#btw i’m trademarking this sound

[angelbvn]

eeeeeekkkkaaaaaa

[evolnoomym]

🌙what's the story behind your username?🌙

Okayyyyy Nix @ace-turned-confused you wanna now about my username, here we go….🌙🫶🏻

I’m pretty sure I had a different name before this one but I can’t remember what it was. Anyway, when i decided to be present on tumblr in the form of love-spreading-missions, I thought I needed to have a different username. (yes there was a short time where I actually just did that and didn’t consider writing something myself 😂)

After some deliberation the idea of something having to do with the moon came up, and I tried some different variations (again, I can’t remember what those were😂)

I love the moon, spend so much time looking up there to see in which phase she is, My Moon Love (which also makes me think about my cat that is named Luna, it means moon in Latin, or in Roman Luna is a goddess of the moon)

I believe spelling it backwards is just because I thought it looked better that way, I didn’t expect how much confusion it would cause (that made me almost change it) 😂😂

Also Mina = Moon 🤭🌙

It sounds like I’m making that up, but I really didn’t expect the whole moon thing to become my trademark, but I honestly also leaned into it so I can be blamed too 🙏🏻🤩🌙

To think that all of this started just because I didn’t want to use my real name in “Runaway Butterfly 🦋”

Btw I love when y’all call me Moon Princess, Moon Love, Moon Fairy, Moon Girl…etc. 🫶🏻🫶🏻

I hope this gave some insight 💛

Npt: @aurorawritestoescape @amanitacowboy @laughing-in-th3-purple-rain @inept-the-magnificent @luxurychristmaspudding @sizzlingcloudmentality (anyone who sees this please feel tagged too 🫶🏻)

[beauleifu]

Hi idk if this is the right place to request since I’m new to tumblr but I would like to request a lmk (romantic) mk x gn reader with six ears like macaques but they are not a monkey they just have six elf ear btw their ears are still sensitive to noises and I would like it y/n acted like macaque before he got killed (you can make up what you think he acted like before) I just thought it would be interesting to see how macaque and sun Wukong would react to y/n when they first meet them and how mk would be while being with them like would he be careful when going into loud places would he love messing with there ears. This can be a oneshot or a headcanon I don’t either way, sorry for the bad grammar im not that good at english

OML this is so creative I dig it so bad!! I hope you enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MK X READER

Lego Monkie Kid

Context: Growing up with six ears certainly does have it's perks, but when it gets noisy, you find it difficult to focus on the advantages. Noise noise noise. You hate it, you love it, you know MK loves it, and they're good for picking up on suspicious activity - like Sun Wukong and Macaque.

CW: Language

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

". . . Jeez, you'd think something like this wouldn't be so expensive."

"Try the caramel filling . . . it's delicious!"

". . . Is this enough, dear?"

You frown deeply, trying hard not to cover your ears - because that would simply be too obvious. Instead, you settle for biting your lip to distract yourself and gripping your ankles.

Noise fills your head, making it hard to focus, hard to think. Sitting with your legs crossed usually helps, but not this time.

Across from you, a handsome young person - your partner.

MK seems to notice your discomfort, having been staring through narrowed eyes at the ice-cream selection. The both of you are at the café, deciding what kind of frozen treat you'd like before meeting up with MK's superiors. He calls them his friends, but legendary demons like Sun Wukong and the Six-eared Macaque don't necessarily strike you as friend material.

First off, letting those two rivals even see each other's face seems a bit risky.

However, that's not what's bothering you. It's all due to a gift that bears remarkable similarities to Macaque's trademark feature - six ears. Pointy and delicate, they're currently picking up on every single sound in the café.

To put it blandly, you're a bit overwhelmed.

"Hey, if you want we can just grab our ice-cream and skedaddle," MK offers, eyeing the crowd nervously. "Even I think this place is too loud."

Fighting a grimace, you nod. "Yeah, that'll work. I saw some benches outside."

"Perfect! Mac and the Monkey King'll just have to sit on the floor."

"Not what I meant!" You flare, catching MK's mischievous grin. He's doing this to distract you from the noise, and thankfully it's working. The both of you stand and wait in line as you pull up your hoodie to cover your ears, hoping to muffle some of the sounds.

When MK glances your way, you offer a smile.

He takes your hand, squeezes gently.

"I'm sooo excited for you to meet them, y'know," MK drabbles on, eyes shining. "You read the stories, right?? The legendary Sun Wukong, daring and adventurous and way more stubborn in real life. And Macaque! The six-eared Macaque - ring a bell?"

You blow a raspberry. "Yeah, I heard he's got a knack for killing first and asking questions later."

"So he's got a bad reputation! You'll see, (Y/N), they're great."

Your partner continues smiling and talking as you near the front of the line. He tends to do this in loud places so you have a focus, so it's easier to drown out all the other sounds.

Unlike Macaque, you can't really tune it all out.

In no time at all, the two of you approach the front and place your orders. Something cold and refreshing for the heat of the outdoors, and perhaps something to distract you, as well.

"You wanna try the flavor I got?" MK offers, arm linked through yours.

"What flavor?"

"Kiwi."

You smile, shrugging indifferently. "Eh, I'll pass. I got my own treat that you paid for. Thanks again for that."

"No problem!" Your partner pops a spoonful of ice-cream into his mouth and pauses to savor the taste. When you both claim the bench under a large, brown shade umbrella that oversees the park across the street, MK kicks one foot over the other and lets out a satisfied sigh. "That hits the spot."

Humming appreciatively, you take a bite of your serving and smile. Oh, it does.

After glancing at his watch, MK spares you a glance. "I told them to meet us here at noon."

"So we got ten minutes to kill?"

"That's a bit extreme," MK chuckles, mouth full of ice-cream. "How 'bout we hold hands instead? That's romantic, don't'cha think? I haven't held your hand in three hours."

You can't help a snort. "You grabbed my hand this morning."

"Doesn't count. You slipped; I had to catch you."

Sure, the monkie menace is wearing his signature grin that hints at the playful undercoat to his mocking demeanor, but you're not having it. Swatting him (lightly), you swivel on the bench to deliver a proper counter attack.

"Wanna explain the orange juice spilled in such a precise way that I happened to slip on it?"

MK catches the tone in your voice, but he doesn't give up.

"You're blaming me based on a coincidence??"

You throw your head back with a laugh, the sound blotting out all the other noises in the area. It's not that bad while you're outside; at least the noise is spread out, like the birds chirping angrily at a dog barking up their tree in the distance.

Wearing a fond smile, you lean back against the arm of the bench, kicking your legs over MK's. "I totally am."

"You don't play fair," MK snorts.

Cocking a brow, you smirk at him over a spoonful of ice-cream. "Since when did I ever?"

"Oh, good, you're defeating yourself for me," your partner says, feigning relief. After a small pause, the both of you catch each other's eye and share a small laugh, MK going to pat your leg good-heartedly. "You must be nervous if you're attacking me with your numbo jumbo chat you say when you're bored."

He's being cheeky now?

"Nervous? To meet the legendary monkey demons who you miraculously befriended?" You say, brow furrowing. "Nah. I trust you to keep them in line."

MK rubs the back of his neck. "That's a weird way of putting it."

"My defense strategy is using your adorable-ness."

"You just made it weirder."

"I don't possess your charm," you deadpan, then offer a smile. "But I do have my fists!"

The Monkie Kid's pretty laugh fills your ears, and your chest swells with pride and fondness. They reach over with one hand to brush behind your ear, eyes twinkling knowingly as they say; "Yeah, and you also have these fluffy doo-hickeys that literally saved my life when I didn't catch Pigsy walking up the stairs to check if I was asleep last night!"

"True! You are in debt to me! A lifetime of service!" You laugh, fending him off, but to no avail.

You'll never admit it, but you're a sucker for physical touch.

MK suddenly sucks up his laugh - a strange, strangled inhale of air through a constricted windpipe as he whips out his phone. it had buzzed just moments ago.

Through narrowed eyes, you both read the text.

[We're here, buddy!]

"Huh. You'd think a superior immortal demon wouldn't bother to familiarize himself with a phone," you mumble thoughtfully.

MK shrugs, looking around the area, eyes scanning each and every individual that strolls by, as well as the figures in the park. His hand unconsciously finds yours sitting in your lap and laces his fingers through yours. You squeeze lightly and look up to study his features, sitting comfortably with your legs still slung over his. Perhaps it's wrong to assume, but you're almost positive MK is the most nervous out of the two of you.

"Hey, we don't have to force this," you offer. "There's no rush."

The Monkie Kid blinks, as though realizing that you'd noticed what he was doing. Running his free hand through his thick, dark hair, he locks eyes with you and puffs a sigh.

"No, I've been waiting for this moment for so long. I guess you could call it my destiny to be nervous."

You match his smile with one of your own. "Heh. Destiny."

His eyes twinkle knowingly.

Either of you could've said something more, could've acknowledged the people sparing you two curious glances, could've went back into the café to experiment with more ice-cream flavors (you both had finished yours), but the opportunity is stripped from your fingers.

At that moment, a gust of wind has you instinctively burying your face into MK's shoulder, wincing at the loud noise.

"Ohshit-"

"Hiya, bud! Glad we found ya!"

A beat.

You feel MK's fingers tighten around yours, and it's an invitation to look up and observe the scene. Blinking your eyes open, you turn from the comfort of MK's jacket, legs sliding off as your feet plant firmly on the concrete floor.

Slowly, your jaw drops south and hangs there in utter shock.

You've read the books.

Hell, you've seen the goddamn movies.

In person, it's a hell of a lot scarier to see the one and only Monkey King in person. Despite wearing a jaunty, carefree grin paired with sparkling orange eyes, he radiates intimidating energy.

Standing just beyond the majestic tower of muscle and fur is another demon, the shadow lord.

Arms folded, he glares at both you and MK, eyebrows raised.

His eyes flick momentarily to your ears, but other than a twitch of his nose, you hardly get a reaction from him.

"OH- oh my gosh, you made it! Monkey King!" MK jumps to his feet, perhaps trying to decide whether to salute Wukong or trap him in a bear hug. The latter is decidedly more difficult, so MK sticks with straightening up and saluting his mentor.

The act promptly crumbles, for in the next moment MK swarms the Monkey King, who simply stands there with a fond smile.

"How was the trip? Was it far? Hard? I have snacks if you're hungry- oh, ice-cream! (Y/N) and I had some while we were waiting but if you want I have some extra money so we can-"

The monkey demon decides to stop his protégé in his tracks.

"Who-hoa, calm down," Sun Wukong says, patting MK's head. With a good-hearted scoff, he looks around. "No need for any extremities, this place is great. Perfect place to chill - did I ever mention I liked parks and cafes?"

MK stares, dumbfounded. "Uhh, no."

"Well, I do! Unlike someone else here," Wukong adds with a surprising amount of venom.

You catch him glance at Macaque hovering a few feet away.

The shadow lord's brow furrows in question. "What."

"Oh, I dunno. Kinda figured you preferred moldy dark caves cause that's the essence of your soul," Wukong mutters, rolling his eyes when Macaque bares his teeth. "C'mon, I was joking. You're more of the hates-peace-and-chill in general type."

The six-eared monkey demon sticks his nose up in the air, stiff as a board. "I see how it is. You plan to destroy MK's little hang-out with tacky insults."

"MK's fine with it! Right, bud?" Sun Wukong gives MK a wide-eyed look.

Poor, poor MK.

There's no way he would disagree with his mentor, simply because he hasn't the heart to create an opening for an argument.

You feel the need to step in.

Offering your hand before MK could agree like the gullible darling he is, you crack a smile. "Eh, I'm sure he'd much rather spend his time checking up on you guys. I'm (Y/N), by the way. MK invited you here so we could meet?"

There's a small bout of silence in which Sun Wukong and Macaque observe you.

Just to curious, reserved entities.

You sense them judge your character, your appearance, your entire being it seems, in the span of a few seconds. Then we're back to reality.

Sun Wukong huffs an accommodating sigh. "He did mention something about a partner."

"I also mentioned how AWESOME they are," MK pipes in.

You snort. "Not as awesome as the legendary Sun Wukong and his nemesis," you say, glancing at Macaque curiously. The shadow lord has offered hardly a word of conversation. You feel his mood is greatly dampened by the company of a certain immortal someone. Not much you can do to help, though.

"Let's sit down," MK offers, then pauses as he reconsidered. "Eh, hold that thought. You guys want ice-cream?"

You deadpan. "Bro, we just had some."

"They haven't."

The two monkey demons don't look particularly interested in ice-cream, but you could be wrong. Nonetheless, you feel the need to play your cards.

"You shouldn't waste your checks on temporary things!"

A glimmer of mischief flashes in MK's beautiful eyes. He steps close, smiles down at you. "Aha, but that's where you're wrong, (Y/N)," he snickers, tapping your nose fondly. You blink at the show of affection as he continues. "The memories we create here sure aren't temporary. I mean, unless you've got amnesia or something."

You can't help a grudging laugh, turning to face Wukong and Macaque. "Okay, fine. But I'm paying. Who's up for something cold and sweet?"

Hmm.

Perhaps you were wrong.

As you browse the large selection of ice-cream flavors, you notice the demons slowly showing their interest.

Or maybe it's just because MK is hyping them up over the kiwi flavor. Either way, you're happy to pay for the items and head out of the noisy, yet pretty café. You'd noticed Macaque giving your ears a few more curious glances, but that's it.

He does confront you on your way to the park, though.

You'd just so happened to sidle up next to him as MK catches up with his mentor, and feel the need to start some small talk.

"So you're the six-eared Macaque, huh?"

The shadow lord glances down at you, seemingly uninterested. "Seems like I'm not the only six-eared out there, contrary to popular opinion. Which was solely mine."

"I'm not a demon, if that's what you're wondering."

"It's not. I didn't care at all."

Uh-huh.

You roll your eyes and opt for a smile. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Mr. Ex mentor of MK."

"Coulda chosen a better title," Macaque snorts irritably.

You bite back a retort, that MK could've chosen a better mentor to teach him the ways of the monkey. Thankfully that whole fiasco ended in a positive note, yet you still find yourself having to reassure MK that people make mistakes. People make bad choices. What matters is what they learn from those mistakes.

Speaking of MK.

You excuse yourself, deciding that Macaque cares not as to whether or not you stay.

Sidling up next to your partner, you slip your fingers through his and keep your eyes ahead, listening absently to whatever he and his mentor were discussing. Something about future training plans.

There's always something new to learn, huh?

MK swivels to glance at you. "Did the most attractive person in the world just take my hand, or am I still dreaming?"

"Other way around, babe," you say.

He snorts a doubtful laugh, then gives your hand a squeeze. "How ya doing? The noises aren't bothering you, are they? We've been outside for awhile now."

"Don't worry about me, I've dealt with this for years."

Sun Wukong tilts his head, having been listening in. "Sensitive to loud noises, huh? Well, I guess that's one thing you and Macaque have in common."

Upon hearing his name, Macaque's eyes are suddenly laser focused on the three of you.

Oblivious, you smile. "It's not that bad, I've only ever bled out my ear once."

"Wha-"

MK's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates, and you laugh before he could interrogate you. "Joking! I was joking. It's never that bad., don't worry."

"Ha!" Sun Wukong flashes MK a wink. "Glad you picked someone with a fun side, bud."

Ho boy.

The one and only Monkey King, complimenting you?

You're grin is wide, matching MK's as he nods eagerly. "Yup! I got lucky, huh?"

"Hell no! I got lucky," you fire, laughing.

It's a war neither of you have won yet. Who loves who more?

Everyone's been through that war.

You glance over your shoulder, once - not twice, because Macaque meets your gaze the first time. He still looks uninterested in being your friend, perhaps he's uninterested in being MK's friend, too. But you know he cares. Otherwise, why wouldn't he be here?

Besides, you're sure he doesn't care for ice-cream.

But he got some because MK asked. Another thing you two have in common.

Your eyes slowly travel to study MK's brilliant features again, your hand still holding his. He's resumed talking with Sun Wukong, licking his ice-cream cone with a peaceful smile on his face.

He's been through so much.

You're glad you met him instead of someone else.

[katyspersonal]

So, I’m wondering why the Hunter of Hunters guild and the League would be enemies? What are the hints that suggest this? It’s very interesting.

Oh, I actually more or less touched the topic in this ( x ) post, but I feel like making it more clear now! (Besides nobody would dive in my blog this deep lol)

My biggest hook is simple convenience of the Oath Runes! There are six of them and whereas Radiance and Corruption reflect covenants hostile to each other (Executioners and Vilebloods), Beast's Embrace and Milkweed reflect opposing kinds of ascension (beasthood and Kinship)! Logically, Hunter and Impurity should be opposing pair.

However it also makes sense! Enemies of Hunters of Hunters are the blood-drunk ones, and just analyse how Valtr is acting and what League's goal is!

Pretty much a blood-drunk behaviour (so, aiming to kill everyone - beasts, kin, other hunters...) is normalised within League? Regulated, too - there is targeting, there are still some allies (League only), he is also able to provide a conversation rather than just screaming... Which somewhat makes it more grim than blood-drunk hunters who are completely off the shits (and thus easier to spot!).

I talk about my opinion on Vermin and nature of Impurity-like runeS often, but even if his goal is noble (to free the world of all evil), ending up seeing everything as evil doesn't help his case. Besides, Eileen states that killing other Hunters rather than beasts IS a "privilege" of Hunters of Hunters.

So, Hunters of Hunters spot the one who is straight on their way to become a beast with no-return and kill them before they met this fate so they can die as a human (hence why weapon is called Blade of Mercy). Pretty sure every Hunter WOULD, in fact, prefer to die as a human. But League is like... 'Everyone is filth sooner or later, why even bother taking time and giving chances' fdsjfdsh In fact, that agrees with cut dialogue for Gascoigne (who IS blood-drunk too) :

(Love that they cut it and made his dialogue more subtle yet still just as much on point btw)

Also, sure it might be just a trademark Creepy Soulsborne NPC Thing TM but something about the way Eileen sounds when speaking about killing Henryk makes me feel she hasn't been feeling very nice about him for a while - and he IS a member of the League too!

Like, killing another person should be a tragic necessity hence why Hunters of Hunters bear their 'cursed' mission, but for the League killing people is THE point...? Hunters of Hunters honor other hunters that fought for defending humanity, they believe in humanity, too!

There is strong emphasis on honoring the hunter even if they fell for blood-drunkness - they probably fought well, after all! Feels like a whole different ring to the sadistic glee with which you can see Valtr destroying the "filth", not even a "human", and only respecting his comrades that pursue the same attitude, huh?

However one interesting bit is Henryk stuff aside, it is very possible that these covenants are way less aware of each other than, say, Executioners and Vilebloods. Odds are, whereas League might know of the goals of crow-themed Hunters, Eileen might not know know about the League itself! This is just speculation.

I also know I bully Valtr a lot but I don't really mean it tbh. Odds are, he is looking for successor because he is AWARE he is dangerous, maybe he could even snap at his confederates any moment too. I always felt like 'stopped seeing Vermin' meant 'stopped seeing the difference between innocent and guilty', and that attitude probably infected his friends too. But well yeah Henryk and Madaras Twin are probably just feral like this, but poor Yamamura clearly didn't take the "mission" well!

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

YOU WRITE FOR THE WALTIN FILES??? YESS 😭😭💕 this request will be platonic bc it's a robot. May I please request a reader loving Billy as a kid and him being their (nonbinary btw) favorite growing up so they go back to the k-9 facility to work and finds him and puts their casset tape in and listens but when bon tries to attack Billy protects reader and in the end reader stays behind Billy to stay safe

I'm sorry for the long request!! Have a nice day and stay healthy!!

BRO I love Billy so much (and from a quiz I took he's one of my kins now hdhghd)

.........

After making sure you got everything you needed for the job, you took a deep breath and headed inside the K-9 facility.

You'd feel less nervous if it wasn't buried in the heart of some spooky forest. But you took comfort in knowing it was still daytime...or else you would've stayed home.

You were tasked with reprogramming the animatronics for Felix's "Relocate Project". The last three employees sent here didn't have much luck, so he assigned you specifically, knowing your proficiency in repairing machines.

It seemed pointless if three people couldn't even fix them. But your boss seemed desperate to revive the project by any means necessary. Plus you'll get paid extra if you were successful in reprogramming at least one animatronic. So you took the offer.

Inside the facility, you recorded yourself looking around for the animatronics, even reminiscing the time you visited Bon's Burgers when it was first opened.

But when you found the gang, they were in even worse shape than before. All four of them. You tested their joint movements, though it seemed as if...they were unwilling to perform for you.

Not to mention there was a certain rotting smell to them that made you wish you brought a gas mask.

Oh well, you'll live.

Besides, you were looking for a certain animatronic:

Billy. He was always your favorite, even though he didn't make too many debuts as a Showstopper. Most kids were afraid of him because he was a black-eyed clown who couldn't express many emotions, but you loved him and visited him as often as you could. He relied on tapes to speak and sing, though you doubted everything he said was just prerecorded nonsense.

He genuinely seemed like a best friend to you.

"Billy..Billy, hm..I wonder where he is?" You muttered to the camera as you continued your search. And with luck, you found a backroom that led to other rooms.

And in one of those rooms lied the clown who made your childhood memorable.

Although the smell coming from him was similarly pungent, you ignored it, just happy that he was still here. You found some old tapes on the desk, seeing one in faded marker that had your name written on it.

A special birthday message for you.

When you tried playing it with the tape recorder, you frowned slightly when all you heard was static. Even Billy himself seemed to have trouble singing, so you stopped the tape and removed it.

But as your foot kicked something on the floor, you looked down to see that it was another tape. Simply labelled Discard.

"What's wrong with this?" You hummed, picking it up and deciding to play it.

At first, Billy began singing his trademark birthday song. But then he suddenly began listening off names, with beeps in between. Some of them sounded eerily familiar..

"J-Jack..Susan..Charles..Rosemary..Sophie.."

He kept repeating the same names over and over, and it was starting to creep you out. So in haste you reached out to stop the recording-

Only for his bloody mechanical hand to grab your wrist. Your eyes widened in shock, and you winced from the pain of his grip. But curiously enough, he used his other hand to stop the tape himself.

Then you saw white pupils appear in his eye sockets, and he looked up at you, before pointing to something on the table.

You glanced over and saw another tape labelled Billy. It was probably the one that allowed him to talk freely, so you quickly swapped the tapes and shakily pressed the button.

"[Y/n]! M-My best buddy!" He giggled as he let you go, the corners of his lips stretching into a bigger smile.

"B-Billy..it's..it's good to see you again." You breathed, confused but overjoyed that he recognized you. "How's-?"

"Why did you come back?"

"....huh?"

"You shouldn't have played that tape." His smile was quick to falter as shook his head, sockets widening. "He's mad now.."

"What? Who's mad-?"

A warped robotic laugh sent chills down your spine, as you heard the door behind you slam shut. With terror seizing your nerves, you could only shakily shine your flashlight, which landed on a fuzzy white chest with a red bowtie-

Before you shined it upwards, revealing a grinning Bon.

Billy was just as horrified, but he remembered this exact scenario.

No...he couldn't let this happen again. Especially not to you!

He sprang up and pulled you behind him, shielding you from the twisted rabbit. "No more, Bon! Please...d-don't hurt them." He pleaded as black tears leaked from his eyes. "They're my only friend.."

Bon stood rigidly, looking surprised that his fellow Showstopper was protecting you.

Then again he wasn't particularly kind to him when someone else did the same thing you did--discovering something you shouldn't have.

You had to be punished, too. He couldn't afford that.

For a moment, he seemed ready to pounce when he heard a noise coming from the outside. He suddenly turned around and threw the door open, leaving at an unusually fast pace for a decrepit animatronic.

But he was gone, thank god.

You shakily sighed with relief, still perplexed by what you had just witnessed. "Th-Thanks, Billy. But..why would Bon wanna hurt me?"

"He likes keeping what happened here a secret." Billy explained as he shut the door, sniffling. "A-All these years..he's tried making us "beautiful", but he only causes us pain."

"That doesn't sound like him at all.." You muttered.

Even back then, you never really trusted Bon. He always gave you the creeps for some reason..especially with how stiff his movements were compared to the others. They seemed so forced, like some caged animal was trying to break out of him.

You wonder if he recognized you, too.

"Ever since the beginning he's been..off. I didn't like it. H-He scares us now.." Fresh black tears dripped down Billy's face as he turned back to you.

"Is..that why he wanted to hurt me? Because of that discarded tape?" You questioned, remembering that two of the names listed were Bon's Burgers employees.

'But I don't know any "Jack", "Rosemary", or "Sophie"..'

The clown could only tremble. "You need to leave before h-he hurts you again..please..go before he comes back!"

"And leave you here to suffocate in this garbage facility? I don't think so." You shook your head. "I'm gonna stay and try to get you guys outta here. I..I don't know how or when but..I can't leave you. Not again."

Billy blinked with surprise. He didn't expect you to stay, especially after that terrifying encounter with Bon. But he wasn't going to let you have the same fate as the technician imprisoned within him.

So he'll try to protect you. Even if the others won't.

[bigskydreaming]

Bruce Wayne upon Henry Cavill returning to the DCU as Superman: 

“Oh, I see somebody decided to go and STEAL MY ENTIRE CHARACTERIZATION on his summer vacation. Nice. Boy scout, my ass. Well, don’t forget where you are now. You’re not in Kansas anymore. OR Middle-Earth. Oh, I’m sorry, I meant “the Continent” (look, all fantasy lands are the same, everyone knows that. Its called the United States of Narnia? Read a map?) Whatever. Just don’t go around thinking you’ll be bringing any of THAT role into this one. Stay in your lane, Kent. I do the brooding around here, and I DON’T share well with others. Ask literally any of my children. I even compete with each of them for their siblings’ time and attention, lmao like why would I share my stuff with you? I’ve never even adopted you, like even a little bit, helloooooo. 

Oh, and btw, I still have my anti-Superman armored suit down in the Batcave. Its filed in the Aisle of All My Mistakes, Obsessively Archived For Posterity and Also Memorialized In A Super-Healthy And Not At All Concerning Way That Has Nothing to Do With Routine Self-Flagellation Because Reasons, no matter what Dick has told you. He’s a habitual liar, picked it up from me. I’m very proud. In addition to my anti-Superman suit I also have a lifetime membership to the Can and Will Repeat My Worst Mistakes Like Clockwork and Learn Nothing From Them Ever Club, so despite how disastrously everything went the last time I got my ass beat by you even WITH ‘prep time,’ no matter what the reddit Rumbles thread started by my sockpuppet account claims - y’know, back when I was manipulated into seeing you as Satan by a supervillain who looked at my ego and paranoia and said well this looks so easy even I almost feel bad about weaponizing it for Evil? - well, Poor Life Choices is the longest committed relationship I’ve ever had in my life and I’m WAY too invested to back down on that front now. I’d just look flaky. 

So in conclusion to this impromptu Powerpoint presentation that I just happened to have handy despite zero advance indicators I might need it and suggests either that I probably SHOULD be tested for the meta-gene or else that I really AM an extra-dimensional Batgod and everybody should be wildly concerned about that, the point is I’m ready to willfully disregard ALL of the aforementioned self-awareness and life lessons that didn’t stick, 100% prepared to throw down all over again if I see even a hint of that lip curling in a derisive half-smirk that suggests ‘I am cursed to share this planet with incompetent dumbasses.’ Just because my legal department still hasn’t figured out how to trademark a Mood even when its mine and I basically invented it, I’m pretty sure, well, that doesn’t mean I’m gonna just stand idly by and let you STEAL IT when plagiarism is a felony that carries a five year sentence. Minimum. Probably. Idk. Look, in this particular universe I mounted machine guns on my car instead of ridiculous physics-defying grappling hooks. I lost sight of Proportionate Responses literal decades ago. This is not new information. Let’s move on.

 Wait, what? No there’s nothing to read into the fact that I make a habit of watching your lips. You’re an alien. I’m a detective. I’m documenting how the topography of your face shifts in response to each and every emotion-incited twitch, all so I can plausibly pull off my ‘I can see into a man’s very soul by deciphering his micro-expressions’ bullshit with you too. Its literally for Science? I’ll write a book on it someday. Maybe. And if I do there will obviously be zero subtext about why I detail Kryptonian musculature in vastly more explicit detail than I do the mechanics of heat vision, duh, like lmao you sound so unhinged right now, literally what even is your deal.”

Bruce, walking away muttering: Who the fuck does this guy even think he is? And just going around adopting random orphans he trains to fight bad guys and save the world? That’s MY move. Everyone knows that! Respect my brand and go get your own, asshole. Jeez.

* this is a joke post that is not in any way meant to speak to OP’s actual interpretation of any Bruce Wayne that matters, just a random expansion on DCU movie Bruce Wayne who I disavow for being the Ultimate Bad Take of that universe on account of what the actual fuck am I supposed to do with a Batman who has his car gun down random henchmen in the name of literally nobody even knows at this point. Like, hello? Now what are he and Jason supposed to fight about and be forever tragically estranged because of? You guys gotta THINK about this stuff before you just go around throwing hundred million dollar budgets at the first pitch to go “here’s how a Superman and Batman fight to the death can still win, actually.” No, but seriously. For real. I just really hate Batfleck’s characterization. Like, with the fiery passion of a hundred thousand suns all competing in the official Universe’s Hottest Supernova competition. And as you can see, I am super reasonable and rational about this and am definitely probably likely to change my mind about it if exposed to just the right counter-argument that I have just never considered or been approached with before. And ‘tis not even an objection to his casting, the aesthetics, not the DC movie universe as a whole. Nay. Nay I say, with much over the top ridiculousness to blunt the edge of any inclination one might have to treat this post seriously because Somebody On The Internet Is Being Wrong persists as a problem that occasionally besets us all. No? That’s literally just me projecting and my experiences are not actually universal? Huh. Weird. Not sure I like that. ANYWAY, to return to the afore-mentioned NAY I SAY(s)....my grudge match is against Batfleck’s characterization and Batfleck’s characterization only. Consider this my love letter to how absurd I find it, rather than an invitation to The Discourse as even my substantial history of arguing molehills into Mount Everests isn’t up to the task of expanding on a thesis that is basically just “I just think it sucks and I hate it, bye.”

[keilemlucent]

lavender latte: ii

(T (for now!))

hawks | takami keigo x reader

chapter 1   ||   chapter 3   ||   chapter 4

ao3

word count: ~3k

You and Hawks’s second meeting.

warnings: mutual pining, shy reader-ish, ooc hawks, the fun stuff, fluff ; ) 

|||||||||||||

You didn’t hear anything from Hawks for the next few days. 

It was a fleeting disappointment, but you took his lack of contact as truth and reality. Some big shot, pro-hero wasn’t going to waste time texting a no-name, nobody barista, no matter how mutually flirty of an interaction was shared. 

Prior to actually meeting Hawks, you had seen the tabloids that his name spilled over. Shady stories of midnight rendezvous with models and celebrities, sultry pictures of his own on magazines at grocery store checkouts were a lot of your knowledge of him. He was a very eligible and active bachelor, everyone knew it. 

You reminded yourself that you didn’t mean shit to him, and moved on.

Until about a week from your first meeting, late into the evening, your phone buzzed.

You thought it was one of the team from the teashop, asking another question about a new blend you had made. 

Your eyes widened at the text that you did see:

 [unknown number]: hey angel ;) do you work tomorrow? it’s supposed to be a cold one and i’d love to try another one of your drinks

 You stared at your phone screen for a moment, mouth going dry before typing out a reply. 

 [you]: is this hawks?

 The next reply came only seconds later.

 [unknown number]: the one and only ;))))

  He... actually texted me?

Holy shit.

Another message came in. 

 [unknown number]: don’t tell me you go handing out your number to folks at work all the time :^( you’re gonna hurt my :^((( feelings :^((((

 You deadpanned at Hawks’s texts. 

You couldn’t believe the number two, pro hero texted like a normal twenty-some year old.

It was endearing, if not at the very least comforting.

 [you]: nah, just you tailfeathers 😉

[you]: i work tomorrow morning, opening shift. 6 am. think you can handle it???

 You giggled at your own texts, unable to hold back when you saw Hawks continuing to type. You quickly typed in a contact name.

 [tailfeathers]: E

[tailfeathers]: Z

[tailfeathers]: i’ll be there bright and early ;)

 Part of you, the rational, realistic part, doubted that. Sure, Hawks had texted you, but he wouldn’t actually show, right? He was a busy, busy man. He’d probably get sidetracked.

Don’t get your hopes up. 

 You tried to remain practical.

But, you also liked pushing your luck.

 [you]: see u then!!

[you]: btw your contact name is ‘tailfeathers’ 

[you]: ;)

 [tailfeathers]: what if i told you yours is ‘barista angel’

 [you]: i’d ask if you saw my name on that conveniently small piece of paper i gave you

 [tailfeathers]: i would say yes

[tailfeathers]: but idk angel seems like a more proper title for u 

You felt your still and heat rush to your face. 

He can’t be flirting with you over text. What the FUCK.

 [tailfeathers]: only angels can make coffee as well as u 😇

 “What a bastard,” You shook your head, sighing. Part of you was glad he made it more clear your identity was tied to coffee and not affections. 

 [you]: u flatter me

 [tailfeathers]: i only speak the truth ;)

 You bit your lip as you typed out the next reply, well aware that the evening sky had darkened and you needed an adequate amount of sleep to actually make it to that morning shift. 

 [you]: i’m about to knock out so i can actually be alive for my shift, but i’ll see you tomorrow bird boy

 Hawks’s replied quickly as seemed to be a trend with him. 

 [tailfeathers]: bird boy!!!!! 

[tailfeathers]: i’m moving up in the world

[tailfeathers]: see u then angel 

 As you got ready for bed, going about your mundane routine and preparing the coming day, you had no idea that Keigo was across the city, cradling his phone to his chest with a wobbling smile on his face, a foreign sensation filling his chest. 

He was very excited to see you again, even if it took a few days to get that far.

 |||||||||||||||||||

 The next day was indeed, terribly cold. Despite bundling up in a thick, woolen coat and a knit scarf, you nearly froze on the way to work. Despite the chill, the rest of the morning crew made it in just a few minutes after you.

“I’ll be in back until there’s a rush, alright?” You called to the three openers, all silly college students from the local university. They were all sort of dense, but they were loveable.

“Okay!” One smiled as they flitted to the front counter and seating area.

The back of the teashop was a smaller commercial kitchen, all steel tables and cooking implements. Lots of tools to actually do your job. Though you were the maker of the tea blends for the shop, a lot of your work consisted of packaging and fulfilling orders as well as design work for the teashop’s online presence. Truthfully, you were more of a jack-of-all-trades type of worker, but nearly all of it confined you to the safety of the back kitchen. The lack of stimuli made it easier to work effectively, quirk activated or otherwise.

You tied your apron tight around your waist, adjusting a few of your buttons and smoothing yourself down. The back remained frigid in the mornings, and you could only be glad you were layered up for the day. You pulled out your company-issued tablet and began tapping away with the stylus as the shop prepped to open.

You were too absorbed in your work to hear the bell at the entrance, just minutes after unlocking the door. 

 Keigo? Elated. His last week of hero work had been all long hours and late nights. His wings had grown sparse with overuse, barely carrying him properly through the skies. When he saw that his office day at his agency was due to be particularly cold, he knew it was the perfect excuse to give you a visit.

You hadn’t been constantly on his mind. Rather, you perked up in his thoughts semi-reliably, but briefly a few times a day. Most affections were forgettable, he didn’t have time for anything other than whorish trysts with other heroes and those of higher society who knew how to keep their mouths (somewhat) shut. 

Part of him, the part that the Commission’s ruthless training created, hated the way how you were sticking with him.

Another part of him, the kinder, softer, very repressed one, recognized his feelings and hid them safely. Vulnerable things required heavy protection.

 When Keigo reached the teashop, early as dawn crept over the urbanscape, he pushed the door open and was greeted by the rolling smell of roasted coffee beans and black tea.

Only a few other patrons were there, eyes wide as the top ten hero gave them a trademark wave, waltzing to the counter with his signature swagger.

The workers (none of them being you) gawked at him, jaws half to the floor.

“Hawks?!” One of them exclaimed. “Oh my god, can I get an autograph?!”

 (Keigo carried a few pens on him for occasions like this.)

 The worker, a young thing with a shock of short blue hair, wrestled under the counter for a notebook. Another of the workers also attempted to wrangle a bit of receipt paper from the fussy machine, flashing him a nervous smile.

“Of course, autographs are a given,” He winked at the two of them, sauntering up to the counter. “On one condition, though. Could you tell me if (Y/N) is working?”

The morning shifts workers proceeded to gawk more. 

 You sat deep in concentration, thoroughly organizing yourself for the day with lists and plans. You were only startled from your work when one of the other baristas popped her head back, eyes wide. 

“Uh, (Y/N), I know you’re busy, but Hawks is here for you?” She stammered, saying his name incredulously and pointing a shaking finger out at the counter.

You could hear his silky laugh just beyond the precipice. 

Your mouth quirked up in surprise. 

I didn’t expect him to actually come.

It was a pleasant surprise though, one that made your heart stutter in your chest.

You put down the tablet, making your way to the front of the shop.

Hawks leaned down on the front counter, signing various papers and items that the staff and patrons of the tea shop had given him. His smooth voice echoed beautifully around the shop, mixing with the din of the soft music that provided ambient sound. 

Thoroughly absorbed in his fan interaction, you leaned against the door frame, watching him as he had yet to notice you.

(You tried to look nonchalant, but it was probably a bit of ogling.)

Hawks’s scarlet wings appeared sparse, but still twitched and fluffed every few moments. He was dressed in his hero uniform, visor pushed up into the feathery, front bits of his hair. With all of his typical regalia on, he seemed out of place in the slow din of the coffee shop. He seemed to shine so brightly, making himself a focal point without even trying. 

Without the protection of his visor, Hawks’ honeyed eyes seemed brighter, luminous from the inside out. Even from your distance, you could watch their topazine shine dance in the soft lighting. 

His gaze drifted to you and positively lit up. 

(You didn’t think that was possible.)  

Your stomach fluttered.

“Well, if it isn’t (Y/N)!” Hawks beamed you a smile that could’ve put the sun to shame. It made something deep in your chest thrum. “For a minute there, I thought you’d pulled my leg about working today.”

“Oh, never, ” You grinned, moving directly in front of him at the counter, your shocked coworkers parting for you. “I tend to work in the back if the rest of our lovely staff is present.

You gestured to your very starstruck coworkers who all gave various gawking looks before falling away, shyness obviously overtaking them. 

It wasn’t like you weren’t feeling similarly, but your nervousness was better hidden. Facades were, in fact, a trained skill in maintaining and god, if you weren’t a master.

But, Keigo had his own mastery in spotting cracks in people’s veneers. And, easily, he saw your tension and nervousness. For anyone with less trained interpersonal skills, they wouldn’t have noticed a damn thing. But to Keigo? Your anxiety was as clear as the light you added to a room. A few of his feathers twitched, picking up on the rapid beating of your heart across from him. 

“What can I get you?” You asked, speaking through any of your fears, cracking him a genuine smile.

Keigo returned it without thought, chest warming.

“Mmm... Surprise me. Something to help me get my day started.” Keigo loved the way your eyes lit up when he talked, a little bit of knowingness between the two of you sparking. 

“Same specifications as before? Hot and sweet?” You asked, already grabbing a cup, flashing him a cheeky grin. 

Hawks raised an eyebrow, batting his eyelashes at you in a way that you couldn’t not laugh. He rested his elbows on the counter and leaned over the top of it, regarding you with half-lidded eyes, “You remember my preferences? I feel honored.”

“You should,” You winked. If he was going to shamelessly flirt, you would right back. 

 Truthfully, your personal attention made Keigo swoon like a goddamn schoolgirl. He could feel sweat growing on his palms, making the leather of his gloves stick. Normally, the sensation would’ve ticked his more anxiety-ridden tendencies into overdrive, but he could hardly focus on them. He was too busy watching you flit around behind the counter.

 “So,” You began, activating your quirk and beginning your process. “Why so few feathers? Get roughed up?”

Keigo chuckled, flexing what feathers he did have left for emphasis, “Basically. I have to give them a few days to regrow. A couple nasty days in a row means a couple days recovery.”

You hummed, turning to the espresso machine. Before pouring the shot, you gave him a little smile with the cutest quirk in your lips, “I’m sure you more than deserve the rest.”

 Oh, that made his proverbial dick swell.

Someone, a very nice, stranger barista, angel, telling him he deserved something kind? And, there wasn’t an edge of dishonesty in you. If anything, there was an earnestness in your quirk-blackened eyes that made Keigo nearly scared of the amount of vulnerability you gave him so freely.

He wondered if you showed that to all of your patrons. 

(You didn’t.) 

 You turned behind the counter, quirk activated and swirling. The familiar blending of your senses made your teeth ache and head burn with the overabundance of stimuli, but you worked through it. You reached through the external sensations to manifest your idea and feeling into a conceivable reality. 

You dumped any number of syrups and shots into the cup, placing it (and a lid) on the counter in front of Hawks. Warm smells of cardamom and cinnamon tickled both of your noses as you nodded down, “Let that cool for a sec, then give it a taste. I need a comprehensive review.”

Hawks plucked off one of his gloves, taking the steaming cup in his hand, looking down at the foam. His gaze flickered around the two of you, noting that the few civilians and coworkers once surrounding him had left you two with a small bit of privacy.

“What’s the inspiration for this one?” Hawks gave you a downright sweet, knowing look.

“Take a sip and guess,” You nodded down to the cup again, idly going to wipe down the counters with a rag slung in your apron.

Hawks blew on steaming liquid, throwing back his head to take a decently sized sip. You had to tear your gaze from the bob of his throat. 

  Keep it in your pants. 

 While you were suppressing being horny for the number two hero, Keigo was suppressing being horny for a fucking beverage. 

The flavor hit his tongue and throat and danced. It was warm, like the last one, spilling hearth-like heat into his chest and extremities. But, this drink tasted literally spiced, like it had some sort of pepper in it (according to Keigo’s untrained, pitiful palette). His wings ruffled, feathers rustling and twitching with the taste of the drink. Despite the heat flooding his body, the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck rose as waves of subtle pleasure rolled through Keigo’s body. 

He placed the cup back on the counter, staring you down with incredulity.

You, cutely cheeky as ever, just smiled and crossed your arms over your chest, “Are you a fan?”

“It’s... spicy. How. Why. Is this even coffee?” Hawks asked. Despite his questioning, he took another sip, shuddering at the comforting heat it gave him. 

“There’s coffee in it, or, espresso,” You couldn’t help feeling a bit smitten with the way Hawks looked at you. Disbelief wasn’t an expression you saw many heroes wear, especially not one with a reputation like Hawks’s. Yet, there he was, in front of you, staring at his cup like you just served him battery acid and grass. 

“If that’s the case, gimme the rundown, angel,” Hawks peeled off his other glove, setting the pair on the counter. He surprised you as he shrugged off his lined jacket, plopping down in a nearby stool.

You hadn’t ever really seen this much of Hawks, not in his hero uniform anyways. Plenty of him was available for viewing due to his various modeling ventures, but seeing him in the flesh was far better. The black shirt of his hero costume stretched over the lean, sculpted muscles of his arms. He certainly wasn’t built in the same way other top heroes were, but from what you could see (read: drool over), Hawks certainly wasn’t lacking—

“See something you like?” Hawks raised an eyebrow while taking another sip,  devilish curl to his lips.

You really wished you had the bodily control to stop the red flush that grew on your face.

“SO —!” You laughed, diverting back to the drink at hand. “The drink.”

“Wonderful deflection,” Hawks set the cup down, still smirking. “So, the drink .”

Your fingers tapped at the countertop, living your blush down with a lack of eye contact. 

  He gets stared at all the time, chill out. 

Dude probably likes it, (Y/N).

 “The drink is a dirty chai, with some editions, of course.” You jerked your head back to the wall of tea blends, the familiar ebbing away from of your embarrassment. “We have a couple of different chai blends that I make in house. Several different chai concentrates too.”

“Forgive me, but a dirty chai?” Hawks teased.

“Wow, weak jab there, Hawks, ” You rolled your eyes. Hawks just continued to beam at you, swinging his legs behind the counter. “I gave you an oatmilk,  ginger chai with three shots of espresso and a few other secret touches. I wanted to make it warm again for you.”

 Keigo paused at your admission, (not-so) secretly reveling in your poorly contained embarrassment. Perhaps it was a bit cruel, but his job did carry some wonderful perks and he’d be damned to not enjoy them. 

“It feels like a different kind of warm, compared to last time,” Keigo took another taste to confirm. The spiced liquid flooded his palette again, skin pleasantly prickling at the taste. 

 You hummed, refusing to fully make eye contact with Hawks. 

Truthfully, you spent an embarrassing amount of time since the night prior thinking about potential sensations to emulate for Hawks. You were never sure of what type of vibe he would request, but having an arsenal of ideas made you feel more prepared to impress your new clientele. 

“I made it feel like dawn,” You replied, nodding to out of the fully-windowed front of the tea shop. The district you were located in was lit up by the golds and pinks of the early morning, stretching and awakening with the new day. “I wanted it to feel like how morning sun feels on your bare skin. All like... tingly, you know? Like... seeing someone you haven't seen in a long time. ”

 Keigo immediately noticed your bashfulness after you gave your description. In the same way as last time, the vulnerability of your manifested feelings left you warm and shy for him. 

You picked at a loose string on your apron, gaze directed down and away.  With his obscured view of your face, he could see the way you softly bit your lip, eyes occasionally raking him up and down and that retreating. Keigo could feel your pounding heart and slow, deep breaths. 

...

Keigo was whipped and he hardly knew you. He was so fucked.

You were too fucking cute. It was fucking illegal. It had to be. 

Keigo had been with sexy. He’d been with unattainable. He’d been with women and men who looked like they were crafted by gods as tempters and devils. It was all pleasure and Keigo knew it like the back of his hand. He got hedonistic bliss when he wanted it and he did so very, very well.

What Keigo was entirely unfamiliar with was the gooey, fluttery feeling in his chest as you finally looked up at him to smile and nod to the drink, “So, what do you think?”

Keigo’s brain fizzled, rendered into goo. If he didn’t have years of interpersonal training, he was sure he wouldn’t have been able to speak with his own revelations. Luckily, he was able to laugh off his internal stickiness, taking another greedy sip.

“Absolutely flawless, wonderful craftsmanship, (Y/N),” Keigo bowed his head dramatically. 

 You giggled at Keigo’s drama, missing the way how his cheeks lit up for you. 

Hawks dug in his pocket, pulling out a huge wad of bills and started to slide it across the counter, “This is a tip. All for you.”

You stared, horrified at the amount of money Hawks passed to you like it was nothing. Without thinking, you placed your hand on top of his, stopping his motion. Both of you stiffened pleasantly at the sudden, small contact. 

“That’s too much, Hawks, no,” You shook your head, but Hawks was a stubborn, insistent bastard. 

His wings fluffed up behind him, a feather moving quickly between your hands and pushing your up and away.

“What the fuck.” You half-groaned. Hawks fully passed the money across the counter, hiding his hands and feathers in his lap with a Panish smirk stretched across his face.

“Take it, or I tattle on you, easy trade,” Hawks shrugged, leaning his elbows on the counter and drinking deeply. He pulled away from his beverage with a relaxed-looking smile as you remained fluster.

(Holy fuck, you touched Hawks’s bare hand and it was so NICE—)

You could feel the eyes of your coworkers, staring at the money like some Olympic medal. You were well-aware that there was no way Hawks was taking back his money and you knew your coworkers would be too scared to ask for a cut. 

You gulped, taking the cash and tucking it into your apron pocket.

“You don’t need to bribe me to make you nice drinks, Hawks, it’s literally my job,” You told him gently.

Hawks raised an eyebrow, shrugging, “Accept it as a little treat on the side. A gift of my appreciation.”

You couldn’t argue with that, so you relented with a smile, shaking your head. 

And the two of your dissolved into easy conversation. Hawks told you about the most recent gigs he had been a part of. A modeling contract for a new skincare company and a sponsorship with a few other local heroes for a sports beverage were the most interesting. You were sure he was just humoring you, unable to tell you the nitty-gritty details of his life. Yet, he seemed happy to speak and listen besides. He chattered away, in the way birds do, sing-song, and free-flowing. 

Hawks was hardly a bird of prey, you realized. He was much more of a cockatoo type. 

You told him more about the tea shop, about your role and job. As you explained about the basics of different types of tea, you could literally see the far off way Hawks looked at you. It wasn’t of distraction, like spacing out, no. It was a look that hadn’t been directed at you in some time. You silently and quickly studied it and came to the nerve-wracking conclusion that the cute blush on his cheeks and half-lidded eyes and relaxed shoulders was fucking captivation, borderline adoration.

For.

You.

How the fuck were you supposed to deal with that?

(Keigo wasn’t sure either.)

 Luckily, neither of you planned on doing anything to stop your mutually budding feelings.  

[taiteilija]

Die if you want to, you innocent papaya!

I’ve just watched Jesus Christ Superstar (2000). I’m on my marry way to check all versions of this musical and since I’ve been a little bit down today (and as of late, in general) I thought that watching what is apparently considered to be the most ridiculous version would be a good idea. It was. There’s a reason why I keep reading that this fandom thinks of it as something so bad that it’s actually good. It’s absolutely horrible... I LOVED IT! 

My spontaneous remarks:

I honestly think that they simply decided that 2000 fashion was great enough to be left as it is so most of Jesus’ fam looks like 2000 fashion trademarks with Simon being the peak of ‘00s with his bleached sticky hair and dot-like beard-thing under his bottom lip

Jesus in baggy ‘00s cargo trousers... XD

Why are there like tons of graffiti from all possible times, like hippie signs, antifascist slogans, slogan of french revolution... it’s just too much, it’s an absurd, like they could not decide which one should it be so they put them all there

CAMP is everywhere!

overacting is strong with this one... Oh, so strong!

Judas and Herod are just the worst singers I’ve ever heard in JCS... THE WORST... I mean, I keep thinking that Jesus has the blank, leave-me-alone-Judas face not cause Judas complains all the time, but because it hurts his ears to hear him singing like... for Someone’s sake, shut up, already! And it's the same way with Herod who, btw, reminds me of some Tim Burton's villain from 90s.

BTW, Judas is weird mix of being Very Gay & Jealous and being Violent & Pervy Little Shit... What the hell was that about when Mary kissed Jesus while he was sleeping (btw, consent, no?) and she looked up and there he was: the Pervy Stalker Judas and he tried to kiss her to be a Mean Shit (consent, again? Come on, guys!)? I don’t actually like the way he treats Mary in this version. Really, he gets handsy and violent and I hate it

And also... like in the last song, the Superstar, he’s like devil-style and looks far too happy making it hard for Jesus to carry that cross... and also why is he still there after Jesus is crucified? Dude, you are dead, I get the Superstar cause that’s the narrative thingy, but this? 

Gethsemane was not half as bad as I expected

Jesus singing that Judas would be sorry when he’s gone and then fainting dramatically like a golden diva he is 🤣

Why the Temple is full of the Orientalism shit? 

Pilate was so damn weird with his... camp Nazi clothes and gay dreams (yeah, that dream, dear ppl, was played out pretty gay here)

Pilate: Die if you want to, you innocent papaya! - I LOVED IT! Hahahaha! 😅

the creators really do love the slow motion, don’t they?

Caiaphas, Annas and the Gang are in... the Death Star?

Caiaphas voice is frighteningly low... and so damn slow? And then he has a vision I think cause he overacts wildly to my utter amusement!

And this one guy during Jesus Must Die who realised he had left his stove on...

The emphasis they put on Jesus loosing control over his fam is quite interesting to watch, like in the Simon song, Simon is giving people guns and Jesus is really confused and angry about it all. Usually the loosing control thing is a little bit less obvious... Actually, I don’t know if it’s a good or a bad thing in JCS 2000... too literal, perhaps?

Jesus face when they sing Hey, J.C., J.C., won’t you die for me?’ being like: O.O A whaaaaaaaaat?

Jesus and Judas chasing one another around the table during the Last Supper made me laugh so hard... and then after this: Look at all my trials <sob> and <sob_sob> tribulations <sob>... They really ruined the family dinner, didn’t they?

Judas crawling across the table to get Caiaphas and the Gang and they are all like... <panicking> Back off, gentleman, Judas went bonkers! 

I’m out of quick remarks, I think? Head empty. But even though it was so odd and just badly done it was campy, funny and made me laugh so hard I almost forgot I’m feeling down so, yeah, as weird as it sounds, this musical can be an odd ‘00 comedy. Probably it shouldn’t, but well... I’m not complaining. 

[unpopularkpop-opinions]

There’s a difference between having a trademark sound and straight up lazy writing. Even though I loved all three Treasure songs till now, I’m afraid they are the later. Drop and “noise” chorus + outro? Please, not again. Btw, I love you is the best one.

[elysicndrcvm]

━♡ guess the 23 YEAR OLD FEBRUARY baby just arrived to dallyeog! it makes sense, because CHU EUNHA is just as BEDAZZLING as the month of FEBRUARY. wait, why do they remind me of JACOB BAE? beyond that, they seemed JOYOUS and SAVVY upon first glance. i heard someone say they’re sort of DELICATE and QUIXOTIC though. i hope they get acquainted here in COMPLEX 1 / APARTMENT 0215 / FLOOR 3 ; HE seem(s) to have a lot going on with HIS job as a PATISSERIE OWNER/NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE STUDENT. ( ez, 21, she/they, gmt. )

     well hey there !! im ez but you fellow dallyeogers can call me ezzy, i have been in dallyeog before so some may remember me as having someone v different to my new bb i bring u now, i joined before with miss tam carmen !! anygays i return with this lil angel who i am all ‘ i say that’s my baby and i’m proud ’ over already even tho i literally came up with him like two days ago. you can find his pinboard here ( which btw i fuckeN love like he’s so aesthetic to me u go king ) and i made him a lil playlist which u can vibe to here. you can learn more about him under the cut but he’s a super soft-hearted gentle dove of a muse and quite...simple for me ?? sdhdh that’s not the right wording but U GET IT djjflg he isn’t super full of angst or trauma he’s just kinda viBIN livin his best life so that’s fun !! but ye without further ado: 

so as u kno from his app he owns a patisserie, it’s his lil babey and he is very dedicated to his craft and makin sure all his ideas for the place and the baked goods he sells are like rlly quirky and avant-garde. like he is so passionate about it u dont even KNOW, he tries to make sure most of the stuff on his menu is something like fun and new u wouldn’t get at just any old patisserie or cafe and that it’s super varied and also kinda aesthetic af? the place is very like trendy. it’s called patisserie d’elysian cause ya know he’s an extra biTCHH and proud.

he has three pupperino’s. all as adorable as each other, snickerdoodle is his golden lab and often ppl shorten it down to snickers, butterscotch is his dapple daschund pup, shortens the name to scotchie often. toulouse is his fancy toy poodle boi, shortens the name down as toto. if u are on the shortened name basis with his pups then u can consider urself one of his close pals. 

he’s actually adopted by his aunt but she raised him like she was his mother so that is what he considers her, she’s on his mother’s side but they are half-siblings. in terms of first name reasoning as well she just liked eunha as a name and didn’t even think about how it is traditionally for a female, she liked that it meant gift from heaven so it stuck. his father is still around, he’s just quite elderly so it felt like a better living situation for him to be raised primarily by his auntie. unfortunately his mother has passed on but no tragic story, she just went peacefully in old age. 

he dyes his hair quite often, it’s currently like a really pastel blue with black streaks consistently throughout like lil ones so it looks super cool. but he’s also had it be a more electric blue, lilac, and a duck egg kinda faded silvery blue. it’s naturally dark brunette. has brown eyes kind of a hazel hue. 

his style is kinda androgynous ig?? he just lives for soft retro fashion, lots of color in his wardrobe but also lots of tapered short and t-shirt fits frequented, sweater vests, rolled up jeans, high skater boi socks, soft jumpers with shirts, shirts in bright colours or satiny texture worn over plain white t-shirts, cardigans, pastel denim jackets, jeans with printed patterns on like clouds, flowers etc, favors yellow and blues. sometimes does eye makeup, occasionally wears heels bc he’s a baddie or super heeled boots/chunky shoes. 

obsessed with music, can play violin and guitar. he’s a big mitski and rina sawayama fanatic, likes anything that sounds peaceful or calming or has like a good fun vibe to it. also likes the trademark gay icons like carly rae jepsen, lorde, etc. he’s not ashamed. obsessed with mamma mia movies. but also likes rap which is rlly funny cause its like the bad bitch female rappers only and like he’ll listen to it while arranging his sock drawer or making his bed or something ajdjdj it’s like hype anthems for being a baddie and a hoe and he’s just doing his night sleepy routine adkfkf. 

showers, blankets, music, baked goods especially bagels are his happy places. 

very much a sensitive lil romanticist, falls in ‘love’ like five times a day, he just likes to giggle and smile around pretty people and admire the artwork hnghdh, he’s like yeARNS though ya know?? like he’s all i will flirt by making prolonged eye contact, i made you a playlist, this song makes me think of you etc. it’s either memes as flirting with him or elaborate love letters u never know what ur gonna get akdkd. 

awful sense of humour, loves his friends more than anything on earth except his pups, would fully live in a huge house of just like his pups and all his closest buds for all eternity. likes fruits way too much, enjoys puns about fruits way too much. milkshakes, sushi, orange hues and bus rides are some of his absolute favorite simple pleasures of life. clouds, flowers, salt lamps, the sunrise over the sea, skateboarding, fresh soda, teddy bears, busy street markets, parasols, fish tanks with exotic fish, sorbet, bike riding, polaroids, record players, rain at night against floor to ceiling windows with a fresh steaming pot of tea on the desk beside it and warm fresh sheets from the laundry on his bed, ponds, skateboarding. all little joys in life that give him like the biggest pleasure dopamine hit in the world. 

his cousin actually owns a florists so he has flowers just littering his apartment like a lot and it just looks like he has ten million suitors from the late eighteenth century attempting to court him but no all these flowers are from him to him or worse from his aunt djfjg she sends him some for valentines every valentines, pls help him, pls send him flowers. 

studies nutritional science and he fucken hates it. do not ask him shit cause he doesn’t KNOW OKAY? he doesn’t understand it either. he took it because he needed something to go alongside the passion for baking that was a real ‘qualification’/job so that is the only reason he’s doing it. no point doing a baking degree after all when he’s already a baker with a business, he’s super young still he gotta keep his prospects open. so YAH. he’d rather be doing culinary arts but eh. nutritional science sounded better and more logic based. the real miracle is he still gets top grades all the time even tho he spends his life like wtf am i even doing is this even legit akdkdk. school is the worst thing in the world for him watch his mood instantly deflate the second its brought up. 

despite being a quixotic, he’s a lil afraid of intimacy. like oh god does he love it, those small touches and acts of affection u kno? the subtle things that normally go unnoticed, eye contact, brushing of hands, linking of little fingers, rubbing a thumb, kissing eyelids or foreheads or palms or shoulders in little gentle pecks, back massages and rubs or finger tracing patterns absent-minded, shoulder massages, laying your head on someone’s shoulder or on their lap, knocking knees together, exchanging a small glance only the two of you get before bursting into laughter, smiling into kisses, napping together, having blankets placed over you warm and fresh, or towels put ready like it, someone making you something they know you like a lot. that’s his sHIT. but like he’s terrified still, someone skimming their fingers on his skin makes his breath hitch like he’s a scandalized and alarmingly aroused victorian woman sjdjd. he’s literally still a virgin, he hasn’t even had his first kiss okay my baby is delicate be gentle with him akdkd but he still LIKES PASSION AIGHT kfkf. 

real soft spoken, honey tinted voice like i shit u not this boy talks like he’s an angel sent from heavens above to guide you to the paradisaical garden of eden or some shit akdkd. ur gonna fall in love with eunha’s voice before u even fall in love with any other part of him like his adorable beaming smile or stunning eyes akdkf. 

has dance parties around his room when getting ready in the morning, listens to bella’s lullaby unironically yes from twilight yes u heard right, bit of a himbo streak sometimes in his obliviousness djfjf. quite silently subtly funny actually much like jacob himself. 

he is gay, afraid of driving, cannot do math, blanks out often and he is valid for all of those things. has a collection of cartoon and disney animal movie dvds. has a dream notebook. always has blue painted nails in some kinda shade. 

does not enjoy turning in assignments bc he is scared he’ll fail, avoids looking at his grades for weeks after they’re released and hates knowing that they’re out. 

cannot dance, dances often. collects vintage stuff esp clothes and mostly sweaters. likes midnight trips to corner stores and fields where he can just lay and look at the stars. makes friends rlly easily but has super bad performance anxiety. cannot ever have a messy room like even the tiniest bit messy. even like clothes being stacked on a chair instead of away. 

bakes peanut butter, banana and choc chip muffins (they r called monkey bites normally) whenever he’s super stressed. if u want to cheer him up when he’s anxious or stressed then u should give him french lavender honey, chia seeds and caramelized pear on toast/bagel. it is his comfort food. he fancii when he needs a pick me up. treat urself and all that. 

[unmaskedagain]

Worse than the Devil

Hey Everyone, I got really inspired by the amazing response to my first fic Queen Of Mean. I decided to write a follow up. Its to Selena Gomez’s version of Cruella De Vil. I loved it when it first came out and it sent shivers when I realized it was perfect for my follow up.

Looking back the missing pigtails in the bluenette’s hair when she walked into class Monday morning, dressed like she just got off the runaway, flanked by Chloe at her side, should’ve been the first warning sign.

But in the class’s defense, it had been a crazy weekend. The fireworks that came with Ladybug’s video, Alya’s meltdown, and Lila being outted as a liar didn’t die down after class ended that day.  No. The weekend had been filled out a never-ending stream of group texts, complaining of hurt feelings, nasty little liars, and why, or why wasn’t Marinette replying to their texts? Answering her phone? Didn’t she know they were sorry? Didn’t she know they needed their everyday Ladybug now more than ever? Alya in particular.

Alya, who had spent the entire weekend, nearly 24/7, trying to save her blog; defend her life’s work against the avalanche of criticism that had come it’s way; even the most loyal fans screamed of betrayal. She had released a dozen video explaining what happened and begging her viewers to understand that people make mistakes. Calling Marinette with no answer, texting her best friend for help only to get no reply. Texting Marinette that Lila was a dirty, rotten, liar in over a hundred different way, in over a hundred different texts; only to never get a reply; which Alya never understood. Marinette was right. Lila was a liar. Alya and Marinette should be teaming up to bring her down like their brought down Chloe; stand together like best friends do.

As Alya sat patiently at her desk, with Nino holding her hand in support, waiting for Marinette to arrive so she could find comfort in her bestie, never once did an apology cross her mind. Alya was too indignant, too self-righteous, convinced the Ladybug was victim-blaming. It wasn’t Alya’s fault. Her boyfriend agreed. Her entire class agreed. She just knew, soon, all of Paris would agree.

           When Marinette casually strolled in, talking animatedly with Chloe about their week, she left the other students stunned. Gone was the pintails. Gone was the easy-going, simple, practically trademarked pink pants and grey flower decorated shirt. Gone was the happy smile that the students had always remembered was there to greet them and bring them cheer on a sour Monday, like the day was.

           Instead, Marinette’s hair was down and flowing down her shoulders, longer than they could ever remember it being (though granted they hadn’t paid much attention to their once friend in last few months, except for giving her a few quick glares and sneers) and was perfectly coiffed with strands pullback in braids that would’ve made Daenerys Targaryen take notes. She was dressed in all black; a cropped leather jacket, a sparkly black halter top that tied around her neck in a pretty bow, her jeans black and skin tight, and killer high heels that would make most girls envious. The only color Marinette wore was the sliver bracelets adorning her arms and the classic movie star red lips she sported. Marinette looked a supermodel.

           And if Marinette’s new look didn’t stunned them. Then the look on her face when she glanced at them sure did. Move over Hawkmoth, because if Marinette didn’t scare you, no evil thing could.

It was like the entire classroom went colder. Maybe it was because of the ice in Marinette’s stare, her curved red-stained smirk that screamed: beware. The way everything about her just screamed predator, alpha, top of the food chain. Queen.

           Alya blinked hard. Nino blinked hard. Adrien blinked hard. Too stunned at the sight to even remember to badger the bluenette.  She and Chloe, also dressed like a runaway model, flounced to the back of the class without a hello, a smile, a wave; anything friendly. It was like they were too insignificant for the girls to notice. If they had an ounce of luck still in their lives, that would’ve been so.

           Unfortunately for them that wasn’t the case.

           The girls were painfully aware of their existence; of every move they made over the week, every stupid text they sent, every false apology uttered. Because the downfall of the Ladyblog was just a taste of what was to come. At this point, Marinette and Chloe was just Spiders waiting for the kill.

“Girl, you don’t have to sit with Chloe,” Alya exclaimed.  “We’ll make room, right?” Nino nodded quickly, eager to give his childhood friend an olive branch.

“Why wouldn’t I want to sit with Chloe?” Marinette asked nonchalantly. “She’s my best friend.”

           What happened next was similar to what, Marinette, thought happened in movie; where the main character says something shocking at a dance, there’s a sound of a record scratch, and silence as all eyes turn to the speaker.

           The smirk the spread over Chloe’s face, the glow that filled her, the thought of the havoc she was about to help commence practically made her purr.

“Best friend?” Alix asked, her pink hair pulled back and her face skeptical. “Last I checked, you were mortal enemies.”

“Last time you check was not long after Lie-La came to class,” Marinette retorted.

“Which is the last time you’re opinion matter to us,” Chloe added. “Or well to Mari here. I never paid you peasant any mind.”

“You can’t be best friends,” Alya jumped up. “You shouldn’t even be friends. I can’t believe it? After what she did to you?”

           The other students nodded.

“She stole your design.” Rose put in.

“Bullied you for years,” Max said.

“Ruined your present for teach!” Kim added.

           Alya nodded smugly at the class backing her up, and gave Marinette a bright smile and an expectant look that always used to work on cowing the other girl.

“Bygones,” Marinette sighed. “I forgave her. And we bonded over how stupid you were at believing Lie-La.” Marinette leaned back in her seat. “Besides it’s not like she ever called me a jealous bitch? Told me to check my sources? Ditched me a million times. Whispered mean words about me right in front of me. And even crueler words behind my back. Chloe would never do that.”

“You know who would?” Chloe grinned. ‘You.” She pointed at Alya. “And you.” She pointed at Alix. “And you!” At Nino “And you, you, you, you. And well everyone here really.”

“Chloe maybe be mean; in fact the greatest mean girl Sharpay,” Marinette smiled lovingly at the blond who preened at the praise.

“But at least I’m not a bad friend,” Chloe snipped viciously.

“Now Chloe that would imply I’m still friends with them at all.”

           At the statement, students wilted into themselves. Their misdeeds weighed heavily on them. They had been so upset at Lila for lying to them, at themselves for believing her, kicking themselves for not listening to Marinette, they never once considered how Marinette felt about the whole mess. But now they knew, she wasn’t happy.

           Little did they know just how furious the once sweet girl was.

           The two girls turned their attention to each other.

“Wasn’t this week just amaz!” Chloe said easily. “Fashion shows are always just so spectacular.”

“Your mom is, like, the best,” Marinette nodded eagerly. “I still can’t believe we got to model.”

           Chloe side-eyed the students, pretending they weren’t listening. “And why not? They were short. And just look at us. We’re beautiful. We deserved to be on that runway.”

“Runaway?” Mylène asked, awed. “You were in a fashion show.”

           Marinette nodded, kindly, though inwardly smirking. “There are pictures from the show online. They’re trending.” So was Marinette’s social media accounts. “We got to model with Kate Upton and Bella and Gigi Hadid.”

“We’re all the rage!” Chloe stated. “Mommy’s thinking of making us the faces of her new line. We’ll be in next week’s issue of Teen Vogue.”

“I posted a few photos on my Insta,” Marinette shrugged. “You can look if you want, I guess.” It was said with a faux unsure, insecure, unassuming voice; a voice that even the most terrifying vampire bat could have even the smartest of victims dancing to it.

           With that the girls went back to their conversation. Pretending they didn’t notice their classmates whipping out their phones to verify.

“WOW,” Rose beamed. “They do have pics with the Hadid sisters. Oh you look so pretty Marinette.”

“Dude is that Kendall Jenner?” Kim asked.

“Beyoncé!” Alya yelled. “Beyoncé was there. You met Beyoncé.”

“Chill,” Chloe snapped. “We didn’t meet her. We just waved. Jay-Z was there too btw.”

“Jay-Z,” Nino whispered in awe.

Before befriending Marinette, Chloe was have gladly lied and said they met the goddess, that was Queen Beyoncé. But Marinette wouldn't suffer liars. And hated anyone who lied about her. Chloe was smart enough to know losing Marinette as a friend would be costly to her; both personally and professionally.

           The blond refused to toss away the blessing that was Marinette’s friendship. Not the like fools before her. They didn’t know what they lost. But Chloe would make sure they did.

           It had taken weeks of slowly inching her way to being Marinette’s friend. The girl had been untrusting the blonde’s actions at first. But eventually, Chloe won her over, proved she could be a good friend, if not the best friend Marinette ever had.

           And the best part? Chloe didn’t have to change. Granted she had to dull unsavory traits like lying and stealing but it was worth it.

“Tony. Stark.” Max gulped like he was just told Santa was in fact real. “You are in a picture with Tony Stark; Iron Man.”

“Pepper Potts wanted a vacation,” Marinette said. “Peter, their son, is a friend of mine. We met last summer when he was visiting England with his class. I was there with my grandma. We hit it off. He knew I was nervous about going on stage so he got his mom to come here so he could support me. It was just supposed to be the two of them. Until Mr. Tony realized and followed along. Swore up and down they were trying to ditch him,” Marinette laughed.

“Oh please,” Chloe huffed. “He was proud that his kid was hanging out with a gorgeous French model.”

“Two gorgeous French models,” Marinette corrected. “The three of us got ice cream afterwards, remember? I can’t wait for this summer. Peter said we can spend of three weeks at Stark Tower; interning. PR for you. You’ll be amazing at it. God knows I could do, though.” She said glumly. Though her internship was going to be assisting the Pepper Potts on her day to day life.

“Ridiculous!” Chloe snapped. “Utterly Ridiculous. You know you can’t wait to get your hands on Thor’s cape to find out what material Alien princes use. Not to mention the plans I saw for a potential Captain America supersuit.”

Marinette crossed her arms, and huffed. “Hey that man is walking around dressed like America’s drunk prom date. Someone has to step in.”

“It’s a classic look,” Nathanial told them.

“It’s a crime against fashion,” Marinette hissed.

           With that, the girls went back to talking about their weekend and bickering over summer plans. Or at least they tried to.

“You could’ve invited us,” Alya snapped. “Or at least told us.”

“Why?” Marinette asked. “We’re not friends. Why don’t you ask Lila how it was? I’m sure, she’ll happily spin you a yarn about how amazing everything was. And promise you’ll meet them next time.”

           It was like a slap to the face. The entire class quieted back down; wishing the bell would ring already. And wondering where Miss Bustier was.

           Unfortunately for the teacher, quite a few concerned parents and staff members had taken issue with how Bustier had been running her class. Bullying, students being constantly turned into Akumas, why Lila could miss so much school without it being a major issue.

“Don’t you think you’re being harsh?” Adrien asked. “They’re sorry.”

No, Marinette thought darkly. They weren’t. Not yet. But they would be soon.

“Okay,” Marinette shrugged, carelessly, inhumanly. “I don’t see why that matters. I accept their apology but it changes nothing. Sorry doesn’t fix anything. It doesn’t magically make every alright again. It’s no Ladybug charm. Let it go.” She warned.

           While Marinette did have plans to bring down Adrien, they were for a later time. And when she did, it would be painful. And it would break him. Like he helped break her.

           For months Adrien had stood by, remained silent as Marinette was made into an outcast, bullied, lost all her friends… when he knew. Knew Lila was lying, knew Marinette was just trying to help. After he promised, vowed to have her back. Instead, Adrien let them deface her sketchbook after Lila accuse Marinette of yet another bullying incident; destroying all of Marinette’s hard work. Despite knowing Marinette couldn’t have possible done what Lila said she had. He just let it happen, too afraid to stand up and tell the truth.

           Adrien didn’t take the hint. Or didn’t recognize a warning when he heard it.

“Their hurting too!” The blond boy defended, outraged at how his everyday Ladybug

“How?” Marinette asked curiously, innocently reminiscent of the girl who had been their friend who had existed when the world was still a wholesome place. “You said it yourself it’s not like Lila was hurting anybody. At least that’s what you told me, remember? You knew Lila was lying since like forever and you’re just fine.”

           It went silent again. Adrien paled. Marinette could barely stop the smile from slipping onto her face. If she wasn’t careful, they might combined their collective ten brain cells and catch on. See that she was a monster that should’ve never been released.

“You knew?” Nino asked in horrified disbelief.

           Dozens of hurt filled eyes trained on Adrien. It was at that moment Ms. Mendeleiev walked into class. “Students, I’ll be filling in today and possibly for the rest of the week. Everyone in their seats. Class is about to begin.”

           It was the smoothest devastation Chloe had ever witnessed and grew up with her mother and Gabriel Agreste as role models.

           In few years, the blonde knew there would be few would who hesitate to call Marinette, or herself, the devil. Too stunned to realize just how much worse either girl was.

           Chloe glanced at the girl who had become her best friend, and fellow mean-girl-in-arms. Marinette had her bluebell eyes trained on the chaos she had just unleashed, once again, on her fellow classmates.

           A lessor man, woman would’ve shivered. Chloe had shivered and had nightmares the first time that gaze rested on her.

           However, when time wore off the shock; Chloe realize she’d only see those type of eyes watching from underneath a rock.

           If you weren’t scared of the New Marinette, then you hadn’t met her yet.

Look out world, Chloe thought. Long Live the Queen.

[ragnarachael]

I am a big fan of your writing and was wondering if you could write something where peter (and maybe aunt may) finds out his sister and tony are dating?

RED HANDED

Pairing: Peter Parker x Sister!Reader, Tony Stark x Parker!Reader

Summary: You and Tony thought you were good at sneaking around in the tower, but that all changes when Peter walks in on something you never wanted him to see.

Author’s Ramblings:  i tried to work may in the best i could, but in the end i just couldn’t, i’m sorry! maybe whenever i’m up to it i’ll do one for may! also, anon i could never thank you enough for loving my stuff. i’m trying not to ramble on this, but thank you so much for your support! (i hope i haven’t used this gif before) ((btw if this isn’t stellar i apologize i had to take a lot of breaks writing this))

Hiding from your brother was easy. Painfully easy when you were an independent adult that could easily make her own life choices. However, when it came to you and Tony Stark—your brother’s mentor, forchristsake—it was hard hiding the big secret.

You were dating Tony Stark. That’s plain as day to almost everyone in the tower when you’re coming in and picking up shifts left and right. That’s what was becoming the hard part.

Hiding it from Peter. Which in turn, was hiding it from May. Tony was a solid couple of years older than you for sure, and since he’s already so close with your family, it would definitely come as a shock and would probably cause Peter to have a stroke of some kind.

You didn’t want that for your baby brother.

Telling Tony this information came easy; he understood completely as to why you wanted to keep it under wraps. So Peter wouldn’t lose his mind, and May wouldn’t have to give anyone a stern talking to. So you compromised. The days Peter came for his “internship” at the tower, you had the days off.

Not all of the days, obviously, so you didn’t come off as suspicious to him. The last thing you need is Peter putting two and two together. You made sure that your schedules would overlap as much as they usually did so Peter didn’t think too hard about anything.

It was easy. 

Until, of course, you and Tony started taking risks.

They started out calculated. From the amount of time you had in Tony’s luscious office all the way down to what clothes you wore to make everything a little easier on your “breaks”. But as all risks do, things started to get sloppy.

Tony would stop keeping track of time, and you would be too wrapped up with.. Things to care about what was going on around you properly.

Hell, Steve and Natasha had walked in on said things multiple times by now that you and Tony were used to it. That’s when you knew it was starting to get dangerous. If Captain America and the Black Widow knew about your time with Tony, who knows who would be next?

Sadly, the one person you didn’t want it to be.

Peter.

It happened... painfully fast. Too fast for anyone to really know what was happening properly.

You were perched on Tony’s desk, eagerly starting your time with him by making out as he pinned your hips to the desk with his own. Your neat button up was already untucked from your formal slacks and unbuttoned to show a significant amount of your chest, and Tony was still fully clothed.

When Peter just walked into the office, eyes trained on his phone.

“Hey, Mr. Stark—”

Peter’s words died the instance he whipped his head up to see his mentor’s face buried in your nearly exposed chest. Tony’s body was shielding your own from your brother’s innocent eyes, his head whipping up to look over at him.

It was quiet. No one said anything. Your grip on Tony tightened significantly due to your worst fear finally coming to light. Both your eyes and Tony’s were on Peter’s who had his jaw practically to the floor in shock. His grip was looking painfully tight on his phone that looked like it might snap.

“Pete, I—”

Peter cut you off immediately with a shake of his head, calmly turning around as he shoved his phone into his pocket before moving to head back into the hall, slamming the door shut behind him.

“We’re in it now,” you mumbled nervously as Tony straightened up significantly, his own anxieties rising under his skin.

“We’ll be fine.”

“Tony,” you started slowly, “I know you mean well, but trust me, we’re in it.”

“It can’t be that bad, babe—”

“Peter’s going to lose his mind, and he’s going to contact May first because she calms him down when I can’t,” you explained quickly, gently shoving his body from your own as you were quick to button up your shirt once more. “It’s gonna be a shitstorm depending on the reaction. Tony, we’ve been caught. Found out. Whatever word you use—”

Tony was quick to cut your rambling off with a gentle kiss, his hands cupping your face gently. He pulled away after you surrendered under his touch and spoke your name sternly.

“We are going to be fine. Absolutely fine. We’re adults. May understands that. Thankfully she’ll talk Peter down about it and we’ll just have to do some damage control.”

You decided to believe Tony’s words in the moment. How could you not? He sounded confident about the outcome. You were quick to sort out how you looked and had Tony give you one last pep talk before you headed out to find Peter.

But he was already standing outside the door, pressed completely against the door as he stared into the opposite wall, breathing almost as if he had just ran a marathon. You were sure the door closed behind you gently before you placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder.

“Pete...”

“Please, please tell me that you drugged me or something.”

You couldn’t help but let out a snort, shaking your head. “Much to your dismay, no.”

Peter took a deep breath and turned his head to look at you before groaning. His hands moved up to rub at his eyes aggressively as you kept your hand on his shoulder.

“Listen, we were going to say something when we felt the time was right—”

“How long?” Peter cut you off, his voice seemed too overwhelmed with emotion for you to figure out what he was feeling. But you could sense some dejection.

“Uh.. About uh,” you stumbled. You glanced at the office door momentarily as you tried to gather the whirlwind relationship into a time frame. “Almost two months, I think?”

“That’s.. That’s not too bad. I would have expected a year,” Peter replied quietly. He kept his head down. “Why Mr. Stark? Is this an elaborate plan you and May created to stop—”

“May doesn’t even know!” You rushed out, your grip on his shoulder unintentionally tightening before you pulled your hand away completely to start pacing in the empty hall.

Peter’s head snapped up to watch you, his eyes wide with shock.

“What?”

“May doesn’t know,” you repeated slower, taking a few breaths as you rubbed your hands together nervously. “May told me that Tony would be trouble when I told her about him coming by the apartment to tell us about the “September Foundation”. Obviously, I didn’t listen.”

Peter took a minute to process your words, trying to recall back to all those months ago.

“Wait, so Mr. Stark was really flirting with you when I got home that day?”

You stopped pacing to roll your eyes and stare at your brother, your hands going to your hips. “Yes.”

“But you fed him May’s Walnut Date Loaf? That’s murder, not...not—”

“I didn’t want to be a bad host! This is beside the point,” you huffed, standing in front of Peter now, your hands gently landing on both of his shoulders to gently shake him around. “You know that I love you and I wanted to tell you, right?”

Peter scrunched his face up before nodding. “I know you love me. I just.. Mr. Stark?”

“Trust me, I’m surprised as you are.” You leaned forwards to press a kiss to his forehead. “He’s quite the character.”

Peter scoffed, seeming a bit more comfortable about the situation as he gave you a look. “Says you.”

You rolled your eyes and let a hand come up and run through Peter’s stale feeling hair, scrunching your nose up at the texture. Peter opened his mouth to say something as Tony threw the door open casually before stepping out and giving you both an innocent smile.

“Peter. Ms. Parker.”

“Tony—”

“No no, don’t worry about me,” Tony waved as he spoke, trying to silence you. “You two keep having your moment—”

“Mr. Stark, please drop the act,” Peter whined, also moving to swat your hand away from his hair. “Your secret is safe with me, but we have to have a talk.”

You and Tony didn’t miss how Peter puffed his chest out slightly. It was cute, Peter trying to be confident.

“Okay, we can go down to the shop and uh..” Tony trailed off quietly as he glanced at you for confirmation that he wasn’t going to get an earful. You gave a subtle nod. “Work on 17A a bit, maybe?”

“Yeah,” you encouraged, giving Peter’s hair one last run through before he could catch you before shoving him Tony’s way. “Go shock him a few times for me. I’ve got some paperwork to fill out.”

Peter gave you an incredulous look before a small smirk formed on his lips. He definitely took that as permission. 

Peter was quick to give you a proper goodbye before excitedly leading Tony to the nearest elevator. Tony looked at you over his shoulder, giving his trademark smile he usually gave you when he thought he had everything under control.

However, you knew Peter would shock the hell out of him, and you looked forward to the notification from FRIDAY. 

Once your brother and boyfriend were out of sight, you fished out your phone from your pocket, trying to craft a good speech to give to May once you and Peter were back for dinner tonight.

[voidcat]

Intrusion

– 3: level 5 of friendship (wc: 1.8k)

prev ; next ; m.list

a/n: a filler-ish type of character. according to my ao3 a/n i kinda felt out of this chapter by the time i sat down to write so yea,,, + the text copy pasted from ao3 again so bolds and italics may be gone.

>[Hey I’ll go to the café a little earlier and sit around for a while. I’ll send you the address and you can meet me there.]

>[btw they don’t only serve pastry so if u r hungry after practice, you can eat there.]

>[k bye see ya]

You were up hours before you received a message from Iwaizumi. A simple “Good Morning.” blinking at you from the corner of your eye. Sending a short reply, you went back to your book. The house completely silent, save for your creaking footsteps; your parents have already left, typical as always.

It was odd for you to be up before your alarm. You brush the possibilities off, trying not think too much about it. The air feels nice and the chirping of birds isn’t exactly distracting, I might as well do some reading. That is how you decided to begin your day, pushing all your thoughts aside and entering a brand new world.

The heavy silence starting to weight on you after a while, you change your clothes, send these texts to Iwaizumi and head out.

Finding a good spot to sit by the window side, in case Iwaizumi cannot find the place, you order a drink as you pick your book up where you left off. You must’ve dozed off because you don’t realize him until he sits down.

“Hey.”

“Oh, hi. Glad you could make it.” It’s weird to see him without the school uniform now. The tshirt looks like he changed into it after practice. The jacket hanging from his seat and the bag by his side, both carrying the trademark colors for Aoba Johsai sports clubs indicating your assumption further. His face seems redder than usual, he must’ve left a short while ago.

You stare at one another for a moment. “So, how was practice?”

“As usual. We tried switching positions and had some 2-against-2 matches a little.”

“Ah, that… sounds good? I think. No, maybe a bit intense too? I’m not sure.” Shaking your head as you speak, you can hear him chuckle, probably at you.

“How about your morning?”

“As usual.”

“So you do wake up before noon on weekends, huh.” You can’t help but smile at that.

“Except for that part, then.” You look up to find him smiling at you warmly. This only makes your smile bigger.

One of the staff approaches your table and drops a single menu between the two of you. When will cafes stop assuming two people of the opposite sex as a couple and bring only one menu?..

Iwaizumi makes a gesture, signaling you to take a look and choose first.

“You go ahead, I have some inside information on their products.” You say with a smile as if you really are sharing a top secret. What’s up with the never ending smiles today? It couldn’t possibly be because of meeting with him, right? No way. And yet, the smiles appear before your face all natural, feeling familiar; so you let it keep happening. Change once in a while never killed anybody.

Eyes wandering around, examining each furniture, each plant, the expressions people wear; trying to distinct the source of each smell, guessing what it is, you wait for Iwaizumi to choose. The air is calm, no one is too loud and you can hear relaxing songs playing through the speakers. I hope the harmony of this place isn’t disturbed during the rush hours, you can’t help but think.

Getting tired of the pastel ambiance after a while, you divert your gaze back to Iwaizumi. Only to see a frustrated face staring at the menu he’s holding. He almost looks like it insulted him or better yet, attacked him. Your hand reaches to it before you can realize. You lower the menu a little.

“Need help?” He almost looks embarrassed to nod does it any way.

“Yeah, I’m torn between Americano and filter coffee… But what exactly is the difference between the two?” The excitement inside you hard to conceal, your hands jump into the air, digits spread wide.

“Oh, oh! I know this!” The look Iwaizumi gives you makes you stop. He seems… at ease. He has one of these small smiles you’ve witnessed before. There’s also a hint of something in his eyes, a gleam is there sure and a little bit of playfulness, but also something else you can’t put your finger on. Whatever it is, it suits him and you’d like to see him like this more often. You shake your head at your last thought.

“No, don’t give me that look. I only know about types of coffee because one of my friends is a caffeine addict.” And so you start to talk about different types of coffee, milk and espresso ratios, all in detail.

Five minutes into speedtalking about coffee and you give up at the look of defeat you are met with. “Just order Americano, you seem the type any way.”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” You ignore the question.

A minute of waiting and awkward stare passes, then another minute of ordering is added to the pile. Iwaizumi, following your advice and ordering Americano, you asking for chai latte and the ‘cake of the day’. You two fall back into silence.

No conversation starters coming into mind, your eyes keep wandering around. Stealing glances at him once in a while, only for the both of you to make eye contact and immediately diverting your gazes, the unsettling silence starts to take its toll.

“I… I need to use the restroom.” You dash out before he can say anything, hoping the door you saw earlier does lead to the restroom. Splashing water to your face to calm your nerves, why would my nerves even be not calm in the first place??, you slowly head out and pray to whatever force out there that your orders have arrived.

You’re either lucky or you’ve used up your daily dose of luck because your prayers seem to be answered. The steam coming from your beverages is numbing and the cake looks heavenly to you. Light cream between the layers and on top, surrounded with fresh fruits and some jam spilled over the plate to make a twirling shape for a good presentation…

There are two sets of cutlery.

Because bringing a single menu was not enough and they just had to bring two sets of cutlery, still assuming you’re a couple. Not to worry, it’s not worth losing your cool over. You take a deep breath and sit as you breathe down, a not so genuine smile plastered on your face.

“So, how is the coffee?”

“Good. I suppose you were right about ‘my type’” he does air quotes as he speaks. Another smile breaks free of your mask.

“If it’s any consolation, I usually prefer coffee without sweeteners, so it is a little my type too.” A knowing nod at that.

“And the cake?..”

“Well, it looks good. You can try if you want, they did bring another fork anyway.” He doesn’t too eager at that. Cutting a part of the cake and putting it to one side of the plate, you shrug and start eating.

An easy flow of conversation comes after.

It starts with something that catches your eye in the street, starting to look through the window and creating fun little scenarios, the air around you gets warmer.

Excitingly pointing at a cat passing by, Iwaizumi learns how fond of cats you are, even so that you have one at home.

Inspecting the trees nearby and trying to guess what species, you find out he has an eye for it. He knows most of the trees and flowers out there.

He asks you your favorite genre to play on piano and in return you ask him his preferred sports drink. It goes like this. Beverages already drunk, cake long eaten, you two get lost in small things and what-nots.

The sun at the top, shining through and drowning the world under its golden light, everything seems to be at peace. Not a single customer around talking too loud, or maybe they do but you’re too out of it to notice… The temperature just right, your thoughts at bay, all harmless. Almost as if it’s a regular weekend day-out, the way it feels so familiar.

Feeling relaxed and loosened up, ready to doze off to sleep at any given moment, you slowly find yourself getting lost in pale green eyes, and vice versa.

Whatever unseen force that was holding the entire place, including you, in a calm trance, falls apart at the sudden sound of an unwelcome beep.

Both of you reaching out to your phones, you see a notification alert

Staring at your screen for a while, a sincere smile blooms on your face, giddy with excitement and happy, you feel unstoppable at that very moment.

“Good news I hope. Care to share?” Iwaizumi’s words reach your ears a few seconds too late. Still holding your phone with both hands grinning like an idiot now, you shake your head a little.

“You need to reach level 5 of friendship with me to access this story, sorry.” You can see him laughing lightly at the back of his hand.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh nothing. It’s just… I expected at least a level 10.” It’s your turn to laugh now, and so it seems.

“You’ve listened to me playing the piano. That gives you a 5 level headstart already.”

“You’re really that secretive about that?” All that joy from a moment ago has died down and replaced with confusion. You avoid his eyes and focus on a spot near him again, just like the first time.

“Secretive is not the best choice of words. More like… insecure? I guess, I’m not sure.”

“Well, that’s just dumb.”

“I- What? Excuse me?!”

“I’ve said what I said. You already play well and only a fool wouldn’t notice the way you give your all as you play. There is no logical reason for you to be insecure about that.”

“Yes but- you see…” Words die out at your throat, hand hanging in the air.

Another thing you learn about Iwaizumi Hajime right then and there. He is honest and as harsh as truth can be.

You wonder if he is like that all the time, if he is as open when it comes to himself. Or does he hide behind a façade like the rest of the world.

Noticing how tense you are getting, Iwaizumi ends your misery at last, asking about the book you were reading and you two fall back into another quiet chatter of everything and nothing until you  call it a day.

[outlanderfandomfollies]

Meokeob is sharing the view of a famous shipper currently on a platform other than tumblr about the lawsuit involving South S having been withdrawn by Sam because this group knows evidence that photos with MM would have been photoshopped and the relationship was fake. I know that pics are the one in SA in S’s birthday in which she is legless and another during the night in front of a sports stadium in UK where supposedly MM was not there but with Billy. What do you think about that?

Thanks for your ask anon. From everything I know, the relationship wasn’t fake. Assuming there was a lawsuit, I imagine it was withdrawn because it wasn’t good business to threaten one’s fans with lawsuits--or the parties being threatened dropped their use of the disputed name (wasn’t it about trademark infringement or something)?

But honestly, if the lawsuit was withdrawn because of this information, it would have meant that the fans blackmailed Sam. Not a good look. And anyone who claims to have blackmailed him has no scruples. So why would you believe anything they had to say?

But if these fans knew something, the story that I heard of what they allegedly knew was different than the one you were told.

The story I heard was that MM was actually there with Sam for the photo a fan posted on 1.27.18 but that the photo was “staged” in that it had been “arranged” to be taken, which is why they say Sam was looking directly at the photographer. 

That’s possible. But that doesn’t mean the relationship was fake. My guess is from time to time celebrities arrange to have photos taken with their loved ones to stop incorrect rumors going around about their personal lives. For instance, clearly Cait and Tony arranged for a pap walk in Dublin shortly after their engagement to dispel SamCait rumors. But they actually were engaged.

(BTW, MM certainly WASN’T with Billy at that time--the rumors flying around are way over the top.)

There was further proof that MM was with Sam in Scotland the following month. 

On 02.24.18 Sam posted a video of a game in Edinburgh and MacKenzie liked the video. She then posts an IG story with a video from the same game, at approximately the same spot and with audio that sounds like Sam.

On 02.25.18 MacKenzie posted a photo of the Forth Bridges in Edinburgh. There is a shadow in the photo that appears to be MacKenzie with Sam.

It later came out that one of Sam’s relatives met MM at the game. SIS Brazil sat on that information (for some good reasons--although they also misled their followers by hinting that the relative had implied that SamCait could be real, when the relative had actually said the opposite). There was no good reason for the relative to lie about having met MM and having known she was his girlfriend.

_______________

MM was definitely in SA. She met Sam’s friend Nicole when she was there. Here’s an interesting tweet from Nicole from around that time:

MM also has posted photos of herself being in SA. Plus there were these tweets from the chef who apparently cooked part of Sam’s birthday party celebration (arranged for Sam’s actual birthday by Sam’s friend Nic). The cook tweeted Sam and Mac on 05.05.17 to ask if they liked the “toasties” that he had prepared for the celebration. (This was further clarified through other tweets.)

Further proof that MM was with Sam on his birthday comes from a fan who took a photo (posted 04.30.17) with Sam on that day. She later wrote on a 07.30.17 IG photo posted by Sam:

“I met both Sam and Mackenzie - @mackenziemauzy was just absolutely lovely, so friendly, kind and beautiful beyond words. They looked genuinely happy together, and even if I hadn’t known who they both were, I would’ve thought they were genuinely in love and quite besotted with each other. I’ve seen them together with my own eyes, when they had no idea that anyone around them knew who they were and could see that this relationship has absolutely nothing to do with PR.” [emphasis added]

And MM had legs in the second “birthday party” photo. They are just BEHIND the legs of the woman standing next to her. Object constancy people. 🙄

I’m sorry, even if a couple of photos were “staged” or even (gasp!) photoshopped, it doesn’t mean Sam and MM didn’t have a real relationship. As I said before, celebrities “stage” photos with loved ones in order to dispel incorrect rumors. But we have too much information about Sam and MM not to believe they were a real couple. 

And people don’t “beard” for someone for TWO YEARS. (This is also the 21st century, not the 1950s.) They don’t take the person they were “bearding” for to a family wedding. They don’t try to keep their “fake” relationship under the radar either. What would be the point of that?

I’m sorry but IMHO meokeob’s determination to “prove” this is just wrong on so many levels. She should be embarrassed by her behavior as should anyone who feeds into it.

[edited]

[gyakutengagotoku]

GS4 vs AJ:AA - Episode 2, Part 4

I don’t want to start every one of these posts with an apology about being late again, so I’m just going to apologize to my eyes for keeping open this long. They burn, still do. I was tempted to count this day as another “unannounced sick leave” day, but I persevered for you all. You’re welcome.

And, uh, I’m just gonna leave a joke here that no one will get until they click the Read More link.

“What do you call a distressed lawyer who’d forgotten his badge in his house?” “Oh, darn, ok... house key.”

10/19/20 edit: Oh, nooo! I can’t believe I forgot to revisit the Detention Center! I’ve corrected this grave error. Now it’s complete. Also, since this case is a bit free-form in how it progresses, I’m just going the order I went the first time I played, or close enough to it.

--

> Wright Anything Agency

> Examine: piano

<Apollo> ピアノの上に、奇妙な 道具が並べられている。 There are all sorts of strange paraphernalia sitting on top of the piano.

<Apollo> これだけ道具があるんだから、 何かマジックやってみせてよ。 It seems a shame to have all these props and not do a trick or two.

<Trucy> いいですよー！ You asked for it!

<Mr. Hat> また会いましたね。 ビックリくん、でしたか。 Heeeey, Mr. Righteous, was it? Wakka wakka!

<Trucy> ちがうよ。オドロキくんだよ。 “王泥喜　法介”！ Justice, Mr. Hat! Apollo Justice.

<Mr. Hat> ああ。“汚泥鬼　呆助” Just is? Apollo just is what? That's what I want to know!

<Trucy> “ドロ”しか合ってないよ！ Oh, you're hopeless!

<Apollo> ‥‥そいつはもういいよ。 ...Please, make it stop.

"It seems we meet again. Bikkuri-kun, was it?" [also means shock] "No, no. It's Odoroki-kun. 'Odoroki Housuke'!" "Ah, I see. 'Ohdorokie Housekey'." "You only got the 'doro' part right!"

...Anyway, if you look at the JP script above, you can see Boushi-kun got all the kanji wrong, though it's still pronounced the same way. Also, it's funnier when you realize Minuki just called him 'mud' because that's actually part of his name.

> Examine: silk hat

<Apollo> みぬきちゃんと同じ、 ブルーのシルクハットだ。 A blue silk top hat, just like the one Trucy's wearing.

<Trucy> それは、みぬきのイメージカラー 《ミヌキー・ブルー》です！ It's my trademark color! Trucy Blue!

<Apollo> ‥‥勝手に“色”を 自分のものにするなよ。 I don't think you can trademark the color blue.

<Trucy> やっぱり、ステージに立つ人間は、 目立たないとアレですから。 Standing out is everything when you're up on stage!

ほら。オドロキさんだって、 キメてるじゃないですか。 Bet you didn't know you've got your own color, too, Apollo!

全身《オドロー・レッド》で！ Crimson Justice!

<Apollo> ‥‥おどり出したくなるような、 おどろおどろしいような。 You make me sound like some second-rate superhero.

<Trucy> でしょー？ At least it's better than being a first-rate super zero!

"Look, it's obvious what yours is too. A full-body 'Odoro Red'!" "...I'm guessing you'd want me to dance or be super flashy." "Right?"

Fyi, "おどり出す" (odoridasu) means "to break into dance" and "おどろおどろしい" (odoro'odoroshii) means "eerie" or "exaggerated"; basically not being subtle at all.

> Examine: plate of spaghetti

<Apollo> 喫茶店のショーウインドウで おなじみ、ロウ細工のスパゲティだ。 A dish of plastic spaghetti like some restaurants put on display.

そういえば、こんなの どこから持ってきたの？ Where did you get this, anyway?

<Trucy> パパからの誕生日プレゼントです！ It was a birthday present from Daddy!

うれしかったなあ‥‥ ずーっと欲しかったから。 I was so happy... You don't know how long I wanted one of these!

その夜は、抱いたまま寝ちゃって、 ヘシ折っちゃいました。スパゲティ。 I fell asleep with it, cradled in my arms, and the spaghetti bent!

<Apollo> （意外に女の子のウケがいいのかな。 　こういうの‥‥） (Mental note: What she really wants for her next birthday: A bowl of plastic food...)

"(I guess this kind of thing is really popular with girls...)"

If anything, it's really popular with girls who work with attorneys at this firm... usually they ask for some sorts of noodles, or some saucy meat in buns if you count the EN versions.

> Examine: table

<Apollo> 手品用のテーブルの上に、 ポットが置いてある。 A hot water pot sits on a magic table.

このテーブル、 どうしてこんなに脚が細いのかな。 Why is the stand for this table so flimsy looking?

<Trucy> ‥‥うーん。 カッコイイから、かなあ。 ...Hmm. Maybe it looks better that way?

<Apollo> ‥‥もっと、おもしろい コタエを期待してたのに。 ...I was hoping for a more professional explanation.

<Trucy> ‥‥うーん。 Well...

シカケがないコトを 見せるため、とか？ Maybe to show that there's no tricks involved?

<Apollo> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ マトモだね。 ... Not bad.

<Trucy> ‥‥アタリマエのコト 言っちゃ、ダメなのかなあ。 I still think it's just that it looks better that way.

The last two lines were: "......Well, that was pretty honest." "...I think giving the obvious answer would be against the rules, though."

Btw, I can see why they translated Apollo's line as "Not bad", since 'matomo' can be used in contexts where someone is giving something a "decent" rating. I just think Minuki's next line makes it more clear about what he means, though with the changed context, it's only fair Trucy's last line here is changed too.

> Examine: Charley

<Apollo> 観葉植物のチャーリーくんだ。 It's Charley, the houseplant.

ずっと前から、この事務所で 育てられているらしい。 They've had it for years, apparently.

<Trucy> “くん”なんて、シツレイです！ “先輩”って呼ぶの。 That's "Mr. Charley" to you! He's been here longer, after all.

<Apollo> ‥‥は、はあ。 ...Right, sorry.

<Trucy> チャーリー先輩、すみません。 レイギを知らない新人でして。 I'm sorry, Mr. Charley. He was raised by a tribe of heathens.

<Apollo> （水をやりながら、 　なんか言ってるぞ‥‥） (She's saying something to the plant as she waters it...)

<Trucy> あ。それから。アイサツは “おはようございます”ですから。 Mr. Charley forgives you. This time.

<Apollo> ‥‥そういえばココ、 芸能事務所だったっけ。 ...Is there anything else I might do to please His High Leafiness?

Huh, I've spotted a legitimate mistake in translation for once: Apollo's line in (). For reference: "It's Charley-kun, the houseplant. They've been raising it for a long time in this office." "'Kun'!? That's so rude! Call him 'senpai'!" "...Right, sorry." "I'm sorry, Charley-senpai. He's just a newbie who doesn't know his manners." "(She says to it, as she waters it...)" "Oh. From here on, you'll greet him with a 'Good Morning, senpai', okay?" "...Oh yeah, this is a talent agency, isn't it?"

10/10/20 edit: Thanks, Ash. Tweaked Odoroki’s last line here to make it clearer what he means. It’s customary in talent/entertainment agencies to uphold a stricter code of seniority, especially one with a reputation. It seems it’s also customary for staff to say “Good morning” as a general greeting regardless of what time of day it is. The only reason Odoroki forgot his place is because he’s still used to thinking this place is a law firm.

> Talk: Wocky's Father

<Alita> なんかね。今の組長さん、 極道から足を洗おうとしてるの。 Did you know that the boss is trying to get out of the business?

<Apollo> え。そうなんですか！ （極道を‥‥やめる？） R-Really? (Mr. Kitaki wants to quit being a gangster!?)

<Alita> フツウの企業に生まれ変わろうと しているみたい。 He's trying to transfer his assets into a normal company.

滝太クンのお父さんがね。 最近、急に言い出して‥‥ He only announced it recently, out of the blue...

組員のヒトたちも、ずいぶん とまどってるみたい。 I hear there's quite a lot of confusion in the ranks.

<Apollo> （そういえば‥‥似合わない 　エプロンをつけてたな‥‥） (Hmm. I wonder if this explains that apron?)

‥‥でも、それ。 滝太さんは反対しそうですね。 ...I can't imagine Wocky going along with that.

<Alita> ふふ。あのヒト、 やんちゃなトコロがあるから。 Hee hee. He's highly motivated, isn't he?

<Apollo> “やんちゃ”って 感じじゃないですけど。 Um, that's not the word I would have used.

<Alita> 『オレが組長になって、 　ゼッタイ極道をつづける！』って。 He said, "I'll be the next Big Boss, and keep the Family alive."

ちょっぴり、背伸びしたい オトシゴロなんですよね。 I think he's at that age when boys want to make a mark on the world.

<Apollo> （ややこしそうだもんな。 　あの親子） (That's not the way I would have put it...)

Fyi, she uses "yancha", or "naughty kid", to describe him.

The last line here: "(What a complicated father-son relationship.)"

>

<Alita> 最近、すごーく 儲けてるの。キタキツネ一家。 His father moves in a lot of circles... He's really focused on profits.

滝太クンのお父さん、 いろんな世界にカオがきくから。 The Kitaki Family's been making a killing recently!

<Apollo> （たいした人物らしいな。 　滝太クンのお父さん‥‥） (Again, not the way I would have put it...)

<Alita> 滝太クン。『極道がカネ儲けに 走ったらオシマイだ』って。 But Wocky says it's not about the money. They have the gangster tradition to uphold.

<Trucy> それって、アレですね！ Ooh, a generation gap!

“ぜねれーしょん・ぎゃっぷ” ‥‥ってヤツ。 They've even got the ever classic "what about the family business" thing going...

<Apollo> ふつう、父と子の主張は 逆だけどね。 Usually, it's the father worried about tradition...

The first three lines here: "Lately, they've been making soo much, the Kitakitsune Family. Takita-kun's father holds a lot of influence in lots of places, after all." "(His father sure seems like a big deal, alright...)"

> Present anything to Alita

<Alita> ごめんなさい‥‥わたし。 事件のこと、詳しくはわからないの。 I'm sorry, I don't know much about the case.

わたしにできることは少ないし、 あなただけが頼りなの。 I... I feel so helpless. You're my only hope.

滝太クンのこと助けてあげてね‥‥ Please, help my Wocky-Pocky...

Hahaha, she said "Pocky". I just imagined Wocky-style Pocky sticks and I want some. I bet they'd have some foxy designs on that choco...

Ahem, sorry. I just wanted to share. She doesn't call him anything different here in the JP either.

> Move: Detention Center

<Apollo> よし。河津さんの話を聞いてみよう。 ‥‥ちょっと疲れそうだけど。 Alright. Let's have a little chat with Mr. Stickler. (I hope I don't regret this.)

<Trucy> 貴重な��目撃者”ですからね！ He is a valuable witness!

<Apollo> （まあ‥‥ある種“貴重な” 　目撃者だよな、アレは‥‥） (He is a bit "precious", I'll give him that.)

<Stickler> なんなのですか‥‥ ワタクシはこれで、忙しいのですよ。 Please, keep this brief, if you would. I'm quite busy.

今日中に、論文の構成をまとめ‥‥ ムムッ！　アナタがたはッ！ I need to finish this paper... Nyurk! I-It's you!!!

<Apollo> ‥‥河津さん。 お話をうかがいに来ました。 ...Mr. Stickler. We'd like to have a few words with you.

<Stickler> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ ......

‥‥まあ、いいでしょう。 手短にお願いしますよ。 ...Very well. As long as they're few.

<Apollo> （立ち直りが早いな‥‥） (Nothing would make me happier, believe me.)

“(He sure was fast to return to form...)”

> Examine: guard

<Apollo> 面会のようすを監視する看守だ。 A security guard. He stands here, watching this room.

オレたちの話を聞いているのか いないのか‥‥‥。 I have no idea if he's listening to us talk.

まったく、表情が変わらない。 I'm not even sure he's breathing.

That’s a bit harsh there... It was just “His expression doesn’t change at all.”

> Talk: Panty Theft

<Trucy> みぬきのパンツのシカケを 知りたかっただけですもんね。 You wanted to know the trick to my panties, right?

<Stickler> あ、あなたはッ！ Y-You're here, too!?

<Trucy> ‥‥？ ...?

<Stickler> どうか、あなたを “先生”と呼ばせてくださいッ！ Oh, Great Trucy! Teach me!

<Trucy> ええっ！ Eh!?

<Stickler> なんとかして 教えていただけないか！ I must know the secret of your panties!

ワタクシの人生を狂わせた、 あのパンツのナゾをッ！ My very existence hangs in the balance!

なんなら、このワタクシを あなたサマの“弟子”にッ！ Please, make me your apprentice!

<Trucy> オドロキさん！ なんとかしてください！ Apollo! Help!

<Apollo> いいんじゃない？ カッコウもマジシャンぽいし。 I dunno, I think he'd make a great "lovely assistant".

<Trucy> そんなムセキニンな‥‥ Don't say that, Apollo...

Hahaha! He straight up called her “Sensei”. That’s kinda cute if I’m being honest.

Odoroki’s last line here: “Why not? His uniform kinda looks like a magician’s outfit too.”

> Present: anything

<Apollo> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ ...

（‥‥証拠品、見てくれない） (...Fine, ignore my evidence. See if I care.)

（おおかた、パンツのナゾの 　コタエを考えているのだろう） (I wonder what he's thinki... On second thought, let's not go there.)

Actually, Odoroki has a pretty good idea: “(He’s probably still thinking about solving the mystery of those panties.)”

> (optional at any time) Return to W.A.A. to talk to Trucy

> Present Magic Panties

<Trucy> スゴイでしょ、みぬきのパンツ！ 法廷でも大カツヤクでしたよね！ Aren't my panties amazing? They were a big hit in court.

<Apollo> （たしかに。今日の裁判の 　決め手になったもんな‥‥） (They were the star player of the day, that's true.)

<Trucy> 明日の法廷も、 みぬきにおまかせです！ What should I show them in court tomorrow!?

<Apollo> （毎回、パンツにたよる弁護士には 　なりたくないな‥‥） (If only I could count on panties to save the day every day...)

The last two lines: "You can leave it to me to make a show in tomorrow's trial too!" "(I've had enough of being known as the 'panties attorney' these days, thanks...)"

I know nothing about that, I swear.

> Move: Eldoon's House

<Guy> 屋台が“現場”って どーいうコトよ！ How can a noodle stand be a crime scene, that's what I don't get, Trucy-doll!

���のヤロウ、死んでまでもヒトの 商売のジャマをしやがって‥‥ Even in death he's after my neck, I tell ya! Bah!

ワシが、そんなに しょっぱいってか！ Can't even cook an honest noodle...

<Apollo> “あのヤロウ”‥‥ですか？ "He"...?

<Trucy> “死んでまで”というコトは‥‥ 被害者の宇狩院長さん、かなあ。 "Even in death"... You mean the victim, Dr. Meraktis?

<Guy> まあ、そんなワケでな。 I tell ya.

ワシのカオも《極みそ》並みに しょっぱくなっちまうワケよ。 It's enough to drive a man to make his soup even saltier.

<Apollo> （‥‥やれやれ。 　キゲンが悪いみたいだな‥‥） (Remind me never to eat his noodles when he's in a bad mood...)

"What do they mean, the noodle stand is the 'crime scene'!? That jerk, even in death he's in my way of a good sale... Not even I'm that salty!" "'That jerk'...?" "'Even in death'... You mean the victim, Dr. Ugari?" "Yeah, that's him. Makes me so salty that I could even rival my 'Extre-Miso'."

By the way, "Kiwami" means "Extreme"! ...But seriously, it shocked me how well I could fit "extreme" with "miso".

> Talk: Noodle Stand

<Guy> あの屋台はな。 矢田吹家の男児が代々、 That stand... For generations, it's served up the very best noodles us Eldoons could make.

ちぢれ麺と秘伝の“みそ”と ともに伝えてきたのだ。 A tradition of noodles and salty broth.

ある種、このあたりの歴史そのもの と言ってもいいシロモノなのだ。 It's more than a stand, it's history, I tell you.

<Apollo> （それは言いすぎだろう） (Watch what you say or it might become true...)

Originally, he said "(That might be pushing it a bit.)" Though, I gotta admit I like the way the loc team did it.

>

<Apollo> あの‥‥ムギツラさん。 Mr. Eldoon, I don't mean to pry...

あなたの、ムカシのお仕事って、 なんだったんですか？ ...but what exactly did you do before you became a chef?

<Guy> フン！　クチに出すのもイヤな、 ニガくてしょっぱい思い出だよ！ Bah! Let old noodles lie, that's what I say.

<Apollo> （なんとなく‥‥ 　ハナシが見えてきたぞ） (I'm starting to get an idea of what he did, anyway.)

<Guy> とにかく！　トナリのオヤジは、 ワシから夢を奪って死んだのさ！ He stole my dreams and left me with nothin' but noodles.

《営業停止》という、 ドえらいメーワクを残してな！ And now I don't even have that!

Originally, he answered: "Hmph! Even saying it aloud brings back horribly bitter, salty memories!" "(I'm starting to get an idea of what he did, anyway.)" "Anyway! That geezer next door stole my dreams dead, he did! And I was left with a big, fat 'Business Suspension'!"

> Talk: Meraktis Clinic

<Guy> 個人の医院にしちゃ、 リッパなモンだろ？ He's the only doctor at that clinic, you know. Pretty impressive, eh?

ヤツは、成功するために ヤクザたちと手を組んだのだ！ I'll tell you the secret to his success... The mob!

<Apollo> やくざ‥‥というと、 《キタキツネ一家》ですか？ You mean... the Kitaki Family?

<Guy> 連中、“抗争”とか言って ケンカが多くてな。 They're always having one of them "turf wars" or whatnot.

ケガ人が絶えなかったのさ。 そこに目をつけたのが、あの宇狩だ。 Always an injury or two that needs fixing. Meraktis saw a chance for some business.

《キタキツネ割引》という サービスを始めた。 So he started giving the Kitaki Family a good deal...

<Apollo> わりびき‥‥ A deal...?

<Guy> きっと、先代の知恵の結晶‥‥ Every fifth operation for free!

《やたぶき屋スタンプ割引》の アイデアをパクったんだよ！ He stole the idea from my pops! One free bowl of noodles a week, he used to say.

To clarify, it seems the noodle stand tradition was to provide customers a stamp discount. I'm not sure if it's standard or not, but most shops I know that have stamp discounts count by fives or tens, so on the 5th or 10th purchase, there's a discount or some special deal that comes with it.

> Talk: Former Profession

<Apollo> オヤジさん。もしかして、 “ムカシの職業”って‥‥ Mr. Eldoon... or should I say "Dr. Eldoon"...

<Guy> ‥‥バレちまったみたいだな。 Figured it out, did ya?

そう、ワシは外科医だった。 おととしまでな。 That's right, I was a doctor. A surgeon... until the year before last.

<Trucy> じゃあ。宇狩さんは、アレですね？ “しゅくめいのらいばる”ってヤツ。 So Mr. Meraktis was your rival?

<Guy> ‥‥アンタ。 ラーメンのネギは好きかい？ ...You like those onions they put in the soup broth?

<Apollo> え。はあ。ワリと。 Um, yeah, kind of.

<Guy> ちりれんげでスープを飲むと、 かならずネギがまじっている。 You take a spoon, you drink some broth... Those onions will find their way in there.

ネギ好きにはたまらないが、 ネギ嫌いにもたまらない。 For people who like 'em, why that's just fine. For people who hate 'em...

‥‥ワシは、 ネギが大ッキライなんだッ！ ...I hate onions. Hate 'em!

いちいち、よけいなところで 味わいのジャマをしてくさる！ Always sneaking in from the side, gettin' in the way of a good tastin' spoonful.

アイツがそうだった！ 宇狩のネギボウズがッ！ Well, that's what he was. An onion! Onion-boy, that's what I called 'im.

And to clarify here, it's usually green onion, or scallion as some chefs prefer to call it, that you'd find in soup broths. Personally, I love that stuff and grew up with soups where my mom would add it all the time, no matter what soup she was making.

Fun fact: "たまらない" (tamaranai) can change its meaning to the opposite side depending on the context. If you mean it positively, it's "irresistible"; if negatively, it's "unbearable". Basically, there's a strong response of some kind.

> Move: People Park

<Apollo> あれ。なんか、 ちょっと印象がちがうような‥‥ Huh? Does something about this scene look different to you?

<Trucy> きのうは、地面に青いシートが 敷いてありましたから。 The blue tarps are gone! Maybe that's it?

<Apollo> ああ、そうだっけ。 あ。あそこ。 Yeah, I think you're right. Look over there.

<Trucy> きのうの、白い刑事さんですね。 The white-frocked detective from yesterday.

ゴミ箱に向かって土下座して、 必死にあやまってます。 She seems to be apologizing reverently... to the trash can.

<Apollo> ‥‥カワイソウに。 きっと、捜査が進まなくて‥‥ She's... under a lot of stress.

すこし、アタマがおかしく なっちゃったんだな。 The investigation's probably not going so well.

By "apologizing reverently", they mean she's prostrate before the trash can. More likely, she was just head-down focused on tracing those footprints, but to be honest, I get that feeling a lot, especially lately. Straining your eyes on little things or bright screens for such a long time...

>

<Ema> ちょっと！　アンタたち！ Hey, you there!

ナイショ話なら、聞こえないように やってくれないかなあ。 If you're going to talk about someone behind their back, do it more quietly, please!

<Apollo> あ。刑事さん、どうも。 Oh, Detective Skye. Hello.

<Trucy> なんか、今日も ゴキゲンななめみたいですね。 You seem as gloomy as ever.

<Ema> ホント、最低ね。 新しい道具はうまくいかないし。 This is miserable! Miserable! I just got a new kit, and I can't get the stuff to work.

じゃらじゃらした おニイさんには、やさしくされるし。 And everyone's all smiles for that glimmerous fop.

<Trucy> じゃらじゃら‥‥？ 牙琉検事さんのコト、かな。 Glimmerous...? Does she mean Prosecutor Gavin?

<Apollo> ふつう“ちゃらちゃらした” って言うんじゃあ‥‥ More to the point, doesn't she mean "glamorous"?

<Ema> あのヒトが歩くと、クサリが じゃらじゃら鳴って、気になるの。 When he walks his shiny chains catch the sun and glimmer in my eyes! It's distracting.

さくさくさくさくさくさくさくさく さくさくさくさくさくさくさくさく。 MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH MUNCH

<Apollo> （この刑事さんが歩くと、 　さくさく言って、気になるな） (Speaking of distracting...)

It pains me to admit that "glimmerous" is not a real word, but in my heart it is.

Anyway, originally the word Akane used was "jarajara", which is onomatopoeia for a jingle-jangle sound. Odoroki tries to correct her with "charachara", which also can mean the same thing, but also can refer to "flirty" or "flashy" types. She specifies she means "jarajara" because his chain necklace keeps jingle-jangling around her.

> Talk: Prosecutor Gavin

<Ema> ちょっと、合わないんだよね。 I won't lie, I'm not fond of the man.

ああいう、 じゃらじゃらしたタイプは。 Those glimmerous types always rub me the wrong way.

<Apollo> “ちゃらちゃら”‥‥ね。 "Glamorous"... right.

<Ema> やっぱり検事さんはこう、クールで ちょっとミケンにシワ寄せて‥‥ A prosecutor should be cool of wit and furrowed of brow.

“じゃらじゃら”より “ひらひら”した感じが理想よね！ Less "glimmerous" and more "simmerous"... you know?

<Apollo> ‥‥まったく イメージがわかないなあ。 ...No, actually, I don't.

She wants less "jarajara" and more "hirahira" from her prosecutors. I'm sure you all know that "fluttery" sound by now.

> Talk: Ema, reject her offer

<Apollo> ‥‥今は、やめておきます。 失敗したら、悪いし。 I think I'll pass. Wouldn't want to waste a kit if I messed up.

<Ema> うーん、困ったなー‥‥ 手を借りたかったのに。 Really? That's too bad... I really could use the help.

<Trucy> えー！　やりたいな、みぬき。 トクイなのに。手打ちうどんとか。 Aww, I want to try! It'll be just like making pancakes in the dirt!

<Apollo> （あとで気が変わったら、 　やらせてもらおうかな‥‥） (I guess I can always talk to her again if I change my mind...)

Aw, Minuki mentioned it'd be like pounding up udon dough. (Who knew that udon dough would become a lot more relevant down the line in a future game...)

> Accept it, examine any set of prints

<Ema> あ。そのカオ。 I know that face.

なんか“見つけた” みたいなカオしてるね。 That's the face of someone who's made... a discovery!

<Trucy> あれ。 やっぱり、わかっちゃいます？ Hey, how did you know?

<Ema> ふふん。 科学捜査官の目をナメちゃダメね。 You can't fool someone trained in the ways of science!

<Apollo> （そこは“カガク”は 　関係ないと思うけど） (Next she'll have us analyzing face prints...)

<Trucy> とにかく。宝月刑事さんに おねがいしちゃいましょうよ！ Let's ask Detective Skye to help us, Apollo!

Originally: "(I doubt her eyes had much 'scientific' procedure to do.)"

> Examine smooth footprint, present wrongly

<Ema> ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ あたしがナニ食べてるか、わかる？ ... Know what I'm eating?

<Apollo> まあ‥‥ カリントウ、ですよね？ Um... Snacks?

<Ema> あたしね。フキゲンなときは、 カリントウ食べるの。知ってた？ Snacks. More precisely, whenever I'm in a bad mood, I eat chocolate Snackoos.

<Apollo> ‥‥それは、知りませんでした。 ...I had no idea.

<Trucy> たぶん、オドロキさんのコタエが ちがった、ってコトでしょうね。 I think she means you picked the wrong evidence, Apollo.

<Apollo> （まわりくどいな） (...I had no idea.)

Ah, here it is, the origin of Snackoos. They were "karintou" before, which are a kind of crispy, bite-sized, brown-sugary cookie sticks. On the occasion, you can find a few bags at your local Asian supermarket.

> Present: slippers, get Ema's permission to investigate

> Move: Detention Center

<Wocky> はーい、お待たせ！ ボクのかわいいペテン師ちゃん！ Yo, 'sup, my little imposter!

<Trucy> きゃあッ！ な。な。なんですかッ！ Eeek! Wh-What did you call me?

<Wocky> うお！　な。なんだ。アンタかよ。 美波ちゃんだと思ったぜ！ Dizzam! It's you!? Sorry, G, thought you were Alita.

<Trucy> コイビトを“ペテン師” 呼ばわりしてるんですか？ "My little imposter" sure is a strange nickname.

<Wocky> あれ？　そんな感じで言うだろ、 シャバのヤツらは。 It's a clink thang. You wouldn't understand.

ええと‥‥ あ。“堕天使ちゃん”か？ D-Did I say "imposter"? I meant "poster"... like "poster girl", 'aight?

<Trucy> “ペ”や“だ”は いらないと思いますけど。 If you're going to drop part of that, why not drop "poster" and just call her "girl"?

<Wocky> とにかくよォ！　オレにとっちゃ 弁天サマなワケよ、ある種。 Cause she's so much more than that, G. She's like... She's like an angel. A fallen angel.

The localizers got lucky here that the word “imposter” is close enough to “poster” to make that joke. The joke had to be changed from Japanese, since it was more wordplay. Takita actually made a mistake; he meant to call her “ 堕天使ちゃん” (datenshi-chan), like a “fallen angel”, but called her “ペテン師ちゃん” (petenshi-chan), “imposter”/”swindler”, at first.

Then, Minuki says: “I don’t think you need to add the ‘pe’ or the ‘da’, though.” “Anyway! She’s like Benten-sama to me, in a way.”

Benten, or more formally Benzaiten, is the Japanese name of the Buddhist Goddess of Wisdom (and sometimes as Shinto Kami) who often is seen holding a biwa, a Japanese lute. She was originally based off of the Hindu Goddess of Wisdom Sarasvati, whose name was honored in ancient Chinese Buddhist texts as the religion carried over and later to Japan.

>

<Wocky> ば、バカ言うなよ！ オトコってヤツはなァ。 M-Man... I ain't trying to hear that!

タイセツなものを守るために戦って、 それで死ねるなら本望なんだ！ A man fights to protect what's valuable to him, you know what I'm saying?

<Wocky> ミナミちゃんに会いてえよォ。 つれてきてくれよォ！ ...I miss my fallen angel!

アンタ、オレの ベンゴシなんだろォ？ Hey, you go get Alita for me. You're my lawyer, aren't you?

<Apollo> （やれやれ‥‥ 　世話の焼ける依頼人だな） (Lawyer, not gopher...)

“(*sigh*... What a troublesome client.)”

> Talk: Alita Tiala

<Apollo> 来月、ケッコンされるそうですね。 So, I hear you're to be married next month?

<Wocky> そうさ！　 もう、サカヅキはかわしてるんだ。 Straight up! We poured the nuptial 40 out on the stoop!

ミナミちゃんも、来月からは ウチの一家さ。サイコーだよな！ Alita! Oh, snapplecakes! She soooo foine!

<Apollo> （ヤレヤレ‥‥ 　そうとうホレてるみたいだな） (I think he's smitten with her in his own weird way.)

Man, how could I have left out most of Wocky’s wonderful swag-talk...

By the way, Takita mentions how they even exchanged sake cups. This practice is a pretty big deal in Japan and one that most people wouldn’t do lightly. There’s usually a solemn oath to be made with such an exchange. It doesn’t have to be between lovers getting married; just between two (or more) people who swear to abide by some social contract.

And guess what, it’s the very same practice that Yakuza are renowned for doing when they swear brotherhood among their ranks. One does not simply become “kyoudai” without some serious exchange of... Wait. I can clearly remember someone in a Yakuza game who was kinda “ok” about things and it happened. Okay, it’s usually the case anyway.

> Talk: Kitaki Family

<Wocky> 極道ってのは“ワル”の道だ。 “ワル”にこそオトコの美学がある。 Life in the Family is a G thang. It's about being a man.

‥‥わかるだろ？ ...You know what I'm saying?

<Trucy> みぬき、女の子だから。 わかんないなあ。 Sorry, I'm not up on my G things. I'm not even sure what a G thing is...

“I’m a girl so, no, I don’t get it.”

>

<Wocky> オヤジのヤツ。ここ最近、 急に弱気になっちまってさ。 But my old man, he's gone soft.

《切った張ったの時代は 　もうオシマイだ》なんて言ってよ。 He says the old rival gang days are over. He just wants to make money!

<Trucy> いいじゃないですか。 Isn't that a good thing?

<Wocky> バカ言え！　カネもうけに、 なんの美学があるんだよ！ Man, there ain't no soul in making money!

ワルってのはな。スカッと生きて、 アッサリ死ぬもんさ。 Better to live fast and die young. Fo'shizzle!

<Apollo> （やれやれ‥‥） (*sigh*...)

There’s actually an important point his dad makes here, about how the gang war days are over. While he certainly is referring to the way that the Kitaki Family is going legal again, it’s also true to modern Japanese history.

While the 80s had a huge economic boom and Yakuza were likely all up in that biz, it led to a huge bubble that collapsed and a depression that lasted through the 90s. Though Japan was still relatively quick to recover, through the 2000s and on, Japan entered into a period of changing politics and much more governmental intervention. For the once very profitable and romantically dramatized Yakuza, renowned as the “necessary evil” to keep petty crimes off the street, future prospects weren’t nearly so hot for them anymore, and their MO had to change. Some formerly Yakuza-run Big Zaibutsu Biz went completely legal and stand to this day. Even as a concept, the Yakuza gradually fizzled out in popularity in public opinion. Only traces of their former glory remain in crime drama series and games like this.

And then there’s the Yakuza series and their memes.

>

<Wocky> 見てな。 オレが組長になったら。 Wait till I run the yard. Then everyone'll know what time it is.

《ワルい奴ら》のカッコイイ世界を 作ってやるぜ！ That's right! O.G. time all the time. Represent!

<Trucy> “ワル”はどうかと思うけど。 夢があるって、イイですよね。 Apollo, why does he keep talking about "Old Guys"?

<Apollo> （平和な子だよな‥‥） I don't think that's what "O.G." means, Trucy.

The last two lines: “I don’t know much about being ‘bad’, but it’s nice that he has a dream to follow.” “(Such a peaceful kid...)”

> Talk: Pal Meraktis

<Wocky> 公園で、ヤツと出くわした。 なぜか‥‥屋台を引いていた。 When I run into him in the park... and he's dragging this noodle stand behind him!

<Trucy> あの。滝太さんが “要求”したんじゃないですか？ Wait, you didn't put him up to that?

ほら、アレ。 “みのしろきん”感覚で。 Like, you know, in the movies?

『イノチがおしければ、 　屋台を引いてこい』みたいな！ "If you value your life, you'll bring the stand..."

<Wocky> ‥‥ムジャキなカオで くだらねえコトを聞くな。 ...Shorty, you're more wacked than I am. And that's saying something.

<Trucy> ううう‥‥みぬき、 シンケンだったのに。 ...But I was serious!

Wacked, indeed. Or as it was originally: “...Don’t gimme that stupid crap while lookin’ so innocent-like.”

> Present: anything

<Wocky> ‥‥‥‥‥‥ふーん。 いいんじゃねえの。 ... Yeah, whatever.

<Apollo> （何か別のコトを考えてるな。 　ちゃんと見てないぞ） (He seems preoccupied... I'm not sure he even looked at my evidence...)

<Wocky> ‥‥ミナミちゃん。 会いてえなあ。 Alita, man. Alita.

“...Minami-chan, I wanna see you again, babe.”

> Move: Meraktis Clinic

> Examine: reception desk

<Apollo> 病院の受付だ。 当然だけど、ダレもいない。 The clinic reception desk. No one's here, of course.

カウンターに、標語のような ものが張り出されている。 There's a small sign on the counter...

《ココロとカラダに 　やさしい、明朗会計を》 "Please pay your bill: Remember, we're the ones holding the scalpel."

‥‥深いな。意外に。 Brutal... but effective.

Originally, the sign read: "Treat your heart and body well with a honest bill." So it has a similar message, but isn't as directly threatening.

> Move: People Park, ask about print analysis, present slippers & sandals

> Move: Meraktis Clinic, then its Office

> Examine: cabinets

<Apollo> うわ！　なんだコレ！ Whoa! What are those?

カベ一面、ビーカーで 埋めつくされてるぞ‥‥ The wall is covered with beakers...

<Trucy> きゃあああッ！ 中で何かが動いてますッ！ Eeeeek! Something's moving inside that one!

‥‥オドロキさん！　みぬきの かわりに、見てくださいッ！ ...You look, Apollo!

<Apollo> そ。そういうのは、自分の 目でたしかめなよ！　‥‥あれ。 H-Hey, look yourself! You can't... Oh.

‥‥なんだ。金魚じゃないか。 ...It's a goldfish.

<Trucy> わあ！　他にも、 いろいろなお魚がいます！ Wow, they're all fish! So many kinds!

<Apollo> （まったく‥‥ヒト騒がせな 　インテリアだな‥‥） (Whoever designed this had a sick sense of humor...)

That "sick sense of humor" must be from someone who likes to cause trouble or raise false alarms... Basically, a troll.

Oh wait, Meraktis definitely was a troll. He trolled Eldoon since they were kids and kept doing it even in death. Man was a master troll to the end... Normally, I don't respect trolls, but I can make an exception for someone who dedicated his whole life (and death) to the trade.

> Examine: safe, present fingerprint set, enter code

> Examine: papers

<Trucy> これは‥‥ カルテ、ですね。たぶん。 This looks like... a medical chart.

レントゲン写真といっしょに、 １組だけ入ってます。 There's an X-ray in here with it.

<Apollo> レントゲン写真‥‥か。 見てもイミがわからないな。 An X-ray...? Hmm, can't make heads or tails of it.

‥‥カルテも読めないし。 ドイツ語だから。 And I can't read the chart either, it's all in medical- speak.

Interestingly, this medical chart is written in German. I know historically, Japan had quite a long-term relationship with Germany even before the advent of WWII, and German engineering influenced quite a bit of Japan's growth in industry before the US came along, so the Japanese still have a few words borrowed from German and other European languages, especially in regards to scientific terms.

Case in point: "karute" from Karte, which is German for "map". The transition isn't perfect, of course.

10/10/20 edit: I blame Google Translate for this. So it can mean “map”, but it also can be used for “charts” in general, including medical ones. Though, “karute” in JP is used exclusively to refer to medical charts.

>

<Trucy> でも、名前のトコは日本語です。 患者さんの名前‥‥《北木　滝太》 But, the names are easy enough to read. Look, by "Patient" it says... "Wocky Kitaki"!

<Trucy> あの滝太さん、ですよね。 ‥‥依頼人の。 So this is Wocky... our client's chart, huh.

<Apollo> どうして、このカルテが １組だけ、金庫に‥‥？ Why would this one chart be here in this safe...?

医師のサインは、ええと。 《担当医：宇狩　輝夫》か。 Let's see, the physician's signature says "Pal Meraktis".

え‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Eh...

<Trucy> どうしたんですか？ オドロキさん。 What is it, Apollo?

<Apollo> こ。ここ‥‥ “カルテ処理”の担当者の欄‥‥ Look here where it says who filed the chart...

<Trucy> ええと。 担当看護師‥‥《並奈　美波》 Let's see... "Nurse Alita Tiala"...!

<Apollo> 滝太クンの婚約者、だよな。 なみなみなみなさん‥‥ Alita Tialita is Wocky's fiancée!

<Trucy> “な”が１コ多いです、 オドロキさん！ That's one "ita" too many, Apololo!

Ha. Alita's name in JP is "Namina Minami", last-first, and Odoroki added one too many na's to her name. Look at Trucy wrecking his name, though.

>

<Apollo> なんで、ここに彼女の名前が！ Never mind that, what's her name doing here!?

<Trucy> し。知りませんよ！ でも。名前があるってコトは‥‥ How should I know?

どうやら、この病院のスタッフ みたいですね。みなみさん。 Though... I guess it means she's on staff at this clinic?

<Apollo> ‥‥どうして、今まで 教えてくれなかったんだろう‥‥ Odd that she neglected to mention this before now...

<Trucy> それは‥‥ヤッパリ。 何かの理由があったんでしょうね。 I'm sure she had her reasons.

<Apollo> （‥‥なみなみなみさんは、 　宇狩外科医院のスタッフだった） (So Alita Tiala worked at the Meraktis Clinic...)

（しかも‥‥きたきたきたきの 　カルテを処理している‥‥） (And she had access to Wocki Kitaky's medical chart!)

<Trucy> “き”が１コ多いです、 オドロキさん！ You got the "I" and "Y" wrong, Appolo!

And Wocky's name is "Takita Kitaki", last-first, and Odoroki added one too many ki's this time. Look at Trucy still wrecking his name. Now I can't unsee "Apollo" as looking weird.

> (optional) Move: People Park

> Present: lamp

<Apollo> そうだ。 このスタンド、見てもらえますか？ Say, could you take a look at this lamp?

<Ema> あれ。電球が割れてるね。 Hmm. The bulb's broken.

<Apollo> そうなんです。 ちょっとオカシイですよね。 Right. Strange, isn't it?

<Ema> うーん。そう？　あたし、 よく割れるけどな。電球。 Really? I break bulbs all the time.

デスクが散らかってるからね。 すぐ落ちるの。スタンド。 My desk is a mess and my lamp is always falling over. ...Not too bright, huh?

<Apollo> （問題外だな、それは‥‥） (Ouch...)

<Trucy> ちょっと、気になりますよねー‥‥ I still think it's kind of odd...

I swear this bit about the lamp falling over is a direct reference to Turnabout Sisters. Emphasis on the word "stand" too. Odoroki even said: "(That's practically unthinkable...)"

> Move: Eldoon's House

> Present: medical chart

<Trucy> あの。どうしたんですか？ ダマりこんで‥‥ Why the sudden silence, Mr. Eldoon?

<Guy> なんだ、こりゃ‥‥ どういうコトだよ、コレは！ What...? What's going on here!?

<Apollo> いやいや！ こっちが聞きたいですよ！ That's what we want to know!

その、カルテ‥‥ オレの依頼人のものなんですけど。 That chart belongs to my client.

<Trucy> 今、サツジンの容疑を かけられて、裁判���‥‥ He's on trial... On suspicion of murder.

<Guy> バカ言ってんじゃねェよ！ On trial! That's crazy!

そんなネムたいコト言ってたら‥‥ 死ぬぜ、このクランケ。 You can't put him on trial! He's ABD!

<Trucy> ‥‥くらんけ？ ...ABD?

<Guy> 患者だよ、カンジャ。 こいつは‥‥一刻を争う事態だ。 All but dead. He's knocking on the Pearly Gates, and someone's about to answer.

Originally, he refers to him as "kuranke", which is from the German word "Kranke", which means "sick".

For the record, no, I don't know German. Ironically, I have Google Translate to thank.

10/10/20 edit: Thanks have been revoked. The word actually means “patient”, not simply “sick” as an adjective.

> Move: Detention Center

<Wocky> はーい、お待たせ！ ボクのかわいい堕天使ちゃん！ Don't cry angel, Daddy's back and Daddy's...

‥‥って。 またオマエらかよ！ ...Oh. You again.

<Apollo> あの。 毎回、その登場をするんですか？ Do you always have to announce your entrances like that?

Hey, he got it right this time, good for him.

<Wocky> まあな。さっきは オヤジにやっちまってさァ。 Man, my old man, he... Man!

かなり気まずいムードに なっちまったぜ！ Now I'm all in a funk, and it's his fault.

<Apollo> （‥‥そのケイケンから 　何か学んでほしいな‥‥） (One can only assume that his father tried to teach him a lesson. And failed, clearly.)

<Wocky> それにしても。 アンタらも、ゴクロウだよな。 You two got your work cut out for you, straight up.

オレはもう、 カクゴはできてるってのにさ！ Course I don't care if they lock me up. I'm ready to go!

<Apollo> （やれやれ‥‥有罪になる気 　マンマンだな） (Some days, I wonder why I do what I do.)

“(Oh, boy... He’s sure pumped up about being convicted.)”

> Present: medical chart, then talk about Alita again

<Trucy> ‥‥《宇狩外科医院》ですね？ ...The Meraktis Clinic?

<Wocky> そこでさ。出会っちまったワケよ。 オレだけの堕天使ちゃんに。 That's where I met her. My fallen angel...

<Apollo> 並奈　美波さん‥‥ですか。 You mean Alita Tiala?

<Wocky> 最初は、オレのコト、 コワがってたみたいなんだけどさ。 She was scared of me at first, turns out.

ひかれちまったんだろうなァ。 オレの“悪”のミリョクに！ But you know what they say -- the bad guy always gets the ladies.

<Apollo> はあ‥‥ Right...

I try not to waste entry space, but I was just reminded of a certain song about “Why good girls always like bad boys?”, but mixed with “How baa-a-a-ad can I be?” and I hate it, thanks.

> Present: anything else

<Wocky> ‥‥‥‥‥‥ふーん。 ダッセェの。 ... Man... that is so far off the hook, it's off the chain, G!

<Apollo> （何か別のコトを考えてるな。 　ちゃんと見てないぞ） (He seems preoccupied with something else...)

<Wocky> ‥‥ミナミちゃん。 何してんのかなあ。 ...Wonder how my Alita's doing. Man, I miss her.

Man, I suck at ending these posts. Here, have more Wocky free-stylin’.

Fyi, his first line here, he’s calling something “lame” and I dunno if he really did see but didn’t care or didn’t notice it at all.

[wickymicky]

my top ten favorite kpop singles of 2021 so far: first quarter edition (january-march)

10. Pixy - Wings: I’m not as into this song as other people, but it’s grown on me, and I think they have a lot of potential. I did not expect a group called “Pixy” to have this dark of a concept haha, I like that. I like the choreo and overall performance of it too, I think that’s the highlight for me

9. G Idle - Hwaa: Not my favorite G Idle title track, but I do think it’s in the top half. It’s interesting to me that they did this song, since it is pretty much all in Korean, there’s no English whatsoever (the only English is a “yeah” at the beginning haha), which for a group like G Idle who has used a lot of English in the past and is very popular internationally is kind of a bold choice, and I’m into it

8. Ateez - Fireworks (I’m The One): I’m still not fully sold on Ateez’s direction post-Wonderland/Answer, with the “end” of their pirate concept (possibly, it seems complicated lol, idk, but you know what I mean anyway), but I do kinda like this song! It sounds kinda like... European lmao. Like I keep thinking I hear accordion in the drop, but idk maybe I’m just imagining things. I mean all that in a good way, btw. Like a good kind of European (if you can imagine such a thing)

7. Shinee - Don’t Call Me: As someone who only got into kpop in 2019, and didn’t even get into a single boy group for like 6 or 7 months (and even then, for a while I just had one single token boy group lol), Shinee isn’t a group that I had checked out much from until fairly recently. I’m still new here, I suppose lol. But yeah idk, this song is good! I love the production and their obvious charisma and talent. Like, I can tell even just from this song that their reputation is earned. It’s just a solid release

6. Purple Kiss - Ponzona: I do prefer Skip Skip, but I decided to limit this to singles and title tracks. I also prefer My Heart Skip a Beat (by a lot, actually), but that came out last year lol. This song has really been growing on me a lot though! Like, a lot actually. I like the violin, I think that’s a really interesting touch haha, I feel like that adds so much to the way the song sounds overall. Yuki’s rapping is impressive too, I like her flow in every song I’ve heard her in so far, especially since she writes her raps herself and Korean isn’t her native language. Honestly that’s one of the most impressive things about Purple Kiss... they seem to be involved in writing all of the things they do! That’s SO RARE for a group to do right from debut, especially for a girl group! I think that’s a great sign that things are changing, and girl groups are being taken more seriously and being allowed more creative freedom than ever before. Ponzona was literally a song written for a monthly evaluation when they were trainees. That’s really impressive. Skip Skip was too, but yeah lol. 

5. Pentagon - Do or Not: I mentioned that for a while I just had one token boy group that I liked, and that was Pentagon haha, they were my first. I like that this is a return to their fun sound, but in a different way... like, this song doesn’t sound anything like Shine or Naughty Boy lol. Pentagon are just really good at conveying passion in their songs and I think that shines through here too! I like the way the bass and percussion sound, that’s just quality mixing lol. I also love that even though it’s this kinda pop-punk-ish-doo-wop-ish kpop song, it still has a bit of sadness underneath the fun, which is something I think is a trademark of Pentagon’s style haha. But mostly, it’s fun

4. Tri.Be - Doom Doom Ta: The main reason I checked this out was because it was written and produced by LE from EXID, and you can really tell haha. In fact, her voice is in the song at certain points, and like... she has a really distinctive voice lol. Anyway this song is like a pretty hard commitment to this Latin/moombahton kind of sound, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that trend in kpop, but either way, I do think this song is a bop. I’ve had it on repeat way more than everything below this point, in fact all the songs in this top 4 I’ve had on repeat like an order of magnitude more than the songs from 5-10 lol. it’s been a slow beginning to the year. I don’t have a lot of specifics to mention here about Doom Doom Ta, I just think it’s an earworm 

3. Weeekly - After School: This was really highly anticipated for me, because I love their previous title tracks. Tag Me especially is a song I consider to be almost perfect, which is not something I say about very many songs at all haha. I personally don’t think After School is quite as good as Tag Me or Zig Zag, but I do really like it! It’s always good to get more fun, exciting, unashamedly catchy songs haha, it’s a breath of fresh air. I love this concept for them too, I think it fits them really well! They’re just a lot of fun. This mini-album, We Play, is my favorite of theirs so far too, though that doesn’t necessarily affect my placement of this song in particular

2. Cherry Bullet - Love So Sweet: God damn, this song is really good. It’s really simple, but that works to it’s advantage imo. I love that the background melody of the instrumental during the verse is the same as the vocal melody in the chorus (or at least very close), that’s just super satisfying. Ending the song with an extended “da da dadada da da” segment was a big risk too lol, that could have been annoying, but idk I think that really is one of the highlights of the song. This song feels like the kind of song where the songwriter came up with that melody and went “YES! this is IT! YESSSSS” and they knew they had come up with something really, really catchy, and they built the rest of the song around showcasing it. And it works!

1. Dreamcatcher - Odd Eye: This probably isn’t much of a surprise lol. But similar to After School... This isn’t my favorite Dreamcatcher comeback, and tbh I think it’s my least favorite of the Dystopia trilogy. But like... that’s still enough to make it my favorite song of the first quarter of 2021. It’s great, I love the way they do the cyberpunk concept and sound without going into the synthwave direction like Everglow La Di Da did. I love La Di Da a ridiculous amount, but I just mean that it’s nice to see variety even within a similar overall concept. Also! Handong is back! And she crushed it! In previous title tracks she and Gahyeon often got the least amount of lines by far, and the least amount of screentime and such, and Gahyeon definitely got times to shine during Scream and Boca and made it clear that she’s leveled up a lot, and I was really hoping that Odd Eye would be able to do the same for Handong (without sacrificing Gahyeon’s screentime and lines)... and yeah, it really was, lol. Handong was all over this song, and her voice reaaaaaally complements this sound. This group has no weak links, and obviously all of us already knew that, but now even the people who only casually listen to them know that without a doubt too.

idk... i’m not totally sure about this list but that feels mostly right to me i guess. I feel like Odd Eye is definitely my favorite so far, but to be honest I don’t feel like it’s the Song of the Year. like, if it had been released in 2020, I don’t think it would have made my top 10. If nothing better than Odd Eye comes out for the rest of the year then sure, it will be my SOTY haha, but idk, I just think that there hasn’t been anything *truly* great so far yet. And that’s okay... I’m very picky about this kind of thing. I don’t give high scores to things that don’t deserve it lol... and like in my opinion there were only 4 songs in 2020 that are the kind of near-perfect instant-soty song I’m talking about, and three of those four came out in the second half of the year. So the fact that I don’t think anything so far has been at that top level isn’t a bad thing, and isn’t really something I’m worried about. I think we definitely have not gotten the best songs of the year yet (unless everything else ends up sucking lol, but idk i hope thats not what happens...)

oh also there was an WJSN comeback today, and that would probably have been on this list, but I havent heard it yet because i was waiting until I finished writing this haha. like, since it came out on March 31st, tbh I’m just gonna count it as an April comeback, so i’m sure it’ll be in my list for the second quarter that i’ll post at the end of June lol. i mean, unless i dont like it. but i’ll probably like it haha.