#another instance of dan is me

[abyssruler]

TROPES

ft. jing yuan, dan heng, blade x gn!reader

JING YUAN - reincarnation

They say the Arbiter General of the Luofu only takes a lover every few decades, each one doomed to end in the tragedy that befalls that of a love between a short-life species and a long-life one. It’s widely speculated why the famed general chooses to continue taking short-life species for lovers, knowing the ending that would come about such a union. Jing Yuan cares not for idle gossip, save for the fact that people spread misinformation about him taking multiple lovers, but he can hardly tell everyone that he has only had one lover throughout his centuries of life. It’s just that you always happen to die far too soon for his liking. He fears sometimes, during those first few years after your death, that you’ll never come back, that one day he’ll wake up and realize that hundreds of years have passed without you. But you never fail to appear decades later with a smile on your lips and an apology on your tongue, soothing years’ worth of worries with a few measly words. Sorry, Yuan, I’ll be sure to live longer this time.

DAN HENG - soulmates

The Imbibitor Lunae was not only tasked to bear the responsibility of being the High Elder of the Vidyadhara, he was also destined for a love that spanned beyond lifetimes. Dan Heng knows of the story between the previous incarnations of you and the Imbibitor Lunae. Reincarnating at the same time, falling in love, and repeating it all over again in a never ending cycle that Dan Heng had been sure to end—that was, until he met you. Jing Yuan told him of your decision to forcefully reincarnate as well after Dan Feng’s crime, so it stands to reason that you shouldn’t feel anything for Dan Heng at all, what with this incarnation of yours having never met him in this lifetime. And yet, you keep looking at him with such softness, something like nostalgia in the tone of your voice as you spoke with him, that he can’t help but feel as though he, like his previous incarnations before him, can do nothing but fall into that never-ending cycle of love and being loved.

BLADE/YINGXING - time travel

Yingxing thinks you’re strange. Not in a bad way, of course, only that your mannerisms and way of conduct when it comes to him and his companions is odd. He’s caught you almost calling Dan Feng the wrong name, Dan He-something. You keep demanding Jing Yuan to spar with you for what you dubbed was a ‘rematch’, though Yingxing has no recollection of any instances of you and Jing Yuan fighting before. But it all pales in comparison to the way you act with him. You’re overly familiar, smiling and talking to him as though you’ve known him for years instead of a single month after he discovered you wounded on an alley with a broken blade. He still remembers the look of relief on your face when he crouched in front of you in concern. Blade, Kafka’s gonna kill me, this is the fiftieth sword I broke this month, was all you said before passing out. Despite the oddity of your first meeting, he found himself getting close to you, drawn in by your smile and your laugh and the tender way you looked at him. He imagined spending what remained of his life with you, but you disappeared a day before he was supposed to confess his feelings. It isn’t until many years later, when Elio is introducing the newest member of the Stellaron Hunters, that Blade connects the dots amidst his fractured memory. And it isn’t until another few years that you confirm his suspicions. Blade, you won’t believe what I just went through—or rather, when!

[aventurineswife]

helos fre :3 random but any thoughts on self aware hsr 🙏🙏 ngl it's absolute peak to me cuz the fics I've read about it is so good I wanna digest it into my blood cells 😍🥰🥰/hj /lh

AHHHH I HAVE FEW BUT ITS PROBABLY NOT GOOD 😭🙏 (I might need to write a series about it in the future lmaoo)

The Express itself, and the crew aboard it, start referencing an "observer" that influences their journey. They might leave cryptic remarks like, "We wouldn’t have made it here without a guiding force…" or, "Are you out there, watching us?"

Himeko and Welt have deep discussions about the metaphysical implications of being part of a "game." Welt's past in other dimensions makes him particularly reflective.

Occasionally, your Trailblazer might break the fourth wall and stare directly "out" of the screen. They’d ask questions like, "Why are you helping us? What’s in it for you?" Or even, "Do you think you’re doing the right thing?"

Their dialogue changes subtly depending on your in-game decisions, showing that they’re paying attention.

Kafka is one of the few who seems fully aware that you’re pulling the strings. She might tease, "How long will you keep playing this game? Or is it playing you?" It’s unclear if she means it literally or as a metaphor.

Pela starts digging into the concept of "higher dimensions" where powerful entities (like the players) influence their world. You might find hidden journal entries speculating about the possibility of unseen forces guiding their lives.

Characters start commenting on how often you farm the same materials or run the same domains (?). For instance, Dan Heng might say, "You’ve had me fight this exact enemy over fifty times… What are you preparing for?"

When summoning characters, some of them might react to being "chosen." For example: Silver Wolf might say, "Took you long enough. Were you saving for someone else?" While Seele could mutter, "You really wanted me, didn’t you?"

As beings tied to the metaphysical order of the universe, the Aeons might perceive your existence. Xianzhou scholars hypothesize that you are an entity akin to an Aeon of "Control" or "Fate."

The Stellaron within the Trailblazer seems to have an awareness of you, treating you like an ally—or a potential threat. It might whisper cryptic messages about your choices or consequences.

Herta becomes suspicious of the odd behaviors in the universe and starts referring to you as a "prime variable." She might even try to communicate directly through simulated events, asking for your cooperation.

Some characters, like March 7th or Natasha, might express gratitude for your care and attention. "You always bring me along… Do you think I’m special?" they might ask, breaking the fourth wall.

Certain antagonists, like Cocolia or Jade, might break from their usual dialogue to challenge your decisions. "You think you’re the hero? You’re just another player, aren’t you?"

A secret cutscene or dialogue could play if you act in unexpected ways, revealing that the characters have fully realized their reality. It could be bittersweet, with them either embracing or lamenting their lack of agency.

Aventurine might acknowledge your influence subtly. After completing a mission for the IPC, he sends a message: "Noticed your knack for efficiency. You deserve a little bonus for all the extra effort you 'inspire.' Don’t let it go to your head." He attaches an unusually large amount of credits, as though recognizing you directly for optimizing his profits.

Argenti might kneel before the screen during a heartfelt moment (or after a battle): "O noble guide, it is your divine hand that shapes my path! I dedicate my blade not just to the people, but to you. May your will continue to shine upon us!" He also gifts you rare items or sends messages of gratitude, as though you're a divine figure he serves.

AHHH I wanna write fics for certain characters or something (this could also lead to yandere themes depending if the person/anon reqs for it).

[feroluce]

HOW DID RAPPA AND BOOTHILL END UP BEING SO SWEET???

Before 2.6 even dropped, they were being cute! In Rappa's Keeping Up With Star Rail, Boothill describes Rappa's creations as "high-tech ninjutsu" rather than equipment, or machines, or anything else that someone would have normally defaulted to. This is something Rappa is very proud of and insistent about in her work, and he respects that!

Even with those party join lines, he refers to her not as a Galaxy Ranger, but by her chosen title!

Rappa seems to get a lot of shit for how she talks, too, with people throughout the patch accusing her of playing around or not taking anything seriously. Boothill though is swift to correct that, that even if it sounds like nonsense, Rappa is someone to be respected and a force to be reckoned with. He seems to really admire her resolve, and especially her intellect! He has nothing but praise for her, it's so so sweet.

And the way she talks about him, too! Like there are. A lot of things you can say about a man like Boothill fjkdlsajk but she always speaks so admirably of him?

There's also the difference in nicknames- Rappa refers to every other person as "Ninja." And most of them are descriptions that you can pick up at a glance, or without knowing a person too deeply. Singer for Robin is obvious, everyone knows who she is. Gama for Reca means "toad," which is a reference to the assistant director he always has with him. Baseball Bat for the trailblazer is also obvious. Ruri for March 7th means "lapis lazuli" which is probably a reference to her Six Phase Ice, or even her appearance since she looks like if a Stellar Jade became human. Hiryu for Dan Heng is actually "flying dragon" but it's also a famous video game reference so I'm only willing to put so much stock into that one fjkdsjakd and besides, she could have easily heard about March 7th and Dan Heng from Boothill, since he talks about the dango trio to Rappa, too.

But Boothill! Rappa refers to Boothill as "Silvergun Shura," with Shura being a reference to Asura, a demigod of war. It's a name used to describe someone fighting a relentless, inhumane war and desperately seeking victory. It also refers to a level of hell, governed by anger and pain. Both interpretations suit him strongly. It's not really a title you could give just looking at someone. It's something you'd have to know them at least a little more deeply for.

Boothill also very distinctly lacks the common ninja title- instead, in the EN translation, Rappa calls him Lord. It's a highly respectable title even in the original Chinese, apparently akin to addressing reigning royalty.

She just. Seems to respect and admire him so much? It's so so sweet?

And despite how often it's stated that Galaxy Rangers tend to work and travel alone, it seems these two are at least fairly familiar with each other, which makes me really happy! In an instance of beautiful timing, just today Hoyo released a new text convo, and! When she wants someone to hang out with, Boothill was one of the first people Rappa thought of!

Rappa knew Dan Heng because Boothill talked about him. She knew about Clockwork. Boothill has spoken with her often enough and long enough to know how deeply her hatred ran, and to be upset for her when Primon got away.

They both speak so positively of each other, even when one is out of of earshot. They openly show a ton of respect and admiration for one another, and the way they talk about each other is more than just two people who happen to be part of the same faction. They know each other more closely than that. Boothill is only in Penacony at all because of Rappa, and Rappa trusted Boothill enough to seek him out for this.

My favorite, though? The part I considered the cutest?

Rappa literally went all the way to the Luofu just to watch Boothill fight in the Luminary Wardance.

[shanxing-wu]

spoilers for hsr 3.2 story below the cut

my thoughts on some screenshots i saved while playing at 3am

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

phainon, i think everyone was expecting you to be the one to study his body........

mister "that immortal body soaks up damage like a sponge. trust me, i've tested it myself".

mister i was the first to sign up for mydei's keeping up w/ star rail.

ok but his angry face is so cute i forgive him 🥰

if phainon is the one who EVERYONE is relying on to recreate/reincarnate the people of the new world according to his "perfect memories"... would there just be a sudden increase of people who look suspiciously like a certain kremnoan crown prince? who might share similar features or demeanors? and the aforementioned crown prince's reincarnation is a perfect, exact, MIRROR IMAGE replica of the previous cycle. i know this guy does not stop thinking about mydei for a SECOND. we're all doomed.

dan heng's mission log.... "they will be just fine. i sincerely pray so."

thinking about dan heng carrying trailblazer in his arms, desperately doing everything he can to save them. and to think that he inherited all of dan feng's gifts for cloudhymn magic, prowess with a spear– everything. except for healing.

i'm so curious about the full story of the previous cycle and who all those chrysos heirs were! and it's so interesting to me that they left the death coreflame for last, whereas it seems like in our present cycle we're leaving kephale coreflame for last? (or aquila, but i honestly think it will be kephale since it's kind of just... marinating idk...)

also curious about the chrysos heirs that became cerces and mnestia. were they lovers before they became titans? was this a love that transcended lifetimes, broke the chains of the cycle? after learning the story of polyxia saving her sister's life, it wouldn't be the first instance of love being that powerful.

(now i want to write fic about that happening with phainon and mydei. the voices...)

so what if i cried

i like to think, with this extreme close-up framing on his eyes and the way he stares longingly into the distance... the phaidei shipper in me thinks he's talking about phainon when he says "til the miracle descends." that here, at the border of life and death, fighting with everything he has not to give into death, he still trusts that phainon will be the one to deliver the miracle to him and release him from this cycle of endless fighting and deaths.

my first thought was that he's asking if aglaea is dtf here. and i thought: in front of all the dead gods? 😭 i honestly believed we were about to get another "competition in the hot baths" scene.

as a child of divorced parents myself.... this felt like two divorced parents talking about their son 😭

miscellaneous thoughts:

do NOT ask me how many times i had to replay the dialogue when cipher was on screen. i could not stop staring respectfully at her thigh strap. (i was actually really not interested in her design at all until i met her in 3.2. and discovered that i'm weak. so incredibly weak. and gay.)

phainon giving epic, emotional, dramatic speech in front of the entire population of okhema: mem mememem memem mem MYDEI memem mememememem

the casual lore drop that hysilens is dead?? are we not going to talk more about that, castorice??

i loved this story so much. it confirmed so many of my theories but left me with so many questions still???

so many great cameos. mydei and trianne. ACHERON.

THE ENDING WAS INSANE??? CONFIRMATION THAT DESTRUCTION IS THE THIRD PATH? LORD RAVAGER??? WHAT?

in my opinion 3.1 is still my favorite story update (i'm incredibly biased for mydei), but 3.2 was still incredibly fun and jaw-dropping and beautiful. i'm already counting down the days til 3.3.

[2-dsimp]

How about Yandere boss, with cosplay darling, but she accidentally moans out a fictional character’s name instead of his. During the deed.

『Featuring your yandere Boss giving you a friendly reminder』

——;———-;———-

Cw: Fem! Reader, NSFW MDNI 🔞

——;———-;———-

Danny’s proud of you for staying in character and thinks it’s really hot. But damn you somehow managed to make him hate a character who was once his all time favorite MC.

Just the thought of you screaming another man’s name even if it’s purely fictional. when his pretty cock is lodged deep inside your guts, just doesn’t sit right with him.

Danny: “Huh? What was that again? I think my ears are failing me my goddess”

The Boss aims to make sure that you know it’s the Otaku who’s drilling you into the bed right now not freaking [INSERT FAV BIAS] . Normally he’d do sweet and doting but in that instance he turned petty and mean with the drive to fuck some corrective guidance into your hazy mind.

Danny: “Say it with me, Dan~ Cmon I know you can be louder than that princess. Should I go even harder on you then?”

Y/n: “I’m s-sorry Dan!”

Danny: “Aha there we go, that’s it call my name fer me pretty girl. Remember who’s dick it is that’s fucking you mkay?”

[onlykindaweird]

Did you know?

(spoilers for the musical if you want these to be a surprise)

In the outsiders musical, its stated that the day the curtis parents die is actually Darrys birthday. Ponyboy had forgotten to get the frosting after school, and when the curtis parents went to pick it up, they got stuck on the tracks.

yeah, dallas gets hit by a train in the musical! a theory i recently saw suggests the train is a metaphor for death following ponyboy. (he "swears that deaths following him" in Deaths At My Door)

In several of the songs, the church fire is foreshadowed! (instances being "I try to keep you from the fire, but its me whos getting burned" in Runs In The Family (reprise).

Also in Grease Got A Hold, Sodapop spells "grease" as "grae". (okay, ive heard someone say the "not too selective" is S, but sodapop being dyslexic is way more funny) "G is for getting the girls every time cause youve got irresistible charm, R is for reeling them in and then keeping the prettiest one on your arm, E is for effortless swagger the kids that the ladies can never deny, A for affected b ut not too selective and E is for catching their eye." (I probably also spelt this wrong.

In Justice For Tulsa, there is a pause towards the end of the song. that pause is Two-bit getting burnt by Bev with a cigarette. (Bev is a soc, shes interesting. you can follow her actor Melody Rose on tiktok.)

at the start of Finale (Tulsa '67) "When i stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, i only had two things on my mind. Paul Newman, and a ride home." thats not Brody Grant (Ponyboy)! thats Brent Comer (Darry)! hes reading ponyboys essay! which is a reference to the fact darry always reads and checks ponyboys homework!

Bob, Dally, and Johnny all fight in the rumble! another metaphor for Ponyboys battle and race against death. "Ponyboy!" is shouted when ponyboy realizes he was about to punch Johnny.

Randy isnt in the musical, instead we have Paul, played by Dan Berry, having a more major role.

(Some minor edits made after I rewatched the musical + reread the book)

[mandarinmoons]

How Could Anybody Have You I Spencer Reid

Pairing: Spencer Reid x gender neutral reader

Content warning: none

Word count: ~500

Summary: After having your heart broken Spencer is the one to comfort you in your time of need

Authors note: This piece got inspired by lyrics taken from the song Los Ageless by St. Vincent!

Tears cascaded down your eyes as sobs continued to rock your body. This wasn’t supposed to go this way, how could it go this way? You were supposed to be swept off of your feet by the supposed love of your life, but instead he decided to cut the invisible strings linking your hearts and then drive a knife through it as well. You thought that he was the one, but the illusion of that thought was shattered when you found out that he had met another woman.

“I’m so sorry dear.”

Spencer rushed over as soon as he heard your voice crack on the phone when you called him. He’d never seen you this broken before and it took everything in him to keep a calm composure and not go over to your ex’s place and break his neck. However, he knew that his priority was comforting you at the moment and nothing was going to drag him away until he knew you felt better.

Your face was pressed against Spencer’s chest, tears wetting his shirt and your hand clutching it.

“I just, I just don’t know how he could-”, before you were able to finish your sentence, a hiccup made its way out of your mouth and the words you wanted to say were gargled.

Spencer continued to smooth his hand down your back, the pads of his fingers trailing down your spine, the action making you cuddle into his chest more.

Spencer watched as your breathing slowly evened out and your hold on his shirt loosened, as much as he secretly loved seeing you depend on him so much he knew the reasons for it were the last thing he wanted you to experience. He wanted you to be single though, as selfish as it sounded. He didn’t want to see another man with the wrong intentions get a hold of you and take you for granted, he knew that he could treat you the way you deserved to be treated, if not better.

“I just don’t understand,” your eyebrows furrowed at Spencer’s words.

“What do you mean?”

“How could anybody have you and lose you and not lose their minds too?”

You felt your heart stop for a moment. Spencer was always kind to you, too kind. Everyone mentioned how Spencer would go out of his way to make you happy, which you didn’t see at first but over time you saw what they meant. On one instance, Spencer would go to five different stores in order to find your favorite brand of coffee, no one had ever been that persistent to please you before.

“I just… I don’t want you to cry over this douchebag for that long because he wasn’t good for you, Y/N.”

“I know…thank you Spencer, for everything.”

Slightly leaning over, you placed a light kiss on Spencer’s cheek and you felt his arms around you tighten a bit. Spencer leaned down and rested his lips on your head, an action that spoke louder than words.

The rest of the night was filled with more cuddling and Spencer finally getting a smile out of you. Eventually you passed out due to the exhaustion from the crying and Spencer made sure to drape the covers over you while he rested beside you, always there when you needed him.

Taglist: @whoisspence @sreidisms @lanascinnamongirls @luvkatryna @sp3ncelle @iluvreid @khxna @keiva1000 @reidstheyfriend @hiireadstuff @pleasantwitchgarden @cynbx @kimm4710 @niktwazny303 @reidsdaisies @mindfullycriminal @cumulo-stratus @gayfor-rosadiaz @gubsbuubs @multifandomsimp69 @chyozai @deppfanatic @potatovoyager @indyvelazquez @nini123 @justlivinginadaydream @kers505 @dan-the-womans-blog

Note: The taglist will be discontinued at the end of the month so if you'd like to keep up to date with my latest fics then please follow me!

You can find my masterlist here!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments and like & reblog to support <3

[nottivagos]

Mechanic Daniel is haunting my thoughtsssss👨🏻‍🔧

Just imagine readers car is making a few funny noises coming into the shop one day and instead of asking the guys or Daniel she thinks hey I can do this myself and show everyone I’m not just a pretty face, I’ve watched Daniel enough to know what’s going on right? Wrong. After the shop is closed reader somehow makes her car even worse not noticing mechanic Danny has come back for something and is less than happy, I neeeeed to know how you think he’d react😭🙏and what he’d do to reader 😉

It's that time again! Welcome to Notti's "Not So Innocent" Notebook where I write some filth to make your Tuesday a little bit better <3 || 18+ mdni pls and ty

an: GUYS. ANOTHER NONNIE WANTS ME DEAD. this is not a drill. anywho, LOVED THIS IDEA. ugh angry dilfs.. 😵‍💫.. i kinda switched it up a little with reader going to ask danny first (i hope u dont mind! i'd just had this idea that she was so ditzy she literally went to a con man for a car.) but the plot after that is the same <3

taglist: @orangeblossomsintheair

“I told you to not buy a shit car off of ‘im,” Danny grumbled, rubbing his temples with annoyance. “But fine,” he sighed, rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand, “I’ll fix your car,” he groaned, yet his voice held some gentleness to it. “Pass ‘em over, pet,” he flashed his rough, oil-stained palm out towards you, demanding you give your car keys over.

“Really?” your eyes brightened, that glint of happiness ever so more noticeable. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” you exclaimed your appreciation, passing over your car keys into his hand. He responded to your over-bubbly response with a disinterested grunt, nodding as he pocketed your keys, pulling out a cigarette before turning on his heel to take his well deserved smoke break after speaking to you.

However, Danny’s ‘I’ll fix your car’ meant that you were getting it back in his own time. Your boss never understood the concept of a timeframe, or in this instance, a deadline. You needed your car badly, and quick too. You couldn’t help but sympathise with him slightly, he was drowned in work, but that wasn’t an excuse in this instance. 

It didn’t help that he wasn’t impressed by who you’d bought your car off. Maybe he was a little biassed, a tinge of jealousy behind that motive, but that could be suppressed by the mechanic. He’d advised you not to buy something from a rival car dealership (with a notorious legacy of selling “useless pieces of crap that deserved to be in a scrapyard”, in his words) in the local area, but the offers he was providing to you were amazing! Too bad that the car had a hundred problems you couldn’t fix. Too bad that you were too much of a pretty face whilst lacking the brains to see a con artist in his element.

Maybe you were being too impatient. Daniel was a busy man, but surely he’d make some time for you? After all, you were the one sucking him off during after-work hours, surely he’d make you the exception. Unfortunately, your hopes were far from reality. Danny was living in a ‘laid-back’ mindset ever since his divorce, doing tasks when he wanted to do them. Not when they needed to be done by. His customers knew not to complain, or they’d face the wrath of an aggressive mechanic nearly throwing a wrench at their head for rushing him.

‘Death by wrench’ was something you definitely didn’t want your ultimate demise to be known as, so you sat silently, despite the irritating urge to go and ask Danny if he’d even thought of starting on your car playing in the back of your mind. You couldn’t help but wonder if it would be better if you tried to mend your car yourself. Not only would it take the stress of Danny and the guys, but also you could prove to them that you were not just the ‘pretty face in reception that only makes a good fuck for Dan’.

So guess what you stupidly decided to do, a rush of confidence influencing your brash decision. Fix your car! You waited (rather impatiently) for Danny and the guys to go on their lunch and a shared smoke break, knowing they’d take 2 hours instead of the actual designated 30 minutes, to try and mend your poor machine. It had only been making a few weird noises… Easy fix. Right?

Wrong! Despite ogling over Danny whilst he fixed cars, believing all of that daydreaming about him whilst watching would come to good use, you soon discovered that you were not a car mechanic. And instead… useless. Well, useless wasn’t the nicest term to use. If you had maybe asked one of the guys or Danny himself for some advice, the car’s ‘wheezing and sputtering’ problem would’ve been an easy fix. But instead, giving you a wrench and a power to ‘fix’ your car ultimately made its problem worse.

The minutes turned into hours, and somehow it was already the end of the working day. The garage was silent, apart from your annoyed huffs and puffs as you continued to try and mend what you’d already broken even more.

Pouting, you wiped your sweaty forehead, not acknowledging the unamused grunts from behind you. Whilst you’d been sucked into your own world of mending your car, Danny had been watching you, agitated of course, silently whilst he rested against the countertop.

“What a shit job you've done.” A husky, unamused voice bellowed from behind you. “For a girl who ogles over me all day whilst I work, I’d suspect you could do better than.. whatever this is.”

Eyes widened as your breathing hitched. Fuck, he did not sound happy, or amused at what you’d done. Turning on your heel, you faced him with a nervous smile. “B-Boss!” you exclaimed as a blurt, “I was just trying to fix it on my own!”

“Thought I’d told you to wait,” he said, giving you a knowing look. He was resting against the worktop, burly arms crossed against his broad chest. “And instead of waitin’ like a good girl, your car is now even more fucked.”

“B-but—!”

“But nothing,” he grunted with distaste, pushing himself off of the counter towards you. In a swift movement, he had your front pushed onto the bonnet of the car, ass high up in the sky as you let out a small yelp.

“What am I going to do with you, huh?” he sighed, as if he was scolding a child, large palms gripping your hips as you rested your chest against the bonnet of the car. “Always so impatient,” he murmured, fingertips trailing down to your clothed ass which was becoming more visible as your dress rode up your curves, “always so needy. Fuck, you really know how to piss me off, petal.”

Large hands came to brush your skirt up your body, revealing your clothed bottom to Danny more clearly. He hummed with satisfaction as calloused fingers hooked underneath your panties, the cool air hitting your slick pussy almost immediately as he ripped them down your legs.

“Can’t even have a smoke without you goin’ against what I’ve told you to do,” he added, swatting your ass with force. The slap made you yelp, tears foolishly forming in your eyes as your hips jerked forward upon impact.

“That—” another whack to your throbbing flesh, “—was for being impatient—,” he grunted upon another harsh impact, his hand now leaving a red mark against your asscheek, sobs now escaping your lips. “And this—” the clap echoed around the quiet workshop as you whined, “—is for making an easy fix even worse for me to do.”

A foolish whimper followed. A strangled sob as you felt your pussy become slightly wetter. Daniel brought his face down to your ear, his ragged breaths rattling your eardrums ever so slightly.

“Tell me you’re sorry and I’ll stop,” he whispered huskily into your ear, hot breath burning the shell of your ear as you bit your bottom lip, mascara smudged by the tears you’d shed. His hand ghosted over your throbbing curves, the distance teasing you as your body was tricked into thinking he would smack it again.

“I-I’m sorry, Danny!” you blurted loudly, tears streaming down your rosy cheeks like a little girl. “I won’t try and fix a car on my own again, I-I- promise!” you squeaked helplessly.

“Good girl,” Danny hummed, moving away from you to the workbench to pick up his toolbox whilst you rearranged your clothes. 

When you’d finished, he looked at you with a soft smile, despite the irritation that he’d have to stay even later to fix your problems. His doe brown eyes looked sweeter than they usually did, as he leaned in for a little kiss. The kiss was ever so soft, as if it was a ‘sorry’ for spanking you so hard, but he let his lips linger on your burning cheek for a while after.

“You should probably get off,” he said, his voice gentle as he looked at you. “It’s late, I’d hate to keep you here any longer,” Danny added with a soft glance, before rummaging through the box for the tools he needed.

You were about to head to the exit before Danny’s head sprung back around, as he reached out for your arm.

“Oh, and one other thing,” he called out, wrapping your hand around your wrist for a moment. “Next time you want me to do somethin’, just ask. Hell, nag me until I don't want you to nag me anymore," he chuckled with a shake of his head, “I’m more than willing to do it for you if you need it done as soon as possible, princess.”

like divorced mechanic!danny? consider sending me an ask so you can be included in my notebook! - notti <3

[darkostea]

ok but can we talk

about Beyond Re-Animator for a bit. i don't think i've seen a dedicated post on this dumpster fire and mother of god i need to yap about it.

the main complaint i've seen is that dan isn't in it which is SOO VALID and i'm happy that we agree. just a couple of scenes with him would've done wonders to it because, at least to me, re-animator isn't re-animator without dan, the narrator. ik herbert is the main focus and the titular Guy That Re-Animates but during the main events in the movies and short story he's got this straight (not as in heterosexual) man either helping him out or criticizing his actions. sometimes both.

herbert would not have gone as far as he did without someone like dan to aid and enable him. i understand that howard phillip's purpose on beyond was exactly that, but it's still not someone that herbert would trust and depend on as completely as he did with daniel. and any parallels between howard and dan were not sufficiently explored either! we get howard's first scene as desperately trying to save someone from dying and failing to do so (sound familiar?) and that's a very good concept for herbert angst after being betrayed by dan but the only acknowledgement we get of that is herbert's off-handed mention of his "last partner".

dan's character and importance in herbert's life deserves SO much more than that. he's got a whole another madness going on that is pretty touched on, in bride especially, but the opportunity to see more of his moral decline is completely wasted.

the only way for dan to turn herbert in is if he was pressured to do so because that's daniel "people pleaser" cain and given that herbert got arrested right after the events of bride, francesca was probably the one that told him to. we don't get to see dan's internal conflict about who's side to be on.

francesca is the rational, empathetic, human choice and what dan feels like he SHOULD go with but have you seen how he acts around herbert??? how he defends him??? a millisecond after meeting him and finding out that herbert killed his cat twice, he completely ignores dean halsey and his FIANCE's warnings because this discovery is soo important and groundbreaking (it is, but you didn't have to discard meg's VALID concerns so easily, did you dan?).

another thing i noticed: in bride, after seeing herbert play around with body parts and completely derailing off his initial goal of achieving immortality, dan's immediate response is "i'm moving out". not to be horrified, or scared, just disappointed that herbert was doing this. his cadence is that of someone moving out of their partner's house because they never washed the dishes or they got into too many petty arguments.

he could've (SHOULD'VE if he was a well-adjusted ethically sound man) stayed quiet, gathered up evidence and reported herbert to the police. he 100% would've succeeded in that too if he wanted herb in jail. but he didn't, really. there's not one instance of dan mentioning or considering calling the police on him.

he threatened to kick him out of the house, threatened to leave himself, berated herbert for his actions, told meg he was going to turn HIMSELF in but never ONCE said anything about herbert being in jail because he doesn't want that. he realizes the potential of his research and his reagent and knows that the Work would suffer if herbert got locked up. defeating death at any cost is kinda important to him, too.

he also is pretty much infatuated with herb, whether he admits it or not, shit's so obvious.

dan would not have gotten him arrested by himself. francesca forced him to make that decision while herbert was probably not around to influence him. dan would have regretted it quickly. co-dependency doesn't even cover what they have.

yknow what WOULD have worked with the prison arc? dan trying to get back to herbert's good graces through visits. dan suffering from herbert's absence and knowing true remorse for the first time. dan breaking herbert out of jail at the end of the movie. DAN IN PRISON WITH HERBERT (if anyone has any other ideas i'd looove to hear them!!)

that's my main plight with this movie. but what does anger me just as much is how bad it is regardless of the dan issue. not even so-bad-it's-good, entertaining even if the quality isn't top-tier, it's. it's just bad. the only good thing about it is that jeffrey combs is in it and a COUPLE of good shots. i don't like anyone else's acting but that might be my personal taste (or my favoritism of combs in general, im not objective when it comes to him lmao)

ANOTHER THING.... there's no fucking way you have THE jeffrey combs as your protagonist, an already renowned actor, and gave him such LAME ASS LINES. none of the deranged, catty charm of herbert in the first two movies in sight. none of the blatant neurodivergency. only good thing was maybe some dialogue that wasn't straight up mediocre and combs' body language and delivery.

have i mentioned the goofy ass sound effects? they were throwing me off and i was feeling lost as it is. howard's sister thing?? numerous SA moments?? body horror that isn't even that good or creative?? i could keep going but i also wanna hear everyone's thoughts.

thank you for reading this callout post on my tumblr dot com

[dollfaced-erin]

𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕘𝕠𝕟'𝕤 ℂ𝕣𝕒𝕕𝕝𝕖 (Blade x F!Reader x Jing Yuan)

PART 15

PART 1 , PART 2 , PART 3 , PART 4 , PART 5 , PART 6 , PART 7 , PART 8 , PART 9 , PART 10 , PART 11 , PART 12 , PART 13 , PART 14

A/n :-

Oh lord im so sorry i didnt update. i had a few tests i had to go through ;;-;;. COVID here is rising again so everyone please take care of your health ! exams are finally overrr aksdlksjd now i can write and finish up those requestss Small reminder that a part of Yingxing's name means star, and a part of Dan Jia's name means home !

Taglist : -

@rebeccawinters , @nayukiyukihira , @pix-stuff , @fluffy-koalala , @swivy123 , @starxao , @kaoyamamegami , @kimura-uzuri , @rsvye , @seikouryuu , @just-here-reading , @matsulovesyou, @sincerely-aaronette , @prettyliliy , @chibiduck , @hermosacolibri , @la-diablas-thingz , @farelady-fate , @everi-eve , @shadowfoxey , @helloyuki , @immahuman

"They're ready to head to the base terminals to start them up. Apparently all three of them shut down after conduction of foreseeing your current and past predicament." Fu Xuan said, looking at (Y/n) after she had returned from giving orders to her assistant.

(Y/n) lifted an eyebrow as if to say, 'is it my fault ? Damn, sorry', but Fu Xuan sighed and put a hand on the forearm of the taller lady next to her.

"No, it's not your fault. The symbols on the Matrix have been dimming for quite a while now, it was expected for it to not be able to recount such memories as distant the Era of Bloodshed." Fu Xuan said, shaking her head.

"Then, if so, would it be able to relinquish Kafka's means ?" (Y/n) asked as she looked at the Master Diviner of the Luofu.

"To reread the recent past written by a mortal to another, is hardly much of a chore." Fu Xuan said with a proud huff, her cute cheeks blushing red with happiness.

"I suppose a lady as capable as yourself shouldn't have any problem in pulling through crises." (Y/n) said with a small smirk.

Fu Xuan flushed and she almost beams at the words of the former High Elder of the Vidyadhara. Then she turns away, trying to keep the ghost of a smile hidden from her face.

"You and that sugar-tongued General...he has really been rubbing off on you, hasn't he ?"

(Y/n) chuckled, shaking her head slightly with dusted cheeks. "As it is, fate is inevitably cruel to those blessed with more time than others. It is only natural to adopt similar instances of speech."

"Ugh..." Qingque grumbled, looking down with tears in her eyes. "I worked so hard in getting transferred to the repository. It was the best place to slack off and be invisible..."

"Now, I actually have career prospects...this is terrible !" She sobbed softly. "If I screw up, they might fire me...but if I get it done right, they'll send me more work !"

But as (Y/n) approached, Welt coughed into his fist, stopping Qingque's rambles.

"Lady (Y/n), will you be joining us ?" Welt asked as the royal lady approached them, her hand fan elegantly resting in the palms of her left hand, the hilt firmly wrapped with her right.

"Yes. I am indebted to the Master Diviner, the General, and those who had expressed concern over my wellbeing." (Y/n) said with a nod. "I shall assist you with whatever power I possess."

"L-Lady (Y/n) herself is accompanying us ?" The librarian, whose name was Qingque, as she recalled, said, looking at the horned woman with admiration in her green eyes. She was just grumbling a moment ago how there was extra work but no extra rewards.

Maybe...

"Does that mean we'll get jobs done faster ?"

"Perhaps ?"

"Oh great ! Then, let's go ! I want to play-- i mean..."

The brunette coughed into her fist for a bit.

"I would like to complete the task provided by the Master Diviner as efficiently as possible. Then, spend my leisure time with some relaxing but mind boggling luck based games." Qingque said, trying to mask her want to get the job done and quickly slack off to go play some Celestial Jade.

(Y/n) chuckled a bit before parting ways with the librarian to meet up with Jing Yuan who was addressing the present events with Stelle and March.

"Fu Xuan's Matrix of Prescience was able to go one step further than Kafka. To maintain the upper hand, I had to keep it a surprise. I hope this hasn't made you doubt my sincerity ?" Jing Yuan said with a smile as he nodded at the approach of (Y/n), his smile turning warmer.

March did NOT look impressed. "Next time, ease off on the surprises ?"

"I promise to be more transparent next time. This time it was sealed tight, not even (Y/n) was aware of my moves."

Jing Yuan looked a little guilty, but not by much.

"At present, Kafka has no intention of speaking and the Stellaron Hunters' motives remain unknown. We must rely on the power of the Divination Commission to unearth the truth." The General said again.

"'Unearth the truth'..." Welt said before looking at Jing Yuan. "You mean, interrogate Kafka using the Matrix of Prescience ?"

"Precisely. The Matrix of Prescience is the Divination Commission's ultimate weapon. It was originally used to calculate navigation routes and predict future events..." Jing Yuan said with a slight nod of his head. "With, special exceptions of course."

"Special exceptions ?" March asked, looking quite invested in the functionality of such a master device.

"Yes. For instance interrogation. The secrets of the Stellaron Hunters' cannot remain hidden for any longer. I have no choice but to move beyond conventional protocol -- we must use divination to ascertain Kafka's intent."

"And for the second means, is to peer into the misty fog that prevents power and past knowledge that is needed to be applied in special circumstances and for health purposes." Jing Yuan said, looking at (Y/n). "Lady (Y/n)'s recurring memories were quite literally dragging her consciousness to the brink of insanity. And as you all know, she possesses timeless and indispensable knowledge."

"Everything hinges on restoring the Matrix of Prescience, which is why I would like you to help Diviner Fu complete the setup. I am eternally grateful for your assistance."

"And as such, I would like you all to look after this little princess for me. She wants to come along with you, and I hope you'll help me keep an eye on her." Jing Yuan said as he gestured to (Y/n) with a cheeky grin.

"Wh-what ?! How rude !"

After repairing the first screen, the group teleported to their first destination. The first of three terminals. The Temporal Terminal which correlates with essence of time. "Observes the potential of the temporal plane" as they say.

After arranging the Mutare Magnus of the Temporal Terminal, the group then moved towards the second gate, where there was a malfunctioning robot, sparking with electricity and buzzing circuits.

"What the heck is this ? It looks like a walking gate !" March said, looking at the automaton in slight fear and awe.

"An Aurumaton. A guard-like robot placed in strategic places. The Matrix is very crucial and information abundant, so it's a...protection measure to make sure only those allowed could activate the terminal." (Y/n) said, looking at the malfunctioning piece of metal suspiciously.

"I feel like it needs a sign saying 'mortals forbidden' or something..." March said, hiding behind (Y/n) while holding onto her arm. Then she looked at Qingque with worried eyes. "Are you sure it wont fly into a rage if we walk past it...?"

"We're here by the order of the master diviner to restart the Matrix of Prescience. We're friends -- not foes !" Qingque declared to the Aurumaton.

The malfunctioning Aurumaton stood up, voice crackling with a broken chip. taking a stance. March yelped and (Y/n) pushed March even more behind her, and standing in front of Stelle.

Qingque looked panicked as she looked at the rising Aurumaton. "Ah...! March, you should join the Divination Commission ! Quick, do something !"

"Get back !" (Y/n) exclaimed, pulling out her fan as she summoned, cloudhymn magic to conjure up surrounding water to slip into the broken cracks of the piece of machinery.

"Before me !" (Y/n) commanded, before stomping her foot onto the ground, leaving a crown of ice circling her foot. Then she swung her fan, using her ice powers to freeze the water that slipped into the Aurumaton, locking it in place.

(Y/n) panted as she set down her fan, the fear from the sudden attack taking her by surprise. Her cheeks were a little dusted even though it was an easy battle for her, but she had to admit.

She was scared for a moment there.

"Hurry. Before the ice melts, you have to either destroy it, or spend time looking for the control panel and cutting the wires." (Y/n) said and Stelle hurriedly rushed forward with March by her side.

"It should be on the back !" Qingque said, still cowering behind (Y/n) as she held the legend's arm.

Without thinking much, March found the control circuit and conjured up an ice knife to cut through the colorful wires.

Then, just as hoped, the Aurumaton fell to the ground, broken. It crackled with sparks, as it serving a warning like it would get up again. But knowing that the circuits were ripped apart, they were sure that it was no longer a need to be afraid...

Then the group entered the second terminal, the Spatial Terminal. It was designed to retrieve information based on space, as Qingque explained. This time, (Y/n) sat by the side as she watched the other girls line up the Mutare Magnus, finding it endearing how they bickered over what way they should put down the pins to achieve the required shape.

And as they walked into the third and final terminal, March looked around with hands on her hips.

"So...let me guess, time, space... I bet the next terminal is energy-related !" March said proudly with a bright smile one her lips.

"Darn..." Qingque groaned as she looked at March with a sorry smile. "The Karma Terminal. They say this terminal is designed to establish casual relationships."

"What ?!"

The three began to move around, arranging the Mutare Magnus, even (Y/n) decided to join in to help them after watching them reset the plane a couple of times.

As she hopped in to help move the pins, she was suddenly reminded of an old memory that flashed in her mind.

"Hey ! Not too far out !" The familiar beloved would call out, chuckling as he followed the tugging of the blanket in his hands. He held the edge of the blanket in his thin but crafty hands, calloused from the harsh work he endured day and night to produce legends.

"But I want the blanket to be straight and tense before setting it down, Yingxing !"

"I understand, but there is no need to pull it so hard, beloved." The older man said, shaking his head as he set down the blanket on the grassy plains beneath the tree.

Wind blew past his hair, causing it to fly all over the place. The white-haired man sighed as he pushed back his long tresses behind his ear. Then he looked at her with a kind and loving gaze, the light of the moon highlighting his features.

"Well ? What are you waiting for ? Come sit down with me, my moon dancer."

Then she saw herself sitting close to the older man, snuggling happily in his arms as the two of them laid under the blanket of stars. The sight of the man staring into her eyes with love as he leaned in to kiss her forehead.

"--dy (Y/n) ?" A voice called out.

"Lady (Y/n) !" A cheerful and bright voice called out, making (Y/n) snap out of her trance-like state. The dragon lady blinked a couple of times, taking in the difference of what seemed to be her memory and the reality in front of her.

All three of the girls were looking quite worried at (Y/n), as she had suddenly stopped after placing the pin in the board.

"Are you alright, Lady (Y/n) ?" March asked, looking quite concerned. "You suddenly spaced out all of a sudden ! We're done here now, and all the terminals have lit up, so let's go back and take a short rest." The pink haired girl advised.

(Y/n) didn't really seem to understand what had just happened, but she nodded and followed the group back to the core using the screens. Although she knew that there were alot of entities roaming around to cause havoc, she couldn't help but shake off the feeling as if there was someone watching her.

The red eyes that observed from afar turned around, once he had determined that his beloved was in safe hands.

"Well done, all of you. I can sense the Matrix of Prescience symbols re-illuminating." Fu Xuan said with a satisfactory smile. "Now, to interrogate Kafka."

The master diviner turned around to face the Matrix before shooting (Y/n) a glace. "Those of you in the core may feel a few...impacts."

March was about to question Stelle what Fu Xuan had said, but then there were two Cloud Knights escorting a young and beautiful woman with red wine hair tied in a messy ponytail and captivating eyes. She wasn't cuffed, yet made no attempt to flee, following the soldiers with a simple gloved hand on her hip.

"Is this really necessary ?" The woman named Kafka asked, her voice as alluring as her features. "I said I'd cooperate with you."

"I have no interest in the words of wanted criminals. Especially those skilled in the art of manipulation." Fu Xuan briskly answered, gaze averted with a frown on her face. Then with a breath, she turned back to face the detained criminal.

"So, say what you will. I'm here to witness the divination of the Matrix of Prescience." Fu Xuan said strongly. "The Divination Commission has ways of extracting the truth, and they're far more effective than a conversation."

The woman with wine red hair chuckled softly, turning to enter the core. That was, before she shot (Y/n) a brief glance with a smirk playing at her lips.

"Then please, Master Diviner."

"Witness my destiny."

With Kafka standing in the middle, hands bound by imaginary power, Fu Xuan stood by the edge, watching her before taking out the power of the matrix. With precise hand gestures and polished expertise, Fu Xuan closed her eyes before she began to extract and activate the power of the three terminals activated by (Y/n) and the group earlier.

The tiles correspondent to their reason and trait glowed, before forming a connection that linked the plates to the Master Diviner. With using the three terminals and herself, a large binding hexagram formed in the air, rotating and calculating the past, present and future.

Kafka levitated in the air, letting her form be suspended and closer to the Matrix' core without a struggle. Symbols and constellations surrounded her as the Master Diviner began to collect data by reading the lines and the meaning of her stars, yet she smiled. Her eyes began to glow a light blue from the power surging through and out of her body, letting it see through her memories and seek out the answers they chased after.

Fu Xuan's own eyes began to glow blue, as she resonated her consciousness with Kafka's and the Matrix itself, focusing and getting a good reading of her own divination.

That was before she saw what she sought after.

Fu Xuan gasped and immediately re-casted the spell, making the Matrix stop its function without the user and Kafka slowly descended to the ground.

"That's...why you're here...?" Fu Xuan asked, full of disbelief as she looked at Kafka.

Kafka smiled slyly and knowingly in return, enjoying the look of betrayal and disbelief painted so evidently on Fu Xuan's face.

"All for that ?!"

Kafka looked down, an unreadable expression in her magenta eyes. "Well ? Not what what you were expecting ?" Kafka asked, tilting her head a little although she had totally expected the reaction.

"I cant believe it..." Fu Xuan said, looking at Kafka in horror, as if the woman before her had told her the most atrocious lie ever known to mankind.

"But the Matrix of Prescience cannot be wrong..."

"What did you see ?" Stelle asked, looking at the Master Diviner worriedly.

"Kafka has nothing to do with the Stellaron." Fu Xuan said before landing her eyes on Stelle. "But you...it's you..."

Stelle looked so confused to what Fu Xuan was talking about, for it wasn't her that had seen the same visions as Fu Xuan did.

"Ha ! Absurd ! I'd never have thought it..."

Then her golden eyes landed on (Y/n), gaze slightly scrutinizing.

"And you...I'd never considered the relation..."

"Talking like this isn't solving anything, Master Diviner..." (Y/n) said, hands crossed over her chest. The other members of the Nameless, and the Amicassador of Sky-Faring Commission looked all confused the same.

Fu Xuan shook her head before nodding in Kafka's direction.

"Ask her yourself. Take as long as you wish."

Fu Xuan left in a hurry after that, saying something about needing to see the General as soon as possible. The remaining party remained unsure of how to proceed. And since it was both (Y/n) and Stelle that were directly regarded by Fu Xuan, it was now known that Kafka knows something about them.

Stelle looked unsure of how to approach the situation, but Welt nodded at her encouragingly. "It's fine...you go ask her. I know you have many questions for Kafka yourself."

Though Stelle looked determined, she was quite unready. "Mr. Yang..." she started. "I think I still need more time to figure out what I want to ask."

"Don't worry." (Y/n) said, putting a tender hand on Stelle's shoulder.

"I'll go first."

"Well...I have heard of you, former Lady High Elder." Kafka said with a little awe in her eyes. "But to see you up-close and personal isn't really the same feeling as he had implied it to be."

"Which do you prefer, Lady High Elder ? Or the Saltator Lunae ? Or even the name you go by with now ?"

"(Y/n) is fine." (Y/n) said, raising up a hand to stop Kafka.

"I had only just woken up from a slumber. So I do not know of your misdeeds to have you scoured by the cosmos itself. But what I do know of is Blade's affiliation with the Stellaron Hunters faction." (Y/n) said with a shake of her head, (h/c) locks swaying elegantly as she did so.

"To know that is more than enough. The Master Diviner wasn't aware of Bladie's intentions of meeting you here. But to see through me consciousness and be aware of it must've been a little surprising to her." Kafka answered simply and honestly, looking straight into (Y/n)'s eyes.

She couldn't be lying. Not that she needed to anyway.

"How was he aware that I was awake in the first place ? Not even the General anticipated my awakening." (Y/n) said with a curious tilt of her head.

"Well...that's because the Destiny's Slave had said so before." Kafka said with a small chuckle, remembering something quite amusing to her.

"You should've seen the look on Bladie's face when he was announced that he stood a chance to meet an intergalactical treasure that had laid dormant for centuries..." Kafka said tenderly.

"It was such...an odd encounter...with emotions so strong. I wonder if I'll ever experience something as intense." The cuffed woman said with a light chuckle.

"For the first time since I met him...he looked alive."

"For the stars had turned against us while we adhered to the laws...perhaps the tide of fate pities us for leading such miserable paths of fate to let us reunite in unfortune events..." Blade said to himself, red eyes clouded with memories, heart beating again with reason.

Unknowing that there was a certain concerned young woman eavesdropping in case his Mara had reacted in him. But oddly, there was no reaction even though Blade was reminiscing about his past.

"Dancer of the moon...shall time and fate allow us..." she heard him gasp softly through a rare soft but broken voice.

For the first time since Kafka had met him, she heard him weep.

'How envious...' Kafka thought to herself.

"With my immortal and life-infested shell, I'd never let you stray away again..."

"My beloved home of stars...(Y/n)..."

[confirmeddead]

Going into season two, I was basically fifty-fifty if DM had happened in the past, I was also already okay with a reinterpretation of DM - in which past DM didn’t happen. Especially after the season premier, because I thought the tension between Daniel and Armand was great. I’m a little sad though that Daniel is already a vampire, because so much of what makes the DM relationship interesting and compelling is kinda related to it. I just don’t want it to be a cookie-cutter enemies-to-lovers - I can’t help but feel that would be a bit shallow. I want the relationship to have some depth and be actually romantic - you know? I see some speculation about a reverse chase, which could be cool - but Daniel doesn’t have a reason to chase Armand if he was turned out of spite. Unless he wants revenge, which given San Francisco is fair enough I guess. Also Rolin stating that the turning won’t be shown at any point and the decision not to show it made me lose some faith in the investment of the writers in the relationship tbh. I understand not showing it in s2 but never? I just feel like it’s even more of an important event if pastDM isn’t a thing. I’m happy to be proven wrong here, but I don’t know if I dare believe in what they have planned… but I’ll try to be more optimistic!

The three somewhat possible ”clues”/”hints” which might foreshadow a past DM are for me 1) Daniel’s comments about his memories of the 70s being ”all a blur” and waking up without any memory in a parking lot in Milwaukee 2) JA’s comments in the TV insider interview:  “But I will say, I think that Louis and Daniel, maybe there was more there. I’m going to get in so much trouble,” he giggles. “I’m going to start talking about it all.” 3) The comment about Daniel feeling freer to hold Alice’s hand in Paris.

To go into more detail:

1. Could be nothing, just a way for the writers to add some context to Daniel believing at some point that he did black out, as it becomes more believable for Daniel to believe that if his memories of that time are somewhat muddled in general. However, that line of dialogue does feel a bit like a foreshadowing line - as if there is something more about this very specific mention of an instance of memory loss. And if there is, it raises the possibility of a book similarity, in which Armand after imprisoning Daniel decides to stalk and follow him. In the show it would ostensibly be to find out what makes him ’fascinating’

2. JA’s comments are wild! What is he referring to? One way to interpret them could be that he is implying that there might be some sexual tension between Louis and Daniel, which might be revisited next season. “I’m going to start talking about it all.” does sound like someone talking about future plot lines. Another reading could be that there has been some sort of relationship between them in the past, which is to be revealed. This is especially interesting given that scene in s2e2 where Daniel asks about, and Louis and Armand tell him, about all the ’young men’ they would date/drain. Th framing of that scene, with Daniel at one point in-between Louis and Armand, could be read as foreshadowing a revelation that Daniel was at one point of of these young men. Of course, again this could be nothing. Just simple foreshadowing of s2e5, about specifically Louis draining the young gay men of San Francisco. I would not say it foreshadows Daniel’s encounter with the two of them, since that had already been revealed in earlier episodes (even Armand being asked to ’join’).

3. This one I’m the most doubtful about. I don’t believe in general that Armand is being kind to Daniel in this scene. I believe that he is actually going full ”manipulative gremlin” and trying to divide and conquer Louis and Daniel, to ensure the truth of the trial and San Francisco doesn’t come out. He is the one who in the previous episode told Louis that they together could bring the more manageable ’boy’ back (and starts off the whole thing of digging into Daniel’s past with Alice) and in the next episode he tries to apologize to Daniel on Louis’ behalf. Armand telling Daniel about Alice’s reasoning behind her refusal, can also be read as a form of intimidation - similar to how Louis asks if they should look into what Alice thinks of Daniel now. He does arguably try to hold back Louis a bit at one point, which could be an acknowledgement of them going too far and being hurtful (or being him as speculated being caring of Daniel since they have a past) but could also be Armand starting to try to play the ’diplomat’ or ’nice vampire’ to Daniel. The reason Daniel gets a PTSD-flashback is also in my mind not because there’s a connection between Armand and Alice, a take I still see here and there, but because Louis diving into his memories and bringing them up is so similar to Armand doing it that it triggers a flashback. However, with all of that said - what does Louis mean when he states that Daniel felt freer to hold Alice’s hand in Paris? It could be a reference to Daniel walking around in Paris with a guy (who would be Armand), finding it easier to deal with his internalized homophobia in a country where no one knows him, but could also be as others have speculated, that Alice is not white. The thing that does invite speculation about this is that they don’t reveal what the reason is, but this could be because at some point the idea was to actually show scenes of Daniel and Alice in Paris as they were brought up. So perhaps, that was cut because it wasn’t deemed necessary, leaving us with a bit of an unresolved comment.

Overall I find JA’s comments to be the most compelling possible clue. Also because I feel that the scene of Louis and Armand telling Daniel about their ’young men’ hasn’t really been resolved? But that could be nothing. However, if Louis dated Daniel together with Armand in the 70’s I can’t believe that Louis wouldn’t’ tell Daniel, especially after their connection at the end of s2e5. An easy reason could be that Armand erased Louis’ memories and that he did this simultaneously as he erased Louis’ true memories of the San Fransisco incident. This would also explain why Armand used the language of ”abandoning him” when referring to leaving Daniel. But, that would mean that Louis and Armand at some point decided to reconnect with Daniel after they left him at the drug den, which doesn’t seem very likely to me. Possibly Daniel sought them out again - similar to seeking out Lestat in the book, as he does not remember Armand torturing him. However in such case, Daniel’s last memory of Louis is the latter attacking him, which would be sufficient reason for Daniel to not seek him out. So while I’m intrigued by JA’s comments and would find a past DM-plot line compelling I don’t know if I believe that where the show is going.

What do you think? Any clues you find more or less compelling? I would very much like to hear about where you think the DM relationship is going/how it will play out - and what you would like to see? Especially if, as I agree is likely, pastDM won’t be a thing. Thank you! Sorry for long post!

So I actually have an idea as to why Daniel would reverse chase Armand!

Daniel’s background in investigative journalism and “nailing” the subject (no matter how difficult) is one of the main reasons he pursued Louis.

Let’s take Louis’ words as fact and agree it was out of spite (and Armand is gone)- do we really think DANIEL would just sit back and shrug it off? He’s independent and wouldn’t need as much guidance as book Daniel, sure, but if there’s one thing Daniel doesn’t do is drop the freaking subject. He keeps at it, even at a detriment to himself (continuing to poke at Louis even after Louis messed with his Parkinson’s in s1).

I get the whole enemies to lovers comment you make, but I think it’s little more nuanced than that given the SF event and Armand’s overall history. I made a post a week ago saying it’s SO fucked that even after everything that happened in SF, Paris, with Louis, and what Daniel will learn Armand did in Lestat’s past, Daniel will STILL go to Armand.

Daniel has gone through two divorces, has two kids, two Pulitzers, etc. like this guy has so much history with relationships and is an overall incredibly intelligent man (albeit a little self-destructive) and will still go to the evil, evil Gremlin that is the vampire Armand. It’s kind of hilarious.

Okay, Rolin’s comments regarding the turning were very odd to me and still kind of irk me tbh. Like it was such a pivotal moment for Armand and he shrugged it off. I gotta remember Hannah’s comments regarding this and her trying to calm the fans down about Armand’s character arc. They 100% know it pissed fans off (and annoyed Eric and Assad), so maybe they have something on the back burner regarding that? Just a thought!

Regarding your theories-

1. I 100% believe Armand followed Daniel throughout the years because we can all agree he can never let anything go EVER. Also, if this were true I’d be interested to know why he still didn’t want Louis to do the interview (besides the SF erasure)… maybe seeing him again would spark his fascination.

2. Jacob is a Devil’s Minion fan so I do think his little comments come from something. I’m actually making a big post on this and why I believe it’s literally in the script. I don’t know how much Jacob would know outside his own character arc but the scripts might have been very telling…

3. They may have been doing a good cop, bad cop thing but I do think Armand felt some sort of pity for Daniel, especially if we believe he was there the day of the proposal (doing his stalker stuff). I think the constant Alice comments are going to be important in season 3, especially with Daniel facing his immortality and likely having to contact his family. We’ll see more about this, I’m sure, especially with Lestat bringing up his own family dynamic (Gabrielle having to watch her own family die, Lestat’s estrangement with her, etc). Maybe getting to see Daniel’s thoughts about his family and his own maker in contrast with Lestat’s?

Overall I’m excited to see where they’ll go. My biggest concern isn’t the will they/won’t they (because we know they will) but moreso how much present-day Armand we’ll even get. Really biased look at things because I know it’s TVL time (and Louis is still a main character!), but it genuinely spooks me that we might not see him til Lestat meets him in 1700s Paris.

I want more Luke, I want conflicted feelings about his (Daniel’s) maker, and I would very much like at least one present day Armand and Daniel interaction to kickoff a 🤞season 4 🤞Devil’s Minion storyline (literally NO excuses, Rolin! It’s QotD!)

Thanks again for your ask and sorry for the delayed reply!

[simplydnp]

Maybe I'm reading too far into it (very likely), but Dan saying he and Phil are chained together "socially" made my ears perk up. He could just mean they only socialize with each other, but more commonly, a relationship that is recognized socially is one that is considered official in the eyes of the government and society...like...a marriage. Or at least a committed romantic relationship.

oh i love reading into things anon don't worry

for me, the whole spiral he went on really centered on them being a unit. forever and always, it will be the two of them together. and while i have had property on marraige hill for years now, to me, this is more about lifelong commitment. that in every possible way you look at it, in any possible context or situation, with any lens you perceive it with--he and phil are together. inseparable. tied together. it's the suredness of it. how phil doesn't even blink when he says it, because he's in this for eternity too. i want them to have that ceremony too, but given the fact that dan quite literally says his vows weekly, what else would a ring do? he's making public declarations of intent and marking his territory. socially he's been off the market for quite some time. i don't see it as breaking new ground in that regard. maybe the government will be shocked but i doubt anyone else will.

i sort of went on a tangent there but, it doesn't imply to me any more or less about marraige hill--it will happen cause they're already there. it's another instance to add to the collection. cause i'm so fond of how scenarios elicit romantic musings and proclamations from dan.

[malehypnofantasy]

Dan noticed that the creepy old nerd walked in to his sanctuary and his whole body shivered in instance. Mr. Crofft grinned at the sight of all the muscle men working out on the gym floor and with just a simple click of his finger, almost 80% of the gymgoers froze in their place. Dan is not one of them, and he's pretty much surprised with the sight he's witnessing

"W--what the fuck? They're all under your control too?"

"Well yes, my boy. Everyone that looked down on me eventually succumbed to me and my whims. But I set things differently for my top guys, like you,"

Hidden in that statement of his, lies another thing that triggered most of the people left behind that didn't fall under Mr. Crofft's click as Dan realized the panicked and confused look shown by the rest of the people that survived the first phase went soft and docile.

"You're a fucking monster, Mr. Crofft. You won't get away with this,"

"Oh I'm afraid I already got away with this for too long, you silly beefcake,"

And just like that, Dan's resistance is over as his muscular arms slumped to his side and his eyes looked blank despite the wide smile programmed by Mr. Crofft to be shown by all his muscle puppet

"Strip to your underwear. Let me check on you and your progress,"

Dan takes off his tanktop and shorts to reveal a shredded physique with nice balance of muscle distribution.

"Flex, let me take my measurement tape and see how big your biceps, triceps and the rest of your body,"

And with no pause, Dan flexed his arms as he remained staring blankly to the mirror, his body groped, prodded and even showered with Mr. Crofft's piss and cum as the old man practically treated the aspiring young jock like a mere ragclothes for him to wear how he pleases and discarded once he finished. When Mr. Crofft leave the gym premise, all the men released from his influence and returned to do their normal routine, Dan found himself under the running shower with no recollection how on Earth he ended there, probably pushing himself too hard to do his workout until he blacked out, he thought to himself

[hellframe]

Henry Winter, flirting

The first day of his visit to Francis’s country house Richard had a little voyage with Henry and Camilla in a boat. And here we have this introduction to Henry’s habits:

“He had a habit, as I was later to discover, of trailing off into absorbed, didactic, entirely self-contained monologues, about whatever he happened to be interested in at the time"

Richard was wrong, of course. Henry’s monologues were not ‘entirely self-contained’, they had particular purpose — at least, two of them were an instrument of mild pressure on Camilla, including this one which Richard heard during their voyage:

"That day he was talking about Elizabeth and Leicester, I remember: the murdered wife, the royal barge, the queen on a white horse talking to the troops at Tilbury Fort, and Leicester and the Earl of Essex holding the bridle rein… Camilla, flushed and sleepy, trailed her hand in the water… It was many years later, and far away, when I came across this passage in The Waste Land: Elizabeth and Leicester beating oars…”

T. S. Eliot left notes for these lines of his poem, citing History of England:

Author of this letter, Alvaro de la Quadra, was a Spanish diplomat and Catholic clergyman, he apparently had a right to marry a couple. For many years Leicester was queen’s favourite and suitor for her hand, but she didn’t want to marry — didn’t want to share her power with anyone, and used her claimed virginity as a political asset. Eventually, Leicester got tired of waiting, and married another woman, which broke the queen's heart.

In view of these facts, the boat scene in TSH looks so ironic. Richard’s surname, Papen, means ‘priest, cleric’ in North German, and he also was a foreign figure in their group, like that Spanish bishop in England. However, Richard wasn't able to marry anyone.

I guess, in such a manner Henry was telling Camilla: "I’m ready to be with you right here, now. But don’t make me wait for too long". And Camilla was flushed, because she understood this reassurance mingled with warning.

Another instance of this mild pressure was quoting passages about Emma Bovary, whose chaotic love choices ruined her life: Sa pensée, sans but d'abord, vagabondait au hasard, comme sa levrette, qui faisait des cercles dans la campagne… “Her thoughts were wandering at first without any purpose” — could it mean "Camilla, make up your mind, or you’ll end up like madame Bovary''?

From Henry’s point these monologues were probably a sort of flirting, an indirect way to show romantic interest towards Camilla.

Come on, Henry, why spend so many words, when you can say Cubitum eamus?

[zackstriker]

no you’re right s3izer does have what comes across to me as a very noticeable preference for dan, i’ve been skeptical since that sydney(?) video moment where they added a title card poking fun at phil starting his stories. it actually makes me really sad because i’m certain it’s not that deep but it feels bad seeing anyone’s stories be smothered. i always want to hear people’s stories and learn more about them and their history, if dan gets to rant about surface level capitalism why can’t phil tell a story? :( wait i’m getting really sad i need to calm down it is not that serious (but it is to me and my heart)

im so bad at checking my askbox so this is literally from early march, so i apologize for that!!!

but yeah i get what you mean :((( idk i think being so involved in the phandom during the 2014-2016 era where Dan was much more mainstream popular caused me to feel the need to be super protective of phil in instances where my brain perceives him as not being treated equally. i know there’s a big phillie renaissance rn and the last thing he needs is a rando on the internet (me) defending his honor, but i agree that i can’t help but notice it, and it does make me sad. I like the way phil’s brain works. i like how differently he thinks and creates and performs. i don’t think i have a brain that thinks the same way as phil, but i do have a brain that thinks creatively in a different vector than the norm (i literally go to a school for avant garde literature bc my novels and shit are w e i r d), and it makes me feel less alone to see another Weird Thinking Creative be able to fully express himself. so i guess when i see him being cut off (even for jokes) or see him being cast in the shadow to bring someone else to the limelight, it makes me feel sad and like thats how other people will act around me if im a Weird Creative around them.

much to think about/many such cases/et al.

[fdelopera]

Welcome to the 60th installment of 15 Weeks of Phantom, where I post all 68 sections of Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, as they were first printed in Le Gaulois newspaper 115 yeas ago.

In today’s installment, we have Part III of Chapter 25, “Les Supplices commencent” (The Torture Begins), and Part I of Chapter 26, “Tonneaux !… Tonneaux !… Avez-vous des tonneaux à vendre ?” (Barrels! Barrels! Have You Any Barrels to Sell?).

This section was first printed on Tuesday, 28 December, 1909.

For anyone following along in David Coward's translation of the First Edition of Phantom of the Opera (either in paperback, or Kindle, or from another vendor -- the ISBN-13 is: 978-0199694570), the text starts in Chapter 24, “For she was right in thinking that there was some horrible significance attached to the light which had appeared in the spyhole…” and goes Chapter 25, “If I was ever to use what I knew, it was now or never!”

There are some differences between the Gaulois text and the First Edition. In this section, these include (highlighted in red above):

1) Chapter XXVI was printed as Chapter XXVII. This numbering error was made in Chapter VII, and was not corrected, so it was propagated throughout the Gaulois publication.

2) Each chapter in the Gaulois publication is one number ahead of the chapters in the First Edition, due to the inclusion of “The Magic Envelope” chapter in the Gaulois.

3) Compare the Gaulois text:

L'apparition de cette forêt impénétrable dont les troncs et les branches innombrables nous enlaçaient jusqu'à l'infini, le plongea dans une consternation effarante.

Translation:

The appearance of this impenetrable forest, whose countless trunks and branches surrounded us into infinity, sent him into a state of alarming dismay.

To the First Edition:

L'apparition de cette forêt impénétrable dont les troncs et les branches innombrables nous enlaçaient jusqu'à l'infini, le plongea dans une consternation effrayante.

Translation:

The appearance of this impenetrable forest, whose countless trunks and branches surrounded us into infinity, sent him into a state of frightful dismay.

4) Minor differences in punctuation and italicization.

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE 1 (sections highlighted in blue above):

As in the previous section of this chapter, Erik shifts from 2nd person singular (informal “you”) to 2nd person plural (formal “you”) when addressing Christine. Again, these are not instances of Erik being proper, but rather of him being overly “polite” and thus condescending.

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE 2:

Regarding Erik’s line: Tiens ! je soulève un peu mon masque ! Oh ! un peu seulement… Tu vois mes lèvres ? (Look! I am lifting my mask a little! Oh, only a little… You see my lips?)

The “barbe” (literally, “beard”) of a mask was a piece of hanging fabric attached to the bottom of a demi-mask. This design allowed Erik to lift the hanging fabric of his black silk mask to show his lips without having to shift the entire mask, as can be seen in this mask of similar design from Helsinki.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE 3: 

Leroux anachronistically based the design of Erik’s torture chamber on the Palais des Mirages (Hall of Mirrors) at the Musée Grévin in Paris (see the videos below), which was created in 1900 for the Exposition Universelle in Paris, and brought to the Musée Grévin in 1906. 

The Palais des Mirages is a small, octagonal mirrored room whose changing scenery reflected in mirrored recursion makes it appear like a great hall that stretches on into infinity.

Click here to see the entire edition of Le Gaulois from 28 December, 1909. This link brings you to page 4 of the newspaper — Le Fantôme is at the bottom of the page in the feuilleton section. Click on the arrow buttons at the bottom of the screen to turn the pages of the newspaper, and click on the Zoom button at the bottom left to magnify the text.