#and then remind everyone yet again that human children are not that different

[stubz]

"Bye Mister Max!"

"Bye Emira, have a nice day!" Smiles the human waving to the leaving youngling.

"Okay! How many do we have left? 1...2....3...hm. Only 5, small group." She sighs looking at the clock. Only 30 minutes to go till closing.

"So what do you kids want to--oh, Anthony! Your dads here!"

The human child ran to their parent, giving them a hug and babbling about what they did today.

"Alright, now only 4 left...wait where's Anwred?" Max mutters. He observes the room, 3 of the little ones were playing with the magnets on the carpet. Anthony and his dad were by the cubbies. Kim was cleaning up...where was Anwred???

"Oh hey buddy! What's your name?" asks Anthony's dad.

'Oh, there's Anwred.' Max thought.

The little youngling was peering up at the human parent. His little fur all messed up, likely from his afternoon nap, his little twin tails swished curiously on the floor, cheeks moving as they--

"What's in your mouth?!" yelled Max and Anthony's dad.

Max grabbed Anwred and forced open his little mouth while Anthony's dad helped hold him. After some hisses and wrangling, Max managed to yank out a plastic wrap from someone's snack.

"Anwred...we do not eat garbage. This will make you sick and hurt your tummy, do you understand?" Huffed a tired Max. Anwred stared up at him and the human sighed knowing there was not a single thought in the toddlers head.

"...guess it don't matter what species they are, little buggers will try to eat anything they're not supposed to." laughed Anthony's dad.

"Tell me about it. Kim, we're gonna have to go over trash with the kids again!" he calls out.

"So uh what is he?"

"Uh...he's mixed but I do know his mom is Wilko."

"Wilko huh? How old?"

"He's turning 3 in December."

"Aw, he's just a little pup then!"

"Ha, yeah."

"Are we doing a party for Anwred Mister Max?" asks Anthony.

"I don't know, we'll have to ask his parents."

"...wait he's a kid?" asks Anthony's dad.

"OH...Yeah...to be fair he isn't wearing clothes and isn't talking yet so...you new then?"

"Uh yeah, I just joined here with Anthony's sister...I just realized you put your hand in his mouth...and he has fangs, like shark teeth..."

"Yep. The teeth aren't that sharp yet. Like taking something from a human child."

"...I...I don't..."

"If you actually think about all the stuff you've experienced with your own kids and compare it to this then you'd realize it ain't that different."

"...y'know what, your right. I once had to get stitches from when Anth here threw a rock at me thinking it was the same as a tennis ball."

"There you go."

[theblueflower05]

Mi Ti’ong(In Bloom)

A/N: Usually I try to keep my readers pretty ambiguous so that everyone can envision themselves, but this ones gonna be a little more distinct. If that isnt your jam, please dont read! No use of Y/N. Reader nicknamed Flora. Based on the character from Winx Club! And this art!

Word Count: 6k+

Warnings: Size difference kink.Mature Language. Smut. Overstimulation. Oral sex(female receiving) Neteyams a munch, it’s canon now.

Summary: Neteyam can have anyone and yet he only wants you. A small human who can usually be found among the flowers. Neteyam x Human! Reader

Sugar, honey, iced tea. Bumble bee on the scene.

Yeah I’d give up my bakery to have a piece of your pie, ugh!

-See You Again, Tyler the Creator.

The forest is alive, the beating heart of Eywa felt in each and every leaf among the trees.

Every glowing piece of flora and fauna, every creature whose calls echo through the vastness.

This time of year is special and it's as though it is known. Deeply and primitively by all. The rains had come and gone, nearly a month of bruised skies that had bogged down the village and its daily life.

But as they always do the skies cleared, and the sun made its reappearance. Glittering and glimmering- triple rainbows breaking out in kaleidoscope like figurations. Beaming down with all of it’s warmth and vitality.

The earth is well fed and fertile, the soil rich and blooming with new life.

It’s that new life that brings the talioang(water buffalo like beasts) back. The creatures return in great migrations to the lush pastures of sweet new grasses to have their babies. The fish swim upstream, battling the roaring rivers, to spawn. The fruit hangs heavy and ripe in the trees. All around there is nothing but full bellies and joy.

This period of abundance is the Great Mother’s gift to her children.

It had always been Neteyam’s favorite time of the year.

Everything lush and bursting with life, the excitement a low constant hum amongst the tribe. The Great Hunt is coming and his father had given him the okay to take lead.

In his nineteen years, he had never been appointed with so much responsibility.

Jake tells him it will all be fine, nothing but easy smiles. This will be good. A fantastic way to show the clan that he’s ready to take on the title of Olo’eyktan once his father steps down. Although he manages to keep is calm and cool demeanor in public, he’s so fucking nervous he can barley function.

It’s why he’s here, trudging through the branches.

The village is buzzing with excitement. Everyone wants a moment of his time, their voices overlap as they wish him good luck.

Question his competence as head of the hunt.

Subliminally hint that hunters twice his age have never gotten the chance to do what has been so freely handed to him.

Remind him that their daughters are pretty. Unmated. Makes the best steamed Teylu. Are fertile and willing to give him strong children-

Fuck.

The moment he could, he’d slipped away. Disappeared into the foliage and had booked it deep into the trees, desperate for a moment alone. For a moment of silence and the peace of being away from prying eyes.

He doesn't even really know where he’s going.

Only that he just needs to be away. If only for an hour. He needs to recharge his ever draining social battery, to get his head on straight before tomorrow's hunt.

Neteyam has always performed his best under pressure.

Things that made others balk and cower ignited something in him. A need to fight. To prove himself- it’s not the prospect of high adrenaline and stampeeding hooves that makes him squirm. It’s all of the attention its garnering.

He know’s fully well that being the next Olo’eyktan means that attention comes with the territory. But that doesnt mean the thought of everyones focus on him doesnt make his indigo skin crawl.

He’s leaping aimlessly between vines when he remembers his sisters earlier proposition.

“Come with me and Flora to the watering hole today! The waterfalls are so pretty during this season- We’re going to go swimming!”

It’d been tempting this morning, and now it is even more so. He could use a dip in the cool waters and Kiri was always an ear to vent to when he got overwhelmed. He’d clear head and then leave-

He wouldn't get stuck staring at you.

Again,

No.

He can't pinpoint exactly when this happened.

It was like one night you were just another human at the Outpost. Another familiar alien face he’d grown up around. Just like Spider you’d stuck close with the Sully children. Your cheeks always flushed beneath your exo-mask and your fingernails always dirty and caked with mud from the hours and hours you’d spend tending to any and all plants that came in your line of vision. You were always so soft. Too soft for his liking sometimes. You’d cry at just about anything whether it be one of those old Tawtute movies the scientists played at the lab or the sight of an injured shimmyfly.

And then suddenly gone was that snotty, teary little girl he’d always known. And in her place was…you. A woman grown. Beautiful and bold- and there was strength in your softness now. You’d proved him wrong so many times- made it clear that you weren't another responsibility he’d have to shoulder-

“I can take care of myself, Neteyam” you’d insisted, never letting him carry your heavy baskets or tend to your scraped knees.

It’s maddening, the way that you shrug off any and all of his advances drives him fucking insane.

Neteyam approaches the secluded bank of the watering hole that his family loves best slowly, keeping in the treeline. Just out of sight. Just like he’d expected he finds you and Kiri on the familiar sands. Kiri is lounging in the sun, eyes closed and humming a pleasant tune to herself-oblivious to anything around her. He’d have to chastise her about her complete lack of situational awareness later.

You’re knee deep in the lake- tending to the water lilies that grow close to shore. Your back is to him but he bets your nose is all scrunched up, just like it always is when you’re around anything green and growing. His eyes drink you in greedily. All of your sun kissed skin is on display in the tiny faded pink panties you don for swimming.

He’d never found humans particularly pretty before you. The intense differences in their bodies had never appealed to him-

But Eywa, are you something to look at.

Time had been kind to you, and as you’d grown your body had morphed into something goddess like. You’re a real looker, his father had claimed. Would’ve been a total knockout back on Earth.

You’re all plush curves. Your breasts are pert and sit like rip hanging fruit on your chest, your hips wide and thighs jiggly and thick. And your waist…he’s sure if he put his much larger hands around them, his fingers could touch. He could cage you in his hold.

That thought has him biting his tongue, hard enough to taste metallic. You turn a bit, your laughter chiming over the glittering water like soft wind at some dry joke Kiri made.

Your hair color is light, lighter than any Na’vi’s and falls down around your shoulders in thick waves. He can only make out the side of your face but your full lips are pulled into a coy smile and your light jade eyes sparkle and all hell. Neteyam is so gone on you.

You’re like nothing he’s seen and definitely nothing he’s had.

And since his Iknimaya he’s had his first pick of the women of the clan.

He’s tasted passionate huntresses and flexible dancers alike and none of them satiate his thirst. None of them are able to replicate what he can only imagine you might taste like. It’s almost pathetic how many women he’s had and how many times he’s almost called out your name as he emptied his seed.

Neteyam’s more discreet about his romps than his brother, that’s for sure- but still. It’s a known fact that he’s an unmated male at his prime and that comes with a certain appetite. He can have anyone he wants, any Omatikayan woman would be glad to spend a night with him.

Yet somehow he’s lurking, hiding in the bush. Watching you longingly. Simpering like a pre-teen and pining over the way that the sunlight plays in the strands of your hair.

He shakes himself from his embarrassing reverie.

No one would be able to tell that just moments before he’d been debating on stroking his cock to just the sight of you, lurking in the trees like a creep. No. As he approaches its with his head held high and a sharp smile on his handsome smile.

“Brother!” Kiri grins, sitting up once she clocks him.

“What are you girls up to?” Neteyam greets. Cool as a cucumber.

“Nothing much, just been here since dawn. The waters so high this year!” Kiri picks up a fruit from beside her, peeling at its tender meat “everyone’s been out here today-on the other side, but no one knows how to get to this spot so we’ve had the beach all to ourselves”

You’re coming in from the lapping shore, beaming at him “Look at all the paysul(waterlily) that’ve bloom! I’ve never seen this many- isn't it amazing?”

“They are very beautiful. The rains were hard this year. I’m surprised the flooding wasn't worse” Neteyam tries not to focus on how tiny your chest covering- the bra as you call it- is. He turns his attention to his sister instead.

“Where’s Tuk, I cant believe she’d miss a chance to swim with you guys”

“She’s with mom, stuck on weaving duty since she tore grandma’s favorite tapestry” Kiri snorts because her baby sister had thrown a complete fit when she had been told she couldn't come “What about you? I thought you we’re too busy to hang out with the likes of us”

“I was able to make a little time for my favorite girls” Neteyam jests, amused by your eye roll and Kiri’s scoff “Plus, Lo’ak told me you need some humbling. Seems you forgot who’s the best diver in the family”

“Oh, you’re on, Teylupil(penis face/dick head)”

After stripping down to only his cloth, his cumberband and com left on shore, he slips into the cool refreshing water with a pleased “Ah”. Enjoying the gentle current against his skin-only to be tacked under the surface by Kiri and all of her bony lanky limbs moments later.

The sun soaked afternoon is filled with laughter and splashing. It’s exactly what he needs.

The three of you play in the river like children. Neteyam and Kiri go at it like the always do- careful to be gentle with your smaller form as you join in. It’s easy to forget the looming pressure of the hunt while he’s jumping from the rushing waterfalls and racing his sister, discreetly preening when he wins and you cheer him on with little claps.

Eventually you all tire.

Kiri floats on the water and goes to that place in her head that she so often does. Completely at peace to be surrounded by nature. She claims it’s when she can best hear Eywa.

Neteyam keeps a bit of an eye on her to make sure she doesn't randomly fall asleep again. Hoping she’d have the sense to get back to the beach before that happened.

Water floods his face and goes right up his nose.

His head snaps to you, spluttering and wiping at his eyes, “What the hell?”

You just giggle innocently before disappearing beneath the surface.

Neteyam’s tail flicks with interest.

He decides to let you get your little head start. His heart speeds up with the promise of a hunt before he starts his chase.He might be bigger then you but you're quick and slippery. Your mask giving you the advantage of not having to come up for air like he does.

When he grabs your ankle, so sure he’s got you, you all but kick him in the face to get away.

You little shit.

Fine.

If you want to play dirty, then he’s game.

He allows you to think you have a chance. That you may be winning the little game. You’re heading for the waterfall, planning to hide behind it.

He’s bigger and more trained than you could ever hope to be.

It only takes one well planned move and you’re done.

He yanks a hold of you, secure. He holds you then, your back against his chest and his strong muscle corded arms wrapped around you from behind before propelling the both of you through the pounding waterfall and into the small, closed off cave behind it.

“Neteyam!” You whine, squirming in his hold like a fish and he just laughs because honestly. He can barely feel it. You’re trying to escape with all his might and he’s holding you the way he might hold a child throwing a tantrum.

He leans in close, burying his face in your wet hair, close to your ear “I win, Sylaung(flower)”

He feels you shiver in his arms and it just makes him hold you tighter. He could keep you like this forever, if you’d only let him. Instead he can feel without you even saying so how hesitant you feel about this

“I think I deserve a prize” he pushes on even further and you give him a confused, side ways look. He so graciously allows you to turn in his hold until your chests meet, face to face.

“Like what?” you wonder and you’re too cute. You’re looking up at him, struggling to treading water with your smaller legs- Neteyam lifts you higher, until you’re bracing your hands on his broad shoulders and he’s holding you above the current. Supporting you totally.

“Well what can you give?” His inquiry is almost condescending and you shrug.

“I’m fresh out of gold stars” you tease and he barks out a laugh. Do you think he can't tell? That he can't see the way your cheeks flush and your pulse hammers beneath the delicate skin of your throat?

“What about a kiss” he offers offhandedly and your face scrunches up in a glare automatically.

“You don't want to?...”

“Why do you make fun of me like this, Neteyam” It’s not often he hears your voice this hard, soured by embarrassment and self doubt.

“I’m not making fun of you” he insists with a sigh “I don't know why you always say that. When have I ever given you the impression that I’d do that?”

You won't meet his gaze. Your green eyes flick, anywhere but on him. Zeroing somewhere behind his back. All too interested on the rocky cave wall.

“If it wasn't for this damned mask” Neteyam husks, low and sincere “I’d kiss you right now”

Even still, you don't seem convinced. Won't look at him until he takes your face in his hand, his fingers gentle but insistent. They grip the mask at your jaw, forcing you to look at him. “Why don't you believe me?”

“I’m nothing like the Omatikaya women you’ve been with” you say plainly like it's so obvious. Like it's a problem.

“I know”

“You didn't even like me growing up. You thought I was annoying”

“That isn't true-”

“It is” you insist haughtily “you’d make fun of me for talking to my plants”

He doesn't mean to laugh, really he doesn't. It’s not the time for it and it just pisses you off even more. He doesn't let you out of his arms even when you swat at him. “Listen, I’m sorry. I think it’s very sweet the way you talk to your plants. I want you to talk to me just like that, please”

That earns him a little giggle and he feels very pleased with himself.

You play with his hair often, most times it's mindless. A way to distract yourself. Your small deft fingers twirl along his adorned braids. He craves the scritch of your manicured nails on his scalp.

“How do you want me to kiss you? If I have my mask on” The interest in your hair is only just veiled. Your attempt at being nonchalant fails.

“Hmm” Neteyam feigns thinking, face screwed up “I think I could come up with a few ideas”

A few thousand more like it. You were the star of all of his fantasies. You, twisted and contorted into positions that would surely make you blush. You, with your mouth hanging slack in pleasure. Screaming his name-

But you hadnt agreed to that. You only, just barely, agreed to let him kiss you.

When he leans in its slow. Slow enough to give you time to push him away.

The waterfall roars in the background, white noise, but even it can't drown out the thunderous beating of your frantic heart.

Then his lips are pressed against your throat, gulping in the sweet scent of you. He cant kiss your mouth, but he can kiss the sweet, smooth column of your neck. Your clavicle. Your quivering shoulders. The heavy flesh of your breast. His kisses are open mouthed, his rough textured tongue dragging over your skin, leaving saliva trails in their wake-

You gasp sharpley when drags the skimpy fabric of your bra down so he can get at your pebbled nipple. He’s just about to suckle, when the moment is broken.

“Guys! Where’d you go?!”

It’s Kiri. Obviously awake from her nap like meditation time.

Your eyes go comically wide and Neteyam reluctantly releases you. Not wanting to get caught with an armful of pretty, half naked human. He’s thankful for the cold water and the way that he can hide the hardness tenting his tweng.

He catches you by the wrist before you can dip beneath the falls-

“We’re not done here, Sylaung” the promise leaves his lips fevor laced and full of heat.

You can only gulp and nod dazed, “I still owe you a kiss” your sweet voice reminds, before you’re ducking back under the water.

Leaving him dazed and buzzing for a moment before he gets it together and follows.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Days later he still hasn't gotten his prize.

Although he’s celebrated by his clan, praised for his successful hunt, he feels like something is missing.

The Harvest Season and its celebrations are well underway. Every night there's dancing and singing around the large bonfires we’re fragrant spiced tailong meat roasts. Neteyam is highly decorated; feathers adorn his freshly braided hair and he's donned his most ornate cumberband. He’s hauntingly handsome

Spider and Lo’ak are sat near the main fire, laughing heartily and sharing a leather gourd full of liquor between themselves.

Spider’s obviously drunk and eyeing Kiri hungerly as she dances with Tuk- he’d never do that sober. Not with Neytiri so near. Lo’ak is lounged out, an attractive female in his lap. She giggles madly at whatever filth his little brother whispers in her twitching ear.

Jealousy bubbles acidicly in Neteyam’s belly and again, he wonders where you are. Why you arent here, in his lap. Letting him woo you.

He figures he’ll have to go to you then, if you won't come to him.

First thing to do is find you.

“Hey, Spider!” the human man is the best place to start. Spider’s eyes are glassy under his mask and still. His friend is excited to see him, greets him with a hand shake and a small hug.

“Neteyam, man! Where have you been all night?”

“Around, you know how it is” Neteyam shrugs, sitting sown on the log, accepting the gourd and taking a swig of the thick sticky sap inside. It burns all the way down.

“This partys essentially for him- I’m surprise you we’re able to get away from dad” Lo’ak shit-talks, like he always does. It’s good natured for the most part “I thought he might throw you a parade or something. Call in the clans-”

“Fuck you, man” Neteyam chuckles, shaking his head at Lo’aks theatrics. “Don't be jealous”

“Jealous of dad? Nah” Lo’ak “Now the women you’re getting? That I might be jealous of”

“Hey!” the girl in his lap, a weaver from a modest family, squrims, pinching at his shoulder “You’ve got all the woman you need for the night, sayrip”

She squeals when Lo’ak squeezes her tight around her middle and blows wet raspberry kisses into her neck.

Neteyam just rolls his eyes and shares a little look with Spider. By the next eclipse, Lo’ak wouldve moved on. He has a knack for loving and leaving.

“Why arent you out there, bro? I saw Amitsa giving you the eyes! She’s so hot and she doesnt ever give anyone the time of day” Spider juts his chin and sure enough. The woman is giving Neteyam longing looks from across the fire. She’s a pretty thing and her sultry voice is renowned in the tribe. He’d be lying if he said he wasnt attracted to her “You’re not gonna go try to get at that?”

No. He’s not.

“Uh” Neteyam scratches the back of his neck “I was actually looking for Flora, I havent been able to find her around lately”

Of course, that sets of a exactly what he knows it would.

His brothers are assholes and have teased his merciesly since discovering his obsessive crush. Spider knocks his much smaller shoulder against Neteyam’s and Lo’ak hoots with laughter.

“How someone can be pussy whipped for pussy they haven't even had is beyond me” Lo’ak snorts and Neteyam gives him a warning growl, his lips snarled up.

It’s nothing he hadn’t heard before.

Lo’ak finds it endlessly amusing that Neteyam had his eye on you, the tiny human he’d grown up so lukewarm about. It had always been his siblings; Kiri and Lo’ak and Tuk that were close with you growing up. Neteyam had never shown a speck of interest until your figure had grown curvy and supple-

“Piss off, I wasn’t asking you” Neteyam gives his best big brother stare down. His golden eyes hard and unimpressed before looking to Spider, hairless brows raised “You know where I could find her?”

“Listen man, she said wasn’t interested in hanging out with anyone tonight” the human man starts with a sigh and Neteyam’s growl is low and warning “-but I’m sure you can find her where she always is”

Neteyam wracks his brain for a moment “The Greenhouses?”

“Bingo” Spider nods, an almost sympathetic look in his eye as he watches Neteyam jump to his feet and set off.

Lo’ak sniggers and the girl in his lap scoffs and mutters something about “shameful, being that twisted up about a tawtute” but Spider says nothing.

Instead his plixr hazed eyes focus on the figure dancing close to the firelight. Kiri lets out a twinkling laugh at something Tuk says and yeah. Spider understands Neteyam. He understands being completely obsessed with something you’ve never had.

Instead of taking a note from his much braver brother, he lifts his mask and takes another shot of the acidic syrup.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Neteyam could make the trek through the forest to Hells Gate in his sleep..

He’d spent a good chunk of his childhood retracing these exact steps, headeded for the familiar concrete fortress that made up the last human outpost on Pandora.

Neteyam had always been far too similar to his mother, for countless reasons. But his distaste for everything industrial was one of the main reasons. As he got older he spent less and less time here. Couldnt be found in the cold echoing hallways like Lo’ak and the girls coul

But even he could admit.

There’s something beautiful about the Greenhouses.

With their dome like structure, the big glass buildings are a fortress for the humans. Inside they’re as hot and humid as the Pandoran rainforests- but circulating Earth air so that the fruits and vegetables that are native to Terra Firme can grow, even on this alien planet.

Neteyam makes his way inside, plugging in the codes into the keypad and letting himself in through the pressurized doors that slide closed right behind him. His eyes are peeled, taking in all of the foreign greenery, hoping to catch a flash of tanned skin or light hair in the cracks between trees.

The Greenhouses are huge. There’s orchards of apples and oranges and long deep garden beds full of root vegetables. Enough to feed the Hell’s Gate settlement throughout the year, to trade with the People of the Omaticaya.

No matter, he’s a blooded hunter after all.

He hones in on that training as he tracks your path. Your footprints along the cement floor are light, and really you barely leave any trace of yourself at all. You float along with light steps and Neteyam truly thinks if you had been born one of the People you would’ve made a fine huntswoman-

He finds you in the shade of the orange trees. You’re up on a stool, gathering the plump fruit and humming a pleasant little tune.

You’re ethereal in artificial sunlight.

You’re something out of the books that Norm used to read to them when they were kids. His favorite had been the one about the boy who would never grow up and the island of Neverland. And the tiny golden dust covered pixi that flitted from page to page.

A fairy.

A being not quite real. Too gentle and feminine to exist.

He likes the tawtute clothes you wear. The small top that clings to your breasts like a second skin and the flowy patterned skirt. Of course if it was up to him you’d only ever wear the garments of the People- or even better, Nothing at all.

You reach too high, strained up on your tippy toes and Neteyam feels irrational fear at that. At all of your delicate skin and breakable neck-

He’s beside you in an instant and he doesn't need a ladder to reach the high hanging fruit you’d been struggling for. He grabs the fruit with one hand while the other stabilizes you, his big palm spread out across the small of your back.

You gasp at his warm touch. Your head snapping in his direction and legs going wobbly.

“Neteyam!”

“Flora” He sighs as he urges you down from the ladder, takes the heavy bucket of fruit from your hands “You really do need to be more careful”

You splutter for a moment, still shocked at his sudden arrival “I- ugh! I was fine!” you insist haughtily “It’s not like I don't do this all of the time. You didn't need to come help me, I can manage perfectly fine on my own”

“Need to help you?” Neteyam cocks his head a bit.

“Yeah…I mean. Why else would you be here?” you ask, scratching awkwardly at your arm for a moment “Tonight's the celebration. You really should be back with the clan-”

“As should you” He cuts you off firmly. Not liking the way that you’re trying to separate yourself from the tribe. From him “I have not seen you for days. Do you not want to feast with our people?”

You sigh, looking away from him. Biting at that plump ever pink bottom lip of yours. Always shy, he knows he needs to bring you out of your shell. You’ll find a way to run away from him again if he doesn't.

“I didnt come here to help you” Neteyam admits because he’s selfish and because you’re too beautiful. Even more so, since you’ve been hiding from him. Avoiding his attention.

“Oh really?” you’re not coy by nature but there's something in your eyes. In the way you’re looking up at him “Then what are you here for?”

“My kiss”

Your pupils expand, just the tiniest bit but he can see it. He can see it all. Every inch of your pretty face, unbridled by that cumbersome mask you usually are forced to don. He can see every freckle and blemish- and the way that a blush creeps across the apples of your cheeks.

“A deals a deal” Neteyam insists at the prolonged silence. At your nervous flicking gaze.

“Okay” is your sweet reply and he can only stare at your plump lips. A man with one thing and one thing only on his mind.

You don't protest when he reaches for you. When his big hands go around your waist and tug slowly until he’s enveloping you in his chest. You fit so perfectly, right under his sternum. Stare up at him with wide eyes that flutter closed the closer he inches his face towards yours.

The kiss is wet and electric and Neteyam wants to eat you whole.

Any awkwardness that comes from the size difference is soon overcome by the desire that simmers between you. You let him lead, always so willing to go with whatever flow he may give. Let him nip at your delicate bottom lip until he can almost taste the metallic twang of blood. Let him stick his much bigger tongue into your warm mouth, and then down your constricting throat.

As you make little gasping choking sounds, he imagines it's his huge pulsing cock stealing the air from your lungs instead.

You gasp for breath when he pulls away, as he trails kisses down your soft jaw. He cant stop, wants to taste you everywhere. Every inch of skin. He know it must be overwhelming- if your heaving breaths and mewls are anything to go by, he knows you’re feeling every inch of the mind spinning need that he is.

Still,

No matter how much he gropes at you with rough hands and drags spit soaked kisses over your neck and chest, youre so good for him. Such a good girl. Holding on for any ride he might take you on. Your fingers twined in his silky braids arent there to push him away, but to pull him closed.

When he grasps you by the back of your thighs and hoists- you wrap your legs around his slim waist, your ankles hooking at his lower back.

The helpless noise you make goes straight to his groin.

Neteyam lies you down on hard floor. He’d rather have you in the warmth of his Kelku, or under the stars, but at least here he can get at your maskless face. At your bare lips. Once he’s cradling your head safely and tucked in between your spread thighs he's at you again. Ravenously.

You’re so docile, so eager to let him take whatever he wants.

“Flora” he husks into your hair and you shiver.

“Yeah?”

“Flora” Neteyam brings your little body even closer.”You have no Idea. I have to have you. I need-”

You squeak needily “You can have whatever you need” and gasp when Neteyam kisses your cheek. Your lips. Your jaw. Your neck. Your nerves are on fire and your hips grind against his.

“I need this body. I need to see all of it, you drive me crazy” Neteyam armits as he tugs on your top and you help him pull it up over your head. You dont wear a bra, why would you? Your pretty rosy nipples are all on display for him. Pebbled and begging for attention, He laps slowly with his wide textured tongue at the puffy nub.

He suckles like a newborn until you’re chivalry and making hurt little sounds, until your pretty chest is covered in blooming bruises.

And then he’s dragging his wanting mouth down. Past your heaving ribs and over your soft belly. Neteyam hikes the flowy material of your skirt up high, until he can bend down and poke his head underneath.

“Oh!” you gasp, writhing a bit. Your thighs trying to close on instinct.

You’re so wet for him, the smell of it is thick and heady and he digs his nose into your inner thigh and snuffles. Its mouthwatering.

And it bit mortifying, from your end. Having the large man with his head buried under your skirt as he sniffs at your core-

When he licks a fat stripe over you, wetting up the thin material of your panties you cry out. No ones ever touched you like this and here he is, licking at your clothed pussy. Over and over until the fabric is translucent and sticky with your flowing juices.

“Please” you mewl, gathering the fabric, yanking until you can see him.

Its filthy and erotic. The sight of his hulking blue body between your trembling tanned thighs. So alien. So taboo-

“Please what, sylaung?” Neteyam taunts, his golden eyes meeting yours. They shine with mirth, and lust. So much lust. When he noses at your pink flowery panties you throw your head back, eyes squeezed closed. Unable to take the sight any longer “You want me to take care of you?”

“Yes” you sob because you’re pulsing and you can barley breathe you’re so horny “Please take care of me with your tongue”

Neteyam strips you then, out of your skirt and cute little panties and you’re lying under him. Naked and flushed and wanting.

He shoulders himself exactly back where he wants to be. Where he’s always wanted to be.

“Don't worry, I’ll take care of this sweet pussy for you”

Oh god. Your head is spinning.

You can barely think as he kisses on the jiggling fat of your thighs.

“I’m sorry” you gasp.

Neteyam hums right against your core and you can feel the vibrations throughout your entire body “What for?”

“I’m so messy” you whisper, that pink blush blooming all over your body.

Groaning, Neteyam can't wait any longer. Your flavor bursts along his taste buds. Tangy and earthy and decadently sweet. He’s had his fair share of cunt before, but he’s never tasted a humans and he’s shocked at how saccharine it is. It’s sticky and coats his mouth and throat. His lips and nose and chin as he digs in.

“Neteyam!” You wait.

“Fuck. Oh, Eywa. One Second” Neteyam sits up and adjusts himself where his painfully hard under his tweng and the ache in you deepens. You try to be good, try to be still as he leans in and licks at you again. Kisses your pussy in that same beautiful passionate way he kisses your lips.

He’s good. Too good at this. He’s had too much practice and you never had a chance againts that oversized mouth.

“Holy fuck” the words sound even more vulgar in your honeyed voice “Fucking hell, Nete. Nete. I’m almost there”

Neteyam grin is hidden between the lips of your pussy. He doubles down, letting you hump and soak his face. Then lapping back at inside of you in a repetitive and ceaseless rhythm, One that has you shaking, arching up off the ground. Your plush thighs closing, clamping around his head as you come.

Your orgasm cinches tight and rushes around you, inside of you, out of you with a gush of slick. It’s so deep. So strong, that it takes a moment for you to truly peak and it leaves you in a daze. Out side of your body as you fuck up againts Neteyams mouth like a wild animal.

You’d never come so hard in your life and it takes a while for you to recenter.

Once youre able to focus past the rushing in your ears, the first thing you notice is Neteyam’s face streaked with wet. Your blush blooms across your cheeks as you both breathe unevenly into the quiet.

“Did that feel good?” Nereyam knows it did, but still. He needs to ask. Needs to hear you say it.

You giggle, girlish and airy as your dainty hand releases his hair and cups at his cheek “So so good. I’ve never felt anything like that before”

His grin is all too feline and seeing those white canines gleam so close to the most sensitive part of you is a little alarming.

“There’s so much more to come, yawntutsyip” Neteyam promises, leading back down. His fingers play with the jiggle of your thigh- so different then any of the Omaticaya women he’s had You squirm a bit, clearly overstimulated, but keep your legs spread anyway.

Neteyams long digits prod gently at your pussy lips. You’re oddly pretty here. All red and rosy and inflamed, like that blush he loved so much on your cheeks. He spreads you with two fingers so that he can look at you inside. At your quivering pink folds and your tiny little hole that clenches when he runs his finger along it.

“You’re so small here” he whispers, completely hypnotized by it “So fucking tight. You’ll never be able to take me”

You whimper unhappily “Don’t say that. I want to- please just try”

“Shh,” Neteyam soothes your cries. Your dazed worries. He distracts you with his tongue, as it swirls over your throbbing clit. It feels a bit like sandpaper to your nerves, but you can get enough.

When his finger begins to breach you, you hold your breath.

Its big, but youre so loose from your first orgasm, so desperate to be filled that he sinks in until the hilt.

Its maddening after that and you grind the back of your head into the hard concrete under you- your eyes closed and your mouth hanging open. The sounds you make are feral and raw-

Neteyam fucks you open with one and then two fingers until its easy. Until the sweet stretch doesn't burn- instead its slippery and wet.horribly wet as Neteyam feasts on you as he fucks you with his fingers-

“Too much-Fuck” you weakly try to pull away from the assult of pleasure but he he’s too strong. Pins you down. Makes you take whatever he wants to give you.

When he lifts your hips up even higher to take a curious lick at your puckered asshole you white out.

This orgasm isnt like the first. You sink under the waves of this one. Your muscles cramp with the intensity. You cant come back to yourself, you can’t cling to anything but Neteyam. You cant even scream.

He’s everything, as he soothes you. As he makes you feel things you’ve never felt before.

“H-hurts” you whimper, eyes filling up with tears. Pussy aching.

“Just a little more baby” Neteyam huffs as he licks at you and stuffs the hand that's covered in your cum down his own tweng. It lubricates the fast and furious pumping of his fist along his rock hard cock.

He cant fuck you tonight, thats something the two of you will have to work up to. He’ll teach your tiny body to take him. To crave penetration.

But with his tongue buried in your pulsating pussy and your scent all around him its easy enough to pretend. Easy enough to imagine shoving himself into you slowly. Stretching you’re ruined. Your hole would never be the same. You’d forever gape because of him-

Neteyam comes with a roar and dirties his loincloth up like a teenager.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Later, after he’s cleaned you both up the best he can and gathered you to his chest. After he’s taken a sip from the breathing mask and nuzzled ar your wispy soft baby hairs that are plastered against the side of your sweaty head-

That he has the urge to read that book again. The one with the fairies. As he watches your slumbering face, your nose scrunching and lips pursing, he thinks the onlt thing missing is the gossamer wings,

His own little fairy.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

AAAAAAND we’re done.

First and foremost I want to give the wonderful @oakbuggy her accolades. Her Neteyam x Flora art inspired this fic 100%. A couple months ago I actually messaged her begging her to let me right this for her because I just couldn't get over this crackship of dreams. Thank you for being so patient with me. I hope you enjoy that overstimulation, baby!

PLEASE GO CHECK OUT HER ART. It’s sooooo delish.

This was a monster to write because I just had so many different ideas of what I wanted to do with the two of them and couldn't pinpoint where exactly I wanted the plot to go. Even now its a bit messy but still. I’m a fucking sucker for Neteyam x Flora and I would be more then happy to write more of them if thats something everyone would be into.

Please give me some feedback. What did we think about this writing style? Do we like the Y/N route more?

Until next time sweet honey bees!

[thethronezone]

High Consort Pt. 3

Like mentioned in previous parts, you have a Custodi bodyguard. But you also have a whole guard of Custodes assigned to guard you, on orders of the Emperor of course. Your Custodi bodyguard just so happens to be the captain of this guard and the one that's always directly by your side. Because of this, you are quite close. So what if they work for your husband? So does every other bitch in the Imperium!

Whenever the Emperor leaves for the Great Crusade, it's up to you and Malcador to hold down the fort and make sure that everyone stay in line, both on Terra and beyond. You especially are seen as an extension of the Emperor and his will. This means a lot of public appearances on your part, with you flanked by your personal guard. Your presence reminds people that while the Emperor may be off planet and busy elsewhere, he is still aware of everything that's going on.

Because of this, you rarely leave Terra, or at least the star system. You might visit Luna or Mars every now and then but it's very rare that you venture to another part of the galaxy. You are needed where you are, providing a sense of stability in the heart of the Imperium.

Some people (mostly nobles) believe that, just cause you're not an incredibly buff, 4 meter tall, armored super-psyker that you are for some reason easier deal with, easier to push around. WRONG. You are both equally as terrible, sorry not sorry. The Emperor is unapproachable and straight up railroads every conversation while you just don't give a shit. You are older than most noble's bloodlines, at some point their rules just stop applying to you. The one big difference between you and Big E is that you at least try to act like a normal person, he doesn't, so people just find it easier to approach you.

There's also a belief that since you are HIGH Consort, that the Emperor is open to getting more consorts/concubines. At first this assumption was funny, the two of you had a good laugh about it. Then people kept trying to marry off their family members to him, accosting him at events, sending letters and some downright begging on their knees for him to accept one of their sons of daughters. Then only you were laughing. And Malcador, of course. He also found it all very funny.

Sometimes, when people want something from the Emperor or want to meet him, they try to get through you first. Butter you up so that you will put in a few good words for them to your husband. You might humor them for a short while, pretending to be as shallow as they appear to think you are, but the moment they no longer amuse you or step out of line you'll give your Custodi bodyguard a look that they know well. It means "I am tired of their chatter, remove them from my presence and if they ever try to approach me again, don't let them." You might be immortal but you won't waste your time on people you don't like.

A family can be a super-human psyker, his consort, their unmarried friend, their 10 000 strong personal army, their 20 18 super-human children and their respective super-soldier legions.

Half the Primarchs look at your and the Emperor's marriage and go "aww, so that's what true love looks like" and the other half goes "why haven't you DIVORCED this man yet?" Mortarion, Angron, and Perturabo full on believe you have Stockholm Syndrome or something.

Meanwhile, Lorgar, Horus and Lion think this is the perfect marriage, like, this is what everyone should strive for. Lorgar has written sermons about it and called it the "most divine and holy union in the galaxy". Would threaten to crucify himself if you and the Emperor ever separated. His legion would join him in solidarity. This is a hostage situation.

[hyog-blog]

Fangs of Fortune: The Game of Yin and Yang

I love how Zhao Yuanzhou is basically embodying the philosophy of Yin and Yang, which is much more flexible and practical than the old-fashioned Christianity-inspired good vs. evil dichotomy.

And because it is Chinese philosophy, we don't get too much of that black-and-white nonsense in the show, but instead, we get to explore 50,000 shades of black, white, and gray playing with each other beautifully. And what better way to convey the ambiguous nature of this world, which seems so bent on the Duality of literally everything, than to take the Evilest Force in the world and attach the most gentle, caring, and loving soul to it (to torment both that soul and everyone who gets to witness this torment).

I mean, the recipe is nearly perfect, it really is. And not only do we get to see this evil mixed with a hefty portion of good (like that drop of white inside the Yin-Yang symbol), but we also get to see the perfectly good and innocent characters mixed with a hefty drop of black (like Bai Jiu who got possessed by Li Lun).

Children are considered by society as the most innocent creatures (okay, Bai Jiu is a teenager, but he could still pass), that's why getting him taken over by someone so dark and broody and ill-intended like Li Lun hits even harder. Like all that innocence becomes tainted by something so bad. And at the same time, being a supposedly innocent child, we also see that Bai Jiu really isn't stainless himself (and he got to explore a bit of his darker side when he betrayed his friends).

And yet, it is also Li Lun, who is not someone abysmally bad (he's just lost, and wounded, and a bit more on the demonic spectrum when it comes to ethics and morality), who gets attracted to that light and purity to get a chance at redemption (which he does get in the end!). It's as if being in that body, chatting with those people, experiencing some friendliness before he got exposed actually mattered to the point that it changed him as well (and thus, that droplet of light in the blackness of Yin started doing its magic, slowly transforming the darkness, giving hope to someone who has seemingly lost it).

There's also Zhuo Yichen and his ability to see the good for what it is and his inability to see evil where there is none. Like, if it was someone else (even in real life probably) they would righteously hate Zhao Yuanzhou no matter what (maybe even knowing that he had no choice but to kill all those people). But this young man not only sees the good in Zhao Yuanzhou, that droplet of light that shines brighter than all that malicious energy, but he actually has enough goodness in him to forgive ZYZ.

Because Zhuo Yichen's beautiful soul, no matter how innocent and pure, has seen despair and lived through so much grief that it also changed him, making him more empathetic than most people (and that's yet another thing that Zhuo Yichen and Zhao Yuanazhou have in common - they both got transformed by the heaviness of their grief, two perfectly gentle creatures who just had to explore the depth of human and demon suffering, and that's why they meet on level ground).

And what makes their relationship especially beautiful, is that they both came to the same point, but moving from different directions of the spectrum - Zhao Yuanzhou was clinging onto his own light in the Ocean of Darkness, but that light was piercing enough for him to survive and remain himself. Zhuo Yichen was light that had lived through pain and grief of unimaginable proportions, and it changed him, but it didn't drag him down into that Ocean of Darkness.

It's a type of equilibrium, and they both, each in their own right, continue looking for ways to find balance in their lives (and then they meet each other and it changes them again). Zhuo Yichen sees that there's always light in the darkness (and Zhao Yuanzhou is a stark example of it), for Zhao Yuanzhou - Zhuo Yichen is that light shining brightly, reminding him that it actually exists, and it grants him absolution. And it also makes things especially painful for him because his darkness (that malicious force) tainted that light (but it didn't, really, it transformed ZYC into something more).

And when Li Lun gives his energy/life force to Zhuo Yichen, and then when ZYC gives all those powers, adding his own, to Zhao Yuanzhou for him to break the barrier and kill Wen Zongyu - this is the reflection of the same Yin and Yang principle, the all-pervasive energies penetrating into each other, becoming one another, ever-changing. Basically what they're saying with this is "I am you and you are me and there's no difference." And not even some magic barrier can stop those energies from becoming one.

Zhuo Yichen actually understood Zhao Yuanzhou even before he got turned into a demon himself (and once again we're shown that it's not that the demons are all bad, you can still choose what to be even if you turn into one, and if you have that droplet of light inside of you, like the Yin and Yang, there's always a chance it will overpower even the borderless Darkness, be it inside a human or a demon heart).

We also get to see how that droplet of light comes in the form of love into Zhao Yuanzhou's life (from Wen Xiao, Zhuo Yichen, and the rest of their little gang), and it slowly transforms him, a very depressed being, who's already suicidal, and in the end, he actually feels alive enough to not want to die. That transformative power of light is actually limitless.

In the show, we see people come out of the darkness of their souls and bad states and depressions to see the light of something more, but then there's also the main bad guy who turned full-on evil because his wife was killed, and we see how that droplet of darkness pushed that person to the brink of becoming a murderer and torturer of both humans and demons.

And there's also the notion of Li Lun with that one thing, one betrayal, one drop of darkness changing him and bringing him close to the brink of turning full-on evil himself (he pretty much is at some point, but he never loses the ability to feel, it's just that he can't process his own grief, pain, and all those emotions that are eating him up). And even for him, who has gone so far, there was still a chance to get back (which he does, having experienced the transformative power of Zhao Yuanzhou's love that has never disappeared). So Li Lun's life is spared and he transfers himself into that piece of root that Zhu Yan saved, for he never stopped caring about Li Lun, and the latter could finally see that in the end.

Even with Wen Xiao, we see how something 'bad' (the death of her father) leads to something 'good' - she is found by the Goddess and later becomes a Goddess herself and gets to meet Zhao Yuanzhou. It's all so relative and nuanced that we can't really say that something is actually good or bad, just like with the show's characters and their personal journeys.

And don't get me started on Ying Lei, the ultimate sunshine boy, who gets dragged into the dark world of human-demon relationships, vengeance, and doomed narrative to pave a path of his own. Sometimes a droplet of light does drown in the Ocean of Darkness, but it still makes a huge difference and transforms everyone's lives before it finally fades away (that, and other people's doomed narratives may also be contagious if you go deep into those relationships). Well, we can argue that his narrative was also doomed from the start but that's a topic for a different essay XD

I just love how the show is not only about good fighting evil, the whole fight is like a veil, a premise, a stage to tell a story about characters that are much more complex than that very familiar dichotomy. And just like in life, good things sometimes lead to bad consequences, and bad deeds can bloom into something wonderful against all odds.

[pathologicalrunaway]

i saw that one tumblr post about how aviary cheapens the point of sky as a story (the civilisation is lost and all we know are only shadows of what was before; but aviary brings everyone back and we coexist now, instead of being two generations that were never supposed to meet) reposted on reddit a while ago and i have a couple of thoughts on this matter.

because one hand, i do agree that there was a bittersweetness in walking through a dead world that was lost. that aviary feels alive and the world is supposed to be dead. but i think a crucial aspect of this whole discourse (lore-wise) could lie in the first character aviary can be associated with. and this character — and their little village — do not really contradict the point of the game, but contribute to it

hopeful steward. they are, first things first, a child. like we are, as players. and children are often associated with hope for a better future, and this game is no exception. it's up to the children to bring light back, it's us and our connections that make sky a happy place. it's us that bring hope in the fact thay maybe, maybe not everything is over yet. that there's still something to admire, something to love, something to believe in.

steward is the one waiting in front of the village doors, they are the one showing us how to bring back the village, so it would make sense to assume that the village is their idea and, to an extent, their responsibility.

they are in charge of this silly little community like elders once were, but the elders fell. they made bad decisions that led to the world's destruction. this is mostly speculation, at least now, and we should wait for two embers to give us the whole picture, but it looks like the reason why aviary exists is because the world was on the verge of collapse and hopeful steward (and a couple more people) wanted — if not to prevent this — at least to try to save someone.

a second chance for the dying world.

they were hoping for a better future despite the inevitable doom. they had hope in the fact that, even in those dark times, the world would bounce back.

and their name says a lot about them. they wake up to see their home destroyed, their friends gone, the bells broken. the only thing alive is the child with a candle in front of them. but they don't succumb to despair, they keep faith, showing the newcomer around, explaining what happened.

they have no reason to believe that the kid that has just fallen fron the sky can restore light. they have no proof they are even able to do such things, that they are strong enough. they just hope.

and their hope pays back, eventually, after oh-so many losses. the world — and, most importantly, its people, — are saved. maybe not in the way any of them wanted but hey, life's tricky like that.

hopeful steward and their village refraim the point of the story, not destroy it. we spent years wandering in an empty kingdom haunted by the ghosts of what once were its people, not knowing what happened, or who they used to be, or if there was a way they could be happy again. and now we know that dark times don't last forever. trees grow back when people leave cities, animals return to where progress preciously exiled them from, and humanity bounces back. life is a cycle, and nothing just stays gone forever. good times come, eventually. with hope and friendship and love.

but it doesn't mean things are exactly the way they used to be, no. the realms are still destroyed. people look very different now. aviary village grows, but it's slow and painful and we are constantly reminded of how nothing is the same anymore (nesting guide looking wistfully at the picture, compassionate cellist and duets guide's dream coming true far too late). many go to the stars because this is an option now, and there is no guarantee the village's inhabitants will stay there forever, just like there was no guarantee back then that they would live there happily ever after.

and eden stayed the same. at the end of the day, all the loss and pain and mistakes of people there were before us is still here. it's just now we're stopping mourning the past and focus on the present instead

[sotogalmo]

4 — 6:40

Luka as Margarita Blankenheim thoughts once again, spawned by @nottoonedin & @rockwgooglyeyes : about the caption with the Luka & Hyuna art ( @aakaneeee / @4listr / @chokkito )

"I told you, there was only one thing I wanted." — and then added with Toon's tags along with Rock's (always amazing) thoughts- being the demon to remind that she was owned before. That everyone she cared for was owned at least- her and her brother.

Owned by aliens, yet both her and her brother weren't made like Luka. Made to fit an alien's liking; in all aspects.

He was made; "treated me like a doll/ In those days where I was only used like a decorative doll"; goes fully well with Luka's story and life. Always a doll, treated and looks like one.

"yes, I'll help you all to rest as the sleep princess, for the sake of ensuring you achieve happiness..." Its always about THEM, them, them, them. Never about himself when we compare it with Hyuna's many "I"s and "me"s, because she believes in the opposite and lives in the opposite; the ""“dark”"" for most of the pets, is where she lives at; since Luka is the most influential one I would think.

His looks, his grades, top 1, winner of season 49. So on; the others want their pets to be like Luka — if you disobey that? No one will know of you. You are forgotten, and misremembered as a monster, I'd believe. If they were to tell tales of humans escaping? I think the aliens would make it seem like the ones who left, are evil ones.

"You’re only after the wealth of a doctor’s daughter

Aside from that I’m happy, nonetheless / You can also forget our promise when we were children

If I can be by your side."

"Sleep with this gift, you’ll sleep well with this gift

Yes I am the sleep princess, for the sake of your happiness…

Everyone carries troubles: My dad, my mom, and the people of this town. For the sake of everyone who can’t sleep at night- i’ll make this gift, a sleeping medicine

Unpleasant reality, unrequited feelings. If inside a dream, these things can be forgotten

Like a baby inside their crib

With your eyes closed, abandon yourself";

(I could never really get this picture out of my head. "like a baby inside their crib, with your eyes closed, abandon yourself" is very fitting for this peice too)

I don't really know how to actually be coherent in this post. Luka as Margarita was more like "haha, dolls🫵". But you know, for the ones who know the ec lore— Luka is also very fitting for Eve Zeveda(Moonlit); considering how both Eve and Margarita are the same-ish

Being experimented on, going insane (I feel like Luka would have spiral moments), being the first (in different ways), etc.

Luka as Margarita shows more of his relationships, with the people around him I'd think,,,

Luka and Margarita, and the whole "sleeping" deal actually. Margarita is a doll (clockworker's doll to be exact), Luka was made like he was a doll- a toy.

Made into Heperu's liking. Into his perfect pet.

Luka cannot flee, for if he does; it's his end. Just as Margarita's was— she gave them a gift (poison), but in the song it seemed not so long lived, and she too- also soon passed because she also received her own gift

His "gift", is always of course, going to be sent to Hyuna first- though, along with his guardian (because subconsciously or not, I just know that he hates his life so much but he's dissociated enough to forget it all until he gets those tests again). Just as it was with Margarita to Kasper and her father

Luka is a doll, Margarita is a doll.

In some way, while Mizi is our POV(ish) character, she is not the first sinner if going by how winners of previous seasons come into the second round of a season.

Then Luka is the first sinner; but he was made in that regard. To be the first

And Hyuna; the difference.

She does not eat the apple. She does not lay down and bare the consequences of being in Alien Stage; she flees.

She runs away.

Because she wants to— because she deserves to live for herself, for the purpose of the others yet also herself.

To live life to the fullest; and not in some cage— in some tube that Luka was made in. A tube that Luka fits in, like a glove

To live bigger, and better.

Not healthy, but better than the alluring Venus fly traps that don't function correctly.

Hyuna is the dark, while she lives in such bliss (a bliss that is humanity without the aliens controlling them) that only others could never think of doing because, in some way, I just know that leaving ANAKT Garden has been told to them before; if they were to leave? Oh, they'll be seen as monsters, or something worse?

I don't really know. But I do know that some of the kids would ask, and then never really get a reply about it.

Luka is the light; but only a pale one. Even though he is bright— he's pale.

A pale yellow-gold— a pale imitation.

Not the truth, but seen as true; just like everything else in the garden "In those days where I was only used like a decorative doll

I was already broken long ago, I wanted to destroy everything

It’s a very efficacious medicine, efficacious up to being able to sleep forever

With this, finally I too will be able to sleep, from the Sleep Princess to Sleeping Princess..."

[2af-afterdark]

Son of Hell - Chapter 6

Fandom: What in Hell is Bad? Characters: Satan, Minheyok, Ppyong, MC, Original Child Character(s) Content: Post-canon, omegaverse, alcohol consumption Word Count: 1,372 A/N: Long story short - This fic is post-canon (despite the game still only being in chapter 6 atm), so some characters will be slightly different than the game due to off-screen character growth. Sitri using Ra-on's real name is one of those things. So his everyone calling Ra-on 'your majesty'. That may get explained later…

“His majesty Satan has brought back their majesty Ra-on and they brought Minhyeok with them!” One of the citizens of Gehenna raised a large glass of beer as they yelled loud enough for the entire bar to hear them.

Every devil present joined in the celebration, raising their own glasses and shouting.

“No one is allowed to leave sober tonight,” Satan told the barkeep and everyone cheered yet again.

Some devils were already gathering around Minhyeok, patting his back as if he were an old friend. Minhyeok, for his part, was doing his best to be friendly despite not remembering anyone. No one seemed to mind the gaps in his memory though. They saw it as an opportunity to become friends all over again.

A devil tried to approach Ra-on. “Your majesty Ra-on-”

“I'm sorry,” they interrupted, “but I'm not participating tonight. Maybe some other time.”

They had only come because Satan wouldn't allow them to abstain from their own arrival celebration, but they had made it no secret that they were not in the celebrating mode. It would have been better if Seo-jūn could have stayed home, but Ra-on didn't trust anyone in Gehenna to babysit him just yet. They trusted the devils of Gehenna with their life, but they didn't trust them to handle a three-year-old without indulging their every whim. Plus, Seo-jūn didn't know any of them and it would be irresponsible to leave him with someone he didn't yet know or trust.

“It's not much of a welcome celebration if the guests of honor are going to sit out.”

Satan approached Ra-on and Seo-jūn with a displeased frown on his face and two glasses – one large one small – of beer in his hands.

“I tried to warn you.”

“Mama. It loud,” Seo-jūn mumbled in his sleepy voice as he nuzzled his face into Ra-on's chest to block out the light.

“Sorry, baby. Everyone is just excited that you're here.”

“No,” he continued to pout. “Tired.”

“Give him this.” Satan held the smaller glass toward Ra-on. “He'll pass out.”

Ra-on eyed the glass, already suspicious of what was inside. “And what is that?”

Satan grinned wide.

“Beer.” He held out the larger glass. “This one is yours.”

“Satan!” Ra-on sighed. “You cannot give beer to a child.”

Satan's face twisted. “Why not? Children used to drink all the time.” When Hell had children.

“Human children can have serious health problems if they consume alcohol.”

“Isn't he half devil?”

Ra-on glared at Satan with a fury so intense that it made him shudder; notably, not in fear.

“Your rage hasn't changed at all,” Satan said with an ecstatic look on his face.

“I'm married,” Ra-on reminded him, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

Satan didn't lose his expression as he asked, “So?”

“So get your head out of the gutter.”

Ra-on looked down at Seo-jūn, seeing that he had finally passed out during their conversation. They were glad he wasn't hearing any of this.

“You've gotten more angel-like since you left.” When Satan said that, Ra-on knew it wasn't a compliment. “Devils are honest about their desires.”

Ra-on shook their head and they held Seo-jūn close. “I have lots of desires, but my strongest is to stay loyal to the man who waited for me despite knowing nothing and who was there for us both when we needed him. Everything else is secondary.”

What Ra-on hadn't said was that they had no desire at all. However, Satan was not one of the devils that could pick up on subtle, unstated half truths.

“Then how do you plan to stay in Hell?”

“Put it in a cup. I'll drink it like I used to with Minhyeok.”

“And when you go into heat?”

Ra-on pointed to Minhyeok who was being swarmed by a few burly devils who were offering him drinks that he was (tactfully) rejecting. “He's been taking care of me for years. I think I'll manage.”

“And what about when he needs devil energy?”

Satan finally asked the question that was hanging heavy in the air. Even Ra-on – descendant of Solomon, the man whom God gave permission to take anything he so wished – could stay in Hell without having their internal energy rebalanced. It would be impossible for Minhyeok – a normal human – not to need it as well.

“He knows what it costs to be here. I told him everything up front and he agreed to it. We agreed to this.”

Out of respect, they did not ask how he planned to get devil energy. Out of respect, he didn't ask them either. There were some things they didn't need to share. As long as they both knew that their loyalty was to each other and no boundaries were crossed, they both agreed that it would be okay. It wasn't as if they had another choice.

Satan quickly chugged the smaller glass of beer; so quickly that it was downed in what appeared to be a single gulp. “Sounds like you're both making this complicated.”

“Maybe we are.”

“Tsk.” He set the larger, full glass down on one of the tables within Ra-on's reach and walked away.

Ra-on almost felt bad. To Satan, it had only been about a month since they last met, but it had been four years for them. They weren't the exact same person as when they left Hell and they knew it would take time for the devils to get used to that.

“Your majesty Ra-on.”

Another familiar voice called to them.

Ra-on smiled. “Hello, Sitri. Are you here to greet me or meet Seo-jūn? Or are you avoiding Minhyeok?”

“I would never use your majesty in such a way.”

“Of course you wouldn't.” They shifted slightly to expose Seo-jūn's face. “This is my son. Sorry that you couldn't meet him while he was awake. It's past his bedtime.”

“It's important that Lord Seo-jūn see to his needs and take care of himself.”

“Drop the ‘Lord’ title. He’s not the heir to Satan's throne.” They paused. “And stop calling me ‘Your Majesty’ while you're at it.”

“Lord Satan has told us that he acknowledges Lord Seo-jūn as his son and, as such, is the only one who may address Lord Seo-jūn without his proper title. And your majesty will always be your majesty.” 

Ra-on glared at Sitri. A glare that reminded him of King Satan.

“I see your habit of calling people by the wrong names has expanded to using unwanted titles. Do I have to worry that I will become Solomon again?”

“Of course not, your majesty.”

“He's showing you and Seo-jūn respect,” Satan said as he returned to the scene. This time, he carried the small glass, but it was filled with white. “If he didn't, I would kick his ass.”

Sitri did not respond verbally, but his flushed face declared that he thought it would be an honor to receive such treatment.

Satan didn't wait for Ra-on to chew him out for encouraging Sitri's behavior. Instead, he held the glass out to them. “Your welcome gift.”

“Is that…”

Ra-on's face heated up as images of Satan squirreled away in one of the bathroom stalls, touching himself danced through their head. If it weren't for the noise due to everyone's partying, they were sure his voice would have carried through the entire building.

They looked at Sitri, silently asking him if this really was what they thought it was. Based on how he looked at them, it was and he had heard the entire thing.

They cleared their throat to try and bring themselves back to the situation at home. “Seo-jūn is right here…”

“So?” Satan asked. “He's asleep.”

“Satan,” Ra-on tried not to sound harsh because they knew his intentions were good, “some things are not appropriate to have around children at all.”

He looked at them completely unimpressed. “This is Hell. Do whatever you want. Who cares about human morals.”

“The humans do.” Ra-on motioned between themselves and Minhyeok.

Satan shrugged with a smile as if he wasn't being lectured. “You still need this.” He set the glass down on the table beside the large beer, then he looked at Ra-on with a smile on his face. “Welcome back to Hell.”

[go-river-flows]

Sweet Visions of a flower

Summary: Syulang (OC), an orphaned girl after the destruction of Hometree. She is constanly reminded of this by her amputated left leg and constantly dreams of her deep trauma. Even when she gets adopted by Toruk Makto and his wife, who she resented for over six years before forgiving him.

A/N: We are almost at the end now (I hope). And I'll post a one-shot before uploading The Humans of Awa'atlu or another series that just starting. Also just a heads up; I'll be taking a break from the 4th to the 11th of May, I will continue to upload even when I'm not writing using the automatic uploads system, hopefully, it works because I'm not using the internet for a whole week. Finger's cross until then. But for now, here's part 8!

Part 8 of 10

  Neytiri put her hand on her oldest daughter's shoulder and arm, trying her hardest to calm her. In her attempt Neytiri started singing, her voice slightly quivered as she raised her voice over her daughters crying, she leant closer to her ear singing to distract Syulang. She brushed the hair of her daughter away from her face and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, Syulang calmed down enough that Neytiri softened her voice down, repeating the lyrics to the song.

Jake entered with his children in tow. Arriving next to Syulang, hushing her down and rubbing her left leg to try to ease the pain. When Mo’at finally entered the tent a while later, she found the whole family there next to Syulang. Jake quietly left Syulang’s side to talk to Mo’at.

“It was like I entered her dream,” he was still in disbelief of what happened, “I saw Eytukan, and Tsu’tey. They said that they feared her soul would not reach Eywa if or when she dies.”

“This is truly concerning. We'll have to go to the Tree of Souls, I’ll be able to enter her dream there. I believe I could help her,” Mo’at rubbed her chin as she thought, “This is decided, I will enter her dream tonight. But in the meantime, I suggest you go on about your duties as Olo’eyktan.” 

“Yes, Tsahik. And thank you,” Jake took one last look at Syulang. Taking off to deal with Quaritch and his group of Dreamwalkers.

Taking arms again, he called for a few of his warriors and Tarsem, his Olo’eyktan in training. Taking flight on their ikrans, they flew to another smaller floating island, hoping the RDA hadn't found them yet. 

Landing in the trees. Jake and the group jumped down onto the floating rock. The recombiants all bound to different trees. Jake made his way to Quaritch, squatting down to look into his eyes. 

“So you finally decided to show up,” Quaritch sneered.

“Your lucky I didn't leave you here to just starve,” Jake stoically said.

“Why wouldn't you? You already betrayed your own race, I bet you’d do it again,” the colonel's southern twang drawled. Jake scoffed at that. “Now why don't you answer my question? How did’ya know we were gonna be here?” Quaritch repeated, for the fourteenth time.

“Let's just say Eywa gave me a sign,” Jake shrugged, “Now tell me, who sent you here?” Quaritch snickered.

“Remember Ardmore?”

“Heard of her, never met her.”

“Oh yeah, she’s back. Wants you dead, same as me. Same as everyone here,” Quaritch leant a little bit to look at his team, who were staring daggers at Jake.

“Is that why you're here…in this body? To kill me?”

“Oh…It's not just you Jake. You're mate too…Let's just say, we wanna end your bloodline, that means your kids too.” Quaritch sneered, Jake stiffened. His eyes burning with a rage he had never felt before.

“Well, thanks for the heads up,” Jake nodded to Tarsem and the other warriors who drew their knives at the recoms, poking the tip of it at the recoms neck.

“You dare–” Quaritch began to say.

“Or what? No one is coming for you. Where’s Ardmore huh? She’s not here, and I'll more than happily send you and your soldiers back in body bags. Especially after you threatened me!” Jake yelled at Quaritch to which he snarled, “So do you all want a quick or slow death? Take your pick.” Jake pointed his assault rifle at Quaritch’s head, ready to pop some bullets into his head.

Everyone was bug-eyed and silent, Quaritch knew he was fucked. He had no more options, only death. But there was a third option that the adults didn't see, they were too bloodthirsty. That third option came in the form of Syulang flying onto the island.

“Father!” Syulang shouted, sliding off her ikran running into the fray, “Stop! It doesn't have to end this way! Please, listen to me before you make a mistake.”

“Syulang! You should not be here!” Jake stood, yelled at his daughter.

“Please, just listen to me. There's another way, please,” Syulang stepped between Jake and Quaritch.

“No! There isn't! This guy! This guy…!” Jake pointed at Quaritch, “He wants us dead, he wants your mother, your siblings dead!”

“Please, There’s another way,” She begged, “There is another way. Another way that doesn't end with death,” she said in English this time. Jake panted, his heavy breath fogged a little from the altitude. He sighed deeply, exhaling through his nose. 

  A small movement from above caught his eye, looking up he saw an atokirina’. A seed of the great tree floating down onto Quaritch’s head. Syulang gasped with wide eyes a little, her hand covering her mouth in disbelief, catching Jake’s attention, he turned to see the same scene happening to the other recoms. An atokirina’ gently landing on their heads, his warriors’, Tarsem looking around to all the recoms with the seed of the great tree upon their heads. Finally they floated off at the same time. Tarsem and the warriors removed their knives from the recom’s neck, taking a step back awaiting further instructions.

“Eywa has spoken,” Syulang turned to Quaritch, “If you want to live. You must turn your back on those who control you. You are no longer human, you have been given a second chance at life. And in order to do that, you must become Na’vi.”

“You’re asking me to betray humanity?” Quaritch looked up at the girl, his eyebrow raised in questioning.

“You are no longer Human. We Na’vi have a saying; ‘Fwäkì ke fwefwi’. It means: Mantis doesn’t whistle; don’t expect someone to do something that isn’t in their inherent nature…Or something like that,” Syulang explained.

“The hell does that mean?”

“You are Na’vi, it is your nature. Everything you knew no longer matters. The blood that runs in your veins is Na’vi. Your body, Na’vi,” Syulang crouched to Quaritch’s form, “But, your heart,” she pointed to his chest, “Your mind,” she pointed to his head, “Your memories remain human. Everything that happened in the past, is the past.” She looked down to her amputated leg before continuing, “You can choose to let your past consume you, or give you a reason to change your heart.” She turned to look at Jake. Her father. “That day when Hometree fell, you took more than just my leg. You killed my family. And I blamed Jake, I blamed you. But in time I forgave him, he gave me a reason to keep living. Even every day when I'm in pain, I still…keep…going.”

The look in Quaritch’s eyes changed, almost sympathetic. So did Jake’s. 

“It was Eywa’s plan. It has always been her plan,” Syulang finished, standing up from her crouched position. Jake moved closer to Syulang wrapping his arm around her shoulders, giving a comforting rub. A silence fell upon the crowd. Quaritch was thinking, weighing his options. He fucking hates Ardmore, has had enough of taking orders. Heck, he just wants a simple life, he wants to stop fighting too. He was just following orders, and now he’s been given that exact opportunity that he so desperately craved. He knows the recoms would follow him, they trust him after all but he’ll still ask them.

“I'm done fighting. What do you guys think?” Quaritch asked out loud, enough for the other recoms to hear. They didn't say anything at first, probably considering following Quaritch. 

“Me too,” it was Lyle, “I didn't want to be reborn like this, following orders again when I should've stayed dead.” A few chorused his statement, agreeing with him.

A flurry of “I'm done fighting too” and “me too” responses or something to the same tune from the other recoms. Falling silent again. Jake was speechless, and Syulang smiled. 

“The RDA will come back. They'll come looking,” Jake reminded them, “There’ll be more bloodshed.”

“I know. Like I've never seen it before,” Quaritch scoffed. He sighed, taking a moment before saying words Jake would've never heard in a billion years come from Quaritch, “I'm sorry. You’re right. I'm sorry for threatening you too…and your family.”

“I still don't trust you though,” Jake stated. 

“Yeah, I know.” Then came something from Jake that Quaritch never expected, “Cut them loose. Cut their restraints. You'll stay here. We’ll bring you food, water and new clothes, but no weapons…not yet, anyways. Until we figure out what to do with the RDA, we’ll come to you with our plans.”

***

Returning to High Camp, Jake couldn't help but look at his oldest daughter. He thought he could see Tommy in her, though she wasn't related by blood, but it was as if she had Tommy’s spirit. He also saw himself in her, her words still resounding in his brain. ‘You can choose to let your past consume you or give you a reason to change your heart.’ Even her physicality, it reminded him of his human form. How fragile it was, how he destroyed himself further by using alcohol to deal with his problems, but also how he was given a second chance to live through Tommy’s avatar.

Neytiri was waiting at the entrance of High Camp, full of nervous energy and agitation. Syulang took off when no one was watching and Neytiri and the rest of the children searched the whole of High Camp looking for her, climbing all the high spots to get a better view of the whole camp. So to see her return on her ikran with Jake and the warriors Neytiri was overjoyed that she was safe. Enveloping her in a crushing embrace.

“Urgh, Mom! You’re crushing me,” Syulang croaked out, Neytiri fussed whilst looking over every inch of her oldest daughter making sure there was not a single scratch. It looked like Neytiri was about to explode when Jake pried his wife off Syulang.

“Ma Neytiri, she’s fine,” Jake hushed his wife, taking a step away before looking at Syulang, “How did you know where to find us? We never told anyone.”

Syulang averted her eyes, “I…Uh. I had another vision?”

“Damn. You're gonna become the next Tsahik at this rate,” Jake chuckled, though he was still a bit angry that she left the healing tent and High Camp. “How did ya know what to say to Quaritch? Was that also in the vision?”

Syulang just nodded, looking down at her feet. A smirk grew on Jake's face.

<–Previous Chapter | Next Chapter –>

Taglist:

@sleepilysworld @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed @wolfmoon8269 @howlerwolfmax @lovekeeho @ducks118 @dyingofcookies @secretflowerobservation

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Everyone, the winner for the Spooky Season AU Poll is the...

🖤Dark! AU

For this au, everyone is darker, a little less moral, a bit more evil.... Now, no one is pure evil, as in unredeemable or hateable... No. Let me explain further:

The X-Men in this au are still themselves, same powers, looks, and relationships, but they are less about mutant-human peace and more interested in helping mutants rather than humans. Possibly interested in mutants being on top. They all are also more likely to kill an enemy, especially if they have hurt them horribly or someone they love. The Brotherhood exists, and are on good terms with the X-Men. They are more or less in the same group, they just have two different factions of it. X-Men are more likely to help and do rescue missions, while the Brotherhood are more likely to gather allies and disrupt any mutant-hating groups. Both groups help mutants in need, especially children and teenagers. Everyone of them has been through a lot. They've seen and felt hate first-hand from humans, been abused, tortured, or singled out for what they are, they've lost friends and family due to humans... If they can hurt them or stop them in any way they can, they will. They won't allow the past to repeat again, not if they can help it.

The reader, in this au, used to know them. They were helped out of a bad situation, given friends and family, even joined for a short time... yet... the reader realized these people they considered family, who they loved, weren't helping humans who were also hurt. The reader tried to help humans who were hurt as well, even though it was looked down on... it worked, for awhile... And then the reader left. They had seen with their own eyes how callous their friends, their family, were, to anyone who wasn't one of them... and they couldn't live with themselves, couldn't live with them, knowing the truth... So they left, when anyone who could stop them was gone, and strike out on their own. They help who they can. Whoever is innocent, whoever is being hurt and is in need, human or mutant or otherwise, the reader helps them...

The others, though, don't take too kindly to the reader leaving. They have it in their heads that the reader is being manipulated, controlled, forced against them. And they aren't having that. The reader is adamant in what they're doing. They aren't going back, they aren't about to be forced back into the fold. Yet their old team aren't backing down without a fight. That is their bby, someone they practically raised and nurtured back to health, and they want to leave them? No. That won't do.

It won't be easy, getting their bby back... but, they aren't the X-Men for nothing. They don't leave one of their own behind, and they don't abandon their's. They'll help their bby see through the manipulation clouding them, the doubts that plague them... Whatever is keeping their bby from them won't be left standing. And if their bby fights against them, theyll be gentle, they'll keep reminding them until they remember their love, their care... They have everything they need to do that... So why not come back? They missed them... and they won't take "no" for an answer.

[loyaltykask]

Chapter 31

@journeythroughjourneytothewest

The vibes are immaculate

I know Wukong is fucking with him because he sent two monkeys to follow him but the idea that he overblows his powers is too funny to me

Like he just wanna make Bajie sweat

He hesitates only for Guanyin (or maybe Buddha but they don't make it clear here)

Wukong knows what's up with the monk. His heart feels it. He really is the most dedicated heart

Bajie just rolled nat 20 persuasions.

He is either brave or stupid. Probably both

"Hmmmm let me provoke the man that could crush me with one go.... genius" I MEAN IT WORKED

WUKONG PISSED NOW

Bajie: He said you are weak and stupid Wukong: I'll fucking SHOW him

He told his little ones he was just on vacation..... He didn't want them to worry. He sounds so proud about his titles as Pilgram tho.... like he knows everyone knows and must keep it high. He just... cares so much it hurts

HE CLEANED HIS BODY BECAUSE HE WORRIED SANZANG WOULD NOTICE HOW HE WENT BACK TO KILLING. He really said "I mean those thousand hunters were asking for it but I can't let it show in my face

Oh Shit

THE children may have a shit father but it ain't their fault! They only boys PLEASE

GET YOUR RBO

HE SO FUCKING HAPPY LIKE

HE MISSED HIM

Wukong wants to hear begging after Wujing didn't say anything. Tots fair

Shit Wukong you're warlord is showing again

I wonder if she took comfort in those boys, they were her only comfort from her husband

I know this is just a different time of putting a parent's thoughts above even you're own children but damn that is cold

Wukong making her feel bad for that. He really went "You can have more kids, but you can never replace your parents" FUCKING COLD Times really do change. I wonder if he knew that they were lovers in a past life and were connected by the red string of fate. LIke can he see that shit?

Partner as a Gender neutral term to call your spouse is out.

Mate is IN.

This actor damn

Motehrfucker really be like "What a good hubby, can't wait to use that against him heheheh" Love it honestly

So now he is saying that Sanzang banished him for killing too many demons I have heard this said many times that Sanzang did understand that the White Bone Spirit was real but at the same point had not harmed them yet and that was the real cause of his anger for Wukong to hurt an innocent demon. Honeslty like that take more as it shows Sanzang being compassionate to both Humans and Monsters but not sure if that is something Wukong is saying to save face or rather trying to make Sanzang sound less gullible to the monster

This could actually be the symbolism in the chapter, the kind of filial spirit that is considered super important within the time. That Wukong sees his loyalty to Saznang as close to the bond a son would have to their father, because good character is measured not only in oneself but also their connection to family, but Wukong without a father or mother was greatly criticized for that. The same with Sanzang as he was without a father and mother and was criticized (for some stupid reason) to be lesser for it, until he found both his father and mother and got revenge on both of their behalf Wukong remind the princess of that kind of bond could be more Wukong reminding himself of that bond, like trying to chastise his own character.

Bajie tricking his party members: 2 Wukong and Sanzang: 0

Wukong still like Imma kick your ass

I take that back Wukong has fucked with Bajie enough it more like Bajie: 2 Wukong: 81 Sanzang: 0

The three-headed form!

He so smart, love

They missed one of their fucking constellations

Of course they did

I remember that this was always the weakest part of the story that they NEVER made sense in either the Constellations or the Jade Girl's actions like.... Does she, not REMEMBER making that promise to go to earth and be with her love? Was it in reincarnation? If she just went down to assume a form of a human in the palace why the fucking princess? Why not just a normal girl? I'm just thinking this had to be reincarnation else nothing else would make sense in that she calls the King her father so he must have raised her somehow and that second that she doesn't remember her past love. And why did the guy go full demon to get his boo????? LIKE?????? You could have just come down..... AS A DUDE and just..... LEGIT NOT BEEN A DEMON? Or at least if you wanted to keep your memories, then yeah a fallen celestial has to be a demon but LEGIT you could just say NO to eating other humans, or just wooed your love normally like.... Deadass you could have just been not a dick about

But plot so. Legit he got demoted to Silverhorn and Goldenhorn's position

These bitches lucky they even got a bow damn

Got to make fun of him a little, like it only fair really

Wukong deadass making Bajie and Wujing ask politely for him to save him (Even though we all know Wukong is the favorite) he still makes Sanzang choose Bajie over Wukong in trusting which disciple Is it very interesting to see how that plays out further tellings in how much Sanzang goes to Wukong for advice and listening to his rulings first and

Sanzang is supposed to represent Confucianism in this story, hence reporting to the Emporer is supposed to be seen the same as the same as swearing fidelity to the Heavens (the Emproeor is supposed to be seen as Heaven's son) I wish there was a more one to one translation in how much Sanzang is showing gratitude in what he has done, going to far as the reporting his deeds to the highest of mortal limits considering he doesn't have a place in heaven

[meteor752]

Actual Baby children who have no idea what they’re in for

So the Double Life anniversary is coming up, which is insane, and I thought I’d celebrate it! Kinda ish I guess?

I just did more designs of da kids

Buuuuut, this time I took it one step further to show them as actual children, together with their favorite parent (Apart from Johnny cause he loves both)

It was incredibly fun and I had a blast trying to make the lil block men in Hero Forge, maybe I’ll do it again some other time just by themselves lol

Baby Liana and Scar

Scar is the favorite parent cause he’s more chill and also he didn’t betray the family. Had a blast making him and his ranger outfit, I tried my best to get it as accurate as possible and I think I turned out great. Baby Liana’s outfit is really cute, it reminds me of the lil suit for the toddlers in The Sims 4. Also Jellie <3

Baby Wes and Impulse

Impulse is the favorite cause BDubs is…well he’s BDubs. Impulse was also a lot of fun, especially the more non human features, but the stupid I on his T-Shirt tripped me up, It's literally just a yellow blood stain lol. Seeing Baby Wes is also so strange, cause he's like without his shaggy stubble, dyed hair, and thicc af body. Now he's just a lil guy.

Baby Gertrude and Ren

Ren is the favorite because...well he didn't cheat. Very easy answer there. I've said this with everyone so far, but Ren was so fricking fun, I love his shirt and its colors, had a fricking blast. Gertrude is just a precious baby in a full princess costume, getting read a bedtime story, just an absolute gem. Also this is pre-sunglasses, mainly cause it looked weird with the plastic tiara she’s wearing.

Baby Johnny and both his dads :D

They good parents. Also, FUCK Jimmy, FUCK his bland generic looking ass skin, and FUCK hero forge for making it so hard to translate it. Zero enjoyment in the making of it, but Tango was hella fun. Baby Johnny is honestly just my lad but smaller. He probably has a lil tooth gap too. Prime boy.

Baby Jassy and Etho

Etho is the favorite because Jassy finds him very cool lol. Etho was more difficult than I first thought, mostly because I wanted to make him more than just Kakashi so I avoided the Anime hairstyle and customed the hell out of the patchy hair, but he looks great! Baby Jassy was a huge Etho fangirl (The OG Ethogirl lol), so her look is Just Him but smaller.

Baby Jekiv and Cleo

They’re the favorite because she didn’t fucking leave, Martyn. Cleo was surprisingly easy honestly, but that shouldn’t really have shocked me. Just any green skinned person with red hair kinda looks like Cleo. Wanted to make them look a little different from Jek, but yeah I guess Zombie genetics are just that strong. Baby Jek is without the hood, that’s a later development, so his patchy hair is in plain sight. He hates it.

Baby Novo and Pearl

Pearl is the favorite because she’s more fun. Pearl has a really easy outfit to make, and I thoroughly enjoyed it honestly. Baby Novo doesn’t have the runny makeup yet, so he looks…surprisingly normal. Just an ordinary child honestly. I really liked making his outfit too, especially the colors.

I enjoyed this, hope you did too

[ivyprism]

When There are Clouds, there is Rain (Backstory: Old AU Tale Papyrus)

Warning: Death, sadness, angst, lots of angst, repeated deaths, impalement, beheading, painful backstory, Toxin, hopelessness, etc.

-------

Papyrus moves as he walks. It's the same day as usual. The children are playing, the Queen and King are at odds, Undyne is focused on her task, and Alphys is working really hard. Nothing is strange or off… At least to the inexperienced eye.

However, Papyrus was not an inexperienced eye. He knew something was wrong. The same day would happen again and over again. There was no change, no significant difference; it would begin and end the same. He would go on patrol and believe everything was OK, but he knew otherwise. He realized this was the end of it all.

He would try and change it, try everything he could to rewrite the script, but nothing could stop it. Nothing. It would never change; it was the same as always. He clenched his jaw lightly as he came to a stop. There was Monster Kid playing with Frisk.

He clasped his fist around his blade. Monster Kid, he remembered how that child died. They couldn't run quickly enough. They called for Undyne, but they were dusted before she arrived. He failed them.

"Paps, you okay?" Deidamia's voice jolted him out of his deep thought. He looked at her. He had told her to run, far away and fast.

"Yes…. I'm fine." Papyrus answered slowly. He had no idea if she had perished because he had dusted before he could find out.

"C'mon, Papyrus, you're acting weirder than usual." Undyne interrupted his thoughts yet again. He strengthened his grip on his sword. He saw her dying, and she told him to run, so he did. But she kept battling till the bitter end.

"Sorry, general." Papyrus gave a bashful smile back. Undyne patted his back, and Deidamia grinned back. The two girls began discussing about something he had heard countless times before. He slowed his feet when he noticed Sans and his father talking about something as they walked by. He knew it was about the contraption that would allow all of them to escape the Underground.

However, he never knew whether its studies had yielded any fruit… Everyone died before they could test it. The Queen actively supported and engaged in the research. He began moving again. He was present as the Queen and King made their last stand against the machines that destroyed everything. He wasn't sure if their children had survived the assault because Sans had taken them before he had dusted.

He remembers his death... Well, deaths. As they changed, the day would repeat itself. They'd cut off his head, impale him… He shuddered at the memory. He was wondering how he would die this time. Would they crush him? Put him out swiftly and painlessly? He doesn't know. He never knows. He's just glad Monster Kid's death was mercifully short and it never changed. He watched as time ticked by.

It would happen again shortly… Shouldn't it? His thoughts turned to what would happen if he could somehow save everyone…? Will the day merely repeat itself? It seemed like a fruitless endeavor the more he thought of it. Regardless, he was the only one who recalled it… At least he thought so.

Sometimes he'd have dreams… Well, nightmares about every death, every one pleading with him to help them, everyone reaching out to him… He shakes his head. If he gave it more thought, he'd experience the memories. It reminded him of a dream he had about his mother, who was slain by one of the machines in his late childhood. He shook his head again; this was not the time.

"You're doing it again." Deidamia broke his mind out of the thoughts again. She was the only human on the guard since she fell in. She was very observant, he had to admit. He looked at her before he gave a grin.

"I'm just thinking of what we'll do tomorrow." Papyrus confidently responds. He was fully aware that there would be no tomorrow. Deidamia chuckles and smiles at him. Undyne clicked her tongue and chuckled, too. He watched them and felt his heart start to hurt. He'd never see those smiles again, would he? They would never see tomorrow.

"I say! We take the kids out for training." Undyne smiled and threw her arm around his shoulder. He felt his SOUL weigh more. This would never happen.

"And Nice Cream!" Deidamia spoke up, and he couldn't take his eyes off them. He simply couldn't...

"It looks like it's going to rain..." Papyrus muttered and Deidamia blinked before she smiled.

"Yeah, when there are clouds, there's usually rain." Deidamia nudged his arm with a grin. He looked back before... And then he heard the bell chime. His blood ran completely cold.

He could hear the screams and felt Undyne and Deidamia pull away from them as they began to say the same two phrases "What was that?" "No time to wonder, we have to help them!" He didn't have time to say anything as the two started running. This was the first time they ventured far into their home. They pushed them back for so long, and they worked so hard.

He started chasing the two as if his feet were moving on their own. He heard screaming that was quickly silenced, magic, battle, and he could see everything. Already, the city had begun to burn. Mettaton and Napstablook were forcing civilians back, as Undyne and Deidamia entered the conflict. His mind became blank when he heard a loud cry.

Monster Kid!

"Undyne!" Monster Kid yelled, and Undyne turned her head, her eyes wide with dread. She started to grasp for them. As he watched the attack come at them, he extended his hand. A bone pierced the ground, and he struck the machine in the core. He didn't have time to think, so he scooped up the child and noticed, if only for a moment, the world around Monster Kid flicker and dust fall in their place. He knew that it was fruitless then, but he could try.

And he did. He tried so hard.

The violence escalated, people were ganged up on, and they were dusted.

"GO! Your brother needs you!" Undyne demanded, shoving the skeleton back. When an attack came her way, she formed a wall of spears. Her armor had chipped and shattered.

"Undyne-! Alphys needs you!! You can't do this! Please!" Papyrus shouted, but Undyne pushed him aside with a harmless attack as another attack was directed at her.

"Papyrus…" Undyne's voice was so clear and genuine, yet he knew it couldn't be. He realized he couldn't do anything to stop it. He knew! He knew! But he wanted to, he wanted to so so badly. He could feel tears stinging his eye sockets. "Tell Alphys I love her." Her voice is clear and sweet. Full of love for Alphys, it took all his effort not to fall to his knees. Her magic ignited, her body shifted, and she fought back. He could see the attackers surrounding her. He tried to help her, but it was futile as he saw her crumble into dust. Deidamia's loud sob, as well as her grabbing over his arm as he pulled her back, tore his SOUL even further. She demanded that he let her through.

"Papyrus! Move! Papyrus-! Undyne needs us, Papyrus!" Deidamia's voice was strained with sorrow. He heard her clearly, his eyes fixed on the dust mound that was Undyne, but he didn't have time to think. He flung her over his shoulder, and Deidamia's cries for Undyne stung more than any wound he had. He knew she saw the dust and the monsters.

He didn't have time to mourn, so he began tearing into the machinery. He did not halt or hesitate. When he was surrounded, he flung Deidamia to safety while summoning dual bone swords to push them back.

"Papyrus!" Deidamia sobbed, but he ignored her. He leapt forward and stood in front of her. His eyes sparkled as his power began to cause fractures in the ground. His breathing was irregular, and his soul tore with each stride.

"Deidamia, get out of here." Papyrus gave a cold order. "That's an order." Papyrus never really used his position against her. He could see her eyes widen as he cast a short glance at her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her lips quivered. She was shaking. It made him feel too much like himself.

"Papyrus-"

"Don't look back when you do. Don't stop. Don't even think about fighting. Run. Don't stop. Run until you find someone." Papyrus' voice felt too chilly even for him, but he didn't have time to soften it. "I'm not going to survive this." Papyrus made it apparent, and Deidamia's breath caught as she began to speak. "This has happened many times. I know how it will end." Papyrus used a bone assault as a machine approached him. He clenched his eyes tightly. "Please, Deidamia... Go."

Deidamia opened her mouth but then began to move back. Her eyes flooded with tears. Papyrus consciously ignored her expression as he shifted his concentration.

"Well. You have me entirely to yourself. Let us get this over with. Papyrus repositioned his weapons before charging into the clash of the machines. He tore, ripped, and did not care about the wounds he received. He fought until his body screamed for him to stop. He panted, blood streaming down his face. He moved position.

"You're still fighting?" Toxin's vicious voice echoed through the machine. He panted and sneered. His eyes trembled as he concentrated. "I'll give it to you; you've survived longer than prior occasions… It's rather enjoyable." The voice hissed. Papyrus growled back as blasters appeared behind him. "But you look about ready to collapse like a house of cards." The voice mocked as the machines returned to the fray. "We'll see how long you last."

The conflict persisted. Papyrus was barely hanging on when it began to rain. He battled and fought, but was eventually defeated and struck in the side. He collapsed on the ground. He had fought so hard he was bleeding out. He knew he was. He could feel his life draining. Despite defeating them, he died before witnessing the outcome. He shakily held his phone. His palm shook, and he strained to concentrate as the rain dropped harder. He dialed Alphys' number. And he held the phone so that he could hear her.

He could hear Alphys' distraught voice on the other end, calling his name urgently. I asked whether he was okay, where he was, and if everything was all right… But he knew she was aware that he had called for a reason.

"Undyne… Didn't make it, and I don't have much time." Papyrus merely informed her. Alphys' voice began to break, but he interrupted her before she could say anything else. His vision blurred gradually but steadily. "Undyne wanted me to tell you… She loves you." Papyrus muttered as he heard Alphys burst into tears as his hand slipped and fell to the ground.

He didn't have enough strength to hold it up as he began to dust. He glanced up at the sky, the rain gently washing the blood away from his face. He felt exhausted. He could hear Alphys anxiously saying his name via the receiver. He slowly closed his eyes. He could feel his body dust faster as he felt his life drain.

But then... He opened his eyes again. He stared blankly at the ceiling. He knew it... He covered his face with his arm... It was the same day as before. He slowly looks out at the sky. His eyes starting to get as cloudy as the sky. He sighed as he closed his eyes.

Deidamia was right...

When there are clouds, it rains.

-----

Inspired by: The Underworld from The Underworld Saga (Epic the Musical)

[thegeminisage]

it's TNG UPDATE TIME. last night* we watched "birthright" parts i & ii. just this once, i'm not combining them because i can distinctly differentiate between the episodes, they were actually (after all that angst) kind of unconnected, though i would have DIED to have left it on that cliffhanger

* time changed i'm scheduling this to go up when people are awake

birthright part i (tng):

DS9 CROSSOVER! i wish it could have been for both halves. also, i kind of wish odo could have been the one to talk to data even though he has no reason whatsoever to leave. it just would have been so much autism in one room

human brent spiner HORRIBLE to look at. the faces he makes as dr soong (which...why would dr soong be white...was that old man white idr...) remind me of lore's.

however: thrilled that data can dream now. i was so happy also that everyone treated him really niceys. except bashir who microaggressed him one time but i forgive him because it was funny

it was WWWWILD to see tng characters walkin around ds9. i hated tng in my ds9 but i loved ds9 in my tng. i wish they had a budget for a proper crossover. did sisko have to be in the same room as picard again? did o'brien go aboard and say hello? i miss him so bad.

minor deanna and worf moment in this ep when she comforts him over his dad potentially being alive. mwah. i feel like the tng side characters have been non-existent for awhile...first we stopped watching tng as much for ds9, then we got that deanna-only ep, then that picard-only ep, and now the ds9 crossover and the worf-only ep...can we PLEASE get the gang back together

final note i love that worf loves shitty replicator food and also riker's terrible cooking. king.

birthright part ii (tng):

i have complex feelings.

worf's dad plot as a means to get worf to be the pov character for the ethical dilemma of this episode kind of undermined the entire ethical dilemma

the ethical dilemma tng THOUGHT it was presenting was, "if klingons and romulans have escaped the war to live peacefully together, is it right to disrupt their way of life just because their children might choose differently?"

THE ACTUAL DILEMMA IT PRESENTED WAS. IF YOU HAVE SEVENTY-THREE KLINGON PRISONERS OF WAR. actually that's not even a question. they just have them. let's break this down

this romulan guy, unclear if he was the one actually in charge at the khitomer massacre or not (i thought he looked familiar, i looked it up and he previously played a totally different romulan on tng lol), but this guy is running this fucking prison with seventy-three klingons completely at his mercy. yes, they ""asked"" to stay, but they WANTED to die, they ATTEMPTED to die, and they would have CHOSEN to die had the option been given to them, but they're doing this instead in order to keep from bringing consequences down on their families heads. so he has total power over them and he... "marries" one???

i am going to start discussing conception via rape please consider this your warning.

this is of course coming after tasha yar had a FUCKING BABY VIA RAPE in a romulan prison and then got killed for trying to escape. he "married" a klingon woman. ALL RIGHT

even if she thought she loved him and consented to everything SHE IS A PRISONERRR. SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DIE. SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE.

like, when worf kissed that girl and realized she was half romulan his revulsion should not have been from the fantasy racism but from realizing she is a rape baby. like, this whole sitch is horrifying

and it really brings into perspective too how lucky worf must have been...he was so young when khitomer happened and yet he's very in touch with his heritage, but something as simple as old klingon stories are considered dangerous by the romulan warden

AND HE IS A WARDEN. again: nobody is allowed to leave where they are. this isn't a peaceful group of equals, conscientious objectors who chose a different way of life. THEY ARE PRISONERS. they're not allowed to look at or even touch any of their old things. they have to find fun and entertainment with old weapons. klingon tai chi classes are NOT allowed

in fact, the REAL ethical dilemma is, is it right to try and force this half-romulan half-klingon girl out of her "home" when it is clear she is happy in here and will be reviled out there? i argue yes because her home IS A PRISON CAMP like girl if spock did it u can too but what do i know

it makes no sense also that these people would be choosing to procreate. if this prison camp is only marginally better than death, or worse than death in some ways but a necessary evil, why bring kids into it??? unless the romulans are the ones making the babies

god this dude even sat at the head of the table and had everyone bring his food to him and then was ready to execute worf for bringing klingon culture into and i repeat the KLINGON PRISON CAMP

anyway, this episode did pop off at a few points. it was cool to see worf help them get back in touch with their own culture and doubly cool to see him get "even" with his like...sort of enemies. ALSO fun to watch that little bootlicking klingon who was sucking that romulan guy's dick finally come to his senses and stand w/ worf

i also loved the part where worf was perfectly happy to die as a klingon rather than live as someone with dishonor...it felt so different from the episode where he tried to kill himself because this time he WAS being honorable and not cowardly. he would have had nowhere to go had he run and he would have been leaving those other klingons behind

i am disappointed though that after all that. worf's dad really was dead. also, how did that guy know where the camp was and why did he tell. ALSO also, how are the klingons gonna get by when they can't tell anyone what bloodline they come from...that's like your picture ID in the klingon world

the point is, as usual, tng almost had something really cool but couldn't get out of its own way and as a result dropped the fucking ball.

NEXT TIME: ds9's "move along home" and "the nagus."

[ilovescaredysquirrel2]

My top 5 bird-themed movies because why not

Okay, you guys I'm very excited about Illumination's new movie "Migration for a ton of reasons, but the main reason is that I love ducks. I'm personally, as a Chicken Run fan, NOT excited about Chicken Run 2 because I feel like they're going the wrong direction with it. Getting a new director, firing most of the old voices actors, and then Netflix taking over the ownership? No thanks! I'll still give it a try though. Here are my top 5 favorite bird themed movies, and why

(Chicken Run, 2000) I love this movie mainly because of the message and the fact that it tackled some heavy subjects in a family friendly way. The humor is really well done, like most DreamWorks movies, and the voice acting is amazing! I don't recommend it for children as much, but I'd say the age rating to start watching, is maybe 10-12 or older? It's a bit dark but it's still a beautiful movie and there's a character that almost everyone can relate to!

(Storks, 2016) Okay, this one is more for children and family, but has a few subtle jokes that mostly adults will understand,. I personally think it still has an amazing message about the lives of people come before objects and also that family isn't always birth given, adopting kids they're still family. And of course, the characters are very fun and adorable. Compared to most teen-young adult girls in animated movies, I really love Tulip's design. They don't make her too "sexy" but still make her look cute, she dresses plain, and she's a total goofball. I personally love seeing more female characters like that.

(Rio, 2011) You guys know this one's a cult classic! My mom and I loved this one a lot and were sad when Disney shut down BlueSky Studios. The movie is still incredibly underrated, although it has a strong fanbase of 2000s-early2010's kids! The music in the movie is incredible, the visuals and scenery is gorgeous, and it actually makes you want to travel to Rio! I feel like they tried to show the culture in the best way they could, even though I'm not an expert, they did it in sort of a subtle way, but still enough that it makes you admire it!

(Duck Duck Goose, 2018) This is an adorable and underrated movie for the family, even though the villain may be a bit scary at times! I love how it focuses mostly on the animals, I love when movies focus mostly on the animals to the point that you forget the humans are there, but they still do show humans sometimes. The humans don't have like, speaking lines or anything. Also, the characters are adorable! Peng's character really reminds me of Rocky from Chicken Run, but a little more childish and care free. A better comparison to Peng would be Otis from Barnyard, at first he acts like he wants to party all the time, but then learns to become a man by the end of the movie. The ducklings, Chi and Chao, are so adorable! Chi's a very loving and helpful big sister, and she's voiced by Zendaya! Also, Stephen Fry voices one of the crane brothers (or maybe they're gay cranes? I have no idea...). The voice acting and characters are so amazing in this movie, and the scenery is also so gorgeous! The humor is also on point, and you'll love the little squirrel character! I also think this movie is good for maybe 6 and up, depending on how used to movies the kid is. My 6 year old self didn't have that kind of attention span yet but some kids are different. Anyway, I just consider it a good movie for the whole family!

(Ploey you Never Fly Alone, 2018) Okay, this one can be a bit sad but also has a pretty good story. I'm personally not too comfortable with kids having love interests in movies/shows, like kids that are younger than teenage. Because they're birds and have no confirmed age, you can feel however you want about the Ploey and Ploveria relationship. I'm only uncomfortable about it because they both sound young and it wasn't much time after Ploey hatched from an egg when they met, but again, they're birds. It's still a beautiful movie with fun characters and really talented voice acting! I put it at the bottom of the list because it's not one of my first choices, but I haven't seen it in a while. You may have different feelings about it. I think i recommend this movie more for 10 and up, it does have some emotional moments though. It's not really funny or anything either, so I don't recommend it for parties or family movie nights. If you love bird themed movies and have a friend who does, it's something nice that you can watch together when you're not busy.

I hope you like the movies I recommended, and let me know what you think in the comments! I love to chat!

[bestbonnist]

Chapters 171.2 and 171.3

If you haven't read these chapters yet, here and here.

Since they had the doll imbue a pot with her memories/dreams and then do nothing with it, that pot is most definitely going to be important later. Chekhov's gun. But I don't know how. I don't think there's anything in the dream that wasn't in the doll's description. Eko already looked at the pot, right after the doll made it, but she got distracted. Maybe Fushi sees 32 from the doll's perspective and she reminds them of the nameless boy.

The mud Eko uses to project her thoughts is special and specifically reacts to human brain waves, but I wonder if there's a stipulation that you have to be human to leave your memories on an Earthenware pot. Because if so, the pot would serve as further proof that the doll is human. Just keep an eye out for it.

Tonari always seems to put her ghost form to more practical use than anyone else. Another way in which she uses her death for her friends' benefit... The first time she died, she found Bon and taught him about Fushi, and now she regularly uses it to spy on Kaibara. Makes me wonder if she used it for anything else while she was dead during the previous era. Maybe to follow the Defense Corps./Kahaku around to make sure they weren't planning on double crossing Fushi.

Tonari insists Mizuha's clones are only related to Mizuha on a surface-level, despite mistrusting Mizuha for her relation to Hayase for most of the present era. She denies Mizuha's connection to Kaibara, and stresses that these girls are just ordinary girls and not at fault for whatever's happening with the company. Since a lot of Tonari's dislike for Mizuha was an extension of dislike for herself/her belief that children are responsible for their elder family members' fuck-ups, to me this indicates that she's also being more lenient on herself.

Another aside about Tonari's behavior: she's committed to letting Fushi make decisions for the group but she clearly regrets it. She's kind of like Fushi's confidant, in a way, because she's privy to information that no one else knows.

The fight between the immortals gets shut down without actually being resolved—with Hylo and Tonari bowing out when Fushi gives their verdict and Messar just not caring very much one way or the other. It's over so quickly, actually, that I think it'll probably crop back up again later. It's also funny that Hylo and Messar share the same opinion on many things but Hylo just can't fucking stand agreeing with him.

Fushi keeps remaking the Aoki house, that hurts a lot... they continue to recreate a building that they lived in five hundred years ago because it's the place that they think of as "home," except the house is in ruins because the people who kept it clean and who turned it into a home for Fushi are no longer alive.

Fushi now sits at the head of the table instead of Satoru. Further signifying that they're actually taking control as a leader and decision maker, totally different from how they were in the present era. But they're doing this by shutting everyone out again. I believe it's more out of a desire to keep their relationship with Hayase's descendants and their other friends separate than because they don't want to put their trust in anybody, but let's be honest it's probably both.

The chapter contains flashbacks to two other scenes with Satoru. The first is from Chapter 160.2. Satoru did give Fushi the sphere, they touched it and passed out. Satoru says afterwards that it was too much information for Fushi to take in at once, which checks out because the sphere contains the ability to create anything. It's infinite data. But they did touch it, so they could hypothetically recreate it.

Fushi was also a sphere, before they were anything else. If the knockers take all of their vessels like they did in the previous era—although their number of vessels has probably grown exponentially—they'll be reduced to just a sphere and then the knockers could just wish that they were dead, or however it works.

The second flashback is to Chapter 164.1. This is where Satoru mentions that he already cast off this power—although he's vague about whether this is the sphere or something else—which could mean he physically cast it off. Deeply ironic that Fushi doesn't even have the power to control knockers nor wants to and the knockers haven't so much as touched them for fear that they might. Also deeply ironic that in the present era, the left hand was about to merge with Fushi and probably kill them but a different knocker shot it in the head first.

I'm super intrigued by how the story will proceed with Fushi no longer being the perspective character (at least momentarily). Seeing them from someone else's point of view again... having their thoughts hidden from the readers... why do I feel like this is because they know something that's not meant to be revealed yet. The way they react to the doll, too... it reminds me of the way they treated Mizuha and the left hand, being especially compliant with their desires. Quite possibly because of her connection to Kaibara and Mizuha's thirty two identical buddies.

If 32 was an employee at Kaibara, she had to have known that just giving the doll a tag chip wouldn't have done any good by itself. And, again because of her status as a Kaibara employee, she also must have known about the sphere. So it seems likely that her plan was to have the doll find the sphere and make her wish all along. And Fushi probably knows something about this plan, given the way they keep staring daggers into her whenever she says anything about becoming human.

[kariachi]

Some fic! Mutant stuff. Devlin exists, there's a bit of a time, Irene gets on with Rook and Argit well.

~~

Devlin Kwarrel Levin surprised everyone but his parents using the age-old technique of ‘being born’. Quite a clever trick that had necessitated such things as nobody actually seeing his father for many months, and his mother always having some sort of excuse for why he wasn’t attending some event or other. If anyone had doubted that his parents functioned like a well oiled machine, or had true ‘he’d lie and you’d swear to it’ energy, it was all put to rest when the first pictures of him went out, in honor of his father’s birthday, a little under two months after his birth.

It was wonderful timing, really, because a solstice announcement meant nobody had to time to come out and yell about it in-person until the new year.

“Where is your husband?” Not that Irene herself would be getting yelled at. Years now and everyone still assumed that she wasn’t a wholehearted co-conspirator to Kevin’s mischief, or at least what was taken as mischief. As such she was less concerned to open the door and find Ben, Gwendolyn, and Rook stood there, already glowering down the hall, as she may have been otherwise. Her bold contrasting colors had only dulled slightly, and the child-friendly pattern didn’t move.

“Will I still have one later if I tell you?” No immediate answer came, though Rook gave her a put-upon look and a shrug from over the Tennysons’ shoulders.

“Maybe,” Ben finally said, though she’d have let them passed anyway. As long as there was that quick reminder that they risked leaving her a widow and her son an orphan if they tried to actually kill him. Or Kai and young Lyn a widow and orphan, if they failed to wait until Devlin wasn’t present.

“Third bedroom,” Irene said as she moved aside, “Argit’s already there.”

“Oh, he gets to know!” She couldn’t help a snort.

“I’d swear he knew before we did.” And had only just managed to not hover from March onward. The Tennysons passed her, grumbling, and she did feel bad some about the deception. They were Kevin’s good friends, had been for far longer than she’d known him, and the choice to hurt them had been… Not hard, but not fun. Rook at least stopped a moment as she shut the door behind them all.

“Congratulations again.” He flashed her a smile and her colors brightened.

“Thanks,” she said, “it’s been rough-” And so damn scary. “-but we’re more than happy to have him.”

“First babies are always rough,” he laughed as they headed after the Tennysons, then amended, “all babies are rough. Rayona says she cannot wait for Ben and Kai to have this next child, so he will learn more doesn’t mean easier.”

“Only children,” she laughed back. A group that, yes, contained her beloved, but at least he had both her and Argit- who both had so very many siblings- to teach him otherwise. Ben and Kai were both only children. “I only had two siblings in the house and even I know it’s chaos.” Rook shook his head, still smiling, as the sounds of cooing came from up ahead.

“Hopefully the lesson will be easy on them.”

“I’ll leave that well wish until I’m sure I’m not a widow.” They came to a halt out in the hall as Argit slipped out of what had become the nursery, with little Devlin in tow. In a heartbeat Rook was cooing, watching with pure fondness as Argit passed him over to be cradled in Irene’s mass. Nothing, nothing, was so precious in all the history of the galaxy as the shifting mass of hybrid she’d helped make. Too young yet to keep anything but his most base shape, an awkward blend of human solidity and Lenopan amorphism, or to shift his colors more than to different hues of pale purple-brown, but he watched with wary interest as Rook slipped into his home tongue’s baby talk.

“-then why the fuck would you keep something like this from us?!?”

Everyone in the hall started at the sudden shout, eyes locking on the open door, ears pinned to Argit’s mane, for all of the breath before Devlin was whining. In an instant Irene was engulfing him, shuddering comfortingly as he made himself small, color going patchy and mottled. With a glare Argit blindly swatted Rook’s arm- the Revonnahgander stood with a frown, clearly wondering what he could do to help.

“One minute.” He stormed back towards the door, snarled a ‘There’s a kitten out here’ in the sort of tone that had once shut up Irene’s older sister of all people, and pointedly didn’t slam it shut. His ears were still back when he returned, but he forced the rest of himself to relax as he chirped and crooned at Devlin. “It’s okay, kiddo, nobody’s gonna scare you again. Otherwise, your papa and I are gonna put ‘em in a box.”

“Please don’t put them in a box,” Irene said, though she couldn’t avoid an affectionate tone as she did.

“Can’t make any promises, ‘Rene.”

Heaving a sigh, Rook shook his head and relaxed a little as Irene withdrew to show a glimpse of Devlin slowly calming. She made a note to get him safely tucked away once the nursery was clear again. He wasn’t used to so many people, or any people besides herself, Kevin, and Argit, and this would surely exhaust his little self.

“I do agree though, on wanting to know why you did not say anything,” Rook said. Irene did her best not to notably tense, focusing instead on continuing to soothe her son. “You are our friends, we want to be there for you like you are for us. Not just Argit, all of us.” She knew that, was the thing, they both did and had from the start. But Kevin-

“It’s a mutant thing,” Argit answered, sparing her the act. “One of those things you actually see a lot across the galaxy. Bad luck to talk about a pregnancy.” Rook’s face twisted in confusion, frown deepening and brow crinkling, before Irene cut in.

“A lot of mutants don’t make it to term, and even if they do complications with their mutations can still kill them.” And did, a lot. She and Kevin had gone in expecting more failure than success, especially making hybrid children, and even still worried something might go wrong. “Since mutants spawn mutants more often…”

“You two were worried,” Rook said, quietly and with an understanding nod. “We have something similar, I think. Fifth children are not referred to as people until they have received their first blessing, though I do not think anyone remembers why anymore.”

“Yeah,” Argit said with a nod of his own. “Some Erinaens give their kids animal names to protect them from the Black-Eyed. Kev said the more you talk about a pregnancy the more likely it’ll fail, so...” Rook nodded again, and Irene couldn’t help but half-melt over the floor. Her family hadn’t been so understanding on the matter, and between them and the Tennysons she hadn’t been sure to expect anything good. Knowing that at least one friend- and she was sure Rayona as well, so make that two- understood, or at least accepted.

“We didn’t even talk about it with each other any more than we absolutely had to,” she said. It was true. Only people who had absolutely needed to know- and Argit, who half counted anyway- had been informed, and if there wasn’t a pressing need to mention it, they had done their best to avoid the topic all together. All together it had been a stressful time in a million ways, but she couldn’t say that she regretted the decision. Better to be safe than sorry.

Feeling the last schlump of a relaxing babe under her mass, Irene pulled back enough to see her son, darling of her eye, half melted asleep against her. Yep, new people and a scare right after playtime, and he was only a few months old. She couldn’t help a coo the others echoed, warmth spreading all the way through her.

“He is certainly worth the trouble.”

“Yeah.” Argit threw a smirk at Irene as he leant against her. “Same I’m gonna have to steal him.” Rook narrowed his eyes at him, but she just laughed. It was, after all, only a little more serious a threat than that made to other parents in their social circle. She butted her head gently against him, catching Rook’s snort as he strumbled, snickering, aside, and turned to lead the way into the living room. No sign yet of an empty nursery, and her baby needed rest.

“You will wait until Kevin and I die like a normal person, thank you very much-”

~~

 It’d be a while longer before Kevin and the Tennysons made a return appearance, but they did make one, which was good enough for her. There was a comfort to Kevin curled up with her, and a pride to the cousins shedding their downtrodden looks in favor of mooning over little Devlin some more.

Apparently, the shock and betrayal hadn’t been quite so friendship-breaking as their fuss had made it out to be.