#but i definitely think i had some stronger acting skills than many

[swaggy-skeletons]

GUYS I GOT A CALLBACK IM SO HAPPY

I DIDNT THINK I WAS BECAUSE THE EMAIL WAS SUPPOSED TO GO OUT TODAY AND I WAS CHECKING ALL DAY AND I HADNT GOTTEN AND THEN AT LIKE 7:00 i was like "ok one more check" and i still hadn't gotten an email so i thought i didn't get one but then i checked one last time a few minutes ago and I GOT ONE!!!!

i'm genuinely overjoyed

i honestly think i have a good chance of getting the role because, not to toot my own horn, i think i had among the best cold reads of all the girls auditioning

like i projected, i spoke clearly, i didn't just speak in my voice or like i was reading a text out loud like i actually ACTED it and i made sure to incorporate body movement and facial expressions and all that jazz

also i was like the fifth person to read for Erma and i gave her a sort-of boston accent and no one before me gave her an accent but almost EVERYONE after me tried to. i have the upper hand on that one because i hear boston accents a lot from family

anyway i'm literally SO HAPPY

only time will tell if i get the role or not but honestly, even if i don't i'll be very happy to have gotten a callback.

i'll be in the ensemble whether i get the role or not so I'll be happy either way

i'm so excited for rehearsals to start ahhhhhh!

[flightfoot]

any fic recs featuring polyamory?

Oh yeah, definitely!

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Herbs And Steam by @liiinerle

Juleka le Flor Blef, nature witch from near the forest of Couffaine, arrives at Eiffel Castle so she can partake in the Queen's Trials - a contest to determine the strongest witch in all of France. She wants to prove the strength of her magic, but when she arrives, her attention is quickly distracted by two very interesting women: Kagami, the princess, who seems to act nothing like a princess should; and Marinette, the blacksmith, who has created a magic all her own through metal, steam, and ingenuity. Juleka is immediately besotted with both of them, and needs to work extra hard to focus on her magic. Juleka also soon becomes aware that there is stronger magic at Eiffel castle than she had expected. For one thing, there's a tree in the courtyard put there years ago by a witch whose powers seem to surpass hers; for another, there's Alya la Pluvie Versaunt, who must be the most powerful mage Juleka has ever met...

Unusual poly here, there aren't a lot of Juleka/Kagami/Marinette fics! I love the world here, getting to see all these different witches honing their craft, and Juleka making friends with many of them - though especially the nonwitches Kagami and Marinette, of course XD. If you like some femslash or a good fantasy AU, this fic should scratch that itch!

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Each Hum And Click by @echo-has-queries

Kagami thought her understandably high standards for a match in marriage would mean she could avoid being paired with a man by her mother. That she could keep perfecting her flying-machine skills and eventually take over her mother’s place in leading the Tsurugi steam engine manufacturing company without having to defer to a man. She would have thought that when her mother told her to test the Agreste boy as a marriage match she had been kidding - if her mother ever kid. But she was serious and there truly was no fault to be found with Gabriel Agreste's son - except for the small detail of course, that he was not human. So Kagami must turn to the only fine mechanic she knows in Paris to find a solution to this new dilemma. But perhaps the dilemma could turn out to be the solution itself. Written for the AU Roulette Challenge 2024 with the prompt: Steampunk AU

So this fic is entirely from Kagami's POV, and it is a treat! It's an Adrigaminette fic, which you slowly figure out from reading the fic, if you didn't check the tags - Kagami may have tried not to like Adrien, but he grew on her regardless, and then a few chapters in you find out about hers and Marinette's failed relationship. I loved slowly finding out why the two of them broke up, when there are clearly still strong feelings between them, and how it ties into Kagami's character arc and the overall themes of the story: standing up for yourself, breaking free from those who would control you, and forging your own path.

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All Of Them? Every Single One? by @liiinerle

It turns out that Marinette loves a lot more people than she’d initially thought.

This is hilarious and adorable. Tikki lays out how Marinette has a crush on basically every girl she’s met - and even girls she doesn’t know are girls yet XD. 

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Spin the Bottle by @kasienda

When the bottle cap comes to a stop dead center on Nino, Adrien’s both relieved and somehow more anxious. His first kiss - not his actual first kiss, but still kinda his first kiss - the first kiss he will remember, will be with someone he deeply cares about. But Adrien also cares what Nino thinks of him, so what if he’s a terrible kisser? Nino offers him a reassuring smile, and he relaxes. Adrien glances at Alya for permission, and she just shoos him towards Nino. Adrien turns to Nino, leaning closer. If his stomach had been squirming before, it now feels like a half dozen Kwamis have taken up residence in his gut. But Adrien doesn’t hesitate. He blocks out the presence of all of his friends watching, and instead focuses on Nino - like Nino is a stage partner in a photoshoot. Except kissing Nino is nothing like a photoshoot. … Adrien kisses Nino in a game of Spin the Bottle, and then neither can stop thinking about it. Alya really likes how flustered her boyfriend is by all this. Marinette though, can’t handle it and keeps running away.

This is a great Alya X Adrien X Nino X Marinette poly fic! I love them all talking out their feelings and realizing new things about themselves. Alya’s instrumental and bringing everyone together, though she, herself, is also nervous about confessing to her longstanding crush XD

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Three’s company by @torvalvt

Kagami has been doing her best for years to ignore her feelings for her friends. It doesn’t help that Adrien and Marinette insist on spending as much time as possible with her, even going so far as inviting her along on their dates together. If only the affection she felt for them wouldn’t get in the way of their relationship. Because it is growing harder and harder to tamp down her feelings with how close they are getting to her.

This is adorable. Adrien and Marinette really want Kagami to join their relationship and she just doesn’t dare hope for it. If you want some adorable Adrigaminette from Kagami’s perspective, I recommend checking this fic out!

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Chat Noir Cataclyms Hawk Moth's Balls by @a-flaming-idiot

It's what it says on the tin; Chat Noir castrates his unaware father. And at the same time, Gabriel hits a high C to shatter glass, Nathalie realizes she wasted her life, Chloe accidentally outs herself, Adrien becomes homeless, there are no more secret identities, Tikki thinks she's funny, Nino and Alya take what's their's, and Chloe finally respects another human being. And a partridge in a pear tree~

So this is a fun little crackfic! Lots of jokes and absurd scenarios, you're likely to giggle at least a few times (and hopefully several times) while reading this.

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(let me paint my skin) with your love by starnoir

Adrien blushes, looking down at his lap as his hair falls back over his nape. He shifts in his seat and finds Marinette staring at him with a sweet soft smile, and Adrien returns it. He reaches out his free hand to place on Alya and Marinette's desk, and they both latch onto it. Marinette's fingertips rest atop his own, and the green of her skin seems to glow. Alya's hand finds his wrist, rubbing small circles into his skin. "We love you, Adrien, whether your soul-marks show it or not," Nino decides, leaning back as Alya's free hand knocks off his cap and curls her fingers in his hair, the little bit that he'd begun to grow out. Adrien feels his eyes threaten to bubble over with tears, and it's just so much in one moment. Nino's knuckles on his, Marinette's fingers on his, Alya's slow circles massaged into his wrist as her hand rests on her side. "Thanks guys," he chokes, "I love you all too." And their colors seem to glow, and so do their cheeks. Or, a sweet wholesome soulmate-soulmark au about Adrien finding love after being forced to hide how big his heart was for so long.

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Getting The Gang Together by @mikauzoran

When Nino and Alya witness Ladybug and Chat Noir detransforming, they come up with a scheme to win over their crushes and create the OT4 they’ve always dreamed of.

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The Quartet's Duet by timeandpace_lord

In which Kagami and Luka attempt to get two idiots to fall in love. Instead, four idiots realize they were already in love. Based a lot on Determination and Wishmaker specifically. ~~~ It was only a matter of time, he told himself. Sooner or later they’d stumble into the same secret he had and realize they were made for each other. And if they needed a helping hand to get there, a conductor for the symphony of their lives together, he was more than happy to take on that role. Kagami nodded firmly. She’d known that Marinette was Adrien’s true target from the beginning, but it had taken longer for her to get over her own jealousy and realize that the other girl was also the correct target. Now that she no longer had blinders on, it was obvious the two were meant to be together. If she could help them realize it, so much the better.

---

Vanilla Valentine by @talkstoself

When Adrien’s first attempt at baking Valentine Cookies for Marinette goes horribly wrong, Luka steps in to help. There’s no way this could possibly go wrong… right?

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The Mid-Autumn Moon by AlpakaAlex

Kagami wants to do something for Marinette, but does not know whether she might be overstepping a line.

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Worthwhile Distractions by @coffebanana

As much as Kagami loves her partners, there are some things she prefers to deal with on her own. So it's a little annoying that they won't stop fretting over her injured ankle, something she very much has under control. But when it turns out that maybe Marinette and Adrien were right that she should have taken things easy, she knows she's lucky to have them both by her side. Even if sometimes that's not so easy to admit to.

---

Blossoming by pepsiisokay

It starts with a bouquet. It ends with one too. A series of moments in which Kagami, Adrien, and Marinette realize they might just be perfect for each other.

---

Hold Me By Both Hands by @angelofthequeers

“I know he said never to take you back,” Plagg mutters. “But he’d change his tune if he knew.” He looks Adrien straight in the eye and, more serious than Adrien’s ever seen him before, says, “There’s someone you gotta meet. He’s been looking for that book for ages.” How differently might the events of season 2 have gone if Adrien had also known of Master Fu from the start?

---

sunblind by @asukiess

Adrien's newfound hobby of drawing leads to learning just how important friendship is to him. Also, he's extremely innocent.

[grapecaseschoices]

I loved the ori facts. I was wondering if we could get some val and hiyam facts as well pls. 🥰

Val Montemer

1) Their middle name is Ariel.

2) I think I've said before that they are really into cars and tinker in a garage. Nothing official, a hobby and they let them have their own spot.

3) Val's closet is filled with leather jackets. Which is fine because the rest of their clothing is rather cheap, mostly just white shirts and jeans. Though they have a few polos, like those weirdly colored and patterned one teenage boys wear. Like some weird puce green and maroon stripped thing. It hurts Nate's eyes and soul.

4) Despite dressing like a greaser and a 19 year old college skater as well just styling their hair the same, Val went to cosmetology school. Did well in it. Their focus is in hair. Tina and Felix are the only ones who make use of their skills these days.

5) Their favorite films are the Rush Hour ones [to Adam's exasperation and fondness. Val is one step away from saying "Do you understand the words coming outta my mouth?" To the wrong person. It really is a miracle they haven't yet.] And they love anything Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew related -- well they haven't seen the CW show yet.

6) Val is allergic to latex. They found out yhe first time they tried a kiwi in middle school.

7) Val has phasmophobia. It isn't severe but yeah they have a fear of ghosts. Which is funny because they would sometimes follow conspiracy theorists on YouTube and stuff.

8) Surprisjng to most: Val is a big tea drinker. They don't hate coffee but it isn't something they seek. They have 0 tattoos. And only two piercings; they did to prefer black studs.

9) Nate and Val don't like each other. But they're doing better. They're so different. Nate TRIES, of course, but Nate is Nate. However, for Val -- has pushed too many buttons. Still they make an effort for the team.

10) ooc fact: Val is my shortest (5'1") and youngest (24 at start of book 1) detective. Val might be one of my shortest IF characters, period.

Hiyam Vinke

1) In another life, I could maybe see Hiyam doing something corporate. She gave a go at pre-law and they took business classes. (Her parents definitely would have preferred it) But music was always her heart. And she always wanted to see her name in lights. Maybe she could have been an entertainment lawyer but I don't think she would have been happy.

2) Hiyam has this ... lowkey obsession for anything with wings and a stronger one for anything that can fly. I don't even fully know why zjhshshe. I mean I do but -- It sounds weird because she is just so brash but I think sometimes she does feel a bit caged. Maybe it is expectations, maybe it is preconceptions. I will figure it out yhe more I ponder her, I'm sure. I'm not sure how much of it is actual people caging her or how she just sees things. [I kind of feel like it is a mix]

But when she and Seven broke up, she replaced Seven"s initials with a butterfly.

3) Hiyam is an acts of service kind of love/friend. Less in the 'makes breakfast for you' [though she might] and more in the you're stranded, half drunk, and don't want Orion to know. You know you can call Hiyam at 2am and she will show up. Some complaints but she will show up with water and a blanket. She is not yhe little things friend but she is there when needed.

4) Recently learned that Hiyam has a soft spot for Rowan. And she is more fond of her fans [as a whole] than expected.

5) She is 6'0".

6) She did ballet from kindergarten [maybe earlier) well into HS. It was one of the few things her parents consistently showed up for. But music needed her focus, so she gave up performing but she still occasionally practices [no one knows]

7) She used to play chess with Devyn before Orion showed. And of course read up on it because she was so bad. She couldn't stand losing and I think that was around yhe time she had to let ballet go, so in her mind she refused to "quit" on something else. But she never got into it into it until the crush peaked.

8) Hiyam has two dogs. A French Bulldog and a Rottweiler.

9) She has her tongue and belly button pierced, on top of her ears.

10) ooc fact: She is my one of two glasses wearer [Val being the other] and my only other smoker outside of Andy. [Gonna get more glasses folks]

Ty for the ask!!

[exilederdrick]

Path of Exile 2 – Day 18: The Final Push to Endgame

Platform: PC Controls: X-Input Controller Class: Titan Level: 67

Skills: Rolling Slam L15 with Overpower, Splinter, and Aftershock Boneshatter L14 with Execute, Impact Shockwave, and Magnified Effect Volcanic Fissure L14 with Fire Infusion, Ignition, and Persistence Shield Charge L14 with Stomping Ground, Second Wind, and Momentum Armour Breaker L14 with Martial Tempo, Break Endurance, and Break Posture Seismic Cry L14 with Premeditation, Murderous Intent, and Dazing Cry Hammer of the Gods L14 with Brutality, Fist of War, and Fast Forward Attrition L14 Overwhelming Presence L14 with Precision

Content: Jiquani's Sanctum to Endgame

I'm here!

I love how you handled that transition! I'm very interested to see what the actual transition to Act 4 will be. For now, it's time to finally start mapping!

What's working:

While I'm still noticing and finding more warts in the campaign, it already feels like the combat is continuing to ramp in speed and energy. I had several moments when I was dancing with Vaal warriors and/or their constructs in some pretty adrenaline pumping action. My new favorite game is when they play keep away. Remember how I mentioned your AI seems to know to protect certain mobs in these mixed unit engagements? Well it's definitely made my Boneshatter clearing a lot of fun, as I chase, dodge, and pursue my targets to keep my chain going. I'm still worried that Boneshatter is eventually going to break because my attacks will just stun the enemies instead of prime them, and I already have this happen quite frequently. I do hope we'll eventually get a support that improves stun magnitude without letting the skill actually stun.

In the mean time, while I'm worrying about my upcoming clear speed for maps. I seem to have created a bosser. When I successfully pull off my full combo, I do massive damage! It does take a bit of build up, but it's so satisfying when it all connects.

I've also been eyeing the DPS numbers for my basic attacks. Currently I'm following up my Hammer with more Rolling Slams. But I'm thinking I can make the chain stronger by having my basic attack for the final beat down. Now that I've got a second Spirit spender, I have room in my buttons for it.

What I'm Struggling With:

Yeah, it's still loot and crafting. I honestly don't think it's just bad luck either. It really seems clear that every tier of mod remains on the table, so getting the rolls you need starts getting challenging. My damage is fine, but I'm struggling to upgrade my armour. So despite trying to make a thick and tanky warrior, I feel like I'm made of paper. Despite spamming currency and purchasing armour from Alva, my most recent upgrade is yet another weapon upgrade. I won't lie. The thought of going into maps like this is making me nervous.

Also, I caved and went back to Resolute Technique. This is more of a pet peeve then anything else. But since I need the Dex for Attrition, it would be nice to try and balance things and keep my Accuracy up. But despite the “average chance” being at 100, many monsters just keep slipping my attacks. Now that I'm using Hammer instead of Sunder, I decided reliability was better than the occasional crit. It even stops my crits from stunning enemies I'm setting up for Boneshatter. As a build choice, it's probably the right one. Just . . . you know . . . another attack build with Resolute Technique . . .

What's Not Working: Despite trying to push to finish Cruel tonight, I tried to work hard to play with Hammer and find its break points and targeting issues. Even with my best attempts, it still frequently made odd targeting choices. I'm was literally facing a pack with a rare and trying to keep my character pointed at it, and he still turned around and cast it on a mob in the background.

As for animation break points, I don't know. Like with all skills, being able to Dodge Roll out is crucial. But it's so easy to raise my shield or start my slam a moment to early. I don't know if there's anything that can be done to fix that. I know from my main combo that I can roll out of Rolling Slam at any time, but I have to time my Boneshatter just right to cancel out of it. So it feels like there are animation systems you can use to keep most skills from interrupting the Hammer too early.

Tomorrow I think it's time to explore some trading.

[yesterdanereviews]

Cloud Atlas (2012)

Film review #580

Directors: Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, Lily Wachowski

SYNOPSIS: The interconnected lives of strangers intersect across multiple lives over the course of 500 years...

THOUGHTS/ANALYSIS: Cloud Atlas is a 2012 sci-fi epic film based on the novel of the same name. It's difficult to give a summary of the plot because the film centres on six different settings over the course of five hundred years, with different stories in each time. The characters in each era are played by the same actors throughout, which hints at the idea of reincarnation, perhaps symbolised by a birthmark that many of the characters have, but this is left up to interpretation: in fact, a lot of this film is left up to interpretation. I imagine multiple viewings will reveal new things and connections which are easily missed the first time. While this can be a positive, I think the film thematically needed something more to bring things together. The film ends with a somewhat weak message that doesn't feel like much of a payoff after sitting through nearly three hours. While it is a long runtime, I don't think there's any lulls in the film thanks to the constant switching between the different characters and stories, but it's difficult to say what you're supposed to take away from it all.

The host of different characters and time spans obviously provides plenty of variety in the film: some have stronger stories than others, and some are very predictable. The film is definitely helped by having some top acting talent, such as Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, and the massive budget this film had (one of the most expensive independent films of all time) allows for lots of different on-location shots, so at least in that respect you can get the "epic" sense of the film. This film seems to have a polarising response from people, ranging from it being a really good film, to it being one of the worst, and it is easy to see the reasons for both perspectives. The film has plenty of ambition and variety, and meanders through its different stories in such a way that they are all balanced well throughout the long runtime. However, the editing may also leave viewers feeling like they are wandering aimlessly around with no real purpose. The things which are supposed to tie the film together: the strange birthmark across generations that suggest some form of reincarnation, the writings of a philosopher oft-quoted, and such, don't really provide any overarching themes to bring things together. If this is a film that is meant to be viewed multiple times, then that is a problem, as I do not feel like this would be worth a re-watch for me. There's plenty of ambition and a lot of skill in editing this all together, but the things which are supposed to tie it all together just don't have the required impact.

[crownshattered]

Genshin Kira voicelines~

Hello: Hello, my name’s Kira. If you’d let me, I’d love to join you on your adventure. You’ve seen so much of Teyvat already… I would love to see it too.

Chat [Chess]: Would you like to play a game of chess? Be careful, I’ve heard I’m quite skilled at it~

Chat [Traveling]: I’ve always wanted to see the other nations… This is all so beautiful.

Chat [Reading]: Oh! I’ve only ever read about this in books! Isn’t it incredible??

When It Rains: Here, I’ll make two umbrellas with my Vision…

After the Rain: Ah, that’s much better. Now I just have to wring the water out of my skirt…

When Thunder Strikes: We may want to take cover…

When It Snows: Isn’t the snow beautiful? Every single snowflake that you see is unique.

When the Wind Is Blowing: It seems like Barbatos really has it out for us…

In the Desert: Gods, why is it so hot…??

Good Morning: Good morning! A new day for traveling, yes?

Good Afternoon: It’s always so hot in the afternoon… Here, I can help cool you off.

Good Evening: Hmm… We may want to start looking for some shelter.

Good Night: Sleep well, Traveler~ We have a full day tomorrow.

About Kira [The Library]: I work part-time at the Knights of Favonius Library, and after all the time I’ve spent in there, I think it’s safe to say I’ve read every book. There…really aren’t that many books…

About Kira [Ruins]: Why do some civilizations crumble while others thrive? I want to learn more about the world, but I guess I should also start with the past…

About Us [Family]: Family isn’t just by blood, you know. I don’t have a blood-related family. My family are the people who gave me a place to belong… So you’ll always have a family in Mondstadt as well.

About Us [Sparring]: Would you like to have a little sparring match to pass the time~? … Yes, of course I can fight! I’m a lot stronger than I look, you know. I was taught by the best!

About the Vision: I’ve had my Vision for as long as I can remember… But that also means I’ve had plenty of time to perfect my craft. It’s quite easy to make things from ice with a Cryo Vision~

Something to Share: I’m not actually from Mondstadt, and I don’t really know where I’m from. I guess I’m hoping to find clues about my origins as I travel across Teyvat…

Interesting Things: Look at this… It’s a perpetual core from a ruin machine. How could such a thing like this exist..?? For machines to stay active for centuries like this… It’s incredible!!

About Varka: Well… He’s my father. My adoptive father, at least. I don’t know why Papa’s been gone for so long… But I know he’s a good man. There’s a reason everyone in Mondstadt loves him. He always just wants what’s best for Mondstadt.

About Jean: I actually feel a bit bad for Jean… Even before Papa left her in charge, she was already doing the boring work of the Grand Master. But she doesn’t seem to mind. To each their own, I suppose.

About Kaeya: He’s so elusive… He acts rather outgoing at times, but I actually don’t know a thing about him. I don’t think anyone does. But… His eye looks similar to mine. Perhaps our birth families come from the same place? I’d like to ask him about it, but… For all the years I’ve known him, he’s never once talked about his family.

About Razor: Papa has trained a lot of kids while I was under his care, but Razor always interested me the most. He’s such a sweet boy, and so strong too! His drive to protect his family reminds me a lot of Papa.

About Rosaria: Rosaria has been through a lot, but that isn’t my story to tell. I know her through Papa. She was one of the children he helped out. I guess, in a way, we’re like distant sisters?

About Mika: He’s such a sweetheart..!! Mika has trouble accepting praise from others, although his achievements are definitely worthy of praise. Papa has taken him under his wing to train him. It’s impressive to see just how much he has grown.

About Zhongli: What a strange man… His knowledge of Teyvat’s past in incredible, but he really is an odd one. I had a meal with him one day and he discussed the origins of Liyue as if he had been there himself, but when it was time to pay, he didn’t have a single Mora on him. I covered the tab in exchange for his shared wisdom.

About Xingqiu: I didn’t think he would be so…young. I have read a few of ‘Zhenyu’s’ books, but I would have never guessed the author’s true identity. He really is immensely talented!

About Thoma: Thoma must be one of, if not the, sweetest guys I have ever met. He was always putting others before himself, including me, a complete stranger. I wonder if he learned such a talent from Mondstadt or if that’s just who he is.

About Ayaka: It couldn’t have been easy, having your nation terribly divided and being forced into a stalemate… I know she wanted to abolish the Vision Hunt decree, but due to her family’s name, she couldn’t do a thing. That kind of situation can really tear someone up inside…

About Alhaitham: He is without a doubt the smartest man I have ever met. He is so smart that he never feels the need to get any sort of approval from others…although, I don’t think that is entirely wise. Not many people seem to like him, but I think he just sees the world differently. It’s interesting, and I don’t mind it.

About Kaveh: Kaveh could every well be just as intelligent as Alhaitham, just in a completely different way. I’m not an architect myself, but I’ve seen Mehrak and I am in awe of his skills in building such a machine. Even after I left Sumeru, I still consider Kaveh a dear friend.

About Navia: Whenever I met her, my first thought was that I could have been like her… Not that it would be a bad thing at all, of course. But… I could have been raised a proper lady. I was taken in by a very powerful figure in Mondstadt, after all. I wonder what went wrong with me… I wonder why I don’t have her grace.

About Neuvillette: I had heard of Fontaine before arriving there, and I knew loosely of its court system. The people of Fontaine see trials as shows, and that never sat right with me. I expected the Chief Justice to be just as warped…but I was completely wrong about him. He is fair and kind. I feel bad for making such an incorrect assumption about him…

About (NATLAN CHARACTER TBA): TBA

About (NATLAN CHARACTER TBA): TBA

About (SNEZHNAYA CHARACTER TBA): TBA

About (SNEZHNAYA CHARACTER TBA: TBA

More About Kira [I]: Things about me? Well, um… I like to read, and I like researching ruin technology. Oh, and I like exploring.

More About Kira [II]: Papa–erm, Varka–taught me how to use a sword. I’m not very strong physically, so I don’t like carrying a whole sword around with me. That’s why I’m better with a catalyst. However, if I make a sword out of my ice, it’s lighter and easier for me to wield. I’m much better at strategizing than combat, but often times, I combine the two~

More About Kira [III]: I used to be so quiet when I was younger… Not 'introvert’ quiet. More like…silent. I never spoke unless I was comfortable with it, and usually that was only with Papa. It was him who taught me how to open up and talk to others. He helped me become who I am today, and I truly believe the woman I am now is the best me I can be.

More About Kira [IV]: I don’t know where I’m from, but Mondstadt has always been my home. However…it’s strange. Mondstadt is my home, but I never felt like I truly belonged there. I’m quieter than the people there, and I don’t like alcohol at all. I always read books instead of going outside and talking to people… I think they see me as strange, but that’s alright. Papa always said that as long as I’m true to myself, I will be happy. And I am.

More About Kira [V]: My childhood wasn’t the best… In fact, it was terrible. I try not to think about it too much. But everything changed when I met Papa. I was living on the street without a family, and he had just recently lost his own family. It was like…we made each other whole again. We helped each other heal. I try not to think about my darker past because I don’t want it to define who I am. I am Varka’s daughter. And I’m proud of that.

Kira’s Hobbies: Um… Reading, definitely. I also went up to Mondstadt quite often to learn about the ruins up there. I always wanted to explore the world, but I didn’t want to leave my home… Until now, I suppose.

Kira’s Troubles: I want to learn about where I came from. I want to know my heritage. But I don’t have any leads except for a few instincts, and I’d prefer concrete facts.

Favorite Food: I do love spaghetti… But I also like various fruits and berries.

Least Favorite Food: Please…nothing spicy. I really can’t stand spicy foods…

Receiving a Gift [I]: Oh, wow! This might be the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted..!!

Receiving a Gift [II]: This is really tasty!! You have a gift for cooking. I’m not the best at making food, so… I’m happy to have anything you make~

Receiving a Gift [III]: Oh, um… Thank you, but… I think you may have mixed up the ingredients maybe? Or…something…

Birthday: It’s your birthday? Well, happy birthday!! I hope this year will be filled with new joys and experiences to fill your life with happiness~

Feelings About Ascension [Intro]: Oh, wow… With this, I’m sure I can get even stronger.!!

Feelings About Ascension [Building Up]: My ice is sturdier than before, and I somehow have even more control over it… Thank you, really.

Feelings About Ascension [Climax]: I feel like I’m finally unlocking my full potential with my Vision. Thank you so much. You’ve truly given me a gift.

Feelings About Ascension [Conclusion]: You’ve helped me come such a long way in learning about the world and myself. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, please let me know. Until then, I will stay by your side.

COMBAT VOICELINES TBA!

[crownshattered-arch]

Genshin Kira voicelines~

Story:

Hello: Hello, my name's Kira. If you'd let me, I'd love to join you on your adventure. You've seen so much of Teyvat already... I would love to see it too.

Chat [Chess]: Would you like to play a game of chess? Be careful, I've heard I'm quite skilled at it~

Chat [Traveling]: I've always wanted to see the other nations... This is all so beautiful.

Chat [Reading]: Oh! I've only ever read about this in books! Isn't it incredible??

When It Rains: Here, I'll make two umbrellas with my Vision...

After the Rain: Ah, that's much better. Now I just have to wring the water out of my skirt...

When Thunder Strikes: We may want to take cover...

When It Snows: Isn't the snow beautiful? Every single snowflake that you see is unique.

When the Wind Is Blowing: It seems like Barbatos really has it out for us...

In the Desert: Gods, why is it so hot...??

Good Morning: Good morning! A new day for traveling, yes?

Good Afternoon: It's always so hot in the afternoon... Here, I can help cool you off.

Good Evening: Hmm... We may want to start looking for some shelter.

Good Night: Sleep well, Traveler~ We have a full day tomorrow.

About Kira [The Library]: I work part-time at the Knights of Favonius Library, and after all the time I've spent in there, I think it's safe to say I've read every book. There...really aren't that many books...

About Kira [Ruins]: Why do some civilizations crumble while others thrive? I want to learn more about the world, but I guess I should also start with the past...

About Us [Family]: Family isn't just by blood, you know. I don't have a blood-related family. My family are the people who gave me a place to belong... So you'll always have a family in Mondstadt as well.

About Us [Sparring]: Would you like to have a little sparring match to pass the time~? ... Yes, of course I can fight! I'm a lot stronger than I look, you know. I was taught by the best!

About the Vision: I've had my Vision for as long as I can remember... But that also means I've had plenty of time to perfect my craft. It's quite easy to make things from ice with a Cryo Vision~

Something to Share: I'm not actually from Mondstadt, and I don't really know where I'm from. I guess I'm hoping to find clues about my origins as I travel across Teyvat...

Interesting Things: Look at this... It's a perpetual core from a ruin machine. How could such a thing like this exist..?? For machines to stay active for centuries like this... It's incredible!!

About Varka: Well... He's my father. My adoptive father, at least. I don't know why Papa's been gone for so long... But I know he's a good man. There's a reason everyone in Mondstadt loves him. He always just wants what's best for Mondstadt.

About Jean: I actually feel a bit bad for Jean... Even before Papa left her in charge, she was already doing the boring work of the Grand Master. But she doesn't seem to mind. To each their own, I suppose.

About Kaeya: He's so elusive... He acts rather outgoing at times, but I actually don't know a thing about him. I don't think anyone does. But... His eye looks similar to mine. Perhaps our birth families come from the same place? I'd like to ask him about it, but... For all the years I've known him, he's never once talked about his family.

About Razor: Papa has trained a lot of kids while I was under his care, but Razor always interested me the most. He's such a sweet boy, and so strong too! His drive to protect his family reminds me a lot of Papa.

About Rosaria: Rosaria has been through a lot, but that isn't my story to tell. I know her through Papa. She was one of the children he helped out. I guess, in a way, we're like distant sisters?

About Mika: He's such a sweetheart..!! Mika has trouble accepting praise from others, although his achievements are definitely worthy of praise. Papa has taken him under his wing to train him. It's impressive to see just how much he has grown.

About Zhongli: What a strange man... His knowledge of Teyvat's past in incredible, but he really is an odd one. I had a meal with him one day and he discussed the origins of Liyue as if he had been there himself, but when it was time to pay, he didn't have a single Mora on him. I covered the tab in exchange for his shared wisdom.

About Xingqiu: I didn't think he would be so...young. I have read a few of 'Zhenyu's' books, but I would have never guessed the author's true identity. He really is immensely talented!

About Thoma: Thoma must be one of, if not the, sweetest guys I have ever met. He was always putting others before himself, including me, a complete stranger. I wonder if he learned such a talent from Mondstadt or if that's just who he is.

About Ayaka: It couldn't have been easy, having your nation terribly divided and being forced into a stalemate... I know she wanted to abolish the Vision Hunt decree, but due to her family's name, she couldn't do a thing. That kind of situation can really tear someone up inside...

About Alhaitham: He is without a doubt the smartest man I have ever met. He is so smart that he never feels the need to get any sort of approval from others...although, I don't think that is entirely wise. Not many people seem to like him, but I think he just sees the world differently. It's interesting, and I don't mind it.

About Kaveh: Kaveh could every well be just as intelligent as Alhaitham, just in a completely different way. I'm not an architect myself, but I've seen Mehrak and I am in awe of his skills in building such a machine. Even after I left Sumeru, I still consider Kaveh a dear friend.

About Navia: Whenever I met her, my first thought was that I could have been like her... Not that it would be a bad thing at all, of course. But... I could have been raised a proper lady. I was taken in by a very powerful figure in Mondstadt, after all. I wonder what went wrong with me... I wonder why I don't have her grace.

About Neuvillette: I had heard of Fontaine before arriving there, and I knew loosely of its court system. The people of Fontaine see trials as shows, and that never sat right with me. I expected the Chief Justice to be just as warped...but I was completely wrong about him. He is fair and kind. I feel bad for making such an incorrect assumption about him...

About (NATLAN CHARACTER TBA): TBA

About (NATLAN CHARACTER TBA): TBA

About (SNEZHNAYA CHARACTER TBA): TBA

About (SNEZHNAYA CHARACTER TBA: TBA

More About Kira [I]: Things about me? Well, um... I like to read, and I like researching ruin technology. Oh, and I like exploring.

More About Kira [II]: Papa--erm, Varka--taught me how to use a sword. I'm not very strong physically, so I don't like carrying a whole sword around with me. That's why I'm better with a catalyst. However, if I make a sword out of my ice, it's lighter and easier for me to wield. I'm much better at strategizing than combat, but often times, I combine the two~

More About Kira [III]: I used to be so quiet when I was younger... Not 'introvert' quiet. More like...silent. I never spoke unless I was comfortable with it, and usually that was only with Papa. It was him who taught me how to open up and talk to others. He helped me become who I am today, and I truly believe the woman I am now is the best me I can be.

More About Kira [IV]: I don't know where I'm from, but Mondstadt has always been my home. However...it's strange. Mondstadt is my home, but I never felt like I truly belonged there. I'm quieter than the people there, and I don't like alcohol at all. I always read books instead of going outside and talking to people... I think they see me as strange, but that's alright. Papa always said that as long as I'm true to myself, I will be happy. And I am.

More About Kira [V]: My childhood wasn't the best... In fact, it was terrible. I try not to think about it too much. But everything changed when I met Papa. I was living on the street without a family, and he had just recently lost his own family. It was like...we made each other whole again. We helped each other heal. I try not to think about my darker past because I don't want it to define who I am. I am Varka's daughter. And I'm proud of that.

Kira's Hobbies: Um... Reading, definitely. I also went up to Mondstadt quite often to learn about the ruins up there. I always wanted to explore the world, but I didn't want to leave my home... Until now, I suppose.

Kira's Troubles: I want to learn about where I came from. I want to know my heritage. But I don't have any leads except for a few instincts, and I'd prefer concrete facts.

Favorite Food: I do love spaghetti... But I also like various fruits and berries.

Least Favorite Food: Please...nothing spicy. I really can't stand spicy foods...

Receiving a Gift [I]: Oh, wow! This might be the most delicious thing I've ever tasted..!!

Receiving a Gift [II]: This is really tasty!! You have a gift for cooking. I'm not the best at making food, so... I'm happy to have anything you make~

Receiving a Gift [III]: Oh, um... Thank you, but... I think you may have mixed up the ingredients maybe? Or...something...

Birthday: It's your birthday? Well, happy birthday!! I hope this year will be filled with new joys and experiences to fill your life with happiness~

Feelings About Ascension [Intro]: Oh, wow... With this, I'm sure I can get even stronger.!!

Feelings About Ascension [Building Up]: My ice is sturdier than before, and I somehow have even more control over it... Thank you, really.

Feelings About Ascension [Climax]: I feel like I'm finally unlocking my full potential with my Vision. Thank you so much. You've truly given me a gift.

Feelings About Ascension [Conclusion]: You've helped me come such a long way in learning about the world and myself. If there's anything I can do to repay you, please let me know. Until then, I will stay by your side.

COMBAT VOICELINES TBA!!

[komeriii]

I honestly agree with this. The mainstream media is so focused on making women have more masculine traits or have them be physically strong.

A more extreme example would be Disney. With how they tackle the topic of feminism in films, they are portrayed as beings of higher power. Beings who should have higher priority because men always undermine their ability. Which is both right and wrong.

Despite scientific and neurological differences, women, men, and even non-binary, have the same potential as one another. That potential exists within everyone, even with weaker roles such as damsels in distress. Being in such a role does not mean that you are weak, but that you are a normal human being who has moments of weakness. Knowing your weakness and working around or with that weakness is what makes you stronger.

I think Annette would've benefited more if she did start out as the damsel in distress, but as the story in the show goes on, she would've developed skills that help Richter and Maria. Such as healing and magic, of course. It wouldn't have to be that either, like OP said there's different possibilities to drive her character towards growth, finding ways to make herself useful in the grand scheme of things.

I don't mind the show. I think it's definitely better than most of what Netflix has to offer. I like the animation and the voice acting and there are scenes in the show I love. (Such as Alucard's breakdown. If he had moments like that weaved in sporadically with his game personality, he would be such a great character in the show. Showcasing strength and embracing humility in men.) But I can't deny that this show has many flaws that some people don't notice right away.

Regardless I'm just hyped because it's more Castlevania content for me at least, because Konami is stingy as shit when it comes to their ips. Even with the new MGS 3 Remake and the Silent Hill entries coming our way. They're saying they're building the bridge again but they're not showing the materials.

I have to say this as a feminist woman who is also an author after seeing how Netflix intends to reinvent Annette (from Castlevania) as another strong female character....

The person in distress (damsel or otherwise) will always have a place in fiction because it is ok to be a victim. Seeing yourself in someone isn't just your skin colour, your pronouns or what is below your belt. It is what you have experienced. People who have experienced being in danger, needing saving or being at someone's mercy in which someone saved them need a character they can connect with just as as we need characters who can inspire us to do the saving. The victim character reminds us that there is no shame in being a victim and that is not your fault you experienced something bad. And if you are in that situation in the here and now, don't let your shame and fear hold you back from asking for help.

This is why I for one thing Annette should not have been changed. Plus, she could still have been fleshed out as being more than a love interest. She wouldn't be a femme fatale, but maybe be a good communicator, be resourceful, be brave despite being captured and have empathy even for those on the dark side kind of like how Princess Peach is not just Mario's love interest who needs saving all the time.

And for once, this goes far beyond just the race swapping. The Annette is not Annette. Her backstory is wrong, her personality is wrong and her profession is wrong. This is a new character entirely and they should have treated her like a new character with dignity not force her into being Annette'.

THIS is the real Annette.

And she deserves to be showcased as the real her just as much as any other character who is iconic to their series and you could fleshed her out to be more than just a victim as she was because real life victims are more than their trauma.

Please, let's respect characters and let us teach girls that it's ok to have experienced danger. You are not at fault. You did not fail yourself. You are not weak. You were unlucky. It's ok to be scared. It's ok to still be scared. It's ok to seek support. It's ok to admit you were attacked.

If we don't teach girls this, we are actually setting them up for danger because should they be victims, they will be more ashamed than ever to come forward and bring their assailants to justice.

[redrobin-detective]

Ben 10 lore that exists in my heart regardless of canon

- Ben’s personality in his mid-late teens is a mix of his Alien Force and Omniverse self. On the surface, he’s very cheerful and kind even if he is a bit of arrogant showoff. He makes jokes and plays around and acts as if he isn’t bothered by the things in his life. Those who know him best understand a good portion of his outward confidence and cockiness is just a facade to cover up his insecurities and to project the ideal, effortless hero. While sometimes seen as immature, most beings know Ben 10 means business as he takes his unofficial job and people’s safety very seriously. He’s clever, adaptable, charismatic and empathetic which makes him a formidable opponent and a loyal friend. Doesn’t open up easily but if you get to him, he become so dearly attached. 

- Drinks smoothies so much for several reasons. Comfort food go brrr, reminds him of the good easy times with him Gwen and Kev. It’s also a light but generally nutritous food to give him energy for heroing. Anything too heavy and he’ll be puking (both from physical and emotional stress). Though he jokes about his mom’s health foods, his are a crazy concoction of add in proteins and vitamins/minerals bc he knows he’ll out and out collapse without it. (Still has on occasion bc boy still doesn’t eat right/enough)

- While Fame is exciting for him at first he soon begins to detest it. Not the fans, no, he can’t bring himself to hate the people who look up to him. But he hates the constant attention, that he can’t walk outside without being mobbed. the only place he feels safe is his hometown where most people are so used to him and his weirdness that they don’t react much anymore. Takes to wearing a cape and face shield when going out anywhere so he can actually get things done without being recognized and mobbed.

- Part of the reason Bellwood isn’t concerned with Ben is partially because ben’s been weird and alien for as long as they can remember but also many don’t realize how famous/powerful he is. Yeah that’s just Ben Tennyson over there, sometimes he turns into funny creatures- wait what do you MEAN he’s the savior of the universe?? He cried over a spilled smoothie the other day.

- Does mostly online schooling by the time he’s 15. At first he tries to do half day things to maintain something of a normal life but it quickly becomes overwhelming and dangerous him/the school. Finishes his GED early but the Plumbers and Azmuth make him take additional college level and alien courses to prepare him for his future role. Ben gripes but really does love learning all these things, especially on his terms (ADHD and stress + the public school system do not always go hand in hand). He’s a quick learner when he deems the information important and is made accessible to his learning needs.

- Ben definitely has ADHD speaking of which, it was nearly uncontrollable as a child bc his free-spirited parents didn’t believe in medicating. Ben convinced them he needed it and after some trial and error, found meds that worked. As he became more involved in heroics/growing up he had to change his medicine regimen (resulting in him being a bit more off the rails in OV) and needed antidepressants and therapy to manage it better. As an adult he has a whole litany of coping mechanisms (good and bad yes) and regularly checks in with his therapist and doctors to keep things under control. 

- Has a complicated relationship with his necrofriggian children. Considers himself their mother and worries after them. They too feel a connection to their parent despite this being unusual for their species. A few visit (some more than others) while they grow while others maintain distance. Ben never breathes a word of them to the media for fear of them being targeted. Still he keeps an eye on them and ensures all 14 mature to adulthood (another rarity for the species). Checks in every now and again with the ones who don’t want to see him and those that do. Two join the Plumbers and Ben is both proud and worried. His youngest becomes partners with Rook Ben.

- Just in general loves kids, they’re his favorite fans and while he’ll grumble at pushy adult fans he always smiles and kneels down for the little ones. Not so secretly wanted to have children of his own but knew it was a risk overall and used a lot of that energy with mentoring and teaching. Eventually had Kenny later in life (late 30s-40s) and was over the moon, becoming such a loving and doing parent or as much as he could be with his hectic schedule. 

- Omnitrix can’t come off, never has at any point since it first latched onto Ben’s arm. Azmuth tried and failed to get the device off, doesn’t let Ben know for many years as he feared the consequences. The watch loves and protects Ben even beyond it’s programming making him much more durable to damage and releasing energy charges when he’s threatened. Not even removing Ben’s arm would separate them. They’re stuck for life.

- Ben does have Anodite heritage but the Omnitrix actively suppresses it and uses the built up energy to power the transformations which is why ben is mostly unaffected by what should cause a massive energy drain on him. Theoretically if Ben learned to harness and safely use his Mana at an early age like Gwen he would have been fine but letting it build up without safe outlet meant activation would have killed him. Omnitrix Ben, however, went his whole life not knowing of his latent abilities and how the watch saved his life.

- Ben’s eyes get more green and glowy as time passes from the Omnitrix. At first they think its a trick of the light but by the time he’s an adult his eyes are pretty much glow in the dark. His veins light up too after long stretches of using the Omnitrix. Its vaguely unsettling to people who aren’t used to Ben.

- Max and the Earth Plumbers work so, so hard to keep teen Ben on Earth when half the universe is blowing up their comm lines asking for The Ben 10 to help with whatever problem of the day. Ben himself doesn’t quite understand when he’s younger the prestige and expectations on his shoulders. Max throws up a million and one roadblocks so Ben can live as normal a life as possible while he still can. Still, while doing that he Still overloads Ben with expectations and responsibilities on earth and beyond. He becomes a soldier again with Ben as their greatest weapon. He never forgave himself of losing sight of his grandson underneath the hero esp after Ben’s breakdown. 

- Rook partnership with Ben ends not long after Omniverse with his promotion to Magister. Ben tries to play it cool but the thought of another loved one/teammate leaving his tears him apart. Max revealing that Ben most likely wouldn’t get a new Plumber assigned partner since he’s almost an adult and won’t need it and Rook accidentally missing their last smoothie run due to a scheduling mishap causes Ben to snap and have the nervous breakdown that had been building for almost a decade. He completely loses it for a little while and needs to take an extended leave of absence from school and heroics that lasts about a year. Spends time recovering both on Earth and Galvan Prime, does some diplomatic training, learns about aliens, actually confronts the stress and loneliness of his life. He comes out the other side stronger but still fragile and exhausted.

- Ben’s above mentioned breakdown brings him closer to all his friends who didn’t quite realize the extent of Ben’s burden. Rook had been under the impression Ben didn’t like him all that much so the knowledge that his departure was the final straw for friend/hero’s collapse was shocking. Ben and Azmuth also become closer, the Galvan becoming fiercely protective of the boy seeing as his Earth family didn’t do well to keep him safe. It takes years for him to get over his anger at Max for putting so much on his grandchild. Ben makes more friends, in and out of the hero business, finally gets a therapist and gets some of his burdens eased a bit. It’s not a sure fire fix and Ben has several smaller breakdowns the rest of his life but its something.

- Azmuth was straight up suicidal before he met Ben for the first time. Ben gave him back hope for the universe and his ability to create items for peace not weapons. The boy infuriates him, frightens him, frustrates him but Azmuth cannot deny in his heart of hearts that he loves Ben dearly. He’s very upset at Ben’s breakdown and doesn’t know how to handle the worst of the initail outbursts. Azmuth talks Ben down from a suicide attempt. He reaches out to Ben that he Too felt overwhelmed by pressure, thought himself only good for war. Ben’s arrival in his life saved him and now he will do the same for Ben. It’s the first positive step forward in Ben’s recovery.

- For no other reason than I like it, Azmuth primarily refers to Ben as Benjamin (mostly to annoy the kid but he likes the way it sounds too) and Ben in softer, more serious moments. 

- Professor Paradox continues to flit in and out of Ben’s life. He says its because Ben is the most equipped to handle universal peril (true) but he’s also just very fond of the boy. Ben, existing in so many forms and having such importance also exists a beat outside of normal reality which Paradox identifies with. Ben is naturally attuned to time related problems because of this (instantly IDing Spanner as from the future before being told later deducing him to be his unborn son). Plus Ben named him, way back when. He’s just drawn to Ben.

- Adult Ben, while being seen as an impressively skilled fighter and champion, really has his strength as a universal diplomat of sorts. Based out of Earth, he helps mediate and defuse conflicts, advocate against tyranny and overall preserve peace and balance. He’s not perfect, he makes mistakes and sometimes is forced to become violent (and yes kill) but overall is regarded as a peacekeeper, something younger ben simply couldn’t understand. 

- Gwen gets her degree and primarily does work with advocacy and teaching about magic/alien culture. While she and Ben are still close, there’s a bit of a frustrated divide in that she isn’t helping him share the burden of the universe. Gwen never wanted to be a hero and has enough worth to not shackle herself to a job that’ll burn her out. Ben loves heroing but gives too much of himself away trying to fix everything. They get into screaming arguments that it wouldn’t be so bad out there if she just helped him but she refuses to budge and says he shouldn’t make himself do so much. They always make up and thy still are each other’s closest relationships.

- Ben marries Kai in a political move, Kai is Asexual and Ben Aromantic. They didn’t love each other but they got on well enough and Ben was really feeling the stress of carrying the hero burden so Kai also being involved made him feel like he wasn’t alone. Both were also so tired of the universe constantly asking about their love life and said ‘fuck it we’re married leave us alone’. Gwen was always mad about it feeling Ben deserved better but the two of them were happy with it. They had separate rooms, mostly separate lives but they became strong friends and supports with their strictly platonic marriage. They had Ken via Invitro in an incubator and were loving if extremely busy parents. 

- Also from the moment he appeared, Ben knew that Spanner was his future son, Kenny. He played ignorant and then was kind of deliberately teasing him in future encounters. He knew the rules of time and didn’t want to disrupt things further even if he was angry and worried as heck about why Ken felt the need to time travel. When future Ben catches up in the timeline, Kenny gets SUCH a lecture. 

- Ben isn’t quite immortal but he’s also not entirely human anymore either. The Omnitrix not only keeps him safe from most harm but it lightens the effect of aging. Ben 10 is active many, many years when most humans would have been forced to retire. He’s not sure how long the watch will keep him alive and it terrifies him. Gwen too is functionally immortal however she ages like a normal human, then when her natural death came, shed her skin and became a fulltime Anodite. So in the end, it was her and Ben together wondering which of them will die first. Gwen has trouble retaining her humanity as pure energy and swears she’ll let herself fizzle out when Ben goes. When that’ll be however...

[frodo-with-glasses]

Boromir with Merry and Pippin for 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, and 12, please and thank you! 😁

1. “When I think they became friends”

Well, clearly, Boromir loved the hobbits from the first moment he saw them. Gondor men seem to have a penchant for seeing hobbits and instantly going “8-O !!! babie” (see: Denethor, who is literally The WorstTM, looking at a hobbit and instantly going “yes good this is mine now”), and clearly Boromir was not immune. Merry and Pippin are fairly trusting and easy-going, so the moment they realized “oh, the big blustery Gondor man likes us??”, they would’ve been like “okay :-D” and totally vibed with him from then on.

Basically I think they became friends two seconds after the Fellowship formed because they’re just Like ThatTM.

2. “My favorite scene of them”

In the movies? Easy! Definitely the part where Boromir is teaching the hobbits sword-fighting and they gang up on him and knock him down while Aragorn looks on and laughs.

In the books? That’s much harder. The books don’t actually have as many moments emphasizing this friendship as you would think. There’s that moment he carried the hobbits on Carahdras; the moment he jumped in to defend Merry and Pippin from the orcs; and the moment he got all sad because he failed to protect them. That’s kind of it. They’re all good moments, but honestly, none of them particularly stand out to me.

Honestly, if I had to pick a single scene that concerns this friendship…it miiight have to be that time that Merry mistook Hirgon for Boromir. I wasn’t expecting that one, and I think it made the punch to the gut even stronger. Merry still misses Boromir deeply, even though he only knew him for a few months before he died. That’s sad stuff, bro.

3. “A random headcanon I have of them”

Hey have you ever noticed that in the movies, Aragorn gives the hobbits swords and expects them to defend themselves on Weathertop with literally no training and they totally suck at it, and then later on we see Boromir teaching Merry and Pippin how to actually Do Swords??

I know that’s not exactly how it goes down in the book—the hobbits clearly have some notion of how to use a sword already, or else Frodo would have been very screwed in the Barrows and on Weathertop—but I feel like it’s not out of character for something similar to happen in book canon. Aragorn, being the Practical DadTM, sees that the hobbits have swords and simply trusts that they can use them, but Boromir, being the Fun DadTM, barely steps foot on the road with the Fellowship before he’s like “all right everybody, let’s practice swordplay!!” and two nanoseconds later here he is teaching the hobbits all the advanced moves he learned when he was a boy in Minas Tirith.

It’s not that he’s condescending about the hobbits’ skill (or lack thereof), but he’s so enthusiastic that it’s infectious, and the lessons are too fun to feel like lessons.

5. “A scene I wish we had of them”

See above. Some more bonding between Boromir, Merry, and Pippin before the whole debacle at Rauros would’ve been very nice to see in the books.

But in a more general sense…I just wish Boromir could’ve known that Merry and Pippin escaped from the orcs alive and not too badly hurt. He died thinking that he’d failed them and left them to torture and death. If he just could’ve known they were okay…I think it would’ve made his last moments just that tiny bit less bitter.

11. “Which one of the friends I relate to more”

Oh, definitely Merry. Both Boromir and Pippin are too extroverted to be relatable for me. But Merry is the calm one, the smart one, the plan guy, the one who displays his deep love for his friends through meticulously planned acts of service, and the one who seems more reserved on the outside but whose emotions run deep and poignant underneath. Boromir is huge and larger than life, and Pippin is bright-eyed and curious and excitable, but Merry is calm, deep waters, and that’s the kind of person I can relate to the most.

12. “A word to describe them”

“Adorable”. Wait, no, I need something more specific, uhhhh…

So the thing about Boromir’s friendship with Merry and Pippin is that there’s so much potential that never came to fruition. More than half of the scenes devoted to how they affected each other’s lives happen after Boromir is dead. There are so many things he would’ve loved to see—the hobbits escaping the orcs, the end of the War, Pippin becoming the first Hobbit in the Citadel Guard—that he never got to witness because he died too soon.

Maybe the best word to describe Boromir’s friendship with Merry and Pippin is “Unfinished”.

FRIENDSHIP ASK GAME!

[yesimwriting]

Hello! Your Nikolai fic tranquility is so beautiful! Can you write more for Nikolai? Maybe the opposite with reader having a nightmare? Or whatever you want just please give me more! If you have a tagging list I'd love to be included btw :)

A/n hii!! first off,, thank you! i was a little nervous about writing him for the first time,, but i love him so much (even though i love a good villain/morally grey character in love i think nikolai would probably make the least toxic bf in the grishaverse lol)

you gave me a little too much freedom here lol bc i have so many ideas for him!! lowkey might need to give him a longer fic/series soon when i catch up with requests!! WOW THIS FIC IS SO LONG AND FOR WHAT

Summary: Reader is a handmaid who has grown up assisting Nikolai. Through the years, the two have developed a special relationship that most definitely breaks royal protocol--they’re best friends and rivals on a good day, and dangerously close to being something more the second either of them is remotely upset or extremely happy. Learning about the fact that Nikolai was almost engaged to Alina (a good friend of yours) and being reminded of the fact that as royalty Nikolai has many prospects (both serious women worthy of his title and women only suitable for trysts meant to relieve tension) has you both realizing something you should have years ago.

Word count: 31210

Warnings: disclaimer--may not be the most cannon thing ever,, but i wanted the ‘child of the help competes and falls in love with the child of royalty’ energy okay?? Lol

I could do a whole blurb series with this dynamic nikolai x reader,, like just stories of them growing up together and randomly realizing they might like each other romantically?? I probably shouldn’t rn but i ADORE this trope.

--

The perfection of the room is disappointing. Idle hands, idle thoughts--so I work to smooth out a perfect duvet. Still, the thoughts come--aggressive and unavoidable. It’s silly, maybe even sad, to feel possessive over something that’s never been yours, something that could never be yours, but the harder I fight off the feeling the stronger it grows. Jealousy is a weed growing quickly in my chest, vile roots planted firmly in my heart.

Normally my favorite part of the day would be waiting for Nikolai to return to his room in the palace after dinner and his evening duties. He’s always a bit softer in the evenings, during my last check-in of the day. I’m normally thrilled to be done organizing his room early because that means the second he arrives there will be no distraction. Most evenings, he’ll find me perched in the seat by his bed, reading. He’ll mock-scold me for daring to defy his orders and reading ahead from the book we both take turns reading aloud from each night. He then warns me that I better react exactly the way I did when I first read it or else. That threat is always followed by a gentle laugh.

Tonight I’m in no mood for our nightly banter or even our nightly reading. My mother had warned me of the dangers of getting too comfortable with the royal family. I should have heeded that warning when she first gave it to me, the morning she found Nikolai and I fast asleep on a couch in the library as children. The palace likes to bring up the children of the staff by training them to attend to the next generation of royals. It makes the staff more efficient, a lifetime of knowing what someone wants makes you better for them. It also creates some level of connection, making betrayal a little less likely. Nikolai and I might have taken it farther than most. But now I want a reminder of the way we’re supposed to be--maybe if I detach now the bleeding of my heart won’t kill me. That has to remain secret, because if I explain it to Nikolai something in me will break. The one line between us will be crossed.

This will be the sixth secret I’ve kept from Nikolai in my entire life.

--

The secrets:

I don’t know why I was picked for Nikolai. I wasn’t particularly skilled, but still, the day came when my mother was told that I now worked directly for the Lantsov boy. It’s an honor, a true one, but my mother had been a little nervous. To whom much is given, much is expected--and I detested Nikolai. Not for being a prince, but for being a prince who thought girls couldn’t race or fight.

The day my mother came looking for me because I never showed up for dinner and she found Nikolai and I attempting to fight in the way only a ten-year-old girl and eleven-year-old boy would, she had looked truly mortified. Nikolai had only laughed, either oblivious to my mother’s embarrassment or uncaring about it. He had then hugged me--an expression of care that had left me reeling. I saw him more as a rival than someone to tend to, but in that moment I saw him as a friend. Even more so when he told me he didn’t want me to go yet and that he was upset that so much of the day had been wasted by studies that kept him with boring people and away from me. And then he invited me to his lessons--my mother was quick to attempt to decline politely, but the desires of a prince at any age outweigh that of a mother.

After that, everyone kind of just stopped trying to remind us of our propriety. The tutor at first was concerned about my presence, but Nikolai remained stubborn. I wasn’t a big enough deal to cause an argument, so I began to attend lessons with him almost every day, only staying away when my mother needed aid with laundry or cleaning. His parents must have been somewhat aware of our friendship, but they must have been oblivious to our closeness because it was never mentioned.

My mother’s worry began to ease, she’d even started to take some pride when I’d come to our room proudly proclaiming that I scored two marks higher than Nikolai. She did, however, warn that it might be more tactful to let him score higher.

The comment was casual, just a suggestion, but it left me feeling wrong. It was the first time since we met that I had thought about our different statuses. I didn’t tell him--and that was the first secret I ever kept from him.

As we grew, we traded physical competition for academic rivalry, trying to best each other in both lessons and games of strategy like chess and cards. But with growing comes responsibility. Nikolai started to have obligations that were meant to be private. I couldn’t follow him at all times. But he’d always come back from locked door meetings grinning like he carried schoolyard gossip instead of government secrets. He shared everything with me, even when I playfully warned against it.

He’d always step closer when I teased that perhaps he shouldn’t tell me everything. And then he’d say, “If I can’t trust you, then I can’t trust anyone--and I don’t want to live in a world like that.” Often, he’d give my hand a light squeeze before moving on like he had not said anything intimate.

On a day in which Nikolai was in one of those meetings, I became a woman. When I first saw the blood, I had been horrified--but my mother was quick to explain that it was natural. She said that I was now a woman, a wonderful thing, really--but a thing that came with obligations. She told me that I could no longer have the impromptu ‘sleepovers’ with Nikolai unless he ordered it. I told her he’s never ordered me to do anything for him.

She didn’t ease, something in her had started to become nervous again. My mother had recently started to act the way she did when Nikolai and I first became friends. I didn’t want to fall asleep in Nikolai’s bed while I was bleeding, but I didn’t want to never have another sleepover with him again. Especially not when she refused to explain why being a woman changed so much.

I had decided to avoid Nikolai as much as possible until the sting of my mother’s new rule faded. Unfortunately, that night Nikolai was extra talkative--excited as he insisted I stay for a little longer. Soon, I found his familiar good naturedness melting away my nerves and before I knew it I was laughing in the middle of the night. When my eyelids started to feel heavy, I had moved from the chair, ready to head back to my room.

Nikolai had looked at me oddly before he asked why would I leave so late when it would be easier for me to just sleepover? It was an innocent question, he did not know about my change and I had wanted to keep it that way.

I tried playing coy, but Nikolai has always had a talent for getting around my better judgement. I don’t recall exactly how it happened, but I remember him standing in front of me. It was the first time I noticed how much had actually changed over the years--he was now taller than me for the first time in his life. His hair had started to grow a little longer, golden and soft-looking--and his face seemed much more angular. But he had not lost his boyish charm.

“Y/n?” My name fell softly from his lips, and that was the first time I had ever noted the fullness of them. I didn’t understand why I considered that something worth noting. “Did I do something to make you mad at me?”

Perhaps I had been a little curt--nerves and hormones had left me not feeling like myself. I didn’t tell him about the bleeding, I couldn’t. That became the second secret I kept from him--but I did tell him that my mother had told me I was a woman now, and that women can’t have sleepovers. Not with those of the opposite gender. I made no effort to hide my confusion because I expected him to be as perplexed as I was. But he was not confused--in fact, he had the audacity to laugh. My face flushed, but I did not know why.

“Why is that funny?” Maybe he thought I was still too much of a child to be considered a woman. I assumed it a fair assumption, I had not grown the way he had--my shoulders had not become sturdier and I had not become particularly broader. Still, I would rather melt into the floor than tell him about the reason my mother now considered me a woman. “My mother did say that, and I don’t know what being a ‘woman’ has to do with staying in your room at night.” Something strange had crossed over his features then, something much more brooding than I was used to.

I had blinked at him as unexplained nerves pooled in my stomach. Perhaps that look would have been enough to keep me silent if he had managed to not grin. That self-assured grin that had always challenged me. “Well since you know everything about my mother now, maybe you can tell me why she’s been acting strange. She’s starting to act the way she did when we first became friends.” I expected him to at least pretend to be worried. Perhaps his parents had spoken to her and had mentioned wanting our friendship to end. But his grin had only grown. Pride left me angry. “She did say that I could stay if you ordered it--but I’m glad you’ve never ordered me to do anything, so I can leave right now because you’re acting as odd as her. I don’t understand what you could find funny about our friendship ending.”

He had stopped me from storming out of his room by placing one hand on the wall between me and the door. “Y/n, don’t be cross--I’ll explain it all, I promise.” Angry pride made me want to storm away from him, but curiosity and something unknown and warm kept me in place. “Do you remember when we read the play about the rival families, how the two main characters had kissed?”

I remembered that part of the play especially well. The concept of kissing so casually, outside of marriage, had been jarring to me. “Yes.”

“Now that we’re older, your mother must be worried that we might do that.” He paused before leaning against the arm he placed on the wall to keep me from leaving a little more. “Kiss.”

The clarification was not needed--in that brief pause, I had allowed myself to imagine no distance between our lips. Something in me burned with embarrassment when I realized that some part of me found the thought appealing. The only thing I wanted in that moment was assurance that Nikolai would never know I felt that. That was my third secret, and the weight of it was heavy against my chest.

Still, though, all of my confusion had not yet left. “Is there much harm in a kiss?”

The question had left an odd smile on his lips. “There’s potential harm in what it could lead to for the woman, but not so much for the man.” He exhaled slowly as my face tensed. He could always read me too well because he was quick to add, “What it could lead to isn’t a bad thing, it’s meant to be pleasurable, but it’s serious.” I did not understand, but a part of me was starting to grow okay with that. Nikolai’s voice had started to become lower than ever, and his gaze remained tense. Perhaps if I accepted the confusion for now, things could go back to normal. If the conversation ended, I could stop thinking of his lips and his hands and what it would mean for them to touch me. “It’s considered a vice, like drinking or gambling.” The additional comment helped more than it should have. A vice--not scary and not painful, but not something to indulge in. That’s enough explanation for now. “If you want to know, I won’t deny you.”

I appreciated the offer tremendously. The vice that comes after kissing is clearly something that’s been intentionally kept from me. It’s something he was privy to that I was not, and he offered it to me like so much else. But if knowledge that my mother feared us kissing made me think of his lips, then I doubted I could handle knowing what comes after kissing.

“I’ll let you know when I want to know, but I appreciate the offer.” It felt like a fair response. His snarky grin came back immediately. Irritation rooted itself in my stomach. I hated not knowing more than him for once, but I still had one question I could not relinquish. “But what does that vice have to do with orders?”

At that, his smugness faltered. “It’s not unheard of, for princes and handmaids--for a prince to obligate a handmaid in order to fulfill his vice. Though many handmaids fill the vice of their own will for benefits.

The explanation left him like a confession. I didn’t understand his hesitance--it’s not like he’d ever make me do anything I didn’t want to do. Even when I worked, he was hesitant to ask me to go out of my way to bring him a glass of water. And I couldn’t imagine gaining anything from offering Nikolai something I didn’t really understand. I wasn’t naive to the fact that my life had more privileges than many palace servants. “Oh.”

His eyes hardened. “You know I’d never--”

“I know.” It was finally easy to smile again. “I never thought otherwise.” Something in him seemed to ease at that, his eyes went from hard to warm in less than a second.

I had no more questions for him and I was also no longer a flight risk, but Nikolai did not move. He did not step back to create a more appropriate distance and he did not drop his arm. His gaze, however, did move--dropping downwards, and slightly away from my eyes. I did the same, my eyes falling to his lips.

The silence between us began to make me feel like something in me was in danger of overflowing. “Then I guess my mother is once again worrying for no reason.” Strangely, I did not feel the need to feel embarrassed about staring at his lips. “Because I would never particularly want to kiss you, Nikolai Lantsov.”

The comment was meant to be teasing, a joke to clear away unknown tension. I should have known better than to challenge his pride because he instinctually moved his hand off the wall and beneath my chin. I did not flinch when he tilted my head upwards slightly with his fingers. “I could get you to want to kiss me if I wanted to.”

Three secrets in one night. I did not think I could bear a fourth one. “Hm…” The ground we treaded on felt unstable, but something in me trusted Nikolai to not let me falter. “I should--I should go before I give my mother anymore cause to worry.”

His fingers had brushed down my chin easily as he dropped his hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

And that he did. The days passed without mention of the last time he asked me to sleepover. It was as if nothing had changed except now I found myself noting things I most definitely did not want to note. These didn’t feel like individual secrets because it felt easy to group each admirational thought into one secret. Soon, that became my new normal--easy banter, easy touches of hands, and easy yet silent admirations of his beauty.

I never wandered too hard about what the vice that kissing can lead to entailed. I didn't particularly want to know, but knowing that I could ask Nikolai at any time brought a sense of security to me. But besides that, I never thought of that conversation until the day I was asked to look for Nikolai because he was late for dinner.

That in itself was odd, most of the time when Nikolai was late it was because he was with you. I checked his room, two other rooms he was known to frequent, and then finally the library. First, I noticed a handmaid two years older than me. I was finally at an age when one begins to compare their beauty to those around them, and I recognized the girl as gorgeous. She was better endowed than me, physically, and she always seemed fun. And then I noticed Nikolai, standing closer to her than I’ve ever seen him stand to anyone. His expression was serious as the girl giggled.

Nikolai’s expression shifted from tense to shocked when he saw me. “Y/n.”

It took me a moment longer than it should have to realize what I had interrupted. Guilt and jealousy were quick to twist in my stomach. “Dinner--your parents sent me to look for you.”

He was quick to walk around the girl, who was quick to glare at me. I attempted to disappear down the hall after mumbling a quick apology, but Nikolai was faster than me.

“Y/n,” he did not hesitate to grab my wrist.

It shouldn’t have irked me the way it did, after all, neither of us had ever really hesitated to touch each other. I had always reached for him when I wanted him, and he had done the same. But the thought of the same hands that touched the most beautiful girl I had ever seen on me left me bitter in a way I didn’t understand.

Still, I pushed through all of that. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, your mother asked me to look for you because she assumed you’d be with me when you were late to dinner. I didn’t think that there’d be--”

“You didn’t interrupt anything.” The words came out flat as his eyes took on the same quality they did the night he explained my mother’s concern to me. “Valaria wishes there was something to interrupt, but there wasn’t.”

Oh. I refused to let the correction inflate me. “Would you like me to not come to your room tonight?”

The offer felt awkward to make. “No,” the answer came quickly, “In fact, go there now--I want to see you right after dinner. I’ve missed you today.” The instruction left my face feeling warm. “We could read an extra chapter of our book if you’d like.”

Despite myself, I grinned. “Yes.”

“Looking forward to it.”

True to his word, Nikolai was quick to return to his room. He had come back to me eagerly, going out of his way to squeeze my shoulder as he entered the room.

I opened the book to the chapter we had left off on, but before I could start reading, Nikolai stopped me. “Sit next to me?”

The question came softly. It had been some time since we sat next to each other on his bed. Still, I moved off of the chair and to his bed. Something in me longed for the familiar closeness of childhood. I allowed him to play with my fingers as I read.

“You know you could take one night off from me if you wanted to.” The admission left me softly, part of unsure if he was still paying attention to my words. “She was pretty, it wouldn’t have hurt my feelings if you told me you wanted me to not come tonight.”

Nikolai exhaled easily, squeezing my fingers once. “I said I wanted to see you and I meant it.”

It took all of my energy to push past the way his words made my stomach leap. “In general, if you ever--”

Nikolai cut me off by laying his head on my lap the way he used to. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” It was the first time in years that he spoke to me in a way that acknowledged his authority. “Keep reading please.”

And that was the last time we had ever mentioned other handmaids in that context. The fifth secret I ever kept from him was the way I worried that one day that would change.

--

The door creaks open while I’m in the middle of fluffing an already pristine pillow. Nikolai steps into the room, but I continue to work.

“Darling,” he breathes too easily, “Today has been painful.” I straighten, looking at him as casually as I can manage. “And now I have to deal with you being mad at me.”

Damn him and his ability to read me with one look. “I’m not mad.”

“You know you can’t lie to me,” he sighs, stepping forward, “We’ve known each other too long for that.”

I press my lips together, irrational anger pushing itself into me at an odd angle. “We’ve also known each other too long to keep secrets.”

His eyebrows draw together, a look so quizzical I’m reminded of our schooling days. “What secrets have I kept from you?”

Mentioning that had been a mistake. I exhale as flatly as possible. “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” My dismissal only has Nikolai’s expression hardening. I drop my gaze. “Unless you need something, I’m retiring my services for the evening.”

I take a reluctant step towards the door, eyes attached to the floor. “Y/n,” his voice is gentle. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just tired.” Please let that be at least somewhat believable. “I’m sure I’ll feel more like myself in the morning.” I take another step, a little more assured. Nikolai’s hand is on my shoulder before I can escape. “Nikolai--”

“Y/n,” his voice is that of velvet, “I can’t have you be mad at me. Not now.”

Sighing, I meet his gaze. The tiredness I see behind his eyes is almost enough to chase away my nerve. What I’d give to be able to melt into our familiar routine. “Then you should have told me you were almost engaged to a literal Saint--the same literal Saint who’s one of my closest friends.”

Nikolai’s expression shifts as his hand drops from my shoulder slowly, fingers brushing down my arm before he finally intertwines our fingers. I bite my tongue to avoid squeezing his hand, but I don’t move to separate us either. He studies me silently, eyebrows drawn together. The longer he stares, the more whatever turmoil he’s experiencing seems to dissipate. After a minute of silence, I can read his expression perfectly. His lips are pressed together in that coy way--the way he only looks when he’s suppressing a smile.

I loathe him for it. “Nikolai Lantsov, don’t you dare laugh--not after what you did. Do you have any idea what it felt like to have Alina casually mention the fact that you almost married her casually? Like that was common knowledge to everyone but me?”

My words break away the last of his self control. He grins, flashing his annoyingly perfect teeth. “Do you have any idea what it feels like for me to want nothing more than to see you and then you let me believe something may actually be wrong when the only issue is your jealousy?”

The amusement in his tone is like poison to me. I find the strength to jerk my hand away from him. “I am not jealous.” He laughs; I am further enraged. “I am not.” The genuineness of my anger must finally register on some level, because he tries to suppress his smile. “I have every right to be mad at my best friend for not telling me that he was almost married.”

“We didn’t exactly come close,” he manages, expression still much too light for my taste. “I’m glad for Alina’s sake, I’m not sure being a Saint would be enough to protect her.”

He is infuriating. “I’m not sure anything you have will be enough to protect you.”

Something in his gaze shifts, softening the tilt of his mouth. “I don’t doubt that.”

I don’t know what I expected from him--but not this. I thought he’d be at least somewhat apologetic. “You should have told me.”

“I would have if I felt it was significant.”

“I’m your best friend--your marriage is significant to me. And even though it’s not like you’re engaged to her right now, you should have told me. You know I talk to Alina all the time.”

He sighs once, a hint of apology threatening to ghost over his eyes. “If I knew not knowing would have upset you so much I would have told you. I was--I was just so excited to be around you again I didn’t see much relevance in anything that didn’t involve you.”

The intensity that Nikolai regards me with is enough to wither all of my fury. But without my anger, I am left spiraling in emotion that I’ve been pushing against for years. My mother’s warning about relationships with those above us rings in my ears--sharp and headache inducing. I am still when he reaches for my hand again, but I do no allow myself to return the gentle squeeze of his fingers.

“I’m not sure much outside of you has significance.” He’s giving me a look I am familiar with. A look he often uses to chase away my anger.

Without my anger, I have nothing to keep me from melting into him, indulging in his presence fully. It’s so easy with him and I blinded myself to the danger of that. He may not be marrying Alina, but one day he will marry someone. A person worthy of his status--and what would I be left doing? Washing their laundry? Tearing up when I dusted the library and came across a book we had read together? Enough damage has already been done--I need to cut myself with this blade now in hopes of making sure I can one day recover.

He will get married one day, and nothing will be the same. And that’s a good thing--he deserves the love of a princess or queen. I want his happiness, even if it’s not with me. But some vindictive part of me hopes that some part of him will miss me. That some part of him will be dulled without me.

I’m a fool--he will remember me as the handmaid from his youth. The girl who made him laugh once or twice before he grew up. I force my hand out of his grasp. “You can’t win me over with words every time.” I need to get out of here before he says something that makes me lose all resolve. “Tomorrow morning I’ll be here to prepare you for breakfast.”

“Y/n.”

I step forward, refusing to look at him. “Goodnight.”

He sighs, his hand quick to grab my arm. Before I can question him I feel myself pulled back. I expect him to pull me just close enough so that I have to meet his gaze. He continues, pulling me sharply before placing a quick hand on my shoulder, forcing me down. My back hits his bed.

I sit up as soon as the reality of what just happened seeps into my mind. “Nikolai, what in the Saints--”

“If you’re going to act like a child, I’m going to treat you like one.”

I scoff, thoughts of escaping him put on hold by the principle of pride. Fine. I’ll beat him one last time, and then I’ll let us separate. I shove him. He laughs--of course this is funny to him. He got to keep fighting past the age of about eleven. His laughter adds to my anger, I move to shove him again, but he catches my wrist easily. I struggle against his hold, shoving him a third time with my still free hand. He pushes me slightly. That’s all it takes to unleash familiar habits.

Our small fight is hardly fair. He has all the advantage--more training, and he’s standing above me. When I finally make a move that might give me some success, Nikolai leans forward. He practically tackles me, his weight forcing me flat against the bed.

I move an arm, ready to push him off of me. Nikolai snags my wrists, holding them above my head. “This means I win.” I roll my eyes, anger returning.

“Let me go.”

He sighs tiredly, but the smugness radiating off of him is suffocating. “Admit that you were jealous.”

There are a lot of things I am willing to do for him--but never that. I cannot give him the one separation I still have. “I wasn’t.”

“Then why are you mad?”

I press my lips together. “I told you--”

“Do you really think you could lie to me?”

“You don’t know me that well.”

Nikolai moves his freehand, touching my chin as a way to ask me to look at him. I meet his gaze hesitantly. “Yes, I do, and that’s never bothered you before but it does now.”

Maybe this is a conversation better had bluntly. “It bothers me now because you’re too old to hold onto the daughter of a palace handmaid and I’m too old to pretend that our different statuses don’t matter.”

“Y/n,” he breathes, “Nothing’s changed. Status didn’t matter to me when we were children, and it doesn’t matter to me now.”

“You can afford to say things like that.”

“What good is my title if it means I can’t,” he pauses, eyes hesitant, “If I can’t keep things the same between us?”

I smile, the sadness of the look weighs on me and I can’t even see it. “Nikolai, you always knew things would change.”

“No, I--”

“You can’t tell me you think your future wife would like you having such a close relationship with a handmaid.” I press my lips together. “One day you’ll fall in love and get married and you’ll want me to leave your bedchamber as soon as dinner is over because you’ll be eager to spend time with your wife.” His gaze hardens. “And that’s not a bad thing. It’s actually a really good thi--”

The last syllable of my sentence dies in my throat. Nikolai, who must be possessed by something, leans down and presses his lips against mine. I beg myself to resist, but his gentleness is everything I’ve ever wanted. He releases my hands in favor of holding my face. That’s all it takes--my hands move without my permission, into his hair--pulling him closer to me. What am I doing? I’m insane. Placing my hands on his chest cautiously, I push just slightly. He’s quick to obey, pulling away while allowing his teeth to brush against my bottom lip.

I gape at him--taking in his now slightly swollen lips. “Nikolai.” He can’t do this to me. We’re friends. Despite the fact that I’ve loved him more than I should--we’re friends. “You’re being extremely unfair.”

He draws his eyebrows together, sitting up quickly and moving off of me. “I’m being unfair? I have spent my entire life loving y--”

I sit up, furious in a new way. “You have not!” This is the dumbest I have ever been. I move to stand, still feeling the softness of his lips against mine.

“Your tooth fell out.” The sharpness of his words forces me to still.

“What?”

I can’t bring myself to turn and look at him, but I’ve always been able to feel any heaviness he bears. The weight of it leaves little room for air in my lungs. “You were ten. I told you ‘girls couldn’t fight’ so you punched me in the face. That was the first time we ever fought--I didn’t mean to hit you in the face, but you moved. You moved and I hit you in the mouth and your last baby tooth fell out. I expected you to cry or get angry, but you just blinked at me and laughed. You were happy to lose your last baby tooth because it meant you were grown up. And then you smiled and asked me if you looked older. If anything, the gap in your smile made you look younger but I told you that you looked like a grown-up because I wanted you to keep smiling. Because your smile made me feel like I won something.” I turn on my heels, but I cannot meet his gaze. “That was the moment I fell in love with you--so don’t tell me I haven’t spent my entire life loving you.”

The weight of his words is harder to survive against than the heaviness of his feelings. “Nikolai, you know we can’t ever be together--”

“Why not?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know,” I manage, voice low, “You almost married the Sun Summoner--”

“That was political--”

“Exactly, your marriage is meant to be political, and if it happens to be out of love--which is what I hope you get, because it is what you deserve--it will be to someone of status.”

Nikolai stands, the movement is that of a king, not the boy I know. “I do not want status or to love someone else--I want you.”

“I can’t take that from you--”

��You can’t take anything from me because I’ve already given it all to you.”

I press my lips together, heart tearing for him. “I love you too much to ruin you.”

My words seem to snap something in him because his eyes darken, the way he watches me adjusting accordingly. “You can’t ruin something that’s always been yours.”

I let myself smile. At him. At his words. At the foolish hope the child in me has clung to after all of these years. I reach for him thoughtlessly, because I have the right to. Because I’ve always had the right to. He’s quick to respond, kissing me with much more security than before.

This time, he pulls away of his own regard. “You still haven’t admitted that you were jealous.”

His teasing smugness isn’t as sour to me anymore. “I wasn’t.”

Nikolai pulls me towards him easily, lips threatening to brush against me, warm breath against my face. “Are you sure, darling? You were awfully quick to claim what’s yours.”

I roll my eyes, grinning so widely I’m surprised my face doesn’t yet hurt. “You’re the one that fell for a ten-year-old girl with a bloody mouth.”

When he smiles back at me, he places a hand on my hip, pulling me forward slightly. “That I did.” He pulls me forward slightly. "Does this mean you can sleep in here again?"

"If anything, this is more reason for me to sleep in another room." He rolls his eyes, pulling me even closer. "But I won't tell if you don't."

Nikolai leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Deal."

tags: @deardiarystuff @theincredibledeadlyviper, @grishaverse7 @benbarnes-supremacy  @tranquilitymoon @kaitlyn2907 @lunamyangel @christinawxxx @deceivedeer @real-mbappe @tonks33

[levi-ships-eruri]

Levi Ackerman NSFW Alphabet

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Levi is a cleanliness freak and after a few moments of holding you and making sure that you are okay, he would get up and change the sheets. Means, you have to get up, too. And while you are up, you should go and take a shower. He will join you there and MAYBE this will lead to a second round. However, he will definitely make sure you are alright, clean, and safe. And tbh, there is no better feeling than going back to bed with Levi and cuddle into the fresh sheets.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

Levi is quite confident about his body despite his height. On himself, he especially likes his hands and his long, slender, and calloused fingers. They are quite aestethic and he knows how to use them on you, reaching places inside you that your own fingers cannot reach. However, these hands are also shed in blood. Therefore he loves to see that his hands can also be soft and caring on your body, and bring pleasure instead of death.

On you, Levi is definitely an ass and thigh kind of guy. But his favourite body part of you is your face: eyes, lips, nose, jawline... He loves when you glance over to him from the other side of the room, a little smile on your lips. He loves the blush tinting your cheeks. He loves the soft look in your eyes when you tell him that you love him. He loves to see you let loose when you come on him.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

Levi HATES to make a mess. So when he comes, he comes inside of you. He also thinks this is quite intimate and therefore likes it (plus, secretly thinking he is marking you. Boy sometimes is insecure). When it comes to oral, he wouldn’t force you to swallow. If you wanna spit it out, he would hand you a tissue. Same if something drips out of your mouth because sometimes he comes A LOT.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Levi is pretty vocal about sex and wouldn’t hide something from you, not even the awkward first-time-stories. But there is one thing he is shy talking about... he is not one to share his partner. EXCEPT for the two persons he trusts the most: Hanji and Erwin. Levi caught himself thinking about a threesome with his partner and one of them (or...a foursome...no too much trouble), but he would not dare to bring it up. He would be super embarassed if Erwin turned down the idea and he wouldn’t want Hanji to tell everybody or to brag about it (they would do this, let’s be honest).

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

Levi is over 30 years old, so he had gathered some experience. He started in the underworld, not necessarily because of need, but because he thinks it is something he is...supposed to do? Something that was normal for people to do? Later he also had sex when he needed to release some anger, and only later started to really enjoy it and to think about what techniques would please his partner. So, when the two of you start having sex, this guy knows what he does and is willing to learn everything about you and your preferations.

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

Doggy: He loves to push you down, a hand between your shoulders, your ass up in the air, pounding into you.

Missonary: Levi is a broken man and he loves to hold you close to him and bury his face into the crock of your neck.

Sitting: Both of you sitting, your legs wrapped around him, bodies closely pressed together, hand and lips everywhere they can reach. It is the most intimate position for the really emotional times.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? Are they humorous? etc.)

Levi is pretty serious in the bedroom, but he will make cocky remarks and smile a lot (sometimes also cocky, sometimes soft). Sometimes you will break out laughing because he cannot shut his shitmouth and will say something downright ridiculous.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? Does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

His hair down there is dark as well and neatly groomed, maybe even completely shaved. He is aware that bodyhair does not have anything to do with bad hygene, but he just feels better shaved or groomed. Levi’s body hair (and facial hair) also takes a lot of time to grow due to his time in the underground, but in this case it is rather beneficial for him.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

Levi is super intimate. Not necessarily overly romantic, but intimate. This is something between you and him, something special. So unless it is a quicky during stressful times, he will take his time and make sure that both of you feel good and loved. Often having sex with him is the closest you ever feel to him because Levi can show his affection better by acts than by words. Afterwards you sometimes have the deepest conversations.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Levi’s sex drive is not the highest and he has no problem with not jerking off for a while. When he feels the need to do it, he will do it during his super effective shower sessions because this way it wouldn’t make a mess. 

However, when he is in a relationship, his longing gets stronger. If he cannot see you for some time or if the two of you just cannot find any time for the do, he will have a frustrating jack-off session, which only causes his need for you to grow.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

Captain Kink: Levi likes to take the dominant part. He likes to hear you call him Heichou in bed, but not too often (he loves his name from your lips even more).

Bondage: Levi loves to tie you up and make you squirm beneath him. Orgasm denial is not a real kink of him, BUT he will do it all the time when you are tied up. When he gives you oral in this state, you can be sure it will take at least AN HOUR before he lets you cum.

Stockings: Since he is a leg guy, he enjoys seeing you wearing stockings. And he wouldn’t admit, but seeing you taking on your boots and gear the next morning is a huge turn on for him. He cannot wait to take them off again in th evening.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

His bed or the floor of his room, where he has control over the mess the two of you make.

His desk. It will make much more of a mess and will make a chaos out of his paperwork, but he is a sucker for the view of you sprawled out on his desk.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Levi is actually pretty hard to seduce, which makes flirting with him really hard. He notices the flirting, of course, but is good at ignoring it. As already mentioned, he gets pretty turned on when you get dressed into your boots and gear.

Whenyou spend the day apart from eachother,  glancing at each other from a distance, waiting for the night to finally come.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

Degrading: Apart from public belief, Levi would NEVER degrade you because he hates being degraded so much. His whole life has been a pain so far, so why should he take this into the bedroom, where he just wants to show his partner his love?

He would also not hurt you. Maybe a few spanks or some very light choking and hair pulling, but he would never ever hurt you in any way. Same reason as above.

Don’t. Call. Him. Daddy. He thinks this is super weird. Just stay with his name or Heichou/Captain.

Anything including piss or feces. Just no.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

Levi highly enjoys receiving oral, especially when he is sitting and you on your knees in fron of him. When you blow him, he will finally let loose and you can see his face slightly being tinted red, eyes closed, lips a little apart. His hand will be in your hair all the time and towards the end he cannot hold back and will thrust into your mouth once or twice. His low grunts get a little more high pitched when you run your tongue around his tip.

But Levi is also pretty talented in giving. As mentioned before, he likes to tease you with his mouth, loving the feeling of you squirming beneath him. Be prepared for a lot of edging, cause that little gremlin is a sucker for your desperate moans.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

Levi is a little more on the rougher side. His thrusts are deep and strong, his pace rather “average” at the start, but he gets faster in the course of the act. If the two of you have some time, he will vary his rhythm, from slow and sensual to fast and strong, and back again. Quickies will be, as the name suggest, as quick as possible.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Oh, talking about quickies: If you are in a relationship with Levi or anything like this, quickies will happen very often. He is a busy man und you most likely will also be part of the survey corps, so you need to use every little space of time you can get. This often results in steamy sessions in the forest against a tree, or a more private session in his office.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

So, semi public sex, like in the forest, is a thing. But he would always make sure to not get caught, especially not by some cadets.

Apart from that, he is pretty open in bed. Tell him what you would like to try and he will most likely agree, as long as it is nothing from his no go list. If he picks up something new (thanks to Hanji most probably) he will also not shy away from bringing it up and ask you about it.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Oh boi, we are talking about Levi. When the two of you have a whole night, you have to be the one to stop him at some point - for your own sake. Levi can go for several rounds, even the whole night and this can easily be too much for someone without special power.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

So let’s imagine a more modern setting, because I think there are no sex toys in our common sense on Paradise Island. In a modern world, Levi would definitely get and try out some sex toys, especially vibrators which he could use on his partner. He would also be a little curious to try them out on himself, but he rather uses them for teasing you. He would have like 2 or 3 items, not too much, not too fancy.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Ohhh, be prepared for a lot of teasing. Levi enjoys to have a little power over you and your pleasure, and he will make use of it. He is especially unfair when it comes to oral, holding your hips in place while he is taking is sweet time to pleasure you. It drives you mad and this man has a lot of patience.

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

Levi is not really loud, but his soft little grunts and moans are like music. He only gets a little louder when you tease him while giving him head, but he will also scold you for it. That shitmouth. Otherwise, you will hear him whisper “fuck” and “shit” while he is pounding into you and coming close to his climax.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Levi is quite curious when it comes to new techniques. Soon after joining the squad, he  discovers that Hanji has quite an interesting collection of books with...a lot of explanations and images. So one day, he asks them to borrow some of these books to study them. But before, he threatens Hanji with death if they tell anyone.

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

Have you seen Levi’s season 4 arts? This man is packed, damn. Errected I would say he is between 7′0 and 8′0. So Levi’s dick is pretty average in girth, but long. He knows how to use it as good as he uses his swords.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

Levi’s sex drive is pretty low, since he is not a horny teen anymore. Of course, he feels the need from time to time, but he can pretty good control himself. When he is in a relationship, however, his sex drive will grow a lot, since it is one of the ways of showing you how much he loves you. If the two of you have time, you will easily have sex 3 or 4 times a week.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Levi only sleeps 3 hours per night, and this will not change after sex. He often holds you until you are asleep and gets up afterwards, to either sleep at his desk or do some paperworks. He will, however, make sure to be back in bed when you wake up.

[roscgcld]

HEADCANONS + GOJO SATORU || onii-chan

note: this was a few ideas given to me by my beloved 🌸Anon - a bunch of new gojotwins!au headcanons c: this one is a little different compared to my other story, so this is a stand alone one. might turn it into a series if it gets enough love, but we’ll see~ you can read the original ask here!

pronouns: she/her

note: mentions of blood and death and spoilers for volume 8 & 9 of the manga. SUPER LONG by the way lol

gojotwins!au masterlist

twins have always been viewed as a bad omen for the parents - there are high chances of both twins developing no Cursed Technique at all, or have a Cursed Technique that is not desirable. So there had been no hope when one of the wives from the main family of the gojo clan was pregnant, and from what they can tell with twins at that

so it was a huge surprise to not only the elders but the entire jujutsu world when not one, but both of the twins were born with the coveted Six Eyes - something that had never happened in the history of the gojo clan. it was a moment to be celebrated!

if only they knew just what was lies ahead

much to the delight of the elders, the older one of the twins was the boy, satoru, while the girl was born 20 minutes after - it wouldn’t have mattered if it was the other way around, but just having the young boy being the one born first was definitely the icing on the cake

both of you were an absolute headache to deal with, causing so much chaos and mayhem that the elders had wondered if they should have celebrated at the idea of having two Six Eyes users under the same house was a good thing

the both of you trained together throughout your younger years, with satoru becoming super overprotective even though you were twins - he understood from a young age that the both of you were starting at different levels of footing because of your gender

yes, you are a girl - but at 7 years old you had exorcise a Grade-Two Curse by yourself with no more than an annoyed click of your tongue and a snap of your fingers, walking away whilst whining about how it got your favourite dress dirty

with that being said though, he loves to tease you are still the younger one between the both of you, and had teased you about how you should refer to him as ‘onii-chan’ instead of his first name

“come on, Y/N~ it’s a sign of respect~”

“i am going to spend you to outer space one of these days.”

the two of you were already known about the jujutsu world way before you even became old enough to enroll in Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College - you two were even allowed to enter without an interview with the then principal of the school

who would want to waste their time interviewing two highly over qualified teenagers anyway?

the first time you met geto and shoko, they were both intimidated by your sheer presence. the both of them have heard talks about the gojo twins entering their year as a pair

so when they had first met you, standing there in your uniform with your bright blue eyes hiding behind a pair of blacked out sunglasses and an indifferent look on your face - they definitely felt a shiver go through their bodies

however, when they saw your twin brother appearing behind you with the biggest grin, hugging you from behind whilst you scowled and tried to push his head away - they were definitely less intimidated now

“now, now, Y/N-chan, stop being so scary~”

“nii-chan, i am giving you three seconds to let go of me.”

the two of you quite the duo, especially when you two are always pinned against one another with more difficult and more challenging missions compared to when you were under the care of the gojo clan 

geto felt less pressure to match up to his friend, since satoru and Y/N are always at each other’s throat - wanting to outmatch the other and one up the other with silly things like Curse head counts and how difficult its level is

with that being said, satoru is very protective of you - if any so much as speaks poorly of you, he would not hesitate to put them in their place

“oya? what makes you think you can speak of my baby sister like that?” satoru had hummed towards the small group of men, who were commenting on how beautiful the young woman was followed by a lot of unsavoury comments. 

satoru still sported his casual smile, yet there was a certain air around him that made them shut their mouths up real fast. “mind repeating that? just want to make sure that i have a good enough reason to put your lazy asses six feet underground..”

after that specific incident by the way, satoru had you and your friends out on a little excursion around tokyo - where they just did a bunch of stupid things together to calm down

you can read him like the back of a book though, so when both of your friends went away to browse through some shelves in a video game store, you just wrapped your arms around your brother with a smile. “you know, nii-chan, you don’t need to go about protect my honour. i’m a big girl now.”

he’d just blink down at you before giving you a soft but genuine smile, petting the top of your head with one of his hand while the other was resting inside of his pocket. “if i don’t protect you, who am i going to protect?”

that statement was proven during your second year - a cursed user had overpowered you and shoko and had taken the both of you hostage. the curse user had practically beaten you into a pulp, knowing that you were the stronger one between the two

shoko had been tied up and beaten as well, but you were definitely taking the brunt of his anger - along with being forced to listen about how he was going to sell you to some low life family that had been trying to get you to marry their sorry excuse of a son. 

you don’t even remember meeting the father of the boy, who had claimed to visit the gojo clan home a few times now

“you gonna be a good girl for me?” the man had gripped as he gripped your hair in his hands, giving you a smirk whilst you scowled over at him in annoyance, blinking the blood out of your eyes from the wound on the top of your head. 

before you can give another snarky answer in reply that will get you another beating, the sound of someone kicking the door in. before either one of you can move, the man suddenly let go of your hair with a pained gasp as someone grabbed his hair and forced his head back, looking up into a pair of glowing blue eyes

“get your filthy hands off my baby sister.”

geto was in charge of taking care of the both of you, leaving the room with a simple reminder to satoru that they needed to bring the man back alive

both of you spending most of your time trying to unlock the many secrets of the Limitless, and how to control it better

during the entire star plasma vessel fiasco, you had stayed by geto’s side. and while you didn’t manage to save rika from being murdered, you had, like gojo, managed to touch the core of cursed energy

toji had ‘killed you’ before he went after geto, yet like satoru, he did not decapitate your head; so you had slowly started to use the reverse curse technique to heal your wounds

so you couldn’t believe satoru’s belief when he found you using reverse cursed technique to heal geto, wrapping you up in his arms while you just smile and hold him as well

the three of you plus shoko had turned to one another for comfort, because along the way you four have grown close to the young girl, and her death really affected all of you

but if there is something bright that came out from this, is that you and your brother had really elevated yourselves to become the strongest duo of the new generation - both pretty much an entire chest above the current active sorcerers

after satoru had calmed down, he had told you about what toji had said to him before his death - about how he has a son that he had planned to sell of to the zen’ins

the two of you went to visit the young boy, discovering that he had an older sister as well; and without hesitation you had taken the both of them under your wing, pulling a few strings behind the scenes while also trying to provide him with as normal as a life as you two could

megumi had viewed you as a mother figure, someone who looked out for him and tsumiki, teaching the two of them life skills like sewing and cooking, making sure they always have warm meals. 

you never miss their birthdays either - always making sure to get them either a cake or a small cupcake with a candle on the top to blow out just for the sake of tradition

sure, satoru loves to spoil them too, but he acted more like their chilled older brother - he definitely relies on you more as a parental figure he had lacked for quite a huge part of his childhood

he had remembered how once, when you had made him his favourite curry and rice after a long week, he just sighed and said, “thanks mum,” before he started to eat his meal 

at first you froze in shock, and  megumi did too - but before the blushing teen can apologise, you had already wrapped him up in your arms as you just cried your heart out

satoru had teasingly asked him if megumi can call him ‘dad’, to which megumi just scowled and sent his divine dogs after your brother

satoru loves to introduce you two as the ‘strongest duo’ by the way - which makes you super awkward and you hate it with a passion. he wasn’t wrong, but it’s still awkward

“we’re the Gojos - the strongest duo out there.”

“please stop calling us that.”

feel like because you’re there, geto might still be on the path to the light lmao - like mans will be a teacher in school and you three will be dub the ‘idiot trinity’ or some bullshit nickname lol - the three biggest troublemakers in the jujutsu world

yet the three most capable ones as well - absolutely drive the higher ups of the jujutsu world insane

with that being said though - the three of you definitely hashed a plan to change the jujutsu world together. even shoko agrees that there should be some change to the old ways of the jujutsu world; so the four of you decided to sign up to work as teachers at Jujutsu High 

the first group of students you took under your wing was the then first years - maki, toge, panda, and eventually yuta when he joined your little class

you are the mother for the students while geto is the responsible dad; satoru is the crazy uncle that is not allowed to supervise the students alone, and shoko is the cool aunt who lets you skip class in her office if you want

all the students have, at one point, just referred to you as ‘mum’ and you had always just accepted that with a soft smile and a pat on the top of their head

even if they are taller than you, they will willingly bend down to your height so you can pet them on the head - even megumi lets you get away with it

when itadori and nobara came into the picture, you had taken them un as your own as well - but you did spend a good 5 minutes laughing with geto at the idea that yuji manages to control sukuna like he is just an annoying imaginary friend in the back of his head that refuses to shut up

you had tried to give them some form of normality and comforts as teenagers, even if many times they were forced into very uncomfortable situations

all in all - it was utter chaos the moment both you and satoru were born. yet it was a miracle nonetheless. many times you prove to the world that your bond is stronger than people think it is, and that you two will go through anything to make sure the other is safe. 

you are the younger one, but the more responsible one too. the motherly figure that everyone turned to, even your friends and brother, who needs comfort and a warm meal. yet if provoked, you can become deadly and kill with no hesitation. it’s because of this, both you and your brother are considered as quite the deadly duo; the strongest ones around. 

© roscgcld — all rights reserved to me, rose, the author and creator of these works. do not repost/translate/claim my work as yours on any platform

[coolcattime]

Okie so the last for now of my new mianite head canon's (unless anyone wants to hear my new capsize or nadeshot head canons)

It'll be easy to think that Ianite's weapon is a sword after all the sabers often weilded by her followers are well feared but their weapon of choice is a bow. Every ianite devotee is trained to wield a bow in both long range and short ranged scenerios. Ianite's follows were historically nomadic and use of the bow for hunting and defense is deeply ingrained in them. Though their nomadic lifestyle and ... unique sense of morals often leads them to acts of piracy or banditry living in tightly knit groups where the strongest of the group would either set sell to plunder or leave their campsites to raid and steal supplies. Though the worship of ianite was never widely spread outside kf these communities so the goddess was often forgotten by the wider world. Of course some worked honestly becoming traveling peddlers. This changed when a group of former pirates found a small set of islands and began to build there first a temple to their goddess the first in the overworld (before this ianite was worshipped through small shrines that were brought along everywhere they went. Seeing her people attempting to make a home for themselves ianite came down to those islands and blessed them offering her heart so that the land would always remain safe. And this land became known as Ianarea.

Sparklez is a bit of an enigma. No one is quite sure where he comes from. Some think he's the last prince of a kingdom fallen to ruin, a child of a merchant killed by bandits, some even claim he's a monster wearing human skin as a disguise. As a young child he traveled to many places and trained his skills all alone. Once while on the road he was taken in at a temple of mianite where he met the young Jericho who he became fast friends with and, often found himself clashing with worshippers of dianite including a particularly violent acolyte named synhd who he also grew quite close too over their many heated battles. Sparklez respect grew for him especially more each time as even if he cut down all of syn's friends or fellow acolytes syn would seem to get stronger or manage to fight harder than before. There was even a time that syn almost managed to talk the young sparklez into becoming a dianitee but he never quite agreed to join up. He also had the offer to join team mianite but he always felt the call for something else. Something inside him a voice or a feeling that pushed him to continue wandering. Just when did he become the champion of ianite.

Firstly, I love the lore you've written for the background of Ianite's followers I think it works so well, especially them being nomadic and that being why Ianite is less known than her brothers. Using the bows to hunt and survive (and probably also to rob people given the whole piracy thing). Like it works so well that their goddess would start to be associated with the weapons they use to provide for themselves rather than the one that outsiders see them as most skilled at using.

I also love them settling Ianerea and Ianite placing her heart there, like it adds so much to the wreck of Ianerea if it was destroyed so Dianite could get her heart.

Yes yes yes to mystery boy Jordan making friends with Tucker and enemies to friends with Tom. Also I really really love Ianite being an established goddess that Jordan joins despite knowing nothing about her, like its really funny to me but I also love it.

I definitely wanna hear the headcanons you have about Capsize!!! I'll be happy to hear about Nadeshot too (though Capsize is such a big hyperfixation character so she is the one I'm so so excited to hear about)

[ganen-cheese]

also i just love how ppl see a character being the “bottom” (which wasnt even the case bc ur stuff wasnt nsfw) so that means they’re automatically weak and submissive or vice versa

and the fact that to a lot ppl unconsciously still see the “bottom” role as the woman roll in a gay relationship is very telling, its like the bottom is weak and submissive duh (bc its the role of a woman in a relationship)...

Yes. I never interpreted Mo as "weak" or "submissive" even if I made him Omega in my comic. In fact, I stated in my comic:

I like storylines where Mo pretends to be a Beta even though he’s an Omega.  As a younger person he might have been in denial and may have wanted to be a tough guy Alpha but it's hard to pretend to be an Alpha so he pretends as a Beta. He still has his own gang of delinquents.

19 Days is my first BL. The reason I haven't given any BL a try and don't like most mainstream romantic stories is because I was afraid of stereotypical characters where they didn't have any personality. I was delightfully proven wrong with 19 Days. I was very happy.

Even if I keep saying "Mo is cute" it doesn't mean I see Mo as a fluffy innocent character. He's a boy acting tough and cool, a school delinquent who can be violent.. an "outcast" who acts like he doesn't care what others think but this boy has a "gap" that inside, he's actually a very sincere boy who was a victim of certain circumstances in his life that made him put up an iron wall of "tough image" to protect himself. He's easily embarrassed, surprisingly innocent in some aspects (first kiss, the salary), very loyal and brave (standing up against She Li to help Buzzcut, standing up against She Li for his dad, standing up to the debt collectors for his mom), someone who will give the shirt off his back to help someone (homeless man), is caring to animals (the street dog, the fish), caring to friends when they need him (He Tian), works so hard for his family to make his dad and mom proud and help them. I find that "cute".

Even if I don't interpret Mo as being physically stronger than He Tian doesn't mean I see him as "weak". There are so many types of strength and Mo is definitely not weak. I thought we all agreed on the same thing so I was shocked when suddenly some people were personally offended when my interpretation of Mo is him not being a trained assassin like He Tian.

I said before on Instagram, Mo punches with his feelings. He's messy. He's an amateur. Yes, he can be violent but that doesn't mean he's skilled/skilled as He Tian. He lost most of his canon fights and only won against ZZX because he used a rock. Mo has so many openings. He loses when it’s 1 vs multiple people. DOESN'T mean he's weak. It just means he can learn more in fighting. He's a very normal teenaged delinquent.

He Tian's punches and kicks are calculated. He knows the vital points to hit to bring a person down. He's not just hitting aimlessly. He's trained in mind, skill and body due to his upbringing. Even Mo himself was impressed by He Tian's parkour skills and was also afraid He Tian might finish off the adult debt collectors. It's NOT typical to be as strong as He Tian and there is a proper explanation as to why he's so strong.

Even if there is a skill difference between them, both of them are strong people. I don't know why there should be an argument over who's stronger physically when it's not really important to determine their "strength". It's totally fine to interpret Mo as stronger physically than He Tian! That doesn't automatically make the other "weaker". Just as how He Tian being stronger physically than Mo doesn’t make Mo weak.

Another thing I find cute about Mo is how he's not submissive! :| I love his spirit and the way he doesn't let HT get what he wants. He's so cute when he blushes and I love all his reactions. I also love when he's being sincere, he lets his soft side show (stays with He Tian, hugs He Tian, feeds He Tian, runs to his house to help him, tells him he'll take care of him, buys him a bandaid, etc.). I understand He Tian completely why he's so smitten with him lol. 

Even when Mo is not being violent there are other types of strength. Strength in not giving up, strength in resisting, strength in protecting the ones you love. Even if Mo doesn't win the fight against She Li, or even if Mo has to have help from others doesn't mean he's weak. In fact, that's also a lesson Mo has to learn himself. Mo can win in other ways too. Not just brute strength.

Just because he’s not “top” in my works, outright dominating He Tian doesn’t mean I see him as a weakling or that he can’t be proactive in showing his love for HT. I don’t know why Mo has to be “top” or what to do that. I honestly didn’t understand what people were so angry about at first because I thought we were on the same page on this.

This is why I secretly wished we had a different tag system so I didn’t have to be subjected to rants about TianShan dynamic in my TianShan works. If they don’t like TianShan, I don’t want them to see my works. I also don’t want to see them talking bad about my works. I never forced them to follow me.

[olivyh]

TWST FAMILY HCS PT2) Savanaclaw and Octavinelle

Feel free to tack on your own Hc’s too!!! I love reading what other people think and how their view of the characters and of Twisted Wonderland in general change from person to person!!!

Savanaclaw:

Leona:

-Farena: We already know Leona describes his brother as being carefree and relaxed, but deep under that I think he’s a deeply intelligent man (how can you run a kingdom and be stupid?). He tries his best to make time in his schedule for his wife and child, and even try to get bonding tike with his younger brother (which never works out well). He tries to teach Cheka as much as he can, often giving him little life lessons while they play games. He’s a very kind and straightforward man, often being blunt when he doesn’t mean to. He stands a little taller than Leona, with Orange hair similar to Chekas. He keeps his hair tied out of his face as much as he can.

-Sister-in-law Kingscholar: A strong and confident woman, not afraid to speak her mind when she wants to. She’s blunt and she’d let you know about it. She’s also very kind in her own way, often dragging Leona off and trying to have serious talks with him, which he appreciates but doesn’t show. She adores Cheka and often spoils him without meaning to, and will spoil Leona too (but indirectly in a way similar to Ace’s father’s). Also very intelligent and good at reading people. I think she stands a little shorter than Leona, but she holds herself higher, and he slouches, so it looks as if they’re the same height. She has long yellow hair (again, similar to the ends of Cheka’s) that she often ties back as well.

-Cheka: We already know him, so heres a few Hcs!: He sometimes asks his mother to do his hair the same way as Leona’s, and tries to do everything like him (such as standing like him, trying to deepen his voice to sound like him, throwing sand at various objects in the castle yelling “King’s Roar!!”)

Ruggie:

-Grandma Bucchi: As he said himself, a stern and prideful woman. I think she’d be on the stricter side, having to teach Ruggie how to survive rather than him having to face those hard truths alone. She likely stands a lot shorter, likely 5’0 (sorry to anyone whos that height), than most other beastwomen. She’s a lot physically stronger than she looks, often still trying to pick Ruggie up at his age. She tries to spoil him when she can, trying to make him relax after working and taking over the household chores (which he declines, still cleaning up when she’s not looking- which earns him a smack to the head with a broom). She’s also a prankster, quietly jumping out from corners and scaring Ruggie or one of the other children. I think she feels a lot of regret over seeing Ruggie grow up so fast in the environment that he had, but she’s the proudest grandma ever. Whenever he sends pictures back she boasts to everyone at home (“See that! That’s my grandson’s school! See that there! He plays magift and is one of the best on the team! Look there! He’s got those nice ceremony robes!”), and even boasts about him with what little baby pictures they have (“See him walking at such a young age? Isn’t he so strong?”) Will never stop talking about her grandson, ever.

-Neighborhood kids: I think they’re like little siblings to Ruggie, so I’m adding them. They try to tale over what Ruggie did when he was at home, helping people fix up their houses or entertaining the baby hyenas when their mothers have other things to do. They also leave gifts to Ruggie when he comes back, between little dolls they made, bracelets they thought he’d like, charms, or pretty rocks and leaves. He keeps all of the gifts, no matter how small.

-His mom (bc the poor woman deserves a spot)(Poor meaning unfortunate)(The more i think abt it, both. It means both. Bad time?): I think she looked a lot like him, but with brighter blue eyes than his. She was definitely a prankster at heart, leaving clever traps behind for any poor soul to get stuck in. She was a very hardworker much like her son, taking on any task she could find to help out her mother. I think she’d try to leave as much behind for Ruggie as she could, which would include little notes and scribbles about how she was feeling throughout her pregnancy and how excited she was for him. Ruggie also kept all of those safe and sound, in a small box he keeps in the corner of his room.

(Can you guess who my fav chara is?)

Jack:

-Grandma & Grandpa Howl: A very loving couple, who always make time out of their schedule for their grandchildren, whether it be for school events, emergencies, or if any one of them want to come by and talk. They met when Grandpa Howl got lost and wandered by Grandma Howl’s family’s cabin (which happens to be the one they, and the rest of the family, still live in to this day) and he spent the night. I think they fell in love at first sight :’)

-Mama Howl: A very soft and loving beastwoman who is willing to sacrifice anything for her children. She is often strict, and sometimes a chatterbox, but she always reminds her children to stay safe and that she loves them. She always pats their head or cheek when she walks by, even if she has to reach a little to plant a kiss on Jack’s forehead. I think her hair would be a little darker grey, and she’d definitely be a little more muscular and taller, reaching six ft one when standing straight up. She’d have the same yellow eyes as Jack, and her hair would be cropped shorter due to her still moving around a lot.

-Papa Howl: Very similar to Jack personality and appearance wise. He stands an inch or two shorter than Jack, but is still very muscular due to working around the house and in the woods (chopping wood for the campfire, dragging around tools, carrying three wolf pups at a time in his younger days (only one now wants to be carried, which hurts the poor man’s heart a bit)

-Baby brother Howl: Huffy and a little moody, but a hard worker even if he complains while doing it most of the time. That’s often with his parents, but when he does something with Jack he doesn’t complain a bit. He’s very attached to his older brother, looking up to him for his strength and strong morals. He often compares him to superheroes and star athletes in his mind, but sometimes it slips out, resulting in one very embarrassed wolf boy and another very flattered wolf boy, ignore their wagging tails, it means nothing. I think he stands pretty tall for a preteen, around 5’7-5’8 and growing taller by the day. Same hair and eye color as Jack. Acts like he doesn’t like to play games with his younger sister but will never turn down a game of tag.

-Baby sister Howl: An absolute sweetheart. She just wants the best for her family and will do whatever she can to make what they want happen. Jack is hungry? Good thing she made her special dessert (it’s a poptart with whipped cream messily piled on top with sprinkles and literal sugar cubed wedged in it, but don’t tell her you don’t like it, please she’d actually bawl). Her other older brother is tired? She can get him extra blankets! Mama needs help cleaning? She can mop (she really just throws water on the floor and praises herself for a job well done). Papa need to cut wood? She can- no, she can’t. Please don’t give her an axe. She’ll cheer him from the sidelines with a song she made up just for him instead! She has their mother’s grey hair and father’s dark brown eyes, and loves to do her hair like the princesses she sees on Tv! (Yes, Jack will wear a too-small dress and Tiara if his sister wants to play princess. No, he will not let anyone take pictures.)

Octavinelle:

Tweels:

-Mama Leech: At first glance, a very kind woman with soft eyes. Willing to open her arms to anyone who might need help. Then, a terrifying grin similar to Floyd’s as that poor unfortunate soul realizes the trap they’d been thrown in. She’s very kind and patient towards both her boys and husband, as well as their friends (even of she is on guard near their friends, throwing a few hollow threats to see if it’d scare them away)(She doesn’t like to share her babies). She dotes on the tweels as much as possible, indulging im whatever curiosity they may have. Floyd wants to know what going through riptide is like? They leave tomorrow to find one. Jade wants to know more about life on land? She’ll find as many books as possible and ask (threaten) people for their land belongings. She knows when too far is too far though, and is very skilled at reeling the boys back in if they get to that point. Will always call them her little guppies, no matter how big they get. I think she’d have a teal bob on top, with the underside of her hair being black (which makes her hair look color changing when she swims). Im her human form shes only a few inches shorter than her boys, ranging around the same as Jack’s mother.

-Papa Leech: The definition of old Hollywood New York mob boss. Strict and blunt about his interests and problems, and not afraid to cause any problems if provoked. When the tweels were younger and they’d wrestle and bite at him, he’d throw them off him easily, telling them they need to work to beat him, even if he was impressed by their teamwork at first. Will die to protect his family, and was likely put in that position many times in the past due to his uh… business. He values his wife and children more than anything, and has done everything in his power in the past to protect them from harm. When they went to NRC at first, he felt defeated and almost wanted to beg them to stay safe with him (not that his pride would allow it).(Both the tweels can see through his facade easily)

Azul:

-Grandma ‘grotto: A very stern and prim octomermaid. What she says goes in the Ashengrotto house, and she often catches herself making unnecessary comments. She does apologize. Also a very loving grandmother towards Azul, often babying him whenever possible (doing the classic “you’re not eating enough here take some more” grandma move)(She will smooch his face whenever possible when there are no business clients nearby). Tries to boost his confidence since she knew about what was happening to him (Chances are she went through the same thing- being an octomer as well) and dod her best to protect him and make him happy. She taught him how to write with his tentacles and encouraged him to do his best in everything he does.

-Mama ‘grotto: Another businesslady in the front absolute softie in the back situation. Adores her son and is incredibly proud of how far he’s come.I think she looks identical to Azul, but more heavyset and, of course, female. She coddled Azul as much as possible, which worked out well with baby Azul’s clingy nature. She had no shame in walking around with the little guy stuck to her (unless he smacked a tentacle to her face when she was working on her restaurant), and made sure everyone knew what a good boy he was. She would show pictures to everyone (similar to Ruggie’s grandma), but respects his wishes in wanting to hide pictures of his past. She still shows anyone who asks pictures of him at NRC (compliments to the twins, who send her updates when her son is busy), and will tell everyone how smart he is and how much he’s grown.

-Step-Papa grotto: A very professional man in every aspect of his life, which stretches to his relationship with his stepson. When he learns about the contracts and Azuls UM, he’s over the moon with how happy he is. He swam around with a little more pep than usual, flicking his tail and flaring out his fins the more and more Azul told him. He helps him reword and format his contracts to his advantage, and is always willing to talk with him about Mostro Lounge or (on rare occasion) some memories before Step papa Ashengrotto met Mama Ashengrotto (which always make him happy that Azul trusts him enough). I think he’d be a pretty generic looking Mer, with an average looking tail and such