments better than Ghiaccio.)

the female S/O scenario is under the read more!

Risotto Nero:

Risotto has done and seen countless awful things in his life, but what great sin is his biggest driving force? Curiosity overcomes his girlfriend as she waits until Risotto is wavered in safety and dozes off, head rested in her lap and letting his guard down under her gentle touch. That's when she gets out her Stand. The intensity of Greed's grip on her boyfriend stuns her for a moment. Risotto is always so calm and collected, so seeing his darkest desires so vividly and so intense is enough to make her gasp. Ever the light sleeper he wakes up from her hasty motion and asks her what's wrong, but she keeps quiet about her discovery.

Prosciutto:

There's nothing wrong in taking pride in one's actions, but Prosciutto seems a little too prideful at times. His girlfriend notices the purple mist which follows him with every step, indicating the vigor of the deadly sin Pride within him.

Prosciutto had told her at the start of their dating that he isn't exactly an innocent man and she can second that with the sin-sensing vision her Stand grants her, but she decided to stick with him nevertheless.

Pesci:

Her boyfriend never struck her as someone who would have dark desires, Pesci seems far too nice and gentle as to have any sort of sinful wishes, however, the light blue gleam of Sloth is undeniable. When he first gains knowledge about her Stand ability, he is worried that she might dump him since she is able to take a peek into his heart. Being able to see other's sins can be a burden at times – especially in a romantic relationship - but she assures Pesci that she'd never leave him because of that.

Formaggio:

She told him what his strongest sin is, because he just wouldn't stop asking. Formaggio is sure that if he knows where his weakness lies, he can work on it and become a better version of himself for his girlfriend's sake. Yeah, that idea doesn't last very long, especially not when he forgets about his ambitious resolutions after the fifth beer. However, she is fine with the yellow aura of Gluttony circling around her boyfriend, willing to accept him how he is, all of his flaws and quirks included.

Illuso:

“You can really see people's sins?”

Illuso is still wondering about his girlfriend's ability. He notices her eyes lingering on certain people when they walk around the city, it's like she can see ghosts in the open daylight.

“Yeah. That guy over there for example”, she says, pointing at a passerby”, he is probably going to cheat on his wife tonight. You see that woman? She is extremely greedy, I guess she would even kill for some cash.”

Illuso is amazed at her unique perception. “Now tell me, which sin do you see in me?”

She takes a long look at her boyfriend, but what for exactly? She already knows the acid green veil of Envy that surrounds Illuso well enough. Her answer is a mere shrug.

“I...don't think you need to know. Some things are better left unsaid.”

Melone:

He is convinced that his lovely girlfriend's ability is wonderfully compatible with his Babyface: He'd know exactly each potential mother's secret desires and could thus better teach his evolving homunculus-like Stand.

Whenever Melone talks about his missions and gets passionate about it, she can see the sin of Lust flaring up in a bright pink light around him. She knows he is a sinful man, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't love him with all of her heart. Ghiaccio:

Frankly, she has never seen a person with such a persistent red aura of Wrath ever since she passed Polpo's entrance test and became a Stand user. It's almost concerning how the aura never seems to lessen, the tension being almost tangible like a shaken bottle of sparkling water ready to burst at any moment. Even though she is aware of Ghiaccio's sins, she is willing to put up with it, she had just  hopelessly fallen for him.  

[chiefnooniensingh]

I Won’t Hesitate (for you) Chapter 12

Chapter 12: What is lost will be found (when the truth hunts you down)

In this chapter: The truth.

A/n:  Oh my god guys. Here we are. I'm so nervous about this chapter because I am equally excited and nervous about your reaction to it! After this, there's only an epilogue left. Enjoy, and please let me know what you thought of it!

As always, a special thanks to Aileen (@acomebackstory), Callie (@callieramics), @hm-arn, @royalshadowhunter, @ladymajavader and May (@merlinss) over on Tumblr for their continued support and cheerleading. I don't know if I would've finished it without you guys!

@hmd23 guessed it, last week's chapter title was from Third Eye Blind again. Congratulations!

Can anyone guess this week's?

Also on: ao3

other chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

January, 1934

Liz Ortecho, now 23 and wise beyond her years, entered the little cabin she had rented, a newspaper clutched in her hand. They were living just outside of New York, trailing a ghost that refused to be found.

They’d travelled all across the country; starting from New Mexico, they went to San Diego, Sacramento and Seattle, travelling north past the Canadian border, even going so far as Calgary, before returning to the States to follow even the smallest hints of Rosa’s killed.

Five years they’d searched. Five years of barely any food, finding work wherever they could, and constant disappointment. They’d built up a steady network of informants, through a mix of bribery, good Samaritanism and flirting, but apparently Rosa’s murderer instilled fear in the hearts of men. Not many were willing to sell him out. Those who were, quickly dropped off the radar after that.

Liz knew she was being watched. She’d seen the shadows in the corner of her eye, the unremarkable cars in her rear-view mirror. She knew, if she ever got truly close, she’d probably end up dead. But she was determined and so were her travel companions. Rosa’s killer needed to be unmasked, taken off the board, or he’d kill again.

“I have news and you’re not going to like it!” Liz announced as she entered the tiny living room. The other two women immediately joined her at the table. Liz smacked down the paper, pointing at a small article, accompanied by a picture.

The immigrant man Sheriff Valenti had had to let go because of lack of proof. Looking fancy and happy, standing next to an absolutely gorgeous blonde young woman. “That’s him,” her friend said, her voice shaking, “that’s Rosa’s killer.”

“I’m pretty sure, too, yes. Sheriff Valenti was never able to get any proof, but…he’s the only suspect we have. Either we cross him off the list or we get the bastard. Either way, we need to find him.” Liz looked at the picture, her face hardening. “And he just made it extremely easy.”

The headline read:  Oil Mogul Noah Bracken (33) and noted event planner Isobel Evans (25) tie the knot in Malibu.

Liz looked up at her companions, who looked back with the same determination on their face. “Alright, call everybody. Michael, Kyle, my dad…” She felt her lips pull into a sardonic smile. “We’re going to plan a murder.”

Maria and Mimi DeLuca nodded, heading off to pack up their stuff and call the cavalry. Maria had grown up with Rosa, had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. Mimi had taken care of Rosa, and Liz when she came along, for years. When news reached them of Rosa’s disappearance, Mimi had wanted to return immediately. Mr DeLuca’s illness prevented that. When Michael called another few weeks later to tell them Rosa’s body had been found, just days after Mr DeLuca’s own passing…something broke in Mrs DeLuca, and she was never the same again.

Both were extremely determined to hunt down and kill the monster who killed that little girl.

Present day, 22nd of October, 9PM

Alex was standing in front of the passengers that had occupied so much of his mind for the past three days. He looked over all of them, and he wondered why he hadn’t seen it before, why he’d missed all the little things that could’ve tipped him off. He wondered if he was getting rusty.

They were all sitting in the dining carriage, their chairs moved to face Alex, who was standing with his back to door. He had always been able to command a room with just his silence, and now, too, people were waiting for him to speak.

“Thank you for coming,” Alex began, his eyes locking with each of them in turn. Isobel Evans, Max Evans, Beth and Arthur Otto, Kyle Vale, Maria and Mimi DeLuca and…Michael Guerin. All of them liars. All of them trying to hide themselves from him. But the jig was up, the curtain had fallen, and Alex could see clearly now. He continued. “I have a decision to make. I need to decide what to tell the police when we arrive in Paris tomorrow. And I was hoping you all could help me.” He saw the surprise on Michael’s face, and most of them exchanged worried and confused looks.

“We all know there was a murder here on this train. I have been working relentlessly to find out who did it, and after three days of hard searching I have narrowed it down to two theories. I will lay out these two theories before you now.”

Several people shifted in their seats, others smoothed down their clothes. Alex couldn’t help a small, half-smile that played around his lips. “My first theory is as follows. In 1920, Noah Bracken kidnapped and killed Rosa Ortecho in revenge over a workplace dispute with her father, Arturo Ortecho.” Alex let his gaze fall on Mr Otto, who blushed and lowered his eyes. “Rosa was loved by many, and her death instilled a rage in the hearts of those who loved her, none more than in the heart of her sister, Liz Ortecho.” His eyes moved over to Beth, whose eyes were already filled with tears. “So, presumably when she turns 18, Liz sets out to find her sister’s murderer, aided by her sister’s best friend Maria, and the latter’s mother and the Ortechos’ former house maid Mimi DeLuca.” Beth, Maria and Mimi all looked at each other uneasily. “Somehow they find out who Rosa’s killer is. Maybe they saw him on a train. Maybe they read about him in a newspaper. It doesn’t really matter how; they find him anyway. So they bring in the cavalry; Rosa’s father, still grieving for his eldest daughter; Kyle Valenti – ” Kyle shifted in his seat but kept his eyes steadily on Alex, though Alex could see the tears forming in them. “ – the son of the Sheriff who tried to find Rosa’s killer and failed, killing himself with shame of it – ”

Alex took a deep breath and turned his eyes on Michael, who looked at him with clear eyes and an expression of love and acceptance on his face. “ – and finally, Michael Guerin, the boy who took care of the Ortecho sisters when he couldn’t take care of himself. Six people, who all loved and adored Rosa, who all wanted to see justice for her death, a justice the system would never give them.”

“Rosa was the brightest star on this planet,” Liz burst out, tears falling freely down her face now. “She was happy when things got tough, when dad had to work long hours, when mom died. She loved and laughed and lived and that monster took her away from this world.”

Alex merely acknowledged this outbreak with a simple bow of his head, then continued. “So they devise a plan. A plan that would bring them justice for Rosa, that would – if carried out properly – help them get away with murder. It soon becomes clear they can’t get close to him. Noah Bracken has transformed himself from illegal immigrant to an oil mogul; rich, powerful and, in almost every sense of the word, untouchable. So they approach his wife. Isobel Bracken, née Evans, who may have already figured out who her husband really is…”

“He had a box,” Isobel whispered, her voice hoarse, her eyes hard and filled with disgust. “A box filled with newspaper clippings and writing. He boasted about killing that poor girl. Kept track of what the police knew. Disappeared when he needed to. I had unknowingly married a monster.” Max put a hand on hers, and she trailed off again.

Alex continued again, as if he had never been interrupted. “Isobel, having figured out who her husband really is, realizes nobody will believe her. Noah Bracken is rich and powerful, surely he would never harm a child? So when Rosa Ortecho’s loved ones show up with half a plan, she knows the only way out is through; she has to kill her husband. She knows someone in the police department of Roswell, someone with access and credibility and skills. Her own brother Max. This is also presumably how the two siblings find their long, lost brother; by planning a murder.”

“I couldn’t believe it when we suddenly were face to face,” Max muttered, glancing towards his brother. “After searching for so long, to find him in the middle of this awful tragedy.”

“So now the group is 8, and they need a plan. A plan that can help them get away with murder. A plan so intricate that even the most brilliant minds would have a hard time finding the truth.”

“Such modesty,” Michael muttered with a small smile, and despite everything, the group chuckled.

Alex smiled, too, but continued. “And then, a window of opportunity. Noah Bracken has a meeting in Istanbul with other big oil companies, and Isobel manages to convince him that they should make this a little holiday. Fly to Istanbul, spend a few days there, and taking the scenic route back; the Orient Express. A little…second honeymoon, as it were. What reason would Noah Bracken have to doubt his loving wife? She’s an exceptional actress and has not once slipped up in her façade of loving him, though she has known, at that point, for a long time. So, they come together to plan the perfect murder.”

Alex started pacing slowly up and down the dining carriage, his leg already twinging, but biting through the pain, nonetheless. He needed to get through it, he needed to know their reactions to his theory. “Isobel has her own income from her business, so she buys out an entire car on the Orient Express, two for her and her husband, and 6 for the remaining group. Michael gets a job at the Compagnie, getting himself stationed aboard the Istanbul-Paris line. There needs to be a minimum appearance of foul play. Coincidences is where they hope to confuse and befuddle anyone who tries to look closer. Simply coincidence that Isobel’s brother is on the train. Simply coincidence that the Ortechos’ house maid and her daughter are on board. Coincidences hide facts more completely than people think. This group of avengers realize this.” Alex looked at all of them in turn. Liz was still silently crying, with her head on her father’s shoulder, who in his turn looked stricken, almost sick. Mimi and Maria were sitting straight-backed, staring right at him, almost challenging him to continue. Kyle stared at his hands. Michael merely looked at Alex, an expression of pure wonder and awe on his face.

It almost made Alex falter.

“They needed a weapon that would also be a coincidence. The knife Michael always carried with him, because it reminded him of his first great love.” They locked eyes and for the first time, a single tear escaped Michael’s eyes. Alex’s heart ached. “And so they plan, first finding the perfect time to commit the murder. Kyle has medical training, and he knows that cold decreases body temperature faster than usual. So the time of death needs to be when the train passes through the coldest regions; the Alps. The decreased body temperature will not only throw off the time of death to a time that coincides with a brief stop and will provide alibis for them all. For who is awake at 3 the morning? Isobel starts taking sleep medication, weeks, maybe even months in advance, complaining of insomnia to her doctor who is fooled – again, she is a terrific actress – so that she cannot be the murderer; she was asleep, heavily medicated, so how could she possibly have killed her husband?”

Alex stopped for a moment to prop himself up on a table, unable to take the twinge in his leg any longer. “And so, on the morning of the 19th of October, 6 seemingly random people board the Orient Express, pretending not to know each other, knowing they are stepping into a closed environment with a murderer. In the evening, either Isobel or Michael put a sedative in Noah Bracken’s evening tea.”

“I did that,” Isobel said, her voice strong. She looked hardened and sure of herself, a stark comparison to the shocked and traumatized girl Alex had seen that first morning. “Michael brought the tea, but I put the Barbital in his drink. I knew if he woke up at any point, he would be able to fight back and win. He was a terrifying man, Mr Manes.”

Alex inclined his head. “At 4AM that night, everybody sneaks towards the Brackens’ cabin. Every one of these people has a reason to want Noah Bracken dead. So instead of just one person committing this murder, the knife Michael brought exchanges hands. This has the added benefit of thoroughly confusing any coroner examining the body, because not one of the stab wounds has the same depth and patterns. So every single one of the hurt and grieving people takes a stab at Noah Bracken’s chest, ending his life like he ended Rosa’s, justice finally done, Rosa’s spirit finally at peace.” Alex took a breath, examining the faces of the people in front of him. Liz and Arturo were quietly sobbing, Max holding Liz’s hand tightly. Michael’s face was wet as well, but a small smile played around his lips, too. Kyle was white as a sheet, his face taut with emotion. Maria and Mimi were holding each other’s hands tightly, their knuckles turning white. Isobel just stared at Alex, an open challenge. Alex let them all absorb the information he had laid out so far.

After a minute or two, he cleared his throat. “Now there was one thing none of them counted on. Passenger number nine. The unknown variable. I believe they tried to fill it with someone they trusted, a Miss Cameron. But she never showed up, so the cabin was given to a man who had already tried to get a ticket to Paris, but failed. Me. When the group realized a renowned private detective had somehow gotten aboard the train and straight into their meticulously planned out murder, I believe they panicked. Maybe they tried to blow the whole plan off, to try again at a later date. But they knew this was their one shot. So they went through with the plan. I think Michael was supposed to be my distraction, an actual coincidence that we had known each other in a previous life. He’d always been rather good at that, and maybe he was supposed to be that again. And it worked. For a while.”

“In the end, it was you who distracted me,” Michael said, with a shrug. “Long enough to understand that you are more important to me than anything in this world.”

Alex’s heart twisted in the best way, but he ignored it and continued on. “The group tried everything to throw sand in my face. The fake identification papers were a stroke of brilliance. The broken timeclock. Even stabbing Liz. I presume that was your doing, doctor Valenti.” Kyle inclined his head. “I still don’t understand the placement of the half-burned newspaper clipping, though – ”

“ – that was Noah’s doing,” Isobel interrupted, shrugging. “When he realized you were on board, he burned all his memorabilia he always carried with him, so you couldn’t inadvertently catch him. You scared him, Mr Manes. And my husband didn’t scare easy.” She gave him an impressed smile.

Alex inclined his head towards her slightly. “In the end, I realized I should’ve seen it before. Should’ve realized who each and every one of you was. I think Michael’s distraction worked beautifully. If only it had worked a little longer.” He let a silence fall, the group digesting Alex’s words slowly. Michael reached over and squeezed Alex’s hand. Alex squeezed back.

The silence stretched between them all, as each tried to compose themselves. After a few minutes, when even Kyle had lifted his head to look Alex in the eye again, Alex pushed himself off the table and went back to the middle of the room, facing all of them. “It’s the most plausible theory I have, it is true. But it is not bulletproof. While I have uncovered every identity, I have not a single shred of proof.”

“You said you had another theory?” Michael said, sharpest of them all, the love of his life, and Alex smiled.

“I do. After I lay out this theory, each and every one of us is going to have to make a choice. A choice that we will have to live with, one way or another.”

“Share it with us, Alex,’ Liz said, wiping her nose on her sleeve and looking up at him, trust in her eyes. She trusted him still, after all this.

Alex inclined his head. “Noah Bracken was murdered at 3AM when we were stopped in Vinkovci. An unknown assassin slipped on board this train while the conductor was making his scheduled telephone call, killed Noah Bracken in his sleep and locked the door to incriminate his sleeping wife. Then he slipped out through the window, which he left open, and disappeared into the night.”

A stunned silence fell in the dining carriage. Everyone was staring at Alex, then at each other and then back at Alex. Alex knew it was the simplest theory of all the ones he’d run through his head, and the one that had the least chance of ever being proven wrong. “Are you…are you serious?” Isobel said, leaning forward and staring up at Alex. “That’s…that’s your other theory? After you spend 20 minutes explaining your first one?”

“The simplest theories are often the truest, Ms Evans,” Alex said with a small smile that made Michael chuckle. “Every investigator knows this.”

“But in this case…” Liz started, but Alex held up a hand.

“In this case, I am faced with a choice. A choice of what I will tell the French police that will be waiting for me in Paris. If I choose option 1, you will all go to trial for murder. You may get off, since the theory I have is merely a theory. But your lives as you know it will be over. I will have to live with putting the man I love and good people to whom bad things have happened, behind bars.” Alex swallowed thickly. “If I choose option 2, you all walk away from this, and we will all have to live the rest of our lives knowing the truth. You will have to live with blood on your hands. And I will have to live with letting murderers walk free.”

Alex put his hands in his pockets as he looked at all of them. They were all looking at him, scared, afraid of his judgement, of his choice. But Alex shook his head. “I cannot make this decision alone. This is going to affect all of us. So we are all going to make a choice. And whatever we decide, that decision will haunt us for the rest of our lives.”

A stunned silence followed that. Alex looked at them all in turn, ending on Michael’s face which was filled with love and hurt and fear, mixed with just a tiny hint of pride.

“So,” Alex said, “what’s it going to be?”

[krinsbez]

GI Joe: Remixed, Viper Leaders 1

More OCs by Night_stalker, in this case, the bosses of various Viper cadres

(It was very fun trying to make it fit when we found out one of the Viper-types already HAS a boss)

TELE-VIPER LEADER:

Name: Kyu-Hwang, along with many usernames online. Codename: Gwisin DoB: Unknown Former Affiliation: Bureau 121 Orientation: Het Bio: Little is known about Kyu's past, but given his past affiliation, one can make some guesses. The fact that he also has a fondness for snapping to attention whenever a superiro comes by, and is a bit rickety makes one suspect North Korea was involved in some way. That said, he's not your sterotypical nerd. Suave, charismatic, ruthless, bit paranoid.... Kyu is one part hacker, one part cat manager, as having to run a department of IT personnel in a terrorist organization does tend to turn off the actually qualified people from turning up in person. Hobbies: Movie pirating, Coffee roasting, Cooking, and Tai Chi.

LASER-VIPER LEADER:

Name: Adrian Townes Codename: Rytov DoB: April 28th, 1965 Former Affiliation: US Army Corps of Engineers ERADC Orientation- Homosexual Bio: Born into a family that had lasers in their blood, Townes was fascinated by them. In fact, he could say he was all but in love with them. Getting appointed to the Army Corps of Engineers was his dream, where he started looking at the applications of lasers on a smaller scale then his comrades. While they tinkered with making lasers able to shoot down Ivan's ICBMs, he looked at fitting them inside tanks, if not smaller. However, finding funding for laser armed tanks and such, even in the 80s was difficult, to say the least.  Matters were not helped considering that while he was incredibly gifted when it came to developing lasers, he was less then skilled at interacting with others, or with what he termed "Petty minded bureaucrats seeking only to further their own power". When the 90s came around, he found himself out of a job, the laser projects all being put into cold storage. Faced with the prospect of his life's work being left to rot in some musty filing cabinet, Adrian started making the rounds of the Pentagon's higher ups, as well as the GAO. His arguments, while very technically impressive and certainly promising quite a lot of things, well, were considerably out of touch with fiscal reality, as well as the political realities. Left fuming in a dead end post, mostly being spent watching over the laser projects in cold storage, Townes heard of Cobra's announcements, and decided this was the means to affect revenge, while also finally vindicating himself. The fact that, as an added bonus, he could likely turn his weapons against his hated rivals in the Pentagon was, in his mind, icing on the cake. Hobbies: DiY Electronics, 3D Printing, Caligraphy, and Kombucha brewing.

RANGE-VIPER LEADER:

Name: Venus Callahan Codename: Ishtar DoB: Asking a Lady her age isn't polite. Much less a ex SF Lady with more guns then employees. Former Affiliation: Canadian Airborne Regiment Orientation: Hetero Bio: Venus had a relatively normal life in Canada. Growing up in the frozen wilderness, Venus learned how to clean a rabbit before she could walk, and viewed icy temperatures as "Bit nippy". Shockingly to literally nobody, she signed up to be a officer in the Canadian Army, where she rose up the ranks due to her jocular personality, as well as being able to set a personal example for many of the men to live up to. That said, she was given one of the tougher assignments in the army, namely, the famous, or depending on who you asked, infamous, Canadian Airborne Regiment. Unfortunately for her, she was assigned to it barely before the infamous Somali Affair occurred, which meant that when the resulting inquriy occured, she was one of the victims. Naturally, being the most junior officer present who could be held accountable, she was thrown under the bus as much as possible. Being "suggested" that she resign in order to avoid a lengthy court martial that would probably lead to a lot of unsavory details being outed, well, it doesn't inspire loyalty in one towards their government. Holding a grudge against the government and establishment that had tossed her aside so easily, Venus signed up with Sandline International. When that was shut down in the early 2000s, she signed up with MARS Industries, but didn't quite fit in. Her once jocular personality had turned acidic over the years, and while her skills hadn't degraded any, well..... There were certain topics one didn't bring up around her. Or in earshot. Or someplace gossip might reach her about it. So when Cobra started headhunting, HR for MARS pitched her over so fast it was a miracle she even realized what was happening. That said, she seemed to fit in like she'd been born for the role. Her skills, combined with a refusal to take shit from literally anyone, and backing up that stance with the threat of stranding them in the middle of the Arctic, buck naked, well, it got results. Hobbies: Archery, Stamp Collecting, Gardening, Latin Dancing, Trainspotting, and Hunting. 

SNOW SERPENT LEADER

Name: Otto Koskinen Codename: Wendigo DoB: November 11, 1975 Former Affiliation: UTJR Orientation: Bisexual Bio: Formerly a Finnish sniping instructor, Otto ended up leaving the army under circumstances he's refused to reveal. That said, people suspect it's tied to his fondness for eating almost anything, and a shrink's diagnosis of him basically being a sociopath with some severe mental hangups. Shockingly, he seems to get along well with the Snow Serpents, which has helped make him the leader of those frosty psychopaths. Hobbies: Skiing, Trail Skating, Ballroom Dancing, Model Trains (N Scale), and Sewing.

EEL LEADER:

Name: Ro Yun-Soo Codename: Selkie DoB: November 18th, 1984 Former Affiliation: Republic of Korea Navy Special Warfare Flotilla Orientation: Asexual, formerly heterosexual Bio: Ro grew up in a small fishing village on Baengnyeongdo Island, the only child of a fisherman and his wife. A few years into her young life, her mother died from a North Korean artillery barrage, leading her father to bring her along on his fishing vessel to keep her safe. There, she grew to love the ocean, and hate North Korea with a passion. These passions led her to join the Navy, where she excelled in diving and swimming, leading to her transfer to the Special Warfare Flotilla. She had a promising career ahead of her, even had a fiance who was an RoK Marine assigned to the Flotilla as a liason. Then it all fell apart in a manner of weeks. Her fiance was struck and killed by a drunk driver, at first. Then she was discharged from the Navy due to what she has described only as "office politics". The final straw was her father dying in yet another North Korean artillery barrage, just a week after her discharge from the Navy. Furious at the world, and the Norks most of all, she joined Cobra, where her talents had her assigned to the Hydro-Viper program. Hobbies: Rowing, Wrestling, Chess, Starcraft, and Fishkeeping.

MORAY LEADER:

Name: Secondina Vespa Codename: Lemure DoB: December 12th, 1982 Former Affiliation: COMSUBIN Operational Raider Group Orientation: Bisexual Bio: Growing up in Sicily, Vespa learned to take crap from nobody, and that above all else, family came first. Unfortunately for her, this proved to be a dangerous combo when, years into her naval career, her brother was revealed to be a member of the infamous Motsi Mafia Clan. This naturally sank her career faster then a crash diving submarine, but thanks to her brother's career, some doors were opened up for her. Turns out the Mafia saw some benefit in a diver who was combat trained and would have no qualms helping to smuggle cargo or loot shipwrecks. Though after awhile, her brother vanished. Well, to be fair, depending on who you asked, he said he was going off to the cafe with some friends, and would be right back, or said something like "I gotta get out of town, they're after me man". Shockingly, without a brother who was a Capo, people who are openly bisexual don't tend to last long in the Mafia. That said, she wasn't stupid enough to be unprepared this time around, and on her way to the local airport, swung by the local Carabinieri ROS office to drop off a thick file of evidence for their perusal. Her bridges by now more then thoroughly torched, she fled to the Florida Keys, doing mercenary diving work for local OC. This came to the attention of a Cobra headhunter, who also saw that she had no quarrels with body alteration, or at least didn't totally read that employment contract well enough, and she was slated for the Moray program in no time at all. Hobbies: Wine tasting, Audiophile, Magnet Fishing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

HYDRO-VIPER Leader:

Name: Brad Thor Codename: Leviathan DoB: August 21, 1969 Former Affiliation: USMC Force Recon Orientation: Het, married to a Nitro-Viper. Bio: Once a Marine Force Recon captain, Thor ran into hard financial times. Desperate to earn money to pay off some debts, he made a deal with Destro. Unfortunately, Destro didn't show, but rather a NCIS team, who arrested him. While enroute to his new prison, he reached out to Cobra, and requested a job. This was granted, and before long, he was assigned into the Hydro-Viper program. Of course, he requested it on the grounds of it being the one he was least likely to interact with Destro with, and also suited his talents the best. As luck would have it, he even met his future wife while in the basic Viper program's bootcamp. Of course, she was a Nitro-Viper, so it turned out great for all involved. His loyalty was cemented, and she got a loving husband to help get her over the last husband's untimely demise at the hands of faulty Destro merchandise. Hobbies: Fantasy Basketball, Glass Sculpting, Poetry, and Drama.

[realm-sweet-realm]

Susie’s Possession

Remember that post from a few days back? You know, this one here about the crew getting possessed by a demon? Well, I wrote something about that. It’s a shameless, bloody mess and I hope you enjoy it.

---

Susie Campbell came to slowly, her ears ringing. Joey Drew and Sammy Lawrence were standing over her, the former holding her hand. "Susie. Oh my God, are you okay?"

Susie unsteadily attempted to stand. Her legs felt too long. The last thing she remembered was a loud crash as she'd tumbled headlong out of that machine. "I... I think so." In that moment, Susie became aware that the ink machine in front of her looked split in half. "What happened, Sammy?"

"Do you remember agreeing to become Alice Angel?" Sammy asked. Susie nodded, noticing that Sammy she wasn't looking up at Sammy anymore, but rather looking him right in the eye. She didn't like where this was going. "Well, we made you Alice Angel. But something must have gone seriously wrong."

"But you do look good," Joey Drew added cheerfully, "And if you aren't harmed, well, I guess the only harm is to this here machine!" No longer groggy, Susie could detect a nervous edge in that chronically positive voice of his. "So in other words, no harm that you have to worry about. Sammy, why don't you take Susie home. Give her some support through this big ol' change. I'll figure things out here."

With that, the two left. It was a long walk home, but at very least it gave Susie a chance to get herself re-oriented. Sammy let her cry and cry about how strange she felt, about how she'd never known the details when she'd agreed to this, about how she felt violated. He was there to comfort her and offer advice. He even agreed to sleep in her bed with her that night when she asked. That night she almost believed that she'd get used to this. There were things that would change, yes, but she was looking forward to where this would take her career. Nothing to do now but make the best of things, she supposed.

The next morning, her attitude had greatly changed. She woke up before Sammy and went to go look herself over in the mirror. Look what they did to you. she thought. Though, it didn't feel like it had come from her.

Yes, and I'm mad, and I don't know how I'll trust them again. But let's focus on getting used to this now. Hmm... some red lipstick might really offset all this bla-

You see? This is why they did this to you. You're weak. You're pliable. You're letting them get off consequence-free for MURDERING you. You showed one your dependence by accepting his comfort. They're only going to keep using you if you keep on like this.

There was no doubt, now. There was some other presence in her. Well, what else could I do?

Give me just a little control, and I'll show you.

Susie hesitated. J-just a little.

Just a little. You'll be able to stop me at any time.

And so, Susie gave in, just a little. There was a mental shift, and Susie saw her eyes glow a faint red in the mirror, settling on dark brown instead of the black they'd previously been. She found herself walking to the kitchen, as though propelled by habit. She wasn't choosing it, but she felt she could stop if she wanted. She bent down to the cupboard beneath the sink and gathered a mass of cleaning fluids into her arms before heading back to her bedroom, where Sammy still lay asleep. What are you going to do to him? Susie asked, remembering that mixing cleaning products could create deadly mixtures. The demon was silent. Susie wanted him to stop, but she didn't. That little part of her that loved Sammy... she was fighting against it, but she found herself walking faster, swinging the door to her room open, unscrewing the first cap...

Wait! she mentally screamed. Let's do him last. Let's make him suffer. There's a bigger fish to fry and his name is Joey Drew.

Susie laughed a little. For a moment it had seemed like she and the demon had been one and the same. Still, she felt in control now. She returned the cleaning supplies, gently woke Sammy up and had breakfast with him, trying to act just as sweet and chirpy as always when really a large part of her still wanted to bite his head off. She found herself bagging up those cleaning supplies while Sammy was in the bathroom, along with a couple of knives.

(Why am I doing this? That stuff about going after Mr. Drew was just to stop the demon, right?).

Thankfully, Sammy didn't ask what was in the bag she was tugging along.

"So, you know what today is, right? The day of your first show?"

"Yep!"

"Great! Joey decided to give you all morning to practice. Your first show is at one. And I'll show you to your new dressing room. It's pretty spiffy, Alice." DON'T LET HIM CALL YOU THAT "I think you'll like it." Sammy attempted to give Susie a little elbow jab.

"You know, I kind of got up on the wrong side of the bed, and I don't want to snap at you. Can we please just not talk for right now?"

Thankfully, Sammy agreed not to talk, showed her to her dressing room quickly, and left. It was a pretty dressing room, but Susie had bigger concerns. She sat down in the corner of the room and closed her eyes. Alright. You said that I would be able to stop you at any time. Well, I'm done with you now, so you can go away.

But we haven't done what we've planned yet.

The words hit her like a flash and brought Susie to her feet, searching for her bag until she regained control.

No!

He's a murderer! A liar! A monster! Susie plucked up the bag, not feeling the least bit in control. She had to keep herself from running to his office and settled for walking as quick as she could without arousing suspicion. She knocked on his door, and there was fear in his eyes when he opened it. Without thought, Susie put her foot in the door, and shoved her way in despite his resistance. Her ink form must have been stronger than it looked, and Susie was riding the demon's honed, instantaneous instincts. Within seconds, Joey was on the floor, Susie's high-heeled shoe on his chest.

Susie took a moment to admire her work. How strange- this time yesterday, she'd been shy of five feet and never would have thought to physically dominate anybody. Now she was looking down upon the man she'd held on a pedestal. She'd never felt more sadistic.

"Well, well, well. It seems that your little plan came at a price."

All Joey could do was try to push her off of him to no avail.  "I'm going to take from you what you took from me."

"No! No, no please! Help!" Joey screamed. Susie dug her heel into him further.

"Shhh... You know, maybe I will spare you. If you do just a teensy little favour for me." Now these were her words. She knew they were.

"Anything."

Susie took the intercom microphone from Joey's desk and shoved it close to his face. "Call Allison. And Sammy."

Joey nodded. Susie hit the appropriate button. "Hello! This is Joey Drew. Could Sammy Lawrence and Allison Pendle please report to my office as soon as possible? Thank you."

With that, Joey had outlived his usefulness. Susie didn't even bother paying attention to which cleaning supplies she took out of the bag. She trusted the demon to pay attention as she kept her eyes on the look on Joey's face. Caps were unscrewed, chemicals were poured. The resultant chemical haze left Joey choking and wheezing, his face turning a delightful shade of purple as he struggled for air. Susie stepped off of him and watched him crawl pathetically to the door, passing out before he could reach the handle. Stepping over his body, he looked to the hall. No one had come yet, so she settled down at Joey's desk to wait.

It took a minute for Susie to come off her power high and realize- oh my God, Sammy was coming. What was she going to do? Kill him. He deserves this, too!

No! I know there's good in him. I need time to sort out my feelings, but-

In that moment, a piercing headache descended upon Susie, blocking her train of thought. She got up and poured more chemicals on the floor, then looked down the hall. They were coming. In that moment, Susie took back control. "Sammy, I- er, Joey- changed his mind. He just needs Allison," she said, barely keeping it together. So much of her was infected, wanted to pull them both in- honestly in saner times she might have warned them both. She settled for waiting for Sammy to leave, and then pulling Allison in. Allison began choking, but somehow it just wasn't as satisfying this time. Susie went to get her knives.

Then, Allison broke the script. She got up and grabbed the device for the intercom. "Send... help..." she wheezed before tossing the device at Susie's head. Susie whipped around and stabbed her, more out of panic-induced adrenaline than anything. They began a furious tussle. Allison was weaker than Joey, but with Joey Susie hadn’t been shaking in fear. Still, Susie managed to get her on the ground and she stayed there.

Oh my God. What do I do? What do I do?

Give in more completely. Just let me have more power and I'll get you out of this.

You got me into this! Susie got up from Allison's bleeding body and stumbled over to a wall, where she stopped, panting with the exertion of keeping what was left of her control.

All I can do is harness your worst instincts. Revenge, survival, whatever. I'll get you out of here, minimal trouble.

Not a millisecond after Susie agreed to give in, she felt as though she'd been shoved against the wall. Her vision became red-toned. Inky black wings snapped out of her back. Her fingernails grew into claws, and her horns grew longer. Susie knew that she no longer had an ounce of control.

There was a banging at the door, and a male voice yelling for her to open up. The demon ignored it in favour of ripping out Allison's hair and tucking it into her belt. Those lovely grey eyes, she decided, she couldn't remove while keeping in one piece. When she did open the door, Thomas was there, along with two other strong-looking men. One tackled her to the ground. She drove her claws into his crotch, which got him to let go, but the other two men were on her just as quickly. The demon's instincts were quick, however, and it managed to slip away and take off flying down the hallway. Susie realized that they were heading for the recording studio, but she was just about corrupted enough that she didn't care. Once there, she descended upon Sammy Lawrence like a bird of prey and ripped apart his ribs with her claws. Such adrenaline was in Susie's system that she didn't even register the vengeful words she was aiming at him. Jack Fain attempted to pull her off of Sammy, and she gave him a scratch across the face before reaching for Sammy’s now-exposed heart. It was then that the three men from earlier caught up with her. Restrained by every limb, Susie Campbell was escorted, writhing and screaming, to an iron cage in a supply room.

---

Susie didn't have any physical needs anymore, so no one had any reason to visit her. The iron cage was cold, and almost as uncomfortable as the staring eyes of the other ink creatures. Still, she was almost thankful for her imprisonment- it was only there, after plenty of time and effort, that Susie was able to root the now deeply-seated demon out of her mind. She wasn't sure how long it had been, or how long she'd have to stay here, but she at very least, she knew that when she got out, she would be herself again.

[cassiexbailey]

HOLY SHIT IS THAT [ KAT MCNAMARA ]?! Oh, wait it’s just [ CASSIOPEIA “CASSIE” BAILEY ]. Damn, [ SHE/HER ] looks good for [ 22 ], good thing that they’re [ BISEXUAL ], I might have a chance. I hear that they call them the [ NANCY DREW ] of the [ NORTH SIDE ]. I guess that’s because they’re [ INDEPENDENT ] and [ RESOURCEFUL ]. But I don’t think a lot of people know that they’re also [ SECRETIVE ] and [ STUBBORN ].

01. BASICS

Full Name: Cassiopeia Sebine Bailey

Nickname: Cassie, Cas, Teeny

Sex/Gender: Female

Birthday: November 11, 1996

Age: 22

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Occupation: Private Investigator

Spoken Languages: English, French, Italian

Sexual Orientation: Bisexual; Heteroromantic

Birthplace: Riverdale, MA

Hometown: Port Townsend, WA // Chicago, IL

Relationship status: Single but complicated

02. PHYSICAL TRAITS

Hair Color/Style: Red-orange or blonde, depending on her mood; she was born with bright red hair, but when she was younger she used to dye it dirty blonde so that she’d look more like her mother; since she found out both of her parents were lying to her about who she was, she let her hair go back to it’s natural color. As for style, she doesn’t really style it often, but it’s usually either down, in a ponytail, or put up in a messy clip

Eye Color: Green

Face Claim: Kat McNamara

Height: 5′3″

Weight: 120 pounds

Tattoos: a large phoenix covering part of her back and left hip symbolizing her love for Greek myth but also as a means for covering up an old stab wound; a small ring of laurel leaves with ‘03/19/1980′ on one side and ‘06/12/2019′ on the other on the inside of her right arm, representing her mother { photos coming soon }

Piercings: Both her ears are pierced twice

Unique Attributes: coming soon

Defining Gestures/Movements: running a hand through her hair; bouncing her leg/knee when she’s nervous; cracking her neck and knuckles; drumming her fingers on whatever surface she’s nearby

Posture: Decent posture, but slouches from time to time

03. PERSONALITY TRAITS

Pet Peeves: { she has a lot okay? this isn’t even all of them } ignorance, lairs, cheaters, being chronically late, people who talk loudly on their phones, people chewing loudly or with their mouths open, people who walk slowly in the middle of the sidewalk or stop suddenly, line cutters, people who don’t use their turn signals, bad grammar, passive aggressive behavior (even though she’s guilty of this herself), people who refer to themselves in the third person 

Hobbies/Interests: dance, writing, photography, criminal justice, reading, cooking, hiking

Special Skills/Abilities: private investigation, adaptable, researching, staying calm under pressure

Likes: sex, coffee, tattoos, photography, hiking, swimming, astrology, astronomy, nature, traveling

Dislikes: rude people, ignorance, fake people, cigarettes/smoking in general

Insecurities: losing people she cares about, not being good enough for someone { i’ll probably add more later }

Quirks/Eccentricities: coming soon

Strengths: coming soon

Weaknesses: coming soon

Speaking Style: coming soon

Temperament: she can keep a calm head in most situations, but she does have a bad temper

04. FAMILY & HOME

Immediate Family: Edward Bailey (Anderson) { father }; Sebine Smythe { mother }; Athena Bailey { adopted mother, deceased }; Sebastian Smythe { half-brother }, Sebrina Smythe { half-sister, deceased }; Bruce Anderson { uncle }; Blaine Anderson { cousin }; Darius Anderson { cousin }

How do they feel about their family? coming soon

How does their family feel about them? coming soon

Pets: None yet

Where do they live? She lives in a small one bedroom house in the neutral zone

Description of their home: coming soon

Description of their bedroom: coming soon

05. THIS OR THAT

Introvert or Extrovert? A bit of both, depending on the situation and people

Optimist or Pessimist?

Leader or Follower?

Confident or Self-Conscious? A bit of both

Cautious or Careless?

Religious or Secular? Raised Catholic, but doesn’t practice anymore

Passionate or Apathetic?

Book Smarts or Street Smarts? Both

Compliments or Insults? Depends on the person

Pajamas or Lingerie? Neither; she sleeps in a loose-fitting tank top and short shorts

06. FAVORITES

Favorite Color: dark green

Favorite Clothing Style/Outfit: coming soon

Favorite Bands/Songs/Type of Music: coming soon

Favorite Movies: coming soon

Favorite Books: coming soon

Favorite Foods/Drinks: coffee

Favorite Sports/Sports Teams: She doesn’t necessarily have a favorite team, but she enjoys watching hockey and football

Favorite Time of Day: early evening

Favorite Weather/Season: tied between fall and winter; she loves the cold

Favorite Animal: wolf

07. MISCELLANEOUS

Fears/Superstitions: not being good enough; people finding out who she really is and blaming her for Sebrina’s death

Political Views: she doesn’t really care to be honest; she doesn’t have a party declared, she votes with who she thinks will be best at the time

Addictions: coffee, sex

Best School Subject: English, History

Worst School Subject: Math

School Clubs/Sports: dance team

How does she get money? she owns her own private investigation business

How is she with technology? very adept; not hacker-level, but she can get by

08. PAST & FUTURE

Fondest Memory: learning to cook with her mother

Deepest, Darkest Secret: coming soon

Dream Vacation: coming soon

Best thing that has ever happened to this character: coming soon

Worst thing that has ever happened to this character: Losing her mother and learning that both she and Edward had been lying to her for her entire life

What do they want to be when they grow up? she is grown up, and she’s doing what she wants to do; that being said, married to someone who loves her for who she is. maybe a few kids.

Perfect Date: she doesn’t really have anything in mind for a perfect date. good food, good company. that’s all she can ask for.

09. BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

triggers: mention of presumed KIA military status, drive-by gun violence, torture, murder, death

Growing up, life for Sebine Laurent had been anything but normal. Her parents had died at a young age, leaving her growing up as an orphan on the South Side. Early in her teen years, she fell in love with a young South Sider named Edward Anderson - the youngest son of the Serpents leader. The two were together for years, but despite this relationship when the Smythes came looking for a wife for their youngest son, Sebine ended things with Edward per her new in-laws demands; they shoved a hefty prenup in her direction demanding she not bring any scandal to the family name via her relationship with the South Side boy she had been involved with for so long, and she had begrudgingly accepted it in search of a better life.

Years passed without any contact between Edward and Sebine. She gave birth to two beautiful twins, Sebastian and Sebrina, and her life seemed perfect; her marriage was far from perfect, but she loved her family regardless. A chance encounter brought Edward and Sebine back into each other's lives, and the spark quickly reignited between the two of them. The Smythes knew what was going on between their daughter-in-law and her old flame, but they let it go. They had their picture-perfect family and their beautiful grandchildren. As far as everyone else was concerned, the Alexander and Sebine Smythe had the perfect family. Problems quickly arose, though, when Sebine fell pregnant, and it was clear that Alexander wasn't the father this time.

The family threatened to leave her completely desolate if she didn't end things with the Serpent once and for all, including giving the baby to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy once Sebine had given birth. They thought they had everything under control until Edward refused to be pushed out of Sebine's life for a second time. He had secret, grand plans to sweep Sebine away from her life in the North Side so they could run away to be together, but her in-laws intercepted. They gave Edward a counter-offer that was almost too hard to refuse. Sebine would never leave with him, but he could still have a piece of her; they offered to give him a substantial amount of money to get out of the gang-life that was expected of him in the South Side as well as to leave Riverdale with the baby and never return.

After trying and failing to convince Sebine to leave with him, Edward refused the Smythe’s offer at first, though instead of leaving town like they had asked, he simply took Cassie and left the North side. He returned to the familiarity of the South Side with his daughter, but instead of pledging his loyalty to the Serpents like he was expected to - like his older brother, Bruce, had done - he joined the Ghoulies alongside his best friend, Luca Gilbert. His brother was furious at this perceived betrayal, especially since Bruce had taken over the Serpents in the wake of their father’s passing in the years before. Knowing how angry Bruce was, Edward and Luca prepared for some sort of retaliation, but after weeks of quiet on the Serpents end it seemed as if it wasn’t going to come. In retrospect, Edward should have known better.

Time passed and a relative peace between the Serpents and the Ghoulies settled in. Weeks turned into months. Months into years. It was just long enough that Edward and Luca began to let their guard down, and that was all the chance that Bruce needed. He knew attacking Edward wouldn’t work - while Bruce was brutal and merciless, his brother was worse, and he knew Bruce’s few weaknesses. Hurting Edward himself wouldn’t work, and even he wouldn’t have touched his newborn niece, though he’d never admit that particular fact to anyone. Instead, Bruce turned his rage towards Luca and Derek Gilbert; Luca was Edward’s best friend, and he’d come to see Derek as a son himself. Hurting Edward by killing his family was the best kind of revenge Bruce could have come up with; he knew it would break his baby brother.

Two years of relative quiet between the gangs on the Southside passed, and then suddenly Luca and Derek went missing. Edward had searched for his family for a few days until he got the word from fellow Ghoulies that they’d found Luca’s body beside the river that runs through Fox Forest. He’d been beaten and clearly tortured to death, but they’d been unable to find Derek; from what they could tell, though, it seemed as if he had suffered the same fate as his father. From what he’d seen of the scene himself, Edward suspected that Bruce had dumped Derek’s body in the river as a means of torturing him even further. There would be no closure without the body, and Bruce knew Edward enough to know how much that would bother him.

Losing both Luca and Derek did exactly what Bruce thought it would have done: it broke Edward. When Bruce threatened to kill Cassie if Edward didn’t leave Riverdale behind him, Edward had no choice but to take his daughter and run. He didn’t stick around long enough to learn that police found Derek wandering through the woods alone days later. Instead, he went back to the Smythes. While they wouldn’t give him as much as they had initially offered, they still gave him a hefty amount of money when he threatened to make his affair with Sebine public knowledge. Taking the hush money that they gave him, Edward changed his last name and left the small town in his rear-view mirror with his daughter in tow. Moving them all the way across the country, Edward set out to put his past in the past and start over.

Cassie spent most of her early life in Port Townsend, Washington, a small maritime town located just north of Seattle, with absolutely no recollection of her early life in Riverdale. Edward wanted to get as far away from Riverdale as possible, and a small town located literally on the other side of the country seemed like the best option to him.

Six months after moving to Port Townsend, Edward met a woman named Athena working as an emergency room resident in the local hospital. He’d been working various protection details for important people around the city and had been stabbed while protecting someone. What started as innocent flirtation between Athena and Edward quickly blossomed into something more. She looked beyond the damaged and rough exterior to the broken man inside, and it was Athena who helped him begin to heal. She knew who he was and what kind of man he had been raised to be, and she loved him anyway. She treated and raised Cassie as her own, and she is the only mother that Cassie has ever known.

Shortly after Cassie’s ninth birthday, Athena took a job at a medical center in the South Side of Chicago, and before she knew it, Cassie’s life was being uprooted and moved back east. Edward took various jobs in an attempt to keep up the semi normal life he’d been living in Port Townsend, but eventually he fell back into the only life he’d ever known, working as an enforcer for a local mob group in the city. It was the only real talent he had, and while Athena didn’t necessarily approve of it she stood by the man’s side regardless as he fell back into the familiar role. As she grew older, Cassie began following in her father’s footsteps, though Edward’s way of life was the last thing either parent wanted for Cassie. With time, though, they came to realize that there was no stopping the young woman. Much like both of her parents, once she set her mind to something there was no way she was going to budge.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Cassie literally ran into the man of her dreams. Anthony had stopped by a local diner for lunch; the same diner that Cassie was working part-time in. She had been in a hurry and not fully paying attention and slammed right into the taller man as he went to take a seat at one of the booths; luckily, his reflexes were amazing, and strong arms caught her before she could stumble backwards. He was only home on leave for a few weeks, but it only took a few short weeks for Cassie to fall head over heels in love with the Marine. Their relationship took off faster than most, but even to those around them it was as if they’d been together for years.

Cassie and Anthony were together for six months before he asked her to marry him. Her parents weren’t exactly thrilled at just how quickly the two had gotten to that point - it was one thing to approve of it, quite another to be okay with your daughter getting engaged after such a short time - but they didn’t object to it. Both Edward and Athena agreed that Anthony and Cassie were good for each other; the fact that he was going to be serving an entire deployment before they actually got married also helped Edward accept their engagement a little easier.

Tragedy struck their small family, though, when a notification party showed up on Cassie’s doorstep one morning to inform her that Anthony had officially been declared as Missing in Action, and Cassie and her family were listed as his only next of kin. Given the fact that he was a member of a Delta Force team, there wasn’t a lot that they could tell her about his disappearance, but they were certain that he had been gone missing during one of their missions. He had been presumed dead, but they hadn’t found a body so they couldn’t officially declare him Killed in Action yet. Cassie was torn apart at this news, but Edward and Athena were there to help her pick up the pieces. Even still, she hasn’t dated anyone since; there’s a part of her that hopes Anthony will show up on her doorstep one day.

Despite helping her father whenever she could, Cassie still had her own life as well. She had her own passions and interests outside of following in her father’s footsteps. Cassie had always been a curious nature, and after spending years of helping people on the South Side (of Chicago) with their own problems she decided to make a career out of it. Cassie enrolled in a local college to study criminal justice, though she dropped out just a few credits shy of graduating when another tragedy struck her family once more.

Throughout his years as an enforcer, Edward had made more than a few enemies. He never worried about it until the day that one of those enemies came after his family. Athena had been waiting outside of a local, family-owned restaurant for Edward and Cassie to meet her there for a family night out - a tradition they had started when she began college - when she was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting; Edward and Cassie had arrived moments later, and Cassie’s world began to come crashing down around her. Athena bled out in Edward’s arms while Cassie watched horrified from the sidelines.

In the months that followed, Cassie’s life was turned upside down. Not only had she lost the only mother she’d ever known, but she uncovered a truth she’d never thought possible. Edward had never hidden the fact that Athena wasn’t Cassie’s biological mother, but he had always told her that the woman who’d given birth to her had died in childbirth. Cassie had always believed him - she’d never had reason to doubt him - until the day she stumbled across letters between Sebine and Edward. She hadn’t thought anything of them at first, many of them were from when they were teenagers and before she was born, but then - as she continued to read - she realized that they continued for nearly a year after she was born. Letters in which Edward spoke about how he still loved her, but he understood her decision to stay with the Smythes, and he would continue to send her photos of Cassie as she grew. Not only had Edward lied about her mother’s death, but he’d kept an entire family from her for years.

In her anger, and after doing months worth of research on her mother and the woman’s family, Cassie left Chicago without a word to her father. She wasn’t sure exactly what she was looking for in Riverdale or from Sebine, but she knew she had to see the woman in person.

10. HEADCANONS

Cassie absolutely loves to dance. She stopped dancing for a while, but now that she’s in Riverdale she’s started going to Jackie’s dance studio more often.

[borderlandscast]

sorry!! I was the one who sent the anon about the development, and yeah, I meant how their character changed as the story went on. but also, what were some things that changed from the initial starting point in the story?

okay, not a problem! let’s do this. my random three picks: zoeya, lalna, and parvis. i’ll think about maybe doing posts for the others but shoves that onto future self. thank you for clarifyingthis ask! it was a pleasure to answer, and apologies for how long this got.

zoeya

her role is basically a xenobiologist traveling to pandora to research fauna and flora. unfortunately, her assistants continued to ditch her given the dangerous nature of the work.

working solo, zoeya continued after many setbacks and was close to giving up after rythian left (for different reasons than what she’d assume though). and then teep showed up.

zoeya’s bubbly, sunny and talkative personality unnerves a lot of people since you’d think all that would be ground out of her at the end of the first day but nope. zoeya’s greatest strength is in her persistence. she never needed coddling, which almost everyone made the mistake of doing since they also assume she’s naive. she proves them wrong later since death (and to a lesser extent, suffering and pain) is a part of life, which is showcased often in her field.

that said, her greatest weakness is her self doubt and insecurities, whether it’s about herself, her job or her relationships. she has a lot of unspoken anxieties on a daily basis, which hinders her ability to function. she shows signs of adhd too; this is especially evident in the scene where teep shows up and her life is a big Mess, from the way she organises her paperwork, her constant clutter and chaotic workflow.

she has a positive impact on teep and vice versa. for the longest time, she couldn’t open up, and now she has this extraordinary assistant who can actually read her handwriting, is not a wimp about foreign bodily fluids, can handle threats without a blinking an eye, can follow instructions after being told only once; yeah, teep’s her dream assistant. problem: they’re stone cold and unreceptive to her ramblings...or so it appears.

zoeya brings the best out in people; she has a grounding effect. whenever i wrote her into a scene, i had to take a different mindset than say, one i’d have for rythian, rythian is cautious, and usually doesn’t do anything without a plan. zoeya, on the other hand, is free of these restrictions. she’s a very emotional person, which plays off nicely against a bigger backdrop of stoic, reserved and colder cast.

she was never intended as a ‘oh, i’m here for you, always!’ sidelines character which is a cliche role; she takes direct actions throughout borderlandscast, such as being the first outsider to see rythian’s mutilated back. she reacts with a little bit of horror, but ultimately reaches out with a compassionate hand. she also ran inside a burning building to get teep. she also is a frontliner in the bandit battle, at the cost of her hand.

losing her hand wasn’t intended until i browsed the old blackrock vids and hit upon the arc where rythian and co end up in the desert and she needs chocolate milk to survive, and uh, things clicked.

zoeya suffers a permanent consequence for her heroic actions in saving sanctuary hole. does she regret it? no! she does her best to move on, with the support of her loved ones. she may have been an anxious wreck throughout the whole event but she never let it stop her from doing the right thing.

lalna

lalna’s role was mysterious from the start to his companions; his concussion impeded his thoughts and rationality. slowly peeling back the real reasons how he ended up on pandora was part of the story.

he was always going to be rythian’s companion, and unfortunately, was going to betray him later. playing up to that was difficult, since i was starting from scratch in an au compared to blackrock where tensions preexisted.

lalna and rythian are both lonely people, and lonely people tend to gravitate towards each other even if their personalities are at odds. i didn’t detail lalna and rythian’s initial journey together but you can tell that they’ve gotten used to each other by the time nanosounds shows up.

i intentionally wrote lalna to be a scaredy cat but differently to nilesy, parvis and zoeya. normal people don’t cope well with being thrown onto a murderous, lawless place, let alone being stranded. lalna handles it reasonably well at first but then there’s the icing on the cake: killing other people.

thus begins lalna’s spiral into the sad mess that he becomes just before tlvh c12 happens. that ended all civilities between him and the main vault hunters.

negative character development where someone truly regrets their actions should be explored more often! lalna didn’t exactly redeem himself in the final battle but he definitely showed that he’s taking his first steps.

sometimes people try to justify doing terrible things because that’s a very human thing to do. lalnable’s own rigid moral compass was foil to lalna’s own weak, wavering one. it also provided another reason for the conflict where lalna nearly throttles him to death but chooses not to, since that’d violate his whole motive for backstabbing rythian.

lalna is driven by selfishness disguised as protective love for his twin. he’s one of the more selfish people in this au.

his loneliness likely drove him to build larry robert, a friend who’d never abandon him.

i don’t think lalna is an idiot; he’s secretly crafty and actually quick thinking, especially when it comes to his specialties. he’s impulsive though, and he doesn’t like to think about the consequences until the dust clears. this gets better closer to the end since he chooses to go back and help the vault hunters, after he provokes arsenal into beating the shit out of him. that uh, takes some serious guts.

he’ll heal his relationship with rythian eventually. where rythian would once have cut ties with lalna, rythian’s open to trying again, something that lalna is deeply grateful for.

parvis

parvis is interesting as a character since he’s so multi-faceted while still being recognisable as himself. i wrote him to be a bandit, but not a bandit, as paradoxical as that sounds.

he was designed to have every bit of confidence as possible or projecting as much; backstage, he dials back on the loudness and is a little awkward but cares deeply with all the finesse of a brick in a sock. he rivals ravs in terms of social awareness, which is how he easily picked up on will’s need for a friend.

his sewing hobby was added much later, it provides him a valuable skill since bandits probably tear up their own clothes often. plus, plenty of civilians and vault hunters could do with repairs every once in a while. being one of the friendlier bandits around, parvis has a secret reputation as a tailor. he only tries a little to deny it.

parvis intensely dislikes conflict but pretends he does, if only to keep the masses happy (his own lieutenants are bloodthirstier than he is, a rarity on pandora). okay, he might enjoy it a little but the consequences of getting hurt far outweigh the adrenaline rushes. he gets over this ridiculously fast when he’s out for blood in the name of a friend (as in the case of one will strife during the jailbreak), or if something he likes is threatened (like his precious stronghold).

as sparkles pointed out, parvis’ leadership capabilities and knack for keeping a whole bandit gang united under one flag (with a love of music, of all things) is pretty much peerless. parvis has a goddamned gift. it’s why he’s so well-liked by each of his ‘fans’, and why he’s so popular on the echonet. he gets to know all of them equally, and rarely plays favourites. he doesn’t let the attention go to his head, much.

the illliteracy part is common amongst bandits but reading sheet music doesn’t take much; parvis is very insecure and touchy about his inability to read and write, but lalnable helps him with that. he also helps parvis get over his fear of blood and pain in the most direct way possible. it’s voluntary on parvis’ part since parvis rocks up to the clinic on a daily basis since hanging out with lalnable is greater than getting nausea over drawing blood.

parvis really steps up to the plate in ‘the battle of sanctuary hole’. he has major self doubts abouts his ability to succeed in battles despite the bloody bandits’ amazing track record of occupying the dam stronghold against multiple attacks. his big, gay ‘crush’ on daltos may have factored into his decision to pick up his gun and finally jump into the fray.

the ‘crush’ part is parvis working through a complex series of feelings. as sparkles noted, parvis develops and abandons crushes very quickly (about as fast as he loses guitar picks; his one on ravs is one of his longer standing ones). it stems from wanting to get to know people; being famous fucks a lot with parvis’ ability to make genuine friends. he goes back and forth on relationships when his doubts surface.

parvis is aromantic and asexual but is grey on both counts. he doesn’t know what both orientations are called, and unless he has a ‘i like people but not in that way’ session with daltos (aro, bi), teep (aro, ace) or hybridpanda (aro, ace), he’s not in a big rush to find out.

he just wants to be friends with everybody, except for when he or they’re crossed; parvis has a big vindicative streak to him that’s a big bandit trait. fortunately, parvis is as revenge driven as panda or sjin is.

some things that changed as the story went on (off the top of my head):

length of the story and word count; did not anticipate on it spanning across six plus side stories and a main one, or over three years.

arsenal’s role in ‘the battle of sanctuary hole’; he fucked up almost as badly as daltos did, which accelerated the blitzkreig blighter’s quest for destruction and revenge. whoops. but he fixed that by diving in to save his bestue, and failed at that. nobody’s perfect! except boner.

minty! minty wasn’t envisioned until i needed someone to run concordia. martyn and turps weren’t available since they’re both land locked, but then along came minty.

elsa being a major catalyst for the complete destruction of pandora and the universe. it was a joke, but then it happened.

rythian’s relationship with the queen; he nurtured a close bond with her, which she broke when she tried to escape her vault once she got too jealous of freedom. if things had turned out differently, they could have been friends and the universe would have doomed another way.

nanosounds losing her left arm; i think i talked about this in a post a long, long time ago but the consequences of a siren losing her tattooed arm? hasn’t been seen yet, wanted to explore it.

the legendary that was dropped in the vault of the queen; its name is ‘enderbane’, and is currently in rythian’s possession after honeydew gave it to him, thus breaking the curse of ‘no vault hunter shall own a legendary’. he has no idea what it does since he hasn’t tested it out yet, and is a little afraid to do so considering it’s an eridian weapon. didn’t plan on including it as a drop but usually loot is good on a final boss, so there.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF BORDERLANDS 3!!!!!!! since borderlandscast is almost wrapped up, nothing will change content wise but since there’s a giant time gap that exists, we’ll see how i fit the epilogue in since that’s a big playground.

[theinvulnerabletide]

Psychology edition: 7, 19, 27 for Lyra. 1, 19, 30 for Whisper. 12, 18, 29 for Oriana. 2, 21, 24 for Az’ar. 6, 14, 28 for Celadine.

Welp, this got really, really long so it is under the cut.

Oh Lyra. My precious, panicking won’t-do-anything-about-the-PTSD-she-definitely-has half-elven rogue. Someone help her. 

7.) Does your OC have any irrational phobias?

I don’t know if they’re irrationalgiven the life she’s lead? But she definitely has some fears, idk. After almostdrowning twice during that storm, I think she might have gained an acute fearof deep water or drowning, but I don’t think it’s a full-blown Thalassophobia yet.

The only thing I think is intenseenough to be called a phobia is her cleithrophobia—her fear of being trapped, and even then it’skind of specific— it’s a kind of mix of heliophobiaand agoraphobia; when the sun is bright and there are no shadows to hide in,she gets this feeling of being pinned down, like there’s nowhere to escape to,nowhere she can run. On days like that, where the sky was ceaselessly blue and the sun was high, shewould retreat inside the ship, even though she usually preferred the crow’s nest,and hide in Arannis’ library to distract herself with reading and research (upto and including stealing books to go read them in a dark corner if he objected).19.) What boosts your OC’s confidence the most?

Lyra needspraise. She likes being good at what she does (there’s nothing like the snickof a lock opening or the death rattle of enemy’s last breath), but it’s nothingif someone’s not there to tell her what a good job she did.

That comesfrom her time with the Magpies. Their praise as she learned the things theywere teaching her meant she was being accepted, meant she had a home, meantthat she was probably going to get an extra helping at dinner that night.

She putson a good show, but in truth, her confidence in herself has been flagging eversince they all died.  

27.) Does your OC practice any kindof escapism? If so, what kind?

Oh man, Lyra used to love faerietales growing up, and her mother was a great spinner of tales, and for a whileshe followed that tradition. She told herself stories of her father, who wasdefinitely a prince of some far-off country and was definitely some day goingto come for her and her mother and they’d live happily ever after in hiscastle.

Nowadays, she continues the grand traditionby imagining her friends are still alive, and thinking about what kind of heistsand cons they’d be pulling off if their patron hadn’t betrayed them.

-

Whisper! My lovely disaster tiefling sea sorceress

1.) What’s your OC’s biggest insecurity and how would theyreact if someone pointed it out to them?

I think, despite everything, it’s herappearance. Growing up, she was very aware of how different she looked fromeveryone, even her family, and even though her appearance was treated assomething that made her special and as a signifier of how important she was goingto be, it still caused her some distress.

So, when she left home, and sheexperienced mistrust, and even hostility from how she looked, that insecurityintensified. She learned how to wrap herself in illusion to avoid that scrutiny.After spending some time with the carnival she’s learned to put on a bold frontand to walk through the world like stares don’t bother her, or are even a goodthing, but a snarky comment about her horns or her tail or even her color areenough to get her to either lash out, or to sink deep into herself and fadeinto shadows.

Knowing Whisper, it is very often thelashing out. 19.) What boosts your OC’s confidencethe most?

Praise! Praise the all mighty Whisperand her arcane knowledge!

But really, as much as she preens atbeing complimented and patted on the back (like she lived for her mother’spraise back when she lived at home, and she did live in a carnival, so she grewused to applause), the bulk of Whisper’s confidence comes from being useful. Feelingneeded. If she’s useful, like, in battle then she’s doing the Magic properly,and when the time comes, she’ll be able to fulfill her purpose.

Or like when Thia came to her forhelp with social situations; Whisper was swaggering through that keep for daysafterward.

30.) What makes your OC defensive quickest.

Someone implying she might not knowsomething about magic, or that she’s not smart. Magic is her job, it flows throughher veins, how dare you say there might be something about it that she doesn’t understand.

-Oriana, my aasimar paladin and now Duchess of Dawn’s Home Keep: 

12.) What is one of the most primary things your OC thinks ismissing from their life?

Oriana is a woman of simple tastes,and as a paladin there’s not much she thinks she needs in life. That is, untilshe was saddled with this castle and its environs.

Like, she had a home. She had a jobshe loved, a job she was good at, she had a Purpose, given to her, if not fromWahreight himself, then from the Academe himself. That and the mundane needslike food were all she needed.

Now there’s so much she needs to doand defend; she needs to have the keep rebuilt and find money for that, and sheneeds to find a way to take care of all these people she suddenly has toprotect and ensure their livelihood, and she can’t do it alone, but I don’tthink there’s anyone in her life right now she would cede even a little bit ofpower to.Basically right now she feels she needs an advisor who can explain everythingto her, someone she can lean on while she does everything herself, maybesomeone she can confide her doubts in.

What she needs is a damn friend, butshe won’t talk or lean on the ones she has.

18.) What kind of intrapersonal values does your OC have?(values about their self, what makes them a valid person). Hm. Well, Oriana’s values are simple, and very oriented in the structure of hertemple. If she’s doing her job—or really, following her calling— as a warrior of light, a paladin of Wahreight and alibrarian, she is valid and useful and has value. And now being a good noble and caring for her people has been added to that.And somehow striking the balance between them.

Oh, god, she is headed for a majorbreakdown soon, isn’t she.

29.) How does your OC behave in the faceof conflict?

She tries to mediate first, ofcourse, to see if a peaceful path can be made. If it’s merely a verbalconflict, she will try and bring the two parties into compromise or tounderstanding.

If a fight is inevitable, she triesto shut it down as quickly as possible; fast and efficient and quite possiblybrutal, to mitigate any damage or pain that might be caused. She’d rather knockpeople out of she can, but she has no problem killing if need be.  

-

Azar, my neutral evil Shadar’Kai Lore Wizard who just wants to be immortal and maybe kill some gods some day. 

2.) If your OC wants to buy a firearm, what might it be for?

Insurance probably. Just in case hermagic fails, and she still needs to eliminate a threat, the same reasons she wouldhave any weapon. Or maybe she would take it apart to see how it works and thentake those principals to make some kind of awful, magical supercharged versionthat spat fireballs (or a thunder cannon, maybe take a little detour into artificer?)?

But I honestly can’t imagine her everwanting a firearm of any kind in and of itself though, she’s confident enoughthat her magic is enough to eliminate any threat she may come across, and shehas no desire to kill for the sake of killing.

21.) Does your OC hurt others intentionally? If so how?

Azar thinks most people are beneathher, so many ants next to her anteater, or whatever, but she takes no pleasurefrom causing people pain. She’s not a sadist, she’s more… apathetic.

If she ever hurts someone emotionally,it’s entirely a byproduct of her thoughtlessness. If she does it physically, it’sbecause she needs someone to experiment on, or because she was trying to putdown a threat to her or her studies. She doesn’t toy with them then, she putsthem down hard and moves on. 24.) How would your OC react if they gothumiliated in front of a group of people?

Oh geez. Az’ar is a creature of coldnessand pride, so it really depends on who they are and how she was humiliated.

Like, if she was beaten magically orintellectually, which are the only ways that matter to her, she would teleportout of there and sulk for a while; and I think that’s the only way I could eversee her plotting revenge or actually wanting to cause someone pain. She’ddissect what happened, come up with a thousand and one plans for it never tohappen again, and then go grind that person to dust.

Socially? Like if someone got a jabor an insult at her, and everyone started laughing, she would just stare, Ithink. Cock her head and stare at theperson with her too-intense purple eyes like they were an interesting specimen untilthey got freaked out and left, and everyone was more creeped out than amused.

Celandine! My brand new rock pyromaniac gnome wizard who just happens to be a freshman at Eberron High.

6.) Does your OC have a realistic image of their ownintelligence?

Well, I mean. Celandine does have a20 Int. at level 1 (18 rolled +2 for being a gnome bitches!) and she’s beenmoved up two grades because she wasn’t being challenged enough in class.

That said, everyone—middle schoolteachers, and her parents– acting as if she’s an infallible genius may have inflatedher sense of self a bit. Like, I wasn’t exaggerating when she assumes she’sright at least 95% of the time. She also thinks she can do magic and handle substancesshe is probably not equipped to handle yet. I can 100% see her trying to attempta 2nd level or 3rd level spell at level 1 and knockingherself out for a few days after channeling her power her body wasn’t readyfor. 14.) If your OC gets into a fight withtheir best friend, would they wait for their friend to make up with them, orwould they try to make up with their friend?

Oh gosh. I think her pride would makeher try and act aloof for a little while, and she’d try and wait until herfriend came to apologize to her first.

But Celandine doesn’t have manyfriends. And she’d get lonely really quickly. I think after an hour or two, she’dbe at their door, her big eyes shimmering with tears, to apologize. 28.) How would your OC react if a bully stoletheir lunch money in high school?Celandine’s parents are merchants, and more or less devout followers of KolKorran, so money and trade are literally holy for them. What’s more, her focusis a lucky coin.

With that in mind, anyone trying to take money from her would definitely geta firebolt to the face. Or a witchbolt, depending on how pissed off she is.

Oh man I love them all so much. :3

[thecharmingknightemma]

EF about page for mobile

basic information

Written since s2 of ouat with thecharmingprincessemma and thewhiteknightprincess urls. Big reminder that if your character is personally involved in her backstory, I will happily change things so they are free to interact and not forced to follow my headcanons.  Verses at the bottom.

In this page you'll find: -short version of her backstory -long version of her backstory -heads up -verses involving the Enchanted Forest

FULL NAME: Emma of the White Kingdom. (Known also as Swan Princess, Swan, Emma, Em) AGE: younger than 28 by default if she's not gone 'dark' GENDER: cis female ROMANTIC AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION: straight LANGUAGES: most of those spoken in the nearby kingdoms and realms, some ancient ones as well. But not fluent.   MENTAL ILLNESSES: depression when younger (until she turns 28 and we go to the next phase of her life, in which she has that and PTSD, panic attacks, and anger issues).

SHORT VERSION OF HER BACKSTORY

For people who won't read a longer one, but there is more to read after the long version, and keep in mind that this is just a summary: super happy princess and knight of the White Kingdom, can be found everywhere doing pretty much anything whether appropriate or not, hopeful, stubborn, chatty, blunt, overprotective, good listener but can be petty, loves dances and ballgowns as much as armors and swords. Peak Chaotic Dumbass always ready to go get in trouble. Very affectionate. She will be very appreciative of everyone until proven wrong. Sometimes she sees the world in many shades of grey, other times it's black and white and she will kill if she believes it necessary. Always working when home and bad at letting people help her, when outside she's a loud and enthusiastic (and not so graceful) knight who may not make the best decisions. Traumatized in her love life (toxic manipulative boyfriend Arian who was with her to prove he could tame her and broke her heart), she lost hope about finding her own love and plans an arranged marriage for herself, believing most of her life will stop once she's married and that she'll spend the rest of her life in the castle, but trying to make the best of it for her people. An adventurer. She convinced she's too weak to handle true pain because of the 'melancholy' that hit her after Arian but the depression actually came from her heart remembering she was meant to be pregnant in her original (canon) timeline.

Will really appreciate good looking men as well and flirt, doesn't mean she expects anything to happen, but she does have one night stands and keeps in touch in a friendly way sometimes, just runs away from love.

The future she was meant to have (the canon tvshow) was changed and never happened because of canon Rumplestiltskin not drinking a potion to forget what he learned about the future so he could change it, but she feels the absence of a son without knowing she was meant to have him and has no idea she has magic; the fairies, trying to help her, gave her teas that are memory potions to suppress all that pain and memories and to avoid the rise of another evil queen.

When she'll turn 28, the time when she was meant to be the Savior, she'll remember and her mind will shatter due to potions and too many fake memories in her alternate realities. She'll be also captured by clerics and tortured to try to get rid of her powers. Her mind will be filled with dark magic in an attempt to keep her memories together, and her own white magic can hurt it, there are different lives constantly fighting in her head and more than that the agony of having lost Henry, her son, and that entire destiny, making her turn against everyone who had a part in it - and pretend to not love anyone else anymore so that the people she cares for won't be used against her.

LONG BACKSTORY

AU Where the curse didn’t happen because canon Rumplestiltskin didn’t drink the potion to forget what Emma Swan told him about Neal dying, and changed his future. He created a parallel universe where Regina was defeated and cast away (with his help, because he found out Belle was alive and trapped by the queen, and he wanted revenge). 

In the Enchanted Forest, Emma grew up with her parents, and with Pinocchio and Alexandra at her side, a happy, adventurous child; around age fifteen, when so often spending time in town, she was courted by the son of the baker, Arian, who had a bet going with his friends: he'd be able to tame the wild princess. After a year of being together, the guilt of having made the princess, who had turned out to be so nice (and that he had manipulated into becoming as ladylike and gentle as he wanted), fall in love with him pushed him to confess the truth.

Emma's heart was broken: she lied to everyone about the reason of the breakup, told everyone he had realized he didn't love her and that was all, and spent days feeling humiliated, betrayed and hurt, until one day she met Grace, the Hatter's daughter, and ran away with her to go on an adventure and forget. She came back days later, knowing her parents and friends must be dying of worry, and tried to make up for it, to act normal, but she wasn't so successful. Months later she started feeling even more miserable right when she should have been pregnant in a world without magic. She couldn't remember a life that she didn't live but her heart was hurting, not forgetting a child that should have been there, a consequence of changing the future.

She began to feel a new odd emptiness that she couldn’t explain, knowing there was something or someone that she missed, until one day when Henry was supposed to be born she felt the very real physical pain from it and thought she might be dying or going insane; that was the last push for her to ask the Blue Fairy for help and start fighting again, wanting to be happy again both for herself and her loved ones, receiving a magical tea that was meant tot help and that suppressed her memories. She stopped believing she'd find love, but found joy in helping others, in adventures, in mixing her passion for duels and her silliness to the love for dances and clothes and food.

Blue knew part of what she had lost, and could feel that in the future they were all at risk of getting a new, terrible villain, so she was trying to save Emma and the kingdom.

Sadly, her attempts were not meant to work.

Emma didn't tell anyone else about her pains and nightmares (except for Grace who found out on her own) and is still traveling, enjoying her freedom and sure that her life the way she likes it will end once she'll have to take the crown and be trapped in her castle; she also wants to prove herself as a hero, a warrior like her parents, which is why it's easy to find her fighting beasts or exploring dangerous places, but also befriending everyone she meets and trying to help them, as 'tactful' and hopeful as her father and as trusting and impulsive as her mother. She loves fun, visits so often Hansel and Gretel's tavern that her townpeople just expect her there at this point, gets in danger whenever she can take a break from her duties, still chased by the rebels who don't want her parents to rule or are on the side of the Evil Queen, and of course the men under old King George's control, who never accepted the loss of his real son.

On her twenty-eight birthday in this world she will remember everything, and between the knowledge of the life she was meant to have, the loss of a true love who was never born, the teas given her to suppress memories, and her own magic, and torture from clerics to get rid of her witch said, Emma will break and temporarily retreat to find a way to control her magic, to make sure her memories won't go away again, and to plan revenge on anyone responsible for it. She'll pretend to be fully evil and not care about anyone anymore after her change so that they won't be targeted by the enemies she's making (Rumplestiltskin, the fairies, even Cora), which is easier to do when looking at her family makes her only remember the things she's lost, and feel the guilt because she was beloved and now she can't be with them anymore.

Cold skin, dark magic trying to keep her mind together and making it painful to use white magic, she'll be hiding in the summer palace and planning revenge, but the role of villain will never suit her too well. (She doesn't know, but Henry's spirit lives in Neverland and can be brought back.)

Note: she does plan to take the dark curse from Rumplestiltskin if possible and finally die and reunite with Henry, taking it with Henry. Suicidal ideation is therefore present, as well as depression and PTSD from torture and more. I can get around it if needed because it's a trigger to you, although when it comes to wanting to die it's not exactly a constant theme (Emma fighting depression and mood swings is, however.) You can find a few more details here.

A HEADS UP ABOUT THE CHARACTER

While she does work hard so that one day she’ll be able to reign and make her people happy (which involves knowing laws and working with them to better people’s lives, take care of the kingdom’s resources, taxes and so on) she’s not the best diplomat yet, and her recklessness and bluntness, even if she tries to ‘fix it’, plus her inappropriate behaviors, have created friction between her and many other royals from other kingdoms. 

There has been one occasion in which she went to fight a dragon without proper armor because she forgot it, too in a rush to get back to a town where some delicious pies were on sale. She almost died, predictably, and to this day Pinocchio and Grace will bring up this story to try to slow down whatever new quest she has in mind. Everything can be made into a quest.

Animals come to her when she sings (especially those from the Enchanted Forest).

She can tell when people are lying, though not always, depending on how emotional she is.

She has a black horse that she called Apple - because at first he was insufferable and nobody could stand his temper. Now he is still insufferable and scary, but at least not to her. He's a giant horse and had potentially some magical ancestor but it's hard to tell.

Enchanted Forest verses

princess v. stealing beans: verse where she either willingly crossed a portal open by a bean or feel through one and ended up in another world - for crossovers in which she's still princess Emma. 

v. royal cinnamon: anything set from her birth until Arian breaks up with her a few months after turning sixteen. Emma is more inexperienced, hasn’t traveled much yet, though she does train to be a knight. At fifteen, after the courting started, she dropped some of her tomboy attitude to be more ladylike, the way Arian was manipulating her to be, and she found out that she liked that too. Balls, ballgowns, tea parties and everything that she had rejected as a child. 

v. melancholy: set after the break up and finding out it was all for a bet Arian made with friends (being able to tame the wild princess). In the following months she had to recover from heartbreak; she met Grace the day after the breakup and joined her on an adventure, running away for a few days but regretting it because of the pain caused to her family. She did like the taste of adventure and promised herself to travel more. However that’s when the ‘no Henry’ sickness started, hitting her body and mind and leaving her hopeless and barely able to interact with friends for a year until she slowly began to heal because of Blue’s teas. She believes the 'melancholy' was due to the break up and that she's too weak to handle love, and that the pains that sometimes she still feels are due to stress. 

v. born to be wild: anything set after she starts travelling and seeing the world, around eighteen, and before her twenty-eight birthday. Emma is balancing duties of a princess who one day wants to rule and pleasures of a knight who enjoys life fully. She also counts down to the day when she knows she’ll have to force herself to marry someone for the good of the kingdom. 

potential verse that doesn’t happen in every timeline - v. white witch: Emma learns she has magic and runs away from the castle, knowing her people will reject another ‘witch’ in charge, hiding and trying to use her magic to save people without getting too exposed.

 v. dark witch: anything set after her 28 birthday when she remembers everything and her brain shatters. Memories come and go constantly, her magic is out of control, she wants revenge and Henry back. She’s captured by clerics once, tortured, and after freeing herself she retires to the Summer Palace, with some loyal servants choosing to join her. She acts heartlessly with her old friends and people in general to avoid weakness (though she’s not great at keeping the act when people are in danger) and plots the fairies’ destruction and Rumplestiltskin’s ruin using memories from lives she hasn’t lived. She will join anyone who can get her what she wants. She also used dark magic to stitch her mind back together, reason why when she uses white magic she hurts herself tremendously.

also potential verse -  v. dark one: set after she takes the dagger and becomes Dark One in one way or another (Rumple might or might not be still alive and suffering if she found a way to transfer the darkness to herself). The fairies might or might not have been defeated. She’s more in control of her powers and memories.

v. hope: set after she finds out Henry can be brought back (through Neverland, or the other Authors) and starts travelling to find what she needs for that to happen. She doesn’t publicize her identity to avoid trouble, but also because any enemy who finds out she still cares about something might use it against her.

v. mother and believer: set after Henry is born/brought back to her and Emma has retired, hiding from enemies and raising her son or, in verses where she got Henry back without going through a dark witch stage, is simply keeping him with her at the castle.

v. the Mad Hag: Emma was taken away and locked into a tower by Rumplestiltskin (or someone else, it can be plotted) before her 28th birthday so that she wouldn't be a danger once remembering her other life, her magic also suppressed. When her memories did come back, free to wreck havoc in her mind, Emma remembered the life she was meant to live as Emma Swan, and the cursed life Regina gave her so she could leave with Henry before Pan's curse hit, and her own Enchanted Forest life, and with no magic to help, the pain took over her mind, leaving her in a constant state of confusion, lives and memories overlapping and every now and then allowing her to remember other people the way they were in other lives. Once freed, of course her mind will slowly clear up again, as well as her magic which would be out of control. She's scared and lost, and will have to put back the pieces of the puzzle to understand what happened.

v. mermaid curse: Emma is accidentally cursed to be a mermaid every day and turn back into a woman every night until receiving a kiss of (romantic) true love. She has resigned herself to live this way, trying not to swim too far when a mermaid or she'll drown at sunset, and not to deep into the forest or she'll end up trapped on the ground by her own tail. If she didn't believe in finding love as a woman, how can she now? Open of course to all sorts of relationships, not just romantic threads.

v. twelve hours curse: same concept as the mermaid curse, but in this case she can turn into different species: dragon, dog, swan.

[drittegeist]

          LEVIATHAN BERND SULZBACH + BIOGRAPHY    /     ′ DER LEIDEN DES JUNGER SULZBACH ′

         arc 01    /     ′ THE HANDS OF GOLD ARE ALWAYS COLD, BUT A WOMAN’S HANDS ARE WARM ′

1918 was the year where a tragedy started finally taking place, after being, for long, antecipated by the fates. they talked about two children, two wolves who would wander around a forest just as black as the night --- they could, one day, find the light of fame and legend, or could both be thrown in the eternal darkness of oblivion. children of different elements, representing different meanings but, in the end, they'd complete each other, as one. just like cain and abel. it was february when poseidon met hida sulzbach, a witty, small and fragile (health wise) woman that found herself alone after her aunt's death. her father, a strict soldier who valued his motherland and the germanic values, was sent to the oriental front to face the russians --- strangely enough, bernd was yet to come back, even though the armistice between germany and russia had already been signed. it was hard to get her to talk more, she was always so shy and avoiding of everyone. her eyes were of a golden color, just as yellow as the engines she used to manipulate --- as the god got closer to her, he knew more about her life. a drop-out of school, she managed to work on her father's bakery to not be considered a failure. she told him her father wanted to marry her to someone when he reached home after the war was over, but she didn't want to. they became closer and closer. hida had never had anyone around her, that really wanted to hear her talk, all she needed was a chance to give up her shy facade and kiss the other for the first time. they, for months, were lovers and friends, and sulzbach could say she finally felt happy for once. as the end of the war was approaching, she felt fear --- fear of her father's return, of her fate. she didn't know what would happen. except poseidon had an idea: bring her closer to him. he'd take her to parnassus, the godly training centre for demigods && mortals who were adepts to their cause. the place had been built after the fall of the holy roman empire, when the prophecy of the two brothers was announced. they needed to prepare for the wars to come. and so she left, seduced with her godly lover's words and promisses. for years, they lived a good life --- everything seemed perfect. until came the fifth year, and they were still together, contradicting all of the existing laws for it. that was when poseidon found out that hida was a wolf scryer by nature because of a connection her family had had to artemis --- unfortunately, she could never develop it. it was way more than average, to be honest. wanting to piss off his brother and frustrate his romance that was pretty much, at that point, forbidden, zeus laid with the german woman, disguised as her lover. that was before she found out she was pregnant --- later, finding out that she was expecting twins. little did she know that the boys were from different fathers.

        arc 02    /     ′ SAME CLOTHES, HOMEGROWN, A STONE’S THROW FROM A CREEK WE USED TO ROAM ′

unfortunately, the poor 24 year-old could never see her children for more than some minutes, before passing away, tragically. the blue-eyed one and son of zeus, named wolfgang, was as strong as a bull --- didn't have any problem, was just fine. on the other hand, leviathan, the amber-eyed son of poseidon, wasn't that good. he seemed like a fragile baby, and caught a pneumonia that almost killed him in his first few days of life. that was when his father, in order to keep his lovechild alive, decided to connect him to his personal pegasus, the first one he had ever created. his name was, at that point, fantásma, and he was albino, just like a ghost, his eyes were of a bright red color. it was scary. after it, leviathan's right eye took the animal's coloration, bringing him a weirder look. the twin half-brothers were left in freiburg with bernd sulzbach, now a veteran of war who had lost his hand to the soviets, fighting under the insignia of wilhelm ii. the man had given up his life for the reich, hungry for glory and to fullfil his duty with his country, forgetting to be the father his lovely daughter deserved. gods knew how much he felt destroyed for hida's death --- it was on his back as much as it was on poseidon's and zeus's. the woman was prone to illness since she was a toddler, and it was a common opinion in the family that she could never mother any children --- basically because she'd die in the process. one would probably be alright, but twins... and, then, their life started. leviathan was the most fragile, the most small and shy. he used to try to work at his grandfather's bakery, mostly without any success. they lived in a small apartment in freiburg, with only one kitchen and one room, where the three remaining members of the sulzbach family used to sleep. the boy has so many memories of the past --- of the days when, because of the growing inflation, they didn't have enough money to even eat, and bernd couldn't make his business run. he remembers of crying before sleeping because he hadn't eaten anything. oh, lord, how he does. sulzbach was considered childish and stupidby his peers at the luteran institute for boys, also known as the place where bernd spent most of his money at. he wanted to educate the children so they'd have a good future and not end up being a mere baker as him. leviathan used to carry his teddy wolf to school everyday, and everytime people bullied him, he hugged the little stuffed animal and cried, alone. the social confusion, the constant shutdowns. that was the boy's life. fairly enough, he was exceptional in mathematics, just as much as his mother. on the other hand, he was no good in languages and struggled with letters that, by his on words, got messed up in his head, which made him panic whenever the tests were coming. unfortunately, not even the teachers were, at that point, caring about him. his desperate tears were just one more reason for the kids to bully him, to punch him after school, to call him abomination. and, as the nazist ideology raised in germany through the passionate words of adolf hitler, DER FÜHRER, the more the people were intolerant towards him. why do you, a pure german boy, walk around with this abomination? he is a waste of space and money of our state, once, a man asked wolfgang. herr, he is my brother, he answered. do you two come from different fathers?, and the younger twin punched him in the face. he was always like that, a fierce protector of those who needed --- and, in that moment, leviathan needed him. soon enough, the entirety of german would. the nazis had risen, and the war was about to start. 

       arc 03    /     ′ HEROES WHO CAME FROM THE SAME UTERUS ′

leviathan didn't talk much --- he used to spend some time away from home, in the same spot as always, building up new devices. gods, he loved it. the reason sulzbach loves doing it so much is because he knows what to expect from a machine: nothing but patterns, proccesses that repeat themselves one after the other. it didn't tire him like socialization did, it didn't drain his energies. all leviathan ever wanted was to fix broken things, put them all back together. he'd one day do the same with his family, he hoped... but he couldn't. the war had broken through, and bernd knew what the nazis would do to his grandchildren. but, still, he couldn't bare to let them go after their destiny --- he though he could interfere and, somehow, change it. but, when it comes to the fates, there is no choice. two years had gone by, and he held his boys away from the separation that'd occurr between them. it was may of 1940 when the lives of the twins changed completely. bernd, knowing the boys would be arrested because of the threat they were against nazi germany, told them to go away. and they almost did --- except the pair didn't want to leave the old man alone to face the officials. watching everything from a refuge, leviathan and wolfgang saw their grandfather being brutally killed because he refused to share any information on the place they had gone. they were devastated, but couldn't stay there and face them, they couldn't seek revenge at that moment. for some days, they wandered. leviathan and his twin lived the greatest adventure of their lives, along with their friends, meino and daniel. before dying, bernd had given them a map --- and, even if it seemed weird, it was magical. it'd bring them to the village of pähl, in bavaria. except it had been destroyed after the fall of the holy roman empire and, now, there was a city named parnassus. the limit between the divine and the mortals, the only place that could bring peace to germany and the world. amidst the road, anyways, when they were close to reach the city, leviathan found a small creature hidden in the woods --- anyways, it seemed like he had carefully been placed there for him to find. for some reason, everyone perceived him as a husky, and not as an actual pegasus, but the brothers and his companions could see the truth behind the illusion. he was named geist due to his ghostly features, such as his bloody eyes and white fur. there, they found out that they were, in fact, children of different parents. leviathan, a son of poseidon, and wolfgang, of zeus. during six months, he trained with the other divine children, preparing himself to face the nazis along the allied army. sulzbach learned how to shoot, how to defend himself (in the most clumsy way), but it was enough. he knew he had to be a hero for once, to honor his dead mother and dead grandfather. they were the ones that mattered the most. he fought and won battles by the side of the allies, and legends used to say that him and his ghost used to fight as only one, making the soldiers afraid of the other's said power. it was in a battle that leviathan was caught by the nazis --- afraid that they'd try to harm geist, he made the pegasus flee, giving up to fight against his enemies. all that sulzbach wanted was for both the animal and his brother escape without no further harm. it was leviathan they wanted.

       arc 04    /     ′ PAIN MADE ME A BELIEVER ′

for the next 4 years, he dived into pure pain and darkness. leviathan sulzbach was being destroyed, piece by piece. the trauma was so intense it made him forget his own name, replacing it with the mark that was placed on his arm. 00003, drei. drei. the happy german boy, shy and family-oriented, was pretty much dead at that point. the suffering, the pain, the spanking. he saw death get so close, through starvation and illnesses. the only reason why he didn't die was because, somehow, geist kept him strong. they were one soul, forever. in 1944, one year before he was freed by the americans, dr. heinz started experimenting black magic on the demigod --- he knew he had the blood of a king, and that could work well. for this reason, he was submitted to sessions of pure torture, and the mark on his arm took a different meaning. other than the mark of drei, it was the mark of cain. gods, it led to levi's worst memory: when he was illusioned to have killed his brother. then, the americans came.

      arc 05    /     ′ EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES ′

back to parnassus, leviathan could feel nothing other than sadness. all his friends had died, and where was him? gods, he should have died with them. he should have died with his valiant half-brother, diederich, and his crush, edda. sad, he reclused to his own room and didn't talk for weeks --- on the second, he almost killed himself, and was rescued by poseidon. that was when they found out that leviathan had been cursed --- he couldn't die, but wasn't a god. he was just... eternal, somehow. dr. heinz's fault, he guessed. for this reason, he became a wanderer --- such as cain. more than 70 years had gone by, and all he waits is for someone to give him a strike of mercy, so everything could be over.

[xmutantsrpg-blog]

Name: Rowan Hawthorne

Alias: n/a

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Powers: Cell Manipulation - Rowan is able to manipulate the cells in his body or anyone else’s, provided he is able to make skin on skin contact with them.He is able to shape and manipulate the cells of any sort of organism, including plants. This allows him to grow new cells or drain them of their energy, causing the host body to fail and shrivel.

Key Traits:  + Quick Thinking                     + Attentive                     + Loyal                     - Brutal                     - Choleric                     - Reticent

Affiliation: Hellfire’s School for Mutants - but will help out any mutant, regardless of affiliation

Date of Employment: July 14, 1985

Room number: 25A

Job/Role: Works in the med centre, healing wounds and handing out bandaids

Known Family: Kimberly Hawthorne né Jones (ex-wife) and Lucille Marie Hawthorne (daughter - deceased)

Personality Type: Chaotic Neutral

Anything Else: Trigger warnings for his origin story: Abuse, Child Death, General Violence and an unedited, very long origin story. If any of these are triggers for you, I will send you a less detailed history. Please don’t hesitate to ask!!

Origin Story:

Growing up in a small town, Rowan Hawthorne had a very normal childhood. His parents were both working class people who, despite not being very wealthy, were able to give him and his siblings a roof over their heads and three meals a day. When Rowan’s mutation activated, there was a period of shock, of mourning the loss of their child’s innocence. He wasn’t sure how they would all react and to this day, showing his parents his mutation is one of the most terrifying moments of his life. 

After a few months the family fell back into a normal rhythm and life went on. Rowan slowly learned to control his powers, practicing first on his own body, and then trying out new techniques on the local strays. He cried every time one of them died and buried them in the field behind his house, each one inscribed with a small stone marker. When Rowan finally moved out, there were over fifty stones of varying shapes and sizes hidden beneath the tall grass.

He was fifteen when he met Kimberly. A recent transfer student, she quickly established herself as someone who shouldn’t be antagonized. By the end of her first month she’d been sent to the principal’s office at least ten times and each time she fell into her seat next to him, Rowan fell more and more in love.

Their first year together was rocky; she wasn’t used to trusting people and no matter how many times Rowan promised her he would never leave, he knew that the soft smile she gave him was purely superficial. It seemed that his words alone could never carry an impact strong enough to make a difference.

Kimberly rarely talked about her father - he was gone and that was all Rowan needed to know. Gone and never coming back. He didn’t ask her about the scars on her skin, didn’t ask why she flinched every time he came up behind her without warning. He didn’t have to - the signs were staring him right in the face. Instead he adjusted his behaviour - made sure to knock or call out when he entered a room. Entwined beneath the bed sheets, he would kiss every scar, would whisper kind words into them, as if by pure force he could take away their negative past.

They were curled up on her couch, finally watching the new action movie they’d both been dying to see, when the yelling started upstairs. Kimberly’s face went white and she pushed him into her room, making him promise to stay put until she came back down. Rowan waited until her steps faded before quietly sneaking up the stairs and peering out through a crack in the wall.

He watched in horror as an older man (he assumed her father) brandished his fists around, smacking first her mother and then Kimberly. Rage boiled up inside of him until he was slamming the door open. Stalking towards the unkept man, Rowan stood and placed himself right in the line of fire. He ignored Kimberly’s cries to move, to run, to hide and faced down her father, daring him to throw another punch.

Of course, to Kimberly’s dad Rowan is hardly a threat. Barely sixteen, a mess of gangly limbs and acne - absolutely nothing about him screamed intensity. Except for his eyes. Those eyes that promised pain and revenge should he even flinch towards him.

Kimberly’s dad couldn’t see those eyes or perhaps didn’t want to or just didn’t understand what they meant. He scoffed and before anyone could react, punched Rowan square in the face and sent him flying, a loud crack ringing out as he collided with the wall. Stumbling towards his prone body, Kimberly’s father laughed as Rowan slowly stood back up, blood pouring from his nose. He went to swing again except this time, Rowan caught it and watched the blood drain from her dad’s face as his hand began to weaken, the healthy colour disappearing as it was replaced with a dark purple. When Rowan was certain that the fist was beyond any human repair, he let go and with all the might his scrawny body could muster, shoved him towards the door. That was the last time they saw him.

Later that night, once Rowan had been patched up, Kimberly told him everything. More than once that night tears fell and as the sun came up the next morning, it saw the two of them curled up on the couch, arms clutching as tightly as possible to each other.

The years pass quickly and it’s not too long before they’re kissing each other under a canopy, in front of their closest friends and family. Married life isn’t much different from their previous lives - they both still work and see friends and know that when they come home, they’re coming home to someone who has seen their darkest parts and has still stayed.

When Kimberly shows him the test, hope and fear shining in her eyes, he’s speechless and before she can shut down, misinterpret his silence, he’s picking her up and swinging her around the room. They’re going to have a baby. A baby.

Her pregnancy seems to last forever, their baby girl determined to stay put for as long as possible. Once she finally arrives into the world, she screams and cries - settling down only in her mother’s arms.

Lucille Marie Hawthorne - Lucy for short.

Life goes back to normal - or as normal as one can be when they’ve got a six-month-old-baby. They’re all so happy and things finally seem to be heading in the right direction. Nothing can break their stride.

And then it does. Unemployment is up and the construction company Rowan is working for goes under. Kimberly picks up more hours at the law firm but it was his salary that was paying the bulk of their bills. They begin to rely on food stamps - their days spent outside in order to soak up as much sun as possible before heading back inside to their dark house.

One day, while they’re waiting in line, Kimberly spots a flyer taped to a light post. Ripping it from it’s spot, she reads it aloud to Rowan. Wanted: Strong people with special talents - must be shown during the interview. They both know what that means - the powers that Rowan worked so hard to gain mastery over were in demand.

His interview was brutal and that night he said nothing, just curled up on their bed and let Kimberly hold him. The job started right away and she could only watch as each day he came home, his eyes seemed just that much colder. The money had returned but as she lay with her back to her husband, Kimberly’s eyes filled with tears as she wondered at what cost?

It’s a human gang that’s running the organization he works for and his job is simple. Make the people who are thrown into his room talk. Often times they’re disheveled business men, men who had lost bets or have taken out loans and are late on making their payments. So when a boy who can’t be more than seventeen is tossed inside, Rowan can feel his mouth go dry. This is not what he signed up for. He would not kill and torture children. For the first time since joining this life sucking venture, Rowan says no and lets the boy out, tells him never to come back.

That night he frantically packs his family’s bags, bringing only the necessities and the large stack of cash they kept under their bed for emergencies. Kimberly’s just grabbed their daughter when the front door is sent flying off it’s hinges and in steps the two mutants who are normally sent to retrieve people.

The fight is over before it can even begin - as Rowan launches himself towards them, the smaller mutant dodges and brings his energy covered hand to Kimberly’s throat. Her knife drops from her hand as she cradles their baby and Rowan knows he’s been beat.

Head hung low, he makes his way out the door, stopping when Kimberly starts screaming. He had expected the other mutant to follow behind and as he looked back in horror, the world seemed to slow. Kimberly is being held back by one hand as the mutant slowly brings his other towards Lucy, a green glowing energy surrounding it.

Rowan howls as Lucy’s body slumps to the floor and his vision goes red. Turning on the mutant next to him, Rowan grabs him by the neck and slams him back against the outside wall. His fingers grip tighter and tighter and he can feel the cells dying underneath his hands, can feel the blood start to slow until the skin beneath his fingers is purple. With a loud yell, Rowan rips the mutant in two before stalking his house.

Kimberly brandishes her knife at the mutant that killed her child, tears streaming down her face. Her mouth is open, she’s screaming - Rowan muses. Everything has gone quiet and all he’s focused on is the mutant currently crouched on the floor, a smug look on his face.

Rowan dives for him, can feel the energy push against his chest but he doesn’t care, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that his Lucy is laying on the floor lifeless and his life is over. His fingers scrabble for purchase - he only needs to connect with one part of the mutant’s body to activate his powers. Skin brushes against skin and Rowan pushes all the anger and death and sadness through that one point of contact, a hoarse cry leaving his lips.

When he finally comes back to himself, he’s laying next to a shell of the former mutant - the cells had degraded so much that bits and pieces of his body were just flaking away.

Kimberly is sobbing, the limp body of their four-year-old pressed tightly to her chest. This wasn’t what he wanted. He was supposed to protect them. They were his family. As their eyes met over the dead bodies between them, Rowan knew - this was something they could never come back from.

The funeral was a quiet affair. They hadn’t put her into classes yet, had wanted to keep her all to themselves for as long as they could, so it was only family and a few neighbours who watch the undertaker lower the small coffin into the grave.

Kimberly packed her things that night, moved back in with her mom. At least that’s what the note had said. He had held it so long that the words were nigh unreadable and no matter how much he smoothed it, some of the words were gone forever.

What did it matter now? What did anything matter? His family was gone, dead and so was he.

Over the next four years, Rowan fell in once again with the gang. His job seemed so much easier now, life seemed so much easier once he could no longer feel. People screamed and begged and he just stared at them, watched passively as they slowly realised they would never be able to get through to him.

Until the day she comes through. A tiny woman, she carried the wrath of the sun within her and Rowan was struck by how much she resembled Kimberly. She hit him and called him names, never once allowing the fear to set in, her eyes blazing with fire. For the first time in four years, Rowan can feel his old self calling out to him, reminding him that he once believed in doing the right thing and creating life instead of taking it away.

They leave that night. He sneaks her away under the cover of the moon, gives her money and food and tells her to run. Pleading, she begs him to come with her, to come away from this life of torture and pain and to find himself again. It’s an offer he can’t even consider. He doesn’t deserve a happy life, doesn’t deserve forgiveness. The most he can do is help others. She leaves him standing at the train station with a name. Hellfire. A school where other people, other mutants, like him are gathered in order to train and hone their skills.

And for the first time in a very long time, Rowan can feel hope fluttering beneath his breastbone.

Growing up in a small town, Rowan Hawthorne had a very normal childhood. His parents were both working class people who, despite not being very wealthy, were able to give him and his siblings a roof over their heads and three meals a day. When Rowan’s mutation activated, there was a period of shock, of mourning the loss of their child’s innocence. He wasn’t sure how they would all react and to this day, showing his parents his mutation is one of the most terrifying moments of his life.

After a few months the family fell back into a normal rhythm and life went on. Rowan slowly learned to control his powers, practicing first on his own body, and then trying out new techniques on the local strays. He cried every time one of them died and buried them in the field behind his house, each one inscribed with a small stone marker. When Rowan finally moved out, there were over fifty stones of varying shapes and sizes hidden beneath the tall grass.

He was fifteen when he met Kimberly. A recent transfer student, she quickly established herself as someone who shouldn’t be antagonized. By the end of her first month she’d been sent to the principal’s office at least ten times and each time she fell into her seat next to him, Rowan fell more and more in love.

Their first year together was rocky; she wasn’t used to trusting people and no matter how many times Rowan promised her he would never leave, he knew that the soft smile she gave him was purely superficial. It seemed that his words alone could never carry an impact strong enough to make a difference.

Kimberly rarely talked about her father - he was gone and that was all Rowan needed to know. Gone and never coming back. He didn’t ask her about the scars on her skin, didn’t ask why she flinched every time he came up behind her without warning. He didn’t have to - the signs were staring him right in the face. Instead he adjusted his behaviour - made sure to knock or call out when he entered a room. Entwined beneath the bed sheets, he would kiss every scar, would whisper kind words into them, as if by pure force he could take away their negative past.

They were curled up on her couch, finally watching the new action movie they’d both been dying to see, when the yelling started upstairs. Kimberly’s face went white and she pushed him into her room, making him promise to stay put until she came back down. Rowan waited until her steps faded before quietly sneaking up the stairs and peering out through a crack in the wall.

He watched in horror as an older man (he assumed her father) brandished his fists around, smacking first her mother and then Kimberly. Rage boiled up inside of him until he was slamming the door open. Stalking towards the unkept man, Rowan stood and placed himself right in the line of fire. He ignored Kimberly’s cries to move, to run, to hide and faced down her father, daring him to throw another punch.

Of course, to Kimberly’s dad Rowan is hardly a threat. Barely sixteen, a mess of gangly limbs and acne - absolutely nothing about him screamed intensity. Except for his eyes. Those eyes that promised pain and revenge should he even flinch towards him.

Kimberly’s dad couldn’t see those eyes or perhaps didn’t want to or just didn’t understand what they meant. He scoffed and before anyone could react, punched Rowan square in the face and sent him flying, a loud crack ringing out as he collided with the wall. Stumbling towards his prone body, Kimberly’s father laughed as Rowan slowly stood back up, blood pouring from his nose. He went to swing again except this time, Rowan caught it and watched the blood drain from her dad’s face as his hand began to weaken, the healthy colour disappearing as it was replaced with a dark purple. When Rowan was certain that the fist was beyond any human repair, he let go and with all the might his scrawny body could muster, shoved him towards the door. That was the last time they saw him.

Later that night, once Rowan had been patched up, Kimberly told him everything. More than once that night tears fell and as the sun came up the next morning, it saw the two of them curled up on the couch, arms clutching as tightly as possible to each other.

The years pass quickly and it’s not too long before they’re kissing each other under a canopy, in front of their closest friends and family. Married life isn’t much different from their previous lives - they both still work and see friends and know that when they come home, they’re coming home to someone who has seen their darkest parts and has still stayed.

When Kimberly shows him the test, hope and fear shining in her eyes, he’s speechless and before she can shut down, misinterpret his silence, he’s picking her up and swinging her around the room. They’re going to have a baby. A baby.

Her pregnancy seems to last forever, their baby girl determined to stay put for as long as possible. Once she finally arrives into the world, she screams and cries - settling down only in her mother’s arms.

Lucille Marie Hawthorne - Lucy for short.

Life goes back to normal - or as normal as one can be when they’ve got a six-month-old-baby. They’re all so happy and things finally seem to be heading in the right direction. Nothing can break their stride.

And then it does. Unemployment is up and the construction company Rowan is working for goes under. Kimberly picks up more hours at the law firm but it was his salary that was paying the bulk of their bills. They begin to rely on food stamps - their days spent outside in order to soak up as much sun as possible before heading back inside to their dark house.

One day, while they’re waiting in line, Kimberly spots a flyer taped to a light post. Ripping it from it’s spot, she reads it aloud to Rowan. Wanted: Strong people with special talents - must be shown during the interview. They both know what that means - the powers that Rowan worked so hard to gain mastery over were in demand.

His interview was brutal and that night he said nothing, just curled up on their bed and let Kimberly hold him. The job started right away and she could only watch as each day he came home, his eyes seemed just that much colder. The money had returned but as she lay with her back to her husband, Kimberly’s eyes filled with tears as she wondered at what cost?

It’s a human gang that’s running the organization he works for and his job is simple. Make the people who are thrown into his room talk. Often times they’re disheveled business men, men who had lost bets or have taken out loans and are late on making their payments. So when a boy who can’t be more than seventeen is tossed inside, Rowan can feel his mouth go dry. This is not what he signed up for. He would not kill and torture children. For the first time since joining this life sucking venture, Rowan says no and lets the boy out, tells him never to come back.

That night he frantically packs his family’s bags, bringing only the necessities and the large stack of cash they kept under their bed for emergencies. Kimberly’s just grabbed their daughter when the front door is sent flying off it’s hinges and in steps the two mutants who are normally sent to retrieve people.

The fight is over before it can even begin - as Rowan launches himself towards them, the smaller mutant dodges and brings his energy covered hand to Kimberly’s throat. Her knife drops from her hand as she cradles their baby and Rowan knows he’s been beat.

Head hung low, he makes his way out the door, stopping when Kimberly starts screaming. He had expected the other mutant to follow behind and as he looked back in horror, the world seemed to slow. Kimberly is being held back by one hand as the mutant slowly brings his other towards Lucy, a green glowing energy surrounding it.

Rowan howls as Lucy’s body slumps to the floor and his vision goes red. Turning on the mutant next to him, Rowan grabs him by the neck and slams him back against the outside wall. His fingers grip tighter and tighter and he can feel the cells dying underneath his hands, can feel the blood start to slow until the skin beneath his fingers is purple. With a loud yell, Rowan rips the mutant in two before stalking his house.

Kimberly brandishes her knife at the mutant that killed her child, tears streaming down her face. Her mouth is open, she’s screaming - Rowan muses. Everything has gone quiet and all he’s focused on is the mutant currently crouched on the floor, a smug look on his face.

Rowan dives for him, can feel the energy push against his chest but he doesn’t care, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that his Lucy is laying on the floor lifeless and his life is over. His fingers scrabble for purchase - he only needs to connect with one part of the mutant’s body to activate his powers. Skin brushes against skin and Rowan pushes all the anger and death and sadness through that one point of contact, a hoarse cry leaving his lips.

When he finally comes back to himself, he’s laying next to a shell of the former mutant - the cells had degraded so much that bits and pieces of his body were just flaking away.

Kimberly is sobbing, the limp body of their four-year-old pressed tightly to her chest. This wasn’t what he wanted. He was supposed to protect them. They were his family. As their eyes met over the dead bodies between them, Rowan knew - this was something they could never come back from.

The funeral was a quiet affair. They hadn’t put her into classes yet, had wanted to keep her all to themselves for as long as they could, so it was only family and a few neighbours who watch the undertaker lower the small coffin into the grave.

Kimberly packed her things that night, moved back in with her mom. At least that’s what the note had said. He had held it so long that the words were nigh unreadable and no matter how much he smoothed it, some of the words were gone forever.

What did it matter now? What did anything matter? His family was gone, dead and so was he.

Over the next four years, Rowan fell in once again with the gang. His job seemed so much easier now, life seemed so much easier once he could no longer feel. People screamed and begged and he just stared at them, watched passively as they slowly realised they would never be able to get through to him.

Until the day she comes through. A tiny woman, she carried the wrath of the sun within her and Rowan was struck by how much she resembled Kimberly. She hit him and called him names, never once allowing the fear to set in, her eyes blazing with fire. For the first time in four years, Rowan can feel his old self calling out to him, reminding him that he once believed in doing the right thing and creating life instead of taking it away.

They leave that night. He sneaks her away under the cover of the moon, gives her money and food and tells her to run. Pleading, she begs him to come with her, to come away from this life of torture and pain and to find himself again. It’s an offer he can’t even consider. He doesn’t deserve a happy life, doesn’t deserve forgiveness. The most he can do is help others. She leaves him standing at the train station with a name. Hellfire. A school where other people, other mutants, like him are gathered in order to train and hone their skills.

And for the first time in a very long time, Rowan can feel hope fluttering beneath his breastbone.

[journeysintowebcomics]

Worm Liveblog #14

UPDATE 14: Trigger Event

Last time I had finished Arc 3, and was about to start Arc 4! Turns out the Undersiders managed to pull off successfully the bank robbery and got away with minor injuries, the worst of them being a dislocated shoulder – which I’m told really can be fixed by pushing it back into the socket, but it hurts a lot. Arc 4 is titled ‘Shell’, and that tells me absolutely nothing about what its contents, so let’s start.

Taylor returned to school after...what, two days of not going and two days of leaving in the afternoon? Her grades must be awful by now. I’m almost 60% sure Taylor is going to leave without completing the school day. So, the setting is the school, and the very first line is spoken by the Brockton Bay Miss Congeniality Award Winner -- Emma. This arc is off to a potentially painful start, isn’t it?

Indeed, Emma has come to taunt Taylor and tell her nobody noticed her absence – which is true, not even the teachers seems to have noticed. Taylor tries to defend herself by acting blasé and shooting back a few jabs about Emma’s lack of maturity, content that if Emma was taking the time to do the old routine of scathing words and opening old wounds, then she wouldn’t have time to prepare the proverbial tar and feathers later. The fact that Mr. Wildbow conspired with his authorial fiat to make Emma be deliciously clueless about the events of this story makes this scene almost funny:

“Really, Taylor?  Tell me, what are you doing with yourself?  You’re not going to school, you have no friends, I doubt you’re working. Are you really in a position to call me immature, when I’ve got all that going for me and you just… don’t?”

If you knew, Emma...you know, somehow I’m not sure what Emma’s reaction would be if she ever finds out Taylor is a cape, or if she finds out Taylor is a supervillain who robs banks and threatens people with black widow spiders. I’m not sure if Emma would be surprised and wondering if she missed any hints, or if she’d be befuddled Taylor didn’t send swarms after her as revenge, or if she’d scoff and think ‘oh, of course Taylor is a criminal’. Maybe she won’t ever find out. For now there’s a strange feeling of satisfaction at knowing that Taylor is officially a budding villain and Emma is clueless about it.

Taylor laughs in Emma’s face, pretty much ending the scene, and scampers out of the classroom without a care in the world. Well this went better than it could have gone! It’s a relief, honestly. Taylor muses that she has been...curiously fine despite, you know, committing a felony the day before. The reasons why are simple: one, she went to school, breaking the pattern of skipping it. In fact, she just completed a whole day of school! I sincerely congratulate her for that. The other reason is that her recent actions aren’t in the front page of the newspaper. We made page three of the Bulletin, coming behind a one and a half page story on an Amber Alert and a General Motors advertisement. Given that having a big article describing her terror wouldn’t make her look like a heroic person, this must be great for her conscience. It also helps that those who are considered as ‘heroic people’ are getting bad publicity right now: All in all, the story had been more focused on the property damage, most of which was caused by Glory Girl and the Wards. Hmmmm...how did the other Undersiders react? Was any of them bummed about the lack of front-page recognition, or are they fine with being relegated to the third page? It doesn’t say – yet.

Now that Taylor spent a whole day in school, she’s in liberty of doing what she wants, so she goes to the Docks, but not to the Undersiders’ hideout. She’s going to a market. Alec, Brian and Lisa were there. No sign of Rachel, I guess it’s because committing crimes isn’t enough to forge bonds of camaraderie with the person you tried to mutilate less than a week ago.

Oh. There’s a different reason here. She’s well known enough that she’d catch someone’s eye, and from there, it’s only a short leap to figuring out who the people she’s hanging with are.” Huh...Brian is right about that. I hadn’t considered it...but I’m supposing Rachel likes it more this way. She’s not the most sociable person around, she may be fine with having to stay away from everyone’s eyes.

It also helps that this way Rachel is conveniently away from the way dogs are treated around here. A woman walks by, carrying a dog wearing a sweater. That’d be enough to make Rachel ballistic.

“The sweater. The dog being carried.  Rachel would be up in her face, telling that woman it’s not the way a dog should be treated.  Screaming at her, maybe threatening violence, if one of us didn’t step in to handle things.”  

Rachel is like a more extreme and rage-filled Cesar Millan. Somehow I have the feeling saying that would be a ticket to getting punched in the gut. To the surprise of no one, it’s said mistreatment of dogs is what would make Rachel be truly angry, which prompts Taylor to ask the big mystery of the day: “Has she killed anyone?” ...apparently she has! Honestly? I didn’t expect that. I thought that Rachel would be the big red herring here, that somehow she hadn’t caused any deaths, but turns out she has, even if it may be classified as ‘manslaughter’. I doubt Armsmaster cares about the distinction, so that’s one killer found. Which one could be the other...hmmmm...

Alec returned from the stall wearing a Kid Win shirt. Classy behavior, Alec. He must be feeling real proud of causing damages to Kid Win’s stuff. Next Alec will buy a skateboard painted like Kid Win’s hoverboard and use it to light up a bonfire, I guess.

Given that right now they’re spending money around, Taylor asks what’s going to happen now with their, hm, “job and payment”. “It’s just a matter of handing the cash over to the boss later tonight.” I had thought the boss would pick up the cash from where they had left it! Is Lisa going to hand it over in person? Nobody cares because they all trust the boss. Other than that, they’re free to do whatever they want until they have a new job to do.

I felt kind of conflicted about the ‘take it easy and wait’ plan.  On the one hand, taking a break sounded awesome.  The last week had been intense, to put it lightly. On the other hand, it sort of sucked that we wouldn’t be out there on another job, since I’d be waiting that much longer for a chance on getting more details on the boss.  I’d just have to hope I could find something out tonight.

Sorry, Taylor, there are...273 chapters left. You’re not finding something out tonight. Besides, the more she spends with the Undersiders, the less she'll want to betray them, I’m sure of it. They’re pretty much the only people willing to spend time with Taylor and be her friend, I doubt she’ll be in a hurry to tattle on them once she gets attached to them emotionally.

Lisa steals Taylor aside for a shopping trip, taking her aside and talking about what she’d buy. Is she faking her enthusiasm so she could take Taylor aside? This felt a bit forced to me. Anyways, that’s the end of the chapter. It was...largely uneventful. There’s not really much to comment there, however, there is something I was passed here by my screener, one of the comments in that chapter.

she’s spending so much time trying to figure out which of the others have killed; it’s going to turn out Lung didn’t make it, i’m betting.

It’d be a twist! But sadly it wouldn’t work, because if Taylor had caused Lung’s death, well, I don’t think Armsmaster would have been roundabout over it. Besides, he’d be punished much more than he was, right? And finally, the Undersiders would have heard something if the leader of this big gang in the Docks died. No, it can’t be Taylor. That’s good for her, the thought of someone dying because of her...that’d hit her hard. To the next chapter!

Lisa channels those TLC programs about what clothing people have, telling Taylor what her clothing says about her. It’s largely accurate.  “You’re observant, detail oriented and focused.  More than any of the others.  You watch, you interpret, and then you act with this careful, surgical precision. That’s a strength and a flaw.” Perfect! I agree. And you want to change it so everyday people are caught off-guard by Taylor’s personality? Not really, apparently.

“I don’t like lying to my dad.” ...there’s going to be a lot of lying, won’t there? From what I see of Mr. Hebert, I can’t say he’d approve of Taylor being one of the Undersiders. Lying to him or telling him and having to go against his will anyway...it’s like choosing the lesser evil, isn’t it?

Lisa proceeds to show the extent of her powers, informing Taylor of her theories. “At first I thought your dad was abusing you.” That’s...a bit of a nonchalant way of saying that, Lisa. Thankfully, Taylor doesn’t react to that. Lisa theorizes that what bothers Taylor the most is at school, and this has been a topic of discussion with Brian and Alec. “I could help make the suckish parts suck less,” she offered.

...

...

...that’d be...I’m not sure if it’d be great or not. My initial thought is “oh, please, go ahead!” but this would cause all sorts of trouble, wouldn’t it? Those bullies would back off, but people can be insidious. Things can get worse. Lisa could risk being accused of something. Taylor could get interrogated about the strange friend who pranced into the school and confronted a few people. This could go wrong in many ways, I think...

“Having me try on clothes is fine,” I told her, doing my level best to keep my voice calm, “But you interfere directly in my problems, and I’m gone.” I can always appreciate somebody who wants to keep both sides of life apart. The smallest leak can lead to Taylor being found out, after all. They discuss the clothes Taylor is going to buy, Lisa is paying for it all. “A bribe in exchange for your silence,” Lisa winked at me. Keeping silent about offering to solve Taylor’s problems, you mean?

Apparently not. This is about how badly Lisa managed to screw up, about Panacea being in the bank. Looks like the rest of the band didn’t find out she was there. It’s less about they doubting her skills, and more about they being teenagers. They wouldn’t let her live it down. Hah! Lisa reiterates that she’s willing to intervene in Taylor’s life whenever she wants. Hmm...foreshadowing? A simple gesture of friendship to further the characterization or Mr. Wildbow setting things up for Lisa taking action in the problems if Taylor’s life? I’m not sure. Or it could be nothing, and I’m clinging to this for nothing. What can I say, I love mysteries, I tend to focus on anything that can hint something happening later in a book.

Once the shopping is done, they all reunite at Fugly Bob’s, where the food is so greasy paper bags turn transparent and there are foods like ‘Hideous Bob’. Anyone with any sense then waited a year to give their hearts a chance to recuperate. Really now. I think my brand marketer heart is the one that needs to recuperate. I literally shuddered. Thank goodness this is fiction!

Taylor inquires what’s going to happen later. Any other crimes to commit anytime soon? Taylor hopes it’ll be less intense, with less confrontation with capes. Taylor doesn’t want to risk dismemberment. Nothing is said, so I guess there’s no plan for the foreseeable future. They continue eating a while longer before Taylor decides this is a grand time to ask for an infodump. “I know it’s kind of cliche, but when people with powers get together, isn’t it kind of standard to share origin stories?” Please do, guys! I’m interested in hearing everyone’s backstories. Judging by everyone’s reactions, there aren’t happy memories at all. That’s the end of the chapter. Will there be answers the next chapter? I hope there are.

Hello there, I finished the update and decided to add this caveat. Fair warning, since things got heavy, I wasn’t exactly in mood to joke around or anything like that. Sorry, things are getting tough here.

So yes, next chapter. It starts in a promising way: “Let me put it this way.  When you got your powers, were you having a good day?” Taylor says ‘no’. Looks like getting powers isn’t done through happy thoughts. There are many with the potential to have powers, but only someone who has been pushed far enough will acquire them – and not always, I suppose. Would I be correct to suppose that Taylor’s awakening of her powers was a byproduct of her bullying? Some would think that it’d be her mother’s death, but...I don’t know, the way Taylor has to reign in her powers – like shown in the first chapter – shows a link between anger and her powers, instead of sorrow.

Nobody tells their backstories, but Taylor wants to tell hers. Well that’s nice. I’m a bit disappointed I won’t hear the backstories for the rest of the Undersiders yet, but there’s a lot of Worm left. There’s time for that. So, Taylor, how did you acquire these powers of yours? The people I’m talking about… I don’t want you to take revenge on them on my behalf or anything. Looks like my guess was accurate.

“I guess I feel that if you guys jumped in and beat them up or humiliated them or made them tearfully apologize, I wouldn’t feel like I’d dealt with things myself. There wouldn’t be any closure.”

Judging by how you’re going to stoically endure it, there won’t be any closure at all unless you move away from them. It says a lot of Taylor’s inner strength, I guess. So, Taylor starts talking. She starts by telling there were three girls making her life miserable, and that her worst moment happened at a time those three stopped. During that time, one of the girls that sometimes joined in taunting Taylor apologized and turned into her friend – and now I’m afraid of reading anything else, because I’m already guessing where this is going. I can’t say I have ever experienced something like this from any side, but false friends are a bit of a touchy point for me. Tough luck, me, you’re going to read this.

...wow. This is actually worse than I had expected. I heard Mr. Wildbow got inspirations of moments that did happen to people he knew. I can only say that if this is copied verbatim from one of those moments...I hope the person who went through this is okay and is happy right now. So, to describe it in few words: the bullies filled Taylor’s locker with used tampons and pads, left it in there for two weeks, and locked her inside. No wonder this is one of Taylor’s worst days ever!

Gaining this new power was very disorienting at first, like having a whole new sense – which is pretty much what this was. Suddenly Taylor could feel the bugs’ location, what they were seeing, and it was all very confusing. Taylor was taken to the hospital and while she was under observation, she pinpointed what was going on in her head. And that’s how she got her powers. Oh, that friend? She simply didn’t talk to Taylor again. And that’s Taylor’s trigger event. Highly unpleasant. This is grim, really.

Alec says what I’m sure a lot of people have thought or said while reading Worm: “Why don’t you use your power?” And he isn’t happy with Taylor’s response about how it’d be easy to guess it was Taylor doing it – they would have no proof, in my opinion – so he insists. Brian...he sides with Alec on this, and Lisa says nothing. Looks like even the characters in this story have a hard time wrapping their heads around Taylor’s refusal to fight back.

Alec wants to give crabs to the capes they encounter and is disappointed with Taylor refuses. I’m not sure what to do with this information, hah!

So, Taylor explains why she refuses to do anything, and it’s because it’d enter into this complicated Ouroboros of constant retaliation. Bullies suffer lice, they get frustrated, they torment Taylor further, Bullies suffer even more lice, they get even more frustrated, they torment Taylor ever more...and so and so, until somebody gets hurt. Paraphrasing. Taylor has repressed a lot of anger, too, so she knows her own limits and that if she lets her anger take over her, she won’t contain herself for much longer. All in all, it really is a show of Taylor’s strength, if anything for other people’s sake. She may be angry, but she isn’t angry enough to actually try to make other people suffer.

Lisa leaned forward, “Tell me it wouldn’t be awesome if we kidnapped their leader, pulled a hood over her head, dragged her into a van and dropped her off in the woods at midnight, ten miles out of town, with nothing but her skivvies.”

Honestly, Lisa? Hell no, it isn’t awesome. I’m all for revenges -- honestly I have a bit of a vindictive streak, I admit it – but that’s too far, isn’t it? Lisa disappoints me a bit by smiling at the mental image, but in the end she refuses to acknowledge it, saying it indeed would go too far.

“Then why the fuck are you a supervillain?”

“Escape.” The word left my mouth almost immediately, before I’d had a chance to even think about what it meant.

Escape from her everyday life of school bullying, you mean? Blowing off some steam and frustration? It’s not entirely wrong, Taylor herself admits it.  All she wants is to keep these two lives separate and spend time with friends. “Yes, Taylor, we’re friends,” Brian said, “And we appreciate, or at least, I appreciate that you trusted us enough to share your story.” Alright! It’s official! Taylor, you’re definitely not going to betray the Undersiders now that Brian said this. Guess you’re a villain from now on! Have fun.

Now that Taylor shared her story, it’s somebody else’s turn, but nobody wants. Alec doesn’t bother to say a thing, and Lisa simply says she’ll tell once she had a few drinks, but she’s still underage. Golly, how about that, haha! I always find it a bit amusing when seasoned criminals are concerned about comparatively minor offenses. The supervillain refuses to indulge in underage drinking! Man I love that trope; too bad I don’t read see it very often.

Since nobody wants to share, Brian decides he was going to be the one to bring up the exposition now. Great! I know pretty much nothing about Brian, this should be a chance to see his past, what kind of life he had before being a supervillain...hmm...something I noted is that the powers and the trigger events themselves have no link, at least in Taylor’s case, so I can’t guess what Brian went through that caused him to acquire powers. What’s for sure is that it was very bad. How bad...that remains to be seen next time.

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