#battling all of SHIELD’s ways of tracking people down

[theshadowrealmitself]

I need other people to imagine Spiderman with all his hair everywhere being bright blue and red, with his eyes completely spidery black when he’s not wearing glasses, has venomous fangs, and he has a fit body under the spandex and stuff, like that’s his default way of looking

But when he’s out and about as Peter Parker, he wears the coke bottle thick glasses over brown eyes that can’t see for shit, he dyes his hair brown and has to wear mascara and stuff to make his eyelashes and eyebrows look like normal human colors, he hides his fangs, he wears a ton of layers of loose clothing and slouches to look as much like a weak nerd as possible

And then when he’s out as Spidey, he’ll still wear like a blonde wig over his hair after washing out the brown dye (I like to think he sciences up his own hair dye stuff that shows the color perfectly without killing his hair so it’s still soft and easily washes out with a solution he made for it), and colored contacts, and stuff

And when Nick Fury finally sees him without his stuff, like it was an intense fight with carnage or something and Spidey’s suit is torn and bloody, his wig is gone, cried out the colored contacts awhile ago, his fangs are flashing because of the adrenaline from the attack, he tears off the torn remains of his mask, so Nick Fury whips around aaaaaaannnnnd he still has no idea who Spidey is because that’s not how he walks around as a civilian

[akutasoda]

HELLOO

can I request a S/o who always puts others before herself and always gets hurt and injured after :3

you're selfless, im selfish

synopsis - you're rather selfless and they hate seeing you get hurt because of this

includes - blade, luocha, aventurine, boothill

warnings - gn!reader, fluff, angstyy, slight blood mentions, wc - 968

a/n: Hellooo! you didn't specify and i am currently on a massive star rail fixation so i hope you don't mind! if you do please let me know and i'll write another!

taglist - @teddirika, @frankiesteinn, @little-miss-chaoss

blade ★↷

↪blade was immortal. he had little care for how many pieces he could be broken down into during a fight as at the end of the day he knew he would still walk away as a blade. weapon's were built to be durable, what kind of 'blade' would he be if he let up at the first sign of danger?

↪he was also used to thinking about nobody but himself, the stellaron hunters became the first exception but he knew they'd be able to take care fo themselves. so it made him suspicious when you'd willingly put him before yourself as what could you possibly gain by doing so?

↪it didn't occur to him just how angry he would get when he watched you get injured for the sake of his safety. not at you despite how much it semed that way. a weapon's job was to protect in a violent manner and his enemies quickly learnt that, especially when his shield would get hurt.

↪he would scold you for throwing yourself into dangerous situations but moved with a gentle contrast as he dressed your wounds. he'd remind you time and time again that he didn't need you to think about his safety, let alone others, and you should worry about yours.

↪but he knew he wouldn't be able to stop you completely and so he would swear that he himself would protect you at all costs despite your insistence of putting him before you.

luocha ★↷

↪despite the coffin that shadowed the merchant, luocha was a healer. someone who followed yaoshi and valued that selfless, healing behaviour and that meant assisting those among the cosmo's in medical affairs for a fair exchange - he was also a wandering merchant afterall

↪he found it rather endearing at first, how you always put those you cared about above yourself. it was rather admirable but he thought less of this trait when it applied to battles. he would prefer you to be selfish and uncaring if it meant you didn't get unnecessarily harmed.

↪especially when it came to you throwing yourself straight into danger for his sake. luocha feared that one day you'd throw yourself into danger for the sake of someone else and he would lose you - he didn't want to carry around two coffins now.

↪he would start subconsciously keeping track of you during dangerous situations, he needed to make sure you didn't do anything too risky. although he didn't mind catering to your injuries, he'd prefer not to stare at his lover's bloody cuts and bruises or whatever injury you accumulated for too long.

↪the merchant may admire that selfless behaviour but allow him to be selfish for once when he places a kiss to your knuckles after dressing your wounds and asking you to stay by his side, to not leave him if he can't get to you in time.

aventurine ★↷

↪aventurine strived to follow the path of preservation, it was a goal of his. achieving this goal was solely for the purpose of protecting his people and those who had helped his journey not hindered it. so when he learnt his original quest was impossible, he needed to strive for something else.

↪he wanted to protect many things and his relationship with you was one of them. at first, he relished in that kindness you showed when you would openly admit or demonstrate how you would always place him above yourself - your selflessness was rather admirable.

↪but he didn't like as much when it meant you'd get hirt in the process. he would not be able to bear losing yet another person he cared about, especially when he had the power to prevent it - especially if you died for him.

↪most of the time, he would be able to prevent you from getting to hurt but crimson was an ugly colour on his lover and he felt a small sense of guilt when he saw it after a fight. you would notice how he'd always be shielding you if you ever threw yourself in danger.

boothill ★↷

↪only two people knew what happened to boothill, himself and the doctor - although some times he didn't think he knew himself. however one thing was clear, he had suffered an amount of pain that pushed his human body to it's limits and bended it to a point of no return. now, he didn't live for himself.

↪recklessness was what probably had landed him in this situation, however when one has a cyborg body how could he not be reckless? he found it rather charming how you always put those close to you above yourself, a noble quality but his perspective changed when he realised just what that meant.

↪he had seen first hand just how little you cared for your safety if it meant protecting someone you cared about. a bittersweet sentiment. it pained his synthetic heart when you would come from a fight all injured and bloody as if it was him in your shoes, he'd be fine. but you had willingly thrown yourself in the way for his safety.

↪he had a metal body, you had a human one - if anything he should be throwing himself in the way as he could be rebuilt. boothill would try so hard to get this message across to you as the last thing he wanted was for you to be pushed to those same limits of pain just for someone who had already been there.

↪he would'nt live for himself but he'd live for you if it meant keeping you safe.

[generalluxun]

Marinette and Clumsiness

So I reblogged the snarky 'clumsy in fiction' post and tagged it ML, but I don't think I've ever posted about it before and I want to, because my take isn't just skin deep on this. It goes all the way to the S5 finale.

Marinette *should* have been Clumsy in ML, not 'fiction clumsy' where she drops things and the laugh track plays, but actually bad at agility. Give her dexterity. The girl sews and crafts relentlessly. Give her nimble fingers, but terrible feet.

Why?

Well the obvious is 'Then it's a real trait and not your 'get out of Mary Sue free' card, but it goes into more than that.

Adrien is agile. He's a top tier fencer. If she is not it is a way they can complete each other. Allow Adrien to be not the best at dexterity based things. Marinette beats him at video games. The last time he tried to thread a needle, Nathalie had to cut his hands free.

Romcom gold, and narrative elements that are useful- because they can carry over to superhero mode.

Sure the Miraculous can compensate to a degree, but have this divide matter because the degree of precision needed is also more. There are tasks they need each other for, let this stand out. Notably- Ladybug should never be much of a fighter.(good vs humans/thugs/wacky monsters but not in a straight up fight) She's the thinker! She plans things, punching is a big part of Cat Noir's role.

The show kind of falls into these roles, but it also subverts them whenever push comes to shove. Reflektdol was a perfect opportunity for Lady Noire to actually struggle defending Mr. Bug as much as he had to struggle planning. Instead she just does everything better. 😩

So I mentioned the S5 finalé and why is this relevant? Because if we let this clumsiness/weakness stand it can reframe the finale fight into something actually much more sympathetic to Marinette/Ladybug.

The decision was already made not to have a clean 'happy ending', so we could skip the girlbossing and up the dramatic tension. Marinette isn't going in with a plan. She's responding to a chance encounter she really can't escape. She may have more power but she doesn't have her partner -Her shield.

The battle with Monarch could have been a struggle-in-retreat for Bugganoire. Every exchange Monarch throwing overwhelming power at her and Bugganoire using her wits and lucky charms to narrowly escape only for Monarch to throw something new at her.

Have taking the fight down to the lair be Monarch's doing. Have it symbolize in the moment how his own carelessness opens up the ones he loves to hurt.

When Bugganoire drops an elevator on Emilie this time, we've established she's overwhelmed, cornered, and desperate. She's at her wits end (and considering all she's been put through, zero people can blame her)

Begging Gabe to stop(he still has half the Miraculous) and trying to reach out to him can be framed a trying to normalize a world that has just gone insane from her point of view. Marinette ~~before the end of season 5~~ believes in people. Clinging to that in a desperate hour makes sense. Letting her guard down makes sense because she *has to* in order for the world to still make sense to her.

And so when she's betrayed and all else happens... her cavalcade of poor choices ALSO make more sense. She's making them not as a top-of-her-game girlboss but as a hero who just faced insanity and hasn't had time to pick up the pieces because the world(and her loved ones) need her.

All this- from just letting Marinette be clumsy.

[nicksolemnlyswears]

WASH YOUR WORRIES AWAY

pairing: opla!buggy the clown x reader

word count: 2.8k

warnings: 18+, cursing, oral (male receiving), p in v, honestly this one is pretty tame but it's cute <3

a/n: hi hi hi! im back with my bullshit! no but this one is really fucking sweet (maybe a tad cheesy at the end). i had the idea for a while so i was really happy to see that he people of tumblr voted for this choice on the poll.

i started this being super naughty with sanji and zoro and now look at me being a doll with buggy and mihawk (which is strange cause they can easily be the kinkiest mfs).

so i think im gonna write another oneshot for buggy in the near future. maybe one for nami and then i'm gonna go back and write the third part for the sanji x reader x zoro. that's gonna be real fucking interesting. it'll be my first time writing a threesome so wish me luck!

thank you guys for reading and putting up with my wild imagination!!

(as always my psa that this is solely based on the live action)

Buggy the Clown stomps into the Jolly Roger angrily. His crew is nowhere to be found on the empty deck. He expected them to be awake, running around, making plans to get their Captain back. Instead, they are snoozing in the rooms of his ship, shielding themselves from the cold ocean breeze.

Buggy mutters insults towards his freaks under his breath. The lot of them should freeze for all he cares. The fishmen kidnapped him, and all they're doing is getting their fucking beauty sleep. He's starting to believe he wasn't missed.

He beelines to the Captain's quarters, where he finds a pretty sight welcoming him. You're on his side of the bed, peacefully asleep. Buggy intentionally slams the door behind him, rudely waking you up from your slumber.

You jump at the bang and sit up, looking alarmed at the intrusion. "Buggy!" You gasp, relieved to see him, "You're back!"

You and the freaks have been working nonstop on keeping the ship afloat and searching for its Captain. You've barely rested in weeks, tracking down Arlong and his crew.

Today, you finally found the location of Arlong Park and set sail. You stopped an island away to let the freaks rest before marching into battle. They will need it to beat the fishmen or at least make enough damage to get Buggy out.

"No thanks to you and my useless crew," Buggy bites, throwing his coat to the side dramatically. At least his theatrics were not hurt while he was away.

You stand from the bed and approach him softly. He's like a wounded animal that might bolt at any second.

"That's not fair. You know we were on our way," you softly say, feeling bad about his harsh tone. Buggy loves to tease you and push your buttons, but it's not often he's genuinely angry at you.

"Taking your sweet ass time, it seems," he cries out, gesturing at the door as if referring to his sleeping crew.

You let it go and decide not to continue arguing. He's physically and emotionally wounded. Not to mention his ego. You stand centimeters away and grab his gloved hand, "Let me make it up to you, Bugs."

Being this close, you can assess his appearance closely. His makeup is smeared more than usual; it's faded on some parts as his blue stubble breaks through the white face paint, and his eyes look defeated.

"Yeah, make it up to me. Let's see what you come up with," he says sarcastically, letting your hand fall from his grasp. His words might drip with sarcasm, but they are a plea for help in disguise. So you pay him no mind, knowing that by the end of the night, you'll have him like putty in your hands. Only to rebuild him back into the Buggy the Clown you know and love and the Marines fear.

"I'll be right back." You tell him, leaving the room momentarily. You return minutes later with a freak who pushes a wooden tub behind you with steaming water. The freak barely spares a glance at Buggy, scared that the clown might lash out at him.

Closing the door once he leaves, you prepare the water with oils and fragrances. Buggy watches from afar, sitting on the wooden chair he has in his room. He's used to hunching on it for hours, examining his maps, and executing master plans for the next big adventure. He likes looking over his shoulder to watch you sleep peacefully as insomnia grabs hold of him. It brings him peace.

"Come 'ere, Bugs," you say, grabbing his hand to help him up. Buggy grumbles in protest despite looking forward to the bath. "Let me take care of you," you whisper, looking up at him. You place your hand on his chest in comfort.

"I don't need you to take care of me. I'm a grown ass man," Buggy gruffs out, avoiding your gaze. It's not like he's felt like a man in the past few weeks as he's been carried around in a sac as a mere head while his body was beaten constantly by the fishmen. It was degrading and made him feel extremely weak.

You roll your eyes at him but play along, "You're right. You are a grown, strong man. Will you indulge me, though? It'll make me feel better seeing you're okay."

Buggy finally meets your eyes and nods, "For you."

There's no reason for him to say no. You're the person that knows him best in this world. You probably know what he's feeling without him telling you in the first place. Still, he acts difficult because he's bratty like that and because sometimes he has a hard time understanding you're there for him no matter what, with no ulterior motive.

You softly smile at him and pat his chest. Your hands trail up to the scarf tied around his neck, and your fingers swiftly undo the knot. You throw it on the bed as you continue down his chest, reaching the buttons of his vest.

Buggy watches you closely as you concentrate on undoing the buttons. Your touch never lifts from his skin for more than a second, granting him the pleasure of feeling your soothing touch after many weeks.

The vest falls on the floor as you push it back over his shoulders. Fingertips tickle his arm as you reach his hand to take off one of his gloves. Your eyes timidly meet his as you plant a small kiss on his palm.

Before he met you, he never thought such a minuscule action could mean so much. Now, he craves it often. It's your way of saying 'I love you,' seeing as Buggy is not good with words. You give him options to show his love, and that's priceless to him.

Your curious eyes have already taken in all his bruises and minor cuts. There's no doubt Arlong's men had been beating him up. You don't bring them up, knowing Buggy will close up again. He'll talk when he's ready.

You kneel on the floor, helping him off his boots, and quickly after, you get rid of his pants, too. You guide a butt-naked Buggy to the tub, ordering him to get in.

"Ohh," Buggy bites back a moan as the warm water soothes his aching muscles. The smell of eucalyptus wafts up to his nose. It's his favorite scent because it's the one you used when you met.

"Would you like me to wash your hair?" You ask him, untying the knot on his head scarf.

"You said you were gonna take care of me. Do whatever you want, sweet cheeks," he knows you've already made your decision, as his hair is already down before he can respond. You beam at the nickname, knowing your Buggy is softening up.

His bright blue hair falls down his back and into the water. Grabbing a jug, you fill it with water and softly tell Buggy to tilt his head back. The water cascades down his head, wetting his hair and turning it a beautiful deep teal.

Buggy opens his eyes and sees your calm expression as you concentrate on not getting any water on his face. A small fraction of his anger chips away, seeing how much you care for him. Only you'd know he hates the feeling of water pouring down his face.

You grab oils from your selection and brush them through his hair, ridding him of any sand and grime stuck in it. Buggy involuntarily closes his eyes as you massage his scalp with the tip of your fingers. A mixture of a sigh and moan falls from his lips.

When his hair is clean and untangled, you grab the bar of soap and a sponge to clean his body. Your eyes are attentive to any bruise or cut, careful not to hurt him any more than he is.

You notice his neck is quite stiff as you spread the soap suds across his back, so you spend some time massaging the area. You dig your thumbs into the tension knots, causing Buggy to become more vocal, groaning and moaning whenever you hit a spot that needs extra care.

Moving to kneel beside the tub, you wash his chest and stomach. Buggy simply stares as you focus on getting every speck of dirt off of him. Any other day, he'd be making you laugh and throwing inappropriate jokes, but the time didn't seem right to him. So, he kept quiet and observed how you tried to hide your grimaces whenever you encountered a nasty bruise.

You massage his knees when you get to his legs because you know they hurt. Buggy might not complain about any pain, but you know the chop chop fruit makes his joints ache when he uses his abilities.

As the dirt is washed away from his body, so does his anger. He's sure that by the end of the bath, he won't be any better than a harmless puppy, and that's all you wanted. Buggy needs to let go of the anger he harbors inside so he can come back stronger than ever and lead the crew to its next adventure, whatever that may be.

You leave his face for last. You're the only person on earth who has the honor and pleasure of cleaning his face free of its makeup. Carefully, you wipe away with a rag the grease paint covering his handsome face. There's layer upon layer of paint staining his skin. A splash of blue over his eyes, red on the corner of his lips, white on his hairline. You wipe away each layer until you're able to see your Buggy. Not Buggy the Clown.

"There you are," you smile, cupping his face. Buggy's hand comes up to encase yours to simply kiss your palm. Beautiful blue eyes stare back at you shyly. Without all the makeup, he tends to feel more self-conscious about his nose.

"You know I was coming for you, right?" You ask him to make it clear you never intended to abandon him.

"I know, Princess," he says, leaning further into your touch. Your thumb brushes over his stubble before you pull back your hand. A soft protest leaves him.

"Let's get you out," you murmur, helping him out of the bath. You tell him to stay where he is as you fetch the towel.

Once you start something, you have to finish it. With the same love and care, you dry Buggy's body, kissing his bruises as you go along. You get on your knees to dry his legs as well.

It's a very intimate position you're in. Buggy's manhood is right in front of your face. He's looking down with hooded eyes, waiting for your next move. He'll go as far as you want to go tonight.

Having him away for so long, you can't resist kissing around his pubic bone. You avoid touching his cock for now as you tease him, looking up at him innocently.

His length begins to harden as you keep brushing your lips all around his thighs and pubic area, but not where he needs to feel you most. You notice his fists clenching as he holds back from grabbing your head and placing it exactly where he wants.

Finally, your lips kiss his length, all the way from the base to the tip. That alone gets all of his blood to surge down to his cock. You continue this torturous pace for too long, teasing the tip of his cock with your tongue.

"Fuck, Princess," Buggy groans, looking into your eyes.

He's tired. He's been away for weeks. Despite wanting to fall on his bed and die for the next ten hours, his need to have you wins out. So, with the energy boost you gave him with the bath, he grabs your arm and pulls you up.

There will be time for you to suck his cock another time. Now, he needs to feel you as close as humanly possible. Buggy grabs your face and presses his lips against yours.

He kisses you deeply and sloppily, tasting your minty lip balm. He hunches over you as you lean back, overwhelmed by the sudden display of affection. Kissing him back just as fiercely as your arms wrap around his sides, pulling yourself closer.

His hand leaves your cheek to tug on the strings of your night dress and push it off your shoulders. The falling fabric tickles your skin as you're left just as exposed as he is.

Buggy grips your breasts, your sides, your thighs, and your ass. All to feel you so fucking close to him. He doesn't care if he's suffocated by you. After weeks of being tortured, all he wants is to feel your soft, caring touch.

You push Buggy back into the bed, and you tumble down with him as his hold on you is unrelenting. You won't be leaving his side tonight. Buggy sits in the center of the bed with you on his lap, grinding against his length.

"Fucking adore you," Buggy breathes, digging his head on your shoulder to leave kisses there, "and the way you take care of me."

"I'll always take care of you, Buggy," you tell him, cupping his jaw so you can look into his eyes, "You're mine. I gotta take care of what's mine, okay?"

A whine comes out of him as he nods at your words. He kisses your palm again, telling you everything you need to know. Buggy leans his forehead against yours. Something he had to get used to at the beginning due to the fact your noses also touch, but right now, it's the farthest thing on his mind. Having you close is his number one priority.

You line his cock with your entrance and slowly sink into it. You watch Buggy's face contort into one of pleasure as his mouth slightly gapes and his eyebrows furrow. You start bouncing softly, being mindful to be gentle with his aching body. Meanwhile, he grabs into your hips, helping you along, his fingers digging into you, afraid this is all a dream, and you'll go away.

There's no way this is a dream. You feel too warm and tight around him for it not to be real.

Buggy's arms encase your body as he pulls you flush against him. Chest to chest. Stomach to stomach. It doesn't matter that it makes it harder for you to move on top of him. Buggy drags his short nails down your back, relishing the heat of your skin. It's not with the intent to hurt but to feel you close.

You keep your fingers tangled in his hair, pulling at the roots just how he likes it. You've resorted to grinding on his lap, as that's how much movement he allows you. His eyes bore into yours, depicting so many emotions he can't begin to comprehend, much less talk about. But it's enough for the two of you.

You peck his lips and ask, "You doing okay?"

Buggy nods and whispers, "I'm doing fucking perfect." He steals a kiss and another and another. Each kiss you let him steal gets progressively longer until he has his tongue in your mouth, tasting you.

The grind of your hips is enough to bring him to the edge. With a warning to your lips, Buggy spills inside of you. He revels in the level of closeness that brings. You play with his hair as he rests his head on your chest, catching his breath.

You need not say anything. It's a moment of vulnerability, and you let him have it. Buggy is resetting and pulling himself together back to the person he usually is.

That night, you sleep naked with Buggy basically on top of you. His head rests on your chest as he falls asleep listening to your heartbeat, and you hold him all throughout the night.

Except, when you wake up, he's gone. As your senses fully wake up, you notice the boat rocking. You've already set sail. Quickly, you get ready and go out onto the deck.

"About time you woke up, Sweet Cheeks!" Buggy yells from the helm, standing by the ship's wheel. The sun beams on Buggy's face, the familiar makeup freshly painted on his face. "It's time to get to work. I have some pirates to deal with."

"Yes, Captain!" You say, which earns you a sneaky wink from Buggy. With a soft laugh, you shake your head and walk through the ship to help the freaks with whatever they might need.

With you by his side, there is nothing Buggy can't overcome.

[multbasa]

I don't think enough people appreciate the smaller Zelda titles.

Saw a YouTuber calling Echoes of Wisdom "brilliantly forgettable" and I just cannot understand. The first mainline Zelda title to feature Zelda herself as the main character with a unique moveset compared to all other Zelda titles is not forgettable.

My favourite Zelda game is Spirit Tracks, and while the game has its faults as all games do to some degree, it was a spectacular Zelda game that had a very unique vision. I love the bigger titles as well, but the small Zelda titles have this lovely charm to them.

I like when Nintendo makes the smaller Zelda games precisely because it's a smaller, shorter experience. I have a lot to do with a full time job and loads of chores and responsibilities that need to be done, so I love being able to jump into a game quickly even when I don't have time to do a whole lot. The beauty of a lot of Zelda games is that they're easy to pick up again (I say a lot simply because I put down Skyward Sword on the Wii for some time just before the second last boss and was incapable of getting my muscle Memory to kick in with the motion controls 😶 but I still enjoyed Skyward Sword for what it was); I don't play games like Baldur's Gate and the Witcher 3 because I just can't keep up with all the dialogue and story that I have to remember between sessions. They're big games with a lot of storylines and characters—it's just so much to remember by the time I can return to them. Zelda games generally don't have that issue because the direction is pretty straightforward and easy to get back into.

Echoes of Wisdom was a great game. I almost completed it 100% besides the better times for the Dream Dojo, and no, it didn't take a huge amount of time to do so but I am perfectly fine with that. There are so many games that I have never gotten to the end because they're such a chore and there're so many things to remember and do, especially when it comes to heavy dialogue choice games which really hold me up. I can acknowledge that they are good games for those who have the time and energy to dedicate to them, but I prefer games that I can put down and pick back up without needing to remember what exactly I was doing or scour guides for how I'm supposed to do something.

In Echoes of Wisdom, I liked the change of pace where I can't just rely on my sword and shield. It's a really unique experience in the franchise and I hope they experiment further in the future especially with Zelda with a different playstyle compared to Link. I liked how I could approach challenges in different ways and experiment with different things. A lot of the puzzles were really clever and I actually enjoyed the boss battles (besides Ganon because I was really failing at volleying his energy attack 😵‍💫). The game was a lot of fun and I hope I'll have the time to play it again soon although I really need to finish Minish Cap and A Link Between Worlds, so I should focus on doing that when I have the time.

Anyway...Echoes of Wisdom wasn't forgettable or underwhelming to me. Yes, it has its faults but there are faults in other Zelda games too. For instance I hate the falling floor tiles in A Link to the Past boss rooms with a passion—I'm glad that it has not returned because it sucked, the motion controls in Skyward Sword did impact my experience especially because Link just never wanted to do the skyward strike on my wii which was really frustrating, having to pay Tingle some annoyingly odd amount of rupees in Wind Waker to read the Triforce charts...I absolutely hate that still...why couldn't it be a reasonable number, Twilight Princess has a really long opening sequence which I actually found charming but I kept getting a scratched copy so I did that no less than 3 times and it was a chore after my first, I really enjoyed playing the flute in Spirit Tracks but the DS mic is definitely really spotty and I would always feel light headed using the leaf blower, I can't stand having only two item slots in the original Link's Awakening which was thankfully improved in the Switch version, I really hate aiming with a joy stick which just makes 3D games like Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on GameCube hard to aim with a bow, so all of those games would benefit greatly with a gyro option (I haven't tried the HD versions or anything)—anyway, there are plenty of things to complain about and it's good to want improvements or changes, but I don't think it's fair to write off a game in the series because it tried something different and isn't incredibly long.

I actually want more small Zelda games. The big titles are taking so long and require so many resources, so I want smaller games to fill the time in-between. We got Echoes of Wisdom and we even got a spin off title in Crypt of the Necrodancer: Cadence of Hyrule which I absolutely loved. Also Link's Awakening was a great remake which is also quite a short title; I think it took me less time than EoW actually. Actually both EoW and the original LA have item management issues yet a LOT of people adored Link's Awakening on the Gameboy even though I could not finish it until it was released with much needed QoL improvements. I think EoW was more tolerable to me because of the quick menu with the most recent tab because I just could not stand swapping items in LA especially having to remove the sword—hmm, perhaps Zelda's usual lack of a sword and separate sword equipping function without opening the menu made the item swapping more tolerable to me. Having a dedicated jump button rather than equipping the rocs feather is also much better...Other Zeldas just had automatic ledge jumping which is also better. I want to reiterate that I loved Link's Awakening on Switch, it's a beautiful and fun game. Perhaps I prefer LA over EoW but that's probably because of the Ballad of the Windfish and the fact that it's the only Zelda game that actually made me cry at the end.

If you got this far reading my meandering word vomit, I hope you continue to enjoy games despite what other people say about it. It doesn't matter what people say, they'll never take away my enjoyment of Echoes of Wisdom. I can't wait to see what Nintendo plans for the future for smaller Zelda titles. I hope we get more unique games that are given the room to experiment because that's what I Love about the series.

[tallulah477]

ℐ𝒮𝕖𝕖 ℛ𝕖𝕕

Colors of Pandora Day 1: Red

Pairing: Neteyam x Fem!Na’vi!Reader

Warnings: Angst, Character Death/Love Interest Death, Grief, Anger/Rage, Illusions to Sex (but no actual smut), Mentions of blood

Word Count: 641

A/N: I pictured Neteyam while writing this but his name is never actually mentioned so you can probs picture whoever you want.

Translations:

Tawtute - Human

You think red is a powerful color - vast in its expression and eclectic with its meaning.

You see red in the honor of battle.

The thick, pigmented paint swirling stark and proud patterns along the bodies of your brothers and sisters, a visual representation of your bravery to protect The People from anyone or anything that wishes you harm. The sight of the paint against your skin makes you sick, the image of it on your fellow clan members like a mirror of what might happen in battle makes your stomach twist, acid rising in your throat the more you look at it. There’s no calmness in the color. No serenity or stillness. It’s bold and heated, exploding with emotion - meant to ignite action. Your home is being threatened, the people you care about are in danger.

He’s in danger.

Sometimes you can think the color might be pretty. When the faint red peeks against his skin, a reminder of the nights you’ve shared together. You see red in the passion he shows you, the passion and uncontainable desire he pulls from you in return. And despite any nerves or reservations you might have felt, he’s the only one who’s ever made you feel safe enough to express it. The pure raw emotion that you’ve never felt before, but that feels way too intense to contain anymore. Red bleeds out in the love you both share - the heated kisses and the shielded hugs, the way his arms wrap around you like an impenetrable shelter that no other force could ever breach.

You see red in the way the whites of his eyes haze over when the world becomes too much for him to handle. He’s confident, a mighty warrior, but he is not without fear or worry. He trusts you. And in the early mornings or late nights when everyone else is sleeping, he curls up into your side, pulling you close to him and nuzzling into your embrace. Heavy sobs wrack his body, and the amber of his eyes are surrounded by red.

The paint markings on The People’s bodies lose their symbolism when they’re replaced with their brighter and less strategically placed twin. You watch as your brothers and sisters fall in battle, fighting with all they have to protect their home and yet somehow it's still not enough. Blood paints the battlefield an endless sea of red, both enemy and friend’s alike. You can’t find him - can’t find him amongst the multitudes of bodies and metal demons, and the desperation feels like it's trying to crawl out from your throat.

And then you see him, across the field and locked in combat with one of the metal demons. The tawtute inside the machine is fierce, the large knife in its hand furiously swiping at your love’s body, trying to slice any part of him it can. He’s fiercer than it, dodging and shooting arrows at the protective glass cover shielding the tawtute. Despite the force, the arrows never pierce the glass and you can see how tired he’s getting from the constant take take take and no progress. You start to run, needing to get to him, but an anguished scream rips from your throat when the knife he’s spent so much energy avoiding suddenly stabs directly through his chest.

It’s red, all red - blood sliding down his back from the wound, dripping off the blade as the metal demon pulls the knife from your love’s body.

Your eyes track him as he falls to the ground.

He’s not moving.

As you stand there frozen, your soul feeling like it’s already left your body the second your love’s left his, you think you should be seeing blue.

But instead, your eyes cut to the man who just stole your life from you...

...and all you see is red.

**Special thanks to @xylianasblog for the prompt!

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[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

First of all, I love this blog! Second, would Purrloin (one of my favorite Pokemon) make a good pet? I imagine it wouldn't be too different from keeping a real-world cat, but you never know.

Well would you look at that: it’s yet another pokémon that is, really, pretty much just like a real-world cat. However, as all cat aficionados know, cats have a lot of very varied personalities. Purrloins are very much like real-world cats, yes: but a very particular kind of real-world cat. The more naughty, mischevous, ill-behaved sort of cat. These kinds of cats are not for everyone, but us cat-lovers blinded by our adoration of the little critters can’t help but see them as lovable in their own way!

Purrloins are the perfect size to be a house pet, naturally, and this lends towards them not being the biggest physical threats. At risk of getting ahead of myself, this is another cat-like pokémon that isn’t capable of doing that much harm besides biting and scratching. In this way, they’d be model pets for anyone who’s willing to put up with the odd scratch (something many cat owners are very familiar with).

Their behavior is where purrloins get a little bit more off the tracks as far as the whole “model pet” thing goes. Don’t be deceived by their adorable looks, as many people are: purrloins love to steal for fun (Black)! And we’re not just talking food or toys; purrloins love to take people’s personal valuables, just to see the shock on their faces (Black2/White2). It seems that they’re good at it too, so unless your items are very carefully locked away, you can expect them to go missing whenever you let your guard down (White). As added salt in the wound, purrloins can and will laugh at you (Shield). It’s unclear if this behavior can be dealt with through training, but any cat owner could tell you that if it can be it’d be an uphill battle. Wild purrloins get in intense rivalries with other species that are known for being thieves, like nickits (Sword), so I wouldn’t recommend keeping these species (or even more than one purrloin) at the same time, or else they may keep one-upping each other, stealing more and more outrageous things. But c’mon, they’re so cute! The severity of how annoying this behavior is will really depend on the owner and what they’re willing to put up with.

As mentioned earlier, purrloins aren’t very dangerous. They aren’t slow to scratch when frustrated, playing, or simply bored (Sword, Shield). I’d also warn against adopting a purrloin to anyone with pet allergies: if they’re as similar to real-world cats as they seem, they may be big shedders.

Overall, however, there isn’t anything that drags purrloins’ score down from an A. Whether or not you’d get along well with one depends on the person, but when it comes down to it these pokémon are just cats. Naughty cats, but cats. Do you like cats? You’d probably like a purrloin.

[Special thanks to @glacecakes for the recommendation to introduce a “just a cat” rank! Will there ever be a “just a dog” rank? Probably.]

[supercap2319]

Being the Phoenix Soldier, and Spiderman saving you from Psycho Red.

Being the Phoenix Soldier Ranger was one thing, but along the way you managed to make some very powerful enemies in your short time as a Ranger.

You helped the Cosmic Fury Rangers against Lord Zedd and his mission to destroy the earth with his Squidrills given to him my Bajillia Naire. It was fun working with a team of Rangers, but after everything was said and done, you moved to New York to help the heroes there.

The earth was home to the Power Rangers. Along with the Avengers. A band of extraordinary people that came together to protect the world. So, you were no stranger to heroes like Ironman, Captain America, or Spiderman. People like yourself just protecting your home and the people that lived in it.

Along the way, some supervillain thought you were too comfortable in your new life, so they resurrected a Ranger enemy that was very dangerous: a Psycho Ranger. Specifically, Psycho Red. Psycho Rangers were created to hunt Power Rangers by tracking their energy, voices, and communicators. They had an unbeatable battling style against the Ranger they were assigned to destroy. That's where you came in.

Psycho Red attacked you in New York. He would stop at nothing to destroy you. Every chance he got, he would attack you, and you barely escaped his wrath. And this last time, you almost didn't.

You and Psycho Red were locked in a sword match as you defended and attacked with your Phoenix sword and shield. "Hahaha! You're getting better."

"You mean I'm winning?" You asked.

"That's what you think!" Psycho Red pushed back and slashed you hard and kicked you onto the floor as you rolled. "Hahaha! Finally. You've slipped through my fingers too many times. But this time I outsmarted you. Goodbye, Ranger!" He raised his sword and swung down towards you, but something blocked his attack as you looked up to see Spiderman in his Iron Spider costume.

"Hey, Buddy. I think you've done enough rough playing don't you think?" Spiderman asked.

"You!" Psycho Red roared.

"Well, who'd you expect? Batman?"

You watched as they began to fight. Spiderman weaved and dodged Psycho Red's attacks until he shot a blast of lightning at the hero as he flew back. The evil Ranger turned to you and smiled. If he was capable of smiling. "Ah ha! Don't think I've forgotten about you, Ranger." He ran towards you with the intention of ending your life once and for all, but he was suddenly webbed up by Spiderman.

"Phoenix Soldier. Do it now!" Spiderman called.

You stood up and charged an attack as you slashed at Psycho Red until he exploded in a burst of energy. You were breathing heavily underneath your visor as Spiderman walked towards you.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know. Everything's dark." You fell forward and would have hit your head if Spiderman hadn't caught you in his arms. You fainted in his arms. "Don't worry. I'll get you some help." He swung you back to Avengers' tower as you demorphed.

[nekoannie-chan]

Found

Found

Title: Found.

Fandom: Marvel, Captain America.

Ship: Brock Rumlow X Reader.

Word count: 420 words.

Square: “Burns.”

Rating: Teen.

Summary: Brock disappeared, but you found him.

Major Tags: Mention of burns, take care of him.

A/N: This is my entry to @multifandom-flash, Brock Rumlow Bingo.

Links: Wattpad, Ao3, Spanish version.

@saiyanprincessswanie

My native language is Spanish so I wanna improve my writing skills in English if you notice any mistakes, please let me know and I will correct them.

I don’t give any permission for my fics to be posted on other platforms or languages (I translate my work myself) or the use of my graphics (my dividers are included in this), I did them exclusively for my fics, please respect my work and don't steal it. There are some people here who make dividers that anyone can use, mine is not this type, please look for the other people. The only exception is the ones I gifted 'cuz now belong to someone else. Please let me know if you find any of my works on a different platform and are not one of my accounts. Reblogs and comments are always welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Marvel's characters (unfortunately), except for the original characters and the story.

Add yourself to my taglist here.

My other media where I publish:  Ao3, Wattpad, ffnet, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter. 

If you like it, please vote, comment, and give me feedback to improve my skills and reblog.

Tags: @sinceimetyou @unnuevosoltransformalarealidad @navybrat817 @angrythingstarlight @shield-agent78 @charmed-asylum @pandaxnienke @real-fbi @Smokeandnailz @white-wolf1940 @tenaciousperfectionunknown @xoxonotme @bluemusickid @leyannrae @Harrysthiccthighss @Marvelatthisone @caplanbuckybarnes @sapphire-rogers @lizzieolseniskinda @notyourtypicalrose @hallecarey1 @nana1000night @talia-rumlow @writingshae @alexxavicry @azulatodoryuga @daemonslittlebitch @chaoticcollectivenightmare @endlesstwanted @chemtrails-club  @marigoldreamer @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @Here4thefanfics @theestorm @patzammit @kmc1989 @somegirlfromasgard @rogersbarber

After the battle at the Triskelion, reports about Brock Rumlow were mixed among the confusion: he was badly wounded but had survived. Then he disappeared off the radar. For you, it was not an option to leave him behind.

For weeks, you tracked his movements. Each clue brought you closer but also confirmed what you feared: Brock was alone and seriously injured; he had definitely escaped somehow from the hospital. Finally, a contact informed you that someone with his characteristics had been spotted in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of a remote town.

You arrived at night. Rain was falling, obscuring your footsteps. Inside, the place was dark, with only a faint flickering light in one corner. When you finally saw it, your heart stopped.

Brock was sitting on an old mattress, his torso bare and bandaged in a makeshift fashion. His skin was marked by horrible burns that had not yet healed. The bandages were stained with blood and pus.

“Brock...” Your voice came out soft, almost inaudible.

He looked up with a flash of alertness, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon. But when he recognized you, his shoulders relaxed slightly. He said nothing at first; he just looked at you.

“How did you find me? “he finally asked you.

“I always knew where to look for you. I couldn't leave you alone,” you answered, slowly approaching me.

You kneeled down and started to change his bandages; although at first, it seemed that he was going to refuse, in the end, he let you do it. You healed his wounds and bandaged him again, this time in the right way.

“You don't have to stay,” he said after a long while, avoiding your gaze.

“I'm not going to leave you, Brock. Not after all we've been through.”

His eyes met yours.

Days turned into weeks. Brock began to trust you more, though he would never admit it out loud. He would tell you bits and pieces of what had happened, how he had escaped from the hospital, his hatred for those who had betrayed him, his desire for revenge, and how much he had missed you and loved you.

Taking care of Brock was not easy; he often tried to push you away, telling you he would be better off alone.

One night, as you were sitting next to him changing his bandages, he surprised you by placing his hand on mine.

“Thank you,” he murmured, barely audible.

You didn't respond with words because they weren't needed.

[renaisguy]

My mother rejoiced more in my skill with the brush than in my skill with the sword. I never understood why... 

Forde’s father was the greatest paladin in Renais. His skill with the lance and spear were legendary, his chivalry unrivalled. An entire generation of knights looked up to him, striving to be a fraction of the man he was. 

So Forde was told. 

Forde’s father had a deep scar on his shoulder. He never told his sons where he’d received it, but a fellow soldier had. He gained it whilst serving the royal family to serve Renais - personally shielding the king from an attack.

So Forde was told. 

Forde’s father died for a noble cause. The most dangerous assassin in Magvel had made his way into Renais’ capital, dead set (no pun intended) on taking out the royal family. Forde’s father tracked him down single handedly - asking for help would alert the assassin of his mission. He killed the assassin, saving the king once more, but in doing so was mortally wounded. 

So Forde was told. 

Forde’s father loved his family. On his rare visits home he would carry Forde and Franz around, listening to all their stories with a smile. His smile. A great, beaming smile. He would ask his sons to smile, too. Tell them that as long as they smiled, he would be able to smile… 

Or at least, he probably did. Forde couldn’t really remember.

Forde was 11 when his father died, two years after his mother passed from illness. Yet he could remember her face far more clearly. She smiled, Forde was certain of that. She beamed as they cooked together. She grinned when they came home covered in mud. And whenever Forde showed her a drawing of his, she sparkled.

All these years later, he still got told he had his mother’s smile. 

It was that smile of hers that made him want to paint in the first place. To capture a fraction of her happiness on his page, that was what he wished for. When she died, he lost the desire to paint people altogether. That sparkle was gone.

From a young age, it was decided that Forde would become a paladin like his father. It seemed only natural - his talent with a sword was head and shoulders above most his age, it would be a waste not to join the army. Forde was happy with this. What else was he going to do? 

He rose through the ranks quickly, and was assigned to Prince Ephraim’s personal guard. (As much as he hates to admit it, it’s more thanks to Kyle than him. Kyle was always roping him into intense training sessions, mock battles, the like. Looking back, Forde needed this push.) 

Then, well, I’m sure you’ve heard of this part. In the year 803, Grado launched a surprise attack on Renais, and long story short there was a war. In one very strategically sound move, Ephraim decided to attack Fort Renvall with only four men. Princess Eirika’s group got involved, and it was here that Forde was reunited with his brother. 

It was a shock, seeing Franz after so long - he’d gotten taller, for a start. But in the way he carried himself, the way he rode, the way he fought. He was still training, and unconfident in himself, but Forde could see it. There was a passion that Forde had only seen in one man before, the same drive to serve his country that kept their father away from home. 

It was a drive Forde no longer had. 

If he’d ever had it in the first place. 

And then the rest of the war happened. Forde was given a Knight Crest on the journey from Grado’s capital to Jehanna - y’know, that desert nation? Great terrain for a paladin? Then they were in Rausten. Then they were in Darkling Woods. Then they fought a massive demon and that was that. 

Looking back, it wasn’t the fighting he thought about, nor his accomplishments as a paladin. It was the connections he’d made, the smiles around the campfire when he told a stupid story, the sighs when he fell asleep when he wasn’t meant to, the amazement when people he’d known for years found out about his passion for art. 

When the war ended, Forde asked for a holiday. About a week in, he decided he wasn’t going back. He was going to be a full-time painter. (Well, maybe not full-time. Just a few hours a day?) 

He didn’t know where his parents were now, but he hoped they were enjoying a peaceful retirement together. He hoped his father would smile down on him. He knew his mother was. 

She rejoiced more in my skill with the brush than in my skill with the sword. I never understood why... Not until recently, at any rate.

Class Mastered: Paladin

[aliensupersyn]

Is Gege a Good Fight Choreographer? Why Todo is Amazing

This will be a sort of series analyzing different aspects of Gege's choice of fighting elements and his magic system, with considerations for the anime as well. Though I will be analyzing Jujutsu Kaisen's magic system, I will mostly be focusing on the physical fighting elements, including hand to hand, weapon use, and overall strategic combat. You cannot discuss a jjk fight without mentioning the importance of strategy and deception!

TLDR: Just read the Problem Solver Section for a general idea of what I'm talking about.

I've been reflecting heavily about how to use powerful people in a story all at once. In my mind, in order to have powerful characters, the author will simply have to upscale all others to somewhat match them; that way, an author can avoid a power fantasy or mary sue issue. Upscaling does not always mean bigger blasts. Todo exemplifies a character with a strong ability not reliant on a huge blast.

In effect, Todo uses Goku's Instant Transmission, but limited to an uncertain, wide range relative to himself. I enjoy Gege's ability to take aspects of other manga and effortlessly incorporate them into jjk. Even if Boogie Woogie was not meant to be Goku's IT, there are other direct references to other powers like Yuji's jajanken (Gon from HunterxHunter), and Domain Expansions being similar to bankai (Bleach). Point being, Gege takes pieces of other magic systems and adds to them what he needs to ensure jjkverse maintains its individuality.

Boogie Woogie, The Problem Solver

Boogie Woogie has stood up against two of the most difficult opponents in the entire verse: Kenjaku and Sukuna. Before I delve into breaking down Todo's use as a powerful story mechanism, a small rant. Skip the section below if you don't care about Yuki vs. Kenjaku.

Kenjaku having gravity abilities exists solely so that he can logically survive Yuki's Bombaye and mass-type cursed technique. It makes sense narratively for Yuki to defend Tengen and eventually face Kenjaku, considering they philosophically oppose one another. Yet, with all intents and purposes, Yuki should have killed Kenjaku there. While the fight was entertaining, why go so far as to give Yuki something like a black hole just for it to be countered with a cursed technique reversal? That part specifically was not entertaining, it was disrespectful to both Yuki and the reader who had to see it.

Rant over.

The difficulties that Kenjaku presents as an opponent in a fight:

Extremely powerful Simple Domain

An open Domain Expansion

360 antigravity shield

Any number of useful cursed spirits

Powerful rct/healing

The issue of Kenjaku having arguably the most powerful simple domain and having an open barrier with gravity powers meant that he was practically undefeatable. If someone tried to do a domain battle, he would either easily suffer their domain with SD, or he'd win the clash with an open barrier. If Kenjaku needs to block something, he will just use his antigravity shield. Kenjaku also has multiple cursed spirits with differing beneficial utilities for him to use; this allows Gege to add whatever backdoor or advantage Kenjaku needs ay any given moment. If Kenjaku needs to escape, Gege can write in a useful cursed spirit that will allow it.

In all fairness, in the Lake Gosho colony, Gege used Kenjaku's abilities to their most sensible limits. Why wouldn't Kenjaku have secured surveillance spirits? Of course Kenjaku can track all the resurrected sorcerers. Kenjaku's caution and overall security makes sense for his character, as he's calculating and strategic.

Kenjaku's own capabilities therefore demands a character who does at least one of two things: Gege needs a character that matches his SD, DE, and gravity abilities, and or someone who simply bypasses those factors. Todo, coupled with Yuta, simply bypass all the things that make Kenjaku a difficult opponent. To note, Takaba did his part in weakening and distracting Kenjaku, which allowed Todo and Yuta's attack to work.

From Lightning's Twitter:

Kenjaku's antigravity shield acts as the ultimate last effort defense. I will avoid saying that Gege wrote himself into a corner, but it does boggle my mind that Gege allowed Kenjaku to have this ability. Regardless of my issues with his gravity powers, Gege masterfully uses Todo to bypass such an overpowered ability.

Correcting TCB's Mistake

The sound effect on the double spread does not say SLICE, but it instead was Todo's vibraslap onomatopoeia. Kenjaku was standing next to Takaba's body, then after the attack, Yuta now stands in the same place. Yuta and Kenjaku switched places, which allowed Yuta to bypass the antigravity shield. Kenjaku would have been able to use it at least in the direction that Yuta was in, so Todo swapped Yuta to be behind Kenjaku.

Todo performed BW again here to bring Yuta and Kenjaku closer so Yuta could stab Kenjaku in the brain.

Just Avoid the Domain Clash

I originally believed that Sukuna would not get his domain back because there's no real way for anyone in the cast to survive it. Again, Sukuna demands the anti-mary sue rules: Gege needs a character that matches his DE and Kamino, and or someone who simply bypasses those factors. Todo does the latter yet again. By expanding his technique, he could successfully save the cast from being oneshotted. I like Gege's execution here, because it allows for the cool moment of Sukuna finally revealing Kamino, and the audience gets to enjoy the calamity that it brings. Gege does all of that while saving the audience from a complete wipeout of the cast. Yet, Gege still understands the give and take of a high stakes narrative and includes a heart wrenching death for good measure.

Essentially, Todo and BW allows for Gege to allow powerful characters like Kenjaku and Sukuna to sensibly perform at their best while not being the unbeatable plot devices that Gege made them to be. At the very least, BW enables defeat to a certain degree. Gege's characters' interesting and creative abilities allows for dynamic, somewhat chaotic, but fulfilling fights.

Thank you for reading.

[ardenla]

Trainride at night

A short horror story I wrote a while ago

Word count: 1208

TW: Gore, body horror, blood

For so far I could see and hear, the train seemed to be entirely empty. There was no movement or other sounds either, except for my own.

A soft krrsss can be heard as I turn a page of the book I'm holding.

Outside its dark. Not just dark that you can see something, no it is pitch black. Like the windows are just painted walls or someone put the plastic bags made for trash cans onto the windows.

Bored I stare at the unmoving words in the book I am holding in my hand. Too tired to actually read them. Too tired from the long day, but it's not like I have anything better to do anyway.

With my elbow I lean against the window in order not to fall asleep.

"ugh..." I sigh annoyed as I slam my book shut, I can't stay awake if I keep staring at my book!

I look around, but the only movement is that of the moving vehicle as it gently drives over the railway tracks. It drives so gently and quietly it almost sounds like humming. The sound is not annoying in any way, but doesn't help me with staying awake.

Even if the train drives so quietly, it is still going quite fast.

Sudden all the lights go out and it becomes even darker.

I can't see the windows.

I can't see my hands.

I can't see the closed cover of my book.

I can't see anything.

It is almost as if the world stopped existing, the only proof of it not being the case is the soft humming of the train wagons.

I am tired.

So tired.

I wonder if the train driver has forgotten that they still have one passenger, but we are still driving and we haven't passed my station yet.

Blinded by the darkness I feel around for my bag and take out my phone.

Too Bright!!

I shield my eyes from the light from my phone as I try to find the flashlight function.

My tired eyes really seem to need the extra time adjusting to the light.

I look around, something was off.

Not my seat, but all the others looked... thorned up and very old.

Weird, I'm sure that this is a relatively new train.

I quickly put my book in my bag and decide to look around. I don't feel safe to just sit in one place.

I decide that the best option is to look for the driver, so forward it is.

With my light forward and holding trying to keep away the fear, I walk through the seemingly endless train.

After a bit I notice that everything in the train starts looking worse, missing seats and then broken glass.

All of a suddenly another train passes mine, the lights are on, but no one seems to be on it... wait no, someone is there.

A strange figure stands by the window, as I look closer I see the familiar shape of myself.

It's me.

But wrong.

The head is twisting too fast for a human and bones are sticking out of its body.

I can see my ribs poking holes out of the chest with blood streaming down.

Both trains seem to be going the same speed now and I stand facing the other me, without saying a word I stare at it, readying myself for anything.

Then the head stops twisting and it stares at me with one eye hanging loosely over the right cheek.

I quickly take a step back.

"Who..." I whisper, but as I try to speak the other me shakingly puts a finger against its lips.

I try to breathe normally, but it is getting more and more difficult.

After a staring contest (and battle for me not to empty my stomach here) it suddenly jerks an arm pointing to my left.

What the hell?!

Don't go to the front of the train, go back.

Was that a voice in my head? Or did I say that out loud? How much is the other me able to take control?

"Right..." I whisper as I back off further, walking in the direction 'me' wants me to go.

A creepy smile appears on 'my' face, not mine, not mine at all.

Quickly I start running, I almost drop my phone thanks to my sweaty hands.

Luckily there is still some light from the other train, but on the other hand it creates many creepy shadows and sometimes it looks like other people are sitting or standing around me.

I run as fast as I can until my breath has all run out and I fall to the ground gasping for air.

I got to keep going.

I got to keep...

I got to...

I got...

I...

Darkness consumes my vision like many hands appearing and blocking my view.

Screaming doesn't work, something is blocking my mouth from opening.

.

.

.

As I open my eyes I see that the trains lights are working again, the other train is gone and I'm lying on the floor.

Did all of that really happen?

No, there is no way.

Carefully I get back up on my feet again and pick up my phone.

Oh crap, the screen is scratched. Well, hopefully I can get it repaired.

I turn it on, it still seems to work.

Something catches my eye, my phone's battery is 48%...

I could have sworn I had less than that, like 30% or something.

I put the device in my pocket and walked the way I was going before I collapsed.

Sssrrkkk....

Sssrrrkkk...

What is that noise?

It sounds like it is coming from a few seats in front of me.

Quickly I walk towards it, hoping to find another living human being that doesn't have bones sticking out.

Someone seems to be reading a book.

Again?

It is another me again, no blood this time though.

Quietly so as not to make a noise I walk by, when I stop, two steps apart, the other me stops turning the pages.

I take a step back, they suddenly turn a page again, the other way this time.

Don't tell me.... Is that 'me' in reverse of me?

When I take a step forward 'I' do it again.

So It really is reversed, now that I think of it, the train sounds different, so... is this also?

I don't get it, I want to get out!

I quickly run past myself to make sure I don't get attacked.

The thought of breaking a window jumps in my mind, but I don't want to attract any unwanted attention.

As I run I see another me and another me.

Everyone of them, doing something different or sitting somewhere else.

All of a sudden the sound of something breaking behind me catches my attention and I turn around to look.

It seems to be nothing at first, but then something else breaks again...

It's the lights.

One by one, like the darkness decided to walk toward me and with each one, it goes faster.

Again I run, passing by more other me's.

I can hear someone speaking behind me, but it all sounds like it is in reverse.

When I look behind me I bump into another me standing close to a door.

"Get out, get out!" I yell.

"Get OUT!!!"

I look up from my phone, did someone just talk to me?

I look outside, it is dark outside the train like usual around this time.

The humming of the vehicle almost makes me fall asleep.

The train comes to a halt.

Is this my stop?

Seems like it.

I press the button for the doors to open and after a second they do.

As they open and I step aside, my reflection appears rather strange.

Was I just smiling? Like really creepy?

[rabbitenn]

HIS GUARDIAN ANGEL.

After TRIGGER’s street performance, rain ones are not the only droplets sliding down your boyfriend’s cheeks. Luckily, you’re there to hold him.

ft. Kujo Tenn x gn! reader.

cw/genre: angst to fluff, hurt/comfort.

A steely sky seems to come crashing down.

Bright pink light sticks are clutched in your hands, your grip knuckle-white.

You find yourself amidst a crowd, yet on this instant, all you can hear are the hammering thumps of your heart.

Not the falling rain, nor the whispers, or noises of faraway passing cars.

Only your heart aching for him and the silent moments before he steps onto the stage again.

It hasn’t even been five minutes since your arms wrapped around Kujo Tenn’s figure backstage, as he mirrored your actions, his way of wordlessly promising to make you happy with his singing.

The fleeting kiss you shared still lingers on your lips, tingling when his maroon gaze finds you on the first row amongst a sea of hooded faces.

And then, as you always do, you fall prey to your angel’s charm.

Not even the rumors surrounding TRIGGER lately or such a heavy downpour could ever put a damper on the way Tenn moves on stage.

Fuchsia tinted lights glint off of him like haloed wings, fusing with his groupmates’ colors as they all are in perfect sync.

Under the spell of TRIGGER, you wave your light sticks in tune with your lover, as if you were a lighthouse steering him to safer waters.

A thousand feelings battle in your heart: rage at the people who caused him and his friends all this pain; hurt, because of where they used to be and where they’re now; happiness, because Tenn is singing again, and you’re here to witness it.

Wetness, not from the rain, pools in your lashline the moment their performance comes to an end.

Cheers and shouts of ‘encore’ fill the tempestuous evening.

Instants after, however, all of it would feel like faraway static to you.

With widened eyes and your heartbeat at a standstill, the sight before you pierces your heart.

Crystal clear droplets cling to your boyfriend’s long eyelashes.

Not rain drops. Tears.

Tenn is crying.

Tenn is crying and metal hurdles, a stage, and the public eye are keeping you apart from him right now.

You want nothing more than to run towards him and throw your arms around him, being his warmth to fend off the storm.

Amidst a clamor that utters his name, Tenn’s next statement causes for your gaze to mimic his own, the city lights reflecting on the tear-tracks running down your cheeks now.

“I’m so glad I’m singing.” The idol claims, the moon above reflected in his melancholy smile, not unlike the one on your lips right now.

And then you find yourself running backstage, as the figures of Gaku and Ryu shield your angel from prying eyes.

And then a gasp of “Tenn!” is on your lips, as he feels the air knocked out of him, your body colliding with his own.

He leans his head against the crook of your neck, his tears, yours, and the rain mixing together in your shared embrace.

The modern day angel can feel your shoulders shaking against his form, when he utters:

“I’m sorry for making you cry.”

Your teary stare levels with his. And even though Tenn looks undoubtedly ethereal with tears streaming down his face, the sight of him resembling a kicked kitten breaks your heart.

“Don’t apologize, silly.” You give him a smile, fingers reaching up to thumb his tears away. Quartz-like eyes crinkle up a little, his fair eyebrows upturned. “You were perfect tonight, Tenn.” You continue, brushing damp strands of snowy hair away from his pretty face. “Whether you’re singing on the grandest arena, on a dark alley, or just for me, you’ll always be my number one, my love.” You tell him, as one of your hands finds his, fingers slotting together.

You squeeze them reassuringly.

He squeezes your hand back.

“[Y/n]?” Your boyfriend prompts, your eyes on his an indication for him to go on. “I promise to make you smile next time.”

“You already do, my Tenn.” Your index finger brushes over the pink of his lower lip. “Every day.”

His response comes in the form of a faint smile and a feather-light kiss to the crown of your head.

After that, you pull away a little, tucking some rebellious strands of starlight woven hair behind his ear.

“Now, how does omurice and donuts at my place sound? I baked your favorite myself this time.” You suggest, tone soft, swinging your hands that hold onto his between the both of you.

“Absolutely perfect.” Comes your lover’s reply, dilated pupils utterly mesmerized by your tender expression.

As you and your partner make your way out of the venue hand in hand, the knowing smiles of his two friends – who’ve been listening this whole time – soften. Perhaps they won’t tease him too much this time.

♡

Hours later, you and Tenn would find yourselves safely tucked in your bed, your arms around his slender figure as he peacefully sleeps, cheek resting on your chest. Fingers delicately brushing silken locks away from his face, your lips leave a barely there kiss to his temple.

Maybe for tonight, you could be Tenn’s angel instead, invisible wings enveloping him in a melody of warmth.

[leoneliterary]

Hi! I got quite curious after reading some of your answers to the magic anon and got inspired to think up some more questions; I guess you can say that this ask is Magic Questions 2.0! Although, if the questions get too close to spoilers, feel free to skip them!

Is it possible to enhance an item with specific magic? Like an enhanced sword, ring, helmet, bow, shield, etc. If yes, do the royal family/military utilize this skill?

Politically speaking, how is magic viewed in the world? Do certain factions support it more than others? Is it viewed negatively/positively in society, or perhaps is there just a neutral, common acknowledgment that it exists?

How long has magic been intertwined with humans? Since the beginning of human civilization? More recently?

Is forensic magic a thing? Like a sort of magic that can trace something back to another person? How effective would this kind of magic be to tracking down thieves? 🥲

How do the laws of physics interact with the law of magic? Does magic overrule physics or does physicals overrule magic? Does magic completely ignore physics or is it influenced by it? For example, if you were to use an ice or water based spell in a very warm and humid place, would that affect the strength of your spell? Or would the spell overrule those influences and remain equally as strong?

I’m loving the world building so far so I can’t help but crave for my tidbits! Thank you for all your hard work Leone! 😊

Ahhh thank you for sticking with me and for sending such a cool ask!

Sorry it took me such a long time to get around to answer it but I'm excited to have the opportunity to dive into some more of the lore!

Magic Questions 2.0

Is it possible to enhance an item with specific magic? Like an enhanced sword, ring, helmet, bow, shield, etc. If yes, do the royal family/military utilize this skill?

Yes and yes! Almost all noble families have magic heirlooms that have been passed down and magic is very much tied to warfare, with mages being used in both offensive and defensive battles.

The royal family also has many magical relics, artifacts, heirlooms, etc. But their relationship with magic is very old and very different.

Politically speaking, how is magic viewed in the world? Do certain factions support it more than others? Is it viewed negatively/positively in society, or perhaps is there just a neutral, common acknowledgment that it exists?

Everyone knows that it exists, but most people aren't involved with the extreme levels of it. Also, different groups have different origin stories of how it came to be, when it's appropriate to use it, etc. which can lead to friction between the many cultures that populate Hashind and the countries beyond. Politically, most view it positively, as long as you're doing it the way they think it should be done and for their benefit.

How long has magic been intertwined with humans? Since the beginning of human civilization? More recently?

Again, it depends on who you ask. Some groups that you'll meet will say that it is the result of their ancestor getting jiggy with a spirit, another group says that it's a force of nature, just as natural as rain and sunshine. But yeah, it's been around for as long as people have been able to pass down stories.

Is forensic magic a thing? Like a sort of magic that can trace something back to another person? How effective would this kind of magic be to tracking down thieves? 🥲

Everything leaves a trace and that's all I can say about that.

How do the laws of physics interact with the law of magic? Does magic overrule physics or does physicals overrule magic? Does magic completely ignore physics or is it influenced by it? For example, if you were to use an ice or water based spell in a very warm and humid place, would that affect the strength of your spell? Or would the spell overrule those influences and remain equally as strong?

The laws of physics and magic work together. You can't really create something with magic that goes against the laws of nature. Using your example, a water based spell in a very warm and humid place would cause a large amount of strain to whoever is attempting it and, depending of their ability, probably wouldn't last long.

Most spells interact with what is already natural, like accelerating the body's healing process, or starting a fire. But magic that tries to summon something out of nothing, or go against the laws of nature are very dangerous indeed.

[hardworkandguts]

Martian Sucessor Nadesico

機動戦艦ナデシコ

(Anime)

Space opera / comedy by Tatsuo Sato

Era: 1990s

Rating: A

Plot: In 2196, Earth and Mars are under threat of the mysterious Jovian Lizards, and to help the war effort, Nerval Heavy Industries builds the ND-001 Nadesico, recruits the best people available... even if they might be a bit odd. From Akito Tenkawa, the pilot who'd really rather just be the cook he was hired as, captain Yurika Misumaru, undefeated at every simulation but a complete scatterbrain, Gai Daigoji (not his real name), the ace pilot on board living through the ideals of old super robot show Gekiganger 3, Seiya Uribatake, an ace mechanic who accepted the position just to get away from his wife and child and to chase after women, to Ruri Hoshino, the young computer prodigy who has to witness all that.

Length: 26 episodes

Thoughts: Ah, here's another one I feel should be a lot more popular to this day, although from what I've heard, lacking a coherent vision and tone between manga, tv show and movie really prevented it from getting enough momentum to live past the movie (which really tanked, and everything I've read from it makes me not want to watch it), and we're probably all a bit worse for it. While it is best remembered for its comedy efforts, it plays it very seriously, with only a layer of comedy mostly based on our oddball characters, as the story, one of corporate betrayal, government secrets, love triangles within a big spaceship and the human cost of war is played straight and could be from any space opera from the previous 20 years, if the constant comparison with show within a show Gekiganger 3 didn't make it obvious enough. More than just something to add to the quirkiness (the midseason recap was done as Gekiganger characters watching the Nadesico recap, for instance) it becomes a key plot point layer on, raising even the always important questions of just what the matter is with fandom being so fucking weird about it. Kinda suitable when it feels I can't see, for instance, any long Macross discussion by super robot fans without someone asking why all the singing and love triangles etc. Buddy, that's like asking why track cyclists aren't doing sick tricks off the top of track. Kore wa kore, sore wa sore.

The thing is the show doesn't really hold it's punches - in the third episode, ace pilot Gai Daigoji gets killed, not in the honorable "they'll make him a statue for it" you'd see in a super robot show, but gets shot by escaping prisoners even before he could realise what was happening while he's thinking where to place his stickers for downing enemies in the previous battle, and doesn't even get a closeup, he just falls in the distance, episode over. Other than Akito, everyone just moves on because.... It's a war. On Mars, Yurika has to face a decision to enable the shields to save the Nadesico or hope for the best and not crush the Martian settlers hiding underground. The plot can be quite heavy at times, and scenes like Yurika running from funeral to funeral, in increasingly more bizarre religious getups and ceremonies, only to learn there's even more to be done really sum up the tone of the show. The people are funny and weird, the situation isn't.

You have the most deranged love triangles here, with almost every woman falling in love with Akito (who, once again, just wants to cook) with the combination of completely delusional and very oblivious Yurika at the forefront of it all. I think this is the way Macross should go in the next version, give our main character a, let's call it, protoculture harem of love interests, but remain annoyed by the constant distraction and mostly wish they could be doing something else aboard the Macross. Hey, if this has a onboard idol contest episode to lift morale and make the crew forget the dire situation they're in, Macross could also take things from Nadesico.

Visually it's pretty solid. I do love this mid 90s style of character design, the Nadesico is a fun looking ship, but maybe the best visual elements from the show are the floating holo screens that appear out of thin air, often for great comedic effect.

Recommended to: Ever wondered if there was a gas leak in the ships of one of those old space opera / super robot shows?

Plus:

Baka bakka

That mid 90s character design

It does a decent job of balancing the comedy aspect (character led) with the more serious parts (story led) and the meta commentary (both).

Minus:

I feel "forget it exists" wasn't the right decision after a movie with radically different tone tanked , but you do you, Xebec.

[booksrbetterthanpeople]

What happened to the recess class in paintball game, did they get out or something?

*The Recess Class are minding their own business in the waiting area when the Akuma Class and Science Kids return*

Gia: Hey, guys! How’d it go?

Denise: *Takes off their mask* I kinda wish we were timing that.

Jean: Still, one of our best. So, are you guys ready?

Akuma Class: …

Adrien: For what?!

Sabrina: Is it too late to run?

Victoria: You wusses got nothing to worry about. The winning class gets to face us in the next round.

Austin A: And now that you pansies are out, we all get to go fucking feral without hurting your precious little heads.

Marinette: Excuse me?!

Nino: That wasn’t them going feral?!

Mireille: Nah, did you see those guns? Come on!

Simon: And my usual paint grenades are more, uh… Ah, what’s the word?… More war-like.

Marc: Hey, but since you guys lost, you can watch our match and see the slight differences when we go against M. Grotke’s students.

Austin T: Yeah, and it’s ttally fun and safe. And you know? I feel it brings all of us close together.

*Later*

Austin T: *Lets out a battle cry* YOUR ASS IS MINE, JEAN! * Shoots at Jean, who ducks and rolls into a river and starts throwing paint grenades*

Gia: BEHIND THE SHIELD! NOW! *Austin T gets behind her shield as multiple lavender explosions go off*

Lacey: *Putting Mason in a headlock and holding a gun to him* DROP THE GUN!

Spinelli: STAY! FUCKING! COOL!

Marc: *Pointing his gun at Gerard trying to climb over the fence* GET OFF THE FENCE! GET OFF THE DAMN FENCE!

Gerard: IF I DIE, YOU’RE COMING WITH ME! *Shoots at Marc with a small paintball gun, but he narrowly dodges each one*

Zoé: DIE, GERARD *Throws a bolo at Gerard’s ankles so he trips and falls hard on the floor*

*The Akuma Class sit in the waiting room and watch the viewing screen with horrified expressions*

Alix: Why are they using weapons?!

Ivan: Apparently, they’re permitted when they play!

Nino: We go to school with animals!

*Ismael mercilessly shoots Austin Q in the forehead… Then shoots him in the back and legs*

Sabrina: Good Lord.

*Denise who has their ankle caught in a rope trap, shoots at the rope and tucks and rolls onto the ground. Hearing a twig snap, they shoot Rochelle down*

Juleka: You have to admire their skill, though.

*Some time later, the game finally ends close to the evening as a draw due to Marc and DJ as the last two players shooting each other at the same time*

Spinelli: Hey, guys, no hard feelings, right?

Aurore: Oh, you just wait when we kick your asses next time.

Spinelli: *Laughs* As if!

Max: How can you all be so calm after that?! What you just went through was a… A grueling, I wouldn’t even call it a sport. It… Why?!

Austin B: We all find that sports requiring strategic and quick thinking, camouflage skills, and the threat of danger help sharpen our skills w for in case of Akuma attacks.

Marinette: Oh. I guess that-

Reshma: Yeah, and it’s a great way to get out all the rage we feel towards you lot.

Akuma Class: …

Marinette: One more time?

Austin A: Yeah, you guys cause so many Akumas, we can’t keep track. And we’re the ones running and hiding for our lives because some of you just love pissing people off.

Victoria: And you guys get re-akumatized, which is always fun, because I do so enjoy turning into a singing servant for a perfume-spraying princess and getting shot by an arrow that makes me hate my friends.

Mindy: So… Yeah, paintball and dodgeball are sort of stress relievers for us. We admit, it’s not perfect and sone of us end up in the hospital, but it’s better than yelling at you guys and getting you akumatized again.

Alya: Th-that is so-

Rochelle: Valid? We’re aware. Now, we’re gonna get milkshakes. Nath, you coming?

Nathaniel: Yep.

Alix: Wait! You’re going with them?! Why?!

Nathaniel: Where was I during Zombizou?

Akuma Class: …

Nathaniel: That’s why. *Follows the Science Kids and Recess Class out of the paintball arena*